Moms Know Everything

There is no question that some of our best and most memorable tips about makeup and skincare come from our Mommas. Our Mothers tend to be the first person we seem to call on if we need beauty advice. Somehow, they usually seem to have the best advice– whether it be from their past beauty experiences, or they are just undercover-dermatologist-makeup-artist-problem-solving-counselors. I’m pretty sure it’s both.

One of the most memorable things my Mom taught me is to use alternative and natural moisturizing methods, such as Vitamin A & E oil, to help moisturize and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. This method has seemed to completely balance my skin. It is so much better than using a moisturizer that is loaded full of chemicals and parabens that I can’t even pronounce. It’s also a heck of a lot cheaper.

This is just one of many things that I can remember my Mother sharing with me about beauty. I know I will continue to learn even more throughout the years. I’m so grateful to have a Mother who is not only beautiful (and the best Mom ever), but also so helpful in the ever-confusing beauty department.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, what is one memorable beauty tip that your Mother taught you?

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Momma’s out there! Have a fabulous weekend!

xo,

 

Say Buh-Bye To Your Dry Winter Skin

Dry skin really stinks. I’ve realized I would rather have oily skin any day over dry, cracking, flaky skin. In the wintertime, my skin completely changes. My face gets a bit more dry, but my body and hands look like a dry, cracked desert. It can be painful and sometimes seems impossible to soothe. Here are some wonderful products and tips that help you get through the season:

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1. Exfoliate:

Dry skin still needs sloughed off so your moisturizer can absorb into your skin. Make sure you don’t over exfoliate because it can lead to redness and be especially harsh on those with very sensitive skin. I love Clinique 7 Day Scrub. It’s gentle enough to use everyday.

2. Hydrate:

Everyone says, “Drink H20 in summertime! Stay hydrated!” It needs to be equally important in the winter. Our bodies hydrate from the inside out. Chug your water and your flaky body will thank you.

3. Shorten your shower and baths:

Hot water dries out your skin. Keep your showers and baths under 15 minutes. Your water bill and bank account will thank you.

4. Moisturize

This one is obvious. Make sure you’re using something more emollient on your face and body. Be sure you moisturize as soon as you get out of the shower– while your skin is still damp and absorbing moisture. These products have been my lifesavers this winter:

 

Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter:

This stuff is aaamazing. It’s feels so rich and luxurious. My favorite body butter is Kiehl’s Creme De Corps Whipped Body Butter and this stuff is a fraction of the price and almost as good. It’s only $4.99 and packed full of soothing ingredients. If you can find it at your local TJ’s, make sure to stock up!

Trader Joe’s Nourish Shea Butter Hand Cream:

For $1.99, this stuff rocks! It doesn’t have a scent, so it won’t compete with the fragrance you’re wearing. Men love this too because they don’t smell like roses. It also doesn’t feel like it washes off when you wash your hands. It absorbs into your skin immediately, which I love.

LUSH Ultrabalm:

This is an all-purpose salve. I would call it a LUSH version of vaseline. I use it on my cracked knuckles and wherever else I need some moisture. I’ve also been using it on my toddler’s dry skin and it has done wonders for her. I also raved about this product here.

Josie Maran Argan Luscious Lips:

This product is called “Liquid Gold” for a reason. I fell in love with this when a Josie Maran rep insisted that I try it on. I’m not kidding when I say my lips have not been chapped an entire day this winter. It’s made of pure Argan and nourishing Jojoba oil. It feels almost like vitamin E on your lips, but not quite as thick. It leaves a gorgeous, shiny glaze to your lips. It’s my absolute must-have product for the lips.

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Do you have any winter skin tips? Please share them in the comments! Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

The Two Things That Give Away Your Age

There are two things that give away your age? My answer is absolutely. The décolletage (the French word for neck and chest region) and your hands. I once heard the expression, “The easiest way to tell a woman’s true age is to look at her hands.” I think this statement is quite accurate. These areas tend to age the quickest. This is also where we struggle with dryness, sunspots and wrinkling.

If you think about it, our chest region and hands tend to get neglected. We spend money on creams and serums for our face but don’t always apply this to our chest, and definitely don’t even think about our hands. Our hands are constantly exposed when we’re outdoors and when we’re driving. Many women who commute have said that after years of driving they notice they have age spots that are consistent with where the sun is hitting their hands and face. This is obviously more prominent on the left side of the body.

The good news is that there are steps we can take to reverse, prevent and treat the damage. It’s never too late to start! Here are some steps to take to help combat this problem that all women face:

1. Do the same routine to your neck & chest that you do to your face:

Yes, this will make you go through your product faster. Yes, it will be more costly. It’s worth it. You don’t want a 20-something face with an aged body. When you apply your serums and moisturizers, extend it down onto your neck and chest as well. You want a fluid transition in the appearance of your skin from your face to your chest.

2. Always, always, always use sunscreen:

They’ve been telling us this for years and it’s time to listen. Apply it daily to your face, neck and chest. Apply it to your whole body if you’re smart. I don’t do this, but I should be! Also, always use more sunscreen than you think you need. It really needs to be slathered on thick.

3. If you buy a face cream and don’t like it, don’t throw it away:

Instead, use it on your chest or hands. Just because it didn’t work on your face doesn’t mean it won’t work on your décolletage or hands. Creams and moisturizers are usually pricey. Don’t let them go to waste when our hands and chest are sitting here crying out for help. I’ve been using moisturizer samples I’ve received from bonus gifts and putting them to good use. I figure with all the anti-aging ingredients some of these contain, it has to be better than using that 2-year-old Suave moisturizer I have sitting in my bathroom.

4. Use a hand cream with SPF:

These are so great and convenient. I found one of these with retinol and SPF. That’s exciting! I’m going to go pick this up, like yesterday. This right here solves all of our problems in one little package.

Palmer’s Therapeutic Hand Cream with SPF 8, $4.99 at drugstores.

Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream with SPF 12, $17 found at Ulta or here.

5. Keep all areas moisturized:

This is especially important for the hands in the dry and cold months. The skin can become brittle and crack easily. Keep moisturizer in your car, desk and purse. Apply it at every chance you get.

I’m sure we can all use improvement in this area. I know I can. I actually slathered my hands in moisturizer while I typed this. I’m definitely going to start making a conscious effort to no longer neglect my chest and hands. I hope you all do too!

Do you remember to take good care of these areas? What improvements do you need to make?

Beauty Inspiration: Emily Maynard’s Beauty Secrets

Everyone who knows me knows that I’m obsessed with The Bachelorette, The Bachelor, The Kardashians, the list goes on. You’ll  hardly ever catch me watching anything that isn’t reality television. In my house, Monday nights are like the new-age Saturday. They’re filled with excitement! As my fellow Bachelorette fans know, the season finale was on last night. I felt very ambivalent about who I wanted to win because I loved both Arie & Jef! I’m sure the women of America are not complaining that she chose Jef because Arie is now fair game. (Indianapolis ladies, he’s in town often for racing. I hear you can find him out and about in Broadripple!)

This season of The Bachelorette has been my favorite by far because I absolutely love Emily Maynard! Not only is she drop dead gorgeous with her southern flair, she seems to be genuinely sweet with a good heart. She has fabulous fashion sense and her makeup always looks flawless. After much internet research from various sources such as Emily’s Twitter and the fashion blog, Possessionista, I saved you all some time and did the stalking research for you. Here is a list I’ve compiled of some of Emily’s favorite beauty items and secrets. Now we can all emulate away. Enjoy!

Haircare:

Sultra Beauty Hair Straightener, Sultra Beauty Bombshell Curling Wand, Sultra Beauty Hair Dryer at Sultra.com

Wen Haircare, $29.95 at wenhaircare.com

Fragrance:

Kai Eau De Parfum, $76 at Kaifragrance.com

Nails:

Essie Fiji, $4 at drugstores

Essie Ballet Slippers, $4 at drugstores

CND Shellac Nails in Romantique, $16 on Amazon

Skincare:

St. Tropez Self Tanner, $30 at drugstore.com

Obagi Gentle Cleanser, $32 at drugstore.com

Obagi C-Exfoliating Day Lotion, $54 at beautybar.com

Sothys First Wrinkles Revitalizing Serum, $59 on Amazon.com

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser (she uses this at night), $15 on Amazon.com

Makeup:

Temptu Airbrush Foundation System, $225 at Temptu.com

MAC Powder (unsure of the exact formula), $22-$28 at maccosmetics.com

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy #4, $30 at Sephora.com

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I hope I’ve provided you with all of the tools you can use to sweep Arie off his feet . Finally, my favorite piece of beauty advice from Emily is, “Always be a lady.”

Will you be buying any of these products, or do you already use some of these? What were your thoughts on The Bachelorette?

Favorite Friday: 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

Eye cream is something that we all should be using. I always say, “If you’re old enough to drive, you should start using an eye cream.” I started using an eye cream around the age of 21, when I started working in cosmetics. Some of us probably won’t start this crucial step until we’re getting all salt and peppery, but it’s never too late to start. Our eye area is our most delicate area and it needs lots of special treatment. This eye cream was recommended to me by my beautiful cousin and author of Gourmet Beauty. Whenever she tells me I have to try something I always listen because I have yet to dislike anything Arantha recommends. She introduced me to the brand 100% Pure and I’m so glad because I’m in love. Here is my favorite thing this Friday:

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100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

I purchased this product in the 1 oz size. It’s huge! For the $19 price tag, you can’t beat it. This eye cream is extremely emollient and feels wonderful when applied. I can still feel the moisture for at least an hour after using it. It was also featured on Dr. Oz as a breakthrough wrinkle-fighter! Everyone knows I’m a total sucker for Dr. Oz.

This cream is infused with potent antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming. It also helps to diffuse the lines we’ve already developed.  It contains caffeine and green tea to help treat dark circles and puffiness. I have never had a problem with puffiness, but I have always suffered with dark circles. I have dark circles so bad that some days I actually grab my eye makeup remover thinking I have excess mascara under my eyes. I quickly realize that no eye makeup remover is capable of removing those black holes dark circles. Sad, but true. I have only been using this eye cream for a few weeks and have noticed a huge difference in the darkness under my eyes.

Make sure you’re using eye cream morning and night. Use your ring finger to apply it because this finger has the lightest touch. You only need to use the size of a rice grain for each eye. If you would like to try this eye cream, you can order it here. I’m so happy I was introduced to this product and can’t wait to try more from this great brand!

Are you currently using an eye cream? What is your favorite thing this Friday?

How To Wear Makeup Without Looking Like It

As a makeup artist, you might think that I wear a ton of makeup. The answer is no. I love to wear my makeup so that it covers my flaws, but I still look like myself. The best way to describe it is, I like to look like the best version of myself. I think creating the perfect makeup look all starts with the skin. Use a good skincare routine and become diligent about taking good care of your skin and you’ll be on your way to your best makeup days ever. In order to achieve the, “I’m wearing makeup, but don’t look like it” look, you have to start with the basics of skincare. You can find out all about my skin routine here.

There are certain products you need to use to look like you have effortless, impeccable skin. If you’re wondering about the type of look I’m talking about, here it is:

I’m absolutely obsessed with Lauren Conrad’s makeup style. She is such a minimalist when it comes to her makeup. She looks casual, chic and cool. If you think for one second though that she just isn’t wearing makeup and is blessed with naturally radiant, flawless skin, you’re wrong. She is absolutely wearing makeup. She has just mastered how to apply it without looking like pancake face.

I’m going to show you the necessities to master this look. Even though it may look like Lauren just has a little lip gloss and eyeliner on, there is actually quite a bit more that goes into achieving this look. Here are the things you will need:

1. Foundation:

You have to achieve an even skin tone and hide your imperfections. Start with a foundation that gives you the amount of coverage you need. You don’t want to choose one too heavy, otherwise you risk losing the all-natural look we’re going for. Try a few samples from Sephora to see what works for you and what you feel comfortable with. Recently I’ve been on a foundation sampling frenzy and I’m currently loving this foundation from Lorac. It gives me the perfect amount of coverage for my skin.

Lorac Natural Performance Foundation, $36 at Ulta

2. Bronzer:

Lauren has a bronzed look to her skin, but it’s not too over the top. You need to create a little contour to your skin. Sweep some bronzer on your forehead, cheeks and jawline. I’m in love with this bronzer from NARS:

NARS Bronzer in Laguna, $34 at Sephora

3. Highlighter:

Highlighting is the key to giving your skin back the radiance it naturally emits. Dust a highlighter on top of your cheekbones to give your skin the radiance you see celebrities with in pictures. Everyone wants this look. I call it the J. Lo glow:

Who wouldn’t want to look like this?

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle, $34 at MAC stores

4. Eyeliner:

Eyeliner is something I have mixed feelings about. Everyone always thinks it’s strange that I NEVER line my bottom lash line. This is actually my secret to looking like I’m not wearing a lot of makeup. I love the definition that lining my top lid gives me, but once I put it on the bottom I feel like the whole look of my makeup changes. It looks like voilà, I’m definitely wearing makeup. If I’m doing a smokey eye though, I’ll definitely line underneath. If you notice in the picture, Lauren only has liner on the top. They have applied a bronze shadow underneath to give it a glowy feel. I love powder eyeliners because they tend to look a little more natural and you can get them really close to the lash line. Here is one of my favorites from Bare Escentuals:

Bare Minerals Powder Liner Shadow in Onyx, $14

5. Groomed Brows:

Groomed brows help to make you look polished. Make sure you remove any stray hairs. You can do this in form of waxing, tweezing or threading. My absolute favorite brow gurus are Anastasia of Beverly Hills. They have this counter at your local Nordstrom. They shape your brows into the perfect shape for your face. They’re wonder women! Unless you are blessed with perfectly full, shapely brows, you may need to fill them in a bit. I prefer a powder, over a pencil,  to fill in my brows because I think it looks more natural.

Anastasia Brow Powder, $22 at Nordstrom

6. Lips:

Lips are the finishing touch for this look. Unless you put something on your lips, you don’t look completely finished. Apply a gloss, or a nude lipstick. Here is one of my favorite nude lipsticks. You can also find it featured in this post:

MAC Lipstick in Honeylove, $15 at MAC stores

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What do you think about the minimal makeup look? What celebrity do you think wears this look the best?

DIY Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

In order to wear all these fun Summer lip colors I’ve been into lately, I have to make sure I have soft and smooth lips. On a recent Sephora trip,  I was inspired by this fabulous lip polish from Fresh Cosmetics. I took matters into my own hands and concocted this lip scrub to  exfoliate my lips so I have the perfect base to wear any lip color I want. Having smooth lips is essential before you apply any lipstick. Having dry, flaky lips is never a good look for anyone, so even if you don’t wear lipstick this recipe is for you. I’ve used quite a few lip scrubs from different companies before and some are far too gentle and others feel a bit too harsh. This is the perfect consistency to exfoliate the lips. This scrub contains honey, which has healing properties, and coconut oil which is very nourishing and moisturizing for the lips. It even tastes like a yummy sugar cookie!  Here is what you will need:

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp coconut oil

1 tsp honey

1 tsp vanilla

sprinkle of cinnamon (optional)

jar

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Combine the honey & coconut oil.

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Mash the honey and coconut oil together with a spoon until the mixture is free of clumps.

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Add the remaining ingredients to the mixture.

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Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

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Scoop into a jar.

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The finished product.

Make sure to keep this product refrigerated. Coconut oil solidifies below 76 degrees, so you may need to set this out for a bit at room temperature to give the oil a little time to liquefy. Instead, I just use a spoon and stir it up a bit. I’m in love with coconut oil but feel free to substitute the coconut oil for a bit more olive oil. I hope you enjoy this delectable scrub as much as I did!

Favorite Friday: Source Naturals Skin Eternal DMAE Serum

When you think “serum,” you think, “I’m going to have to spend a small fortune at the department store that I should be using to pay my utility bills.”  At least that’s what I think. Typically, buying a serum at the department store is going to cost anywhere from $50 to well over $100. They have all sorts of fancy schmancy ingredients in them that have been hand-gathered from The Red Sea or The Great Barrier Reef. Whatever. Anyways, I found a serum that I truly love and that doesn’t break the bank! It was recommended to me by my Mother (kudos to her!), she always suggests the best stuff. She recommended my favorite product last Friday to me, too! Here is the serum that gets voted as my favorite thing this Friday:

Source Naturals Skin Eternal DMAE Serum, $18

This product is from a company called Source Naturals. They are a health and wellness company that sells beauty products, vitamins, supplements, and much more. I bought this product at a local health food store, but you can also purchase it online. DMAE is short for Dimethylaminoethanol. No wonder they shortened it up! This is an antioxidant that helps to firm, brighten and tighten the skin.  DMAE actually helps to tighten the cell membrane, helping to protect the skin from free radicals.  We encounter free radicals on a daily basis from smoke, pollution, etc. This serum also contains Vitamin C, which is essential to collagen production and also helps to firm and tighten the skin. It has Alpha-Lipoic Acid which is one of my favorite things. Alpha-Lipoic Acid is another potent antioxidant that helps to improve the texture of skin and prevents lines and wrinkles from forming.

This product retails for $29, but you can find it here and on many other sites for only $18. For only $18, this product is packed full of wonderful ingredients for the skin. I use this product in the morning and evening and have noticed quite the difference in the overall texture and appearance of my skin.  My makeup seems to go on much smoother, too! It is very lightweight and has a light coconut fragrance. It feels very moisturizing and it’s also paraben free. Here is my morning skincare routine:

My morning essentials: Burt’s Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser, Source Naturals DMAE serum, Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer

Who ever said you can’t find quality skincare products that won’t break the bank?

What’s your favorite thing this Friday?

The Lowdown on BB Creams

You’ve probably been hearing about BB creams every time you turn on the TV or open a beauty magazine these days. There has been a lot of hype about them, but also some confusion about what exactly a BB cream is and what they do. I thought I would break it all down for you and answer some of the most common questions people have about this new beauty phenomenon.

What exactly is a BB cream?

BB cream stands for “beauty balm” or “blemish balm”. These creams originated in Germany, where they were used by German dermatologists to help conceal and heal the skin after laser treatments.  Then, they gained huge popularity in the Asian market, where they have been used by women for years. Finally, they’ve made their way to the states. A BB cream is similar to a tinted moisturizer, but on steroids. It does all of the things a tinted moisturizer does, but it also has added benefits for the skin. This product is an all-in-one.  It’s a moisturizer, primer, SPF and foundation.  If you choose, this product can eliminate 3 steps from your beauty routine!

How will my skin benefit from using a BB cream?

BB creams contain anti-aging ingredients and soothing botanicals that moisturize and soothe the skin. They have SPF with UVA and UVB protection, so they block your skin from harmful rays that cause premature aging. They also contain antioxidants which help to protect the skin from free radicals. Brightening agents are also thrown in, which help to give the skin a luminous appearance. Some BB creams actually can help to treat acne and heal past scarring.

What type of coverage will I get from a BB cream?

BB creams give you slightly more coverage than you would achieve from a tinted moisturizer. You can apply a bit more in problem areas for more coverage. They are perfect for that easy-going summertime look because they give you natural, luminous coverage.

What skin types can wear BB creams?

Most BB creams are formulated for all skin types. It really is dependent upon how much coverage you want to achieve. Personally, I need and also prefer a bit more coverage, so this would be something I would wear to the pool or a casual day when I’m running errands. It would be perfect for someone who has minor skin imperfections. It really evens out the skin tone making the skin look absolutely flawless.

What are some BB creams you recommend?

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, $39

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Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm, $32

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Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45, $39

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Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream, $13

Have you tried any BB creams? What did you think about them?

Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Honey Facial Mask

I am really into making some of my own beauty products from home. I love taking an all-natural approach to skin care whenever I can. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my retinol, DMAE, etc., but sometimes the simplicity of a beauty product that only has a few ingredients can make you feel like you’re doing your skin a favor. This concoction has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. It is said that using this mask a couple of times a week can actually help reduce redness and the appearance of past acne scarring. I have a natural red undertone to my skin, so this mask works great for me. When you apply this, you may feel a bit of a warming sensation, depending upon how sensitive your skin is. I notice a huge difference in the appearance and texture of my skin after applying this mask. I love to apply it in the evening and relax with a good book and some hot tea. The three main ingredients of this mask are:

Cinnamon:

The cinnamon is used as a natural exfoliant. Cinnamon was originally used thousands of years ago for its antiseptic, astringent, and anti-fungal properties. The texture of the cinnamon when mixed with other ingredients helps to exfoliate and unclog your pores.

Nutmeg:

If you suffer from redness or acne scarring; nutmeg can be very beneficial. It acts as a redness reducer that helps to calm and soothe the skin.  Nutmeg lightens age spots and acne scars by turning off melanocytes, or pigment cells. It is also great for those suffering with eczema.

Honey:

Honey has the ability to absorb and retain moisture. In Egypt, women used to apply a mixture of milk & honey to keep skin looking youthful. Honey has natural antioxidant and anti-microbial benefits that help to prevent damage from free radicals. Honey absorbs impurities from the pores which makes it great for acne sufferers.

Recipe:

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp honey

a few drops of jojoba oil for moisture (olive oil or vitamin E will work too)

Mix all of the ingredients together into a thick paste, apply to face and relax for 30 min. Rinse off & moisturize.  Repeat once or twice a week.

*This mask may not be ideal for very sensitive skin types.

Do you have any favorite homemade beauty concoctions?