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?

Summer Makeup Essentials Part 2

I have so many favorite summer makeup products that one post just wouldn’t cut it. Here are the rest of my essentials for long-lasting and flawless summer makeup:

1. Tinted Moisturizer:

A tinted moisturizer can completely replace your foundation if you’re comfortable with a sheer coverage. I, on the other hand, still use a light coverage foundation on top of my tinted moisturizer because I have minor skin imperfections. If you are blessed with great skin, a tinted moisturizer is all you will need in the summertime. Tinted moisturizers do exactly what they sound like they do. They tint the skin, covering discolorations slightly, and moisturize. If you decide to strictly use a tinted moisturizer, make sure it has a high SPF of 30+.  A  great money-saving trick I love is to use your daily foundation and your daily moisturizer and mix equal parts together to make your own version of a tinted moisturizer. It works just as well. I have finally found the ultimate tinted moisturizer I’ve been searching for:

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, $42 at Nordstrom

This moisturizer gives great coverage, while still letting your natural skin show through. I absolutely love the texture and feel of it. It leaves my skin feeling very hydrated and not tacky, like some tinted moisturizers tend to. It has a long list of luxurious ingredients that actually help to improve your pigmentation after 4 weeks of use. I’ve tried a lot of tinted moisturizers and this one exceeded all of my expectations, so it will stand alone on my list of favorites. In fact, this product is so good that it’s what Gwyneth Paltrow wore at the Golden Globes this year.

2. Bronzer:

It wouldn’t be summer without bronzer. Summer is the only time of the year you can get by with looking like a bronzed goddess without being questioned if you just came back from an exotic vacay. With that being said, bronze away! While the sun is one of my favorite things, I prefer not to lay out in it because of its harmful effects, so I definitely put my bronzers and self-tanning creams to good use in the summertime. One of my least favorite things in a bronzer is one with an underlying orange tint. If you’re trying to be cast as the latest Jersey Shore housemate these bronzers are NOT for you:

NARS Bronzer in Laguna, $34 at Department Stores

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder with Real Cocoa, $29 at Sephora 

Bare Escentuals Warmth, $19 at BareEscentuals.com 

3. Bright Pink Lips:

Bright pink and fuchsia lips happen to look amazing with muted down makeup and luminous summer skin. In the summer, keep it easy and choose one focus point or just keep everything simply neutral. My lovely cousin Arantha, author of the blog Gourmet Beauty, recently did a post on fuchsia lips. You can view her favorite colors here. One of the colors she has recently recommended on her blog has become one of my new daily favorites!  These colors are very stylish and fun this season, so give them a try!

Nicki Minaj for MAC Viva Glam, $14.50 at MAC stores

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Candy Pink, $8.99 at drugstores

4. Finishing Mists

I am in love with finishing mists. One of my favorite things about them is they feel refreshing, like you’re giving thirsty skin a drink of water.  They  set your makeup and give it staying power. It’s Indy 500 week here in Indianapolis and for those of you that don’t know, that means a long, 90 something degree day in the direct sunlight. My makeup has to withstand the heat and also last for hours. These products will help it to do just that:

Urban Decay All Nighter, $29 at Sephora

MAC Fix+, $20 at MACCosmetics.com

Are there any essentials you must have for summertime? Everyone have a safe & happy Memorial Day!