I’m melting…

The summer heat can be brutal!  How does a beauty conscience girl protect her face from melting away this summer?

Before you put on your make up, smooth on a primer.  Focus application on T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin area).  Don’t forget to use a primer on your eye lids as well to keep your shadow from creasing.

After your primer comes the foundation.  I like a long lasting foundation.  Almost every brand has a long wearing option.  After you have applied your foundation you will need to set your foundation with a face powder.  Caution-don’t over-do it with the face powder or you will just look like you have a cakey/dry face. To add a little summer pizzazz lightly dust a shimmery blush on your cheek bones.

For your eyes be careful with waterproof products.  Waterproof mascara is harsher on your eye lashes and not good for everyday use.  For an occasional day at the beach or water park it is perfect.  Waterproof eyeliner is a must have for most summer days.  I love AVON’s diamond Glimmersticks eyeliner.  I have tried almost every eyeliner and AVON’s is the best and lasts the longest by far (no I don’t sell it-I should though I love the stuff!) Caution:waterproof eyeliner can be harder to apply.  If you just can’t deal with the application, no worries-just be sure you do NOT skip the next step.

End with a spritz of “setting” spray.  Makeup Forever’s Mist & Fix spray is amazing!  When I did makeup for weddings I referred to it as “The Magic Spray”.  No bride wants makeup running down her face.  This product is a little pricey but you only need to use one or two squirts for stay put makeup all day.  It is a lifesaver for the popular Florida beach wedding, and a must have for a gorg summer face.

If all else fails-How to “Save Face” throughout the day:

Pack up your favorite Vera Bradley cosmetic case with a few important products…

1.   Blotting papers-I learned this trick from my mom (yes mom, you get a shout out! xo) Blot your face with the blotting papers before you freshen up your foundation.

2.  After blotting use a dual sided makeup brush such as the one made by Sonia Kashuk (found at Target of course) to touch up foundation, powder, and blush.

3. Add a bit of fresh mascara and lip gloss and you are good to go!

Products to beat the heat:

Make Up Forever Mix & Fix Spray

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

AVON MagiX Face Primer

Oil Free Long Wearing Foundation

AVON’s Glimmersticks eyeliner

Nails-Ooo La La

If you are unaware-fun nail polish colors is all the rage now!  Since I can remember I have been loving fun nail polish colors.  I remember going to the store with my bff when I was 8 (yes, that would be over 20 years ago) and choosing the “craziest” colors they had!  At that point the wildest colors were put out by “Wet and Wild” and included blue, purple, and silver.  But now you can get nail polish to suit any mood.  You can go with matte, metallic, shimmery, and glittery in every color you could’ve imagined.  And if you couldn’t have imagined it The Kardashian girls did in their nail polish line for Nicole.

Besides loving all the colors available in this day I LOVE the names of all of the polishes!  I mean who doesn’t want to wear “I’m not a waitress” by OPI.  If you don’t know-“I’m not a waitress” is a fantastic red shade!  I was inspired this week after going on a Target shopping spree.  One of my favorite nail polish brands was on sale and there were so many great colors to choose from!

My only qualm with a mani/pedi is I am a very impatient person when it comes to wet nail polish.  I CANNOT deal with waiting over 30 minutes for my nails to dry only to have them chip just by finagling with my car keys.  So I am a fan of any instant dry nail polish.  A few brands I love are Avon’s “Speed dry” and Sally Hansen’s “Insta-Dri”.  Avon’s dries faster but Sally Hansen’s comes in more colors and has a cool brush.  Right now I am being pretty risky for my almost 30 self and wearing Sally Hansen’s Insta Dri ‘Mint Sprint’.

The biggest prompt in finally updating my blog is that I found a new FAV beauty product!  My friend at work told me 2 days ago to get Sally Hansen’s ‘Insta Dri’ anti-chip top coat.  You can find it near all of the specialty polishes and it was only about $3.  My coworker told me it was great but I just tried it and IT IS FABULOUS!  You put on your favorite nail polish and then wait 2 minutes…then you put on the ‘Insta Dri’ anti-chip top coat and voila-30 seconds later your nails are dry!  Also leaves a very shiny look to your nails.  So far I am IMPRESSED!

I will report back regarding the anti-chip claim on the bottle 😉

Beauty on a budget: make-it-yourself beach spray

This is such a great way to achieve those gorgeous beach waves without breaking the bank.

beauty on a budget: make-it-yourself beach spray.

Joys of Tanning

As Spring approaches and those Victoria’s Secret swimsuit catalogs hit our mailboxes I feel like the panic for the perfect bikini bod begins, and is a great topic to start my Spring blog. First off it takes a lot of commitment for the “perfect bikini body”-that said are there ways to fake it?
Well I think a good tan goes a long way when it comes to faking the perfect bikini bod. Everyone looks better with a nice tan. But how do we get it without causing skin cancer and without the dreaded orange streaks that come with self tanning?

Tips for Self Tanning:
1. Exfoliate: Get out the lofah and scrub! Sloughing away the dead skin cells prepares your skin for the self tanning product by giving you a smooth base to work with. Focus on your knees and elbows.

2. Application: This is where it gets tricky…
To start apply in a well lit area.
Be sure you smooth the product evenly throughout your legs, arms, and torso. Be especially careful near the elbows, wrists, feet, and ankles. This is where it is very easy to get streaky.

3. Absorption: Let the product absorb into your skin without clothes on for 15-20 minutes. I take it a step further and put on a little “towel dress” after for about another 40 minutes just to be sure the orange color will not rub off on my clothes.

4. Voila: After about an hour you should notice a gorgeous tan look without the risk of sun damage to your skin!

Make up on the Fly…

This process should take about 15 minutes…

Primer or your Favorite face lotion on face and eyelids

Eyelids-Apply a light color concealer or foundation on your eyelids only with your fingertips or a concealer brush

While that sets apply mascara to the bottom eyelashes-if any gets onto the skin under your eyes use a q-tip to clean it up

Back to the eyelids-Be sure to use your finger to make sure none of the foundation on your eyelid has creased, then use an eye shadow brush to sweep a light color face powder over your eyelids

Optional-Apply eyeliner under your eyes, you can use an eye liner pencil or apply black or brown shadow with a slanted eyeliner brush

Use an eyelash curler to curl your eyelashes

Apply mascara to your upper eyelashes

Use a foundation brush to apply foundation to your face using downward strokes (this keeps any peach fuzz or facial hair from sticking up)

Optional– Apply eyeliner to your upper lash line. Again, you can use an eye liner pencil or apply black or brown shadow with a slanted eyeliner brush

Use a face powder brush to apply your favorite powder all over your face. For a flawless look press the brush to your face instead of using a stroking motion.

Apply a lip tint such as Cover Girl’s lip tint in Nude to maintain color on your lips for several hours-even after eating

Use a blush brush to apply your favorite color blush to your cheeks and cheek bones

Now apply lip gloss and you are ready to fly out the door and enjoy your day with a fresh face!

The order for these steps is important because it gives the step before a chance to dry and set. It can be altered if you choose though.

Hair Jewelry

I saw the cutest idea in Cosmopolitan magazine this month (November 2011 issue). A “Hair Necklace”! It is so cute! All you do is pull your hair back into a loose bun and secure a necklace with rhinestones or crystals from your jewelry collection around your hair like a headband with bobby pins. Voila-Hair Jewelry! I think this look is perfect for the upcoming holidays-gorgeous at Christmas Eve dinner, or on New Year’s Eve. For more information, check out the November issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.

Top 10 favorite beauty products and tools…

Below are 10 of my favorite reasonably priced beauty products and tools. I have a list to come of higher end products but for now I’m sure everyone appreciates keeping their beauty regimen in line with their budget.

TresSemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo Spray: This product is a life saver. I am a wash your hair every other day kind of girl and this spray helps keep my hair smelling good and looking better throughout the day 2. This is a one of a kind product that is very affordable. Other similar products can cost more than twice as much.
The reason behind the magic: The Mineral Clay and Citrus formula removes oil and odor that weighs hair down, so you can have instant salon-quality volume without a drop of water.

TresSemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray: This product helps protect hair when exposing it to heat-i.e. blow drying, straightening and curling irons. What I really love about this brand is the affordability and quality it offers.
The reason behind the magic: The moisture-locking vitamin complex hydrates and is heat-activated to guard against harsh styling damage

L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base: This eye shadow primer like magic on your eyelids. It keeps your eye makeup from getting that awful crease midday. This works like no other product on the market!!! It even made it through a Barbizon New Start day, which is at least a 12 hour day from makeup application through the end of classes.
The reason behind the magic: 100% oil free formula which boasts high levels of elastomer content.

Maybelline Falsies Mascara: This is my favorite low cost mascara!! You get long, dramatic lashes for $25 less than my favorite designer brand mascara.
The reason behind the magic: Creates more visible lashes from one corner of your eye to the other.
Bare Minerals Soft Focus Face Brush: This brush is by far my favorite powder brush. I use it everyday to put on my face powder. It distributes the powder evenly and feels soft against my skin.
The reason behind the magic: The soft, domed-shaped medium brush head provides sheer-to-light application for all over the face. Brush is made of Taklon Tips & Tricks.

Hot Tools Marcel Curling Iron: This tool can be tricky to use at first but once you get the hang of it there is no easier way to curl your hair.
The reason behind the magic: HEAT-this curling iron gets up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit. The second factor is the way there is no spring so it gives you more control with the way your curls turn out.

Avon’s MagiX Perfector SPF 20: This awesome face primer keeps shine away at a great price ($10)!! I put it on under my foundation to create a smooth matte look.
The reason behind the magic: A magical air-light gel-powder colorless formula that makes all skin tones look flawless… invisible coverage; instant perfection. Banish shine up to 10 hours. Apply evenly before sun exposure or as needed.

Maybelline Superstay 24 hour Foundation: I love how this foundation stays put all day and gives a flawless finish.
The reason behind the magic: Micro-Flex formula keeps makeup on for 24 hours-withstanding heat, sweat, and humidity.

Make Up Forever Mist & Fix: I love this product! It is a light spray that is perfect for keeping your makeup in tact all day. I can also be used to give your skin a little refresher mid-day. I used to use it all the time when I did makeup for weddings. It kept their makeup looking fresh for their big day.
The reason behind the magic: With the alcohol-free formula, makeup is protected by a light, invisible film that feels comfortable on the skin.

MAC eye Makeup 213 Fluff Brush: First of all MAC brushes last FOREVER-therefore this is a bit on the pricey side ($22.50) but because of it’s long lasting usage and fabulousness I think it deserves to go on every 10 top beauty product list. It’s shape and size make it easy to use on the eyelid and in the crease. I use it everyday and I’ve had mine for over 6 years. Well worth the investment.
Reason behind the magic: This brush has a thick bundle of fibers arranged in a rounded shape. M•A•C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature wood handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

Too Hot!

What a scorcher! It is so hot I don’t even feel like laying out by the pool. There is nothing enjoyable to me about being outside when The Weather Channel says it “feels like” 100 degrees. What is a girl to do? I plan on finishing my second blog, wandering around Target, and maybe Bed Bath and Beyond-I don’t know if we’ll have time (“Old School” reference-LOOVE that movie!)
Even deciding what to wear in this weather is difficult. I’m a fan of skirts and sundresses. That’s because I hate the way shorts bunch up as you walk. Why do they do that?

Setting up the blog…

What a process!! This is much more involved than I thought it would be. And not very straight forward. Maybe I am not as computer savvy as I thought I was. I am giving it a try though.
Last night I had dinner with friends and family which made me decide that I wanted to start a blog. Not that I have anything of great importance to say, but maybe it will bring entertainment to a few people. Even if it is only friends and family. 😉
Now I need to figure out how to send invites…