Monday, October 1, 2012

Wear that trend!

The fall trends are AMAZING!! Full of bold rich colors that will make anyone heat up. Let's talk lips. Crimson, berry, deep plums. The new way to wear red. We all love the classic, perfect red lip. For fall it's about make it richer, more intense & sexy (if you can believe that!).  Well, this picture may help....

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lip Stick

















This is one of my favorite new product launches! Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lip Stick. These are feather light on your lips! They don't budge! You won't have to worry about it wearing off & being left with the ever so attractive ring around the mouth or bleeding into the cracks. One of the best all day lip colors. AND Icon is the perfect deep crimson for the season.

Feeling a little more berry? Bite Beauty (the resveratrol infused, good for you lip product line) has 7 new shades for fall in their High Pigment Matte Pencils. Scarlet is beautiful! Deep rich red with a hint of berry. Poppy is perfect if you want more a classic red feel.

Maybe matte isn't for you but you want the long wear that matte brings. Make Up For Ever will make anything waterproof! Aqua Rouge is 2 in 1- a fantastic opaque lip stain and high shine gloss! You can wear the lip stain alone as a matte lip or top it with the gloss it comes with for some shine! (note: only use the gloss it comes with for the longest wear. Other glosses may contain hydrating ingredients that may break down the stain).

Tips for perfect lips:
1) Scrub- you need a perfect smooth lip to wear these rich bold colors! try Bite Beauty Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub or Lush Mint Julips.
2) Hydrate- use a hydrating lip balm to add moisture to lips & keep from getting dry. try Josie Maran Argan Lip Treatment, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment or Korres Lip Butters.
3) If using a lip stick, Prime! This will keep the lip stick in place longer & give a smoother application. try Guerlain Kiss Kiss Liplift, or Urban Decay Lip Potion.
4) Use a lip brush to get the perfect defined lip line. Go back with a liner to shape & refine.

*3) If using a Stain- blot off excess moisture on lips. This can break down stain. Start on bottom lip using flat side of applicator. Cover most of bottom lip. Gently press lips together to spread on top lip. Using tip of applicator, define lips around lines. Let stain dry for 1 minute. 
4) Apply small amount of gloss to center of lips.

5) To highlight, take matte highlight powder/ eyeshadow or brightening pen along edge of top lip. Blend gently from cupids bow to outer corner. Apply same to lower lip just at outer 1/4 of lip. This will give the mouth a fuller look.


If opaque isn't for you, you can still wear this trend! How? Sheer! These tones & colors are available in sheer colors.
Here are some fantastic sheers to try:
Lipstick Queen- Wine Saint Sheer Lipstick. Beautiful burgundy will give your lips just a kiss of color.
Josie Maran Lip Stain in Waltz. Amazing Berry! You can be very light or more bold.
YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in 05 Mouthwatering Berry. Sheer color & wonderfully hydrating!
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Lovely Honey. Soft, creamy texture & a hint of color.

What to pair with this:
Soft neutral eyes. Keep the color palette for the eyes simple, 2 colors on lid. Define the upper lash line with black or a dark brown liner to enhance the lashes. Soft smoky liner on bottom (if any)-  lighter than on upper lid. Try using a medium brown shadow for this. Go for 2 coats of your favorite mascara. Don't for get to shape your brows. Use a soft blush on the cheeks to add a hint color & definition.

This complete look is simple, classic, refined, feminine, sexy & effortless.

Have fun this fall! Nature changes it's color this time of year, why not you?







Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Oil. Not just for cooking... or your car.

Oils are everywhere. On your skin, in your kitchen cabinet, in your car. Oils have started to take over the cosmetic counters once again. There are oils for your face, to remove your makeup, for your hair, for your nails, for your body, for your face & body. Why do some still fear the OIL?
Ask any pimple faced teen/ tween or thirty-something and they will tell you why oil is evil- "It's ruining my life!!" As the forty-something that until recently had oily skin and looks like she is in her 30's & she will tell you oil is the best thing to happen to her skin! It's true- oily skin does age slower due to the face that it retains more moisture & it is thicker. Oily skin is NOT always tougher & more resilient to treatment.
When should you fear oil? Know your skin. If you are already oily, putting any cosmetic preparation on the skin with oil can cause a reaction. Mineral oil is known to cause reaction in skin and can cause blemishes.The mineral oil molecule is bigger than that of natural skin oil & creates a barrier on the skin. That being said there are different types refining that happens to mineral oil, some thicker will be than others and normal-dry skin types usually do not react to this.
FACT: For a product to be considered OIL FREE it only has to be free of mineral oil. The product may contain hydrating, essential or fragrance oils.

Let's talk hydrating oils. Grapeseed, Argan, Olive, Sweet Almond, Sunflower, Safflower, Evening Primrose Oil. These oils you should not fear- you should learn to love!! They are natural, full of vitamins, anti-oxidants, omegas and nourish your skin & hair. They are non-comedogenic.  The structure of the oils are similar to that of the oil your skin produces. They can be absorbed. You can use them from head to toe!! You can use them to hydrate, treat or for massage. If you give your skin the hydration it needs (and maybe a little oil), it will start to balance itself out & produce less oil!

Now- cleansing oils. Sometimes called makeup removing oil. These are fantastic! Waterproof/ 24hr wear/ stains look out- you will not survive a cleansing oil. Did you know oil likes oil?? Think about it. Oil & water do not mix. But what happens when you put 2 oils together? They mix. Using a cleansing oil will not make you oilier.It will remove the excess oil. You will be lacking the 'squeaky clean', over stripped tightness but your skin will be clean. Try it. You may like it.

Some of my favorite oils:
           Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil- Argan anything from that woman is amazing
          Alterna Bamboo Kendi Oil Treatment for Hair- super hydrating, repairing- obsessed!
          Boscia Makeup Breakup Cleansing Oil
          L'Occitane Amande Shower Oil & Body Oil- leaves you super soft & smelling like dessert
          Aura Cacia Lavender Essential Oil- calming & heals blemishes
          *essential oils to keep on hand- tea tree (heals blemishes, bug bites & can kill mold! peppermint for a pick me up, tired feet & blemishes) These can be added to your favorite oil or unscented lotion for daily use or massage!
         

My Olive Oil Body Scrub
equal parts:
   100% pure olive oil
    kosher salt
    sugar
Massage all over dry skin, beginning with feet. Work upward using circular motions toward torso. Same for arms. When massaging always work toward heart. Shower off excess scrub & oil. Your skin will be smooth, soft & glowing! Try adding Lavender essential oil for an evening treatment or a citrus oil or peppermint for morning.