Beauty By Brighton

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!

2012-09-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

A Post Where I Say I'm Sorry, and You Forgive Me! ;)

So, I have this awesome thing...it's called a life and a job. I think you have one too, and if you don't, it's probably because of our horrible economy. But, seeing as how I can't control that, all I have to say is...I'M SO SORRY FOR NOT POSTING! Over the weekend I wasn't feeling well, and yesterday and today have just been stressful with my job (I take care of my grandma..it's basically like taking care of a big, talking, newborn baby). All that to say is, I'm back on my feet and ready to start posting for you! I have several cool things in the works for this week! Eye liners for Fall, Autumn fashion, and how to make your own scarf! Plus, "What Were You Thinking?" Wednesday's are back! YAY! So look for my new post tomorrow on my final thoughts on my teeth whitening, and "What Were You Thinking?".

I hope you all have been having much less stressful weeks than I have, and that you're enjoying your September! Also, a shout out to my sweet and cuddly Knox! Happy Birthday Knoxy!! Auntie loves you so much and can't wait to see you soon! Have fun getting ice cream!

Just to prove how cute he really is! Knox is on the right, my oldest nephew, Owen is on the left (He's pretty cute too!)

~Brighton (Auntie) ;)

Tutorial Time

2012-09-12T20:42:00.001-07:00

Nailed It!

It's Fall! Which makes me really happy...no I mean REALLY happy! So happy, that I have to use bold and italics and underline and CAPS!

Whenever this wonderful season comes around I for some reason become obsessed with nail and lipstick colors. Don't get me wrong, I love bright corals and fresh pinks, but there is just something about rich Burgundy's and warm browns that just tip me overboard! That being said, I have a nail tutorial that not only will get this hands pampered, but will also leave you ready for Fall! So light your Salt City Autumn Cottage candle, turn on New England Sunrise, grab your favorite hot tea or cider, and let's get cuddly!

Things you'll need:

Hand towel

Clippers

Nail file (optional: one for filing nails down and one to get rid of ridges)

Nail polish remover (if you have your nails already painted)

Cotton swabs and pads

Orange stick

Small bowl

Nail brush

Honey (It exfoliates off the dead skin)

Base coat

Top coat

Polish color of your choice (I prefer deeper and richer colors)

Nail oil

Lotion

Rubbing Alcohol

Prep: Make sure all polish is off your nails and well taking off any jewelry that could get damaged by the remover. (I kept my rings on because I didn't use remover.)

Step 1) Trim nails with clippers

Step 2) File nails. Popular shapes right now are square and pointed oval. I prefer to stick with the classic shape of square with rounded edges. Make sure you only go one direction will filing your nails. NEVER go backwards and forwards in a "sawing" motion. This will cause your nails to become fragile and more likely to tear.

Step 3) Put about 1 tsp of honey in the bowl and add warm water to dissolve the honey. Place hands in the honey and water mixture and let sit for 5-10 minutes. (This is wear I try and relax! Sit back and just enjoy not having to do anything while your hands are soaking.)

Step 4) Take your hands out of the water and pat them dry on a hand towel. Then, push your cuticles back/nip them off with clippers. Make sure and do this when your finger and nails are soft from the water. Clipping them dry could lead to torn and irritated skin. Then, pat them dry with the hand towel.

Step 5) This would be the time to put lotion on, nail oil, ect.

Step 6)Take a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol and wipe each nail off (this is important if you want your nail polish to last long and keep from chipping)

7) Paint a thin layer of base coat

8) Paint your nails with a thin layer of polish (don't ever glob your your nail polish on! It will lead to chipping, and it just ends up looking like your junior high babysitters did when you were five). Start at the base of your nail and go down the middle, and then two sides.

9)Wait fifteen seconds and paint a second thin layer of polish (some shades need three coats. Judge for yourself if you need another layer to make it opaque.)

10) Wait fifteen seconds and paint your nails with a fast drying top coat.

11) Immediately stick your hands in a ice water bath. It hurts really bad, but it's worth it! It will seal in your polish, make it last longer, and gets rid of extra polish around your fingers. You can also put Vaseline or Aquaphor around each nail, but this is too time consuming for me, and it just led to me getting it everywhere!

12) After about thirty seconds, remove your nails from the ice bath and let them air dry.

And you're done! You can add nail oil every day and reply a top coat every other day for a manicure that should last about 5-10 days, depending on your nails.

Tips:

1) Drink water! It makes your hair, skin, and nails healthy!

2) Take daily vitamins, this keeps your body healthy and strong.

3) Take 5,000-10,000 mcg (not to be confused with mg) of biotin a day. This promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails. Some have reported it makes you break out, but I have severe acne and haven't seen any negative changes or effects since taking it three months ago.

4) Take Omega 3 pills or eat a lot of fish and eggs!

I hope this tutorial has inspired you, and helped you get into the Fall season! If it didn't, don't worry! I have a few other fun Fall posts planned that are sure to get you in the spirit! Don't forget to subscribe and let me know in the comments if there is anything you would like to see me review or give a tutorial on!

~Brighton

Side Note: I do a lot of side note's huh? ;) Anyway, when I was doing this tutorial, I realized that some of you might be wondering what to do if you have Club Thumb. Well, I can help you out there, because yes, I have Club Thumb, on both of my hands. Club Thumb (pictured below) is a genetic disorder that happens when your thumbs are stunted and grow shorter and stubbier than the average thumb. Some refer to this as "Toe Thumb"...I despise when people call it that. Not only is it embarrassing, it's hurtful and mean. But back to how to shape that lovely square thumb! I find that a lot of people with Club Thumb try to over compensate and shape their nail rounded, but this actually makes your thumb look bulbous and sometimes even stubbier. Instead, shape it as naturally as you can. I keep it square, short, and with soft rounded edges. This seems to draw the least amount of attention to my thumb. I hope this little note helped you out, and remember, embrace your Club Thumb! God made it that way for a reason! :)

Chompers Challenge

2012-09-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

Day 6

Only a day left! I don't see any real improvement since yesterday, but you be the judge! I'm keeping my post short today! So take a look at my progress pictures and then head over to my manicure tutorial!

These close up pictures make me over critical of my smile...it's crooked...

You should so see the rest of my face when I do this with my lips!

Keep smiling!

~Brighton

Chompers Challenge

2012-09-11T17:05:00.001-07:00

Day 5

We're on the home stretch now. I did see a slight difference today in my teeth! My bottom teeth appeared whiter, and the yellow was getting lighter in certain areas near the back of my mouth. I'm happy to finally see some change! Here's hoping the next two days I see even more improvement!

Anyone getting tired of my mouth? :)

I really see improvement in the front and sides of my bottom teeth

Side Note: I will be posting more than once! So look for my manicure tutorial tomorrow along with the Chompers Challenge update!

~Brighton

Chompers Challenge

2012-09-10T17:55:00.001-07:00

Days 3 and 4

Okay, so as of today (day 4), I'm still not seeing much of a difference in my teeth. I can tell that in the very front of my bottom teeth, they are a bit whiter, but overall my teeth just seem..cleaner. Which is great! I'm satisfied that my mouth seems healthier and my plaque is gone. I guess only time will tell if this does anymore for my teeth!

Here are some more lovely pictures of my teeth..don't be fooled, these are different pictures from before!

Anyone else notice my lips are uneven? Now it's driving me crazy! haha!

They do seem maybe a bit whiter...

Catch ya tomorrow for a new post! :)

~Brighton

Read Me!

2012-09-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

Sunday Announcement

As I sit in front of my computer, hot tea in hand, lounge clothes in full use, I begin my short post for the day. Realizing that Sunday's are usually a very nice day spent by going to church and then resting all day with my family, it became clear that the chances of me making a post here on Sunday's would be slim and none. That's why I have made the choice to make Sunday's a "no blog day". Whatever series I'm doing (ex. Chompers Challenge) will be updated the following Monday. I'm taking the time out this Sunday, just let you know that I haven't forgotten about my challenge, and that I'm still eager to tell you how the process is going! Further more, I have some really cool tutorials coming for Fall, along with some fun posts on fashion!

So enjoy your Sunday! See you all back here tomorrow!

Side note: if there are any looks you'd like me to do, or beauty items you'd like me to review, please leave it in the comments below! Or email me! At beautybybrighton@gmail.com

~Brighton

Chompers Challenge

2012-09-08T17:33:00.004-07:00

Chompers Challenge

DAY 2

As you know from my previous post two days ago (which you can visit here) I'm doing a teeth whitening experiment! Today is day 2! So far, I haven't seen much improvement...it's also only the second day so I didn't expect to wake up and exclaim as I posed in front of the mirror, "My teeth! They sparkle like diamond in sky!" Write a comment below if you know where my reference is from! :) I did however see improvement with plaque build up, and my teeth seemed brighter...if that makes sense.

Here are some updated pictures of my teeth...I know.... don't be shocked at the AMAZING difference ;)

I think the bottom might be a tad whiter

I also forgot to say that my lip balm is from Tokyo Milk Bon Bon Lip Balm in Sweet Cream...this stuff is amazing...my lips feel so silky after I use it!

Stay tuned tomorrow for Day 3!

~Brighton

I Went To The Circus!

2012-09-07T12:34:00.002-07:00

Guest Post!

A dear friend, and experience blogger asked me to guest post on her blog for tips on date night beauty! It was so much fun working for her, and I had a great time putting the looks together! Be sure to go over and check out her fun blog about family, food, and fun! It's really an awesome blog, and she is an awesome person! So, go over there now! :) Just click here or here! And make sure to read my post, comment, and follow her!

~Brighton

2012-09-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

Chompers Challenge

White teeth are something that most women and men alike desire. They make a person more attractive, approachable, and friendly. A smile can either light up a room, or make people cringe. Everyone wants white, healthy teeth! But in an economy like ours, it's hard to find the money for whitening products that can set you back as much as $200 or more! So, I decided to research and put effort into finding cheap, but effective ways to whiten teeth. After about a month of research, I decided on the one I thought to be most effective. Hydrogen Peroxide. Not only does this stuff clean bacteria out of your mouth (fresher breath!), it also cleans wounds, and reportedly whitens teeth! And for only a few bucks for a lot of product, you'll possibly have whiter teeth, better breath, clean boo boo's, and a happy wallet!

The program I'm going to be doing (which seems the most effective in my opinion) involves dipping a Q-Tip into a cap full of Peroxide, rubbing said Q-Tip onto your teeth, letting it sit for thirty seconds and then brushing your teeth with regular toothpaste. Do this morning and night for one week and then every few days after that. I'll be blogging every day with updated photos of my teeth and how I think it's working. I will take my pictures in the same room, around the same time of day (for lighting purposes), and will wear the same lip balm.

DISCLAIMER: On my camera my top teeth don't seem very stained. Although they aren't terrible, they aren't as white as I'd like them to be. However, my bottom teeth are all together yellow, and I'm hoping I'll see the most improvement on them.

Get ready for silly pictures of my teeth in 3....2....1

You can barely see my teeth when I smile so on to the silly picture...

Also, some of you might ask, so I'll just tell you. I use a Crest Spinbrush and Plus White Xtra Whitening toothpaste, and floss with the little floss picks from Crest. Links are down below. Just click on the picture and it will take you directly to the Amazon product! Side note: the best price I have found for the toothpaste and the tooth brush is Amazon. The toothbrush is usually $8 and the toothpaste $4.

Spinbrush

Toothpaste

Hydrogen Peroxide

Check back Saturday for an update and new post!

~Brighton

Style Icons: Blair Waldorf

2011-11-04T23:06:00.000-07:00

Could she be any more fabulous?

The show Gossip Girl is one that I would never promote to anyone looking for amazing writing and deep story lines. It's about rich students who, I have not once seen actually go to class or do homework. And yet, I still find myself watching episode after episode. Why? Because not only are the leading men dreamy, and the setting (New York City) exciting, but the clothes are absolutely to die for! Characters throw out designer names like it's no big thing and just give away Coach handbags and Milano shoes!

But the girl who I believe is the "hostest with the mostest" though, is none other than Queen Bee Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester). Yes, she's a snob. Yes, she's incredibly mean and cold hearted. But boy does the girl know how to wear a headband! I get excited every time she comes on the screen. What will she wear next? What shoes will she pair with that coat? Could I possibly remake that? What eyeshadow is that from? Could I recreate that berry lip with a few colors of lipstick I already own? She's everything I have always wanted for my style! I can't believe it took me this long to find her! She is my fashion soul mate!

Of course, there are others who inspire me, but I feel that none compare to Blair. So for now, I will continue to watch the late night soap opera and get inspired from the girl who knows how to fill a closet.

I guess it can be said, no one can style a wardrobe like a Waldorf.

Here are some more pictures of Blair doing what she does best, being fabulous!

Princess Leia Called...The Cinnamon Roll Goes to the side.

2011-08-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

MARCO!........polo...

I know that I should probably only post a "What Were You Thinking?" once a week, but I couldn't resist when I found this image on a well known wedding site!

"Now Karen, listen to the sound of your grooms voice as you walk down the isle, okay?" I can't help but imagine this is what the hairdresser told the bride after she finished up her masterpiece of a hairdo for this "modern wedding". Don't judge me so fast, I'm all for brides who think out side the box, and go for something else than the classic strapless A-line gown with half up half down hair. But where to start with this ummm...idea.

First, let's just start with the hair. Now I know this is meant to be figurative and all high fashion and what not, but really? How is this cool? The poor girl can't see anything! I don't think this woman (no matter how beautiful she is) would look elegant as she stumbles down the isle like a newborn deer listening to this, "Honey, take three steps forward...that's it...wait! No, that's uncle Albert, not me...okay now shift a little to your right, no your right dear not mine."

Secondly, the necklace. When I was a child, I dreamed of having beautiful pearls dripping from my decollete as I cascaded down the flower covered floor of my church. I never once pictured myself wearing a weed around my neck. The gold chain is actually really pretty and I would totally wear that on a night out! But who decided it would be perfect if they added a plant to the end of it? Does the necklace come with one of those packets to help it stay alive? If you water it everyday, and make sure it gets enough sun when you wear it out, will it grow and make more necklaces? Maybe they start as bracelets or earrings because they aren't fully grown? These are the questions I want to ask the designer of this necklace. But for now I guess it will remain a mystery. Let's just hope I don't actually see any of these things for the weddings I attend!

So what are your thoughts on the matter? Would you be daring and wear hair similar to this? Would you water your jewelry? Let me know in the comments below!

~Brighton

Ask Away

2011-08-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

Got a Question?

So I'm giving you advice on what do with makeup and fashion, but maybe I'm not answering the questions you have? Well for starters, I love to help! If there is anyone out there with a question on beauty, style, or life I would love to answer if I can. I will do my best to answer in a timely fashion. If I get several questions on the same subject, I may just put a post up on the topic! So please, ask away and I will answer!

Send your questions to beautybybrighton@gmail.com or you can go to my website www.wix.com/missbee89/beautybybrighton and send me a message there as well. I look forward to hearing from you all!

~Brighton

Are you comparing my face to a wall?

2011-08-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

It's Prime Time

Having just graduated from college, I have come into contact with many a woman in need of a makeup makeover. I find that a woman who has a flawless application of foundation, looks all around more put together and beautiful. This "flawless" face can be achieved by not only the right foundation, but also the right primer. Primer is basically just what it sounds like. It primes the face for a more smooth application of foundation, it prevents liquid foundation from seeping into pores, and puts a barrier between your face and the makeup. It can also help with oil control, which is a big complaint with women in their late teens and early twenties. I can go about twenty minutes with makeup on before I need to get out my trusty oil blotting sheets and press down on the nasty buildup around my nose! But no longer. Although primer doesn't completely prevent oil from coming through my pores, it does help it immensely.

Depending on what skin type you have you should use a certain type of primer. For incredibly oily skin like mine, use a silicone based primer like the Mac Matte Primer shown above. This will not only make my makeup last all day, it will also keep that nasty oil at bay! For dry or combination skin, stick with a lotion or cream primer such as Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. Although pricey, it fills in lines, pores, and leaves skin feeling soft and even looking. If you want something that is great for combination skin and is more than half the price of the the Clarins product, use Monistat Chafing Gel. Although this product is mainly used for...ehem, certain areas. It can also really be great for facial skin! And at only 8.00 dollars, it's a steal!

Just remember, when choosing a primer, silicone is best for oily skin, and lotions or creams are best for combination to dry skin. After using primer several times you'll never want to go back, and will feel that not using it makes your skin feel funny! So go ahead and prime that face like you would a wall and you'll end up with skin that looks likes and feels like porcelain!

~Brighton

Links for some great primers (some I mentioned) are down below! Just click on the picture and it will take you straight to the product! Most of them are actually cheaper than if bought in the store!

Monistat Chafing Gel-Powder

Smash Box Primer

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

M.A.C. Prep + Prime Skin Base (similar to M.A.C. Matte)

It's time for....What were you thinking?

2011-08-16T23:46:00.000-07:00

WHAT, WHAT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

I'm all for fashion forward clothing, and I love it when cool new pieces start trending. But this, this needs to be stopped in its tracks! Now to be honest, I wouldn't wear most of what Beyonce rocks on the red carpet, she is a little too Ghetto Fabulous for my taste. But I feel like the ghetto has gone too far this time. I find, that a few moments of thought could have prevented this terrible mistake from hitting news stands across the country, and I want to list them now just in case Beyonce ever reads my blog, or for the other readers, who are hoping to never make a fashion blunder like this.

Don't wear the dress:

1. If your sleeves are longer than your hemline

2. If the fabric of your dress resembles an Olympic Gymnasts leotard

3. If the decals on your dress look like my four year old nephew cut them out at church Sunday school

4. If you let said nephew glue on said decals

5. And finally, if your dress is too short to wear underwear, that's considered a shirt and thus requires pants.

I hope these tips have made you rethink your wardrobe choices and maybe just a giggle a bit! Stayed tuned next week for the "What were you thinking?" post.

"I don't want no scrub." True or False?

2011-08-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

To Scrub or Not to Scrub?

It is widely known that using a scrub several times a week will promote healthy, youthful skin that looks and feels soft and vibrant. Sadly, many people are believing the hype that it's okay to use any old scrub to get the dead skin off. This is false! Any scrub that contains "natural" pieces or particles of fruit or anything like it can be harmful to your skin. These scrubs, such as St. Ives Apricot Scrub, can cause microscopic tears in your skin that will later on cause scarring and an uneven texture to your face. Although it may feel like your skin is smooth and soft, it has actually just been scratched hundreds of times by your scrub!

Instead, opt for a man made product which has been created to be microscopically spherical. These beads (such as silica) will slough off dead skin gently, and will only touch the dead skin and not harm or irritate the new skin that's underneath. Some good ones to try are St. Ives Green Tea Scrub, and Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Scrub. Use your scrub every three days after cleansing your face with a mild cleanser first. In a few weeks you should notice softer, smoother skin that looks and feels healthy.
Happy Scrubbing! :)

~Brighton