makeup by sameera

2013: The Year of Glowing Skin

2013-02-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Beauties! I know, I'm a little late, but I'm here with an exciting declaration - I am so happy to announce that flat, matte skin is out! Thanks to a bevy of new releases from some major brands, the beauty counters are now flooded with brightening and illuminating powders that work to correct skin discoloration or texture issues while reflecting light in a way that gives the skin a lit-from-within glow.

Hallelujah! I have been waiting for this moment for so long! *Tear* I'm being a bit dramatic, but seriously, I hate the look of traditional mattifying/setting powders that leave a flat matte finish on the skin, which often photographs terribly and has a tendency to look muddy. Not to mention the fact that traditional powders tend to settle into lines and pores, exaggerating the problem they're supposed to hide.

Combining the optical diffusion technology provided by industry favorite HD powders, these new brightening powders kick things up a notch with the inclusion of light reflecting ingredients like mica and even tiny flecks of diamonds, and skin hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, seaweed extracts and vitamins. Available in both translucent and color-correcting formulations, these powders are the perfect addition to any makeup routine, and even look great dusted over bare skin.

Read on for some of my favorites and application tips:

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

NARS' translucent setting powder has a silky, lightweight consistency that glides over skin and uses an exclusive Light Reflecting Complex that diffuses light and blurs the appearance of pores, lines and wrinkles, while absorbing excess oil. Available in both pressed and loose formulations, this powder leaves the skin with a luminous finish and can be used all over the face, or just in the t-zone to highlight and brighten.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

These new powders from Hourglass come in six shades that create a soft luminescence on the skin. According to the brand, "The transparent micron-sized spheres with an entrapped diamond core—called photoluminescent technology—do not simply cloak imperfections like traditional powder, but rather, alter and refine the perceived appearance of the complexion by manipulating and filtering out harsh light." Sounds good to me! Available in shades that tone down redness, add a sun-kissed glow, or a moonlit dew to the skin, these powders can be used on the planes of the face or all over, depending on which color you choose.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder Porcelain Pearl 0.23 oz

Bobbi Brown's latest finishing powders come in two colors and use a blend of colors to both neutralize slight discolorations and to illuminate the skin. Of the two shades, Pearl (pictured above) is best used as a highlighter on all but the lightest skin tones, while Nude can be used to add warmth to light-to-medium skin tones, and as a highlight for darker skins. With extracts of mulberry, grape and scutellaria, these finely-milled powders leave a fresh-looking finish on the skin that's not too shimmery - just radiant and glowing.

Charlotte Ronson Closer Finishing Powder Closer Finishing Powder 1

While this isn't a new release, I still really love this powder. Packaged in a dispenser with brush attached (which I'm honestly not a huge fan of, but it's a great formula nonetheless), this is a great alternative to traditional powders for on-the-go touchups. Charlotte supposedly created this with Rashida Jones in mind, who has some of the most beautiful glowing skin around, so color me sold! With Light Filter Technology, this formula creates a youthful appearance on the skin by refracting light and converting UV light to blue light. While I can't speak to the light conversion science, I can say that I really like the radiance this leaves on the skin, and how well it works on all skin types.

How Do Our Beauty Choices Affect the Environment?

2013-01-21T17:39:00.001-08:00

By now, we are all pretty aware of the effects our beauty choices have on our skin and health. We make better choices every day by avoiding toxic, cancer-causing chemicals in our skin care and makeup, and by opting for natural, organic lines that use less preservatives. But not many of us stop to think about the effect these beauty choices have on the environment... and it turns out these effects could be devastating

How many of us use and love argan oil? It's been all the rage lately, showing up in hair products, skin care, makeup and everything in between. I know I've fallen in love with this natural oil from Morocco. While I'm excited that this natural product has been making headlines over chemical alternatives, this newfound craze has had some detrimental effects on the local economies and argan tree farms that produce this precious oil.

Argan oil isn't the only example of this - there are countless health and beauty products that use rare extracts found in certain parts of the world and, once the secret's out, the huge demand devastates the local communities and forests that supply these precious ingredients. Here are a few links to articles that I've come across just in the past few days that detail the issue:

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/skintype/considering-environment-when-making-and-choosing-beauty-products

http://blog.doctoroz.com/dr-oz-blog/the-environment-and-you-why-you-should-make-sustainable-choices

Scary, isn't it? While these articles call out just two specific ingredients, this is a widespread problem. Think about the rare ingredients touted in your favorite product; whether it's sea buckthorn berry, a rare form of sea algae, centella asiatica, Rose of Jericho, or countless others, these are all limited natural resources that come from somewhere far away.

So what do we do? It's all about supply and demand! That doesn't mean we can't treat ourselves to these luxurious natural goodies. As consumers, we make the difference in how companies choose to source their ingredients and treat their suppliers. It all starts with knowledge, so do your homework! If we all take a little time to research the companies' policies that are using these rare ingredients, we can choose to support those that are ethically and sustainably sourcing these precious extracts rather than those that are leaving devastation in their paths. Make sure that the companies you choose to purchase from disclose their source and are working to replenish the resources they are mining, and that they are participating in Fair Trade.

You can even take things a step further by going local with your beauty. There are literally thousands of local, small batch manufacturers making skin care specific to the environment you live in, often using locally-sourced ingredients. Try checking out your local health food store or farmers market for a surprising array of beauty products you may have never heard of! By shopping locally, you're not only supporting your community, but you're saving the environment by cutting down on emissions from shipping products all over the world, and by utilizing ingredients that you could even find in your own back yard.

Here are a couple of my favorite brands that are doing their part to make sure their products don't harm the environment:

Farmaesthetics - this natural brand is "Committed to "Sustainable Beauty©", all Farmaesthetics products are 100% natural utilizing certified organic herbs, flowers, oils & grains from American family farms."

Pangea Organics - this Boulder, CO company promises to "Intentionally sourced from organic farmers through fair trade practices whenever possible."

What are your favorite brands that are working to beautify you and the earth at the same time?

Last Minute Deals and Steals to Satisfy Every Beauty Lover on Your List!

2012-12-19T16:50:00.006-08:00

If you're anything like me, you've barely begun on your shopping list. Not that you haven't tried, right?! During the holidays, gift shopping can be SO tough, especially in the malls where you're constantly bombarded by sparkles, cheer and things that would look A-MAH-AING on you! Seriously, the last three times I stepped into a mall determined to find something special for someone on my list, I walked out with two bags of stuff for me, and zero for anyone else. It's not that I'm selfish! It's the sequined clothing, the sparkly jewelry, and the limited edition beauty releases (not to mention the deals!) that A.D.D. me away from my original mission. Ugh.

Well, I've found the answer: online shopping! No scents, shiny objects, or things to try on to distract me. Plus, the inter webs are offering some CRAY sales right now! So, friends, for those of you who suffer as I do, I've created a list of amazing holiday deals that will make sure everyone on your list is happy, and with all the deals and gifts-wtih-purchase, you'll end up pretty happy too :)

Drugstore Faves

2012-09-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

As much as I love a good Sephora haul, I always find myself going back to (and recommending) some drugstore makeup and skin care finds that work great and rival their pricier counterparts. When taking clients shopping for makeup and skin care, we almost always start somewhere like Ulta or Target for some of these products before venturing into a department store. Here are some of my favorite products, found at any local drugstore, that work amazingly well and create a look that dupes many pricier department store products.

Skin Care:

POND'S Deep Cleanser & Make-up Remover with Cucumber Extract, 10.1 oz

This cooling cleansing cream by Pond's has a higher water-to-oil ratio than its "classic" cold cream counterpart, meaning it rinses off clean without the need to tissue off. Using the same idea as oil cleansers, this cold cream dissolves all makeup - even long-wearing/waterproof formulas - for a clean complexion that isn't left dried out. I've been using this on and off for years, and always find myself reaching for it when nothing else is working.

Phisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash, 6 fl oz

I only wash my face with a foaming cleanser in the shower, with my Clarisonic (which there definitely is not a drugstore dupe for!). This pH balanced face wash by Phisoderm is super gentle, and is formulated without sulfates or dyes, so it won't irritate even sensitive skins. With the added benefit of salicylic and lactic acids, this cleanser helps keep pores clean and acne at bay, all without stripping the skin of natural oils or throwing off pH balance. What else could you want in a cleanser?

Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel with Organic Aloe Vera Formula Toner, Rose Petal, 12 fl oz

I LOVE this toner. I'm kind of a toner addict, having tried at least a hundred others from all kinds of brands, and I always come back to this one. It contains so much goodness: vitamin e, witch hazel, aloe, glycerine, and rose water - and doesn't contain alcohol! This toner always leaves skin soft, toned and never dry or stripped. While many people don't consider toners a necessary step, I deem this a staple in my routine for removing anything my cleanser may have missed, and for adding an extra little dose of moisture to the skin. Also, I may be addicted to the heavenly rose scent.

read on for my makeup faves!

Makeup

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base, .5 fl oz

This primer seriously works like magic. This mainstay in my kit works wonders, hiding pores, lines and wrinkles, and brightening dull skin. I definitely wouldn't recommend this for daily use, but if you're looking for a primer that blurs imperfections and creates a smooth base for makeup, this is it.

L'Oreal True Match Foundation, Honey Beige N6, 1 fl oz

With around 30 shades to choose from, and offered in warm, cool and neutral undertones, you're sure to find a color that works with your skin tone. This foundation gives great sheer to medium coverage and offers a natural looking finish that never looks too foundation-y. I wear this all the time, and always get asked what I'm wearing - even by department store foundation devotees! I also find this foundation to be one of the best photographing options around, especially from the drugstore.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer, Medium, .05 fl oz

Hmmm... are you starting to notice a theme here? Lol! Seriously though, L'Oreal makes some incredible products. As one of the biggest beauty houses around, L'Oreal owns some of your favorite department store brands, and employs thousands of dermatologists and chemists that work to develop those pricy, state-of-the-art formulas. I'm convinced that a lot of that same high dollar technology then ends up in L'Oreal's drugstore offering. Case in point: Magic Lumi Concealer. This brightening concealer works by reflecting light away from dark circles, lines and wrinkles and imperfections... and bears a striking resemblance to a certain industry favorite also owned by L'Oreal (*cough cough* Touche Eclat *cough*).

CoverGirl Queen Collection Liner For Eyes, Black Onyx Q200, .01 oz
This automatic liner by CoverGirl is the perfect basic black liner. With an always sharp point, and a smooth formula, you can create countless looks without tugging too hard at the delicate eye area.

Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner, Blackest Black 950
Uh, sorry for the wonky picture. But this little gel liner and brush duo are awesome! Want to create the perfect cat eye? This is all you need. This creamy gel formula glides on easily and its creamy matte finish lasts all day. I honestly prefer this over a lot of more expensive gel liners. The formula and the brush are absolutely perfect! Use this to line the waterline or even as a base for a sultry smoky eye.

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara, Black, .34 oz
Another best-selling department store dupe, this mascara lengthens and thickens for major drama with the use of tiny little false fibers that cling to and enhance your lashes. I really like the tapered brush, which gets every lash from corner to corner. I find I only need one coat with this, but two will give you a seriously false lash look, if that's your thing ;)

My Skin Brightening Regimen

2012-04-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

My skin always goes through a period of dull flakiness every spring - kind of like it's shedding its winter coat. This year, I've found the perfect regimen to get my skin bright and glowing without the flakes! Introducing my go-to skin brighteners:

These products seriously haven't left my bathroom counter in over a month - a big feat for a product junkie like me!

Origins Never A Dull Moment Skin-Brightening Face Cleanser

I start with this staple product from Origins - a creamy gel cleanser with papaya enzymes that completely removes makeup and dirt without stripping skin. The natural enzymes help to dissolve skin cells and pore clogging gunk. This is one of my favorite cleansers, and is the cleanser I turn to when my skin is freaking out. At $19.50, it's a great deal too - one bottle lasts at least three to four months.

St. Ives Scrub Free Exfoliating Pads

These exfoliating pads are absolutely incredible! A new product from St. Ives, the Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads feature hydrating glycerine and vitamin e with a combination of lactic and glycolic acids to slough off dull, dry skin, plus brightening fruit extracts to get rid of discoloration over time. I am absolutely in LOVE with this product. Gentle enough to use morning and night, you'll notice a difference after just a few uses. Even the hubs is addicted to these little wonder pads. And, at just under $6, you'll be hard pressed to find something that works as well for the price.

After letting my skin dry from the St. Ives Exfoliating Pads, I use Ole Henrikson's Truth Serum Collagen Booster. This serum has a lightweight gel texture that smooths on easily and absorbs immediately. With 10% Vitamin C to protect, brighten and boost collagen, plus antioxidants Vitamin E and green tea, this serum has everything you need to get skin glowing in no time! Plus, it layers perfectly with sunblock - a must for bright, even-toned skin! At $49.50, this is one of the more expensive products in my regimen, but it's definitely worth the price - one bottle lasts me around five months with daily use.

It's really hard to find a tinted moisturizer that covers, has SPF, and hydrates, but this product does it all! I finish with Shiseido The Skincare Tinted Moisture Protection - a medium weight tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 sun protection. This oil free product wears all day with good coverage, and provides adequate sun protection for daily wear. It feels clean and lightweight on the skin, without leaving a film or greasy residue I've experienced with other tinted moisturizers I've recommended this product to several friends, all of whom love it! $38, at Nordstrom stores.

I've been getting so many compliments on my skin lately, and I credit it to this regimen - give these products a try if you're having issues with dullness or rough skin.

What are your go-to products to get your skin in shape after winter?

Creating the Easiest Smoky Eye EVER with Sue Devitt

2012-03-08T11:45:00.003-08:00

Ah, the smoky eye. It's the ubiquitous symbol of makeup prowess, as it challenges so many. Seriously, I talk to so many women who say they don't know how to apply it, wear it, or pull it off, even though they really want to. Well, ladies, I'm about to show you the one product you need to create the easiest smoky eye that looks good on EVERYONE. Seriously.

Behold, the Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Golden Triangle.

This creamy, chubby pencil gives you seriously intense color in the most beautiful bronzy-olive-black-gold ever.

Even cats like it.

Now on to creating the perfect smoky eye.

1. Start by covering the eyelid and lower lash line with a creamy concealer or eyeshadow primer to prevent creasing and enhance wearability. My favorite primer is Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube Original

2. Take the Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil and color the entire lid, from lashline up to the crease. You can be sloppy with this; it doesn't have to be perfect. Just be sure to cover the entire lashline, from inner to outer corner. Add a little color to the outer third of the lower lashline too.

3. Then, take a crease brush, or use your fingertips to smudge out the line at the crease, using short, round swirly motions, and push the color upwards and outwards. The point of a smoky eye is to have the most intensity at the lashline, and for the color to "smoke" out and dissipate as it moves out.

4. Finally, line the waterline with a black liner and add 2 coats of mascara. And you're done!

How easy was that?! This is a really soft, easy smoky eye that can easily be punched up with more black liner at the lashline. But for smoky eye newbies, this is a great way to get the hang of things!

For those of you who love this color, but don't want to shell out $22 for the Sue Devitt pencil, Rimmel makes a really close color with their Spark It Up Pencil line in Black Gold.

So have you always had trouble with creating a smoky eye? Let me know if you try this and tell me what you think!

Love Lip Color? All you need is Lip Liner.

2012-01-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

I'm a little obsessed with lip color... in all kinds of shades, finishes, and wears. If you have a similar addiction, you could go broke buying balms, glosses, lipsticks, lip glazes, stains, lip liners, etc. For a much more economical way to experiment with all those fun colors, all you need is these three items to get the different finishes created by the products mentioned above:

lip liner in color of choice
clear lip balm
clear lip gloss

Here are instructions and pictures to show you how:

(please excuse the not-so-awesome picture quality - these were all taken on my phone)

Creating a sheer wash of color:

First, start with a good hydrating balm. My favorite is the Italian Red Mandarin with Rose from Pangea Organics. Spread a light layer all over lips.

Then, using short strokes, apply lip liner starting at the center and inner part of the lips working your way out. For this look, you don't need a sharp or bright line at the edges, so keep the majority of color to the center of lips. (I'm using MAC's Entertain Me Lip Liner)

And finish by patting and smoothing color with a finger tip. This is a perfect sheer wash for casual outings or to wear during the day.

For a medium-pigmented look:

Over lip balm, sweep lip liner in longer strokes to cover the entire lip.

Don't get too far out on the edges, as this will cause the color to bleed with this particular type of application.

With a creamy finish. You can add more balm over the top if you'd like to add more sheen or soften the color.

Here it is with a glossy finish. Just apply a layer of clear gloss over top and use your fingertip to smooth away any color variations. (I used Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Sugar High)

For a highly-pigmented look:

On a soft, dry lip, apply an even coating of liner all over the lip. Create a strong lip line by fully covering all edges. Leave it as is for a matte lip. (I used ModelCo's Lip Liner in Berry)

Add a little balm for a creamier look. Start in the center of the lip and gently pat balm outwards. It's important to use a patting motion instead of a dragging one, to ensure that the color stays evenly distributed.

For a glossy look, apply clear gloss over the entire lip. Using a brush or diagonal applicator, very lightly sweep an even layer of gloss over lips. Pat away any color variations if necessary.

This is seriously the easiest way to add all those fun colors to your collection without breaking the bank. Lip liners are usually cheaper than lip sticks and glosses too!

What colors are you dying to try this season?

Pantone-Inspired Beauty Haul

2012-01-06T12:10:00.000-08:00

Pantone Color Institute recently announced its Color of the Year for 2012: Tangerine Tango.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

As a long-time fan of orange shades, I LOVE this color! And on a Personal Shopping appointment yesterday, I saw two MAC lip colors that perfectly create this red-orange shade:

MAC Lipglass in Knockout. MAC Lip Pencil in Entertain Me.

How gorgeous are these two colors? Individually, they're beautiful, and combined they perfectly create the Tangerine Tango shade I love!

Lip Pencil on left; Lipglass on right.

Starting with the gloss, applied in a stippling motion, I then blended in a bit of the pencil for a sheer, tangerine wash on the lips. Wear this with a light wash of bronzer or apricot brush on cheeks and strong brows with simple, neutral eyes for a chic daily look. This color is gorgeous on all skin tones, especially those with slightly pinker undertones. I hear Pantone will be coming out with a line for Sephora this year, but for those of us who want it now, check out MAC. The Knockout Lipglass is limited edition, so hurry!!

What colors are you feeling this year?

New Beauty Resolutions for 2012

2012-01-03T15:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, beauties! I wish you all a happy, healthy, and gorgeous year ahead :)

Now, getting on to the "gorgeous" part, here are some New Beauty Resolutions that will help keep us looking pretty all year and into the next:

1. Clean Your Brushes.

This might sound like a no-brainer, but I'm always surprised by how many women don't wash their brushes... ever! This is so important; brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria that can result in acne and will contaminate your makeup. So, wash your makeup brushes at least once a month with a gentle shampoo, following these simple steps:

Wet the brushes and squirt a small amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand.
Wash one brush at a time in the palm of your hand using a back-and-forth motion - this is really important, because using a swirling or circular motion will cause the brush fibers to twist around eachother and break.
Rinse under flowing water and gently squeeze out all excess moisture, ensuring that the water runs clear out of the brush.
Reshape the brush and lay on a towel or the side of your sink and let dry.

At least once a week, spritz your brushes with an anti-bacterial brush spray to keep bacteria at bay.

2. Stick to a Skin Care Routine.

This one is especially difficult for beauty junkies like myself. Avoid buying into the hype of new and exciting skin care products and stick to a regular routine of cleansing, treating (if necessary), moisturizing and using SPF during the day. Remember that it takes at least 6 weeks for a product to really work, so be patient and stick with it. Plus, constantly changing your routine can aggravate your skin and lead to sensitivity, acne, and clogged pores. So, be patient and stick with it - your skin will thank you!

3. Use natural lip products.

This is a really important one, and is the one I'm working especially hard to stick to this year. After all the facts about how much lip product the average woman consumes (4 to 9 lbs. over a lifetime! yuck!!), it's important to ensure that the ingredients in your lip care are natural. Here are some of my favorite all-natural lip lines:

Burt's Bees - these tinted lip balms provide the perfect amount of color and hydration in an all-natural formula.

How cute are these tiny little spheres from EOS? They taste great and are super hydrating. Plus, they're easy to find in your purse.

These lipsticks from Real Purity contain all natural ingredients along with a high level of pigment in fun, funky colors.

4. Put Down the Tweezers.

... and pick up an eyebrow pencil! We've seen it for the past two seasons, and I think they're here to stay: bold brows. So put down the tweezers and embrace your beautiful, full arches! I love this look; bold brows are so youthful-looking and really frame the eyes. To perfect your arches, trim any stray or long hairs, and use a brow pencil to fill in an sparse areas by using short, light strokes in the direction your hairs naturally grow. Brush through with a clean mascara brush, add a little highlighter under the arch, and you're good to go!

5. Eat for Beauty.

You are what you eat, after all! So this year, put down the processed food and pick up natural, organic fruits and vegetables, and opt for water or tea instead of soda and sugar-laden juices. Choose from the full spectrum of color when it comes to natural foods to take advantage of all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they have to offer. This will help clarify your skin and will help you lose a few extra pounds too! Sounds like a win-win to me :)

For expert advice on this, check out my friend Ben's blog - he's a pharmacist and all-around genius, especially when it comes to taking care of your health. http://pharmacistbensblog.blogspot.com/

What are your beauty resolutions this year?

Cyber Monday Beauty Deals and Steals

2011-11-28T10:01:00.001-08:00

Hi Lovelies!
I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving weekend filled with friends, family, and lots of delicious food. Now, it's Monday and we are celebrating one of my favorite shopping days: Cyber Monday!! Black Friday is great and all, but after the enormous food baby I usually wake up with, I'm in no shape to deal with hordes of shoppers and long lines. Enter Cyber Monday, with its just-as-good deals without requiring me to get out of my PJs. Bless.

Here are some of my favorite beauty deals and steals:

Coastal Scents - 50% off entire web store! If you've never heard of this brand, you'll fall in love. They make super pigmented cosmetics with a huge range of colors.

Urban Decay - Feminine, Dangerous, and Fun sets are just $19 (normally $34). Plus, get a free gift with any purchase over $75!

Stila - huge warehouse sale, with up to 80% off some of their most popular items. Hurry, because this one always sells out fast.

MyChelle - BOGO on all online orders! Just enter code cybermonday2011 at checkout and get the second item free.

Bath & Body Works - 25% off all orders. Use code CYBER2011

Tarte - Save up to $30 off plus a free gift with every order. Use code CYBER.

Clarins - Get a deluxe travel sized gift with any order over $75. Use code CYBERM.

YSL - Get 20% off plus free shipping with code MONDAY. Get an additional free gift for orders over $100.

Korres - Get a deluxe travel sample kit with any order over $100 with code CYBER. Plus get a free Milk Proteins cleanser with any order over $40 - no code required.

Dr. Dennis Gross - get 20% off any order with code CYBER11. Also, get a free NEW Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil with any order over $150.

Smashbox - 20% off plus free shipping with code SBXFF11.

Skinstore - save 20% with code GIFT20.

Laura Mercier - Free gift set of Fan Favorites with orders of $50 or more, plus free shipping.

Pangea Organics - Buy 2 Discovery kits, get the 3rd Free with code KITSAVE

Origins - Get $10 off orders of $25 or more, plus free shipping with code TENOFF

Love & Toast - Save 15% with code Give15

Whew! My wallet is starting to feel... scared. I'm going shopping! What sales are you hitting up this Cyber Monday?

Thanksgiving Inspired Skin Care - Pumpkin Edition

2011-11-20T11:21:00.001-08:00

This season, take your skin care cues from your dinner table! These products feature the Thanksgiving staple, pumpkin, to ensure your skin looks its best this season.

Pumpkin
Pumpkin is an excellent source of Vitamins C and A to protect, heal and stimulate collagen production, and Zinc Oxide, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and aids in skin repair. Pumpkin is also packed with enzymes that naturally dissolve dull, dead skin for a glowing complexion.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Creamy Pumpkin Cleanser

This creamy cleanser contains pumpkin and honey enzymes, to gently exfoliate and hydrate while cleansing. It completely dissolves dirt, oil and makeup, leaving skin soft and smooth. Perfect for all skin types!

Glo Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub 2oz

This scrub combines gentle jojoba beads with pumpkin and fruit enzymes for both physical and chemical exfoliation. It also contains powerful anti-inflammatories to ensure your skin never gets irritated. Use 2 to 3 times a week for a glowing complexion!

Sanitas Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

This mask from my beloved Sanitas line combines pumpkin enzymes with hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane to gently exfoliate while hydrating. Right after using this mask, you'll see smooth, soft skin with a decrease in fine lines and discoloration.

DIY: Pumpkin Mask

Or... you can create your very own mask at home! Combine the following ingredients, apply to face and rinse off after 10 minutes.

3 tsp. pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp. honey

1/4 tsp. whipping cream

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Body Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

This intense exfoliator will ensure your body is just a smooth as your now-glowing face! With natural pumpkin, papaya, and lactic enzymes to exfoliate, plus caffeine to tone and smooth any dimples, this scrub has everything you need to keep body skin smooth and hydrated this winter.

I just love the scent of pumpkin products! They are so soothing and comforting. What are your favorite holiday scents or products?

Keeping Skin Summer Fresh with MBeze!

2011-08-08T17:03:00.000-07:00

Here in Denver, we have had one of the hottest, stickiest summers I can remember. Keeping my skin hydrated and fresh-smelling without the heavy, waxy residue left over from most lotions has been tough... that is, until I found MBeze!
MBeze is a natural skin care and cosmetics company that has a great line-up of everything you could need to keep skin fresh and soft, like body and facial oils, fragrances, and deodorants.

Once Bitten Natural Body Oil

This natural body oil is incredibly lightweight and absorbs immediately - so no sticky residue! It also smells amazing, with apple blossom, vanilla and a hint of lime, it smells really fresh and not overly sweet; perfect for summer! On top of all that, it has Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E in a natural oil base to help soften and protect skin. According to MBeze:

"Each hand-poured blend contains oils that are full of vitamins and known for their ability to break up scar tissue, reduce & prevent stretchmarks, regenerate skin cells, and moisturize to maintain a soft and healthy glow."

Wow! That is one hard-working body oil! I love applying this oil after showering; it leaves my skin soft and smooth all day with gorgeous scent that really lasts. It also works great any time my skin needed a little pick-me-up or some additional glow.

Ife Natural Perfume

The Ife Natural Perfume smells sweet and is kind of... addictive. This pthalate-free fragrance comes in a coconut and jojoba oil base, and it smells mainly like strawberry, with musk and sandalwood to make it a bit more grown up. It layers really nicely and comes in a small roll-on, perfect for touching up throughout the day. Berry scents don't normally smell good on me, but this perfume smelled really natural and made me feel like I'd been running through a field of strawberries! Even as it wears down, it leaves the softest hint of strawberry on the skin. So pretty!!

MBeze has several different fragrance options to choose from, and also offers a non-scented option in the body oil for those of us that prefer our own scent. Check them out and tell me what you think!

Juara Skincare Review

2011-06-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

Juara is a vegan skin care line based on historical Indonesian herbal and botanical treatments. Using traditional Indonesian botanical remedies like healing teas, sandalwood, turmeric, tamarind and rice, combined with western science, these products have an east-meets-west attitude towards anti-aging and skin health.
Juara was kind enough to send me some samples of their daily skin care regimen of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Here's what I found:

Rice Facial Cleanser

This foaming, suflate-free cleanser leaves skin soft and hydrated, removing all traces of dirt, oil and makeup. With rice starch as the active ingredient, known for its soothing and softening properties, as well as its ability to decrease moisture loss, this cleanser works great for all skin types.

I found this cleanser to have an amazingly pleasant smell, almost like slipping into a tropical vacation - with sweet citrus and warm coconut scents, it's a great way to wake up the senses in the morning.

I especially liked using this cleanser with my Clarisonic - it left my skin feeling super clean and soft! The only thing I didn't love is that it left my skin feeling a little too "squeaky clean," probably due to the foaming or fragrance ingredients, but after using the toner (reviewed next), my skin felt perfectly soft and supple.

Ingredients:
Water, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Rice (Oryza sativa) Starch, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycol Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenypropanol, Fragrance.

Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner

Juara describes this product as a "toner serum", and I completely get why. This toner is super hydrating, just as the name implies, with a slightly thicker consistency than most toners. It comes out of the bottle with a brownish tinge, which threw me off a bit, but it disappears perfectly into the skin, leaving it soft and glowing. The oil-free liquid contains all kinds of skin-loving ingredients, like black, green and white teas for a super antioxidant boost, and tamarind extract to boost hydration and sooth skin. It also contains rice bran extract to minimize irritation and de-stress skin, and hyaluronic acid to further hydrate and plump.
This product has the most impressive ingredient list of them all, with mostly actives in the list:

Water, Pentylene Glycol, Tamarind Seed (Tamarindus indica) Extract, White Tea, Green Tea, Black Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract, Rice (Oryza sativa) Bran Extract, Honey Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate.

I swiped this over my face and neck after cleansing and loved the way my skin felt afterwards! It left me with a great glow and smooth, softened skin. It also relieved any tightness or "squeakiness" I felt after cleansing. It definitely feels a bit more conditioning than most toners, which is probably why it is dubbed a "toner serum". Whatever you call it, it's good stuff!

Sweet Black Tea and Rice Facial Moisturizer
This lightweight moisturizer contains fermented black tea (aka Kombucha) to soften and brighten, and Rice Bran Oil to hydrate as its active ingredients. Rice Brain Oil is an excellent source of natural fatty acids and Vitamin E, both of which are really important for softening, hydrating and protecting skin.
I found this moisturizer to have a great consistency that soaks right into the skin and leaves it with a hydrated glow. My skin didn't feel oily or dry all day - it was comfortable and soft, which is a big feat because my skin is pretty bipolar when it comes to its dry and oily zones.
Ingredients:
Water/Eau, Candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) Oil, Emulsifying Wax NF, Avocado (Persea gratissima) Oil Unsaponifiables, Rice Bran (Oryza sativa) Oil, Cyclomethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Illipe (Shorea stenoptera) Seed Butter, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Squalane, Saccharomyces/Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Hydroxyethylacrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenypropanol, Fragrance/Parfum.

Bottom Line: REALLY LIKE! The products are really unique in their use of Indonesian botanicals and herbs to soften and hydrate skin. While I don't love the addition of fragrance in the cleanser and moisturizer, and found the cleanser a bit too... cleansing, I did appreciate the texture and feel of all the products, especially the toner. If you're looking for a good, hydrating line with strong natural antioxidants, this is a great line for you!

Photography Workshop Session

2011-06-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

I had the incredible pleasure of working with two of my favorite photographers, Lola and Nasim Mansurov, of Mansurovs Photography this past weekend. They were holding a photography workshop, and were teaching the art of photographing a model, taking into account lighting, color, shadows, etc.

Here are some of the gorgeous pictures they took:

I LOVE the colors in this shot. They grey of the dress, yellow of the paintings, and red lips make such a statement!

This shot really allowed the contours of our beautiful model's face to show. I enhanced them with makeup, and lighting did the rest.

Beautiful colors again.

Working with a good photographer makes all the difference in the world. It's also really important to develop a good relationship, as you want to work closely with them to ensure that the makeup is photographing as you intended. The result will be breathtaking.

Easy Summer Makeup - Bright Lips

2011-06-13T13:29:00.001-07:00

90 Degree summer days call for a less-is-more approach to makeup. One of the easiest and most sweat-resistant ways to get a made up look without a lot off product is by wearing a statement lip on an almost nude face - it gives your face a bright pop of fun summer color without the melt-off. Here are some perfect summer colors that promise to make your pout

Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick Sydney

I've been obsessed with bright pink lips as the new red ever since seeing Jessica Biel in this perfect color:

This lipstick by Buxom is the perfect bright pink that looks great on all complexions. On top of that, the liner-like texture makes sure it wears all day and doesn't bleed.

Get it here.

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick Exces de Rouge

This color by Guerlain is the perfect mix between red and berry. It creates a beautiful stain on the lip and comes in a beautiful gold case, so you'll feel luxe just pulling it out of your purse.

Get it here.

For the perfect summer look, just combine these bright lip colors with a clean, dewy complexion and a couple of swipes of mascara for a chic and sweat-proof look.

What are your favorite summer lip colors?

Devita Skin Care Review

2011-05-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

Devita is a natural cosmeceutical skin care company based out of Arizona. They make all-natural, vegan, paraben-free and PETA certified products for face and body. From my experience, it's hard to find a natural line of skin care that is also effective. Devita, being a cosmeceutical brand, has found the perfect balance between efficacy and remaining natural! They use cutting edge peptide technology and combine it with well-researched vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts for powerful results.

The DeVita product line uses organic Aloe Vera as a natural and dynamic delivery system - allowing their active Vitamins, Botanicals and Peptides to penetrate and get to work within the skin. You'll find Aloe Vera as the first or second ingredient in almost every one of their products. What you won't find in any products are preservatives. I asked DeVita how this was possible, and here's what they said:

"Many of our products are self-preserving, due to their low pH and do not need the assistance of ANY type of preservative. These include products with Witch Hazel or Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids as they contain sufficient amounts of acid for effectiveness. Our cleansers and toners contain anti-bacterial ingredients as natural preservatives.

The main natural alternative preservatives that DeVita uses to ensure natural skin care are:

Lecithin Tea Tree Green Tea Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed Extract Grapefruit Seed Extract Vitamin E

Alternative preservatives allow for an average of a 24 month shelf life. As we are a small manufacturer, we create products in small batches so they are fresh when you receive them. If you use the Solar Protective Moisturizer daily, as recommended, you will not ever have to worry about it going past the due date as you will use it up faster than the 24 month time frame."

They were kind enough to send me their Deluxe Travel Kit to try, and I am delighted to share my review:

The Travel Kit contained travel sizes of Devita's complete AM/PM Regimen for Normal skin. The first step is the Aloe Vera Moisture Cleanser:

I really like this cleanser. It's got a gel consistency that doesn't lather too much, and has a soft aloe scent. It leaves the skin feeling clean and supple, not squeaky or tight (which you don't want!). While it did a good job of removing light makeup, a separate makeup remover is definitely needed for heavier eye makeup removal. With an Aloe base, natural essential oils and Vitamins B5 and E, this is a soothing, nourishing cleanser for all skin types.

Step 2 is the Moroccan Rose Facial Toner:

This toner has the most lovely and refreshing natural rose scent! According to Devita, rose oil "has been used for its astringent, toning, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating effects." Surrounding the rose oil is aloe vera, AHAs (lactic acid, glycolic acid, and maleic acid) for gentle exfoliation, and green tea extract to protect and soothe, and other natural botanical extracts. This toner is wonderfully refreshing and active, leaving the skin noticeable softer and smoother after just a few uses.

Weekly Gentle Aloe Face Scrub:

Next in the Travel Kit comes the Aloe scrub, again with an aloe base, jojoba beads to exfoliate, and extracts of goldenseal and grape to promote healing. I found this scrub to be a bit abrasive, which is a lot to say for me since I really like rough, grainy scrubs! It definitely worked though - using gentle pressure I lightly massaged it over my face and neck and saw much smoother skin after cleansing. I'd definitely recommend being careful with this one, because it could be too rough on sensitive skins.

Step 3: Treatment SerumsC Serum: I really liked this active Vitamin C Serum. It's a liquid-y serum with a whopping 17% Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, Green Tea, and CoQ10, this serum is an antioxidant powerhouse! As DeVita warns, it did tingle upon application the first few times I used it, but that effect soon went away as my skin adjusted to the product. This product may be my favorite in the kit - I found 1 to 2 drops covered my face and neck after applying the Rose Toner. I definitely noticed a difference in the overall brightness of my skin, and even noticed some old acne marks fading!

Optimal Rejuvenation Serum: This serum is a powerful anti-aging product, helping to firm and lift the skin while boosting cellular turnover. With a plethora of antioxidants (DMAE, alpha lipoic acid, green tea, CoQ10) and Vitamins (C, E, B5, A) and toning botanicals and extracts, this serum has it all! I found this serum to be a little too active for my skin, but it would be perfect for anyone looking for a really powerful serum to target signs of aging.

Step 4: Moisturize. The Deluxe Travel Kit included a daytime SPF moisturizer, a night cream, and an eye cream.

Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30 - This is one of the best daytime SPF moisturizers I've found! With 19% micronized zinc oxide as the sun protection agent, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, this lightweight moisturizer is a great daily product. It soaks in easily, leaving the skin feeling fresh and soft, not sticky or oily. Zinc oxide and aloe are also great for reactive or acne-prone skin types because of their anti-infammatory properties! While this is the perfect amount of moisture for summer, I can see needing a little additional moisture for winter when my skin gets drier.

Evening Rich Nutritional Moisturizer

I'm not usually a fan of night creams, as I find them to be too heavy with little payoff, but this one changed my mind. This night cream is a richer consistency than the day moisturizer, but is not too heavy or occlusive - it's got a great whipped creamy texture that soaks in well. It's also one active night cream, with anti-aging Vitamins A and E, beta glucan, botanical extracts and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-5 (a powerful collagen and elastin booster). I woke up to happy, hydrated and healthy skin every morning after using this product.

Revitalizing Eye Lift Cream

This powerful eye cream does it all! It hydrates, de-puffs, firms and lifts, and gets rid of dark circles. That's a lot of work for one little cream, but with its powerful ingredient list, it's no surprise. It contains Vitamin K to reduce dark circles and increase circulation, Vitamin E for antioxidant protection, hyaluronic acid and eyebright extract to hydrate and brighten. The real star of the show is Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 (whew!), a chain of amino acids that boosts collagen and elastin and encourages cellular repair. I was really impressed upon seeing this powerful peptide chain in the ingredients because you'll usually only find this ingredient in eye creams that cost 3 times as much as this one. DeVita's Revitalizing Eye LIft is under $30.00 for 1 oz!!

The Bottom Line: LOVE! I am really impressed with DeVita's line of products. They really do use an impressive array of powerful ingredients to ensure each products is effective, while leaving out harmful toxic additives. On top of that, their prices are very reasonable, especially when compared with other lines on the market that use the same ingredients for at least twice the price!

Blotting Papers - Summer Makeup Bag Must-Haves

2011-05-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

During the warmer, more humid months of summer, it's inevitable that oil and shine will increase. While a dewy glow is pretty, looking like a grease slick is not! That's where blotting tissues come in - by absorbing excess oil and shine without disturbing makeup, they bring your skin back to matte. Blotting papers are also much better for acne-prone skin than caking on the powder to reduce shine. Adding powder to an oily face makes for an unattractive, cakey

breeding ground for sweat and bacteria - gross! Instead, try these picks for blotting papers:

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

These oil absorbing "sheets" from Clean and Clear are some of my favorites for a few reasons - affordability and effectiveness. At just under $6 for 50 sheets, they're a more affordable option than some others on the market that sell for up to $20! Yikes! These are also really effective - one sheet can take care of sheen on the whole face, completely absorbing oil and keeping makeup in place. The only thing I don't love about these is that they are not made of natural fibers, so aren't biodegradable. But you'll be using a lot less than with blotting papers, so there will be less waste in the end. These are also really easy to find - pick them up at any local drugstore or superstore, or at www.dermstore.com.

Palladio Rice Paper Blotting Tissues

These oil absorbing tissues are great two-in-one products - they combine oil absorbing rice paper and mattifying powder in one easy product. I always have these in my kit and my purse to keep my skin looking fresh. One side is just paper, and should be used first to absorb excess oil. The other side has translucent powder or colored powder (I prefer the translucent - it works on all skin colors) that helps to set and refresh makeup. These are also great because they are thick, strong rice paper, so they are very absorbent and sturdy.

They can be found at Sally's and Ulta locations, and online.

If you're in a pinch and don't have blotting papers on hand, you can use toilet seat covers or event toilet paper. Just press and roll off the skin to absorb excess oil.

What are you tricks for fresh summer skin?

My Favorite New Summer Fragrances

2011-05-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

Summer always makes me want light, fresh, floral fragrances. I usually have trouble finding new scents or summer releases that I really love, but this year, these two scents had me at the first whiff:

Philosophy Summer Grace

I was at my local Nordstrom store, waiting for a sales specialist to grab a couple of products for me, when I saw this and decided to take a whiff. OMG, I fell in love immediately. I mean, I couldn't even put the bottle down. I had to have it right then and there. Normally when I'm fragrance shopping, I like to wear the scent around for a couple of hours before deciding if I love it or not. That was not the case here! I loved the scent so much that it was not an option for it not to smell good on me (thankfully, it smells great on my skin!).

Philosophy describes the fragrance as: "... a warm, bright floral fragrance that makes a woman feel lighthearted, happy and carefree as if she is wearing a beautifully light sundress on a sunny summer day." I couldn't agree more! This scent makes me want to turn into a cheesy fragrance commercial, frolicking around in a flower field in slow motion.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

I was already a fan of the original Daisy fragrance, so when I saw the bright summery packaging of the new Eau So Fresh scent, I had to go in for a sniff. And, again, it was immediate. I knew I loved this scent! It's much softer and more floral than the original Daisy, which I found to have a slightly "warmer" feel.

Described as having notes of natural raspberry, grapefruit, pear, wild violet, apple blossom, musks, cedarwood and plum, this scent is fresh, playful and bubbly. I like that it's got the musk and cedarwood to ground the otherwise-too-sweet floral and fruity blend.

Have you found any new summer fragrances that you absolutely love?

Original Sprout - Natural Hair Care: for Babies and up!

2011-04-28T12:12:00.001-07:00

Original Sprout is a personal care line out of California that prides itself on creating products that are biodegradable, 100% vegetarian (vegan), free of phytoestrogens, soy, parabens, glutens, dioxanes from sulfates, phthalates and formaldehydes. Whew! While not all of us may know what these ingredients are and why they are harmful (they do share this info on their website for those of us who'd like to know more), what's important is that Original Sprout takes the time to formulate products that are good for the earth and good for even us big babies :) by excluding these potentially carcinogenic ingredients.

Original Sprout is created by Inga Tritt, mother and master stylist, who created the line for her daughter's thick hair and sensitive skin, leaving out the irritating ingredients found in other hair and bath lines. The company was kind enough to send me some of their hair products to try, and I'm happy to share my experience!

Natural Shampoo

This is a hydrating, sulfate-free, and pH balanced formula created with babies in mind (meaning no tears!). It's full of organic botanical extracts, like basil, clarifying rosemary, soothing calendula and cranberry, and softening vegetable glycerin. The formula has the following features:

It is a creamy fomula with a wonderfully soft, clean scent that doesn't lather much, but leaves the hair and scalp feeling clean and soft. I found that a little bit goes a long way, and it easily rinses away. It's safe for colored hair too! My overly-processed, colored hair definitely needed some conditioning afterwards, so I was really looking forward to the next product:

Miracle Detangler

This aptly named product couldn't have come at a better time for me! I had just gotten my hair dyed, and it was FRIED. I mean breaking, angry, frizzy fried. I couldn't get a brush through it to save my life, especially if I wanted to leave my hair intact. But, as soon as I misted my damp hair with a fine veil of the Miracle Detangler, it was like my hair had new life! It was soft, smooth - but not greasy smooth, just naturally smooth - and I was able to brush and style as normal. I cannot say enough about this product! It smells amazing and leaves the hair feeling clean and manageable, not heavy or weighed down.

I even misted it on dry, unwashed hair and it refreshed my hair with its clean scent, and removed any crimps and frizz. With the same organic extracts as the shampoo plus strengthening Vitamin B, this is a great formula for all hair types. I also like that there are no silicones in it, so it never leaves the hair feeling heavy, greasy, or oily looking.

Final Verdict: LOVE!

If you're looking for a natural hair care line for big or little babies, this line is definitely worth checking out. It can be really tough to find good quality hair care that performs well and really keeps out harmful ingredients, and I found Original Sprout did the job for an affordable price.

Perfect Springtime Blushes

2011-04-12T23:24:00.000-07:00

I am suffering from the worst case of spring fever EVER! Those 70 degree sunny days are such a tease!! I find myself refusing to wear coats on the colder days as a sort of weird denial of the fact that it isn't totally warm-weathered yet. At least I can fake that warm-weather flush with these blushes, that promise to brighten even the most confused winter-into-spring complexions:

Powder Formulas

NVEY Eco Organic Powder Blush in Pale Pink

This blush looks way too pale to do any justice to my olive complexion in the compact, but as soon as it makes contact with the skin, it turns into a gorgeous natural shade of flushed pink that I love! It is perfectly matte and looks really natural, not streaky or chalky at all. With natural oils and Vitamins E and C, it's good for the skin too!

$30 at http://www.ecoenvybeauty.com/

Alima Pure Satin Matte Blush in Apricot

The perfect color for warming up the complexion, this blush works on all skin tones and imparts a sheer, natural glow. Again, it has no shimmer, which I prefer, and blends into the skin beautifully. I even like this on eyelids and lips for a no-fuss look.

$17.50 at http://www.alimapure.com/

Cream Blush

Smashbox Creamy Cheek Color and Blush

This is the perfect pink color for all skin tones and types. The silicons in it allow it to glide over the skin for a smooth wash of color, while the brush makes sure you can blend it in well. I love the bright pink color for really perking up the complexion, and it has really the perfect consistency: not too silicony, oily, or dry. It leaves the cheeks looking dewy and radiant.

$21.75 at http://www.smashbox.com/

Cheek Stain

Origins Pinch Your Cheeks in Coralberry

This gel stain is the perfect way to get long lasting color without looking like you have any makeup on. Just a tiny dab will do both cheeks - just make sure to rub it in quickly or you'll get a splotchy stain that only comes off with makeup remover. But, stay away from stains if you have any complexion issues, like large pores, scarring or rough texture, as the stain will just catch onto and magnify these issues - not pretty! Otherwise, give it a try - it looks gorgeous and can be used on lips and cheeks. $11.50 at www.origins.com

Hopefully these blushes will give you that touch of springtime that we're all craving!!

Bridesmaid Beauties

2011-03-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

This week, I had the pleasure of working with some amazingly talented ladies on a shoot that shows how to take your bridesmaid dress and wear it afterwards. The pictures are stunning!

Here's a sneak preview from our amazing photographer, Lola Mansurov.

I just LOVE all the bright colors against the cement backdrop of the city! This shoot was so fun and turned out great, thanks also to the following talents:
Shoot Styling: Tina Gill of Worthwhile Style
Hair and Hair pieces by Kori Schell (K Schell Designs)
Dresses from Bella Bridesmaid
Photographer-turned-model Audrey Fisher
And of course, thanks to our lovely models!! More pics to come soon.

pH and Your Skin

2011-02-23T21:09:00.000-08:00

pH balance is very important for the health of the skin. To start, a quick lesson in pH:

pH, or potential of Hydrogen, is a measure of how acidic or alkaline (basic) a solution is on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 being acidic, 14 being alkaline, and 7 being neutral.

Now, what does this have to do with your skin?...

Skin has a normal pH between 4.5 and 6.5. This naturally acidic pH is the body's first line of defense, called the acid mantle. The acid mantle is comprised of natural secretions like sweat and sebum, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and lactic acids that protect against harmful bacteria (including the p. acnes bacteria that is responsible for acne), moisture loss, viruses and contaminants, all of which are alkaline in nature and so are neutralized by the natural acidity of the skin.

One of the main causes of damage to the acid mantle is soap and incorrectly formulated skin care. Most commercial cleansers/soaps are highly alkaline due to the lye used in creating them (lye has a highly alkaline pH of 13!). When alkalinity is combined with other irritating products, like alcohol, sulfates, fragrance or menthol, the skin is susceptible to even more damage; it takes just seconds to degrade the acid mantle enough to allow penetration of these damaging additives, and it can take up to 14 hours for the skin to rebuild its acid mantle. Using highly alkaline products on the skin damages the delicate acid mantle by raising the skin's pH. This is very damaging to the skin and can lead to inflammation, dryness, irritation, sensitivity and acne, all of which lead to damage and aging.

To solve this problem, look for alcohol- and fragrance-free cleansers and toners with a pH of around 5.5. Unfortunately, cosmetic manufacturers are not required to list the pH value of their prodcts, and simply stating that the product is "pH balanced" doesn't mean anything, because it's an unregulated term. Here's a great list of the pH values of common facial cleansers to help you on your way: http://www.dianayvonne.com/category/11.thephofcommoncleanser/ . You can test the pH of the products you are using with a pH test strip, available online. I haven't been able to easily find them in local stores like Walgreens, so if you find a store that carries them, let me know!

When using an acid or chemical exfoliant, look for products with a lower pH, but remember that using something very acidic could be too active for your skin type and could lead to irritation. As a rule of thumb, always test a new product on a discreet patch of skin, like behind the ear, for a few days before using it on the face.

Damage done to the acid mantle is temporary and can be reversed by using correctly formulated products. Just take a little care to use low pH, irritant-free skin care and you'll start to see more healthy, beautiful skin!

Photo Credit:Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Aquafina Hydrating Facial Spray - Two Best-sellers in One

2011-02-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

About two years ago, I was out at a local WalMart picking up some household essentials and, of course, ventured into the makeup/skin care section to see what goodies I could find. In a random sale bin, I spotted a bottle of Aquafina Hydrating Facial Spray and thought, "Whatwhatwhat?!?!?" (I get excited easily). I had used Evian's Mineral Water Spray before, but hadn't heard of other drinking water companies dabbling in skin care. The bottle of Aquafina was marked down to $2.50, so I tossed it in my cart, figuring I had nothing to lose. I am SO glad I did! This is now a staple of my kit and of my daily routine, and has been since the first time I used it. This affordable wonder-product combines the best of two industry favorite facial mists in one, and is a superior version of both!

What industry faves am I about to dupe? Evian's Mineral Water Spray and MAC's Fix +. Here's a quick rundown of both:

Evian Mineral Water Spray

Product Description: This is a cooling hydrating mist comprised simply of Evian mineral water that is propelled by nitrogen for a cooling, soothing effect. It's great for refreshing the skin throughout the day, and for adding hydration before applying skin care or makeup. It comes in a metal cylinder and sprays in a fine, cool mist. It is available in a 5 oz size for $10, and in a 1.7 oz size for $6 (both at sephora.com).
The simple ingredient list means it won't irritate even the most sensitive skins, but because it's just water, it can dehydrate the skin once it evaporates.
MAC Fix +

Product Description: A hydrating, vitamin and mineral infused spritz that calms the skin with green tea, chamomile, and cucumber, with a light refreshing scent. It is also great for hydrating the skin and setting/refreshing makeup, and is ideal for spritzing on brushes before any loose pigment application to increase pigmentation and allow the makeup to adhere to the skin. It is available in a 3.4 oz size for $19.

Ingredients: Water, glycerin, butylene glycol, Cucumis Sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf extract, tocopheryl acetate, caffeine, panthenol, arginine, ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, fragrance, disodium Edta, dehydroacetic acid, phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid
Fix + has a lot more going on than the Evian - it contains humectants and soothing vitamins and botanicals, but it also contains potential irritants like fragrance and preservatives. The scent isn't overpowering though, and it does feel refreshing on the skin when used sparingly. If too much is used, it can leave a kind of sticky residue from the high level of glycerin.

And now for the dupe. Prepare to meet your new best friend:

Aquafina Hydrating Facial SprayProduct Description: This hydrating spray combines the cooling, nitrogen propelled fine mist of Evian with the benefical ingredients of the MAC Fix +. The purified water base is enriched with aloe and jojoba (both excellent for skin), and Vitamins A and C for antioxidant protection. Without heavy humectants like glycerin, this can be used liberally and often without the risk of leaving the skin sticky. It does contain fragrance and preservatives, but the scent is very mild and refreshing and the preservatives are minimal; I've never had any of my clients react negatively to this product. The cooling sensation provided by the nitrogen is also the perfect thing to refresh and re-energize a model that has been working under hot lights at a photoshoot, or to calm and refresh a stressed-out bride! AND at just $4 for 6 oz, the Aquafina spray is the best buy for the money.

Ingredients:

The only downside to this product is that it isn't easy to find. I always just order it online from http://www.aquafinaskincare.com/, which is quick and easy, but you won't easily find it at a local drugstore or beauty supply store. Give it a shot and tell me what you think! I am positive you'll find this product to be a new staple in your makeup kit and daily beauty regimen.

Boots Organics Review

2011-01-26T17:59:00.000-08:00

My skin has been the definition of bipolar lately. One second, it's happy and glowing with not a blemish in site, and the next it's dry and flaky, covered in blackheads and blemishes. Argh!! I was experiencing the latter while in my local Target the other day, perusing the skin care aisles for a miracle product to save my face when I landed on the Boots Organics line. I couldn't argue with the price point (all under $15!) and after a quick review of the ingredients in the Organic Hydrating Face Cream, I tossed a jar in my cart along with a tube of the face scrub, body wash and body cream from the same line. One week later, I am in LOVE!

The Organic Hydrating Face Cream has saved my life... ok, maybe not my life, but at least my face! I used it the same night I got it and woke up to visibly calmer, smoother skin. Not wanting to get too excited over the immediate results, I stuck with it for the next few days and nights, and my skin has continued to get better. I've even noticed a reduction in blackheads!

The buttery cream takes a second to fully absorb, but feels clean and dry once it does. A little bit goes a long way, with just a pea size covering my whole face. The ingredients are gentle enough to use around the eyes too! With all the soothing ingredients, like almond oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter, it's no wonder my angry skin calmed right down. The scent is nice too; it's kind of a floral/herbal scent that's not too overpowering. And at just $12.99, it's affordable too.
Skincare is such a tough thing to recommend, as everyone's skin is so different, but after reading all the rave reviews on www.makeupalley.com *, I am convinced that this is a great choice for almost anyone.

The Organic Smoothing Face Polish is a natural version of the ever-popular St. Ives Apricot Scrub, which I really like, but the Boots version doesn't quite do as good of a job at leaving the skin silky smooth. With a base of natural organic oils and butters, it's definitely gentler than the St. Ives scrub... which might be why I don't love it. There aren't quite enough scrubbing grains to feel like it's doing much of anything. I, however, prefer more abrasive scrubs, so if you're looking for a gentle, lightweight daily scrub, this would be great for you!

*Have you girls been to this site? It is my new addiction. You can look up just about any product, and read about people's experiences with it. Granted, you're not really getting expert opinions or advice, but it's a great way to get people's unbiased opinions on products. Check it!

Organic Face Hydrating Cream

Ingredients: Aqua (Water) (Water), Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (Jojoba), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet almond), Glycerin, Astrocaryum Murumuru (Palm Tree) Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Shea butter), Cetearyl Glucoside, Cera Alba (Beeswax) (Beeswax), Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denatured, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Olibanum, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange Peel) Oil (Orange), Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Limonene, Geraniol

Organic Face Smoothing Polish

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Olea europaea (Olive) fruit oil*, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil*, Glycerin*, Astrocaryum murumuru butter*, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter)*, Vaccinium macrocarpon seed powder*, Cetearyl glucoside, Theobroma grandiflorum seed powder*, Cera alba (Beeswax)*, Glyceryl stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Alcohol denat.*, Xanthan gum, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Citric acid* = certified organic ingredient

Makeup Mistake: Obvious Under Eye Concealer

2011-01-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

Under eye concealer can be your best friend to wake up tired eyes and brighten dark circles. But, as shown in these celeb photos, if not applied properly it can look odd and unnatural, drawing unwanted attention to the under eye area. These glowing white half-moons look worse than the dark circles they're covering!

Flash photography makes the situation even worse. Many under eye concealers contain light-reflective pigments that brighten and reduce the look of dark circles, lines and wrinkles. These look great in natural daylight, but turn bright white under harsh flash photography. To avoid having your own set of reverse-raccoon peepers, use these tips:

Pick a concealer that is close to your skin tone, not too light or dark. Many people think that the best way to camouflage dark circles is by using a light-colored concealer, but this usually ends up creating a grayish effect. Instead, opt for peach or pink-toned concealers. Pink tones are great for brightening up dark circles, while peach tones are great for balancing out blue or purple under eye veins.
Avoid "light reflective" or "brightening" formulas. While these formulas look great in natural light, stay away from any concealer that contains titanium dioxide particles, as these create the white half-moon effect under flash photography. Opt for creamy formulas that offer good, natural coverage without being too opaque. Use your light reflective formulas to highlight the inner and outer corner of the eyes (areas circled in picture).
Don't just use concealer in the areas directly beneath the eyes. One fool-proof way to make sure you don't get those glowing half-circles is to extend the area where the concealer is applied beyond the under eyes. Use the "triangle" method: apply concealer from the inner corner of the eye, down to the nostril, and back up to the outer corner of the eye (triangle in picture). Be sure to blend well! This will brighten the entire face and will look much more natural, even if the flash of the camera does cause your concealer to look lighter.
Lightly set with powder all over the face. Setting concealer with powder is a great way to make it stay put, but applying it just over the concealer can look obvious (like Nicole Kidman here). Use a large fluffy brush to lightly dust translucent powder over the whole face. Use light, broad strokes to avoid caking powder in certain areas and not others - this will allow the flash from photography to bounce evenly off the face, instead of catching certain areas where the powder is caked.

With these easy tips, you'll look flawless, whether you're being photographed or just going out for the day!