Quite Beautiful!

Birchbox & Topbox

2012-02-26T19:59:00.000-05:00

So I just discovered the most amazing websites for beauty lovers. Birchbox & Topbox are membership based websites that deliver 4 to 5 beauty samples each month, for only $10/month. What?? Why did I just learn of this?

It looks like they have every brand under the sun as well: Benefit, Cargo, Elizabeth Arden, Guerlain, Korres, Nars, Nuxe, Philosophy, Smashbox, Stila... you name it, it's there. You can even buy Birchbox for someone else as a gift. The downside is, Birchbox does not ship in Canada. Topbox does, but it doesn't look like you can gift it to anyone.

I'm really impressed by these ideas and it's actually a great way to audition new makeup and fragrances!

Check out Birchbox.
Check out Topbox

Burt's Bees

2012-02-20T17:30:00.001-05:00

In my quest to get my makeup regime a little cleaner, I've become more and more aware of just how great Burt's Bees is. Everyone and their cousin knows about their awesome lip balm... but I wonder if they're aware of their other products, and what this company is all about.

From their humble beginnings in rural Maine selling honey and candles, to the quickly expanding empire of personal care products, the same idea has always been the same throughout the years. Quality products, using natural ingredients. Plain and simple.

But like you, other than the lip balm I carry in my pocket at all times, I had no idea they offered such an array of products. It wasn't until recently that I was exploring the home-spa section of the pharmacy that I noticed a little row dedicated to their entire line. How wonderfully surprised was I when I noticed that their shampoo did not contain the three most nasty ingredients used in common personal care products: Sulfates, Parabens, Phtalates. I picked that up right away, as well as their makeup removing towelletes.

At first I was a little confused by the shampoo, I must say. It didn't feel like shampoo! It actually felt more like body wash than anything. I actually had to check my hands to see if it lathered. Well it did lather, and it did wash my huge mass of long hair, and it made it REALLY shiny and smell amazing! I was also pleasantly surprised by the Facial Towelettes with White Tea Extract. They smell absolutely divine and leaves my skin feeling very clean, moisturized, and does a great job at removing my makeup. I will never go back to using Boots or Olay or any other brand. No offense to them but... did I mention that these towelettes are 99% natural? Oh and that shampoo? It's 97.2% natural. (99.10% and 99.6% in the States, respectively)

Intrigued by my rediscovery of this brand, I checked out their other stuff online, and they are a serious full-blown operation, offering anything from Toner to Anti-Aging Serum, baby products, and even a full line of men's products!

All in all, I will definitely be buying more and more products from this company. It feels great to support the "little guys" who aren't just there to make a buck. They know what they're doing, and they do it with integrity.

Click to open Burt's Bees Website

Beauty Talk

2012-02-09T21:57:00.000-05:00

Hey Girls. Let's talk beauty.

After reading and writing a few things on this topic, I've learned a lot along the way and I want to share a few beauty hint and tips with ya!

1- How soon after you shower do you put on a bra? That may sound like a weird question, but believe me it's an important one. Please make sure that after you shower, you THOROUGHLY dry underneath your breasts before putting on your bra. The mix between moist skin and the metal underwire in your bra can cause bacteria, which can lead to nasty skin yuckies on your skin underneath your boobs. Be careful and dry your tatas!

2- How long do you keep your nail polish on? For most women, fingernail polish and toenail polish are two completely different routines. EVERYONE can see your fingernails, obviously. But it's winter... only you, your boyfriend and your cat will see your toenails. If you still have nail polish on from 2011 it's time to take it off. Immediately. Yellow nails are not natural. Most nail polishes are laden with chemicals and do not allow your nails to breath, hence the yellow nastiness. Remove the nail polish and soak your feet in hot water and 7 drops of Tea Tree oil every night until sandal season. Don't keep nail polish on for longer than 2 week at the MAX.

3- Give your hair a break. The reason why women have to condition these days is because we shampoo it. It's a vicious cycle. Shampoo is hampered with detergents, soaps and chemicals to give you that squeeky-clean feeling, but it absolutely dries out your hair. That's why they invented commercial conditioner, so the shampoo doesn't make your hair look like a dry haystack. Girls... believe it or not, this isn't natural. Hair is supposed to always be shiny, and oils are good for it. Want to give your hair a break? How about a baking soda rinse or an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse instead of Shampooing. OR a mayonnaise or avocado and honey mask? They are tons of natural ways to get a salon looking 'do, and they won't break the bank either!

4- Switch to mineral makeup! Good quality mineral makeup (without parabens or silicone) is a great solution to your makeup routine. It's basically just using pulverized minerals on your face and can look great if done well and doesn't have all that excess chemical crap in it. The best brands are Bare Escentuals, Jane Iredale, and Laura Mercier.

5- Eat and drink well. I've said this before and I'll say it again. Eating proper foods and drinking enough water are guaranteed ways to make you feel better and look better too. Avocados, grapefruit, almonds, yogurt, tomatoes, salmon, spinach, asparagus, and LOTS of water will keep you looking fresh and healthy.

6- Use essential oils instead of creams. There are TONS of oils available that can produce the same effect as expensive synthetic products. I am starting to make my own skincare products make with all natural ingredients and so far the reviews are very positive. Stay tuned for more info!

Valentine's Day Treats For Him & Her

2012-02-08T19:10:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy last few days for me. I've started creating my own skincare products using essential oils, natural butters, and beeswax. It's a lot of fun, and I've been running around town trying to find all these exotic ingredients, some I've never even heard of. What I want to do is create awareness for men and women about the thousands of chemicals they put on their body on a daily basis by providing them with natural and effective options for their skin care routine.

With that being said...

I am making a special Valentine's Day Goody Bag for Him or Her. If you work downtown Montreal you can come pick it up on Tuesday the 14th, and not have to worry about buying your Special Someone a boring box of chocolates.

So what's in 'em?

HER - $15
-Mint-Chocolate Lip Pot
-Nourishing Jojoba Face Balm
-Chocolate-Orange Bath Melt
-Ylang-Ylang Body Scrub
-A Chocolate Treat (not made by me)

HIM - $15
-Peppermint Lip Balm
-Lemon-Basil Hand Ointment
-Zesty Foot Balm
-Ylang-Ylang Body Scrub
-A Chocolate Treat (again, not made by me)

All products are 100% natural and home-made (except the chocolate of course). Some of the star ingredients include Argan Oil, Rose-Hip Oil, Avocado Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Ylang-Ylang (which is said to be an aphrodisiac... perfect for V-Day ;)

If you're interested in ordering one (or two), please let me know by Saturday at 9:00 AM. You can comment on this post or email me at info@quitebeautiful.com.
Don't forget to specify if you want the Him or Her package, and the quantity. All orders will need to be picked up downtown at my place of work between 12:00 - 1:00 on Monday or Tuesday (whatever you prefer).

Valentine's Day Makeup

2012-02-05T10:09:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again! Cinnamon Hearts, Cupids, Red Roses, Chocolates, and Teddy Bears are being sold in bulk everywhere you look. The women are excited and the men are nervous- It's St-Valentine's Day!

If you have a significant other, or you're going out with friends on February 14th, you'll want to look your best. Whether it be smoldering and sexy, sweet and romantic, or fun and flirty, you'll definitely want to dress to impress.

Here are my top picks for Valentine's Day Looks.

1- Smoldering & Sexy

You can't go wrong with the smokey eye look. If done properly it will make your eyes smolder, sexy, and irresistible to stare longingly into. To pull off the smokey eye you'll need two shades of eyeshadow, one darker than the other. I would suggest buying a set of two shadows - the product is made by the same company and they were paired together for a reason. I'd go for silver/grey, brown, purple, dark blue.

Nars in Dogon. (Taupe/Charcoal)

Here is a great website that has step-by-step instructions on how to do the Smokey Eye: www.smokyeye.com

I would pair the smokey eye look with a nude or light pink lip. Check out my post about the Nude Lip, it could help you find the right shade. http://www.quitebeautiful.com/2012/01/going-out-in-nude.html

2- Sweet & Romantic

For this look I've chosen the fuchsia lip and black liner for the eyes. It's simple, it's sweet, and completely understated.

You'll need black liquid eyeliner, some shimmery highlighter (for the corners of your eyes and eyebrow bones) and fuchsia lipstick or gloss. Try a matte finish on the lip, so the colour doesn't look so intense. I just bought one from Sephora that has a satin finish, and it's absolutely beautiful.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick, Fuchsia Flash Matte

3- Fun & Flirty

Channel your inner goddess with a golden look like Charlize Theron's. This look will bring out your eyes no matter what colour they are and will make you skin look extra touchable. This is basically the smokey look but instead of dark and smoldering you will be quenched in bronze and gold. I would suggest using tinted moisturizer as a base to give you that dewy colour and yellowy bronzer on your cheekbones, temples, nose and chin. For the lip, I would use a rose gold gloss like Nars Orgasm.

MAC Aloha: Crushed Metallic Pigment

Nars Lip Gloss in Orgasm

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
xoxo

Fantastically Fresh Faces!

2012-02-01T17:54:00.000-05:00

I love that we're seeing a lot of natural tones out there! Even natural lip (except Elizabeth and Rachel) -All these beautiful faces look fresh, young and happy! Who says you can only be sexy with the smokey eye?

Kendall & Kylie Jenner

Cara Delevingne

Dianna Agron

Viola Davis

Michelle Williams

Jessica Chastain

Elizabeth Olsen

Rachel McAdams

Naomi Watts

This Week's Spotlight: Emma Stone

2012-01-31T19:10:00.000-05:00

Miss Emma Stone, January 2012

It's Award Season in Hollywood! Yes it's that time of year again where the red carpet rolls out, and the fashion police will be able to meet their quota! Among all the stars that were present at the Golden Globes a couple of weeks ago, was this fiery gem, Emma Stone. The first time I saw Emma was in Superbad, where she played the super cool crush of Jonah Hill. Emma's career has really skyrocketed since then, and her fashion and makeup gets more and more glamorous throughout the years!

Here's how to give yourself Emma's Golden Globe look.

Step 1- Keep it very light on your face. Don't smother your skin with layers of foundation and concealer. If I wanted to do this look myself, I would use my new Stila One Step Correct underneath some tinted moisturizer and highlighter in the corners of my eyes, tip of my nose, chin and eyebrow bones. If you don't have a pronounced nose use the highlighter on the bridge of your nose all the way down to the tip to define its shape.

Estée Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Moisturizer

Step 2- Grab some silver liquid eyeshadow and apply it all over your lid and just to the crease bone. Next you'll need a really dark gray, almost purple eyeshadow for the crease and the corners. I would use an angled eyeshadow brush for the creases. Start at the inner corner, and work your way outwards. With a small eyeshadow brush, apply a nice upside 'V' the same height as the silver eyeshadow and all the way down to your lash line. Use what's left on the angled brush and sweep a small amount on the outer corners upwards to the top lid. Then you're going to grab a blending brush and soften any hard lines between the silver and the dark gray on your lids.

MAC Eye Shadow in Nehru (matte)

Step 3- Using the same silver eyeshadow, or an identically-coloured eyeliner, smudge some colour on the lower lid, blending it in with the dark gray. Don't use too much or you'll end up looking like a clown.

L'Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Professional Color Chrome Eyeliner in Silver Lightning

Step 4- Line your top and bottom lid with black eyeliner pencil from end to end. This is to define the shape and make your eyes pop!

Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil in Black Magic

Step 5- Curl your lashes and apply black mascara to the top and bottom. I would use a thinner wand like Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara.

Step 6- Almost done! Now you've got to blush! Emma's wearing a powder blush by Chanel in Orchid Rose, but you can find yourself something similar that won't break the bank. ( Like L'Oreal True Match Naturale Gentle Mineral Blush in Soft Rose)

Step 7- And last but not least, her perfectly pink lips! Emma's wearing Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Lollipop. Easy enough, you can get this at the drugstore!

Hope you have fun creating this look! Let me know how it goes!

Warm vs. Cool

2012-01-30T17:45:00.000-05:00

Are you a hot beach babe, or a sultry ice queen? Both looks have different connotations and different colours that compliment any skin type, accessory, and season.

In general I would say that warm tones are better suited for day and summer, and cool tones for night and winter. What's great about it is that there are many different ways to be warm or cool, and your accessories or hair colour can even enhance these looks.

WARM:
Generally, warm-tones are brown, terracotta, gold, peach, orange, etc - basically anything that is on or near red on the colour scale.

Warm Hair: Rich or light brown, blonde, red/auburn

Warm Jewellery: Gold, Wood, Pink Topaz, Amber

Bobbi Brown Party Eye Palette

"Smooth Operator" - Amazonian Finishing Clay Powder in Bronze by Tarte

Hot Mamas

Jennifer Aniston

Sienna Miller

COOL:
Cool-tones are blue, silver, frosted pink, black, lilac, grey - most of these colours will be near the grey or blue side of the scale.

Cool Hair: Silver, black, dark brown
Cool Jewellery: Silver, White Gold, Platinum, Pearl, Diamond, Opal, Onyx

Smashbox Smokebox Eye Palette

Benefit Bella Bamba Blush

Cool Chicks

Dita Von Teese

Lucy Liu

There's no set rule as to when you should wear these styles, and you can always mix and match warm and cool. (I guess that's tepid?) - AND, you don't HAVE TO be one or the other! You can be sexy with warm tones, and cute with cool tones, it generally depends on how you wear it, and how you accessorize it!

Stila One Step Correct

2012-01-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

I've recently purchased this odd looking thing, and I'd have to say that the jury's still out on it. When I first started using it I know that I wasn't doing it properly, so it didn't really work. I put the product on with my fingers instead of a sponge or brush, and put tinted moisturizer on right afterwards without letting it set it. Don't do this, there's no point. I didn't really see that the product did anything and it got clumpy after the I hurriedly slathered on the tinted moisturizer. (It's been two of the craziest work weeks of my life, anything personal was done in a rush.)

Anyhow, one night I was feeling experimental and on a clean face, I took this multi-coloured concoction, squirted some on the back of my hand, and applied it on my face with my foundation brush. I did one side first to see if I could see the different, and I couldn't really, so I did the other side and just stared for a bit. To my delight, as the product set in, I could see it was making a change to my skin!

So what is it you ask? It's essentially a primer and a correcter all in one. It's peach, lavender and green.

Green: Counteracts with the redness on your face, and neutralizes it so it magically disappears.

Lavender: Neutralizes the ashy tones on your face.

Peach: Brightens, and illuminates.

Looking at the description on Stila's website, it also says that it has anti-aging benefits, reduces the look of fine lines, hydrates, etc.

Why is the jury still out on this? This bad boy is $47.00 plus tax. Is it worth it? I'm not entirely sure yet. If you've got some extra cash laying around and you want to give it a try, make sure to apply it properly. On a clean, dry face, with a sponge or foundation brush, and let it set in before you apply any other makeup.

If you have this product already, let me know what you think!

3 Great Body Washes

2012-01-22T21:54:00.000-05:00

As a person who believes in finding that perfect perfume, foundation, shampoo and soap, I've tried many different brands of body washes in my day and 3 stand out more than others as a great, feel-oh-so-clean soap that is refreshing from head to toe. I don't use soap bars on my body because I like the feeling of scrubbing my skin with a luffa every time I have a shower. Here are my three faves in order of preference:

1- Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Body Wash
As you already know I am a huge supporter of Argan oil, and this one definitely does the trick. It moisturizes the skin, smells great and makes you feel squeeky clean. It's also great for another aspect as it is not tested on animals, is sulfate and paraben free, pure vegan and made from 98% plant derived ingredients. If you're looking for a greener solution to your shower routine - this is a great choice. (FYI it's not actually green.)

2- Aveeno Positively Nourishing Body Wash in Fig & Shea Butter
I love Aveeno products because they really know what they're doing when it comes to your skin. It is a little on the pricey side $10/bottle - but it's really worth it. They have many different kinds, like citrus and lavender, but I find that the Fig & Shea butter one smells like absolute heaven. If you have a really really hot steamy shower the whole house will smell like delicious fig. It is all-in-all a treat for your skin and your nose!

3- Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
If you haven't heard about this soap before, it's about time you do. You can't find this soap in regular pharmacies, you'd have to go to an organic or health-food store, but I'm telling you... make the trip! The first time I used this soap I couldn't believe how clean I felt. I felt like I had just gone to the spa and washed off a layer of dead-skin. It's not an exfoliating soap but it's so pure that you feel absolutely refreshed afterwards. Here is a list of it's credentials taken from their website. www.drbronner.com

-Completely Biodegradable and Vegetable-Based

-Made with Certified Fair Trade and Organic Oils

-Multi-Purpose: 18-in-1 Uses

-No Synthetic Foaming Agents, Thickeners or Preservatives

-100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Cylinder Bottles and Paper Labels

-Simple, Ecological Formulations Based on Old-World Quality and Expertise

-#1-Selling Natural Brand of Soaps in North America

INGREDIENTS: Water, Saponified Organic Coconut*, Organic Palm* and Organic Olive* Oils (w/Retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils**, Citric Acid, Vitamin E

* FAIR TRADE Ingredients
** Available in Peppermint, Lavender, Almond, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Rose and Citrus Orange

All soaps are not only certified by Oregon Tilth to the same rigorous USDA National Organic Program standards that certify organic foods, but also are certified Fair Trade by the respected Swiss certifier IMO.

If you want to try this soap, I guarantee you will feel the difference. I've used Rose and Peppermint before. The Rose smells really good and is really relaxing, and the Peppermint is really soothing on your skin. It especially feels amazing on your feet.

Style Icon: Sophia Loren

2012-01-21T20:11:00.000-05:00

One of the most iconic movie stars in history is Italy's own Sophia Loren. The 77-year-old has graced the silver screen for over 50 years and her big gaudy Italian style has captivated us throughout the decades. She is the queen of the dramatic eye and rocks that lip liner with such grandeur, that she will be idolized for years to come.

If you're interested in braving this look, I should warn you that it's not an everyday-running-errands sort of thing. I would suggest wearing this out to a black-tie event, or a Christmas party.

Step 1-
After you've cleaned your face, apply a nice even layer of foundation or tinted moisturizer all over to even out your skin tone. Don't forget concealer or highlighter in the corners of your eyes and nose, cheekbones and eyebrow bones.

Step 2-
Apply a matte bronzer just underneath your cheekbones, chin, forehead and nose. We're using the bronzer to contour the face, not to make you look tanned.

Step 3-
Apply a matte powder or cream eyeshadow on your eyelids up to the crease of your eye. Use a dark purple, grey or brown colour. This is essential to adding shape to your eyes and for getting that dramatic Sophia look.

MAC Paint Pot in Imaginary

Step 4-
Grab a white eyeliner and line the bottom water-line with it. Make sure not to get it on your lashes or lid as it might make the mascara or black eyeliner appear clumpy or lighter than it should be.

Step 5-
This is one of the most important steps in creating this look. It's also one of the most difficult. I would suggest using a gel eyeliner instead of a liquid eyeliner but both will definitely work. We're going to make a very clean but dramatic line from the corner of your eye along the crease all the way to the other side up until it's the length of your eyebrows. You sort of want to draw something like this:

If you mess up... don't worry about it. Just grab a Q-Tip and try again. After you've completed this masterpiece for both sides, it's time to do the bottom one. Try to stay on the very edge of your eyelid. Don't get it on the water-line, and don't apply it too low on the bottom lid. It's all about slow and steady! Start from the middle of the lid and work your way up and then meet it in the corner of the top liner. After that, complete the line from the middle to the inner eye, finishing in a nice thin line.

Step 6-

Now it's time to do your lashes! If you want to go all out you can wear falsies or just use a volumizing mascara. When using your eyelash curler make sure to curl it for about 10 more seconds than you usually do to get them good and crimped. Put on 5-7 coats of mascara on top (focus a little more attention on the outer corners) and 1-2 coats on the bottom lash. Make sure you don't ruin the white and black eyeliner!

Step 7-
Depending on what colour lipstick you'd want to go with (I would suggest something light) get your self a lip liner that is maybe 1-2 shades darker. For a liner I would suggest MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in In Anticipation, and Estée Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Dune Rose. It's very Sophia.

Step 8- Final Touches
Pop some colour on your face by adding maybe a bit of bronzer on the apples of your cheeks and then a nice rosy blush. Brush your eyebrows upwards and fill them in if necessary. Remember, this look doesn't work when paired with sweatpants. Costume jewellery, a ball gown, big hair, long painted nails and a handsome man on your arm are perfect ways of completing your Sophia Loren look. And have fun!

Golden Globes Glamour: Angelina Jolie

2012-01-17T22:22:00.000-05:00

Angelina Jolie - January 15, 2012

The Stunner appeared on the red carpet on Sunday at the Golden Globes, wearing the most beautiful curve-hugging ivory dress with red silk accents. And although I'm still not over the Jennifer/Brad/Angelina trauma, I can definitely appreciate a beautiful face. Angelina exhibits poise and grace and knows how to do it without layering on the makeup. If you'd like to achieve a similar look, here's a quick and easy way how to do it.

Step 1-
Moisturize your clean face before you put on any makeup. I wouldn't suggest tinted moisturizer as we're trying to keep the look very light and natural.

Step 2-
Apply a light concealer or highlighter to the inner and outer corners and underneath your eyes, as well as the sides of your nostrils and chin. I always use Yves St-Laurent Touche Eclat #2 in these areas and it certainly does the trick!

Step 3-
Apply a light powder foundation to your entire face to even out your skin tone and cover up any blemishes. I would suggest Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Loose Powder. Make sure you pick one out that is your exact skin tone or this look will not work.

Step 4-

Apply a matte neutral eyeshadow to your eyelids to strengthen the shape of your eyes. I use Stila in Rain and I think it's perfect. It's more on the yellow side than the pink side, so if you've got pink undertones in your skin, you may want to pick something like Stila in Dune. (seen below)

Step 5-

Line your upper lids with a soft black or charcoal pencil eyeliner and concentrate the volume on the outer corners. Make sure not to put it on too heavy and keep it very close to the lash line, we just want to define the eye. If you want to make an even softer look, smudge in the eyeliner very subtly with your fingers, but not too much or else it will look like you're wearing black eyeshadow. Try Maybelline LineExpress in Soft Black or Charcoal Grey.

Step 6-

Line the outer lower lid and top corner with a coffee/mocha coloured eyeliner. Make sure to connect the outer corners together and smudge it with your fingers upwards towards your eyebrows but don't go too dramatic as that's not what we're trying to achieve here. Again, I would use Maybelline LineExpress eyeliner in Bronze. I have this at home and it really makes my green eyes pop!

Step 7-

Curl your eyelashes with a heated or regular eyelash curler and hold it for a good 20 seconds. Next apply 3-6 coats of mascara, making sure you get every lash without getting it on your eyelid. If your eyelashes are particularly short or you want to get even more glamorous, use false eyelashes... but use them well!

Step 8-

Although I can't do anything about the size of your lips I can certainly tell you where to get the colour she is wearing on hers. Now in some pictures it looks like she's wearing fuchsia, and in others a deep crimson red. I can't tell which one I like most, so I'll find one somewhere in the middle.

Estée Lauder: Pure Color Sensuous Rouge in Cheating Heart

Step 9- Finishing it off

Complete your look by sweeping your hair into a neat chignon. If you find your face is too dull for this look, trying brushing a light highlighting powder on your cheekbones, nose, chin and forehead bones to catch the light and give you a nice healthy glow. Make sure you have clean lines and accentuate the look by wearing sparkly diamond or cubic zirconia earrings and complimenting clothing.

Most stars pay up to $10K for a Red Carpet look such as this one. We have been able to achieve this look for about $150. If you already have similar products by the same or different brands (and you most likely do) then I would say you could probably achieve this look for about $30-$50.

Don't Pimp Your Pimples!

2012-01-15T18:48:00.000-05:00

For those of us fortunate enough not to have acne-prone skin, it can be quite alarming when we see that we're breaking out in pimples. It's like an unwelcome guest to a really nice party. Who invited them in the first place?
If you see that you're breaking out in pimples, here are some reasons why and how you may be able to prevent your next attack!

1- Make sure your sheets are clean. Bed sheets and linens are much dirtier than they appear. They are covered in our own dead skin and oils from our body. Smell your pillowcase, you will know if it's time for a wash. I would recommend washing your sheets every 2-3 weeks. If you want to go the extra step, use organic detergents as they have little to no chemicals or skin irritants in them and are better for the environment.

2- Watch what you eat! I don't care what anyone says, sugar gives you pimples. I remember once I had something sugary from the vending machine at least once a day for three days in a row, and I developed pimples on my nose and cheeks by the end of the week. SO embarrassing! If you find you're always craving a snack at work, keep a jar of almonds or peanuts at your desk. It's better for your health and your skin.

3- Do some period counting. The week before my period comes, I can usually see it on my face. During PMS your hormones are in disaster mode and can really do a number on your body. Other than a sore back, swollen boobs, mood swings, and self-loathing you can also break out in pimples, which is something that you can't really prevent. It's just all a part of being a girl. Yay!

4- Chuck out old or irritating makeup. Seeing blemishes on your face can just be a result of something so simple as old or bad makeup. Not all makeup is created equal and not everyone has the same kind of skin. Some people have better resistance for certain chemicals found in makeup while others are hypersensitive. If you're makeup is new and you think it's causing a reaction to your skin, it could just be that particular product that your skin isn't fond of. I think 6 months is ok for foundations and concealers but I know someone who's been using the same foundation for 2 years and that just makes me cringe. Check your inventory and throw out old or crappy products.

5- Too much makeup? If your face looks like a birthday cake when you're all done up, it's time for an intervention. There is NO way anyone needs that much. Count how many layers you put on your face and divide it in half. Makeup will clog your pores and cause pimples. It's that simple.

6- Clean your brushes. It's a really good idea to wash your makeup brushes at least every 2 weeks. Some people even do it after every application. Buildup of old makeup, oils from your face and bacteria, stick to the hairs of your brush and as you can imagine, cause pimples on your face. There are many different kind of shampoos and soaps specifically made for makeup brushes. You'll also notice how soft and better the brush becomes after a nice wash.

When you have a Pimple:

-Don't suffocate it with too much concealer, it will only make it worse.

-Don't squeeze it until it's ready. In fact, stop touching it altogether.

-Don't use shiny products like shimmer or highlighter as you will only draw attention to it, and make it look bigger.

-Try green cover up - Because green is the opposite colour of red on the colour scale, it will typically cancel out the redness of the pimple.
-Try medicated concealer, like Revlon ColorStay Blemish Concealer or Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer.

Random Things I Love

2012-01-12T18:31:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling a little under the weather today so I thought I would share with you a brief list of things that I love!

Free Samples! Not only are free samples awesome because they're, well, free... but they're also perfect for trying out new products without making the commitment of putting a dent in your wallet. There are a couple of ways of bagging yourself some free stuff. Walk around the cosmetics section in a department store and find something you want to try. Simply ask the sales person for a free sample (works best with perfume) and 9 times out of 10 they will give you more than one to try. This works best if you're polite and partake in some small talk.
Another way is when you're ordering something online from somewhere like Sephora or Beauty Encounter, each order always comes with free samples that you can choose from.

Natural Products- Most makeup has a lot of talc, Parabens and Sulfates among other chemicals in them. There is debate among different associations whether these chemicals are actually dangerous for us, but for those of you that don't even want to risk it, here some great brands that are considered natural: Josie Maran Cosmetics, Tarte, Korres, Bare Escentuals, Boots Botanics, derma-e, Saffron Rouge, Lavera and many more. Do some research if you're interested! And if you're thinking that no chemicals means that the makeup doesn't look good, you're totally wrong, you can't see the difference.

Curves. Nothing says "I'm a Woman" more than boobs, hips and thighs. Models have boy bodies, every other normal woman has a work of art. Don't try to become a skinny-mini if it isn't in your bone structure, it won't happen naturally and you will always feel miserable and ugly. Instead, embrace your curves (but stay healthy of course). Trust me, real men prefer real women. Real women have curves. So there!

InStyle Magazine- I've been reading this magazine every month for about a year and a half now, and every month I enjoy it thoroughly. It always has amazing ads, pictures, product reviews, fashion and makeup advice, and gives me great ideas for what I'm going to wear the next day. It's no Reader's Digest, but it's definitely fun to get into! InStyle + Wine + Pajamas = Maya's Guilty Pleasure

The Kardashians. I know I will get a lot of flak from my academic friends for saying that... but c'mon! They're all so funny, beautiful, smart business people, and they love each other a lot. Why wouldn't you like them?

Alien by Thierry Mugler. First of all, this isn't a book or movie. This is a perfume. A perfume called Alien. Um... what? "Oh my God your perfume is so out of this world!" I want someone to say that to me while I'm wearing it. In all seriousness though, you honestly smell like $10 million dollars with this on. It's so enticing and sexy. When I got my first whiff I followed the person around took a lot of deep breaths. Then I found out that someone I worked with used it and just HAD to know what it was. As soon as I was laid off from there I bought it!

Well that's my random and short list. I'm going to bed now! (FYI-Another one of my favorite things is NeoCitran)

This Week's Spotlight: Christina Hendricks

2012-01-11T22:01:00.001-05:00

Miss Christina Hendricks

This week's spotlight is dedicated to the drop-dead-gorgeous, Christina Hendricks. This fiery beauty exploded into men's fantasies after the huge success of Mad Men, and who could blame them? She's one voluptuous vixen who knows how to work her God-given assets.

Her makeup is really very simple. And why shouldn't it be?

Because Christina's skin seems to be a tad on the oily side, she's started off with a mineral or powder based foundation. With her colouring she definitely would have gone with ivory or fair toned makeup.

Physicians Formula Mineral Airbrushing Loose Powder in Creamy Natural

The corners and underneath her eyes have been lightened with highlighter or concealer to brighten and wake up her face.

She's wearing shimmery silver eye shadow on the top and bottom lid. Silver eye shadow helps brighten and lift your eyes no matter what colour they are. She's then applied black eyeliner to her top lash line and water line as well as her bottom water line to give her that "come-hither" and mysteriously sexy look. A few coats of mascara and that's it for her eyes.

MAC Eye Shadow in Silver Gull

Finish it off with a nice rosey powder blush on her cheekbones and a semi-matte raspberry-mauve lipstick and you've got yourself one ivory beauty.

L'Oreal Colour Riche in Soft Mauve

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Blush in Roseberry

I personally can't wait to see what else Miss Peaches N' Cream is going to make us all drool over next!

Going Out in the Nude

2012-01-09T19:12:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite looks is the Nude Lip. It's sophisticated, sexy, classy, and looks amazing. (If done properly of course!)

A Nude Lip is not lips without gloss or lipstick on, and it's not clear lip gloss. What I mean by Nude is that it is in fact a beige or skin-tone lip gloss. There are different variations of "nude" as there are many different variations of skin tones. A dark skin toned person shouldn't necessarily wear the same lip gloss as a fair skin-toned person.

Here are the basic guidelines. Remember that the colours don't look the same in a picture as they would in person.

FAIR Skin - Light Hair
If you're an ivory beauty with blond or red hair, try a nude lip that has a hint of pink or mauve in it.

Stila Lip Glaze in Angel Food

MAC Lip Glass in The Wee Coquette

FAIR Skin - Dark Hair
To obtain the nude look you don't want to go too bubblegum pink, or else it looks like you're wearing regular lip gloss. Most fair haired beauties with dark hair have more of a lavender or dark rose lip colour so let's match the lip gloss to it.

MAC Lip Glass in Oyster Girl

Rimmel Stay Glossy in Non-Stop Glamour

*Remember it's best to try out the testers and ask the ladies at the makeup counter to help you.
Also, the Rimmel product look very pink, but when you see it on lips it is actually quite nude!

LIGHT to MEDIUM
Light to medium skin generally has yellow undertones. I find this is the easiest to work with. You're looking for a beige, ecru or dusty rose colour that pretty much matches your lip colour.

Bare Escentuals in Free Will

MAC Lip Glass in C-Thru

MEDIUM to DARK Skin Tone
If you're of Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern or African Descent, you already have the most gorgeous lip colour. Try finding a gloss that matches your lips exactly.

Bare Escentuals in Savvy

MAC Lip Glass in Good Times

Of course these are just guidelines, and one fair red-head might look nice with MAC C-Thru, and Savvy by Bare Escentuals might look nice on a pale brunette. It all depends on the person and their colouring. These are just ideas on what you might look for. A weird trick is, and this may not work all the time... but try finding a shade that is the same as your nipple, you might be surprised to see how much it suits you! But remember, the gloss is for your lips.

In terms of products, try not to get anything that has shimmer or glitter in it, as that would ruin the look. As you can see, MAC has great colours but they are a little on the sticky side. Look around in stores and ask someone at the beauty counter to help.

I personally think the Nude Lip is best worn with dark eye makeup. If you wear light makeup it might wash you out. If you wear dark makeup with dark lip colour it will probably look over-the-top.

If you want to know how to accessorize this look, I think this looks best when paired with platinum, silver, and diamond accessories. For example, wear a nice silver watch with Cubic Zirconia (or diamond if you can afford it) stud earrings. It will bring out the shine in the gloss.

Famous Nudists:

Kim Kardashian

Angelina Jolie

Nicole Scherzinger

Jennifer Lopez

And of course

The Original

Barbra Streisand

Carey Mulligan - W Magazine Cover

2012-01-07T14:13:00.001-05:00

I was browsing around the pharmacy yesterday and this magazine caught my eye. First of all I love Carey Mulligan. She's such a great actress and she always has the most interesting roles. Second of all, her makeup is so clean, soft and feminine that I HAD to buy it. If you're going to a spring wedding, a baby shower, or just feel like lightening up your look, here's how to do it.

Step 1-

Wash your face, pat it dry with a towel, then moisturize it. I'd suggest Olay Age Defying Protective Renewal Lotion. It leaves your skip feeling SUPER soft and supple.

Step 2-

Apply a lightweight foundation to your face with a sponge or brush. Make sure to cover your entire face evenly and don't forget the corners of your eyes and mouth, and underneath your nose.

Step 3-

Brush highlighting powder on the bones of your forehead, nose, eyebrow bone, chin and cheekbones. Something like Stila Illuminating Powder Foundation or Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder in Starlight would be perfect for this, but there are many different brands that offer this kind of product.

Step 4-
Apply a pale pink blush to the apples of your cheeks and cheekbones. I would suggest Tarte Cheek Stain in Ten or Tipsy. The non-powder formula will maintain that glow to your cheek bones. (you can do this step whenever you want just make sure you've put the foundation on first.)

Step 5-
Frame your eyeballs with a light taupe. Stila in Rain is the perfect shade and finish for this. Because we want to keep the shimmer in concentrated areas (cheeks, eyebrow bones, etc) we don't want to ruin the effect by also making our eyes shimmer as well. That's why a matte finish is best. Simply use a rounded crease brush and lightly contour your eyelids at the bone.

Step 6-
Curl your eyelashes and apply a clean amount of mascara on the top and bottom lids. Make sure you don't put too much that it clumps, but put enough so that they make a statement.

Step 7-
Line your top lid with black eyeliner VERY subtly. We're not trying to make a cat-eye look, we want it to gracefully define her eyes without going over the top. When you do this make sure your pencil is sharpened and that you're as close to the lash line as possible. Then you're going to line your bottom water line with a white liner, like Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Pure White. If you don't want to use pure white pencil you can always use a very soft pink or a very pale yellow.

Step 8-
Fill in your eyebrows with an eyebrow brush and a light brown shade. Make sure you're not darkening your eyebrows too much, just let the world know that they're there. Remember to brush upwards to brighten your eyes. Instant Brow Pencil by Benefit is an all in one kit for your eyebrows.

Step 9- Final Touches
After using a regular lip balm, apply a pale pink lipstick. I have Cremesheen Creme Cup by MAC at home, and it pretty much looks exactly like her lips. It's a very pretty shade. If you're going to go out and buy some lipstick, make sure it has no glitter in it.

Step 10- Optional

This isn't necessary but if you already have a highlighter at home, apply some in the corner of your eyes, your eyebrow bone, and your cheekbones. I've mentioned this product before, but Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter is a great tool to add the finishing touches to our Carey Mulligan look.

And Finally...

Make sure to keep your hair away from your face so everyone can see just how beautiful you are. A lot of the makeup plays with light and shadows and if your face is covered by your hair, then the look is ruined. If you have long or medium-lenght hair, put it in a loose chignon. If you have short hair like Miss Mulligan, try her look out. You'll need sculpting cream and artistic hands to get Carey's look!

You're Not A Raccoon!

2012-01-06T19:34:00.000-05:00

Nothing bothers me more than seeing teenagers painting their eyes shut, or women caking their eyes so it looks like two tarantulas are coming out of their eye sockets. What's really bad is when the makeup starts to run and they start looking like Zorro.

Ladies, our eyes are the windows into our soul. People look into them every day when they talk to you. They are the first thing someone notices about your face, and isn't it amazing that something we use to see out of could have such beautiful colour and eyelashes to compliment them? Here are some ways to look absolutely, and fabulously glamorous without going over the top.

Lesson 1- Out With the Old, In With the New
Go to your makeup kit right now, open up your mascara, and take a whiff. If you're about to puke, or you cannot believe right now that you put that on every day so close to your eyes: throw it out. Not only will old mascara irritate your eyes, it's also very bad for them, and it looks terrible. This goes for all makeup. Personally, I get a new tube of mascara every month. As soon as I start smelling that chemical/old towel scent, I chuck it.

Generally, the recommended shelf-life for your average mascara is 3-4 months. Whilst applying mascara don't push the mascara in and out of the tube because it will fill the mascara with air and bacteria.

Remember, you're aiming for this:

Not this

Lesson 2- Eyeliner Etiquette
If you don't pray to the Dark Lord, are not in a Death Metal band, and don't know how to do this properly, you should not wear black pencil eyeliner around your entire eye. Why? Because A) Why do you need that much in the first place? B) it looks good when you put it on, but 3 hours later, it looks like a runny mess, and C) if not in the right setting, and not done properly, it will look like you don't know what you're doing and can also be quite inappropriate.
Here is an eyeliner guide I pulled from the internet, and I pretty much have to agree with it.

Please take a look at the lower left quadrant. I agree with them, it can be SUPER sexy... if done properly. If you're adamant about pulling this look, use waterproof eyeliner on the bottom and liquid eyeliner on the top. That way the textures are different so it won't close your eye too much, but at the same time you won't get the runny black stuff at the bottom and the streaks on top. I recommend MAC Powerpoint Pencil in Engraved. I have this shade in Permaplum and trust me... a meteor couldn't move this thing. For the top, any liquid eyeliner will do. I've used L'Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip and it works just fine. If you are open to other colours (and if you have fair skin or light eyes, please just try!) I would try these shades:

Blue Eyes: Burgundy, Plum, Gold, Brown, Navy Blue, Gray

Green Eyes: Burgundy, Plum, Gold, Brown, Purple, Dark Green

Brown Eyes: Blue, Gold, Purple, Silver, Burgundy, Brown, Violet, Mocha

Also check out my page I Shadow for other tips at http://www.quitebeautiful.com/2011/12/perfect-eye-makeup-for-you.html.

In terms of black eyeliner...

We want this.

Not this.

Lesson 3- There's a Time & a Place

Work DO

Work DON'T

Teen DO

Teen DON'T

(I actually LOVE Emma Watson, but if If saw my 14-yr-old daughter wearing this, I might have to ground her for life.)

Club DO

Club NEVER

If you're not sure of what to wear for a certain event, age, skin colour, etc, please email me at info@quitebeautiful.com and I will help you out!

For a complete list of Cosmetic Shelf Life, please follow this link: http://repontherun.blogspot.com/2006/12/cosmetics-shelf-life-chart.html

Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum

2012-01-05T19:07:00.000-05:00

I just got out of the shower about 10 minutes ago and used this product. And I love it so much that I decided to write about it.

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum is a leave-in treatment for your hair. It has organic Coconut Milk and Oils, Egg White Proteins, Silk, Shea butter, and Vitamin E. Sounds a bit like a cake right?

After you've washed your hair, and while it's still damp, squirt a small amount into the palm of your hand, brush it into your hair and then comb out the tangles. When you comb it through it will evenly distribute the serum to the entire length of your hair. This serum has many benefits for your hair: Anti-breakage, anti-frizz, hydrates your split-ends and adds lustrous shine to your locks.

AND it smells SO amazing! I can't even explain how good this smells! At $10.00 at the pharmacy, you really can't go wrong!

Quick & Easy Makeup for Working Mom

2012-01-05T17:43:00.000-05:00

My darling friend Ena was hoping I could find her fast and simple makeup that would suit her busy schedule, not clog her pores, and cost under $45. Well darling, here is what I have chosen for you, and it should take no longer than 10 minutes to apply:

FACE-
Before applying anything, moisturize your face. It will create a base for your makeup and keep your skin from drying out. So, I've chosen Physicians Formula Mineral-Wear Talc-Free, Mineral Loose Powder. It's talc-free, oil-free, fragrance free and dermatologist approved. This is the best kind of makeup you could wear if you have problem skin. The powder will take away the shine while providing a nice even tone for your skin. I've selected Light Bronzer for her as she has envious Egyptian colouring but I would suggest testing this shade at the store before buying it.
$14.99

EYES-

Ena told me today that she found some unopened mascara at her house, but even though it's not out of the package, I would suggest not using it. You don't know how long it's been sitting in a box and these things do have a shelf life. And like I suggested for my previous post, Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara works wonders with all different lengths of lashes.

$9.00

Ena has very gorgeous big, brown eyes. I want to see her bring out the gold in those eyes by applying Almay Intense i-color Eyeliner in Purple Amethyst. This line of product was created specifically to bring out the colour for specific eye colours (blue, green, brown, hazel), so let's use it to our advantage. She can sport this liner in many different ways, but at first I would suggest she line the top lid in a very thin line and either keep it or smudge it in with her finger to give it a smokey effect. She could also line the outer half of the bottom and connect it on the sides. Take a look at the terrible drawing I did, and you'll see how it will open up her eyes. (Currently 20% off at Pharmaprix)
$10.00

LIPS-

And of course you should always moisturize your lips with any kind of lip balm. I would suggest Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus. It will keep her kisser moisturized while giving it a hint of luscious colour.

$7.99

All this for a Grand Total of: $41.98

Makeup for a Filipina on a $60 Budget

2012-01-04T20:25:00.000-05:00

I am very excited today because I have been given my first challenge by a friend of mine. She is a very fun, spunky, and beautiful Filipina who has asked me to find her a nice nude lip gloss, and a matte berry red lip colour that doesn't look too "80's chalky" as she put it. I also want to find her a nice pallet for her face and complete her look with some mascara. She's also told me that she likes the look of Vanessa Minnillo, and that they share similar skin tone.

The challenge here? She has set her makeup budget at $60.00. No problem! I've found some great products, with manageable prices. Let's see what she thinks!

FACE-
We'll start off with a tinted moisturizer by Neutrogena. I've picked Neutral to Tan in the Healthy Skin Enhancer line for her because it has more yellow in it than the darker shade, Tan to Medium, which may be too brown for her skin. This product has anti-aging properties, is SPF 20 and is oil-free.
www.neutrogena.com
$10.49 USD = $10.63 CAD

BLUSH-
Finding the right blush can be extremely difficult. You're either stuck with a shade that's too dark or too light. I've chosen Stila One Step in Rosie Posie for her as this magical product is an all-in-one and is Paraben-free. This beautiful shade seems a bit bold, but it has great consumer reviews, is said to be extremely blendable and is great for the eyes, lips and cheeks. A very subtle amount on the apples of her cheeks and cheekbones will look absolutely lovely on her.
On sale at www.stilacosmetics.com for $11.00 USD = $11.15 CAD

MASCARA-

I would recommend Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara to anyone. It doesn't matter how long your eyelashes are, the wand that comes with this thing is amazing!
www.rimmellondon.com
$9.00 CAD

NUDE LIP GLOSS-

And now to her actual request, the nude lip gloss. I've selected Bare Escentuals "Pretty Amazing Lip Color" in Pink Toffee. I LOVE this colour and I think it will suite her suberbly!

www.bareescentuals.com

$16.00 USD = $16.21 CAD

MATTE "BERRY RED" LIP COLOUR-
And last but not least I've found her a perfect Matte lip colour by Inglot. This product is also Paraben free and is not tested on animals. It's called Matte Collection AMC Lip Pencil 20. It's just the right blend of red, fuchsia and pink.
www.inglotcosmetics.com
$11.00 USD = $11.15 CAD

And the Grand Total Is?? $58.14

Let's Lose Some Holiday Weight!

2012-01-03T18:46:00.000-05:00

A couple of Christmas' ago, my fiancé and I broke up and we were going through an awkward relocation stage during New Year's. I was looking for apartments while he was on vacation in England with his family. During the course of this holiday I had decided to give myself a clean slate. I wanted to be healthy. During the course of our 5-year relationship I had gained roughly 20-25 lbs. Now I'm not blaming him for my weight gain but during that time I had started drinking a lot of beer and moved out of my mom's house so I didn't always have healthy home-cooked meals. That kind of environment, mixed with obvious relationship problems was definitely not beneficial to a young woman's state of mind and health. I still love this man very much, but I can safely say that that event was the best thing that could have happened to my body and state of mind.

Here's what I did...

I stopped drinking. I wasn't a raging alcoholic or anything but a beer or two when I got home, and a pack of 12 or 24 shared between two people during a Saturday night is still not healthy. I stopped completely.

I changed my eating habits. I went from takeout to oatmeal, from processed to organic, from chips to vegetables, and from bar food to grapefruit. I also drank myself silly with Tazo Zen- Green Tea and water.

I exercised. No I didn't join a gym or buy an Ab Roller. I literally did 200 crunches a day and arm exercises using 5 lb weights before I went to bed.

I controlled my stress. Everyone has stress. Work stress, relationship stress, family stress, body image stress, money stress etc. I was suffering from all of this. I made sure that I focused on myself, what I had to do, making sure I was happy. Meditating, deep breathing, happy thoughts and a little green goes a long way!

I made a new friend. During the course of our breakup and well into the New Year I befriended this extremely nice man from work. We went out to the movies, walked and talked for hours, tried to new restaurants, hung out at coffee shops, and I really enjoyed his company. He really pulled me from the dark and I am forever grateful to him. He is now my boyfriend and I couldn't have asked for a better mate.

During the first week of March I went to my dad's house for his birthday and was overwhelmed with positive comments about my weight. I was always the biggest of my three sisters (including my twin sister) and felt completely FAT when I was around them. I was always safely in the healthy range my BMI but compared to them, I was a whale. They encouraged me to go weigh myself on their scale (I don't have one at home) - and was really happily surprised when I discovered that I had lost 12 lbs. I know that doesn't seem like a whole lot, but it was a huge success in my books. And I had not only lost the weight, but actual inches. I had to go out and buy a lot of new clothes too.

By July I had lost about 18 lbs and had looked my best since 2005. Now it is 2012, and unfortunately, I am almost back to the same weight I was. Since then I have moved to a very nice apartment, have a stress-free relationship and it's somehow made me lazy. Instead of drinking beer, I drink wine and sit at my computer. As well, since the time of my breakup, which was late 2009 early 2010, I have changed positions in my company. This position is one of the most stressful and taxing jobs I've EVER had. I'm not saying that a stressful job is a good excuse to start drinking, but it's the only one I have, and I am ashamed of myself for it. I recognize it, and I need to stop.

New Year's Resolution? Stop drinking, change eating habits, control my stress, have fun and get help from my friend.

This Week's Spotlight: Mélanie Laurent

2012-01-03T13:22:00.000-05:00

Miss Mélanie Laurent

This lovely Parisienne came into the spotlight in 2009 when "Inglourious Basterds" was released in theatres. I was specifically captivated by her in "Beginners" when she starred alongside Ewan McGregor in 2010.

What I love about Madame Laurent is that she has a very uncommon beauty and a classic style that is rare in Hollywood. Her hair is never perfect, not every strand in place, her makeup is always classy and subtle, and her clothing is never obvious or gaudy.

In this image you will see how such simple makeup and hair can be so timeless and beautiful. On her face you can see she is wearing a light foundation or tinted moisturizer, and bronzer on her cheeks, forehead, nose and the contours of her face. Highlighter has been applied to the inner corners of her eyes and the apples of her cheeks. This makes her look awake and her skin look healthy.

Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter

On her eyes she has a purplish-bluish-grayish shadow on the top and bottom lids, which makes her aqua green eyes REALLY stand out. Mascara has also been applied to the top and bottom lashes, which opens up her eyes. Dark or black eyeliner outlines the corners of her eyes, while a very faint gold liner traces the inner lower lid.

Stila Eye Shadow in Pewter

Her lips are glossed with a beautiful pink berry that is very similar to her natural lip colour. Her eyebrows are perfectly arched and not over-plucked.

And to complete this look, her golden locks have been tied in a loose chignon, with a vintage chain headdress.

Tarte Lip Tint in Frisky

This completely natural, feminine and uncommonly beautiful woman stands out in a crowd and her style is definitely one to follow.

UA-28065161-1

Happy New Year!!

2011-12-31T17:02:00.000-05:00

Wishing Everyone a Happy, Safe, Glorious, Fabulous, Memorable and Prosperous New Year!

Post-Party T-L-C

2011-12-31T10:05:00.001-05:00

A long night out of partying can be very stressful to your face, skin, and hair. Makeup, booze, smoking, screaming, dancing, and even that after-hours burger, are all different stress factors for your body. You can literally feel it when you wake up the next morning (or afternoon.)

If you want to show your mug some extra TLC here are some ways to gain it's sparkle back.

Hydrate your skin using Avène Eau Thermale/Thermal Spring Water. Shake the can, spray it where you want (I suggest your face and neck), wait for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then dab it off with a towel. After you've wiped it off, slather some cream on for extra hydration. Your skin will feel supple and refreshed.

Give yourself an at-home facial. Take a trip to the pharmacy and buy yourself a couple of those $3.00 packets of at-home facial kits. They have a myriad of different kinds including, Detoxifying, Purifying, Hyrdrating, etc. Find the right one that's best for your face, and enjoy those 15 minutes of peace looking like a sea creature. It's SO worth it.

There's nothing as invigorating as a good clean scrub! All the leftovers of last night's escapade are still on your face and hair --c'mon, get your mind out of the gutter! I literally mean: grime, germs, leftover makeup, smoke, etc. can still be lingering in your pores, in your hair, hands, and your feet are probably hurting something awful as well. So hop in the shower, and exfoliate every inch of your body. (If showering after your facial, make sure to scrub all the residue off but be gentle to your skin, you don't want to traumatize it even more.) While shampooing and conditioning your hair, massage your head with your fingertips, it will relax you and increase the blood flow to your scalp.

Moisturize from heat-to-toe. As soon as you're out of the shower make sure to treat your skin to moisturizing cream. The best cream has the least amount of perfume in it, as perfume can dry out your skin. I find that Aveeno has the gentlest cream for my skin, and I actually feel hydrated after using it. Using mint lip balm will also cure the cracks and dryness of your lips that is caused by lots of yelling and the use of lipstick or gloss. If you don't mind using oil on your face, try a few drops of Argan or Coconut oil. It will definitely leave you looking supple and radiant.

Floss and brush your teeth, clean your nails, brush your hair and take a nap. (Don't worry about blow-drying your hair, if you don't have anywhere to go, then you don't need to blow-dry.) A fresh mouth, clean nails, brushed hair, and a power nap are sure ways to make you feel like your fabulous self again.

Drink loads of water, and stay away from coffee. It will only dehydrate you more. Alcohol is a killer to your insides and saps the water from your body. The day after a party is definitely for re-hydrating the water that was swindled from you by booze. Take a couple of Aspirins if necessary as well.

After you've gone through these steps, the best way to enjoy the rest of your day is in your pj's, eating some fettuccine, and watching a good movie.