My Makeup Blog

Why Rocksbox Rocks!

2015-07-26T13:49:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I am doing a product review for Rocksbox. I'm answering all questions for everyone who is totally confused like I was at one time.

Question: What is Rocksbox?

Answer: Rocksbox is an online subscription.

For $19/ month Rocksbox will send you 3 pieces of designer jewelry which you can swap out or purchase at anytime!

But wait! That's not even the best part... Visit www.rocksbox.com and enter promo code "rougevegasxoxo" to receive your first month FREE!

Go check it out ladies. I am totally obsessed. I snapped a few pictures of my latest box. I hope you love it as much as I do:))

Details...
Earrings: Kendra Scott// Necklace: House of Harlow// Bracelet Wrap: Nakamol

Best Smoothie Recipes!

2014-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

14 Best Inner Thigh Workouts!

2014-02-28T12:18:00.000-08:00

INNER THIGH EXERCISES

14 Ways to Tone the Inner Thighs

A toned inner thigh is a healthy inner thigh — attractive and strong. So show yours some love with these 14 inner-thigh exercises that will keep you feeling confident in your legging and tights all Winter long.

— Additional reporting by Leta Shy

Source: Thinkstock

Ball Leg Lifts

Using an exercise ball when strength training is a great way to add a little bit more challenge to basic exercises. Since you have to work hard to keep the ball in place, you end up using more muscle groups. This exercise will tone your thighs, especially your inner thighs and also your core.

Lie on your side on the floor with your arms crossed in front of your body. If this is uncomfortable, bend your bottom elbow and rest your head on your hand.
Place a large exercise ball in between your feet and slowly lift the ball up toward the ceiling using only your hips and butt. Return to the start position. This counts as one repetition.
Complete three sets of 15 reps.

Source: Megan Wolfe Photography

Glider Side Lunge

This exercise works the legs and glutes, but as you slide your leg back to center, your inner thigh does all the work. You need one of those discs like the Valslide, but if you don't have one, just use the lid of a plastic container and do this move on a carpet. Or wear socks and try it on a wood floor.

Stand with your feet a few inches apart, with your right foot on the plastic lid. Make a fist with one hand and cup your other hand over it. Keep your hands in front of your chest throughout the exercise to help you stay balanced.
Put weight into your left leg, and as you slowly bend your left knee and squat down, slide your right foot out to the side. Then as you slowly straighten your leg, slide the right foot back in. Most of your weight remains in the leg that's not moving.
Complete three sets of 10 reps with each leg.

Source: POPSUGAR Studios

Sumo Squat With Side Arm Raises

Celeb trainers David Kirsch, Jackie Warner, and Teddy Bass all recommend the sumo squat (also known by the feminine name plié squat) for creating shapely legs. Focus on the inner thigh when doing this move, not the quad.

Stand with legs wide and toes pointed outward slightly. Hold a pair of dumbbells in your hands with your arms straight and your palms facing down.
Bend your knees until your knees are over your ankles while raising your arms to just below shoulder height. Arms should be in line with your legs — you should see the weights in your peripheral vision.
Straighten your legs and lower your arms simultaneously.
Complete three sets of 15 reps.

Source: Megan Wolfe Photography

Pilates Inner-Thigh Leg Lifts

This exercise might remind you of Jane Fonda's workout videos from the '80s, but it's been a staple of the Pilates mat repertoire for decades. Since the knee is straight, you work all the muscles of the inner thigh group.

Lying on your side, lengthen your bottom leg and cross your top leg over it. Rest either your knee or foot on the floor. Prop your head up with your hand or rest your head on your arm.
As you exhale, lift your bottom leg up, and inhale as you lower it back down. Your torso should stay still while you do this.
Do 10 reps, then repeat on the other side.
Watch a video on how to do the side-lying leg lift here.

Source: Megan Wolfe Photography

Gate Swings

This deep inner-thigh stretch tones your glutes, quads, and both your outer and inner thighs, and it also gets your heart rate up!

Start with your feet in a wide, second-position stance with your toes pointed slightly outward. Bend your knees and lower into a squat, using your hands to help push your knees wide apart to deepen the inner-thigh stretch.
Push off your knees to get leverage, and jump your right leg in front of your left, landing in a standing cross-legged stance.
Immediately jump your legs back out to a wide squat with your hands at your knees.
Push off your knees and jump your legs together, crossing your left leg in front of your right.
Repeat as many times as possible for at least 40 seconds.

Source: POPSUGAR Studios

5 Moves to Tone Your Inner Thighs

Watch this video to learn five simple inner-thigh moves to keep this often overlooked area strong and trim. Plus, the only prop you need is a pillow.

Narrow Squat With Overhead Press

Standing with a much narrower stance while you squat targets the inner thigh, inner quad, and inner hamstring. There is no reason not to multitask on this move — so work your arms too. Here's how:

Begin standing with your legs together, arms raised to shoulder height with elbows bent, holding weights by your ears.
Squat toward the floor by bending your knees and reaching your bum backward, as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your legs squeezing together. Focus your weight into your heels. While squatting, raise your arms overhead into a parallel position.
Return to starting position by pressing through your heels while bending your elbows to lower the weights back to shoulder level.
Do 15 reps for one set. Do three sets

Source: Megan Wolfe Photography

Cross Jacks

This dynamic move tones your arms and legs while getting your heart rate up, making it a perfect start to any strength-training workout.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and extend your arms straight out to either side with palms facing down. This is the starting position.
Jump, and cross your right arm over your left and your right foot over your left. Jump back to the starting position, then cross with the opposite arm and foot. This counts as one rep.
Continue alternating sides and repeating this movement until you complete 25 reps. Be sure to keep up the pace and not allow too much time for recovery between jumps; this way you'll be sure to keep up your heart rate and engage your whole body.

Source: POPSUGAR Studios

Side Lunge

The side lunge works the muscle on the side of the pelvis as well as the inner thighs, while the curtsy move tones your tush.

Holding a five- to 10-pound weight in your left hand, stand with your feet and knees together, hands on your hips.
Take a large step with your right foot to the right side and lunge toward the floor.
Make sure your right knee does not extend past your toes and keep your left leg relatively straight.
Push off through your right foot to return to the start to complete one side lunge.
Do three sets of 10 on each side.

Source: Megan Wolfe Photography

Bridge With Squeeze

Adding an inner thigh squeeze to your basic bridge will tone your inner thighs.

Start on your back with your knees bent and your feet hip-distance apart. Place a pillow, a ball, or a toning ring between your knees.
Push up into a bridge. Keep your ribs aligned with your pelvis.
Without raising or lower your pelvis, slowly squeeze your pillow 20 times. Lower the pelvis and bring your knees to your chest to round and relax your back. Then repeat twice for a total of three sets.

Source: POPSUGAR Studios

Towel Runs

These two variations will target abs and legs, including your inner thighs.

First, take two small towels and fold them into squares. Place on a slick surface like a wooden floor. Step on them with the balls of your feet.
Place your hands on the ground and drive your right leg back. Quickly switch so your right leg is in front and your left leg is back (like you are doing mountain climbers).
Do eight reps on each leg.

For even more inner-thigh targeting, do this variation:

In a low squat position on the towels, turn your right knee out so it is pointing in a diagonal.
Drive your left knee back toward a corner so it is diagonal from your right knee.
Quickly switch legs and repeat for a total of eight reps per leg.

Watch how to do towel runs and one more inner-thigh exercise in this towel workout video!

Chair Pose

You'll feel the thigh burn in this yoga-inspired Fierce pose exercise.

Stand with your legs together and soften your knees. Reach your arms overhead and touch your palms together as you fold your chest down toward your knees.
Hold this position as you drop your tailbone down in a small pulsing motion 10 to 15 times.
Keep your legs squeezed together for support.

For a more advanced version, try the relevé:

While staying in Fierce pose, lift your heels off of the ground and keep your tailbone down.
Pulse your seat toward your calves 10 to 15 times and hold the last pulse for five seconds to finish.
When you end in Chair position, make sure your back stays flat, and think about framing your ears with your arms to keep them lifted for a beautiful finish.

Crossover Lunge With Medicine Ball

Use this exercise to tone the lower glutes as well as the inner thighs. Adding arm work makes this a time-saving full-body move.

Stand with your feet shoulder-distance apart, holding a medicine ball.
Take a large step diagonally forward with your left foot, planting it at the 11 o'clock position. Sink down until your thighs form right angles. Keep the medicine ball stable.
Extend your legs, then lift your left knee and bring it in toward your chest. Step back with your left leg, this time lunging behind your torso and stepping back to the 8 o'clock position as you sink down into the reverse lunge. This completes one rep. Complete your set, then switch sides.
A set equals 15 to 20 reps on each leg. Do two sets.

Source: Megan Wolfe Photography at J+K Fitness Studio

Pilates Circle Leg

Drive down into your mat as you are doing this Pilates exercise to concentrate movement to your inner thigh:

Start by lying flat on your back on a mat or rug.
Extend your right leg straight into the air, pointing your toes.
Keep your arms by your side, pressed into the floor for support.
Open your right leg to the side, leading with your toes.
Make sure your hips stay down while your back remains connected to the floor.
Draw your right leg down toward the opposite leg while keeping it lifted from the floor.
Extend your toes back up toward the ceiling and continue the circle motion for a minute or 30 to 40 times before reversing.
Stretch your leg, lower, and repeat on the other side.

Credits: Fitsugar

New Schedule

2014-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

MONTH:

February

YEAR: 2014

Mon:

2/24

Tues:

2/25

Wed:

2/26

Thur:

2/27

Fri:

2/28

Makeup Monday!

Beauty: Check out new makeup inspiration of the week at www.mymakeupblog.com

Also…Skip the meat with meatless Mondays. You can eat low carb but make sure 50% green and at least 25% protein.

Light work out

Cardio: 20 Minutes

Work It!

Fitness: If you’re at home grab a fun cardio DVD.

Cardio: 60 minutes

Strength Train: Rest Day

GYM TIME

Fitness: 1 Miles walk at 3.5

Cardio: 30 minutes

Strength: Squats 3 sets of 15

get out

Fitness: Get out and get some fresh air. Go on a brisk walk for 45 minutes.

Strength: Abs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4sEYZzFn2I

time out

Go Shopping!! Buy a new outfit or some new makeupJ Have fun!

Beauty: Spend some extra time on your hair and outfit today.

Fitness Friday!

#Fitness Friday

Cardio: 2 mile jog/run Get an app and keep track of your distance

How to Boost Your Metabolism

2014-02-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Valentines Nails!

2014-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

I picked my favorite Valentines nails for you to get ideas as the big day approaches. Check out these FAB nails!

Images by: Pinterest

I hope you like these pics until next time!

2014-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Weekly Schedule

MONTH:

February

YEAR: 2014

Mon:

2/10

Tues:

2/11

Wed:

2/12

Thur:

2/13

Fri:

2/14

Makeup Monday!

Beauty: Check out new makeup inspiration of the week at www.mymakeupblog.com

Also…Skip the meat with meatless Mondays. You can eat low carb but make sure 50% green and at least 25% protein.

Love your body month!

Exercise with this complete work out in under twenty minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygajDhVgkO0

Tip: Remember your results are 80% what you eat. Stay lean and clean.

Work It!

Fitness: If you’re at home grab a fun cardio DVD.

Cardio: 60 minutes

Strength Train: Rest Day

GYM TIME

Fitness: 2 Miles walk at 3.5

Cardio: 45 minutes

Strength: Legs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2NONH0rUPk

get out

Fitness: Get out and get some fresh air. Go on a brisk walk for 45 minutes.

Strength: Abs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4sEYZzFn2I

time out

Take a break and meditate. Think about everything to be thankful for. Thoughts become things. Stay positive.

Beauty: Have a girls day and do a mani and pedi with your bff

Fitness Friday!

#Fitness Friday

Take a break from cardio today to all strength training repeat videos from this week. Make sure to do all three abs, arms and legs.

Beauty: Date Night!! Happy Valentine’s Day! Do something exciting with your other half of friends <3 o:p="">

49 Satisfying Detox Recipes

2014-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

New year, new you — at least, that’s what all the magazines say. If, like many of us, you've indulged just a bit too much over the holiday season (what, cookies and eggnog aren't a balanced meal?), it might be a good time to detox (but don’t run away just yet).
The word “detox” tends to bring to mind scary-intense juice cleanses or a gluten- dairy-meat-grain-sugar-caffeine-free diet that will make you run away screaming (and hungry). But never fear — when we say “detox,” we’re talking about refocusing the mind, body, and palate on healthy, tasty, and nutritious foods. Instead of going crazy-restrictive and nixing all food groups except kale and steamed fish (not exactly a sustainable diet), let’s use the first weeks of 2014 to explore new tastes, textures, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Most of these recipes are based on healthy staples like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and both vegetarian and meat protein sources.
The following collection of recipes will get you psyched about eating well again (and might even help kick that cookie-a-day habit you picked up over the past two weeks). For a super-easy meal plan, just pick one recipe from each category per day.

Breakfast

Photo: Marla Meridith / Family Fresh Cooking
1. Blueberry-Coconut Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal
This year, make your New Year’s resolution to eat a healthy breakfast every morning. Kick off 2014 on a tasty note with this flavorful, baked version of steel-cut oats. Since it’s a baked oatmeal dish, you can make it the night before and heat it up for on-the-go mornings.
2. Vanilla Chia Pudding
Start the day right with a healthy dose of chia seeds, which are loaded with protein, calcium, antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Not bad for a bunch of tiny seeds, right? Whip up this tasty breakfast-worthy pudding by mixing seeds with a cup of milk (soy, almond, or cow’s), a dash of vanilla, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Let the mixture sit for a few hours (or overnight) and watch the chia seeds create a creamy, pudding-like texture.
3. Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
These gluten-free beauties are far from ginormous (gut-busting) bakery muffins. Instead of a carb-fest of processed sugar and white flour, these healthy little guys are made with brown rice flour, flax seeds, and applesauce. They’re sweetened with dried dates and topped with fresh blueberries and sliced almonds. Healthy enough for seconds, we think.
4. Veggie Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Is your breakfast style more savory than sweet? With just a tiny bit of olive oil and plenty of veggies and protein, this bowl is the real breakfast of champions. Pro tip: If your stomach isn’t ready for so much protein (egg, cheese, and quinoa) in the morning, this dish would make a bomb-diggety lunch or dinner, too.
5. Charred Tomatoes with Fried Eggs on Garlic Toast
Elevate your breakfast ritual with this flavorful take on eggs and toast. Rub slices of whole-wheat toast with garlic and a touch of olive oil, then top ‘em with charred tomatoes and fried (or poached) eggs.
6. Banana-Apple Buckwheat Muffins
Who needs sugar or white flour when you can make delicious, healthy muffins out of buckwheat flour, mashed banana, apples, walnuts, and not much else? With plenty of fiber and healthy fats, and a bit of protein (from the eggs and buckwheat), these wholesome pastries will keep you full all morning.
7. Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl
Loaded with bananas, chia seeds, almond milk, raw almonds, hemp seeds, cinnamon, and dried fruit, this breakfast is a veritable superfood spectacular. Since most of the work takes place the night before, it's ideal for busy mornings.
8. Wholesome Winter Fruit Granola
Pre-packaged granola (and especially granola bars) are often loaded with sugar, preservatives, and other unsavory ingredients that won’t exactly help you recharge after a decadent holiday season. The solution? Make your own! This easy recipe contains just whole grains, a tiny bit of oil and maple syrup, and nuts and dried fruit for flavor.

Lunch

Photo: Amanda Plott / The Skinny Fork
9. Rainbow Salad
The best way to eat healthy (without thinking about it too much) is to make sure there are a variety of colors and hues on your plate at every meal. This one-bowl salad takes care of lunch on that front. Chopped romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, red pepper, and avocado provide a veritable rainbow of produce. Add sesame seeds and salt and pepper on top for flavor.
10. Detox Salad
What’s in a name? This recipe title says it all. Made with raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sunflower seeds, and dried fruit, this salad is a nutritional powerhouse that’ll have you feeling strong and healthy (and satisfied) in no time.
11. Pumpkin-Lentil Soup with Maca
Fall’s definitely over, but we’re not willing to forget about pumpkin just yet. This flavorful soup features maca, a cruciferous plant native to the Andes that has similar health benefits to cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. If you can’t find it in your area, feel free to omit and enjoy the blend of lentils, coconut milk, curry powder, and kale all on their own.
12. Autumn Arugula Salad with Caramelized Squash + Pomegranate Ginger Vinaigrette
This salad has something for everyone. Love crunch? You’ll enjoy the pomegranate seeds, cucumber, and chopped pecans. Need something more filing? The cooked squash rings and creamy avocado slices will keep you satiated all afternoon. Live for spice? The arugula and gingery dressing will keep taste buds happy.
13. Sweet Potato, Fennel, and Olive Salad with Crispy Kale and Quinoa
This savory lunch option is reason #58462 that “detox” doesn’t have to mean “hungry all the time” and “boring” and "juice cleanse." Top quinoa with roasted sweet potatoes, crispy baked kale, marinated fennel, and olives for a healthy, filling lunch (or dinner).
14. Baked Sweet Potato with Greens
For a hearty, healthy lunch that comes together in a jiffy, look no further. Simply roast a sweet potato (if you’re short on time, pop it in the microwave for seven to 10 minutes), fill it with sautéed onion and greens and fresh avocado, and season with cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
15. Winter Greens, Kabocha Squash, and Pear Salad
Usually, we want nothing to do with celebrity diets — but we couldn’t pass up this tasty-looking salad created by Gwyneth Paltrow. The fresh lunch dish contains spicy arugula, radicchio, and endive, filling kabocha squash, and sweet pear. Top it all with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and a sprinkling of fresh Parm.
16. Quinoa-Cranberry Chicken Salad
On days when you’re hungry like the wolf, a light veggie salad is not going to cut it. Instead of inhaling the contents of the vending machine, prep this super-filling, super-healthy chicken salad. Loaded with quinoa, chicken, and almonds, this nutritional powerhouse will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.
17. Vegetarian Sushi
Variety is the spice of life — or at least the spice of lunch. Sick of blah-looking salads? Mix things up with this homemade vegetarian sushi. Pick your own fillings (crunchy veggies, tofu, seitan, or even slices of omelet), choose white or brown rice, and get rolling.
18. Black Bean and Quinoa Chili
For cold winter days, there’s no better lunch than a cup of homemade soup. Kick it up a notch with this spicy, veggie-rich chili. This stew gets its unique flavors from a variety of spices and herbs, including cinnamon!

Dinner

Photo: Tieghan / Half Baked Harvest
19. California Chicken, Veggie, Avocado, and Rice Bowls
The weather outside may be frightful, but these grilled chicken bowls are delightful (and well worth a trip outdoors). Combine grilled chicken, red peppers, and zucchini with rice (choose brown for more fiber), easy homemade guacamole, tomatoes, and a sprinkling of cheese.
20. Wild Rice and Roasted Butternut Squash Casserole
We’re happy to present a healthy casserole that doesn’t involve dumping a can of cream-of-something soup on top of egg noodles and topping with a mountain of cheese. This wholesome baked dish is loaded with nutritious ingredients such as butternut squash, ground turkey, wild rice, spinach, and just a bit of cheese.
21. Lentil, Kale, and Sweet Potato Stew
Warm up after a long day in the cold (or at the office) with this rich, hearty, and 100-percent vegetarian stew. With seven different veggies (and plenty of room for more), this is a flexible dinner option to keep in your back pocket for long, dark winter nights.
22. Fall Mexican Rice Bowls
Pretty much anything tastes better when it’s served in a bowl, which is probably why this dish (basically a deconstructed burrito) is so darn appealing. Layer spicy rice, sweet potatoes, kale, and chicken in bowls and serve with plenty of lime wedges, avocado, and salsa.
23. Lemon Chicken Stew
When life gives you lemons (or cold, gloomy days), make lemon stew! This rib-sticking concoction features dark meat chicken, celery, carrots, leeks, onions, garlic, orzo pasta, and of course, lemon. Make it more of a one-pot meal by subbing in a heartier whole-wheat pasta like penne or rotini.
24. Chickpea Stuffed Eggplant with Couscous and Tahini Sauce
Get psyched for this fancy-looking Mediterranean-inspired dinner that takes only 30 minutes to make and only 10 minutes of active prep time. Roast the eggplant in the oven, cook couscous and mix in sautéed onion, garlic, tomatoes, diced eggplant, and chickpeas. Once the eggplant is done roasting, scoop some couscous filling into each eggplant half and top with the flavorful tahini dressing.
25. Green Goddess Enchiladas
Healthy enchiladas? Nope, it’s not a joke. This Tex-Mex entrée features chickpeas and veggies and gets its creamy consistency from Greek yogurt and a small sprinkling of low-fat cheese. Rev up the flavor by adding more chilies, scallions, and plenty of pepper.
26. Thai Curry with Tilapia and Veggies
Fish and vegetables, the mainstay of any detox program or low-cal diet, gets the royal treatment with this exotic recipe. Coconut oil, coconut milk, cilantro, lime, and red curry paste make this light, fish-focused meal far from boring. Feel free to sub in tofu to make this dish a vegetarian option.
27. Black Bean and Quinoa Veggie Burgers
Store-bought veggie burgers can be a dangerfood, so we’re all about making our own at home. It’s as simple as mixing up cooked quinoa, black beans, tomato paste, egg, corn, rolled oats, flour, cumin, and chipotle chilies. Once you’ve made the “meat,” shape patties and store them in the fridge or freezer until burger night.

Snacks

Photo: Kristin Rosneau / The Pastry Affair
28. Maple Roasted Chickpeas
Whip up a batch of these tasty chickpeas to ensure plenty of healthy snacks for the week. With a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkling of brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon, they’re a healthy way to enjoy a sweet treat.
29. Minty Pea Dip
For those times when you’re just sick and tired of hummus, salsa, and guac, this fresh dip hits the spot. Whiz peas, mint leaves, lemon juice, garlic, tahini, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth. Dip in with homemade pita chips, veggies, or thin slices of whole-grain baguette for a healthy snack.
30. Ham and Broccoli Quinoa Bites
This slightly more substantial snack is ideal for the 3pm munchies. Made with quinoa, eggs, ham (omit for a vegetarian-friendly recipe), broccoli, and cheese, these little nuggets are loaded with protein and will keep you full ‘til mealtime.
31. Savory Pumpkin-Flaxseed-Onion Crackers
Looking for something crunchy to eat with your favorite dips and spreads? These healthy crackers contain just nine ingredients (including salt and pepper) — compare that to your favorite brand of store-bought crackers. Plus, with flax seed and pumpkin seeds making up two of the main ingredients, these crispy crackers pack quite a nutritional punch.
32. Sweet Potato Hummus
It’s no secret — we’re pretty obsessed with all varieties of hummus around here. This tasty variation gets an extra boost of fiber and beta-carotene from a baked sweet potato. Just blend the sweet potato, chickpeas, cider vinegar, tahini, olive oil, and a touch of maple syrup or agave in a food processor and you’re ready to snack!
33. Salt and Vinegar Kale Chips
Kale chips are the perfect solution for when you want to eat junk food but also feel good about your dietary choices. They’re super easy to make at home — just toss chip-sized pieces of kale with a bit of olive oil, and let them crisp up in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. This version — reminiscent of salt-and-vinegar potato chips — gets flavor from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a sprinkling of sea salt.
34. Cinnamon Fruit Kebobs
Turn regular old raw fruit into a fancy snack (or dessert) with this simple cooking technique. Cut fruits into bite-size chunks, put them on skewers, and cook them on the grill, basting with a mixture of cinnamon and honey, until they’re golden brown. The recipe calls for pineapple, white nectarines, and plums, but other similarly-sized fruits would probably work just fine.
35. Vegan Pesto
Nobody should live a life without pesto — even those who choose to avoid dairy. This “pesto” recipe is a little unconventional. Instead of basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, it gets flavor and texture from an eggplant, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, and cilantro. Serve as a base for pizza, or enjoy as a dip with veggies or multi-grain bread.

Sides

Photo: Maria and Josh / Two Peas & Their Pod
36. Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Peas, Avocado, and Lemon Basil Dressing
Get excited about eating healthy with this fresh and bright grain salad that’s far from boring. Combine quinoa, asparagus, peas, basil, and avocado, and top it all with lemon juice and salt and pepper.
37. Honey-Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts and Crispy Sage
Crispy, herby, and slightly sweet, this side dish hits plenty of flavor high notes. With just a few tablespoons of olive oil in the whole dish, it’s a super-light way to take advantage of cauliflower’s cancer-fighting nutrients.
38. Long Weekend Grilled Salad
This salad — loaded with grilled veggies like peppers, zucchinis, and corn — makes a delicious side dish or even a light lunch. Black beans and wheat berries add some protein and fiber to keep you fuller, longer.
39. Detox Slaw
Cabbage (both purple and green), carrot, onion, and sesame seeds come together to make this super-bright, super-healthy raw veggie salad. Drizzle the shredded vegetables with homemade tahini dressing to give it some bright, nutty flavor. You’ll feel healthier after just one bite!
40. Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese
Take advantage of these slightly sweet winter root vegetables by making this side dish, stat. It’s super simple — just roast beets in a sauce made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and thyme. When the beets are cooked all the way through (about 30 minutes), slice them up and sprinkle with creamy goat cheese.
41. Citrus Salad
Did you know that citrus fruits are at their best during the winter? Brighten up cold gloomy days with this summery (and healthy) salad. Peel and slice up two oranges, two clementines, a grapefruit, and a few slices of red onion. Top the sweet-and-savory concoction with chopped basil and mint.
42. Oven-Braised Artichokes
Braising artichokes (aka cooking them for a long time in hot liquid) is an excellent way to bring out the veggies’ complex flavor and soften up even the toughest leaves. Before sticking them in the oven, make sure to remove the hard outer leaves, choke (the fuzzy stuff in the middle), and the pointy spines at the top of each leaf.
43. Roasted Acorn Squash with Chile-Lime Vinaigrette
Need a break from all those mashed potatoes, buttered rolls, and breakfast breads? Squash is here to save the day — it provides some healthy (and satisfying) starch but doesn’t send you into a carb-induced coma after one bite. This acorn squash recipe, which features garlic, lime juice, honey, hot red chili, and cilantro, will wake up your taste buds in no time.
44. Roasted Cabbage Wedges
For some reason, cabbage is not exactly the season’s hottest vegetable (it’s especially odd given that Brussels sprouts, basically mini-cabbages, are super trendy right now). Join Team Cabbage for good with these crispy roasted wedges. Seasoned minimally with just salt and pepper, olive oil, and fennel or caraway seeds, this easy recipe lets cabbage’s texture and flavor really shine.

Drinks

Photo: Mary Younkin / Barefeet in the Kitchen
45. Almond Antioxidant Smoothie
Get your daily dose of antioxidants with this berry-rich blend. Mix up fruit of your choice (tart cherries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries are all loaded with the healthy compounds) with a dash of almond milk, honey, and vanilla for an energizing way to start the day.
46. Ginger Cucumber Juice
While juice cleanses are usually not a good idea, we won’t turn our noses up at a glass of green juice first thing in the morning (as long as it’s not the only thing being consumed all day). This pungent beverage features cukes, cayenne pepper, lime juice, parsley, and ginger — it’ll definitely wake you up in the morning.
47. Coconut-Lime Detox Drink
This green machine drink manages to be the oh-so-elusive combination of super-healthy and super-tasty. To make it, just blend together baby spinach, lime juice, lemon juice, coconut water, and a drizzle of maple syrup (to keep it from getting too sour).
48. Green Holiday Detox Smoothie
Feeling like Santa himself after one too many trips to the holiday party dessert table? We've all been there. Feel fresh ‘n’ clean after just one sip of this super food-filled green smoothie. Combine kale leaves, raw cranberries, frozen strawberries, juice, and a bit of water, and hit “reset” on your diet.
49. Purple Power Smoothie
This blended drink is absolutely loaded with healthy fruits and veggies, from carrots to spinach to blueberries. Pump up the flavor with fresh ginger, mango, and your favorite milk.
Do you “detox” for the New Year? What are your favorite recipes to get back on track with healthy eating? Share your ideas in the comments below or get in touch with the author on Twitter @SophBreene.

The Author

Sophia Breene

Hot Valentines Look!

2014-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Do you want to have an amazing look on Valentines day? I picked out a style that is pretty easy and cute and flirty at the same time.

Image: Google images

Give your hair that nice beach curl then toss your hair up into messy pony tail or bun. Simply add a scarf for a nice finishing touch and there you go Valentines day made classy and simple.You can wear this look to work, school or out on the town. Love it!

Image: Google images

To achieve your bombshell beach curls just twist hair like the picture above and use a flat iron to make your gorgeous waves. Have fun with this look:)

LOVE YOUR BODY!! NEW WORK OUT SCHEDULE:))

2014-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Weekly Schedule

MONTH:

February

YEAR: 2014

Mon:

2/3

Tues:

2/4

Wed:

2/5

Thur:

2/6

Fri:

2/7

Makeup Monday!

Beauty: Check out new makeup inspiration of the week HERE at www.mymakeupblog.com

Also…Skip the meat with meatless Mondays. You can eat low carb but make sure 50% green and at least 25% protein.

Love your body month!

Exercise with this complete work out in under twenty minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygajDhVgkO0

Tip: Remember your results are 80% what you eat. Stay lean and clean.

Work It!

Fitness: If you’re at home grab a fun cardio DVD.

Cardio: 60 minutes

Strength Train: Rest Day

GYM TIME

Fitness: 2 Miles walk at 3.5

Cardio: 45 minutes

Strength: Legs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2NONH0rUPk

get out

Fitness: Get out and get some fresh air. Go on a brisk walk for 45 minutes.

Strength: Abs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4sEYZzFn2I

time out

Take a break and grab a Skinny Vanilla Late or an Iced Green Tea

Beauty: Shop for some soothing aromatherapy. You deserve itJ

Fitness Friday!

#Fitness Friday

Take a break from cardio today to all strength training repeat videos from this week. Make sure to do all three abs, arms and legs.

Beauty: Date Night!! Plan something fun an exciting step out of your comfort zone!

4 Reasons you have hit a plateau

2014-01-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

4 Reasons you have hit a plateau

As everyone knows when you’re try trying to lose weight your results are based on 20% of your work outs and 80% of the food you are consuming. Below we listed the top 5 reasons you are at a current stand still.

You’re not working put hard enough. I know you may think you are working out more than ever. You might need to switch from 3-4 days a week to 5-6 days a week. Try to make sure you have at least 30-45 minutes of cardio in every workout. Also you always want to incorporate strength training in every workout. If for some reason you can do strength training make sure you do at least 60 minutes cardio. Every work out should be at least 1-1 ½ hours long. Also try to change up your work outs as much as possible so you can sock your body and break that frustrating plateau.

When you eat try to make sure you eat at the same time every day. For example breakfast at 8:00 am snack, lunch at noon snack and dinner at 5 or 6. Dinner can be a real set back especially for us women so try to eat as early as possible. You will get used to your new eating habits after a few days.

Know your calorie count. If you have a smart phone you can download the Jillian Michael's app. It’s great and best of all it’s free. The app will prompt you to enter your height, weight, body type etc. There is a calorie counter in the app make sure to use it every day to keep you on track to your goal.

Get more sleep and stress less. Sometimes we eat more during the day when we don’t get enough sleep and we also can hold onto weight longer when we stress out. Make sure you are getting a minimum of eight hours of sleep a night.

Makeup Trending Now

2014-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

Welcome to makeup Mondays! The biggest makeup trend right now is very natural makeup focusing on the a darker lip. Also with your hair your going to want to keep it as simple as possible like a beach wave or a lose curl. This look is trending hot this spring. Try it at home or a tutorial. I will be posting a you tube tutorial this week on how to achieve this look click here to check for your update. I posted some sample pictures below. Enjoy!!

Pictures by: Glamour online
I hope you have fun trying these looks at home. Feel free to comment below and subscribe for more updates!

Weekly Fitness Schedule:))

2014-01-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Weekly Schedule

MONTH:

January

YEAR: 2014

Mon:

1/27

Tues:

1/28

Wed:

1/29

Thur:

1/30

Fri:

1/31

Makeup Monday!

Beauty: Check out new makeup inspiration of the week at www.mymakeupblog.com

Also…Skip the meat with meatless Mondays. You can eat low carb but make sure 50% green and at least 25% protein.

Fitness: Hit the gym! Cardio walk 45 minutes try to use one machine warm up 15 minutes and one machine intense cardio 30 minutes.

Strength Train: 15 minutes Abs and Arms today with videos below.

ABS & ARMS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJMvXlec4_U

Tip: Remember your results are 80% what you eat. Stay lean and clean.

Work It!

Fitness: If you’re at home grab a fun cardio DVD.

Cardio: 60 minutes

Strength Train: Rest Day

GYM TIME

Fitness: 2 Miles walk at 3.5

Cardio: 45 minutes

Strength: 10 minutes Legs

Legs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z59Ew3Sjzrs

get out

Fitness: Get out and get some fresh air. Go on a brisk walk for 45 minutes.

Strength: Abs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtC1WLJztnk

time out

Take a break and grab a cup of coffee or treat yourself to lunch today.

Beauty: Treat yourself to a nice spa pedicure. You deserve itJ

Fitness Friday!

#Fitness Friday

Take a break from cardio today to all strength training repeat videos from this week. Make sure to do all three abs, arms and legs.

Beauty: Rent a movie and make an amazing dinner at home with company or alone.

Remember to always enjoy and lobe your work outs:) Have an amazing day and keep going!

Amazing salmon recipe & grocery shopping list "basics"

2014-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! Happy #Fitness Friday!! We hope everyone is having an amazing week.

Today is fitness outside the box. Grab you gal pal and buy a fitness groupon and try something different like indoor surfing, crossfit or a boot camp class.

Today I’m posting a basic grocery store shopping list and a clean dinner recipe.

Salmon Scaloppini with Almond Orzo

The almonds add a sweet nuttiness to the orzo while the capers and lemon give a tangy punch to the simple skillet-cooked salmon. It’s a complete meal with fiber, protein, and vitamin E.

Ingredients: Orzo, butter, sliced almonds, salmon, lemons, capers

Calories: 369

Recipe Ingredients

Orzo

Butter

Sliced almonds

1 (7-ounce) salmon fillet, cut into 1/4-inch-wide slices

Lemon juice

Drained capers

Preparation

Cook 1/2 cup orzo according to package directions; drain, reserving 1/2 cup liquid. Melt 1 teaspoon butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Brown 2 tablespoons almonds; set aside. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Sauté on both sides until done. Divide orzo and salmon between 2 plates. Add reserved liquid to skillet with 2 tablespoons juice and 1 tablespoon capers. Bring to a boil. Stir in 3 teaspoons butter and almonds. Spoon over plates.

Here is a basic starter shopping list to give you an idea of what to buy for basic low calorie meals.

Vegetables

Lettuce, Spinach, Broccoli, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Yams/Sweet Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Onions (red and white), Mushrooms, Fresh Garlic, Zucchini, Asparagus, Carrots, Avocado (Technically a fruit, but treated as a veggie).

Fruits

Strawberries, Blueberries, Apples, Grapefruit, Grapes, Watermelon and Honeydew.

Dairy

Milk - 1% or non-fat, Cottage Cheese - low fat and plain yogurt.

Meats

Chicken - boneless skinless breasts - organic is best, turkey burger, salon and tilapia.

Have an amazing day!

Pro to Pro Talk! #MM

2014-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Pro to Pro Talk

Hey everyone! It’s Makeup Monday!!

Today we are going to have pro to pro talk. This is for professional makeup artist and aspiring makeup artist.

Over the years I have helped several artist with career direction and helping them avoid common mistakes that are made in the beauty industry.

I have listed my top ten mistakes to avoid or fix if you are still doing them…it’s never too late to changeJ

1) Take care of yourself. Beauty and fitness go together like peanut butter and jelly. I know this is hard for a lot of people to hear but it’s the absolute truth. You are selling your services and yourself. When booking a job first impression is everything. I recommend wearing all black and simple makeup. Makeup that is too strong can scare your client away.

2) Make sure your kit is legit. Try to stick to one or two cosmetic brands in your kit. If you have too much of a variety you will confuse your client and yourself. I like to carry one mainstream line and one line I can resell to my clients. Make sure your make is always clean and being replaced when needed.

3) WEBSITES! One of the most important parts of the equation is to have a good looking website. One that is easy to navigate, tells a little bio about yourself. Try keeping verbiage to a minimum.

4) Everyone needs a domain. It’s one of the cheapest things to buy yet people are still not doing it. I recommend buying your own name unless you are trying to start a company. You can get your new domain name to point at a site you already have.

5) Professional pictures is a must. Not only do you need professional pictures and head shots of yourself you need to make sure your entire portfolio is professional as well. Save the iPhone shots for your social media and FB fan page.

6) Keep it classy. To some people you think this would be obvious. When you are a professional hired for a job all the attention goes to your client. Remember you are getting paid very well to give them the 5 star treatment and they don’t want to hear about your wild escapades on their wedding day or photo shoot.

7) Consistency is Key. Make sure you consistently do a phenomenal job. Treat every client like gold. Word of mouth gets you more business than any advertising you can buy.

8) Return client calls right away. Allow your clients to reach you by text and email. If this is what you want to do full time you need to put your heart and soul into it.

9) Get a professional email address. People there is nothing worse than a business card with a Hotmail or Gmail account on it. Register for email when you get a domain I promise you it will not break the bank.

10) The business card. Must have this with website and phone number on it. It should be clean and not too busy. Always carry a lot on you and leave some behind at ever job you do.

Hope that helps. Feel free to leave comments or questions you may have. Have a great day!

New Schedule:)

2014-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Weekly Schedule

MONTH:

January

YEAR: 2014

Mon:

1/20

Tues:

1/21

Wed:

1/22

Thur:

1/23

Fri:

1/24

Makeup Monday!

Beauty: Check out new makeup inspiration of the week at www.mymakeupblog.com

Fitness: Grab a friend and power walk for 45 minutes around your neighborhood or on a treadmill.

Strength Train: 15 minutes Abs and Arms today with videos below.

ABS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlTfvNm5ZSA

ARMS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qefto8IfvzU

Work It!

Fitness: Go to the Gym catch a fun Zumba or Fitness class. If you’re at home grab a fun cardio DVD.

Cardio: 60 minutes

Strength Train: Rest Day

GYM TIME

Fitness: 2 Miles walk at 3.5

Cardio: 45 minutes

Strength: 10 minutes Legs

Legs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvP5YYRkd6U

get out

Fitness: Get out and get some fresh air. Go on a brisk walk for 20 minutes.

Strength: Abs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Ve4xR1RfE

time out

Take a break and grab a cup of coffee or treat yourself to lunch today. Make a new work out play list for next week.

Beauty: Light some candles and take a soothing bubble bath and pack on a facial mask. You deserve itJ

Fitness Friday!

#Fitness Friday

Buddy up every Friday with your favorite gal pal and step out of the box. Take a fitness class like cross fit, indoor surfing or a boot camp. Summer is coming time to thinks of fun ways to stay in shape.

Beauty: Change your lipstick and plan a fun dinner date with your BFF, BF or HUBBY<3 o:p="">

Welcome Back!

2014-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

We are back on track with our new revamped blog and we are very excited:)) We are going to be posting about everything beauty and fitness with special guest writers.

Our new schedule is:

Sundays: Fitness week challenge schedule.

New schedule for the week of fitness and beauty schedule.

Mondays: Makeup Monday!

Discussing new makeup looks and beauty products we love.

Friday: Fitness Friday!

Discussing everything fitness and fitness products we love.

We hope you enjoy our new schedule and posts.

PEACE, LOVE & LIPSTICK!!

Top 5 must have hair products

2013-12-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Okay so if you are a hair product junkie like myself you will love these products. I've tried several products of all ranges and I must say these give you great results and are worth the money.

1. HAIR SPRAY....yup it's big sexy hair work and play hair spray. It gives you great volume, no flaking and your style stays put with out feeling like a helmet.

2. LEAVE IN CONDITIONER..."It's a 10" spray leave in conditioner not only repairs your hair but makes it feel absolutely amazing. Simply take a shower spray about 4-5 sprays in your hair then air dry or blow dry.

3. BUMBLE AND BUMBLE "SURF SPRAY"...The ultimate beach spray! perfect for those loose beach waves. Just curl your hair and add a few sprays and tah dah!! Beach bombshell.

4. BED HEAD ROCKAHOLIC "DIRTY SECRET" DRY SHAMPOO... best dry shampoo. This dry shampoo makes your hair look clean and refreshed. Not only that, it's a great size. It will pretty much last you the whole month.

5. LOREAL PROFESSIONAL DEEP CONDITIONER.... this Loreal product intensely repair dry dull hair. It is a must have especially for the summer. All you need is a quarter size amount in your hands then work through the end up. Your hair just drinks it up.

Those are my top five recommended must have hair products. I have personally tried them and swear by them to all my clients. Feel free to comment about the products and your personal reviews. Thanks!

DIY Bridal Hair

2013-12-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Brides,

A lot of brides write in all the time or DIY bridal techniques and looks. I personally love the DIY ideas. I put together a collection of looks that are most requested and super easy. These hairstyles can be worn to an event, special occasion or your own wedding. It's great for savvy brides who are on a budget.

Feel free to send questions about any of these looks. Thanks!

Tutorials courtesy of Pinterest.

Airbrushed Celebrities

2013-12-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

For all you ladies who want to look like celebrities with hair and makeup but think you can't afford it. I'm here to tell you that you can on any budget. Most images that we see are airbrushed. Sometimes we seem to forget and drive ourselves crazy with perfection. Celebrities are regular people just like us.

Jessica Alba

Madonna

Credits : www.fashionblazer.com
More celebrity images

Sexy Holiday Makeup!

2013-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Holiday parties are just around the corner and to get you ready to go from work to cocktail party, here is a holiday makeup tips interview I recently sat for.

What are the hottest makeup trends to watch this holiday season?

Two looks are classic and hot right now: The smokey, shimmery eye paired with light lips and the deep red lips balanced with a light eye. Shimmer is in this year, as it was last year, and it's the perfect festive look as long as you don't overload on the shimmer.

Can you recommend any specific lines or products that are very in for this season?

Primers are a must this season for both face and eye makeup. Primers go on before foundation or eye shadow and keep makeup in place for hours. They also fill in fine lines and skin imperfections so your tinted moisturizer goes on smoothly. Also this year, skip the foundation and try a tinted moisturizer which is much more light and gives a dewy finish, which is very sexy. Laura Mercier makes a near perfect primer and tinted moisturizer, though I've found the color tone I bought in summer is already too dark for winter!

Work makeup is, in general, pretty conservative. What can a woman do to punch up her look without taking it all off and starting over? (i.e. with lip makeup? Eye makeup? Blush?)

Transitioning from work to evening is actually pretty easy if you prep yourself. Apply tinted moisturizer (or foundation), mascara and gloss or lipstick before work. After work, cover any blemishes by patting in a concealer (never rub). Then follow these steps for either the smokey eye look or the deep red look:

For the Smokey Eye
1. Apply your eye makeup: Eyeliner on both top and bottom lashes (be sure to 'smudge it,' dark eyeliner will age you), a eye shadow primer (I like MAC Paints), and a shimmery shadow on the lid. Don't apply any more mascara unless your earlier application has rubbed completely off, otherwise you risk getting clumpy lashes.
2. Dab a shimmery blush to cheeks (I love Bobbi Brown's creamy blushes which also works as lipstick).
3. Powder your face lightly.
4. Apply a light lipstick or gloss.

For Deep Red Lips
1. Cover unsightly veins on eyelids with a matte eye shadow in a color that's as close as your skin tone as possible (such as beige).
2. Apply a very light shimmery blush on cheeks.
3. Line lips and fill in with your favorite red color.
4. Powder face.

What different kinds of makeup should a woman wear to a chatty cocktail party, as opposed to a high-class late-night party?
For the high-class party: Apply more shimmer or go deeper with the red lipstick.

How can women wear these party looks without their makeup looking costume-ish?
The number 1 rule of thumb: Never play up BOTH the eyes and the mouth.

What can women to do make sure that the makeup they are wearing for a good 16 hours (8am-midnight) keeps looking fresh and clean?
Primer is key here. Women should prime their skin before applying foundation or tinted moisturizer (again, Laura Mercier has a great primer) and they should prime their eyes before applying shadow. Also, carry oil-blotting papers if you tend to get greasy, holiday food can be very rich. MAC has some great ones. It's better to blot the oil than to keep applying powder, which can give you a cake-y appearance.

Engagement Photo Makeup

2013-12-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Question:
I am getting engagement photos taken fairly soon and was wondering if you had any tips on how to do makeup for photos. I use a tinted moisturizer, blush, eyeliner, and mascara, but I usually look somewhat dull in photos. Are there any products out there that work especially well for photos? I'm especially curious about foundations and maybe eye shadow since I almost never wear it.

Also, the photos are going to be taken in May which means it might be quite warm outside. When I get warm, the skin on my chest and legs gets red and splotchy. Does this happen to anyone else? Is there any way to prevent/disguise it?

Thanks in advance!

Answer:
You should stay away from anything with a lot of light reflecting properties because it can make your face look whiter than you want it to. With that meaning primarily anything with sunscreen in it. Other than that, wearing a touch more makeup than you would normally is the only real recommendation I have. You still want to look like yourself. Maybe play around with a bit of eyeliner or eye shadow.

If your skin is fairly even toned normally than I wouldn't worry about going heavier with the foundation. As for the splotchy skin on your chest I'd suggest putting just a bit of foundation there as well. It may not cover the redness completely, but if your photographer is competent then it shouldn't be hard for them to reduce any redness you have.

2012 Latin Grammy Makeup

2013-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

This year at the 2012 Latin Grammy awards we saw a lot of soft smokey eyes and flawless skin. The key to this look is to look great in person as well as on camera. Also you want to make sure the makeup is long wearing. Using primers on the eyes and face is a step that really can not be skipped.

If you are on a budget but you want to achieve this look there are a lot of comparable products that you can get at the drug store or target. If you're going to go that route we recommend all L'Oreal and Hard Candy makeup products. You can find L'Oreal mostly everywhere and Hard Candy at Walmart and online.

To get that "Red Carpet Ready" makeup used is listed below.

Red Carpet Makeup:

Our model Crystal is wearing a blue smokey eye.

Supplies needed to achieve this look:
-Dior- Airbrush foundation
-Nars- Orgasm blush
-Coastal scents palette - Eye shadow colors (Silver, light blue, dark blue, dark pink and black)
-ELF- black liquid liner
-Dior- Dior show mascara in black
-MAC- Snob lipstick
-MAC- Concealer NW20
-MAC- Eyebrow shadow in cork
-MAC- Prep and prime
-MAC- Fix plus finishing spray
-MAC- Paint primer in canvas
-Red Cherry- Strip lashes
-MAC- gloss in clear

Credits:

Hair & Makeup
702 Hair and Makeup
www.702hairandmakeup.com

Model:
Crystal Arias

Bridal Makeup 101

2013-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Brides-to-be! Choosing a makeup look to highlight your best features on a day-to-day basis is tricky enough, and finding a makeup look for your wedding day is downright intimidating. Luckily, you came to our site and found this article which was written to aid you in narrowing down your choices for wedding makeup, and hopefully make at least one aspect of planning your wedding a little easier.
While this article is intended as a guideline for planning your wedding day makeup palette, the best look you will ultimately decide on is one that not only makes you look beautiful and flawless, but one that makes you still feel like your gorgeous self.

Questions to Consider:
What time of the year will you be getting married?
Unless you are the type of gal that doesn’t wear much makeup on a day to day basis and you know you want a clean and natural look, it is wise to take into consideration what time of year you will be walking down the aisle. Perhaps you are thinking about a beautiful bronzy makeup look, but you realize the Big Day is in February (and sadly not in some tropical locale). Taking that into consideration, you may want to reconsider your choice of makeup colors. Many brides that get married in the winter months tend to either choose a color palette that is deemed “wintry” (silver, white, ivory, baby blue, light pink, taupe, pearl, etc.) or a more romantic palette (red, wine, cream, black, white, eggplant, sapphire, etc.) especially if the nuptials are close to Valentine’s Day. Same goes if you are getting married in the spring and will have a garden wedding. Time of year, season, and even the time of day and whether the event will be more casual or formal are all factors to consider when choosing your wedding makeup palette.

Where do you plan on getting married?
If spring is in the air and so are your wedding bells, you may have a slightly different look to consider. You will probably want to keep the focus on your eyes with a soft wash of color. Whether that be a subtle pastels paired with dewy, radiant skin or a simple neutral eye with a pop of bright blush and stained lip are two popular looks if a springtime wedding is what you have planned. Or perhaps your dream wedding is at the beach with a breathtaking summer sunset as your backdrop. A healthy, bronzy glow that carefully applied bronzer topped with glimmering peach or toffee colored lips may be the look that suits you best. Definitely take your local in mind when choosing your look.

How exactly do I make these looks work for me?
The most important question of all! I usually stick to the rule of thumb that if you are playing up your eyes, you will probably want to keep the cheeks and lips more neutral and toned down. Reason being, if you have gorgeous smoky eyes with false lashes that just make your eyes “pop”, you don’t want your cheeks and lips competing with your eyes by wearing a dark or bright blush and vibrant lip color. It also looks too overdone and (dare I say) dated and old fashioned. To make this all a little less confusing, I have compiled a small guideline for you to create the perfect wedding makeup look for your big day.

Popular Wedding Makeup Styles:
Smoky Eyes
Smoky eyes are often confused with “black” or “dark” eye makeup smudged around the eyes. Smoky is a term describing method in which the shadow is placed. The shadow is blended around the eyes to mimic a “smoked” look. You can use any color of shadow to create a smoky eye. The look itself generally consists of 3-4 eyeshadow colors that are blended and “smoked” out to give the illusion of more depth and definition to the eye. It also adds a dramatic flair, perfect for those brides who want a “look-at-me” effect. False eyelashes and black/dark brown eyeliner is usually added to this look. Softly colored cheeks (think light pinks and soft peaches) and barely-there lips are what compliments this look perfectly. While this look can work anytime of the year, evening weddings or very formal occasions are the best fit and the look can be adjusted to fit your specific features and complexion.

Bahama Mama
Bronzed, glowing skin and alluring eyes are what make this look work. A cream or liquid bronzer can be mixed into the foundation to make the skin look dewy and naturally radiant. A highlighting product can then be lightly applied to the face where the sun would naturally hit (sides of forehead, cheeks, bridge of the nose and the tip of the chin), giving the face an automatic “lift” and added slimness. A light lip color in the bronze, apricot, caramel and toffee families are used sparingly and gold, brown and bronze shadows are mixed to give an exotic yet refreshed look. False eyelashes may or may not be used in conjunction with deep brown or black eyeliner. June through August is the best time of year to try this look, especially for a beach or outdoor wedding.

Autumn Sun
Rich, jewel colored tones are used in this look. Eyes come alive with shades of sapphire, emerald, onyx or plum incorporated with soft neutrals to make a bold statement. Lips and cheeks are given a soft focus “flushed” look with lip stains and cheek tints, and false eyelashes are almost always used to perfect the look. September through November is the most popular time of year to take advantage of this look as it is the time of the year when the days get shorter, the leaves turn a fiery array of gold, red and tawny brown and the colors of the season are warm and bold.

Snow White
This is where more intense lips and cheeks are the focus by using reds, wines, burgundies or merlot colors. The eyes are keep soft and neutral, and defined by the use of black or dark brown eyeliner and natural looking false lashes for added thickness. This look is very popular with brides getting married in the winter months, especially February. The flushed cheeks and berry stained lips give a look of almost utter innocence, but the eyes are defined, giving a sensual yet demure air about you.

Spring Pixie
This is a look that truly showcases healthy and refreshed skin. The look is complimented with dewy peach or pink colored blush and lips are creamy peach or rose. The eyes are big and beautiful using pastel or vibrant colors as a “wash” on the eyelids to give a subtle pop of color. Liner is used sparingly and is not smoked out, while lashes are lengthened and curled to give a “wide eyed” look of innocence. A great choice for an outdoors wedding held in spring.
Hopefully we were able to inspire a beauty look that you were unsure of or never even though to try. The best thing about makeup is that it’s not permanent! Try out a look or two and see which one speaks to you.

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

2013-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Dark circles under the eyes tend to age us more than wrinkles or grey hair.Discoloration of the under-eye skin affects many of us from time to time. For others, the dark circles can persist as a long-term feature, sometimes as a result of an illness, but often as a result of allergies, inadequate sleep, and even heredity. However, you can still minimize the appearance of dark circles under your eyes and in some cases remove them completely.

Click here to read all the steps and percaution you can take for putting a stop to your dark under eye circles.