Blog Archives
Summer Travel: Beauty Essentials
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Whether it’s a weekend road trip or a long-haul to an exotic locale, there is nothing like a summer vacation. Look your best while traveling with these beauty essentials:
Oxylent Oxygenating Multivitamin Drink: The effervescent multivitamin drink is formulated with the highest quality of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and electrolytes. Perfect for travel, the convenient packets are easily transported, so you can drink it anytime, anywhere – just add water. It is great for keeping the immune system in peak condition; a low calorie choice before or after working out; a true friend to the outdoor enthusiast; an easy-to-use daily multivitamin; or a wonderful late afternoon pick-me-up at work. Oxylent not only offers a unique effervescent delivery system, but unlike most, all of the formulas are both sugar and calorie free. Oxylent’s formulas do not contain any gluten, caffeine, lactose, artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors.
Kerstin Florian Rehydrating Neroli Water: This uplifting aromatherapy water instantly refreshes and hydrates the skin. Made from the bitter orange blossom, this facial spray soothes and hydrates the skin. The moment your face feels tight, one spritz will instantly hydrate and refresh the skin. Use as a toner after cleansing the face or as a body spray after showering. Or keep cool in the refrigerator and spray on hot, humid days. Perfect for après beach.
Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum: This light yet powerful serum is both a moisturizer and a broad-spectrum SPF 30. It fights the signs of premature aging – think fine lines and sunspots – and prevents future photo-damage from UV rays. Built for year-round use, this serum is amazingly lightweight and comfortable. Supergoop’s unique Hydrovotin 24 complex works with the skin’s own moisture mechanisms to increase hydration levels, while vitamins E and B5 heal past damage. It absorbs both UVA rays that lead to premature aging and UVB rays that cause sunburn. The top-of-the-line “PA +++” rating means the formula meets the highest standards for sun protection. Also paraben and fragrance-free—just what the doctor ordered for sensitive skin.
Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil: Formulated with an aromatic blend of 11 essential oils, this opulent oil relies on flowers and botanicals for their calming and illuminating properties. A staple of many top pros and makeup artists, this oil can be used to take makeup off, to moisturize and as a massage oil (expensive massage oil?). Add a couple drops to foundation to create a dewy finish or pat on the cheekbones and undereyes for a beautiful, fresh glow. Just a few drops will make your skin look radiant. Use as an alternate or supplement to your moisturizer and apply whenever your face needs a pick-me-up.
Dior Hydra Life BB Cream: READ FULL REVIEW: HERE
Bobbi Brown Bronzer/Blush Duo: Inspired by the look of “skin bathed in afternoon light,” this dynamic duo creates healthy-looking skin. On one side, Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Bahama Brown packs a blend of sheer powder and micro pearls (for a seamlessly glowing finish all over the face). The other side boasts Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in Pink Peony, the perfect way to add a pop of color to the apples of cheeks. Great for travel, this duo eliminates bulk and the need for too many face products. Tip: Sweep bronzer over eyelids for instant contour.
MAC Bare Study Paint Pot: This multi-purpose paint pot is perfect for travel. Bare Study is a metallic nude/champagne cream eye shadow that can be used as a primer, eye shadow and/or highlighter. Sweep onto the eyelid before applying a powder shade to ensure longevity. For highlighting, pat product on the cheekbones, brow bone, cupid bow and décolletage for subtle illumination. The soft, light-reflecting pearl finish will brighten any area.
Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15 in Hue 30G: Lip balm with SPF is a must while traveling. Lips are often neglected and can suffer the same effects of the sun just as much as any other part of the body. Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15 offers protection, relief and color. Lip products like gloss, stains or lipsticks can attract the sun with their shiny finish. This formula combines a sheer wash of color with UVA and UVB protection. Hue 30G is a beautiful light golden color with peach undertones.
Blinc Mascara: I have a love/hate relationship with waterproof mascara. While most formulas do last all day, they are a pain to remove. Blinc Mascara is a “tubing” mascara. It uses a copolymer-based formula to create little tubes around each one of your lashes preventing flaking, running or smudging. The formula is waterproof, sweat-proof and won’t irritate even the most sensitive of eyes so you can wear it all day without worrying about touch-ups. At the end of the day, use a damp washcloth to gently dislodge the tubes. They’ll slide off with just a little pressure.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray: READ FULL REVIEW: HERE
Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for Body & Face: Organic and biologically pure, Adara Virgin Coconut Oil is a gorgeous multi-tasking body and hair oil. Great for travel, coconut oil solidifies when temperatures are below 76 degrees – this makes it wonderful to pack and not worry about leaking. Adara Virgin Coconut Oil is available in five scented oils and travel-size, Oriental Jasmine, Soothing Lavender, Heavenly Peach, Innocent Rose, and Refreshing Green Tea. (Favorite: Jasmine) READ MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS & USES OF COCONUT OIL: HERE
Flo Refillable Perfume Atomizer: Packing a big glass perfume bottle can be inconvenient and cumbersome. Tote your favorite fragrance wherever you go with the Refillable Perfume Atomizer by FLO. This ingenious gadget allows you to carry your perfume in an easy-to-use, compact atomizer. The modern design enables fast and efficient refilling without a funnel – preventing any danger of spilling a single drop of your expensive perfume. Suitable for all types of perfumes, this atomizer holds up to 77 sprays. Perfect for a purse, clutch, beach bag or travel bag, never leave home without your favorite fragrance again.
Smoke & Mirrors: MAC Cream Colour Base
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MAC Cream Colour Base Pearl
Subtle shimmer is flattering on any skin tone. Possibly the easiest way to cheat the look of healthy dewy skin is to add a bit of glow to the skin.
MAC Cream Colour Bases are easy to use and come in an array of beautiful colors. The texture is silky and smooth and apply with ease and grace. Pearl is my shade of choice when skin is looking a bit dull. This icy champagne color reflects light and creates a luminescent glow to the skin. Apply to cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupids bow to manufacture a dewy-looking complexion.
MAC Cream Colour Bases can also be used on eyes and lips. Apply as an eyeshadow base to intensify any color layered on top or use alone for a more natural look, just make sure to set with powder. First rule of applying makeup is alway apply liquid, gel or cream product before powder to set and keep makeup from slipping.
Makeup is all about smoke and mirrors, find the areas you would like to hide or emphasize and fake it.
How To: Contour w/ Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit
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Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit
Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit is a palette of two complementary powders, dark and light, that help contour, sculpt and correct the face structure.
Contouring provides definition to the face by accentuating and/or minimizing features. By simply adding shadows, which create dimension, one can sculpt cheekbones, thin/lengthen/shorten the nose and/or make face look thinner.
Needed:
- Angled Brush
- A dark matte powder or cream (2 shades darker than skintone)
- A light matte powder or cream (1-2 shades lighter than skintone)
1. In order to find the contours of the face – make a fishy-face.
2. See diagram and apply where dark shade is placed. The diagram is for placement purposes only. Do not just draw a streak of color down the cheek. Blend…Blend…Blend…
3. See diagram and apply where highlighter is placed. Blend…Blend…Blend…
Contouring all of these areas is not necessary on everyone. Each face structure is different. Find the problem areas you would like to correct and go from there.
Road to Flawless Skin: Kevin Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
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Kevin Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
Kevin Aucoin’s Sensual Skin Enhancer is a one-stop product for creating flawless skin. The road of achieving perfect skin is a long-one and may need a considerable number of different items… concealer, powder, base. The Sensual Skin Enhancer erases the need for all of these items and paves the way to perfect skin.
This Skin Enhancer can be used as a concealer; spot and undereye, foundation, tinted moisturizer and highlighter. (To use as a highlighter, simply choose a color one shade lighter than your actual skin tone).
The formula is extremely pigmented, and the texture consists of a heavy cream. However, when applied onto the skin, it feels lightweight, non-greasy and blends beautifully.
I apply this product by adding a bit to my favorite moisturizer (a little goes a long way). This concoction creates the perfect tinted moisturizer, in which it lets me decide how much coverage my skin needs. Sometimes I need to add more, sometimes less. Skin changes day-to-day, breakouts and such, The Sensual Skin Enhancer puts you in the drivers seat on the road to flawless skin.
Drugstore Find: Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer
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Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer
Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer is an exceptional 2-in-1 brow product on a budget. The dual-ended wand supplies the user with a tinted wax formula on one end and highlighter on the other.
The tinted wax is easy to apply and adds definition to the brow-line. It’s wax formula glides on smoothly sans any sticky residue. The staying-power of this product is phenomenal, all day, no touch-ups needed.
The highlighter-end accentuates the brow bone with it’s light-reflecting properties and sheen. The luminous cream formula brightens and lifts the eye area.
The Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer is available in four shades. Each shade provides a different highlight color to enhance a particular skin-type. This inexpensive brow product is an unrivaled drugstore find.
Tip: Apply tinted wax with a light-hand. Product is extremely pigmented.
Way to Glow-T: MUFE Uplight Face Luminizer Gel
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MAKE UP FOR EVER Uplight Face Luminizer Gel is a beacon of light for any complexion.
Uplight contains more than 70% water and is enriched with precious pearls that reflect light. This versatile product can be used alone on cheek and brow bones, or mixed-in with foundation and/or blush for additional radiance. The lightweight gel blends smoothly and accentuates any area of interest. The reason I adopt this product, Pearly White #21, as my highlighter of choice is that it leaves the skin lustrous not glittery.
Depending on your preference, Uplight is available in 8 different shades and 3 different effects, dewy, pearly and sparkling. Go Play!
Shades Available:
- Dewy Pink Beige #11
- Dewy Golden Warm #12
- Pearly White #21
- Pearly Pink Flesh #22
- Pearly Golden Flesh #23
- Sparkling Blue Pink #31
- Sparkling Golden Pink #32
- Sparkling Golden Copper #33
Glow-T 