Saturday, December 29, 2012

My Main Man, Dr. Bronner

Right now I only want one man in my life, and that is Dr. Bronner...Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap to be more exact. 

This certified Fair Trade and organic soap does wonders to my makeup brushes! It is so important to cleanse your makeup brushes a few times a month, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Dirty makeup brushes harbor bacteria that could cause breakouts. I try to do a thorough-cleansing with Dr. Bronner's once a week, at least for my face makeup brushes. If I don't get to it, I use a quick and convenient spray brush cleaner. It's important to only use gentle soaps to clean your makeup brushes! Johnson's Baby Shampoo is another great brush cleanser.

My clean face brushes!

I have the Peppermint Liquid Soap in 4 oz. and it has lasted me about 4 months. A little bit goes a long way and this is the best soap I have ever used on my brushes. It is really noticeable on duo-fiber brushes because after the makeup is washed off, the bristles are white again (or back to their original color). My brushes always look brand new after washing them with Dr. Bronner's. I do plan on getting the Tea Tree Liquid Soap since Tea Tree Oil is better for acne-prone and oily skin types. 

My favorite part about the brand, besides the effective cleansing, is the purity and different formulations. They have 8 different types of the liquid soaps and each is infused with a different oil to cater for different needs. 

Peppermint is their most popular fragrance. It's a therapuetic oil that clears the mind and stimulates energy. 

Eucalyptus opens your pores and clears your sinuses.

Almond is their warm and comforting scent. 

Rose is their romantic and elegant scent. Rose is also meant to be nourishing. 

This is their most gentle and fragrance-free soap suitable for sensitive skin. This would also be a great option to clean your makeup brushes with. 

Orange, lemon and lime awaken the senses and invigorate the body for a refreshing clean. 

My favorite calming scent! Lavender is a relaxing fragrance that calms the nerves and soothes the body. This scent is perfect for before bedtime, or if you just need to lay down and relax. 

Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial that helps heal cuts and various skin conditions, especially for acne and oily skin types.  

There are so many different options for different types of people and skin types. Fun fact? You can use this soap as a toothpaste, dish soap and laundry detergent! Now, I don't know if I'll be using it as toothpaste anytime soon, but I might try it for my laundry and dishes!

To dream the impossible dream! To reach that unreachable star! 'till All-One, All-One we are :: Emanuel Bronner

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

So, Who Put Me On The Nice List This Year?

I'm not quite sure why, but Santa was extra good to me this year. Well...my best friend got a diamond ring (Congrats!) and I got makeup, but hey, I embrace my single lifestyle!

Here are the beauty products the big guy brought me this year:

Dior
Rosy Glow Blush
This blush is just a beautiful, natural color. Although it looks bright in the pan, it's meant to bring out the natural flush in your cheeks.

5-Colour Eyeshadow in Stylish Move
I have had my eye on the Dior Eyeshadow palette since I was 16, LITERALLY! I have been waiting for this palette for 5 years! I cannot wait to get my makeup brushes in to this!

MAC
Viva Glam Nicki Lipglass
In love with Nicki Minaj and in love with this color!

Tinted Lipglass in Rebel
I wanted a BA, raspberry color...and that's what this is! I have a similar color, but it's a little too bright and out of season, so Rebel is perfect. It looks a little vampy and scary in the tube, but on my lips, it's the perfect berry color. 

Lush
Snowcake Soap
I love sweet smelling scents for my body. This scent is not overpowering, so it won't interfere with whatever lotion or perfume I put on later! 

Aqua Mirabilis Body Butter
I wanted a body butter that left less of a moisturizing residue that I could use on my upper body or if I'm going out and don't want to feel too greasy. (I have Buffy which is great for my lower body because it really exfoliates and moisturizes!)

Midnight Massage Massage Bar
I'm usually a fan of warm, sweet, vanilla-type scents, but I couldn't resist this sensual jasmine scent! These massage bars are great as a moisturizer and they are a little bit more fun than your regular moisturizer. It leaves a hint of shimmer as well, perfect as your going-out moisturizer. 

Philosophy
Take a Deep Breath Energizing Oxygen Gel Cream Moisturizer
My skin has felt a little drier, with being in Boston and the weather getting colder. This moisturizer is perfect because it gets the job done with really hydrating my skin, but it's oil free so it won't clog my stubborn pores. 



Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more! :: The Grinch





Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Wake of Shame (Part 2)

So,

Another rough night last night. On the plus side, my makeup made it through the night better than I did. 

My makeup lasted through a dance routine, pregame, the bar (where some more dancing unfortunately occurred) and all night when I crashed on our couch. 

It's obviously not the best situation when you don't wash your face before you go to bed, but it's pretty impressive how products can last all night long.  

Here are some products that will make it out all night with you:

Foundation Primer
Primers provide a smooth base for your foundation and come in a variety of finishes and textures; smoothing, brightening, bronzing, color-correcting, hydrating, anti-aging, the list goes on and on...

I'm personally a fan of smoothing and pore refining primers. Benefit's The POREfessional is one of my favorites. It leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and minimizes the appearance of your pores. Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer is another one of my favorites.

Eye Shadow Primer
Like a foundation primer, your eyeshadow also needs a base to hold on to. Eyeshadows, without a base, tend to crease and smudge easily because of the crease in your eyelid. Recently, companies have been releasing different finishes and colors for primers as well. 

My two favorite eye shadow primers are Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion and Laura Geller Eye Spackle. Urban Decay's comes in a squeezy tube and swatches pretty translucent. Laura Geller's comes in a pot, has a thinner consistency and is a neutral shade to improve discoloration and even out your skin tone. 

Makeup Setting Spray
Makeup setting spray is a somewhat new phenomenon (past few years) that is a miracle product! Makeup setting spray is meant to be sprayed on after you're done with your entire face and some brands make setting spray for different skin types. You can also use makeup setting sprays before your makeup as a primer. 


All of these products are extras that definitely add to your makeup routine for a long-lasting look, but there are foundations, concealers and other products that provide long-lasting coverage. One of my favorite products is the Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation in 300. It is my favorite foundation of all time, provides medium-to-full coverage and helps my makeup stay on all night. 

Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we're here we may as well dance :: Jeanne C. Stein




Monday, December 3, 2012

Bare Naked


I helped out a friend this weekend with her dermatological project. She wanted to use me for her hair line and I was flattered to do it! 


Tatiana's Dermatological (Skin, Sun, Hair) Project

Tatiana wanted me to have a simple look, so I went with natural colors and light application, and this is the final look! 

Photo Credit: Tatiana Suarez

Photo Credit: Tatiana Suarez

Photo Credit: Tatiana Suarez

Photo Credit: Tatiana Suarez
A great, natural face that can be worn on a daily basis, this is one of my favorites. The difference for me, compared to my usual makeup routine, was the liner. I tend to "wing" my liner but I wanted to keep it simple for Tatiana's project. Instead, I opted for the "no-liner" look, which still enhances your eyes, but more subtly. To achieve this look, just keep your liner as close to the lash-line as possible and stay true to the curve of your eye. Also, it is best to use a bronze or brown liner rather than black because it's less harsh and compliments the natural colors of your face!

Face:

Eyes:

Lips

Hair:


Spend less time in the mirror and more time feeling wonderful :: Frédéric Fekkai





Sunday, December 2, 2012

My BA Beauties


My friends ask me to do their makeup for any occasion--going out, a themed party and some special events, so I decided to start a series of blog posts showing "Before and After" shots. 

This weekend, Katie had her sorority formal. 

Here are the Before and After shots!

Before


After




Face:
Eyes:
Rock & Republic Eyeshadow in Ambition (inner corner)
L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner in Bronze
Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black
Pixi Natural Brow Duo in Medium Brown
Dior Powder Brow Pencil in Blond

Lips:
Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Fig Jam

When a woman gets dressed up to go out at night, she wants to give 50% away, and hold the rest back. If you're an open book, there's no allure :: Alexander McQueen

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Wake of Shame

Come on, we've all done it...


Woken up on a couch, your living room floor, a front porch or somewhere you told yourself you really wouldn't go that night.

We've all had a rough night out where we don't have the energy, or competence, to walk to our bathroom and wash our makeup off. 


So, when you wake up in the morning and your eyeliner has smudged halfway down your face, what do you do? 


CLEANSE. TREAT. TONE. MOISTURIZE...TREAT AGAIN.

I have oily/acne-prone skin. Every product I use can affect my skin drastically. When I wake up in the morning after not washing my face, I have to give myself a full facial. 


What I Use:
1. Alba Natural Acnedote Deep Pore Wash
*with Clarisonic Mia
2. "Do-It Yourself" Mask 
3. Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
4. Mario Badescu Facial Spray
5. Philosophy Hope in a Bottle
6. Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum
*as a spot treatment

I've tried my fair share of products and so far, this is the best regimen that I have found for about two years. 

I used to be hesitant about using DIY masks, but this mask works better than some of the most high-end, highest rated masks I have ever used. 


I know that serums are meant to be used before your moisturizer, but this serum has a thick, gel-like consistency and I have recently found it works best over my moisturizer as a treatment. 


This list may seem like it's products, on top of products, on top of PRODUCTS, but after a night out, your skin is begging for attention! I usually resort to this regimen 2 to 3 times a week; Sunday night to make up for a wild weekend and sometime in the middle of the week. 


What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course :: Marilyn Monroe