*Friday Favorites* ~ April 20, 2012

Back from being MIA  - here are some new favorites to try out this weekend!!!

Peach is my New Pink!
Check out below all the great ways to add a hint of Peach to your look for Spring/Summer!


1. Peach Blush

LOVE IT! Peach is the new Pink for Spring! You don't have to use a orange blush to get that peachy glow! Peaches by MAC is my new best friend, it adds a sun kissed glow, yet doesn't overpower my face for a subtle day look.
$15 maccosmetics.com


2. Peach Lip Gloss

I do not leave home without my Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Genie. The sponge applicator tip glides the product on smoothly. This is a great way to wear a coral/peach tone on the lips. It is not too much color, so can be used as almost a nude tone - however it immediately brightens up the face!
$32 chanel.com


3. Peach on the Eyes

While you can always use blush on your eyes, and vice-a-versa, there are a few tones that you may want to add to your makeup bag - or your makeup table (if you have as much as me). Bobbi Brown has 2 great colors - Nude Peach and Gold Peach - the difference? Nude Peach is a matte peach shade, while Gold Peach has a shimmer to it. Both are amazing. Use on the lid, or line the outer part of your eyes with the tones for a more fun look! (you can even use them as or over your blush!)
$21each bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Well, we've done eyes, lips and cheeks - how about peach as an accent piece for an outfit?

4. Peach Clutch

You want to add a hint of color to your outfit, but don't feel you can pull of something super bold? How about a peach colored clutch? It's almost nude and adding that spring-summer fun color to any outfit, makes it more fun! An accessory as simple as this can also be found at stores for any person's budget! Forever 21 has great products, all the way up to BCBG and beyond!

of course...let's now talk about food!

5. Peaches Soaked in Red Wine YUM (Peach Cobbler is great too if you're Under 21)

Need I say more about this? You can even take them out of the glass after they have soaked and mix them with other fruits - or you can soak all the fruits together!

Peach Cobbler is another amazing dessert if you aren't into have wine with your peaches!

ENJOY!

*Friday Favorites*

Sorry I didn't get to last weeks favorites - hope you didn't cry! It just makes this weeks favorites more exciting! (well I think so anyway)

1. La Mer - Gel de La Mer

I know this is a little pricey, but it is just soooooo friggin good!!! My skin is always dry, so major hydration in my moisturizers is a must! Just because a moisturizer is hydrating doesn't mean I have to slather a whole glob all over my face to make it work. That's why I love this! I just got to try it a few weeks ago and I am still using my sample jar - go me! You need just a dime sized amount for your entire face. Good-Bye Dry Skin! $265 cremedelamer.com

2. Tocca - Graciella

OK, so I think you probably have noticed that I am obsessed with perfumes...definitely an addiction. This is my newest one. Tocca has a bunch of different scents, but I think this once stands above the rest. Perfect for spring, light yet noticeable. Check them all out for your favorite! $60 sephora.com


3. Perfect Nude Lip - MAC's Hug Me and Bare Necessity

I don't even know where to start! For a perfect nude lip - here you go! I use this combination on my brides when I need that perfect nude lip that will still show in photographs. I also wear it whenever I go out - the lipstick has just the right amount of pink and the gloss has the right amount of sparkles - even though there really are never too many sparkles, we all know that! $35/both maccosmetics.com

4. fresh - Sugar Lychee Body Lotion

Purchased this last week too. Great scent. Great amount of hydration. Not too heavy. Buy it! (They have other scents too) $22 sephora.com

5. C. Wonder

Now this..is amazing. It may look like a copy-cat of Tory Burch, BUT the pricing is more reasonable (however sale prices = GREAT), quality is comperable and selection is fantastic. Lot's of colors and patterns, yet there are still staple black and white pieces to choose from. The housewares depeartment is great as well. For a gift, or a gift for yourself - either way you will find something for almost anyone! Located in the Westchester Mall in White Plains, NY ~ SoHo, NY ~ Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus, NJ

*Get My Daily Look*

I have gotten many compliments on my hardly made-up face. I'd like to thank all of you that admire my daily look! I would like to let you know what products I use for skin care and makeup.
*Tip - I have very dry skin - the skin care I use is not made for every skin type.

I first make sure my face is all squeaky clean! I have just started using the Neutrogena Wave with the Gentle Exfoliating Pads. LOVE IT! Perfect while in the shower, you throw out the pads when done - super easy!

Once out of the shower, I use my Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover on a tissue to clean around my eyes to make sure I have no mascara left on my lashes or around my eyes.

I have been using Avocado Oil as a facial serum lately due to the colder weather, my skin has been even dryer than usual. I apply the oil with my fingers all over my face (not eye area), and let settle into my skin. The oil is super hydrating, I haven't even needed to use moisturizer on top of it.

Once my skin care routine is all done, I apply my Estee Lauder Double Wear Pressed Powder in Shell Beige over my entire face, and down on my neck, with a face powder brush.

I use MAC Blush in Cubic on the top of my cheek bones and then I apply La Bella Donna's Vision of Lights in Sunset lightly to my whole face - adds a light shimmer - love that!

Once my face makeup is done, I use my cheapie mascara - which is a favorite of mine - Maybelline's Turbo Volum' Express - in very black & waterproof (of course). Throw on a little black eyeliner  - I use black eyeshadow with a angled brush - on my lash line on top and bottom. Any black shadow will do, I use MAC. On some days, I then add Too Faced's Glitter Liquid Eyeliner, sometimes I just leave the shadow liner as is.

Fill in my brows - and I'm all set! Takes all in all about 10 minutes, you look made-up but not overdone - and the makeup can work with any skin tone.

Thanks again for all of your compliments on my makeup - I know you can achieve the same for yourself - you just need the right tools!

Holiday Party this Weekend? Let Me Help You Get Ready!

The weekend before Christmas is probably the most popular weekend for Holiday Parties! I know I have three in only two days! Many of you may even have more! Running around from party to party may make you crazy, but lets make your makeup steps as simple as possible! No need to make yourself more stressed than probably already are!

Depending on your style, and what types of parties you are attending, your makeup may change. Below are some popular looks that can be lightened or darkened to your liking.


Jewel Tone Colors -
A few of my friends, myself included, love the Jewel Tone trend that is sweeping across holiday parties, and even day time events, this season.

You may feel that it's hard to choose shadow and lipstick colors to go with these vibrant dresses, but don't worry! I will help you! Dresses like these (or shirts of these tones with black or navy pants) are bright, fun and playful - yet still appropriate. Choose to keep your makeup more natural, you don't want your makeup to be competing with your outfit - the outfit comes first when it comes to Jewel Tones. Using colors like MAC's All That Glitters, Bronze, & Antiqued are perfect shades to compliment any bright color. Using your lighter tone, apply to the full lid, and use the darker tones together and blend to your crease and outer lid area. If you want to add a little more va-voom - apply the darker tone under your bottom lashes for an additional "pop" of color! So fun!

I always go with a nude sparkly lip. MAC's Hug Me with Bare Necessity Gloss is my go-to! Chanel's Glossimer in Constellation is also an amazing sparkly gloss! Either will finish your look..perfection!

Your Basic Black -



Many people opt to wear their LBD (little black dress) or black pants and top. Always chic (if you wear it right - wink wink!). Always in style.

Black is always the easiest when it comes to choosing colors to wear - everything matches! You can choose to keep your makeup natural, or go with jewel tones for the eyes to make your look more fun and festive!

For fun blue/turquoise makeup to "pop" your eye color (like below),  I'd start with MAC's Blue Absinthe from the inner to mid sections of the lid with an eyeshadow brush. Then use a new brush using MAC's Contrast and a little bit of Nocturnal for the outer lid and crease, blending them nicely into each other to create the wave of color over the eye. Use the Nocturnal under the bottom lashes for a smokey effect. It looks difficult, but as long as you have the right brushes, it is not! Try it out and give yourself a little extra time if you aren't used to doing your makeup that elaborate.

No matter which look you choose, have fun with you outfit and style and don't hesitate to try something new!
*Remember - you can purchase similar colors at your local drugstore and get the same effect - I always recommend getting good makeup brushes - they make the difference in your application no matter which brand cosmetics you purchase.

Enjoy the Party! Drink Responsibly!

Tweezers & Brushes & Liners, Oh My!

Every person's makeup bag is filled with goodies needed to get through their day! However, there are a handful of products that every person should have handy. Make sure these products are in your survival kit (a.k.a. your makeup bag - that is my survival kit..isn't it yours??)


Foundation/Powder Brush (depending on what you use)
MAC's #187 brush is one of my favorites! I call it my skunk brush because of its colors. This brush evenly distributes powder or liquid all over the face leaving a flawless finish. No matter which liquid or powder you use, this brush will make sure it is applied evenly.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Hands down - the best eyelash curler around! If you curl your lashes, you want this curler, if you don't - then you need to start! Once you purchase it, you will carry it everywhere! Check it out for yourself!

Tweezerman Slant Tweezers
You never know when one little hair might pop up! Tweezers weigh nothing, and can come into use for other things, such as unclumping your mascara! I always carry tweezers in my bag, even though I wax my eyebrows. In between waxes you may need to clean those puppies up, and tweezing as they pop up makes it easier for you to keep your eyebrow shape - also saves you in time in the long run.

MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencils
I love to carry a few eyeliners, in different colors. You never know when you may end up going somewhere directly from work and won't have time to go home and get ready. Other than using the liners for the obvious - lining your eyes - if they are soft enough, smudge them on the lid to create a shadow, or smokey effect. Instead of carrying tons of shadows and brushes for each color, the liners can be a substitute. MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencils are great for this, and at $15 each, they won't make you go over budget!

Want to look older? Didn't think so! Makeup tips to keep you looking young!

While watching the Today Show on NBC this morning, they had a small segment about makeup mistakes that can make you look older than you actually are. Who would want to do that? No one! So let me share some tips with you to make sure you are keeping yourself up-to-date and young (but not too young!)

1. Moisturizing!
How funny! Just last week I wrote a blog about face moisturizing for the winter months! It is a common mistake, but just because your face isn't itchy or feels dry, or even if you think you have too much oil - you MUST MUST MUST hydrate that skin! No matter what you think, without moisturizing your makeup will not go on as smoothly, and your skin will seem to age quicker. Also, many people think of foundation as "makeup". It is actually an additional protective layer for the skin. You don't have to use a heavy foundation to get the skin protection benefits you need. Using a pressed powder over your moisturizer will protect, as well as feel light and natural on the skin. Many powders are made with SPF for added sun protection - which is a must!
I love Estee Lauder's Double Wear Pressed Powder ($32). It glides on smooth and is great for oily and dry skin tones, as long as you are properly cleansed and moisturized first.

 

2. Dark Lip Liner with Light Lipstick is a No-No!

I don't know how many times magazines, and makeup artists and even friends, need to tell people that dark lip liner adds years to your look. Great for Halloween! Not great for everyday! As seen below, Pamela Anderson is one of the Queen's of using dark lip liner and nude lipstick! However the photo on the right as her with just nude lips. Even though they aren't the greatest photos of her, you can see how a subtle change to the lips can change the look.
My favorite combination for nude lips is MAC Whirl lip liner ($14), Hug Me lipstick ($14.50) and Bare Necessity Dazzleglass ($18.50). The photo of Jene Luciani below has her wearing that MAC combination. It's flawless and enhances any look on any skin tone!

3. Using Foundation as Bronzer = Clown Face
Many people think that by purchasing their foundation a shade or two darker, they won't have to apply bronzer, so therefore it will save them a step in the morning. Wrong! If your foundation leaves a visible line where the product ends and your skin begins, it is not the right color, and shouldn't be purchased (see left photo below). Foundation needs to match your skin tone so that you have a canvas for the rest of your makeup. If your base color is off, the rest of your face is going to be off. Say bye to you and hello to clown makeup (see C. Aguilera below). Heavy makeup ages your look, and who wants that? Not me!
Department stores let you sample products before you purchase, so use that to your advantage! It's not a scam to make you spend money (well, maybe alittle), but the company's have samples so you can see how their product feels and works before you purchase it. Some department store lighting is horrible - in that case, put the product on and take a mirror and walk to a window, or door and see how it looks in the natural light. Or, ask the company if you can take a sample home to try, that way you can use the product in your own environment and try it with your own products. Take advantage of what is offered to you so you receive the best results!

*Bonus - Not Cleansing Your Face Properly
I know this is not a makeup tip, however it is a tip, and you should read it carefully! When I was working for MAC, during my orientation, the instructor had said that every time you didn't wash your face before going to sleep, the skin on your face ages 7 days. Seven days??!! That is a crazy fact! If you don't wash your face before bed for a week, your face ages over a month!! Eekk!
Using a cream based cleanser is my favorite kind because it cleanses and hydrates at the same time, leaving your face soft afterwards, not dry and rough. However if the choice is a makeup remover wipe or not cleansing your face, the wipe will do! When it comes to cleansers, I don't feel it's necessary to break the bank. This is the type of product that you can purchase at a drugstore and it will work just as well.
Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser ($10) works extremely well with dry, normal and oily skin tones. Cleansing your face daily helps with breakouts and keeps your skin in tip-top shape! For those days when your about to fall on your face from exhaustion, I love my Oil of Olay Daily Facial Wipes. Just add water to create a creamy facial cloth that will wipe the day away (around $12).
Both available at your local drugstore, Walmart, and Target.

Two Gift Sets that are Great for the Woman Who has Everything! (and yourself!)

Just because its Holiday time, doesn't mean you can't purchase a few gifts for yourself! This is the time of year when "Limited Edition" is slapped all over product packaging! Many of the limited items are very similar to the brand's regular products. However, there are brands that give you a great deal on their products!

Below are two limited editions that everyone should check out:

The Book of Nudes, Laura Mercier ($48)
Available at Sephora, this neutral, but fantastic, palette can be used with any skin tone. Working with the colors to create a natural look, or a smokey eye look, this palette gives you the tools to go with your imagination. It includes lip and cheek colors, which makes it perfect for travel. This is a fantastic deal for yourself and someone else!

Make it Perfect Brush Kit, MAC ($49.50)

Brushes are the key to a perfect makeup application. If you have great brushes, even if you can't apply makeup well, it makes a huge difference in the outcome. So get rid of those icky sponge brushes that come in compact - they carry bacteria - yuck!

I absolutely LOVE my MAC brushes. I have had my same set for over eight years, and they are still going strong! I clean them regularly and keep them in a good environment (not too hot, not humid), which is important. When you spend $20-$50 per brush, you want them to last you as long as possible. MAC brushes do all of that and beyond - which is why this set is on my list today!

Only at Holiday time, does MAC sell a brush set.  Each year they create three separate sets - each including specific essentials for eyes and face.

Below I have shown you the "Essentials" Kit. It includes a face powder brush, a liquid foundation/moisturizer brush, and three eye brushes. Separately these brushes would be around $100. What is also great about their brush sets is that the handles are shortened. Therefore they fit perfectly in the makeup bag that comes with the set (or your own). Nothing beats great brushes; and this set, as well as the other two available, are worth purchasing! 

*I will be posting a few great gift sets every week - so keep checking back for more great deals*