Beauty Tips Tuesday - Nix makeup meltdowns!

Undoubtedly, many of you have already gotten your Spring Cleaning projects well underway. Raking yards, cleaning garages, starting seeds, and preparing flower beds. And I am certain there are a few of you that have already completed the seasonal wardrobe swap of packing away the mittens and scarves and bringing out the umbrellas and rain boots. But have you cleaned out your cosmetics drawer? With the changing of the seasons, I swap out my colors like I do my clothing. I have quite the collection at this point and though most of my eye, face, and cheek colors are loose minerals (so they don't go bad), I do have to sort through my mascaras, lipsticks, and glosses. Here is a link to an article that lets you know when you should replace what.

After tossing out your old stuff you may find that you are in need of some replacements. With the warm weather months just ahead of us, it is a good time to pick up products that are hassle free and resistant to meltdowns. For those of you who find concealer isn't enough and are in need of a summer weight foundation, I highly recommend a tinted moisturizer like Korres Watermelon Lightweight Tinted Moisturizer $28 or Laura Mercier Oil free Tinted Moisturizer $42. Both provide a good amount of coverage and broad spectrum sun protection, (SPF 30 Korres/SPF 20 Mercier. Though Korres is less expensive, it is only offered in 3 shades (but has a higher SPF), where as Mercier comes in 7.


Another great option (and the one I personally use year round), is to go with a mineral foundation like bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation $25, from Bare Escentuals. It is lightweight, naturally water resistant, and provides a physical, non-chemical SPF 15 barrier. Offered in 15 colors, you shouldn't have a problem finding the perfect shade.
Another perk: Since it is basically made of rocks, and rocks don't have the ability to harbor bacteria, you don't have to worry about it going bad. Just make sure to shampoo your brushes regularly.


As I announced last night, I am guest blogging over at We Chirp this week (I'm so excited!), and you can check out today's post "5 Summer Musts to Avoid Make-up Meltdowns!" for more great warm weather recommendations!

Beauty Tips Tuesday - Spring Must Haves!

For today's Beauty Tip I bring to you my top Must Haves for Spring! These versatile accessory pieces can breathe new life into last year's warm weather wardrobe basics, and they won't break the bank!

Denim jackets are a classic and they never go out of style. Chances are you already own one and it is time to dig it out! They are the perfect transitional piece to get you through the cooler days of Spring, and denim is the ultimate neutral that can be worn with just about anything in your closet.
If you have already tossed yours out, or your jacket somehow fell victim to any sort of bedazzled, bejeweled, bead attack, let it now be junk. You can pick yourself up a new one with little impact on your pocket. I like this one from Eddie Bauer for $59.50.

These aviator style sunglasses from ALDO are the perfect accessory at the perfect price! At just $12.00 a pair, it makes keeping up with the trend more affordable then ever!




I love a great scarf! In my opinion they are the ultimate accessory piece because of their versatility. I am never caught without one while traveling! One really great scarf can be used so many different ways; as a cover up at the beach, a blanket on a plane, a shawl when it's chilly, a casual skirt on vacation, a head wrap, a nursing cover, and in a pinch (and if water compatible), a towel. A scarf can also add a serious punch of color and can instantly pull together an outfit. I found these lovely scarves at Nordstrom for $32.50 ea, but scarves can be found just about anywhere in all price ranges. Just take a look around!



A great tote in a vibrant color will not only hold all your Spring essentials, but add a visual punch to your ensemble as well. Like I said before, the right accessories can really update clothes you already own, saving you time/effort and most importantly, money! I love the color of this bag and in my opinion is the perfect size. Not keen on the hue? It comes in many juicy colors and is handmade. It can be purchased at bayan hippo for $32.



After a long drying winter, lips will likely be a bit chapped and in need of hydration. Spring is about renewal and so is this lovely lip treatment by Fresh. Chalked full of antioxidants, reparative oils, and delectable real sugar, this treatment will get your lips back in shape in no time. Not to mention it contains an SPF 15, so that combined with the antioxidants will protect your luscious pout from further damage. Just remember it is a treatment and not a chapstick and reflects that in the price. It costs $22.50, but I feel it is a worthy investment for those struggling with chronic winter dryness!

Beauty Tips Tuesday - Why bake when you can fake?

A sure sign of warmer temps is less clothing and more skin. I have already given you tips on protecting your assets from the damaging rays of the sun, so this week I thought we would talk about the safest ways to say goodbye to those shades of alabaster and hello to the JLo Glow!

So many of you out there are probably aware of the dangers of tanning beds. However, I suspect that many of you also think that if you don't use them often or only use them to get your "base tan" that you will be safe. Wrong on both counts. First of all, the concept of building yourself a "base tan" so that you won't get burned will at best give you a SPF of 4. Which in terms of sun exposure is practically nothing. You might as well be unprotected. Secondly, your skin accumulates damage. So it doesn't matter if you are outside unprotected 5 min here/5 mins there while running errands, or at the beach unprotected for 45. Your skin collects this damage. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that these newer high pressure tanning beds that tout about not "burning" your skin, are seriously misleading. They work by filtering out most of the UVB rays that burn your epidermis (outer layer of skin), but give you a more powerful blast of UVA rays which also burn, but on a much deeper, less detectable level. Burning, as a matter of fact, is our body's way of warning us that we have had too much UV exposure. With out that visible alarm, we may sustain higher levels of damage with out even being aware, and of course this damage is inherently what takes away from our youthful appearance. Loss of elasticity/tone, skin discolorations, wrinkles, and in a rising number of super scary cases, skin cancer.

But why bake when you can fake? Why take the risk if you don't have too? There are plenty of of products that will give you that perfect glow and the technology behind these self tanners is improving every year! With these few tips in your back pocket you will be on your way to a new bronzed beauty you, and far away from looking like this orange Umpa Lumpa.

First things first. You need to prepare your skin. The dry wintry weather has undoubtedly left your skin parched, so I always recommend using an exfoliating scrub to smooth (paying special attention to knees and elbows), and following up with a great moisturizer. I recommend hydrating for a few days before your initial application of self tanner for best results. Need some pointers/recommendations? View my previous post. Smooth, well hydrated skin will give you a more even application and give you less of an opportunity for unsightly streaking.

For lotion/foam/gel applications:

1. Layer! Do not do a heavy application to start. Do a light application and layer to achieve the desired depth of color. (Especially important if you are fair skinned!)

2. If you are very fair or skittish, mix a bit of body moisturizer (in your hand) with your self tanner to dilute it.

3. Apply a very light layer of moisturizer to your knees, ankles, and elbows just prior to application. These areas tend to have dryer/thicker skin and are prone to absorbing more product.

4. Work in small sections and work fast. Divide your body into sections and do one at a time to ensure even coverage. (ie. lower leg, upper leg, lower arm, upper arm etc.) Work quickly so the product doesn't sit in any one area longer then another giving an uneven appearance.

5. Brown hands? Put a layer of sunscreen on them before you start. This will help keep the sunless tanner from absorbing into the skin so quickly. Additionally, I always have a pumice stone by the sink and use it on my palms with warm soapy water.

6. Refrain from or limit the use of self tanners on the face. Unless you are really experienced at self tanning and don't have sensitive skin, I wouldn't. Additionally, many women who exercise proper skin care are most likely using products on their faces that are made to exfoliate. This means that the color on your face will end up fading much faster then that of your body and you will need to reapply daily to keep up. I would just pick up a stellar bronzing powder and use that instead. It will give you a much more natural finish anyway, (unless you are going to be frolicking in the H2O), then I would pick up a sunless product made specifically for the face. Just be warned, as DHA (the active ingredient in sunless tanners) can cause breakouts.

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel ($32)

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Gel ($22)

Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Foam ($10) (Ulta is offering $3.50 off any $10 purchase right now!)

After achieving your perfect tan, make sure to extend the life of it by keeping up with daily applications of body lotion. Also, I recommend using a moisturizer that is advertised to give you "gradual color" in between full color applications. These are basically just lotions that contain small amounts of self tanner. Because they have less, you don't have to be so careful and it will help to maintain your color while keeping you hydrated. WIN WIN!

Beauty Tips Tuesday - Winter skin woes?

Getting winter skin summer ready is something that is probably on every one's mind. We all yearn for that youthful glow but are many times unsure just how to get it. With these simple tips, you can achieve it in no time!

Wake up a winter face by kicking exfoliation up a notch! To uncover healthy skin, you must clear away the dead, dry, wintry stuff. Removing dull cells reveals the new skin underneath, helps keeps pores clear of trapped debris, and makes moisturizers and anti-aging products penetrate your skin better. To help tackle this rougher, tougher skin, you need something strong, like a cosmeceutical strength weekly at-home peel treatment. I like MD Formulations My Personal Peel System, which allows you to effectively whisk away dead skin cells and customize your professional treatments according to your own skin's concerns and changing needs. I however do not recommend it if you have very sensitive skin, and would instead recommend that you use the Sensitive Skin Repair Complex daily (also by MD Formulations).

As I mentioned in a previous post about body care, removing dead skin cells is only the start! Another factor in winter skin is the seasonal dip in the production of natural lipids (skin oils that seal in moisture). A simple way to replenish this loss is with hydrating masks. They are fabulous in helping maintain optimum hydration levels because they contain humectants like urea and sodium hyaluronate that attract moisture as well as occlusive ingredients that seal in moisture, so skin stays dewier longer. I recommend using Perricone MD Hydrating Nutrient Mask or MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Treatment Masque several times a week for the perfect "super-hydration" treatment. Both will sooth and calm the skin while providing vital moisture and potent antioxidants that will rebuild the skin's protective barrier to help defend against environmental damage.

Another way to pump up your hydration levels is by using a facial mist. I personally am never caught without one! I keep travel size bottles in my purse and gym bag that I use throughout the day, have a bottle in my make-up drawer in the bathroom, and keep a bottle in the refrigerator for when it is hot outside.

Moisture mists are so SuperFabulous because they are multi-taskers. Not only do they give you a great shot of hydration anytime of the day, but they also set your make-up, cool and de-stress, have the ability to freshen up your hair, and tame static/flyaways in a pinch. But it doesn't stop there! If you choose one with the right ingredients, it can also help fight off free radicals and environmental stressors. There are of course a lot of really great mists out there, so just keep your eye on the ingredients and look for ones that have oil free hydration, humectants, really light non irritating fragrances or fragrance free (nothing minty or citrusy on the face if you are sensitive), and antioxidants. I recommend Bare Escentuals Rare Minerals Facial Mist, Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist, and MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Spray. You can buy the little travel containers at any major retailer in their travel isle or sometimes they can even be found at the dollar store. I recommend stashing the travel sizes on you everywhere to encourage use. Oh! and they are especially great during travel. Airplanes can be TERRIBLY drying and having a small 3 oz travel bottle in your carry on can prove to be a life saver! I assure you, if you follow these tips, your skin will be glowing in no time!

Next week I tackle Self Tanners and make recommendations on how to get that beautiful Faux Glow!