My favorite BB Cream

You. Guys. 

I know what you're going to say. You're like, "Hey! Why the radio silence?" My apologies, friends, it's been a bit of a crazy summer.

Anyhoodles... I recently came across theee best BB cream and had to share my findings with you. It's a bit pricey, but I used a .33 oz sample for two months and still have a bit left. So it's worth the investment. (Plus, it comes in two sizes, so you can try it out without having to create a large divot in your wallet.) 

It's called Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm (I dare you to say it three times quickly) and it has changed my life. It provides fabulous coverage without weighing your skin down. It's not quite dewy, but it's definitely not matte, so it's perfect for the summer. I add a bit of my favorite concealer, and I'm good to go. 

I dare you not to love it. 

DIY Statement Eyebrows

You've seen them everywhere... statement eyebrows that give 1980s Brooke Shields a run for her money. Sure, they're a bit more groomed and a bit more streamlines this time around, but thicker brows are back and here to stay for at least a little while. 

If you want to bolster your brows, without going to the expense of trying to regrow them, I've included my DIY statement eyebrow formula below. 

brow comb || angled brow brush || eyebrow kit || clear brow gel

First, you're going to want to purchase the proper tools. I used this brow comb (the metal teeth are fabulous for detangling lashes, though that is a post for another day) and an angled brow brush, like this one. 

Next, you're going to want to purchase a gel eyebrow kit (I use this one from Target that is $3... seriously $3), because the thicker material helps you to build a thicker brow. To set your brow, invest in a good brow gel. I would recommend using a clear formula unless you have really light eyebrows that you're looking to darken. 

Start by combing out your brows. Dip your angled brow brush in the eyebrow kit and begin filling in your brows. Use swift, even strokes to ensure that the product goes on smoothly and doesn't look drawn on. Work with the existing shape of your eyebrows for the most natural effect. (The point is to amplify, not defy!) Once you've achieved your desired thickness, gently comb through your brows with the clear brow gel to set them. The last step is to comb through your lashes a final time with your brow comb to ensure that the gel is incorporated into your brows. Use the product in your eyebrow kit to touch up any holes and you're good to go! 

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

I'm always on the lookout for beauty products that are effective, yet affordable. Consequently, I was thrilled to discover this amazing mud mask at my local Whole Foods store for about $8. (Thank you sister for the recommendation.) While there, I also procured some raw apple cider vinegar, and then I was ready to get started. (Once I got home, that is.) 

In a glass jar, I mixed two tablespoons of the mask powder and two tablespoons of the vinegar. (Don't use anything metal. You've been warned.) I spread the mask about 1/4" thick all over my face (excepting my eye area, eyebrows and mouth, of course) and waited for the amazingness to happen. 

You. Guys.

I love this mask.  

I'll spare you the selfies of me wearing said mask, but after 20 minutes (15 if you have super sensitive skin) my skin felt amazing. I try to apply it 2-3 times a week, but that is because I have acne issues. If your skin is already pretty clear, once a week will do just fine.

Expect a little bit of redness and a lot bit of fabulousness, and thank me in the morning. ;)

My new favorite body lotion...

is this. 

It's creamy and moisturizing without being greasy. My oft-times parched skin has never felt better. And a little goes a long way, which makes the elevated price tag easier to accommodate. 

If you have dry skin and are in search of the best body lotion ever, you should buy this. 

Today. 

Seriously. 

You're welcome. :) 

From the archives: Eyeshadow 101

Happy Monday, all! Today, I'm focusing on a series that I wrote awhile back called "Eyeshadow 101." (Because who doesn't need a little eyeshadow refresher every so often?)

"Eyeshadow 101" is a four-part series that hones in on the best eyeshadow shades for each eye color, and how to create great "every day eye" and "dramatic eye" looks. I also provide my favorite eyeshadow options. Click on the links below to read the original posts. 

Part One (Brown eyes)

Part Two (Green/Hazel eyes)

Part Three (Blue eyes)

Part Four (Grey eyes) 

(Whew, I used the word "eyeshadow" a lot in two paragraphs. Yay for me?)

DIY Tinted Moisturizer

I'm really fickle when it comes to my foundation. Mainly because, while my temperamental skin usually needs more coverage, I hate wearing a lot of makeup. Thus, I've dabbled in the tinted moisturizer market from time-to-time (my all-time favorite is this) but often find that I'm not getting the coverage I need. 

So I decided to take matters into my own hands. Literally.

I started creating my own foundation formulations with what I already had at home, and what I really love is that I can customize my coverage depending on the status of my skin... without having to buy more products. 

I started with my powder foundation. Since my skin is on the dry side, I created a one-part powder to two-parts moisturizer combination that I really love. Remember that when using a powder, you're always going to want to use a higher volume of moisturizer. Unless your skin is on the oily side, in which case, you might be fine with a one-to-one ratio. I always make sure that I use a foundation and/or moisturizer with SPF for obvious reasons. Since the powder foundation I use has SPF (try this brand to save some major dollars), I pair it with a richer moisturizer with no SPF (that way I can use the same moisturizer at night and save some money). 

After I made the reticent leap to full-blown liquid foundation, I found that mixing it with some moisturizer didn't compromise the coverage, but actually aided the foundation in being a bit more "breathable." I usually mix one-part liquid foundation to 1.5-parts moisturizer, but I'll play with the ratio depending on the day. Since the foundation I use does not contain SPF, I've paired it with a moisturizer that does. 

1 || 2 || 3 || 4

I've yet to find a money tree, so if I splurge on my foundation, I try to save on the moisturizer and vice versa. Don't be afraid to experiment... I find that's half the fun. Happy formulating! 

Mother's Day Gift Guide: The Health/Beauty Lover

Mother's Day is fast-approaching. (Or, as I'd like to reclaim it, Women's Day. Since it's my blog and I can.) This week, I'm creating five gift guides for the mother/wife/sister/nanny/friend in your life, all of which tie into my standard weekly posting topics. 

Up first, a guide for the health and beauty lover: 

1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8

Primers: A Primer

I have always had an on-again/off-again relationship with acne. Which, to my dismay, got really nasty (and deeply cystic) during my pregnancy. Add that to the fact that I'm in the waning year years of my twenties, and I have discovered that I have quite a bit of scarring on my face. (I don't really like to talk about it.)

Enter primers.

I have always been a bit skeptical about the effectiveness of primers, mainly because I don't like to wear a lot of foundation. Plus, it's just more money to spend on "un-fun" makeup. Well... that was then. Now, I've discovered that the right primer can be the difference between uneven skin texture and tone and a more fabulous, not to mention flawless, face. Plus, a primer helps keep the rest of your makeup in place. (Which comes in handy around the 3:00-4:00 makeup horror hour. You know what I'm talking about.) 

In my opinion, Smashbox wins for the best products in the business. I mean, I would bathe in the stuff if I could. Stila also has a great color-correcting product that would work well if you're looking to lighten up some spots but don't have a lot of scarring. Admittedly, both brands can be a bit pricey (though are pretty reasonable given their effectiveness), so I've included my two favorite drugstore options. Use this if you need more coverage (like me) and this if you want to add a subtle glow. 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Makeup questions? Contact me here. 

Cleanse, tone and moisturize... a throwback post

Happy Monday, lovelies. In thinking about today's Makeup Monday post, I wanted to direct you all to a post I wrote a few years ago about the importance of cleansing, toning and moisturizing your face. It's the perfect precursor to next week's post, where I discuss my current fascination with primers. 

I know there are probably a few of you that can get away with murder, and not wash your face every night, but the older I get, the more and more I am convinced that this ritual is integral. 

Read all about my philosophy here. (Product recommendations included!)

**Note: I no longer use the Proactiv Solution kit, and will delve into some of my current acne-fighting products in future posts.**

An ode to my favorite Eaus

I tend to associate periods of my life with the fragrances I wore. In junior high, I am slightly abashed to admit that it was Tommy Girl... in high school, it was all about RALPH by Ralph Lauren. (You know you remember that lovely blue bottle.) In college, I experimented with scents from (cough) Abercrombie and Fitch, but mostly relied on the subtly of lotion or hair products that smelled nice. Like this and this. I mean hey, it was the 2000s. 

The past few years I've been acquiring a few more "adult" fragrances that I can see wearing for awhile. Though admittedly, I should be a bit more current in fragrantal (yes, I just coined this term -- I'm sure it will be found in the dictionary soon) offerings, here are a few of my current(ish) favorites: 

(Psst... if you want to find your favorite fragrance for less, try Amazon. I've always seemed to find the best deals there. Plus, you get it in two days if you're signed up for Prime. Bam!) 

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Makeup on the go

I don't know about you, but it seems like the only moments I need to retouch my makeup are precisely those moments when I realize I've forgotten to throw said makeup into my purse, diaper bag or laptop case.  

I've been that girl who found out I had a last minute meeting with an important client, only to realize that the zit I had thought was sufficiently covered had met it's 3 p.m. makeup-fading demise. (And just so we're clear, cystic acne is no one's best friend.) I've also been that girl who told her then-boyfriend (now husband) to pick her up a half an hour later than planned because I had to "work late" because my face was in desperate need of a makeup intervention.  

My solution? Carry the essentials with you at all times.

My problem used to be that I wanted to take my entire makeup bag with me, which oft times isn't very practical. So I found a small, inexpensive makeup bag that I knew would be unobtrusive in my purse, and filled it with some essentials.

1. Hair Ties - In case of a rainstorm, a bad hair day or just because you're in the mood to switch things up a bit, it's always a good idea to have a quick hair solution.  I like these because they add a little flair, and they're easier on your hair than a typical elastic band. I also like to have a few bobby pins on hand, just in case. 

2. Pressed Powder - A good pressed powder is an integral part of keeping your makeup looking fresh throughout the day. I like this option because, even those it's a bit spendy, a little bit goes a long way. It's perfect to blot out a bit of excess oil in the t-zone, or to set a bit of concealer. 

3. Facial Moisturizer - I have really dry skin, so I like to have a moisturizer on hand at all times that will combat any potential dryness. I love this brand, because it manages to achieve intense hydration without a greasy finish. When need, I can even blot it lightly over my existing makeup for just a hint of a dewy finish.

4. Mascara - A good one (especially at a decent price) is hard to find, which is why I'm currently enthralled with Buxom. It provides me with the volume I love, and doesn't smudge. At all. Amazing.

5. Multi-Purpose Makeup Stick - I love the versatility of The Multiple because I can use it as a blush and as a lip color. And it lasts for a loooong time. (My current favorite is G-spot, which whilst typing it felt a bit awkward, but hey, I didn't make up the name.)

6. Concealer - A must, really. I like this formula because it provides great coverage without being cakey. A little goes a long way.

7. Eye Shadow Duo - In the event that you end up going to an event (see what I did there?) that requires you to amp up your day look, make sure you have a neutral eye shadow duo in your to-go makeup arsenal. Mine consists of a darker brown shade with a hint of luster (that I can also use for my brows in a pinch) and a lighter complimentary color (that can also be used --sparingly-- as a highlighter). Look for a palette that enhances your natural features that is universal enough to go with most ensembles. 

8. Lip Treatment - I find that the use of lipstick (or The Multiple) can be a bit drying, so I always make sure that I have a hydrating lip treatment handy. It's either this (which adds a hint of color) or this, which I'll wear plain or layer with color if I want more of a statement lip. 

7. Travel Size Makeup Brushes - I always include a blush/powder brush and an eyeliner/eyebrow brush, but you should choose the brushes that you use the most. Look for travel sets, so that the brushes will be less obtrusive (and less expensive). I got mine years ago from MAC, and they have served me well. If you don't want to spend as much, try this brand from Target. 

Striped makeup bag: Target (no longer available) // Hair ties: Anthropologie // Powder: Laura Mercier // Moisturizer: Philosophy // Mascara: Buxom // Multi-purpose makeup stick: NARS // Concealer: Smashbox // Eye shadow duo: Stila (no longer available) // Lip treatment: Fresh // Travel size makeup brushes: MAC (no longer available) 

The key is to pare down your typical beauty routine to the essentials. If you have fabulous, clear skin, you might forgo the concealer and just have the powder on hand. If your skin is more oily, skip the lotion and include oil absorbing sheets. If you're not into eyeshadow, but love a great cat eye, incorporate a liquid liner instead. You get the idea. The less bulky the item, the better.

Do you have any makeup questions that you'd like addressed? If so, contact me here.