Beauty Specialist

Essie Sugar Daddy – The Perfect Neutral Nail Polish

I regularly paint my nails various shades of nail polish. I love a range of colors, from dark and vampy colors to soft neutral pinks. The reason that I don’t wear a lot of dark colors on my fingernails is that that they chip fast, no matter what I use. I hate seeing chips. So, I use those colors on my toes. Some of my favorites include OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, a purple, reddish, almost black color, and China Glaze Ruby Pumps, a glittery red. For my fingernails, I wear Essie Sugar Daddy, a sheer pink, most of the time. It is the very best neutral nail polish that I’ve ever used.

5 Skin Care Staples I Truly Love!

Oil Of Olay- Cleansing Cloths

You know those commercials where the girls are washing their faces and just splashing the water perfectly from the sink? That doesn't really happen in real life. I think a lot of us actually dread washing our face at night, but we know that the alternative is clogged pores, dirty pillow cases, and breakouts! Notice those girls in the commercials never look like they are wearing any makeup either? A good face wash doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with a good total makeup remover. They are two different worlds. One for dirt/oil and one for makeup. When I came across the cleansing cloths from Oil of Olay, I was impressed with how easy they were. Just get them wet suds it up and wash away all of the above! Maybe these are made for lazy people, but I love using these! The only thing to worry about is keeping the case closed (otherwise they won't get as soapy), and make sure the water is warm enough. This provides a fast alternative to those that just want to take it off before we go to bed. I usually follow up with a real good cleanse in the morning and then a toner. You can almost always find a $1 off coupon for Olay products in your Sunday paper. (Typically cost $4-$6 and last 1-2 months)

Lancome- Bi-Facil

I never could get behind an eye makeup remover that felt oily, especially when I was acne prone. The problem with most non oily makeup removers though is they don't work as well, or they are just flat out still greasy. Bi-Facil smells wonderful, and as soon as I started using it to take off my makeup I finally felt it was time to cross over into something like this. The greasy feeling is actually conditioning your lashes for the night. I always start by taking off my eye makeup and then follow up with my facial cleanse to make sure I get rid of any excess oil on the skin. This formula works perfect, even on waterproof liners and mascaras! One product that I wish the cost was a little less on, but I try and buy when I get the best value. (Gifts, or discount time) (Typical cost $26, lasts about 4-5 months)

Clinique- Dramatically Different Gel/Lotion

I was only introduced to this product over the past year. Clinique is famous for their yellow moisturizer, and sells a bottle about every 3 seconds. It comes in two different formulas, gel and lotion. The gel is great for oily skin, and the lotion is formulated for dryer skin. A lot of people like to wear the gel in the summer and the lotion and winter but it really depends on how you feel it works for you. I never used a moisturizer for more than a week before I met the yellow gel. I have combination, acne prone skin, and the lightweight gel is just refreshing when I put it on every morning. Unlike other moisturizers, you don't have to wait 5 minutes for it to sink in. Your skin instantly drinks this right up! Having a good moisturizer also means that your foundation absorbs and wears better as well. If you have had issues in the past, this may be a great item for you to try! (Typically $23-$25, also available in a smaller travel/trial size for $13) Read more about 5 Skin Care Staples I Truly Love!

5 Makeup Staples I Cannot Go Without

Urban Decay- Primer Potion

Before I knew what an eyelid primer was, I would use stick eyeliner to create a base for my shadows. I had always tried to formulate really colorful shadows with water (Later I found out what mixing medium was.) The more of a base you create for the shadow the longer it lasts. Using primer potion has been a miracle, especially if you have oily eyelids! The biggest complaint I ever heard about the potion was the packaging, there was a lot of wasted product. Urban Decay took the negative rants to heart and re-packaged their magical primer into a squeeze tube. This comes in a few neutral shades now, but I like just the basic. Application is simple, just swipe across the lid, give it a minute to dry and then top with your favorite shadows. You can basically sleep in your shadow and still look the same the next day. (Though I would not recommend it.) Crease free is the way to be! (Typically cost $19 and last at least 6 months!)

Palladio- Pencil Liner

I had tried 20 different pencil liners before I came across one I truly fell in love with. I first saw the Palladio brand at Sally Beauty Supply and decided to give it a shot. The pencil comes already sharpened, and for the first 3-4 uses you will notice nothing spectacular. After it wears a little on the tip, this pencil liner starts to glide on like a liquid. I apply on my water line (which is something some people frown upon) , and the finished look it gives is like having a liquid liner on bottom. When working for Lancome I would get compliments all the time on how it never smudged or budged. I have tried rather expensive liners, waterproof liners, and automatic liners, but none compare to the Palladio. It comes in some really great shades, though I truly love my black. Say goodbye to the days of heating your stick liners with a hair dryer! (Typically cost $3-$6, lasts about 6 months!) Read more about 5 Makeup Staples I Cannot Go Without

A Few Tips to Keep Your Fake Red Hair from Fading

Anyone that dyes their hair red knows that it is a huge pain to keep the color. While all dyed hair does fade a bit, red hair is notorious for fading fast. Red color molecules are larger than other color molecules. That means that they escape from the hair shaft more quickly. Try a few of my tips to keep your red looking vibrant.

The Cost of Foundation

I have not used a drug store brand foundation in over 5 years. I am not saying that good ones don't exist, but sometimes in this case you do get what you pay for. (For the record I am not a makeup snob, I love cosmetics from both high and low ends of the earth.) When you buy a $5-$10 foundation every other month, the cost stacks up. You end up using much more than if you found a match that you really loved. I had a makeover a few years ago at a Lancome counter. My skin was a mess at the time and I sat down and listened to suggestions for skin care. When I left that day I bought some of the products they reviewed with me, but most importantly that day they sent me home with a sample of foundation that changed me. I used the sample and had to have it within a week. I have been in it ever since, and have no plans of changing in the near future. I get funny looks when I tell people that the foundation cost $42, but in all honesty I get 10 months out of it, and would have a hard time finding something similar. Read more about The Cost of Foundation

The Perfect Foundation

"There really is something out there for everyone. It is not worth being unhappy with your skin."

There are some women born with beautiful, even, and flawless skin. I have never been one of those lucky ladies, and for a long time the search for the perfect coverage foundation was a very frustrating experience. I have worn liquid foundation for about 15 years, and though I love my mineral makeup, I could swirl, tap, and buff all day and not get a full coverage look.

So where to start? You truly have to have a little bit of an idea as far as coverage goes, what you would like. When I do makeovers I tend to keep the younger aged girls with good complexion in something sheer and water based, or a nice tinted moisturizer. Younger girls prone to acne I love a good matte foundation with full coverage. Most (not all) matte foundations are oil free. For about 75% of us out here, we don't want an oily foundation! When age starts to come into play we usually move you up into a line for dry skin to help replenish moisture loss and keep you from getting cakey. Most cosmetic lines have a foundation targeted to lift and firm wrinkles throughout the day as well. Somewhere in the middle? Look for a nice moderate coverage balancing foundation. The type of skin you have, is more important than the type of skin you want. Read more about The Perfect Foundation

Tips for Wearing Red Lipstick

Red lipstick can be scary. Many women feel that they can’t wear it but that really isn’t the case. It’s true that it isn’t very forgiving. Red lipstick can draw attention to thin lips and bleed onto your skin and teeth. Those of us with red and ruddy skin tones should probably avoid it. But, other lovely ladies should experiment a bit and will likely find a good match.

Create a Supermodel Glow with Sunless Tanner

Part of the appeal of the supermodel is glowing, even toned skin. Supermodels have a whole slew of staff to make them look gorgeous and give them that glowing skin. While you don’t have the staff at home, it’s still possible to get a lovely glow to your skin. It just takes a bit of preparation, sunless tanner, and body oil.

Get a Fresh, Glowing Face in 5 Minutes!

I know how it goes. You are trying to get out of the house early in the morning, perhaps dropping the kids off at daycare or heading out for a full day at the office. That doesn’t mean that you have to eschew makeup for the day. Instead, fight dull dry skin and put on makeup that makes you look glows and that defines your features without taking much effort.

Tips For Making Your Small Eyes Pop!

Small eyes do not have to feel like a detriment. Sure, doe-eyes beauties are revered in our society. Just remember that smaller eyes can feel exotic and sultry. The issue that arises is that small eyes can sometimes sink into your face. Using the right makeup and techniques can make your small eyes pop without a whole lot of effort.