In with the NEW

Hello hello...

Step one in my beauty regimen has always been a light layer of bronzing gelee. For the past 3 years I have been a daily user of Benefit's "Talk to the Tan," which I have shared with you all on blog posts past. I ran out of the product recently, but when I went to Sephora to get some more, I was told that they have DISCONTINUED IT!! I started searching for a similar product and luckily have found something that I love! It's Guerlain's Terracotta Bronzing Brush. I am really particular about what I put on my face and there were specific characteristics about this product that make it such a great substitute...

The medium is a light gel that doesn't clog your pores or feel "heavy" on your face

There is NO glitter in the product

It comes off with face wash (not a layering self-tanner)

Also, it is packaged in a tube with a brush on the end- you can directly apply the bronzer without worrying about stained fingers!

It dries immediately, so it's great for the beauties who like to dust a powder, blush, etc. on top. You can order it online or buy it in Sephora. Try this stuff out and please let me know what you think! Happy Bronzing ;)

The Makeup Master

Happy Friday Everyone!

3 years ago I started working in a little boutique in Atlanta, Ga called "BethAnn's." It is an image boutique that carries everything from wild accessories to classic staple pieces...jewelry, handbags, belts, wraps and the list goes on. I had always been a fan of the boutique and BethAnn (think Meryl Streep meets fairy godmother), but became determined to work there because she also started her own makeup line.

The line is called "BethAnn" and although I am partial to the stuff- it is seriously some of the best product I have ever put on my face. Whenever I am using her bronzing powder regularly, I have found that it not only gives me great, natural color but also repairs blemishes! Once you know a little bit about the sage herself, you know why her products are so incredible. BethAnn was a model in the 1970's as well as an image consultant. She established her own line of cosmetics in 1980 and has been a makeup artist with her product since.

If you're from the Atlanta area I am sure you have heard of her name and talent...she has worked with many-a-face. Her style is very real and natural, and she applies her talent with the belief that wearing makeup is about personality. For her appointments, she insists that one come wearing a white blouse and a clean face. She likes to spend time talking and getting to know her clientele (usually with a glass of wine too ;) and then she will start the application. It is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in spa ambiance for glamorous results. I personally believe that because of her method and talent, BethAnn's clients always leave her studio with a fresh face of makeup high lighting their natural beauty and glow of personality.

Her makeup studio is a separate room inside of her boutique and all of her product can be found here too! You can check out her website for pictures of the store and inventory (www.bethannstyle.com), follow her blog for styling advice and makeup tips (www.bethannstyle.blogspot.com), or search for her page on FaceBook. I am currently back at the store, working for the summer and our next big project is a YouTube channel where we can post tutorial videos and interviews with the guru! If you are living in Atlanta, please come check out her store (47 Irby Ave. Atlanta, Ga 30305)... I promise you will be intrigued!


She did Hyatt's, my youngest sister, makeup for her prom. What a beaute!

Keeping Clean

One of the most important things to know about makeup is that you have to keep clean brushes. These are the tools that carry product from the container to our face, so whatever is on them, is going on your face. It is much harder to maintain a healthy, clean complexion if you are applying makeup to your face with a dirty brush. Also, the actual product will not go on as well if it's being applied from a dirty brush (old product makes brush hair clump, colored makeup does not go on true to shade when sitting with old product, etc..). Think about using a paint brush over and over again, without washing it, on a blank canvas! You get the point... There are so many different tips for cleaning brushes and there are tons of different products available. I have just recently tried Bobbi Brown's Brush Cleaning Spray, but was not a huge fan. It did in fact remove old product, but the formula was kind of greasy and it was expensive. The guru does have another "conditioning brush cleaner," which I have not tried... have any of you? Trish McEvoy makes a GREAT product called "Brush Bath" which works the exact same way as shampoo. Lather the product in the hairs, rinse it under luke warm (NOT HOT!!!!) water until it runs clear, and then lay them out to dry. Most of the designer products available for brush cleaning are great at removing product as well as maintaining the health of the actual hairs BUT most of these are expensive.

There are several great ways to clean your brushes at home that will give you the same results for much less. Baby shampoo is a great alternative because it is gentle and not abrasive. Dawn dish washing soap is also a great cleaner because it is a disinfectant and will not only remove all product but also harmful bacterias and germs. Fellow cosmetic junkie, Michelle Phan, suggests using a combination of Dawn soap and E.V. olive oil to clean the brushes. (Dawn cleans+disinfects hair while the e.v.o.o. conditions the hair leaving them soft). I have tried this method, and it is now my cleaner of choice! Also, make sure that when you are using your brushes, do not grab them by the hair... this will transfer any oils, dirt, bacteria, germs, etc. from your fingers->brushes->face!

**The most important thing to note when cleaning your brushes is that you allow them to dry upside down, with the hair of the brush pointing downward. It is so important to dry your brushes upside down because if the water runs back into the brush handle it will loosen the glue holding the bristles in place and also cause a wooden handle to swell over time. The best way to do this is by using "The Brush Guard." It's an expandable tube that slides down the handle of your makeup brush, over the bristles, holding them in their original form while they dry. Once you apply The Brush Guard to each of your brushes, you can put them in a glass, upside down, to dry and gravity will make the moisture run from the brushes into the glass, leaving you with clean, good-as-new tools!

Hello Hello Again

Hello! Summer is finally here, and it's so HOTTTT! With all of the heat and sunshine- PLEASE remember to keep your face clean, moisturized (use something lighter for the summer to avoid clogging your pores with heavy product and sweat) and PROTECTED!! Either choose a moisturizer with SPF protection or apply a separate facial sunscreen on top of your moisturizer. My mom did some research and has found an incredible sunscreen product called All Terrain AquaSport Sunscreen, which you can order online. It has SPF 30 and is very water+sweat resistant!

Just recently, I took a trip to the beach and unfortunately got a little toooo much sun. My face naturally has freckles, but I noticed that after a week in the Caribbean sun, they darkened. So, I have just started using Clinique's Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Correcter. THIS PRODUCT IS AWESOME! It's a serum, and I apply to my cheeks both morning and night after I wash my face. After only 3 days of use, I have noticed a remarkable difference in my skin. All of my freckles have started to lighten and my "sun spot" is starting to disappear. The product is supposed to be used over a 12-week regimen, so I'll be sure to keep you all posted on the progress!

I am certainly hooked on Clinique's new spot reducing product, but my best advice is to protect your skin from harmful rays and avoid burning, sunspots, and wrinkles all together!

Look, I'm Blushing!

Hello Lovelies! I hope everyone is enjoying the warm spring weather and a post spring break TAN!! I think that blush is one of the most important components of face makeup, so I decided that I should share a little info about the process...

First, when choosing a blush, a good rule of thumb is to pick a tone that matches the color of your cheeks after you exercise. This will be natural and give your face a nice pop of color. Swirl a clean blush brush in the compact and tap the handle against your wrist to shake off excess product. Smile, and start applying the color to the apples of your cheeks, then suck in your cheeks (make a fish face) and make brush strokes, spreading the blush up the cheek bone towards your temples. Go back over the blush line, making small, quick strokes downward to blend the product and avoid that 80's cheek-stripe look. Make sure that the brightest spot of color is on the apples of your cheeks.

After applying my blush color, I use a second brush with Lancome's blush in Miel Glace, which is a light, high-lighting color with a slight shimmer. I apply just one little swipe to each temple. This will help to brighten up your face! Also, if I am at the beach and have a lot of natural color on my face- I will only dust some of the high lighter color on my cheeks and temples to really enhance the natural glow.

Make sure that any liquid products you are using (moisturizer, self-tanner, foundation, etc.) are dry before you apply your blush, or any other powder medium, to prevent streaking or uneven application!

Happy Blushing and Enjoy!

A PERSONAL FAV

Spring Break is just around the corner and I've been trying to get in shape for it! But trying to squeeze in a good workout anywhere my schedule will allow doesn't always leave me with enough time to go home and shower/change before running errands, heading to a class, etc...

Having said that, LANCOME'S EAU FRAICHE DOUCEUR has recently jumped to the top of my "beauty-favorites" list. This stuff is incredible! It's a cleansing water that comes in a pump (so no leaking) and it smells INCREDIBLE. I pump the product onto a cotton ball and wipe my face/neck/chest area, throw on a clean t-shirt and I am good to go (I promise I shower when I do go home :)). It is super fresh and light so it does not leave you feeling sticky or oily like many "cleansing products" do. Also, this product is great if you live in an urban or hot environment where you're often exposed to pore-clogging elements (I'm even going to bring mine to the beach!) It is easy to carry and can be used throughout the day.

*Always remember to apply your moisturizer + SPF after you clean your face.

Give this stuff and try and let me know what you think!

A Quick Question?

Hello Pretties!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week and trying to stay warm AND pretty in the cold! I had a couple of questions about different products and wanted to know if anyone had tried them... I was in Nordstrom's over the weekend, perusing the cosmetic counters and noticed Chanel's liquid eyeshadows! At first glance, I thought they were nail polish colors but, indeed, they were not. Have any of you seen/tested this peculiar little product?

Admittedly she's a guilty pleasure, but I really am DYING to sniff out Kim Kardashian's new perfume?!?! I'm intrigued to see what the vixen has put together and regardless of their outrageous tv personalities- ALL three sisters are trend setters in the world of cosmetics. Also, I'm personally in the market for a new scent- any suggestions? I have been wearing Narciso Rodriguez for her but I'm up for something new! I don't care too much for anything powdery or toooo floral. I like more of a musk/cologne -esque scent.

Finally, I just recently saw Neutrogena's commercial with Gabrielle Union for a new product. It's a spot reducing skin cream. I have a freckle spot on my cheek that I've had for a while and I'm anxious to see if this would help it fade... Have any of you tested this product?

I'll be out with a good "how-to" post soon but just wanted to put out some beauty food for thought! PLEASE comment with feedback/suggestions and as always... ENJOY!