DIY Sugar Scrub: One ingredient 4 different ways!

Happy Makeup Monday everyone! I thought today would be the perfect day to blog a quick trick of mine that I use all the time! It's fast and easy and can be done a few different ways...it's the easiest way to exfoliate: sugar! So if you're not sure which exfoliating products to buy, stuck away from home without your face and body scrubs, or like the more natural approach, then this is for you!

All you need is...sugar! Well, and a little water too. Mix a few pinches of sugar with a small splash of water and create a paste...then scrub onto your face, body, or lips for silky smooth perfection! Sugar is great for exfoliating. Not only is it obviously granular and works fantastic as a manual scrub, but it's natural properties give you some added benefits! Naturally occurring glycol help with cell turn over...and sugar is also balancing to the skin! Hooray! So easy right?

A few variations:

--add a pinch to a pump of your cleanser for a gentle scrub while you clean your face!

--scrape a little lip balm and mix with sugar for a creamy lip scrub!

--brew some green tea and mix with sugar for even more amazing skin benefits while you scrub!

The video below is an oldie but a goodie! Watch it for more info on the benefits for your skin and a bonus easy step for a DIY face toner!

Cheers to Mondays, Makeup, and Skincare!

Toss That Makeup: How old is too old?

It's so hard, letting go. I swear I am a bit of a hoarder. I have such a hard time getting rid of things! What if I need it?! And without fail, whenever I get rid of something I find a reason soon after why I should have kept it!

One thing though we just cannot justify holding onto too long is cosmetics: you risk your health in doing so! As time goes on the product warps, breaks down, stops working, doesn't go on as smooth...and worst of all, collects bacteria. Eye infections, rashes, breakouts? No thank you! So here's a chart to help you remember when to toss things!

A few more helpful hints:
--Take a small stick on circle and label when you open something if you're probe to forgetting! Slap it on the bottom and that way you'll know.
--If you're unlucky enough to get some sort of infection (like pink eye, a cold sore, et cetera). Do yourself a favor and toss whatever came in contact with it. It's not worth reinfecting yourself.
--A lot of products have a small symbol showing an "open" jar and a number next to it under the ingredients or somewhere on the box. This number indicates the number of months you should keep it after opening it. Follow that number as products shelf life varies depending on ingredients!
--This chart is just a guideline. Where you keep your products, the temperatures they're subjected to, et cetera affect their lifespan.
--If something smells funny or off or just wrong, toss it. Just because you haven't had it too long doesn't mean it hasn't gone bad. Often times expired products smell like crayons or playdough or rancid oil. So take a sniff of what you're using. Any change in texture or smell is not a good sign.
--I really can't think of anything you should keep more than a couple years, so if you're past the 24 month mark stop deliberating and toss it!

Hope this was helpful! Remember, when in doubt toss it! Keeping your skin beautiful, and your face infection free is worth it! Just think of it as an excuse to try something new!

Cheers to Trying, Timing, and Tossing,

Revenge of the Under-Eye!

My biggest annoyance on my face is my under-eye area. I'm always puffy and always super dark under there...I can recall in elementary school someone saying I looked like a raccoon because of my eyes (ouch!).

As I've gotten older I've definitely picked up some tricks to help with this problem. And while I cannot say that these tricks erase them 100% they at least hide them much better and make me feel suitable for public! ;)

Here is my everyday under-eye routine...hopefully it'll help you if this is a problem area for you too! Now, I've included my shades, but every face is different. The steps and types of products will be the same, but the exact shade may vary.

You'll need:
--A depuffing eye serum (I love Clinique's All About Eyes! It REALLY helps! Look for something with caffeine in it.)
--A corrector. This essentially neutralizes the colour under your eye. It's important to neutralize those blueish purple tones/redness etc first instead of just packing on concealer! You'll be able to use less concealer this way and get a more believable bright natural effect. The general rule of thumb is that peach (or pink) will neutralize. The deeper your skin, the deeper the peach you use. Very fair or pale skin will prefer light pinks. (I'm using Revlon's Age Defying click pen in #4)
--A concealer. I'm obsessed with Maybellines FitMe concealer. I use #20 Sand. It's very golden and works perfect for me. Pick something near your skin tone or a shade lighter. Don't go too light though, that will have the opposite effect and bring bad attention to your under-eye area.
--A brightener. This is optional. If you're super dark under-eyes like me, this is necessary. Totally up to you. This will help add that pop to your under-eye and cheek bone area and will "distract" and lighten everything up! (I use Flower's Brightening Concealer in BC2)
--Highlighter. This may be part of your usual routine for eyeshadow already. If not add this step in for an extra pop of light!

1. Yikes! My under-eyes in all their glory! Ha!

2. Apply your peachy (or pinky) corrector

3. After each step of applying more product, use your ring finger (it's the weakest finger, so it's more gentle), and gently pat (don't rub) in the product.

4. Apply concealer in a triangular shape under your eye. You want to bring it a little lower than where your darkness stops.

5. Dab brightener along the "seam" of where your under-eye area ends and bring up your cheek bone to your temples.

6. Dab a highlight (anything vanilla colored and shimmery will do!) in the inner socket of your eye.

7. There you have it! So much better, right?

There is the side by side before and after.  Hope this helps! Give it a shot and let me know!

Cheers to Correcting, Concealing, and Brightening!

MAC Must-Haves: Meet Beck Morgan

Anyone who has had the pleasure the meet Beck Morgan will agree with me on these two things: He is a master at what he does. And he is passionate about what he does. It's impossible to not catch his enthusiasm when you're around him!

Beck is specifically an expert on MAC product having been a MAC educator for over five years, training groups of up to 700 people on the latest trends and how to create a flawless look. He loves giving people the skills to get the exact look they want!

As a MAC Cosmetics artist for the past 10 years, he has worked with clients ranging from new brides to celebrities, "Some of my favorites have been Naima Mora and Caridee English of America's Next Top Model, The Raiderettes, The B52's and Cyndi Lauper!" Beck is sharing his top 7 must-have MAC products with us today, so grab a pen and add these to your weekend shopping list!

    

1. Viva Glam VI Lipglass: A beautiful lipgloss with a bronzy base and raspberry shimmer. It looks fab over any lipstick and has enough color when worn alone.

2. Engraved Powerpoint Eyeliner: This liner won't budge. You can sweat, cry... A bridal must have!

3. Radiant Rose Highlighting Pen: The secret to the Karsashian glow underneath the eyes and to pop the cheekbones that works on everyone.

4. Warm Soul Mineralize Blush: This soft pink and gold blush has the perfect amount of shimmer. Try it, I promise you'll love it!

5. Extended Play Mascara: This is like Lancome Definicils on steroids. At $16.00 you cant beat it for a department store mascara.

6. Natural Radiance Face Primer: It brightens your complection and makes your foundation glide on like silk. One pump massaged into your skin before foundation, and your skin looks fresh all day!

7. Give Me Sun Mineralize Skinfinish Bronzer: Universal non-shimmery Bronzer that's gives a golden (not orange) glow any time of year.

"If there is one part of makeup I love most, it has to be beautiful foundation. I always say 'Skin is who you are, makeup is who you want to be!'"

Well put, Beck!

Cheers to Makeup, MAC, and Beck Morgan,

Making Time for Beauty: The 20 Minute Routine!

It's fun to get dolled up, but let's be honest: thats tiring and unrealistic on a daily basis! My reality is that I love to sleep, and often (always) chooze the snooze button and rarely have more than 30 minutes in the morning. And truthfully, even when I have more time, there are other things I'd rather do. Spending lots of time getting ready is so fun once in a while, but not everyday. Maybe that's just me though? What about you?

 Well, either way...here is my typical morning routine! None of the pics are filtered...this is painful reality blogging here folks! Haha...enjoy!

Wow! Yikes, here I am in my jammies...I'm in LA right now for work and crashed at a friend's house. First thing I do is put on my Clinique All About Eyes serum because I almost always am SUPER puffy! I brush my teeth while I wait for it to absorb. I hate artificial sweetener, in fact it's even hard for me to chew gum (so I rarely do!) because I can taste it in everything...I can't even use normal toothpaste anymore because of the aversion. Weird.

I comb my hair, add dry shampoo if needed. I just washed it last night so this is fresh hair. Part as desired, spray 12 Benefits on it...which I am obsessed with now (thanks Ash!)...makes my poor damaged hair look decent and smells amazing. Today I curled just the ends quickly and dragged my fingers through it for a soft subtle wave.

Today, I'm taking it easy and catching up on blogging and emails...so I am keeping my face super simple. On any other day I'd probably add a layer of foundation on top of the BB Cream and opt for a bright lipstick...I am obsessed with this concealer in the bottom left pic...it's the Maybelline FitMe! So affordable and covers so well! I rarely put anything on my eyes...lashes yes, and I currently have lash extensions with a few individuals on top...I've found that when I focus on complexion, I can do far less on my eyes...when pressed for time, it's always better to spend the time you do have on your complexion...

My new favorite bronzer: NYC SmoothSkin in Sunny...under the cheeks, jawline, neck, and forehead.

Blusher (I used a WetnWild one today and LOVE it)...but I did use Dior's brush to apply it, they still make my favorite shape of cheek brush out there! Filled my brows. Quick tip for a natural brow: I sometimes use a fluffy angles shadow brush. The fluffier the brush, the less amount of product it picks up, so you get a lighter effect! One quick swipe and my brows are very lightly filled without looking sharp! Tinted lipbalm from Flower Cosmetics (Drew barrymore's new line!), skipping the bold lipstick today since I'm not really headed out.

I absolutely adore this initial charm bracelet from Ashleigh! Wedding rings of course and orange studs! I have to have a couple of accessories even though I'm staying in!

Voila! Simple, fast, and easy! I snagged this sweater and top at the PacSun outlet in Pismo on the way down here! They were $6 each! I love the sequined mustache and it says J'adore on it too...how cute!

Ok, so I know I'm not reinventing the wheel here...but I hope this shows you that with a little time, focusing on a few key things can have a big payoff! What's your everyday routine? how long does it take you? Making time for beauty is important, but there's no need for us to pressure ourselves and schedules into thinking we need hours to look good.

Cheers to Makeup, Mustaches, and Making Time For Beauty,