Note: the pictures of these lovely ladies below are NOT examples of looking old or doing things wrong…in fact they are evidence of the opposite! Plus, let’s be honest, the pictures break up my long winded soap box! Thank you Lydia Photographyfor the amazing shots from our previous photoshoots!

Dear Friend,

You asked for my honest opinion, “Am I looking old? Honestly Jess, tell me. I can take it. I know you’ll tell me the truth!,” you said. So here it is. And listen, regardless of my answer, you should ultimately do what you love…how you feel is what is most important, so if you do something in this list and you love it then be my guest! It’s your right to look haggard err umm I mean everyone is entitled to their wrong opinion—uh What I mean is, more power to ya! And yes friend I know you think I’m a little snarky, but it’s only to emphasis my point and because I would NEVER be this unfiltered with a client…but since we are friends, I know you can handle the truth.

1. Your brows are way too thin. Maybe it’s over plucking, maybe you’re just not particularly hairy, or maybe they’ve thinned with age but they are too thin. It seems counterintuitive but fuller brows actually make your eyes look more lifted! Thin brows overexpose the orbital bone and makes your eyes appear droopy. A fuller brow is an instant face lift, so grab some filler and make them fuller! Or head to an Anastasia counter for some brow rehab–Don’t worry, we can tell the press it was just for “exhaustion.”

2. Your lipstick is too brown or too dark…Honestly women are pretty religious about their lipstick. I get it. That shade is perfect right? You’ve been wearing it for years ya? Well that’s just it, you’ve been wearing it so long you don’t know any other way to view your lips. That doesn’t make it the best shade for you. Dark lips age, period. Sometimes that’s ok if we are going for a vampy look. But for everyday, you should go with something a little more rosy with more life in it! It will brighten your complexion and your smile.

3. You’re still wearing the same mattifying or oily skin formula foundation from years ago. You’d be surprised at how many women when discussing their skin type claim to be oily when what they really mean is, I was labeled as oily in my teens and I never reevaluated that as I got older. Oily skin formulas tend to combat shine, sucking out radiance…which when we were much more oily was great, we had radiance coming out the wazoo! But now, you aren’t anymore. I mean ya, you may still get shiny or even the occasional zit, but you are not the oil slick gal you used to be (thank God right?!). So using those formulas is essentially making your skin look dull and tired. And you don’t need that mega coverage anymore! Something lighter and more radiant is going to make your skin look fabulous! I know I know, it’s a total paradigm shift. It’s the right thing to do though, I promise.

4. You’re not concealing under your eyes. “But I feel like it makes me look wrinkly, or I feel like it settles in my lines.” First, let’s do some hunting to find a good formula that works best for you! Not all concealers are created equally. Second, darkness under your eyes will make you look more old and run down than a few lines ever will. The lines are there whether you care to acknowledge them or not, the darkness doesn’t have to be.

5. You’re not using good skincare. Whether it’s because you think it’s too late, or you’re in denial of it being necessary…you need to pay attention to your skin. If you’re thinking to yourself: should I start using an eye cream? The answer always is: yes you should of started years ago, regardless of how young you are. It’s never too late to give your skin what’s best for it. That’s like not watering a wilting plant…it’s not dead yet, so give it what it needs! And if you’re old enough to question if you should be using reparative creams or nutrient packed serums, then your answer is yes.

So there you have it friend, I’m only telling you this because I love you…and because you asked my advice. I mean, I think you’re fantastic and have great taste (after all, we are friends!). But you know I will always tell you truth when you ask for it, that’s why we are such good friends.

PS- if we really do know each other personally and you saw something on this list and wondered, “Is Jess talking about me??” Yes, yes I am talking about you. Coffee next week?

Cheers to Honesty, Friendship, and Aging Gracefully,

Life can be tough. Circumstances can be shaky. Here is what we are certain of though…

1. Lipstick can cure just about anything.

2. But how we look on the outside does not define us.

3. Everyday is a fresh chance to be a new you. Is the day half gone and its been terrible so far? You can start your day over anytime you choose! I had a teacher in junior high say that all the time and it stuck with me…I use this pearl of wisdom regularly!

4. Knowing how to do something properly is very powerful! And while an expertly executed smoky eye may or may not land you Ryan Gosling, it will boost your confidence and make the day seem brighter!

5. Everyone deserves to have their moment to shine. You may not be a celebrity, but you can feel like one once in a while! (That’s where we step in!)

6. Others actions can affect us, but ultimately your personal choices will be the rudder that steers the ship of your life!

7. You can always count on being able to tag along with us! Beauty Adventures are best shared with a friend…and sometimes a little pretty is the perfect escape!

Cheers to Circumstance, Certainty, and New Chances,

Allow me to introduce you Jenn: world traveler, professional horticulturist, and the genius behind Garden Apothecary. 

Awhile back Jenn sent me the loveliest package of treats. P&P artist Maya was with me when it arrived and we both were over the moon about how everything looked and smelled! What is so great about Garden Apothecary is that all of the amazing products are organic and hand-made in Half Moon Bay, CA.

That evening I rolled on the flower essence oil…smelled so lovely!

The French Green Clay Mud Mask made my skin feel squeaky clean. It comes in powder form, so you just add water. What? You don’t make this face when you do a mud mask?! The hubby said I looked ridiculous…perhaps, but my face was baby-butt smooth after so who cares!

The product I was most enchanted with was the Bath Tea…the bottle looks so good on my counter (I’m such a sucker for packaging!). When I drew myself a bath the aroma of rose was intoxicating!

Jenn is so inspiring! Whether its seeing her craft her beautiful products, taking a peek into her garden, or hearing about her far off adventures…you won’t wanna miss a beat on her blog or Instagram (@gardenapothecary)!

Garden Apothecary has a treat for P&P readers: From now through August you can get $4 off the 4oz. Lavender Face and Body mist (normally $12.50) by using the code “polishandpout” at checkout! And shipping is free on orders $60 or more! Happy shopping everyone!

Cheers to Gardens, Baths, and Organic Goods,

Meet my friend Christi of Christi Reynolds Makeup Artistry! With over 17 years of experience in the beauty industry, she is the definition of a pro! Her skill and expertise have helped me both personally and professionally…in fact, Christi is the makeup artist I hired to do my makeup for my wedding 6 years ago! (See! EVERYONE needs to hire a professional makeup artist for their big day!)

I love Christi’s style of artistry…with a focus on complexion and a fresh aesthetic, her artistry really lets the person shine! I’m so thrilled she is sharing some of her must-have products with all of us! Here we go…

1. Elf eyelid primer: “This sheer formula doesn’t interfere with the color or texture of your shadows…use it and nothing will budge!

2. Benefit’s High Beam and Benetint: “I love to mix them together! Looks good on every skin tone and gives a natural healthy flush. Instant red carpet glow!”

3. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish: “I love this powders beautiful coverage, it’s not too much, and provides subtle luminosity! Great for setting foundation.”

4. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm: “Love it! I reach for this when I know that my skin needs that wide awake, fresh, just had a facial look! Instantly snaps my skin back from looking dehydrated.”

5. Lingering MAC brow pencil: “This is super precise so you can mimic the natural shape of the brow hairs.”

Christi sums up her beauty philosophy well,”I like to make-up, not make over. I like to correct, define, and enhance…enhance…not create! There’s a difference.”

So Cheers to Correcting, Defining, and Enhancing,

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!

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,

Skin care is by far the most important thing when it comes to beauty. Someone once told me that makeup is who you want to be, but skin care is who you are. As of late the trend is for skin to actually look like skin…and while foundation does wonders, doesn’t it make more sense to invest the time, money, and care into your complexion? You only have one face!

Honestly, my skin care routine changes depending on the season, what’s given to me, and what my budget is…but here are the things I’ve been using over the last 3-4 months. I should note that all of these products have lasted me a minimum of 3-4 months, some even as long as a year goes by before its time to replenish!

1. La Mer The Eye Balm Intense: $165 of pure decadence. My eyes feel so smooth and moisturized with this! Tackles puffiness, lines, wrinkles, and clarity.It’s like gold (and is priced like it too!) so I only use it at night…I only have about 3 more nights left of this. Yikes!

2. Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Fluid: $150 Has SPF 15 and a great lightweight texture. Moisturizing and reparative. I use this during the day under my foundation.

3. Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream: $46 This is my daytime eye cream. The perfect level of hydration without messing with my concealer.

4. Ahava Essential Day Moisturizer: $39 Says its for normal to dry skin. I’m oily though and this feels rich to me, so I use it at night.

5.Clean and Clear Antibacterial Face Wash: $4 Gives me that squeaky clean feeling I love and kills all the nasty breakout causing yuck on my face.

6. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock: $12 Want to stave off wrinkles and pigmentation? Then be religious about using sun protection! Almost all signs of aging are due to environmental damage…remember that!!

7. Clinique All About Eyes Serum: $28 Eye puffiness is the bane of my existence. This rollerball of cool soothing depuffing goodness is my lifeline!

8. Facial Wipes: $1 I get these at the Dollar Store! They have basic ingredients and help remove my makeup so that my face wash and other skin care really gets to do its job!

9. ELF Zit Zapper: $1 Every morning and night any blemishes or pores that give me trouble get a dose of this! Salicylic acid and tea tree oil dry out and soothe the problem spots! There are a lot of more expensive blemish treatments out there, skip them! This has the same active ingredients.

10. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: $50 Mix this rice based powder with a little water to make a paste or add to your facewash for gentle exfoliating action! I keep mine in the shower. This product has totally changed my skin I love it!

What skin care are you crazy about right now?

Cheers to Skin that Looks Good, Feels Good, and IS GOOD!

Before I share this story I have to say thank you so much to the photog Kolby Schnelli, the model Amanda (who somehow manages to show hard emotions while still looking gorgeous), and Ashley of course for doing hair. These pictures tell a story, a story that’s been in my head for a long time. It’s so amazing to see it come to life finally.

My life has a lot of “pretty” in it. But I would be lying if I said it was all lipstick, nail polish and fashionable clothing…and there is a difference between “pretty” and “beauty.”

So I’d like to use these pictures to tell a story. It is a story of pain. Not all times in life are pretty or easy to stomach. And I think it’s healthy to acknowledge those times too…

We all experience pain. Whether it’s loss, physical ailment, or emotional hurt…

And no one’s pain diminishes someone else’s just because it may differ in intensity or situation…

It is ok to feel pain, to acknowledge our situation for what it is, and to live through the pain…

We cannot always control our circumstances. But what we do with our pain is the true test…

I had the privilege recently of doing prom makeup for a couple of young girls. It was different from my usual prom gigs though, in that these girls were victims of sex trafficking. They are currently at an undisclosed safe house where they are “able to heal” as one girl put it.

As one of them was admiring her reflection in the mirror when we finished makeup she said, “I’m so excited for tonight!! I’m going to wear high-heels! I haven’t worn heels in a long time. I mean, I wore them before, when I was on the streets. But this time it’s different, this time…it’s like…redemption.”

If that isn’t beauty I don’t know what is.

Cheers to Feeling Pain, Time to Heal, and most of all to Redemption,

So now that we’ve kicked those bad beauty habits last week we can move on to adding in some other good habits right?

Beauty encompasses many things: it’s not just the makeup you wear or how your hair is styled…things like lifestyle, attitude, personality, and a kind heart are other things that make up someone’s beauty.  Heidi is definitely someone I think about who is not only beautiful, but leads a beautiful life…I thought we all could benefit from taking a peek into her routine and grabbing some tips from her!

Profession: So, technically, I am mostly a “stay at home mom” to my three little boys.That is what I spend MOST of my time doing. My “other job” is a Fitness Trainer/Instructor.

How long have you been doing this: The mom gig is fairly recent….been at it now for 4 and a half years. 🙂 I have been working in fitness, either as a personal trainer, group exercise director, or instructor for 18 years. I actually had to do the math on that!!! It has been a LONG time. I feel old.

Education: I majored in Nutritional Science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I decided to study Nutrition after having so many personal training clients that really just needed help with their diets, not their exercise. The food is the harder issue for most people.

It takes me______about two___ minutes to get ready in the morning

My beauty mantra/philosophy/words to live by: Less is more

Best change someone can make to better their health: This is a hard one, because I would have to know what they are doing before I could suggest the best change for them…..BUT a general improvement is to get at LEAST 30 minutes of good, heart pumping exercise a minimum of 5 days a week. If you are already doing that, make a very simple goal of eating 5 servings of fruits/vegetables a day (french fries don’t count). It sounds simple, but many people DO NOT do it. 🙁

Any other health advice? Find a well-rounded exercise routine that you ENJOY. If you don’t like it, you won’t do it. There are SO, SO many ways to exercise, it is silly to force yourself to do something you hate. If you like it, you will do it. If you do it, you will get results. Putting forth effort to exercise is easy. It is putting forth sustained, consistent effort that is hard. So finding something that is fun makes it way easier. 🙂

Want to work out with Heidi? She works at TruFitness! It is in Roseville, CA: www.Trufitness.com

Cheers to Fitness, to a Less-is-More Attitude, and to Leading a Beautiful Life,