Our Skin

As an Esthetician I can not stress enough the importance of taking care of your skin!! There are a few things you should do on a daily basis.

1. You must cleanse your face TWICE a day! Every morning and every night. Cleansing in the morning gives you a clean canvas to apply makeup to or allows you to be fresh faced. Cleansing at night gets all the dirt, oils, makeup, & grime off. Going to bed with a clean face is the best way to ensure clear skin. Leaving all those things on your face at night will give them the chance to work their way into your pores and clog them. I personally use a foaming cleanser. There are foaming cleansers, lotions, and an array of different cleansers you can use. I reccomend trying out different ones to find something you and your skin like! Pay extra attention to your skin type (normal, oily, combination, sensitive, & dry), there are cleansers for all skin types.

2. Please use a toner! It is imperative for helping shrink the size of your pores and keep things clean. It also helps to break up some of the oil on your face so it doesn't settle into the pores and clog them. It's also excellent for tightening the skin, making pores shrink, and helping smooth some of those tiny lines. Use that toner girls!!! It'll break up some of the dirt and really help you get the cleanest face you can.

3. Twice a week pamper yourself. As an Esthetician I of couse suggest you get a simple facial once a week. Sometimes that isn't always budget friendly! Luckily there are so many things you can do at home to take care of your skin. Firstly, you can always purchase products at Walgreens, CVS, Ulta or Sephora. Scrubs and masks should be a bi-weekly routine to get the best out of your skin!!!

Secondly, you can always make your own scrubs and masks from products you might already have at home. The most basic ingredients will be olive oil, brown sugar, avacado, oatmeal, and cinnamon. There are tons of websites with recipes.

Just a couple of links to some good recipes:

http://misse.hubpages.com/hub/Head-to-Toe-Skin-Care-Recipes

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/beauty/skin/facials-scrubs/

4. Another VERY important part of your twice daily routine should be moisturizing!!! I can't stress it enough!! After you cleanse and tone your face, always put a nourishing moisturizer on. I also suggest you find one that has an SPF of at least 15 to it. Even if you have makeup on you can still get sun damage during the day. Always moisturize after applying a scrub or mask. Applying a moisturizer will add immensly to the good you do by using a scrub or mask. I also suggest looking into an eye serum to apply at night before bed. Especially where we get those crows feet.

5. Your neck. Always do to your neck what you do to your face. This will ensure the skin on your neck stays supple and youthful. A lot of the time, we forget to give that attention to our neck. But, it will age just like your face, so always take that extra step to do the same routine to your neck!!

You don't have to spend a lot of money on products to maintain healthy skin. Some of the best products can be found in nature and are better for you than some chemicals. I strongly stress the advantage of making your own scrubs and masks!!! All natural is always good!

Let me know what your healthy skin routine is! What products do you use? What products/recipes have you tried that you can't live without?

Love and Long Lashes ;)

Finally!!!!

I swear I didn't forget about the contest! But with the big 3-0, then Christmas, I just decided to wait till this week to post the winners. Now, I tried using one of those online contest pickers. I decided it wasn't worth paying for. So, I did it the old fashioned way: I drew two names from a hat :)

Drum roll please!!!!!

The winners are:

Stacie Blair

Gem Trimble

Congrats ladies!!! Send me your addresses and I'll get them out to you ASAP!!! Thank you for participating! I'm already working on the next giveaway. And, I think it's going to be a good one!

Look tomorrow for my latest post. I'm going to discuss skin care and how important it is!! :)

Thank you again for supporting my little venture!

Just a Quick Note

If there are any products you've been wanting to try, but don't want to spend the money, send me an email telling me what you're interested in. It may be something I've tried already and could share some information about. Or, it could be something I've been wanting to try!

If you have any tips, tricks, or reviews you'd like to share, email me! I'd love to share other women's opinions on anything makeup, hair, nail, beauty related!

I am receiving no compensation from any company I do a product review on. These are all things I've (more like Brian) paid full price for at Sephora, Ulta, Wal-Mart, etc. My opinions are not biased by free product or monetary compensation. So, you can trust you're getting my honest opinion on anything I blog about! Since these are my opinions, they are just opinions! I may review a product and love it, while it's something other people don't care for. I welcome differing opinions so everyone can get honest opinions on any and all products!! So feel free to share with us!! :)

Love & Long Lashes ;)

Giveaway!

Who likes a giveaway? Everyone right?? I figured so ;) If I can get 50 followers on my blog by next Wednesday I will give away something awesome :)

Giveaway #1:

Giveaway #2:

Two cute little palettes that two lucky divas will be recieve as a thank you for supporting my blog!! So, get to sending your friends this way, and on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 I will draw two names from my list of followers!!

This will be the first of many giveaways that I have planned! So stay tuned, help me grow, and I'll make sure you're rewarded!!!

Love & Long Lashes ;)

TOO FACED

Too Faced. How can you not automatically love something called Too Faced? The name alone is fantastic! I've been using Too Faced products for about two or three years now. My favorite thing they make is their eye shadow sets. I currently have three of them: Natural Eye Neutral Eye, Naked Eye Soft & Sexy, & Smoky Eye. Each one is different and full of fabulous shadow colors!!

This is the Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection. It is chock full of beautiful neutral colors that shimmer and will compliment any skin tone/hair color. They're perfect for every day wear, but can also be darkened for night! I love using Silk Teddy to highlight with and on the inside corners of my eyes to brighten them.

This is the Naked Eye Shadow Collection. It happens to be my favorite of the three. Lap Dance is my go to in this box. I LOVE doing a day time smokey eye with it. There are plenty of shades in here to glam you up for anything!

This is the Smokey Eye Shadow Collection. It is positively the most dramatic of the three! I love that it has so many choices on what color smokey eye you can do:purple, blue, brown, black, gray, and any combination of those colors!

The awesomeness doesn't stop at all the gorgeous colors that come in the collections! Some of the kits come with their own eye shadow/liner brush. And, the biggest bonus??? Each collection comes with THREE cards that show you how to achieve THREE different looks!! Step by step!! And, if that's not enough you can access more looks at www.toofaced.com !!!

I've been beyond happy with the texture and longevity of all the shadows. They are high quality and feel wonderful on!

One thing I use that definitely helps with the staying power of the shadows is a must have for your daily routine!! Shadow Insurance Anti Crease Eye Shadow Primer . I received a full size tube of it two years ago, I use it every day and have yet to use it all. It really only takes a tiny bit on the tip of your finger, spread all over eye lid from brow bone to lash line, let set for a few seconds, and BAM!!! Your shadow will stay for days! Literally! Too Faced also produces three other shadow primers:
Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop - it's infused with a yellow undertone that helps reduce redness while helping your eye shadow stick. I just love a two-for-one!!!
Shadow Insurance Candlelight - a must for going out and holidays!! Or just when you want an extra bit of sparkle!! It's the same great formula that shimmers!
Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue - now this is brilliant! This is the BEST way to get those pigment powders, glitter and shimmers to stick without all the messy fallout! Plus it helps enhance the reflective quality of whatever you're wearing! Hello New Year's Eve!!!

All the primers are gentle on your skin and feel great going on. They disappear into your skin and truly prime it for whatever you're putting on top.

Too Faced makes several mascaras. I've only tried one so far: Lash Injection Extreme . I only used the one tube (it was a gift from my honey), but I liked it. Great formula, no harsh smell, thick brush, and lasted all day without any clumping or flaking.

Too Faced gives you several free samples whenever you place an order through their website, and I love this about them! One sample I received was their foundation primer - Primed & Poreless . I used my entire sample and was very impressed with how smooth it went on, how well it worked with any makeup I used it with, and how soft it made my skin feel. They make one with a bronze tint that I'm dying to try!

Be sure to check out their bronzers and blushes. I am not a big fan of them because they contain a lot of shimmer. And, at 30 years old a ton of shimmer is way too much for every day! ;) I love all their packaging and freebies! Be sure to check their website often! They have great sales and tons of give aways with purchases!!

Too Faced has an awesome sale going on now - 25% off everything! Use coupon code 3DAYSALE to get your discount and start shopping!!

Love & Long Lashes!!

Benefit Cosmetics

I discovered Benefit Cosmetics a few years ago via a free sample from a Sephora purchase. Over the years I have tried several of their products and have come to adore several of them.

I love the story behind Benefit. It's about sisters and makeup, and what can be better than playing with makeup with your sister??? It began as a small shop in San Francisco and has evolved into a global company with spots on HSN.

My favorite product is the Play Stick. I currently use the color Paperdolls. I put this on before I put on foundation or powder. It has a nice scent that reminds me of the powder my naturally gorgeous Aunt Dorothy used when I was a child. I just love the texture of it! It's so smooth and soft! I swear it's like putting camouflage velvet on your face! It blends perfectly with your fingers, Beauty Blender, brush, sponge, etc. I've found that it works wonders on those damn dark circles that just appear sometimes. You can achieve anything from a light to full coverage with it.

The newest product I've tried and loved is their Bronzing Powder called Hoola. It comes in the cutest little box with a dainty brush that is perfect for applying the bronzer. My favorite thing about this bronzer is how natural it looks! I am pretty fair in the winter time and just a few sweeps of this on my face gives me a glow that isn't oompa loompaish, but quite lovely! And, the best part?? It doesn't have the shimmer or glitter to it that most bronzers do. It has a matte finish that I have found gives you the most natural sun kissed color. Because, let's face it, most of us DO NOT want to look like Snookie ;) I have also used a large fan brush to lightly apply to my cheeks, chin, & nose. The general rule I use when applying bronzer is to put it wherever you would naturally get a sunburn ;)

The POREfessional is something I've worked into my beauty routine. It is a nice primer that goes on so smooth and sort of helps create a nice canvas for you to apply your makeup to! It has a translucent tan color, but quickly disappears into your skin. It helps to minimize pores as well!

One of the things you will find that I obsess over the most is mascara. I am addicted to it, and will not leave the house without it on. Ever. For any reason. BADgal Lash Mascara quickly became one of my go-to mascaras. I love the big thick brush. I have big/wide eyes and lashes, so this brush is perfect to reach from beginning to end. The formula is nice and combined with the brush it does a fabulous job of lifting and curling those lashes up and out!

Lip gloss. Can you ever have enough of it? If you were to look in my purse you'd know my answer to that! ;) Benefit's Ultra Shine Lip Shine comes in so many pretty colors it's hard to choose just one. So I say get several! My current favorite is Back to the Fuchsia. The formula is a bit thick, so I tend to only put one coat on. It also layers nicely over any lip stain you may have.

I've got my eye on several of the boxed powders and highlighters Benefit produces. I've been so happy with everything else I've purchased! Whether you buy from Benefit, Sephora, or a Benefit retailer in Macy's you will usually get a few samples of their products. The samples are awesome! They're not a one application sample, they are quite large and can be used many times. Try something out and let me know if you love their products as much as I do!!

Love and Long Lashes :)

Beauty Blender

My inaugural post is going to be about a product that I have come to LOVE!!!

The Beauty Blender is part of my daily makeup routine. It is soft and spongy and a fantastic color of hot pink! Aside from being cute it actually has many useful perks:

1. It is hypoallergenic and non disposable-so no worries about being allergic to it. It can be cleaned with the cleanser made by Beauty Blender, OR you can clean it with antibacterial soap (as I do).

2. The Beauty Blender can be used with any kind of makeup:liquid, cream to powder, pressed, mineral, loose...ANY KIND!!

3. The most ingenius thing about it is how you use it. Instead of dragging the sponge across your face,(which weakens elastins in your skin and prompts aging, wrinkles, etc) you dab it on your face.

The first thing you need to do with the Beauty Blender is get it wet and wring it out thoroughly. I am currently using Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundationhttp in Fairly Medium. And, what I do is put a bit of foundation in the lid of it's container. Next, I dab the rounded end of my Beauty

Blender into the foundation. Then, I dab it onto my face, a section at a time. I love that one end is rounded for the bigger parts of your face, and that the other end is pointed so you can get under your eyes and around your nose. Brilliant!!

I usually clean my Beauty Blender once or twice a week. First, get it completely wet. Next, apply about a dime sized amount of antibacterial soap (I usually use something from Bath & Body Works) to both ends of the sponge. I work the soap into the sponge, then thoroughly rinse all the soap out. Some of the pink color will rinse out as you do this, but don't worry. It doesn't affect the sponge or how it works!!

You can't go wrong with the Beauty Blender!! I think my favorite thing about it is that it promotes better skin texture and appearance! The dabbing is SOOOO much better for your skin than the usual dragging motion of other sponges!!! I hope you all enjoy the Beauty Blender, and let me know how you like it!

I purchased mine at Sephora. They have several packages to choose from! Enjoy!!