Thursday, December 29, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with: Gratitude, Forward Movement and 2011



As the new year approaches we start evaluating and re-assessing . . .I can honestly say that I don't see any loose ends from 2011, ony an amazing platform from which 2012 will spring. All I see is growth, adventure & love. Okay, I also see six pack abs this year. . . but I digress. ; )
New Year's resolutions aren't the only time of year I get motivated or inspired. I would like to think of myself as a perpetually inspired individual, and I realize I have a routine for "goal setting and getting", as I like to call it, all year long.

Sarah is smitten with steps to goal setting and getting:
1) Dream on
2) Hang on to positivity
3) Forward movement
4) Reaching beyond the goal


Imagery: I have a wild imagination and let it run. Surrounding myself with images of what I'm aiming for and what I want sets my brain on "GO". It's go time.

Path: I write down what I already have & am grateful for, what I want to add to that, and how I will make my wants become a reality. To me it's simply not enough to want something. I have to take action and know what resources I have to get there, because I believe a goal without a plan is nothing more than a wish. Asking myself,  "What can I do TODAY to get one step closer?" gets me there.

Believe: I believe 100% that I am reaching my goal. There are no "what if's" or "I wish" or "if only's" or "I will try's". I can and I do. Like Yoda once said "No, try not. Do or do not. There is no try."


Looking back on this year I only feel grateful for the inspiration, creativity, support & love that created such awesometasticness. I'm so unbelievably grateful for my many blessings from God. My family, my friends, my clients, and most of all, my fiance, Daniel.


Signing off on the last post of 2011. Cheers to a New Year, y'all. It will be BEAUTIFUL!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Larger than life locks are on the horizon. Hallelujah to THAT!

I'm always on the prowl for the latest and greatest volumizing hair products to give me the uber full, perfectly imperfect hair of my dreams. Until now, most volume promising products have left me wanting more. So we broke up. Over and over again this happened. Until, suddenly: [enter stage left] Aquage Uplifting Foam.  By no means new on the market, but new to me, this turns out to be the new (product) love of my life! Aquage made a promise and kept it! It truly uplifts my locks to unbelievable heights! (Insert image of me running slow motion through a field to my newest love: Aquage Uplifting Foam) 

But seriously now, read on for tips on how I do the "do" so you can too!!

*Apply to wet hair, & blowdry using your digits to lift at the roots.
*Use a heat protective spray before smoothing the ends by wrapping them around a large barrel curling iron.
*Finish with a light dusting of Aquage "Finishing Spray" to lock in the magic.

Va-va-voom! Hair is wavy, ginormous and if it had a booty it would be booty-licious. (Que hallelujah chorus)



Body building goodness. (No weights required)  : )



Have a Beautiful Day!!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Gravy Train = DETOX

Thanksgiving was truly epic this year. Ten whole days with my fantabulous family, complete with Southern-born Mother who is an amazing cook. After feasting, carb loading and enjoying succulent desserts EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, (and because I am fairly certain gravy is actually now flowing through my bloodstream), it is detox time.

I follow no particular "cleanse", but instead focus on the following:

1) Fluids intake: H2O & Detox Tea all day long! You will flee to pee most of the day, but that's a cleanse for you now isn't it. : )


I drink copious amounts of this.



As well as equally copious amounts of this.


2) Extra GREENS: Kale and avocado salad ROCKS. 'Tis tasty, easy to make, and I know I'm getting plenty of Omega 3's from the avocado, as well as iron, folate, fiber and vitamin A, C & K from the Kale. Kale is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supa'star. Add to this a daily dose of "Green Vibrance" supplement. Gross but excellent nutrition with a major dose of probiotics. AH-mazing. 


This is disgusting. It really is. I still take it EVERY DAY.
http://www.vibranthealth.us/ 

3) Liquid Breakfast & Liquid Lunch: Whey protein and almond butter shake. I admit to being somewhat hypo-glycemic, which can lead to getting "hangry" so I dub this super filling and tasty protein shake my "freak no more" juice! : ) Ridiculously easy to do: In a blender combine water (or milk if you want but I try to steer clear of too much dairy when I cleanse), ice, protein powder and almond butter, hit "puree".  Drink & be merry. DONE.


Very scrumptious and affordable. One more reason to love Target. : )


4) Sweat it out . . .theraputically. When I'm "flushing out the gravy" I opt for more low impact sweat sessions such as yoga or The Bar Method. S-T-R-E-T-C-H and feel the toxins being wrung out of your organs!


I'm pretty sure I look like this when I do yoga.



Eat, Drink and be Merry. Then Detox. : )




Have a Beautiful Day!











Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Lil' bits of awesome

Random run down of "bits" from my week of applications, lessons and life in general:

When in a time pinch, or for those who feel intimidated by shadow and liner, the answer is to focus on brightening your complexion with a few quick moves: (10 min, tops) highlighter on inner tear ducts, under brow bone and in the middle of your lid, concealer under the eyes, Swipe on blush to the apples of cheeks followed by bronzer on temples, cheek hollows and sides of nose.  Curl your lashes, add mascara.  Grooming your brows by filling in and taming with brow gel. This makes 10x more impact than spending your limited time on a time consuming smokey eye. I promise.

Love this! A chart for proper contouring.
Highlighting and Contouring will make you look sculpted and polished!

No curling iron? No problem.
Wrap offending straight lock around your finger tip, slide off, and pin against scalp. Spray with a maximum hold hairspray and allow to dry. Remove bobby pin after several minutes - enjoy your boingy new curl.

Works every time.

Random share: My new fitness motto.
Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going. A no excuses attitude makes all the difference when striving for new fitness goals and has successfully pushed me through a pesky little plateau. Also - kettlebell training rocks my world and I highly recommend!


Amen!



Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Sock-bun it to me!

Me oh my is today's post EXCITING!! I've finally discovered a simple solution for creating a perfect updo . . . so get ready, because a soft, full, breakfast pastry looking chignon is in your immediate future. It is so easy peasy lemon squeezy you just won't even believe it.  

1. Take a sock and cut off the toe. Choose a sock that is close to your hair color!

2. Roll the sock until it looks like a donut!

3. Sweep your hair into a ponytail wherever you choose. High for style and drama, or low for a more sophisticated chignon. . .both sides for Princess Leia buns. (Hey, you never know.)

4. Place your ponytail through the middle of the sock "donut" and start rolling the edges under, inside out.

5. Secure bun with pins and TA-DA!! You have a sock bun and are ready for action. : )


Awesome step by step images from  madeinpretoria.wordpress.com 



Give it a go & have a beautiful day! 


 

Friday, October 28, 2011

Bundle up and be FAB!

These fantastic fall finds get me through the chilly weather feeling more fabulous than frumpy. It's all about the right beauty tweaks, layering like a pro, and setting the mood. Enjoy!

1) Get soft and luxe with an infinity scarf. This pre-looped layering piece looks cozy and effortlessly chic. Wear. With. Everything.

2) Benefit Benetint for a perpetual rosy fall glow. So pretty!

3) A strong brow! Add a little fullness to those arches with Brow Wiz by Anastasia. Brush through with the attached spooly. Soft, strong . . .gorgeous!

4) A blazer with a fitted silhouette is a structured essential for cooler weather! Layer over sweaters, thermal henleys (or really anything for that matter) for a brilliantly layered, put together ensemble that is anything but frumpy! 

5) Brightly hued fingerless gloves keep palms and wrists toasty while giving your digits freedom for showing off that manicure, or you know, grasping things like. . . keys, door nobs, lipstick, Cheetos, poker chips, etc. 

6) Crepe wedge boots. The platforms and rubber sole make them walkable and comfy, the suede upper keeps chilly toes at bay. Ultimately these boots will have you running faster, jumping higher and looking FAB for fall. EXCELLENT!

7) Statement earrings. If you're anything like me, you are covered from head to toe when the mercury drops, so statement earrings are key for looking polished!

8) Set a mood for snuggling on a chilly night with VoluSpa Maison Candle from Anthropologie (my FAV!). Italian mandarin orange with creamy vanilla, cinnamond, nutmeg and ginger . . .um, yes please!!
   



Have a Beautiful Day!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Smit List!

Fabulous goodies that Sarah is Smitten with . . .

The "Smit" List:


Bamboo Charcoal Blotting Sheets. The best!

These oil absorbing papers by Sephora are actually formulated with bamboo charcoal for extra grease fighting power. A must have for any bride dealing with shine, or those who just glow a little too much in general!  http://www.sephora.com/



Da' Bangs

Bang! Bang! The humidity is gone, locks are laying smoother and are more manageable. . .so nab the opportunity for an easy hair update. . .I got mine and they make me feel . . .perky. LOVE.



For a Rosy Glow
Step away from the bronzer. Get your "I just went apple picking" fall glow on with a bright pink blush. NARS "Orgasm" does the trick nicely. Add a little tousled hair, major mascara . . . and you have a seriously sexy, healthy, playful look for fall adventuring.
http://www.sephora.com/






 Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with . . .Beauty in a box!

As I went shopping for my most favoritest lip product, Lipsurgence by Tarte, I happened upon their limited edition "Radiant & Rested Universal Complexion and Color Collection." I am beyond impressed with this treasure trove of beautifying goodies. . . so let's discuss!

This set by Tarte includes nearly all of my "must haves" in one neat little package. If I've ever made you up, you know that my signature look is an illuminated complexion, glowy cheeks, bright eyes and a soft, full lip. Well boys and girls, this baby has all the tools to achieve just that!  Honestly, all you have to do now is throw your concealer and a mascara into the mix and you are all set to create your own glowy glamour with this box o' beauty.

Let me break this down, ding by wallet ding:
Lipsurgence lipgloss/lipstick hybrid pencil in all of it's awesome-ness will ding you $25.00
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush $25.00 (for the full size)
Tarte Amazonian shimmering highlighter $30.00
Tarte Double ended eyebrightener (this is pre-launch so I have to guess) I'm thinking $22
Tarte Illuminating Serum $32.00 (for the full size)

Getting all of these in a box for $42.00?!?! Priceless.

Disclaimer - the illuminating serum and blush are not full size. The blush is about half the size, and the serum about a third. However, as you only need a smidgen of each, it is still awesomeness.


Portrait of Beautifying Goodness in a BOX!

Don't even think about this one . . .get to Sephora, and, as they say in Nike-land: Just DO It!


Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Beautiful inside and out.

In an insdustry so fixated on outer appearance, it can be easy to fall into the trap of spending more energy into evaluating & "fixing" what's on the outside rather than what's going on inside. So. . . let's talk about something ugly for a moment. This is a topic that has been dogging me for awhile and it is ultra super stanky ugly. . . something more infectious and dibillitating than any disease. Gossip. I, for one, am inviting gossip to never again be a part of my life, and I extend that invitation to you. Let's not speculate or judge, what a waste of energy . . .let's talk about IDEAS instead.  We all see the world with different eyes and have no idea what the person we're gossiping about has gone through in his or her life, so let's clean up our act and start believing the best about people, not the worst.

To help drive the point home:

"Gossip and slander are not victimless crimes. Words do not just dissipate into midair. . . . Words can injure and damage, maim and destroy - forcefully, painfully, lastingly. . . . Plans have been disrupted, deals have been lost, companies have fallen, because of idle gossip or malicious slander.  Reputations have been sullied, careers have been ruined, lives have been devastated, because of cruel lies or vicious rumors. . . . Your words have such power to do good or evil that they must be chosen carefully, wisely, and well."  - Wayne Dosick

There is a 19th century folktale about a young fellow who went about town slandering the town’s wise man. One day, he went to the wise man’s home and asked for forgiveness. The wise man, realizing that this man had not internalized the gravity of his transgressions, told him that he would forgive him on one condition: that he go home, take a feather pillow from his house, cut it up, and scatter the feathers to the wind. After he had done so, he should then return to the wise man’s house.
Though puzzled by this strange request, the young man was happy to be let off with so easy a penance. He quickly cut up the pillow, scattered the feathers, and returned to the house.
“Am I now forgiven?” he asked.
“Just one more thing,” the wise man said. “Go now and gather up all the feathers.”
“But that’s impossible. The wind has already scattered them.”
“Precisely,” he answered. “And though you may truly wish to correct the evil you have done, it is as impossible to repair the damage done by your words as it is to recover the feathers. Your words are out there in the marketplace, spreading hate, even as we speak.” - Unknown






Have a Beautiful Day, INSIDE & OUT!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with . . .

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.




Post summer skin is nothing short of grody . . .humidity, sweating (although I claim to only "glow"), SPF build up . . .it pretty much equals dull, dingy and desperately-in-need-of-renewal complexions screaming for new life!

Indian Healing Clay is my newest go to for anti-grodiness (that's a technical term, by the way) on the skin. It is simply 100% calcium bentonite clay powder. Mix equally with apple cider vinegar (organic!) and water, and you have yourself a mask of powerful, impurity sucking goodness.

My suggestion for use:
1) Exfoliate! My fav method is Swell Seabuckthorn Soap with my Clairsonic Cleansing Brush.
2) Mix up the magical madness that is Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, per the instructions above.
3) Apply liberally, and let dry for 15 minutes.
4) Read the label and laugh, as I did, when it reads: "FEEL YOUR FACE PULSATE!"
5) Worry momentarily when it actually does, then relax when you realize it's only because it's actually WORKING!
6) Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
7) Moisturize . . .I'm using 100% Seabuckthorn Oil for this and it's lovely.
8) Enjoy your renewed and glowing skin!


The icing on the cake . . .for the budget conscious among us . . .is that this 1 lb. jar of 100% calcium bentonite clay will only ding you a whopping $7.99.

So for purified, glowing skin. . . RUN don't walk to Whole Foods to snatch a pound o' skin cleansing goodness.



Have a Beautiful Day!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Brush up. . . on brushes.

For my next trick, I will be explaining brushes and their individual usage . . .they all have their own special "job" to create the most sheer, dramatic, powerful and professional makeup looks . . .you just can't live without them, as they truly make the most out of every product in your makeup collection. Below are my most loved & used brushes and tips on how to utilize their application and blending powers. You can do it!



Foundation Brush
A flat, densely bristled brush designed to disperse foundation evenly creating even looking skin while creating less waste! You not only get a smoother application, but your product will last longer as well. Cheers to that.
You can do it! To blend liquid and creme foundations evenly over face, brush down and out. Dampen brush first for a dewier look!
Powder Brush
A large, fluffy brush that flares slightly at the outer edge. Use with loose, pressed or bronzing power to achieve the softest finished look without looking cakey or overly powdered.
You can do it! Dip bristles into desired product and sweep over the skin. Blend with circular motions to brush away excess product. Because excess product is . . .gross. : )

Contour Blush Brush A fluffy, slightly full and angled brush that allows you to apply blush with a soft edge and mistake proof application.
You can do it! Tap off excess color. . . smile. . .and sweep onto "apple" (the round part that shows when you smile) of cheeks blending outward and slightly upward. No triangles! The 80's are gone and so is that technique of applying blush. Hooray.
Eyebrow Brush A small, flat, hard angle design to place brow color and sculpt any sparse lines.
You can do it!  Use a matte brow powder with a shade complementary to your brows. (Blondes one shade darker, brunettes one shade lighter) Stipple color thru the the sparse areas of the brow using short feathery strokes, extend brows slightly at the ends. Follow with a setting gel if desired, to keep unruly brows in place.

Eye Shadow Brush
The short, densly packed and fluffy bristles apply just the right amount of color to the eyelid, and the soft edges blend to perfection.
You can do it!  Multi-purpose!You can use this brush with lighter colors to highlight just under brow bone OR with darker tones to sweep over lower lid from lash line to crease. Blend! Always!

Eye Smudge Brush A  round tipped sponge brush that is perfectly shaped to create the soft, sexy"smokey eye" look.
You can do it!  Using dark eye shadow, drag across lash line. Blend up and out as much as you like. You can also use this brush to smudge already applied pencil liner.

Flat Eyeliner Brush A wide, flat brush for bold or soft eye lining. Use wet or dry for endless eye looks!
You can do it! Hold brush vertically along lash line a gently “drag” eye shadow color across. Get as close as possible to lashline. For a smokier look, use with dry shadow and lightly blend outward. For a more precise application, wet brush prior to dipping into your shadow.

Concealer/Corrector Brush This flat, dense brush works with creme concealers to reach nooks and crannies of the eye area. This baby, and my favorite of all brushes, deposits just the right amount of concealer so it never looks heavy. 
You can do it! Dab tip of brush into concealer and “press” into the inner corners, under the lashline, and anywhere else you may want to conceal darkness in the undereye area.  Also helpful for around the lip line & around the nose. Bye, bye redness!


Using these makeup tools takes practice and experimentation, so don't give up! Enjoy playing with your brushes!

Have a Beautiful Day!!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with. . .

The flat-out fabulousness of downtown Missoula, Montana.

I haven't been in Missoula for well over a year and it all feels so incredibly fresh. I am endulging in an unreasonable amount of people watching and downtown adventuring. . .I can't help it! Fearless hairstyles and fashion statements are everywhere, no cookie-cutter long locks in sight. I am so loving all the cute bangs, geek-chic spectacles, and. . .is it just me or does everyone in this town have a dog and/or a tattoo of some sort?! I haven't seen a polo shirt or a Tori Burch logo or a Starbucks cup in over a week and I am LOVING it. Thrift store skater glam seems to be all the rage, with it's faithful followers casually strewn about in Caras Park, cool local breweries, boutiques and coffee shops. I've been bopping about to Betty's Divine, Boom Swagger, Cafe Dolce, and the Kettle House . . .these and so many others are locally owned and operated and it all adds up to such a unique spirit of COMMUNITY. The style of every person and place is just oozing with loads of individuality. This town has soul.

As I cross the Higgins street bridge and watch the kayaking below me, the boutique goers across the street and the rancher in a vintage chevy cruise down the road, and I am definitely inspired to try something new.


Caras Park Downtown Missoula = Fabulous

The "Hip Strip" offers NYC quality boutiques! Truly!

Rock on, Zoo-town, rock on.

Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with . . .

Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes.

I feel like I'm cheating on my standby mascara product, L'Oreal Voluminous . . .but I think I may have found my next very most favoritest mascara of all. The brush is tapered and reaches every little baby lash, and the formula bulks up and makes the most out of your existing fringe. Ginormous lashes with no smearing or flaking  . . .this one's a keeper.

My suggestion, buy both. Layer, alternate . . .and just be in LOVE with your fluttery fabulous lashes!


Lashtastical goodness.


Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Make like a boy scout and be prepared. A rant.

Okay ladies, here I go!!

I've seen a fair share of wedding day beauty mishaps recently, snafus if you will, and I just want to put it out there that. . . .

WARNING!! Do not, I repeat, DO NOT: wax your face, spray tan, get a facial or chemical peel, have your brows threaded or do anything else the week of your wedding. If you plan to alter your appearance in any way for your wedding day, here is a good rule of thumb: If you don't do it normally and have no idea what the results will be, be prepared and test run at least ten weeks prior to your big day. If you love the aftermath of any aforementioned beautifying service, fabulous, you now know what to expect, so go for it on the week before your wedding day and enjoy! If you don't love the results, well, the effects will wear off (or grow back) before your wedding day and you can consider another option that will give you your desired result.
I write this with love because seeing one of my beauties upset on her wedding day due to: (insert disaster here, ie: bad reaction from waxing, non-existent eyebrow, ginormous blemish, bright orange tan, etc.) is a major bummer, and could've been prevented. I often feel that there is some sort of matrimonial version of Smokey the Bear looking at me saying, "Only YOU can prevent beauty mishaps", so here I am, ranting slightly, hoping that all future brides are reading my beauty blunder tirade! : )


Be prepared, and enjoy a snafu free wedding day.




Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Perky. Pinky. Gorgeous.

I heart flourescent pink lips. . .they are ultra-feminine, but very bold and modern as well. Talk about making a statement!   
Hot Pink Lipstick may make you a little nervous. Fear not, reader, as I guarantee you it is ultra chic and extremely wearable. To make it work for you, adjust the shade you choose based on your skin-tone. Where pink lipstick is concerned just remember that opposites attract! If you have a warm tone, choose a cooler pink. If your skin is has cool undertones, a warmer, redder pink will be the most flattering. Extra super awesome tip: to get the most staying power for this look, layer a pink lipstain underneath your lipstick for all day wear. Voila! Perky. Pinky! Gorgeous. = YOU.
I recommend:
Vincent Longo Thinstick Lipstick in Priscilla
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Latino
One of my gorgeous clients rocking a sexy pink lip during
 a recent engagement session with Ashley Therese Photography.
You know what to do and how to do it, so get your florescent lip on!
Have a Beautiful Day!!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Vintage Beauty Inspiration

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.

Her simplistic, seemingly effortless approach to style made her a fashion icon, and for good reason! Whether beauty, such as her classic winged liquid liner & matte pink lips or clothing like her perfectly knotted scarves, sleeveless sheaths and capri pants as well as unfussy accessories such as her gold and enamel bracelets, three strand pearls and of course later on, those ginormous sunglasses, her look was made up of clean lines and simple shapes. Her hair was sculpted and had the height that the 60's so loved, but it remained touchable and real looking, which I adore her for. She was smart, generous & philanthropic to boot, which makes her one of the most well rounded fashion icons in history.

The Goods:
*Black gel eyeliner
*Eyelash curler
*Volumizing mascara
*Brow pencil
*Clear brow gel
*Concealer
*Nude pink blush
*Matte nude pink lipstick
*1.5 inch curling iron
*Teasing comb
*Hairspray

Optional:
*Square scarf
*Oversized sunglasses




Makeup
*Conceal under lashline and throughout undereye area, as well as lid. This neutralizes any discoloration and brightens the eye to let the liner and lashes take center stage.
*Apply gel eyeliner with a skinny angeled brush to top lashline, with thickness increasing at outer edge with and upward "wing"
*Curl eyelashes and do a major mascara-ing. 
*Using short feathery strokes, fill in your natural brow shape to enhance fullness. Brush through with a brow spoolie to soften. Lift brows up and over with clear brow gel. 
*Apply a neautral nude-pink blush to upper apples of the cheeks and blend upwards and outwards.
*Using a lip brush for precise application, apply a matte nude-pink lipstick. 

Hair
*Use your curling iron to flip up ends of hair. Short, long, doesn't matter. Jackie wore her hair in various lengths throughout her life and of course we are looking to mimic her overall style, not go for spot on duplication!
*Tease the crown and smooth top layers up and over teased portions.
*Use spray to lock in fullness and flipped ends.
*If you have bangs, smooth them downward with a slight bend to one side.

Top off this look with your choice of a simple sheath, capris and a tunic, simple thick gold bangles, pearls . . .or my favorite, the scarf and sunglasses combo. Throw in impeccable posture and you are ready for a classy good time at the Cape, just as Miss Jackie herself often enjoyed.  : )


Have a Beautiful Day!! 

 

 



Monday, July 18, 2011

11 Accessories that Scream SUMMER!

We all have our staples . . . certain items we use over and over again to get us through the seasons enjoyably. The following are my 11 discoveries that make my summer feel FABULOUS!  Why 11?
Eleven is my lucky number/my birth month/my birth date so I figured, why do ten when you can do 11? : )


1) Button down chambray shirt. This works equally well with shorts, skirts & leggings, as well as making a great swim cover up. Cute and versatile, I wear this all the time.

2) Fishtail side braid. Messy and cute, perfect for muggy summer days. Works while at the beach or at cocktails, or anywhere else.

3) Bumble and Bumble surf spray gives mad texture and workability to your tresses for that summer beach look. I love messy summer hair!

4) Straw fedora. It just screams cool.

5) Ginormous tortishell sunglasses. Feel like a celeb wherever you go, and the oversize shades keep your eyes protected!

6) Black tee shirt dress. I don this simple, form fitting frock as a casual dress with flip flops and a tote, or a cocktail dress with wedges and a clutch. Perfection! Like my trusty button down, this baby works as a cover up, too.

7) Fresh Bronzer in Tunisian. Perfectly brown and bronzy with very little shimmer.  Looks so au naturelle.

8) The shoes of my summer. Fantastik by Steve Madden. High, comfortable, and neutral, which give my short 'lil legs some appeal. I wear these with EVERYTHING.

9) Red Shellac gel manicure. Summer really isn't the time for wearing a lot of makeup, so having my digits dressed up with this classic red shade makes me feel put together and glamorous.

10) Michael Kors leg shine.  Basically a shimmery bronze chapstick for your legs. Twist it up, smooth it on and enjoy gorgeous gams.

11) Market tote. I love filling this up with fresh veggies from Sherwood Farm.



What accessories put YOU in the mood for summer?





Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Makeover. . .for houses.

Whilst chatting somewhat recently with an interior designer, I was told I have a great eye for dimension and color. Thank God said I, because I am a makeup artist and it would be terribly awkward if I wasn't. It is also a good thing because I am soon to become a home owner, and oh the plans I have in store!

I have come to realize that my house hunting experiences and interior design plans are truly an extension of my work as a makeup artist. Why? Because it is all about seeing the potential and bringing it out, seeing the beauty and bringing it to life. Seeing an old home in disrepair can be a bit grody at times, oogy even, but I eventually find myself wondering how the home looked when it was brand new, and how proud the owners must have been . . .I even wonder what type of furniture they had, what type of car was in the driveway and what kind of clothes they wore, living it up in the 20's, 30's or 40's. As sad as it can be to see a home look unloved, I get excited about the potential to bring that home back to life and to instill in it the lived in glow it once knew. Hm, sounds like a makeover doesn't it? ; )

As I look at color and material swatches and contemplate how to balance rustic with romantic, I feel very much like I'm styling a photo shoot and creating a synergistic look between hair, makeup, accessories and setting, without sacrificing personality for the sake of cohesiveness. Is cohesiveness a word? It is now.
I sit sketching, cutting, pasting & tearing pictures out of magazines to "create" my dream home, and I feel eight years old again, playing with Mom's makeup or making jewelry with pasta. I am grateful that art has followed me my whole life through, and this house will be my biggest project yet.  I can't wait to get started!



Have a Beautiful Day!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Chilled spoons and eye cream, anyone?

This post will change your life. It is about frozen spoons. No wait! Please don't leave! This is good stuff I promise!

It's summertime. Between humidity making me feel grody and the heat making me feel, well, puffy. . .  my peepers on ocassion are less than smooth bright eyed perfection. I have an answer for that, and I think it is only fair that I share my home made beauty remedies for keeping the puff away.

Ingredients for de-puffing and brightening of the eye area:
Chilled ingredients:
Two average everyday teaspoons
One jar of Olay Regenerist Eye Serum
One average, everyday, plugged in refrigerator
Room temperature ingredients:
Benefit "Boi-ing" under eye concealer
Benefit "EyeBright" pencil
Eyelash curler
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

Insert clean spoons and jar of eye serum into designated spoon chilling area of refrigerator.  Let chill.  Remove spoons.  Use the curve of spoon "bowl" to gently press on puffy areas around the eye to re-distribute fluid retention and to eliminate inflammation. Apply chilled eye serum to further enhance de-puffing benefits.
Chilled spoon = magic de-puffing

Curl eyelashes.  Apply Boi-ing concealer to the undereye area and blend.  Apply EyeBright pencil to the inner corners of eyes and underneath the arch of the eyebrow. Blend.  Apply Voluminous Mascara to upper and lower lashes.


Eye Brightening Must Haves!
Eye Bright & Boi-ing by Benefit

DONE!

Enjoy a refreshed, bright eyed appearance and lavish in the many compliments you will receive through out the day.

Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Beauty of the Gilded Age . . .

I recently spent some time in Newport, Rhode Island touring the indescribeably extravagant summer cottages (which are more appropriately described as straight up castles worthy of royalty) that were in use there during the summer seasons from the late 1800's to the 1930's. (Side note: the Gilded Age culture and use of the summer "cottages" eventually died out around the 1940's partially due to income and inheritance taxes . . .)

The Gilded Age and it's "high society" of the time completely facinates me. The parties, the etiquette, the fashion. . .it is all just as fabulous and glitzy now as it was then. Of course being a makeup artist and seeing photographs and paintings of high society women lead me to do a little research into their beauty rituals and use of cosmetics, and how different the standard of beauty was then than it is now.

Sickly was IN!
Yes, looking pale and undernourished was actually a "good" thing that made the gentelmen drool, apparently.  Drop some (what we now know to be poisonous) Belladonna in your eyes to make them look wistful and large? Yes, that was perfectly acceptable beauty secret at the time. Taking elaborate measures to keep one's skin as pale as possible meant staying out of the sun (parasols and gloves weren't just a fashion statement . . .they kept the sun's rays away) as well as employing other not so healthy measures to further whiten the skin. Arsenic on the face?! Yup. This was seen as a luxury powder to keep the skin pale, which of course was the fashion. Or you could opt for "harmless" arsenic tablets. Yikes. 

Makeup = bad for your social status because it meant you had loose morals!!
This mostly applied in the years prior to 1910, when using anything more than a bit of powder would imply that you were a woman of undesirable social standing. (A.K.A. a . . .ahem . . .whore. . .or worse, an actress!). A few years down the road "full" make-up was seen as sinful but women were now allowed to apply some pink tones to their cheeks to give a little bit of a glow. Red beet juice was a popular choice for this, and would be rubbed in to the cheeks and SHAZAM! Instant gilded age fabulousness, and ready for a party!
Later on, just before the roaring twenties were in full swing, women began experimenting with henna around the eyes and droplets of wax to lengthen and burnt matches to darken the eyelashes. I am SO glad mascara evolved because that sounds downright dangerous and time consuming. From the 1920's on, the use of cosmetics was socially acceptable, with dark lipsticks and colored eyeshadows the norm. By the 1930's and on red lipstick was practically a social necessity.

Your beauty arsenal consists of two things! A "complexion soap" and cold cream!!
Wow, so different from all of our tonics, serums, boosters, and exfoliators!! These were simpler times, and all one needed was a good facial soap, often laden with lard or sulfur, and a facial moisturizer such as Pond's "vanishing cream". Anyone with a less than perfect complexion had the convenience of facial "enameling" which meant that a (certified?) practicioner would fill in acne scars and pock-marks with a lovely complexion enhancing blend of paraffin wax, talc and lead. Awesome. So happy someone decided to invent ProActive instead.

In conclusion: as much as I find the fashion, culture and overall grandness of the Gilded Age romantic and fascinating, I am very greatful to be living in an age of serums, cleansers and masks that will not slowly kill me due to ingredients such as arsenic and lead. Yay technology!


Pond's Vanishing Cream = MAGIC!



Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with . . .

Beauty on the Cheap.

Luxury beauty products are fabulous, elegant and somehow make me think using them will not only do what is promised on the label, but also make me run faster, jump higher and look fabulous while doing it. I often find that expensive cosmetics are pricey for a reason, such as color intensity or longevity or the pureness of it's ingredients. For this reason some of my favorites are a bit on the pricey side. However! I find there is something extra fantastic about scoring a super rad product for less than a ten buck-a-roos, especially when it blows the expensive competition out of the water.  Here are my amazing cheap-o staples:

1. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara $8.00
    Gigantic feathery lashes? Priceless.


I've tried mascara costing as much as $40.00 a tube, but always go back to L'Oreal Voluminous. It's the best.

2. Aquaphor $4.00
    Creating a new lipgloss with an old lipstick? Priceless.

 
I use Aquaphor for darn near everything. Chapped lips, check. Out of eye cream, check. Cuticle oil, check. Making lipgloss by blending Aquaphor and lipstick, check. Best $4.00 you'll ever spend, I swear.

3. E.L.F. Oil Blotting Sheets $1.00
    Laughing in the face of humidity for less than the cost of a pack of gum? Priceless.


I nearly passed out when I found blotting tissue that retails for one dollar. These little oil absorbing sheets from E.L.F. do the job as well as other brands costing up to $15 a pack. Talk about WAY more bang for your buck!


Have a Beautiful Day!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Try it on!!

Bridal makeup trials are hugely important.  My youngest neice would retort, "Why for?" The answer is simple. Well, it's actually somewhat lengthy, involved and will drag on a bit, but please humor me and read on. 

Bridal makeup trials aren't just about establishing the look of wedding day makeup. It is also VERY much about your makeup artist having the opportunity to get to know the bride and establish taste, comfort level, rapport, and communication. Ocassionally I come across a bride-to-be that wants to "wing" her makeup on the day of.  I would not advise winging it, due to the fact that you will miss the opportunity to have more understanding and communication with your makeup artist.  

Makeup experimentation is very much like trying on clothing. Sometimes a frock you LOVE on the hanger can look like a burlap bag when you put it on.  Same goes for tearing a picture out of a magazine or always wearing the same makeup. Megan Fox's smokey eye may not look quite right on someone with features like Jenna Fisher. Maybe a bride who thinks her makeup should only be very very light and natural would actually love a darker liner or lipstick, given the opportunity to try it on. Perhaps Debbie Lotsofliner will realize her eyes actually look bigger with softer, smokier eye makeup. You actually have these options during a trial with no panicking about time constraints. What a relief, and honestly - what fun!!

When it comes to the timing of your nuptual celebration day, I can tell you that a trial absolutely makes the difference in making the day roll out smoothly.  We've chatted, applied, maybe changed a few things during your trial so that on the day of we aren't guessing about anything or heaven forbid spending time removing or changing makeup. 

TIP: I recommend that if a bride wants a companion at her bridal trial to limit that to one trusted friend or family member.  Perhaps a shy or indecisive bride will think more opinions = more helpful. Uh, no. I've seen many an excited group come in with the bride-to-be, and before you know it the bride has no idea what she wants due to the fact that there are about six different opinions about what her makeup should look like. (Imagine this scenario happening on the day of your wedding. Not good. Have a trial. Please.) Here's the dealio: It's your day. You can have whatever you want. Period. If a bride is unsure of what she wants, my best advice is to comb through magazines or the web and bring in the looks you like. (Good rule of thumb: Google image search celebs that look most like you. Seriously. Why, if you are a blonde Reese Witherspoon type, why would you bring in a picture of Julianne Moore or Halle Berry? This has actually happened. AWK-ward.) Even if your makeup artist may tell you why the look in the photo may not suit you, the picture helps establish your taste and what general look and intensity you gravitate toward. Ding ding ding!! Big communication moment!! Your makeup artist can then come up with a version of that look that is most flattering for your unique features, as well as come up with other great options that you may have never considered.  By having a trial you also have the opportunity to discuss pre-wedding day skincare and put your best face forward on the day of, giving you an even more flawless makeup application.

Once you've had a trial and your wedding day "look" is established, a makeup artist can then take a similar path with the bridal party to keep your photos looking cohesive.  Makeup will suit the individual, but a) never outshine the bride and b) keep within the bride's desired color scheme (ie: no red lips or, please don't let Aunt Tilly wear green eyeshadow). This communication is key for your makeup artist coming in on the big day, setting up and being ready to roll without a doubt in his or her mind about the task at hand. 

All this rambling boils down to the fact that experimentation is best for the trial, not the day of. : )


Tools for Makeup Experimentation!!



Have a Beautiful Day!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Cha cha cha . . .

Benefit is a staple line in my kit and always will be . . .they have the most amazing concealers and highlighters, products they dub into categories of "fix its" and "fake its" and they all work brilliantly. I could go on and on and gush about their line for hours because it is THAT fantastic, but today I will focus on what I think is the latest and greatest.  Benefit has expanded their line of cheek and lip stains! The original color, BeneTint, a dark berry cheek stain, has been a long time makeup staple for many.  It is long lasting and looks like a rosy glow from within. . .put it on the lips and top with gloss and you have a long wearing lip stain. Two in one. Love that! Then came along PosieTint, a lighter, pinky-er tint for fair skinned makeup wearers.  Now . . .so excited . . .they have come along with ChaChaTint, a coral/mango tint for the olive skinned among us. This gorgeous tropical hue will be a new summer staple in my bag I can assure you! Whether you try the original or the newer shades you are sure to love your glow from any of Benefits FANTABULOUS stains!!
Latest addition to Benefits line of cheek & lip stains!! Cha cha cha. . .


Have a Beautiful Day!!!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with . . .

Tarte is a favorite brand of mine, and they are constantly introducing new products for me to obsess over. The Spring '11 collection is AH-MAH-ZING. This collection is rocking innovative and beautiful products formulated with Amazonian Clay. Not only are the textures and colors to die for, but the clay is actually a good for your skin bonus. Dry skin will feel softer, oily skin more balanced. Yay! The clay also makes the blush in particular insanely long wearing which I am exited about for the humid months to come...no makeup meltdown here, no sir!!
This entire collection is fantastic, but I am particularly smitten with the Spring '11 Lipsurgence in the color "Glisten", which is a gorgeous and very wearable coral.  This lipstick/gloss hybrid is in a chubby twist up crayon form, which I am nuts about.  Lipsurgence smoothes on with the application ease of chapstick yet manages to give the look of wearing lipstick and gloss, sans high maintenance & time consuming touchups.  Easy peasy!! 

Chapstick for the Fashionable


Have a Beautiful Day!!!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Awesome Arches 101

Brows are a hot topic these days. Luckily the current shapes are about naturally arched brows that suit the individual's face, and are nothing like the drastic pencil thin arches of the thirties (and again in the 70's) or the crazy thick brows of the 80's. 

There are many fantastic brow enhancing products on the market, but with many awesome products comes much confusion.  How does one not only choose, but use these powders, waxes, pencils and stencils?

First rule of thumb, er. . .brow:  When choosing a pencil or powder, color can make or break the look.  Brunettes, go for one shade lighter than your hair color. This keeps your brows from looking heavy and gruesome like a Disney villian.  Blondes, your color should be one shade darker than your hair color to ensure that your brows don't blend in to your skin tone, which can make you look a bit featureless.


Powder or Pencil?  This largely depends on skill and comfort level.  I used to be a pencil wielder, but have converted to a powder/wax combo.  Here's the skinny on that:

*Pencils have a harder edge and for some may be too harsh looking. However, with a sharp tip and skill, you can create "feathery" looking strokes that can fill sparse areas but look completely natural. Anastasia brand has a fine tip pencil that is brilliant.
*Powders have a soft look that is very fetching, but can be a bit messy and hard to control.  The key here is to use a slant edge brush and stipple the powder into the brow in sections. Ardele makes brow powder singles in a bevey of natural looking shades.
*Wax comes either tinted or clear.  Alone, and applied with a slant tip brush, this gives the brow structure but not much "fill". This is where my "blend" comes in.  Mix the powder and wax, stipple in with a slant tip brush and presto - best of both worlds. Brow Zing by Benefit is my favorite Powder & Wax kit.
*Brow Gel is typically clear and in a tube with a mascara wand type applicator. Gel is great for taming wiley brows that like to droop or stand straight out by slicking them down and keeping them in place. Gel can be used as a finishing touch either alone or in addition to any of the afore mentioned products.  Brow Fixation by Colorscience is perfect and keeps brows still without feeling stiff.


Shape up!

Brow shape is difficult to explain in writing, so I've included this nifty eyebrow diagram. This method of shaping the brow truly tailors your shape to your unique face, and the best looking brow is one that is balanced with your features!  




Before tweezing, consider using a white eyeliner to "erase" the hairs you are contemplating removing.  This will give you a chance to step back and take a look at the full picture before any tweezing starts, eliminating potential tweezers remorse.  On the other end of the spectrum, some gals need growth to acheive a balanced look. If this is you, just exercise patience, back away from the tweezers and stay away from magnifying mirrors!! A few months down the road you will be happy you did!


That's it for the brow how.


Have a Beautiful Day!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Sarah is Smitten with. . .

Blinc Liquid Eyeliner.

The brush on this baby is slim, precise and allows for creating as thick or thin of a line as you please.  The formula is long lasting and is impervious to smudging, smearing, crying or anything else that could possibly lead eyeliner astray.  It goes NOWHERE. At the end of the day, use a little warm water. . . and peel it off. Yep. Peel. It. Off. 


Brush it on. . .Slide it off. Genius!!


Have a Beautiful Day!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Eye cream! You scream! We all scream for Eye Cream!

Okay, I'll admit that title was completely ridiculous and dorky, but it did put a smile on my face. : )

"What eye cream should I use?" is hands down the number one beauty question I find myself being asked by my skincare clients and brides. With so many formulas on the market (serums, gels, creams, etc.) that fall in price ranges from reasonable to ridiculous, I don't blame anyone for feeling confused about which kind to choose. Decisions, decisions! As a licensed aethetician and certified product junkie, I feel qualified to suggest to you to a couple of my favorites.

Olay Regenerist Lifting Eye Serum.  One of my brides recently turned me on to this product. . . I was so surprised at how amazing it was, and haven't stopped recommending it since!! In addition to the visible brightening and anti-aging benefits, this eye serum feels like silk on the skin and creates a fantastic base for concealer.  It's also under $25 which is a definite "do" in my book!!

iS Clinical YOUTH Eye Complex. Um, how do I put this . . .it's a forever kind of love. . . .hopefully an agape kind of love. Either way, this is a gorgeous, luxurious eye cream that I cannot live without. Okay, maybe I can, but there would be a lot of pining away for plump, smoothe skin around my peepers. : ) This one will put a bigger dent in your wallet, but you only need a scant amount to get the full effect which will give you more bang for your buck.


For optimal results, pat your eye product onto the orbital bone twice a day for the rest of your life. : ) You won't be sorry!


Have a Beautiful Day!