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!!!

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!!

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!!

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!

My New Philosophy

Have a Beautiful Day!

Sunny Days Are Here Again. Sort Of.

Although I preach about sunscreen, looking pale ain't that pretty. Let's practice some safe sun and get our faux tan on, shall we?

Josie Maran is a goddess, and perhaps if I use her Bronzing Argan Oil I will look like her.  I will get back to you on that, but for now I'm just happy with my new bronze glow.

Argan Bronzing Oil = Magic Faux Tan

Self tanners often leave one looking a bit oompa-loompa-ish. The answer for achieving a lovely natural looking tan? Morroccan mineral Facial Tanner by Extended Vacation.  If you are scared of looking orange, well, freak no more! This product is for you.

Orange tan be gone!



Enjoy your faux glow!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Sarah is Smitten with:

Slather it on or Dust it on?
Sunscreen I mean. 

Wearing it is the important part, but ever since I was introduced to dusting on powdered sunscreen, there was no going back to slathering for me. 
I am head over heels smitten with:

Colorscience Pro SPF 50 Brush
SPF 50 Powder Sunscreen - Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide

Fantastic, completely addictive product from Colorscience. Choose either the translucent or tinted water resistant formula, dust it on and forget about it! This mattifies the skin a bit as well, which is great news for anyone with combination or oily skin and concerned about breakouts.  You will especially LOVE this!

Sun Protection + Convenient Go Anywhere Applicator!

From the packaging to the formulas, Colorscience is one of the most innovative makeup lines I have ever used.  At SPF 50, they have really upped the ante with this powder sunscreen and is a great option for great protection without the heavy feel of a cream.

Enjoy!

Have a Beautiful Day!

So Much More than Salad Dressing!

I'm sure you have used Apple Cider Vinegar in your salad dressing at some point, but did you know you can use it as part of your skin care regimen as well?! It is one of my favorite multi-use products ever, and here is why:

1) Homemade toner. Apple Cider Vinegar is cleansing and has antibacterial qualities. Zit today? Use some ACV, and it will be gone tomorrow.  I love using ACV toner during the humid summer months to keep my skin balanced and happy.

2) Drink it! Yep, make yourself a little ACV ditch, (that's bartender speak for one part Apple Cider Vinegar and two parts water) and enjoy the whole body cleansing benefits of vinegar. This homeopathic cocktail will deep clean your complexion from the inside out . . .if you can handle the taste, that is!! : )

ACV of choice: Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

Have a Beautiful Day!

Sarah is Smitten with . . .

Tarte emphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener. 

Didn't get your eight hours? Need a pick me up? A stroke of Tarte's inner rim brightener on the lower inner rims and the tear duct of the eyes = magic.  Follow with a major "mascara-ing" and you will look wide awake and fresh as a daisy.  A venti red eye from Starbucks won't hurt either . . .ZING!! Gorgeous and ready to roll!




Have a Beautiful Day!!

Vintage Beauty Inspiration

This is the first of what I am sure will be many Beauty Inspiration posts to come . . .

Two of my true loves in life are: any and all thing French, and messy hair.  So it seems natural to start this series with Brigitte Bardot. Mussy sultry goodness. With her perpetually full and tousled hair and smokey bedroom eyes this girl can do no wrong!!  Her look is a cinch to create at home and is perfect for a night on the town, or tone it down a notch for everyday fabulousness!!



This look will always be "in"!

The Goods:

*Black Eyeliner (liquid or gel)

*Mink (neutral dark grey) Eyeshadow

*Volumizing Mascara

*Nude Lipstick and Lipliner

*Peach Lip Gloss

*Pinky-peach Blush

*Volumizing Mousse

*Backcombing Brush or Comb

* 1 1/4" Curling Iron

*Hairspray

Girly and Gorgeous.

Makeup

*Feather your eyeshadow in a thick line along the lashline.  Brigitte Bardot was all about the smokey eye, so the darker the better.

*Soften the shadow by blending with a shadow brush as many times as it takes to see the edges start to soften up.

*Line your upper lash-line and slightly taper the outward edge.

*Smudge shadow on lower lash line. 

*Give yourself a MAJOR mascara-ing. L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara does the trick for me. Give each coat a chance to dry before applying the next to keep lashes soft and feathery.

*Apply blush to apples of cheeks and blend outward.  I love Benefit's "Coralista" for this.

*Apply nude lipliner, starting at the outer corners and work inward, giving the lips a more oval, luscious shape.

*Using a lip brush, apply a nude lipstick.  Press lipstick "into"  your lips with your ring finger. This helps your color stay on, and softens it as well.

*Lightly apply a peach hued gloss to the outer edges of the lip, and blend towards the center.  Shine on the outer edges = fuller looking lips!

Hair

*"Second day" (a.k.a. unwashed) hair is perfect for achieving the Bardot look, but if you must wash, use a volumizing shampoo and mousse!

*Blow dry with a round brush for volume, but don't worry about perfectly straightening. 

*Curl random 2" sections by wrapping hair around the barrel. This technique gives a more natural wave instead of a contrived looking curl. 

*Section the crown, and back comb in 1" sections.

*Spray. A. Lot.

*Finger comb your artfully mussed-up locks into your desired style. Use bobby pins for a half updo if desired!

Skinny black pants - check.  Cropped sweater - check. Oversized shades - check.  Speak with a french accent if you like. . . : )  Presto! You are oozing the fabulousness of Brigitte herself.   Do you feel Bardot-tastic yet?!?!

Have a Beautiful Day!! 

 

 

Get Glowing!

It takes a bit of work, but smooth, clear, exfoliated and properly hydrated skin is essential to achieving a flawless makeup application on your wedding day. 
In order to "get your glow on" and get the most out of your bridal makeup, start an exfoliating skincare regime about six months before your wedding date, and then please continue for the rest of your life!! Wedding or not, great skin is always in.  So get let's get started!!

Your skin type will dictate which products are best for you, but here are some of my skin smoothing favorites:

Clairsonic Cleansing Brush:  This is a great option for getting the most out of daily cleansing.  This little guy rotates 300 times per second, instantly providing a deep cleansing and exfoliation.  I am obsessed with this. 


Clairsonic Cleansing Brush


Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash: This product does double duty as a cleanser and as a resurfacing treatment. Antioxidants add extra punch, making this a most excellent daily cleanser. It tingles a bit and I love that I can feel it working!

Skin Smoothing Amazingness!

Boscia Oil Free Daily Hydration: This fantastic formula not only manages to moisturize, but minimizes pores and lines as well, leaving skin perfectly prepped for a makeup application! I heart Boscia. I really do.

Perfectly Balanced Hydration = happy skin.

For a luminous, glowing, gorgeous wedding day look, consider these options and get yourself into skin boot camp!! With a little work & patience, a smooth complexion is most definitely achievable!!



Have a Beautiful Day!