Monday, February 6, 2012

Au Revoir, blogspot.

With the recent debut of my new website/blogsite, my blogging on blogspot is coming to a close. Adieu, blogspot .  . .adieu . . .

For beauty, laughs and a whole lot of random, please visit the Beauty I.Q. at it's shiny new home:
http://www.giggarmakeupartistry.com/




I hope you come visit!

Stay Beautiful! XOXO Sarah

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Boudoir Beauty

Okay, this post is shamelessly plugging a new project I have coming up but honestly, it's for your own good! My homegirl Ashley Poisella, owner, president of awesome, and resident rock star of Ashley Therese Photography, and I are teaming up for a boudoir package which we are offering at the end of March.

Read on for the skinny on this FABULOUS opportunity for you to strut yo' stuff!!


What exactly is a boudior session, do you ask?

A boudoir session is your opportunity to get glowing and glamorous and have a Cosmopolitan Magazine style photo shoot that is all about YOU!!

What if I'm a little . . .shy . . ., do you ask?

Fear not, lovely, because the session is not only TOTALLY private in a plush hotel suite, but it is all tailored to YOU!! Want to wear skimpy skivvies? Go for it!! Want to wear a burlap bag? Go for it . .. although not recommended . . .seriously though, how about your honey's button down shirt or jersey for plenty of coverage that is still alluring?! That paired with gorgeous hair, makeup and lighting will make sexy happen with out making skanky happen.

What if I've got a crazy schedule, do you ask?

No prob, lovely. Ashley and I have time slots available all weekend, from morning to evening, and we've got the package down to a science! We'll get you gorgeous, photographed and back to your day in two hours. Bam.

What if I'm nervous, do you ask?

Heh . . .uhhh, that's what belini's are for . . .duh! ; ) Seriously, Ashley and I want to celebrate beauty and that's nothin' to be nervous about! We aren't exactly sticks in the mud either, and believe me the experience will be bordering on unreasonable amounts of FUN!

What's included, do you ask?

Now we're talkin'! Included in this package is a kickbutt luxe suite which has one private area for primping and another private area for shooting. You'll get full hairstyling and airbrush makeup (and lashes, yay!) provided by moi, and an hour long, natural light shoot with the UBER talented and purdy Ashley. After the shoot Ashley will retouch your photos and give to you thirty editorial quality (read: looks like you could be in a magazine, baby!) images to do with what you like!  Oh yes . . .and did I mention there will be champagne? Belini's to be specific, because gee, aren't we all just peachy?!?!


Contact Ashley for booking and further questions!! ashley@ashleytheresephotography.com and for heaven's sake check out her website http://www.ashleytheresephotography.com/


A team Ashley/Sarah boudoir shot from last year. Gorgeous!!


I hope to see you in March!



Stay Beautiful!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Blush blunders and contouring confusion.

I have been seeing a lot of gals using blush underneath their cheek bones for sculpting and contouring instead of using blush as it was intended (for a flush of color) and to me, this under the cheek look just screams 1980's "streaky cheek". This I cannot cope with. Please, for the sake of humanity, use contouring foundation or bronzer for sculpting those cheek bones, and keep the blush to the apple of your cheeks.

Cream blush if you're dry or combination, a stain or powder if you're oily . . . I actually layer a stain and powder on myself. Need help finding the right spot for application? Simply smile. The "apples" pop out a bit, and that is the proper placement for a flush of color.

Use either a darker foundation, concealer or MATTE bronzer to accentuate the hollow underneath the cheek bone - and blend! Blend like mad I tell you. I cannot emphasize enough the need to blend.


Sad blush.

RAD blush!



My favorite blush formulas:

Stain: Benefit's "Benetint", "Posy Tint" & "Cha Cha Tint"

Powder: Tarte Amazonian Clay in "Glisten" and "Natural Beauty"

Cream: Nars The Multiple in "Orgasm" & Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in "Rosy Blush"


My favorite contouring bronzers:

Powder: Sephora Collection Matte Bronzer in "Bora Bora"

Cream: Tarte Smooth Operator Concealer in "Tan" or "Deep"




Whew!! Soooo happy I got that out there into the universe. Happy Blushing!





Have a Beautiful Day!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Amazing things to change your LIFE! It's a new Smit List!

This latest and most awesome Smit List is simply loaded with INSTANT FABULOUS. No need to add water. This list is THAT fabulous.


OPI "Too Hot Pink to Hold 'Em"

Whether on the digits or the tootsies, once the multiple layers come off. . . .the gloves, the boots, the two layers of socks . . .I love seeing this happy pop of color!!



A tropical hue to get you through the winter blahs!!



Speaking of feet . . . .


J. Crew Fleece "Weatherly" Boot Socks

I bought the "Weatherly" fleece boot socks as cozy liners for my wellies . . .however, on a particularly freezing day I decided to try them with my knee high suede boots. SOLD!!! I've been wearing "Weatherly" with all my boots . . .SO COZY. When I flip up the edge (designed to fold over the top of yer rubbah' boots), they come up fairly high, so I also feel a bit flash dancey, like I'm wearing ballerina legwarmers. I find this "yes, I'm a dancer" look instantly ups my coolness factor so, that's a plus. : ) Yay for warm feet.
http://www.jcrew.com/



I like being cozy AND stylish. : )




Warby Parker Eyewear = bomb-diggity

Let's see. . . why should you be choosing Warby Parker for spectacular spectacles? Let me count the ways: 1) Stylish with a vintage flair 2) AT HOME TRY ON 3) Totally affordable 4) Kick butt customer service 5) Free shipping and returns 6) WP gives a pair of glasses to someone in need for each pair sold . . .need I say more?! Besides, my Wiloughby frames make me look totally smart. Who doesn't like a couple of extra points added to their I.Q.?!? ; )
http://www.warbyparker.com/


Wiloughby!







Stay intelligent, warm and FABULOUS!!


Have a Beautiful Day!!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Vintage Beauty How-to: Eyes like Marilyn

I've really been into the "top heavy" eyeliner look ala Marilyn Monroe lately, and it is suprisingly wearable. Tone the intensity up or down and you've got youself an uber sexy, totally flattering "bedroom eye" that can go from the office to cocktails.




YOU CAN DO IT!

1) Apply a champagne tone eyeshadow all over your lid.
2) Conceal under and around eye area. This brightens your whole face & will keep the focus on the liner!
3) Using either liquid or gel, line from center of lid towards the outer corner, approximately 1/2 ".
4) Line the rest of your eye starting from center to the inner corner. Taper the line to make it thinner as it goes in. This will help emphasize the thickness on the outer edge.
5) Line the upper inner rim and in-between lashes with waterproof black pencil to bulk up the lashline.
6) Apply mascara on top & bottom lashes.







As you can see, Marilyn consistenly rocked the same makeup look for most of her career. Gorgeous!



 



 
 


Have a Beautiful Day!

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!!