Hello Summer!

Hello Summer! We've been patiently waiting for you! 

 

Welcome to the First Day of Summer.  When the summer months roll around, we look forward to wearing less makeup. Not only is it a much-needed change from the dark lipstick and thick foundation we typically wear in the winter, but it's also an easy way to avoid a makeup meltdown.

But don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that once the thermometer reads 70 degrees and higher you should simply go bare-faced. Instead, lightening up your summer makeup look should be more about embracing a more healthy glow.

 

To help you put your best face forward all the way through Labor Day, I want to share some summer makeup tips for beautiful, breathable skin. 

 

Summer is all about embracing the natural essence of your beauty.  Start by applying coconut oil on the face as a moisturizer right after the shower for hydrated and luminous skin. Here's my fave:

 

 

 

Using less makeup allows your skin to breathe and appear naturally flawless instead of heavily made-up. Opt for a full-coverage concealer in areas that are in need of camouflaging, then blend out a lighter layer of foundation or BB cream on the rest of the face.  Remember to grab a BB cream formula with SPF. Primers for both face and eyelids are perfect for summer, as they'll extend the wear and seamless finish of your shadows and foundations.

 

Avoid applying products that are not the right formula for your skin type because it will start to run down your face midday - and if it's not the right shade, it will appear streaky. A lightweight, water-based foundation with SPF followed up with bronzer in place of translucent powder will impart enough warmth without becoming too cakey.

 

Use your fingers to dab on a cream blush in a pinky-coral hue for sexy flush, or try a baked pigment blush, which is more resistant to sweat, humidity and face oils.  Matte or satin eyeshadows and eye pencils are great for during the day. But at night, try brushing on a golden shimmer to the center of lids, which will add an instantly brightening effect. And of course, apply a few coats of waterproof mascara to thicken and lengthen lashes. To complete your summer makeup look, use this motto: "When in doubt, gloss it out!" Sheer lip gloss in punchy pinks, hot corals or shimmering nudes are perfect.

 

A bold lip color is hot for spring and summer, but not just red. There are plenty of fun of colors to wear, like tangerine and pink, that look great on every woman - no matter your age or skin tone. Just have to pick the right color and wear it with confidence! Check out these different shades of beauties rocking the hottest summer trends:

 

Lauren Conrad in Fuchsia

 

 

Janelle Monae in Fuchsia

Amber Heard in Fuchsia

 

 Shay Mitchell in Coral

Julianne Hough in Coral

Ashanti in Coral

 

Solange in Tangerine

 

 

Belle Thorne in Tangerine

 

 

Keltie Colleen in Tangerine

 

 

Rihanna in Poppy

 

Taylor Swiff in Poppy

 

 

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Jade

www.chanel.com

Nars Bronzing Powder in Casino

www.narscosmetics.com

 

BB Tinted Treatment 12-hr Primer with SPF 30 Sunscreen

www.tartecosmetics.com

 

What are your makeup must-haves during summer? Do share.

 

Happy Summertime!  Kisses!

Date Night Makeup Ideas for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day means it's time to find the right look - everything from hair and makeup to a head-turning outfit.

Whether or not you will be spending the night with friends or someone special, here are some hair and makeup ideas that will help you find the perfect look for your night out.

If your V-day plans include getting all dolled up, sexy is def the way to go.

A sexy smoky eye a la Kim Kardashian or RiRi is the perfect sexy Valentine's Day look.

 

When choosing the right color for a smoky eye it's best to go with a dark color like charcoal grey or a yummy chocolate brown. Next, find your lip color. A bold lip color is too much when paired with a smoky eye so it's best to compliment them with a subtle nude lip color and a coat of clear gloss.  Finish the look by sweeping your hair into a loose up-do.

 Want to do a bold red? To prevent messy smears, try a long-lasting lip formula. Try Christina Aguilera's favorite, SeneGence LipSense in Blue-Red. It's an 18-hour semi-permanent lip stain.

Having a glamorous night with the girls? Then make sure to bring out the bold, bright colors and the vixen heels. For a fun and flirty night on the town try a hot pink or coral lip color. These shades are perfect if you want to make an entrance and get noticed. Don't be afraid to use bronzer. Bronzer will compliment these fun makeup colors and make your skin glow.

 

Pair your look with a bun or ponytail. This sleek and stylish hairstyle will accentuate your features and bring focus to your eyes and lips.

For a low key night out with friends or a night in with your beau, just keep it simple.  Makeup for a night in should be soft and subtle so add pink gloss to your lips and give your cheeks color with a few swipes of blush. Don't forget to pump up the lash volume with your favorite volumizing mascara.

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyday the 14th!

 

Skin Care Tips For Men With Beards

Taking care of your skin is vital during the growth period of your beard.  Oily skin, dry skin and everything in between… we all have one or the other, and it changes from season to season.

Depending on the weather conditions, your facial skin is TTG [trained to go] to protect itself.  Your face reacts differently when exposed to different elements.  In dryer climates your skin may feel a bit drier, stiffer and tighter [we'll blame that on the these colder, darker months], where in more humid climates the opposite reaction may be more common.  So how do you care for your skin underneath if there is a beard in the way?  Many of you think that there’s no need since it’s covered by hair, right? Wrong! This skin is just as important as the rest of your face. Here’s how you should be taking care of it this season.

• Exfoliating is very important. It rids the face of dead skin cells while allowing the younger skin cells to reach the surface. This helps to keep the skin looking and feeling young and healthy!
• For bearded men with normal to oily skin, it is even more important to make sure that a facial exfoliation regimen is implemented at least once a week. That's it - just once a week.  A careful focus on the bearded area will help to remove dead skin and oils that can build-up and create skin irritation and cause "the scratchy beard syndrome" and for others, acne.
• For the guys with the challenge of dry skin, exfoliation is still important. Also, make sure that your beard is not only shampooed but conditioned. This is very important for health of the beard, and the skin underneath.  Shampoo and condition your beard every 2-3 days.
• For all skin types, implementing a moisturizer will help to balance the skin of the oily beard and provide relief with an extra boost of moisture for the drier bearded gentleman. If you fall off the wagon during this dry season, it will take 10-14 days to add moisture back to your skin. 

Growing a beard can be an easy way to freshen up your look this season.  Keep it fresh. Until next time....stay tuned for more tips on how to care for your beard.

Give Your Face A Rest - Grow A Beard

Let the fall season begin! Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year.  Not only I do I love the wardrobe shift, there’s something about a beard complimenting a man’s scarf and pea coat.  It totally works.

 Tom Ford Autumn-Winter 2012/2013 Campaign 

Growing a beard this season won’t be such a pain because you get the chance to give up the woes of shaving on a daily basis.  Giving your face a rest has its advantages on your skin too.  Growing a beard gives your skin the chance to start over.  Many men struggle with ingrown hairs, razor bumps and burns.  By the time spring comes back around, you will restore your skin back to its natural state. 

Before you commit to growing your beard…oops, I know commitment is a scary word. Its okay, you just have to pick up a few products and stick to a regimen.  Treat your facial hair the same as you would the hair on your head.

Follow these steps:

• Use shampoos and conditioners on your beard 2-3 times a week
• Exfoliate once a week
• Use Tea Tree Oil for ingrown hairs

Easy enough, right?

For those of you who struggle with growing your beard, you can always invest in a Beardo.

 UFC Fighter Tyson Griffin wearing his Beardo. Photo courtesy of Beardo.

Read more about beard care here.

Happy Growing!

Kisses!

Skin Magicians

For a model, a good skin care routine should not only be personal, it is important for a career move. Get your complexion ready for close-ups with these photo-ready tips, tricks and crisis solutions.


Flaky, patchy skin and acne are not a girl's bff, especially when you are a model. Okay...so, computer programs can work its magic on pimples and baggy eyes, but there's no program in the world creative enough to generate real healthy, radiant, even-toned skin. Everyone isn't lucky enough to be born with radiant skin. Some of us have to work at it but it can be achieved with proper skin care. Models who lack proper skin care regimes present a number of obstacles for makeup artists. Not only are we faced with the usual challenges of creating gorgeous makeup applications that will last and not melt under hot lights, we also have to ensure that our work doesn't show up blighted on a beautiful model who has unflattering skin.

The makeup artists who specialize in photo shoots and fashions shows have a few tricks up their sleeves for presenting neglected skin to make it look its absolute best. Their biggest tips are no secret - just your normal back-to-basics tips that are very effective and easy to promote healthy, flawless skin.

Below are a few tips to get your skin photo-ready:

Cleanse - Your face collects all kinds of particles. Besides the particles in the air, your face is also exposed to chemical substances found in makeup. Since your face takes up a lot different facial beatings everyday, let's ensure that we keep it youthful and glowing. Cleansing is one of the best ways we can keep your skin as healthy as it can be and is one of the most important processes your face must go through everyday.

Tone - Toners close and tightening pores. Since you probably wash your face with warm water, which opens the pores to cleanse them, toner helps to close them back up. It prepares the face for a smooth makeup application.

Moisturize - Normal cleansing can strip your skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry and flaky. A good moisturizer is essential no matter what type of skin you have. Try a light, oil-free moisturzier for oily skin. Use cream moisturizers for dry skin and apply it twice a day. Water-based moisturizers work best for combination skin types. Use a high spf during the summer and double up pn moisturizer during winter months.

Exfoliate Once a Week - Exfoliation is an excellent part of maintaining healthy, balanced skin. It prevents the skin from becoming clogged and congested. It keeps your skin looking fresh and glowing. Look for products with natural ingredients.

Get a Facial - When was the last time you treated yourself to a facial? Facials are not only a great way to relax, they give your face a deep cleaning, promoting circulation and stimulating a nice glow to your complexion.

Keep Your Climate Under Control - To ensure that your skin is hydrated, besides drinking plenty of water, invest in a humidifier. It locks in the moisture and prevents the skin from drying out. When the skin is dehydrated, lines become more visable.

Remove Makeup Before Going To Sleep. It is not okay to leave your makeup on overnight. Any makeup left on overnight clogs the pores, forms comedones and results in skin that looks and feels bumpy. Acne is not your bff. The dirt and oil stains your pillow cases and leaves behind all kinds of bacteria.

Care For Your Skin - Get back to the basics with a simple cleansing regime - cleanse, tone, moisturize. Prepare your skin for beautiful photos. You worked hard bookng the event so make sure your skin is as beautiful as it can be - naturally.

Although makeup artists are talented at finding the right foundation to fit your skin; colors that compliment your beauty; concealer to hide unevened tones; we can't magically fix what is going on inside. Beauty is definitely skin deep because it starts from within. You know the saying "you are what you eat" - this not only relates to weight, but to how your skin reacts to what you consume. The foods that we eat are processed, full of sugar and all kinds of synthetic substances. It influences hormone levels and effects the skins overall look. Eating fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water keeps your skin fresh and beautiful.

When it comes to skin care, some people just don't realize what affects the weather, pollution and diets have on their skin. Plenty of water and a balanced diet can help some, but a good skin care routine is essential to healthy, fresh and vibrant looking skin for everyone.

Happy Cleansing!