Favorite Things: Makeup and skin stuff

Let's just jump right in and do this!  I've been watching a lot of Jaclyn Hill's You Tube videos; she has great makeup tutorials and product reviews.  I've learned about some of the following products from her, so check her out.  


SKIN CARE:

You know how awesome your skin looks after you go to the beach?  All that salt water really clears up my skin, and Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub by Lush will get you there.  The salt exfoliates (recently, I read an interview with Christie Brinkley who looks HOT at age 60, and she says one of her secrets is to exfoliate everyday) and contains lime extract which just makes your skin glow.  $12.95 - $35.95.  But go into Lush and ask for a free sample.  They'll give you a good portion!

This cold winter is killing my skin.   I moisturize day and night, but my face is still patchy.  I'm experimenting with different moisturizers (Josie Maran argan oil, Elta MD daily moisturizer with SPF 40, coconut oil, even La Mer) but so far, nothing is doing the trick.  I found out about GlamGlow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment, which is a mask that actually puts moisture back into your skin.  You can even leave it on overnight.  It costs $69, which is expensive, but I had a gift card so I took the plunge.  It smells like the beach, and does a pretty good job of making my dry skin look healthy and moisturized again.

MAKEUP:

I can't believe I've gone without an eyeshadow primer until just now.  This makes a HUGE difference and really makes your eyeshadow pop.  Just dab a little of MAC's Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly on your lid (I apply it with my finger) and then press on your shadow.  I used to swipe on shadow, but I've learned if you press it into your lid, it's a richer, more even color and it really stays put, and will prevent your shadow from creasing.  $20.

I'm playing around with eyeshadows right now.  I've used Cover Girl's Shimmering Sands trio for the longest time...ever since high school, and although I have a ton of MAC shadows, I always keep coming back to this.  It's really flattering and looks great on both cool and warm skin tones.  $2.79.

That said, here are some of my new favorites:

MAC Soft Brown.  This is a staple that everyone should have, and works with just about every color combo you want to do, on both warm and cool skin tones.  It's a matte neutral brown, and great for the crease.  $15.

MAC Orb.  A matte vanilla for a good work look.  I love to use it on my lid, and usually use it with Soft Brown in my crease, and a darker brown on the outer corners.  If I'm doing a darker shadow on the lid, I put it in the corners and blend it in almost 2/3 of the way in to really make the eyes pop.  $15.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Rose Gold.  This is really flattering for warm skin tones, but I have cool skin and use it in my crease with a lighter color on the lid, and a darker brown shadow on the outer corners.  It's less pink than the picture; it's more of a light pinky-bronze.  $22.

Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow in Champagne Quartz.  It's a neutral metallic shade and I love it on the lid. It's not as golden or dark as the picture leads you to believe.  $22.

I have used liquid liner forever, and still love it, but have discovered that the secret to great winged eyeliner is MAC small angle brush #266 ($20) and a gel liner.  I use Maybelline Lasting Drama Eye Studio in Blackest Black.  $6.99.  Check out Jaclyn Hill's winged eyeliner tutorial for tips.

Don't use the brush that comes with the gel liner...it's crap!

Now, for weird some reason I get compliments on my skin.  Which is crazy, because my skin sucks.  I have zits and acne scars and redness.  But somehow I've fooled you all.  I owe it all to MAC Select SPF 15 Foundation.  The sad part is that they have discontinued it!  I bought up all the bottles I could find, but I'll have to move on soon.  I've been doing a search, testing so many different brands, but I keep coming back to MAC.  They tell me that the closest formula to my old foundation is Mineralize Moisture SPF15.  $34.

While testing out replacement foundations, I went to the Bobbi Brown counter.  While I didn't like the foundation as much as MAC's, the makeup artist introduced me to Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener.  You apply it under your eye after you put on your foundation (you don't even need to carry your foundation up to your eye if you use this in it's place).  Dab it under the eye in a triangle between your inner eye, down the side of your nose, and to the outer corner of your eye.  One pump goes a long way!  Then take a damp sponge and blend to fill in the triangle.   Just be sure to set your highlighter with some powder.  Since this is my first experience highlighting this area, I can't vouch for any other products.  Once I run out of this, I will play around with some other highlighters and concealers...hopefully I'll find a cheaper one! $30.

I have Sonia Kashuk's Blending Sponge,  but really want to try the Beauty Blender.  I was kind of amazed at how well this blended, and it doesn't pull at your delicate under eye skin.  Blend by tapping the damp sponge into your skin.  It gives you an airbrushed look.  I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! $10.49.  

I don't have a favorite setting powder, so if you love something, let me know!  I also don't have a favorite blush.  I currently use Nars Orgasm; it's got great pigment and just a little goes a long way.  I've been working on the same compact for a year and I've got plenty left.  It's nice, but I'm pretty sure that there are a ton of other brands that would look great, too.  $30.  

I've been trying to find a good, paraben-free mascara.  I didn't really want to spend a lot, either, because I really can't tell the difference between fancy mascaras and drugstore brands.  I used to love L'Oreal Voluminious Mascara, but stopped using it because it contained parabens.  Then, I was using Rimmel Scandaleyes, but it wasn't wowing me.  I looked up some of the best sellers, and BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara was frequently on everyone's Top 10 lists.  I tried it and really like it!  The brush is very thin, but it makes it easier to coat and separate each lash.  I don't really experience a lot of clumping or lash-sticking-together.  So it's more than I normally would pay, but it's not easy to find a paraben-free mascara in the drugstore that actually looks good.  $18.

For lips, I'm not much of a lip color person.  I love to keep it neutral, and normally stick to gloss.  Here are 3 of my go-to lip products:  

Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked.  It's a pinky neutral and looks great, but what I love most is that it smells a little minty, tastes a little sweet, and when you apply it, your lips will tingle a little. It's not sticky, like MAC Lipglass, but it is very shiny. $19.

MAC Viva Glam V lipstick.  I normally can't stand the way lipstick feels, but this one goes on sheer with a neutral pink lustre.  It's like your natural lip color, but with just a little more oomph.  I wore it for my wedding. $16.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.  This has a cult following and it's justified.  This is like a blend between a gloss and a sheer lipstick.  It looks dark purple in the tube, but goes on more of a light berry stain.  Just Google this product and you will see how beautifully it looks on people of different skin tones.  $15.

A brow product that I love -- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duality.  It's a double-sided highlighting pencil.  They come in 2 different options, Matte Camille/Sand Shimmer (for pink skin tones) and Matte Shell/Lace Shimmer (for yellow skin tones).  One side is a matte highlighter, and one is a shimmer.  Simply draw a line under your eyebrows and fill in your brow bone, then lightly blend it with your finger.  It will make your eyebrows look so defined and just brighten you up!  $23.

I'm saving the best for last.  I was just browsing Sephora when I happened upon Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade.  This product is only a few months old, but this is, by far, the best brow product I've ever used.  It's a waterproof, tinted mousse that goes on evenly, and it really defines the edges without looking too drawn-on.  Try it!  You will see.  I recommend maybe going a shade lighter than your hair color, as it tends to run dark.  BEST PRODUCT EVER AWARD!
$18 and worth every penny.  

Also, get the #12 brush that goes with it.  You could use the same MAC #266 angled brush that you use for gel liner, but 2 things: 1) if you've ever used gel liner, then you know it's not easy to clean that brush so having a second one on hand is smart, and 2) the Anastasia brush is a little smaller and firmer, and comes with an eyebrow spooley brush on one end.  It makes for precise application, and using the brush helps blend out the color for a natural look.  $18.

I'm back! My favorite things: skin products

After a long hiatus, I'm back!  Why not just jump right in with a list of my favorite skin products?  My philosophy is that you've only got one chance to treat your skin right.  The better you take care of it, the younger you will look!  That is worth the investment.

DAYTIME:

Face cleanser:  Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Bar Soap: Baby Mild

I read that Drew Barrymore uses this for her face, and she has such a great complexion!  I love this soap because it's super gentle and made up of natural, organic ingredients.  It has no fragrance and is non-irritating.  It removes makeup easily.  I buy it from Mom's Organic Market for $2.99, but they also sell it at Trader Joes, Target, Whole Foods, and a lot of other places.  My face feels soft and clean after using it.

Face brush: Clarisonic Mia

You may have seen my earlier post about the Clarisonic.  I absolutely love mine!  It exfoliates so gently and I've definitely noticed a reduction of acne when I use it.  It also allows the products you put on your face to absorb more deeply, and for makeup to appear smoother.  Of course, I bought mine in leopard print!  Sephora sells it for $119, but I love that they have a try-it return policy.  If you buy something and you don't like it, you can return it.  I figured I'd give it a try and I never looked back.

Astringent: Dickinson's Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is used to treat many skin conditions and ailments, but it's wonderful as an all-natural astringent that helps to clean and tighten pores.  It's cheap (around $6 for a big bottle) and soothes my skin.  I usually swipe a cotton ball of it over my nose after cleansing.

Anti-Aging Serum: Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic 

Dermatologists say that you need to use a vitamin C serum on your skin in the morning to help fight wrinkles.  This serum has been highly rated in many reviews, and also contains a UVA and UVB protection.  It's expensive at $153 for 30 ml, but it's the real deal.  A drop or two every morning is all you need, so it lasts a long time.  You put the serum on your skin before you put on your moisturizer.

Day Moisturizer:  Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer SPH 30

Everyone needs to wear a moisturizer with sunscreen in it, and dermatologists all tout that nothing less than 30 sph will do.  I like this one because it's not greasy and absorbs well, and most importantly, does not contain cancer-causing parabens like so many of the drugstore products do.  (Just look at the ingredient list, and anything ending in the suffix -paraben is not good).  Manufacturers use it as a preservative, but it's bad, baby.  Anyways, this moisturizer runs about $10 at Target.

NIGHTTIME:

I cleanse my skin with the Dr. Bronner's Baby Soap and Clarisonic brush, then I alternate between putting one of these on:

Night Moisturizer: Creme de la Mer

Yes, it's expensive as hell but worth every penny.  I kept reading about this moisturizer in magazine after magazine for years, but at $150 for 1 ounce, I was not likely to buy it.  Then I read a blog where the writer was getting her makeup done out in LA and gushed about her artists' skin.  She had to know what her secret was, and the makeup artist swore by La Mer.  So, I went out and got a free sample, and WHOA!!!  It made my skin so luminous and hydrated!  It didn't make me break out, which is really saying something because my skin is so sensitive, I break out with every change.  I use it as a night cream, every other night.  I've been working on the same jar for over 6 months because a little goes a long way.  The secret is that you put a little on the tips of your fingers and warm up the cream.  Then you pat it into your skin instead of rubbing it.  It feels and smells amazing.  I wake up and my skin is glowing.

Night Wrinkle Treatment:  Retin A Micro Pump

This is only available by prescription, but I love it!  Everyone in their late 20's on up should be using this.  It not only fights acne, wrinkles and sunspots, makes skin smoother and stimulates collagen production.  The pump doles out the perfect pea-size dose each time.  Not a lot is needed, and you have to gradually build up your tolerance to it.  I use it every other night (not the same days I use Creme de la Mer).  I first put on a little moisturizer around my eye area (use a normal moisturizer, not Retin A), then apply the Retin A on my forehead, cheeks and chin.  Don't put it too close to your nostrils or your lips.  Just about every dermatologist personally uses this product, so use what the pros use!  I have insurance, and so this doesn't cost me much...I think about $10.  Just be careful when you go out in the sun...it makes your skin prone to burning, and make sure you stop using Retin A a few days before getting your eyebrows waxed or any cosmetic procedure, like a chemical peel.

BODY:

Scrub: St. Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub Blemish and Blackhead Control

After workouts, I use this scrub on my chest and back to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.  It's cheap, around $3-$4, and is gentle enough to use every day without drying out your skin.  It's also one of those highly-rated products in skin product reviews.  Also, paraben free!


Shaving Gel:  Dr. Bronner's Shaving Gel in Spearmint Peppermint

I love this product!  It's not like what you are used to; it won't foam up into a creamy lather.  But once you get over that, you'll love how smooth and moisturizing it makes your legs.  It's organic, no scary ingredients or parabens, and comes in a variety of different scents.  My favorite is peppermint.  It wakes you up in the morning, but the peppermint doesn't sting your legs.


Body Wash: Dial Body Wash

This has the perfect consistency and lathers and dissolves really well.  Dial has several light, unisex scents.  I love their new Coconut Water scent.  These go on sale all the time, and you can find them from $2-$4.


Body Lotion:  St. Ives Collagen Elastin

I've used this for over 10 years.  I've tried others in between, but always come back because this is the best!  It's thick, but not greasy.  It has a light, pleasant scent.  It's free of parabens and phthalates.  It's about $5.


Multipurpose: Coconut Oil

I love coconut oil!  It smells so nice, but not overwhelming.  It comes in a jar as a solid, but once you scoop out a little and put it in your palm, the heat of your hand will liquify it.  I love to massage this on my feet at night and put some cotton socks on over it.  I also rub a little on my arms and legs, on the ends of my hair, on my chapped lips.  It's actually a very light oil and won't make you break out.  It's all natural, too!

True Blood Premiere Party

It's been a while since I last posted.  I'm still recovering from a 50's theme Drive-In birthday party I threw last weekend.  I'll be blogging about that soon with lots of pics and DIY projects that went into it.  I just love a good theme party.  With the season premiere of True Blood coming up this Sunday, I wanted to share with you the True Blood Season Premiere party I threw a couple of years ago.

I asked people to dress up as their favorite character.  I ordered this Merlotte's t-shirt from http://www.hbo.com/

and wore some shorts, put my hair in a ponytail, and drew on fang marks with some eyeliner and red lipstick so that I could be Sookie Stackhouse.  My guests dressed as Sam Merlotte, a Bon Temps townie (they made an iron-on by googling a Bon Temps football image and printing it onto transfer paper), Bud Dearborn, and Eric.  We had some non-dresser uppers, and we gave them some Mardi Gras beads so they could at least have something festive and Louisiana-ish.  If I had had the time, I would have ordered some plastic fangs for the tablescape and for the "normies" to wear.

I made Vampire Bite cupcakes, which were super easy to make:

1.  Prepare boxed white cake mix according to the directions. 

2.  Once cooled, take an apple corer (or just take a steak knife) and remove the middle of the cupcake, making sure to leave a little cake at the bottom so the filling wouldn't leak out.  Save the cored cake.

3.  Blend up a can of cherry pie filling, and fill each cupcake hole, leaving a little room at the top. 

4.  Trim off the top of the cored cake, and place the cap back over the cherry pie filling.

5.  Frost with white frosting and take a kabob skewer or straw and poke 2 holes in the middle of the cake.  When you draw out the skewer, be sure to drag some of the cherry pie filling out with it to look like blood drops.

I ordered some Tru Blood blood orange soda from http://www.hbo.com./  It mixes pretty well with rum and vodka if you want to make it an alcoholic drink.

I set the mood with all red colored foods and candles.  There were cherry tomatoes, red pepper strips, twizzlers.  I even floated some candles in water with red food coloring.

And of course had some Vampire red wine.

But made blood jello shots!  I used black cherry flavored jello, but this website has tons of great jello shot recipe combinations, including vegetarian and vegan "jello".

Then we all went and watched True Blood in the dark!

Aldo "Hipps" Handbag

I went into Aldo looking for some bright, springtime heels, but walked out with this bag instead.  I was instantly drawn to the pop of florescent yellow paired with light beige; it makes a statement while still being neutral enough for every occasion.  It comes with a removable shoulder strap, and is made of synthetic material (aka it's vegan!).

A cheerful yellow lining!

Aldo's pictures make the "leather" look more white than it really is.  I'm not the best photographer, but you can see it's more beige than ivory.

Art Paw Custom Pet Portraits by Rebecca Collins

I am in love with these colorful pet portraits by Art Paw!  Dallas, TX based artists, Dan and Rebecca Collins, create gorgeous canvases of your pet to hang on your wall.
First, it starts with an inspiration photo of your pet:

In these "Painterly" style portraits, artist Rebecca Collins digitizes the photo and manipulates it with hand-drawn lines and painting techniques for a texturally layered look.  The results are amazing and so detailed!  Check out some of her work:

Dan and Rebecca can do other styles as well, such as Warhol-esque pop art: 

or put your pet in famous masterpieces:

I will be commissioning two Painterly style portraits of my tabby and french bulldog as soon as I can manage to get them to sit still for the inspiration photo!