Tuesday Tip: Don't PUMP that wand

Why you shouldn't pump your mascara wand...

You've seen your mom do it when you watched her out her makeup
on...maybe your aunt or even your theater teacher....

Pumping the mascara wand in & out of the tube does two very bad things....
One- it dries out your mascara faster. You're pushing oxygen into the
tube and making the mascara dry out faster. You should replace your
mascara every 6 months (although I can't seem to make it more than 2
per tube). This action makes it dry out even faster.

Two- The oxygen you just pushed down into the tube is creating a
breeding ground for some gruesome bacteria.

Swirl, scoop but do not pump that wand!!!!

Photo via Gloss and Magic

Tuesday Tip: Winter Skin

During the winter, my skin gets so dry and irritated. We all want luminous, beautiful skin without having to apply a half bottle of lotion every day. I came up with a great bathtub "soak" to help cure that dryness from Old Man Winter.

I light a few good Smelling candles and turn on the iTunes....

Ingredients:

2 cups Epsom salts (no this will NOT make you drier!)

2 tsp - 4 tsp coconut oil, depending on the dryness of your skin.

A few drops of your favorite essential oils. (I like lavender, or

eucalyptus when I'm feeling yucky. Maybe even vanilla!)

Photos via Google.com

I soak in the tub for about 15 minutes or until the water gets chilly.

- Be careful when you try to get up! Coconut oil makes the tub

slippery, but will easily wash away with soap and water!-

  xoxo Sara

Tuesday Tip: Do you have clean skin?

Is your skin really clean?

I've had troubled skin since I can remember. I've had it all, dry, pimples, oily, sensitive. Hormones really stink sometimes. But, I've learned sticking to a skin regimen and finding one that works for your skin is best. I use two cleansers. One is just a makeup remover and the other is a super mild, daily exfoliator. This works for me. It took me a very long time to realize, the "one step" cleanser doesn't really work if you have a full face of makeup on. If you put on foundation everyday, eyeliner, mascara you should definitely be doing a makeup remover then a daily cleanser. Always give a new skin treatment a full four weeks before you really decide whether it's working for you or not. Cleaner, healthier skin will always help you feel your best!

Always wash your makeup off at night.

Good Luck :)

Sara

Image provided by Simply Bridal

Tuesday Tip: Do you prime?

During these late night holiday parties, we are constantly checking our makeup. A lot of the time, it fades, runs or picks up on the clothing of others. A way to prevent this from happening is finding your favorite primer. This will decrease time in front of the mirror touching up and increase the time on the dance floor.

Some great brands to try are: Smashbox and Laura Mercier.

And for the eye makeup that just won't stay, give Benefits or Urban Decay a try!

Happy Priming!

Sara

Tuesday Tip: Investing in Makeup?

Invest in the Best

A lot of people ask me if brushes, applicators, sponges, etc are really worth the money. I always respond, "Well, that really depends on what you want to look like!" Now, I'm not saying by using those products you're going to look cheap, but they don't last as long, don't have warranty's, etc. To me, those things really add up. If I have to make one extra trip to a store to return a high end brush and get a replacement for free, then that's worth it. One really big perk of buying them from a place like Sephora is that you can take them back if you don't like them! Anything you are not satisfied with, take it back! 

I have some inexpensive brushes and some that are $50.00, but they are worth every penny and achieve the best looks.  I'm not saying buy the most expensive or buy them all right now. It takes time to accumulate a good brush collection. Explore natural hair and synthetic. Learn how to use a fan brush and an eyeliner brush. They will change your look and usually shorten up the time it takes to get ready.

Happy Brush Hunting

Sara

Tuesday Tip: Holiday Redness

During the holidays, we all reach for that extra dessert, bread, pastry, sugar cookie or our favorite drink! The extra sugar and processed foods promote bloating and that lovely red/pink blotchyness from drinking or the extra foods usually trigger extra hormones and...Ta Dah! Our skin breaks out.
Most of us don't enjoy putting on extra makeup or trying to cover up pimples & redness. A few extra steps, to make you feel less "cakey" or fake and my personal favorite, looking slimmer!

 

 

 To look slimmer - contour those cheekbones! Add a few extra swipes of bronzer underneath your cheek bones, chin and across your forehead. Finish with blush and a setting powder to hold it all day and night.

Pimples and Redness - These two go hand in hand.
 First, DO NOT pop the zit. It's so much easier to conceal when it's not popped.

Next - Use primer. I prefer a green based primer to help even out the skin tone.
Put on your favorite concealer. Try using a cosmetic q-tip, brush or beauty sponge to help covering the pimple/blemish.

Lastly - Apply a warmer or yellow based (undertone) powder to help hold on the concealer.
Remember, highlighting never hurts either ;)

Finish with your favorite lip gloss, mascara and you'll be feeling fabulous for any holiday party!

 

Sara 

 

 

Tuesday Tip: Mascara Smudges

Mascara Smudge....
We've all done it. We are in a rush & all the sudden, we swipe that mascara past our lashes & mascara is everywhere. Our first impulse? Grab that toilet paper or cotton swab & wipe quickly....but then it just smudges more. Even more frustration!!! It's so aggravating & time consuming to fix your eye makeup & then re-do the mascara & liner!


Next time you decide to have a mad dash morning, you'll be prepared! Just wait until that mascara dries, grab a Q-tip (I prefer the cosmetic kind with a point on the end) & simply wipe away! Works every time, on regular OR waterproof mascara. It usually flakes off the skin, not even really taking off your foundation, concealer or powder. If you see that it has taken some off, dab a cosmetic sponge with foundation or powder over the area if you rubbed to hard.

Hope this helps you in your next morning rush!
 Sara