Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Something to think about for 2010

I know there are people out there who make New Year's resolutions. Most people make them and then proceed to break them within a month. How about you change your resolutions this year? Instead of losing 70 pounds in a month (unrealistic sounding resolutions much?), how about something like this? What if you resolved to do something for your skin/hair/etc?

When's the last time you saw a dermatologist? Your skin needs occasional checkups, too, you know. Get a referral from your primary care physician and you'll get in to see one much quicker.

What about committing to a skin care ritual this year? Washing, moisturizing, and the bi-weekly exfoliating? That's easy enough!

Want to go totally organic in your skin care? Or maybe just all natural?

Is it time to let a REAL professional attack that hair? Teach you how to style it to it's full potential and tell you what products you need and which ones you can ditch?

What I'm trying to say is that most people's resolutions are just too ambitious to darn near impossible. Really think about something that you want changed. And then DO IT! I, myself, will be making my appointment with my dermatologist next week and I am going to STICK WITH GROWING MY HAIR OUT! (Yeah, I'm bad about cutting it off when I get bored.)

So, take some time. Ponder. And make 2010 your most beautiful year yet.

PS- If you're going to wear your hair up for New Year's, make sure that your eyebrows are well groomed. Why? Because when your hair isn't the frame for your facial features, your eyebrows are. Make sure you've cleaned up any strays and have used a pencil to fill in bare spots as needed.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

You are soooo good looking!

So, we're a day closer to New Year's. Getting prepared? Here's another tip for you and your gorgeous self. For an amazingly smooth application of your foundation/highlighter/tinted moisturizer, use either a cosmetic sponge or a foundation brush. This allows for even application and honest-to-god, it somehow makes your pores appear smaller, too!! Who knew??

Don't forget that this is another good time to use a lip stain. Let's not leave all your lip color behind on that champagne glass all night!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

2010! Are you ready???

So, I promised some New Year's Eve party tips. But first, get thee to sephora.com. Why? Because they have a ton on sale and if you enter the code "EXTRA" at checkout, you get another 20% off the sale prices! SO GO!!

Ok, so New Year's Eve party tips. First, get a pedi. I know that we all got (at least) a little Christmas money. You know, from that great aunt who just sticks checks in your Christmas cards. Anywho, get a professional to handle those tootsies. That way, you can wear strappy/open toed shoes with no shame.

Secondly, I love the look of a wet/dry eyeshadow. That way, you can make it really intense for your party by applying it wet, but still wear it everyday in it's dry form. Scared of using a wet shadow over your whole lid? Use it as an eyeliner instead. Either way, it'll be an amazing pop of color that will last through midnight!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Ah, those Christmas photos...

So, here we are. It's 2 days before Christmas. You might already be at your family's house. You might be on the way. But, it's inevitable. At some point, someone will pull a camera out. Now, I know most of us don't tend to keep an entire makeup case handy for touchups. So, here are a few tips for gorgeous photos all day.

1. Use a smoothing serum on your hair. This is for curly and straight haired ladies. No frizz or flyaways + shine= beautiful hair on camera!

2. I recommend a lip stain so that you always have a rosy smile. Don't have time to order Benetint? Run to the drugstore and grab one of the Cover Girl lip stain pens.

3. Pink blush looks the most natural on film. Peachy tones tend to look orange. Again, you can also use a cheek stain here for all day staying power.

4. Now, when you are posing, remember 2 important things. When you smile, push your tongue into the roof in your mouth. Also, if this is a shot being taken from the front, push your head out a bit. Both of these tricks help alleviate any of that ugly "faux double chin" that can occur that you don't know about until you see the picture afterwards!

All that being said, whatever holiday you choose to celebrate this December, I hope you have a wonderful one. I am so grateful for my readers and look forward to a beautiful 2010! I'll be taking a break for the rest of this week, but I'll be back next week with some New Year's party glamour ideas!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Remember how I told you about...

...No Crack Cream for your hands? Well, guess what? They make a lip balm, too!! WHAT? And it comes in loads of lovely flavors. I got mine at the Restoration Hardware Outlet, but you can also get it here: www.restorationhardware.com. I purchased the lemongrass balm and it is YUMMY! Talk about some great stocking stuffers for the ladies and men in your life!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A couple of things for y'all

Happy Wednesday everyone! We are one day closer to the weekend (thank the lord). GOt a few helpful hints for you today.

1. Always apply your under-eye concealer after you've put your foundation or tinted moisturizer on the rest of your face. You'll be surprised at how much less concealer you'll need. We tend to use too much if we start with the concealer.

2. Lots of fall/winter makeup tends to me more festive- i.e. shimmer and/or glitter. This is perfectly fine and lovely. Just make sure that you stick to ONE area of shimmer/glimmer on your face. If you have a very shimmery eye, make sure that your blush and lip color are not! If there is too much glitter/shimmer, you'll wind up looking like either crazy Aunt Mabel or like you got attacked by a Christmas card.

3. I love a really pretty flushed cheek in the winter. LOVE IT! A great way to achieve this look is to use a cheek stain under your foundation or tinted moisturizer and then a gorgeous pink blush lightly brushed on top. The color will stay true all day and you'll look like a reall outdoorsy type!

Monday, December 14, 2009

A tip from a reader!


Ladies, one of our own shared a website she'd read about this morning. It's company called Alima Pure. http://www.alimapure.com/. It's a mineral cosmetics company that are cruelty free as well. Here's the best part- not only are the items very affordable. You can get samples of all of their products for only a DOLLAR EACH!! Now, I don't know about you, but I sure would prefer to pay $1 to try something rather than pay full price and not like it and feel wasteful. I, personally, plan on trying one of the tinted lip balms. They're only $5.95!! Woo hoo! Plus, I read the fine print and apparently any purchase in December gets 2 blushes for free!! Yes, please!


I'll be interested to see if any of you try this line and what you think

Friday, December 11, 2009

Look! It's Friday!!

Ok ladies- here's a couple of discount codes for the weekend.

Use the code "TFFUN" at Too Faced Cosmetics for 20% off your entire order.

Use the code "HAPPY" at Clinique to get a free fragrance pencil and free shipping

Now, for your tip. If you want a dewy, festive look, mix your regular foundation with an illuminating tinted moisturizer and apply all over. You'll get the good coverage with an extra glow!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Want to take a walk on the wild side?

Ok, maybe not wild. How about a little edgy? I don't know if y'all have seen it or not, but there are several major cosmetic companies that have extremely dark (and in some cases black) lipstick. I know, I know. You're thinking about those weird goth kids you went to high school with. BUT! Keep an open mind. Here's an idea- swipe on a light layer of the dark/black lipstick and then layer a sweet pink on top. Now you have a wonderful deep berry shade that's a little edgier. You'll keep them guessing.

Too recommends: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P249814&categoryId=C106- in Cool Grape or
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P211912&categoryId=S10601&shouldPaginate=true in Homegirl

Then, top it with: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P190041&categoryId=S10601&shouldPaginate=true in Parfait or
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P126302&categoryId=S10601&shouldPaginate=true in Baby Baby

Quick tip for the day- when applying blush to the "apples of your cheeks" as is always taught, make sure to focus the darkest amount of color to the bottom half of the apple. Why? That helps create insta-cheekbones. Don't forget about applying a highlighter or something shimmery to the top of the cheekbone.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

How are those nails looking?

Hands? Feet? Got a holiday party coming up and want pretty nails? I have one recommendation for you. Red. Metallic. Or slightly glittery. Why? You'll be holiday appropriate and any polish that has glitter or a metallic sheen to it adheres to the nail better and lasts longer. My personal favorites? I am so glad you asked!

1. Essie's Scarlett O'Hara- it's this great holly red with a metallic sheen that keeps it a little more festive

2. OPI's Smitten with Mittens- cherry red with identical colored glitter in it. Love everything about it!!

3. Zoya's Isla- a slightly deeper metallic red. More cranberry than cherry. Unbelievably beautiful on very fair or very dark skin.

All these colors can be found on www.enailsupply.com. This is one of my favorite sites for hard to find colors and they usually have great discount codes and sales! Give them a try!

Monday, December 7, 2009

A Christmas gift idea!!


So, you all have heard me rave about Philosophy products. And you know I LOOOOVE their 3-in-1's (shampoo, conditioner, body wash). Well, for the next 3 days, you can get 3 of them for $33! Plus a free gift bag with each one! Here's the link: http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/cat_bath-bathpromo____45051_23504____-1?cm_mmc=responsys-_-dec09-_-3for33-_-L06

Get one for yourself and give 2 away!! Ta da! Insta-gift idea! And how easy???


Another holiday party tip- apply your lipstick with a lip brush before you go, blot and re-apply. Using the brush will press the pigment more deeply into your lips so it will last MUCH longer. No rub off onto cheeks or glasses!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Happy Saturday!


Hey ladies! Sorry I've been MIA for the last couple of days. Craziness abounds in the Beautylicious home!


Anywho, we talked about moisturizers for your hands in the last blog. Let's talk really quickly about your face. During the drier winter months, even oilier skins need a little more moisture. I speak from experience on that. But, first let's start with your cleanser. Just like shampoo, the more opaque your cleanser, the more humectants it has. So, if you are currently using a clear cleanser and your skin is feeling tight or looking dry, consider switching for the winter to something a little less...see through. :) Olay has a great cleanser for all skin types that somehow just knows where you need moisture and where you need some moisture controlled: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=83937&catid=21228

This is a great start and can be used in the morning and at night.


Of course, if you'd like something a little more...I can't help but rave about this stuff: http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/prod_purity-made-simple____24004_23503_25583

I've used it and LOVED it. It takes ALL the makeup and dirt off your face, but leaves the essential moisture behind. I can't even tell you how soft my skin felt after I used this and hadn't even used my moisturizer yet!


And a fun tip for today for your upcoming holiday parties: use a damp brush to apply a glimmery gold shadow over your entire lid for a festive, elegant look. Applying the shadow damp will keep the sparklies on your eyelids as opposed to all over your face!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tips and a few more offers


So, if you go to http://www.clinique.com/ and buy any 2 items today, enter the code "TREATS" at checkout and you'll basically get a mini bonus for free! It's 5 items and a makeup bag. Yes please!!! If you spend more than $40, you'll get free shipping.


As for your tip today, can we discuss your hands? Mine right now are already showing signs of lots of washing and not nearly enough babying. Dry cuticles, rough skin, and OH LORD! Are those cracks???? AAAAHHHH!!! Wait, this isn't about me. Sorry about that. Basically, you're going to need 2 things to get you through the winter. A heavy hand cream to use at night and some special moisturizing gloves. THe good news is that you can get both of these for not a lot of cash! Here's what you need:



I have these and I really like them. BUT! If you have crazy dry hands that need extra TLC, try these: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13347735


You can also find gloves like these at Bath and Body Works. Moral of the story- JUST GET SOME!


Now, for your hand cream, this stuff needs to be intense! Heavy!! Don't worry- you're only going to use it at night. So, you don't have to be nervous about greasing things up during the day. Anywho, I really like the following-



This stuff is awesome and you can buy it in lots of places.



This actually has paraffin IN THE CREAM!!! So, it's like a paraffin dip and moisturizer in one!



This one has glycerin, which has literally been used as a moisturizer for hundreds of years! The pioneer women were using this stuff!!



A fantastic bargain for what you get!


So, here's what you do- grab your cream and SLATHER it on. Do not skimp!! Rub it into your hands, nails, nail beds, backs of your hands. Hit all the areas. Pay close attention to areas that are flaking, cracking, or peeling. Then, stick your gloves on and go to sleep! Ta da! It doesn't get much easier than that.