Beauty Rules Homecoming 2010

This weekend I had the pleasure of prepping six fab girls for their first ever EGR Homecoming Dance, and after hearing Bobbi Brown say that her Beauty Rules Palette would work on every skin tone I decided I would put it to the test.

First, the palette is so pretty! In addition to wearing the products myself, I used them to enhance the beauty of every single girl that graced my makeup chair. That said, it's not an all-inclusive makeup kit. The products are versatile but if this is a teens first introduction to colour, it's missing a few key items in my humble opinion - a shimmer champagne shadow to be worn alone or used as a highlight, a brown liner, and mascara.

Claire was first for makeup

CJ, Nicole, Zoe, Emily, and Sophie - - - - 

I think the book and palette are a great start, but there needs to be more instruction available for teens. Without knowing where to apply these colours, how to blend, etc. this palette has the potential to go very wrong, very quickly. All of these girls seemed a bit terrified of makeup because they didn't want to look overly done up. I totally get it! They're probably used to seeing girls at school every day with way too much colour, liner, or both. What they don't realize is that makeup is supposed to be 1) fun and 2) used to enhance your natural beauty not taken to extremes. So, for all of my homecoming beauties and anyone else who struggles with where to begin, I'll share my top tips over the next several days ... And please send your questions my way if you have them.

CJ, Nicole, Zoe, Emily, Sophie, and Claire thanks for letting me be a part of your special night!
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Beauty By Candlelight Day 1

Fall is typically my favorite time of year, but the crazy storms that rolled through Tuesday night left me sans electricity for days. While I’m all for the benefits that soft candlelight can provide, this beauty girl was never meant to live in the dark!

There were many “technical” challenges, like no Internet and trying to keep my computer and cell phone charged, but there were also beauty challenges to be tackled. Rather than retreating to yoga pants and a ponytail, I put some products to the test to see if they could keep me looking fashionable with limited light and no styling tools. 

Now that I’m back on the grid, here are my favorite finds from Day 1.

• Every makeup bag should be stocked with tinted moisturizer. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is like the Triple Crown of foundation – moisturizing, providing sun protection, and balancing my complexion in a matter of seconds. I even got a compliment on my glowing skin!

• Take advantage of double-duty beauty products. I’ve had a Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for a while now but tend to reach for my same powder blush on most days. Since the goal was simplicity, this product was ideal. I applied Pink Truffle on the apples of my cheeks and lips with my fingers. I think this is the easiest way to apply cream-based colors because the heat from your hands helps warm the product so it blends beautifully. It instantly added the perfect pop of color and I only had to carry one product out of the house with me.

• Never underestimate the value of a great haircut. Without a blow dryer or flatiron I was afraid my naturally curly hair was destined to turn to frizz. Thanks to a terrific cut and the messy, wavy hairstyles that are so hot right now I was able to wash and go. Still, these locks can’t wait to get back to the fabulous styling power of my T3.

More to come...

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Colour obsession

Maybe it's the fact that dark nail polish has reigned supreme or my secret love for all things preppy ... I'm not sure, but what I do know is that essie has me falling back in love with color! I always look for new nail colors at Smooch but this time I was totally caught off guard by how much I wanted a pedi and paint job with kelly green polish.  What!?!?

Essie's Pretty Edgy is like the perfect blend of punk prep for nails. It's the beauty version of Libertine's navy duffel with embroidered whales and skull and crossbones happily coexisting on the same bag. Yep, same thing now in a polish. And even if that's not your thing, who doesn't love kelly green?

I snatched up the last bottle and was beauty tipsy until I saw the cashiers perfectly stunning robin's egg blue polish. Yes, I do tend to have a short attention span when it comes to beauty and all things sparkly! As you can imagine, when I found out the shade Turquoise & Caicos wasn't available, I had to have it. My determination has paid off and my toes now make me beam every time I look down. Amazing how a little bit of beauty can lift your spirit!


Colour me happy!
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Protect Your Pout with Love Lisa from Too Faced!

In my book sun protection should be an every day event, which is why I LOVE almost any product with SPF built right in. I'm guessing the same could be said for Too Faced founder Jerrod Blandino. To honor his sister Lisa's battle against Stage 4 Melanoma he created Love Lisa Luxury Lip Balm Sunscreen.

For starters, it's the cutest lip balm EVER and the little Lisa-inspired bauble on top makes it so easy to find in your handbag! With orange essential oils to sooth and SPF 15 to fight off the sun's damaging rays, this should quickly become a summertime staple. Pick up multiples at Sephora and know that a portion of every sale is not only protecting your sassy lil smile, it's also helping to fund the Too Faced Love Lisa Melanoma Research Foundation. 

Show your love!

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Haircuts for Your Hometown

You have until 7PM tonight to check out "Haircuts for Your Hometown" hosted by eco-chic Salon Re: located on Fulton in Grand Rapids. In an effort to support the local Red Cross, the talented stylists will be offering haircuts for a minimum $10 donation. All the proceeds raised will go to helping those in need in your local community.

Here are Joy and Amanda talking about the event on WZZM13 salon re: haircuts for hometown

Give back and look great!
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A hot night of fashion and beauty in NYC!

If you're in NYC and have plans tonight, cancel them, because Sue DeVitt and Tracy Reese are teaming up for a fabulous evening of fashion and beauty. Two of my favorites! Call to schedule an appointment for a Sue DeVitt makeup consultation and then shop while you wait with an exclusive 25% discount on Tracy Reese designs. Either way, you're bound to leave looking even more beautiful than you did when you walked through the door!

Have fun!
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Lush luxuries for the naughty and the nice!

If you're still working on your holiday shopping, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics has something for everyone on your list. Whether they've been naughty or nice, these gifts let them indulge in a bit of luxury while getting your holiday message across without having to say a word! And most of these lovelies are under $20.

For the bah humbugs, gift the lump-of-coal-shaped Want to Believe Bath Melt. It's fennel and starflower ingredients will help promote a more peaceful state of mind just in time for the new year.

To mend a rocky relationship try a peace offering, like Olive Branch Shower Gel.

For the gossip girl, drama queen, diva ... None of Your Beeswax Lip Balm will keep her lips in tip top shape for spreading holiday cheer or hanging out under the mistletoe.

To give a gift that gives back, turn to Charity Pot Hand & Body Lotion. 100% of the proceeds from each sale will be give to charities that support animal rights, environmental protection, and humanitarian concerns.

For anyone on my list and probably yours too, Rehab Shampoo ... Need I say more?!?

And for the surprise gifter, hostess, or last minute holiday party, Lush offers eight pre-wrapped gifts for $20 so you're prepared for every situation.

Shop on and spread some holiday cheer!
t



 

Giving back has never looked so gorgeous!

BORBA Skin Care is helping women to look gorgeous and support Breast Cancer research with their Lovely Lip Tint. While the sheer pink shade is lovely and would compliment any skin tone, I think I may have actually squealed with excitement when I read that this gloss contains cashmere fiber. Finally, cashmere for your lips! Isn't it fabulous!?!

Every time you gloss it on is like pampering your pout. Your lips feel soft, smooth, and maybe a little indulgent, like when you slip into your favorite cashmere sweater. And I love that BORBA products are actually good enough to eat, since it's said that we each eat several pounds of lip color every year - ewwwwhhh. Honestly, their products are created to support healthy skin from the inside out, so they include vitamins, anti-oxidants, and other skin-loving ingredients. Of course the best part is that 10% of the purchase price is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Pucker up ladies!
t

My Summer Staple - Xtreme Lashes

Sometimes the most unexpected event can turn a beauty indulgence into an absolute "must-have". That's what I discovered about my Xtreme Lash Extensions when a terrible spill landed me in the ER with a broken femur! I can honestly say that from a health standpoint I've been extremely fortunate, and until May 19 I'd never been inside an ambulance or whisked into the ER. The whole thing was absolutely tragic.

And when the doctor told me that they'd be putting my leg in traction until surgery the following day, beauty was the last thing on my mind. Little did I know that as I drifted off to sleep, my lashes became a topic of conversation. As I was waking from a fog of anasthesia two nurses leaned over and asked, "How do you get your lashes to look like that?" Ha! Even in the worst of circumstances I guess long, flirty lashes can become the center of attention. After spending a week in the hospital and being asked about my lashes daily, I've decided that lash extensions are an investment that's well worth the cost! So beauties, call your local spa and see if they offer lash extensions. Not only will you love the compliments, but you won't have to worry about wearing mascara all summer long!

While I spend the rest of the sultry summer months trying to recover so I can once again wear heels...I plan to share every other low- or no-maintenance beauty trick and product I can get my hands on! It's good to be back.

Cheers,
t

Chanel-quality Tan

I think most of us expect the Chanel brand to deliver on quality and their Beaute Initiale Healthy Glow is no exception. A gradual self-tanning product and facial moisturizer that stands above its competitors with the addition of SPF15 and amazingly none of that nasty self-tanning smell. This last point is HUGE for me! A lot of products make this claim, but until now I've never found one that was truly sans smell. 

It has a silky feel on the skin, provides enough hydration to be used as a facial moisturizer, and builds a gradually beautiful bronze color. Two beauty tipsy bits to keep in mind:

Tipsy 1 - Before it's time to strut your summer wardrobe, apply an all-over self-tanning product so it doesn't look like you sunned only your face on holiday.

Tipsy 2 - Check your foundation shade as the color of your tan develops. This is important and can sneak up on you. Trust me, I should know this and it still hit me like a bad April Fool's Day trick! I applied my fave Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, and headed out to meet a friend only to find that in the light of day my face look absolutely appalling. I guess my "healthy glow" had kicked in and I've been such a spaz rushing around that I didn't even notice. Oops!  No worries though, I was able to cover up my misstep with the help of a mineral powder and a long scarf (See April's In Style p. 270 for this accessory everyone should own).

And while we're on the topic of In Style,  I was thrilled to see that Chanel's Healthy Glow also made it on the Best in Beauty List.  It's not considered a new product but it's nice to see it getting the recognition it deserves! 

Cheers,

t

Tan Towel

Sorry for the delay in posting. I have to say that I'm still pretty pleased with my first self-tanning product, but Tan Towels may make me a believer too. I tried both the X-foliator and the Tan Towel, and I'm patiently awaiting my results! I really like the convenience of both products. The single-use packets are perf for traveling and very easy to use. 

The X-foliator offers up 3-in-1 benefits that I would recommend to anyone. One side of the towelette has a rough texture to exfoliate the skin. You can tell it's working but it's not too harsh, which is fabulous! Then you flip the towelette over and use the other side to both buff and moisturize the skin. Voila! You're skin is perfectly prepped for a tanning product. 

Tan Towel was equally easy to use, but I did like the fact that California Tan goes on with a little color so you know you've got every inch covered. I'm hoping that three hours from now I'll be beautifully bronzed for a night on the town with friends!

Cheers,

t

Be Buxom

Since I'm on a pout-pleasing mission this week I decided to try Buxom Lips. Created by Leslie Blodgett, the mastermind behind Bare Escentuals, this high-shine gloss promises lips that look fuller and more voluptuous. I honestly wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised to experience yet another lip plumping victory! 

True to its claims, the gloss is neither sticky or tacky. For me that's a HUGE plus. I adore Bobbi Brown and MAC gloss but there's nothing worse than stepping out the door feeling fabulous only to end up spending the day trying to discreetly remove the hair stuck to your lips - yuck! But back to Buxom - it delivers a definite tingle and loads of shine. Another positive is that each glossing delivers the lip-loving benefits to vitamins A & E. 

Bianca is a great option for achieving the nude lip gracing us again this spring. Kanani is their new pink, but it's a bit frosty for me. A bit embarrassing, but it made me flashback to my long-lived devotion to Estee Lauder All-Day Cinema Pink. I can't go back, so if I'm rockin' a pink pout it's either going to tease with a barely there shimmer or shout with some serious color.  This one doesn't do either for me but it does leave my lips looking a bit more buxom. 

Give 'em some lip!

t

Pucker Up!

Valentine's Day has come and gone but a perfectly plumped pucker is a seasonless accessory in my book. If you agree, I've got a  fab product to try. Prior to beauty tipsy on blogspot, I had touted the powers of Colorfill's lip-plumping gloss. With this beauty staple no longer available at Bath & Body Works I was overjoyed to find that Miss. Bliss herself, Marcia Kilgore, launched a new line at Target including a trio of glosses with the same pout appeal. 

Sexy Motherpucker promises to deliver plumping technology that expands up to 10x in volume on the lips. I was thrilled to experience the same fizzing sensation I've come to adore from Colorfill Gloss and my lips were proof positive that Sexy Motherpucker works! This threesome is a sure bet for sexy, polished, and alluring lips - a la Angelina. And the shades are sheer enough to compliment any pout in Nude, What a Melon, and Super Starry. Meow! The chocolate fragrance is the only thing I could live without. But as any good beauty maven would, I've come up with a deliciously simple solution. Double your bliss by indulging in a lil chocolate treat at the time of glossing. Choose dark chocolate and you've got the bonus of antioxidant protection. Then hold your head high knowing your lips are looking luscious. You Sexy Motherpucker you!