Easy Natural Make Up Tutorial | No Strobbing, Contouring or Baking + Anti-aging Tips!

Here' a soft, beautiful "No Make Up" makeup look that requires no strobbing, no contouring or baking your face. This make-up tutorial has a number or great tips for newbies and instant facelift  anti-aging cosmetic techniques.



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BEAUTY BEAT | SMASHBOX CAMERA READY BB WATER TIPS AND REVIEW

Spring has sprung! It's time to change up my oily skin beauty routine! My most valued tip?  Ditch those heavy moisturizers, foundations and skincare products for lighter, warm weather friendly versions.

 

For years, Bare Minerals Matte Foundation has been my daily summer-time boo because it's light natural mineral powder formulation keeps my oily skin in check while protecting my skin from free-radicals and aging sun-rays.  But, I was recently introduced to SMASHBOX CAMERA READY BB WATER BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 during their event at my local Ulta a few weeks ago. I was so impressed thought I'd give it a go.

I tried the BB Water for a couple of weeks and here's what I found to be true,

1.  The demi matte finish provided natural and radiant coverage, opposed to the super matte, "dry" (for lack of a better word) look you get with many oil control mattifying foundations. 
2. Whether I opted for light or fuller coverage, the product minimized my pores while keeping shine at bay.
3. The BB water was incredibly light. I could not feel it on my skin at all! This is a major + in my book given our hot and humid summers.
4. It lasted all day.
5. When I was super short on time,  I could skip my primer. The primer in the BB cream was enough. On extra oily days, this primer works great!
6. It didn't oxidize weirdly. It continued to look very natural on the skin.
7. Oh - it's SPF 30 didn't leave me ashy or casket makeup worthy.

CON - The only thing I'd like to see improved , is the color range for this product. I'm wearing DARK, their deepest hue. I'd love to see options for mocha skin.

I think the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water is amazing! Now, I still like my Make Up Forever Matte Velvet Foundation for special occasions, but the BB water is a great daily use product. In fact, I've already suggested it to a number of friends. Will it take the place of Bare Minerals matte? It is certainly giving it a good run for the money! I'll keep you posted. 

xoxo, L

HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR SKIN USING CLARISONIC MIA 2

Beautiful healthy skin is the foundation to slaying any natural or glam make-up look.  Here's how I transformed my skin using the Clarisonic Mia 2! 

After making sure I fully charged my Mia 2 I incorporated these 7 steps into my skincare regiment:

1. I use the Clarisonic Mia 2 daily. I prefer to use it at night because I find it beneficial to allow my skin to rest after exfoliation. It also allows my skin to fully benefit from any oils and other nutrients used after cleansing without adding make-up, primers or other products to the mix. 
   
2. I remove eye make-up by hand. I've been using Andalou Naturals Revitalizing Lash and Lid Make-up Remover because it gently removes my waterproof mascara without leaving an oily residue. I try to use gentle products on the sensitive skin around my eyes to minimize wrinkles and sagging.  I'm trying to look like Angela Bassett when I'm 50+ and Cicely Tyson when I'm 90!
   
   
3. I moisten the Clarisonic Mia 2 brush with warm water, then apply the Deep Pore Daily Cleanser. This cleanser is formulated for daily use with the Clarisonic. Twice a week I also use Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser to get ride of any hyperpigmentation.
   
4. After turning on the Mia 2, I follow the T-zone timer prompts while cleansing my skin by moving the brush over my skin in a circular motion.  Here's the order in which I cleanse my skin. 

1. 20 seconds
2. 20 seconds
3. 10 seconds
4. 10 seconds
5. I move from one section to the other when the when the Mia pulcates. I love this self timing feature. Takes the guess work out of things. NOTE: Don't press the brush to the skin too forcefully. Allow it to over the skin to reap maximum cleansing results.
   
5. I gently cleanse the brush after use and let it air dry. I shampoo the brush every few days to keep it free of any dirt or bacteria.
   
6. I follow up with my favorite toner. Currently I'm using Mario Badescu's Seaweed Toner. This calms and resets pH level of the skin.
   
7. Apply your favorite carrier or essential oil mix and moisturizer. I use tea tree oil and rose hip seed oil and Trader Joe's Nourish antioxidant Facial Moisturizer. The tea tree has wonderful anti-bacterial properties and minimizes inflammation from breakouts. This is great for those suffering from regular or occasional ache. I made a video about the many benefits of rose hip seed oil. Take a look!  It's like liquid gold for your skin. The Trader Joe's moisturizer I'm using is oil free and my skin is loving it.

That's it in a nut-shell! Do you have a Clarisonic Mia 2? Love it or Hate it? Comment below.

NATURAL BEAUTY MADE EASY | Tartelette In Bloom

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Hey guys! While picking up a few gifts at Ulta, I innocently...ok...in truth a made a beeline to check out Tarte's Tartlette in Bloom eye shadow palette the other day and OMGGGGGG!

This palette is every bit as gorgeous as you've heard!  I LOVE how blendable  the shadows are! They glide on and perfectly accentuate your natural beauty!

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Tartlette in Bloom includes a wonderful mix of true matte and shimmering shadows in warm and neutral hues. I have slightly hooded eyes and prefer to use mattes in my crease and a bit of shimmer by my tear ducts and on the brow bone.  Because the colors coordinate so beautifully with one another and blend so easily, this palette is all I need to create a variety of natural and more intense looks.

THE BEST PART? Each of the 12 deliciously warm hues included in the palette are perfect for women of color!  A must have!

Grab your palette here ---> Tartlette in Bloom

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Beauty Beat | Winter Skin Care Routine

Many of you have asked about my morning and evening skin care routine. While a vlog is coming soon - I thought share some of the nuts and bolts of my routine to maintain glowing, healthy and vibrant skin during the winter months.

Now don't get it twisted! I have dull skin days, occasional breakouts and everything else that comes along with having oily skin. The important thing to remember is that all of this is normal. However, if you develop a solid skin care regiment and stay consistent with it, your skin will take less time to recover and will quickly rebound from skin dullness associated with your monthly cycle and blemishes that pop up every so often.

AVOIDING SUNKEN EYES/DARK CIRCLES:
We know that it's necessary to increase our water intake during the winter months to counteract effects of bitter cold and dry air circulating indoors, but did you know that drinking a glass before bed helps you stay hydrated over night?  YEP!

The average person sleeps between 6-8 hours each night. Drinking a glass of water before bed helps you to stay hydrated, helps your organs to function properly AND helps you to sleep more soundly. Each of these benefits lessens the likely hood of waking with sunken eyes or dark circles - SO DRINK UP!
Note: don't worry about bathroom runs over night. When your body is properly hydrated, you'll find that you won't have to go 'til morning!

Bye-Bye Flaky Dull Skin:
Exfoliate. Exfoliate. Exfoliate. The best way to remove old dull skin and reveal your most beautiful

and healthy skin during the winter months is to exfoliate regularly. One of the greatest benefits of this process is gradual lightening of hyperpigmentation!  YES! Say bye-bye to old acne or blemish scars.

My two secret weapons? Clarisonic Mia2 and Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. For MANY YEARS I manually exfoliated my skin with a facial brush or scrub. The problem with facial scrubs is the particles can irritate the skin - especially if you have break-outs. So I like the Mario Badescu cleanser because its glycolic acid gently exfoliates the skin as you cleanse lightening break-out scaring and uneven skin tone. The Clarisonic Mia 2 is probably the single BEST investment I made in my skin this year. Its invigorating brush deep cleanses my pores in a way I could never replicate manually and greatly improved the texture and suppleness of my skin.

Fight Fine Lines and Dry Skin: 
After washing my face I still use 5 drops of Rosehip Seed Oil as a skin serum (benefits of Rosehip Seed Oil) but I swapped out my Juice Beauty Moisturizer (a summer favorite) for Dr. Brandt's Xtend Your Youth Skin Cream which is parabean and sulfate free!  Moisturizers I've used in the past seemed to give up mid-day during our harsh Chicago winters, but Xtend Your Youth's  unique blend of antioxidants keep my skin soft and hydrated all day long. It's worth every penny! :)

Some winter beauty tips I follow:

• Start the day with at least 2 glasses of water; infuse with lemon for a tasty change.
• Gently wipe away make up each night. During the winter months, I prefer to use coconut oil.  For eye makeup, I prefer BareMinerals Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover or Tarte Fresh Eyes Waterproof Make-up Remover
• Wash and exfoliate at night...even if I'm feeling lazy.
• Avoid trying new skin care or make-up products during your monthly cycle because hormones keep on changing during that time and any new product might cause breakouts, scars, and blemishes.
• Eat plenty of fruits and veggies every single day. You're worth it!

Welp, those are the nuts and bolt of my skin care routine for winter.  I will share my favorite make-up products and DIY's for lips and facial very soon!

Hope this helps!
L