The Daily Beauty Break

Love, love, love Pureology shampoos and conditioners…..Hate, hate, hate the pricetag! The amazing smelling, sulfate-free super moisturizing products do my hair good, but KILL the wallet. And with the bathroom remodel going on (oh, yeah did I tell you that?), I just can’t do it.

So I went to Sally’s and bought a bottle of their copycat….Coloresse Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner (as I rolled my eyes). But guess what? While my nose knows the difference (not EVEN in the same ballpark, scent-wise) and my checkbook knows the difference  (Coloresse will only set you back around $8) my hair does NOT.

Totally shiny, totally moisturized without being weighed down. Coloresse is a total winner………

Be Beautiful Y’all…

Katy Perry’s makeup artist Jake Bailey did a fabulous job this year mixing Hi and Lo beauty products to give her an amazing glow at Grammys. While the dress and bang didn’t make my list, that skin and purply-pink lip did float my boat.

Jake achieved complexion perfection with Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation (hey, I just used that this morning on MY broadcast beauty). This foundation looks just as great on camera as it does picking up the kids at school…..

Her lovely lip was all Cover Girl as Jake lined and filled in the entire lip with CG Outlast Lip Stain in Berry Wink. Looks like I need to pick up that shade next trip out….

Be Beautiful Y’all….

Ring around the neck? Visible foundation lines from summer’s old foundation? THE HORROR…..Yep, it’s officially the time to switch out that old foundation….Not only are you probably in need of a color change, but your skin might be like mine and call for something a tad bit moisturizing in the colder months. So here are my picks (Hi and Lo)…..

1. Orlane B21 Absolute Skin Recovery Smoothing Foundation ($70). A sweet little birdy sent me this luxurious liquid foundation to test drive and I gotta say….it gave great skin. Blending treatment and makeup, this foundation comforted and calmed my sometimes sensitive and over-active sebaceous glands. This base gives sheer to medium coverage with a natural matte finish… If you’re a high-end foundation devotee (and stress junkie) this Orlane foundation is worth a look-see……

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Clarifying Matte Foundation (<$10). My drugstore pick last summer….Rimmel’s Stay Matte did just that (sorry). Good for you oily gals that may want to try a liquid for the colder months. Again, sheer to medium coverage so if you’ve got something big to hide have concealer on hand.

3. Emani Crushed Mineral Foundation ($24). You loose, mineral girls you might want to give Emani makeup a look-see. Like Bare Minerals for the eco-conscious crew, this Vegan-friendly mineral makeup line won’t test on animals, use parabens or other bad stuff in their cosmetics and watches their carbon footprint. Bonus, I thought the Crushed Mineral Foundation was a DEAD ringer for BE’s new Matte Foundation…I’m just sayin’.

4. Gotta give a shout out to Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation/Concealer ($24). If your skin has “issues” and you’re short on confidence this highly pigmented, liquid mineral base will ease your mind. Bonus, it won’t settle into lines like other heavy-duties can. Careful though, a little dab’ll do ya….

5. Bobbi Brown’s Foundation Stick ($40). My “Every Woman” foundation pick…This easy-to-use (and take in your purse) stick gives medium to full coverage….sheer it out with a damp sponge for lighter coverage. Blends into skin for totally natural-looking coverage…Use your fingers or a foundation brush.

Still not ready to drop any coin for a new foundation (or don’t have time)? Use my fabulous Bronzer Technique to hide a foundation application that turned out  too dark (yes, even pro’s make mistakes)…Love your Bronzer girls…Like the Prozac of cosmetics, it makes ALL colors blend beautifully (I know, I’m weird like that)…

Be Beautiful Y’all….

(photo courtesy of MTV and Getty Images….)

So, not really a fan of “The Hills” (afraid I’m a  little too long in the tooth for that kind of “reality” television), but I AM a fan of simple and classic red carpet beauty….and celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey gave just that to starlet Lo Bosworth at this years MTV Movie Awards. The goods?

Skin: Like every good makeup artist, Jake knows that every great look starts with beautiful skin. He choose Max Factor Color Genius with Minerals Foundation ($10) topped with Chanel’s Poudre Universelle Compact Natural Finish Pressed Powder ($44) to get Lo’s gorgeous glow…Now how’s that for Hi/Lo Beauty (….my favorite)?

Eyes: Jake used a combo of Max Factor MAXeye Liner in Gilt Complex ($5.99) and Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Shadow in Slate ($28.50)...Topped off with false lashes (you know the ones I love)…and lots and lots of Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara ($11).

Lips: K.I.S.S…..Jake kept it simple and gave Lo’s lips a swipe of Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor in Sweet Tart ($9).

So there you have it my beauties….Keepin’ in Real with Hi/Lo Beauty Beauty. I’ve said it (multiple) times before, but I am sooo not a beauty snob….It works if you work it!!!

What are your favorite Hi/Lo beauty product combos? Do tell…..

Be Beautiful Ya’ll….

So…the thing I like about mascara is that you have to replace it every six weeks or so (right?….) so you get to experiment with new brands pretty often. Sometimes the thing I DON’T like about mascara is that you have to replace it every six weeks….(if you have one that you are totally loyal to).

Lucky for moi, I am pretty much a mascara slut and like to hop from tube to tube (hee, hee)…..

Let’s start with my Lo Pick…I’m really digging Rimmel’s New Sexy Curves Mascara ($7.99). It’s got a waay cool brush…takes a bit of getting used to but once you do it really helps you dig it into the lash line. The formula is very clump-free (although I wish it was a tad bit more voluminous)….but the length is ALL there. Bonus…you can buy it at your everything store!

My High Pick would be Anastasia’s Lash Lifting Mascara ($22). This baby does it all…gives super volume and really helps the lashes keep their curl. It’s become my everyday pick (at least for the next 6 weeks).  Figures a brow guru would come up with a fabulous mascara….

What’s your fav mascara right now? Do tell…….

Be Beautiful Ya’ll……

Happy Friday my Beauties….Don’t worry, no “Beauty Rant” this morning….I’ll stick to “happy, fluffy thoughts”….(and maybe curtail my news veiwing minutes…SERENITY, NOW!!!).

SO, after reading my girl Paula’s post a few weeks ago about Bodycology’s Vanilla Buttercream Body Lotion ($3) ….My mouth was literally watering…Usually I pass by the special Bath & Body section at Walmart because most of the lotions I’ve tried there are about as moisturizing as well, NOTHING….

Doing the whole “lotion” routine day-in and day-out gets pretty monotonous….So I am always on the lookout for heavenly scented lotions to help break it up…And since my 151 lb frame requires about a gallon of week of the crap, CHEAP is a requirement.

VS

And if you know me at all, you know that I am like a MAGNET whenever there is a Bath & Body Works around…I’m like white-on-rice really. I love their creams and potions…and with coupons and their Buy 4 Get 5 Free deal, I usually come out “ok”…But the same size body cream will set you back around $8 to $10 bucks……So I decided to pick up some Bodycology at Walmart earlier this week…..

The Verdict:  Bodycology WINS!!!! This heavy-duty cream smells like HEAVEN..(exactly like my old favorite from B&BWs that was discontinued…I think it was “Cupcake”) and actually the Bodycology formula is  THICKER and more MOISTURIZING…Perfect to lube up the legs after a winter shave. The scent is strong enough to make you feel “pretty” but not compete if you want to wear another scent that day.  BEST OF ALL….I got it at Walmart and it is CHEAP,CHEAP, CHEAP (<$3)…..Score one for (extremely) affordable luxury…..

Do you have any CHEAP favorites that I must know about??? Do tell….

Be Beautiful Ya’ll…..

Hello there beautiful people. So I went from blond to brown again this week…..sad, but necessary…just can’t afford the 7 week touch ups being blond requires…bittersweet because for moi brown really does flatter my skin tone better and requires way less makeup. But I digress….that must be why I am all about the hair lately…

Anyhoo- been meaning to tell you about my love for Matrix Sleek Look Shampoo & Conditioner (both <$15) for months now…I love,love this stuff…..it really tames my course mane and gives great shine…..it’s super thick and literally can clog the shower drain if you don’t watch it….Just what my fried-n-died do needs! When I have the dough that’s where my money goes!!!

BUT (nothing new) I am so broke…..and after seeing my girl Lianne’s video and post about her Suave experience over at TheMakeupGirl…..”silky,silky now” (btw she’s giving away a YEARS worth of Suave so go check it out!!!) I decided to “get real” and bought the way cheaper Suave Professional Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner (both under $3 bucks..). at Walmart the next day.

THE VERDICT: While the Suave didn’t feel anywhere near as luxurious, thick and creamy (okay that sounds REALLY gross…get your head out of the gutter J) I was pleasantly suprised at the final results…the Sauve conditioner is especially thinner but it washed out extremely slow leaving my hair coated and soft. My blowout afterwards was just as shiny, just as soft…Not bad for $6 bucks VS $26!!! So funny because when I told my hairdresser she was like, “GIRL, just call me and I will TAKE you to the supply house so you don’t have to use that crap”. But really, Suave did a great job……..

So until that Xmas bonus comes in I’m a Suave girl……….

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!! (and if you have any Hi/Lo Beauty Booty coups you better dish…)

So money’s tight my dears!!! (but there’s no reason our faces have to reflect it) SO, I really want to share with you (from the vast knowledge of all beauty booty in my big ‘ol beauty obsessed head) ways you can scrimp and save. Lucky for us, drugstore cosmetics companies are finally getting hip to the innovative products that were once fodder for prestige cosmetic companies “secret weapons”…..and coming up with their own (and just as great) versions!!!

So I’d thought I would start with a comparison of tinted moisturizers. I was delighted to find out that Covergirl got smart and finally came up with CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer ($6.99)….So I thought I would test it against an old favorite LORAC ProtecTINT SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer ($30).

I found the CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer to be just as moisturizing as LORAC’s. The coverage was about the same too….I found them both to have the same amount of pigment and thought the CG Smoothers actually blended into my skin a little bit easier…… I think they both did a great job giving my skin the moisture it needed while calming any redness and evening out my tone (definitely only on a good skin day for moi…can anyone say zits from hell?).

Bottom line: The only bummer about the Cover Girl product was that I wish it had as much sunscreen protection as the LORAC tinted moisturizer….but heck, since the Cover Girl is less than half the price of LORAC, I’d would say it’s worth buying and adding your own sunscreen underneath!!!!

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!!

Hello beauties….So, not to brag or anything..but I have been having some seriously soft, GOOD hair days this last week or so! I’ve also been a hair-twirler my entire life (my mom swears I did this in the womb)…so keeping my hands OUT of my hair has never been an option…especially now that it just feels so SOFT (and looks pretty shiny, I must admit)…So (of course) I just had to tell all of you about my latest leave-in cocktail….

I just happened to mix together my Aussie Moist Leave-In Creme ($3) and my Biosilk Silk Therapy ($12)….I would say 2/3 parts Aussie and 1/3 part Silk….the humectants in the Aussie and the silicones in the Silk make for some seriously “twirl-able” hair…..And I like that it qualifies for my Hi/Lo Beauty Booty Section….Seriously, with the economy like it is (not that I haven’t always been broke) anything that can save me a buck and make my more expensive beauty products last longer is a VERY GOOD thing.

So if you have thick, coarse (over-processed, bleached, fried-n-dyed) hair like moi…give these two a go…You’ll thank me later!!!

Be beautiful Ya’ll….

Hello my beauties! I am SO about bronzer right now, can I just tell you? It is my favorite thing….esp after all those years in the 90’s without it….(so many bad pictures of me white-faced!!!) And now that our summer color has officially faded, I wanted to share with you one (of the many) tricks of the trade that I learned at The Bobbi Brown Master Class last week!

Leave it to Bobbi’s team to make it super easy for us….(it was definitely one of those Aha! moments for moi)…How to find the perfect shade of bronzer for you? According to Bobbi’s Kim Soane and my “personal” makeup artist Faith Edwards….Just look and match the color to your arms!!!! Since we are all great about wearing sunscreen on our faces (right, ladies?) but not quite yet on our bodies, our arms are usually a few shades deeper than our face…..and our natural “tan” shade is EXACTLY the color we want when we buy bronzer……DUH!!!

Here are my High/Lo Bronzer picks….(of course) Right now my High pick is definitely Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder ($33). Perfect for fall and winter, I am digging it because it doesn’t have all the shimmer in it that some of the others do…it gives you realisitic looking color for the colder months so you don’t end up looking like your face went to Hawaii and your body stayed home….

Lo Pick is definitely Milani Cosmetics Powder Bronzer ($<5). Why? Same reason as Bobbi….not too much shimmer….And I was also suprized by how much pigment Milani gives you at such a great price! Nice…REAL Nice…..

Happy Monday and Bronze Beautifully…..