BIGGEST MAKEUP MISTAKES MADE BY WOMEN OVER 40!

We have had such great response with this post that I wanted to share it here as well...

THE BIGGEST MAKEUP MISTAKES MADE BY WOMEN OVER 40

#1: Foundation Do's and Don'ts 

DON'T cake it on; more coverage doesn't hide your wrinkles, it actually makes you look older!

DO know that "less is best." Get a sheer foundation or a light tinted moisturizer like the one from Dedra Beauty and lightly apply all over face. Press a damp makeup sponge into areas where you have wrinkles to soak up excess. Use a foundation stick only to treat individual blemishes or spots. "Less is best" may seem counterintuitive but the more skin you can see, the better! As long as your skin is well-hydrated, fresh skin looks more youthful than an obviously covered complexion!

#2: Matching Your Foundation To Your Skin

DON'T match your foundation to the area under your chin or the underside of your wrist!Common misconception: foundation should be lighter than the skin on your face. This is false! Foundation that's paler than your natural skin tone exaggerates fine lines.

DO opt for a foundation that's one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Even if you have ivory skin, you need to go a little bit warmer as you get older.

#3: Concealer

DON'T put concealer under the entire eye! Thick concealer that comes in a pot or stick will get rid of shadows under eyes, but it will also draw attention to the fine lines (which come with thinning skin).

DO only put it on the dark areas, NOT under the entire eye! To find the right color, tilt your head down. The light will show where exactly your circles are and you'll notice they're bluish in color. Concealer is all about correct placement.

#4: Powder

DON'T put powder anywhere near your eyes! Powder is fine for reducing shine on the nose and the chin, but on other parts of the face it exaggerates and sinks into wrinkles and can make skin look too dry. Youthful skin reflects light but powders prevent light reflection.

DO lightly dust over your T-zone.

#5: Sparkle Vs. Shimmer

DON'T wear glitter or sparkle! Sparkle is the hot new trend worn by everyone from Katy Perry and Taylor Swift to Selena Gomez. Here's the problem: you're not a rock star or 19 years old!

DO go for the age appropriate shimmer. It gives the same effect but it's not aging. Try Aura in dedra beauty 3-in-1 Palette from dedrabeauty . It's subtle yet soft and highlights your best features. Shimmer gives your skin that youthful glow because it gives the effect that it's reflecting light. 

#6: Lips

DON'T wear dark colors that are matte! As we age, our natural lip line can begin to fade which makes lipstick more prone to bleeding and feathering. This is extra noticeable if you're wearing dark colors.

DO wear a dark or bright color if it is a sheer gloss. This will help achieve youthful looking lips. 

#7: Mascara

DON'T wear mascara on your lower lashes. Playing up your lower lashes can make your eyes look droopy and draw attention to dark circles. It makes the eyes look older and accentuates the under eye wrinkles.

DO...if you feel naked with nothing on your bottom lid after years of mascara and eyeliner, opt for a subtle, blended brown line on the bottom lid. You want to define the eyes with softness and blending, not create a strict line. A great product to achieve this look is the Smudge Pencil by dedrabeauty. 

 

 

For a limited time only, I am offering all of my amazing dedra beauty cosmetics for 20% OFF! Go to dedrabeauty.com and enter coupon highlight20 upon checkout!

THANKSGIVING LOVE FOR YOUR HAIR!

When cooking up yummy goodness for your family this Thanksgiving, take some time to cook up something for your hair. With three simple ingredients that you have in your kitchen you can create a mask that hydrates, heals and protects your hair.

Start with  2 eggs for protein, 1 tablespoon coconut oil for hydration and a tablespoon of honey for shine.  Blend them all together.

 Zap them in the microwave for 45 seconds and apply to your dry hair.

I like to take a warm towel and wrap my hair up for added cooking!

Leave on for 10 minutes and wash out!  Make sure to shampoo a couple of times to get all the egg out, lol.

You will be left with beautiful, soft, silky shiny hair. Do once a week for extra deep conditioning treatment. Your hair will love you.  It's a great way to say "Thank you" to YOU this Thanksgiving!


Let me know what you think.  Do you have any home remedies that you like to use? Let me know in the comments.
xoxoDD

SUPER SIMPLE NATURAL MAKEUP LOOKS

When I created my makeup line dedra,  my intention was to develop a line of products that were so easy to use, anyone from a novice no makeup wearer to a professional makeup artist could use them without any fear.  I wanted products that you didn't need to use brushes with.  Products that could be used in a multitude of places saving you time, money and stress.  I came up with the concept of "car makeup" because like so many women, I am on the go constantly.  Maybe not in the car always but on a train or a plane.  We are always running from one thing to the next.  And for moms it's a constant shuttle from school to work to sports practices.  Taking a few minutes to feel better about ourselves is sometimes just not in the schedule.  I wanted women to have products that helped them, not create more headache.  My line of 6 products can be used in conjunction with each other to create looks that can easily transform you from day to night,  natural to naughty.  Here is an example of one of my products, my 3-in-1, eyes, lips and cheek palette.  It comes with 3 fabulous cream colors that any skin tone can  use on their eyes, lips and cheeks.  Unlike convertibles, dedra's 3-in-1 is FDA approved for your eyes so you can truly use the colors anywhere.  The best part is they can be applied with your fingers or the applicators provided.  I've also created 4 different looks with this one product so you can see how versatile it truly is. If you are interested in more of my no brush required, on the go makeup,  they can be found on my website, dedrabeauty.com.
And remember, beauty is as beauty does.  Let love reign and come from your heart.  True beauty always comes from within!

DEDRA'S TRICK FOR COVERING UNDER EYE CIRCLES

The trick to covering under eye circles lies in the placement of the product. And how do you figure out where that is? The easiest way is by tipping your chin down and looking into the mirror. Try it now. Find a mirror. Tilt your chin downward. Now look in the mirror.  Do you notice the darkness is greater. Now put your chin up. See it's harder to see them.  So if you really want to place your product correctly tilt your chin down, apply the product where the discoloration is greatest and blend up from there. Voila!  Pretty, fresh appearance!

*Did you know that  adding under eye concealer adds 10 hours of sleep to your appearance? Yep! That's why I wouldn't leave home without it.
Try my Creme Foundation Stick for under eye concealing, evening out skin tone and for all over coverage.  It's like 3 products in one!
www.dedrabeauty.com

BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Ok, so heres the thing.  I have a makeup line, dedra.  I tell women everyday how fabulous my line is, because it is.  I love the way it illuminates the skin and highlights ones features.  I love how it evens the skin tone without looking cakey or heavy.  But ultimately, deep in my soul and heart, I DON'T feel that you  NEED makeup.  I think ultimately beauty comes from the inside out.  We are all products of how we are feeling on the inside.  Think about someone that you know that you find beautiful.  What qualities do they have?  I can promise you that what you find beautiful about them is what is resonating inside.  So herein lies the crux.  Taking time every single day to love yourself is paramount.  This is an easier said then done.  Truly taking time to honor and love yourself takes dedication and commitment because for many of us it doesn't come naturally.  For mothers, putting the oxygen mask on before our kids is such a foreign concept but it's one that need to happen for both of you to survive.
Meditating daily on your "awesomeness" helps you to believe that you ARE "awesome."  Because my friends you truly are.  We all are.  Every single one of us is awesome in our own way.  The challenge is believing and owning it!!
So I am making a pact with you.  From this day forward, to show my beauty, I am going to practice believing in my awesomeness.  I hope you can make that pact back to me and together we can grow into the most beautiful people we can be!!

If you'd like to listen to a recent radio program I did with Sharon McWilliams where I tell my story to recognize and realize my inner beauty the link is listed below.
xoxoDD

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/voaradio/2013/10/01/dedra-whitt-from-desperate-to-dedra-beauty

BEAUTY GIRLS AT NYFW S14

So I'm feeling pretty proud of myself, I must say. I have been looking over all the shots of the beauty girls at NYFW S 14,  and the makeup is in par with my aesthetics. It's in my "wheelhouse" so to speak. Clean, natural, beautiful skin. Allowing the natural gorgeousness to shine through!  So happy that many of the designers are celebrating the natural beauty of these women.
You too can celebrate your natural beauty as well.  Using many techniques that I talk about here.

Using exfoliants daily like the Clarisonic brush and mild scrubs like Juliques Purely Age-Defying Refining Treatment keep not only the skin clean but refine pores, reduce fine lines and keep the dead skin from building up allowing the products you use to really get in and work!


Also, drinking tons of water is essential for beautiful skin.  Detoxing daily with water not only hydrates your skin but keeps your insides running smoothly as well.

As far as makeup goes, as I always say, less is more. Pick a feature that you like and highlight it. Focusing on the positive not only keeps your energy in the right direction it helps you look your best.
If eyes are your thing, play them up with a nice complimentary liner or color. If you have beautiful lips adding a color that features them will draw attention to the right place.  To highlight beautiful skin I like to do the reverse. Use minimal amounts of makeup.  There is nothing more beautiful than natural skin tone so if you have beautiful skin use a light tinted moisturizer, like mine, to just even out the tone. My tinted moisturizer also allows the dewiness of natural skin to glow adding a youthful glow to your appearance.

Beauty is as beauty does. Ultimately living your life from a loving place is key and will always allow you to shine from the inside out no matter what your beauty routine may be!

Here are some of my favorite looks from NYFW so far.  All of these looks can be created with dedra anti-aging tinted moisturizer with spf 30, spot with creme foundation stick,  3-in-1 eyes, lip and cheek palette and lash building mascara. They can be found on my website, dedrabeauty.com.

BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO YOU!!

Back to school is often a very emotional time for kids and also for their parents.  On one hand we are so excited to get our lives back again after the long summer days of "what are we going to do today?" On the other hand, there is always that bit of anxiety about whether our kids will have a good experience at school. Especially if your child is moving to a new school.  We hit the ground running as soon as they're on the bus or out the car door.  Cramming in as much "me time" as we possibly can before they return tired, hungry and very needy.  Our "me time" is a blip on the radar of a 24 hour day.  So how can we possibly get everything done in our day and still stay connected to ourselves and stay peaceful?

-Starting the day with a 5 minute meditation is a big key for me to staying grounded. Just creating that intention for the day and connecting to what ever makes you tick is so important in helping you feel better about yourself. 

-Getting ready in the morning can be a mini spa experience. I use coconut oil in my hair and on my body in the shower. Leaving it on for an extra 5 minutes there hydrates my skin and hair and minimizes the amount of products I need to use after. Also, I LOVE masks for the face.  Jurlique makes some wonderful purifying, hydrating and rejuvinating masks that only need to be left on for a few minutes. So as I'm brushing my teeth I apply a mask.  Talk about multi-tasking.

-Lastly, when it comes to beauty you know how I feel.  Less is more.  There is nothing more beautiful than natural beauty. When you can look in the mirror and like what you see-for exactly how you appear, you my friend have arrived!!  That's why I created my makeup line, dedra.  My line is a 5 minute makeup application.  It allows you to look like YOU.  And for us moms on the go, feeling good and looking good in no time sets the stage for a good day for everyone!!

You can see all the products that create my 5 minute makeup application at dedrabeauty.com

MY 3-IN-1, EYES, LIPS AND CHEEK PALETTE!

I am so excited to announce the unveiling of my new 3-in-1 palette.  All three colors work anywhere on the face creating endless combinations of colors and looks. My belief is that beauty is in every woman and sometimes we just need support in believing that.  Bringing that beauty out is my goal with every product in my line.  My intention is never to mask a womans appearance just aid in highlighting it.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there is no reason why that can't be you! Be. You.

Eyes, Lips and Cheek Palette
dedrabeauty.com
parabenfree

LAUNCHING OF MY NEW LINE, dedra

I am so excited to announce the launch of my new makeup line, dedra.  I have been working on creating it for over a year and it feels amazing to have it come to fruition.
dedra is designed for women who are on the go, don't know how to apply makeup, or just need the convenience of multi use, simple products.
dedra requires no brushes to apply, just good ol' fingers and it's so easy you could do it in the car(not that I would EVER advise doing makeup in the car!)
The products complete a whole look so there is no need to use anything else. All in a 5 minute application!!
dedra products empower women to look their very best by taking the mystery out of makeup allowing you to....Be. You.
I would love for you to take a look. Just go to www.dedrabeauty.com.
xoxodd

Andrea is wearing Smoke Smudge Pencil, 3-in-1 Kit and Innocence Lip Gloss

TIS THE SEASON!!

Tis the season, to get married.  Right now thousands of newly engaged couples are scrambling to put last minute touches on their upcoming weddings.  With thoughts of the unknown and fears of the what go wrongs, brides are spending sleepless nights checking and double checking their to-do lists.  One thing I have learned from years of working with brides to be is that no matter how many times we check and double check once the day is upon us what is to be will be.  The point is to take each moment in. To enjoy the process of creating this magical day and visualize it to feel the best it will feel. That will ensure that no matter what happens (or doesn't) happen on that day, everyone involved, including the guests, will have the most magical experience possible.  When meeting with possible vendors, see how you vibe with them.  Maybe their prices are different that you envisioned, or their cake doesn't taste quite as you hoped, but if you feel the most comfortable with that person or company, they are the ones! Ultimately on that day, they will create the very best for you, absolutely for sure.
Taking the time to find the simple beauty in all the preparations will guarantee a most simply beautiful wedding day!

Dedra has had the privilege of being a part of so many brides wonderful day.  You can find more of her work on her website simplebeautebydedra.com or on weddingwire.com

GET YOUR VALENTINES DAY ON!

CREATING BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Creating beauty from the inside out is easier that it may seem.  I have found that when we really take the time for ourselves daily, whether it be 5 minutes or 50, changes occur.  One of my favorite ways to "honor" and "love" myself is thru "mindful application." Instead of hurrying thru your beauty routine focus on how you wash your face, really massaging your skin and neck.  Applying a  hot compress also really soothes and relaxes our body as we prepare our skin for treatments.  And that is what I can all the lotions and potions that are added after a wash. By treating your skin with a mist of rose water your hydrating your face as well as awakening your senses.  I love to press my maracuja oil into my skin while slightly damp letting the face absorb all that great moisture.
By giving yourself this time, nurturing and paying attention, the mind shifts and love occurs. This transcends thru the rest of our day and beyond.

Are there any beauty regimes that make you feel honored and help start your day?

GET IT NOW...40% 0FF!!

BEAUTIFUL NIGHT....GOLDEN GLOBES

I thought the stars were definitely shining at last nights Golden Globes presentation.  Usually there are some big misses but honestly I thought the stars were shining brightly last night.  Not only was Jodie Fosters speech quite moving, she looked the best she ever has in my opinion.  Her hair was a perfect length and style and her makeup was strong yet clean.  I think the thing that made her look most beautiful was her confidence.  Something it sounds that has been hard fought!






I also absolutely loved the way Jessica Chastain looked.  Her hair, makeup and dress were perfection. Simple and elegant.  The right shade of lip to give her polished look a punch without going over the top.

But my absolute favorite of the evening definitely goes to Kate Hudson!! She hasn't been around for awhile or that I have seen and wow, she didn't disappoint. Striking, beautiful, simple elegance.
Creating a fine balance between natural beauty and glamour.
You know what I always say, simple beaute is always the best beauty there is!

What were your favorite looks from last night?  I'd love to know

HAPPY NEW YEARS...50% OFF!!

NOW IT'S EVEN EASIER...40% OFF!!

LOOKING FOR STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS?!

                                   

                                  Did you know that Simplebeautebydedra Foundation Stick makes great stocking stuffers? Their convenient size is perfect for anybody you want to share the gift of beauty with.        
                                   Simplebeautebydedra Foundation Sticks are
           -super easy to use, just rub on and blend
           -cream to powder for anti shine
           -healing for the skin
           -contain broad spectrum spf 15
           -pore minimizing
           -foundation AND concealer
                                                             
   And right now we are offering a 2nd stick  at half off so you too can enjoy the benefits of this amazing product!!


Also, from now until Christmas, 5% of every purchase will go to The Autism Society of America.  So not only do you empower yourself and a loved one thru beauty but you help the lives of someone inflicted with autism.

FEEL THE GIFT OF GIVING!

                     

          FEEL THE GIFT OF GIVING

This season we’re reminded how important it is to give.

So for all orders of simplebeautebydedra Foundation Stick placed from now until Christmas we’re giving 5% of everypurchase to The Autism Society of America.

Just log onto 

www.simplebeautebydedra.blogspot.com

 Be Beautiful!!

                         

HAPPY HANNUKAH!

http://www.simplebeautebydedra.blogspot.com

LOOK SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL FOR THE HOLIDAYS-25% OFF

I want you to look simply beautiful for the holidays and to help you take the "mystery out of makeup" I'm offering my simplebeautebydedra foundation for 25% off! My foundation is so easy to use you could virtually do your makeup it in the car-although we don't advise that.  If you have 1 minute you can protect, conceal and even out your skintone with this one little stick. So give yourself more time for shopping and look beautiful with simplebeautebydedra!