WHAT'S IN A NAME?!

  Thinking about the name of my blog "Simple Beaute" and really defining what that means to me,  I'm reminded of exactly why I love that concept.  I love things that are simple and pure, and I believe the most beautiful things are simple and uncomplicated.  Like nature for example.  Even the most intricate of flowers like an orchid is simple and elegant and just "is,"  without apology, beautiful and pure.  I am constantly striving for beauty in my life.  I like to surround myself with beautiful things.  Most especially beautiful things that are simple as well.  Like makeup that's pretty but easy to do. Or products that make you feel beautiful but are so basic in their ingredients. Calling on nature to nurture.  I found a great line of skincare products at my local farmers market called "Squid Balm" that embodies this philosophy. Started by a mom trying to create a balm for her daughter, nicknamed "Squid" who had bad eczema and allergies, she developed products that contain little but powerful ingredients that promote healing of the skin.  I bought her cleansing oil which not only removes makeup but doesn't strip the skin of it's natural oils. It leaves my skin clean, soft and hydrated and there are literally 5 ingredients in it! After using it I thought, "this is exactly what I need, nothing more."  Then I thought "this is truly a metaphor for life.  Things that are the most meaningful and that we find the most pleasure in usual are the simplest."
     I hope you enjoy my blog and continue to follow my quest in finding beauty in all things simple.

     If you are interested in finding out more about Squid Balm you can find her products here
Http://www.squidbalm.com
 

ORO GOLD!!

If it's good enough for Cleopatra then it is certainly good enough for me!! Cleopatra was the quintissential beauty and she was known to have worn a mask of gold at night to keep her complexion supple and pure. Gold is an antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. Gold also is hypoallergenic and it reduces the appearance of sun damage and age spots by slowing down melanin secretion giving you the chance to turn back time with regular use. Sound too good to be true? Well it's not and Oro Gold Cosmetics have created skincare that all the celebs swear by. Their products truly are amazing!! They all contain real 24k gold in them to improve firmness, regain elasticity and enhance the body's natural response for healing and regeneration. I particularly love their deep day moisturizing cream because it moisturizes without clogging pores and it actually works on a cellular level treating fine lines and wrinkles. At night I like to use their 24k Collagen Renewal cream for plumpness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We may not look like Cleopatra but don't we deserve to live like a queen?

LESS SOMETIMES IS MORE!!

I love bringing you guys great beauty bargains cause let's face it, we can all stand to save money right now!! These are some products that you can get at the drugstore that in my opinion, work just as well as the more expensive counterparts.
The first one is Wet N Wild lip and eye pencils.  They glide on easily and they stay on! In a variety of colors too! For $1, you can't beat it.

I love Burt's Bees tinted lip balm which for only $7 they give nice tint, add great moisture and come in 6 shades.  I also like that they have natural ingredients.
Johnson's Baby oil Gel is great for adding moisture after the shower but what I like to use it for as well as giving that glow to legs and arms on a night out to add that sexy shimmer at about $5.
Lastly, people ask me all the time what skincare I like.  Although there are some expensive brands that I like, for $15 I stand behind Yes To Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer.  It's all natural, mild formula hydrates but doesn't weigh your skin down or break you out.  It also contains antioxidants so it protects and is anti-aging. Can't beat that!!


Continue to follow me here at Simple Beaute by Dedra for more great tips and tricks! xoxo

HOME SPA!

I have the fondest memories of spending Friday nights with my friends applying yogurt to our faces to achieve softness and egg mixtures in our hair to hydrate it.  I love staying home giving myself home spa treatments.  Especially if you’re on a budget, home treatments can give you the feeling of a day spa without damaging your pocket book. I’m gonna give you these two treatments so you can pamper yourself too.  The yogurt mask is great because it brightens, calms and softens the skin.  Take full fat yogurt and mix 1-2 drops of lemon juice to it.  The citric acid will brighten your skin.  Then add 1-2 teaspoons of honey and blend together.  The honey has calming properties and reduces redness.  Apply mixture to face for 15 minutes and then wash off.  That’s it! Simple and low budget!  The other home treatment I love is for the hair.  So easy to do.  Simply take one egg, mix it with 1 tsp. of water.  Run it through your hair and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.  It will add shine and softness to damaged hair.  I love doing these treatments once or twice a month.  Get a group of friends together and make a party out of it. A great way to create beauty and fun!

CREATE THE PURRFECT CAT EYE!

When trying to create the perfect cat eye that is so popular right now try taking a credit card and place it flat against your skin so that you form a roughly 45-degree angle from the outer corner of your upper lash line to the outer corner of your brow.  Sweep liquid liner along the upper lash line and as far past the corner of the eye as you like, using the top of the card as a guide.  This will create that purrfect cat eye that all the runways are showing.  Simply and beautifully!

MAGIC LUMI!!

I always love it when I find a product that is a reasonable price AND really works!  I really have found that in Magic Lumi by L'oreal Paris. Modeled after the more expensive version, Touche Eclat by YSL, Magic Lumi is a great highlighter and concealer. Brightens, erases and contours all in one easy clicking pen. And the price is right at about $11 as compared to $40 for the YSL.
Simple to use! Beautiful finish!

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS!

Two of my favorite celebrities are having birthdays this month.  Kate Hudson and Ashley
Judd.

I love them both cause they embody my philosophy of beauty on a simple level.
 
Both are strong women who seem to juggle professional and personal lives with grace
and ease and they both look beautiful with a lot or a little makeup on. They make it all
look effortless.

Recently I saw the most gorgeous picture of Kate Hudson with her mom
at an event and she was glowing. She emanates beauty and health, inside and out.  

Ashley Judd is an amazing actress who isnʼt afraid to leave the makeup off for a role but
looks just as beautiful made up for an event.

She most recently has taken heat for her appearance due to using a steroid for an illness.
I applaud her standing up for herself and discussing what truly is important- who we are inside,
not what we look like on the outside.

JURLIQUE SKIN BALANCING OIL

So continuing the discussion from yesterday.

Jurliques products are truly amazing because the quality of ingredients are unsurpassed.

They grow their own ingredients and include the most active and innovative ingredients such as Blue Sea Algae and Rock Samphire.

Another product by Jurlique that I like is the Skin Balancing Face Oil. 

It has Evening Primrose Oil and Macademia Seed Oil and Marshmellow to intensely hydrate skin.  While the Rosehip oil and Safflower oil work to soften fine lines and improve firmness.

Whatʼs nice is it can be used both day and night cause itʼs non greasy and lightweight creating a soft and fresh looking appearance, simply and beautifully!

Find Jurlique Skin Balancin Face Oil here

THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN

Jurlique has been a leader in biodynamic products for over 25 years.  Their natural and innovative approach to skincare is unparalleled.

Theyʼve done it again introducing their anti aging products to the market place.

Purely Anti Aging (or PAD) by Jurlique are such amazing products and they truly do work!  I love the serum and itʼs ingredients are so pure.

The Licorice Root, Black Elder and Vitamin C help diminish skin discolorations and brighten skin tone.

The Blue Algae increases skin firmness and elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

I also love their new Sun Defying  Moisturizer with spf 15 because it has Buriti Oil which  is a natural antioxidant considered to be one of the richest sources of beta-carotene found in nature.

It helps improve skin elasticity and regenerates the hydrolipid barrier that is frequently subjected to environmental aggressors. So not only do you get a moisturizer but you get spf and anti-aging all in
one.

Itʼs also lightweight and non-greasy so it doesnʼt feel like youʼre wearing anything
on your skin at all!

Find Jurlique Products here

Day Five!! Buttercream Frosting Hand Soap

Last day of the contest!! This soap is nice to round things off! Please subscribe below if you haven't. One name will be drawn this weekend. Good Luck! Thank you to Jaqua Beauty for supplying us with these amazing products. Signature Pink Buttercream Frosting Hand Soap. A richly lathering formula with Fruit and Plant extracts that will cleanse your hands and make your bathroom counter a palace! Smells good enough to eat, but please don’t. The original, the iconic, the Jaqua Signature Collection! Enjoy our true-to-life fragrances, amazingly nourishing formulas and delightful packaging as you give yourself the ultimate Jaqua bath and body treat. All the indulgences- none of the guilt!

Day Four!! Buttercream Frosting Foot Cream!

Nurture those poor dogs!!
Jaqua's Buttercream Frosting Foot Creme is our Signature Foot Crème. This fabulous thick and rich foot crème in Buttercream Frosting is a luscious treat for your tired and abused feet! Helps prevent calluses while it reduces the buildup of hard, dry skin. Rub in, sit back and enjoy! For The original, the iconic, the Jaqua Signature Collection! Enjoy our true-to-life fragrances, amazingly nourishing formulas and delightful packaging as you give yourself the ultimate Jaqua bath and body treat. All the indulgences- none of the guilt!

Day Three!! Purifying Herbal Facial Steam

I love this product!! So great for those stay at home spa nights!! Signature Jaqua Spa Santa Barbara Purifying Herbal Facial Steam comes with 4 individual 8oz pouches of a colorful blend of dried Lavender, Rose, and Calendula. Sprinkle over steaming water and breathe to clear the mind, rejuvenate and tone the skin, while infusing it with antioxidants. Jaqua Spa Santa Barbara captures the ingredients, colors, and fragrances that surround us every day; from fresh grapefruit to blooming tropical flowers at the farmer's market to Spanish red-tiled roofs and avocado orchards. We have selected the best ingredients to care for enhance and revitalize your body mind and spirit. All is intended to impart a piece of our sun-kissed lifestyle onto you with the refreshing citrus blend of Pacific Pomelo, rich and Spicy Montecito Chai, and the exotic bouquet of Blooming Bergamot.
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Day Two!! Pacific Pomelo Bird Diffuser

Love these, and this is my favorite scent by JaquaBeauty!!


Signature Jaqua Spa Santa Barbara Aromatic Diffuser is an innovative blown glass swallow with a sea grass "feather" diffuser. Jaqua Spa Santa Barbara captures the ingredients, colors, and fragrances that surround us every day; from fresh grapefruit to blooming tropical flowers at the farmer's market to Spanish red-tiled roofs and avocado orchards. We have selected the best ingredients to care for enhance and revitalize your body mind and spirit. All is intended to impart a piece of our sun-kissed lifestyle onto you with the refreshing citrus blend of Pacific Pomelo, rich and Spicy Montecito Chai, and the exotic bouquet of Blooming Bergamot.
Sign Up Here!!
Subscribe to Simple Beaute by Dedra by Email

Gift Basket Giveaway

Everyday we will be announcing a new product that will be in our gift basket give away. By the time Friday rolls around there will be 5, yes 5 products that will be announced.  One lucky follower of my blog will receive all of these amazing Jaqua products just for entering. The first is listed below. Good Luck and remember to sign up below by subscribing to my daily blogposts!!
Sign up Here:
http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=blogspot/BAPs&loc=en_US
Love This Mask. So Simple and makes your skin beautiful!!
Formulated with Aloe, fruit extracts, oils and Vitamins to remove the top layer of dead and damaged skin without the abrasiveness of a scrub, leaving skin to shine through with a healthy glow. Jaqua Spa Santa Barbara captures the ingredients, colors, and fragrances that surround us every day; from fresh grapefruit to blooming tropical flowers at the farmer's market to Spanish red-tiled roofs and avocado orchards. We have selected the best ingredients to care for enhance and revitalize your body mind and spirit. All is intended to impart a piece of our sun-kissed lifestyle onto you with the refreshing citrus blend of Pacific Pomelo, rich and Spicy Montecito Chai, and the exotic bouquet of Blooming Bergamot.

BORN TO BE WILD

They say when the economy is in a slump lipstick sales go up. Lipstick just has a way of
perking us up somehow. 

I definitely have my favs that make me feel a little “wild.” 

Some lipsticks can really brighten up your look.  Like MACʼs Ruby Woo if you like red
and this is a true red.  I also like Shiap from NARS for that shocking pink. 

If you like drama but in a more natural way, La Dolce Vita by NARS give great color but isnʼt
overpowering. 

Wanna keep your wild on, apply your foundation and powder all over
your lips before your lipstick. It creates a primer to grab and hold the color. Guaranteed
to last all night!!

Find Mac's Ruby Woo here

Find Nars Schiap here

Find Nars La Dolce Vita here

BEAUTY MISTAKES

The first mistake I see in women is trusting that they are getting enough sleep.  Lack of sleep or erratic sleep patterns reek havic on your looks.

Also, for most of us living in warmer climates wearing sunblock is a must!  Sun unfortunately causes the most aging in terms of wrinkles and spots.

I love Jurlique Purely Sun-Defying Moisturizer with spf 15 cause it also has anti-aging properties.  It blocks UVB and UVA rays.

If you do need to use a foundation use a lighter weight one for the appearance of younger looking skin.  Heavier foundations settle in fine lines and accentuate them.

Also stay away from shimmery eyeshadows on mature skin.  They also can really accentuate and draw attention to wrinkles.  Try using matte shadows instead.

Then smudge a thin line of eye pencil.  This will pop the eye and create a youthful appearance.

Simply and beautifully.

Find Jurlique Purely Sun-Defying Moisturizer with spf 15 here

SATURDAY NIGHT SHIMMER

Going out on Saturday night?  I love creating a little more shimmer to my makeup application.

I love NARS Night Series eye shadows cause they're highly pigmented and long wearing.  Great for those hot disco nights!

My favorite color is Night Breed with its intense black color and silver flecks, but all nine shades are fun.

Use an eyeliner brush for a jazzed up cat eye or smudge it out for a dramatic smokey look.

This shadow is so versatile.  Different looks can be created simply and beautifully.

Find Nars Night Shadow here

FRIDAY THE 13th

On a day when we shouldn't walk under ladders and behind black cats, when everything that could go wrong, usually does, I like to stick with some things I know won't fail me.  starting with my face.

I love my purity cleanser by Philosophy.  It creams without drying and it removes even the toughest of makeup, like mascara.

 I love my Boots eye cream after cause it does everything the expensive eye creams do but it's really inexpensive.  You get it at Target if that's any indication of cost for you.

I love my Le Kohl duo shadow by L'oreal.  It smudges, defines the eye with the pencil and then the other end has shadow to brighten.  Then I top it off with a coat of my fav mascara-voluminous by L'oreal.

For my face I use my NARS concealer in custard.  Perfect coverage and trusted to work.

I use a Multiple by NARS to complete my natural look.  It can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks.  It comes in 14 shades all of which are great but Malibu is my all time favorite.

So that's it.  My tried and true favs. They work even on the unluckiest of days!!

Find Philosophy purity cleanser here

Find Boots eye cream here

Find Loreal's products here

FInd Nars products here

PERFECT BLEND

Matching foundation to your skin tone is really hard to do.  I totally understand.  It definitely takes a certain skill set.  Plus, what kind of foundation do you use for your skin type?

I'm a big fan of the tinted moisturizers and BB lotions but most women feel they need more coverage.

What I like to do is take three colors that closely resemble the tone of the skin on my face stripe all three on the cheek.  Whichever one blends in the best is the one to get.

By stripping the cheek as apposed to the jawline or god forbid hand, is because the color on the cheek is where you have the most color.  It is truly the most accurate area of color.

If you're still feeling it challenging to find your true color try L'oreal Paris True Match Foundation.  It really does match your skin tone.

It has technology in it to calebrate the color and match your skin.  It's super blendable and it actually has vitamins A &C in it to protect your skin.

Once you've found your foundation apply a concealer after that.  Use a shade 1-2 times lighter than your foundation.  It will add 10 hours of sleep to your appearance.

Who couldn't use that?

Find L'oreal Paris True Match Foundation here

LARGER THAN LIFE

I'm loving these new NARS Larger Thank Life lip glosses.

First off, personally, I'm a lip gloss girl.  I don't have very full lips and I haven't invested in blowing them up.  Yet.  Also, I just like the look of gloss.  It's soft, pretty and easy to use.

So when I found these new NARS Larger than Life glosses it was like the heavens opened and the angels sang.

They come in 9 glorious shades full of color and high impact shine.  They don't slip off and they gilde on so smoothly and evenly.  The best thing about them is they stay on!

Yay!  My new bestfriend. So simple.  So beautiful.

Find Nars Larger Than Life Lip Gloss here

TARTE MARACUJA OIL

I use my Maracuja oil every night especially coming out of winter when our skin is at it's most dull and flakey.

What's so great about this oil is it nourishes the skin but soaks right in leaving a soft, moisturized complexion.  Not an oily greasy one.

It comes from the Maracuja fruit and is 100% pure which I love because it doesn't have any parabens or petroleum to clog pores. Chock full of essential fatty acids and vitamin c.

I add just a couple drops to my night cream and in the morning all the flakiness has miraculously disappeared.

Maracuja oil can also be added to your hair and body to create radiance everywhere.  Simply and beautifully.

Find Tarte Maracuja Oil here

PRIMER FOR LUMINOUS SKIN

I would agree with most that some beauty products are unnecessary and a waste of money.  But some actually do aide in creating, well, more beauty.  One is a primer.

Face primers work great because they actually prep or "prime" the skin for foundation.  Therefore making even the novice of foundation applications look flawless.

There are different primers for different purposes as well. If you have larger pore, The Present by Philosophy, lays a nice veil over your skin to smooth  and protect textured skin.  Smashbox makes a green primer to combat redness in the skin.

My personal favorite is by KohGenDo because it adds a beautiful luminosity to the skin.  Their new one for spring actually combines lavender and pink which actually work in conjunction with each other and form a perfect shade to brighten and reduce redness alternatively. There are no artificial colors, fragrances or parabens so you get beautiful, flawless skin simply and naturally

Find Philosophy primer here

Find Smashbox primer here

Find kohGenDo primer here

ENHANCE WHAT YOU'VE GOT

Some of us mere mortals aren't born with perfect features. Our lips are small. Our eyes are small or close together. Maybe you're one who feels their nose is too big or long. 

Well that's ok to feel that way. We are all Gods children but you are entitled to your opinion. 

Im here to let you in on the little tips that will make you feel better about those perceived flaws. 

If you feel your eyes are too close together try using a lighter or highlighting color of shadow on the inside corner of your eyelid close to your nose. That will give the illusion of wider eyes.  

If you feel you have no cheekbones use a medium to dark brown contouring color that has no red in it right below where you feel your cheekbones.  

What if you feel you have small lips? Take a nude lip pencil and draw over your natural lip line before applying color. That will give the illusion of fuller lips.  

All of us have things we don't like about our appearance. My philosophy is to focus on the things that we do! Try these tips to get that stuff out of the way so you can get to the real deal.

GET THE SKINNY ON SOFIA VERGARA'S IN STYLE COVER LOOK

I love Sofia Vergara. Well, probably not as much as my hubby. He has a mad crush on her. I just really like her look and her comic sensibility.  She looks great all done up or dressed down and natural.  

For her cover shoot for "In Style" she found a great balance between glamorous and approachable by keeping the eyes simple yet adding a dramatic flair and natural lips.  You can create this same look by using a smudgey eye pencil blended out to a thick line accentuating the eye. 

I love Le Kohl Pencil Smooth Defining eyeliner by L'oreal because it glides on smoothly and is easily smudged to desired thickness. Top it off with my fav, Voluminous mascara by L'oreal, for sexy lashes.  For the lips I like Nars sheer lipstick in all 29 shades but in particular Dolce Vita.  It gives great natural color while conditioning and nourishing at the same time. 

So simple. So beautiful!

Find Le Kohl Pencil here

Voluminous Mascara here 

Nars Dolce Vita here

 

GIVE YOUR FACE AN ORGASM!

Ok, well not literally but look like you did with Nars Orgasm blush. I LOVE this blush!!  

It works on all skin tones for one because it has flecks of both pink and apricot in it. 

It brightens the skin and warms the tone giving that flushed glow you can only get after, ah hum, well, you know.  

And if you're super daring and heading to Vegas try "Super Orgasm.". All the super shimmery warm effects of the original packed with even more sparkle! 

If ever my look just ain't right I say "give me the Orgasm!"

Find Nars Orgasm Blush here 

VITAMIN C

 

So yesterday we discussed the benefits of Retinol on the skin.  They reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dullness by promoting cell turnover or sloughing of top layer of skin.  Today I'm gonna talk about Vitamin C.  

Not only is taking vitamin C great for your immune system topical vitamin c is an anti-oxident and skin brightener.  Here's how it works.  

There's these crazy little guys called "free radicals" that float in the air that harm your skin by breaking it down. Vitamin c used on your skin forms a protective shield hence keeping those buggers at bay! 

The vitamin c acts as a melanin blocker to stop the spots. There are two products I love that actually work. 

The first is Philosophys vitamin c powder. It is 99 % pure vitamin c in powder form that you just add to your moisturizer. The other product is L'oreal Paris Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector and Illuminating Serum which works great under moisturizer.  

Both promote brighter, younger skin, simply and beautifully.

Find Philosophy's Vitamin C Powder here

And L'oreal Paris Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector and Illuminating Serum here

RETINOL OR RETIN-NAH

Anti-aging, Anti-aging, Anti-aging. We talk the topic to death. Why? Because it is so important! It's ok to grow old and to me "gracefully" is by excepting that but taking the best care of our skin as possible.  

Retinols are great in aiding that because they speed up cell turnover.  Hence new baby skin faster!  They have a built in time clock in them that helps monitor the turnover process thus avoiding red, raw skin acquired by the use of Retin-a.  

Retin-a works great but only in very small doses because it can be too harsh by removing that top layer of skin too quickly. 

A great regime that I follow is using " Help Me" by Philosophy. It's a mild yet effective Retinol treatment I use at night. Followed in the morning by my Clarisonic brush. Reducing fine lines, wrinkles and dullness. Simply and beautifully!

You can find Philosophy Help me here

And You can find yourself a Clarisonic brush here 

APRIL FOOLED

Don't let that cakey overdone makeup look have you fooled into thinking that's beautiful! No Sir! There's nothing more beautiful than natural skin.  You can't buy that in a bottle.  A little gloss, concealer, mascara and there you go. You look 16 again! Well, sorta.

Now if you need more than that, and quite frankly most of us do, try using a light illuminating foundation like Armani Cosmetics "Luminous Silk" foundation. Get all the glow youth brings. It's like stepping into a time machine. The effect is light diffusing, soft and subtle. Like silk. Perfect for all skin types. Simply and beautifully.

Tip: no makeup look.

After exfoliating your skin try using one of the new BB lotions on the market. I love Too Faced. They moisturize, protect, work on anti aging and even out skin tone all-in-one.

You can find Armani's luminous silk foundation at this link.