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.

VOLUMINOUS!!!

There are more mascara’s out there than I even want to think about and just about as many opinions about which one is the best one. There is such variation in price as well.  From $4 to $24. I know for a fact though that my favorite is the best!! Voluminous by L’Oreal Paris. It volumizes (hence the name.) It lengths. It separates and is not clumpy at all. It doesn’t flake.  But the thing that I like the most about it is that it doesn’t smell bad.  So many mascaras just plain stink! I can’t have that for myself or most importantly, my clients.  The price is right too. Around $7 depending on where you shop. This mascara is as good or better than any high priced competitor. You get the look of high end without putting a dent in your pocketbook. Simply and beautifully!

Kate Moss at the Ritz for Vogue

Wow!  On so many levels this story is amazing.  http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/checking-out-kate-moss-at-the-ritz-paris/#1 The hair, makeup, styling, and most importantly the location.  I mean how can you go wrong when you are shooting at the Ritz in Paris?  I love the attention to every detail and the photography is so pure and adds history and a sense of mystique to the piece.  It’s editorial pieces like this that give me so much inspiration.  So beautiful.

One of My Favs

I have mentioned Maracuja oil before and I want to talk about it again.  This time of year when the weather is changing and it's warm one day, freezing the next our skin really takes a beating.  The one thing that keeps mine nourished and consistent is Maracuja oil. Tarte makes the best composition of it.  It's non greasy and extremely hydrating and moisturizing.  They also are using it in their divine shine lip glosses. So you get all the benefits of the oil in a plumping, hydrating gloss.  Simple and Beautiful!

Love the Chub!

My new obsession for spring and summer are these chubby lip pencils. The texture is creamy like a lipstick or balm due to the vitamin E but it comes in these oversized pencils.  The convenience factor is to die for.  I also love how they have great staying power like a stain. These are gonna be my new go to for the next few months. Clinique makes a beautiful one in eight great colors. As does NARS. You gotta check them out! Add a snap of color simply and beautifully!

Good Enough To Eat

My new favorite product line for the body is Jacqua. Both me and my BFF Camille L-O-V-E our BFF Buttercream Frosting Lotion.  It also comes in a body butter which is really good right now when the weather makes everything so dry.  They have a wide variety of products from pumpkin face scrubs to bergamot body wash to pink champagne hand cream.  All of these wonderful flavors and scents are good enough to eat!  They don’t add pounds but they leave your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. You can find them online at Abeliabathandbody.com.

Lip Butter Balms

So the latest trend in lips are these moisturizing lipstick/balm combos. I love them because you can add color like a lipstick but moisturizing like a lip balm. I’m one of those girls who always likes to have something on my lips even if I’m not wearing any other makeup. Especially for summer. I have found two that I like. For the higher end girls I like Gorgio Armani’s.http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/rouge-d%27armani-sheer-lipstick/A1353,default,pd.html?dwvar_A1353_color=300&start=1&cgid=lipstick&cgid=new-products Beautiful colors and really hydrating.

If your budget is restrictive try Revlon’s butter balm http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Products/Lips/Lipcolor/Revlon-ColorBurst-Lip-Butter.aspx. For about $4 these balms really moisturize and I love the colors, especially Cotton Candy. Perfect for summer. Simple and beautiful!

Jennifer Lawrence-The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games premiered last night here in Los Angeles and although I did not get to do Jennifer Lawrence's makeup I wanted to say she is on my "hot" list this week.  I thought she looked stunning. I loved her dress and especially her makeup and hair.  I always love a good smokey eye and nude lip and with her beautiful skin and gorgeous features, the look was flawless. In my upcoming videos I teach an easy way to achieve a smokey eye so stay on the look out for that.  Remember when playing up one feature, like eyes, it has more impact when you downplay another. Such as a natural or nude lip.

Summer Shimmer

Since we have officially done Daylights Savings time I thought I'd introduce some thoughts on summer to you.  For summer I always love to pare down on the makeup routine. Keep it simple and light. One really awesome way to do that is by using tinted moisturizers instead of our heavier counterpart, foundation. This summer is no exception and with the introduction of the new Beauty Balm simplicity takes on a whole new meaning.

First off let’s talk about tinted moisturizers. I love them because they add just a bit of color, enough to even out the skin tone but not enough to give the impression you’re wearing makeup. This summer NARS has come out with a beautiful one in 9 shades that also has illuminous properties to really give you summers healthy glow.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/complexion/foundation/~/pure-radiant-tinted-moisturizer-spf30-pa

Several Companies are also making beauty balms. Beauty balms are moisturizers,  primer and tints all in one. So it’s great for travel because it’s only one product that you need to pack. Too Faced makes a great one in 4 shades that also has anti-aging properties. 

http://www.toofaced.com/p-1118-tinted-beauty-balm-multi-benefit-skin-care-makeup.aspx

Both the NARS and the Too Faced products have spf 20 and higher. That is the most important tip for summer. Sunscreen. The best preventative, anti-aging tool you can do for your skin.

IF you have...

 Dark Spots or HypoPigmentation there are many, many products out there on the market for them.  Unfortunately most are bleaching creams and really don’t work.  They bleach out the skin around the age spot but not the spot directly. Philosophy makes a product that I like for age spots and it doesn’t contain bleach,Kojic Acid or Hydroquinone that creates sensitivities in skin. It is their Miracle Work Dark Spot Corrector.  It works in 5 ways to lighten the spot as well as treating the skin underneath the spot, the surrounding skin and possible spots that haven’t occurred yet.  It contains 2 lightening agents and 2 antioxidants. These all form a cocktail that works well, miracles. I like it because it’s one product working 5 ways. So you get beauty simply.

Less Sometimes is More

I understand the meaning of a budget for sure so I am always on the search for products that maybe less expensive than the higher end lines but still pack in the punch.

Recently I discovered an amazing eyeshadow pallette by Maybelline that is so awesome for evening, you won’t need anything else. It’s called “Maybelline-Eye Studio Color Explosion." And it really is explosive! It comes in all these amazingly fun colors. Use one or two or play with the whole kit if you’re daring!

Makeup Trends 2012

Hot off the runways! I’ve chosen the makeup looks that I think are easy for anyone to try. Pick one area to play up and keep the rest of the face simple.  I like that motto all year round really.

Essentially its vintage paired with modern.

Red lip but maybe a glossy, or dark almost chocolate red lip.

 

Modern Cat eye

Really extended out or for fun try a new bright color. Like Nars eyeshadow pencil in Dark-Rite.http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/eyes/eye-liners/soft-touch-shadow-pencil/dark-rite.

 

Strong Brows

This is great for spring. Cause it’s clean and hip at the same time. 

  

Radiant, Healthy Cheeks

Get inspired by the spring weather to start working out. Or at least look like you do!

   

Get Spring Fever

Wanna beat the doldrums of winter? Try KohGenDo Lavender Pink Primer. It instantly improves skins appearance by creating a soft pink healthy glow. While the hint of lavender counteracts sallow yellow left from winters weary ways.
Use all over the face or highlight anywhere you want to give extra attention to.

My "Go To" Favs

Thought I'd give you a rundown on my favorite cosmetics. Hope it helps and that you find them useful.
For eyes;
Nars shadows and glitter eyeliner sticks
MAC shadow in Handwritten. Works great on everybody
Stila liquid eyeliner(super simple to use)
Napoleon Perdis Mascara
Sonia Kashuk eyebrow kit

For skin;
Koh Gen Doh Foundation for Matte skin
Armani for Dewy complexion
I'Nuovi Facescape Highlighter
Tarte Bronzer
Nars Blush-Orgasm of course

For Lips;
Red-Ruby Woo MAC
Gloss-Mally (any colors)

Concealer;
Mally cancellation conditioning concealer

Does that make it simple?

A Surprising Surprise

I went to an event a couple of months ago with my bf Camille and in my gift bag I got some products that I didn't think much of at first all because of their packaging. I know, don't judge a book by it's cover. Anyway, I had run out of all the other products from other gift bags(welcome to Hollywood,)so I tried it and I gotta tell ya, the stuff really works. I mean like better than anything I have ever used! My skin is so clear, so smooth and so bright. Like a fine porcelain doll. Well, maybe not that much but so noticeable even to me. They are by a company called Lovely Skin,which was developed by a dermatologist. You can find the products on their website http://www.lovelyskin.com

. Anyway, I think what makes these products so fantastic are their combination amino acid,antioxidant and vitamin c ingredients. They naturally rejuvenate skin turnover while brightening and protecting. This all works while maintaining the skins natural moisture. I wish I had discovered them earlier! and like all products I recommend, they are simple to use. Maybe that's why they chose the packaging that they did. Simple packaging,simple products. Simple beauty!

Love NARS!

NARS has come out with this new lip pencil gloss. For me it's the best of both worlds. The pencil helps to define lips and keeps color on longer. The gloss as sheen and moisture. This product is definitely my new bff.

The most beautiful wedding

A month or so ago I had the great pleasure of doing makeup for a bride Alyson Bowyer, her mother and her sister. Aly and her groom Wes got married in the most beautiful location up in Montecito, Ca. The San Ysidro Ranch. The day couldn't have been more perfect! The weather was gorgeous, the lavender was in full bloom and the bride was glowing with anticipation. I used my new Mally Beauty City Chic Smokey Eye kits which are so smooth, blendable and easy to use. I gave her sister and mom a more smoldering look. And for Aly, the bride, because she has hazel eyes, I gave her a softer, romantic look using Mally's Tribeca Taupe. All the ladies got sunkissed using Tarte bronzer and I completed their looks using soft glosses by Mally is peaches and pinks.
Aly's family was so warm and inviting and I had such a beautiful time with them. I felt truly honored to be a part of their momentous occasion.

Glide foundation, glide

Always on the quest for anti-aging skincare(thanks Mom for handing down thin skin), I truly found a gem in Epicuren's Ultima Peptide Maximum Peptide Complex. It has the maximum amount of elasticity complex and targets on the molecular level, repair and replenishment of failing collagen. It can be used alone because it is ultra hydrating. And like sometimes with anti-aging products, it's not heavy and won't clog pores. You get all the healthy effects without making you feel greasy or look like a hormonal teenager.