Effortlessly Beautiful Look

The Most Natural-Yet-Still-Stunning Look

My longtime friend and crime in partner for many a crazy college adventure, Anna, just got back from traveling for eleven months (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Nepal to name a few places) and we had a good laugh at the fact that her entire makeup kit consisted of...toothpaste and a toothbrush.  Super admirable that she was able to travel so barren - I don't think I could have done it!

Here's Anna roughing it on the Thorolong-La Pass (17,769 feet) in the Annapurna Circuit:

Needless to say Anna has been "aux-natural" and graciously let me do her makeup for the first time in almost a year when we had a chance to catch up in La Jolla a few weeks ago.  She played the part quite well in a look I am going to call "Natural Yet Stunning." (every girl, and let's be honest, every guy's dream look)

Skin:

Anna's skin has been subjected to some harsh elements in the last year, so we started with Stila's CC Color Correcting Cream which helps with, well, everything (see my previous post on CC and BB creams).  Then we layered on some of Estee Lauder's Invisible Fluid Makeup foundation.  

We used Lancome's Maquicomplet Concealer for under eye and spot coverage.  I finished the look with just a touch of the aptly titled Blush Subtil by Lancome in Aplum.

Eyes:

We first tamed Anna's eyebrows and filled them in with Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in Medium.

For a light base eyeshadow, I used my new go-to standard, Stila's Kitten Eye Shadow that really does go with everything and is just so pretty.  (Have I convinced you to go out and buy this must-have yet?!)

For a super light, natural eyeliner look, I used the drugstore, wallet-friendly CoverGirl Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner in Cabernet.  Ironically, the product is marketed as "Eyeliner that will give you intense looking eyes that will get you noticed."  And I think it does, but in a very, "Why does she look so pretty right now?" way!

For mascara, we used my other go-to staple, Lancome's Hypnose Star 24H Waterproof in Noir Midnight.

Lips:

Anna has a small, doll-like mouth that would be over-powered with darker hues.  We used a natural-looking yet still colorful, High Shimmer Lip Gloss from Bobbi Brown in Electric Violet (the crazy name does not exactly match it's effect upon application).  This is Bobbi Brown's Award Winning Gloss Formula (and smells good, to boot).

From roughing it in India to looking effortlessly gorgeous at Scripps Pier in La Jolla Shores, Anna easily transformed her look!

Foolproof Day-to-Night Makeup

Foolproof Day-to-Night Makeup

This post is for my oldest and dearest friend Caroline, who also happens to have a super-cute Wine Country meets Manhattan wine and lifestyle blog, aptly titled "Chardonnay Moi" (a little pun on pardonnez-moi).  Check it out  @ www.chardonnaymoi.com.

Day makeup can be tricky - too much and one can look ghoulish, too little and one can look tired and fatigued.  If you're going straight from work to a night out, follow my three simple tricks to transition this look.

Here is my favorite daytime look that I can wear anywhere and easily turn into a nighttime look:

Skin: For an oil-free all day look, start with Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  This primer was the winner of Martha Stewart's "Weddings Big Day Beauty Awards" for 2013.  It's great for keeping your skin smooth and matte (i.e. not shiny).  For foundation, follow up with Smashbox's new Liquid Halo.  A little history about Smashbox - they used to do makeup for a lot of Hollywood studios and they have truly perfected the ideal photo/camera-friendly finish that seems to reflect light in just the way we all want.

Under Eyes:  For under eyes, use Lancome's "Effacernes" Waterproof Undereye Concealer.  To brighten up the under eye area, use Smashbox's "Studio Artist's Favorite" Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.  This extra step is key for me since I constantly fight dark under eye circles.  If you're more of the puffy under eye set, look for products with caffeine in them.

Cheeks: For a shimmery, "glowing" look, I recommend Stila's All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten.

Eyes: My new favorite base or stand-alone light eye shadow is Stila's award-winning Kitten Eyeshadow.  For eyeliner, I use my trusty Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner in Minuit (deep navy).  And for mascara, I love my Lancome Hypnose Star in Noir Midnight  (01).

Lips:

I've been using this lipgloss for TEN years now and it's still my favorite SPF, last all day, goes with everything colored gloss (and only $15).  LOVE, love, love Clinique's Long Last Glosswear in Kissyfit.

Et Voila!

Nighttime version:

Super easy and small enough changes that you can carry what you need in your makeup bag to go from day-to-night (only three extra products required!).

#1 Dramatize the Eyes:

Pump up the eyeshadow - a lot! - with Lancome's Eye Brightening All-In-One Five Shadow & Liner Palette and smudge more of the 'liner' shadow under eyes.

#2 Darken the Eyebrows:

Use Stila's Waterproof Brow Color or Anastasia's (of the famed brow expert) Tinted Brow Gel to fill in and darken your brows.

#3 Swap from Gloss to Lipstick:
Pick your favorite pink lipstick to compliment this look.  I like Mac's Girl About Town.  Mac has great colors for EVERY occasion (plus fun marketing campaigns and packaging...).



~ Ready for a glam night out (with a little help from Instagram, obviously!) ~

Summer Do's and Don'ts

This one is for my friend Steph...albeit a little late for summer do's and don'ts but better late than never!

Photo: Koh Tao, Thailand

Do's

Skincare  |  Protect & Prep to Bare
*Wear sunscreen (hope this is obvious by now)
*Try St. Tropez self tanner (how gorgeous are the news ads with Kate Moss?)
*Exfoliate those dead skin cells for smooth legs and arms
*Use Neutrogena's Clean and Clear Body Scrub for clear skin (no bacne!)
*Switch to a lighter moisturizer and cream foundation to stave off the hottest, muggiest days (I usually drop the additional layer of moisturizer under my BB cream as well as the foundation I mix in with my BB cream)
*For God's Sake, PLEASE get your self a pedicure.  Stat.  I've had a polish on my toes since 5th grade - year round - it's all in the details!  Go bright or go home.  It's not the time for dark colors.

Makeup  |  Keep it Simple & Experiment With Color
*Use a waterproof mascara.  Love any mascara by Lancome (#1 for 15 yrs in luxury beauty!), especially their new Hypnose Star 24H Waterproof
*Highly recommend Stila's Waterproof Eyeliner, which will stay on after hours in the water.
*Experiment with blue, teal, and purple eye shadow hues.  Lancome makes great palettes in lots of fun colors.  I have several because it's all you need to make a smoky night eye or subtle day eye.  Caveat: too much color on people with brown eyes can look a little clownish (recommend sticking with dark purples, browns and bronzes).
*Experiment with bright pink or coral lips.  Pick to match your skin tone.  MAC always has tons of fun colors.
*Bronzer!  Make sure not to pick a shade that looks too "muddy" with your skin tone.  I like one with a little shimmer.

Stila's Great Baked Cheek Duo:

Don'ts

Skincare:
*It's not the season to repair your skin with serums and other treatments because you will undoubtably get some sun exposure which will counteract your products.
*Pancake face!  Many people wear the same foundation year-round without realizing that their skin color may become a shade darker.  Check in natural light to see if you need a new shade.
*Don't pick your face or bug bites, etc!
*Don't forget to cover any recent scars with sunscreen.  To fade scars, use Mederma.

Makeup:
*Don't overload.  If you have a bright lip or eyes, make the other one neutral.
*Don't wear body sparkles.  It's too 90's.
*Don't end up with orangey streaks from self-tanner (follow my other post on how to best use a self-tanner).
*Don't wear too much makeup - summer is all about showing off your natural beauty!

Mary Poppin's Makeup Bag

I had a friend ask me to write about what I pack in my makeup bag that I always tote around wherever I go.  Needless to say, if I ever need a touch up (or more often, one of my friends asks for something knowing I will have it), I am prepared.  Magically, all of the below fits into the bag below!

For the hair:
*Brush (I recommend this Mason Pearson Brush which I've used all my life - never breaks your hair)
*Small comb for teasing late-afternoon flatness
*Shu Uemura Volume Maker (Shu Magic)
*Extra hair-tie

For the skin:
*Powder
*Small concealer stick for touch ups (I like Bobbi Brown)
*Travel size tube of sunscreen to ensure you never get caught with a burn (I recommend any Neutrogena products)
*Small bronzer (I like to use samples I get from the makeup counter...I'm currently using Lancome's)
*Small blush (also currently using a Lancome sample)
*Brush for bronzer and blush

For the eyes:
*Sample size mascara for day-to-evening touch ups
*An eyeshadow for touch-ups that will go with any look (recommend Nude Beach by Bare Minerals)
*Plum/ purple colored eye liner (again, goes with most outfits).  I usually take ones from my makeup bag that are almost finished so that they're smaller.  Love the color of this Clinique Eyeliner.
*Eye shadow brush
*Afternoon pick-me-up eye perk (recommend Vichy's Anti-Fatigue Eye-Stick)

General health and wellness:
*Travel size multi-purpose wipes
*Hand sanitizer
*Hand cream (I used to work for this company in high school and still think the product is amazing - try Olivina's Fig Hand Cream)
*Travel size deodorant
*Travel size tube of Advil
*Extra feminine supplies
*Immodium
*Band-aids for when you've been pounding the pavement in heels too long
*Travel size perfume (love the small Kai Rollerbar)
*Extra set of contact lenses
*Eye drops
*Small nail file
*Small flashlight (you never know)
*Finally, I keep a mini swiss army knife on my keychain and it has come in handy SO many times.

Can you believe all of that fits in one small bag?!

An Aromatic Experience

Over the years, I've had men ask me to tell their girlfriends to "wear whatever it is that you're wearing."  Slightly awkward, as scents are extremely personal, but who doesn't love being told that they smell nice?!

Again, scents are personal and I'm drawn to fresh, floral scents.  Not everyone wants that, and some people prefer musky, etc.  I do believe in having a work, daytime and nighttime/date night scent though.  Once I find something I like, I like to make it my "signature scent."

It helps to start with a good lotion:  I've already mentioned my favorite Shikai Gardenia Lotion, which is pretty subtle.  For something stronger, Kai Body Lotion does the trick (also gardenia scent).  For a night out on the town or special occasion, my very generous friend gave me my first taste of La Mer Body Lotion as a birthday present.  She SWEARS men go crazy for the smell and I agree, it's a pretty luxurious experience.   

For daytime, my new discovery is Aerin Lauder's Private Collection (gardenia and tuberose).  I've also been using Chanel's Chance Eau Fraiche ever since it came out (7-8 yrs ago?).  It also happens to be one of my favorite perfume ad campaigns.  It's so hard to market perfume (who approved Brad Pitt and Chanel #5?).

For date nights with the bf, I love love LOVE Dior's Pure Poison.  I discovered the scent when I bought one of those little sample Dior Perfume packs at a duty free airport shop (see? I'm a marketer's dream).

And just to reminisce a vacation to one of my favorite places in the world - Capri, Italy - I like to dab a little of Carthusia's Via Camarelle on.  It transports me back to enjoying fresh mozzarella, massive lemons and copious amounts of bouganvilla.  I bought it (along with dozens of gift-sized soaps) from a tiny little store there.  It was so charming.  If you haven't been to Capri - venga!  Pronto!

Wrinkle Prevention - eyes, face and neck!

My mom had quite visible crow's feet and never wore a speck of makeup - she was very naturally beautiful and you could tell she had smiled and laughed a lot throughout life.  Laugh lines are beautiful...but I still want to minimize them.  It's much easier to prevent than it is to correct wrinkles.  I've been using wrinkle cream since I was 14, so I sincerely hope my diligence pays off when I'm in my golden years!

Throwback to our sunkissed (wrinkle forming) days:

For night cream - this is one area where I think you can go drugstore or department store.  From the drugstore, I love Olay's Regenerist and from the department store, I love Lancome's High Resolution Night Cream (it smells amazing!).  Don't forget to put it on your neck and chest too.  I've tried sooo many night creams - just make sure you're getting something that is thick enough to really work it's magic as you sleep.  (Caveat:  I have normal/oily skin.  Your moisturizer routine will obviously vary with dry or very oily skin)

For eye cream, I struggle with dark circles.  Most people have one of two common problems: dark under-eye circles or puffiness.  I finally bit the bullet and bought my first La Mer product (more have followed...).  I used to use a more moderately priced Advanced Eye Cream from Kinerase, which was

also great.

I love La Mer's Eye Concentrate for a few reasons - it smells amazing, it works, it lasts forever (I'm going on nine months for my little jar and not anywhere near done), and it comes with a little silver ball applicator that smoothes and soothes the under-eye area.  So if you factor in only needing to purchase it ~once a year, the $180 price tag is [somewhat] justifiable.  You can see a difference after a minute if you apply to one eye and not the other (it was several drive-bys and trials at the La Mer counter that finally convinced me to purchase!)  This cream is specifically best for dark circles.  For puffiness, La Mer makes another eye cream, The Eye Balm Intense.  Look for products with caffeine for puffiness.

For major eye RX, I recommend Shiseido's Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask.  It REALLY
works and is great when you have a big event and want to look "bright eyed and bushy tailed."

Foundation: The Art of Mixing

I started using BB (Beauty Balm) Cream last summer, when I was researching products for work and posing as an "interested consumer" at all of the beauty counters.  BB Creams have been around in Asia for-EVER but just hit the US about a year ago.  Now CC Creams are out (Color Correcting) but I have yet to try them since I already use a correcting serum at night.  And I swear my BB cream makes my skin glow, so why change it if it ain't broke?

Here's my skin with just foundation + BB cream:

What are the benefits of using BB Cream?  It's a 6-in-1 product (perfect for people on-the-go) that moisturizes, provides SPF, light coverage, helps with acne, wrinkle-prevention and evens out skin tone.  I love Estee Lauder's BB Cream (I'm a 2 shade).  A little goes a long way, and my tube has lasted nine months.

The trick is that I also mix it with a dap of my normal liquid foundation.  I love Lancome's Teint Miracle (I'm a Bisque 2 (C)).

For under-eye and spot coverage, I alternate between a lighter concealer by Lancome and a heavier one by Estee Lauder for when I haven't gotten much sleep (happens too often for my liking!).

Here's me getting my J. Lo glow on (right, summer in NYC):