Too Faced

  • Bronzers

    Bronzers

  • Bronzers (swatches)

    Bronzers (swatches)

  • Tom Ford Bronzing Powder

    Tom Ford Bronzing Powder

  • Tom Ford Bronzing Powder (closeup)

    Tom Ford Bronzing Powder (closeup)

We are quickly approaching that time of the year that boasts July 4th parties, endless sun, and the warm ocean breeze. Summer is synonymous with that and so much more, including glowing skin. Just a few minutes relaxing on a sandy beach can give you radiance that would make even supermodels envious. However, if your overly cautious about taking any sun because of harmful UV rays or you want to limit sunspots or wrinkles, you don’t have to sacrifice your summer glow. The great news is anyone can achieve that sun-kissed look by using bronzer and highlighter.

Let’s begin with bronzers. A really great bronzer will imitate a light tan without leaving you orangey looking or leather faced. The type of bronzer you use will depend on your specific skin type, but the most common options are powder and cream based. Here are my favorites:

Cream bronzer

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base ($50): A cream based bronzer is a great option for dry/normal skin or if you’re looking for an option during winter months. The Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzer is lightweight, smooth and highly buildable. Another positive is that it can be used both over and under your favorite foundation depending on the type of look your looking to achieve. The only negative: it only comes in one shade, which clearly caters to those with light to medium skin tones.

Powder bronzer

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder ($68/small size & $98/large size): Per Sephora.com  Highlight the skin’s natural radiance or accent an existing tan with TOM FORD’s Bronzing Powder. Just brush it lightly onto cheekbones to define and emphasize your bone structure, or dust all over the face to create the ultimate warm and seductive glow.  What else you need to know: This product is free of fragrance. Remote private islands where summer lasts all year and one day seamlessly blends into the next inspire the TOM FORD Soleil Collection, a sensuous series of bronzers, highlighters, and skin care designed to illuminate summer.

What can I add to this amazing description? Well, that it’s all true!

Honorable Mentions

  1. Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna ($39)
  2. Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer ($15/travel sized & $29/regular size)
  3. Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer ($30/three shades)

In regards to brushes, my one and only is the MAC large angled contour brush #168 ($35). I’ve been loyal to this brush because it’s large enough to give an overall beautiful coverage. And yet, the brushes slanted tip can be used to contour as well.

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Pretty in Pink

Femininity – a singular word with so much meaning and symbolism. I equate femininity with beauty, strength, sensitivity, motherhood, sisterhood, independence and the freedom to express these things as we choose. This expression can take the form of wearing a pair of fierce heels, donning sexy lingerie, spritzing your most adored perfume, or by wearing your go-to LBD (little black dress). When I want to tap into this side, I don’t have to look any further than my vanity, where I can paint my nails a subtle shade of pink or apply my beloved fuchsia lipstick like MAC Girl About Town ($17).

My love affair with this shade, I assume, began from the moment I received my first JEM doll with the wild pink hair. From that moment, I’ve gravitated to the color pink and incorporate it into my beauty routine, especially those moments when I feel most in touch with my femininity. Whether I’m on a date with my husband or playing the role of a princess in my sons’ interactive plays, pink represents me and all those things I cherish as a woman. It means even more when I purchase a piece of makeup, like Bobbi Brown’s The Peony Set ($50), where all proceeds go to supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

So for those moments in your life when you want to feel “pretty in pink”, I say go for it!

My Favorite Pink Products

  1. Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational (7.49)
  2. NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight ($26)
  3. MAC Cremesheen Glass in Boy Bait ($20)
  4. Too Faced Liquified Long Wear Lipstick ($21) in shades Melted Peony and Frosting.
  5. Essie Nail Polish in Mademoiselle and Ballet Slippers ($8.50)

Insider Tip

Most often, when you buy a product directly from a brand’s website, you may get a 10% to 20% discount off your first online purchase.

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Mascara Mania

Long, full, and lashes for days…all this and more are guaranteed by all mascaras on the market today. Which leads to the ultimate question: what is the best mascara out there? With so many to choose from, how does one go about selecting? Well, I certainly don’t recommend breaking the bank in order to buy the most expensive mascara because there are too many options at every price point. Not only should your budget be a consideration, but also your intended daily usage. Here are questions all mascara buyers should ask themselves before deciding:

  1. Do you wear mascara everyday, 2 to 3 times a week, or a handful of times a month?
  2. Do you like mascara in just the color black or do you use a variety of colors?
  3. Do you like to have both waterproof and regular mascara on hand?
  4. What is your budget?
  5. Is there a specific job your looking for in your mascara (i.e. lengthen, thickening, natural looking, curling, bottom lashes etc.)?

With those questions in mind, I’ve compiled some of my mascara favorites in the hopes of deconstructing mascara mania. 🙂

  1. Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes ($7.99): Talk about more bang for your buck. The Maybelline Falsies Big Eyes is the best value of any mascaras I have ever purchased. First and foremost, what draws me is the price. I mean $7.99, and with sales always being introduced (Buy 2, get I free currently on Ulta), makes this a budget winner. The other big plus is that it has brushes for upper and lower lashes. Now of the two, the lower lash brush is my favorite because it really does get the job done. However, you have to keep a steady hand because the brush is very small and not forgiving if you apply it too quickly.
  2. Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara ($5.99): This mascara takes the title for best color options; six to be exact (Black, Browish Black, Dark Brown, Royal Blue, Soft Black, Blackest Black). Not to mention its an American classic for a reason because it simply works! If you want natural looking lashes with a some oomph, then Maybelline Great Lash is for you.
  3. Dior Diorshow Mascara ($27.50): This is a mascara that gives volume and shape with just two coats. The Dior Diorshow Mascara also comes in four shades guaranteeing a color for every taste (blue, brown, black and purple) in addition to having a waterproof version. The biggest advantage is that this mascara is formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates (per Sephora website).
  4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($23): I normally gravitate to this mascara when I want to bring the drama without having to resort to false eyelashes. The brush is super thick and can provide full and defined lashes with just one coat. Some disadvantages I find with the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is that it only comes in one shade (black), and if your not careful with the application, it can quickly get lumpy and smudges easily. So if you don’t have a steady hand or patience, I suggest you move onto other options like those below.

Honorable Mentions:

  1. Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara ($24)
  2. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes ($21)
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