Tuesday Tip: Spread the Word

It's hot outside so I want to give you a reason to shop...in an air conditioned place with makeup. I am going to do a giveaway of a gift card in the amount of $15 to the winner's choice of Ulta or Sephora. Here are the two components that will make the drawing happen....

1. Spread the word about my blog to your friends. I will not do the drawing until I have 50 followers...I'm at 32 as of now, so I don't think I'm asking for too much :)

2. Comment on a blog post from today forward...only people who comment will be entered for the drawing.

Once I reach 50 followers I will enter the names of people who commented into random.org (in the order they comment in) and I will let random.org select a winner. Then the winner will just have to let me know where they would like to shop within 48 hours of me announcing the winner, which means you will need to check my blog. Let's see how quickly I can give away a gift card!

Tuesday Tip: Add Some Volume

I've tried many products on my hair to add more volume (including lots of teasing and hairspray) and it wasn't until I started using volumizing shampoo and conditioner that I really got results. So, if your hairspray, gel, mousse, etc isn't doing the trick try one of these products that I love.

Big and Sexy Big Volume Shampoo and Conditioner

This product adds volume and smells great...the first time I tried it I got the travel size at Ulta which is convienent....I love great travel size products, and I like getting sample sizes of products the first time I use them so that I can try them out.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner

This product really adds a lot of volume to your roots. I don't love it for everyday use, but for every few days or using it on the day of an event you want volume for it is awesome! And good news, Bumble and Bumble is sold at Sephora now in addition to select salons.

Tuesday Tip: Traveling

Packing for trips and traveling can be such a hassel. Especiallly when it comes to flying and making sure your items are 3 ounces or less and fit into a quart size bag, and then there's the fact that your items in your checked bag end up opening or exploding sometimes, so they all have to be in ziploc bags. I feel like a bag lady by the time I pack all of my items for a trip. Here are a few things I do to keep my cosmetic items to a minimum so that I can fit everything I need in my carry on and suitcase that I need, but not be weighted down by bottles and jars...

Try out sample size products or items you get from a gift (at a cosmetics line) on your trip. I have tons of sample size face creams, eye creams, eye makeup removers, etc...before I go on a trip I get out my sample size products and see which will work for me...sometimes this leads to me discovering a new great product!

Buy travel size products. So many people carry around full size products because they think that travel size products by that brand are not made....most lines sell items in travel size. Walmart and Target have lots of options, and so do Ulta and Sephora...so you are bound to find a brand that suits your beauty needs.

Buy or reuse small jars and bottles...I am all about refilling travel size shampoo bottles with more shampoo. I'm sure many of you already do this. Another thing I do is I reuse sample size pots and jars for my moisturizers, face creams, face wash, etc. This way instead of bringing my huge Neutrogena face wash I bring a less than 1 once jar with enough for my weekend trip. If you want to purchase travel size bottles Ulta has a set of 4 that are bright colors and fit into the requirements for air travel. Also, Sally Beauty Supply is full of bottles and jars that can be used for travel.

Make it work...before I travel I think through what I REALLY need...I'm a makeup artist, so I tend to think I need everything, but I've come to terms and I don't need all of my makeup on a trip. Think through your makeup, bring what you wear everyday and then one extra eyeshadow for night time, or a different lipstick. You don't need a multitude of makeup products. Also, think about the skin care products you are bringing. In my everyday life I use a daytime moisturizer, night cream and eye cream. When I go on trips I usually just bring my daytime moisturizer and eye cream...I ditch the night cream for a few days. Think about what you can leave behind for a few days so that you have less to pack.

Tuesday Tip: Excellent Exfoliator

I've gotten out of the habit of exfoliating my skin the past couple of years...I think one day I ran out of whatever I was using and failed to purchase another exfoliator. Well, I have been missing out, in a MAJOR way! I had a 15% off coupon to Sephora burning a hole in my wallet last week, so off I went, I mean who doesn't use a coupon to Sephora?! I left with new foundation and powder for my makeup kit and 2 products for myself, the dry shampoo I blogged about last week and my new favorite exfoliator by Bliss, Pore Perfecting Facial Polish. This is a very gentle scrub and after using it I feel my face glowing...really! By removing old dead skin cells on top of your skin (by scrubbing) your skin will look younger because it then has a smooth even texture and a natural glow...so, whether you go pick up my favorite exfoliator from Sephora or find one at your local drug store get in the habit of using one 2-3 mornings a week...it's something I'm getting into a habit of again!

*Remember, scrubs for your face should be VERY gentle, rougher scrubs can be used for your body. If you are using a scrub that is too harsh it can actually enlarge pores, and we want to do the opposite.

Tuesday Tip: Have Your Best Hair Day...With Little Effort

I'm going to be honest with you (as always), I'm a busy person, and not much of a morning person. So, that means there are some mornings that I simply don't have time to wash my hair (clearly I value my sleep). I've found a little something that is a life saver, well-hair saver, on mornings like that though. Dry shampoo. I remember reading an article about it years ago and thinking wow, what a great idea! But it was impossible to find at the time. A couple years ago I picked up a bottle of TIGI's Dirty Secret. I was hooked instantly. I had figured out a great way to save time and keep my hair looking fabulous! Dry shampoo is so easy to use, you simply spray it on your roots and fluff your hair. It gives your hair a fresh look rather than a drab second day oily look. There was one problem with my discovery though, I'm brunette, and I dye my hair so that it is darker than my natural color...most dry shampoos on the market have a slight white color to them, so they work great for blondes but not so great for brunettes. I found a way to make it blend, but it took more effort than dry shampoo should. Thankfully, Bumble and Bumble has looked out for ladies with all hair colors. Try their dry shampoo, now sold at Sephora (which means I picked up a bottle of my own this evening when I was there). It comes in white, blonde, brown and black....perfect! This is a pricey product, but oh so worth it. You can use it as a substitution for washing your hair, or as a way to add some volume and life to your hair at the end of the day before going out. So, whether you are busy with your job, school, kids, or life in general and need to save a few minutes you now know how to save time and still look great!

Tuesday Tip: Brushes

I have had many readers and clients ask me what brushes are the best ones to buy...so here it is!

Brushes you need for basic everyday makeup:
Foundation Brush (unless you use your fingers or a sponge)
Powder Brush (for powder and bronzer)
Blush Brush
2 Eyeshadow Brushes (one that is densly packed for applying color, one that is fluffier to blend and apply lighter colors with)
Lip Brush (only if you use glosses in pots or want a more sheer look from your lipstick)

Brands:
If you want to invest a good amount of money:
Trish McEvoy (she's known for her brushes)
MAC (lots of choices)
Bobbi Brown (great brushes, two options for handles-long or short)
Giorgio Armani (their blender brush is the BEST foundation brush, the other brushes are comparable to other lines)

If you want a steal:
Ecotools (you can purchase at Walgreens or Ulta, sold individually or in sets and green friendly)
Sephora (you can spend a little or a lot of money here, lots of good options)

The main thing when purchasing brushes is to feel the texture of them...you want a soft brush touching your face everyday, right?! If it feels crunchy put it back on the shelf. While more expensive brushes will last longer, inexpensive ones will do the trick and last if you take care of them. Remember, you don't have to be loyal to one line when it comes to brushes unless you want all of yours to match perfectly, mine are from all different lines!

Tuesday Tip: Be Rewarded

Stores often have rewards cards and is important to sign up for one so that you can get coupons, and free products for your birthday or for spending a certain amount of money. Here are three stores you need to have a rewards card to:

Ulta: If you shop at Ulta only twice a year still sign up for the rewards card. It is free to do and you will receive coupons and flyers about new products. The coupons are great, like $3.50 off your purchase of $10 or more, or 20% off of a purchase. You will also be rewarded four times throughout the year based on how much money you've spent there. I've gotten something for free everytime this comes around, anything from a full size lotion or cotton squares, to an Ulta makeup product or OPI nail polish. Carrying that little card with you will make a big difference!

Sephora: Sephora's card is called the "Beauty Insider." Once again, this card is free you simply need to sign up for it. For each dollar you spend you receive a point. At 100 points you will get your choice of a free deluxe sample. You also get a free gift during your birthday month. Last year it was 3 lip glosses (all great colors), this year it was an eye makeup set with a shadow, mascara and liner...this rewards card is oh so worth it! Sephora is also great about looking you up in the system by your email (if you are like me and forget to carry your card with you sometimes).

Sally Beauty Supply: At Sally Beauty their card is called the Beauty Club card. You do have to pay $5.00 to get the card and then $5.00 each year to renew it. You will get coupons and get to use the lower rate on the price tag at their stores once you have it. If you only go there a couple of times a year it probably isn't worth it. I frequent this store for fake lashes, cotton squares, lip brushes and other things for my makeup kit, so I notice the savings. They focus more on hair care and nails, but do have a small makeup section. If you love lashes this store has one of the biggest selections!

Tuesday Tip: Use an Eye Makeup Remover

If you wear eye makeup, even if it isn't waterproof, you still need to use an eye makeup remover. It is best to use a cotton ball or square with the eye makeup remover rather than a tissue. There is nothing worse to me than seeing someone with day old black eyeliner and mascara under their eyes. Not to mention that the eye area is more sensitive than the rest of your face due to the skin being thinner. So, using an eye makeup remover ensures you will not have any remnants of yesterday's makeup and it allows you to remove makeup easily without extra wear and tear on your eye area. Practically every makeup line has an eye makeup remover, and I have tried A LOT of them. When I was first gathering products for my makeup kit I spent probably an hour at Sephora with my hands covered in waterproof mascaras and liners to test multiple eye makeup removers. The $20+ eye makeup remover I found that day does not compare to my favorite for the past few years, Neutrogena's Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover.

If you aren't a fan of liquid eye makeup removers, or need a product that is easy to travel with try Almay's Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads.


You can find both of these products at your local drug store or one of my favorite stores, Ulta.