Be The Best Version of You: Embrace Your Natural Beauty

It’s not easy being a woman. We’re bombarded with photoshopped images of beautiful models, we have strict beauty standards forced upon us and most of us receive criticism throughout our lives for one feature or another on our face or body. But it doesn’t have to be this way, instead of comparing ourselves to others it makes sense that we should embrace our own natural beauty. Accentuate our best features, look and feel our best in a way that’s true to us. Here are just a few of the ways you can go about doing that.

Photo from People Style.com

Choose a Hairstyle and Color That Works For You

By the time most of us reach our twenties, we’ve dyed our hair every color under the sun. You might have spent some time bleach blonde, jet black, bright red or any other weird and wonderful shade of the rainbow. But to embrace your natural beauty, why not go back to your roots? If you have natural auburn hair, why not make the most of this stunning rare color and show it off! If you’re beachy blonde, ditch the dark dyes and if you’re naturally darker than give up the bleaches. If you have grey hair, don’t feel as though you need to change it- the silver color can look beautiful. Toners can help to keep it the best shade of grey it can be without permanent damaging colors being added. Sticking with your natural shade will save you time and money, you won’t have to keep running to the hairdresser or using box dyes to cover your roots. Your hair will be in good condition where you won’t be constantly dying it, and when it comes down to it- your natural hair color is what will suit you best. It will complement both your eyes and skin tone and will make you feel like ‘you’- especially if you’ve been coloring for a while.

Stick To a Good Skincare Routine

These days there are all kinds of ‘lunch hour procedures’ that can keep you young from lip injections to fillers to Botox. They’re not too expensive and the recovery time is minimal, however, prevention is better than cure. If you treat your skin well you will reduce the signs of aging and naturally stay looking younger for longer. You should use SPF every day, even in winter as the sun’s UV rays are damaging all year round. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and avoid damaging habits such as smoking, excessively drinking or taking drugs. Look after your body as a whole, and your skin is one place you will really reap the rewards. If you do feel as though you want a procedure or a little nip/ tuck to rewind the years however then go for it. When it comes to surgery, have the aim in mind that you should look like the best version of yourself, not someone completely different!

Work on Your Physique

A strong and supple body is, of course, practical- it allows you to live your life without feeling easily fatigued and you feel fit and healthy. But maintaining a healthy weight and having toned muscles also looks good too, and can give you a huge confidence boost. If you’re overweight, shedding some pounds will be useful for both your health and your self-esteem. You could join a dieting group for support, and join a gym along with a friend or partner for motivation. Alternatively, you could find an activity you enjoy, whether it’s swimming, yoga, a dance class, a sport or just hiking with the dog and family. Aim to get to a BMI that’s healthy for you (there are lots of calculators to show you this online) and you will look how you are supposed to look and feel great too. You’ll slash your risk of all kinds of health issues that can come from weighing too much or too little. Healthy eating and exercise don’t have to be a chore, there are tones of delicious dishes out there and lots of fun activities to get you up and moving. Don’t see it as a diet, instead see it as a lifestyle change in pursuit of becoming your best self.

You don’t have to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, instead just work on making the best of yourself and highlighting your natural beauty. When you feel good on the outside it does affect the way you feel on the inside- plus many things that improve the way you look will also improve your health.

Collaborative Post

 

Frederic Aspiras styles Lady Gaga for the 2018 Grammy Awards

For last night’s Grammy Awards red carpet, Lady Gaga’s hair made a Victorian goth statement with a corseted romantic braid.

Inspiration: Frederic was inspired by the design of Lady Gaga’s dress – it immediately reminded him of the gowns and corsets of the Victorian era.

Step by step:

  • Start by spraying John Frieda Luxurious Volume Full Hydration Detangling Mist throughout the hair to help comb out any tangles
  • Then, apply John Frieda Luxurious Volume Perfectly Full Mousse to give the hair volume and texture, before creating a center part, and blow drying with a diffuser to set the hair
  • Next, while braiding both sides, apply John Frieda Frizz Ease Clearly Defined Gel to control and maintain the smoothness of the two side braids. Braid all the way down and tie the ends with a clear elastic. Then, weave the corset
  • To finish and hold the style, spray John Frieda Luxurious Volume Forever Full Hairspray

Get The Look: Rita Ora at the 2018 Grammys

Celebrity Makeup Artist Kathy Jeung worked with Rita Ora for tonight’s Grammy Awards – below is a breakdown of the look!

 

Who: Rita Ora at the 2018 Grammy Awards

The Inspiration: With the classic shape of Ralph & Russo dress, Kathy wanted to keep the focus on Rita’s complexion and eyes – giving her skin a satin finish with a touch of radiance and highlighter to accentuate Rita’s bone structure, and a simple glossy eye with lashes that lift the outer corners.

How to Get the Look:

Lips
Kathy applied Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Plum This Go to give Rita a dark, bold lip.

Skin
Kathy applied Rimmel London Lasting Finish Breathable Primer all over Rita’s cleansed, toned and moisturized face to keep makeup fresh and long-lasting, creating a smooth, pore minimized canvas for makeup. She then applied Rimmel London #Insta Conceal & Correct underneath Rita’s eyes, erasing dark circles. Next, Kathy applied Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer in Light/Medium with her ring finger, in a tapping motion underneath the eyes to blend into the rest of Rita’s face. Kathy mixed Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25HR Foundation in 303 True Nude with small amount of Rimmel London Good to Glow Highlighter in 003 Soho Glow to give her skin luminosity, by applying it with a flat foundation brush in broad strokes over Rita’s face, and blended with a damp sponge, giving Rita a natural looking finish. Kathy set the foundation with Rimmel London’s #Insta Fix & Matte Translucent Powder, helping to keep Rita’s forehead, sides of the nose and cheeks shine-free.

Cheeks
Kathy used Rimmel London Kate Moss Sculpting & Highlighting Kit in Golden Sands to highlight the tops of Rita’s cheekbones, above her jawline and down the length of her nose. She contoured the hollows under her cheekbones, just under her jawbone and under her chin using a narrow wedge brush and applied the blush using a rounded brush on the apples of her cheeks and extended towards temples.

Kathy finished up the cheeks by using Rimmel London’s Insta Duo Contour Stick to highlight along the tops of the cheekbones and blend with a damp sponge.

Eyes
Kathy applied the beige shade of the Rimmel London Magnif’Eyes Shadow Contouring Palette Blush Edition to the browbone and blended the matte taupe color into the crease. Then she applied Rimmel London’s ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick in Witness White to the inner corners of Rita’s eyes and blended for a trace of highlight. She then added Rimmel London Oh My Gloss in Clear to Rita’s eyelids to add a glossy, high shine. She lined Rita’s eyes using Rimmel London ScandalEyes Precision Micro Eyeliner in Black to create a very narrow wing along the lashline. To finish the eyes, she applied two coats of Rimmel London Shake It Fresh Mascara in Black to the upper lashes only to lengthen and thicken Rita’s lashes.

Brows
Kathy used Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil to fill in and extend Rita’s brow shape, followed by Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Pomade in Medium to softly add color and keep the brow hairs in place. She finished the brows by applying Rimmel London Brow This Way Highlighting Pencil to lift the arches of the brow and add highlight to the brow bone.

Where to Find Them: Rimmel London products are available at chain drug stores and mass retailers nationwide. Visit www.RimmelLondon.com for store locations and to try the newest products with Rimmel London’s exclusive Get The Look App available on iTunes and Google Play.

#EdgeYourLook #RimmelRebel
@RimmelLondonUS

Get The Look: Janelle Monae at the 2018 Grammys

Makeup artist, Jessica Smalls got Janelle Monae got rockstar ready for the Grammy’s using Kiehl’s, Buxom Cosmetics, and Eylure Lashes.

 

INSPIRATION:  “I wanted to give Janelle a timeless and current look at the same time, so I decided to give her a Twiggy 2018 vibe.”

 

“I wanted Janelle’s skin to shine like the star that she is, so we began prepping her skin the night before Grammys with Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask to help brighten her skin’s appearance. When I arrived to Janelle the next morning, she was already glowing, but I decided to take the glow to the next level by giving her a light 5-minute steam, and then massaging Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate all over her face and along her neck, followed by Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. I then applied Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado around her eyes, using my ring finger, to keep that delicate area moisturized.”

 

“For a bold and sexy eye look, I applied Buxom Cosmetics Eyeshadow Bar Single Eyeshadow in shades Lingerie Lover, Haute Couture and LBD to her crease, using a soft blending brush. The powerfully-pigmented formula glides onto lids with a luxe, powder-to-silk feel. I then lined her waterline with Buxom Cosmetics Hold The Line Waterproof Eyeliner in shade Ring My Bell and swept the Buxom Cosmetics Eyeshadow Bar Single Eyeshadow in shade Twilight Tryst on top to make the green pop. I finished with Eylure Luxe Silk “Trillion” false lashes and then applied a few individual lashes on the bottom for a “Twiggy” effect. To complete the look, I used Buxom Cosmetics Big Tease Plumping Mascara for instantly plumped, longer lashes.”

 

“Giving the moisturizer plenty of time to penetrate the skin, I then applied a pore minimizing primer all over her face using a synthetic brush. I then mixed Buxom Cosmetics Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation in shade In the Dark with the Buxom Cosmetics Divine Goddess Luminizer and using a damp sponge I applied all over Janelle’s face, starting by her nose and blending upwards and outwards. Using my ring finger, I sparingly dabbed some Concealer under her eyes to brighten. I contoured her face, focusing on her cheeks, temples and forehead with Buxom Cosmetics Hot Escapes Bronzer in shade Maldives, which gives off the perfect sun-kissed color and flatters all skin tones. And to complete her face I applied a soft pink to the apples of her cheeks, with some Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream on top for a subtle glow.”

 

“Now that her eyes and skin are finished, I hydrated her lips with Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, and filled them in slightly with the all-in-one plumping lip liner, Buxom Cosmetics Plumpline Lip Liner in shade Stealth. I finished the look with the ultimate plumping lip gloss, Buxom Cosmetics Full-On Lip Polish in shade Megan. The high-shine gloss tingles for a lusciously soft and seriously sexy pout. And a stunning red carpet look was born!”

Rimmel London Breathable Foundation and Concealer

RIMMEL LONDON LASTING FINISH BREATHABLE FOUNDATION is the lightest long-lasting formula available on the mass market. This special formula builds and blends with ease to ensure a flawless canvas with every application.
Formula & Benefits: 25HR wear, sweat and transfer resistant, SPF 18 to protect skin, built-in ergonomic cushion applicator
Available in 16 skin-true shades: 081 Fair Ivory, 100 Ivory, 101 Classic Ivory, 102 Light Nude, 103 True Ivory, 200 Soft Beige, 201 Classic Beige, 203 True Beige, 300 Sand, 302 Golden Honey, 303 True Nude, 400 Natural Beige, 402 Bronze, 502 Noisette, 503 Mocha, 504 Deep Mocha
RIMMEL LONDON LASTING FINISH 25HR BREATHABLE CONCEALER ($5.99)
Minimize imperfections on the spot with RIMMEL LONDON LASTING FINISH BREATHABLE CONCEALER. The formula is transfer and sweat resistant so it lasts when you need it most. Best part? It doesn’t look cakey or feel heavy.
Formula & Benefits: Cushion applicator, 25 HR wear, sweat and transfer resistant, Ultra-smooth breathable formula
 Available in six skin-true shades : 001 Light Ivory, 100 Fair, 200 Light, 300 Medium, 400 Medium Dark, 600 Dark

Try out the Celebrity Chop with Hairdo Classic Page

After seeing big-time celebrities like Margot Robbie and Lucy Hale give their hair a serious chop, the urge to go shorter with your look is real.

With Hairdo, you can change-up your look on your own time without having to commit to a cut.

Hairdo Classic Page ($119, Wigs.com)

Easily slip on this wig to achieve blunt, shoulder-length edges for the cool, polished look that you desire. Made with heat-friendly synthetic hair, you can rock it for any occasion as it can be flat-ironed, curled or blown out.

Comes in 12 different shades so you can find the one that’s right for you.

*Note: These celebrities are not wearing Hairdo products, but we wanted to show you how to get the look by using them.*

Products That Make Keeping Your Beauty Resolutions a Snap

The new year brings an itch for a fresh start and renewed resolutions, including revamping one’s beauty routine!

Featured Photo from Kim Kardashian West Instagram

While a large population finds it difficult to uphold their new year’s list, planning to make simple tweaks and minor improvements in your skincare regimen will help ensure your goals are a snap to maintain all year-long.

      

CREATE EFFICIENCIES IN YOUR REGIMEN WITH MULTI-TASKING PRODUCTS. RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® MAX Daily Hydration Crème is a dual-benefit cream, crafted with the maximum level of RoC® retinol and a 24-hour moisturizing formula to deliver ultimate hydration and improve the overall appearance of skin in just one week.

$24.97 at Walmart.com

 

 

MASTER THE ART OF LAYERING SCENTS. Le Petit Marseillais™, the #1 body wash brand in France, can uplift your shower with authentic scents to transport you to the South of France. Mandarin & Lime or Apricot & Hazelnut Extra Gentle Body Washes will gently moisturize and cleanse skin while setting the foundation for your daily fragrance.

$4.99 at food, drug and mass merchandisers nationwide

 

 

 

MAXIMIZE YOUR RECHARGE TIME. Clean & Clear® Night Relaxing® Jelly Eye Sheet Mask and Detox Clay Mask can help replenish and re-energize your skin after a long day. The Jelly Eye Sheet Mask, a Hydrogel eye mask, replenishes skin and targets the eye area where stress can show. The Detox Clay Mask is an intensive treatment to remove dirt, oil and impurities from skin.

Individual cost: $2.50 & $3.97 at Amazon.com

 

GLOW FROM HEAD TO TOE. The #1 best-selling radiance-boosting facial care collection from Aveeno® is now available for your body! The Positively Radiant® Body Lotion is formulated with Total Soy Complex and infused with light-reflecting minerals to help instantly transform dry, dull skin. Rich emollients lock in moisture for a full 24 hours leaving skin softer and smoother.

$8.77 at Walmart.com

BOOST YOUR ROUTINE. Neutrogena® Hydro Boost line has a new addition – the Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Multivitamin Booster! This serum is designed to revitalize and brighten dull, tired skin. It instantly quenches dry skin while helping to improve its moisture barrier against reoccurring dryness for hydrated, suppleskin that glows. For best results, use serum after cleansing and before moisturizing, or simply add it to your favorite face moisturizer. 

$18.99 at Neutrogena.com

 

GO BEYOND CLEAN, PURIFY. The new Neutrogena® Deep Clean® Purifying Clay Cleanser & Mask is a two-in-one facial cleanser and face mask that targets 100% of impurities, while helping to preserve skin’s essential moisture. Formulated with salicylic acid, this face mask unclogs pores by drawing out trapped dirt, oil, and makeup that can cause breakouts for healthy-looking skin. 

$8.49 at Neutrogena.com

The Best Way to Keep Your Skin in Great Condition

There are lots of ways to keep your skin in great condition, and so many factors that can affect the health and wellness of your skin. Things like stress, your environment, where you work, what products you use, can all make little or huge differences. Here are some ways to care for your skin, to make sure you are keeping it healthy, and you will definitely see the results. There are a few habits you can incorporate into your everyday life, to aid to your skin to better health. Keeping these things in mind to help your skin to look and feel better than it ever has been before. These little hints and things to keep in mind could make all the difference to your life.

Featured Photo from People Style.com

Sweat it Out

Sweating is a great way to clear out your pores and make your skin glow afterward. One of the best ways to do this is getting down to the gym, or go for a jog around your local park. It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you’re doing, as long as you make sure you sweat and get out of breath while you’re doing it. You don’t even need to do it for ages either; twenty minutes would be enough if you worked really hard. Introducing exercise into your routine means regularly clearing out your pores. Sweating is the best way to get your skin to look new and can unclog anything that washing your face, or makeup wipes, might not be able to get. Make sure you sweat a few times each week and your skin will look and feel healthier, not to mention you will feel better about it too.

You could also introduce a spa routine, or use it after you exercise for double the results. The steam room and sauna will make you sweat with no effort at all. This will have similar results to exercise, and if you stay in there long enough, you will definitely build up a huge sweat! Try using the steam room or sauna after your run the best results. Not only will exercise and the spa is great for how your looks and feels, it will reduce stress as well, which can also affect the health and wellbeing of your skin.

Source.

Reduce Stress

Exercise and taking some time to relax is fantastic for your skin for many reasons, including reducing stress. Stress and anxiety can have lots of varying effects on your body as well. For some people, this stress manifests on their skin. The life of modern women can be varying difficult at times, what with families, partners, and trying to keep your job going well too. Although you cannot change some of these stresses on your life, you can try to take some time for yourself, which can help to reduce stress.

What kind of things makes you feel relaxed? For some, this is a hot bath, candles, and a good book. For others, this could be taking some time to have a walk in a local park, to get away from the hustle and bustle, that demands so much of you. Everyone’s idea of relaxation is different, so find out what works for you, and make time for it in your life. It is amazing how better your skin can look, and how you can feel when you take steps to reduce stress and lead a more relaxed life.

Source.

Taking Your Makeup Off

This might seem obvious, but so many women leave their makeup and products on overnight or for long periods and forget or don’t bother to remove it. It might not seem like this would affect your skin, and you might not see any difference sort time either. Over time though it can affect your skin. Many women need to put more and more makeup on the more they wear it, and so end up leaving more on. Leaving product on your skin means that it can’t breathe overnight, and it can clog your pores up. Make sure you take the time to take off your makeup and product before you go to sleep, so your skin can breathe throughout the night. Letting it have this time to breathe is super important, and can help it look and feel clearer the next day. Then you have a blank canvas to work with the next day when you wake up, a win-win.

Skin Products

Most women should have at least moisturizers amongst their skin products. This is great for when you jump out the shower and need to freshen up your face. Especially if you wear glasses, they can create dry skin where they come into contact with your skin. Making sure your skin is moisturized is a good habit to get into when caring for your skin.  When the weather is cold and windy, it is especially important to make sure you care for your skin, as it can dry out or be affected by colder weather.

There are loads of natural and organic skin products out there too, which could benefit your skin. It is worth researching alternative skin products, like tamanu oil benefits for example. Natural and organic products are going to be so much better for your skin. Artificially sourced materials are good, but natural products will rejuvenate your skin in a completely different way than artificial products.

Wearing sunscreen matters a lot, especially if you live in a sunny area. Incorporating it into your skin care and moisturizing routine each day will ensure your skin is always protected. The sun can have drastic effects on your health, often without you even realizing it, so make sure to protect your skin.

Here are just a few ways you can make your skin look and feel healthier. Reducing stress, making sure you take products off properly and sweating it out, are all great ways to improve the health of your skin. Try some of these today and see the amazing results they can have.

Collaborative Post

 

Get The Look: Olivia Munn at the Critic’s Choice Awards with ISDINCEUTICS

If you caught the Critic’s Choice Awards last night, you may have noticed the stars were not fully dressed without flawless skin. Olivia was no exception, and by using ISDINCEUTICS Skin Drops, you can have red carpet-ready skin too!

Perfect for a long night ahead, Skin Drops are a silky and lightweight foundation that last up to 12 hours. Just a few drops will conceal skin imperfections from acne scars and discoloration, to tattoos and vitiligo.

Skin Drops come in three shades – Sand, Bronze and Caramel, which can be used separately or blended, to achieve the best match for your complexion.

Shop now for flawless skin at ISDIN.com/US, $52

 

*This celebrity is not wearing Skin Drops, but we wanted to demonstrate how you can get their look using ISDINCEUTICS. *

Talk of Alabama Lifestyle Segment: Pantone’s Color Of the Year Beauty Products

On Tuesday, January 9, 2018 I had the opportunity to host a Lifestyle Segment with Talk of Alabama, ABC 33/40 highlighting Pantone’s Color Of the Year Beauty Products.

The hot new shade Ultra Violet will be showcased in the retail and fashion industry.  It’s said to communicate originality and visionary thinking!

This color can be incorporated into our everyday lives with the use of a few products.

  • Brighten up your bathroom with ultra violet accents – toothbrushes and soaps make a fun statement without overdoing it on purple décor.
  • Swipe on a statement violet eyeliner or shadow – Products: L’Oreal Eyeshadow or Hard Candy Eye Liner
  • Reach for purple-toned hair products to brighten your locks. Purple-based shampoos tone colored hair, but even if you have dark hair, purple packaged bottles make a statement – Products: It’s a 10 Silk Express Miracle Silk Leave-In

Hair: 

It’s a 10 Silk Miracle Leave-In

Goody Gel Handle Round Brush

Face:

Hard Candy Lipstick Shade Thunder

Hard Candy Take Me Out Liner

L’Oreal MATTE-Gic Lipstick

Nails:

Sally Hansen Rock Bottom

Take a look at the segment clip here:  Talk of Alabama 01/09/2018