Hot Beauty Tips for Falling Temps

The minute the temperature begins to drop, my entire beauty regime needs an overhaul.  Who would ever think that a few degrees could make such a big difference in your skin and hair?  Of course, this is only the beginning... 

Pretty soon winter will be upon us, which only makes the need for this new beauty regimen greater.  The colder it gets, the worse my skin feels and looks, and the more out-of-control my hair becomes.  I know what a pain it is to change your entire routine, so I put together a list of minor adjustments you can make that will make a major difference this season.

1.  Switch to a creamy facial cleanser.  Gels, soaps and scrubs can strip skin of essential moisture.  As it gets colder out, it's more important than ever to protect your skin's delicate moisture barrier.  Creamy cleansers are typically less drying than others which make them a good cold weather choice.  H20 Plus Sea Pure Creamy Facial Cleanser is a great one to try.

 
2.  Try a moisturizing mask.  A good moisturizing mask can restore some of the moisture your skin has lost due to colder temps.  Using a mask 1-2 times a week can be a lifesaver for dry skin sufferers.  I like Energie Vitale Masque Hydratant Peau Radiante.

3.  Use a humidifier.  As soon as the temperature drops, the moisture levels follow suit.  A humidifier can help to replace much-needed moisture in the air.  This will make a big difference in how your hair and skin look and feel.

4.  Turn down the heat.  The higher you set your heat, the more it robs the air of precious moisture.  Of course, you don't want to be freezing all the time, but particularly when you're sleeping, try to turn the heat down a few degrees and use an extra blanket. 

5.  Moisturize in the shower while still damp.  As soon as you're done showering, very lightly pat dry and moisturize damp skin immediately.  A moisturizer is most useful for preventing moisture loss, so if you can start with hydrated, damp skin, you'll get more out of your body lotion.  Try Diandra Re-Plenish Skin Softening Body Lotion.

6.  Watch your shower temperature.  Super-hot water will strip your skin of much needed moisture and can further irritate already-dry skin.  As unpleasant as it may sound, try taking a lukewarm shower instead.  Save your skin! 

7.  Avoid products with high alcohol content.  Speaking of moisture-strippers, alcohol is one of the biggest culprits.  When it evaporates, it feels cool and soothing, and it takes all the moisture with it!  During fall and winter, be sure to look for products with low or no alcohol content.  That goes for hair products too!

8.  Minimize blow-drying.  Yes, it's true. Blow-drying is, in fact, drying.  It's drying to your hair and your skin, so do it as little as possible, particularly in the fall and winter.  Save it for special occasions if you can! 

9.  Be sure to protect lips.  Lips can really take a beating when the weather gets cold, so be sure to protect them from the elements with a hydrating lip balm.  Try Jean-Michelle Hydratante a Levres. 

10.  Don't ignore your feet.  Even though they're in shoes and socks all the time, your feet still need love.  The cold weather takes its toll on them too!  Pamper and nourish them by applying a foot treatment cream just before bed and sleeping in socks.  This really gives the product time to work its magic.  I love Garden Botanika High Intensity Foot Treatment.

Sometimes making small changes here and there can make a world of difference!  Try these tips and let us know your thoughts.  Enjoy your autumn 'cause winter's a-comin'!





Apply Foundation Like a Pro: 6 Easy Steps to Gorgeous Looking Skin

What woman doesn't fantasize about having perfect skin?  It is the holy grail of the beauty world and is practically unattainable.  What we can do is fake it with makeup.  This is why women go out and spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars trying every foundation under the sun.  All the foundations in the world won't give you perfect-looking skin if you are not taking the appropriate steps to prep your face for makeup.  It also doesn't do you any good to apply foundation if you don't set it properly and it ends up wearing off within minutes. 

This is why I've put together this 6-step regimen to give you gorgeous looking skin every time.  6 steps may seem like a lot, but wait till you see the finished product!

1.  Exfoliate

This may be the MOST important step of all.  Exfoliation allows all of the rest of the products to do their jobs properly.  Removing dirt and dead skin cells not only reveals fresher, newer skin, it also allows for increased penetration of skin care products.  Not to mention that makeup will apply oh-so-much better to your freshly exfoliated face.  It is a MUST for great-looking skin.  Try: Princess Livia Honey and Almond Scrub

2. Moisturize

Hydrating your skin prior to makeup application is also an important step.  Hydrated skin looks smoother, plumper and has a radiant glow.  It also aids in a nice, smooth makeup application.  Try: Jean-Michelle Lotion Peau Brillante

3. Prime

Painters don't apply paint to an unprimed canvas and neither should you.  A good primer will prepare your skin for a flawless makeup application.  Primers can color-correct, mattify and even tone and texture.  By forming a delicate barrier, they also allow the makeup to sit on the surface of your skin rather than sinking into fine lines and reacting with your skin's natural oils.  Try: Pur Minerals Color Correcting Primer in Peach

4. Apply foundation 

The right foundation should even tone and texture and minimize flaws while allowing your natural skin to show through.  You'll find that after completing steps 1-3, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well your foundation applies.  For best results, begin in the middle of your face and blend outward towards the perimeter.  Try: Jean-Michelle Claire Teint Anti-Age Liquid Makeup

5. Apply concealer 

Now that you've applied your foundation, you want to go back and cover any imperfections that are still visible.  This includes blemishes, under eye circles and redness.  Typically, a little concealer goes a long way so use it sparingly.  For the best coverage, pat the concealer onto desired areas and pat the edges to blend if needed.  Try: Diandra Perfect Blend Concealer Duo

6. Apply powder

Unless shine is a big problem for you, it's best to apply powder sparingly.  Its main function is simply to set the makeup you've just applied.  Using a large fluffy brush, dust a translucent powder over your entire face making sure to cover all areas where you've applied foundation.  Try: Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Translucent Powder

Now that you've got the perfect canvas, think of all the fun you're going to have trying all of the fabulous new fall and winter shades!

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Madeleine Mono Act 1 Fresh Start Gentle Exfoliator for All Skins

It's typically right around this time of year that I notice my skin becomes a bit dry, tight and not-as-smooth as I'd like it to be.  As the weather gets colder and the air becomes dry, it is extra-important to exfoliate your skin regularly.  Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells and other pore-cloggers to reveal the newer, fresher skin underneath.  Not only does this help to make your skin feel smoother, it enhances the effectiveness of moisturizers and other treatment products. This makes it a very important step in your beauty routine.

For a smooth-as-silk complexion, Madeleine Mono Act 1 Fresh Start is a gentle exfoliator that helps purify and renew skin with moisturizing Jojoba beads. Enriched with Aloe Vera, skin-soothing Oat and Calendula Extracts, it gently sloughs off dead skin cells and clears pores so skin can breathe.

Act 1 Fresh Start contains skin-toning, balancing and energizing extracts of Apricot, Avocado, Peach, Carrot, and Lily of the Valley to give you smoother, fresher, and more vibrant skin.

You’ll love its clean, fresh scent and the smooth feeling it leaves behind!

Beauty Editor's Picks of the Week: Earthly Treasures and Heavenly Delights

We have two great new sets from Pur Minerals on Cosmetique.com, both of which have quickly become favorites of mine.  The question you must ask yourself is:  Are you an earthy girl, or an angelic one?  Read more about these 2 fabulous collections and decide for yourself!

Embrace your natural beauty like never before with an everyday look inspired by the rich textures of nature. Featuring a colour palette of shimmering precious metals and sun-baked clays, Pur Minerals Earthly Treasures captures the spirit of this season’s hot earthen metallic trend. Includes Mineral Glow, Perfect Fit Eye Trio in Canyon Glow, Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Oasis and a Mini Eye Shadow Brush.  Or...

...Be a vision of heaven on earth with an enchanted, ethereal look that will elevate any occasion. Echoing the airy, angelic look seen on this season’s trendiest stages, Pur Minerals Heavenly Delights features a subtle kaleidoscope of veiled mosses and sheer neutrals for a look of divine grace and femininity. Includes Perfectly Natural/Pink Marble Powder Split Pan Compact, Perfect Fit Eye Trio in Halo, Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Enchanted and a Mini Powder Brush.

Can't decide which one you want?  Try both!  They're each a steal at only $30.00!

10 Time-Saving Tricks for the Gal-on-the-Go!

Image Courtesy of beaut.ie

Try abbreviating your morning routine with these time-saving beauty short cuts.  You'll look like a million bucks and  have time to spare...


1.  Get smoky eyes in a flash by lining eyes top and bottom with a soft, black pencil.  Go back and smudge entire line for the "smoky" look.  Try Pur Minerals Mineral Eye Defining Pencil with Smudger in Onyx. 

2.  Skip mascara on bottom lashes.  This saves both application and "clean-up" time.  Plus, this eliminates the smudging and dark circles that can occur later in the day/evening.

3.  Apply a rich cream like Jean-Michelle Rejuvenesse Creme Beaute Ultra Fermete to brow and cheek bones for dewy highlights in a hurry.

4.  If you like to use powder, opt for a pressed version.  These give better coverage more quickly and create less mess.  Try the best-selling Madeleine Mono Oil-Free Translucent Powder.  It's a customer favorite!

5.  Apply powder and blush with a large, fluffy brush.  This saves application time and eliminates the need for blending.  Japonesque Powder Brush is a great one!   

6.  For color and glow on-the-go, skip foundation and powder and go straight for the bronzer.  Diandra Sun-Kissed Bronzer creates warmth while evening out skin tone.

7.  Instead of using an overstuffed makeup bag, set up all your makeup and tools in one area of your bathroom.  You'll have an easier time finding what you need quickly.

8.  Opt for classic neutrals rather than trendy makeup colors.  This will save you the trouble of having to coordinate your look.

9.  Skip the full face wash in the morning unless you have very oily skin.  If you wash your face thoroughly in the evening, a simple splash of water should be sufficient in the A.M.

10.  Give hair instant volume by moving or "zig-zagging" your part. 

 Ready, Set....  Go!