Slap a Coat of Paint on it & Call it a Day....I Don't Think So!

You wouldn't slap a coat of paint on a piece of furniture without sanding, priming and cleaning it first would you? Well, the same goes for your face. Although you can leave the power sander in the garage, we don't need anything that high powered.

In order to get the best results from makeup, you really should start with the best skin you can have. Having beautiful skin doesn't mean a ton of expensive products and a complicated routine. Let's face it (no pun intended) big companies know we are suckers for "miracle" cures and the elusive Fountain of Youth. It's really a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Some stuff works great, other stuff is a total waste of money. Not to say there aren't A LOT of amazing products out there, because there are. But let's just stick to the basics for now.

What do you really need to use on a daily basis?
 
Cleanser, toner (if you're oily or wear makeup) and moisturizer. 

Cleanser:
Pick one that suits your skin type (normal, dry, oily or combo). A product that says it is for all skin types is kind of like buying a shirt that says "one size fits all". You know that is far from true. If you wash your face and it feels tight like a face lift after, this is bad. It has dried you out too much. If your face is dried out too much from cleanser, you might as well forget the next steps. *In a pinch I use makeup remover wipes too. Quick and easy.

My favorites:

Formula 10.0.6 Best Face Forward

*SAVE* $4.99 at Walgreens

Givenchy Clean It Tender

*SPLURGE* $34 at Sephora

*Normally I wouldn't pay that much for cleanser but this one is FABULOUS! I bought it on vacation. You only need a pea size for your whole face. It lasted 8 months. Worth the money.

Toner:
Toner gets rid of all of the residue on your skin.Your cleanser should do the trick, but toner will take off anything that your water (minerals, salt, chlorine) and any makeup residue might have left behind. I tend to go a more mild route with toner as to not dry my skin out.

My favorite:

L'Oreal HydraFresh Toner

$6.49 at drug stores

Moisturizer:
Choose a moisturizer that is made for your skin type. Also choose one with a spf 15 at least. You have to protect your skin with sunblock even in the winter. Use it EVERYDAY. Nothing ages you like sun damage and if you're going to the bother of taking care of you skin, this is essential.

My favorite:

Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV-Lotion

$6.99 drug stores

I do use an eye cream as well. I started doing this when I turned 30. The skin around your eyes is really delicate. Take good care of it. I keep my eye cream in the fridge too. A trick I learned from my aunt. It feels great and is an instant de-puffer!

If you need to hydrate your skin, do so with a night time cream. These are good to use daily. I also exfoliate my skin 1-2 times a week. Especially since I do wear makeup every single day. It's not a bad idea to use a mask once a week as a deep cleaning treatment.

Check back tomorrow for more on additional skin care.

As we get older treatments, creams, lotions and potions seem really appealing. They are not a magic wand. Taking care of your skin daily and drinking a lot of water is your magic wand. Start now. Start today...for skin you'll love for years to come. 

Have a beautiful day!
xo
Bethany

Big Sexy Hair! Time to Pump it Up!

As promised...another video tutorial! I'll get this program figured out sooner than later. If I could only make the thumbnail change. LOL.

This time around it's time for Big Sexy Hair! Pump up the volume with a little help from yours truly.

What you need:
Root lifting spray/mousse
Hairspray
Blow dryer
Curling iron
Velcro rollers
Teasing comb

Big Sexy Hair Tutorial...

xo
Bethany

The Right Tools for the Job

Every job requires certain tools, right? YES! And I have lots of tools that I use to get the job done. Now granted, I don't use them all everyday but I like to have options available. I am debating buying a rolling Craftsman tool chest. Do they come in pink? Hmmm...

So if I had to pick my favorite tools that I use, here they are.
Drumroll please...

Eyelash Curler - Love, love, love my eyelash curler! Nothing opens up your eyes like curling your lashes. Tip...hit the eyelash curler with the blow dryer for 10 seconds or run under hot water to heat it. Touch your finger to it to make sure it's not too hot for your skin. Then curl your lashes. The curl holds so much better.
 
Oil Absorbing Papers - These little papers are worth their weight in gold. Well, actually they don't weigh much but they do work wonders. If you get shiny, you just press the little paper to your skin and it sucks the oil right up without removing your makeup.
 
Makeup Brushes -Nothing makes your makeup look better than being applied with good brushes. You can buy them individually or in sets. For a decent quality set at a lower price I suggest the brand Sonia Kashuk from Target. If you are willing to spend a little more for great quality, go to Sephora. I personally like their brand.
 
Makeup Setting Spray - Want your makeup to stay smudge proof? Makeup setting spray is a great option. You just mist your face after your makeup is done and voila! E.L.F. makes one for $3 available at Target. Also, Urban Decay offers one at Sephora for $29. Now, normally I would go the inexpensive root but the Urban Decay one is AWESOME! And, that $29 bottle, lasted me a year. Not bad at all!
 
Tweezers - Tweezerman is my favorite brand. Use for shaping eyebrows and plucking stray hairs. I prefer an angled tip. A good pair is a fairly inexpensive purchase and you'll be glad you bought them. They are more slick at hair removal. And don't let the name fool you, Tweezerman offers a lot of great beauty products.
 
Magnifying Mirror - You may see more than you bargained for but it's great for use when tweezing your eyebrows or doing any type of detailed makeup. Just don't spend to much time staring into one. For one, you'll feel cross eyed and two...you'll see way too many things to obsess over. Remember, no one sees you at that magnification.
 
Silk Pillowcase - Ever notice how many skin and hair products mention silk content? There's a reason. For your hair, it helps to eliminate breakage. Silk also doesn't hold heat so you are less apt to have frizzy hair. For your skin, less creases plus they are hypoallergenic and won't draw moisture from the skin and body.
 
Hot Rollers - Want big playmate hair? Here's your weapon of choice. After I dry my hair, I separate it into sections, tease at the roots and spray with a little hairspray. Then I roll my hair and let it set while I do my makeup. After my makeup is done, I take out the rollers and shake it out. Big, fat playmate curls. Instant glamour!
 
Velcro Rollers - Want fuller hair but not curls? Hands down the best tool for adding volume to your hair would be Velcro rollers.. After I dry my hair, I separate it into sections, spray the roots with a root lifting spray, roll my hair around them and let set while I finish getting ready. Then before I take them out I blast my hair with the the dryer on hot for a minute and then cool for a minute. After that I take the rollers out and shake my hair out.

Teasing Comb - I tease my hair all the time for added lift. The important thing is to do it right so you don't damage your hair. Teasing combs are made for this reason. Hold a section of hair up, go about 1 1/2" from your roots and push the comb down. Don't go up and down. Only downward strokes. I do it a couple of times. After I am done I smooth it out.

In the blogs to come, I will be giving you individual lessons on how to use all of these tools so that you can be armed and fabulous too! ;)

Have a beautiful day!
xo
Bethany

Something the Cat Dragged In...

"You look like you don't feel well." Which basically means "Hey, you look like crap."

Thank goodness for makeup, over the counter medication and tissues infused with lotion. I don't know about you but allergy season is harsh for me. Plus there are all kinds of colds and ickiness going around right now. So how do you put on your game face when you feel like something the cat dragged in? Well, crawl out from under the covers and try these tips and hopefully, you can fake feeling like a million bucks!
 
Puffy Eyes: Put a couple of ice cubes in sandwich bags, wrap a washcloth around them and lay them on your eyes for like 10 minutes. It will help to constrict the blood vessels and take away the redness.
 
Bright Eyed: Your eyes say so much about you. If you need to, a little Visine is not a bad thing to whiten them up. Then curl those eyelashes and add a couple of coats of mascara.
 
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Can't stop blowing your nose and now you have a "blinkin' beacon", use a creamy, heavier foundation that will absorb into your dry skin. Maybe a little lighter than your skin tone.
 
Fake It Til You Make It: SMILE! Make sure you brush your teeth, gargle, rinse...whatever you have to do to flash those pearly whites and mask that "fever" breath. You don't have to mean it but it gives off the vibe that all is well.
 
Pink Rosy Cheeks: Counteract all that pink with a bronzer. Maybe slap on a little foundation first to even out your skin tone, then a little bronzer. You don't want to look like you just got back from the Jamaica.
 
Eat Up: Try if you can to eat a healthy meal. Even if it's a small one. If your energy level is down, you'll look even more sluggish if you're hungry.
 
Drink Up: Water that is. A lot of times when you're sick, you're dehydrated. A tell tale sign that you aren't feeling well is having dry, pale lips. Water will help to hydrate you. Then slap on some lip balm. Even Aquaphor is great for really dry, chapped lips.
 
SLEEP: Yes. Sleep. When you can, get some rest. Even if it's just a power nap. Running yourself ragged will not help to make you look or feel better anytime soon.
 
Hopefully, you do not need these tips anytime soon. Remember another important thing...if people are sick around you, sanitize, amp up your hand washing and take some vitamins. I am a big fan of Zicam when I feel a cold weaseling its way into my bod. It works like a charm! Also, if you are sick, be good about washing your makeup tools too. The last thing you need is bacteria transferring to your face, lips and eyes.
 
Take care!
xo
Bethany

Honey, Beer, Avocado? No It's Not Happy Hour...It's Happy Hair!

My hair can be one of my best assets or biggest nightmares. Depends on the day.

I've been coloring my hair since I was 14. I've had blonde, brunette, black and now red hair. They've all suited my personality at that moment. The red though...by far my favorite! I resisted it forever. It's bold, sassy and beautiful thanks to my amazing hair stylist Kelly. This is not a color for the faint of heart. It's literally magenta when I am sitting in her chair. Luckily it's not when I leave the salon or I'd still be sitting there. One of the reasons I have a professional do my hair is because red is DIFFICULT. The other reason is because I've been growing my hair out for at least 5 years. I want long beautiful hair, which means not damaging it more than necessary. Especially since I tend to have a deep love for blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons. The fact that I've never had my hair fall out is nothing short of a miracle.

So how do you keep your hair beautiful and not break the bank? Reach into your fridge my friends. These are some of my favorite at home hair remedies. I've tried them all and love them!

Pretty Hair Starts With a Healthy Scalp:
If your scalp is not healthy, your hair is not going to look it. If you have dry scalp, add about 5 drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo. Don't over condition it either. I would use a detangler instead. Tea tree oil can make your head a little sensitive too. Don't use it if you have any scratches, cuts or burns. (*side note* From what I've been told, adding tea tree oil to your shampoo also helps to ward off lice. Good to know if you have little ones in school.)

Oily scalp?  Take 1 tbsp of cornstarch or baby powder and put it in a little shaker container. Sprinkle it all into your roots evenly. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then brush it through your hair. I would say to do this maybe before bed. It has the same effect as dry shampoo.
 
Limp Hair...Wake it up With a Beer:
1/2 cup flat beer
1 tsp light olive oil or canola
raw egg
 
Mix together. Put it all over your hair and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water. It helps to add a little body to your hair. I would only do this every other week.
 
Pump Up the Volume:
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup honey
2 tbsp olive oil
2 small ripe avocados

Mix it all together. I actually whip it up in the Magic Bullet. Apply the concoction to your hair and leave it on for 1 to 2 hours. It will get hard. Shampoo and condition as normal. I would do this every couple of weeks.
 
Honey, Your Hair is So Shiny: 
3 tbsp of honey
1 pint of water

Mix together and put it on your hair and scalp. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse hair with cool water. Then blow dry on medium.

I do some other things too. I cold rinse my hair at the end of my shower. It helps with shine and to keep my color fresher, longer. It also wakes me up! Brrr! 

Another thing I do is after I get out of the shower, I put my hair in a bun then I wrap paper towel around it while I get ready. Then, by the time I am ready to blow dry it, a lot of the water has been absorbed so I spend less time with the dryer scorching it.

Go on now and get yourself a good hair day straight out of the fridge.
xo
Bethany

I Took It All Off For My 1st Video Blog! Easy, Everyday Makeup From Start to Finish



Finished Look

 After HOURS of technical difficulties, a lot of swearing and a few shots of tequila later.....

Here is the first video blog! Pardon my editing skills. I learned how to use this program last night out of necessity. My first crack at it!

What is it?!?! My "Sunday" makeup routine.

One of the most common requests is for an easy, everyday makeup routine. I will guide you step by step. Once you learn how to do this, it's a 10 minute routine.

What you need:
Foundation
Concealor
Highlighter (not essential)
Blush
Eyeshadow Palette
Mascara
Lip Liner
Lip Gloss

Brush Set

Enjoy!

Have a great day!
xo
Bethany

I'm Not Santa or Your Fairy Godmother but I Will Work My Magic

Hard to remember that sometimes isn't it?

I think we always want what we don't have. To be taller, slimmer, to have different hair, less of a "back porch" and more of a "front porch", a smaller waist...The list goes on and on. Some of those things we can change, with hard work or a lot of money. Some we can't. I say instead of wishing for what we don't have, focus on making the best of what you do have and work on the aspects you have control of. Every woman is beautiful in their own way. How boring would it be if we all looked like Stepford Wives?!

Earlier today I put out on Facebook a question/request to my friends. I wanted to know what they wanted help with, or to learn from me. I want to be able to use my friends as my "models". I want to use real women, with real concerns and help them with real solutions. 

As the responses started to roll in I felt a little like Santa Claus or a Fairy Godmother. Well, you know, minus the magical bag of tricks or a wand. Although, I'd like to say I do perform my own type of magic.

My magic comes by way of experience. A lot of trial and error has provided me with knowledge. I'm also an artist, so I am always looking for the beauty in everything and I have a desire to showcase it.

So that's what I want to accomplish with today's blog. I want to know what you want. What types of things do you want to learn how to do? What concerns do you have?
 
Feel free to comment below, email me or send me a private Facebook message. I will be making a list and maybe even checking it twice. Over the course of time I will address everything that I can. When it helps, I'll do videos or photos to guide you too.

I can't wait to help you feel like the best possible version of you. Nothing makes me happier than making someone else realize how much they have to offer and to be proud of.

Have a great Monday night!
xo
Bethany