Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Radiant Summer Skin ... From the Inside Out !




Get glowing radiant skin with these key products / routines !!! 

1. The Glowing Green Smoothie -  a must for everyone who wants to naturally glow from their skin to healthy hair and nails. This smoothie recipe ( which is a beauty-boosting blend of super ingredients that nourish the body for a radiant natural glow.) is by Celebrity Nutritionist Kimberly Snyder author of "Beauty Detox Solution" as well as "Beauty Detox Foods".  Kimberly breaks down why we need to say au revoir to all the processed monsters and embrace healthy nutritious alternatives and get our sexy back in the process!! What we all NEED for the summer.  You can find out more info as well as purchase these books and get cool recipes ( the 5 Delicious and Beautifying Summer Drink Recipes is a must read on her site !! ) at www.kimberlysnyder.net 

2. Previse 3 minute Skin Health -  this process is awesome !  You take a mini survey/ quiz of sorts on their website to figure out what skin you are ( I am a type 6) . Upon completion, you are directed to the products appropriate to your type - three step system includes 1- Purify ( a cleanser) 2 - Nutrify ( a nourishing liquid formula which fights free radicals amongst other pollutants) and last but not least 3 - Defend ( a moisturizer). I really love this moisturizer I have to add ! On days when I am au naturale and makeup-free it really does the trick! I had so many questions before starting the Previse journey and this company is beyond amazing with their customer service as well as informative on other healthy tips on living ( I learned about a fun combination for infused water aptly named "Sassy Water" pictured, above-  on their blog) .  Using the Previse system I was still able to use other products in conjunction ( see 3. Below) . I noticed a change in my skins texture and their Sunscreen ( not pictured above, ) is amazing as well.  I highly recommend PreviseCare to everyone ! 

3. Tarte Cosmetics Maracuja C- brightener eye treatment ,  Pure Maracuja Oil - I use the Pure Maracuja oil at night and even in conjunction with the Previse system ( swapped out step 3 at night for the oil).  This oil does everything it intends to - my skin appeared brighter, less breakouts, tighter and firmer.  I am getting sad as its been a few months so my supply is low and soon I will have to re-stock !  I can not imagine NOT using this in my nightly regimen. I have become so committed, even after a night of partying I will make sure to apply this magic in a bottle.  That's exactly what it is ! I've been a Tarte fan for years and with time the products have only gotten better and even more natural than before. This oil is an Investment! Also, the C-brightener eye treatment is a must ( if you have dark circles , or you feel your skin around the delicate eye area appears tired and dull) ! I would suggest to use this day and night - before makeup application / in use with the Pure Maracuja Oil.  

4. Miracle Skin Transformer Acne Control Tinted Skin Enhancer - This formula comes in transparent or tinted options.  Which is great if you want a bit of coverage.  I used this in "Dark" as a base before applying the rest of my products.  This evened out my skin tone instantly ( could be used as a full coverage option) , and it helps prevent / treat acne ( a problem which may occur more during the warmer months with all the heat and sweating which leads to breakouts).  What I loved is that I prematurely popped a white head weeks ago and had an unsightly mark on my forehead and this covered it nicely! No need to spot treat the area with concealer.  If tinted is not your thing the original formula ( pictured, above) works well too! 

5. Smashbox Photo Matte Anti Shine - I am guilty of having the skin that SHINES like nobody's business ! This is perfect for use to get the clean , crisp matte look . The temperatures are already rising... I don't need to be s disco ball as well, and luckily cosmetic companies are creating great products (like this) to help battle this issue. We might want to show more skin for the summer, but what we NEVER want to show are our pores! 

6.  Tarte Cosmetics Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara - Mascara goes a long way. Even if that's all you apply ( in terms of makeup) with some lip balm this is the perfect option.  This updated re-vamped version to the cult favorite "lights, camera, lashes" - provides up to 752% increase in lash volume instantly!!!! Need I say more ? 

If you noticed the route I took with this Summer Skin breakdown it was nature ..  Using products made of the best naturally derived ingredients as well as eating the right foods ( to treat from within) and of course plenty of H20 , is all we really need to have radiant naturally glowing summer skin ! 


Recipes 

The Glowing Green Smoothie
(source - Kimberly Snyder)

1 1/2 cups water
1 head of organic romaine lettuce, chopped
3-4 stalks of organic celery
1/2 head of a large bunch or 3/4 of a small bunch of spinach 
1 organic apple, cored and chopped
1 organic pear, cored and chopped
1 organic banana
Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon
optional:
1/3 bunch organic cilantro (stems okay)
1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems okay)

Directions: Add water and chopped head of romaine to blender. Blend at a low speed until smooth. Add 
celery, apple and pear and blend at high speed. Add cilantro and parsley. Finish with banana and lemon 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kimberlysnyder.net



Sassy Water
(source - Previse Care blog

3 quarts of water
1 teaspoon freshly grated or thinly sliced ginger
1 medium cucumber thinly sliced
2 medium lemons  thinly sliced
3 – 4 sprigs of mint leaves gently bruised

Prep Time: 5 mins          Yields: 10 – 12 glasses
Slice and prepare ingredients.  Place in the bottom of a pitcher. Add water. Chill overnight for at least 8 hours. Enjoy!

FOR MORE INFORMATION :  http://previsecare.wordpress.com


Have a happy Summer and may you have a natural radiant glow!! 


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Effortless Summer Beauty .. From Start to Finish !

Isn't my J.Crew ring just darling ? 


Flawless Complexion and Fuchsia Lips ! 

I decided to go through a fast forward approach to looking your absolute best this summer.  Keeping it simple - a bold lip and a flawless complexion ... nothing MORE, nothing LESS!
Although the impending Summer season is here and perhaps products we use may change due to the heat, one thing that remains the same is "technique" -  Rickycare 3D Blenders (Rickys NYC Stores , Rickysnyc.com / $8.00 each ) aid in flawless application . No matter the season ( Summer , Spring , Fall or Winter) , we STILL have to make sure we BLEND! BLEND! BLEND!  These application sponges are super soft and durable and just as great to use as more pricier versions on the market right now.  You can buy all three Blenders for the price of 1 ! I live for a bargain .  I like to use the smaller blender sponge for concealer, the dual tip as well as the original sponge shape for foundation / CC Creams.  The dual tip is great  for when you want to get in hard to reach corners like the eyes / nose , etc..

Speaking of CC Creams. I am loving the new CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 in Dark (Pür Minerals / $38.00). The texture of this CC Cream has like a "whipped" feeling ( in my opinion) , and it also goes on like a full coverage foundation.  You really can wear this alone without traditional foundation / powder.  My favorite aspect about this CC Cream is the SPF 40 , no other CC or BB Cream has this high a level of Sun Protection - it really sets this product apart. I just dab a little on my 3D Blender sponge and blend away. As displayed in the photos above ( taken with my phone , sorry if they're not that clear) -  flawless finish!!

Summer is about BRIGHT colors ! From clothing , decor to makeup.. Bright lips are the perfect way to stay "on trend".  For lips that scream "Hot Pink Paradise" like my lips above,  Makeup Artist Mally Roncal suggest The Perfect Bright Lip Kit in  Frisky Fuschia (Mallybeauty.com / $26) . This set comes with a liner to line the lips along with a 7-in-1 Lip Magnifier that combines a smoother, treatment, hydrator, primer, pencil, color, and gloss all in one package. BONUS : Fuchsia lips also makes your teeth appear whiter !

Honorable Mention -  My 24K Gold nails ( pictured, above)  are puuurrrrfect for the summer ! I am wearing ZOYA Nail Lacquer Pixie Dust in "Solange" (zoya.com / $9)  from the Summer 2013 collection. This texture is like no other , if you have not gotten sprinkled by the Pixie Fairies at Zoya yet, please do yourself a favor and head over to Zoya.com and grab the collection !

Self-Care with Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Deep Retreat

  Taking my gym session to new levels as I try out Benefit Cosmetics new skincare line. I must say I am impressed, my skn was poreless and...