LORAC PRO Palette 2 Preview !!!!

I am SOOOO excited for the release of the PRO Palette 2 which features 8 shimmer / 8 matte cool toned shades which are totally on trend right now ( did you see Rihanna's CFDA icy smoldering eyes??) . You can get your hands on this super cool ( no pun intended) palette ($42)  June 15th at Ulta.com.  Can't wait to get my pretty little fingers on these colors. I love that there is a second palette I hope LORAC continues with different variations!  Check out the video below to get a sneak peak at the new palette . Happy Friday!! 

Bronzed Goddess 101: CONTOURED, BRONZED and GLOWING everything you need to have the GLOW this Summer !!!

LORAC 3D Liquid Lustre ($16- $18) | LORAC afterGlow Eye Shadow Palette ($24) | LORAC SummerGlow Eye Shadow Palette  ($24) | BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz ($38) | BECCA Perfect Skin Mineral   Foundation in Sienna ($40) | BECCA Perfect Skin Mineral Foundation in Cacao ($40) | Laura Geller Baked imPRESSions Bronzer in Deep ($31) | Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow ($45) | Mally Shimmer, Shape and Glow ($49.50) | Sleek Face Form in Dark ($14.99) | Tarte Cosmetics Maracuja Bronzing Serum ($47) | Sleek Bronze Block in Dark ($11.49) | Tarte Cosmetics The Sculptor Contouring Face Slenderizer ($24) | LORAC TANtalizer Highlighter and Matte Bronze Duo ($32) | 

OMG .. where do I start ? First I'd like to confess that I honestly wear bronzer pretty much all year round. I am so looking forward to the rising temperatures ( potential trips) that will allow me to have a natural glow so that my glow will be taken to the NEXT level.  Until then,  I will be relying on a few cool products ( listed above) to give me that extra OOMF.  What I will say is that there is amazing products in every price bracket  from low $14.99 Sleek Face Form  to high $49.50 Mally Shimmer, Shape and Glow.  One key word of advice to Tarte Cosmetics ( I love the brand) ,  The Sculptor Contouring Face Slenderizer is amazing - but only if you are Fair to Medium, so me being a Deep tone this does not work for me. PLEASE make this in a darker shade!  For us Darker gals,  BECCA  Perfect Skin Mineral Foundation in Cacao and Sienna will give you that Contour/ Bronze you want , and Sleek Face Form in Dark and Medium will work great too.  A subtle hint of light around the eyes is key, and I love the 3D Liquid Lustre in Diamond and Gold will work wonders!  I love the fun vibrant shades in both afterGlow and SummerGlow Eye Shadow Palettes these shades will really compliment a bronzed skin tone.  I love the idea of adding a hint of bronzed highlight to other parts of the body since we will be showing a little bit more skin.  Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow will be a perfect addition to your routine. So with that said, go out there and get the GLOW !

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 !