Blush Is Back

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For the past few years the trend has been a more toned down, barely there version of blush. Going as far as using a lightly colored powder as blush or a natural shade to complement your skin tone, we haven’t seen blush strike it big since the eighties.

With current fashion being influenced by everything from the glamorous 1940’s and 50’s to retro 60’s and 70’s, it’s no wonder blush is on the rise again. It’s back, it’s bold and it’s beautiful.

If you have a warm complexion that is on the light side, choose a bright peach shade. For warm complexions that are darker choose a rich apricot shade. If your coloring is more on the cool side and light, bright pink or rose shades will look best on you. Cool coloring with dark hair and eyes? Bright berry tones will look gorgeous on you.

If you want to create a look from a particular era, there are certain shades that reflect the trends of certain decades. In the 1940’s bright or deep apricot shade were the rage, brought on by memorable redheads of the day such as Rita Hayworth. Nothing says the 1950’s like red lips and red blush. You can also create a fifties look with bright pinks, think poodle skirts. For the 60’s it’s peach or pink and if you want that classic look from the disco era the color you’ll want to wear is a deep brownish brick red, this looks fabulous warmer complexions.

To create the new “blush is back” look, swirl the blush in a circular motion on the apple of your cheek and finish by sweeping up over the cheek bone. Build the look of your blush, rather than putting it all on at one time, layer it until you have the look you want. If you find you have a little to much on, the best thing to erase it is the backside of a towel.

Don’t forget, if you are wearing a smokey eye you should still keep the blush to a minimum. Your eye should be your focal point.

(Image Courtesy Elle)

How To Have Beautiful Hair

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Lately my hair has transformed into something that feels like satin and always looks fantastic, without too much work. Everywhere I go women are asking me what I use on my hair to make it look and feel so good.

Yes, I do have a secret, actually a couple of them. The products I use combined together make my hair shine like never before and it feels silkier and smoother than I ever could have hoped for. It’s not just the products, it’s the particular products combined together and the specific appliances that make the difference.

Just a few months ago I had horribly damaged hair that, in my significant other’s words, felt like straw. In my quest for soft, silky, beautiful hair I have tried it all. This is the best of the best, these products are so good that I am reluctant to try anything else, no matter how good it is rumored to be! Don’t worry, if I find anything better I’ll let you know, but for now, here are all my secrets for gorgeous hair:

Terax Miele Hydrating Shampoo: One of the best shampoo’s I have ever had the pleasure of using, it smells like honey and hydrates your hair wonderfully. You can tell the difference the first time you rinse your hair out, even before you put the conditioner in your hair feels hydrated.

Terax Crema Moisturizing Daily Conditioner: It’s no wonder Terax only makes one conditioner, I don’t know how you could improve on a product this good. It only needs to be left in for a minute or two, a great time saver in comparison to other deep conditioners. This product leaves my hair so soft that I absolutely refuse to try anything else, no matter how good it is rumored to be. My standards for conditioner are impeccably high and finally a company has exceeded them!

Terax Life Drops Leave In Protein Conditioner: Where do I even start to try to tell you about this wonderful leave in conditioner. In the past I have thought leave in conditioners were a bit of a joke, I could never really tell a difference no matter how expensive the product was. This leave in conditioner is different. I can feel the texture of my hair becoming softer and smoother as I run the product through my hair. Also great for protecting color treated hair, it prevents color loss or fading by sealing the cuticle and retaining moisture. In addition to how wonderfully this product works it smells like vanilla cake batter!

Sedu Heat Protecting Spray: If you’ve ever used a heat protecting spray before you may have wondered if it is actually doing its job. One use of this heat protecting spray and you’ll know it is doing its job! A full line of sprays to meet your every need (Smoothing, Volumizing, Moisturizing, and Color Protecting), when using this spray I notice a significant difference in the amount of damage to my hair from heat tools.

Sedu Ultrasilent Hair Dryer: The best ionic/tourmaline hair dryer, hands down! When using this hair dryer I always notice a marked differences in the softness, smoothness, texture and silkiness of my hair. Three heat settings and three power levels, this hair dryer has better than the standard “cool shot”, you can dry your hair on high with no heat! You will not find a better hair dryer at any price!

Terax Gloss Finishing Serum: This serum adds the final touch of softness to my hair. Although my hair is already soft from the above products, this gloss takes it to the next level leaving it very silky and smooth. Use it once your hair is dry, this is one product I will never go without.

Sedu Revolution Styling Iron: One of the best styling irons I have tried, this iron not only doesn’t damage my hair, it leaves it feeling softer and even more taken care of. Adjustable temperature and it heats up in 30 seconds. This iron has curved plates so you can do anything with it, straighten, curl, wave, or flip.

Davines No. 10 Universal Polishing Coat: My secrets would not be complete without this polish! Use it after everything else to define and shine. A very little goes a very long way, it truly is a polishing tool. Eliminates fly-aways, separates just enough without being to controlling and smells like heaven. Every time I use this people ask me what perfume I’m wearing, little so they know it’s a hair styling product!

This may seem like a lot of products, but once you try them you will feel the difference. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just the styling products that make the difference. When you are trying to attain the softest and silkiest hair possible it’s the combination of shampoo, conditioner, styling products and the type of tools you use that will pay off in the way your hair looks and feels.

After Hair Coloring: I only use Terax Botanica Leave-In Moisturizer once every six weeks, but I wouldn’t be without it. After a hair coloring your hair needs more than extra conditioning. Through the coloring process your hair has been stripped of moisture and it needs a shot of moisture to bring your hair’s environment into balance. That is exactly what Botanica Leave-In Moisturizer provides in one easy step. It is important to give your hair this treatment immediately after coloring, your hair will thank you!

(Images Courtesy Davines, Sedu, Terax)

Makeup To Wear With A Smokey Eye

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You’ve heard it at Sephora and read it in all the magazine’s, “you don’t need a full face of makeup when you wear a smokey eye”. It sounds like the great advice of a makeup artist, but what does it really mean?

When creating a smokey or dramatic eye the focal point of your face should be only that, your eyes. They should be smoldering and gorgeous with little else to distract. This means all other makeup should be minimal. It does not however mean you should go without makeup, what you need is gorgeous glowing skin that creates a beautiful backdrop for your centerpiece.

How then do you get this perfect backdrop and still look like you don’t have a full face of makeup on? With the right tools and shades!

Instead of liquid foundation, which can look heavy, use a loose foundation. Urban Decay’s Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup is a perfect choice. It will give your skin a healthy glow and smooth any imperfections. For blush, stay away from dark or bright shades since these will distract from your eyes. Try Benefit Cosmetics Georgia, a gorgeous light peach powder that doubles for a barely there blush.

Last, but not least, keep your lips nude but plump them up. This will give your look balance without being distracting. Clinique’s Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Glamour-full looks wonderful with a smokey eye. This product plumps to perfection and looks fabulous!

(Image Courtesy Clinique)

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Easy Thanksgiving Table Decorations

Filed Under Holidays, Home | 1 Comment

Looking for an easy way to make your table sparkle for the holidays? This is a very easy, beautiful idea that can easily be turned into a Christmas theme after Thanksgiving.

Start by filling two to six column vases (depending on how long your table is) with pine cones. This idea looks best with a mix a small and large pine cones, but can be arranged with either. If you live in a warmer climate you may not have pine cones lying around your backyard, don’t worry, any arts and crafts store will have them.

Next, you’ll need votive candles in either white, red or orange (an pumpkin or spice scent make this idea even more delicious). Place each votive in it’s own glass container, small cut bowls will catch the light of the candle and create a beautiful reflection on the table, or for a more modern look choose a simple glass votive holder. Finally you will need a bag of fall leaves, available at any crafts store.

Place the column vases filled with pine cones lengthwise on the table. Arrange a votive candle in between each column and one on each end (votive, vase, votive, vase, votive). Sprinkle the fall leaves lengthwise along the table, weaving them in and out of the votive candles and pillars.

For a more elegant touch add a porcelain place card holder and place card at each setting. Check back next week for easy ideas on how to turn this turkey day decor into a gorgeous Christmas table!

(Image Courtesy Pottery Barn)

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