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Summer

The Perfect Mid-Summer Beauty To Do List

by Diana Ajih on July 26, 2011

in Summer

summer beauty

Already feeling the mid-summer blues? Here’s a checklist full of inspiring beauty ideas to keep you busy for the rest of the summer.

1. Buy a New Sunscreen

Sun protection is year round but to make sure you’re using fresh sunscreen buy a new one. Always protect the skin from sunburns especially during the summer.

2. Try a New Lipstick shade

Be daring and try a lipstick color you normally wouldn’t touch. Head over to your local sephora or beauty counter and have fun sampling a variety of colors.

3. Practice Makeup Techniques

Always wanted to perfect the winged eye or add more vibrant colors to a smokey eye? There’s no better time to practice your makeup techniques then now. Head over to You Tube and challenge yourself to a new eye makeup technique with some of the best v-bloggers.

4. Throw out old makeup

Start going through your makeup bag and throw out makeup past its expiration date. Here’s the general rules: Eyeshadow and Eyeliners should be thrown out every 2-3 years, lipsticks every two years, mascara every three months, concealer and foundation every 6 months to a year, and loose powder every 6 months.

5. Have beauty makeovers with girlfriends

Invite all your friends over and ask them to bring some of their favorite makeup. Then have fun doing each other makeup by trying new makeup looks.

6. Stay Hydrated

Keep your skin hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of fluids.

7. Head down to the massage parlor

Get aways from your daily routines while enjoying a nice massage. I like to visit a massage parlor every two weeks to relax and escape.

8. Treat yourself to a spa day

Make time to treat yourself one day out of the week. If you have the dough, go to a local spa. Sites like Groupon and Living Social have tons of spa deals that are too good to pass up. If you don’t want to spend money then have a spa day at home. Have a relaxing day of pampering! Here’s some great ideas to do on your special day: a luxurious bath, a steam facial, plucking eyebrows, mani and medi, scented candles, and stay comfortable.

9. Have Fun with DIY beauty

Make a homemade beauty recipe! There’s so many to find online that’s easy to recreate. It can be a fun project to do with a friend or by yourself. I like to make beauty masks, scrubs, and conditioners!

10. Read your favorite beauty blogs

Great for leisure! I like to read up on the latest beauty news as well as discover new beauty tips. If you have more than one go-to beauty blog, compile them by subscribing to all their updates and view them from one location (Ex: Google Reader or your Yahoo page).

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While Stila might not normally be my go-to makeup line of choice for all my daily beauty routine must-haves, the brand certainly takes the cake when it comes to adorably festive themed palettes — and at a serious bargain, mind you! The latest themed all-inclusive slim sets take inspiration from our favorite summer hotspot — the beach! With a total of four different limited-edition palettes, each including shades modeled after the world’s most gorgeous beachy hangouts, you can collect them all or choose the one you’d most rather be spending your time! …Or of course, just be predictable and base your decision on the shades appeal to you most (kidding!). You can look out for the second half of the four-piece collection later this summer, but for now be sure to check out the first two: Stunning in Sayulita and Haute in The Hamptons! Both contain four coordinating shadows, one cheek color, and one highlighter/bronzer, but differ in color scheme. Sayulita appeals to our inner surfer girl with its taupes and bronzes, while the Hamptons channels a more subtle, “sip wine and look pretty at the hottest cocktail party” look. Can’t decide? For only $14 each, why bother choosing just one?
- Alex Gambardella
Guest post from my friends over at The Find!
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How to Keep Your Summer Eye Makeup Looking Fresh

by Diana Ajih on July 18, 2011

in Summer

summer eye makeup

During the summer, more and more women are finding ways on how to keep eye makeup fresh. Considering how vulnerable makeup is to heat, it isn’t surprising that mascara starts running even before lunch starts. If this happens often, then not only would it be incredibly taxing, but eye makeup expense would literally shoot off the ground.

For those who are having this problem, here are some tips on how to keep summer eye makeup fresh.

benefit bad gal mascaraBuy Waterproof

Probably the most obvious option is the purchase of waterproof eye makeup. This ensures that the material is capable of outlasting the heat and sweat that usually comes up during the summer. Try exchanging various makeup items for more durable ones. For example, an eye pencil would definitely be better than a liquid liner. Suggestion: Benefit Bad Gal Waterproof Mascara, $19

Keep it Light

Don’t apply too much eye makeup in the hope that it would make it last longer. This is actually counterproductive as more makeup blocks the pores and only stimulates sweating. Instead, go for something lighter so that the skin can breather easily. Too much eye makeup would also make dissolution of the material more noticeable.

Use a Primer

An eye primer is a fast and easy way to keep your summer eye makeup in place all day long. Make sure to apply it before using any other makeup

for the eye area.  Suggestion: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $18

 

Powder Power

Apply loose powder before adding the makeup to ensure the eye makeup stays intact. Of course, keep the amount of powder light – justenough to where there’s a good barrier and the moisture is absorbed. Once done, sweep off the excess powder with a fluffy brush.

Skip the Lower Lashes

The bottom part of the lashes is usually the ones that sweat or are exposed to moisture a lot. Hence, this is the problem areas that every female should look into when trying to keep their makeup fresh. If possible, simply skip this part of the eye so that there wouldn’t be any surprises for the rest of the day.

When makeup starts to feel like it’s going to melt, use a piece of tissue to gently blot out the moisture. Don’t wipe on the skin and just let the tissue absorb the liquid by gently pressing it on the vulnerable area. Don’t forget to always bring makeup to work and more importantly – a mirror – to constantly check the status of the makeup.

Of course, learning how to keep eye makeup fresh doesn’t mean that reapplying is no longer an option. If all else fails, then don’t be afraid to sneak into the ladies room and start working on some makeup magic. Like it or not, summer makeup is not meant to last for long hours on the face so having it fixed a few times each day should be fitted in the schedule. Keep in mind that the hotter the environment is, the faster would makeup decorate. Hence, try to keep away from the sun as much as possible.

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3 Ways to Enhance Your Summer Glow

by Diana Ajih on July 14, 2011

in Summer

Lots of women are aiming to learn how to get a summer glow without looking like orange rather than tanned. The good news is that there are numerous ways get that tanned summer skin without having to lie under the sun all day – although that is the best way it can be done.

For those who are thinking about how to get a summer glow but not having the time to do it, here are some tips on how to achieve this goal artificially.

How to Get a Summer Glow:

Self-Tanning Lotion

summer glow

These self tanning lotions are incredibly effective nowadays especially after considerable research done on the products. The item may be bought in practically any store. Try asking around or even reading reviews to find the best self tanning lotion being sold in the market today. Suggestions: Tan Towel Classic Self-Tan Towlette, $10; St. Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse, $30

Bronzer

summer glow

This is probably the most common method being used by women today because of the availability. Look for a bronzer that is around two shades deeper than one’s skin tone. This would ensure excellent results as the skin starts to look like it literally gloried under the sun for some time. Suggestions: Urban Decay Baked Bronzer, $26; Stila One Step Bronze Skin Tone Illuminating Bronzing Serum, $36

Exfoliant and Moisturizer Products

summer glow

One of the top reasons why people have horrible skin during the summer is because of the dryness in the surroundings. The skin starts to lose important water, causing it to look and feel cracked or chipped. Hence, religiously applying exfoliants on the skin would scrub the dead skin away and allow for the fresher skin to move forward. Additionally, using the moisturizer would help bring back the water originally lost thanks to summer heat. Suggestions: Kiehl’s Body Scrub in Grapefruit, $25; Caudalie Merlot Friction Scrub, $35

Keep in mind that the neck should also get the same level of attention as the face. In fact, if females want to pull this off, they might need to bronze every other visible area like the arms and shoulders. Some people forget these parts, causing them to fail nailing this look.

Learning how to get a summer glow is not really that hard. One just has to pay more attention to their skin than usual because the sun tends to drain it of vital nutrients. For year-round healthy skin, keep in mind that diet plays a big factor. Make sure to eat more fruits and vegetables as this will keep the skin looking good from the inside.

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How to Find a Sunscreen For Acne-Prone Skin

by Diana Ajih on July 11, 2011

in Summer

Sunscreen for Acne

Finding a sunscreen that won’t cause acne breakouts is something every person should consider during the summer. Since people have different skin types, it isn’t surprising that there are those who find themselves responding negatively to various products. Unfortunately, there isn’t a concrete way of finding a sunscreen without applying the item on the skin. Instead, the process is a trial and error system that should be done properly to minimize the side effects.

For those bent on finding that perfect sunscreen for acne prone skin, here are some tips on how this can be done.

Oily Skin

sunscreen for acne

People with oily skin should opt for a sunscreen liberally combined with powder. This would absorb the oil even while protecting the skin from the harsh rays of the sun and you’ll still maintain your summer glow. Suggestion: Peter Thomas Roth: Instant Mineral Powder SPF 45, $30

More after the jump…

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Beat The Heat Makeup Edition (via College Candy)

by Diana Ajih on July 6, 2011

in Summer

Guest post from my friends over at College Candy!

Summer is the best time of year.  There are virtually no responsibilities (unless you’re stuck with classes or work), it’s always time for a margarita, the beach is calling your name and there are tons of hot, shirtless guys.  What’s not to love?  Oh yeah, the billion degree heat and the humidity!  While you can cool off with the beverage of your choosing, your makeup probably won’t last past noon if you’re out and about.

I’m outside for at least six hours a day working summer lacrosse camps in the sweltering Atlanta heat, so trust me when I say that wearing makeup is not my first priority.  But it’s my job to test products and figure things out for you fine viewers.

Learn tips to prevent your makeup from looking like a hot mess!

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