ok, maybe he's not that psyched
Here he is, making himself comfy on Mom’s vanity chair. Howie loves to watch me do my hair and make up. I know he’d read this blog if he could…he has a thing for stilettos and hair dryers
Howie loves make up
Author: BethonBeauty
‘My lipgloss brings all the…’ finish that line (best/worst song ever)
On any given day, if you dump out my purse, about 6 to 8 lipglosses or balms will fall out. Am I alone in this? I don’t know what it is about these things, but I love to have them…
What I look for/avoid in lipglosses/balms:
- Subtle color nothing dramatic
- Can’t be too sticky. Isn’t it the worse when your hair gets stuck on your lips? The worst culprit for this problem are those shiny lipgloss tubes from Victoria’s Secret, ew
- Price isn’t a huge qualifier – but if it’s more than $8, it needs to last for MONTHS
- Needs to moisturize, make my lips feel nice
- It can’t smell bad
- And I don’t do lip plumping ingredients…I have a small mouth, no amount of weird tingling is going to make me look like Angelina
- Not too glittery, I save that for Halloween
just a few expectations, I’m not crazy ha.
After trying so many, my current go-tos:
For Lipgloss:
- Laura Mercier Lip Glace: it’s silky, goes on smooth, moisturizes well, smells nice yet subtle, gives a nice pop of color – and it lasts a very long time, which is key because it’s $22. I’ve had my first one for almost a year!
- Comes in a lot of colors: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P109906&categoryId=B70
- My fave neutral: Blush
- Dior Ultra Gloss Glow: I bought this when I needed a little pick-me-up. I ‘overlooked’ the high price tag of $27…and told myself I deserved it. Thankfully, it wasn’t a purchase I regretted* – this is a great gloss, awesome color, moistures, isn’t sticky etc. so far, it has lasted over 4 months, which is good given the price. I’ve paid $28 for Chanel glosses that don’t last as long, so I don’t think they’re worth the price
- Comes in a lot of colors: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/dior-addict-ultra-gloss/3092335cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=dior_’addict’_ultra_gloss:296481&cm_pla=makeup:women:lip&cm_ven=Google_Product_Ads&mr:adType=pla&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=132EEF6E-1968-DF11-9DA0-002219319097&origin=pla
- My fave: #216 Lace Beige…I was at a wedding recently and another bridesmaid tried this color on. She has a very different skin tone than me, she’s Italian. This color looked great on her as well! It’s very versatile. I couldn’t find it on Sephora – so I added the link to Nordstrom
My favorite lipglosses! You can tell I put them to good use
For lip balm:
- Aside for the tried and true Rosebud Salve – I love EOS lip balm, sold at most pharmacies and on Amazon, Target.com (couldn’t find on drugstore.com)
I like the scent, ‘Summer Fruit’ it smells delish, moisturizes, doesn’t dry. Has a fun, funky package. Added bonus: USDA organic, 100% natural, and paraben free! Only $3! Good primer for when you need some added moisture- Comes in a few scents: http://www.amazon.com/Balm-SUMMER-FRUIT-Evolution-smooth/dp/B003X8GVPO
*good news on ‘purchase regrets’ when it comes to some of these higher priced cosmetics…if you purchase from Nordstrom’s, you can bring it back for a refund or exchange…even if you’ve used it. They understand, sometimes you try it and simply don’t like it. I love Nordstrom for this reason, they are #1 in customer service in my book
Dry shampoo – what’s the hype?
Dry shampoo…WTF is that?
It sounds random…I used to sprinkle baby powder in my hair thinking it was the same idea. But no, baby powder is rumored to help reduce greasiness…but I always seemed to have a white coating in my hair even after I patted it out. So, I tried dry shampoo…
I’ve tried a couple of brands…I am about to move this specific product/brand to ‘tried & true’ status because when it runs out, I panic.
Usually, after I wash and blow dry/straighten my hair, it will stay ‘clean’ for at least a day, unless I go to the gym. Dry shampoo has helped me wait a couple days between shampoos…or freshen up my hair before I go out after work. Not only does it rid my roots of greasiness…it also revamps the volume a bit. You simply spray on the root line (I focus on the top of my head, and around my face hairline). Then, I use my hands, or a tissue to tousle it around – which I guess works the product into the hair. You don’t need to wash/wipe it out. Spray, rub, boom…you’re done.
Of the brands I’ve tried – this one has worked the best: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P209113&categoryId=B70
With the Ojon brand, my hair doesn’t get flat…I noticed with the Tressemme kind my hair fell really flat.
I usually get the smaller, $13 Ojon bottle because it fits easily into my gym bag – which is another time I use it. If I got to the gym at lunch, I don’t have time to wash/dry my hair. So I spray some of this in, tousle, style a bit, and head back to work. This bottle usually lasts me a couple of months (I’ll use it a few times a week)
At my last hair appointment, my stylist mentioned my hair looks healthier…I credit that to washing it less frequently because of the dry shampoo.
Seriously, try this…it’ll change your life.
Out in the sun…protect your grill
It takes time to find a sunscreen for your face that doesn’t make you break out. I have been using Coppertone Oil-Free Sunscreen For Faces SPF 30 for the last 2 summers, and now I don’t walk on the beach, or near the pool, without it.
Why I like it:
- Fragrance Free
- Hypoallergenic
- Won’t Clog Pores
- Water proof
- Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection
Most importantly for me, it doesn’t make me break out. It is non-greasy, and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. Back in the day, I’d use little to no SPF on my face, bbbbad idea! Now, I use at least SPF 30 on my face and I still get color, but never a burn. They sell this everywhere, I always see it at CVS. They have it on Drugstore.com for <$10. The tube should last the entire summer since it’s only for face/neck.
Here it is: http://www.drugstore.com/coppertone-oil-free-sunscreen-lotion-for-faces-spf-30/qxp73202?fromsrch=copertone
This summer I tried a new sunscreen for my body (i.e. everywhere but my face and neck) – I like it because it’s SPF 20…I felt like SPF 15 was too low, and SPF 30 seemed too high, I’m weird. It’s called Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect SPF 20 (also comes in different SPFs).
I like the little bronze shimmers. This is not for sensitive skin – but I haven’t had any problems with it. I don’t consider this a ‘have to have,’ it’s just what I am using right now…and I plan to use it until it runs out. I haven’t burned while using it. It isn’t greasy. And I like the shimmer effect on my skin, especially if I have a pre-existing glow from self tanner. It was <$10 at Wal-Mart for a good size bottle, another reason I got it. You can also find on Drugstore.com:
I should comment, these are obviously not paraben free. I have yet to find/try a paraben free sunscreen. Also, I have read a lot recently about the other risks, specific to other chemicals used in sunscreens. At this point, it makes more sense for me to wear sunscreen given my family history of skin cancer. But if anyone hears about an effective/safer sunscreen – PLEASE SHARE!
For safer (out-of-the-sun) ways to get a nice glow – see my post on self tanners: http://wp.me/p1kq6s-R
Quick Beauty Tip #1: cleaning make up brushes
Quick beauty tip #1
To avoid break outs on your face…clean your make up brushes regularly. Especially, your bronzer brush (which usually is swept all over the face)! I try to clean mine once a month.
Beyond cleaning the old make up and bacteria off, which can cause break outs. Cleaning, freshens your brushes and extends their life! I can’t tell you how many times I bought a new brush because I thought my ‘old’ one looked gross.
It is easy to do, and no need to buy fancy brush cleaner. You can wash with J&J Baby Shampoo! 
It is gentle, but effective in cleaning off brush heads. All you need to do is wet the brush head, pour a dab of shampoo on, and gently lather up the brush. Rinse the brush head clean, then air dry. I usually rest my drying brushes on a paper towel. Depending on the size of the brush it could take a day for the brush to dry, but it’s worth it.
OH AND – I don’t bother with the big size bottle of the J&J shampoo. I get the mini travel size so it fits into my make up bag, or drawer easily. It’s about $0.99 cents at Target or CVS and lasts awhile since you only need a dot to clean a brush
@BethOnBeauty 