Tag: Summer

Summer Favorites From Opinion Nothing

What better way to round out my week of guest posts than the fabulous JM from OpinionNothing.com. This girl has style not to mention is always up on what’s new in beauty living in the fabulous New York City. I asked her to share some of her favorites to beat the crazy heat this summer in the Big Apple:

When temperatures soar and humidity caps off at 100%, my favorite summer beauty products rise to the occasion. Whether I’m headed to the office or out to brunch with my girlfriends, these warm weather essentials keep me looking my best!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder ($45) – This magic face powder comes in six shades and uses photoluminescent technology to soften light as it reflects off the skin. I like using Dim Light with a big, fluffy brush to set my foundation. It’s not a traditional mattifying powder, but I don’t mind a little bit of healthy shine.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation with SPF 15 ($45) – I love Vitalumiere Aqua because it gives medium, buildable coverage yet still feels light like a tinted moisturizer. I can apply it with my fingers or an array of foundation brushes and my dry-to-combination skin looks great every time. BONUS: travel-friendly packaging and a luxurious scent.

NARS single eyeshadow in New York ($24) – Red eyeshadow is difficult to wear without looking like you have pinkeye, but New York is rich enough to pull off. It’s perfect for adding dimension to a neutral, summer-appropriate smoky eye or simply smudged along the lash line for a grungy pop of color. It pains me to say that New York is no longer available as a single eyeshadow, but you can still find it in the splurge-worthy NARS Loves New York palette.

Lipstick Queen in Hello Sailor ($25) – My number one lipstick pick for summer! Hello Sailor looks bright blue in the bullet, but the sheer, moisturizing formula works with natural lip color to create a shade of berry unique to every wearer. It makes teeth look whiter too! Literally my lips, but better.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Hyde Park ($25) – Red lipstick instantly perks up a simple look, but not when it’s melting off your face, or worse, in your purse. The latest Stalin Lip Pencils from NARS pass the test in both categories and Hyde Park, a gorgeous rosy red, is perfect for day or night.

Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover ($4.59) – No one appreciates a good at-home manicure like I do and step one is using the right tools. Resist the urge to use cuticle scissors. After five minutes wearing the gel, my cuticles are soft and trim. A quick wash with some soap and my nails are ready for bright colors!

Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Cleansing Mask ($5.49) – Before we go crazy thinking our pores are filled with dirt, let’s remind ourselves that blackheads are most often caused by oxidized oils, not filth. This cleansing mask contains both silica and salicylic acid to remove excess oils, leaving skin clean and blackhead-free in between facials. I like to apply it with a synthetic flat foundation brush for a spa-like feel at home.

I leave for summer vacation in less than two weeks (bonjour, Paris!) and you can bet I’m making room in my carry-on for everything on this list. With great skin, a perfect pout, and groomed nails, I’m ready to beat the heat on both sides of the Atlantic.

Cocktail Party Makeup Tips From The Glossarie!

I have had parties on the brain! With travels and weddings this summer, cocktail makeup has been in high rotation. Nothing like having an expert on hand to tell us her favorites. I’d love to welcome Lara from theglossarie.com (one of my all time favorite beauty blogs) – she’s sharing her party makeup favorites today:

Oh summer, you are going way too fast! I’ve been taking it easy through June and July because my August is packed with events – and I absolutely love events. Blame my girlie nature, but something about getting a touch dressed up and giving my makeup that extra oomph is one of my very favorite things.

My daily go-to look is subtle; usually consisting of a cc cream, spot concealer, a wash of bronzer, and a swipe of mascara. If I’m lucky, I get some color on my lips but mostly I live in lip balm. I like to give my face that something extra when I’m getting all dolled up, and these six things are just the ticket.

Mark. Hook Ups, $6.50 each

This concept is a party girl’s dream. Mark.’s Hook Ups allow you to create a custom double-ended makeup magic wand, pairing lip gloss, mascara, eye liner and even brow gel. You can swap things out for endless combinations and keep your two favorites with you at all times. Perfect for tucking in your best clutch!

Stila Countless Color Pigments in Lyric, $22

These vibrant pigments are like little works of art. Technically intended to be worn as eye shadow, I have taken to wearing this light pink/peach/lavender pink option as my special occasion blush. The finish is a gorgeous and almost ethereal glowy hot pink. It never fails to make me feel festive!

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Lacquer in Clearly Spotted, $2.99

How fun is this speckled polish from Maybelline? Clearly Spotted is pure black and white glitter in a smooth jelly base. It brings my nail game up a notch and easily goes with every dress in my closet. The texture means that I can apply it myself without needing a professional manicure – plus, any chips are well hidden.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in Pearly Light Lagoon Green, $23

These Aqua Creams from Make Up For Ever can be patted on to lids and blended with my finger so they’re very hard to screw up. They wear without creasing and smudging (even on a sweaty dance floor) and this mint green color has been my summer go-to because it’s subtle yet statement making.

Marni Eau de Parfum, $75

This fragrance from Marni is sexy sexy. Top notes combine elements of spice and woods, with a touch of rose for elegance. It’s classic, yet unlike anything that I have ever smelled before. It’s special and memorable, but perhaps best of all is that my husband cannot get enough.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23

I love a lot of lash and this new mascara from Too Faced delivers long, doll-like lashes that do not quit. It’s intensely black and helps to hold beautiful curl, leaving lashes lush and defined. I especially like that I can skip eyeliner when I wear it because the finished effects are just that good.

The Top Five Products You Need For Your Next Blowout From Politics of Pretty

I’ve been captivated by Kara’s blog, Politics of Pretty for some time now! Her beautiful site covers it all from daring to classic and all with such beautiful imagary. Today, she shares her “must haves” for the perfect blowout:

Growing up, trips to the salon for my twice-annual haircut was something I always looked forward to (mainly because fresh cut hair plus a fresh blowout meant three to four really amazing hair days). Then, blow dry bars started popping up and girls of all hair types who were craving a great blowout rejoiced. On the flip side, treating myself to salon blowouts has slowly become an addiction and it’s taken quite the toll on my wallet. So if you’re in desperate need of a blow dry spending detox, I’ve rounded up my five favorite products for the perfect DIY blowout at home.

Drybar Happy Hour Shampoo and Weightless Conditioner. Never mind the fact that I’m a shampoo and conditioner chameleon—lately I can’t get enough of Drybar’s sweet smelling shampoo and conditioner.

Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème. Before I discovered this drugstore gem, I was a hair product mixologist as I tried to combine different products in hopes of yielding some pretty spectacular results. What it ended up doing? Turning my mane in to a ball of grease. This styling cream is a one-step miracle (think frizz control, heat protection, brilliant shine, among others) without having to combine with anything else. Love!

A Paddle Brush, any paddle brush. I have naturally straight hair so a soft paddle brush is my go-to when I’m styling a straight and sleek look. For some reason, round brushes don’t always work in my favor.

Jose Eber Infrared Blow Dryer. I’m always careful about protecting my hair from damaging blow dryer heat, but this innovative infrared dryer by Jose Eber infuses a gentle heat at the hair cuticle, not to mention decreases drying time in half. I am always on the go so this dryer is a time saver for sure!

Serge Normant Meta Revive Volumizing Dry Shampoo. While I have a slew of sample size dry shampoos in my hair arsenal, I always find myself reaching for this spray. I’m attracted to its cedar bark scent and its quick-to-dry (two minutes!) formula. Just a few light sprays keep my hair looking clean and healthy for an extra day.

Click on over to my blog, Politics of Pretty, with my top tips and tricks on how to use these products for the perfect blowout.

Style Cusp’s Summer Beauty Routine

This week, I am bound for the Dominican Republic for some decadent beach time! Each day this week, I am featuring a guest post from some of my favorite bloggers. No better way to kick it off than with one of my first blogging friends, Marissa from The Style Cusp! She’s a fashion and lifestyle blogger with killer hair and beauty know-how. Today, she is sharing some of her summer beauty routine. Enjoy!:

My summer beauty routine is simple and fuss free. When I’ve spent a day lounging at the pool or am headed to dinner with girlfriends after an extremely humid Northeast day, the last thing I want to do is pile on makeup only to have it melt off. I usually stick to my trusty basics.

1. EOS // I am obsessed with this little things! I have a few scattered around my apartment, in my purse, and in my beach bag. They are a mix between chapstick and a gloss and give my lips a nice little shine – not to mention their flavors are beyond yummy!

2. Falsies Mascara // I’ve tried loads of mascaras, but always come back to this one. I swear by this little $6 tube! It keeps my lashes long and full – something we all are always on the hunt for in a mascara.

3. NARS Torrid // My top blush/bronzer pick is always NARS. Their shades are always just what I’m looking for and complement my skin tone perfectly. I love Torrid against a little sun kissed skin after a day at the beach or pool.

4. Essie // It’s no secret that I’m a essieaholic! You’ll found bottle after bottle scattered all over my place. I’m constantly switching up what’s on my fingertips, but you best believe there’s never a day I’m without some color. My current favorites are turquoise + caicos, blanc, and bottle service.

What’s your summer beauty routine? Any favorites I should try? Stop on over my blog or send me a tweet (@stylecusp) + let me know!

Getting Beach Ready For Summer – Sally Hansen Summer Sweepstakes

Readers… I apologize. I know I won’t shut up about this beach trip. But it is definitely consuming my thoughts. While I have been to Florida recently, I haven’t left the country in a couple of years. That’s a bit odd for me since I am the definition of a travel junkie. Not to mention my recent weight loss – tune in tomorrow for an update on that! But either way, I have a ticket in hand and I am bikini ready.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been grooming and smoothing. Some of my tips on getting beach ready:

First, start using SPF a couple days in advance of your trip. Yep, that’s right. Sun protection can build up in the layers of your skin, helping you stay sun safe. This isn’t an excuse to skip sun screen at the beach, but it will help out in upping your protection.

Second, shoot to remove unwanted hair at least a week in advance. I am so prone to redness and irritation that my skin takes some time to calm down. And if you use wax, like Sally Hansen’s Ouch Relief Wax Strip Kit, you should have a large enough time window without regrowth.

Next, I’ve started letting my hair air dry and using sea salt spray. I know it sounds weird, but I feel like hair has memory and after weeks of round brushing it straight. It is hard to ease into that careless beachy look. Plus, practice makes perfect so tousled waves are just right in those vacation photo shots.

Lastly, I have started setting aside a pile of “must haves” on my kitchen counter. Yeah, it looks a little sloppy but those nightmares of forgetting something have already started. Stashed over there is a rich nourishing night cream, after sun lotion, my passport and a stack of beach reads. (PS – Anyone read The Paris Wife yet? I cannot wait to dive in!)

So, that’s how I am prepping to hit the sand next week. What are your tips and tricks?

To celebrate getting beach ready, don’t miss this awesome Sweepstakes from Sally Hansen! Contest details can be found here: http://showoffchallenge.com.

Two ways to win:

You can join the sweepstakes for a chance to win a $5000 shopping spree or
Enter the Take it Off, Show Off contest – there will be 7 show off moment challenges throughout the summer, which means seven chances to win. Each challenge will have 5 winners, and they will each receive $100 worth of Sally Hansen products.

Want to Show Off Smooth Summer Skin? Sally Hansen Ouch-Relief wax strips get you hair free and care free all summer long! Go Ahead Show Off and Enter the Sally Hansen Challenge!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sally Hansen via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sally Hansen.

What’s In My Beach Bag

In less than a week, I am bound for the Caribbean! Knowing me, I’ve been pondering exactly what is going to go in that precious space to keep me safe and looking beautiful in the sand.

eos “Basket of Fruit” Smooth Sphere Lip Balm Pack is a four-pack of juicy long-time lip balm favorites including limited edition Fresh Watermelon. Also included are Strawberry Sorbet, Summer Fruit and Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balms. The formula has great hydration and I love the ergonomic design of the spheres. Not to mention, they are easy to find at the bottom and a full and large beach bag! Recyclable and gluten-free.

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ After Sun Lotion is the first and only after sun product combining indulgent ribbons of gel and lotion infused with silk protein and shea butter to provide luxurious moisturization for a full 24 hours. Ribbons of aloe soothe and refresh the skin from the effects of the sun, while silk protein shea butter ribbons of lotion provide incredible moisturization that leaves skin feeling hydrated, healthy and radiant.

Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 is my go to face SPF because it has never been the least bit irritating. It is also oil-free, avoiding those pesky summer clogged pores. And even while I am staying protected, the formula includes added vitamins. I also love the Soothing Facial Toner for a refreshing clean to get off all the grime and sunscreen at the end of the day.

Tanee Tan Line Corrector, is an innovative product to eliminate those annoying tan lines. Using a pen-like applicator, just color in where you need some extra color and you’ll get an all-natural self-tan exactly where you need it. I get instant color and the shade deepens over a couple hours. No need to fret those bikini straps or strapless dresses!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater is the perfect, refreshing mist to for a pick-me-up on a hot day. The Aloe and Herbs help hydrate tight skin. I also love the way this looks under makeup for a rosy, nourished glow. It is incredibly gentle and well suited for sensitive skin.

Beach bag available here. Beach towel available here.

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

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