I know I’ve bragged about how fabulous Goldfaden MD’s Doctor Scrub is (and don’t get me wrong, it is) – but in all seriousness I cannot afford to buy it every month. SO I’ve been on the prowl for something similar yet affordable..and I have found it!
I have been diggin’ Olay products lately – everything from their Quench lotion to their Total Effects cream cleanser. And then I discovered they offer a microdermabrasion system which HELLLOOOO I just gotta try + for only $25.99. Needless to say I bought it and love it!
I was doing my makeup the other day and noticed my makeup brushes actually used to be white, instead they had become a gnarly brownish pink. That’s when I realized ummm when the heck was the last time I cleaned these bad boys?
I had JUST left the mall and no way was I running back into MAC on a Friday evening just to grab makeup brush cleaner. So, I got home, did some research and voilá, found an extremely affordable and easy way to clean your makeup brushes with just 2 products found in da kitchen! Can you believe it?! Dishwashing Soap & Extra Virgin Olive Oil! {Works like a CHARM!}
Here’s the breakdown of exactly what you need: your makeup brushes (LOVE my EVERYDAY MINERALS), warm water, dishwashing soap (I used the Palmolive Soft Touch), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I used the store brand), a clean towel & some sort of concoction to keep your brushes standing up overnight (I used bath salts in a jar, seriously).
Here’s my dirrrrtay brushes {before}, soap & EVOO…
Close up, just so you can see how much I was actually slacking…
Just mix the soap & EVOO up with each brush, you’ll probably have to add more of each product for every brush. Then gently massage the bristles under warm water until the water runs clear.
When all your brushes are clean simply dab them with a clean towel, and leave them on the towel to keep their shape for a few minutes.
Lastly stand ‘em up and voilá, you’ll be able to see results immediately. The brushes do take overnight to dry, I’d recommend even cleaning them early evening so they’ll dry by the morning… I’d say mine take about 12 hours to dry, FYI!
Being a full time nanny I don’t tend to have the normal 9-5 schedule and even if I did believe me when I say I wouldn’t have a normal sleeping schedule (shout-out to you, insomnia!). Not to mention winter is right around the corner and I can already see my dull skin lurking behind the shadows. However I can depend on a number of beauty products that do help me actually look alive, one of them being this baby from the wonderful MAC.
The miracle liquid goes by Strobe Liquid-probably because it brightens your face as bright as a strobe light…. (joking? kind of). It adds some serious radiance all while reducing the appearance of those little imperfections! I used it once & couldn’t get over my glow so you know it jumped right into my makeup bag to be a part of my daily routine. AND before you’re completely sold, this stuff isn’t one of those break the bank lotions either, you can get the 50 mL for only $32 and it is sooo worth every penny!
Katie Holmes is known for her flawless skin and, of late, the gorgeous glow that literally makes her face sparkle. The glow is a sign of healthy skin and has the potential to turn heads regardless of the occasion or place.
It might surprise you to learn that it is possible for anyone to get a glow and spark like Katie with the right skincare strategy. Yes, it’s true!
Here are some guidelines to get started:
Skincare
For overall healthy skin, you need take care of it regularly. Try to keep a minimal routine for the mornings and a more extensive one at night when the skin is going to be more on a repair and mend mode.
Use a cleanser, exfoliator and under eye cream. A good moisturizer twice a day also helps immensely. Another tactic you can add to your skincare regimen that gives added value to your skin is face masks. This is one step Katie Holmes herself swears by. Find one that suits your skin best and try to get around to applying it once a week.
Makeup
When it comes to makeup, an easy way is get going is through the use of liquid highlights. Apply a few drops on either cheekbone and blend in once you have your foundation done.
Another way to go about it is to get a powder highlight or shimmer sticks and using a brush blend it out into the skin. Try to take only as much product as required to match your skin tone. This will add a natural looking glow to your skin, but make sure to keep a light hand on the product you use as too much application can backfire.
Cosmetic Laser Surgery
Cosmetic laser surgeries are no longer expensive, risky experiments. Most doctors utilize the most cutting edge (no pun intended) technology from laser experts like the Medlaser Depot and other companies who hold safety as the top priority. Laser surgery provides a solution to unseemly blotches, marks, wrinkles and acne. Usually after a month or so, the result is a much clear complexion than before.
However, post-surgery, you need to take extensive care of your skin.
Diet
Another way by which Katie Holmes keeps herself and her skin looking fresh and young is keeping her diet healthy and balanced. It is hard to stick to veggies and fruits at all times, so you can cheat and eat a cookie or that ice cream once in a while.
However, do try to incorporate as many vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. They will provide you with a regular dose of minerals and vitamins that will perform their functions in keeping your skin as well as your body at its best, inside out.
To add a healthy spark to your face, the most essential thing to do is to look after your skin as best you can. Follow a skin routine regularly to give your skin a chance at standing close to Katie’s stunning epidermis.
How do you care for your skin? Feel free to leave comments.
If you are over the age of 21 and have a full or part-time job, you deserve to imbibe in the favorite American past time that is Happy Hour. Grabbing a drink with friends or colleagues after work is a fun aspect of many office cultures and social groups – and it can arise on pretty short notice! Transitioning your look from the office to the bar shouldn’t be a time-consuming, headache-inducing affair. Just keep these tips in mind the next time you’re planning a happy hour outing, and you’re guaranteed to look pulled together no matter how rough a day it’s been.
Freshen Up
First things first, you’ll need to do a little sprucing. If you have dry skin, especially in the winter months, reapply a bit of moisturizer to those trouble spots; if you have oily skin, blotting papers work like a charm for removing unwanted shine. Scrutinize your foundation and concealer and make sure that you are evenly covered and well-blended under your eyes and at the hair and jawline. Always have a small comb on hand to tame any pesky knots worked in from the day’s activities, and a travel-sized can of hairspray if you’ve got an up-do, or curls that need to hold for more than 8 hours!
A light coat of translucent powder can go a long way in enhancing that 5 p.m. glow, so steer clear of adding on any blush or toner. You’ll have enough color by the end of the working day; add any more and you’ll just wind up overcompensating.
Make the Choice
Are you going to go with dramatic eyes or bold lips? While each should be neatened up after a long day, you don’t want to overdo it by putting a heavy focus on both for a laid-back weeknight drink.
To emphasize the lips, apply a coat of lipstick that’s a few shades darker than your normal color – and be sure to blot! Rim with a liner to make your lips look fuller and to keep from smudging each time you go for your glass. If your lips are going to be downplayed, go with a nude or lighter color lipstick. You can also stick with a simple gloss, like Cargo Cosmetics’ long-lasting set from ShopNBC, for a sweet shine.
Touch up your eye makeup regardless, but to play them up for happy hour, again, aim for a darker shade of shadow on the creases above your eyes and the outside corners. Alternatively, you can add emphasis to your eyes with a shimmering color; Nyx Cosmetics’ single eye shadows, sold through Ulta, come in dozens of hot colors and textures.
Prep Work
Since you want to make it out while drink specials are still going, cover your bases early on. Make sure to touch-up your manicure the night before with a color that compliments but isn’t necessarily included in your day-to-night outfit. And if you’re going out in sandals or peep toe heels, double check that your toes are painted, too!
Pack away your makeup essentials in a separate zip bag for easy access, like these cute small and medium-sized clutches from Eyes Lips Face. If you don’t typically wear makeup to work, take the time to apply your foundation, concealer, toner or blush in the morning. A quick swipe of mascara and basic eye liner in the AM will last through the evening and cut time from your after-work routine.
Freshen up with a quick spritz of your favorite perfume, maybe change into a cute pair of heels and you’ll be out the door in no time at all. Remember that you’re in good company – most everyone out between 5 and 7 is also coming from their job, so when in doubt keep it light and natural-looking. Happy Hour is all about letting loose with cheap drinks and good conversation, so just keep these tips in mind and you’ll be kicking back with a glass of wine in no time!
It’s a two step kit – make sure to begin with a clean face. I start washing with the Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Cleanser then follow up with the good stuff – the Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System - and finish with the Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream. After this wonderful process, my face feels like new – it has never been so soft and or smooth (not that I can remember)! Give it a try & let me know how this drugstore set worked out for you!
