Three gifts under $50, perfect for cold weather:

Winter Makeup: Estee Lauder’s Holiday Blockbuster is $48.50 with any fragrance purchase at Macy’s. A $250 value which includes eyeshadow and blush compact, 3 lipsticks, 3 lip glosses, lip and eye pencils, mascara, two travel cases, and brush set. Add it to your fragrance gift or keep it for yourself!

Winter Skincare: L’Occitane Shea To Go is $20 at Sephora. A travel size spread of Shea butter products including hand cream, shower cream, body lotion, milk soap, and pure Shea butter. Shea butter is a great way tackle dry skin. Read Bravadora’s article on the benefits of Shea Butter.

Sun-kissed Winter: Stila Gift of Glow Bronzing Kit is $45 at Sephora. A $90 value which targets pale winter skin with a great selection of bronzing tools including an SPF powder bronzer, Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar, eyeliner & brush, and an eyeshadow trio in Gold Glow.

Posted in Cold Weather Beauty, Eyes, Lips, Skin 2 Comments

The parties are planned, the dates are marked on your calendar and now it’s time to get your holiday look.

One of my favorites every year is the Chanel Holiday Collection. This year it includes a limited edition translucent gold loose powder, two shades of festive nail colors, and the always lovely lip and eyeshadow quads. Get the look

Another nice holiday combination is DiorLight by Dior which incorporates soft shimmery golden hues and delicate pearly pastels. However I am not fond of the gimmicky Star Product which is too flashy and really not too practical to wear or stuff in a clutch. See if DiorLight is a Holiday Must Have for you.

Speaking of glamorous compacts: Mac has a 6 different collections which offer antiqued, vintage looks inspiring old fashioned glamour with a modern edgy appeal. My favorite is the Finery Collection which includes the Ruling Class Lipsticks. I could have stolen them right from Marie Antoniette’s herself.

Posted in Cold Weather Beauty, Eyes, Lips, Nails No Comments

What do you do when you have five minutes to touch up your hair and makeup? What is worse then showing up to a last minute gathering with skin that is dull, lips that are pale and hair that is flat? How about dark circles under your eyes and smeared eyeliner? Yuck!

We have all been in this predicament. You’ve been working all day. You’re a total mess and at the last second something comes up. You’ve got about 5 minutes to touch up your makeup and hair without making it obvious.

Whether your boyfriend’s parents show up at your apartment without notice, or you decide to meet friends at the last minute after work, or a camera crew shows up on the scene…who knows!…here are some tips and makeup products that may help you to get gorgeous..or at least decent in a jam.

STEP ONE:

Last minute Hair: puffy…oily…ragged…frizzy…flat…are these some of the words that come into mind when you’ve been working hard all day? My suggestion is to duplicate your favorite brush at home and bring one that stays in the car. This way you don’t have to drag around a bulky brush or use a cheap fold up one. Find a brush that works magic on your hair along with maybe a sample of your favorite hair product to keep in your purse. This way it will only take a few seconds to apply the products and comb through. It won’t be a miracle, but believe me it will help.

Product Recommendation: Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder, I can’t recommend this product enough!! It gives life to dull flat hair, helps soak up greasy strands, and even covers up roots.

STEP TWO:

Old Eye Makeup: A long day of work can leave dark circles under the eyes and streaking eye makeup. A quick fix: Grab a makeup wipe to clean off old eye makeup, and then use a moisturizing concealer pen to brighten up around the eyes.

Product Recommendation: Sephora FACE 25 Makeup Removing Wipes for use on eyes, lips, and face. A perfect quick fix that comes in a travel friendly pack. For a creamy concealer fix try Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen, a great little tool to slip into the purse. Or for a cheaper version, try the Sephora Light Touch Highlighter.

STEP THREE:

Dull Skin: The perfect remedy for pale, dull skin is moisture, color and more color. Give yourself a spritz of moisture. Just a little mist, not so much that your old makeup drips! Then dab on a creamy blush and follow with a colorful lip gloss and you will be all set.

Product Recommendation: Try The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist lightly scented with rosewater. Or stick with a popular mist, Evian- Mineral Water Spray, available in a convenient 1.7 oz travel size. Another easy solution, if your purse is small, is the Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Pocket Pal, which gives you a lip and cheek stain on one side and a clear lip gloss on the other. Or grab a roll on blush like Lorac Sheer Wash which also can be used as a lip and cheek stain.

I hope these three steps help streamline your quick fix!

Posted in Eyes, Hair, Lips, Popular Products, Skin No Comments