Lincoln Park After Dark – Get’s a “B” Mark

So maybe it was the $9 I didn’t like spending on another OPI product. Maybe it’s because when I saw it on, it was a shade I realized I already had (a few times over). Maybe it’s been all the hype I keep hearing about this color. Or maybe, just maaaybe, it’s just ok. Now, I know what you’re thinking “But Lisa, this has been on ALL of the ‘Best Of’ lists!” True dat. But, I wasn’t impressed; unlike most other OPI shades I’ve tried (the bright, summer colors are AWESOME – those I don’t mind spending the extra money on). Here are two cheaper substitutes that are the SAME EXACT color, both you can get from Target (or Target.com):

- Sally Hanson Salon Nail Lacquer in Pat on the Black, $7

- NYC In A New York Color Minute in Lincoln Center, $2

What other OPI colors have you found that you simply can’t live without? 

Minimal Makeup, Dewy Look in Less than 3 Minutes

Are you the kind of girl that hates all the fuss of primer, foundation, this brush to do this, that eye thing to do that, now layer this color to emphasize that and contour this to show off those, blah blah blah? Well, you’re in luck because me too! For everyday wear, I hate doing the whole narly makeup routine. I’m just too damn lazy and I don’t want to look like a Barbie doll, especially here in LA! Personally, I love a soft, fresh look. So, here are a few products that will make you look awesome in less than 3 minutes…

Step 1: Apply an SPF and Tinted Moisturizer in One

I’ve come to be a groopie of Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 because not only is it super light-weight (you can apply more for additional coverage) but it also has a soft glow that most other stripper-on-the-stage-glitter-crap moisturizers lack. (Sephora.com, $42; lasts about 8 months). I actually use my hand to apply it, but you can use a foundation brush if you’re particular about that kind of thing. 

Step 2:  Nars Orgasm Blush, $27

Just do it. Don’t question me. It has the perfect amount of coral and light shimmer especially if you apply it on the apples of your cheeks and it goes with every skin tone. Seriously – RUN OUT AND BUY THIS PRONTO. 

Step 3: A Cheek Highlighter

You can get this just about anywhere nowadays. BUT I saw this one in particular brand on my cousin and her skin looked A-MAAAA-ZING (like out of a freakin magazine, airbrushed amazing) – MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Semi Precious Goldstone $22, maccosmetics.com. (She also used it in conjunction with a little of MAC’s Pinch Me Blush). I’m trying that combo TODAY!

Step 4: A Swipe of Mascara

Currently I use Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express, drugstores, $6, (comes in a purple container). A little bit goes a long way.  Just a quick swipe (of any mascara really) makes you feel like you can bat your eyes at anyone and make them swoon :) rPlus it gives you a clean, awake look.

Step 5: Just say NO to Lipgloss – Say YES to Lip Moisturizer

With lip gloss, it’s sticky and you have to keep reapplying to keep the glossed look. And not to mention you put your window down in the car and all of a sudden your hair is sticking to your lips and then leaves that gross, sticky swipe mark across your cheek when trying to remove your hair from your mouth. Ugh, such a pain in the ass and totally not worth the trouble. Save the lipgloss for special occasions.  Instead, for everyday use, I’ve found two tinted lip moisturizers I’m loving. 

* First is one I’ve had for awhile – MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink, $15, maccosmetics.com,  – perfect for my skin tone (it looks bright in the package but it goes on very light).

* Second is Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose, $23, Sephora.com. Every time I walk into Sephora I put this on. It’s just so expensive and I haven’t had the balls to spend that on a freakin lip moisturizer, especially since I already have one that’s almost exactly the same shade already.  But this one smells and tastes good!

And that’s it! You’re done! You have a fresh, dewy look is less than 3 minutes, but if you’re feeling a little extra sassy, use accessories or one statement piece to jazz up ur outfit – big earrings, fun sunglasses or a cute hat. Have fun ladies!!

Freshen Your Look for Spring

1. Teeth Whitening:

Costco, Target, everywhere you look you can buy one of these at-home kits that really do work – my favorite are the Crest Whitestrips. Just try and remember to rinse your mouth out after you have red wine, coffee or tea – something I’m not good at for sure!

2. Get Your Eyebrows Threaded:

Clean eyebrows can dramatically give you an overall more clean and defined look – believe me, this works wonders (although it kinda hurts). There are a lot of places now that offer threading for pretty cheap (about $8-$11).

3. Get Your Hair Cut OR Colored:

I wouldn’t recommend getting both done at the same time just because if one or both turn out bad, then you will be doubly-pissed! Once your hair color or cut is how you like it (hopefully love), then do the other and experiment a little more with that.

4. Go Get a Facial:

It will give you an automatic brightening up! (Try one that includes antioxidants and some sort of mask)

5. Buy a New Blush:

Try a color you’re not used to – maybe a coral (regardless of your skin tone, this looks good on everyone – try NARS “Orgasm” at Sephora $27 – the price is worth it for this color and quality. Oh, and not to mention this blush color is on just about EVERY ‘best of’ list I’ve looked up.

Next time: A Minimal Makeup Look in Less Than 3 Minutes

Snake Venom & Placenta Cream – Put it where? On your FACE of course!

So this isn’t a typical blog post for me, but since we are talking about beauty, I want to address all facets of the industry, including the affect it has on our self-esteem as women.

“She’s gorgeous!” ….”No, she’s insecure” This is the conversation my fiancé and I had last week after watching Good Morning America.  Apparently the newest thing in Hollywood is to have snake venom (or a concoction that mimics the effects of) slathered all over your face to freeze the wrinkles in your face. Or how about this one – placenta cream frozen from birthing mothers in Russia brought over to the US for usage on celebrities as a face mask (and oh ya, the cost you ask? $500 and up). Umm, WTF?  I think it’s ridiculous that women would go to such lengths to try and look young. It’s interesting though, men interpret this as women having low self-esteem as to buy into these new techniques.  What are your thoughts and how far would you go to look young? 

Face Cleansers

So I’ve taken a poll from among my friends and haven’t yet found a consensus regarding best facial cleansers (there are soooo many out there!) so I’ll be listing the ones I’ve tried over the years and give my rating from 1-5 and why. Also remember that based on your face’s composition (oily, dry or combo) some of these may work better for your skin, based on the season. For me, these listed below are regardless of weather (the moisturizer you use has more to do with the weather more than your cleanser). Here they are in order from favorite to least favorite:

1. CereVe – $13 (you can find it at any drugstore ) – Rating: 5

This stuff is seriously magic. Want to know why? Cuz the ingredients are basic and minimal! I’ve heard and read time and time again that the simpler a face wash, the better it is for your skin (and health) overall. (That can also be extended to the type of foods we eat as well – preservative-heavy foods v. natural foods make a big difference in the look and feel of your skin). It doesn’t strip my skin and my face doesn’t feel dry after I’m done. As a matter of fact, it feels as smooth as a baby’s butt, no kidding! Run out and get this.

2. Olay Professional Cleansing System - $40 (Any drugstore/Costco) – Rating: 4

I actually really like this for a deeper cleansing, especially at night. During the winter, so I don’t strip my face of the little moisture it has, I use this only at night. During the summer, you can use it more often, but I’d recommend using a more gentle cleanser (see CeraVe above) in the morning, and using this one to get that deep clean after the grime of the day.   

3.  Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Cleanser - $7 (any drugstore) – Rating: 3

This used to be my go-to cleanser because it gave me a tingling feeling and made my face feel super clean and fresh. But, I realized that’s all it did. It kept my skin a little more oily than normal and I was more prone to breakouts when on this cleanser. Use at your own risk.

4.  Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser - $8 (any drugstore) – Rating: 2

I do not see what the big deal about this cleanser was AT ALL. This has been on a few different “Best of” lists but I have not seen the benefits (short or long term) from this product. Aveeno is supposed to have mild products, I get that, but this just feels as if it goes on the surface of my face and never sinks down into my pores the way the other products on this list do.

CLEANSER WITH REVIEW TO COME:

Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse - $58 (bobbibrowncosmetics.com) – Rating: ?

So I haven’t actually tried this yet, but two friends whose skin is beautiful have said that this is the way to go. Now, I don’t usually spend $60 on a cleanser, but after looking at the Bobbi Brown site and seeing that out of 119 ratings, it has an average of 4.8 stars out of 5, I’m willing to give it a try – stay tuned!!

Winter Face Woes

Here are a few tips to keep soft, supple skin during the dry, winter months:

1.     Moisturize at night – this can be accomplished one of three ways:

a.     Use a thicker moisturizing cream (at night) for that extra umph of goodness or

b.     Use a face serum under your regular moisturizer

c.      Or hell, use both a serum and thicker moisturizer if you’re so inclined and see how your face looks and feels in the morning.

*If the result is that your face is too oily in the morning, naturally lay off of one product. If it’s still too dry, maybe try washing your face with a cold cream (Pond’s has the best) at night before your moisturizer.

2.     Use honey in the shower – NO, Don’t eat it! (Well, if you're hungry enough, but I wouldn't brag on that) TRUST ME on this - use it. It glides on and glides off under the hot water, so there is no sticky mess. And you can feel the difference right away. Manuka honey is recommended by most sites I’ve researched, but regular honey works just fine. Most celebrities swear by this and no freakin wonder. 

3.     Wash only once – at night. The mixture of water and dry air may be stripping you of your natural oils, and you are not as inclined to sweat during the winter days, so if you can, try washing only once.

4.     Don’t forget to mask once a week – this will get rid of dead skin cells that have accumulated and will keep you polished and smooth!

5.     Keep Drinking Water – it’s easy to forget and instead drink wine or hot chocolate, but this is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking vibrant and supple.

6.     Now is the time to use skin/spot brighteners – you don’t want to use them in the summer, because by that time, it will be too late and your spots will be getting some sun-tanning time that only makes them darker!! (Try RoC - Multi Correxion Tone Perfecting Treatment, $22, Target, CVS). I give this Five stars – it seems to work great on discoloration and evens out my skin tone, especially on my chin, where I have a lot of acne scars and dark spots.

7.     And last but definitely not least – SUNSCREEN!!! Even when it’s overcast or raining, the sun’s UV rays can still wrinkle that pretty face (and hands and chest) of yours. So make sure to cover any part that is exposed during the day, even if it seems insignificant – it does make a big difference over time.  And now Neutrogena has special SPFs designed specifically for face and hands so as not to be so oily.

Next time…my favorite face cleansers (for winter & summer)