Thirsty

Here comes my visual analogy. Think of your skin as a leaf. When you forget to water a plant, you see how it loses support & becomes dry and unhealthy. You would never fertilize a plant that hadn't been watered in a week, since it would burn it. Our bodies are made up of 60-75% water. It keeps all of our organs healthy & your skin is an organ! It's thirsty! Make no mistake, I offer results, but the skin needs to be hydrated to treat properly & get those optimal results.

I know the debate has raged on as to whether or not we need 8 cups of water a day. I can say after treating skin for nearly a decade, that hydration plays an integral part in skin health. Let me point out when I say hydration, I am speaking in terms of water. When I say moisture, I would be referring to vital lipids or oils. Let's not confuse the two, as many people often do. Every skin type needs water. Even the most oily & acneic- in fact most often these types! Overdrying your skin, tells your brain to produce more oil- so put down the Clearasil! In harsh winter months, in hot summer months- you're skin needs water to keep it in balance. Try a product with hyaluronic acid applied topically.

Hyaluronic acid is a water loving amino acid already present in our skin, so don't be afraid. It's oil free(for all my oil phobes!), won't break you out, but will make your skin healthy & happy! Try a product such as Skin Ceuticals Hydrating B5(my pick for normal to oily skin) or Kate Somerville's Quench(my pick for normal to dry skin) & applying it on freshly cleansed skin (oily skins) or topping it with a moisturizer (dry skins). It's a product you can't over do & I promise- you're skin will thank you for it!

Peace. Love. Tall Drink of Water. M

Sun Kissed Skin

Pretty, right? I know we all feel a little sexier, feel a little skinnier when we have a tan. But, it's a deal breaker when it comes to aging. Look at the these identical 61 year old twins. Which one do you think was the sun worshipper?

I use this pic every year in my SPF rants. It's funny, I know. But, the sad fact of the matter is that one burn caused inflammation of Kim's skin tissues & did some serious damage in terms of aging. No matter what time of year it is wear an SPF of at least 30 for me girleens. Pretty please?

I know, I know. They're heavy, they break me out- blah, blah. Today's technology has launched amazing breakthroughs from what we used to use 10 years ago. This Kate Somerville serum sunscreen has an SPF55, is chock full of antioxidants and is noncomedogenic.

Our #1 selling product at the spa is this, Jan Marini's Antioxidant Face Protectant SPF30. To know it is to love it. It's texture is so light weight, it's oil free, yup chock full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Whatever you use, make a habit of it every day- don't stop at the face, take it down on to your decollete and your hands! I promise my beauties, down the road you'll thank me!
Peace. Love. Protection. (SPF, that is!) M

Resolve to Have Better Skin

What are your resolutions this year beauties? It's ironic how much time & energy I spend on my face & how poorly I treat my body. I know it sounds cliche, so I'm not going to say oh I wish to get in shape or lose weight, but rather just treat my body more kindly this year. Nourish it more, and not just in terms of food. What are your dreams for the New Year? I'm always here to help you put your best face forward, this week I'll be breaking down simple steps in terms of what to use product wise to help make that happen. Feel free to also leave me any questions in the comment section!

Peace. Love. Beauty. M

Saying Goodbye to 2009

Happy New Years Beauties! As 2009 closes, I feel it only appropriate to say farewell to the products that are no longer with us *sigh . Where does a gal start? First, I noticed my much adored CoverGirl Multiplying Mascara becoming fewer & far between when at drugstores. I lied & told myself everything would be fine, maybe it was a coincidence...Alas, a friend at Proctor & Gamble broke the news that it was being pulled from shelves. I blame myself for not spreading the word about the joy that was this mascara. The countless tubes(stay tuned for my reviews to come) I've purchased since have not met my goldylocks standards. Next, came the devastating blow about my beloved Joey lipliner meeting its demise. The loss of this most perfect of nude shades left me weeping & hugging my few remaining pencils close to my heart. Later, I discovered the entire Joey New York Cosmetic & Skincare Company had gone out of business! Add to the list of companies that will be leaving us? Prescriptives. After being an innovative force in the industry for thirty years, they are officially ceasing production this month. The 3 pans I have left of the delightful Lemondrop shadow will be sparingly applied! I know that when 1 door closes, another opens. But, let us all have a moment of silence for these fallen friends. Have you suffered a recent beauty loss? Do tell. Here's hoping to bigger & better beauty (and health, happiness & prosperity) for 2010!

Peace. Love. New Beginnings. M

The Glammies!

Happy New Year's Eve my beauties! Are my gorgeous girleens getting gussied up for this evening's festivities? What are your go to products for glamming it up? Welcome to the 1st annual Glammies, my glamour awards featuring products that I couldn't live without this year! I try a LOT of beauty products, I just can't stop myself! This year's top honors go to:

Urban Decay's 24/7 liners(above). At last count I had over a dozen of these lip & eyeliners known for their amazing staying power. Perfect for lining the inner rim or waterline of your eye, which I feel is a must in creating the perfect smokey eye.

J'adore Illamasqua's cake liner- it's rich & decadent. I get the most fabulous jet black cat eye ever from this line from the U.K. that recently made its debut stateside. I am tapping my foot impatiently waiting for the launch of new colors, as I have all 3.

Being True Mineral Foundation (above) for it's natural gorgeous coverage, SPF 17 & anti-aging anitoxidants that are infused with the minerals. My go to for each & every day!

Being True Blush in Apricot- this imparts the most perfect peachy glow, while the esthetician in me loves that it's mineral makeup & good for my skin!

I recently discovered this finishing powder due to its rave reviews across the board from fellow make-up artists. It glides on, reduces the appearance of your pores, fine line & wrinkles- all while leaving your skin touchably soft!

Don't let the bright yellow of the Correcteur shade fool you. This Lancome concealer is perfect for neutralizing the redness resulting from pimples or broken capillaries, while having the sheerest of texture. I always have a few tubes on hand.

After recently trying several shadow primers(stay tuned for my review), I am sold on Trish McEvoys. It leaves the lid smooth while offering enough coverage to use it without shadow. On my days off I throw this & mascara on...it makes such a difference.

This undereye concealer from Clinique packs a lot of coverage in a tiny tube. Even the most stubborn undereye circles are no match! Added bonus? It moisturizes while helping with puffiness. Woo hoo!

This lip lacquer from Paul & Joe is our latest obsession at the spa. It brightens the face instantly with a super glossy, yet sheer wash of color. It is delicious & a best seller.

The Matte side of this highlighting pencil is heaven. Use it on the brow bone to wake up your eyes or on the lid as a shadow base. I heart this pencil so! Tell me gals...what is your most favorite product? What deserves a Glammie in your book? Comment & be entered to win a mini brow kit from Anastasia that includes a mini of my beloved Camilla Highlighting Pencil. Have fun tonight Gorgeous Girls!

Peace. Love. Glammies. M

Wish List Wednesday

Look at this luxe launch of gorgeous products from Guerlain! The Collection Imperiale is simply divine!

Seriously, images of me in a silk nightgown with Veronica Lake inspired hair all while spritzing this sublime radiant powder are floating in my head. This is truly swoon worthy packaging! Though I scoured far & near, this powder is sold out *sigh*

Rounding out my picks from this collection is this vintage inspired lipstick. I'm usually a gloss kind of girl (what gave that away?!) ,but this lipstick is such a work of art that a gal would feel instantly glam pulling it out of her purse! Grab the rest while you can girleens!

Peace. Love. Glamour. M

Eau Yes!

Eau yes my beauties, it does appear that my addition to all things beauty extends to perfume! I have a very keen nose if I do say so myself! I love to wear fragrance according to my mood. Though I realized when taking pictures of my library of scents, I have enough to last several decades!

I tend to gravitate to clean crisp notes with citrus undertones. Verbena, lemongrass, orange blossom, linden- yes please!

Strong notes of the well known Michael Kors and Dolce & Gabban's The One are balanced with the more delicate fragrances of Aphrodisiac and Paul & Joe's Blanc on a bedroom shelf.

I still always am captivated with new launches. Yes I have my classic go tos, that I feel comfortable in, but I admit I'm always trying new ones...like Marc Jacob's Daisy in my quest to find my absolute signature. I have a feeling one day I'm going to have to get involved in hand creating a scent in order to know it's perfect! Right now I'm enjoying what Santa left in my stocking this year ,Versace's Bright Crystal. It's a fresh light blend of pomegranate, peony, lotus flower, musk, and amber. Tell me beauties- what's your signature scent as of late or what's on your wish list?

Peace. Love. Perfume. M