Oscar Night Beauty

One of my Oscar predictions for make-up looks last night was radiant skin & soft lips. Here are 2 Hollywood Stars that captured that look flawlessly! Make-up Artist Stephen Sollitto created Amy's ethereal look using Hourglass Cosmetics. Her peaches and cream complexion became the perfect canvas with an application of Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. For a luminous glow, Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Ivory was applied all over the face. Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer in Fair was used under the eyes (she is a mom after all!) For contouring, the bronze shade from Hourglass Illume Creme-to-Powder Duo in Bronze Light was used. Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy was applied to bring out Amy's baby blues. Hourglass Script Precision Liner along the lash line was topped with the deep purple shade from another Visionaire Duo, Exhibition to further enhance her eyes. Of course, lots of Houglass' Full Spectrum Mascara was a must!

Her whisper light lip color was created with Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Grace followed by a swipe of Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss in Ingenue.I love me some Claire Danes, ever since My So Called Life right up to Homeland currently. Fresh off a vacation, celebrity artist Jen Streicher used Hourglass Cosmetics for the look & prepped Danes' skin with Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. Then a blend of two shades of Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in Light Beige & Sand was applied to her skin. I must get my hands on this foundation, it looks like it's right up my alley!

To create a radiant glow to her skin Hourglass Illume Creme-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset was used, then topped with Superficial Waterproof Bronzer. Streicher also turned to Hourglass' Visionaire Shadow Duo in Gypsy to highlight Danes' gorgeous peepers. I'm going to have to pick up this shade for my kit as it seems so universal! The shell shade was applied to the lid, the coppery shade along the lash line. For intense lashes both Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara and Film Noir Lash Lacquer were applied. Hourglass Aura Lip Stain in Flush was the perfect choice to compliment Danes' dress. A coat of Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Reflect completed the look.

I thought both of these actresses looked stunning! Who were your favorite looks of the night? Sandra Bullock was another of mine for sure!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Polish Pic{k}s

Though I usually favor dark polish for my manicures, they say variety is the spice of life. I spotted Zoya's Kennedy polish & looked like it could be a really great nude. Just like the perfect nude lip, shades can be tricky - they can wash you out. I've tried nudes in the past, that were so matching of my skintone that it looked like I had no fingernails. That's not a great look!

Zoya's Kennedy is a great hue that is that perfect 'greige' - a mix of grey & beige. However there's also a creamy pink tone that makes the color pop & keeps it fresh!

I will also say in the past when I've gone with light colors, I chase streaks the entire time I'm polishing my nails. I've given up on a cult favorite shade called Ballet Slippers from another brand since it never applied uniformly for me. Zoya's pale shades are so opaque you can almost get away with one coat. Rejoice!

Peace. Love. Polish. M

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter

During cold winter months, I often pass up my beloved lipgloss for Aquaphor instead. My lips get so chapped, that my beloved glosses seem to make the situation worse. When I spotted Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butter, I thought- could it be? Something truly hydrating enough to reach for in the dead of winter? Packed with mango, shea & coconut butters, the product feels delicious on the lips.

Will I never reach for Aquaphor again? Well let's not think crazy, but this formula delivers a healthy dose of color while essentially being a lip treatment. I keep it in my car & apply it for an instantly more polished look.

Peace. Love. Lip Butter. M

GloMinerals Remedy Gel

I'm always on the look out for ways to fight off the aging process...even as an esthetician, sometimes that means I can over do it. A few weeks back I tried a peel that left my skin rather unhappy- don't worry Beauties it wasn't my beloved Skin Medica Peel! My normal go to products to rectify the situation just weren't cutting it. To finally calm my rather irritated skin I turned to GloMineral's Remedy Gel. I'm a big advocate of anti-inflammatory products in general as inflammation is never a good thing & can cause premature aging. This soothing gel contains Aloe, Hydrocortisone & Rosehips (which accounts for its divine smell.) It's perfect for after waxing, when you've over exfoliated or even a blemish- because of course what is a blemish? Inflammation. The texture is fabulous & light, not a bit greasy. It's so lovely I would want to use it every day, but since it contains Hydrocortisone it's not meant for extended use as it can thin out the skin. But it will become a staple in my medicine cabinet to reach for in times of skin duress.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Nate Berkus is My Valentine

So my friend Quinn & I had the pleasure of attending a taping of the Nate Berkus Show recently. May I say he is just about the cutest thing & yes in person, his hair is that fabulous. It's the Valentine's Show that airs today that we sat in the audience for! Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kandi Burruss was a guest on the episode. Oh how I love my Bravo TV!

On today's show Nate shares great little gift ideas for that special someone. It's probably perfect timing as men usually tend to be so last minute! The grocery store was packed yesterday with frantic looking men grabbing flowers & cards.

The set was decked out in all things Valentines- what else would you expect from such a great interior designer? I don't want to give away everything in today's episode, but be sure to check it out for tips on making your bedroom more romantic, cooking a fabulous meal for your special someone & an extra special romantic gesture!

Make sure you keep an eye out for us in the audience- Quinn is wearing a bright orange top & we're in the third row! At the end of the taping, we left with some goodies including Godiva chocolates- so I'm really not fibbing in saying that Nate Berkus is my Valentine!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Happy Galentine's Day

Happy Galentine's Day Beauties! What is Galentine's Day? It's the day before Valentine's in which you celebrate the awesome gals in your life! It seems people either love or hate V day. I would say I'm not a fan of an obligatory day of forced romance, but that's just me. What would make me smile more so than an assorted box of overpriced chocolate on either day? This Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Lipstick from Physicians Formula. This cutie joins it's sister blush that I presented last Valentine's Day. It too contains Euphoryl, natural plants extracts to help lift one's mood. One swipe delivers sheer pink color & hydrating peptides to your pucker. It's the perfect little treat to say MWAH to whomever you love!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday: ELF Cosmetics

Most beauty lovers have heard of the big 'O' from Nars- Orgasm blush, that is. It's been a cult favorite for ages, and launched an entire collection within the line. This Highlighting & Bronzing Duo from Nars containing the famed Orgasm Blush & much loved Laguna Bronzer retails for $41. It's a great staple to have in your vanity or professional kit.

Now feast your eyes on ELF Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder Duo coming in at a whooping $3! ELF stands for Eyes, Lips & Face and is found at drugstores nationwide. Though the blush in this duo is a little lighter & packs less pigment than the Nars' duo- it's pretty much a dead ringer!

My current favorite blush from Nars is Deep Throat, featured on the right. Though you can see I love Orgasm, too as I've hit pan on the left. The two shades are very similar, however Deep Throat has less gold shimmer- making it an even more universal option. It's entertaining when having a conversation with a client about these shade names, often they 'blush' & I giggle.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M