There's A Brush For That

Brushes

Natural vs. Synthetic

&

Where to buy 'em

First things first - If you are still using your fingers or a 'cosmetic wedge' to apply your liquid foundation - stop. Just STOP. Your hands are probably one of the dirtiest places on your body, plus all of the oil ....please stop now. Sponges soak up all of your product; so if you're wanting to pay for less product just go ahead a squirt some straight into the trash. A sponge doesn't change color for no reason. 

Now now, I know what you're going to say - I like using my fingers, I don't want to buy a brush, I don't like the ''streakiness'' of brushes, don't I get better coverage....? Let me just do the whole blogging community a favor - YOU ARE WRONG. Great. Now that we are over that - let me help you find the perfect brushes for you. 

Natural hair brushes are just that - natural, and YES they come from animal hair. So if you're into taking fur that doesn't belong to you (aka Cruella DeVille) or putting more time into taking care of the brushes themselves, or trying to figure out which of the brushes your skin might have sensitivity issues, go ahead - but the rest of this blog is going to be a waste of your time. 

I prefer synthetic because:

1. Not into the animal cruelty thing

2. 'Ain't Nobody Got Time For That' - referring to all the upkeep that natural hair brushes take. Synthetic brushes don't hold onto makeup as easily and are much easier to clean.

3. $$$ Synthetic is usually cheaper. 

My favorite place to buy brushes is coastalscents.com - (no, I am not endorsed by them) They've got a great brush set that comes with it's own case for about that same price you find ONE brush at a department store. MOST of their brushes are synthetic. Plus this company is out of Tampa, Florida, so if you're anywhere on the East Coast of the United States you are going to get your shipment very quickly (like three days). 

The Body Shop is also a great place to go if you want to be absolutely sure your brushes aren't tested on or made from animals. I love their Kabuki brush. This is a little bit more expensive route, but if you hit the store at the right time, sometimes you can get a 'buy one get one' offer. 

If you're really into 'Earth Friendly' - try ecotools.com. Or if you want to just try this 'new, brush-thing' out one piece at a time - try Sonia Kashuk tools. Extreme cheapo? Elf (By the way...these brands can be found at Target) :)

Happy Hunting

<3 B

Why Haven't I Raved About This Before?!?!

Carol's Daughter

Monoi Products

It's no secret to anyone that my head sheds a ton of hair! I know, I know; all you 'experts' say that everyone loses hair everyday. But you see...I'm really attached to my hair - until it falls out. I can't run my fingers through dry hair and not at least get a strand or two. 

Carols Daughter is relatively new in hair care and it has a large, ethnic following. The rep in my department store told me to give it a try, so I bought the starter kit with all three of the products above, but in smaller sizes ($24). To me it kind of has a nutty-vanilla smell and has a medium-thick consistency. I used the shampoo everyday (or every shower), the hair mask twice a week, and conditioner on the days that I didn't use the mask. 

YOU'LL SEE NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR IMMEDIATELY

Their studies and claims say that it helps 98% of breakage issues. Even when I brushed my hair, wet or dry, there weren't nearly as many strands that came out and it detangles like crazy. 

You can pick it up at Macy's or even some Sephora's or Ulta's - but I would recommend just going straight to the Carols Daughter website (http://www.carolsdaughter.com) and signing up for their emails to get discounts and information about other products they carry. It is a bit pricey - $18 for the shampoo and $20 for the conditioner; but even when used in moderation, your hair will thank you!

It's the Slow Season....

you heard it here first

Ladies and Gentleman - if you hate shopping in the crowds - - - GO SHOPPING NOW. Seriously. 

Let me tell you why.

The fiscal year isn't over for cosmetic companies. THAT means FOR YOU - companies and now either raising their prices for spring :( OR they are changing locations (in-store product is going on sale) :) AND/OR they are phasing out products. PLUS .... nobody is shopping right now. If you already didn't know, the departments stores are least full between New Years and Valentines day. 

Case in Point: Laura Geller - this little company hit it big on the home shopping tv channels - but it's now learning it should really do some better target and interest marketing before buying up space in high-priced stores. It's a rough sell when your customers know that they can order it from their tv at a lower price. Why buy something at retail when you can buy it more wholesale just as easy? I heard from a customer today that told me all of their products were 75% off in south Florida, and I know of places up in Michigan where it is at least 50% off. So if you're a fan of their primer, blush, or waterproof liners GO GET 'EM WHILE THEY LAST!!!

On the other side of the net - expect to rising in prices where companies are feeling quite comfortable. Philosophy, for example, just raised their prices on almost all of their products :( One dollar more for every product.      LAME

Momma Mia!

Clarisonic

The hottest gift to give - Mia, Mia 2, Aria, Plus, Opal

Let's start off with the basics. Clarisonic comes to us from the same people who made the Sonicare Toothbrush. Each of these devices will do for your skin what Sonicare did for your teeth. There are tons of benefits and specialty sets for those of you wanting to dramatically tackle acne. I also have customers who use this product as a pre- and post-shave regime. They claim it helps them get a closer shave and helps a lot with ingrown hairs. 

These are all the different colors of the Mia. It has one speed, a one year warranty, and in the box it comes with it's charger and a trial size cleanser; but you can use any cleanser you already have. $119

The Sonic Skin Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth skin. In just 60 seconds, the brush gently, yet thoroughly removes 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than manual cleansing alone. Removing these impurities has been shown to allow a 61% better absorption of Vitamin C, and better prepares skin for other products. 

This is the Mia 2. It has two speed, a two year warranty and comes with everything that was in the Mia (In this pictures it comes with an extra traveling case). This is probably the most popular at our location. I recommend the Mia 2 because of the lower speed; that helps especially with people who want extra help getting ride of blackheads/whiteheads around the curves of their nose and in their t-zone. It also has a pulsating timer to tell you when to move areas on your face. $149

This is the Aria. This was made for people "on the go". It's got a few more added features, like the informative battery life and the usb charger and the three different speeds. $199

This is the Plus. It has a larger head, three speeds, a different charging stand, and comes with an extra head and cleanser. But, the reason why the plus is so awesome is because that extra head was made for your body! Now, I always get the question, "Can't I just use my Mia for my body?" The answer is... you probably COULD but (1) You are going to wear out your brushes much faster and cost you more money (2) The body brush was made specifically for areas like your heels, elbows, knees and hands. I always tell customers to trust the technology. $225

I had a Venezuelan lady who was 65 come into the store and literally pulled up her shirt and pants to show us her skin (Not all the way thank goodness). Her skin truly looked like someone else's who was twenty years younger!

This is the Opal. This tool is made to take years off of your eyes! IMMEDIATELY it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is my next "to be purchased" item.  Here, take a gander 

Just not a personal note, I've had my Mia for about three years. I've never had a problem with it, even when I consistently use it in the shower. I can definitely say I'm never going back to a washcloth and hands. My skin feels so much better and I know that my skin is absorbing the products I want it too. 

<3 B

So Urban

Urban Decay

This line of cosmetics shot up on the scene around 15 years ago declaring "Bold Colors for All" and they are now the largest independently owned color cosmetics company in the United States. 

If you haven't already bought their eyeliners or shadows you might need to go get your eyes tested because you are missing out on a world vibrant color. It might look intimidating; but here are some looks that can be put together from subtle to outrageous. 

Staples: Perversion (liquid or pencil) & the Naked Palette

Beauty bloggers and video journalists love this line. It's a new generation makeup. Make sure to use their primer 'potion' and these colors will last all day. 

<3 B

Oceanic Skincare

Sue Devitt

As promised - here is one of my favorite skin care lines out there. Like I tell many of my customers - it's the the closest thing to organic skincare; but it actually works!

Let's start with a few of my favorite things:

This little number is called Microquatic™ Prime Target Intensive Eye Treatment, but my team commonly refers to it as The Magic Wand or Liquid Caffeine. Bippidy, Boppidy, BOO - and it instantly tightens and firms the eye area, eliminating the appearance of dark circles and increases circulation with dramatically reduces puffiness. 

The website claims, "Amino Peptides hydrate and regenerate damaged skin while Orchid Extract, a natural moisturizer, fights against free radicals, promotes healthy radiance, protects eye vitality with antioxidants and reparative properties." 

Every time we get a new shipment in, we sell out in under one week. I am not kidding. Because it's one of those purchases that is a miracle find; every person that comes to me with issues with puffiness, or just wants a little pick me up - consider it sold. 

This little gem makes your face feel flawless! The Oxygen Infusion Masque has self-foaming molecules that remove impurities while hydrating with blue algae (actually derived from the ocean), soy protein, and chamomile extracts which reduces redness and irritation. Instead of rinsing it off, I found that I'd rather take a small, plastic spatula and "scrape" it off my face. It almost feels like I'm shaving my entire face--which is rather comical when you do it for somebody else in a busy department store. 

Now, I could go on and on about how her makeup covers everything from the lightest lights to the darkest darks, or how her compact powders feel lightweight but still has great coverage, or how her soy protein and blue algae primers keep hydrating and make a smooth makeup application look easy - or you could just give them a try! 

Happy Hunting!

<3

Home Remedy #1

Salt

If you're not close enough to the ocean to take a dip, or are severely concerned about all the pollution clogging our shores - here's a home remedy that will make you AND your skin feel fabulous. 

Here's some love from our friends over at eHow:

Detoxifies and Stimulates the Skin

• Salts help to draw out toxins, microscopic dirt, and pollutants that get into our skin's pores over time. As it cleanses the skin, it also stimulates skin cells in normal metabolic detoxifying and cleansing processes. The salt in salt water exfoliates the outer surface of the skin, removing dead skin cells and revealing the fresh new cells underneath, which leaves the skin glowing. Salt water leaves you with skin that is softer.

Reduces Skin Irritation

• Salt is full of minerals that the body needs in all its normal regulatory processes. Magnesium, for example, helps in the metabolism of skin cells and helps the skin to fight allergies. As salts open the pores and draw out toxins, they relieve the irritation and itching caused by skin rashes and insect bites, small cuts and scrapes, and scaly, dry skin. You will probably notice that your skin's outer surface feels dry but clean after a dip in the salt. That is because salt does draw out the moisture, but it also draws out the nasty stuff. It does not disturb the skin's natural barrier, however, and it does help restore overall mineral balance, which helps the skin to maintain proper moisture.

  
  

  Feel a bit strange washing your face with super grainy salt? There's an answer for that - Baking Soda. Ever looked at the ingredients in the stuff? Correction; there's only one ingredient! Salt. Baking soda has super fine particles and a tiny bit mixed with water covers your entire face. Another benefit - it's CRAZY CHEAP! A whole pound of baking soda at Walmart costs $.68, and that's not even the generic version. 

  I recommend this for almost everybody - but I especially recommend it for those of you with oily skin. One small warning though, it does have a tendency to sting if you've got cuts or open wounds on your face.

  SAY GOODBYE TO BUYING SALT SCRUBS FOREVER