Monday, April 21, 2014

The Science of Beautiful Skin

I'm in that reality-check time of my life. I'm almost entering my 30s and am starting to realize that my bad habits of the 20s, really do affect how I'll feel in 5 -10 years.... As a whole, I think we're educated on the science of exercise and diet... but what about the science of beauty? How does our daily routine affect or skin and most importantly, aging? I've figured out that the most important thing we can do is START EARLY! (no this does not mean go out and Botox at 25 either ;)

Here are my top 5 tips to fit in beautiful skin to your daily routine!!

1. Don't Forget the Nighttime Routine!- I found this article from HSN's beauty blog particularly helpful with creating a night time routine.... I wasn't the "use a whole lot of products" type of girl at night until recently.... I use plenty in the morning and during the day, but when I'm sleepy, the last thing to take priority is my skin... I find that one of the EASIEST things to incorporate is a face wipe. Just simply taking off your makeup works WONDERS! Facial Oil is a BRILLIANT recommendation for Winter months! If you're like me, I can't get enough hydration! and even if you can't incorporate a serum or oil, do NOT skip the moisturizer!!

2. DRINK WATER (with lemon!)-- I am a diet coke girl til the end, but the benefits that water has on your skin are just undeniable! Lemon also has some great properties that get your skin glowing! A cute water bottle makes it more fun to drink if you're a soda-holic like me :)

3. Take your vitamins!-- Biotin and Vitamin E are miracle workers for skin, hair and nails. Just trust me on this one!!

4. Get some sleep!-- Not only does lack of sleep give you those nice purple circles under your eyes, it tires out the rest of your skin! Make sure to get 7 hours a night if possible! If you're following a night time skincare routine, there are tons of products that have majorly relaxing scents to go with their skin benefits! I LOVE lavender anything!

5. SELF TANNER -- No one is a sun-goddess quite like myself (I blame my mother, the sun QUEEN ;) ) but with the VAST array of viable self tanners that are on the market now, there is just NO EXCUSE to go to the tanning bed and harm your skin like that. I've always found Neutrogena's spray to be incredibly delicious smelling and easy to use, but maskcara.com also has some killer recommendations!




Friday, March 28, 2014

ALLLL DAY, EVERY DAYYYY

I've recently had a few requests for an everyday makeup routine that will LAST!!!
I wanted to cater this to all levels of makeup wearers... it's obviously a lot easier to get a 12 hour foundation to stay than it is just BB cream and powder so I've made some options for the a. minimalist, b. medium coverage gal, and c. full on makeup lovahhh like myself!!!
I present to you.... The All-day, Every-day face!!! (as always product names are linked to where you can buy!)

1. PRIME!!!! (OMG PLEASE PRIME!!! :) )
Simple: Rimmel Fix and Perfect
Medium and Makeup Lover: Loreal Magic Lumi
 If you're an on-the-go type of gal, you can also mix your primer in with your foundation! It gives a GORGEOUS sheen and makes your foundation (or BB) go on like BUTTAH!!!
Full: If you want FULL FULL covereage, feel free to use a BB as your primer... but this is a little too heavy, even for me. Make sure to BLEND if you're going this route.

2. PRESS
To really help your makeup stay on all day, It's amazing what PRESSING your foundation into your skin will do, versus rubbing it or swiping. If you think about it, swiping and rubbing is really just loosening the product up and making it thinner and easier to dissipate throughout the day.
The KEY to pressing it on is using a Beauty Blender!!! When I say this has changed my makeup I mean it. It gives absolutely AMAZING coverage and is so gentile on your skin! Do not try to cheap it up, get the brand name (you know I would NEVER say this if it wasn't true!!) Mix the foundation on the back of your hand, dip beauty blender in it, press on to your face in little stippling motions!
If you need to visualize this, here's a tutorial from the amazing Jaclyn Hill where she stipples her foundation on with a beauty blender

Simple: Loreal Magic Skin BB-- For BB you can blend it in with your hands but make sure to be gentle and PRESS it in with the tips of your fingers! If you're doing BB, prime first (PRESS), let it dry and BB second.
Another option for Simple ladies is to mix a sheer foundation with your primer... This will give you just a tad more coverage but still make everything super simple! I'd recommend 2 pumps of Loreal True Match Lumi Foundation mixed with the Rimmel Fix and Perfect, applied with a beauty blender.
Medium: Loreal True Match Original Foundation
Prep with Magic Lumi first, Apply buildable coverage of the foundation with your beauty blender! Perfect medium coverage!
Full: Hard Candy Just Face It or Covergirl 3-in-1 Foundation Mixed with Magic Lumi Primer, pressed on with your beauty blender.

3.CONCEAL (optional)
For any kind of makeup wearer, I can't recommend enough the Maybelline 24 hour Concealer. Absolute MIRACLE worker if you have circles or red spots. Can't rave enough about it if you feel the need to conceal!

4. SET
Other than Prime, This is probably the second most key step to making your makeup stay all day. Just a light sweep of powder to set your face makeup is the layer that protects everything else!!!
For all kinds of coverage, I'd recommend Maybelline The Perfector Powder. It looks amazingly smooth and NOT Chalky! Just a light swipe of this with a huge fluffy powder brush or the sponge it comes with will do the trick!!

5. Blush, Bronzer (optional) 
Once you've followed the first four steps, everything should stay pretty well in place for you... There aren't really any super secret tricks for getting blush and bronzer to stay... most of your legwork is done within the foundation of what those products lay on top of!!  Some quick recommendations I love are Wet 'n' Wild Bronzer in Starlight Bronze and Covergirl Instant Cheekbones Blush (I swipe all three colors together and love shades Radiant Rose and Purely Plum!)

6. EYES (optional, but if you're doing it prime those guys too!!)
There are a couple ways you can prime your eyes if you're wearing eye shadow that day! One is to use your Maybelline concealer on your eyelids-- double duty baby!! A second way is to use an eyeshadow primer.... my favorite one lately is Elf Glitter Primer. This guy happens to be made specifically for glitter, but I LOVE the way it holds your every day eyeshadow too! For ONE DOLLAR??? It's worth a try. Just sweep over your eyelids and let dry... apply eye makeup as usual.
If you need a recommendation for Superstay mascara.... let me just tell you Covergirl Bombshell will HOOK YOU UP!!!! It's not waterproof but MY LORD does this stay on!!!  It's amazing!

7. SET (again!)
So after you've pieced steps 1-7 together with whatever you've decided to wear that day, make sure to set your makeup one last time with a setting spray!!
$: A secret makeup artist trick for getting makeup to stay on is to use a light hold hairspray if you're in a jam or don't have the $$ to use a high end setting spray! MAKE SURE it is a light flexible hairspray or your face will feel like glue!! I've found a special place in my heart for Suave Touchable Finish... won't use ANYTHING else. (for my hair or makeup!!)
$$: NYX Dewy Setting Spray 
AMAZING finish! Looks so fresh and lasts like crazy!!
$$$: Skindinavia Bridal Finish Spray-- If you're about to do a bachelorette party, wedding or EXTRA successful date (wink, wink!!) this is for you!!!! Your face will not be going ANYWHERE!

There you have it!!! Stay All Dayyyyy!!!! Let me know how these tricks work for you!!!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Perfect Invitation

If you're like me ( a former PR major, who is well versed  somewhat knowledgeable in graphic design) I'm always less than pleased with the selection of cutesy invitations that Vistaprint has. Sure there are custom print shops around, but personally this girl is trying to stay in her yoga pants when it aint business hours :)
Enter the amazing Erica from sweetleighmama.com!! Creator of the cutest custom invitations and artwork around!! She can cover anything from Bridal Showers, to Birthday parties to new bundles of joy... and the best part is, if you order from her and mention my blog, you'll get 20% off!!!! Vistawhooo?????
Visit sweetleighmama.com and click on "The Shop"!

Check out some of my favorites below!







Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Makeup Crush Monday! Urban Decay

Okayyyy okayyyy.... I know everyone wants this but I really REALLY want one of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. The problem is... How do you decide which one!?!!? Like seriously? I can't even choose. UGH.

Luckily, I think I have an alternative.... One of my favorite Makeup Brands, Coastal Scents, has gotten the genius idea that Urban Decay isn't the only brand who can get neutrals right!! Check out their REVEALED Palatte for the bargain price of.... wait for it..... $19.95. $19.95?!?!?!?!?!?!?

That is such a good deal I can't even process it! It really has the best of all the Naked Palattes! I mean just look at the color selection! It even has some rosy/pinky tones up in there which I love!
GET your butt over to http://www.coastalscents.com/makeup/eyes/eye-palettes/revealed-palette.html
and get this baby todayyyyyy.

**A note about Coastal Scents, I tried their line as a less expensive brush and palette alternative when I was first starting up my business and I cannot rave enough about the quality of their brushes and shadows. I use this stuff on every bride I do and it never fails to be flawless and blendable!


Friday, March 14, 2014

Top Ten Thursday!!! Top 10 Makeup Products for SPRINGGGG!

I don't know about ya'll but I have got SPRING FEVAAAHHH up in here!!!!! Darn you, Groundhog! This Georgia Winter has been a rough one and I'm ready for the pollen-filled days of 70 degree weather!
Here are my top 10 Must-have makeup items for spring!!! (Click the title of the product to see it or purchase from amazon!)

1. Wet 'n' Wild 8 Pan Eye Pallate in Petal Pusher
Amazing palatte for spring! So flowery, girly, bright and romantic! Amazing shades for datenight or the office! I love the variety!

2. Loreal True Match Lumi Foundation
PERFECT spring glow!! (think Hayden Panettiere....) Amazing with primer for a really nice medium coverage or mix it with moisturizer for your very own custom BB cream!

3. ELF all-over color stick in Pink Lemonade
Apply this with a small stippling brush on the apples of your cheeks and you'll have the perfect 50s girl, "I just pinched my cheeks for the high school hop" bright and innocent radience (was that too descriptive? yeah? okayyy, moving on.)

4. Maybelline Baby Lips in Grapevine
Don't let the deep purple color steer you away!! This goes on with the sheerest pinky/purple tint that is the PERFECT compliment to the Wet 'n' Wild palatte, or any of your other spring shadows!

5. Plum/Navy Eyeliner
Any Brand will do!!! This is a great compliment to purple toned shadows but also can really brighten and pop a nude eye without being too obvious!! I like Rimmel Waterproof, Silkissime, Elf cream liner.... Plum/Navy are key though... we aren't going for electric purple!

6. Almay I-Shimmer Eye Kits
Almay has several different varieties of these made for your eye-color kits, but I especially LOVE the glow and sheen of the I Shimmer collection. If you're not super in to purples and pinks, this is a great way to still brighten it up!

7. Rimmel Show Off Lip Laquer in Galaxy or Solstice
Springy, Pinky, Mauvey and great staying power!

8. Bonne Bell Lip Smackers (any fruity scent) 
Who doesn't still have a secret soft spot for these?? Seriously? They smell and taste amazing and give your lips moisture. I SWEAR they put me in a good mood... hey I'll take any mood booster around here ;)

9. L'oreal Magic Lumi Primer
I know! I know! enough with the Lumi, Callie! But I just can't get enough. This is the best primer I've come across in ages. Just trust me.

10. Wet 'n' Wild Lipstick in Pinkerbell
You'll have to be brave for this bold lip color but it is Oh-so-springy and daring!!! It reminds me of Barbie. and who doesn't want to channel a little of her now and again?

Hope you're surviving Spring Fever better than me!!!

xo
Callie

Monday, March 10, 2014

MCM (Makeup Crush Monday)

So I'm aware of Man Crush Monday.... Also known as #MCM...and while I can appreciate a good hunk (a la Prince Harry), I'm a "claimed" lady these days and honestly have always crushed on makeup products more than Men anyway. (They're so pretty!!! I can't help it.)

Here's what I'm adoring/coveting on this Makeup Crush Monday:

Bobbi Brown Nude Glow Eye Palatte:
soooo $50 bucks for 4 small eyeshadows isn't exactly in this 1 Broke Girl's (see what I did there!?! Gosh I'm funny!!) budget. But can we just assess how AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS this palatte is?! It just screams "perfect spring eye" to me. I need it... when I win the lottery.

As a comparable alternative, I'm thinking of trying out Maybelline Expert Eyes in Designer Chocolates. 

It's not nearly as shimmery, but I've had great luck with these shadows before and the top right shade has just enough pink shimmer to make it springy!! 
Do any of you wear this palatte? 
What do you think!?
What are you crushing on this Monday??



Thursday, March 6, 2014

Top Ten Thursday!

Alright people! I LOVE a routine and am going to start one here around these parts.... I'm pretty lame so I don't link up to the High Five for Friday deals most bloggers have going on, but maybe I'll branch out and just start my own trend in the process! Top Ten Thursday is going to be a review of my Top Ten Products of  one category..... Top Ten Hair Products, Top Ten under $10 bucks, etc. If you have categories you'd like to see, please leave a comment below!

Without Further Adieu.... (drumroll pleaseeeee).... I give you:

My Top 10 Hair Products of All Time:

1. Got 2 B Guardian Angel Heat Protecting Spray
Smells Heavenly, Doesn't feel weird on the hair, does it's job and $3.99?!?!?! Obviously, it's top 10.

2. Herbal Essences None of your Frizzness! Shampoo and Conditioner
If you're a professional shampoo user.... I'm not going to tell you that this is a dupe for your Redken. It isn't. But if you're in a budget crunch (like me. 24/7)... this is an absolute LIFE SAVER. In my opinion, it's the best over the counter shampoo and conditioner you'll find. Moisturizes without weighing down, SHINE GALORE, amazing tropical scent. $3.59 per bottle. SOLD.

3. Tigi Catwalk Headshot Shampoo and Conditioner. 
Okayyyyy..... let's re-visit this one awkward time in college that I thought it would be a great idea to get a perm..... NO. Don't EVER do this to yourself! Please for the love of GOD. Anyway, this brought my hair back from "fried, dyed and laid to the side" to manageable and soft and minty. AMAZING.
(Please note I've also used this in some non-emergent hair scenarios and it is just luxurious!!!) No need to wait for a hair emergency for this one!!

4. Redken Real Control Crema Care
OMG. This product is the perfect amount of nourishment, structure and smoothing. Keeps my hair from getting split ends for MONTHS in between trims! Can't even rave about it enough.

5. Got 2 B Fat-Tastic Collagen Mousse
Talk about lift!!!! This is amazing for Women and Men. Put a little bit in damp hair and then blow dry. Insta-thick!!!

6. Big Sexy Hair What a Tease Hairspray
Think your hair won't stay teased???? Think again. Tease a section and put one QUICK mist of this on the section you just teased. I promise you, that rat's nest won't be going ANYWHERE for the next 3 days. AMAZING for special events!!! Favorite EVERRRRR! As I always say... the higher the hair, the closer to God.

7. Suave Touchable Finish Flexible Hold Hairspray
The perfect amount of hold, amazing fresh smell, volume and movement!!! Everything you'd want in a spray and more!!! Similar to Sebastian Shaper Spray, half the price and doesn't stink!

8. Not your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo
Amazing. Great for texurizing or refreshing day old hair. This guy is definitely multi-purpose! I use this on clean styles regularly to just add bulk and movement!

9. Zero Frizz Hair Serum
To keep your hair shiny and healthy in between cuts, not to mention, sleek in humidity.... you can't beat Zero Frizz. It's a take on the John Frieda Frizz Ease, but a lot lighter for those of us who just want some protection and shine, versus serious hair repair. They make an extra strength version those of you that have damage.

10. Wen Cleansing Conditioner
Thanks to my fabulous mother-in-law, I had the opportunity to try out Wen for the past year or so. It is amazing and really so much better for your hair. Not to mention that it makes my hair grow SO fast!!! I need to use a clarifying shampoo about once every two weeks to get all of the product gunk out, but other than that I couldn't be happier. After a blow dry- I barely need a straightner!!