Friday, July 22, 2011

Perfect Summer Beauty Essentials



ok ok, my summer beauty regimine is basically the same as any other season, however, these products definitely add some pizzazz to a lovely sun-kissed, summer face.

First up is one of my favorite cleansers. EVER. It's the Jennifer Bradley 3 in 1 cleanser, and I love it because it's light yet it leaves your skin ever so clean, fresh, and super soft! You must order it through her directly (go on, it's ok to feel like a diva) but don't sweat it, she's so easy to work with! Also, next time you are bored at the office, make sure you check out her youtube video tutorials on basic makeup application techniques - she's a genius. (AND she did Obama's makeup!!!)

note: do NOT miss her other products - everything I have tried from this line has been incredible!

Next in line is the Murad Acne Treatment Concealer (21.). I love it's creamy texture, and it's thin design. It easily covers and conceals and definitely does not cake or feel heavy. The main reason I love this product is because it heals while it conceals. It's a one, two sucker punch for pesky summertime acne. Murad products can be purchased online here or at Sephora.

I love that pink "pinched" look in the summertime - I especially love it with my sunny freckles! My grandmother always told me that a woman pinches her cheeks and whores wear rouge, and southern women really know their stuff! My ammo for achieving this perfect look is O-Glow by Smashbox. It comes out of the tube a smooth, clear gel, but by the time it hits your skin, the ingredients in this product transform your skin into your own natural "blushing" color. It's pretty spectacular, easy to apply, and it's 100% impossible to mess up the application. True Love.

This next product has been in my arsenal for a couple of months, and I do not foresee it making an exit anytime soon. I am a fan of the lip stains - lip glosses are too think and I cannot stand the sparkly, kindergarten effect most have. Lip sticks smear and don't last, and chapsticks just don't cut it. Come on ladies, we have got to put forth some effort here, no? The last time I went to Sephora to replenish my Urban Decay Lip Envy in "Greedy", they were out (go figure), so I decided to try the Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in "Fox Trot" and to my surprise, I LOVE IT! I tried Drew Barrymore's "#1 lip stain in America", and should she be telling the truth, you should all be ashamed of yourselves, folks! Everywhere I go I get compliments on the Josie Maran. It really is shaped like a maLinkgic marker, it's extremely easy to apply, and the stain lasts all day long. I generally apply a gloss type product over it and my two go-to products for this job are either Malin + Goetz lip mouisturizer for day, or LIPfusion micro-collagen lip plump for evening. And I admit, I have definitely seen some plumping action with the latter. It's unlike Lip Venom in that it does not sting and the effects last longer than the time you have the product on your lips.

And finally, without further ado, the one product that I am known for - Nemat's Amber Oil(12.). It's so soft and clean, and for some beautiful and mysterious reason, my body chemistry mixed with this scent is pure heaven! Oils of all kinds are also lovely alternatives for those of you who may be allergic to harsh alcohol based perfumes. I am sure some folks think it's time for me to find a new scent, and to that, I shrug my shoulders and walk away.

TGIFF readers. Happy Shopping!

ps, Nordstrom's Anniversary sale began TODAY!