Birchbox #1

Happy Christmas Eve! Well, those who know me know that I haven't been that much of a festive person this season given that January 1st will mark the one year anniversary of my dad's unexpected passing. But we finally put finishing touches on the tree this morning...instead of going with our usual array of ornaments of all sorts, we used all of my dad's collectible wolf ornaments and in the middle hangs a special ornament with my dad's picture etched onto glass, so that's pretty special in my book. I also went full force on the wrapping of this gifts this morning! I am really into black and white wrapping paper this year with colorful bows! The husband I and also spent most of the morning cleaning out our closet and drawers and getting all things laundry related situated. I also want to try and make some cake balls before dinner! The time has flown by this morning, and my sore back is in desperate need of a massage...sleeping uncomfortably and then sitting on the floor for a few hours doesn't help...but Christmas. Let's not get the reason for the season that a lot of us mask with bows and garland and glitter...it's to celebrate the birth of the rockin' baby Jesus! So, please, take the time to remember that and spend time with your loved ones all at the same time. Yay!



Point of this blog: I have always heard about Birchbox and seen countless YouTube videos on it and finally I signed up for it last month, so my first box was the December box I received a few weeks ago. Basically, if you don't know what it is, it's a monthly service that sends you a little box of the latest product samples, and it's pretty rad. (visit http://www.birchbox.com/ for all the details). So, I got my first box and already found some little gems I looooove!



This is how the box arrived at my door! Even the outer packaging is super cute!







What the actual Birchbox looks like.

So when you open the actual box there's a little "greeting" note that also tells you about all the samples you'll find inside.

Greeting note inside: "Frolic & Fancy"...cute!

So, here's what was in this month's box!!

• a sample of the Harvey Prince fragrance "Yogini"...it has a scent mix of sandalwood, Egyptian myrrh and grapefruit...the sweetness of the grapefruit really balances out the darker scents. I actually really like the way this smelled and am totally considering buying the full-size bottle.
• Jouer's moisturizing lip gloss in Birchbox Pink...Birchbox actually joined forces with Jouer to create this signature pink shade, which is so pretty on!
• L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil...a lightweight oil that is meant to boost shine and tame frizz.
• Befine's Gentle Cleanser...a face cleaner made with sugar, rice, and oat extracts to hydrate your skin, especially during these winter months.
• Prep ShowStoppers...double sided fasion tape.
• Recharge EBoost...an orange flavored natural energy booster packet that you can add to your water.

So that was this month and I'm already curious to see what January's box holds! If you are into trying new things in the world of beauty this is definitely something you want to check out and consider signing up for. You also earn points with the company that can be used to get even more goodies.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! God bless.

XO,

J.



Beauty D.I.Y.: Volume 1

I consider myself to be a pretty creative/crafty person, and who doesn't love a good do-it-yourself (D.I.Y.) project?! Even if this sort of thing isn't normally up your alley, why not try it out anyway. These particular little gems are actually things that can benefit your beauty routine, so try one or both and leave feedback if you want.

Let's start with something really simple:
At-Home Hydrating Masque

You'll need: A container of plain Greek yogurt.
What to do: Smear an even layer of yogurt all over your face and let dry moderately, then rinse off. The yogurt contains lactic acid which softens and hydrates the skin. It's easy as that!

This next one comes from "Cosmo's Sexiest Beauty Secrets" and I think you'll love it!
Homemade Lip Masque

You'll need: Petroleum Jelly
                    Honey
                    Cinnamon
                    An empty lip balm pot
What to do: Mix 3 teaspoons of petroleum jelly with one teaspoon of honey and a dash of cinnamon. Store in an empty lip balm pot. At night, massage some of the masque onto your lips and let sit for about 30 minutes. After wiping the masque off your lips will feel extra smooth!
See how easy at home beauty can be?!
Bonus Jonas: Interested in some other at home projects? Check out this link to learn how to make Kandee Johnson's t-shirt necklace. It's pretty rad.
http://youtu.be/BW78xxXyJDA

XOXO,
J.

VS Fashion Show 2011 Top 10

Some may say they shamelessly admit to things, but actually I am not sorry to say that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is one of the things I always look forward to this time of year. So, I could not help myself...I had to write some kind of blog post/list/memo to get all my thoughts (or most of them) out there. So agree, disagree, share your own "love" moments from tonight's show. Here are 10 of mine:

1. The runway....hello, it was literally paved with glitter...love and love.
2. All the sweet moments between the angels and their men, haha. Orlando Bloom's endless applause for Miranda Kerr (who just had a baby, dang), and then Adam Levine's little kiss to Anya while he was performing with Maroon 5. Little "awww" moments, I dig.

3. 

   Adam Levine and his angel girlfriend Anne

   The hair and makeup...duh. It's fabulous as alwaaaays!! My dream job (legit) is to do hair and makeup for this show!!
4. The clothes, in general.
5. THE WINGS, in general!! Ugh, I could write allll day about the wings. Love.
6. Adriana Lima...she's my fave and she looked killer tonight!!! (Miranda Kerr a close second and Alessandra Ambrosio in 3rd....they all looked amazing though).
7. 
   

   

   Adriana Lima in the "I put a spell on you" walk.

   The music...good this year, Jay-Z and Kanye, Maroon 5 and Nicki Minaj...and of course the runway tuneage was on point.
8.  The themes! Always genius. This year my favorite was "I put a spell on you"...loved all the cameo jewelry, it was just incredible!
9. Looking for other celebs in the crowd! Who did you spot? I caught Orlando Bloom (duh), Beyonce (duh) and Joe M....the dude that plays the yummy Alcide on True Blood, Tyson Beckford...just to name drop a few.
10. The awe inspiring work of all the talented people that worked behind the scenes to make the show a success. Their work is truly impressive. Lots of whimsy (and you know I love whimsy) mixed with classic pieces. It doesn't get much better. I'm inspired, for sure.



Miranda Kerr rocking the multi-million dollar bra

Not only am I inspired by the esthetics, but by the bodies of those model. Let's face it, no matter who you are, at some point you thought "I want to be her" about one, if not all, of those gorgeous ladies. Adriana Lima is my girl! So, I got my coupon on deck for the free VS show undies tomorrow and I have already added the pink backstage robe to my Christmas list. What was your favorite part of the show/your favorite set/your favorite ensemble/wings/model, whatever? Comment below....sharing is caring!

XOXO,

J.

Breaking Dawn Top 10

*Potential minor spoilers*
Ok...so I finally dragged my husband to see Breaking Dawn today and I am more in love with that sparkling vampire Edward than ever. And being the Twilight fan that I am I was, in true nerd fashion, on the edge of my seat for the whole film, and I am not sorry. I think my husband thinks its actually funny to watch me watch the movie. I fall for the Edward-Bella storyline every time! So, being said nerd, here's my top 10 things I loved about Breaking Dawn on the big screen, in no particular order.

1. Bella's wedding dress (particularly the back)
2. The flowers and lights dripping all around the wedding ceremony (ngl, I cried, haha)
3. The fact that Iron&Wine's "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was played during the ceremony (the same song from the prom scene in the first film!)
4. Edward's toast to Bella..."no amount of time is enough, so let's start with forever", total awww moment.

5. Bella's wedding makeup...she looked her best ever! tied with her makeup in the blue dress after her transformation.
6. Jacob picking Bella up while dancing (umm, yeh, I am a hopeless romantic...Twilight placates that in me)
7. Jacob imprinting the baby.
8. Jasper and how he always looks so dapper, regardless of what he's doing.
9. Edward Cullen...just in general, that counts as one.

10. Edward breaking the bed with his hands...hot damn, yes.

So, obviously I can't wait until Part II!! I am so excited I can't even talk about it.

I realized though that we all have our Edwards and Jacobs, like Bella...who is your Edward and who is your Jacob??

XOXO,
J.

Review: Palladio Eye Pencil

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted anything since the first of last month!! Well, as Jay-Z says "I got my swagga back". I have been so busy with school and freelancing and much needed family time but I decided I needed to jump back on here and pick up the slack. I'm basically starting my portfolio over again, working with professional photographers to have professionally taken images in my book and not just a picture taken by somebody's aunt or cousin or whoever at an event. So, I have a smaller book now but it's quality work, but since they supposedly say you are only as good as the worse picture in your book then I guess I'm cool with that.

Anyway, I thought I'd come back with a product review! This one is on Palladio's Eye Liner Pencil.

I am writing this review based on using their eye liner pencil in "black"; I only mention that because sometimes colored liners will review differently even if they are from the same product line.
What I like about this liner specifically is that is so much easier to apply than your standard issue wooden liner pencil. The texture is creamier, which not only helps with application but with blending as well. I'm always able to attain that smooth, precise line, and the pencil sharpens without splitting or breaking at the tip like other liner pencils.

The color also doesn't fade as fast as other mid-end pencils I've tried have done. I've been using a felt tip liner and other liquid and gel liners, and I initially picked this liner up in black to use as a guide, or foundation, for my liquid liner. However, this penicl liner has become a must have for both my kit and everyday use. Another plus is that the texture of the liner is not harsh on the water line--it glides on smoothly without feeling stiff or irritating. (just make sure you keep it sharpened to a nice, rounded point for that smooth application).

Price wise, the Palladio liner is totally affordable (as is the rest of Palladio's product line), retailing for about $3 at stores like Ulta or Sally's. It also comes in a variety of colors: sky blue, silver, expresso, taupe, midnight blue, white, charcoal, dark green, brown, black, lavendar and light brown. I like the black, personally, because it is really dark and pigmented; a deep hue almost like a kohl color.

The creamy quality to the product itself is what helps it glide so smoothly along the lash line but the pencil is also firm enough that you have good control when creating a line. I will say, there are liners that claim to have and do have a longer lasting power but I've tested Palladio's to work about 6 or 7 hours before I noticed any smudging...but for the price of this liner it's a great deal. If you want more lasting power you can of course set it with powder or setting spray and extend it's wear. But, like I said I use this on both myself and clients and it's a win in my book.
Have your own review on another eye pencil or Palladio product, share your comment or link below!
XOXO,
J.

Flawless Foundation.

Busy. Busy. Busy. I've been staying that way lately, good thing right?? I thought so too, but being so busy with this cosmo school venture has cut into my ability to work on set with photographers, or consult with brides, all at the peak of my profesh portfolio building. I can't wait to be licensed and be a triple threat: hair, makeup, and awesomeness! I haven't even had time to blog, but since I have a 3-day weekend laying at my feet here's my chance. Today's topic: flawless looking foundation!

Everyone has facial flaws, everyone. There's really no denying it. But with today's market offering a virtually endless variety of facial products, the proper techniques can give you that flawless finish to your foundation, all while evening out your skin tone, covering blemishes and correcting dark circles that like to hang out under our eyes.

Before you begin your foundation routine, first make sure you have selected the right shade and formula for your skin type and tone. This means testing your foundation before purchasing. There are a couple of ways to do this: If you're at a department store/makeups store/makeup counter then select 2-3 shades you think may match. Swatch the colors along your jawline to see which shade best matches and blends into your face and neck. However, if you're at the drugstore (Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc), things are a little different since you obviously can't open up packaging and swatch away. So, first decide what category your skin tone falls into: pale, medium, dark. If the foundation is liquid it will most likely come in clear packaging, so you can hold it up next to your wrist for comparison. SN: some stores even have swatch charts that hang next to their foundation line so you can place your hand under the chart and compare. However, if you aren't able to see the foundation in it's container, there are a few other tricks you can try: Pale skin tones should avoid any foundation with a pink tone, rather they should look for colors containing the words "beige" or "buff". Medium skin tones should look for labels that contain the words "warm", "medium" or "golden". Darker skin tones should look for colors like "tan", "sable", or "chestnut".

My current foundation picks: Revlon Colorstay and Rimmel Stay Matte (I prefer liquid foundations, and as a rule, always make sure your face is nice and moisturized before you begin applying any of your makeup). A lot of people ask me why I don't use MAC foundation since I use MAC in my kit...well, it's nothing against MAC (love them), but Revlon Colorstay is highly comparable to MAC; I've done a blog post in the past on this and so have many other makeup gurus..so, that being said...

Before applying your foundation I reccomend applying a primer (My recc: Smashbox Photo Finish). Primer prepares your skin for foundation and gives you a nice smooth base on which to apply your makeup; not to mention it also adds that staying power to your makeup.

Applying:
When doing my own makeup (not a client's) I like to use my fingers to apply my foundation. The warmth of your fingers helps the foundation blend easily into your skin. Sponges are also good for blending thicker foundations (and for working on client's if you're a MUA). Tap the foundation into your skin instead of rubbing it around on your face so that you achieve an even finish (this tip comes from Jemma Kidd). Even if you apply your own foundation with your fingers it's good to switch and use a sponge every now and then to avoid breakouts caused by the oil transfer from your fingers. A third option is to use a foundation brush. Celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown reccomends this method for a more polished look because it gives a heavier velvety finish since your literally painting on your foundation.

Which comes first, the foundation or concealer?
Answer: Foundation. Your foundation is your base for everything (aside from primer). So after applying it you'll be able to then see if you actually need concealer or not.

Note: If you don't need the full-coverage effect of a foundation, opt for a tinted moisturizer. This is basically a moisturizer that contains some pigment and SPF, for a more sheer coverage. You can either buy a tinted mositurizer or make your own by mixing equal parts foundation and facial moisturizer together.

Now that you've applied your foundation and have your flawless face you're ready to move on to the rest of your makeup application.
Note: After finishing my foundation application, I like to take a large fluffy brush and dust a light layer of translucent powder or mineral skin finish to my face to set my foundation.
Here's to gorgeous faces and an awesome weekend!!
XOXO,
J.

P.S. I can't believe in 2 months I will have been married for 4 years. OMG. Just a little Bonus Jonas, FYI for ya.

Review: Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray.

Happy Sunday!! I have had this review written for some time now and finally deciding to post it. Who would have thought Cosmo school was going to keep me this legit busy! But it is, and we're learning haircuts, which I know is one of the most important elements of the program, and I don't want to jack up anyone's hair of course, but I'm a color fan! I love haircolor, and of course, I love makeup, so without further adieu here's my review (totally didn't want that to rhyme, haha).

I have tried several setting sprays and thus far Urban Decay's All-Nighter is my fave. Now, a lot of people always ask me "What's wrong with MAC's Fix Plus?" Well, my answer to that is : nothing. I like MAC Fix Plus for applying glitter and sparkly pigments to my eyes (you know, spray the brush with fix plus, dip in the glitter, apply). This is just the setting spray I'm using and loving right now and I will tell you more about it and why I think it's a gem.

Should I use bullet points?? Let's use bullet points, haha...

• I like that after you mist your face you are left with a pretty, dewy look and nothing greasy or oily look. It would suck to have perfect makeup, spray your face and then look all greasy, right. Yes.
• It keeps your makeup in place and looking amazing all day! I can't say that any simpler. I've tried some sprays that almost over hydrate my face (and no, not because I used a heavy concentration of the product) and my makeup was smearing! A setting spray should never cause your makeup to smear, it's purpose is to "set" everything in place, lock it in.
• You can buy the sample size (.34 oz) for like $10 (get mine from Ulta) and the full size is about $28 (4 oz). I have already gone through my bottle since I actually first wrote this review so I need to re-up! And the $28 is actually worth it. It may be a little more than Fix Plus, but with all this hot summer heat trying to beat us up we want something that works and gives us our moneys worth.
• UD All-Nighter is good for all skin types and hasn't irritated my skin or anyone else's that I've applied this product on.
• It's not sticky! You might think that spraying something on your face will make it sticky (kind of like when you get hairspray on your face and your face just gets that ick feeling), but this product does not, which is always a plus for anything you put on your face.
• Another plus: it prevents your makeup from flaking, which is especially beneficial for anyone with dry skin.
• Oil free. Paraben free. Vegan friendly. Enough said.

• Ummm, the bottle is pretty! Haha, what can I say, I am such a sucker for pretty packaging!!
• You only need 2, maybe 3, sprays to set your look. So you do get your moneys worth, like I touched on before.
• Your makeup will be left looking fresh for like 16 hours. Now I personally haven't worn my makeup that long recently, so I can vouch for a good 10 hours. If you've used this and made it to 16 hours, leave a testimonial in the comments, haha.
• All-Nighter is a moisture resistant formula...so don't worry about crying, sweating, water splashes at the beach/pool/hot tub. I'm not saying go swimming and you will surface from the pool like a beautiful sea nymph, no. But, all the the little things, good to go. Urban Decay gave this product a "cooling technology" so your skin feels refreshed--personally I like cool mist feeling the spray gives and I think it's what adds to that dewy finish most of us love.

So, have you read all this and still wonder, um, "What is a setting spray?". Let me tell you...
It hydrates and refreshes your face while keeping your makeup in place. All you do is hold it about 10 inches or so from your face and mist 2-3 times (make sure you don't scrunch up your face! The spray will dry in like 60 seconds, then you are good to go. If you have the full-size at home, it's always good to maybe carry the trial size version in your bag in case you want to refresh your face throughout the day. You can pick this up at Ulta, Sephora, or on Urban Decay's Website.
Do you agree that UD's All-Nighter Setting Spray is the best?? Disagree? Let me know in the comments.
XOXO,
J.

Hall Pass.

Okay, so I've totally meant to blog way before now, and I have tons of beauty posts waiting to go up, I just find myself either busy or sidetracked. Yeah, so, mini-update...still in cosmo school everyday, we're starting our unit on nails now so hopefully that's fun and exciting. Random: Danielle and I were in the bathroom the other day and discovered that when you look at the door of one of the stalls, where it was wiped down the wipe marks resemble Jesus, no joke!! Bathroom Jesus, yep! and you read it here. We also did some karaoke over the weekend, no one else that was supposed to come did so we just sang on our own and it was amazing. Got a text message saying we were instantly nominated for a Grammy, and that we are winning that Grammy, and that Will Ferrell, Fergie and Jesus in special form will be presenting it to us for our rendition of Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About" as seen in the movie Stepbrothers. (If you aren't aware that I am kidding about the Grammy thing, then, wow, what a dream world you must live in). Let's see...I have been thinking about my Dad a lot lately, especially with the passing of my sister-in-laws Dad a couple days ago. It's the unexpected that shakes my core, and I don't even want to talk about the bonds between a father and daughter right now because I know for sure I'll cry. A go to quote for me right now is "If love could have saved you, you would have lived for ever". How poignant. How true, now let's move on...
...Do you all know what the Hall Pass "game" is???  You know where you and your significant other each pick 5 celebs that if you ever had the opportunity to you could hook up with no questions asked and so on and so forth (remember on Friends when Ross and Rachel did it and Ross laminated his list, haha)...well, my husband and I came up with our lists, so I thought for fun I'd share mine!:

1.  Nick Hexum

For real, he is my end all be all as far as celeb crushes go. I dig his music (he's the front man of 311 if you didn't know), and I dig his style in general. He's gorgeous!!!!!!!!! He can sing to me anytime and I can't wait to see 311 w Sublime next week. Ahhh, Nick Hexum. He's married too though, haha. With a kid and another one on the way. But please believe, I would have this man's love child. ;)

2. John Mayer

Another song-man!  And yes, his body is indeed a wonderland. And check those tattoos. Rawrrrrr. Everyone says his attitude is kind of jerk-ish lately, but look at him. I would spend some time in that bed, hahahaha.

3. Adam Levine

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine. Again, another singer (I see the trend, huh). Musical talents and tattoos. And his new song, "Never Gonna Leave This Bed"....he is quite delicious. That's what I have to say about that.

4. John Krasinski

Surprise, surprise, it's not a singer!! I love JK though...I mean, really, who doesn't love him as Jim on "The Office"...he's just so dapper. He's married to Emily Blunt too, who I adore! Just saying...he's more charming then anything, so that puts him on the list.

5. WILD CARD!!!!!!

Seriously, I change my mind a lot, so I have decided that my #5 spot is a wild card, because let's face it, you never know who you are going to run into where. I mean, if Alexander Skarsgaard was wodering around Starbucks for whatever reason, and I had Kelly Slater locked down as my #5 I would be out of luck! Or Josh Duhamel, or Justin Timberlake, or that one guy from Big Time Rush, haha! So, Wild Card it is.

Well, I hope everyone is having a rad start to their weeks, and I will do my very best to get on here with some actual beauty posts! I have a review on Urban Decay setting spray so I will probably put that up there next!! Lots of Love.

XOXO,

J.

Just Beachy.

OMG....It feels like forever since I've sat down and wrote a post. I never thought I would be as legit busy as I have been. So, the beauty blogging will soon resume, but I thought I would use this post to just play a little catch up.
I went to the beach for a week last month and it was a delightful little get away; I mean, who doesn't love a beach vacay?? Seriously, I want names. I get back from the beach on a Saturday and that following Monday I started cosmo school. So it's been 2 weeks of school so far and I'm loving it: I've lerned a lot and made some new rad friends. Glad we are having a 3 day weekend though, because I needed a little break. My Nana's 93rd birthday was on June 30th so we had a celebration for that...sn: my Nana rocks. My niece turned 3 yesterday so we had a big Hello Kitty birthday party for her. Kudos to my sister for pulling that all together! So my plans for the rest of the weekend? I don't know...I'm enjoying the a/c right now, and the fact that there's a new episode of True Blood tonight...ugh, last week's episode...ending with Eric fangs out...looooove. I love me some Eric Northman. Bill Compton is not on my hot list though, I already sense something is wrong with him this season.
Okay, so I'm also having like one of those hair issues, ya know, when you're growing it out but it's in the middle stages, so it's not short like the original cut but it's not all gorgeous and Blake Lively wavy. Yeah, that's me.  I''ve been wearing my clip in extensions but they are getting all dry and I want soft flowy beautiful hair...I legit need a hair fairy.
So, that's where I am right now. I got some product reviews coming up and some how-to's as well, so look out for those.
XOXO,
J.

Bonus Jonas:
(you know there had to be one!)
"Things I learned at the Beach"

• A pelican pooping on you will induce vomiting (don't ask, that's pretty self-explanatory)
• Every little old lady in a cover up and sun hat begins to look like your own grandmother.
• You have to look out for "summer runners" (I'm coining that phrase)...you know, the people that you see out running along the beach or wherever and you can tell that they only are out in the heat running because they are on vacay. It's obvious who they are.
• Sharing a bathroom with other people is no good. I like an abundance of bathroom counter space.
• The hot tub rocks....sitting in there, with a starlit sky above your head and the sound of waves crashing on the beach is totally rad.
• Being tan rocks...sunburn, eh, not so much.
• You don't need to go out and spend money to have a good time....helllloooo, the beach is free.
• Ne-yo and Pitbull will inevitably convince you to "grab somebody sexy" and tell them "hey".
• Along those same lines, your husband/sig. other will eventually learn all the words to Katy Perry's "ET" if heard often enough.

That's just a short list of fun facts I came up with. I will add others if I think they are note worthy.
Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone!!

SPF: A Guide

Summer is here! (well officially on the 20th but the summer sun doesn't seem to know that). Now, I won't lie, I do frequent the tanning bed (bad I know, I know), but I like my nice bronzey glow that self-tanners just don't ever seem to give me. But, outside in the hottness that is this summer sun I do make sure that I'm using my SPF (which reminds me, gotta pick up some since my beach vacay is literally right around the corner). So, I've put together various tips and tricks, if you will, on how you can keep yourself safe from the sun and also what you can do if you find yourself with (ouch) sunburn. Regardless of how you choose to incorporate your SPF, and to what level, play it safe out there!

You want to maintain your healthy, gorgeous skin and the sun's rays can can get in the way of that by causing dark spots, wrinkles, sunburn, scarring, and yes, cancer. If you know you're going to be outside this summer, apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out--you want to give your skin enough time to absorb it. You want to apply a thin, even layer all over your body--no need for excess! Women want to especially make sure that legs and upper backs are covered well since dermatologists say that melanoma most often strikes in these areas.

Also make sure you are also applying SPF to your face. Most foundations contain a small amount of SPF (usually a 4), but don't rely on that to keep your face sun-safe. If you have sensitive skin/skin prone to breakouts then you'll probably want to pick up a sunscreem specifically meant for your face. Make sure if you are outside for an extended period of time that you are re-applying every hour and a half or so--even if you're just laying out, you're still sweating!

So, You Got Sunburn.
Hey, it happens. Here are some things that Dr. Francesca Fusco says you can do to manage while your skin recovers: Make sure you are moisturizing your skin & keeping it hydrated. I reccomend a fragrant free lotion like Lubriderm's Sensitive Skin Therapy. Hydrated skin will heal faster & may be less likely to scar. You also want to avoid using any product that contains retinol & topical acids (like glycolic & AHA) which could exaggerate your sunburn. Don't think that by putting on more sunscreen and going back out you'll be protected from further burn; in fact, going back out into the sun before you've fully healed can cause even more scarring.

Now ladies, this may be something you don't want to hear, but I've learned from personal experience & from talking to others, that you need to lay off the makeup while your skin is recovering from sunburn! If you're like me the thought of going out with a naked face can make you feel a little "bleh", but trust me, you don't want to irritate your skin any further when you don't have to. I will still throw on some mascara and maybe some tinted lip balm just to placate myself ;) Just keep your skin nice & hydrated. Aloe is also a popular sunburn remedy--and now there's even lotion that has aloe in it, so bonus jonas, whatever works for you!

Have fun in the sun dolls! Just keep gorgeous by keeping that SPF on hand.
XOXO,
J.



Skin 101

This post is basically a guide to the most basic of skin care.

Healthy, hydrated skin is essential for any gorgeous face--au naturale to ultra glam. It is not only important to know how to take care of your skin (even if it's the simplest of routines), but you should also know your skin type since many products, and the application of, cater to specific skin types...you want to make sure you're using the right stuff.

So, what's your Skin Type?? (let's review).

1. Normal: Less oily than combination skin, little to no redness of complexion, medium-sized pores and a smooth, even texture.
2. Combination: The forehead, nose and chin will typically be oily, while the cheeks tend to be more dry.
3. Oily: Large pores, acne/breakout prone, shiny appearance (more "greasy" than "dewy"), prone to blackheads.
4. Dry: Small pores, dullness to complexion, skin may feel tight after you cleanse.
5. Sensitive: Prone to redness, may have reactions to certain products/product ingredients, may be prone to broken capillaries, fine pores.

3-Step Process:
There is a really simple 3-step process that can serve as a guideline to your skin care routine.

1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Moisturize

You want to cleanse your skin to remove any makeup or product buildup from your skin. It also cleanses out your pores and removes any dead skin cells on the surface. Using a toner restores pH balance to your skin and helps to achieve an even complexion. Moisturizing your skin keeps it nice and hydrated (which we all know is important) and helps skin to stay young and fresh.

My product recommendations:
Personally, I love anything from the Exuviance line...I can't get enough of their stuff (I get mine at Ulta). But I am also a fan of the Olay brand moisturizers, cleansers, etc., which you can get at places like Walgreens and Target.

Exuviance

So, what's the deal with exfoliating?

No matter what your skin type is, exfoliating is a must! Why? Not only does it unclog your pores to give your skin that healthy glow we all love, but it can also diminish fine lines and even out your skin tone. But note (according to dermatologist Christopher Sciales), no matter what your skin type is "don't use a chemical peel or microdermabrasion product more than once a week". Normal to combination skin can get away with exfoliating up to 3 times a week. Oily skin can exfoliate everyday if the product being used says that it's okay for daily use. Sensitive skin types can exfoliate 1-2 times a week with a product specifically meant for sensitive skin. Regardless, make sure you are looking for an exfoliator with small granules; larger granules (like those in sugar scrubs) can be harsh and irritating to the skin.

Acne & Breakouts

No one likes acne or the sneaky little breakout, but don't let it get in the way of you feeling your most gorgeous! There is so much that can be said on the topic (it could be a post in itself) but there are 3 simple steps (3 seems to be the magic number today, huh) that will tame those breakouts. Of course, if you are experiencing extreme cases of acne or other skin irritations you should check with your dermatologist.

1. Use a face wash that is oil-free and noncomedogenic (which basically means that it won't clog your pores).
2. Use an oil-free moisturizer that contains salicylic acis and/or retinol.
3. Use a spot treatment formula that contains salicylic acid (2% is the highest you can get your hands on without a prescription) and/or benzoyl peroxide (10% is highest on the shelves). Dab on your spot treatment with a Q-tip so you don't spread any bacteria to other areas of your face.

My recommendation:

ProActive.

The ProActive system (by Rodan & Fields) is great for acne, but the kit also contains all the products you'd need to complete the simple 3-step face routine. I am not prone to acne and breakouts (knock on wood) but I still on occassion use this because the skin care products are just that good!

Fact:  Contrary to some belief, greasy foods, makeup, etc, are not the cause of acne--it's all in your personal biology. But, as a good measure always make sure you are completely removing all of your makeup, and of course, follow your skin care routine.
Want to share some of your favorite products or basic skin care secrets?! Comment below!
XOXO,
Jacqueline



Bombshell Hair.

If you ever read Cosmopolitan magazine--and even if you don't you've eyed in on the shelves--then you know that the Cosmo cover girl typically has the beautiful, voluminous, bouncy bombshell hair. Well, after Christmas I picked up the book "Cosmo's Sexiest Beauty Secrets" ($16.95 at Barnes & Noble), and it tells you hot to get that signature hair look. So, keep in mind the steps  for this look are coming from the editors at Cosmo, but any extra notation and product recommendation is mine. I want to also add that I wear hair extensions and you can still complete this look as long as you're not using synthetic hair and you make sure to maintain and condition your extensions, as this look does use a lot of product and a lot of heat.

1. Towel dry your hair and spritz in a leave-on conditioner on the ends and a volumizer all over. Flip your head over and begin by blow-drying your roots, pulling them away from your scalp with your fingers. Dry the rest of your hair until it is just slightly damp.
2. Bring your hair back upright and wrap 1-inch sections in velcro rollers. Once all your hair is set, blow dry with a diffuser for 10 minutes on hot then 10 minutes on cool. (you can also use hot rollers or a curling iron, but make sure your hair is 100% dry first).
3. Take out the rollers, then mix a drop of shine serum and light gel (this is a great combination for hold & shine) between your fingers & then run hands throughout your hair.
4. For extra body, gently tease your roots around the crown of your head. Finish by tousling hair with your fingers into that cascade of loose curls. Spritz with hairspray.

My product recommendations:

Leave in Conditioner: Bumble and bumble OR...

Aussie's Sydney Smooth Heat Protector Plus Leave In Conditioner

Volumizer Spray: Oscar Blandi Volumizing Spray

Shine Serum: MoroccanOil Glimmer Shine Spray

Hair Gel: John Frieda Clearly Defined Style Holding Gel

Hair Spray: Bumble and bumble Style de mode

Have you also tried this look, or do you have a favorite product you like to use?? Let me know!

Today's "Awww" moment: had lunch with one of my gorgeous friends today and we went and took a little sneak sneek peek of the school we start at in less than 2 weeks, and it looks fabulous inside...plus they use Sebastian products, so that is even more stellar. And Bonus Jonas: If you like EOS products, right now at Walgreen their lotions are buy 1 get one Free!!
XOXO,
Jacqueline



"The Art of Marriage".

Hey guys! This is a blog post that some of you knew was coming (and it's not a makeup/beauty post!) and I'm actually pretty excited to put this information out there. On June 3 and 4 my husband and I attended a marriage seminar sponsored by our church called "The Art of Marriage", and let me just first say it was fabulous. We learned things we needed to apply to our lives now as well as things we know will help us in the future. I just wanted to share some of these things, because there is not one married couple out there that can't benefit from something like this. Even if you're not a spiritual person there is undoubtedly something you can take away from it all, and I hope that you find something just from the little bit I mention. "The Art of Marriage" comes from the FamilyLife company, so most of what I'm putting out there comes from them, except for my opinions and thoughts on things of course. If you ever have a chance to attend this seminar or one of the Weekend to Remember events I encourage you to do so, whatever your reasons. So, here's some of the things I learned/loved/thought were interesting.

I. Love Happens: God's Purpose and Plan

One Q & A within the seminar I thought to be really interesting:
Q: If marriage so often ends in disillusionment and failure, why do people get married to begin with?
A: "Because we need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet...What does any one life really mean? But in a marriage. you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things...all of it, all the time, every day. You'r saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will no go-unwitnessed because I will be your witness"--Beverly Clark, from the movie "Shall we Dance?"

Ok. I just thought that was the coolest thing to think that you are a witness to someone else's life. It's kind of a big deal. Marriage isn't easy, and anyone that entered into marriage thinking that it was is, well, an idiot (for lack of a better word). That's not to say marriage can't be an awesome thing, because I know it is, but the ups can be way up there and the downs can be unthinkable, but a promise is a promise. And people who break promises suck. I know I've come close to breaking some promises and at the end of the day you have to remember why you got married. Maybe the one you married isn't the fantastical "the one" that everyone searches for, but if you marry someone and you love them, and they complete you, doesn't that make them "the one" whether you initially thought of them that way or not. It's all so complex but so genius at the same time...I always refer to my marriage as a Wonderland, because it's filled with craziness, curiousness, scariness and fabulousness all at the same time.

Another quote I liked: "It is just as important to BECOME the right person as it is to FIND the right person"...once again, I agree. If you don't grow from being with your spouse and being married, then what is your point in being married??

Here's another great quote:
"I have no way of knowing whether or not [you] married the wrong [person], but I do know that many people have a lot of wrong ideas about marriage and what it takes to make that marriage happy and successful. I'll be the first to admit that it's possible that you did marry the wrong person. However, if you treat the wrong person like the right person, you could well end up having married the right person after all. On the other hand, if you marry the right person, and the treat that person wrong, you certainly will have ended up marrying the wrong person. I also know that it is far more important to be the right kind of person than it is to marry the right person. In short, whether you married the right or wrong person is primarily up to you"--Zig Ziglar.

This goes back to what I was saying about "the one". Treat each other well and love each other, and if either of you are unwilling to do this it's never going to work. For the longest time I thought I had to act a certain way or say certain things to make myself more attractive to my husband, but then I told myself that I was just going to be the person I was when we first got married, and I'll say that even reverting back to listening to the music I like has made a significant difference, if that makes sense. You can't force anyone else to change in a relationship except yourself, and I guess a lot of people need to realize that.


II. Love Fades: Overcoming Isolation

Quote: "Unless you lovingly and energetically nurture and maintain your marriage, you will begin to drift apart from your mate. You'll live together, but you will live alone".

I don't like to air my personal life, but I will admit that for a good period of time my husband and I were coasting through our marriage. It wasn't healthy; it was like being roommates and not husband and wife. Once we both realized that you have to keep working passionately after the "I do's" we realized how good the good times truly can be. And it doesn't matter if you have a work-aholic husband or if you have kids, or blah blah blah...if you don't work on your marriage you can't expect rad things to just up and happen.

If anything, consider on something you need to work on yourself in your marriage: forgiving, loving unconditionally, sacrificing, praying for others who mistreat you, showing compassion, etc...I know I need to work on forgiving, and I'm doing my best to do so. I know that isolation feeling, and I don't want to feel it ever again.

III. Love Dance: Fulfilling Responsibilities

Love this quote: "Don't forget Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did...backwards and in high heels"-- Bob Thaves.

Here's another: "The moment I stop believing my wife is my ideal woman, I guess it's over...The absurdly wonderful, almost impossibly romantic thing about all marriages is that what you are saying to each other is: 'You and me, we're perfect'...Choosing a mate is not like buying a car or a house. Until she comes along, we have no idea what we really like: my imagination couldn't hold a candle to the real thing. The best part about falling in love was discovering all the things I didn't know I wanted or needed"--Alex James.

"absurdly wonderful"...love that ;)

Here's some stuff I thought was helpful:
"how a husband nourishes and cherishes his wife"

• Seek to understand her role and her struggle
• If she works outside the home, understand her job and the pressure it places on her, especially regarding her role at home.
• Verbalize often, especially during her times of failure and discouragement, your complete acceptance of her. (Be sure that you really do accept her).
• Literally verbalize belief in her as a person and in her ability and worth.
• Verbalize your need for her and back it up by sharing with her your fears, failures, needs, dreams, hopes, and discouragements. Do it cautiously if this is new to you.
• Share at times when she can listen attentively and appreciate your transparency (Don't share something serious when she's preoccupied).
• Notice and praise her for the things she does for you.
• Be willing to help her work through difficulties in her life: discipline, problems, relationships with friends and parents, fears, resentment, etc.
• Be patient and realize that nourishing and cherishing is a lifetime process.

Now, we weren't given an exact list like the above for wives, but it gave the following 4 points:

• Be a Helper
• Show Respect
• Cheer him on
• Submit

*Now, I have my own issues with submission in a marital sense, but it's referring to a biblical sense here.


IV. Love Interrupted: Communication and Conflict
This section was the most helpful.

Quote: "If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory sometimes; but it will be an empty victory because you will never get your opponent's good will"--Benjamin Franklin.

The goal in a marriage isn't to be conflict free (and if you say you are, I'm guessing there's more to it), but rather to handle the conflict by communicating correctly when it does come up.
*Tips on Communication

• Make sure to address one issue at a time when you're having a conflict.
• Seek to discover the reason why the conflict began. As you do, you will often find out what is important to your spouse.
• All communication takes place on 2 levels: the content level (truth) and the relational level (love).
• We need to retrain ourselves to be present in the moment with our spouses.

V. Love Sizzles: Experiencing Real Intimacy
Yeah, this is the section about sex, which can be a bit daunting to talk about when you're the youngest couple in the room, haha...but yeah, I think we can all agree sex is pretty important.

I am by no means going to go into all this sexually explicit stuff, whether it be from a biblical perspective or not. But I will note a few things about "true intimacy".
*Sexual problems are generally a symptom of another problem (not necessarily physical, but something outside the bedroom).
*Sex is like a thermometer in marriage, not a thermostat, in that it measures the health of your intimacy rather than sets it.
*True intimacy happens when you open up areas of your life to your spouse that are not readily available to others.
So, yeah....find time to flirt, makeout and have sex, haha.

VI. Love Always: Leaving a Lasting Legacy.
Okay, so the last section of the seminar was about leaving a legacy to your future generations by how you live your life and love. This was hard for me personally to wrap my head around, not the idea of it, but actually doing some of the exercises and projects this section required. Not just because my husband and I are young, but because with my dad's recent passing I kept thinking about him (getting teary eyed) and how I am his legacy now.

"Ten Ideas: Helping Your Marriage Last a Lifetime"
These are ideas that have been shared by couples who have been married 50 years or more.

1. You need a Savior.
2. Stay committed to one another.
3. Pray with your spouse.
4. Forgive one another.
5. Realize that there's no such thing as a perfect husband or a perfect wife.
6. Have faith that God knows what He is doing.
7. Trust that God gives grace and direction as you trust Him.
8. You'll need to make compromises.
9. Be objective and take the emotion out of the problem solving.
10. Love your spouse.

At the end of the seminar you had the option to stand with the rest of the couples in attendance and repeat pledges to one another, and together...it was almost like a re-commitment of vows...and my husband and I decided we were ready to participate. So we're standing hand in hand with everyone else and as he goes to repeat his pledge to me he starts laughing! So I'm shaking his hands and giving him that "you better stop" look. So as it's my turn to say my pledge to him, I think I'm going to be all calm and collected, but no, I start laughing to. And if things couldn't get any worse, in the most hilarious yet embarrassing of ways, as we are saying our pledge together we both start laughing, and not quiet little giggles either...like the kind of laughter you try to hold in but you can't so it comes out that much louder and that much more spontaneous! It was so bad, and we knew people had to be looking at us, so next thing I know he pulls my head to his chest and buries his head in my neck and we have to pretend we are crying so we don't appear disrespectful or anything. Believe me, we meant no disrespect or anything by any means, it was just one of those things. We were being totally serious and meant the words we were saying we just couldn't stop the laughter. It was a good after-moment though and it makes for a funny story now, and as one of my fabulous friends told me: "The couple that lasts together stays together".

Now, I know most of this blog post was putting quotes out there and little lists and things here and there, and believe me, it does not do the seminar any justice whatsoever (there's videos, projects, etc), but I do hope you feel inspired enough to attend a seminar like this and maybe comfront something that's been bothering you in your own marriage. And like I said before, even if you aren't a spiritual person I hope you can at least take a little something something away from reading this.
XOXO,
Jacqueline

Review: EOS Shave Cream

Hello dolls (guys and dolls possibly)!! It's Friday, so I hope everyone is geared up for a great weekend! I know I'm super busy the next 2 days. Tonight my husband and I have part 1 of 2 of a marriage seminar called "The Art of Marriage" (tomorrow am is pt. 2), then we will be heading off to our local Relay for Life event where my mom and aunt have created a team, so we will be posted out there; I even made some rad cupcakes for the event (pics will be available soon on my cupcake website: glittersweet.weebly.com). Anyway, despite running around like a whirling dervish (totally random reference, right) I had to do a review on the new EOS (Evolution of Smooth) shave cream I just got and love.

I think by now we have all seen the EOS lip balm...you know, the ones that come in the spherical containers and are super cute, but the other day I picked up their shave cream from Target ($5 for a 7 fl. oz bottle). I got it in the scent "pomegranate raspberry" and it came in a hot pink bottle (I'm always a sucker for quality products in pretty packaging). The front of the bottle claims it's "ultra moisturizing, paraben free, with natural aloe and shea butter". It also contains antioxidant vitamins (E & C) which are supposed to help your skin look nice and healthy.

What I Think:
I really like that this product comes in a plastic bottle and is a pump (I'm so used to those gilette brands, or whatever, that come in the metal canisters and aerosol out into a foam...don't typically like). It pumps out like a lotion and is non-foaming. Now, a lot of you may like the lather sensation that most shave creams give, but trust me, try this and you will change your mind! The best part is that you can shave wet or dry. I just shaved my legs "dry" and had absolutely no problem because the shave cream has amazing hydrating properties. I even used a brand spanking new razor (a 5 blade) and was able to get a really close shave with out any irritation or razor cuts from the new razor. Something else that I love (about the dry shave) is that when you're done you don't have to rinse your legs off. I just rubbed the remaining cream into my skin like lotion. Now my legs feel soft and smooth and have that nice shiny look. So ladies, no excuses not to have that smooth luxurious look (and feel) to your legs...especially with the summer months begging us to wear less clothes!!

Have you tried the EOS shave cream?? Let me know what you think about it. And if anyone else finds anything they think is comparable, let me know your opinions on that too!! Here's to hot looking legs this summer (and always)!!
XOXO,
Jacqueline



Kiss, Kiss.

Hey guys! This is a post on getting soft kissable lips and the perfect red pout, with a little bonus jonas product review on Victoria's Secret "VS Pro Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm".

Everyone gets dry lips, and it's no secret that applying lip color on top of dry, cracked lips can be, well, disasterous. Today I will offer a trick on conditioning your lips with products you probably already have at home, as well as a review on my new favorite lip scrub/balm combo. Also, I will go over some quick & simple steps on how to achieve that perfect red lip that everyone seems to be rockin' these days.

Conditioning Your Lips:
When my lips are feeling dry, or I just want that extra, kissably-soft feeling, I go ahead and condition my lips (usually at bedtime if it's not needed before applying my lip color). A popular way to get soft lips is to exfoliate with vaseline.

1. Coat lips with a generous amount of vaseline.
2. Using a toothbrush (not one that you use to brush your teeth with!) gently rub your lips in small circles to work the vaseline in and remove dead skin. Do this for 30-60 seconds and then tissue off the excess vaseline--leaving just a little sheen of vaseline on your lips that will continue to sink in. Do this 1-2 a week, depending on the condition of your lips.

Over the holidays I received a Victoria's Secret gift card (always a good way to go!) and I decided to check out some of their new professional beauty products...that's when I cam across this next little gem that I adore and definitely reccomend you pick up: the VS Pro Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm! This is what I use to condition my lips.
Smooth FX:
The container (8g/.635oz) contains 2 products (see pic below)--mainly a lip sugar based lip scrub with a flip-up compartment on top containing the lip balm. It costs about $14. What you do is this:

1. Massage the scrub onto your lips for about 30 seconds, the tissue the gritty leftovers off.
2. Finish off with a light layer of the balm.

It's that simple!
This product makes your lips feel so soft; I was definitely pleasantly surprised with the results. You can go around with your lips soft & kissable as is, or apply lip color for a different look!

The Perfect Pout:
How to get those perfectly luscious red lips (or any color lip you choose!).

1. If you haven't just exfoliated/conditioned your lips, I reccomend applying a coat of lip balm and let it sink in before applying any color. My favorite keep-on-hand balm is "Nivea's a Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care SPF 4".
2. To add some depth & definition to my lips I select a lip liner close to the natural shade of my lips (or one matching the lip color you're using to add extra depth). First line your lips with the liner, then take the pencil and actually fill in your lips with the liner.
3. Take the lipstick you'll be working with (red, pink, mauve, whatever...) and apply to your lips. Apply with a lip brush for a more precise application.
4. Smack your lips together, don't rub them (by "smack" I mean to tightly press your lips together & then release--you'll hear the "smack" sound when doing so).
5. Next, blot the lipstick off your lips (don't wipe it off)...just use a tissue.
6. Now, reapply the lipstick again. I know it may seem odd to put on lipstick & wipe it off just to put on more, but blotting between layers actually helps the lipstick last.
7. This is an optional step--if you want to apply a gloss for a little bit of shine you can go ahead and do that now. Otherwise, just rock them matte and beautiful!

Tip: If you rock bold lips, stick with a neutral eye so you don't look too overdone--unless you're going for that glam bombshell look!
XOXO,
Jacqueline

VS Pro Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm

Marilyn Monroe

Happy Birthday to my absolute favorite icon of old Hollywood glamour, Marilyn Monroe!! She would've been 85 today, and still fabulous I'm sure. Ask anyone I'm a huge Marilyn fan...I collect memorabilia (the good stuff) and I could just sit and look at pictures of her all day, she is so enthralling. Now, I could go on and on about Marilyn (just as much as I could about the Royal Wedding), but I won't. Instead I thought I would just share with you guys some of Marilyn's beauty tricks and tips that she actually used!

Now, writing a post about this is okay, and I really enjoy these little tips and tricks she used, but I know seeing is believing, so just so everything is clear and totally understandable, at the end of the post you will find a link to a YouTube video by makeup artist Kandee Johnson, who does a wonderful job showing how to re-create the classic Marilyn look.
Like any Hollywood vixen, Marilyn had an incredible makeup artist, Allen "Whitey" Snyder, who was by her side from her first 21st Century Fox screen test in 1946 until her funeral in 1962. He gave Marilyn a look that was just that..."Marilyn"...a look that no one else could ever have. And let's face it, no one does it quite like she did. So, here's the low down on creating a Marilyn look.

Skin:
Marilyn always had absolutely flawless skin, which comes from having flawless foundation. One of the keys to flawless foundation is moisturized, hydrated skin. Before even applying a primer (which Marilyn did) make sure your skin is nice and hydrated. I like Oil of Olay's moisturizers, but use what you prefer and what works for you.
After applying her primer base and foundation, it was all set with powder. (I like Revlon's Colorstay).
Marilyn also frequently used a peachy shade of blush for a soft glow.

Eyes:
Marilyn primarily used shades of white and brown on her lids, and Kandee's video will show you the proper technique to get a Marilyn eye, so I won't even try going into detailed explanation, but I do want to note some interesting things that Marilyn and her Makeup Artist did to achieve her flawless look.

• A lot of people find it interesting that Marilyn never used black liner! Usually she used a dark brown, and achieved a really rich look by first dipping a wet brush into a shadow (a color probably something like MAC's Espresso)...her liner also had a signature angle to it, which you can see in the video.
• White Liner--on the outside of her eye Marilyn would make a small white triangle with white liner and blend it out. Topping the liner with a white shadow really set off the contrast for what came next...
• Wing it Out--On both the top and bottom lash lines Marilyn winged out her brown liner...with the blended white liner between the 2 winged lines it really gave the look of really defined lashes...almost like a shadow effect...very doll-like.
• Old-Hollywood Classic--It was common back then to take a white liner and line the inner rim of the bottom lash line, and then set with a white eyeshadow. Doing this made eyes look bright and open.
• Red Liner--yes, red liner on the eyes! On the very inner corner of your eye she would put a tiny dot of red lip liner. This subtle trick would make the whites of the eyes look even whiter and brighter, especially in photos.

Contouring:
Marilyn always believed she had a wide forehead and large nose, so there are some tricks she and her makeup artist used to give the illusion that they were smaller.
Using a contour shade (like MAC's Blunt or Nars Laguna) she would contour under the cheekbone, on the temples and on the side of the forehead. She would also (which is interesting) contour a small v-shape right on the lower half of her nostrils and down the sides of her nose. Doing this would make her nose look much straighter in photos and on-screen.

Old-School Highlighting:
Back in the day Marilyn and other starlets would highlight using vaseline...on the bridge of the nose, under the brow bone, on the inner and outer corners of the eye and on the top of the cheekbones. The vaseline would catch the light and give a somewhat dewy effect. However, this is not recommended by today's standards because it will just make your face look greasy. The camera technology back then was much different!

Highlighting:
These are some other highlighting tricks that Marilyn used which also work great for today. You can use something like Silver Dust from MAC, or even one of their lighter mineralized skin finishes...Revlon also makes some nice skin finishes too. Basically what you do is lightly dust the highlight down the center of your nose, above the cheek bones, on the t-zone and right under the chin. This gives a really pretty sheen to almost any makeup look, and I think it's especially pretty for the summer.

Brows:

Marilyn had a signature sharp angled brown. You can have your brows shaped by a professional in a similar fashion, or use shadow to work your brows into a similar shape.

Beauty Mark & Lashes:

Everyone knows of Marilyn's legendary beauty mark...they even have a piercing named after it. If you have one like Marilyn's, lucky you (I have a small one, but it's there!). If not, and you are re-creating this look for costume purposed you can simply use an eyeliner pencil to dab one on there (just make sure you place it correctly, it's on the left, not right.

To achieve Marilyn lashes you gotta go false. A nice set of full false lashes (I like Ardell's) will really give you that sex kitten look. You can even cut one false lash and half and apply to the outer half of your eye...this will still give you that really nice glamorous eye.

Lips:
One thing that always stands out on Marilyn are her bold, luscious red lips. One trick that Marilyn would do is to take a white liner and line above her lips along the cupid's bow, and then blend it in to create a highlight. She also lined her lips outside the natural line of her lips, with red liner of course, to make them appear that much fuller. The technicolor of the cameras back then tended to turn reds kind of orange-y, so to get a true red color, Marilyn (& Snyder) used a mix of several blue red shades. So, Marilyn's signature red lips, even on an everday basis, were a mix of 2-3 shades!

The end result was the super bombshell that is, and always will be, Marilyn Monroe.

"I make mistakes, I'm out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't derserve me at my best"--Marilyn Monroe.

Here's the link to Kandee Johnson's video. She not only talks about all these tips and tricks but show you how to apply them to achieve a glamorous Marilyn look.

Marilyn Monroe Look.

XOXO,

Jacqueline