Total Beauty: Save Time on Your Beauty Routine

who doesn't want to save time when it comes to beauty prep? or at least be prepared with knowing the best products to use when the time comes around for such a situation?

from stick-on nail polishes to multi-purpose products, take a look at this fabulous article from Total Beauty to discover what you can do to save precious minutes when it comes to your beauty routine...

9 Best Timesaving Beauty Products

These amazing, multi-tasking beauty products will save you from wasting precious minutes in the morning

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article We know -- with everything you've got to do in the morning, you don't have time to futz with a complicated get-ready routine. That's why we talked to top makeup artists and got them to dish about the best multi-tasking products that are guaranteed to shorten your morning makeup routine. You know, so you can hit that luxurious snooze button just one more time. See products

Tips to Soothe Sunburned Skin

this week the temperatures have been and will be in the 80s which made think of all the hot days ahead...ugh...

while i'm not the biggest fan of summer, i know many of you are. spending too much time in the sun, however, can leave you feeling fried. while i must stress that you use sunscreen and apply regularly thruought the day, you can find quick relief when you may experience sunburn.



celebrity esthetician, Scott-Vincent Borba has given me some at-home skin recipes to share with you that will soothe your skin that are cost-effective and fast-acting. let's learn more, shall we?




to achieve instant, head-to-toe relief, take a milk bath! milk contains essential fats that help create a temporary barrier on the skin and soothe pain. to do this, fill your tub with cool water and add one gallon of milk (rich in vitamin D) plus two Alka-Seltzer tablets. the carbonation will work immediately, calming any skin irritation. add in 12-24 ice cubes, slowly-- this will allow your body to acclimate to the cool temperature.




yogurt, like milk, contains different types of fat that create a temporary protective barrier on the skin and soothe pain. to make a soothing smoothie, fill a large ziplock bag with yogurt and place in a freezer for at least thirty minutes. remove the bag from the freezer and puncture the front and back with a fork. wrap a towel around the bag and set it on the sunburned area.




sour cream offers a cooling sensation that can last longer than aloe vera (it, too, contains fatty ingredients that work to alleviate the pain and redness that comes with sunburn-- i'm noticing a pattern here...). slather a dollop of sour cream on burnt skin and cover with an ice cold wash cloth. repeat until any stinging or burning sensations dissipate.




starch found in potatoes can offer an immediate relief from overly sun-kissed skin. take two large potatoes, chop them and toss them into a blender. add a tablespoon of honey to give the mixture adhesive qualities. puree the ingredients and place them on sensitive areas of skin, you should feel instant relief. you can also use green granny apples instead of potatoes, this popular fruit contains high anti-inflammatory agents that work to reduce the redness in sunburned skin.

thanks, Scott!

these are great tips, don't you think? though, if i'm being honest, i'm hoping you won't have to use these recipes too often this summer! :)

xo

Robyn Cosio of Sally Hershberger Shares Some Helpful Beauty Tips

makeup artist and eyebrow specialist Robyn Cosio, of the Sally Hershberger salons in los angeles and new york, has amazing skills that set her apart in the world of beauty. she has not only worked with some of the most recognizable faces in hollywood (including Nicole Kidman, Kate Bosworth, Marisa Tomei, Christina Applegate and Cat Deeley), but she makes "everyday" women look amazing as well (and she's even written a book!).

Robyn has shared some fab tips with me that i just had to pass along. hopefully you'll adopt one, or all, of these easy-to-do tidbits to ensure you maintain your best look throughout this spring season and beyond.

take a look...

tip #1: never tweeze nude

"before you tweeze your brows, make sure you use a pencil to fill your desired shape. without a guide in place, you will always over tweeze! once you have the shape in place, simply pluck the hairs outside the line for perfect brows."

tip #2: let your lips speak

"bright red is hot for lips this spring and will command attention all on its own. adding eyeliner into the mix will make you look over the top and drown out your lip color. a gorgeous summer lip color and great brows are all you need to frame your face and stay on trend this spring!"

tip #3: add color to brows

"if your brows are looking pale, fill them in using a brow powder. avoid using a pencil as they can make your brows look fake and one dimensional. brow powders are softer and applied with a small brush (look for one that is stiff and angled) and help to give your eyes that extra pop. blondes should go one shade darker than their natural color to avoid looking monochromatic."

tip #4: sun, surf and mascara don't mix

"avoid applying mascara in summer when you spend more time outdoors and at the beach. the humid weather and water will cause your mascara to run. try having your lashes tinted – this is an easy way to keep eyes looking beautiful and eliminates the need to reapply waterproof mascara."

xo

Applying Makeup with Fingers or with Tools to Achieve the Perfect Makeup Look

do you use your fingers or brushes when you apply your makeup? did you know there is no right or wrong, better or worse way to do so? it's basically a matter of preference! both methods are equally effective, and really ends up depending on what you are most comfortable with.


Galit Strugano

Galit Strugano, celeb makeup artist and creator of Girlactik Beauty makeup, explains the techniques of applying makeup with your fingers and applying with tools to achieve the perfect makeup look.

finger application:

Galit says: mind your pressure points!

each of your fingers has a different pressure point affecting the pressure of touch. knowing them can be useful in applying makeup. a bonus with finger application is the oils and heat from your skin melts the product better when it transfers to your skin and provides the coverage you want!

use your ring finger for concealer applying concealer with your ring finger gives a soft touch around the eye area with no pulling of the skin. the ringer finger pats product perfectly.

use index finger for shadow application: this finger possesses a little more pressure making shadow spread evenly but still has that soft touch.

use the middle finger for eye crease: the middle finger has the most pressure so it is perfect to use to frame your eye, creating definition as you move your finger back and forth.

use your pinkie for inner eye: your smallest digit is perfect to apply makeup to those hard to reach parts and great for applying an eye brightener or when you want to highlight. your pinkie has a light touch so you won't accidentally glob on makeup when you're trying to be precise!

brush application:

Galit says: it's all about the texture!

when it comes to brushes, it isn't about synthetic vs. natural but rather the firmness of the brush that affects your makeup look. a rule of thumb:

-the firmer the brush, the more color transfer you'll have.
-the lighter the brush, the lighter the color transfer will be.

think about it this way, you can be using the same exact blush and end up with 2 different colors depending on whether you are using a firmer or lighter brush. switching up brushes is a great way to use your makeup in fun, different ways!

thanks Galit for sharing your tips! be sure to visit girlactik.com-- the products look great!

xo

beauty girl tip: Get Soft, Shiny Hair

to give your hair a natural moisture boost while adding amazing shine, follow this easy hair treatment recipe:

1 ripe avocado
1 tbsp olive oil
optional-- 1 egg yolk

*mash avocado into a small bowl. mix in olive oil (and yolk), then spread through hair. leave in for 20-30 minutes (this is a great time to apply a face mask and relax with a favorite book or magazine!).

*wash out using your favorite shampoo, then condition and style as usual.

*enjoy your gorgeously shiny and soft mane!

xo

Rachel Roy's Favorite Beauty Tips

fashion designer Rachel Roy built a following not only for her beautiful designer and diffusion collections (Rachel Rachel Roy is now available in Macy's stores across the u.s. and on rachelroy.com), but also her amazing personal style and beauty. i was given the scoop on Rachel's beauty secrets and tips on how she expresses her indian ancestry through her makeup. you'll love how simple her personal tricks are to looking bright, fresh and flawless everyday!

read on...


q: have you picked up any great beauty tips or tricks that you can share?

RR: i feel a great mascara can open the eye and instantly make you look as though you've have a good night's sleep, even when that is not the case. i use 2-3 coats of Lancome's Fatale on the top, bottom, and also on the back of the top lashes.





q: do you have a beauty signature? a fragrance or a lip color that you just love to wear?

RR: because of my indian ancestry, i love darkly rimmed eyes-– a messy eye adds a sexy yet natural look to a classic outfit. to make the eyes smoky, i use Revlon's Luxurious Color Kohl eyeliner in Black Truffle on the inside of the lids.


q: what about a lip color that you just love to wear? what do you put on to achieve your favorite look?

RR: bright lipstick is a way to quickly pop an outfit and freshen up a look a la Ava Gardner in "The Barefoot Contessa". my favorite bright is MAC's Morange lipstick-- it's a great way to add a twist to a classic look.


q: any last bits of advice?

RR: i use Bobbi Brown's eye shadow in Navajo and another way to make your face pop is to fill in the eyebrows.


fabulous, no? i always love insider tips! be sure to follow her on Twitter (@rachel_roy) or fan her on Facebook.

what are your favorite beauty tips and tricks?

xo

Beauty Girl Tip: Use Eye Cream

here's a tip for your peepers, the windows to your soul, the...ok, you get the eye-dea (ooh, that was bad, wasn't it?):

use an eye cream. even if you're only 21 and don't think you need one-- trust me you will thank me in ten years. eye creams do everything from reducing puffiness to diminish dark circles to softening fine lines and wrinkles. good ones can be found at every price point!

one i'm enjoying right now:



Lumene Time Freeze Instant Cooling Eye Stick (you can find it at CVS and on cvs.com) is a refreshing eye cream that i have been using in the morning to wake up my tired peepers. i received this while i was in nyc from the some fabulous PR gals. i love the smooth texture, and there's no messing with a tube-- just swipe it under your eyes and pat in until absorbed.


eye creams my beauty blogging gal pals love:

Alyson (@glossmenagerie on Twitter, glossmenagerie.com) loves 100% Pure's Coffee Eye Cream

Erika (@makeupbag on Twitter, makeupbag.net) recommends Chanel's Sublimage Eye-- "so rich and creamy!"

Amy (@thebeautychick3 on Twitter, thebeautychick.blogspot.com) has been using DeClars Lifting Eye Serum


let's dish! do you use an eye cream? why or why not? what is your favorite?

xo
Lumene Eye Stick received from PR for review consideration
eye stick pic taken by me :)

Myth-Busting Advice from CARGO's Top Makeup Artist

CARGO's top makeup artist, Renée Ryan, hears it all when it comes to makeup. women have their own thoughts and misconceptions about the subject itself, but she wants to squash any myths that even you may think are true.

Renée believes makeup should work for you, so take a look at her simple tips, techniques and advice to ensure a flawless look every time and get her take on some of the most common makeup myths:

myth: i can use my lip gloss for years

reality: no, yucky! lip gloss, like food, has an expiration date. "the fact is, lip gloss gets old and goes bad," Ryan says. "ensuring that your make-up is fresh will mean that you're always looking your best."



because it's difficult to remember when you first use a gloss, it just so happens that CARGO incorporates cutting-edge Timestrip® technology into their packaging. this tiny (genius!) strip is embedded in the product's cap and keeps track of how long the gloss has been open. with 15 shades of Classic and blu_ray™ Lip Gloss, you'll never run out of new colors to try!


myth: bronzer is only for summer

reality: don't be afraid to use bronzer year-round to retain that healthy glow! "women are often intimidated by bronzer and sometimes unsure about how to apply it, but there's an easy trick," admits Ryan. "brush it on above the brow bone, under the cheek bone and along the jaw line. basically trace an 'E'nd a '3' on either side of your face. it's that simple!"



CARGO has an award-winning Bronzer that can be applied lightly, for a subtle sun-kissed glow, or layered for a deeper, intense "golden goddess" look.


myth: using eyeliner on the lower lid makes eyes appear larger

reality: this technique actually has the reverse effect, making eyes appear smaller, not larger. think about it: when a woman wears all black, she appears thinner. the same thing happens when we line our lower lashes, "slimming" our eyes. instead, Ryan suggests making your eyes appear wider and brighter by by highlighting the brow and shading the lid of the eye.




CARGO's Essential Palette features shadows that "are embossed with an application guideline-- outer corner; crease; lid; browbone-- to ensure perfectly sculpted eyes every time."


myth: my concealer is too bright

reality: you're probably applying it wrong! "with concealer, less is more-– and application is important," notes Ryan. "always begin with a small amount and blend it, using your fingers for the best coverage."




Ryan recommends CARGO's blu_ray™ Concealer, which comes in two shades, appropriate for all skintones. it was originally designed for high-definition filming and photography, so the blu_ray™ Concealer has light-diffusing pigments that create a fresh, natural look in any light.

myth: blush should only be applied to the apple of your cheeks

reality: no way! blush can be used to create a rosy glow and contour your face. "you can always put a light dusting on the apples of the cheeks, but to get the most out of your blush, simply change the way you use it," Ryan explains. "for denser coverage, select a dome brush and apply your blush below the cheekbones to get lots of definition."



another trick is to trace the tragus line (beginning mid-ear) with one of CARGO's bestselling blushes in Rome, Topeka or Big Easy. this both contours and highlights the cheekbone. "and don’t forget to experiment with color!" reminds Ryan. "CARGO's blushes all have neutral undertones, so the colors work on a variety of complexions. enjoy and have fun with it!"

great info-- thanks Renée!

if you would like more info about the CARGO brand, i recommend you visit cargocosmetics.com or sephora.com.

xo
info courtesy of Janine Gordon Associates

video: Add Volume to Your Curls

if you have curly hair, you know that the top of the hair can go flat while the rest of your gorgeous ringlets stay full looking. want to know an easy trick for giving your roots a lift? watch this video from the curl expert herself, Ouidad!




visit the Oudad YouTube channel for more great-for-curly-hair tips!

xo