Go Green with Glamour

So this whole idea about what our carbon foot print on the earth really means for the next generation has become more than just a hip and trendy way to appear to be a concerned citizen of the world, its dire. I myself, having been a pescitarian for the past two years (phew that went fast) and having recently taken the next step to full on vegetarian, am starting in on my cosmetic bag and vanity. What we put on our person is just as important as what we put in our person, and to take it a step further, what we use to stay pretty should not be taking away from what makes our everyday beautiful, mother nature....Because as we ALL know, you only get one mother.

For all my earth and health conscience Mavens this list is for you! Some of my favorite natural go to brands:

1. Korres Natural Products: I may have on occasion mentioned just how much I am OBSESSED with this particular brand. You get the best of both worlds with this one. Not only can you flip the ingredient panel and ACTUALLY know what is in your makeup,skincare,bath product,and hair care (yea they're talented like that) but you can breathe easy knowing that some of the worlds most BRILLIANT (Nobel prize winning) scientist are the creators and minds behind. Its incredibly affordable, effective, and even packaging is recyclable... HELLLLOOOO!

2. Tarte Cosmetics: Cutting edge and fun! Its super consumer friendly, so all my makeup shy Mavens can feel like they're fashion week pros! Get a Dior look w/o the Dior price tag, for all of us who ball on a budget.

3. Urban Decay: I know, some of you are out there scratching your head thinking... WHAT?! Well believe it. This brand that has everything for the modest to the rock star Maven, and its VEGAN! .... whats not to LOVE about that.


Obviously there are many more, but these are my hero 3. All 3 have their own websites and can be found in Sephora, Ulta, Bloomingdales (in NYC), C.O. Bigalow -- etc

Now go forth and be glamorously green, from head to toe! ;)

(Wo)man vs. Humidity....

Being that I frequent the bridal makeup circuit, I have become fairly well versed in various tricks to keep a beautifully "beat" face from melting when everything else seems to be. ( This skill also happens to come from YEARS of living in the notorious swamp that is the DMV... that's DC, MD, & VA for all you out of towners)



So here is a list of old and new favorite products for Summer 2k10!




1. Makeup Forever Aqua Cream



Alright, so its NO secret, I ADORE this brand for their innovation, technology, and all around bad-assness ( cue the Wayne's World "we're not worthy"move). Just when you though that there was no way to make shadow be fun, long wearing, AND crease proof.... here they come!
What started off as only Aqua Black ( a cream liner & shadow) has been extended into eyes, lip, and cheek colors with the pigment and staying power we all have come to know and love from this fabulous brand! Go to your local Sephora and LOAD up! If you are in NYC go to the boutique near Union Square.






2. DDF Ultra Light Peel


Yes... it's a skin care product. ( you didn't really think that I was going to go without at least ONE did you?) The way this works is it exfoliates lightly, all you need to do is wash your face and put it on. That's it. Day/Night... 1x a week/ 4x a week.... really at your lazy summer bum leisure. How does this help with a lasting summer look, you ask? EXFOLIATED SKIN = GLOWING SKIN & SKIN THAT WILL HOLD OUR NEXT SUMMER MUST HAVE....




3. Tinted Moisturizer!!!



Now, there are many brands out there. A few that I find to stay super well are as follows:



- Laura Mercier TM w/ SPF20... cult classic

- Cosmedicine Honest Face/ Medi Matte TM w/ SPF 20 .. comes in both a normal AND an oil absorbing formula...swoon

- Almay Smart Shade... In expensive, adjusts to your skin, and sits beautifully!




4. Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Setting Powder OR All Nighter Spray


When I say your makeup will not move, I mean... IT'S THERE THE NEXT DAY unless you wash your face.... Both products will keep everything on for hours, a full work day into a rockstar summer night. Anything that keeps my face on through the humidity and grossness of a NYC subway, is a winner to me... GO GET IT.








Happy Summer Mavens! ;)

Master the Look: Breezy Bride to Be 101

I had the pleasure of doing makeup for a family member's bridal shower and here are some things I used that day ( and that I use frequently on brides to be!)

1. Glowing Skin- The key to this (besides having the luxury of living a beautiful and sunny city everyday)is using a sheered foundation only where you need it. I used Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer, a very little of it goes a long way. Next I dusted a bit of Laura Mercier's Loose Mineral Powder in Warm Bronze, and last a bit of a highlighter in Albatross, from NARS.



2. The simple daytime smokey - The key to this is a nice primer, soft browns, and waterproof eyeliner! I first used eyeshadow primer from Too Faced "Shadow Insurance". Next I lined the eye with Fluidline from MAC in "Blitz and Glitz" ( a black with flecks of gold) on the lashline and in the water line, very lightly. The Essential Eye Shadow Palette #1 is what was used to create the light smoke. Lastly I coated the lashes with Christian Dior's Iconic Mascara.

3. Nude lip- Korres Lip butter in Guava to hydrate & Korres wild Cherry Lip Gloss in Nude #33 ( or even Natural Purple #25) of course the best base is a lip liner in your natural lip shade!

3. Tools- For the eyes I used the Stila eye brush #15, MAC small angled eyeliner brush #266 and MAC tapered blending #224. For the face the Stila foundation brush & Blush brush #24

Beauty Building Blocks

Maven Says: Its always better to take care of the root of a concern, rather then covering it up.

What does this mean? GET A SKINCARE ROUTINE PEOPLE! Before you can get that air brushed flawless look there are a few things you can do, no matter your skin type.

STEP ONE: Weekly exfoliation
You always want to exfoliate your skin 1-2 times a week (normal to combination) No more than 3 times a week for a dry skin type. Over exfoliation can happen! Think about it, your rubbing granules across the surface of your skin! If you don't want to use anything beaded, all skin types could benefit from an enzymatic facial scrub (like the one by OLE HENRIKSEN pictured below) This is full of fruit acids that will help to lift toxins out of the skin.



STEP TWO: Vitamin C!
Look I live in a very polluted city, New York. You have to go out everyday with something on to protect your skin from damage! Vitamin C helps to lessen the appearance of sun spots and reverse them ( given you're good about wearing sunscreen!!)Try Maven favorite, Korres Wild Rose Brigthening Serum. Its less than $40 and does WONDERS!!! You can also use it under the eye area ( So it will brighten everything up)If youre not into serums try the moisturizer form of the serum, Wild Rose Moisturizer. Both will help you BLT ( no not the sandwich)... BRIGHTEN, LIGHTEN, and TIGHTEN ... Your skin will be glowing and beautiful with regular 2 times a day use!

STEP 3: ALWAYS USE and REAPPLY SUNSCREEN .... At least a 15 (20-30 is best though)