August 22, 2006

Back to School Beauty - Good to Go!

August 22, 2006/

Being back at school, I realize that there is just no time for a proper manicure, or even doing your nails for that matter. Well, when you do find the time to give your nails a polish, I found a great top coat to get you out the door in under 3 - three minutes!

Essie has created Good to Go!, and it is being touted as the fastest drying top coat - ever! It features a patented formula that not only dries nails to perfection, but it keeps polish looking great with a high gloss shine, while protecting it from chipping and yellowing.

So I sat down, and took the time to do my nails... nothing fancy, just a fresh paint of polish (Essie's Beach Party). I used two coats, let that dry for under a minute and applied Good to Go!. I watched the clock, and began touching them after a minute. They felt dry, but I was afraid that the polish would smudge without giving it more time. So I gently waved my hands around for another two minutes, and then gave my nails another feel. Amazing - they were totally dry. I rubbed my nails over my sleeve, and no pulling or smudging was felt in any way.

I am so happy with this, and highly recommend it to anyone who does their own nails.

You can find Essie's products at fine salons nationwide. And if you don't know of one, their website has a salon finder - here!

August 21, 2006

Back to School Beauty - Hide the Red!

August 21, 2006/

So, you have been out partying a little late have you? Or is that red blemish got you scrambling through your makeup bag to find yet a better way to hide it?

Either way, I have found the best red concealing agent from Tarte called Yellow Mellow!

Please, don't let the lemon yellow color scare you, as it does it's job of hiding even the most hard to cover redness.

This dandy duo features a yellow based cream concealer and yellow loose powder. It is simple to use by taking your finger and dipping it into the cream concealer. Make sure to dab it on all blemishes and blend it out over larger red areas. Then you take the great little kabuki brush (it is included!) and swirl that into the powder, and gently sweep the powder over your face.

For spot coverage, I just take a bit of the powder and pat it over the blemish that I already used the concealer on, and dab the powder over it. It sets it, blends it, and never looks cakey or dry.

Yellow Mellow truly is a dream for those of us who have to deal with redness in any way. And where else can you get a great concealer, loose powder, and kabuki brush for only $25?

Note to Tarte: we would love to see this combo in regular concealer shades too!

August 18, 2006

Back to School Beauty - Light Up Your Senses and RELAX!

August 18, 2006/

Does going back to school - or falling backing into a work routine - get you down?

First - stop. Take a deep breath. Let the stress out by taking a moment of silence. RELAX.

In these last minute days of rushing around before back to school, I have found myself needing more than just a few moments of peace. And I have found the most wonderful candles that I have been lighting up all around me to aid in my much needed relaxing. They are from a new company called Lumiere Candle Co..

Lumiere candles are created with the highest quality materials infused with natural fragrances. Their specialty soft wax and enhanced concentration provides a superior candle that fills the room with a delicate scent. All of Lumiere candles are free of unnecessary dyes and additives - making for a cleaner home and environment.