The Recessionista and the Homemade Body Scrub
March 28, 2010 at 10:07 pm | Posted in Homemade Beauty Treatments | Leave a comment
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish, 14 oz, $65
Gone are the days of spending a well-exfoliated arm and a leg on pricey body scrubs and cleansers! In this economic climate, how can one justify spending 65 dollars on a 14 oz pot of Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish? Don’t let the pretty packaging and lab-born chemicals fool you; these products are not more effective just because they can be found on the shelf at your local Sephora. In a matter of minutes and for less than a few dollars, you can have a homemade body scrub that is just as effective, 100% organic, and completely tailored to your needs. I know what you’re thinking, Ugh, but that’s so much work. Actually, it’s fun and super easy!
My fabulous homemade scrub- I'll never go store-bought again!
I recently made an incredible peppermint sugar body scrub with a multitude of features and benefits. It completely sloughs off dead skin while exuding an invigorating peppermint aroma, and the peppermint oil used provides a refreshing cooling effect. I selected the best ingredients for my dry, dull skin that hasn’t seen the light of day since summer, and got to work whipping together the following ingredients:
White granulated sugar- a great exfoliant that is not too rough on skin and dissolves with heat so it won’t clog your shower drain
Plain yogurt- softens and moisturizes
Olive oil- softens and moisturizes
Peppermint essential oil- provides an invigorating scent with a unique cooling sensation (Choose an essential oil that you love and you’ll never pay for a store-bought scrub again. I stocked up on essential oils during a sale at the Body Shop so I can go from a calming lavender to a musky vanilla.)
Depending on your needs and preferences, you can use just about any ingredient you desire. Here are some other skin-softening ingredients for a sensational scrub of your own:
Salt- inexpensive, has muscle-relaxing properties
Brown sugar- gentle on skin, nicely scented
Coffee (grounded)- can minimize the formation and appearance of dreaded cellulite and varicose veins
Flowers/herbs- several herbs and flowers have unique healing properties (ex. use lavender for relaxation or ginseng for an added boost of energy)
And what’s great is that for a few minutes and a couple of dollars, you can provide a friend with a custom-made gift they’ll truly appreciate. Go to your local crafts or home store and purchase a pretty glass bottle and some ribbon, and you’re all set!
What means more than a homemade gift?
Images courtesy of: amazon.com
From Runway to Reality: Spring 2010 Beauty Trends
March 22, 2010 at 8:13 pm | Posted in Makeup Trends | 2 Comments
Bryant Park
Peachy perfection at Michael Kors
The tents at Bryant Park have been dismantled and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has come to a close, but my mind continues to spin with the parade of beautiful faces displayed on the runway. As always, the sky was the limit with beauty and the looks were extensive. From Madewell’s “no makeup” look, to Thakoon’s exaggerated brow, a favorite pastime of mine is to examine theatrical runway-ready looks and transform them into wearable trends appropriate for the events of everyday life. This time around, it was the lips I just couldn’t shut up about!
YSL Rouge Volupté in Faubourg Peach
One runway trend I loved for its simplistic elegance and universally flattering appeal is the peach lip. An array of designers, such as Vivienne Tam and Nanette Lepore, adorned their models with a soft peach pout that enhanced all skin tones while providing a subtle yet wondrous burst of color. This is one trend that will certainly add to the splendor of springtime. To replicate this look, I used Rimmel London‘s Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Crush, which bestowed a beautiful wash of peach while brightening and intensifying my complexion. I also love YSL Rouge Volupté in Faubourg Peach for its creamy texture and glossy sheen. For times when my passion for peach is particularly potent, I use Rimmel London’s Crush and apply Revlon’s Crème Gloss in Peachy Sheen on top. The outcome is high in gloss, color, and sex appeal. This will definitely be one of my go-to looks for this spring.
Bold red lips were a key element of the look at Vena Cava
Face Chart for Vena Cava
Another trend that many people find alluring, yet frighteningly complex, is the bold lip that was seen at Proenza Schouler and Vena Cava, among other shows. Whether for a day at the office or a night of intense bar-hopping, no one should be scared to experiment with a little color on their artistic palettes (that’s right, your face is a palette!) If you’re a little color-shy at first, a great way to come out of your shell is to up the intensity of your lip color a tiny bit every day. If you want to wear a red lip with
Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry
confidence, start with a gloss, such as Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry (one of my all time favorites). Only apply to the center of your lips and use your fingers to blend it out to the edges. The next time, apply to the whole lip (if you’re still not comfortable, feel free to blot after application). Once you’re able to confidently walk out of the house with a glossy red lip, try a more matte lipstick. I love NARS Shanghai Express because it has a ribbon of black pigment that runs through the tube to make it flattering for all skin tones. To apply an intense red or dark lipstick, it is important to stay inside the lines and to make sure the color doesn’t bleed or budge. To do so, apply a lip primer, such as Urban Decay’s Lip Primer Potion, and a thin rim of loose powder around the lips with a Qtip. Then line and fill in your lips with a lip liner that is the same color as your lipstick, or nude. Using a lip brush, apply the lipstick within the lines, blot with a tissue to set the color, and reapply. And there you have it, a sexy pout that can brighten your complexion and make your teeth look instantly whiter! Be sure to leave all else natural to really let your lips do the talking 
Stay tuned for more favorites from the runway at Bryant Park!
Proenza Schouler
Monique Lhuillier
Soft peach lips at Vivienne Tam to balance out the bold eyes
Images courtesy of: chichi212.com, luxury-insider.com, lastlooksblog.com, beautymaverick.typepad.com
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