“eHow Style” Video
Using Aloe Vera leaf in lotions is a great way to soothe pain from burns and calm irritation from some of the most common dermatological stressors AND help ease angry stressed skin. Whether you are using aloe naturally or buying it in your favorite products, here’s a few things to keep in mind and they just might surprise you!
These tips will help you get the best for your buck!
Photos Courtesy Rain Africa
DEDICATED BEAUTY QUESTION OF THE MONTH
For the truly adventurous, amazing drugstore beauty finds can be such a treasure! Find your diamond in the rough right where you’d least expect it!
I love to shop the latest in beauty products, but is it possible to find all of my essentials at my local drug store? With a new job and move, my wallet is feeling the pinch-Help! –Jennifer
I’m always up for the challenge of finding those seemingly irreplaceable items I love at my favorite store with equally mentionable if not more desireable items from right at my corner store.
* Do-it-All-Balm: Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment Skin Protectant, duo box comes with two mini tubes perfect to pack into your purse and keep one at home. Use for : cuticle treatment, lips moisturizer, gloss, on the fly (literally airborne, dry spot treatment: try this at the corners of your mouth, and along the orbital bone for added eye moisture during flight!)
* Nails: Sally Hansen’s Salon Insta-Gel Strips-Starter Kit Shelac nails done in the comfort of your home and for a fraction of the price. Make use of the multiple colors and designs they offer with a beautiful, like new finish for up to two weeks.
* Mascara: Love Dior and Givenchy? There’s a brush tip and formula similar for you. Try Maybelline “Full n’ Soft” and L’oreal’s “Voluminous Volume Building Mascara” for a dramatic feathery lash in its original and oh’ so fabulous formula.
* Lips: $1.99! luscious lip luxury from Wet and Wild’s “MegaLast Lipstick” Yes, I said it, hark back to the days, when you were dying to have the latest color on your lips and could only afford pennies, Wet n’ Wild was your answer and still can be! These shades are to die for and for a total steal! Trick: Dot some Aquafor on your lips for added hydration and a light glimmering gloss effect-use it in the center of your lip!
* SPF: SPF is most effective in broad spectrum products. Look for La Roche Posay’s Anthelios SPF for your go to skin shield that is fragrance- free, paba-free, shine-free! With antioxidants packed into it, its good for your skin too!
* Lashes: Ardell & Andrea create the most incredible lashes for a fraction of the price. Whether you’re looking for a full set or simply individuals to thicken up your lash line, these are my favorites and never cease to amaze me with their staying power! Try applying them with Duo’s “Lash Adhesive” in “Clear White”, the white actually disappears for a completely flawless application. Try: Full Set: #105. Try: Hall Set: #301.
For individual’s “medium” length lashes are usually the perfect amount of drama, ….unless that’s the look you are going for is maximum drama, then by all means go “long” ….mmmhmmmmm my dashing divas!
* Coupons:…A truly adventurous gal will not stop at searching for the ultimate savings…try resourcing the pages of your beauty mags or your favorite brands’s website for insider promotions and printable coupons! All the sudden your bag full of goodies just became that much more attractive! Gold Mine!
Inspired by classic costumes and hit Hollywood movies my make-up tips are easy to replicate at home. Using botanical make-up and chemical free products alongside a costume you can make from your home wardrobe that truly comes alive with my expert tips, making for a kid and adult friendly Halloween to die for.
Cat Woman
Cat Woman’s fierce look can be achieved on any adult with a few simple steps and great products. Try using a bold eyeliner to create cat eyes, which are popular now. Accentuate the eyes even more by using ½ a lash strip; remember to start mid eyelid and press towards the outside. Use a deep black mascara to finish!
Combine a Black and White oil-free and hypo-allergenic face spray, such as Classified’s Spirit Spray, on a disposable paper or plastic plate and use a sponge (craft store or natural) and a q-tip to create stitching effect, like a torn mask, across the face. Using a dark eyeliner, freehand stitch marks. Remember, precision is not key for the stitches!
Apply a bold Red lipstick, blot the reapply for a sultry look. Have fun with your nails and don’t worry about them chipping by using a chemical free polish like CND Shellac, which comes in fun and festive colors for Halloween to last you throughout the holiday season.
Here’s a list of some great products I recommend!
FACE: Classified Spirit Spray: Black and White
(www.SpiritSpray.com and select Ulta locations)
*Disposable paper or plastic plate
LIPS: OCC Lip Tar: NSFW (“Not Safe For Work!)
LASHES: Ardell Accent #305 Black, Black Mascara- try Josie Maran
LINER: Josie Maran “Magic Marker“ Argan Liquid Eye Liner, (www.sephora.com)
NAILS: CND Shellac (www.cnd.com) is my favorite for a chemical free way to celebrate the holdiays we chose this sexy nail set!
Try these CND Shellac colors on your own!:
*Studio White*,*Black Pool*, for the swirl *Decadence* (Swarovski crystals to accent)
Toddlers and teen-aged children have especially sensitive skin so it is important to use products that won’t irritate. Sticking with products that are beneficial to the skin, water based and filled with botanicals, I created this look!
Bat Girl
An adorable Bat Girl can be achieved with a few simple, kid (and adult) friendly products.
If you are crafty find the Batman image online and create a felt mask template or purchase an inexpensive mask that can be outlined then sprayed. Place the mask template over
your child’s face and have her close eyes shut.
Use a safe face botanical spray, like the Spirit Spray I previously used, mist onto face until desired color is achieved. Peel away mask and Voila! You can also free hand a mask by spraying the Spirit Spray onto a disposable plate and using a sponge or craft brushes to apply in the shape of a mask.
Gently, using a lip brush, paint on a bright pink lipstick. Using products that have more natural ingredients, such as OCC-Lip Tar, are good options for kids and adults because they are packed with nutrients good for the skin.
I chose these for Bat Girl:
FACE: Spirit Spray in Red (www.SpiritSpray.com)
*Bat Logo to size: try measuring and cutting within the shape for the perfect stencil
*A cute tip is to create a special sparkle on the edges of the mask for added drama: try your local craft store for some bedazzling jewels like “Sworovski Elements” (www.michaels.com) and apply one by one with a touch of lash glue.
LIPS: try Tarte “Lip Surgence” Natural Lip Stain in “Lust”-this product is easy to use with its pencil tip and click stick. (www.sephora.com)
Queen of Hearts
A youthful Queen of Hearts make-up will have you blushing.
To create a youthful face, spray lightly with a White face spray like the White “Spirit Spray“. Use just enough of a mist for subtle color. Apply Black mascara on top and bottom lashes and top with a full lash set. Swirl in an iridescent lime green eye shadow on lids. Then, place a small amount of Red face spray into palm of hands and use fingers to create small circles on cheeks for a bright, bold blush.
Apply Red lips in shape of a small heart centered on the lips. For the final touch, draw a heart shaped beauty mark just below the outside of one eye.
With this costume you can also have fun with nail color. I recommend CND Shellac as well for a long lasting chemical free polish in fun colors that will make your festive manicure the envy of all!
Try These Products:
FACE: Spirit Spray: White and Red
EYES: Almay “Intense-I-Color” For Greens #414 (try mixing the two greens together for an intense pop) -found at your local drugstore
LIPS: OCC Lip Tar-“Anime”–a little goes a long way with this minty pout maker
LASHES: Elite Lashes Full Flutter Set #6 Black + Lash Glue
FOR FUN: Try a cute “beauty mark” right below the outside of either eye in the shape of a heart. I like Josie Maran’s Magic Marker “Argan Liquid Liner” to draw and fill the precise shape. (www.sephora.com)
NAILS: CND Shellac fabulous sparkle nails flash royalty with this look. Try these colors “Hollywood” as the base color (with Martha Stewart Glitter)
Zombie
A terrifying zombie is simpler than you think.
Use the Green Classified Spirit Spray all over hands and face. Make sure children close eyes tight when spraying on face. Combine Black and White face sprays and sponge onto face. It is OK to mix with the Green and don’t forget to gray out the lips. Then draw in black gashes and black lines on lips. You can use the same spray on your hand applying the lines with a craft brush or a toothpick dipped into the color, then use a sponge hallow out eyes in Black. For a super creepy look, paint bloody cuts oozing from the mouth with a Red face spray!
Try these Products for your Zombie:
FACE: Spirit Spray : White, Red, Green, Black
*Sponge-try either a body sponge cut up in to little cubes with rigged edges exposed or a natural sponge always works just as well too. (www.michaels.com or your local drug store)
SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO TAKE OFF OUR MAKEUP!
After a fun day of playing the perfect Zombie, Oden carefully took off his makeup. One moment a terrifying zombie, the next the most perfect gentleman! Thanks Oden and (Mom) Ingrid!
“BetterShow” Oden taking his makeup off from Vanessa Elese on Vimeo.
Click Here to watch the segment on “The Better Show”
(More info about CND Shellac can be found at www.CND.com; more info about Spirit Spray can be found at SpiritSpray.com and purchased at select Ulta locations.)
What does your Halloween look like?!
We all have those begging questions, the nagging wonders (Is this stuff for real? How in the world do I achieve that? Where do I find it?) Here’s your chance, with total anonymity, or not, to get those pesky questions answered by a gal who loves beauty just as much as you. PLUS get the insights from the red carpet and behind the scenes celeb tricks (I learn as I go too!) I’m no self-professed know it all, hardly, I find beauty as an eternal quest.
Join Me! Share! Ask Away!
