Recycle, Reuse!

Yes this is coffee grounds in my hand and Yes I will be exfoliating with these in my shower. 

Coffee grounds are great for removing dead skin and when rubbed on your legs and backside, they minimize the appearance of cellulite by increasing circulation! I always use my leftover coffee grounds during the summer and love the results. Give it a try and tell me what you think!

Tip: Use while in shower. It can get a bit messy

Summer Must Haves

My good friend turned me on to this, It works....not a life changer but it helps! Apply to all "summer" areas.

Anastasia Eyebrow Highlighter

Anastasia Eyebrow Highlighter.  One word, AMAZING. This little chubby crayon is perfect for finishing your brows off.  I have to admit, I always used eyeshadow or concealer to highlight my eyebrow bone.  Now, I cannot live without this stuff.  Goes on creamy and covers while highlighting without too much shimmer. Apply right on your brow bone and blend into skin. You will love

Available at Nordstroms or anywhere that sells Anastasia

Beach Waves in Minutes

Sometimes I do not have time to blow-dry, then curl my hair. When I am in a hurry I simply part my damp hair down the middle and then section hair into four equal sections. Twist hair away from face and blow-dry for a bit while twisting. Super easy and looks great!

How to Make your Shampoo last longer

My sweet friend Katherine gave me some much needed tips on how to use less shampoo but achieve the same results.

Here is her tips:
1. Section hair down middle.
2. Pump one or two(depending on how thick your hair is) quarter size amounts of shampoo in your hand.
3. Rub shampoo down middle of your hair line, on your temples and the underneath(back) of your hair.
4. Massage shampoo, trying to distribute it throughout scalp(it will not lather).
5. Repeat again and shampoo will lather this time and clean you hair thoroughly.

My favorite shampoo's are Kerastase and Joico. All that matters is that you do not buy store bought! Talk to you hairstylist and they will explain why.

Warm up your Eyelash Curler

I am a huge advocate for warming up your eyelash curler with your blow dryer, before curling your eyelashes.  This acts like a curling iron for your eyelashes.  My favorite eyelash curler is by Shu Uemura. I literally have had the same one for over 5 years.....enough said.

Available at Shu Uemura

Maybelline "Big" Mascara

Love this. Looks like Dior Show mascara when applied and it's $5.99 vs $25.00 for Dior. Sometimes you have to save for the "must haves". Give it a try and tell me if you agree!


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Quick Lip tip

Dab a little of your favorite creamy concealer in the center of your lip, over your YSL or favorite lip stain and instantly you have a lighter color! This will give the illusion of fuller lips!

Yellow Based Primer from Koh Gen Do

I am always in search for a natural looking way to brighten my skin. While walking around sephora, I stumbled upon this little tube by Koh Gen Do, called Makeup Color Base. Like I have said before, yellow based foundation and concealer brighten almost everyone's skin. This however is a yellow based primer used before your favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer. It has a super sheer coverage lighter than a tinted moisturizer or foundation and goes on flawlessly. The reason I really like this is that you can use it with or without foundation to instantly bring light to your face! I will warn however, it is a bit pricey at $48.00 a bottle but a little goes a long way.

Available at Koh Gen Do cosmetics or Sephora

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Urban Decay All Nighter

I had heard that Urban Decay's all Nighter setting spray works well and thought I would give it a try. First, I would like to say that I recently moved to a humid area where I feel like my makeup melts every day. So when I saw this spray at sephora I figured I had nothing to loose.
Let me tell you, this stuff is an absolute must purchase. I tried it yesterday and my makeup stayed on all day through shopping, rain, everything! At $29.00 (4oz.), it is an easy purchase and a little goes a long way.

Available at Urban Decay and Sephora

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Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Definitely Deserves all the hype!

Tried it and loved it. Goes on super smooth and lasts all day, this is huge for me!  Officially taking a break from my normal liquid eyeliner. Smudged it today for a smoky eye, wore it thin and sharp on my lash line yesterday.  I applied it with my MAC brush but love the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush (need to purchase ASAP).

Available at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Stained with YSL

I recently purchased YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain.  I have to tell you, I am instantly smitten by these little tubes of color.  I tried on almost all of them but settled on #15 "Rose Vinyl."   While most lip stains dry your lips out, this one stays moisturized, bright and intact all day.  They are a bit sticky and definitely higher priced but absolutely worth every penny.  I might be going back for #18 "Rose Pastelle", the perfect milky nude color for summer. I plan to mix it up by combining #15 with #18 for a more mellow pink.

Available at Sephora, Nordstroms or anywhere the sales Yves Saint Laurent

Ombre Nails

I am obsessed with this trend right now.  It is super easy to do and looks great with bright summer colors.

Check out "The Nailasaurus" tutorial at The Nailasaurus and try it yourself!

I used Rimmel brand colors and cheap makeup sponges from Target.  Also, I used old Ziplock bags to put my two colors on instead of clear sheet protectors.

Not to bad for a first try! 

Keeping the Inside as Pretty as the Outside

Make sure you pamper your insides like you do your outside! I take it once to twice a week to keep things "moving."

Available at Whole Foods and most Grocery stores

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Estée Lauder Idealist

I have been using this product for some time. I enjoy how it highlights your skin and gives it a natural glow. In addition, it claims to reduce redness, dark spots, shrink large pores and even out skin tone. While I can see some instant changes, I am horrible at being consistent so the changes are not as drastic as they could be. However, I use the under eye idealist cooling illuminator far more than the face potion. I stick the little tube in my fridge (it has a porcelain head on it) and take it out to help with puffiness and dark circles. It works miracles and is a great base for concealer.
So, my final conclusion on both items is:
I love the Cooling Under eye Illuminator, definitely a life saver. Plus, it feels great going on and the cooling sensation helps to wake my eyes up.  As far as the Idealist Skin Tone Illuminator, I need to be consistent and I am sure I would notice a bigger difference. I have read some great things about the Idealist Illuminator and need to bring it back into my rotation.

Available at Estée Lauder Makeup Counters

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Polished

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am in love with nail polish and shellac. My favorite nail polishes come with me when I travel and have been narrowed down to about 20....slightly obsessed. One of my all time favorite shades is by OPI called "Mod about you." This color is a perfect white/pink for summer. Looks great on toes as well! Covers with two coats which is hard to find with light colors.

Quick Tip:

• Use a base coat to help provide a smooth start.

• Paint a "U" shape at the top of your nail bed instead of trying to get your polish straight.

• Always use a top coat! I love Essies "Good to go"

Great Manicurists in your area:
Salt Lake City, Kristina Haven, @KristinaHaven (Salon Studio)Vancouver, BC.  Kengi,  Four Seasons Nail Salon (West Van)


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Tinted Lip Balm with SPF 15

I am highly obsessed with lip balm, lipstick, lipgloss, Chapstick.....pretty much anything the will make my lips smooth and soft. For summer I have a few balms and glosses that I keep with me at all time. My top choice is MAC Lip Conditioners with SPF 15. They are tinted and go on super smooth while moisturizing your lips.  Unlike most colored lip conditioners, these little jars leave your lips with a great natural color while providing the perfect condition to your lips.
I highly recommend buying two of your favorite color, most of the colors are limited edition and once they are gone, they are gone.

Available at Nordstrom MAC Counter or MAC Cosmetics

"Petting Pink"

Travel Tools

One of my favorite travel makeup tools is this little refillable brush from Sephora.  You can load it with your favorite loose powder, blush, bronzer, etc.  I have put Make up For Ever HD Micro Finish Powder in mine and use it often.  I like this powder because the high definition property leaves you looking flawless wether you are on the run or getting ready to take a picture. 

Available at Sephora

Refillable Brush Available at Sephora $17.00

Get your Flirt on

Lately I have heard a lot of buzz about a perfume called Eau Flirt by Harvey Prince.  This perfume claims to have all the scents that attract men and cause them to flirt with you.  Being a lover of all things fragrance, I decided to go ahead and give it a try.  I received my shipment yesterday and immediately put it on.  I ran over to my husband and asked him what he thinks.  He instantly liked it and said that it smelt really good. Me on the other hand, I like it but I am not in love with it.  It smells a bit like something my Yia yia (Grandma) would wear but if my husband likes it then I am sold.

Available at Harvey Prince Online

Eau Flirt on "The Doctors"

Eau Flirt on "CBS"

Anastasia Eyebrows

Fake it till you make it, is my philosophy when it comes to eyebrows.  Lets be honest, not everyone has spectacular eyebrows that are free of sparse hair spots.  I like to pretend that I have thick eyebrows with all hair intact.  To do this, you need Anastasia brow powder or pencil, a professional to start the shape of your brows and a little clear mascara or brow gel. Clear mascara works just as well! Don't spend the money unless you need to.
Here is what I use:










Esthetician's I love:
Salt Lake City, @armstronglaura (Xscape Day Spa)
Vancouver, BC, Shirley (Northshore Hair)
Chicago....Still looking
I have used Anastasia Brow Powder Duo-II in Medium Ash on the left with Anastasia Brow Gel to set it.  On the right.....absolutely nothing and you can definitely see the difference.