It’s week two of my favorite month; and no better way to start it off than at the Elixery’s “candy store” themed pop-up shop in the Downtown Minneapolis City Center. Along side the Elixery’s uniquely formulated, compounded-from-scratch, and hand-poured lip sticks, will be an assortment of local apropos Valentine gifts—especially important in case anyone forgot to buy me a birthday gift, or are looking for the perfect Valentine all in one place. The shop will be open from Monday, February 10th through Friday, February 14th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The temporary shop will feature the Elixery’s signature lipsticks (which I am wearing now) as well as new Elixery offerings. I am most excited to pick up the limited edition Brown Sugar Scrub. It’s a moisturizing Organic Cocoa Butter and Organic Jojoba oil combined with scrumptious brown sugar to scrub away dry skin and leave you soft and caress ably silky. Since I am out of town this week I asked Karoline at the Elixery to save one for me and she promised to do so! The other Elixery item I am excited about is the Raspberry Lip Scrub. If you are planning on doing any canoodling this Valentine’s Day, this delicious lip scrub will leave your lips ready for action! If you’d rather smolder than smooch, the same lip scrub will prepare lips perfectly for the Elixery’s lavish handmade lipsticks. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ELIXERY The shop will also feature other great gift items from local cosmetic brands such as: Bodylish and their lovingly handmade products like the I ♥You Bath Bomb that makes your body delicious. Worker B’s signature lotion bar. Yes you read that right, it’s a lotion in solid form. The bar melts with body heat while the natural moisturizers absorb quickly and completely without leaving a greasy residue—they are also unbelievably convenient for travel. 3-Way Beauty’s Wicked candles. 3 way because: 1—it’s a candle 2—you can use warmed oil for massage (ah….Valentine’s Day potential?!) 3—the container can be used as a stem-less wine glass. I’ll take a dozen! Other reasons to stop by the pop up shop this week: entertainment. Hennepin Theater Trust will provide entertainment daily during the lunch hour. I even heard there will be tango dancing; how romantic and sexy! Who knows…you might even pick up some new moves. On February 13th from 4-6 p.m., the Elixery will hold a Prototype Party for customers to sample potential new products including a new shade of red lipstick. It’s your chance to add your personal input and opinion to a new shade of red. It might end up being your signature color. On Friday February 14th, Valentine's Day mini-makeovers will be offered by Candra Ruiz Makeup Artistry. There will also be additional products and random giveaways as well as other surprises throughout the week. Check out the Elixery’s social media channels to stay informed. Check out my Valentine’s gift Pinterest board for additional gift ideas. Happy VD!
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February is a big month for me. First off, it’s my birthday month, and by month, I mean I like to celebrate for the entire month. February also includes one of my favorite holidays: Valentines’ day. I love everything about Valentine’s day—red is one of my favorite colors, hearts, chocolate, LOVE, and lingerie. Speaking of lingerie brings to mind a couple of pointers for looking your best when you slip into those perfect Valentine intimates. Hair RemovalThis may go with out saying (but I’ll say it anyway), smooth legs, under arms, and a flawless bikini line are essential in making any underpinning that much more attractive. Whether you wax, shave, or use a depilatory cream, do it at least one day before wearing your lingerie to allow the skin some time to recuperate. How to choose? Waxing: Best for darker coarser hair.
Whether you choose a negligée or a corset and G-string, these are just accessories to enhance your body and skin which will be the focus of attention. I can’t say enough about the importance of exfoliation. Use a gentle body scrub (you can skip legs as hair removal also exfoliates the skin). I LOVE Fresh-Brown Sugar Body Polish. The reason this is my favorite scrub is that it gently buffs away dead skin cells while leaving the skin moisturized, and it has the added benefit of a truly heavenly scent (don’t forget to give a little extra love to rough spots such as knees, elbows, and feet). Lastly, consider your skin tone. Most of us look (or at least feel) better with a little color especially after a long winter. Nothing is sexier than radiant, glowing skin. Consider using self tanner to add a little warmth to your skin. For do-it-yourself-ers: I LOVE Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning cream. This self-tanner has, as the name implies, a delicious Cocoa scent and a tinted caramel color for easy application. If you would rather have an expert help you get your glow on, check out Go Glow. Best part, they come to you and according to the Go Glow website: “Glow specialists can subtly shift the tanning palette to respond to your body's contours, minimizing "trouble" areas while highlighting your natural assets. As we say at Glow, if you can't tone it, tan it!” How’s that for improving your confidence! No matter which lingerie look you choose to wear, a little prep work done before hand will give you self-confidence and put a swagger in your step. Most importantly it’s how you feel in your own skin that makes you look sexiest. published in MN MO TC Style blog As I look out the window on this frozen morning, the snow reminds me of how pale my typically olive complexion has become. I think of spring’s promise lurking somewhere under the snow, of all the delicate blossoms yet to bloom, and how their subtle colors are the perfect transition from winter . Not many colors say spring like pink, and this year’s crop of spring makeup collections run the gamut with offerings for every skin tone as well as taste. From a pale peachy blush for cheeks, to a bright peony lip, spring’s fresh makeup bouquet will warm our pale complexions and make us believe that some day soon the snow will melt! NARS Edge of Pink Spring 2014 collection available exclusively at Nordstroms is all about pink. From pinky pink to peachy pink blushes, chubby lip pencils, and a beautiful lavender pink skin illuminator; - perfect to help transition pale winter skin to the lovely shades of spring. Here are a couple of my favorites:
MAC a fantasy of flowers, launches January 30 As usual with MAC. this collection encompasses a wide array of colors as well as textures. I am loving the lip stick range. Six Lipsticks all in MAC’s Lustre finish:
Bobbi Brown Uber Pink Collection. Nail polish in Pink Peony - A bright blue pink caught my eye, it’s the perfect amount of bright. Illuminating bronzer – creates a seamlessly glowing finish all over the face
Neon Pink - a pink fuchsia that is the perfect intensity for those that like a little more color. GUERLAIN – Météorites, although these are not a new spring products, I love these beautiful meterorites these legendary magic pearls illuminate your skin with a fresh beautiful radiance that’s perfect for Spring. MAKE UP FOR EVER: Rouge Artist Lip Palette #1 warm pink. This pallet offers a great range of color. All very wearable and perfect to take you from winter to spring and beyond. MAKE UP FOR EVER is one of my favorite all time brands. Even if the flowers are not ready to bloom any time soon, choose a couple of these shades and to create your own beauty bouquet. I’ve had it. If one more of my nails crack…I might too! I’ve been so focused on following my tips to survive winter, with my skin intact (not turning the shower to scalding has taken a lot of concentration), I think I have forgotten about my nails. Nails suffer as greatly from lack of moisture, maybe even more than the skin. Although I keep my nails pretty short, I have been having a really hard time keeping them from cracking and peeling. What’s a girl to do? Believe it or not, the answer is easier than you might think. As I was complaining about my nails, my friend Annie not only commiserated, but also shared a discovery she’s made. She picked up a bottle of Sally Hansen Grow Nails Now! And as the name implies, it does help short, brittle, winter damaged nails grow. It’s not a polish—it feels more like a light oil. You apply it to the nails and then massage into the nails as well as the cuticles. The product dries quickly and immediately makes the nails looked healthier—and my cuticles less parched! Could this be the fountain of youth for nails? The package promises longer, stronger nails in 5-7 days. If this product lives up to it’s promise, I might be buying stock in the company. I’ll post daily updates on Twitter to document progress. Last week I wrote about winter beauty and quick fixes. My friend Ali Kaplan from Shop Girls on My Talk 107.1FM asked me to be on her radio show to discuss winter beauty. During the show I fielded several questions; therefore I thought I’d follow up this week with some additional tips to not just survive during the rest of our winter months, but thrive!
Winter is a moisture thief. If you don’t own a humidifier, you should. At the very least, put a large soup pot filled with water on or near your radiator to help add a little moisture to the air in your bedroom while you sleep. Crazy as it may sound, I travel with a small humidifier (purchased at Walgreens) it actually helps me sleep better. Keep shower/bath time and temperature minimal. Even though a scalding hot bath or shower seems like to best thing to do after braving the elements, too much time and heat in the bath strips your skin of natural oils and makes it feel dryer in the long run. Keep bath time short (15 minutes) and keep the water warm instead of hot. Consider just washing what needs to be washed, and use a moisturizing soap like Dove and a puff (uses less soap) to lather up. Patty cake Pat, rather than rub dry and apply natural oils on the skin while it’s still damp for maximum moisturizing. After the oil has been absorbed you can even follow with a moisturizing cream. If you haven’t already, switch from a lotion(which are lighter and better in the summer) to a cream moisturizer. If the Glove fits The best thing you can do for your hands is keep exposure to a minimum. For goodness sakes keep those gloves on, and moisturize every time you wash you hands. Make up with winter Not only does winter rob your skin of moisture, I feel like it robs skin of color as well. Skin looks more sallow and under eye circles are more noticeable. Don’t despair, break out the concealer. Find a color that matches your skin tone (or is a tiny bit brighter) and banish imperfections. From under eye circles, to redness around the nose, to pimples, a great concealer can make them all disappear without making you look like you’re wearing a mask. Brighten up Now is the time to be brave and try a little more color. Bright sheer cheek and lip colors can liven up your face and even make you look more invigorated than you feel. If you are blonde choose warm colors in the apricot & peach family, brunettes can wear peony and pink. Keep lips luscious Apply a moisturizing balm and no matter what, don’t lick your lips! Saliva evaporates quickly leaving you lips more parched. Don’t let static get the best of you When you’re a kid there is something really fun about rubbing your feet on the carpet and zapping your friend, or rubbing a balloon on your head until your hair stands on end. As an adult, static electricity has become my enemy, especially since I have fine hair. Here is what I do to get through without my hair standing on end. -Hair masques are wonderful and my favorites are from Kerastase. Chose a masque created for your hair type and treat your self at least once a week. -Check out dry shampoo’s sister product Dry Conditioning Sprays from Oribe and Oscar Blandi. These innovative new products add shine, protection, and body to dry hair and even help with static. -Static driving you so crazy you don’t want to leave the house? Take a look around, you can even work with what you have. Spray a bit of static guard on your brush to help tame your tresses and even rubbing your hair with a dryer sheet will help. Keep the faith, after all the first day of Spring is March 20. That’s only 64 days away! The holidays are over and winter has hit, and it’s hit hard. At below zero temperatures, I do not want to get out of bed until the last minute—even if it means sacrificing a bit of primp time. But that doesn’t mean I want to sacrifice looking good in the morning. So for all of you who are feeling my pain, here’s a couple of helpful hints to getting out the door and into the frozen tundra looking great even after hitting the snooze button! Drink water Drink a glass of water before bed. Drinking water before bedtime helps replenish moisture loss during the day (as well as from the drying effects of winter heating). You’ll look and feel better when you get up and may even have a more restful sleep. Pony up The humble ponytail with a little volume at the crown is quick and chic. See “my pretty pony” post for how to. Add a cute pair of earmuffs! Fake great skin L’oreal True Match Crayon Concealer is a chubby pencil that instantly hides any imperfections. It’s easy enough to use in the car (just make sure the gear shift is in the park position!)—$8 Get the Glow Winter’s dark days leave me a little paler than I like. Personally, I like being a little cheeky. NYX stick blush is easy to apply and comes in eight great shades (something for every skin tone)—$6 Focus on one feature and make it count! When time is of the essence, go for maximum impact—minimum time expended. Are lips your best feature? Then try Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick—$8. My two favorite shades are: Trendsetter, a deep wine and Backstage, a cherry red (it perfectly matches my earmuffs!). Eye appeal Do you talk with your eyes? If so, try Sonia Kashuk Twist Up Longwear Liner—$8. Apply at lash-line, smudge, and you're done. Finish with my favorite, Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Washable Mascara--$7. With a brush for the top lashes and one for the lower, you cant go wrong. Best part—it washes off easily so you don’t look like a raccoon the next morning! Get out the door quick and face the frost looking great. New Years resolutions—about 45% of Americans make them, but only about 8% are successful in keeping them. I don’t usually make resolutions because within the first few weeks, I am part of the 92% that forget what my resolutions were. This year, I have decided there are 10 things I will try to be more consistent about doing—let’s call them “my guidelines.” These are simple things that I know make me feel and look better, and the best part is they don’t cost anything (okay maybe the leafy greens will cost a little). 1. Breathe deeper—I know when I get stressed, I take shallow breaths. The lack of oxygen tends to leads to more anxiety. This year, I will take long, deep, diaphragmatic breaths as often as possible. Deep breathing slows the heartbeat and can lower or stabilize blood pressure. Take a breath. 2. Drink more water—drinking adequate amounts of water per day prevents dehydration, which can make the skin look dry, tight, and flaky. I just bought a new water bottle and I am going to keep that water bottle filled and handy. 3. Break a sweat—sweating promotes elimination of dirt and toxins from the pores, leaving you with clean, healthy skin. Ayurveda, India’s system of traditional medicine, suggests that we sweat at least once every day to stay healthy and keep all the systems in our body functioning the way they should. Cross-country skiing is a great low impact way to break a sweat (even in subzero weather) while showing your Minnesota mettle. 4. Eat more dark leafy greens—crucial to good health, these plants are filled with vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals, as well as fiber. Kale chips are especially delicious! 5. Laugh more—laughter is contagious for good reason, a good laughs relieves physical tension and stress, releases endorphins and even boosts your immune system. 6. Sleep—there is truth in the phrase “beauty sleep.” A good night’s sleep allows the body to repair and renew, as well as increases our intellectual function the next day. A good eight hours is a staple. 7. Let IT go—whatever “it” is for you (for me it’s little things that make me crazy or really don’t matter in the scheme of things). “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.” –Tao Te Ching 8. Dance—and don’t be afraid to be the first one on the dance floor. If you wait for some one else to go first, you may miss your favorite song. Worse case scenario: you lose weight, stay flexible (physically and mentally), reduce stress, and even make some new friends. If you’re not a night owl, try out a Zumba class. 9. Sing—loudly, even if you don’t know the words. Singings improves your mood, makes you breath deeper (see #1), and potentially boosts your immune system. La, la, la… 10. Let someone know how much you appreciate them RIGHT NOW. Don’t wait—you may never get the chance again. As Clarence the angel in training in It’s a Wonderful Life said: “Each man's life touches so many other lives.” Why not tell those around you how much they mean to you whenever you have the opportunity. It really is a wonderful life! Happy New Year to you and yours and may it be filled with light, love, and laughter. I know you think Christmas is over, but actually—”On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…” The twelve days of Christmas mentioned in the song are referring to the 12 days between Christmas and the arrival of the three kings to the Bethlehem—thus December 26 through January 6. To a girl who grew up in a Cuban family, these weren’t ordinary Kings—these were The Three Magic Kings Los Tres Reyes Magos that brought the really choice presents to us on January 6. My family eventually adopted Santa Claus as well (to a kid, the more magical bearers of presents the better). In celebration of the 12 days of Christmas (December 26 to January 6) here are a few suggestion you can give your true love (or a friend that might need a little love) that will have them start the New Year singing: This is it—serious gift crunch time. I don’t want to brag, but I am pretty close to having everything and everyone crossed off the list—that is, except for the husband. Not that he’s picky (okay maybe a little), or difficult, or hard to please. He does however, remind me that when he needs something, he just goes and gets it. And here in lies the dilemma, need vs. want. My husband is a minimalist and really doesn’t want for anything. A gift is always better if it is something the receiver both needs and wants (even if they don’t know they need and want it). The gift then fulfills both a necessity as well as a desire. Said gift doesn’t need to be extravagant or expensive, but it must be thoughtful. What to give my darling husband… I was working with an all male team this week, all of whom I adore and have exquisite taste, so I asked all of them what they would appreciate as a gift. Here a few of their suggestions: From its purely functional beginnings (keeping a cave women’s hair out of her eyes when working), the humble ponytail has emerged as one of winter’s go-to hair trends thanks in part to its simple sophistication. Having a bad hair day? Don’t give up, just pull it back! The ponytail is this holiday season’s easiest hairstyle and it is only an elastic away. |
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