Summer Soiree Summary

Sufferin' Succotash that's a lot of S's!

I had a great party two weekends ago that talked about summer trends for hair and makeup, accessory tips and style tips.  Now, like a complete goof, I took no pictures (the photographer who doesn't take pictures?!) so sorry about that!  But I am here to share a little of what we learned!

For the summer here's what to look out for hair and makeup:

Hair:
- ombre highlights (duh) - easiest hair coloring to keep up other than not coloring you hair. If you are interested in trying this look on your own give me a call, I did mine and I can help you out!

 -messy/ textured hair - go with it, lose control!  I suggested two products, a sea spray for hair not given to too much frizziness and "tousle me softly" mousse by herbal essence for really wavy or super straight hair.

- buns - yes! Up high, down low, sleek or messy buns are the way to go!  This is great for the heat of summer and the needs of a busy life!  There are several tools on the market these days to help you make a bun, try em out, you can find easy, quick and cheap tools at the grocery store!

Makeup:

-Gold eye shadow - my favorite gold eye shadow is "half baked" by urban decay!

- dramatic eyeliner - didn't share this at the party, but I'm seeing it a lot. Everything from cat eye, to bright colors or just heavy liner.  This one feels harder to me, eyeliner is a skilled art but if you're good at it, go for it!

- A POP of color - on the eyes or the lips!  My suggestion here was to try a lip color or eyeshadow/ eyeliner color you like and give it at least a whole day when you try it and wear it on a day you are around other people.   We tend to see ourselves in the same way and have a hard time breaking out.  Others can actually see you more appropriately sometimes so listen to others feedback!

Accessories -
A POP of color again!! (It became our theme for the night). Go for color in  your earrings, bracelets, scarfs, purses and necklaces.

Go with what is comfortable but push yourself just a bit.  Bring some glamor to the grocery store ladies!

Style -
You guessed it, a POP of color including color blocking. (Finally defined for us by Amanda as 3 or more distinct colors in one garment or outfit, thank you Amanda!).

Be comfortable

Shop via magazines and collect what you like so when you shop you can go with a "list" of what you're looking for and what you'd like to try.

We had so much fun when we didn't think that we were all going to washed away in that storm!  I enjoyed it so much and hopefully we can have more fun, girly get togethers and I will take pictures next time!

Reviving Tired Skin

So, as a new mother, I am dealing with a new consistent level of sleep deprivation. Now, I wouldn't say that I am at an exhaustion level but a little sleepy most of the time and always able to take a nap is my new normal.

I feel like I can really see tiredness in my skin and I have felt this way even before baby.  My skin starts taking on a gray tone.  It's texture seems a little rough, but not dry.  When I wear makeup its like it just sits there and does nothing for me. Holla back if you feel me on this one.

So I thought I would share just a few simple tips to revive tired skin. When you think resurrection think: "The old has gone, the new has come."  Oooh, got all spiritual on you there but seriously, it works for skin care too.

When reviving skin, the old top layer needs to go (exfoliation) and the new needs to be encouraged to come (stimulation and blood flow).

Exfoliating:

• Sugar Scrubs
• Exfoliating face soaps
• Exfoliating pads or sponges
• Exfoliating masks

You can Google search any of these things to find great DIY recipies and tools but for this blog I will share one easy, inespensive exfoliating scrub and/or mask: the honey, lemon and sugar scrub.

Mix a whole squeezed lemon, 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey (make sure its real honey not honey mixed with corn syrup - Caro can't help yo' face!) and a teaspoon of sugar. If you want to use it as a scrub then get all your make up off and then scrub your face for about 2 minutes with the mixture.  For a scrub only use 1 tablespoon of honey so the consistency is a little more stiff.  If you are using this as a mask use closer to 2 tablespoons of honey and maybe a little less sugar because you want this to stick to your skin.  For the mask leave the mixture on your face for 20-30 min. 

The lemon's citric acid will work to break down that top layer of tired skin and make it easier to come off.  The removal of the top layer will also stimulate your skin to regenerate more, new skin.  Honey has anti-inflammatory powers along with great antioxidants - this will nourish and encourage new skin.  The sugar is the exfoliator that helps get off all that old junk.  If you want something a little rougher than sugar, use salt.  And can I share a random scientific fact? Salt always forms in cubes; tiny little perfect cube clusters - those rough edges make it a very powerful exfoliator because sugar is just a little particle with some dents, like a pebble.  That fact was free folks...

To stimulate new growth is somewhat easy - just remove old skin and your body automatically makes new skin (wowzers!).  You can encourage the process though by using antioxident and nutrient rich moisturizers and masks (like avocado masks, raw egg or mayonaisse masks) and masks that encourage blood flow to the face.

Arbonne makes a warming mask but if you have sensitive skin do not use this!  Another warm, blood infusing mask is the cinnamon, nutmeg and honey mask. 

Use one tablespoon of honey and a half tablespoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg.  Mix them together and rub on your face.  The spices are a gentle exfoliatior and have anti-inflammatory powers and warms your face up too (that I do not have the chemical explanation for but when I did it my face got real hot).  Blood flow to the face will encourage new growth and give you that hard to explain "glow".   If you have sensitive skin, please try this on your wrist or arm first or don't try at all, you can get burned so please be careful.  Leave the mask on your face about 15 minutes but if its too warm, rinse it off.

So there you go.  May you experience a skin resurrection!  If you try either one of these please let me know how it goes, I love feedback!

Also, you may want to get a nap...seriously though, get a nap...

BB Cream

Have you been seeing these "BB" cream commercials everywhere?  I saw them and thought "What in the world is this BB thing?" and felt a little silly for not knowing what it was.  So like any 30-something American I Googled it.  I found out that "BB" stands for "Beauty Balm" and somehow that name made all the mystique die for me.  I can't explain it but once I saw the name I pictured stuffy people in expensive clothes slathering tons of lotion on their faces.

Anyway, I have not used a BB cream mostly because its very similar to tinted moisturizer which doesn't offer me enough coverage.  Thing of BB Cream like glorified tinted moisturizer.  But I will say this - if you have a nice complexion, don't have a lot of active breakouts or scars and like a natural and/or "Dewy" look then try a BB cream.  This cream offers moisture as well as additional ingredients to firm up your skin and lessen wrinkles.

If you do try a BB Cream please let me know!  Tell me what brand and what you thought of it and I will publish it so other people can see.  I don't know if I want to try one again because I like my coverage but well, we'll just see!

My two cents on a few products...

So, on a regular basis friends ask me for a recommendation on a product or product line.  I thought for this post I would just give a few suggestions. These products that I recommend come from first hand experience with the product and usually I  give any new product at least 2 weeks of use. So, there's some context for you. Products are listed from most expensive to least expensive :) Now, realize I have not tried every product out there and also, everyone's skin is different but if you wanted to know what I thought here it is:

Skin Care for Acne Prone Skin:

• DDF (Doctor's Dermatologic Formula)
• Philosophy (Go Without Makeup Kit)
• Proactive (if you're pretty oily)

Skin Care for "Regular" Skin:

• Korres
• DDF (they have products for all skin types)
• Boots (available at Target!)
• Garnier
• Neutrogena

Foundation Makeup (liquid and powder):

• Makeup Forever - High Definition and Medium Coverage
• Physician's Formula (mostly for their powders)
• Revlon (I use the colorstay on a daily basis)

* special note here I don't really like the powder mineral makeups but its because they don't offer enough coverage for me, they feel like they dry out my skin and easily set into lines and pores and there is not a sun-screen free mineral makeup on the market for special occasions.


Color Products (eye shadow, blush, eye pencils, lipstick, lip liner):

• Makeup Forever
• Urban Decay (love their metallic eye liners)
• Too Faced
• All the grocery store brands are pretty much the same in quality - I find their potency in pigment and staying power are the same so just get what you like :)

Mascara:

• Dior
• Covergirl Lash Blast

*this is an extreme difference in price but seriously, I've used several "nice" brands and I feel like the Covergirl does better but Dior really stands out as a phenominal mascara so if eyes are your thing go for it!

So there you have it - simple and quick.  Again, everyone's skin and skin needs are different but if you wanted to know my thoughts, there they are!

~Lindsay

Emerald Green

If you could salivate over color the way one salivates over good food then I am licking my chops.

Pantone has released their color of the year for 2013: Emerald Green!

I will admit, I didn't really discover the power of emerald green until my good friend Anneke Swanson began creating a vision for her company, Emerald and Aqua.  And I found a rekindled love for green that I first had when I saw the movie "Return to Oz". (Am I the only weird kid who loved that movie in the 80's?) When Dorothy had to find and touch anything emerald green, say the word "Oz" and I believe it freed her frozen friends.

One great factor about emerald green is it does well on anyone - anyone.  Unlike lime green, kelly green or even dark "hunter" green, emerald green is bright enough to be seen, dark enough to be classy, and a perfect balance of yellow and blue to look great on everyone.  Here are some ideas on how you can go emerald in 2013:

Accessorise!

Here are some gateway uses of emerald green - you don't have to spend a lot of money, you don't have to stick out like a green thumb, just looks like you are on the up-and-up:

And of course look out for emeralds - as in the gemstone - to be very popular.  Real or fake emeralds are beautiful from the ear, finger or decolletage.  Again, these are easy, simple and subtle.  And now for a little more pop.

In the bag for a shoe up:

For a little more daring folks, add to your emerald accessories an emerald bag or even emerald shoes:

Now remember, if you have lots of extra cash, go out and get that designer emerald bag and love it but if you are like the rest of America, don't go too crazy on a trendy colored bag.  My suggestion is Ross, TJ Maxx or Marshalls.  They will most likely be getting their first emerald bags in Spring and they will be affordable!  Shoes from gap are fairly affordable but Forever 21, Rue 21, Charlotte Russe and H&M are just as up on trends and will offer emerald shoes of some kind I am sure in the fall and you don't need to break out too much green to buy the green.

Finally if you are all in, fully committed to the emerald cause then here's some headlong emerald ideas:

Grab and emerald blouse or two, get pants and even a blazer!  I think I like the idea of the blazer and the blouse the most.  The blazer will be a great staple throughout the year as you pair it with things from the rest of your wardrobe.  For ideas just Pinterest search green blazer and you'll get some great ideas.  I think the pants are a little more daring - I did bright green maternity pants this spring and summer and I have to say, although I liked them I couldn't shake the creeping insecurity every time I went out...but if you are bold then go for it.

And of course, my favorite, the emerald eye.  I am showing here a emerald shadow from Make-up Forever, Lagoon Green and a beautiful model.  Now when wearing a color you can wear it multiple ways, for suggestions see my previous blog on how to wear color eye shadows.  When looking for an emerald shadow make sure it has enough blue-ish tint so it doesn't turn into a pine tree green or bright green because it may not turn out as favorable but this is daring, courageous and awesome.  I will try to do this on myself soon and post it.  Also, you can even get an emerald green eye pencil to just line a top or bottom lid.  I've already done this twice this year :)

If you find some other great uses of emerald green anywhere, hair, in the home, babies, pets, whatever, leave a message here!  I want to see the creative uses of this wonderful color!

~Linds

Spring Makeup!

Sorry for the delay but well, we're in adoption paperwork mode but things have calmed down so I should be more consistent soon!

Anyway! Down here in Houston, spring has already sprung. We have had a few incredibly beautiful days recently and I have seen white and pink trees springing up everywhere. It makes me happy so in light of those flowering trees I want to mention some spring makeup trends happening for 2012:

1. Mint Green. Don't scoff. The pictures below show a close up of some mint green and shows that a light, minty green (I would stay away from a lime green) can work on many different types of coloring. I have seen mint green successfully on myself (brown hair and eyes), blondes, brunettes, green eyes, blue eyes, brown eyes. It's a winner! So, try it this spring!






2. Lavender

Lavender is another color like mint green - it can work on almost anyone, ANYONE! The key with both of these colors is to start slowly. Start light and faint and work your way up. Also, a special note - brown eye, brown hair girls when you want to do color this should always be your default before anything else, it works for you!



3. Coral lips

I really like this one but coral is a finicky color. It can be difficult to find the right one and difficult to get used to yourself in it. I would suggest if you want to try it going to Sephora and talking with someone there and trying lots of corals before you buy. Coral lips I think are best matched with natural looking eyes.



4. And lastly, natural looking with a bit of glamour! I saw looks like the one below a lot on the MAC, NARS and fashion Spring launches. The key is a natural, lightly blushed face, natural color (almost nude or peach) lips and a bit of pop on the eyes with eye liner or mascara. Always fresh!



Have fun with those and enjoy spring! Also, I'm playing with the idea of a workshop for makeup - leave me some feedback! Have a great day!

~Linds

All prints are on sale now!

Alright everyone the prints are available online now!

Go to: www.lschottartistry.com

Click on the "Clients" tab and enter the password "schottadoption"

From there you can add images to your shopping cart, pick the size and pay via PayPal!

If you want to use cash or check use the shopping cart like normal and submit your order, just skip the PayPal step. If you want a size or have a question about a size not listed just shoot me an email at lindsay.schott@gmail.com and I will answer it for you.

Thanks everyone! I hope you like them!

~L&L

Prints for Sale Preview

Hello Everyone!

As some of you know, Landon and I are pursuing adoption and officially are starting to raise some funds!

I am giving a preview of some photography that I will have on sale for the next few months in support of our adoption fees.

http://theschottsadopt.blogspot.com/2012/02/prints-for-sale-preview.html

Use the link below to see a taste of what's being offered and pricing and where to order will be coming later, thanks!

~Lindsay

Best Zit Cream I've ever used...

Ok, we're going to get real about some acne treatment. A lot of people get zits, pimples, breakouts, whatever you want to call it and we want a miracle cream to make them disappear over night, right?! I found the miracle cure! No, kidding, sorry, I didn't but I do know something that will help you in your pain.

I have dealt with acne ranging from really bad cystic acne to just occasional small outbreaks and most anything in between. And while there are many viable treatments for acne I want to suggest one thing that has really been working for me - benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil.



Tea Tree Oil is a natural plant by-product that is similar to eucaliptis oil. The benefit of this lovely and strong smelling thing is it is a natural anti-septic - it kills all the germs without being too drying. Benzoyl Peroxide is a not so natural but effective combination of clay (dries up oil helps with swelling) and peroxide (anti-septic). When you put these two together you have a magical potion that cleanses, reduces swelling and doesn't try out the skin and damage it.

In the past I used benzoyl peroxide acne products (like ProActiv) and it worked for a few days, then my skin dried out and then it broke out more. So, I needed an acne treatment that didn't turn my skin to leather. That's where the tea tree oil comes in!

So, here's how you can use it:
Buy all natural 100% tea tree oil at a supplement store and even a lot of grocery stores have it. Buy a tube of benzoyl peroxide (the brand is less important than the % of the product, America is allowed to sell a 10% potency but lesser %'s are available if you need it, Canada only sells 2%, just fyi). After cleaning your face put some tea tree oil on a cotton ball and rub on your zit or affected breakout area. While its still a little wet add some benzoyl peroxide. Then sleep on that. You may experience a little burning because of the tea tree oil but if you can stand it just keep going. Then clean your face in the morning.

I have found this to be a very effective treatment for my breakouts. This can also be a preventative treatment and you can use tea tree oil with some regularity as an astringent or you can occasionally treat an area of your face that breaks out regularly with the tea tree/benzoyl combination.

Also, if you have the money honey, DDF sells this product already mixed for you:



It was actually this product that got me hooked but I found that my DIY version is a little more affordable but this DDF product really works and just to throw in my 2 cents, DDF is a great skincare line - available at Sephora :)

Ok, so if you have issues with breaking out give it a try. And while its not a miracle cream that will make zits disappear over night, it will help and you will see results :)

Skin getting dry in the winter?

I had a great question from a friend last week. She asked me about her skin getting dry in the winter and what she could do about it. It's a great question and lots of us deal with our skin changing because of the seasons. So, if you have that issue - here is my recommendation:

Do a moisturising skin mask. I recommend a mask rather than changing your moisturizer because the need is seasonal and changing so answer the problem with a temporary but effective solution. If your daily moisturizer is working, keep it and just add a mask so that when summer comes you don't have to switch products yet again.

Masks can do different things - exfoliate, cleanse, brighten. And they can moisturize. So you can do 2 things: buy a mask or make one.

Here's my recommendation for buying a moisturising mask:

The Boots No. 7 Intense Moisture mask for only $19.99 at Target or Ulta:



Philosophy Lasting Hope Mask $20-$25 at most department stores, Ulta and Sephora: (I feel the need to speak up and say how strange it is they named this mask after Jesus, The Lasting Hope for real)



These are good price points and you'll keep them throughout the winter season. Depending on how dry your skin gets I would recommend using the mask twice a week and then see if you need more or less moisture. Of course, make sure you are also using a moisturizer daily during the winter.

If spending $20 ain't yo thang, then do a mask of full octane mayonnaise or avocado or both. Clean your face and then cover it will mayo (not light mayo, not miracle whip - I mean full fat, old fashioned mayonnaise) or mash up an avocado and spread it on your face and leave some left over for snacking or mix them both together and put that in your face (but don't add salsa, that is better for chips, not your face). Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse off. The fats in the mayo and avacado are absorbed by your skin and some of the proteins in the mayo can help your skin as well.

So, don't let winter dryness drag you down, just mask it! And remember to gently exfoliate regularly and use your moisturizer every day.

Hope this helps!

~Linds

Glycolic Peel Kit

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Can't believe that 2011 is gone and I am staring 2012 in the face! Unbelievable!

I am excited to be reviewing some new products this year and hopefully help some of you out there about products you might want to buy with Christmas money or get for Valentine's Day or whatever other event in which you buy beauty supplies.

So, to kick off I am going to tell you about the Boots brand glycolic peel kit.



First a little education. Glycolic acid is a compound that can both be chemically generated and isolated from some plants naturally. Glycolic acid has a unique ablity to penetrate human skin -in particular glycolic acid weakens the binding properties of lipids (fats) in the skin so after applying and letting it sit on the face, dead old skin cells come right off.

Glycolic acid is most commonly used by professionals who use a high concentration of the product - high concentrations (anything over 20%) is not available to consumers directly and must be applied by a doctor or trained professional. But there are kits on the market that have a glycolic peel kit with concentrations usually under 10%.

A glycolic peel is beneficial to people who are dealing with fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and skin texture, acne, acne scars, and in general dull, not healthy looking skin. It is also a beneficial treatment for brides or people about to have an important event but should be done about 6-8 weeks before the big day and should be done by a professional at a high concentration.

Today, we're examining a glycolic kit whose concentration is around 7%. Here's some benefits:

Because the concentration is so low, this can be incorporated into a normal skin care routine - it can be used 2 times a week which over time, improves the look of your skin. I tend to like this option better than using a face scrub that just removes old skin with good old fashioned scratching although both basically do the same thing.

Also, it's quick! You apply the acid with the brush (NOT your hands)to a clean face and let it sit for about 5 minutes, rub off with a pad provided in the kit and then rinse. The whole process is about 7 minutes total and could be done while watching tv, painting nails or just sitting around.

Also, the price is great, it's $25 at Target(so convenient)!

Some drawbacks or just special notes about this product:

Because the concentration is low, it does need to be used consistently to see results. I was trying to coordinate my glycolic night with trash day (cause its 2 times a week too) but it gets hard sometimes. If you only have time to do this mask once a month, it may not be the treatment for you.

A glycolic peel like any exfoliator will cause things under the surface to come up. So, acne prone skin you may be disappointed that for the first few weeks your skin isn't clearing (and possibly worsening) but its actually doing a good job. Continued use will let what's under the surface out and then continue to cleanse the skin to get you that skin you always hope for. Stick with it. Also, this is why you don't do a professional glycolic treatment right before a wedding - do it several weeks before the wedding, let your skin breakout if it must and then give it time to heal. Then you will be happy with your results.

Lastly, this is not a product for sensitive skin or someone with rosacea. This will aggrivate your skin like crazy so stay away.

I hope that was a bit helpful. I really like my kit. I am starting to see improvement in my skin's texture and color which is nice but I'm dealing with a bit of breakout :( I think its a great product to have as part of a routine that will give you a fresh look. If you're wanting an easy way to improve your skins texture, color and over look, go ahead and get one at Target!

Post any questions you may have!

~Linds

Review of Resolutions

So, two weeks into the new year of 2011, I wrote this blog post:

http://lindsayschott.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-resolution-get-my-s-together.html

And now it's time to review. Oh dear... (stay positive!)

I did successfully grow my business this year - I had a steady stream of clients, I designed some things for professional use, I had several weddings for makeup and I did get my website up and running although it still needs some tweeks. I am also blogging consistently which I feel helps. So, pretty good with that but I need to do better book keeping. So far my strategy is keeping receipts and emails and then plugging them all in excel every once in awhile...not so good...

Weight...I am working out more but I am eating more, so not so good there. I need to examine my relationship with food (well, relationship and food shouldn't be in the same sentence to begin with).

Money, honey. Well, we're doing ok but dang do I love a good deal and I am a girly girl at heart, my whole Christmas was accessories and makeup. I will need some heart work on this one - I am still really impressed with new, shiny things :)

Walk with God - better, not awesome but I tend to thing that He feels oppsite at times then I do about what our "walk" is. I do sense a nearness to Christ this year that struggled last year. I have been deeply encouraged at our new church and I have been in the word more consistently but I know my soul would benefit from a little more Jesus time.

Kids. Well, the second miscarriage threw me for a loop this year but the bitterness never erupted like it did in 2010 so that is my greatest triumph of character for the year. The sadness doesn't change and yep, I did feel like 73 people told me they were pregnant and I struggled to hold the line of being happy for them and many times gave in to my envy but I believe God's Spirit reminds me that its ok to mourn the loss we suffered but its not ok to despise what God is doing in another's life. I am still praying and seeking about this part of our life and God's already provided more money than I thought we'd ever have at this point for an adoption but consistently He reminds me not to make this an idol.

So, my generic review. It's dangerous to publish what you want to accomplish in a year but accountablity is good for the soul. Before I anty up my resolutions for 2012 I am just going to sit for a few days and think about 2011 and appreciate it and try to learn something from it and maybe gain a heart of wisdom.

~Linds

Wearing Red Lipstick

Red lips!

Scary for some and a thrill for others...here's some tips about picking out and wearing a red lipstick (and Christmas is a perfect time to do it!)

Generally when considering wearing a red you have 3 kinds - berry or wine red, true red or a orange red (some may say coral).

Here are examples,

Berry:





Berry can work on just about anyone, it looks great on dark, medium and fair skinned women. It is a very popular look this fall and winter. When considering a bold berry lip, go neutral on the eyes but soft like you see Emma Stone doing above. Such a dark lip can look severe so the eyes can soften the look. Go try it!

True Red:





Always classic. This has been beautiful since the 1920's and it still is. True red is an eye catcher for sure. The true red lip is beautifully coupled by a simple black eye liner "cat eye" as a nice retro throw-back. When wearing true red I would suggest a subtle eye without a lot of dark shadow but a strong eyeliner is great. If you do too much eye makeup you will look like a clown. This is also a great opportunity for fake eye lashes!

Finally, the Orange or Coral Red:

















This is a softer look so it is possible to do a little more on the eyes. Because orange is a warm tone, this isn't as much of a winter look as it is spring and summer but it can be done well in winter. Orange does not do well on everyone but there probably is a shade out there for you that you could find with some trial and error - it just is not as full proof as I feel a berry red is. This one will take more research and more trying if you want it.

Some tips on wearing bright lips. First, they will be bright and if you are not accustomed to red lips, it may shock you but that's the point. There is nothing subtle about red lips so if you are scared or want subtle, this is not the look for you. Second, when doing your makeup spread your foundation across your lips before you apply lipstick (and for red lips I do recommend lipstick, not gloss). Using a lip liner is also helpful to keep lipstick on and to give you a guide when you are filling it in. I suggest using a liner slightly darker than your lipstick shade for some good contouring. You can use a lip pencil the same color but don't go lighter.

Go for it some time this holiday season! Red is always striking, try it for a holiday party or Christmas Eve!

~Lindsay

Holiday Eye Makeup Looks

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! (Finally!)

As the holidays are upon us many of us are attending Christmas Parties! I actually just recently attended my husband's corporate Christmas party for the first time and it went off without a hitch.

Holiday parties are a perfect place to wear color eye makeup when you normally don't wear color. Today, I will share a few ways to wear color on your eyes - and believe me you can pull off way more than you think!

First, we will move from most subtle to most bold. Here's the first two looks in two variations with the same idea: a single stroke of color on the top or bottom lid:








You can use a color eye liner pencil or eye shadow with a skinny brush or the point of a sponge applicator. This is the perfect gateway use of color on the eyes. Its subtle, easy and looks beautiful. I would suggest you try first before you head out for the big night. I personally like using color on my bottom lid because I feel like my eye stands out a little bit more when I do my normal eye makeup up top but that is totally your call. I actually wear this look to work :)

Second, a little more adventurous is color all over the eye but blended well:



For this look integrate a color on your top lid and blend with your normal neutrals. I love this look as well - its a great color pop with the comfort of a bit of normalcy.

Here's a simple one, color eye liner on top and bottom:

This isn't my favorite because I like darker colors right next to my eye, so for me this is too subtle but for many of you this is perfect for your beautiful eyes:



Finally, shadow all over the top lid- simple and gets the job done. Its for a few braver souls but as this beautiful actress shows, you can pull it off and it can be perfect:



Lastly are "Stage 3" color uses. These are for the bold girls who like color and like to stand out. I love these. They are not for the faint of heart thought but if you like color a holiday party is an appropriate place to wear this:





Go big or go home with these looks. Try it on yourself first before the big night and then shine your brightest at the party!

Now, the next logical question is: "How do I pick which color?" Oh man, for someone who loves color this is a huge question but here are my suggestions:

1. Google search or Pinterest search actresses that look like you (skin color, hair color, eye color) and see what looks they do and try them out yourself. Also, google search "makeup for brown eyes" or "makeup for blue eyes" and see what pops up.

2. Go to the makeup section of Target or CVS or wherever you get makeup and take a look at the sets that are especially made for your eye color. It's only half a gimmick. There really is science and thought behind those color combinations so study them, take some notes or just buy one and take it home.

3. Know some color theory - ok, we're getting cerebral and ART 101 here. There are generally two reasons why colors look good together - one they complement each other or they contrast each other.

For the explanation we need a color wheel:



Colors that "complement" are colors that are close to each other on the color wheel. So if you are a blue eyed person then blues, greens and purples will do well on you. If you have green eyes, then golds and greens would do well on you and so on and so forth. Brown eye girls you are considered a dark orange but because browns are considered a "neutral" you could do more colors than you think you can!!

Colors that "contrast" are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. So, blue eyed people believe it or not when you wear brown and bronze your blue eyes pop. Green eye people if you wear red, wine or something pink, your green pops. Brown girls - blues and especially purples are your friends! Play around with different colors and see what happens!

You can really play with color to emphasize a certain tone in your eye. For example, my eyes are brown but if I wear wine, red, burgundy or something like that on my eye, the green in my eyes comes out. If I wear blue they look a little more golden. If I wear green then they seem a little more red-brown. So you can do the same thing with your eyes.

A special note though - don't feel like you must match the color of your makeup to your outfit. It's not 1982- you don't have to wear blue eye shadow with a blue dress. It's better to match your face if you are going to err on one side :)

Have fun, do experiments and ask me questions if you have them! You can do it, have fun!

Great website and a Great Christmas Gift Idea

Hi Friends!

I haven't blogged because I've actually been really busy doing photoshoots and then editing! Wow!! Most of those jobs are wrapping up so some nice picture collages will be headed this way soon but for now I wanted to share a new website:

www.birchbox.com




This is a really fun website. They carry skincare, haircare, makeup and other cosmetics from great brands you find at Sephora and other departments stores. They have wonderful resources like a blog, video tutorials, product reviews and featured new products.

The best part of Birchbox is when you "join" for $10 a month you are shipped a box of fairly good sized samples from their vendors every month. Also, when you shop with birchbox as a member, you aren't charged for shipping. If you are into cosmetics and trying to new brands this is a great way to get exposed to new things. If you have a friend or family member who loves cosmetics and you don't know what to get them you can gift a membership!

I think I may ask for this for my birthday seeing as my Christmas list on Amazon is getting too large but this is a great resource, fun gift and helpful resource. Check out the website tonight on your laptop as you watch tv!

~Linds

Official Review of the Wave and more...

Alright!

This is my official review of the Neutrogena Wave.





I've used this little thing consistently for about 2 weeks now. I started using it in the morning and at night but after about 4 days my skin was too dry so I shifted to 1 time a day, in the evening.

My conclusion is this is a good product.

My skin was consistently cleaner after I used the Wave as opposed to my regular washing with soap and my hands. My breakouts near my chin were reduced a little bit - I wouldn't say it was a dramatic shift for my acne but I noticed a reduction in blackheads and shrinkage in some of the pores on my cheeks. The Wave does offer a subtle exfoliation and I would guess using an actual exfoliating soap would only add to that.

So, if you are looking for a cleaner clean this product is pretty good. I would recommend it. The only draw back is of course buying the cleaning pads after you've run out but they are easily purchased at the grocery store.

Coming up in just a few days I will be reviewing a whole line of new skin care products being offered at Target. The brand is called "Boots" and you won't want to miss it!

~Linds