Get Ready With Me: Natural Look for the Summer Heat

Here's a new look where you just want a minimal amount of makeup to last throughout a hot, sweaty summer day.  Today is perfect to post a new video because as the sun is beaming through my bedroom window, it reminds me that today is Father's Day.

As I did for Mother's Day, I'm going to write a small blurb about the fathers in my life...

Everyone in my life knows that I'm Daddy's little girl (even though I have a younger sister).  Everyone who knows me knows that I'm my father's "mini-me" and my daughter is my father's "mini-him".  I've inherited a lot of my Dad's personality and mannerisms.  He raised me to always put family first and to deal with life issues once "we cross that bridge".  He has been so supportive in every decision that has changed my life.  My Dad has that special touch when he does anything whether it's the movement of his finger or a word out of his mouth.  Let me explain- on the day of my wedding, I was getting anxious and nervous before the ceremony began.  I was up in the bridal suite with my mom and future mother-in-law pacing back and forth from the room into the hallway and back again.  I haven't shed a tear yet, but I just wanted things to start already.  Suddenly, I heard someone play a song on the piano that brought me back to my childhood.  It was my Dad playing a tune that he would play every morning to wake us up.  I didn't have to lean over the balcony to know that it was him- rather, I started to break down in tears sobbing like a little girl.  Geez, as I'm typing this, I'm already starting to tear up.  Anyway, throughout the wedding, I didn't see my Dad shed a tear or try to keep it together.  He just had that great smile and great host personality with all the guests who were enjoying the wedding.  It wasn't until our "father-daughter" dance that I felt like I was still his little girl.  The world froze around us as we danced to "Butterfly Kisses".  Even though I married the love of my life, my Dad knew that he would always (and forever be) the first man in my life.

Sleeping beauties circa 1987 (?)

Wedding day circa September 2011

So to all the fathers out there, you are the only man in your little girl's life.  You will never be replaced. Rather, you crafted your little girl to be tough and independent so that when she meets "her" man, she expects them to be as great as you.

Here's the video that you've been patiently waiting for.  The items I used are below:

- Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream (Light/medium)
- Maybelline Erase Dark Circles (Medium)
- Make Up For Ever Pro Finish (163)
- Ck One Brow + Gel Duo (400 Crafty Raven)
- Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Trio (Walking On Eggshells)
- Urban Decay Naked Basics
- Tarte Multipleye Liquid Eyeliner
- Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Endless
- NARS blush (Rotonde)
- Mary Kay True Dimensions lipstick (Color Me Coral)

Get Ready With Me: Coral & Brown for the Day

I've been in a coral crush lately and my makeup can stand up for that.  Every time I see a coral makeup product, I get this sudden urge to purchase it.  Coral has become such a spring/summer fashion and beauty statement.  There's a great range as to how deep or soft you want coral to be.  Well, I've been mixing the colors coral and peach and have created a soft, daytime look that's very easy.

I have a video posted on my YouTube channel for steps to re-create this look.  Items I used are listed below.

- Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream (light/medium)
- MAC Oil Control Lotion
- NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (Stromboli)
- Maybelline Erase Dark Circles (medium)
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- CK One Brow + Gel Duo (400 Crafty Raven)
- UD Naked Palette (Naked, Buck)
- UD 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil (Sin)
- UD Single Eyeshadows (Freelove, Secret Service)
- Tarte Multipleye Liquid Eyeliner
- Maybelline One by One mascara
- Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara
- Benefit Hoola bronzer
- MAC blush (Peaches)
- Mary Kay True Dimension Lipstick (Color Me Coral)
- Bobbi Brown lipgloss (pink lemonade)

Enjoy the video and this beautiful weather we've been having!

Get Ready With Me! [ Winter Edition ]

Here's my go to look for this winter season.  My signature look is simple eyes and face with a bold red or berry lip.  My lip collection has doubled since the holidays with the bountiful amount of dark lip colors that I've purchased nonstop.

Check out my YouTube channel [link] for the tutorial.  Don't forget to thumbs up and subscribe so you are up to date with my latest videos.

- Mary Kay Timewise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation (Beige 8)
- Maybelline Define a Brow
- Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoo (Barely Branded)
- Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sidecar, Buck, Darkhorse)
- Lorac Front of the Line Pro
- CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara
- Maybelline Rocket Mascara
- MAC Eye Kohl Pencil (Powersurge)
- Maybelline Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Mascara
- NARS Bronzer (Casino)
- MAC Blush (Small Vanity)
- MAC Prep+Prime Lip Primer
- MAC Lip Pencil (Soar)
- Tarina Tarantino Lip Conditioning Sheen (Floriculture)

Favorite Items of September

Hey everyone and happy end of the month (almost)!

Below is a list of my favorite items that I've been using on a daily basis and/or have been helping me look awesome when I step out of my house.  You can also see me rant about these items on my YouTube channel.

- Clarisonic Mia with Deep Pore brush head : This is a great at-home cleansing device that cleans deep into your pores and removes all dirt, oil and makeup.  It leaves your face feeling smooth and refresh.  With this particular brush head, it has helped remove all my blackheads on my nose and reduce the size of my pores.

- Clean & Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisturizer : This is very similar to benefit POREfessional (if you use this).  This softens the appearance of pores with light-diffusing minerals to give you a beautiful finish.  It's lightweight, oil-free and has SPF 15.

- Jouer Matte Moisture in Hazel: Absolute favorite of this month!  This foundation is lightweight, medium coverage and evens out imperfections leaving your skin with a smooth, matte finish.  This is perfect for all skin types with SPF 15 protection from UVA and UVB rays while Vitamins A, C and E deliver rich antioxidants to the skin.

- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer in Medium: Best under eye concealer by far!  The smooth, easy-to-use applicator gently spreads the product evenly under your eye and instantly erases dark circles and fine lines leaving your eyes looking radiant.

- Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Pink Bellini: This is part of the Bobbi Brown Instant Pretty Collection at QVC.  I believe this is exclusively sold only at QVC unless you eBay it.  The shade is a neutral, light pink with a lilac shimmer.

- Maybelline Volum' Express One By One Mascara in Blackest Black: This mascara de-clumps every lash and coats each one from root to tip giving you the volume that you want.

- Mary Kay Satin Lips Set: This exclusive lip duo from Mary Kay is a god-send for those who have dry, cracked lips or for those who like to pick or bite your lips.  The two-step system gently exfoliates dead surface skin cells and moisturizes lips for at least 6 hours.  I use these items at night and in the morning, my lips are still moisturized.

- Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie: This lipstick is a butter balm with beautiful shine and gives you soft, smooth and hydrated lips.