It’s time to breakup with your old makeup application. No really it is the begining of a new era.Â

Covering and concealing is one thing but caking on powder or foundation is so dated. Today the look is soft and natural. La Bella Donna Minerals offers all natural powders and foundations. Giving your skin a breath of fresh air.

Let me talk about lining your lips for just a minute. Drawing on big lips with your liner is for your theater production only! And stay away from the liner if you like to line with dark shades and use a lighter gloss or lipstick. That does not look soft and natural let alone beautiful. If you love liner and want to use it go with a nude or natural shade and feather it into your lips. Then fill in with your favorite lip shade or gloss. Never use liner to “outline” your lips.Â

I know, i know you all want to have the blushing bride cheeks. In order to acheive this look choose bright vibrant blush colors. For the perfect application give yourself a smile in the mirror. Using a big blush brush dip into your color and tap some off (if your comfortable w/ cream blush work with it.) Then apply to the apples of your cheeks blending out toward your temples. This technique will give you the flushed look. For even more of a luminous look give your cheeks a spirtz of your favorite toner before heading out the door.

Unless your going to spend a night out on the town leave the heavy liner in your cosmetic bag. Cat eyes are saved for a more glamorous look. The way to achieve a more naturally lined eye is by smudging your favorite liner into your lash line and finish by curling the lashes and applying a non-clumpy mascara. Mascara usually only lasts about 3 months.

Today brows are natural and full. Put the tweezers down and call to schedule your appointment with me immediately. You can also reach me via email. My contact info is all over the website.

Follow these tips for an even more beautiful you. If your having a tough time with shadow colors and matching your foundation its time for a lesson. I do lessons a lot it’s fun for you and me. We go through your makeup bag and toss what you dont need a may think you do. We will start with an everyday look and move into night. Together we will choose appropriate colors according to your personal style and skin/eye tones. Makeup should be fun not a chore.Â

Tired of trying to cover those pesty bra straps? You can relax…..if you have the decorative bra straps for your convertible bra or swim suit. Tangerine Trunk now offers “Straps by StellaG.” Each one is unique to your personal style. With a variety of colors and styles, you can show off your shoulder jewelry with most any blouse, dress or swimsuit. All you need is a convertible bra. They are easily switched out for those boring conventional straps. “TT” will soon sell the convertible bra itself for your convenience.Â

Shop for decorative bra straps now!

Unfortunately my prom days are long gone. But my stylists have been giving the latest and greatest in cute prom updos for years. Here are a few tips to find the right look for you. This season the hottest styles are loose low chignon for those of you with the med to long locks. Create lots of volume and pull to one side. For those with a shorter cut look for catchy barrettes and glittery vintage hair pins with some flair. Shorter hair should be prepped with a soft bounce. With those hard to handle curls use a soft gel when wet and diffuse the curls. Pin back various pieces and leave trendals around the face and neck. If you’re looking for a little more drama let us create a high pony tail with lots of volume in the front and slicked on the sides.Â

We all know how amazing we feel after a long run or a hard workout at the gym. But did you have any idea how brilliant your skin can become from working out? Exercising brings more oxygen and nutrients to the largest organ in the human body, our skin.  Giving us a firmer and more nourished body. Studies show that exercisers have thicker skin than sedentary people. Thick skin ages more gracefully — it wrinkles less and later than thin skin. With that said I hope this gives you the encouragement to get out there and talk a walk or get into the gym for some basic cardio and weight training. If you’re just getting into working out take baby steps into making it a part of your everyday adult life. Live Strong!

Read more here

Not only does olive oil give the skin a radiant glow there are many other benefits for you to know. Some scientific studies have indicated that olive oil may reduce some of the effects of aging. When used for skin care, the benefits are excellent. It was in ancient Egypt that olive oil was first used as cosmetics.

Olive oil has regenerating power on the skin tissue and has the ability to regulate the natural moisturizing system of the skin. Olive oil smooths and softens the skin and is great for stimulating and healing the skin by toning up and firming it. In human beings ageing leads to gradual structural and functional skin damage. Skin tissue goes through a number of changes. Some of the chief ones are that the inner and outer layers of the skin (dermis and epidermis) grow thinner, elasticity is lost, the area joining the dermis to the epidermis becomes less cushioned, fibrosis occurs with the accumulation of collagen and the tissue is less able to fight against and repair damage. External factors, such as the sun’s rays, speed up aging by generating free radicals.

Though cells are equipped with mechanisms that neutralize their action, it is possible to reduce cell damage by using inhibitors that lower the risk. One such natural inhibitor is olive oil, whose lipid profile is very similar to that of human skin. On top of polyphenols, olive oil has a large proportion of vitamins A, D and K, as well as vitamin E, the main source of protection against the free radicals that produce cell oxidation. This makes it a good aid in specific therapies to treat skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis and seborrheic eczemas. It has also been suggested that because of its pronounced antioxidant effect, olive oil could play a choice part in the prevention of continuous oxidation, one of the processes that influences the development of certain types of skin cancer.

Check these sites out for more amazing health benefits of olive oil:
Pacific Sun Olive Oil
International Olive Oil Council

A fellow Esthetician and Makeup Artist recommended these products to me a while back. I am a strong believer in enzyme proteins and the benefits they have on human skin.

“Epicuren enzymes are metabolically active with the skin. The enzyme proteins that make our products unique are organ-specific, and speed up the cellular activity of dermal cells so that the dermis becomes self-rejuvenating. To understand exactly how these enzyme-proteins work, you will need to experience them for yourself. The ageless results that you achieve with Epicuren are unlimited. Believe it. Epicuren Discovery is a professional enzyme skin treatment product line distributed through certified product manufacturer’s representatives. Epicuren products are sold only by salons & health centers with licensed aestheticians trained and certified in epicuren enzyme skin care or physician supervised skin treatment centers.”

I struggled with my own skin in the past that left me with some scarring . Ann used the glycolic on me a few times and my skins apperance is remarkably smoother and clearer. I also use the “After Bath” lotion created by Epicuren. After the shower or bath I apply it to my body from head to toe. Not only do I have complete strangers approach me to say how nice I smell but my skin feels like satin or silk (whichever you prefer.) My skin is extremely sensitive so I am very cautious when trying a new product. With the all natural ingredients your sure to notice a difference immediately. Check it out today!! http://www.epicuren.com/simplybest.htm

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Help me, help you! I already apply long lasting faux lashes. But I want to get the certification for applying Xtreme Lashes.Â

“Xtreme Lashesâ„¢ Eyelash Extensions is a revolutionary new product that will extend your eyelashes for a beautiful and natural look and feel! Xtreme Lashesâ„¢ are perfect for special occasions or for every day wear for vibrant, long and luscious lashes.”

Total cost for both certification and the (gold) start up kit is (drum roll please) $1000. So I will indeed need your help. All proceeds will go toward lessons and any additional supplies needed. To donate now click here! Thank you and anyone who makes a donation will recieve 20% off their first Xtreme lash application.

I wanted you all to understand the concept of mineral makeup and what makes La Bella Donna so amazing. Here is some info from the La Bella Donna Website, I find to be helpful in understanding the difference between minerals and synthetic cosmetics.

“The pioneer of mineral-based cosmetics in the United States, La Bella Donna was introduced in premier destination and day spas in 1994. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons recommend it for laser post-op coverage and for women with sensitive, problem or allergy-prone skin. La Bella Donna is available nationwide at the finest day spas, resorts, specialty stores, affiliated Makeup Artists, and exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.”

“Mineral pigments derived from rock, micro-pulverized and jet milled for an incredibly smooth consistency. Mineral pigments, a natural alternative to chemical makeup, do not contain any FD&C dyes, oils, talc, alcohol or fragrance.”

“Micronized titanium dioxide is the key. It is found naturally in minerals and does not clog pores or dry out the skin. It works quite remarkably. Basically, it allows light to pass through the visible ray region (light that is needed for healthy development of skin) while intercepting the ultraviolet rays. Micronized titanium dioxide guards against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays, yet gives the skin a natural looking finish. Reasearch shows micronized titanium dioxide provides a natural barrier to UVA and UVB radiation without irritation, burning or stinging.”

I am a loyal and dedicated user of La Bella Donna. The first time I tried minerals I knew I wouldn’t go back to tradtional cosmetics. The breathable feeling my skin has when applied is undeniably different from the heavy cakey feel of convential foundation. In the past I liked makeup and loved applying it but the shadows would crumble and come off and my lip colour would leave my lips feeling dry and cracked with a little bit of color shed in the creases. Now I use only minerals because the quality is evident. The color remains on the skin and my lips are soft and supple. No cracks, no crumbling and a finished look that is smooth and flawless. All of that and a natural SPF of 15 to keep your skin healthy and youthful.

Hi everyone! As you all should know fall 2006 runway shows are happening in New York at fashion week. If you missed spring 2006 let me tell you fresh makeup is a go. A fresh look consists of light peachy pink cheeks and rose hinted toffee lips. While looking for your 2006 updated look, keep a fresh mind. Check it all out here including spring/fall 2006. Some of my favorites for 2006 are Just Cavalli by Roberto Cavalli, Diane Von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, and Valentino just to name a few. I was a bit disappointed with Nicole Miller this spring as I usually find her line to be feminine, flirty, and easy to wear.  For spring her designs seemed choppy and stagnant. On the other hand her designs for fall are imaginative and charming. So its fashion, one week your in and another you could be out!