Month: July 2010

I’m Obsessed

I’m Obsessed

Summer Beauty Staples

As much as I love summer, one does need a few great beauty staples to help survive the heat while still looking absolutely fabulous. These are a few items I use every day that help me stay looking my best and help to keep me cool and fresh looking during those extremely hot and humid days. Ladies you really only need a few essentials to get you through, so are are my beauty must haves:

Sunscreen:

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a true beauty must have for anyone. A quick application every day before you head out and before your make up is applied is all that is needed. It helps keep your skin looking younger and you can still get a tan, just a much safer one! My absolute favourite is Dermalogica’s Solar Defence Booster SPF 30. I have  tired many brands through out the years and this is definitely the best. It doesn’t irritate your eyes, so you can get it nice and close to the eye area and it leaves no white residue, which is something I absolutely hate.

www.dermalogica.com

Tinted Moisturizer:

Tinted Moisturizer

During the summer I find foundation just too heavy. I also feel that it looks super obvious when you start to sweat it off.  A great tinted moisturizer is really all you need. The great thing about a tinted moisturizer is you can go a shade darker than your natural skin tone to give you more of a tan look with out the dreaded face mask look of a foundation since it goes on nice an sheer. It is great at evening out your skin tone and giving it that nice and healthy glow that everyone covets. I really like the ones by Laura Mercier as they offer great options for different skin types; there is the original, oil free and luminizing. I really feel everyone can find their perfect match from them.

www.lauramercier.com

Waterproof Mascara:

Waterproof Mascara

So I have still yet to understand why make-up companies continue to make non-waterproof mascara…really what woman is able to wear it and not raccoon it? Anyways, after many tests with many different brands including the expensive designer ones, I have found one that seems to really live up to all its claims, and it stays on. Trust me, I have gone swimming with it on, worn it in of 46°C weather with high humidity and even slept with it on (I know I know…soo bad for you) BUT alas no smudges!!! I also love how the Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express mascara really allows you not to have to choose between having volume or length for you lashes from your mascara. It really delivers, and I find when you have great lashes you need very little else make-up wise.

www.maybelline.com

Lip Gloss with SPF:

Lip Gloss with SPF

Gloss is a must with any girl, and the is especially evident in the summer months. But in the summer you also want to protect your lips from the sun. Not only to keep them looking great, but also take it from me, sun burnt lips are the absolute worst!!! There are lots of lip balms to choose from with an SPF in them and even a few tinted ones, but to be really honest I am lazy and I don’t really want to go through a whole process of applying those and then following up with a gloss. Plus that is way to many products to carry around. That is why I was soo excited to find out that Clinique now offers there long last glosswear with an SPF 15. My favourite every day colour is bamboo pink, a beautiful natural pink with a little bit of an extra punch to it.

www.clinique.com

Blotting Papers:

Blotting Papers

Everyone sweats, it really is a natural phenomena. Though I do love how many women refer to it as glowing…sounds soo much classier. Unfortunately to continue adding powder to combat it, ends up making your face look like you have caked make up on, that is why I prefer blotting papers. There are lots out there but I have to say it is better to go with the ones that don’t have powder in them. I really like the MAC ones. There blotting film works amazing. I have even had some of my guy friends borrow them to remove the extra grease on their face. I will tell you one secret though…if in a pinch, toilet seat covers work great!

www.maccosmetics.com

Hair Ties:

Hair Ties

If my hair isn’t up for the day, I still need to have an elastic on hand just in-case I want to throw it up and get it off my neck, or it just isn’t looking so fabulous. I love these hair ties for that reason, they look great on your wrist if you aren’t using it, and they also are so gentle on your hair that when you do use them to through your hair up, it doesn’t damage it like other elastics do. The brand emi-jay are my favourites since there are lots of colours to choose from including my favourite, the metallic collection, and they are also done by these two teenage girls in the states, which I think is amazing. Try them I guarantee you will be as addicted to them as I am, I sometimes even have more than one on my wrist since they look so great!

www.emi-jay.com

Well those are my main beauty staples for the summer, occasionally I will add a liquid blush and a great powder bronzer, but for every day this is it.

Stay tuned for my next posting project for the whole month of August!

I’m Obsessed

I’m Obsessed

Summer Accessory Staples

So it is that time of year again…summer. It is one of my favourite seasons, where you can wear fabulous fashions and enjoy the sun, with out the need of a coat or boots! Don’t get me wrong though, I do love my boots.

During this time of year I have some favourite accessory staples that I rely on to help me enjoy the weather while looking truly stylish with little effort in this amazingly hot and sunny weather. Here are a few of my absolute favourite obsessions:


Nude Leather Flip Flops
  • These incredibly comfortable leather flip flops from tkees foundations collection, are my go to footwear. They can be dressed up or down since the leather makes it a little more stylish than rubber ones. I wear mine almost every day, the buttery soft leather and the memory foam cushioning make them so comfortable. The foundations collection comes in a range of colours so you are guaranteed to find one that matches your skin tone, and as all stylists know, nude shoes including flats truly elongate your legs! Always a great way to dress!!

www.tkees.com





Classic Gold Frame Aviator
  • I am a true believer that everyone just looks that little bit sexier in a classic gold frame aviator. My go to pair is the classic ones by Ray-Ban. They truly seem to suit everyone, and there is something to be said for a style and a brand that have been around for years! I also am a fan of wire framed sunglasses in the summer as when it is really hot, the plastic ones seem to slide around on your face way too much.

www.ray-ban.com








Feather Rings/Jewelry
  • There is something about feathers that truly speak summer to me! I love this feather ring by Elizabeth and James, but there are tons of feather jewelry out there. I love to mix my silver and gold as I feel the combination can really set of a tan, be it real or the health faux from a bottle! I got this amazing one from Shopbop.

www.shopbop.com











Cross Body Bag

  • I love having my hands free when I am out and about, and the cross body bag is my true go to, I can run my errands and not worry about my purse slipping down my shoulder. This Marc by Marc Jacobs one is my favourite. I love the nod to the traditional swallow tattoos and the multiple pockets. Definitely keeps me organized and no more lost keys in the depths of my bag! The leather and the gold make it great for summer, but you can truly use this all year round.

www.marcjacobs.com







Eco Tote
  • The Eco Tote! With the 5¢ charge for plastic bags, a true style setter needs to have a great eco-tote on hand. This one by Jenny Bird is my favourite as it give money to Haiti, and it has a fabulous design that will be sure to get attention. I have also used mine as a great beach tote! There is something to be said for great style that is also functional and environmental!

www.jenny-bird.com

Well those are my 5 fave summer accessory staples that I use as my go to pieces for everyday!

Next time…my fave summer beauty staples.