Steal/Splurge: Blotting Powder

Since during the summer months even dry skinned girls can get shiny, blotting powder is a quick way to degrease anytime, anywhere. Since repeated re-powdering can sometimes lead to makeup caking up, the key is in the application. Take a puff, wipe over powder, and instead of wiping all over your face, blot only on shiny areas, then dust off excess with a large fluffy brush. Check out my two favorite de-greasing powders, at steal/splurge prices. 

Steal: CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder Oil Control is super lightweight, banishes every last trace of shine, and keeps it from coming back for hours. Plus it's a total steal at around $5. Take note of the new, updated compact; it's definitely more modern and sleek.

Splurge: If your budget allows for a little more, you can't beat MAC Blot Powder because it sets foundation and completely mattes out shine, all without adding any noticeable color or texture. You can apply this 20 times a day and it won't cake up.

Test Drive: Avon Anew Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum

I've tried a lot of brightening serums in my almost 28 years my friends, and I'll let you in on a secret, not a lot of them work. From my days as a reckless youth sunning myself without abandon, I've incurred some slight sun damage, and the uneven skin tone and texture that usually happens to all of us as we get a little older. I've been seeing the commercials on TV for Avon's new Anew Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum and I was intrigued by all of the injectable-grade brightener talk, so I was so excited to have the opportunity to try it out for myself. Friends, it's only been day three of use, but I am already in love. Here's why:

The Experience:
First, I love the fact that you only have to put this on once a day, at night, and you get amazing results. I was using a skin brightener that required morning and evening use, and I have a strict morning routine that I cringe at the thought of changing, so right off the bat, I was happy. The texture is great; it's a smooth gel that somehow feels silky and hydrating, and not all drying and gel-like. It did have a little bit of a tingle, nothing unbearable, but then I read the package and it said to wait 15 minutes after cleansing your face to apply if you experience a tingle. I woke up the next morning and thought wow! I can tell a difference already! One time people, no joke. And now that I'm on day three, it's only gotten better. Expect to see an overall skin brightness and clarity (the epitome of youth!), smooth texture and a reduction in fine lines.

The Verdict:
If you're looking for brighter, smoother skin and a product that truly delivers on its claims, scoop up Anew Clinical Luminosity Pro. You will not be disappointed, especially since it's only $54 for such fancy science like Anti-Dark Spot Helix with injectable-grade L'Aspartic Acid. Plus I love the cool packaging with the clear gel surrounding the helix. If you're not in a long term relationship with an Avon lady, click here to find one in your nabe. 

*Disclosure: a sample of this product was provided for editorial consideration.

Pureology Launches Monthly Sample Giveaway

While I am a huge Pureology fan, I'll admit the price can sometimes be a little out of one's budget. But, with that being said, I always say I'd rather pay $25 and up for something that works, than $5 for something that doesn't. And Pureology, my friends, is an investment of the necessary kind if you color your hair and need a high quality, sulfate-free, vegan, luxurious shampoo and conditioner that keeps hair color in tact. Looking for a way to try before you buy? You're in luck with the brand's new monthly sample giveaway program.
 

Each month, a different category of hair products will be featured on the Pureology website, beginning with Pureology hair treatments in June! 

All you have to do is visit: http://pureology.com/discover/treatments.aspx and enter to win one of the following miniature products of your choice:

    * SuperSmooth Smoothing Elixir - Reparative treatment silkens, replenishes and smoothes highly sensitized, chemically-treated hair, and intensify natural shine while protecting colour vibrancy.

    * SuperSmooth Relaxing Serum - Lightweight serum smoothes flyaways and unruly hair as you blow dry, and intensifies natural shine while protecting colour vibrancy.

    * SuperSmooth Smoothing Cream - Deep nourishing styling cream that helps control frizz and unruly volume, and intensifies natural shine while protecting colour vibrancy.

    * EssentialRepair Split End Correcting Treatment - Intensively nourish distressed hair and seal split ends while protecting colour vibrancy.  Delivers high-performance thermal protection and defense against split ends from mid-length to ends.

    * EssentialRepair Instant Repair - Reinforce distressed hair and fortify against damage while protecting colour vibrancy.  Lightweight leave-in conditioner renews strength and manageability.

    * EssentialRepair Colour Max - Fortify and help repair distressed hair while delivering extra colour protection and radiant shine.  Lightweight spray contains UV filters to help defend against colour-fading and free radical damage.

What are you waiting for? Log on and win yourself some Pureology!

Beat the Heat with tarte

It has been all sorts of humid lately, and I don't know about you, but it is showing all over my face in the form of shine and makeup lasting about 5 minutes. tarte cosmetics has your summertime makeup solution in the form of a new collection of waterproof, smudgeproof makeup. 

The collection includes:

emphasEYES™ waterproof clay eye shadow & liner pot: Available in five shades: bronze, black, indigo, plum, and brown. This liner is infused with Amazonian white clay and contains a natural waterproofing agent. It also comes with a double ended brush for flawless application.

Park Avenue Princess bronzer is such a fantastic shade - not too muddy/orange/looks natural, and this new version is matte and waterproof, just what the doctor ordered for maintaining a non-greasy summer glow. Shimmer on sweaty skin is bad news so unless you're super dry, this bronzer is perfect for the summer. 

multiplEYE ™ natural lash enhancing waterproof mascara is infused with a proprietary peptide that stimulates lashes to help boost length and strength. This is “step 3” in the multiplEYE regimen. Waterproof mascara is an absolute must for the summer; totally worth having to jackhammer it off at the end of the day.

ReCreate™ silicone-free primer with Wrinkle Rewind™ technology is perfect for sensitive, oily skin types because it's free of silicone, features anti-agers built in and helps boost moisture content. Plus it keeps makeup in place all day - what more could you ask for from your primer!?

Also, three new shades of 24/7 lip sheer (a fave product of mine for the perfect pop of color when you aren't looking for a full coverage lipstick moment. The new shades are Sunday (shimmery pink) Dawn (shimmering golden nude) and Twilight (shimmering peach nude).

Everything is available now at the tarte website.

Choose Your Self Tanner Wisely

I just read a startling little blurb in the current issue of Allure, on newsstands now. So everyone has been preaching for years to not tan and use self tanner to get a golden glow to avoid skin damage. Well, as it turns out, a new study shows that dihydroxyacetone, or DHA for short, can cause increased free radicals, which leads to skin damage. 

The problem here? DHA is the active ingredient in basically ALL self tanners because it's what turns your skin tan! The first thing I thought when I read this was you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. Can't a girl just get a safe tan anymore?

Fret not, there's a fairly simple solution to this major problem. Look for a formula that contains antioxidants that fight free radical damage, such as green tea, vitamin C or acai berry. Two self tanners I've talked about here contain antioxidants: Mystic Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion and Kardashian Glamour Tan. All the more reason to scoop these two up! A budget-friendly drugstore option is new Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer, which contains antioxidants and vitamin E.

Beauty Crush: Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes

I have the distinct pleasure of having a younger sister who is the manager of a major beauty retail store so she gets a lot of ahem, freebies, and I love trying them out whenever we're both visiting our hometown. I make it a habit to scour through her makeup bag whenever I'm getting ready to see if there's a fab new product I need to try out and I found an amazing eye palette: Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes.

Not only does this contain everything you need to create a finished eye look (shadow, contour, liner) but it also has Benefit's boi-ing industrial strength concealer to cover up those dark circles. Plus, a step-by-step guide to creating - none other than big beautiful eyes - is included. I love that the shimmery taupey pink base shade and cocoa shimmer contour shade are different from my usual bronze routine, while still being neutral. The shades bring out every eye color for a defined, polished look without the whole obvious eye makeup thing. Plus it's a total steal at $32 for everything that's included. Click here to buy/more info.

Sun and Sunburn

Friends, I got the worst sunburn this weekend, and I can almost see the look of disgust on the faces of all the derms that I've spoken with over the years that have drilled it into my head to religiously apply SPF. And I did, SPF 15 to be exact. I even reapplied. But I guess I underestimated the strength of the sun on that lovely Sunday afternoon where I spent four hours on the beach. 

It was one of those days where you feel as though you're getting no color at all and then all of the sudden you notice you're turning a little pink, which will then in turn be lobster red later, but it's already too late to do anything by that point because the damage is done. My skin is itchy, sensitive and just all around feels really uncomfortable. Since I've had more burns than I care to admit, check out my tips for soothing them below:

Wear loose fitting, cotton clothing. Most fabrics will feel like sandpaper against raw, sunburned skin, so stick to lightweight cotton dresses if possible. And avoid denim at all costs. 

Do NOT put on moisturizer, even the kind for sensitive skin. I will never understand why when someone gets sunburned they have the urge to slather themselves in thick moisturizer. It traps the heat people! It will make you feel ten times worse.

There are tons of fancy after sun products out there, but nothing beats plain old aloe vera gel. My fave is Banana Boat Aloe After Sun Gel because it's incredibly soothing, can be applied head to toe, is cheap and effective. Keep it refrigerated for true relief from the burn. 

And next time, I'm wearing at least a 30.