 Photo courtesy of Apple Bottom Photography |
Mother’s Day is around the corner and even if you shower her with gifts every day of the year, Mother’s Day should be the day that shows her how much you care. When trying to come up with Mother’s Day gift ideas for the most important lady in your life, try thinking about what she does every day, not for you and others, but for herself. Does she love gardening? Cooking? Travelling? Going to day spas? The outdoors? If you focus on what she already loves, then gift buying will be easy and will melt her heart. Knowing you spent time thinking about giving her something she loves will mean more than the gift itself.
Ideas for Mother’s Day Gift Giving For a jet-setting mom on the go, give her the gift of time. Whether she spends her days carting around preschoolers to non-stop T-ball practice and ballet lessons, or she is preparing for her first grandchild by picking him up little gifts from all her worldly destinations, a busy mom is a busy mom. For someone who rarely takes a break and spends all her time on other people, give her the gift of some me time. Don’t just stop at gift certificate for her to enjoy some relaxing spa treatments; actually schedule the time for her to go and arrange for all her motherly responsibilities to be handled by someone else for the day. That extra bit of planning to make sure she can really take some time for herself will mean the world to her and will really show that you care. |
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For the mom to be or new mom, give her a grown up gift. New moms are usually considered the easiest mom’s to plan for on mother’s day since motherhood is taking center stage in every aspect of their life, but focusing on HER, instead of the baby will be something she won’t expect. Chances are, she has been showered with gifts for her new little bundle of joy ever since the happy little plus sign on the pregnancy test popped up last year, so she might be feeling a little bit left out with all the love and attention the little one is basking in. |
 Photo courtesy of Apple Bottom Photography |
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If the mom in question is your beautiful wife, give her the gift of some baby-free romance. Send her a gift basket stocked with everything she needs to get ready for a very adult evening. Include some pampering bath products, a romantic candle like Diana B. Black fig candle, and a bottle of her favorite wine. Then, tell her to relax in the tub, and get ready for a romantic date when you get home. This will make her feel like sexy, sophisticated woman, and she will never have felt more appreciated.
No matter what the mom you want to celebrate is interested in, just showing her that you are deeply appreciative of all that she does is the most important message to send on Mother’s Day. |
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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010Girls Are Growing Up Fast These Days
Thursday, April 29th, 2010Young girls love to play dress up, and for many of us our infatuation with makeup began at a young age. We put on various shades of our mother’s lipstick and eye shadows and paraded around in her high heels and LOVED it. Eventually dress up evolved into something a little more sophisticated as we started to learn the basics of beginner’s makeup, and a new obsession began that in time developed into how we primp ourselves today. Although we may have played dress-up with mommy’s red lip stick, girls generally don’t’ start wearing makeup until they hit high school or junior high at the earliest.
My new obsession with beauty haul videos brought me to this gem of a video:
There is a disclaimer that this 5 year old cutie is only demonstrating makeup for beginners and is not something she does every day which is a great relief. I hate to admit it, but this little girl is already better at putting on mascara than me and I’ve been doing this for years. But that brings me to the question of how old should girls be to start wearing makeup?
From my personal experience, girls that wore makeup in elementary school were made fun of and it started with the lip gloss craze in junior high years. Having little sisters, I didn’t get asked any makeup advice until recently which is their freshman year in high school. In these years for a girl in high school, wearing makeup is almost expected and also a fun thing to do with the girls. Shopping for it with friends, teaching each other how to get the perfect cat-eye liner look, and finding the perfect lip gloss are all things that are fun for young girls as activities. These times are critical because are sculpting what they think their definition of beauty is. As a parent, it can be a little bit of a difficult decision if you don’t want your baby girl dolled up in class which is understandable. What if they’re just using it as a form of self expression? The main thing that is important to watch out for is if they are running up the credit card at the mall or looking like a clown when they walk outside the door. That may be the time to step in. Showing your teen that modesty is the best way to interpret fashion and beauty is a great way to get involved. SuddenlyDarling.com is a site for teens made by teen queen Katelyn Rose, giving tips on fashion forward styles and getting them active in a positive way. Take it from the YouTube How To and Style stars, your daughter may make a fortune just by doing how-to put on makeup videos. Enjoy another adorable video from the teeny makeup queen.
How old were you when you first started wearing makeup?
Beauty Tips for a first date: Wear Sexy, Smokey Makeup
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Flickr.com user andrewrennie
First dates are ridiculously nerve wracking, and not feeling confident in your appearance can make those butterflies even worse. Here are some beauty tips for your big night so you can relax and have fun, knowing you look stunning, making this the first date of many.
1. Less is more. It’s easy to get carried away with too much foundation and concealer when you are stressed about looking your best. Just try to keep in mind that men hate when makeup is really obvious and looks caked on. Using a really light application of foundation, bronzer and blush will give you a flawless glow, without making you look over done.
2. Focus on one or the other. Even if you are going on a super sophisticated glamorous date, it is best to decide on dramatic eyes, or dramatic lips, not both. This doesn’t mean that if you wear cranberry lipstick, you have to leave your eyes bare, just don’t overdo the heavy black eyeliner and false lashes. Instead, opt for a subtle smokey makeup around the eyes with browns and taupe’s, using shades like the ones in this Raw Natural Beauty eyeshadow trio. Gently line the eyes and sweep on a coat of mascara, and your eyes will be defined, but not competing for attention with your bold lips.
3. Go easy on the fragrance. If you have a favorite perfume, spritz it only on three of your pulse points, the sides of your neck just below your jaw, on your inner wrists, and since scent rises over time, the backs of your knees. That will keep you smelling delicious all evening without it being too concentrated and over powering.
4. Last but not least leave your hair either down or half down so it looks touchable and soft. Crispy, slick hair can look severe and uninviting. And men love hair that they can run their fingers through. So even if you have curly hair, let your ringlets flow freely, just use a good curling product like Fredric Fakkai Coiff Oceanique Tousled Wave Spray to keep away frizzies.
Take these tips and combine them with a little charm and sense of humor, and your first date is guaranteed to be a success.
Beauty News: Shu Uemura Closing U.S. Retail Locations
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
photo by renaissancechambara
L’Oreal recently announced the closing of all Shu Uemura retail locations in the United States. That includes free-standing stores and department store counters at retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. Fortunately, the brand will continue to be available at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/. The brand will continue to be available world-wide. According to WWD, eighty percent of the Shu Uemura business takes place in Asia, and L’Oreal has decided to streamline their U.S. business and focus more on their core brands such as Kiehl’s and Lancome.
Mr. Shu Uemura left Japan in the 1950’s to pursue a career as a Hollywood makeup artist. He quickly became a favorite amongst Hollywood starlets, working on many successful films including the Shirley MacLaine film My Geisha. He eventually returned to Tokyo and launched his first beauty product, a facial cleansing oil that continues to be a part of the brand today. In 1967 he started Japan Makeup, which eventually became Shu Uemura Cosmetics. Mr. Uemura was an icon in the beauty industry whose makeup artistry and innovative products transformed the makeup landscape of today.
I remember getting my first Shu Uemura eye shadows and blush when I was 12 years old (yes, my makeup obsession started at a young age). I was intrigued by the bright colors (Mr. Uemura never shied away from the dramatic) and the simplicity of the mod, square packaging; I always loved that you could see the makeup color itself right through the compact.
Makeup artists, beauty professionals and beauty junkies alike agree that Shu Uemura has the best eyelash curler on the market. This award winning lash curler gives the perfect curl every time without crimping your lashes. All lash curlers are not created equal! Trust me, if you don’t have this one already – it’s a must-have for every woman. When I was working as a makeup artist, I took mine with me everywhere I went.
The brand is also known for their Tokyo Lash Bar which offers an amazing array of false lashes. Whether you’re interested in a natural accent, or something wild and crazy, they have an amazing assortment worth checking out – if only for fun. You can get feather lashes, eyelashes with gold leaf, or even lashes with sparkling diamonte rhinestones to mimic the ones that were made for Madonna with real diamonds!
photo by snowkei
L’Oreal acquired controlling interest in the Shu Uemura brand in 2003, but Mr. Uemura himself continued to be involved in the company creatively until his passing. The beauty world was saddened when the beauty mogul Shu Uemura passed away in late 2007 at the age of 79. He continues to be an inspiration to makeup artists all over the world and the legacy of his brand remains.
What’s your favorite Shu Uemura product?
What Men Find Attractive: Natural Makeup
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010By Jenna
Women often think about what guys want, but what about when applying their makeup? When it comes to makeup, what women find attractive can be completely different than what men find attractive. This brings us to the topic of what men want women to know when it comes to our makeup. Luckily, the handsome men around me enlightened me to their opinion on the subject and guess what? Too much makeup is a big DON’T.
Cakey Foundation = MAJOR DON'T flickr user: Byron Rode Photography
When I asked the question of “what makeup style is your favorite on a girl?” 95% of the men answered that they loved a more natural look on women. This isn’t surprising, because men don’t generally notice makeup unless it’s caked on, but it’s a seriously valid point. At any given time of the day just walking down the street I can point out many girls that need to tone down their makeup routine. It’s simple, men like natural makeup. This doesn’t exactly mean that you shouldn’t wear any makeup at all, but from your day to day tone it down a few notches. You don’t need the smokey eye for work or to do grocery shopping. The most important piece of advice that men will give you is that your makeup should be appropriate for you and the setting that you’re in. If you’re going to Sunday brunch, you should not look like you’re about to go clubbing. Cakey foundation is a HUGE no- no. If your face comes off in a towel, that should be a hint that you’re wearing too much makeup. Too much base layer is the biggest complaint from men. A MAC force field doesn’t make you sexy it’ll scare the boys away. The best makeup tip for an everyday look is using a light powder, mascara, a little bit of blush and a light color on your lips. The doll face type of streaky blush is not something that guys love.
The smokey eye look is not only sexy and seductive but it’s perfect for a night on the town if you don’t over-do it. Most guys don’t mind this eye shadow trend on occasion. This means that if you’re going golfing smokey eyes probably aren’t a good idea, but if you’re going out for dinner and dancing it’s a great complement. Eyes are one of the first things a man notices. If you’re looking to play with color, try using a complementary color to your hair and eye color. If you’re worried about spending the night, try using a shadow that doesn’t come off easily. If you’re waking up to a new man with raccoon eyes, you can bet that he’s not going to like that surprise in the morning. I love Too Faced’s High Impact Shadow Collection because it lasts and stays on all while coming with shadow insurance.
Lip gloss VS lipstick is a controversy. I admit that I’m a huge lip gloss and lipstick junkie and I’m not stopping anytime soon. My boyfriend HATES lip gloss with a passion because when it comes to giving him some sugar, that stickiness from the gloss is coming off on him (and that shade of pink doesn’t complement his skin tone.) It’s a double bad scenario because not only does he have to wipe off his lips, but my perfect pout is halfway gone. The answer to this is a lip stain. Goes on, doesn’t come off, problem solved. Lipstick is another thing that guys don’t’ mind but again don’t go overboard. If you’re in the mood for a red lip, don’t pair it with clown eyes. Red lips are perfect for the right occasions, just not for an everyday look. A red lip paired with a classic look all around can be stunning, just pick the right time to do it.
Confidence is key. We’re all a little guilty of using makeup to boost our confidence. We just need to be conscious of how much exactly we are using. Everyday makeup should accentuate our natural features. It’s ok to experiment with colors and have fun with makeup, but if you’re trying to get the attention of a certain guy, looking like an art experiment isn’t going to do it. Carry yourself with confidence and appreciate your face and features. When it comes to what men find attractive makeup-wise, just ask yourself if your look is age appropriate, setting appropriate and YOU appropriate, then you’re all set. Remember, simple is most effective when it comes to what men find attractive.
“If you’re looking like you could be good friends with Snooki, I won’t even think of talking to you.” – B. Artz
Makeup Application Tips: Interview Dos and Don’ts
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
flickr.com user gcoldironjr2003
Getting ready for a job interview can be stressful, and being prepared is key to having a smooth experience. Most people focus on the potential questions they may be asked during the interview and spend time rehearsing the best possible answers to those questions. That’s a great start, but it’s also important to do your research and find out exactly what type of environment you are about to walk into. Looking the part will give you added confidence and will show your potential employer that you’re the right fit for the job. In addition to what you wear, it’s important to consider your makeup look. We have put together a few makeup application tips to help you look your best.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to job interview makeup is to look conservative and appropriate, no matter what the job is that you are interviewing for (unless, of course, you’re trying to get a job at a night club). Generally, even if you are applying for a job at a really edgy place, you don’t want to look unprofessional with tons of heavy eyeliner and super dark lips. Keep your makeup natural and make sure you look clean and polished.
Start with a clean face and use a light foundation or tinted moisturizer to even out your complexion. Then apply a subtle blush to the apples of your cheeks to brighten up your face, making you look energized and healthy. Finish your face with an oil controlling powder to ensure that your makeup stays put and your skin doesn’t get shiny. You can also set your makeup with Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray – it’s genius for keeping your makeup on all day long.
For your eyes, stick with neutral shades of eyeshadow, and the more matte the better. Serious job interviews are not the place for green eyeliner and glitter. Sweep a shade that is a tad lighter than your natural skin tone over your lids, and then blend a darker shadow from the same color family in your creases to open up your eyes. Julie Hewett Los Angeles created the perfect job interview makeup palette exclusively for Beautyfix members. After applying your shadows, thinly line the top lid with dark brown or black liner, like Rosie Jane Eye Define in Beech Tree and either use a small amount of that liner for your lower lids, or use the same eyeshadow you did for your crease and use a liner brush to apply it to the lower lash line.
To complete the look use a natural, non glittery lipstick or lip gloss, and avoid dark or day glow shades that could intimidate or distract your interviewer.
In order to make the best impression, dress to impress, and wear a tasteful outfit that fits in with the company’s daily dress code. Looking attractive is key, but looking sexy could be a turn off in a professional setting, so opt for higher necklines and lower hemlines to ensure you are taken seriously.
Healthy Hair Tips: Improve Your Hair Condition with a Healthy Diet
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010By Jenna
Over the past 2 years, I’ve taken notice of the correlation between my diet and how my hair looks. Since incorporating a healthier diet, my hair is longer, stronger, and more vibrant. We all are concerned for our hair condition and of course our health, but could our hair be a reflection of how healthy we are? Keeping our hair in tip-top shape is work and we spend hours and hours in a week styling and maintaining our locks to look our best. Styling can take its toll on our hair and so can your diet. Hair loss, dandruff, dryness and some other factors can be caused by internal issues. Our hair is trying to tell us something. Measuring hair loss and the condition of your hair can give you the jump start to take care of yourself better, which is a great thing. “Beauty is only skin deep” is one quote that many take to heart and literally, we are what we eat and put in our systems. By taking certain vitamins and minerals, and eating the right foods we can help our hair look healthier and more beautiful than ever. Why? Because health, hair and beauty are all related. Healthy hair tips are more than just the products you use on a daily basis.
Let’s start with a few facts regarding what your hair and scalp reveal about your health. Some hair loss is normal and may not indicate poor health or unhealthy hair. Shedding up to as many as 100 hairs a day is normal. This is nothing to be alarmed about, as new hair is constantly growing in. We have heard so many myths about losing hair and baldness that it can make your head spin. Having longer hair does not put stress on your roots causing more to fall out. Don’t stress when you wash your hair and some happens to fall out, when your hair is ready to fall out, it will. If you have bald spots that aren’t caused by hair extensions or something similar, it’s worth talking to your doctor.
Source: Flickr User marcp dmoz
Crash diets, stress, and other shock factors can result in hair thinning and lifeless hair. Your hair is a part of you and needs nutrition just as much as your stomach does. Low calorie diets are often lacking the certain nutrients needed for hair growth such as: Vitamin A, protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamin B-12. For better hair growth, adding these vitamins to your diet may be a great choice for you and your body because let’s be straight, everyone can use a little kick in the booty to get on the “eating better” wagon. The best bit of advice to live by is that if it’s good for your heart, it’s good for your hair. Adding salmon or fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) and leafy green veggies, foods that are high in protein and low in fat, to your diet is like adding extra spinach to Popeye’s diet. You’ll be amazed at how fast your hair starts growing and the overall change in your hair condition. These vitamins also help keep your hair lustrous and bouncy. Always be thinking, I’m eating for my health and it’ll show. Once you’ve incorporated a better diet, hair re-growth will come a lot faster. A healthier diet will also make your hair shinier.
If you’re feeling a little stressed reach up to your noggin and start rubbing. Your scalp is covered with tons of nerve endings that make it sensitive to the touch. Rubbing your cranium or getting a head massage stimulates blood flow and releases that unwanted tension while at the same time triggering your brain to release hormones like dopamine and serotonin that make you feel good. Next time you’re at the salon, make sure to ask your stylist for some extra attention to your head while getting shampoo-ed and you’re in for a treat.
I am not a doctor or a nutritionist, but I am constantly being asked by my hair stylist what I’m eating because of how fast my hair grows in a month and the overall condition of my hair. In one month my hair usually grows from 1 to 2 inches and I started taking notice of that right after I adjusted my diet and added vitamin supplements. Eating healthier makes you feel and look healthier all around from your energy levels up to your hair, so why not add some miracle grow? There are tons of ways to help your hair look and feel better, but the first step comes from the inside. Don’t just eat, eat for your health.
Winning the Battle of the Bumpy Bulge
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
flickr.com user Ana Patrícia Almeida
As summer approaches many of us are suddenly thrown into an extreme state of anxiety; We rush to the gym, cut out all carbs from our diet, and start obsessing about our cellulite (how to get rid of it, that is) just so that bikini that is buried at the bottom of our drawer doesn’t have to stay buried all summer.
Even the skinny minis that are blessed with super human metabolisms are sometimes plagued with lumpy skin on their thighs and tummy. Cellulite can strike any one of any age, any weight, on any diet, and any exercise program.
The best strategy to help you win the battle of the bulge is a 3-pronged approach for complete cellulite eradication.
Step 1. Watch what you eat. This might seem obvious, but it really is important to cut out high sodium, high fat, and high sugar processed foods from your diet if you want to slim down your thighs. All those foods not only contribute to weight gain, but they cause bloating and excess fat storage, which make cellulite much worse. Here are some great tips on foods to eat and other ways to reduce cellulite.
Step 2. Get yourself on a daily exercise program. If you want to lose fat, combine strength training with cardio. This is the best way to boost your metabolism and build muscle, which helps tone your body, and keep it burning more calories on a daily basis. Even if you hate working out, there has to be something that you enjoy that gets you moving on a daily basis. Even just some vigorous vacuuming or a long trip to the mall can burn tons of calories. To see how many calories you burn on a daily basis, here is a calorie calculator that includes tons of different activities, so you can see what you are burning.
Step 3. Use some high quality Anti-Cellulite lotion every day. There have been a lot of advances in topical treatments for cellulite over the past years, and many women and men have seen great results using them.
Stick to these rules and over time you will start to notice your lumps and bumps getting smaller and less noticeable. Also try to remember that you see your cellulite through a much more critical lens than anyone else does, and it’s probably nowhere near as bad as you think.
Get Spring Chic with This Season’s Makeup Trends
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010By Jenna
At Beautyfix we’re all about trends and the latest and greatest beauty and skincare products. As an esthetician, I have a natural knack for keeping up with the season’s makeup trends. The changing from winter to spring is beautiful especially with spring colors emerging into fashion and spring makeup. The hottest makeup trends are paired with the best runway fashions from the top designers. Some may be a little crazier than others like the neon eye shadow that you’ve seen on the runway from big designers. Then some are completely relatable to your everyday look. These spring makeup trends are the ones to implement into your beauty routine this season.
Source: Flickr User: FFX Florbelas Fotographix
Eyes: Instead of going for a full blown smokey eye, (which can get boring after a while let’s admit it) the lids are much more toned down this season. Barely there eye makeup is making a comeback and pinks, tangerines and blues are perfect to experiment with. This trend I’m absolutely loving because it makes shadow application that much easier and is so chic. Another gorgeous eye trend to experiment with is lining your lower lids with color. This can make a bold and fabulous statement complementing your eye color. Try lining your lower lash line with a darker color then putting a jade green, turquoise or lavender purple over it. Using contrasting colors to your eye color can make them pop and look beautiful. Purple eye shadow is also a gorgeous trend to jump on the bandwagon for. It complements almost any eye color and coordinates with many different skin tones.
Lips: The lipstick shades for this season roll over from the Eastery colors that we constantly see. Coral is the color dominating our list. This shade is perfect for this time of year and looks great in a gloss, stain or matte finish. Stila’s Lip Color Sheer in Miranda is the perfect color and gives you the right amount of color and shine.
To top everything off, adding a glow to your cheeks is a must. RAW Natural Beauty’s Mineral Glow is one of my favorites as well as Too Faced’s The Bronzed and the Beautiful. I’ve always been a huge fan on Too Faced’s Snow Bunny bronzer and this awesome compact is a double threat with both Snow Bunny and Sun Bunny ready to rock for any type of glow that you could possibly need. Application is easy as it comes with a soft and fluffy kabuki brush.
When you’re looking for a spring color inspiration look at an Easter basket, you’ll find more than you need. From trying and using these bright and new makeup trends will bring you an unsuspecting joy in your everyday life. It may hit right after you apply or when you catch a glance of yourself in that window’s reflection on that building you pass on your lunch break. All in all, it’s worth a shot to keep your look up to date.
Spring Hair Trends 2010
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
 Flickr.com user Kinnéidigh Garrett Spring has finally sprung, and cute spring hair trends are popping up in store windows, magazines, television, everywhere! As the days get longer, and a rainbow of blossoms begin to cover every tree, we find ourselves putting away our winter clothes and accessories, and start donning ourselves daily with pastel skirts, sparkly sandals, and flowers, flowers, flowers. Hair accessories are a really fun and easy way to add a little spring to your step and the options are endless. |
 Flickr.com user ★Debs★ One hair style that is perfect for spring, and simple enough for anyone, is braids. From a few mini braids that add a little texture to the hair, to long loose braids that tumble over your shoulders, there is a style for every occasion. Seen all over the runways of New York Fashion Week, braids are a sexy, sophisticated way to dress up your hair for day time picnics or evening cocktail parties. If time is on your side, you can experiment with French braids, either on their own or combined with another hair style, like a bun. If French braids are not your forte, you can just braid random sections of hair and use hair pins to hold them in place. From classic Dorothy braids, with a straight middle part, to more complex milk maid braids that wrap around the head, there are plenty of ways to include them into your “hair style wardrobe.” |
 Flickr.com user il_miss_whit Headbands have been a hair accessory staple forever, but over the past few seasons they have gotten cuter, edgier, and glitzier than ever before. From scarf head wraps to jeweled head bands, designers have been getting really creative using materials like feathers, bows, flowers, and precious stones to garnish their spring collections. For a dressy day time do, pair a beaded headband with loose waves. This will add sparkle to your outfit, and will make less than perfect hair look instantly polished and done. If you are going out for a night on the town and want to be a little more daring, adorn your up do with a feather head band that will add a pop of color and interest to your hair. |
Spring is a time for new beginnings and rebirth, so why not take that idea and apply it to your beauty routine? You don’t need a drastic change to feel refreshed for the new season; just a tiny little alteration to your hair style can make you feel completely transformed and gorgeous.
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