I'm Blushing

I never knew the power of blush until a few years ago. After applying foundation, you've made a one dimensional canvas, and you need to add definition back to your face (I'll do a complete post on contouring and highlighting soon). Blush is great for bringing your face back to life and giving you a nice, rosy glow. There are a few different types of blush: powders, creams, and gels. Most gels come as tints or stains. These types have more staying power and are great for those with dry skin.

Credit: tartecosmetics.com

My favorite blush? Tarte Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride. Before this product, I only used powder blushes, but the color always faded so quickly. I'm not the biggest fan of powder anything, seeing that my skin is so dry...it just doesn't set well on my face. So when I stumbled upon this product one day a few years ago at Sephora, I was intimidated yet eager to try it. When I think of stain, I think of something that will provide long lasting color, but will not provide much room for error. I immediately became obsessed with this cheek stain. It provides great color, lasts for hours, and even gives me a dewy finish.

It can be tricky using this for the first time, but I was able to figure out the best method for application. Like with any other blush, where you put this product is extremely important. Blush is supposed to look natural, not overdone. It should look like your cheeks were just pinched, not like you're a friend of Bozo. The best trick and the one I've always used is to smile and apply your blush on the apples of your cheek and blend up and outward towards the top of your ear. There are other angles to blend if you're wanting to play around with your face shape (like angle towards your temples if you're trying to thin a round face, angle straight across to fill a thin face). 

I dot the cheek stain on the apples of my cheek and outward, like the picture below. I know, talk about Bozo, but not to worry, this isn't the final result. Once I've applied the product, I use my fingertips and pat the area and blend the color. And that's it...you'll have a beautiful dewy color for the rest of the day or night. 

Top left: 1) Jeez...this pic is worse than my driver's license photo...fresh application of foundation...see how one dimensional my face looks? Top right: Smile to find the apples of your cheeks! Bottom left: Don't be shy with the product, the key is blending! Bottom right: Blended results. See how I have a nice glow?

Other than long lasting color, what are some other perks of using this product? It's formulated without any parabens, alcohol, or oil. So it won't dry your skin out or cause breakouts. Lastly...it smells AMAZING.

You can purchase the Tarte Cheek Stain in several shades at tartecosmetics.com or sephora.com

No 'Poo - Update

So, it's been a few weeks into my no shampoo challenge - time for an update. Like I said in my first post, I didn't really think this would be much of a challenge. I honestly don't miss the lathering of normal shampoo and have quickly become accustomed to the feel of the WEN cleansing conditioner. I will admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the scent...I bought the sweet almond mint...but there is a variety of other scents to choose from. I'm very picky on smells anyway. 

In regards to overall performance, I feel like the WEN cleansing conditioner actually cleans my hair quite well. It never looks greasy, oily, or dirty, and I'm still able to go three days without washing. I think the biggest tricks are to make sure you are using enough of the product and rinsing the product thoroughly from your hair. If I've used a lot of styling products, I will actually apply the cleansing conditioner, rinse, and repeat just for good measure. If I'm going to blow dry my hair, I will also put one pump of  the cleansing conditioner from the mid shaft to the ends right before I get out of the shower as a leave in conditioner. 

Have I really noticed a dramatic difference in my hair since using the WEN cleansing conditioner? No, not really. I have noticed that my ends aren't as dry, and I don't have as many splits ends as I normally would this many weeks after my last trim. Maybe that's just the start? 

Oh, and the replenishing mist...it's definitely a nice 'pick me up' between washes, but again, not a fan of the sweet almond mint scent. 

If you're interested in trying WEN, QVC has quite the selection of products. WEN also has a 60 day money back guarantee.  

Rent The Runway

My 30th birthday was last week, and for such a milestone I wanted to look like a million bucks for my birthday dinner...but I didn't want to spend a million. I had a vision in my head: the perfect dress, bombshell hair, and fab makeup. Hair and makeup I could handle myself, but I was going to need a special dress. I wanted something beautiful and unique...it was my 30th birthday. Instead of spending several hundred dollars on a nice dress that would probably only be worn again on another rare occasion, I decided to use the services of Rent The Runway.

What is Rent The Runway? Pure genius is what it is. It's a website where you can rent the latest designer dresses and accessories to look fab for your special occasion, date, or night out with girlfriends. The best part? Renting these designer goods won't break the bank. I'm talking about dresses that would cost you $1,000 in the store...and you can rent them for $200 or less. There are several top designers to choose from, like Badgley Mischka, Viktor & Rolf, Herve Leger, and Versace Collection.

Badgley Mischka Orion Sequin Orbit Sheath dress

How does it work? It's ridiculously easy:

• Sign up for a membership (it's free).
• Browse by designer, price range, color, or style until you find the perfect dress. You can read user reviews to help select your size and RTR allows you to choose a 2nd size for free.
• Choose your delivery date (best if you select a day or two before your event in case there's any fit issues). You can rent for 4 days or 8 days and if you rent a 2nd dress of equal or lesser value, it's only $25!
• Returns are just as easy...the garments are delivered with a prepaid envelope, so all you have to do is put your rented outfits into the envelope and drop it in a mailbox. Rent The Runway takes care of the dry cleaning and will also cover any normal "wear and tear" issues. 

Your garments will arrive by messenger if you're located in NYC. Outside NYC, delivery is via FedEx or UPS. NYC orders can be delivered same day, but everywhere else is the following day. I received a sash of extra goodies, compliments of RTR, like fashion tape and accessory dots. I also received a sample of EOS shave cream (random, but the product whore in me loved it). 

My dress of choice: the Badgley Mischka Orion Sequin Orbit Sheath, which Carrie Underwood wore to the American Idol finale.

Source: blog.renttherunway.com

I felt so special during my dinner with the perfect trifecta: great hair, great makeup, and a great dress...thanks to Rent The Runway.