03.04.2013
St. Patrick’s Day Beauty Products! (Irish Girl-Approved)



Growing up with fair skin wasn’t easy, to say the least.  I can’t even tell you how many summers I spent in the shade, slathered in sunblock, watching my friends rub baby oil on their skin and soon after get the sexiest golden tan that you could possibly imagine.  It’s a simple fact: being pale with freckles wasn’t desirable when I was a teenager; however, now, at almost 30, I am SO GLAD that I was born with freckled, Irish skin that I was given.  Why?  Well, for one, I look way younger (and age slower) than everyone else and it’s really just now that I’m starting to appreciate that little fact.  Sure, a nice tan makes you look thinner, but that’s what spray tans are for…I digress.  With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, I got to thinking about my fair-skinned beauty tricks that I’ve learned over the years, mixed with a little Irish makeup fun.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! My manager has been giving me tips and my videos are definitely getting better, if I do say so myself, haha.

Featured in the video:

Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Sunscreen SPF 30: a MUST for everyone. Learn more about their Helioplex Complex HERE.

Fusion Beauty PrimeResults Anti-Redness Primer: This primer is great for fair, Irish skin since rosacea is quite common.  The primer has claims that show 50% reduction in overall redness after only six weeks.

Lancome Flash Bronzer Anti-Age: Every pale-skinned girl needs a good self-tanner!  I’m a longtime fan of Lancome’s tanning products; they don’t streak and they give a natural bronzy glow.

Sue Devitt Hydrating Marine Minerals Eye Palette in “Green Isles”: Probably the prettiest green eye palette that you’ll ever find.

COVERGIRL Liquiline Blast eyeliner in “Green Glow”: If you want a subtle green eyes look for St. Patrick’s Day, this bright green eyeliner is the way to go.

Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Glam Hazel Eyes mascara: Gold mascara? YES.  It reminds me of the whole “pot o’ gold” thing that used to make me so excited as a little kid.

10.03.2012
One Bag & Three Beauty Obsessions

BAG:

Reed Krakoff Gym Bag: Granted, this is probably the fanciest gym bag EVER but I’m in love with it and clearly, wouldn’t actually use it at the gym. 

BEAUTY:

Jouer Everyday Classic Wear Mascara: I’m a big fan of Jouer so obvisouly, this mascara didn’t let me down. It’s my favorite deep, dark black and it doesn’t flake!  Perfection.

Kate Somerville Dermal Quench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment: Aside from just LOOKING cool, this anti-aging product turned Kate’s popular DermalQuench treatment into an at-home product!  

Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo: I’m an avid dry shampoo user and I love that this particular dry shampoo is keratin-infused, adding even extra benefits for the hair.

 

07.27.2012
Reader Question: Vacation Makeup

 

Question: Hi Jamie!  I’m going to Hawaii…I like to wear makeup but don’t want to look done up.  What are my options?

“D”


Hi “D”!

Great question because that’s something that every girl struggles with, especially if you have problem skin (like most of us do).  Here are my top picks:

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Clear Self-Tanning Gel: Honestly, the easiest way to avoid wearing makeup is to “perfect” your skin…and going a shade or two darker is the best way to camoflauge imperfections.  I’d self-tan the night before you leave (after showering, shaving and scrubbing) to prep your skin.

ARCONA REOZONE 40: You can’t forget the SPF (cause I won’t let you!)!  ARCONA makes several good SPF products that are broad-spectrum (protects you from both UVA and UVB rays) and are also suitable for all skin types.

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20: A tinted moisturizer is your best bet as far as foundation while on vacation at the beach.  This Tarte version is super light, goes on smooth and provides just enough coverage…bonus for the additional SPF 20.

Maybelline Volum’Express The Falsies Waterproof mascara: A little waterproof (very important!) mascara is just enough to make your eyes pop…no eyeshadow or eyeliner necessary in the sand.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15: This lip treatment is standard issue in the beauty world.  I love that it’s super moisturizing (again, with SPF) and also provides a light hint of color.

Have so much fun on your trip!

xo,

Jamie

 

 

 

03.30.2012
Spring cleaning: clean out your makeup bag!

The other day I found a lipstick in my makeup drawer.  From high school.  It was Mary Kay and an amazing frosty pink, which I LOVED…but um GROSS THAT I STILL OWN THIS LIPSTICK.  This got me to thinking about exactly how long you’re really supposed to keep your makeup; I mean, I get it – sometimes we get attached to certain beauty products, when they are fantastic, but it’s actually pretty important to make sure that you don’t use these products for too long because they build up bacteria and you can actually really get sick (e.g. eye infections!).  Here’s the general rule of thumb:

  • Foundation: 6 months (or if you can literally see it being weird, then a new bottle even sooner)
  • Powder: 2 years, as long as you clean your brushes! (see below)
  • Makeup brushes: once a month (use a baby shampoo or mild bar soap)
  • Eyeliner: I’ve read a few different opinions on this. Some say 3 months but others say you can use it down to the nub as long as you sharpen it with every use, which cleans it and keeps it fresh
  • Lipstick: 2 years (yes, I’m totally guilty at a good TEN years! Yuck!)  It’s also recommended that you cut off the edge with a razor blade to keep it fresh
  • Mascara: 3 months or after ANY eye infection

09.26.2011
L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

I recently attended a pre-Emmys party at BOA on behalf of L’Oreal, you can read my full report on Nadine Jolie’s site, but what I want to discuss is the gift bag.  I actually really love L’Oreal products, seen here, but what I’m obsessing over lately is their new Voluminous Million Lashes mascara!

Not even kidding, the minute I put on the first sweep my lashes were dark black (how I like them!) and long, with out any clumps at all.  As a bonus, I feel fancy with the metallic gold tube.

09.26.2011
L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

I recently attended a pre-Emmys party at BOA on behalf of L’Oreal, you can read my full report on Nadine Jolie’s site, but what I want to discuss is the gift bag.  I actually really love L’Oreal products, seen here, but what I’m obsessing over lately is their new Voluminous Million Lashes mascara!

Not even kidding, the minute I put on the first sweep my lashes were dark black (how I like them!) and long, with out any clumps at all.  As a bonus, I feel fancy with the metallic gold tube.

03.06.2011
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

So I’ve always been a total mascara junkie but I’ve always been hesitant to put mascara on my bottom lashes…until now.  I’ve seen makeup artists do this, and do it well, but it was always one of those things you just have to leave to the professionals.  Well Clinique swooped in and solved this problem with their new Bottom Lash Mascara.

According to a survey that Clinique conducted, 80% of women said their mascara brush was either too fat, too long or curved the wrong way to apply to bottom lashes- sounds about right.  But it’s not just as simple as making a smaller brush.  Clinique’s Bottom Lash Mascara uses a thermal active formula that lasts for up to 24 hours with out smudging or smearing (thank god) and is also flake-resistant.  Also, it’s only $10…can’t beat that.