As a beauty editor, I get a ridiculous amount of products sent to me for review and, believe me, that’s not a humble brag, it really is insane how much stuff enters my 700 square foot apartment every month. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE it…but when it comes to my shower routine I tend to stick the the basics. Right now I’m loving a few different products but probably don’t use as many as one might assume, which is mainly because ain’t nobody got time for that, ya know? Here are my current favorites:
04.09.2014
Tramp stamps…Let’s Discuss
I’m cringing as I post this old photo of myself from college. Dancing away…with my starter Gucci bag, a neon wristband and, of course, my TRAMP STAMP hanging out, as per usual back then. #LONGISLAND. Sure, it was the “style” and all, but as a now 31-year-old woman I’m dealing with the fact that having a lower back tattoo is kind of a big fat JOKE.
“Jamie! I didn’t know you have a tramp stamp!!!” is said more often than not since I live in a city where it’s bikini season 11 months out of the year and, honestly, I get it. Nicole Richie puts it best:
04.01.2014
Post-workout bliss
It’s that time of year. Daylight savings time has given us an extra hour of sunlight each day, bikinis are popping up in stores, and bare legs and shoulders are coming soon, if not already out in the world. My daily workout definitely tends to shift towards a gentle hibernation period in the winter, so the springtime leads me back to the gym and my yoga mat, where I combat sore muscles once I’m back on a more regular schedule. I’m sharing my arsenal of three of my favorite post-workout recovery tricks with you! I hope they’ll help ease your muscles to make your spring amp-up easier on your body, and easier to maintain throughout ALL four seasons.
Arnica: Arnica is a plant in the sunflower family that’s used in homeopathic medicine as a pain reliever for muscle aches and stiffness. Apply a few times a day for best results, and feel your tough workout woes fade in record time. I usually buy it in gel form, although you can get it in cream and ointment form as well. Bonus: The topical treatment also helps bruises disappear way faster than they would normally.
03.31.2014
Beauty Benefits of Mayonnaise
Here’s a little factoid about me that you probably didn’t know: I hate MAYONNAISE. Personally, I think it’s a gross, creamy condiment that’s completely unnecessary on food, BUT it does have some beauty benefits:
Moisturize your hair// The creamy white stuff is great for dry, damaged hair since it contains oils and protein that helps fill in hair follicles and increases shine. It also contains vinegar, which is great to help restore your hair’s pH balance.
Hydrate your cuticles// Try soaking your fingertips in mayo every so often (for about 5 minutes) to help strengthen and restore your cuticles and fingernails.
03.11.2014
Tuesday Web Candy
Matt McConaughey’s famous line, that he says during EVERY awards speech…and I wait for it – InStyle.com
This Zuhair Murad dress that Blake Lively wore back in 2012 is one of my all-time red carpet favorites and, honestly, I now kind of want the Barbie version – InStyle.com
Three beauty drugstore buys, all good and all upgraded – BeautySweetSpot.com
I’m loving this chunky chain necklace DIY from the ALL NEW blog, Miss Kris! – MissKrisTurner.com
Some people were apparently “offended” but, personally, I think these “America” themed parties are AMAZING – TheLuxurySpot.com
My latest for Refinery29.com and it’s a good one…how to get good skin in a minute! – Refinery29.com
03.02.2014
Jessica Biel at the 2014 Oscars
I’m usually drawn to a bold lip or a dramatic eye but when I saw JESSICA BIEL‘s look from the 2014 OSCARS I was pretty into it. Jessica is known for the natural, girl-next-door makeup and hair and, lately, I’m really feeling the natural thing happening; she’s still glam but has that fresh faced look that I think is just really gorgeous…here’s how to get the look, from her makeup artist, KAYLEEN MCADAMS, ck one color global makeup artist:
THE INSPIRATION: “I wanted to do something really fresh, light and feminine. There were so many beautiful pastels in her dress, so I played with those tones.”
STEP-BY-STEP:
- I prepped Jessica’ skin with moisturizing face and eye products, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Intense Hydration and Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, to give her makeup a good base to stick to.
- Then, I used a damp Beauty Blender to apply ck one 3-in-1 face makeup with SPF 8 in fair 200, followed by ck one 3-in-1 concealer in light 1 underneath the eyes, around the nose, and along the edges of her mouth to even out her skin.
- I used Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow powder on the tops of Jessica’s cheekbones, down her nose, and on her cupid’s bow.
- I finished her skin with ck one cream + powder blush duo in breath 100 right on the apples of her cheeks and set it with the powder side of the product to give the look staying power throughout the night.
- For Jessica’s eyes, I started by using a fluffy brush to apply ck one cream + powder bronzer duo in deeply bronzed 400 all over the lid.
- Then, I used ck one powder eyeshadow in expose and evolved on the inner corners of the eye and along the lash line at the outer corners.
- I completed her eye with two coats of ck one volumizing mascara on the top lashes to pump up the lashes.
- Then, I applied the same mascara onto an eyelash comb and combed through the bottom lashes to slightly darken them.
- For Jessica’s lips, I used Tarte Lip Surgence in Lucky to cover her whole lip with a matte pink; I also used this product in the center of her lips to give dimension and add moisture to her look.
- Lastly, I gave Jessica’s lips a good coating of Kiehl’s Facial Fuel No-Shine Lip Balm to soak in while I did her eyes.
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01.16.2014
You Need This: Fekkai PRX REPARATIVES 3 DAY TRANSFORMATION
My hair is still in recoup mode since I took my extensions out a few weeks ago, which is exactly why this was the perfect time to try the Fekkai ‘PrX Reparatives’ 3-Day Transformation Leave In Treatment, cause, I mean…my hair was thirsty, guys. Not gonna lie, committing to a 3-day program of anything is kind of rough for me but I DID actually use up each vial for all three days and I’m super happy with the results. Essentially the 3-Day Transformation is an intensive leave-in treatment that provides pretty immediate results, which is excellent for an impatient lady like myself. Each vial contains a dual-phase formula that, once activated, deeply nourishes and instantly revitalizes lifeless hair. In three uses, damage is transformed, leaving hair visibly smooth, shiny and soft to the touch. The product actually reinforces weak spots along the hair fiber where keratin loss has occurred and creates a protective shield that defends against styling and chemical damage. I’m sold.
