The Holy Grail of Mascaras

I'm almost positive I'm a little late to jump on this bandwagon but I've been living by the motto "if it ain't broke don't fix it." I've been using the same Dior mascara for years, and even though at times I've thought of switching (it dries out so fast!), I felt it was doing a good enough job. I was wrong. I didn't know what I was missing until I recently bought the "They're Real" mascara by Benefit. I saw the difference as soon as I put the first coat on. My lashes looked longer, fuller, and the brush does a perfect job of separating them. It really looks like I'm wearing falsies. The name is so fitting! I've gotten so many comments asking me if I'm wearing fake lashes! Now I can tell them "no, they're real!" (Just kidding, that was so cheesy.) 

Product Review: Soap & Glory Hand Food

I love trying out new products and finding ones that work for my skin type whether it be for my face, hands, anything. I saw Soap & Glory's Hand Food  on a couple of beauty guru's vlogs that I subscribe to on youtube and they're constantly raving about this product. I had never seen it in stores but it recently graced the shelves of Sephora's everywhere and I knew I had to try it. I bought the larger bottle. It was only $10. What a steal! I fell in love with this hand cream. I used to use Ahava's Mineral Hand Cream, which I really loved but it left my hands feeling a little bit greasy. Hand Food smells amazing and keeps your hands hydrated without leaving a sticky or greasy residue. My hands are so soft and smooth! I highly recommend this product. I'm going to purchase their Heel Genius too. 

L.C.

Some of you may or may not know this, but I am a huge Lauren Conrad fan. I used to love watching her on Laguna Beach (Team L.C.!) and then later when she got her own spin off reality show The Hills. I just loved Lauren's style and her life seemed so awesome (real or not). Lauren Conrad isn't just your average reality star anyway. Her life has only gotten more interesting since the show ended, but more drama-free. She is such a young and beautiful entrepreneur. She wrote three novels in a series called L.A. Candy (loved it!), designed her own fashion line called Paper Crown (love it!), wrote a book on style (my fashion guide!), and launched a beauty website called The Beauty Department (obsessed!). Needless to say I think she's really freakin' cool and wish I could be her. I'm just being honest. Anyways, the first book of her new series, The Fame Game, came out last week. I picked it up over the weekend and cannot wait to start reading it. In the May issue of Glamour Magazine, Lauren talks about life after The Hills, how she got to where she is now and The Fame Game. These are some of the photographs from her Glamour shoot. She's wearing clothes from her Paper Crown line in a few of them and she looks absolutely gorgeous!

Photos: 1-5

Citrus Salt Body Scrub

When summer rolls around it means it's time to show some skin. After a nasty cold winter, I know my skin is dull and dry. I found this recipe on the Paula Deen website (turns out not everything she makes contains butter) for homemade citrus salt body scrub. It's so easy and takes less than 5 minutes. It's an amazing exfoliant and so moisturizing. It's the best way to add a healthy glow to your skin. All you have to do is combine all of the ingredients below into a dry bowl and be sure not to let any water touch it. Then pour the mixture into an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place. 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup sweet almond oil (light olive oil or vegetable oil)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Orange Zest

Orange lipstick has quickly become a major trend for summer in the beauty world. I don't love wearing lipstick but I can't deny that I love the pop it gives you and it just looks so refreshing. It's flirty and fresh and makes a statement. If you're not so keen on a bold bright orange lip then try something in different shades of orange like coral, apricot or tangerine. Some of my favorite hues of orange lipstick are: Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Orange, Mac Lipstick in Morange, Mac Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Good To Go, YSL Rouge Volupte in Tender Peach, and Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon. 

Bronzed Beauty

For me, bronzer is a summer essential. Nothing looks better than a fresh, sun-kissed glow on your face. However, bronzer can either be your friend or foe. Either you can have the perfect just-came-from-the-beach look or the over-applyed-way-to-bronzed look. There is a fine line between the two. Knowing your natural skin tone is key. Your bronzer should be about two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Following this rule is a must, otherwise you'll end up looking like an oompa loompa. These products are amazing for anyone who wants to achieve that summer bronze look. From bronzers to tanning towelettes to self tanner to suntan lotion, there's something for everyone.

1. Mac Bronzing Powder $23 2. Maybelline Fit Me Bronzer $6 3. Dior Bronze Original Tan $44 4. Chanel 5. Urban Decay Baked Brozer $26 6. Nars Laguna Bronzer $33 7. Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelette $10 8. Kate Somerville Tanning Towelettes $48 9. Jergens Natural Glow 10. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel $33 11. St. Tropez Gradual Self Tanner $3012. Maui Babe Bronzing Lotion $12 13. Clinique Sun SPF $2114. Shisedo Sun Protection Lotion $34 15. Australian Gold Suntan Lotion $9 16. Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Lotion $8

Essie Summer Collection

1. Meet Me At Sunset $8 2. Super Bossa Nova $8 3. Absolutely Shore $8 4. Smooth Sailing $8 5. Brazilliant $8 6. Too Too Hot $8

NARS

As a self- proclaimed beauty junkie, I could not be more excited about NARS’ Summer 2011 Collection. The new collection available as of this past Friday, “takes us away to the tropics with its new range of products punctuated in vivid, nature-defying shades like sea foam, mandarin orange and sunflower yellow.” The colors are bold, bright, and beautiful. I am completely obsessed with the eyeshadow trio and love the cantaloupe and coral colors of the lip products. 

All products are available now on the NARS website. Cap Ferrat Trio Eyeshadow $45, Ecume Nail Polish $17, Wonder Lip Gloss $24, Carthage Pure Matte Lipstick $25, Bolero Velvet Matte Lip Pencil $24, Queen Soft Touch Shadow Pencil $24, Exotic Dance Duo Eyeshadow $33, Dogon Duo Eyeshadow $33.

Beauty Essentials

When I started working at Sephora a couple of months ago I only knew the basics about beauty and hair products. I've learned a lot of beauty secrets and tips from working there and can now say that I am well informed on which products work and which don't. These are my favorite products.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion This lotion leaves your skin feeling smooth and extremely moisturized. $7

Clinique Moisture Surge This moisturizer works wonders for my skin. I bought my mom a similar moisturizer from Clinique and had been secretly using it every day. It got to the point where she hid it from me. (Of course I found her hiding spot.) I finally decided to buy one of my own and I’ve fallen in love. I have very dry skin and this seriously does give my skin “thirst relief”. $34

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer I personally don’t like to wear foundation. This tinted moisturizer evens out your skin tone while still being a light alternative to heavy foundation. $42

Nars Bronzer in Laguna This bronzer gives you a nice glow no matter what skin tone you are. I have very fair skin in the winter and still use this every day. It doesn’t make your skin look orange. It’s the perfect thing to give you that beachy afterglow. $33

Murad Acne Spot Treatment Every once in a while I have small breakouts and this stuff is amazing. I just dab it on as soon as I see a pimple coming and it’s gone by the next day. $18

Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm My best friend turned me onto this lip balm years ago and I have remained loyal to it. I have yet to find a more moisturizing lip balm. The strawberry scent is just an added bonus. It also comes in a tube but I’ve always been a fan of the tin pot it comes in. $7

Moroccan Oil I had never heard of Moroccan Oil until I worked at Sephora and suddenly I was hearing it at least twice a day. I decided to see for myself what all the fuss was about and this serum definitely lives up to its reputation. It strengthens and smooths your hair and smells great. $38

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish The winter season brings on some serious chapped lips. This sugar lip polish exfoliates and leaves your lips smooth and kissable. $22.50

Nexxus Heat Protectant Spray I blow dry and straighten my hair almost every day. This protects my hair from the daily damage I submit it to. $12

Fekkai Glossing Shine Mist This glossing mist is the best finish for any hairstyle. It leaves your hair looking gorgeous and shiny and has a little bit of hold. $21

Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes One wipe goes a long way. These wipes take off all your makeup and don’t leave your eyes irritated or dry. $5

DiorShow Iconic Mascara I have yet to find a mascara that I love but as of right now this is my favorite. It separates and curls my lashes making them look longer and fuller. $28