Slatkin & Co. Fresh Bamboo Candle

Slatkin & Co. has merged with Bath & Body works. They now produce all Bath & Body Works candles. We were sad to see Slatkin & Co. stop making their own home and bath products, but so happy that they have joined Bath & Body Works with some of their original candle recipes and for a fraction of the price! Fresh Bamboo happens to be my current favorite and Pineapple Mango coming in at a close second. The candles come in 3 different sizes. I just purchased 2 three-wick Fresh Bamboo candles for $20. Thats a steal! Such a great scent for Spring...its like fresh cut grass and clean crisp air. And they burn beautifully...the oils are pure and fragrant. Loves it!

EOS "Summer Fruit" Lip Balm Sphere

This is my new obsession. EOS Summer Fruit Lip Balm is organic and come in this funky packaging. I must admit, the packaging is what attracted me to purchase it (plus I needed some new balm). It looks like a small colorful round egg that you unscrew to get to the balm inside. The application is fun and different. The flavors are fab and the balm most definitely hydrates without color (man-friendly). Most importantly, the balm is nice a smooth and doesn't get that strange grainy feeling on your lips, in your mouth or throat. It does what it is supposed to do with a rather pleasant flavor/scent. You can find EOS Lip Balm at most local drugstores. I found mine at Walgreen's for just under $4. Other flavors you may want to try are Honeysuckle Honeydew, Sweet Mint, or Pomegranate Raspberry(this is the only flavor that comes in a stick packaging). You can buy them separately or all four in a multi-pack. Pucker up..two thumbs up!

NARS Alcapulco Candle

I will never get over this candle. It brings back emotions and memories both grand and dark. Maybe Jamaica? Or maybe college? Alcapulco has hints of chocolate, whipped cream, vanilla, and espresso. I cannot describe how wonderful the aroma is. The wax is pure black, the jar is pure black. Its slightly larger than a standard sized candle. I only burn it for a little while...the oils are so lovely and potent. NARS has 3 other candles that I also love and are so very unique. Oran, Bosphorus, and Shangri-la. These candles are made to elevate the senses and instill a peaceful ambiance. Alcapulco is noteworthy because I have purchased it many times and will continue to do so until NARS stops production...(never please?!?!) Definitely in my top 3 of all-time favorite candles. Must-have!

Lovely Day

• Getting dressed up for work
• Doing makeup all day for Laura Mercier
• The Laura Mercier family
• Bath and Body Works Pineapple luminary w/ Slatkin & Co. Pineapple candle
• Seeing a best friend I haven't seen in a while
• Hanae Mori Butterfly Perfume
• Talking to Jay
• Open sunroof
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Tocca Stella soap
• Thinking about Italy
• Beach with my sister @ sunset for picnic dinner w/Coronitas
• Peanut Butter frosting
• Peach Iced Tea
• Real Simple Magazine
• Early Bedtime

Don't.

You may not wear the following colors (or any form of these colors) when trying on/attempting to purchase lipstick...

RED
PINK
ORANGE
MAROON
BROWN

Not a hat, not a coat, not a scarf, not a dress, not a shirt, not a sweater. You simply cannot match a perfect color to your skin tone/hair color up against any of the colors listed above. It is in your best interest to wear black that day. You are torturing the salesperson/makeup artist that is TRYING to help you. AND you are also going to purchase and walk out of that store with the WRONG COLOR.

The Lipstick That Doesn't Exist

"I want something pinky, but not too pink, something with a little color, but sheer-ish, not brown, not orange, but maybe coral-y? Not too shiny, but not matte either. Something with no sparkle, but shimmery is ok." I know all my fellow makeup artists would LOL at that. Please...I beg you to let a makeup artist match the perfect color for you or even some new, fun, sexy, gorgeous colors. I cannot express this enought! Its probably difficult for anyone to understand this concept unless you are a hardcore cosmetic junkie or a makeup artist. Nonetheless, I will venture to express my dismay. I have been faced with this issue on countless occasions...almost 10 years in the beauty industry. Please realize that when you see a lip color on a model or in an ad, unless you know the name/brand/packaging of that lipstick...it doesn't exist for you. Believe me. Its best to have a makeup artist match you and make suggestions based upon what looks best on you. Take into consideration that the person who you saw it on most likely does not have the same color hair or skin tone as you. You can try their lip color on and it will not look the same on you...I promise. Please refrain from acting surprised by my last statement or when the salesperson proves this to you upon your visit to the makeup store/counter. This is considered common sense and not just one of those things only a makeup artist would know. You will not look like Jennifer Aniston when you wear the lipgloss that OK! magazine said she wears. THAT, my friends is the beauty of marketing and PR people. They actually have to pay Jennifer Aniston to be able to use her name to promote their product or just wear it once in a picture or ad. Lets smarten up and not follow what everyone else is doing too closely. Individuality and originality are sexy. This way, you stand out from the crowd. Blending in is boring and kind of scary. Be yourself...thats beautiful.

What Do You Mean You Don't Wash Your Brushes?

I'm gonna just come out and say it. This is what you are putting on your face every time you use a dirty (already used-even just once) brush.

1)dead skin cells
2)bacteria
3)oil
4)dirt
5)old makeup
6)germs

All of the above can and will cause breakout and clog your pores. This can also lead to uneven texture of the skin...bumps, skin rash and irritation.
Your brushes should be thoroughly cleansed AT LEAST every two weeks. And what I mean by "thoroughly cleansed" is...use a cosmetic brush cleaner/brush bath. (Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy, and Paula Dorf retail these products-these are some good ones.) OR Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo. This is gentle on your delicate brush hairs and removes all yuckiness that I listed above. This is also the less expensive route.

Just shampoo each brush in warm water in the palm of your hand until the water runs clear. Make sure you don't get any water inside the area where the metal meets the wood/plastic part of the brush. (If too much water/soap gets in there, this will cause the brush to fall apart/warp easily).

Also, washing your brushes keeps the hairs from shedding onto your face when you apply makeup. Those loose hairs will most likely all wash down the drain. Bye bye!

Wash your brushes. No makeup will ever look good if your skin isn't healthy. Ever.