DIY Beauty Fridays: Homemade Face and Body Bronzers

I am so very blessed to have as many talented friends as I do.  For example, my friend, Ariella, who guest posted here and here was absolutely awesome to share with me a homemade bronzer recipe AND come over on Sunday afternoon to make it for me while I went crazy with the camera.

Before I get to the fun stuff, I should probably mention that not only is Ariella a make-up artist (yes, she's worked on many film sets here in Vancouver) but she is also a certified nutritionist.  She's the girl I call up if I need someone to help me change my eating habits or assist me with creating a workout plan.  However, on Sunday, she showed me her mad skills when it came to creating edible beauty products...

Edible Face: DIY Bronzer

Cocoa and ground cinnamon (yes, you will need both for sure!)

Baby powder

A makeup jar OR compact

Coconut oil (for a liquid bronzer)

One bowl and two little dessert cups 

2 spoons

 

Step 1 - Add baby powder to little bowls.  Doesn't matter how much you put in as this is going to be the base of the bronzer.  (We choose to use separate bowls as we thought we'd make a bronzer with cinnamon and one of cocoa.  It turns out that we used both cinnamon and cocoa to make one bronzer.)

Step 2 - Start adding your colors aka cinnamon and cocoa.  Again, it doesn't matter how much you add, as you're going to continually check the color on your skin.

Step 3 - Continue adding both your cinnamon and cocoa until the mixture has reached your desired color level.  Quick tip, ensure you are mixing everything well.  Cocoa is known to be lumpy and the last thing you want it little lumps on your face...ha.

 

Step 4 - Test out your finished product.  See how much darker it looks when it hasn't been rubbed in?  Either way, for a bronzer, this color is absolutely perfect for me.  The greatest thing about this little recipe is how cheap it is.....sure beats buying an expensive bronzing powder from a shop.

Recipe #2 - Liquid Bronzer

Step 1 - Add some coconut oil to a bowl.  Again, doesn't matter how much THOUGH you'll want add a lot more than this scoop if you're wanting to use this on your body.

Step 2 - Add cocoa.  This recipe, because it's liquidy, you do not want to use cinnamon.  As we learned, cinnamon will stay gritty on your skin whereas the cocoa doesn't.  Again, add as much cocoa as you like but ensure you keep testing it on your skin to get the exact color you want.

 Step 3 - You're all done!  Test out your finished product on your hand to ensure you have the shade you want.  Then, you can spread your lovely bronzer anywhere you want!  The great thing about this recipe is the coconut oil.  It's a fantastic moisturizer and doesn't contain the preservatives and gross additives that other creams do.

Thanks again, Ariella, for giving me this recipe.  Hope you all enjoy it ladies!!

XO Christina

Guess What? My Guest Post Is Up On MandysSecrets

Yes, that's right, I was asked to do a guest post and I'm most excited about it because it's my first time EVER!!!  Mandy is a great blogger friend of mine and her blog is one that I read very frequently PLUS she's fabulous at nail art.  Honestly, the girl has mad skills.  So, when she asked me to do a feature, I was super stoked and, of course, said yes!

I chose to do a post on Fall 2011 Beauty Trends because, let's be honest, there are sooooo many great ones this year.  You probably know what I'm going to ask you to do next SO what are you waiting for?  You should go to MandysSecrets and check out my blog post (and her blog) right away.

Have an awesome Thursday ladies!

XO Christina

Sex and the City: Oh, How I've Missed You

Yesterday, after being stuck in traffic for over two hours on my way home, I decided to skip the gym and watch SATC 2.  Yes, I've seen it a few times before but nothing beats seeing Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte getting all dressed up and taking Abu Dhabi by storm.  God, Patricia Field (costume director for both the films and TV series) is an absolute genius!!

And, here's some amazing news for all the SATC fans out there.  In case you HAVEN'T heard, Sex and the City is going to be returning to a TV set near you!!!  Except, the cast is changing.  Since the script is going to be following Candace Bushnell's two others books, The Carrie Diaries and Summer and the City, the cast needed to be young and fresh since both books deals with a teenage Carrie.  Can you guess who the new characters are going to be played by????

Yes, you said it!  Blake Lively will be playing the amazing Samantha, Selena Gomez will be playing the meek Charlotte, Emma Roberts will be Miranda and Elizabeth Olson will be playing everyone's favorite, Carrie Bradshaw!  (I should mention that though these celebs haven't confirmed anything yet, it's been rumored they are the new cast...) I can not WAIT to see SATC on TV again next year.

What are your thoughts on the new proposed cast members?  What was your favorite SATC outfit?

XO Christina

PS - Make sure you check out Bronwen's blog for another Wedding Wednesday post.  For those that are new to reading, Bronwen, being the amazing friend she is, is documenting my vintage wedding planning on her crafty blog.

It's Finally Here: September Luxe Box

Am I the only one that feels like their Luxe Box never seems to show up on time?  Well, regardless, it's always a super fun day to open your mailbox and have a parcel sitting there with makeup/skincare samples, no less!!

My Luxe Box, this month, came with 5 items: Kerastase Masque, Kerastase Fluide Chroma Riche, Pur Minerals  Mineral Glow, Pure + Simple Collagen Elastic Plus, Mereadesso Face + Neck Toning Gel (which is possibly going to be my favorite sample BUT it packs a price tag of over $130).

Starting top left (counter clockwise) Pure + Simple, Pur Minerals, Kerastase Fluide Chroma Riche, Mereadesso, and Kerastase Masque.

As much as I love receiving makeup samples, there's something rather refreshing about getting skincare products instead.  You get to try items that may be well over your normal price range BUT you also get to build quite the little travel cosmetic bag...ha.

Did you get the same items?  If so, have you had a chance to try anything yet?

XO

GUEST POST: Mandy From MandysSecrets Shares Her Red Lip Gloss Inspired Nails

 

'Red Lip Gloss' inspired nail art!

 

Hey everyone! I was so incredibly honored when Christina asked me if I would be interested in doing a guest post for her blog. Even though we've only known each other for around six months, she is definitely one of my closest blogging friends and I don't know what I'd do without her. I adore her blog and I'm constantly looking to her for advice and tips. I'm also an unabashed lover of her "DIY Beauty Friday" series!

But enough about how amazing she is.. you already know that. :) My post today is going to be a nail art tutorial for a design inspired by Christina's blog layout. When she asked me to do something nail related, I thought paying homage to her by doing a 'Red Lip Gloss' inspired mani was the perfect idea! 

Now, before I begin, I'd like to preface this with the disclaimer that I'm not a nail blogger. I'm a beauty blogger who dabbles in nail art.. My nails are short and damaged from removing acrylics and my cuticles definitely aren't perfect!

PRODUCTS USED:

Sinful Colors 'Nail Hardener' / China Glaze 'For Audrey' / Sinful Colors 'Snow Me White' / Pure Ice 'Kiss Me  Here' / China Glaze 'Fairy Dust'

'Lipstick Red' Acrylic Paint / 'White' Art Deco Striper / NYC Quick Dry Top Coat /  Clear 1mm Rhinestones / Dotting Tool / Nail Art Brush

HOW I DID IT:

I applied my base coat and allowed it to dry. Then I applied 2 coats of ChG 'For Audrey' to all nails except my right ring finger and thumb. I used 2 coats of Sinful Colors 'Snow Me White' on my ring finger and 2 coats of Pure Ice 'Kiss Me Here' on my right thumb. After my ring finger dried, I applied 1 coat of ChG 'Fairy Dust'.

After my nails had dried, I used my White Art Deco Striper to make the vertical stripes on all of my turquoise nails to replicate Christina's blog background. Then I used 1 coat of top coat on my right ring finger only.. I'll explain why in a minute!

Again taking my White Striper, I used it to plan out where my 'XO' would go. I chose grey for my thumb since the center section of Christina's layout is edged in a dark grey. I decided to put 'XO' on the nail since that's how she signs every post as well as most comments and emails.

To apply the rhinestones, I swiped a layer of top coat over the letters. I applied top coat to one letter at a time, and working quickly, placed my dotting tool in the wet polish so that it would pick up the rhinestones and placed them on the outline of the letters.

Now, remember how I said I applied a layer of top coat to my ring finger? I did this to protect it before I started working on my red lip print. I find it's easier to use acrylic paint for detail work because it dries slower and is generally more forgiving than polish. Another plus to using acrylic paint is that if you make a mistake, you can simply remove it with water before it dries!

I started by drawing the outline of a red football, and then I went back and added the curvature of the top lip and rounded out the bottom. I waited for it to dry, and then applied a layer of top coat to all my nails, paying particular attention to make sure that my rhinestones were completely sealed onto my nail.

And here is the finished design! (Minus the thumb, which you've already seen..) Please excuse the ridiculously long cat hair embedded in my middle finger. One of our cats, Andy, headbutted me before my top coat had dried and I didn't realize he'd donated to my art until it was too late. Oh well..

- - - - - * - - - - -

Well, thank y'all for reading my post! I hope you've enjoyed my nail art tutorial and that maybe it has inspired you to do some nail art of your own.. or maybe even just paint your nails if it's not something you do regularly!

And again, many many thanks go out to Christina for having such a fabulous blog and allowing me the opportunity to contribute to it.

 ****Thanks again, Mandy, for your amazing post!  I certainly wish I was as talented as you are at doing nails.  By the way, check out her blog here.****

XO

WNW's New Colors and Mini Haul

So, Allan and I took an impromptu trek across the border last night to pick up something oh-so very special.  (I'll share with you later...)  After we'd picked up a couple packages, we headed to Rite-Aid.  (I should begin by saying that I rent a mailbox in Blaine, WA which is a super small border town, thus making Rite-Aid the most exciting store there.....ha).

I actually like Rite-Aid quite a bit since they always have great deals on cosmetics.  And, it was the same today.  Deals galore!!

So, I got (from left to right) Freeman Facial Enzyme Pineapple Mask, Conair Thermal Ionic Self-Grip Rollers, L'oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color in 5RB (my absolute favorite), WNW Color Icon Trio in I'm Feeling Retro, WNW Color Icon Trio in We're Blasting Off, WNW Color Icon Trio in Fly Me To The Moon and WMW Speed Gloss Lip Shine in Untamed.  (All the Wet N Wild items are from their new color line!!)

Aren't these colors gorgeous?  Even though the pretty bright blue eyeshadow broke on the way home, I'm still super stoked to wear it.

Swatches of I'm Feeling Retro - (from left to right) eyelid color, crease and eyebrow.

Swatches of We're Blasting Off - (from left to right) eyelid color, crease and eyebrow.

Swatches of Fly Me To The Moon - (from left to right) eyelid color, crease and eyebrow

And, drum roll please, the most exciting reason for us going to the states was to pick up our Save-The Date Cards.  Check them out...

Sigh, they are absolutely perfect.  I thought they were adorable when we saw them on-line BUT after seeing them in person I realize how awesome they really are.

Have any of you tried any of the new WNW colors?  What are your thoughts?

XO

The 70's Are Back With A Punch

The 70's Are Back by redlipgloss featuring square sunglasses

I know I can't be the only person that's thrilled beyond belief that the 70's are back taking the world by storm.  What I would give to have been born back in this era!  I could have totally rocked bell bottom jeans, high waisted skirts, multi-colored maxi dresses and super high platforms.  Oh, wait a second, I can as all of these styles are back in.  And, don't forget the color shadows.  I can not wait to sport a bright orange lid....well, at least I hope I have the guts to pull it off!

What are your thoughts about the trends for fall 2011?  Are you liking these looks?

XO

Sometimes All You Need Is A Little Puppy Love

Hopefully this made your day like it did mine. 

XO

Murad's Anti-Aging Acne Regimen Saves the Day

Murad is a skin care line that I'd heard fantastic things about and yet had never tried before.  So when I was sent some Murad products to test a few weeks ago, imagine my surprise and excitement.

Murad was founded by Howard Murad MD, a certified dermatologist, a number of years ago.  He "is widely acknowledged as one of the world's foremost authorities on skin health and his pioneering efforts include creation of the first line of doctor branded skincare." (Check out www.murad.com for additional details.)  Not only does he continue to create miracle products but still actively treats patients too.

When I received my products in the mail, I was thrilled to see the Murad Anti-Aging Acne Regimen in the box.  The great thing about this little set is that it comes with all four anti-aging products: Time Release Acne Cleanser, Acne & Wrinkle Reducer, Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 and the Acne Spot Treatment.  Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get home and try them out.  After a bit more research, I learned that:

• Time Release Acne Cleanser (Step 1) - Super gentle, low foaming cleanser that improves skin's appearance by delivering a sustained release acne treatment and optimizing hydration to restore suppleness.
• Acne & Wrinkle Reducer (Step 2) - A soft light cream that reveals a clean, more youthful complexion by clearing congested pores and neutralizing acne-causing bacteria and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 (Step 3) - A lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that improves skin's appearance by fighting premature aging through advanced UV protection and minimizing blemishes.
• Acne Spot Treatment (Step 2, after the reducer but before moisturizer) - A light gel that promotes immediate healing of blemishes by delivering targeted acne medication and providing on the spot relief.

I have been using this line for just over two and a half weeks now and am blown away but how clear my skin looks.  PLUS, I haven't even had to use the spot treatment once.  My skin is glowing, my redness has faded and even my pimple scarring seems to be disappearing.  I am also so happy to find an acne treatment that actually promotes anti-aging.  I really think that by combining the two, (acne treatment PLUS anti-aging) Murad is ten steps ahead of the competition.

I will, without a doubt, be buying these products myself and knowing that they'll carry me through prime wrinkle years is a huge bonus.  If you have problem skin, I highly recommend this line.

Have you tried this line before?  What are your thoughts?

XO