Just Add Water

I had to share about one of my favorite new things lately. I say lately because I will be in love with something else soon. You know that. Anyway, I bought these on a whim and I love them. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Cleansing Pads are soap-free and have a smooth side and an exfoliating side. They are easy, easy, easy and quick as 1,2,3!

My skin looks really great! I follow up with my Cetaphil or a few times a week my moisture mask. I have had a few breakouts but then again my hormones have been through a lot lately. My overall skin is great. Huh. I was shocked too. Turns out that I spent tons of money for no good reason. Anyone want a CLOSET full of barely used facial products? No, seriously...

Labels: beauty, beauty products, links to beauty products, skincare

So Beautiful

I got to participate in a wonderful experience tonight. Two fantastic, wonderful, sweet people arrived in Louisiana with their brand new daughter, Zoe'. I went with my mom, uncle and cousin to meet them at the airport. The couples' names are Isabel and Olivier. Zoe' is so so tiny and so very sweet.

Being a part of this has been such a blessing. Zoe' is such a blessing. I'm excited to spend more time with all of them. Isabel may want me to blog about their experience here or on a different, separate blog. She is a Diary reader. Isn't that cool? I'm just so excited.

Welcome to the world, Zoe'!

Labels: babies, beauty, family, love

Birthday, Hot Hair, Love Her...

It's Julianne Moore's birthday today. I LOVE her. I think she's a great actress, has beautiful hair and I like the name Julianne(a). Julianna is the next girl name on the list.

Labels: baby names, beauty, Celebs, hair

Shoe's Star Shadow

Let me tell y'all- I am the eye shadow QUEEN. I love, love, love it! I'm really into experimenting with colors and techniques. I get compliments on my eye makeup all the time. It's so much fun for me to do and as I said, I love it. My very favorite eye shadow in all the world (and I have LOTS) is STILA. I have used drugstore brands, department store brands and specialty store brands... nothing is as good as my Stila!
Drugstore brands don't have the pigment that is needed for a good eye shadow. I used to buy them just to try out colors but, it's a waste of money for me. Then, I found my lovely, gorgeous Stila and fell in love.
It all happened on QVC! I ordered some kind of "kit" that featured two eye shadow pots in Diamond Lil (a shimmery platinum) and Kitten (a shimmery nude- the perfect nude). I was hooked. These colors are so great. They are silky, blendable (which is KEY), pigment is perfect and just love!
Sooooo, I just got some shiny new shadows (not really shiny) that are so incredible I cannot stop playing with them. They are so very gorgeous and the first one has a concept that is genius! Stila's Smokey Eye Palette comes with the three colors you need for the base shade, lid shade and contour shade. The last color is for eye liner. It comes in The Bronzes (which I got *shown below), The Emeralds, The Greys. The genius part- it tells you how to create the perfect, easy smoky eye with the push of a button! See the compact below? You push the button and a peppy little voice gives you step-by-step instructions on how to do it! Fabulous.

The other palette I bought that just tickles me is the Fall Fantasy- A Tale of Enchantment Palette in Moss. These are beautiful eye colors that can be applied wet or dry (wet is more dramatic) and a cheek color. They come in a slender velvet case wrapped in a chord with an agate. It's so very pretty, I just hate to keep it in my cosmetics case!
I believe in two very important rules when it comes to makeup- 1) You must use a good facial cleanser and moisturizer because makeup is not pretty on ugly skin and 2) the right brushes are essential! I bought this double-sided brush from Stila that is perfect for blending shadow and applying shadow as liner with ease. It's brush #15.

I hope you get some ideas and maybe go out and buy something pretty. Let me know! *I'm not getting paid to write this- I wish.

Labels: beauty, link to beauty products, make up, product review, shopping

Nail It Down

Honey, I believe in pretty hands. My mom has gorgeous hands. She has beautiful feet. Her natural nails are so pretty and strong. Me, not so much. I have narrow nail beds and weak brittle nails.

I was a nail biter and bit my cuticles when I was younger. I always had ugly, bloody, painful hands. As I got older, my mom would allow me to get manicures if I'd allow my nails to grow so, I'd try. I loved having my nails done. I loved having pretty hands and nails. I still do.

I know how to give a kickin manicure. I'm fanatic about giving myself manicures all the time. My toenails are ALWAYS painted. All. The. Time. But, I've still got the weak, brittle hard to grow fingernails. Until I discovered NAILTIQUES. The Nailtiques- Protein Formula 2 Treatment for soft, peeling, weak, bitten or thin nails. I got it about 2 weeks ago and I LOVE it. It is very easy and it works! My nails are so long and very strong.

You just put one coat on your nails every 24 hours. Then, every 3-4 days you take it off. Use it alone, no polish, for the first few days, then as a base coat with color. I did a week with no color and then I had color for a little while and now no color. But, every day, I faithfully put the protein on my nails.

I have cuticle oil and I use it liberally. Put it on after the Nailtiques. Then I push my cuticles back (I have a great mani set) and put a thick hand cream by Bliss. I also have the little gloves to sleep with my hand cream when my nails or hands are really bad. Those are great. Highly recommended.

My favorite nail polish is OPI. I just bought 4 new colors, one of them being a "Classic" called Cajun Shrimp. I don't think the picture really looks like the actual polish. It's kinda orange-y/reddish and I'm really digging orange. When I told Luke that it was called "Cajun Shrimp", he said, "It looks like crawfish." He's right.





My very favorite OPI color is I'm Not Really A Waitress. Once again, this picture doesn't really do it justice. It's red with a bit of a shimmer. Not exactly glitter but, shimmer. It's so awesome!

I like to buy all my nail stuffs at Beautysak. It's a great site. They have nail care, hair care and cosmetics. You can get free ground shipping on orders for $75 or more. They also send you THE BEST free samples. These amazing emery boards and travel sizes of great products. You'll really love it!! Go on over and look around.

*Ask the Answer Queen any questions you may have about manicures/pedicures, nail colors, Beautysak or Sephora.*

Labels: beauty, favorite stuff, link to beauty products, nail polish, product review

Let's Review

Labels: Answer Queen, beauty, fashion

What's Your Color?

What is the darkest lip color that you wear? A lipstick, gloss, glass, stain whatever... What is the color you wear when you are doing the "dramatic" look- or at least the darker lip look?
Don't forget to tell me the whole name and shade (example: MAC lipstick in Del Rio- yes, I have that color). And go ahead and tell me your favorite overall shade, dark or light. But, I specifically want darker colors. I'd LOVE it if you've got a great RED that you've fallen in love with that looks perfect on you. Tell me.....
I have TONS of lipsticks/glosses/glasses and whatever. But, my favorite (RIGHT NOW) lipstick is MAC's Coconutty, lip gloss VS Beauty Rush in Pinked Limonade (they do not go together), Philosophy's the supernatural lip gloss in neutral, and lip liner is MAC in cork.

Labels: beauty, beauty products, MAC

Summer Beauty '07

Beaches. Sun. Sand. Oceans. Swimming. Tank tops. Ponytails. Flip flops. The smell of coconuts & whatever it is that makes that "beachy" smell.... Ahhhh,some of my fav summer stuff. What do you love about summer?

MAKEUP
There is really something for everyone when it comes to your face this spring/summer. From what I have seen and heard, CORAL is the color to try this month. I don't know about you but, I've never tried coral and always seemed a little scared of it. The tips I got- for pale skin go with a light peachy shade; medium/olive toned skin try a pinker coral and for dark skin a full on reddish orange coral. Another very big trend in lips for summmer is RED. Not matte lipstick red but, more of a glossy stain. DIOR ADDICT ULTRA GLOSS REFLECT IN RED STOCKING (Sephora.com, $25) flatters everyone. Also, try NEUTROGENA'S MOISTURESHINE SOOTHING LIPSHEERS. It's a lipgloss, lipstick and lipbalm all in one with an SPF 20,10 sheer colors. That's the thing- sheer color- not lipgloss or lipstick.
For your eyes- go with pastels and shimmers! PINK is a big deal. Check out BARBIE LOVES M.A.C (maccosmetics.com), a collection of shadows, blush, lipsticks and nail polish all in colors that Barbie would Loooove!! This is what I'm talking about. Also, try soft shades of blue or green- use the shimmery/sheer or cream types to avoid a harsh look. BOBBI BROWN'S SURF N SAND EYE PALETTE has the most gorgeous greens, blues and browns. They are kinda pearl-y looking so your eyes will pop if you blend them well on your eyelids. It's $42 at Dillards or on Sephora.com so, a bit expensive. For a more economical choice, MAYBELLINE EXPERTWEAR EYESHADOW QUADS!! These are great because they have the 4 shades that go well together AND where to put each shade. For example, it says LID, CREASE, BROW BONE, & OUTER CORNER over the corresponding shade. I also like to buy drugstore brands when trying colors I've never done before. This may be what you want to do if you've always worn brown and beige. If that's you I am BEGGING you to try some color. Also, non-black mascara is cool for now. Try navy blue. I've never done this but, I really think I will. I also saw a great blurb about silver eyeliner being very hot. Metallics are everywhere. But, big tip (a rule, actually) keep lips nude if you are rockin the eyes and cheeks!!! Don't try ALL the trends: green shadow, teal liner, red lips!! I will feel so bad if I see you ( because I will have to pretend I don't know you). Always remember, when you want to play the "red lip" look- keep the rest of your gorgeous mug simple. Take that oppertunity to try a shimmery champagne colored eyeshadow, lots of mascara, some bronzer and that red lip! HOT...

Remember to wear your sunscreen!! Fresh faces are always beautiful... tanning beds are a no-no!!!!! Skin cancer is not pretty. There are beautiful bronzers in every price range and color you can imagine. And there are very pretty, very natural self-tanners. They have the spray tans (you can buy your own gun!) and the lotions and gels. Protect your skin and your health.

HAIR
Whether you consider it your "crowning glory" or the biggest pain, every girl has to do something with their hair. Most gals have a love/hate relationship with this head topper- curly or straight? Up or down? Blonde or brunette (or red or green or pink or purple...)? I am a curly headed lady and when stick straight hair has been "the thing" in the past- I tried it. It really never worked for me. Most people hated it on me and, quite frankly, it's too much of a pain. So, I hate to report that stick straight hair is in fact "in" again. It's beautiful and wonderful for many,though,so go for it. Center parts are making a comeback, too, for straight or tousled hair. Another option is "ladylike waves"- the old Hollywood glamour kinda waves. Think big velcro rollers, texturizing(or volumizing) serum and a little heat. My favorite hair look for summer is the "beachy wave". You know the wet, scrunchy, highlighted, salt water hair. The Drew Barrymore in "50 First Dates" hair. That's what I love for summer... and "the pull up". Which brings me to-messy & quick buns, ponytails & other up-dos- allover the place for summer. A skinny headband or 2 completes that look.

Summer hair shouldn't be fussy or weighed down with products. Go natural! See what your hair will do for you.


Got questions? What have you seen that you love in makeup and hair for summer '07? Let me know. Stay tuned for whats big in fashion (polka dots & other big prints) and shoes & other accessories. Then later, whats coming this summer at the movies! Let me know what you want to read about. What do you have on your mind?
Try something new in beauty this summer, doll- you won't regret it. It's not permanet, just makeup! Try a gorgeous shimmering shade of green on your eyelids and let your peepers POP. Do something different with your hair one Saturday. Have fun!!!! Then, please, let me know all about it.

makeup... it's cheaper than therapy

Labels: beauty, link to beauty products, product review