Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

Monday, November 19, 2007

GLAM BEAUTY WISHES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

It's that time of the year when you'll receive lots of invitations to attend holiday affairs, so here is a quick guide on what look you can do for the specific occasion.

Drinks at the bar with friends- keep it casual, 2-3 coats of mascara,
a hint of blush and lots of lip gloss. Gloss attracts men, it makes you look kissable-smile.

Cocktail Party- recreate the #1 fall beauty trend look, black liner close to the lash line with a deep, rich lip color, it will make you look very hip and festive. (Carrie Underwood shows us a great holiday cocktail look.)

Office Gathering- classic,daytime, professional look, remember you're still at work with your
peers and boss, always make a good impression in front of them.

Gala Affair- all out drama, smoky eyes with a nude mouth will make a bold statement, all eyes will be on you.

Stay beautilicious!
Jestina

Pro Makeup Artist
AWARE Cosmetics & Makeup Services
http://www.awarecosmetics.com/

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

ARE YOU AWARE WHEN YOUR MAKEUP IS GETTING SPOOKY?

by Jestina Howard

Is It Time to Throw Your Makeup Away? The reality is old makeup can be scary! Being a makeup artist for 20 years, I've consulted with a lot of ladies and one thing I've noticed when looking through their makeup bags or drawers is most ladies don't know when to throw away their cosmetics. I've run across blue eye shadow from the 70s and frosted pink lipstick from the 80s THIS year, that's not good!

Here is a simple guide of how long you should keep your products:
Mascara- 3 months
Lipgloss and Lipstick- 1-2 years
Pencil Eyeliner- 2 years
Liquid and Gel Eyeliner- 6-8 months
Loose and Pressed Face Powder - 2 years
Powder Eyeshadow and Blush- 2 years
Cream Eyeshadow and Blush - 12-18 months
Cream Concealer and Compact Foundation- 12-18 months
Oil Free Liquid Foundation- 1 year
Natural/Mineral Foundations- 6-8 months
Nailpolish- 1 year


If you're STILL not sure when to throw something away keep these two things in mind:
1. If it smells bad or have a distinct odor, get rid of it quick!
2. If you don't remember when you bought the product, throw it away immediately!
Also I have found the coolest and easiest way to keep up with when to retire products- Timestrips. They are single use, disposable expiration stickers you place on your products which track both time and temperature. 50 strips per pack $14.50, available at http://www.timestrip.com/.

Stay beautilious,
Jestina
Pro Makeup Artist/Founder
of Aware Cosmetics & Makeup Services

Friday, October 05, 2007

FALL BEAUTY - IT'S IN THE BAG

by Jestina Howard
Professional Makeup Artist

Hello beautynistas,
Fall is here and it's my favorite time of the year!I've spotted so many great products out and about in the stores recently, check out a few that I think are great for any and everybody:

1. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Eyeliner Mistake-Proof Marker
This marker is sooo easy to use, it's great for creating a bold or thin line look which is
a top trend this season. It's smudge proof, water resistant and comes in 5 shades
( black being my favorite). Available at all drug stores, $7.50.

2. Lancome Juicy Tubes Smoothie Lip Gloss in Cherry Burst
Juicy Tubes are the bomb!
This gloss in Cherry Burst is great, I love the scent and the shine.
A red lip is an alternative to a nude one this season, so try it.
Available at all Lancome counters in major department stores.

3.Sonia Kashuk Weekender Makeup Bag
This bag is so versatile, it can hold not only your makeup but also a
few hair and skincare products. It's great for anytime not just
the weekend. Available at Target $22.00

To find out my top beauty trend picks for Fall visit www.awarecosmetics.com
click on Beauty Trends.

Stay beautilious-
Jestina

Friday, July 27, 2007

PUCKER UP

Beauty this fall has oh so much to do with the lips. "Either pair a bold lip with an understated eye or an overstated eye with a toned down lip for a simple, yet glamorous look," advises Arlene Goldtsein Belk's top trend spotter. Whether you are going for a great red sheen or just a plumper pucker, check out these top products for that perfect pout. Have a favorite product you would like to share or advice on lip service? Post a comment and you will be entered to win a goodie bag full of beauty must haves like Lancome's Fever Gloss, MAC eye pencil, Bobbi Brown eye shadows, Lip Venom, Definicils Mascara, and much more!

Lancome Destiny Cube inspired by an 18th century Chinese secret box Gucci received as a present, this multi-faceted cube that holds eye shadow on one side and a lipstick and gloss on the other. Throw it on the table as you would a pair of dice and let the symbols and words on box set the mood of the day for you: coquette, mysterious, jealous, a star, an angel, the Lancôme rose…According to the sign, you can have fun selecting your colors inside. Available in two, limited-edition color palettes Charisma (light pink lip products with brown and violet shadows) and Deep Fascination (red and burgundy lip products with light green and pale pink shadows)Saks Fifth Avenue or Parisian-Belk $50.


The next generation of lip plumpers has arrived. LipFusion is a clear lip treatment gloss infused with revolutionary technology to plump lips instantly -- no kidding. Tiny, dehydrated, marine collagen microspheres are instantly absorbed by the lips, and seek out the body's natural moisture. As soon as the spheres become re-hydrated, they plump and hold onto the moisture they've collected, creating a mild "swelling" of the lip tissue. The result is fuller, smoother, perfectly plumped lips in seconds. Results can last for up to 48 hours Sephora at Riverchase Galleria $36.


Shu Uemura's delectably sweet lip glosses in transparent, translucent or semi-opaque glossy shades are inspired and flavored by fruity jams Gus Mayer at Colonial Brookwood Village $18.



Tarte Rise and Shine lip stain, the ultimate wakeup call for lips, one end of this dual-ended wand contains a waterproof pink stain that imparts a natural rosy glow, while at the other end, a plumping lip gloss that stimulates collagen on the cellular level Sephora at Riverchase Galleria $21.






Chanel's Glossimer gives intense frost and shine to lips. Gel texture imparts a shimmery, ultra-glossy look. New shades add extra sparkle and shine Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit and Gus Mayer at Colonial Brookwood Village $25.





Ripen lips with Just Bitten Lip Stain! Juicy, water-weight formula made with real fruit extracts stains lips for a sweetly seductive pout. Each shade features its own succulent, fruity flavor and scent. Rollerball tip precisely applies color. Available in 4 fruit-inspired shades available at drugstores $11.50.





Lancome Color Fever Gloss has the perfect wand for application that curves to your lips and perfectly accents the heart shape of the upper lip. Fever gloss has a nice sheen that adds moisture to your lips but is not too glossy Saks Fifth Avenue and Parisian-Belk $22.





Bare Escentuals Lip Glossary is a fresh mix of six sumptuous shades paired together to create the definitive collection. Lavish your lips with options. The lightweight formula nourishes with moisturizing shea butter and soothing vitamin E as it adds shine, moisture, and sensuality to lips without stickiness. Set includes six .11 oz glosses in Rose Radiance (rose glow), Gazebo (pink pearl), Allure (golden coral), Sugar Cookie (sugared peach), Classic (taupe berry), and Glee (silver plum) Sephora at Riverchase Galleria $32.


Lip Venom is a spicy, tingly gloss that enhances the natural color and shape of the lips by increasing circulation with a blend of essential oils including cinnamon and ginger. The result: shiny, bee-stung lips. The Trio includes original Lip Venom (clear), Venom Flash in Gold (clear flecked with gold shimmer), and Venom Flash in Silver (clear flecked with silver shimmer), packaged in an adorable little canister Sephora at Riverchase Galleria and Urban Outfitters at The Summit $19.

MAC Moonbathe LipGlass is four shades of special edition Lipglass capped in the signature ivory and iridescent gold pearl finish of the Moonbathe collection Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit $14.



Nars has a fabulous color palette with colors like Dirty Shame, Foul Play, and Boogie Nights. Nars lip gloss will bring out the little devil in you Parisian-Belk $23.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

TOP SUMMER SCENTS

Perfumes - some people love them, some people avoid them and they are particularly tricky in the summer with the scorching sun making us perspire. Creed Virgin Island Water is the perfect summer scent. I am not a big perfume wearer at all, but this scent is so light, refreshing, and enchanting - my senses were in paradise. And guess what - it is for men and women. Creed Virgin Island Water can be found at Gus Mayer at Colonial Brookwood Village or Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit. $98 and up.

Another fabulous summer scent is Miss Marisa: for those true perfume addicts. Wisps of Plum Blossoms and Cassis romance Fresh Mint and Waterlily, in a dance for the senses. Available in a Eau de Perfume Spray and available online at Ebba's of LA $59. One of my friends turned me onto to this perfume a favorite of Young Hollywood and it is truly more than just hype!

Not interested in perfume, but interested in adding a little fragrance to your life? Try these must have candles.


Looking for an exotic summer adventure? Pagoda Paisleys by Seda France will transport you to exotic ports-of-call along the ancient trade routes that supported the original luxury goods markets. Impeccably packaged in a pagoda box, each hand-poured candle in this collection is also highlighted with a matte-gold paisley embellished glass for another classic design. $32

1. Three Sheets
2904 18th St South
Birmingham, AL
205-871-2337

2. Ginsburg Medical Spa
972 Montclair Rd
Birmingham, AL
205-870-3376

3. Suite Dreams
2409 Montevallo Rd
Mountain Brook, AL
205-414-1922

4. Interiors By Kathy Harris
2213 1st Avenue S
Birmingham, AL
205-241-5101

5. Blue Willow
3930 Crosshaven Dr
Birmingham, AL
205-968-0909

6. Portobello, Interior Marketplace
5732 Highway 431 S
Brownsboro, AL 35741
256.539.0519

Low Country Luxe candles are big, beautiful, and slow burning capturing the essence of a Southern summer night sitting on a porch swing smelling the flowers in bloom and listening to the crickets. With a soy blend featuring a combined creation of Citrus Trees and Pink and White Dogwoods, Tea Olive spiked with Lemon and Lime, White Grapefruit and Peach, each candle provides over 100 hours of illumination. $49.95

1. Tammy Connor Interior
1904 Cahaba Road
Birmingham, AL 35223
205.933.2122

2. Magnolia Market Place
5732 Highway 431 S
Hampton Cove, AL 35741
256.539.0519

3. Seibels
2927 18th Street South
Homewood, AL 35209
205.879.3558

4. Design South
1903 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36607
251.554.1422

Friday, June 08, 2007

SUMMER BEAUTY

Thick humidity and a drought - what a battle for our summer beauty! Before you step out in the sun this summer, make sure you put your best skin and hair forward. Post a comment on your fave product or have summer beauty advice of your own and win Fekkai Summer Hair Zero-Humidity Frizz Control.

Lancome Star Bronzer Magic Golden Spray. This luxurious dry oil illuminates the skin and adds that extra glow you want during the summer. This spray-on formula contains pure Vitamin E and peach extract leaves skin satin smooth. Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit $31


Neutrogena® Age Shield Sunblock with Helioplex™ has the most effective UVA-blocking technology available. This broad-spectrum sunblock defends skin against UVA and UVB rays. Waterproof and sweatproof, it contains Anti-Oxidant Vitamins A, C and E to combat environmental damage. Available in SPF 30 and 45.


Shady Day Daily SPF 30 wipes provide a convenient mess free way to apply broad spectrum UV protection in a 15 wipe reseasble package. Hygenic pre-moistened sunscreen wipes are designed for the entire body with an absorbent formula leaving the skin feeling dry and smooth. Perfect for the whole family and people on the go! Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit $14


Jergens® natural glow Firming Daily Moisturizer with collagen & elastin delivers clinically proven firming benefits to improve skin elasticity and a subtle skin darkening complex to create a natural-looking, summer glow. Begin to see a firmer appearance after just two weeks of daily use.


Kiehl’s Lip Balm helps protect against sunburn and relieves chapped lips. Hue 30G is a light golden color with peach tones, similar to our Golden Berry Lip Gloss. Hue 58B is a sheer lip gloss with cooler red tones, similar to our Black Raspberry Lip Gloss. SPF15 sunscreen provides UVA and UVB protection. Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit and Gus Mayer at Colonial Brookwood Village $8.50


Fekkai Summer Hair is all about sexy, undone style. But achieving the perfect "just-off-the-beach" look shouldn't mean exposing your hair to the damaging effects of the sun, saltwater, and chlorine. Frédéric Fekkai brings back the three best-selling Summer Hair products from 2006 and introduces two new sun-safe solutions — featuring innovative Solarshield™ technology to protect, hydrate and replenish hair all summer long. Quick -Quench Rehydrating Gelee restores instant moisture to your hair. Perfect for after a swim or if you have simply exposed your hair to a long day in the sun. Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit $20


Fekkai Wash and Wear Instant Shampoo Spray freshens up without lathering up. Restyle limp or overworked locks without water. Oils, product and pollutants be gone. Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit $20