Spooooooky Makeuuuup......

....well, not really that spooky. Actually not at all.... No ones come to me this year wanting creepy, bloody makeup, witch I really don't mind doing (see what I did there?). It's not everyday a client very seriously asks "Make me look dead.". As much as I like making goblins out of  people, I absolutely loved creating this 1920's look for Nadia, the vivacious US director for a fabulous non-profit and fair trade company. I also did a glitzy-vampy look with just a hint of darkside for my dear friend Christen's "Trendy Dark Angle" get-up.

Nadia

 

Nadia Bredthauer the US director of a company of ProPueblo plus she's absolutely delightful!

She was headed out to a 20's themed garden party so I did a slightly modern take on 20's hair and makeup. 

Before & After

ProPueblo is a private non-profit organization working with the Ecuadorian coastal communities on the western slopes of the Chongon Colonche mountain range. ProPueblo focuses on raising living standards, improving basic infrastructure, job training, employment and international marketing of high quality Ecuadorian artisan products. How cool is that?! Check them out they have the cutest things www.propueblo.org!!

Christen

This is Christen, my Trendy Dark Angel who was planing to wear a cute all black outfit with black wings for a night out with friends. Isn't she adorable!! 

I really wish you could see the the massive amount of highlighter and glitter she is wearing down the center of her face and cheek bones.... Very Tilda Swinton in Narnia-esque.

Sugar Skulls coming up next week. So stay tuned! -Vania xxoo

Seaside Escape

My hubby Dave and myself just got back Sunday from a week in Seaside Fl. We celebrated Dave's 30th birthday on the 2nd and our 5th anniversary on the 6th. It was just the vacation that we needed. Things have been so crazy lately. Here are a few pics.....

We threw Frisbee on the beach, ate, napped on the beach, ate, read on the beach, ate and then ate some more. Being back home is great however, I do miss the sushi, the local coffee shop, and the smell of the Ocean... uh-em, I mean Gulf! 

Love Your Skin This Winter.

If you're like me your skin can really suffer from the cold dry air. It robs your skin of precious moisture and can leave you with irritated, flaky, bumpy, cracking, chapped, scaling, ashy skin. ...um, gross! It happens to the best of us and I know my skin really can suffer when I don't do anything to about it. Here are a few proactive things I do to protect my skin and prevent the "gross"!

BURT"S BEES Nourishing LIP BALM with Mango Butter

Now who doesn't love Burt's Bees!? Seriously, this stuff smells and feels amazing! It protects and repairs at the same time and doesn't taste fruity, which I like. Mango seed butter is my new obsession! Here is a list of all the amazing things it does for your skin (way to many for me to mention here!!!).

ORGANIC COCONUT OIL

 TIP: I buy mine at a international farmers market where it's much cheaper.

I've used Coconut Oil going on five years and I can't get enough. I substitute butter and cooking oil with it too! Not only is it great in muffins it's a perfect face and body moisturizer for acne prone skin, like mine. It's anti-fungal and anti-bacterial so not only will it NOT clog your pores it prevents and heals blemishes. Another TIP: I only apply it at night because It does feel quite oily on the skin.

NUBIAN HARITAGE: Mango Butter with Shea Oil and Vitamin C

I can't get enough mango butter!!!!.......this stuff feels and smells like HEAVEN! Mango butter heals, protects, increases elasticity and firms the skin... yeah! Check out that list! This brand is hard to find so here's a link to buy.

VITAMIN E

I believe the best and quickest healing product for irritated, chapped skin is pure vitamin E from the capsule. Apply it liberally to the area before bed and wear something cotton (socks, gloves, PJ's). It sticks(!) to the area penetrating and sealing in moisture where you need it most. It also increases blood flow to the cells to speed up the healing process.

JOSIE MARAN 100% PURE ARGAN OIL

This is the most luxurious, lightweight oil I've ever tried! It is rich in vitamin E but isn't sticky, it's quite the opposite - so silky and smooth. It's fast absorbing but at $48 for 1.7 fl oz I use it sparingly. Great for acne, scares, eye area, wrinkles, spit ends and more. It's so lightweight I've even used in to mix cream base foundation into a liquid.

NIVEA: TOUCH OF SPARKLE with Cream Oil BODY WASH

My skin always feels so much softer when I use a liquid soap over my husbands Dove bar. And what girl doesn't love a little sparkle.....

WATER! WATER! WATER!

OK, so I have to mention it! WATER! We all know what we need it and A LOT of it but sometimes it's good to have a reminder. Right? I'll be honest, I personally do not "enjoy" drinking water or 8 glasses of it in fact but I do love the results.  Everything you put on your skin will work more effectively IF you are hydrated from the inside out. Drinking %100, pure, unadulterated, plan water is my number one defense against skin dehydration.(makes since doesn't it).

This was a fun post. Hope it helps,
V

***These are all personal things I like to use/do. I am not a doctor, dermatologist or an esthetician! If you have a skin problem or condition please consult a physician. 

FALL 2012

With Fall already on it's way here(!!) I've begun to dream about those dark sultry colors that I had forgotten all about in the summer months whilst I was bronzing up. Oh how I've missed you dark jewel tones and toasty browns! PLUM, WINE, and EMERALD are hot-hot-gorgeous colors this fall and I for one will be trying out all of these looks out, so stay tuned. Oh! And don't forget those berry lips! ....of course all of these looks would look great with a pinky-nude lip for a less dramatic daytime look. 

YSL | FALL 2012

 MAKE UP FOR EVER | FALL 2012

 ESTEE LAUDER | FALL 2012

TOM FORD | FALL 2012

I hope you're inspired! x Vania