Tuesday's Tip

Hey beauties!

Today on Daily Beauty I have a tip on keeping your lips soft and supple.

Up until the past year or so I really have not had much trouble with dry lips. I tend to use lip balms or glosses in favor of lipstick, and while some glosses can be drying, as a whole it is easier to slip a lip balm under your gloss than it is to wear it under lipstick, thus keeping your lips a bit more hydrated. This winter is hanging on here in Iowa and I've found that with the constant weather changes, going from 50-60 degrees one day to 20 degrees the next, my lips are not as hydrated and smooth as I would like.

One tip I have is to find a soft (be sure it is soft or extra soft if available) toothbrush. With gentle, circular motions you want to exfoliate your lips using this toothbrush. You can use a scrub as well, however, you might find that a scrub on top of the toothbrush is a bit harsh for your lips. Be sure to follow up with a hydrating balm.

If you find that using a toothbrush is a bit harsh for your lips, pick up a pack of exfoliating cotton pads. You can find these easily at Wal-Mart, Target or other drugstores like CVS and Walgreens. These do cost a bit more than traditional cotton pads, but I am totally addicted to them. Use a lip scrub, like the e.l.f. lip exfoliator (which I love, it's so convenient and inexpensive) or mix up your own using some sugar, a little bit of olive or sweet almond oil and a tiny amount of vanilla extract if you want a bit of sweetness to your scrub. The e.l.f. scrub you just sweep over your lips, and I tend to use a circular motion for that as well to increase circulation and to help really exfoliate, or use your finger to gently scrub your DIY mixture over your lips. Next, add a small amount of water to your exfoliating cotton pad and use circular motions to exfoliate and remove the scrub from your lips. Finish with your favorite balm and enjoy silky smooth lips! I'm still loving my Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm, both the stick and pot version!

I am so excited for spring to finally be here! Maybe that will be my birthday present?

What DIY recipes or tips do you use as a part of your beauty routine?

Wear It Wednesday: Spring Trends Edition

Here in Iowa, we keep getting teased with 50 degree days full of sunshine only to be taken back to 30 degree weather with a bit of snow. Even though spring has not decided to stay here yet, I am so excited for the warmer weather. With that in mind I decided that for this Wear It Wednesday I offer some suggestions as to how to wear this year's beauty trends for spring.

This year, bold colors seem to be taking the place of softer pastels. Two of the more prominent colors this year seem to be orange and blue.

Orange

The runways of Rag and Bone, Creatures of the Wind and Suno for the Spring 2014 collection all featured this hot, citrus color. Both Rag and Bone and Creatures of the Wind featured a bold orange lip. I think the look is amazing, but not something that I would be able to rock during my day to day wear. Suno featured a more wearable (for me at least) orange nail. If you want to wear this spring trend, consider Chanel Rouge Allure Intense Lip Color in Incandescente. A more budget friendly option is the Revlon Colorbust Matte Balm in the shade Audacious. To wear this trend in a more subtle way, paint your nails with a bright orange like Orly's Orange Punch nail polish.



Blue

While Radiant Orchid is the 2014 Color of the Year, Dazzling Blue is the color that Pantone has picked for spring 2014. There are tons of ways to wear blue and one of my personal favorites is on the eyes. Don't worry that blue eyes belong in the 80s, there are several ways to make this look modern. My personal favorite way to incorporate some blue into my eye looks is by using eyeliner. I like to pop this color on my waterline for a surprising peek of color. My current favorite waterline liner is Rimmel's ScandalEyes in Light Blue for a daytime look and in Deep Blue for a darker, nighttime look. These eyeliners are incredibly creamy and perform like a high-end pencil for a serious fraction of the cost. If you want to wear this color on your nails consider OPI's Dating a Royal or Essie's Butler Please. These cobalt blue polishes are fun and fresh for this spring.


Let me know what other trends you are excited about trying this year!

Tuesday's Tip

Hello beauties!

Today I have a super short and sweet tip that once again relates to the eyebrows.

I used to have very full, naturally arched brows that only needed occasional tweezing. However, a few years ago I had a threading experience that left my eyebrows super thin and virtually straight. Since then I have been taking care of my eyebrows on my own and attempting to let them grow. As strong brows are in, on the days that I wear makeup I do take the time to fill in my brows.

At the end of the night, while I still have my makeup on, I take care of brow maintenance. At the moment I'm only plucking stray hairs so that my brows grow. By plucking my eyebrows with the shape I desire already filled in, it makes it so much easier to not go overboard with my tweezing. I am always convinced there is just one more hair that needs to come out and before I know it, I've gotten rid of all my new growth.

In addition to plucking with my eyebrows already filled in, I go ahead and trim the eyebrow hairs with them filled in as well. It was not until about a year ago that I even started to trim my eyebrow hairs, it had always seemed so scary before. I promise you it is so much easier than you think it will be and it makes a HUGE difference in how well my brows are behaved. To trim your eyebrows, take a spooly brush and brush the hairs upwards. Any hair that peeks over the top of where you want your eyebrows to start, use your scissors and snip away.

When trimming your eyebrows, remember that less is more. You can always go back in with your spooly and scissors to trim a little extra, but it will require far more patience to wait for the brow to grow again.

I picked up my eyebrow trimming kit at CVS for somewhere around $10 maybe, and it has been such a valuable little tool! 

I love taking care of my eyebrows this way, as it really helps me to visualize what the end product looks like as opposed to a bare face and my tendency to over pluck. 

What are some of your favorite tips and tricks? I would love to hear them.

If you like what you read, please subscribe for updates, share with family and friends and most importantly, THANK YOU for taking the time to read!

Wear it Wednesday: Lip Liner

Today on Daily Beauty I'll be giving you some tips on wearing lip liner (thanks for the idea Caitlyn!).

Every time I go to apply my lip liner I find myself thinking of the movie Legally Blonde. "Elle, I'm having some real trouble with this whole lip liner thing..." Such a fun movie!

Lip liner, particularly darker shades, were huge when I was growing up in the early/mid 90s and I personally was never a fan of the look of sharp, dark edges with no lip liner in the center. With that first impression of what a lip liner looked like, it was a few years into my makeup exploration that I even bought one. I guess that I never found myself terribly impressed with lip liner and it's only in the past year or so that I've made a point to try quite a few brands and experiment with application.

One of the reasons I started looking towards lip liner is that as I approach 30, I find my lips have less natural definition and the lines are a bit softer when I'm wearing gloss (which I prefer hands down to lipstick). It is not necessarily an issue of bleeding, but things don't look as defined as I would like. So I thought that I would give the whole lip liner thing another go.

The first tip that I have is to skip applying foundation of concealer to your lips before lining your lips. I totally understand the theory behind doing this:  it makes your lips more of a blank canvas when it comes to what you place on top, however, there is a reason I suggest you start leaving your lips blank. If you purposefully apply foundation or concealer all over your lips once you apply your lip product, the foundation or concealer may start to migrate and make your way to the corner of your lips. And that white looking build-up in the corner of your lips? Probably not the look you were going for. It is normal for some foundation to make it's way to your lips when you apply foundation, my suggestion is to simply skip adding more product.

Next, for the majority of lip looks, I suggest picking a liner the shade of your lips or a tad lighter. With the end of the 90s came the end of visible lip liner being a desirable effect, so stick to natural looking shades for your complexion. 99% of the time I wear the NYX lip pencil in Pale Pink. I raved about it in my Favorite Friday post. For me this is the perfect everyday shade. It gives just a hint of natural pink color to my lips, but it does not interfere with other gloss colors I want to wear such a peachy or coral shades. It's the perfect "my lips but better" shade.

The actual application is easy, though it does depend on the pencil you use. Some pencils glide easily across the lips while other might tug a bit. I find the NYX pencil tugs a bit, but the line of automatic liners from NYX glides easily. The pencil you use is all about personal preference. Make sure to start with a sharp pencil, as this makes application easier. First, trace the edges of your lips. If you are using a pencil for the first time, or even using lip liner for the first time, start with a gentle hand. You can always go back with more pressure, but it's hard to remove the color if you apply too much! I use short, quick strokes like I was filling in my brows, all along the edges of my lips.

Next, I fill in my lips with liner. There's a reason. Lip primers are great, but a lip liner can do the same job for you. I simply fill in my lips with liner as well, again using short quick strokes instead of one swipe across the lip. This gives my lips a natural look and helps the gloss I apply to stay put longer.

Lastly, make sure the edges are not too sharp looking. You want defined, pouty lips, not the 90s lip look. If you find the look is a little too sharp or harsh, simply take a cotton bud (Q-tip) and very gently run it along the edges of your lips. This helps to soften the overall look, while keeping your lips well defined.

I hope this helps you! Lip liner really can be a great tool in your makeup arsenal! Have fun experimenting with different looks and products!

Tuesday's Tip

At Daily Beauty (for the rest of us) I am all about making life easier for myself and for my readers. Today's tip will also save you a bit of money, and who doesn't love that?

In my Favorite Friday post from last week I mentioned that I have spent a whole year experimenting with different brow products. Included in the list of products I've tried is the ubiquitous brow gel. I have used a large variety of brow gels from cheap Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara (which I love) to high end Anastasia brow gel (which I find to be pretty awesome as well). However, my absolute favorite method of setting my brows is so much easier than gel and so, so much cheaper. In addition, I prefer this method because I love the way it leaves your brows. If you use brow gel you know that it often dries to a "crunchy" texture. Some brow gels even have the tendency to flake off, which is a not so cute look.

Say goodbye to your crusty brow with this super simple, yet incredibly effective method.

The only two things you will need are items you probably have on hand already: a spoolie brush and your favorite hairspray. 

I prefer to use a spoolie that is separate from my brow pencil, however, you do not need to do that. It's just a personal preference. You can pick up packs of these fabulous little brushes at various sources from Amazon to Sally Beauty Supply.


And now the super amazing brow setting secret!


Once you have your brows filled in (if you are doing that for the day) simply spray a little bit of hairspray on your spoolie brush and brush through your brows. 

That's it. I prefer this method because it is easy, forgiving to use if you are a beginner with brows and it truly does last all day without any weird or hard feeling on the brows. In addition, since you are only using a small squirt of hairspray your brows still look like your brows, which is the look that suits me best for a daily look.


What tips and tricks do you have that make you feel more beautiful? 

Thank you for reading. Have a terrific Tuesday!

Favorite Friday

Hey guys! Thank goodness it is Friday, right? I used to LOVE winter and the cold and snow, but this year I have had enough! I am so ready for springtime and that perfect weather where you can throw on a pair of jeans with a hoodie but wear flip flops or sandals with it! Each week that ends gets us a little closer to spring and I am so excited for it this year.

On Fridays at Daily Beauty I want to share just a few of the things that I'm currently loving. My beauty routine day to day is pretty simple, but I do change it up frequently because I love playing with different products. This week I have three favorites that I would love to share with you.

It Cosmetics YBBB (Your Brows But Better)

Okay, so eyebrows are getting a ton of attention recently and there is a good reason. Filled in, defined brows really do make a huge difference in your makeup and they truly do frame the face. I have been experimenting with several different eyebrow products from powders to pencils to gels in the past year but this one is the most incredible brow product I have tried. It comes in only one shade which made me a little bit nervous at first, however, having used it I can understand how this shade magically "transforms" to fit any shade. If you have lighter hair or eyebrows use a gentle hand and press very lightly into the skin, if you have darker hair or eyebrows or if you want a more dramatic look to your eyebrows use a bit of a firmer hand and apply more pressure. This eyebrow pencil also claims to have brow boosting benefits that help condition and grow your brows. I have not used this product long enough to be able to attest to that claim, but to me it would not matter if the pencil did not help my eyebrows grow. The look this pencil gives you is precise and defined brows that still manage to look completely natural as opposed to heavily penciled in. Once this pencil sets it does not budge and wears all day long with no transfer. The best part is that you do not need to be a pro to use this pencil. I am far from a makeup artist, but this pencil practically does the work for you! It is a bit pricey at $24, but I think the splurge is totally worth it!

NYX Lip Pencil in Pale Pink

I picked this up randomly one day at Ulta and I am SO glad that I did! My lips are naturally very pigmented so I have a difficult time finding a light lip pencil that actually does anything for me. In addition to naturally red lips, I have fair skin so I need to be careful that a light lip liner does not end up washing out my lips. I thought this color looked like the perfect nude pink and for me, it really is. The actual lip pencil is nothing spectacular, but the shade, for me, is magnificent! It looks like my lips but better and helps my lips to appear a bit more pink as opposed to red (and I LOVE a pink lip!). I purchased this about 2 weeks ago and have worn it nearly every single day since because it is such a beautiful base for nearly any lip look that I want to wear! It also looks wonderful with just a touch of my next favorite product on top. This will be a product that I continue to repurchase! 



Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm (Pot)

I got a sample of Fresh Sugar lip treatment from Sephora at the beginning of winter and I absolutely loved it. What I didn't love was the idea of paying almost $23 for a lip balm. I understand the packaging is exquisite and the lip balm itself glides onto lips, feels luxurious and I personally love the sweet lemony scent, but I still could not bring myself to spend that kind of money. My husband works hard to provide for the family and that $23 is better spent elsewhere. I hit the internet hoping to find a dupe of the product and somewhere I read that the Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm was a great dupe. I have both the stick and the pot and here are my thoughts. While neither are a complete dupe for Fresh Sugar lip treatment, they are both great products and I prefer these to the Fresh Sugar lip treatment. The Nuxe products do have a faint scent but it is not the exact same sweet lemony scent from Fresh. The pot version actually has a very faint honey smell, as honey is one of the ingredients. The reason I prefer the pot to the stick is that it lasts ALL DAY LONG. Seriously. I put this on after my shower and before I go to sleep and I do not need to apply any other chapstick or lip balm all day. It also goes on matte, which makes it perfect for application under lip products. Perhaps the best part, however, is the price. The pot will run you around $18 -$20 depending on where you order it, however, you get 5 times the amount of product. The Reve de Miel pot contains .5oz, while the Fresh Sugar lip treatment runs $22.50 for .15oz. It is also worth noting that the Nuxe one will most likely last forever. Okay, not forever, but you only need a tiny amount to coat your lips and I truly have not made a dent in the pot in nearly 2 months of use. I highly recommend you check this amazing lip balm out!


What beauty products have been your favorites recently?

And since it is Friday, what are your favorite weekend activities? I think my husband and I are going to hit the botanical center this weekend for a dose of much needed dose of spring! Happy weekend!

This or That Thursday

I am absolutely a mascara junkie. I used to wear it every single day without fail. Now there are days when I go without any makeup but I have to be honest, I feel naked without mascara.

I have tried nearly every single mascara and continue to scoop up new ones when they are out. Two of the most buzzed about mascaras that promise amazing results are Benefit's They're Real! and Too Faced's Better Than Sex. Both mascaras cost $23, so they are a definite investment. Which one is worth the $23?

They both are worth their price, but y absolute favorite hands down is Better Than Sex. Benefit's They're Real! does seriously lengthen your lashes and adds quite a bit of volume as well. The special tip really does help you coat each and every lash, however, be sure to exercise caution when using it as it will hurt if you accidentally poke yourself in the eye (trust me!). The pigmentation is amazing and the mascara truly does give you great results. Do my lashes look fake when I wear them? Not really, but they do look very dramatic.They're Real! is definitely noticeable when you wear it and I find this to be a negative point of the product. It's far from uncomfortable on your lashes, but it is a heavier feel than Better Than Sex. Also, this mascara dries to a hard feeling on the lashes and I prefer a softer, more weightless feel which I get with Better Than Sex.

Another issue with They're Real! is that it definitely requires you to do some work. This is not a mascara that you can just swipe on and run out the door. If you do put in the work though, you will see the results. For me to really see the full benefits of this mascara I need to apply two coats, which is really fine by me.

On the other hand, Better Than Sex gives you amazing lashes with half the amount of work. In addition to being easier to use, my lashes do not feel hard or crunchy during the day. I find this mascara provides more volume than They're Real and adds just as much length. I am not the type of person to shy away from putting on two or three coats of mascara to achieve my desired look, but quite honestly that is unnecessary when you use Better Than Sex. One coat gives me the most amazingly thick and long lashes. 

My $23 will always go to Too Faced's Better Than Sex mascara. To me it is the superior mascara. I have never, in over 15 years of wearing makeup, found a mascara that I loved the look of with only one coat. However, I rarely put a second coat of Better Than Sex on. It can be built upon and it does not get clumpy if you want to add a second coat, but I really love the look I get with just one coat so I tend to skip putting on a second coat.

This mascara may not be better than sex, but it is a seriously amazing product that I will continue to repurchase!

Daily Beauty Routine: Morning Basics

My day to day my life is more suited to yoga pants and ponytails than it is a full face of makeup and professional clothes. However, even as a busy (step)mom I like to feel beautiful and I appreciate the added confidence that a more polished look gives me. I confess, I never went to one college course without a full face of makeup. If I was sick and not feeling well, either I slathered on the products or I stayed under the covers. And I'll also admit to being the girl at the gym with makeup on. Not every single day that I go, but on occasion you will find me on the treadmill with my mascara starting to smudge.

This comes as a fascination with beauty products. Since I was a young, young girl I have been excited and stimulated by potions and powders and the older I get, the more the obsession seems to grow. I am constantly experimenting with various products and love finding hidden gems that work for me.

Now, I do not think that women NEED to wear makeup daily to feel or be beautiful. But for me, the time I spend in front of my mirror buffing, blending and blotting really is an enjoyable experience. I find a sort of relaxation and satisfaction in doing my makeup and if on a given day the thought of doing my makeup is a headache, I simply skip it.

Since this is the very beginning of this blog, I'll start today with the beauty basics that I do daily. These rituals and routines lay the foundation for any makeup look that I feel like doing. 

The first thing I do is drink water when I get up. I try to drink 24 ounces immediately when I wake up. It helps me feel refreshed and awake.

Next, I start my day like many other moms. When I have a moment, I shower. I do not wash my hair every day and choose to wash every other instead. I wish I could go longer in between washes, but I've always had very fine and slightly oily hair. Batiste dry shampoo has been a lifesaver for my non-shampoo days. My favorite scent is:

I'm a sucker for anything leopard print at the moment, and the scent is feminine without being overpowering.

Once I'm done in the shower, I apply lotion. My absolute favorite winter lotion is Neutrogena Moisture Wrap.

It is amazing at providing lasting moisture and softness to the skin without ANY trace of greasiness, which I cannot stand in a lotion. It dries quickly so I'm able to dress without problem.

My basic facial routine consists of three steps, like many women. I'm in the process of experimenting with products that work for me and at the moment my face routine is:

1. Cleanse - I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily skin. In the past year my skin has completely changed and what used to be normal to combination is now a virtual oil slick. This cleanser really does help my face feel clean without any irritation or residue. I was an avid fan of the Clarisonic (a gift from my mother) but in the past 2 weeks I have discovered a new love:

The Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal is AMAZING. I have used the Clarisonic for nearly two years and I was so skeptical when I read reviews that said women preferred this sponge to the Clarisonic, but, count me among those women. The texture of my face seems smoother and it is so calming, yet it truly does clean the skin. I'll keep you updated on whether or not I love this long-term as much as I do right now, but, it is truly an amazing product. 

2. Toner - In addition to my skin becoming more oily, it seems more prone to breakouts as well. I use an exfoliating cotton pad and the Neutrogena Stress Control toner with salicylic acid. Through much trial and error I have learned the benzoyl peroxide is not a friend to my skin and salicylic acid seems to help my acne. 

3. Moisturize and Spot Treatments - I use a Roc retinol eye cream that I swear has minimized the appearance of my crow's feet. Now, I'm only 29 so they aren't awful, but it is nice to have them appear softened so I would repurchase this product when I run out. One thing I spent nearly a year struggling with was finding a moisturizer that left my skin feeling hydrated, but that did not increase oil production or break me out. I finally found one that I am absolutely in love with. I recently recommended it to my sister, who finds her skin going through the same changes as mine and she loves it just as much as I do. The Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream is truly a holy grail product for me. I am hoping that I love it just as much in the summer as I do right now, and I truly do not think that I will be disappointed. I use the "night" formulation as the SPF in the day cream tends to lead to breakouts. I highly suggest trying this moisturizer if you have oily or combination skin and still need to hydrate it.

Lastly, I apply the L'Oreal Youthcode Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher (that's a mouthful!) all over my face. I picked this up at the recommendation of one of my favorite YouTube gurus, Tati, and I love this as a primer. Even on days that I do not apply any makeup I will wear this. It helps to blur imperfections, control my oil and I find it to be beautiful under makeup as well.

That's my daily morning routine. In all it takes maybe 15 minutes.

What beauty rituals make you feel more refreshed? What other areas of your day leave you feeling confident and beautiful? Take some time to focus on what activities give you renewed energy or passion and enjoy them today!

About Daily Beauty

"I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

Welcome to Daily Beauty

Daily Beauty exists to provide readers with beauty related information from product reviews, tips and tricks, DIY beauty and other general information related to cosmetics, beauty and health.

What sets Daily Beauty apart from the myriad of beauty blogs already in existence?

Daily Beauty is written by an average wife and mother with no formal beauty training. I am not now, nor have I ever been, a makeup artists. I have no affiliation to the beauty industry. I am merely a self-proclaimed product junkie and a lover of all things beauty and health related.

My aim with Daily Beauty is to provide readers with information that is both entertaining and valuable. I aim to give readers practical advice for their daily lives and I hope to inspire others to find those things that make their life beautiful.

I hope you subscribe to, share and most importantly enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy writing it!




Daily Beauty Reflection:

What is your most beautiful feature? Think of what makes you feel most beautiful and do something today to enhance that!