Old Product, New Obsession

On the subject of summer beauty, I would be remiss to mention these. They are actually a year round favorite, but I find myself reaching form them more frequently this time of year, for obvious reasons.  You may think that you wouldn’t like them if you don’t have oil skin, but think again, there are many uses!

Morning…After I apply my moisturizer, I find blotting my skin helps tremendously in absorbing excess oil and allowing my foundation to be applied immediately. Give your skin a moment to absorb what it can from your cream, and then blot. I force myself to use an SPF every morning, and being able to blot off some of the reside makes it a lot more bearable!

Later On… nothing kills a nicely made-up face more than humidity and moisture. Applying powder to touch up makeup midday is great, but not if your skin already has oil residue and moisture. Blot first and your skin will feel perfectly refreshed and ready for another dusting of your favorite powder. 

I prefer a sheet that does not include powder, and my current favorite is Tatcha. These are just beautiful, an Abaca Leaf Paper that leaves the most petal soft finish to your skin. There are real gold flakes in the paper that maintain the authenticity of its Japanese origins (these were a beauty secret among Geisha). They are beautifully packaged, and make swabbing oil off your face feel almost elegant!

To further my proof that I have an addiction to blotting paper, I have noticed my 2 year old using scraps of her drawing pad to blot her own face. Adorable or scary?

before


after


I have wanted to get these for SO long, but was always nervous about who would do it and how they would turn out. Thankfully (or maybe selfishly), I recently hired Laura to manage our Wellesley and Andover stores. She is a skilled esthetician with 3+ years experience in lash extensions.
Her own lashes are gorgeous and her taste is impeccible,so basically I trust her creative vision! So today, after an hour and a half of Laura's handiwork, this is the result. Laura did such an amazing job, and I am clearing the mascara out of my drawers as we speak. Imagine waking up with perfectly defined, glamorous eyes every morning? Or even better, not having to mess with waterproof makeup throughout the next 4 months? To me, nothing says summer beauty quite like a nearly bare face, and these are the PERFECT accessory.
Laura is starting to book appointments, so if you're interested, call the store to get your spot!

The humidity is here, and with it comes all of the cosmetic problems. While glowy skin and beachy hair is gorgeous, the same can not be said for breakouts and frizz. There is a fine line between them, and I make it my year long mission to maintain it.
Products that will make your life easier this summer:

Faux Dry by Blow: amazing, amazing dry shampoo. No chalky residue, and doubles as an instant volumizer. Think Brigitte Bardot...or maybe just from the hairline up!

Coola SPF 30 for FaceWe can no longer pretend that daily SPF is only necessary for a full day of sunbathing. If we are all going to make the investment in hundreds of dollars of anti-aging creams, then the least we can do is prevent as much damage as possible. Coola is organic, yes, but feels fantastic and can we worn directly under makeup. I love the cucumber, but it also comes scentless if you prefer.
Mario Badescu AHA Body Soap: Bare arms and legs are lovely unless you are plagued by eczema and little red bumps. Before you moisturize, you must get red of the dead skin. This gentle, exfoliating wash is invigorating and effective, LOVE IT.

Too Faced Aqua Bunny Bronzer:: Waterproof bronzer, need I say more? If it's a day at the beach, or a particularly humid day, budge proof makeup is a must. This is a lovely shade of bronzey gold, and the cream formula makes it oh so simple to apply. A few swipes across the high points of your face, and you are bronzed to withstand the weather!