Brides, are you eloping or embarking on a destination wedding?

Then take Sothy's with you!

I have two travel packs, perfect for the plane, the train or the automobile to introduce new fans of this French skin and body care plus cosmetics line to!

The Sothy's wide product line ranges from face and body, to sun and prestige anti-aging care plus makeup and a mens line.

For more than 60 years, Sothy's has been keeping value and professional expertise hand in hand. There is a New York flagship store and spa that you can visit personally, or ,

just land on their website http://www.sothys-usa.com/

Today's weddings are changing, fast! Just like the economy!

The trend used to be to " keep up with the Jones's" and have an over the top, one of a kind, party mixed with a wee bit of nuptials.

Now the $32,000 average wedding for the average bride and groom has not completely gone by the wayside, though more couples are opting for alternatives, such as eloping or a destination wedding.

This is more cost efficient, still a memory maker, a touch more intimate and focuses more on the marriage and less on the party reception.

Popular spots to marry are on cruise ships which offer all inclusive packages ( I have found by personal investigation and by reports from brides who did it that there is very little wiggle room to negotiate with their already planned packages when it comes to cost, but there is space to negotiate more choice inside the package they offer.)or destination resorts such as Sandals or Club Med.

A great resource for you to peruse through would be the website http://www.destinationweddings.com/ They focus on putting all the details together for you, and it allows you to pick and choose every aspect of the wedding, travel, adding a honeymoon so basically all you do is bring the groom and your dress! Awesome!

So, back to Sothy's. Today's bride needs pampering and this is the line to try for great skin care with positive results. Here's a little blurb about who they are from their website:

"In 1946, Sothys was a beauty institute in Paris, where a list of exclusive customers enjoyed fine French products created by Dr. Hotz, a medical biologist.
In 1966, the Mas family acquired the Sothys Institute, already installed on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris. Mr. Bernard Mas, Chairman, then decided to add to the beautiful Sothys range and increase its availability.
Mr. Mas devoted himself to setting up distinctive export markets for Sothys products. From then on, Sothys became a family concern with an international vocation."

I love a family business, don't you?

**To get your hands on my two travel packs of skin care: 1 is for dry skin and 1 is for the body

Please send an email with your name, contact info, and bridal destination with date of the nuptials! Then answer these questions:

1. What year was Sothy's introduced to the United States?

2. What types of products do they offer?

3. Where can you get more Sothy's?

Good luck and congratulations on your wedding!

If you want to take me on the cruise to do your makeup, great, if not, pick up a copy of my bridal makeup book. It's the perfect size for travel and simple enough to read on the plane over and be an expert by time you touch down.

For my Arizona brides: stop by for a personal coaching session to get your wedding day look, or attend a bridal workshop!

Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty for brides who would rather spend the money on cake

The beauty of Disney's Beauties!

Once upon a time...in a land, far, far away there lived a princess who had perfect skin, makeup, hair, a horse, castle and Prince to sweep her off her feet to Never Neverland.

Now today, we have our own version of this fairytale and the beauty that goes with it.

Around here in my house, we are big Disney fans. I have been forever, and now my son is too.


The modern princess can be achieved as we look at beauty through the ages and transformation of Disney beauty.


The early gals were animated with red stained lips or a barely there sheer pink lip. These gals, Snow White, Cinderella and Belle always seem to be heavy on the mini cat eye style eyeliner, and in my opinion it works for them.


The next form of Disney beauty comes in the form of a "Mousketeer". Oh, to be a Mousketeer when I was a young girl.

This is a very young Annette Funicello in her Disney ears, Mousekteer uniform and very understated makeup. When I was young and auditioning for Disney, they stressed that the skin had to be clean and clear, with very little makeup. Meaning, a touch of gloss, one wee swipe of mascara and light powder. For me at the time, being the mascara hog that I am, it was going to be a challenge. Things in the Disney beauty department have changed a bit.

The Mousketeer club was killed and then resurrected at "The New Mickey Mouse Club" and gave a career start to Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.


On the left side of the photo you can see Christina Aguilera in her Mickey Mouse Club days. It's different from the Annette the Mousketeer in the fact that there is so much eye makeup, foundation on the skin and a heavy frost lipstick. As you can see from the graduation of the Mickey Mouse Club to a singing career, Christina's look has changed dramatically. She's always a beauty forerunner!

Today's Disney Princess is a mix of modern day beauty and classic princess style. This is Giselle from Enchanted and it's a very up to date makeup look again with a strong focus on eyeliner, sheer pink lips and a heavy dose of fairy glitter.


Though Disney has always had a fairytale princess, the new breed of shows have come out with a different incarnation of the princess in the form of Miley Cyrus in the dual role of herself and part time pop star Hannah Montana or Demi Lovato from Camp Rock.


This is an early photo of Miley Cyrus in her role and the makeup is simple and understated, still way more than the the Mousekteer days, but still a clean look. When she is dressed as Hannah Montana there is a no holds barred on the black eyeliner and shiny lip.


Demi Lovato in concert performances and in her character for Camp Rock always has a more edgy, red toned mouth, black eyeliner with maximum mascara applied.


As you can see, the beauty of Disney's beauties has come along way! When it comes to you and your tweens and teens wanting to wear this look, just remember to tell them: " television makeup is always more intense and a daily beauty routine can be worn that's similiar just less is more.".


To attend a workshop with your tweens and teens to get your Disney Princess beauty routine contact me by email for our upcoming dates...just in time for Back to School and a Labor Day vacation!


And...drum roll please...

Here's a sweet deal from Overstock.com on Disney themed watches, enjoy!



DISNEY HAS LANDED AT OVERSTOCK.COM
Overstock.com has teamed up with Disney to present 30 different styles of exclusive watches for Kids, Teens, Men and Women! All watches will be 40%+ off and available only on Overstock's website, with an added bonus of shipping for only $2.95 (including multiple items and regardless of size or weight).Due to customer demand, Overstock is now offering exciting and exclusive designs created just for Overstock.com shoppers. Watch styles include designs based on the hit Disney movie "High School Musical", while others are ideal for adults -- with elegant and couture graphics of the Disney logo. These chic and unique watches are collector’s items for everyone in the family!












Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty for brides who would rather spend the money on cake!

The Best Bronze For Your Buck!

In Arizona, the summer heat is still going and will through October. Some schools are back in session as of yesterday and others start on August 11th. Do you remember when school started after Labor Day?

So, if you haven't completely switched your makeup over into a Fall 2008 beauty trend and still want to wear some summery bronzes that can transition into the Fall monochromatic metallic gilded look...well, here's a few of the best bronzes for your buck!

I love a creme shadow, and since Dior no longer makes the Ombre Plum line, I find this Avon Beyond Color Radiant Lifting Eyeshadow a close second.

This is the color Tiger's Eye, and the website shows a "buy one get one for $1.99", now that's a savings.

Sephora is always a beauty bonanza and sometimes have sales, though there store brand is a good quality, and quantity for your dollar. Try the Sephora eyeshadow duo in $#10 for $16.00

Bourjois, which can be found at Ulta, Sephora, and Macy's always come out with something new, fresh and funky like the Shimmering Shine Liquid Eyeshadow in Molecule d'Or for $16.00.

This product can work as an eyeshadow, liner, rubbed into foundation for spot highlighting, it's very versatile for the adventurous makeup user.

I love Dior cosmetics for their rich pigments, tones and amazing texture to their shadows which always wear incredibly!

This eyshadow single is called Million Dollar Gold #645 and is $24.50, gorgeous, and a splurge!

Even if you are shopping at Walmart or Target, L'Oreal, Neutrogena, Rimmel and N.Y.C. still have great selection of metallics that can finish out your summer beauty and lead you into a Fall trend look without leaving your finances depleted.

Remember to wear them sparingly: such as; if you are bronzing the eye with a dramatic liner and lots of mascara...leave your lips in a sheer shine. If the eyes are a light golden shade with soft brows then wear a power lip color in a moisturizing lipstick that has shine or a gloss. Think pink and bright tones to play up the mouth.

Enjoy the best of the bronzes, see you at a workshop and stay tuned for details on upcoming promotions and giveways!

Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty for brides who would rather spend the money on cake!

The under $30 face lift...and this week's workshops

Happy Monday!
Now, who needs a face lift? Some "maintenance"? A wee nip,tuck and suck to keep you looking as young as you feel?

Well, while looking for something new to try, I came across a unique at home beauty treatment that gave a positive result and experience. For the price, it's worth it.

The Olay Regenerist line, can be found at most drugstores and mass retailers, plus there are sometimes coupons in the newspaper or can be printed from their main website: http://www.olay.com/

I've been a big fan of the Thermal fusion mask from Arbonne for quite some time, and when you combine it with the Skin Rejuvenating creme, it's a great at home spa treatment.

Though, more readily available to you with a quick trip to Target or Walmart you can have this experience too.

It was easy to use, simple directions, with about a 15 minute minimum to a 30 minute maximum application and experience time.

You wet your face, rub a small amount of the thermal mask on, using small circular motions, starting at the top of your face on the forhead and working downwards, over the chin, the neck and I would include your chest area because in Arizona sun....you need it!

Add some more water and the "heating" effect of the mask kicks in. It's not a burn, or a sting, but a warming sensation. Similiar to the Biore heating mask...but with a light grain.

Rinse off and finish with the light, emollient creme that comes in the package. If you are wearing it in the day time, add a sunscreen.

Simple, enjoyable, and an at home spa treatment for gals who need some beauty on a budget. There is enough in the package to last quite a while and you can do the routine several times a week.

Enjoy! The Olay Regnerist thermal mask and firming creme can be a great way to start doing some home care of your skin and get ready for the changing seasons.

See you at a workshop! This week:
Resume Ready face: how to get the look that gets hired
9:30- 11:30 a.m. 2 hours for $39, Mesa, AZ
Tuesday July 29th rsvp by email, use paypal for your credit card or cash

Bridal Makeup 101: for the elopers, destination weddings and gals who would rather spend the money on cake
9:30- 11:30 a.m. 2 hours for $39, Mesa AZ
Wednesday July 30th rsvp by email, use paypal for your credit card or cash

Back to School: from the runway to the hallway
9:30- 11:30 a.m. 2 hours for $39, Mesa, AZ ( all ages welcome)
Thursday, July 31st rsvp by email, use paypal for your credit card or cash

Thank you for not using personal checks. :)
Directions given on confirmation of payment and reservation. Remember to bring the bag of makeup that you use now, and I will teach you how to get more use out of what you have and make recommendations of current products available.
**************************
Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty for brides who would rather spend the money on cake!

American Idol season 8 auditions in Arizona: what to wear!

So, you want to be on American Idol?

Today, ( I bet you have been standing in line for hours and are reading this on your iphone...)
there are the auditions and it is hot outside! The exact details you need in case you aren't there already are below....but what about the makeup? How are you going to look camera ready while sitting around all day waiting for your 3 minutes of audition fame?

Just so you know, all production is like that. Hurry up and wait.

Here's my suggestion for your American Idol season 8 audition face:


Guys: put some Peter Thomas Roth max anti-shine gel on all over, add some matte Blistex lip balm to keep your mouth moist and ready to sing.

Girls:

• Apply Peter Thomas Roth max anti-shine gel, this keeps down shine so you don't have to keep re-applying powder.


• Stain your lips and cheeks so the color wears through the waiting, warming up and rehearsing.


• Use a mattifying makeup and remember to blend over your ears and down the neck because it could be broadcast in HD and you don't want to have a brown face and pink ears/neck!


• Now the new secret: apply two coats of L'Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous mascara! This is the most amazing mascara I have tried in a while. I love Voluminous as a good cheap mascara, but the Carbon Black makes a false eyelash effect as good as Benefit's Bad Gal or Dior's Dior Show mascara for one third the price! It looks like this:
  
• Finally, finish your mouth with a moisturizing lip plumper gloss over the stain. This will keep the worry of lipstick off of your teeth or the lining remaining after the lipstick is gone.

Good luck and break a leg!

***

Glendale will be one of eight cities to play host to American Idol auditions this summer.Entire episodes of the hit reality show are dedicated to the auditions at the beginning of every season.Jobing.com Arena will host the event on Friday, July 25th.Audition information, including forms and requirements, is available online at americanidol.com.You can also get information about Jobing.com Arena's audition date by calling 623-872-2008 or visiting jobingarena.com.

Photos courtesy of AmericanIdol.com and L'OrealParis.com

Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty for brides who would rather spend the money on cake!

Eyes Lips Face...for a dollar! Holla!

Holla back girlfriends! If you haven't discovered this amazing beauty bargain gem...then let me introduce you!

Visit http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ or E.L.F. for short and start shopping, get some free shipping, enjoy the beauty tips that are included and be prepared to find great quality makeup tools for the most affordable price!

I got some brushes ( I find that most women have alot of makeup, but not alot of tools!) and was curious about the quality for the price, and to my delight and surprise, they are great.

The foundation brush is soft to the touch yet firm in the handle and runs well over the face. I also have a couple of the eyeshadow brushes and they are comparable to the other major lines of brushes that I have in my professional roll.

Even though the media is still saying we are not in a recession, and gas has come down four cents, if your budget needs to stretch a wee bit further to get your Fall Beauty Trend look for 2008, I recommend E.L.F. as a place to shop for great deals and product.

Enjoy!

photo courtesy of www.eyeslipsface.com BUZZ page on website

Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty for brides who would rather spend the money on cake!

Quick side note: where I get my kid activity info from for Phoenix

Hi everyone,
Some of you have asked me by email about where I get all my freebie and up to date kid info to keep my active toddler busy without taking a second mortgage:

I get alot of my updates in a newsletter from this website http://www.azactivekids.com

If you are in the Phoenix area, it's a great resource. Especially, if you, like me, are starting to plan a birthday party and want to do something fun, memorable and affordable.

For those of us with kids, the birthday party is the holy grail. Sheesh, the goodie bag demands alone are enough to deepen the credit envelope!

Enjoy the site and I hope it helps you as much as it helps me!
Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty for brides who would rather spend the money on cake!

Kimiko Beauty helps a destination bride stay kiss & photo ready!

Beauty alert for "elopers" and destination weddings...a lip stain is one of the ways that I create a wedding day mouth that will last through kissing, toasts, cakes and more kissing!

A new brand for you to try is Kimiko sheer lip tint and plumper duo. I tried the Pomegranate color, which is the red color. The lip plumper end has an even consistency and it's not a stinging or "tingling" sensation like other lip plumpers. The stain has a sweet taste to it and the consistency of honey meaning it won't run out of your lip line before you have a chance to blend it. It's very smooth on the mouth and hugs your lips nicely. It will be a pleasant experience for your groom!

It's a subtle stain that leaves a natural looking mouth, then apply the plumper over it for a fuller mouth that is wedding day ready and casual enough for beachside or cruise ship vows.

For more beauty choices from Kimiko, visit their website at http://www.kimikobeauty.com/ and there is free standard shipping on all orders over $95.00.

Here's some news about the lip stain from them directly:

"Sheer Tint and Lip Plumper
Dehydrated collagen molecules re-hydrate to instantly plump and smooth lips
Berry and pomegranate extracts give color and antioxidant protection
Hydrates lips and helps increase elasticity, smoothness and production of collagenChannel your inner vixen with this natural and effective lip enhancer! This unique tinted treatment creates sheer, buildable color with berry and pomegranate extracts that have added antioxidant protection. Hydra-FirmaLift™helps reduce lip lines and increase overall hydration. The reverse end holds an advanced Plumper containing patented dehydrated collagen molecules that expand with the lip's natural moisture to instantly increase lip volume, reduce fine lines and give lips a fuller, smoother look. This non-irritating Plumper has a cool refreshing feel."

I love a new product and this one held up under Arizona heat and monsoon humidity, a taco plate and a toddler. Give Kimiko a try!


Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty! Simple step by step with product guide to do what I do without the high cost!

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National Day of the Cowgirl: A Celebration of the American West July 25 & 26th

Today, we take a look at the beauty of the American tradition of cowgirls. Coming this weekend in Arizona, is a weekend full of events celebrating life in the West a la cowboys and cowgirls.

I think it will be a great chance to get out into a wee bit cooler weather, experience some history, make some memories and do something different!

Now, beauty wise, let's take a look at cowgirl cosmetics:

The cowgirl has been around in media for quite some time. Dale Evans was our first national beauty queen of cowgirls and a rather well put together one at that! Defined brows and lips, powdered skin and what looks like eyeliner and a set of false lashes.

Remember, mascara has been around for a long time, though the early forms that were cake filled pans with a brush that you had to wet and then brush onto the lashes was messy, and didn't really give a full set of lashes. So, the falsies were applied for most television and movie productions.

I am the biggest Dolly Parton fan around. Read her autobiography, it's laugh out loud funny and a true testimony of what holding onto a dream can do for you! She is a country girl at heart and has worn many incarnations of cowgirl beauty from the dressed down ( as dressed down as Dolly does) to glittering rhinestone and sequined covered, fringe flowing dresses and shirts.

The makeup is always full face coverage with a defined mouth in a rich pigment. I'm thinking that the cowgirl beauty is about moisture and being noticed! Blush tends to be high on the cheek bone and in a kidney bean pattern at this time along with 3-4 eyeshadows and full brows.

By time the Judds came around, country image had a turn around too. Less traditional western wear and big hair ( think Reba 1992) and more current fashion and beauty trend.

Today's country singers such as Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert are current trend setters in fashion and makeup style, just like Dale Evans was back in her day.

To find out more about the Celebration of the American West events call

480-982-3141 or visit these websites:

www.btarboretum.org

www.tortillaflataz.com

www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org

www.goldfieldghosttown.com

Gold Canyon, Superstitions Mountains, The Lost Dutchman mines ( yes, it's real and more than stories and folklore), Goldfield and Tortilla Flat ( population 6) will be hosting everything from authentic stage coach rides, Gus the biggest burro in the world, the museums have free admissions, vintage photos, there is too much to write!

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That's why they call it "runway" and I can help you make it work for the hallways

It's extreme, and has a beauty all to itself. It's from the Fall runway fashion shows and I like it.

Can't say that it would really work for my daily life, or for my toddler, but that is why it is called runway.

When you see the clothes, shoes, hair and makeup that comes down the runway at couture fashion shows it is meant for show, for art and for shock value. It makes great photos and heads turn while people talk. That's the point.

Now for taking this runway look and making it work for the hallway ( and when I say hallway I mean your work place or school) it's about using one or two pieces of the look.

This coming week I am teaching morning workshops and one afternoon on how to use this season's monochromatic/gilded makeup to create a fresh Fall face for yourself.

Using makeup to update your look is the simplest and most affordable way to stay current with fashion with out breaking the bank. Adding a lipstick or lipgloss, and a shadow of the latest color story can make an old wardrobe look new again.

Please email for workshop reservations!

Now...for the men: to update your look it's more about facial hair grooming and hair cut and color.
Yes, color. It's more and more acceptable for men of all ages to get highlights, low lights, chunks and all over color mixed into their hair to create a fresh new look. Even for the lawyers and doctors, business men behind desks, adding a tinted gloss over your hair can update and improve your image.

When it comes to facial hair, because it grows back by 5'o'clock, you can create a facial hair look for the weekend, and be back in business clean shave by Monday morning.

Finally, one simple and affordable way to try on a look is to get a sample from Sephora, or...to purchase a lower price point item in the new color scheme to see if it works for you.

I recommend Wet'n'Wild, Rimmel or the online site www.eyeslipsface.com

or, if you are in the Phoenix area, visit the Revlon Outlet store in the West Valley.

See you in the workshop this week!







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How to apply liquid eyeliner and not look cross eyed

Happy Friday!
One of the questions I get asked most, is how to line eyes.

There are few professional secrets and technique that can give a great line, close to the lash and not bulgy at the corner of the eye, hence, making you look cross eyed.

Here's how:
1. Keep you elbow down. Don't raise it over your head.
2. If you need to pull the eye skin taut, that's okay, it helps the pencil or brush glide smoother giving a streamlined result. Though be gentle!
3. Start at the outside corner of the eye, and make a stroke to the center of the eye. When you line to the center instead of the corner next to the nose, it makes the eye more wide open.
4. Build on top of the original line. IF you want a more cat eye effect, re-line over the first line and start higher up on the lid and draw down towards the lash line.
5. The main thing to remember is DON'T draw from the nose area to the outside corner. It makes a bulge at the center of the eye and will make your eyes look too close.

Enjoy and have fun playing with your eyeliner! Remember if you need to make a favorite color waterproof, try She-laq by Benefit Cosmetics. It will seal eye makeup, or lips, or ...wherever you put it!


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Rub on eyeshadow kits: uh oh, I may be out of a job!

Wow, there comes a day in everyone's career where you feel like you have gone the way of the dinosaur...and here it is.

I've contacted them about getting a sample to try for you and give you the 100% no holds bar review of how it wears, applies and lasts.

In the meantime, while we wait for that to come in the mail, here's the details from Sephora which is where I found them.

" EyeEnvy - Smokey Kit
What it is:Revolutionary new one-size-fits-all mineral cream eye shadow appliqués.
What it does:Designed by a celebrity make-up artist, the ColorOn Professional EyeEnvy Smokey Kit contains peel-off mineral cream eye shadows that are 100% hypo-allergenic, long-wearing, and crease-proof.

With stunning colors and avant-garde designs, these appliqués fit every eye size and shape and can be applied in minutes.

What else you need to know:A Sephora-exclusive, each box contains five pairs of eye shadow appliqués, one jar of GetSet setting powder, and one powder application brush. Step-by-step instructions with application tricks and tips are also included.

Want to be a ColorOn pro? It's easy. Click here to download application tips >
Photo courtesy of Sephora"

So, what do you think? Would you use it? Wear them? Try them? It's $25 for the five appliques, plus a brush and setting powder.

This puts a whole new spin on "5 minute makeup"!

If you have some feedback, post it! I'm super curious!






Bridal Makeup DIY Style: How To Take Control of Your Wedding Day Beauty! Simple step by step with product guide to do what I do without the high cost!

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