Makeup University Inc: May 2014

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Sun Bum spf 30 with Sun Bum Cool Down lotion: Los Angeles skin support

Hello Gorgeous!
I'm busy at the Generation Beauty event at the YouTube Studios and LA Live. There is sun here, free radicals here, and sideways sun and skin damage via smog. Thank goodness I have Sun Bum sun care to take care of me!

Why Sun Bum?

TGIF with Conair AdjustaCurl self grip velcro rollers: say hello to Los Angeles

Hello Gorgeous!
It's time to head to Los Angeles for Generation Beauty and then some ... more on the then some later..

Until then, I have my hair rolled in these as I drive from here to there!

Summer vacation is here: time to shave for swimsuit season

Hello Sweet Gorgeous!
The summer is here. My Mancub is out of school and we have beach and pool time-or should I say: Chima Waterpark time!

So, that means it's going to be a swimsuit clean up crew on deck! Some of you may go for a wax, but those of us who are a bit pain shy and not quite so 50 shades of something, we will be shaving.

Best summer hair accessory: Conair french twist the perfect updo clip

Oh hello Gorgeous,
So, in the super hot days of summer, there has got to be a different way to easily style hair up off the neck without it being in a plain old ponytail.

Meet the Conair french twist - the perfect updo clip!

My first try was awkward, but with a little bit of effort and patience, I love the results!

Father's Day gift: grooming tools from Conair

Hello Gorgeous!

Father's Day is just a few weeks away, remember to enter the Makeup University Father's Day fragrance giveaway with British Sterling scents here!

Now, let's talk about dear ol' Dad's grooming. A simple gift can go along way for Dad when it comes to functionality and everyday usage.

Meet the Conair men's grooming tools: from a simple comb, to a easy to handle grooming puck and the style and shine hair brush for the Dad with a bit more hair.

Memorial Day-why we celebrate and Taps by a young girl

Dear Gorgeous,
Happy Memorial Day. Do you know why we celebrate?
Below, I have posted a few things below, to remind you and encourage you on why we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.

The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

It is now celebrated in almost every state on the last Monday in May with Congressional passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 – 363). This helped ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays, though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19th in Texas; April 26th in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10th in South Carolina; and June 3rd (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Red Poppies

1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael.

When she returned to France she made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children’s League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help.

Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans’ organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their “Buddy” Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

National Moment of Remembrance

The “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

Learn more here.

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Memorial Day travel beauty: Psssst! you need it!

Happy Memorial Day Gorgeous!
There is much to be thankful for today! Be sure and show your appreciation and respect to a veteran!

So this is the haul of beauty goodies I brought with me to my Memorial Day adventure and one item that has been borrowed, used, snatched and returned is the PSSSSt! dry shampoo!

Memorial Day travel beauty: BTZ-Beyond the Zone Beach Head Surf Shake & Coastal Cooler

Hello Gorgeous!
Sure hope your Memorial Day weekend is going awesome!

I have some hair styling goodies that just may help you get a Memorial Day beach day look without going to the beach!

Meet BTZ: Beyond The Zone hairstyling products from Sally's Beauty Supply.

Memorial Day weekend travel beauty: Freeman masks have you covered!

Hello Gorgeous!

So it's officially the Memorial Day weekend. Many of us started Thursday afternoon as the school year was officially over and mayhem could commence for the summer months.

See this lot? This is a load of Sally's Beauty goodies that I have to take me through this #MDW and summer travels. Except the Smashbox, that's an Ulta or Sephora goodie!

Now let's talk skin prep while on the road with an active 8 year old...

Hand & Nail Balm by Sebamed for crusty cuticles

Hi ya Gorgeous,
Well, you know I'm a gal who likes a natural and botanical product. The Sebamed brand is not a natural product, but-they are so effective at healing chapped, cracked skin and in my opinion crusty cuticles that are like callouses, I say there has got to be something to their science. And TGIF too!

Smashbox FULL EXPOSURE kit: bonus mascara, & shadow primer for prom, graduation and Memorial Day travel!

Well hello my sweet Gorgeous friends,
Today is Throwback Thursday-and before I get to that, let's talk about all that is going on:
Proms, Graduations, summer vacation, Memorial Day travel and mayhem beyond belief.

Have you got an idea on how you are going to look in all of those events? Well toots, here's an idea, get yourself a compact of colors like this one from Smashbox.

There are 7 shimmers and 7 matte with a dual ended brush for doing your eyemakeup. PLUS-this kit comes with a bonus Full Exposure mascara in black which I have used before and the mascara gives a full lash look.

Now, let's move into the details...

Supersmile for at home teeth whitening

Hello Gorgeous!

Today is round two of testing at home teeth whiteners. Today's brand is Supersmile
Created by Dr. Irwin Smigel the world renown father of aesthetic dentistry.

So here is my experience so far...

CBS tonight: ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops-watch!

Hey ya Gorgeous,
Just when you think that tv has gone sour for sure and there is nothing on that is safe for family eyes, CBS brings the ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops.

(Pictured: Singer Kellie Pickler and Air Force Staff Sgt. Baily Zimmerman)

Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing and Advanced Repair: summer skin solutions

Hello Gorgeous,
I've got some new samples to test on my Mancub's funky dry patch. It's not full psoriasis, but it's definitely a small extremely very dry patch that no matter what I put on it, doesn't go away!

Enter Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing in the yellow and Advanced Repair in the white.

2014 Billboard Music Awards: Imagine Dragons, Carrie Underwood and Carmex spf 15

Hello Gorgeous,
I was going to save my coverage for tomorrow, but this dress just had to have some comments.

I'm home from Las Vegas now, but the World Series of Poker is happening as I type, as well as the red carpet for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.

Here's Vegas locals Imagine Dragons, looking sleek and ready to win.

Photo credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Then, there is this...

Carmex Everyday Ultra Smooth lip balm: spf 15!

Happy Sunday Sweet Gorgeous!

Well, while I get ready to write my Billboard Music Award coverage together, enjoy a wee recap of the new Carmex lip balm sticks.

It has recently recieved the "Daily Use" Seal of recommendation from The Skin Cancer Foundation.

The LINQ: Las Vegas new dining, shopping 550ft mecca

Hello Gorgeous,
I spent my birthday at The LINQ in Las Vegas and it was so much fun, so worth it and so going back for more!

So we arrived just as the sun was beginning to set! Dinner was at Flour & Barley, a scratch artisan pizza gastro pub. There were so many choices and each we had was so delicious!

Started with an appetizer of hand made meatballs-can you say delish? The meatball was so fragrant and the sauce was a blend of tomato with a dash of pesto!

I had the Diavolo pizza, and it's a mix of sopratto salami, two kinds of olives, spicy peppers and pecorino mixed with mozzarella cheese. The crust is so thin and crispy.

I'm drinking a hand crafted cocktail full of prosecco and basil! I think the pizza was $12 and the meatball appetizer was 3 for $14? I didn't pay so I didn't really notice the cost. But figure everything is in the $11-15 range.

Next stop after dinner while strolling down The LINQ we stopped at Squeeze; a fresh juice bar where you could add liquor to your juice! My mom got the Blazing Mango-and I think it was the best. I had a Jasmine Collins, my son had fresh watermelon and my Dad had a mix of apple and pineapple.

Next stop, the High Roller at 550ft above the Las Vegas strip. Best view ever! $34.95 per adult ticket and $24.95 for kids. Locals-get a discount!

I took so many photos-I mean, the usual insane amount and it seemed like every degree in that pod was a perfect shot!

Now, here we are, my Mancub is not too sure to start but I'm loving it!

It's a shot of the moon but you can see me in the reflection.

There is a fun narration video while traveling the 30 minute journey around the High Roller.
There are 2 bars available for refreshments to take on board the pod. A souvenir photo is snapped before boarding. One thing about getting on, it slows, but doesn't stop unless you are handicapped. So prepare for a running start!

I had received some pr emails about The Style Lounge opening. All the stylists were standing around, either outside smoking or inside on their phones. They should have listened to me and had a beauty blogger reception to spread the word!

Our night is just about over and we are ending at Sprinkles cupcake shop for some red velvet cupcakes for the road.

I can't resist one more photo before getting in to the car at valet. There is free parking in the garages between The Quad, Harrah's, and The Flamingo. (which happen to have a walkway from the casino onto The LINQ). If you don't mind the extra distance, take the free garages. Otherwise, valet is available.

It was a wild and fast round trip journey to Las Vegas for The LINQ birthday party and so worth it!

All is well that ends well!

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Friday, May 16, 2014

The New Braiding Handbook: 60 Modern Twists on the Classic Hairstyles

Hello Gorgeous!
#TGIF!

Just in time for your upcoming graduations, any late season proms and the all important summer up do to keep hair off of your neck in the sweaty dog days of summer-meet Abby Smith, author of The New Braiding Handbook: 60 Modern Twists on the Classic Hairstyles.

Oh this book is delicious! It's heavyweight paper and glossy close up pictures are easy to follow!
I've tried several styles are easy to follow. My hair is now much shorter than it used to be, though even on my shoulder length, slightly layered hair, I can do some of these braids.

Grads, graduations and Colgate Optic White toothbrush/pen/paste set- or not.

Hi ya Gorgeous!
Graduations are happening at UofA and ASU possibly even NAU here in Arizona!
What does that mean to me the UofA alumni? Nada this year. Most likely won't matter again to me either because my Mancub is leaning towards MIT or Rose Hulman. (enough with these East coast schools!)

So this post is to out that annoying video of a beauty blogger ( you know who you are) on the endcap of my local Walmart who promises that the Colgate Optic White system will noticeably whiten your teeth in 2 days.

Really? Lying liars and the lies they tell!

This is the system that is being sold for $12.97 at Walmart. One toothbrush with a whitening gel pen in the bum of it and a tube of whitening toothpaste.

Now let's review....

A Distant Crossings; a book review for your summer reading

Hey ya Gorgeous Chica!
I am a voracious reader. Thank goodness for my Kindle! It's packed!
This book today I am sharing about was "shared" with me by my Mom, who is also a very active reader.
Though we definitely read different subject matter, this title I am glad she sent to my Kindle.

Meet Jim Barnes...

May 13th: do you know what day it is?

Hello Gorgeous!
It's my birthday! I have so much fun celebrating and tonight's soiree will not disappoint!

I'll have a recap and photos tomorrow. In the meantime, if I could have a birthday wish it would be:
more travel integrated with media and my family.

If I could pick gifts for myself: this would sum it up:

More perfume please! I'm all out of this staple and favorite in my fragrance collection!

A trip to Niagra Falls is on my bucket list. I would like to see it from both sides: the United States with a ride on The Maiden of the Mist as well as from the Canada side. It's just one of the things on my wish list!

Oh! These shark repellant wetsuits-one for me and one for my Mancub! We have paddleboard plans all summer long as much as we can get to the beach! Though, just in case, I would like us both to be wearing some type of shark deterrent since we have been watching all of the shark shows on PBS. I do not want to be "tasted or nibbled on" by a shark!

Finally: riddle me this: High Roller, Flour & Barley, Squeeze, Sprinkles?