Be Good to Your Brows

If the eyes are the window to your soul, then your eyebrows are surely the decorative curtains.

Hey now! Don't you roll those windows at me!

If you're like the majority of women who've overplucked or are just overwhelmed or confused by how to even tackle your brows, here are some helpful how-to's from Umbreen Sheikh, founder of Wink Brow Bar in Manhattan.

- Start off with a guideline.  I recommend going to a brow specialist in your area or your favorite cosmetics counter to mark up your official brow lines.  They will help to measure the shape of your natural brow which will then act as your dotted line to maintaining the shape.  

- Once the shape is complete, follow the guidelines to fill in brows and extend the natural lines.  Be mindful to those "stray" hairs that fall within the dotted lines because yes, it may look like a "stray", but if its within the natural lines, it belongs there. Put the Tweezer down! 

- Create a shadow behind the hairs by using a brow powder to create the appearance of thick and bold brows.  Brow Powders are easiest for beginners because you can build up the color, versus drawing it on.  Try out the Wink Brows to Go Quad that includes a contour shade, an overall fill in shade, a highlighter and a brow wax.  Leave the brow pencil to the professional because harsh filling in can age you dramatically. 

- Finally, finish off with a brow wax.  Consider this "hairspray" for your brows to keep them in place all day long.  This brow wax helps hold down hairs and push them closer to the skin, resulting in the appearance of thicker, more full, brows.

I myself have found powders provide a more natural look than pencils. One last tip I also might add? Make sure you use a clean spooly or old toothbrush to brush out and set the powder before you use the wax. It results in a full yet still natural looking brows that will surely give Cara Delevingne a run for her money!

A Tale of Two Pretties

How do you like your skin? Matte and fresh? Or glowy and bright?

With the following two new complexion perfectors, it's easy to achieve the look that floats your beauty boat.

THE PRODUCT: Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer

THE SPIN:  This lightweight creme evens out skin tone, minimizes the appearance of pores and provides long-lasting make-up application. Its pomegranate extract is an effective antioxidant known for decreasing the appearance of pores.
THE DEAL: Yes! Yes! Yes! This primer is the certainly the real deal. On a most humid morning, I gave it a whirl and it awesomely kept my skin looking snazzy and pore free all day. It blends super evenly to create a nice thin layer on skin and smells fantastic too.
THE GET: Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer, $33, available at korres.com


THE PRODUCT: Gerard Cosmetics by Whitening Lightning's New BB Plus+ Illumination Facial Creme

THE SPIN: From the folks that brought us the amazing Whitening Lightning Super Booster Pen, this versatile new offering is formulated with light reflecting particles and golden shimmer and undertones to create a youthful, lit-from-within glow.
THE DEAL: You guys, I am mad digging this creme. I use it over a light layer of foundation as its easy to blend, comfortable to wear and hydrates my skin while masking imperfections. It totally gives me that elusive "pregnancy glow" even when I'm running on zero hours of sleep (thanks heartburn and bladder pressure!).
THE GET: BB Plus+ Illumination Facial Creme, $36, available at whiteninglightning.com

Yoohoo! Let's talk about your hoohoo.

No, seriously. We're going to talk about our hoohoos. 

If you're steuggling with this topic, you're not alone...my spell check almost refused to allow me to use the word "hoohoo"! With some gentle coercing, my iPad is on board, so am hoping you will be too!

Healthy Hoohoo is a Seatle based company, bringing gentle feminine wash, wipes, and foaming cleanser to down-unders (that one was another auto correct battle!) near you! I tested Hoohoo's wipes and cleanser on my own lady parts (not that I needed them...don't get it twisted) and must declare that I'd much prefer the clean and simple scent of Hoohoo products on my Amelia Bedelia than the other fruity, flowery, grandmotherly vag scents out there (not that I would know what those smell like anyway...)! 

Not only are Hoohoo baby-maker products gentle, fragrance free, and animal cruelty free, they are also invested in educating those of the female persuasion about proper care of their gennies! I say "woohoo!" and recommend Hoohoo to you-you and your noo-noo!

The Pits: A New Age Love Story

Look, I know that natural and green products are growing ever chic-er, but I still consider natural deodorants a thing of Deadheads and other assorted variants of hippie.

And for that, I now must apologize. Because not only is Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant 100% natural and aluminum and paraben free, it's also sophisticated, nourishing and by golly, it really works!

I really thought I would try this product once and toss aside, but I've been enjoying it on the regular. The pure vanilla scent is fresh, not sweet, it glides on smooth, and I feel like it even kept me pretty dry for just a deodorant. My only qualm? It's not an invisible solid. So sadly I will not be able to rock it on tank top days, but for all the other times in between, I'll be reaching for this hard-working, all natural underarm odor protector.

Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant retails for $14 and can be purchased at www.lavanila.com. Available scents include Vanilla Lavender, Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Coconut and Fresh Vanilla Lemon.

Bring on Summer Baby!

It's finally somewhat warm and somewhat sunny! Sandals and beach trips are surely but a few short weeks away!

I don't know about you, but when the weather changes, my makeup game also gets antsy. And this season, I am relying on some tangerine dreams, an industry favorite and one amazing new kid on the beauty block.

Sephora Orange Pop blush: This looks a little bright in the pot, but once applied, gives a light, flattering, long lasting pop to cheeks. I was relying on rosy pink for so long and this provides a much needed, yet still natural jolt. 

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Girls Just Want to Have Fun: I saw this color and had to have it. It's punchy, it's fun and it lasts. Lippmann's colors always go on smooth, opaque and are never clumpy. DEFINITELY worth the higher price tag!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat: Loved by models, celebs, editors and makeup artists everywhere, this luminizing pen "brings light and radiance to the skin."  I have been without this gem for some time- hey, it's a bit difficult to justify the price tag- but I forgot how worth it it is. You really can SEE the difference. I was feeling and looking a bit tired (pregnancy problems!) and just a little swipe under the eyes after concealer changes the game. I even had a co-worker comment on how fresh I looked! Money well spent if you ask me.

Smashbox Full Exposure Waterproof Mascara: This new mascara offering is the JAM. I wasn't used to such a large brush, but once I figured out how to work with it (Tilt head all the way back! Start with the tip!), I loved the long, non clumpy, dramatic lashes it left me. Plus, it didn't even smear an inch after a good cry (again, pregnancy problems!). My new summer lash staple indeed.

Naturally Amazing

My first thought upon opening the package containing my little OSEA Blemish Balm samples?

My GOD THIS STUFF SMELLS GOOD.

Like you just waltzed into the lushest, poshest, most amazingest spa.

The whole OSEA line features products that support the skin's natural health and beauty and are designed with ingredient-conscious skincare consumers in mind. That means the highest quality, naturally-sourced skincare that is vegan, gluten-free and biodegradable.

The OSEA commitment in and of itself is commendable, but the proof is truly in the pudding of its Blemish Balm. This rich silky cream is a daily ultra-light antiseptic moisturizer dedicated to controlling shine and preventing breakouts.

My interest in it was piqued because as a current preggo (that's pregnant woman yo!), I am not able to use my usual retinols and other complexion helpers. The OSEA Blemish Balm was designed as a natural alternative to these harsher chemicals and aids in reducing inflammation and preventing breakouts. It also features seaweed, Cypress, Juniper and Rosemary, essential oils known for their anti-bacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

I used the Blemish Balm 2-3 times a week and found it really helped reduce redness and even helped keep any sort of breakout in check. Plus, did I mention it smells like heaven? Seriously. HEAVEN. I am officially obsessed.

Get some OSEA Blemish Balm and experience the lovliness for yourself at oseamalibu.com

It's About Thyme! (Sorry I Couldn't Resist)

Searching for a last-minute Mother's Day gift?

Thymes Studio Collection is an adorable tin packed with amazing scents any sophisticated mama is sure to love.

Aqua Coralline: Imagine bamboo leaves, crisp driftwood, pure waterlily and white cyclamen all mixed together in a bowl... Yeah, I had no idea what that would smell like either, until I tried this fragrance—a fresh, sparkler perfect for every day.

Jade Matcha: At first I was nervous about this one because it went on a little spicy. But it settled in to be SUCH an all-around lovely scent, I couldn't get enough of it! 

Kimono Rose: I tried this in the cologne spray sample as well as the rollerball version. The latter I felt didn't last very long on the skin, but the cologne sampler spray was a nice pretty powder that lingered.

Lotus Santal: Super sexy, yet classy, light and down-to-earth. This is my new summer date night pick! (That is, if summer ever gets here! Huff!)

Rosewood Citron: A little sweet, a little girly— definitely the most femme offering.

Tiare Monoi: Nicely bright, but a bit too sweet for my liking.

Thymes fragrances can be found on the company website as well as the finest independent specialty stores nationwide.