Category Archives: Make Up Mondays

MAKE UP MONDAY: Lavender Perfume

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I have a perfume that I love, that is very inexpensive & very light.

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It’s a Thymes Cologne. I stack this spray with a body wash and body cream in the same scent.

This is great for travel since I don’t want to ruin nice expensive perfumes- in fact, last year a bottle of Creed broke inside my suitcase. I’ve barely recovered! So carrying cheaper perfume is definitely the way to fly.

This lavender perfume is clean & fresh, and I use it for a room spray, too.

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What are your favorite perfumes to travel with?

Do you love unique scents like lavender, too?

Share, please!

-Rose

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MAKE UP MONDAY: Armani Foundation

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I tried this foundation on at the Armani counter in Neiman Marcus, and immediately knew it was a winner for women my age.

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The PERKS of Armani Designer Lift:

-It’s firming

-Goes on smoothly

-Very supportive

-Feels good on the face

-Has sunscreen

-Glides on

It is not as light as my Dior Airflash foundation, but it mixes so well with my beloved Armani fluid sheers. I take a few drops of my pink Fluid Sheer and apply it right over my foundation with the same brush, on my cheeks or in other places I think could use some light. Adding a hint of color to your foundation is great for aging.

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You can’t screw this up, since the coverage is buildable. I highly recommend it!

Have a great week,

-Rose

MAKE UP MONDAY: Red Lipstick!

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As a general rule, I do not wear red lipstick.DSC_0139

I would never have picked this color out myself, and this is why I am always preaching for women to go visit their local make up counters! I was at the Armani counter in Neiman Marcus at the Domain in Austin, and my fab friend and neighbor Lindy was helping me out.

She put this red lipstick on me, and right away we could tell it was perfect!
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The reason this red works so well is that it is a sheer formula. I know a lot of younger ladies want super vibrant matte shades, but for me and others not 21 anymore, a sheer lipstick is a beautiful thing. I wore this on New Year’s with a little frosty off-white gloss, and it came out very festive.

This red Armani lipstick goes really well with my pink clothing, or anything brick colored (my favorite shade for these cold months). This is the sort of lip product that you can bring anywhere, wear anytime- and it was the ONLY lipstick I packed with me on my last trip! It’s that versatile and wearable.

I love the sheerness, and the lightness. It was a surprising find.

So! My two words of advice-

Get yourself to a make up counter and try, try try!

And invest in the good stuff. Even totally lipstick adverse women should check out how a sheer pop of color like this can transform your whole face.

Have a great week!

-Rose

MAKE UP MONDAY: My Best Beauty Tips!

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Hello! First Make Up Monday of the New Year, so it only makes sense that I give out my best beauty tips. They are a little untraditional, since my way of feeling beautiful is not just about products. Let’s dive in!

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TIP 1: GET A FACIAL EACH MONTH AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFFORD IT.

This includes waxing and extractions to keep your face really clean. Facials have a cumulative result that work like a mini face lift over time.

TIP 2: WORK OUT

This makes a huge difference in the clarity of your eyes, and your skin. Working out helps you with looking more traditionally beautiful, as well as just body toning. I know you might be expecting a traditional tip like curl your eyelashes, but I don’t think any of those tips matter if you aren’t also doing this one.

TIP 3: EAT WELL

Your eyelashes grow, your hair is healthy, your nails are long. What better beauty trick is there than effortless beauty?

TIP 4: BUY PRODUCTS AT THE TOP OF YOUR PRICE RANGE EACH TIME.

Buy the best cleansers, moisturizers, eyeshadows, make up brushes, and all the rest whenever it’s time for a new one. Instead of three mid-prized lipsticks that cost the same as one amazing one, buy the better one that you’ll have for longer. With higher end products, there’s less worry. Lipsticks don’t flake or cling to any dryness in your lips, foundations protect better; there’s better camouflaging, hydration, and use value.

TIP 5: FRESHEN YOUR LOOK OFTEN.

Don’t get stale! I would recommend getting a haircut by someone new who has a good reputation (like I just did! And man, what a brand new haircut by someone with a fresh eye can do!). Really try new make up, since the same stuff doesn’t work as skin changes. Wear different things on different days, and get new highlights. Go to beauty counters and ask them to put new products on you! Feeling new in your own skin can help you feel extra beautiful.

What are your best beauty tips? Have you ever had a facial?

Do share!

-Rose

MAKE UP MONDAY: Brazilian Blow Out

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Here they are- the newest products that I am trying out!

I am always open for suggestions, from you guys, friends, and the lovely women who work in the shops that I frequent. These Brazilian Blow Out products are a personal favorite of the sales girl in the Beauty Shop in Austin. These two are also a big seller, and although they weren’t cheap, I already see why!

These products are for non-washing days. And although I hate when I have dirty hair, I have a few non-washing days a week.

The Instant Volume Body Booster (whew, what a name) has a bit of grit that really helps give body to my super straight hair. On days that I work out but don’t wash my hair, my locks can fall rather flat. And if dry shampoo isn’t cutting it for giving my hair a boost, this new powder is my friend. However, I’m not sure I’ll buy it again, since it was $20 and makes it so I have to wash my hair the night I use it, since it’s just way too much grit for me to sleep in.

I only need a little of the Volume Boost spray on the left, and this lifts my hair up while I blow dry. I recently learned that you are not supposed to touch your hair with a brush while you blow dry, especially if you blow dry hair wet from the shower. It can damage the cuticle. So I have to figure out how to get a nice lift without constant brushing and touching my fragile wet hair, and this shining & lifting product is great.

What hair products have you tried lately? Let me know!

Have a great day,

-Rose

MAKE UP MONDAY: Flat Iron

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Even though I have naturally straight hair, in fact, incredibly straight hair, I use a flat iron. I laugh about it a little since every hairdresser I have ever had remarks on the ‏incredible straightness of my hair. Unless there is virtually no humidity my hair will not hold a curl. Most days, I’m good for bending it at the bottom! So using a flat iron was a ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em decision.’

‏I was a little nervous about the heat ruining my fragile tresses – so I looked around and researched and asked around and finally decided on the…

T3 Tourmaline.

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It’s turned out to be a really good decision. I am able to get another good look for my hair and it is easy and fast – and also has legs — by that I mean I get good second day style — with minimal touching up.

‏I always use my Argan Luxury Oil to protect from split ends and sometimes reapply a bit during the day to keep it looking healthy.

‏I feel a bit sheepish. It’s not as if I’ve discovered the power of the flat iron. But I am really happy with how well my hair looks when I style it straight and smooth.

‏Plus.. it’s great to have for traveling.

‏What are your flat iron secrets? Share Please!!

-Rose

Make Up Monday: DIOR MASCARA

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These three babies are a big part of my daily make up routine & look.

First, there is the Dior Maximizer lash plumping serum, which I use as a primer. This conditions my lashes, and acts as a great base. Everything goes on smoother after applying this white serum, and it really opens your eyes up.

Then I use the Overcurl. I don’t even need an eyelash curler with this mascara! This is the best 1-2 combination that I’ve found, and people ask me what mascara I use whenever I do this. (I also use Latisse, but that is a story for another post).

The DiorShow is another favorite. It has just the best wand, since it separates each lash.

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I do a straight application from the roots, no wiggling. Just three coats, plus two on the bottom. I wait about a minute between each coat and then go again.

These are great for special occasions, because of the wow factor, but I also use Dior mascara daily. I like the big wand, although the downsize is that they dry out quicker and have to be replaced more often.

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Dior Mascara all the way! Diorshow is a bestseller for good reason. If you want long, long, long lashes, this is for you.

What’s your favorite mascara? Is there one you swear by?

Let me know!!

-Rose

Make Up Monday: Bobbi Brown Favorites!

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Ah, Bobbi Brown.

I am a huge Bobbi Brown fan, as you have probably figured out if you’ve spent any time on This Day Right Now!

I wanted to share my top five favorite Bobbi Brown items with you.

1. Concealer with Powder

This is still the best product out there for dark circles. This famous correcting concealer can cover anything, and what else can you ask for from a concealer?! It doesn’t crease, and it is gentle on my skin.

2. Long Wear Cream Shadow

Oh, a cream shadow! Love this stuff. It is a great base for other shadows, or to wear by itself.

3. Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks

I love the texture of this product. It’s creamy and stays on for hours. It’s my perfect PURSE PRODUCT, since it perks me up and is amazing for the on-the-run life. It’s a little splash of color and a definite recommendation if you’re new to Bobbi Brown.

4. Shimmer Brick

Great summer or spring colors, really. This blush is very forgiving when applied with a brush, and is a nice pick me up. It’s easy to use and it always makes me happy to open this up, since it’s so beautiful.

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5. Face & Body Bronzing Duo

I use this every  day. The bronzer is light for a bronzer, and the blush is warm, so it’s great for all over your face.

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I am a devotee to Bobbi Brown brushes, and lipsticks, but these five are my make up bag essentials.

What products are you most loyal to?

Please share!

-Rose

Make Up Monday: Perfume Collection & Advice

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I have a carefully curated perfume collection that I just love. Scents can boost your mood, and choosing a fragrance for the day can have a hand in your confidence, your style, and the way you feel. I am not married to any one scent, and cycle through a few favorites. I feel that certain scents are better for certain people, and it’s important to know how your body chemistry reacts to perfumes.

I have three favorites that I reach for the most, for good reason.

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Creed Spring Flower:

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First, look at how beautiful this bottle is! Creed is a classic brand, albeit an expensive way to go with perfume, that makes me feel sophisticated and feminine. Spring Flowers is a rich, elegant scent. It isn’t a girly perfume, despite the hot pink bottle, and I would recommend this to women aged 35 and older.

J’Adore Dior:

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This is a best seller for a reason! This is a great gift if you don’t know what to get your sister or best friend for the holidays, because the bottle is a real stunner in person. J’Adore is a beautiful scent, and it looks great on your dresser. It’s feminine and ageless, and it doesn’t go flowery on me like many scents tend to with my body chemistry. I feel so pretty when I put J’Adore on- maybe it goes back to those commercials with Charlize Theron dripping in jewels!

Jo Malone Blue Agave & Cacao Cologne:

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I am such a sucker for good marketing, and I love everything Jo Malone does. The bottles are beautiful, and this is a great brand to support. The scents are rich and long lasting, made with great ingredients. You can also blend and combine different Jo Malone scents for a personal fragrance that works on you. My friend is blending the Grapefruit and Lime Basil one lately, as scents go sweet on her, and these colognes react differently with everyone. This is a definite recommendation from me- pick whatever Jo Malone appeals to you, and find your own signature!

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As you can see, a lot of my bottles are pretty empty! Time to find some all new favorites. When I head out to sample all of the bottles on display at Nordstrom’s this month, I will always keep in mind that classic scents work on me, perfumes with heavy floral notes are too much for me, and a few cheaper bottles are better for my frequent travel lifestyle.

What is your go-to scent? Share with me! Any recommendations?

Have a great day,

Rose

Make Up Monday: LIP PRODUCTS!

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Over the years, I have curated a very specific lip routine. I am no longer experimenting with crazy colors, and I have figured out what works for me. Here are my favorite lip products!

Lipsticks and lip glosses I love:

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The three lipsticks are all similar in shade, all a variation on pink tea rose. I love my Dior Lip Glow (which you can get at Sephora), my Rouge Ecstasy by Giorgio Armani (check it out here), and one by Bobbi Brown (which you can find here). I can apply them without looking at this point! And as you can see, these are all higher end products. I stopped wearing Revlon in my thirties. The color payoff and long lasting quality of luxury lip goods is so worth every penny.

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I generally pair each lipstick with a Dior lip gloss in a matching tone. I have one peachy one and one pinky magenta one. The pink one goes amazingly with my Bobbi Brown lipstick. The Dior Addict lip glosses come in tons of colors. I want them all!

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You’ll always find one of these babies in my purse! What are your favorite lip products? Share with me!

-Rose