travel beauty

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Vacation Beauty Essentials

While on vacation, I like to keep it simple and summery during the day.

While on vacation, I like to keep it simple and summery during the day.

Next week I’ll be leaving on my honeymoon, flying from my current cold and rainy climate to one that is much more hot and sunny. As I’ve been thinking about what makeup I’ll be bringing along, I’ve come to the conclusion that vacation brings out my beauty split personalities – so simple for day, much more dramatic for evening. Below, a look at what I’ll be packing for a beautiful honeymoon.

Of course my number one priority is sunscreen, and since my husband and I are both paler than pale and burn easily, I’m packing SPF 70. However, that does not mean that I wish to look pasty white throughout my trip. Enter my newest obsession, St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion.

St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion turned my skin from pasty (right) to warm and glowing (left)

St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion turned my skin from pasty (right) to warm and glowing (left)

This smooth lotion looks scary dark and bronzy in the tube, but is easily rubbed into skin to create a warm, surprisingly natural glow. Once dry it does not rub off on clothing (or sheets), and it smells warm and summery. It makes skin feel ultra-smooth, and washes off easily with soap and water.

I’ll also be wanting smooth, unburned lips during my trip, so I’ll be sure to pack a tube of Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm in Lime Twist, an SPF 15 balm that is ridiculously silky, long-lasting, and has a refreshing, tingly feeling.

And since I’ll be busting out my sandals for the first time since last summer, I’ll need a punchy pedicure. Right now I’m loving Nailtini Lacquer in Mai Tai, a fun red-orange that looks great on pale skin or with a tan.

I'll use these gems to kick things up a notch for evening

I’ll use these gems to kick things up a notch for evening


I’ll stay pretty bare-faced while out in the sun, sticking to my favorite BB cream and my Carmex during the day, but at night, I’ll kick things up a notch. BareMinerals Mineral Veil will even my complexion and keep any unwanted shine at bay. I’ll swipe on my favorite summertime lip color, Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Coral, and a festive evening eyeliner, NARS Glitter Pencil in Le Sept, a sparkly dark purple. Naturally, I’ll finish it all off with curled lashes and my favorite vampy mascara, Eyeko Black Magic Mascara.

What are your vacation beauty favorites?

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A Fresh New Year

It’s hard to believe that 2009 is already coming to a close. But in a matter of hours, we will be closing the book on 2009 and begin to write the pages of a brand new year in history. I have high hopes for 2010.

Tonight will be a low-key evening for me. I have plans for dinner and a movie (Sherlock Holmes looks so promising!), followed by mimosas and a midnight kiss from my favorite man. And I am happy to report that I will be 100% ready for that celebratory lip lock, even after all that popcorn and champagne, thanks to my new favorite  on-the-go beauty tool, Colgate Wisp.

I’m sure you’ve seen the commercials; girl and guy lock eyes across a crowded bar, girl runs off to slyly brush teeth, guy and girl smooch the night away thanks to the fresh breath provided by the mini toothbrush. Well, whether you’re trying to freshen up before a hook up, or simply forgot to brush your teeth before work in the morning, the Wisp packs a surprisingly clean punch for such a teeny toothbrush.

The freshening bead really works, leaving you minty while the little bristles clean teeth. I’m not about to toss away my regular toothbrush, but I definitely plan to keep a few wisps on hand.

So slip a mini toothbrush in your purse, doll yourself up, and get on out there tonight for an evening you won’t forget. And check back next week for my new year’s beauty resolutions. I know I’ll have many.

Happy 2010!

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Trial Sized

I have a ridiculous love for products in tiny packaging. Maybe it’s because they’re so cute, or perhaps it’s because I’m not great at sharing and thus prefer individually sized portions, of everything ranging from snacks to detergents to, naturally, beauty products.

Of course I’m a sucker for free samples, but I’m also a huge fan of beauty minis and trial sizes. They are good for travel, or for tossing into your purse, but most of all they are great for testing. When a hot new product comes out, or a big brand boasts its quality, I certainly want to see what the fuss is about. But I don’t necessarily want to drop a huge amount of money on a product I’m not sure I’ll love. Which is why you’ll often find me in the 99 cent aisle of the drugstore, stocking up on deodorant and conditioner minis. Or ordering travel sets from my favorite online beauty stores. Sephora has a beauty-to-go section that features pages of hair, body, and skin products, not to mention makeup and perfumes. Sephora also puts together deluxe sample kits that you can purchase for a pretty reasonable price – you usually get around 10 products for between 30 and 40 dollars.

My favorite mini set, also available at Sephora, is the Bliss Sinkside Six Pack, filled with travel sizes of 6 very popular Bliss Lemon  & Sage products. The products work great, the smell is refreshing, and for $25 you get to revamp your whole shower experience.

And those bottles are adorable.