My Favorite Beauty Products

Dahlings, taking a break today from my Spring/Summer classics list to highlight a few of my favorite beauty products. I love to share my favorites things with other people. I'm like Oprah; when I find something I like, I want everyone to know about it. Too bad I'm not as wealthy as the big O to just buy everyone my favorite items. Oh, well c'est la vie. What I learned about beauty products is that they don't have to cost a lot of money. Here are some of my favorite cheap but effective thrills. Maybe you 'll see some of your favorites.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock: I wrote in an earlier post that sunscreen is the best anti-wrinkle defense there is. Every morning I slather this sunscreen all over my face and neck. What I really like about this one in particular is that it goes on very lightly and absorbs instantly. And it doesn't leave that greasy heavy feeling other sunscreens leave behind. Anyway I absolutely love this product.

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45, Untinted: During the winter time I tend to use this daily moisturizer instead of the sunscreen I mentioned above. With this daily moisturizer, the sunscreen is built in and it really just glides on and best of all its non greasy. Love, love, and love.

Maybelline Express Finish Nail Polish: Okay this nail polish really comes in handy; pardon the pun. I mean have you ever been ready to walk out the door dressed as fine as can be and then you catch a sight of your chipped nails and shudder? Well this happens to me often. I'm not one of those girls that spends my free time on my nails. So in between my mani-pedis, I use this nail polish. It dries completely within 3 minutes. Really. I have it in three different colors. I often find myself slapping on a coat of polish right before I walk out of my condo. By the time I get from the 5th floor to the garage, I have completely dry nails. I love it. And for the times that I really can't squeeze in a quick polish before I walk out the door, I take it to work and do it at my desk. And viola, instantly beautiful nails. But I have found that some colors work better than others and the polish lasts up to two days not up to a week as Maybelline claims. Nonetheless it's the perfect in between mani-pedi option.

Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal: As we get older, our teeth start to yellow and for some people gray. And if you consume a lot of coffee or red wine, the stains can get out of control. Well to keep stains at bay I reach for my trusty crest whitestripes. I don't use them everyday as suggested, maybe every other day or so. I want my teeth to look naturally white not neon white so I try not to do it too often. But Dahlings, these little stripes work and make it possible to brighten teeth whenever it fits into your schedule. And with the new advanced seal, you can whiten while working out or heading to the office without worrying about it slipping off. Just put on the stripes for gleaming teeth. It takes up to three days to see results when you first start using it.

Nair Cream Hair Remover for Face: Okay, I really hate to admit this but I do get a little "fuzz" on my top lip every once in a while. To keep my fuzz from turning into a full blown moustache, I use this product. I've been using it for years now and it has never let me down. I just smooth on a nice layer of the hair remover and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Any more than that you do risk the possibility of irritating the skin. When the time is up, I just gently wipe off the cream and rinse. This miracle cream gets rid of unwanted hair without the pain of waxing.

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover: Many makeup removers promise to get rid of your mascara, eye shadows, and foundations but don't do the job. That's why I love Clinique's version, which dissolves long-lasting makeup and waterproof mascara without irritating your skin. For special events I tend to wear more make-up then usual and this remover is a life saver.

Bioré Self-Heating Mask: I don't have a lot of extra cash laying around to get as many facials as I would like. So I'm a firm believer in giving myself a home facial every once in awhile to keep my skin from looking dull.When you're in need of a quick facial, this no-muss, no-fuss face mask heats up in one minute with water contact. It absorbs excessive oils and scrubs away easily when finished. I would recommend this mask if you have oily skin because it really does suck the oil from your skin. And  you do have to wash your face vigoriously to get rid of every trace of the mask. But these warnings aside, I really enjoy this mask.

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter: Okay, I really don't like anything at the body shop except for this cocoa butter body butter. I'm not sure if it's my island blood but I have a weakness for all things that smell like cocoa and coconut. This is one of my go to creams in the winter time to ward off dry, itchy skin. It works for up to 24 hours at a time and since it's scented it doubles as a light perfume. I'll keep using it during the summer for glistening skin.

Schick Quattro for Women Trim Style Razor & Bikini Trimmer: Summer is around the corner, and it's time to shed all that unwanted hair. I really love this brand for the clean shave it provides. With four thin ultra blades on top and a bikini trimmer on the bottom, you can catch every stray hair for long-lasting smoothness.

Tweezerman Slant Tweezer: I really hate unkempt eyebrows. Keeping your eyebrows in check is the best gift you can give to yourself. And guess what?? It costs almost next to nothing. I do my eyebrows myself after getting tired of various "brow experts" who always had a their own vision of what they think my brows should look like. So I just found myself a snazzy little tweezer and went to town. I love the tweezerman slant tweezer; the slanted tip allows you to pull in the direction the hair grows, making for a precise pluck every time.

Well Dahlings, those are just a few of the products that help me look and feel my best on the daily. What makes you feel your best?

Spring/Summer Classic #3: Skirting the Issue

Dahlings, I hope that you are enjoying my picks so far to help you build a versatile long lasting wardrobe. Of course these choice pieces have been selected from my personal experience and preference and not all of them may appeal to you. But I promise you these pieces work. And it's not that we all need to adopt the same style. This is really about helping you find the essential pieces that make a functioning, stylish wardrobe. When you have the basics, then you have room to really inject your personal touch to adapt these looks to your point of view. You'll find that most of these pieces work because they celebrate and accentuate the female form. Which is why I really love this next Spring/summer classic piece: the A-Line skirt.

PIECE #3 A-line skirt.
Here's why the A-line skirt is fabulous; it skims the smallest part of your hip then flares away from the more voluptuous part of your body and hiding all our god given flaws...really.  It works especially well if you are pear shaped or bottom heavy creating a clean classic look that you can feel comfortable and sexy in. I have several A-line skirts and they come in handy year round.

Style Tips:
Fit is really important when choosing an A-line skirt. Make sure it fits your waist properly; it shouldn't be too tight or too loose. Too tight in the waist and it will only accentuate problem areas like your lower stomach or hips. If the skirt is too loose, your body shape will become lost, defeating the whole purpose of the skirt.

Length is really important too. A skirt that hits at, or just below, the knees is the most flattering length for all body types. It's also important to pay attention to the cut of the A-line. It should gradually widen from top to bottom. A-line skirts with extreme widening will result in a sloppy look. Make sure the skirt hugs neatly around the hips before flaring out in an A-line, otherwise you will look like a tent.

It's important to have at least one solid neutral color  A-line skirt ( gray, black or khaki)but  prints and bolder colors can be fun too for those days you want your look to pop. Smaller, petite women should stick with an A-line skirt that has a small and simple print. Tall, thin women can wear just about any pattern and taller, larger women should be cautious with prints choosing solid colors instead. In terms of fabric, cotton is the best for every day casual wear. But for more dressy occasion, crepe, silk or rayon are great fabric choices.

All types of shoes work with the A-line skirt but I would avoid wearing ankle straps. This will interrupt the length and make your legs look stumpy. We don't like stumpy if we can avoid it. You can pair the A-line skirt with just about everything. The easiest thing to wear it with is a simple t-shirt for more casual days. I like to top mine off with a long v-neck t-shirt adding a belt to complete the look. Throwing on a cropped cardi is also a great option for an office environment. A very popular pairing these days is wearing a bodysuit with your A-Line skirt, for an easy breazy look.

Dahlings, the A-line skirt is an easy, no- fuss classic piece every aspiring style maven should have in her closet. It works for just about everybody. Just don't go too full with the width, keep it close to the body and you can't go wrong.

Spring/Summer Classic #2: The Denim Jacket

Dahlings, I hope enjoyed my first choice in the 20 classic pieces to own series. Here's another piece that I think is worth adding to your closet.

PIECE #2 The denim jacket. Dressing in denim from head to toe is major this season but I don't want to steer you toward that trend. This look can go wrong, very wrong but if you like looking like a cow girl then by all means embrace this trend head on. But the denim jacket; now that is a must-have. This item has been around for decades and we’ve probably all had one at some point. But don't reach for the one you rocked back in junior high; invest in an updated version to look au current. The appeal of the denim jacket is simple: it’s extremely effective when paired with, well, just about everything--dresses and skirts, pants, and shorts--adding a sassy and easy-going spunk to your look.

Style Tips:

So what cut should you choose? Your best bet is a tailored form fitting and relatively short denim jacket. The look can go wrong if it's long and roomy. I don't favor an extemely  cropped jacket  instead choose a cut that ends at or near your hip bone. This is the most classic and will look less trendy and will be a whole lot more flattering. This season, you'll see a lot of light washes in the stores when it comes to denim, but I prefer a medium  to dark wash( more dressy) over a light one( very casual) with a little bit of stretch. For those of you who are more daring with your personal style, try a motorcycle biker denim jacket, for easy casual cool.

Consider these style options to go with your denim jacket.  Try pairing it with an ultra-feminine maxi-dress or  a short summer dress for a new spin on boho-chic. Roll up the sleeves, pop your collar and you're good to go.

For a day when easy, no fuss style is a must, wear with knee length walking shorts and a white tank or shirt.

Or, for those cool nights at the beach, wear over your favorite jersey sundress.  And, finally for the evening (yes, it can even be for a night out on the town), toughen up an otherwise sleek  dress with your favorite denim jacket.

Find the cut of classic jean jacket too boxy? Why not try a jean blazer for a cool update. 

Denim jackets are classic, there are always in fashion in some iteration. And  like any classic piece of clothing

there is always room to mess it up. But if you choose the right cut, you will instantly add more versatility to your wardrobe because it is the perfect light weight spring/summer transitional piece adding that perfect finishing touch. There are so many wonderful options  in terms of cut and price to help you find the perfect little denim jacket. Hope you find yours soon. Get your demin on!

Spring/Summer Classic: The Maxi

Dahlings, keeping up with the latest trends can be exhausting. Lately I've been really conscious of adding pieces to my wardrobe that will last longer than a marriage to Elizabeth Taylor to save money but also to save time, which is something we all need more of. If you're looking to do the same thing, this whole week I'm sharing the top 20 spring/summer classics that I think every woman needs in her closet to be fabulously smashing all the time.

PIECE #1: The Maxi dress

Maxi dresses have it all: casually chic, sexy and comfortable, this is a great easy piece to wear during the long summer months. But this dress can be challenging and intimidating for some but the secret to finding the right Maxi for you lies in the cut. Tall, willowy gals can get away with any style, but if you're under under 5’4", you need to give this style some serious thought.

Maxi Dresses for the Shorties ( that includes me). Typically long dresses are not the best choice for shorties because you risk looking like a tent and even shorter. But if you opt for a dress that fits well and clings to your figure, ideally you will look fantastic. Dresses which emphasize the waist are great options as well. Keep things fitted up top and avoid an overly voluminous skirt. In terms of length, make sure the dress hits your ankles and does not drag on the floor. To create the illusion of a longer silhouette choose a dress with a V-neck. And of course, don’t forget about heels.  If you are slim, try flower prints and bright colors. For added drama--and we love drama, set-off your Maxi with long, chunky jewelry and this season's over sized shades and bags. Go even further and plop a fedora or wide brim hat on your head. With your shades no one can touch you!

Maxi Dresses for Voluptuous Babes. The Maxi's full-length is a perfect camouflage to cover thick thighs and wide hips. But big-busted women beware;you may find the maxi dress harder to pull-off.

Try a Maxi with wide straps because thin ones will make your breast look fuller.  And definitely avoid the elasticated strapless look. You want to choose a V-neck style that draws attention away from the bust and to your face. If you want a maxi dress lathered with print, pick out large graphic prints, or prints with either exotic or abstract patterns to make the dress look less curtain and more glam! Stay away from too wide and baggy Maxis. You don't want to look preggers and if you happen to be preggers, the Maxi is the perfect dress for your growing physique.

Style Tips:

1. Sandals, wedges in particular or open-toe shoes look the best with the Maxi. Skip the pumps, please!

2. Create a waist by adding a belt to your Maxi. Since Maxis are usually loose adding a belt will change your look significantly.

3. A casual Maxi looks fantastic with big totes and big sunglasses. We're going for the I just threw this thing on and just happen to look fabulous look. So don't over think it.

4. Your Maxi is dual purpose. Wear out to dinner with a simple clutch and heels and wear during the day with flats or wedges for a more casual look. 

5. A form-fitting denim or leather ( faux) jacket or a long cardigan will finish off your Maxi look fabulously.

6. Going somewhere? Maxis are a must-have  look for traveling and the beach filled days of summer.

7. The long flowing Maxi looks great in a burst of floral patterns, artistic geometric, solid white cotton or black and white graphics. I'm really loving the simplicity of a plain black Maxi with major accessories when prints seem overwhelming.
8. If you're small busted, a strapless or halter top Maxi is perfect for you.

Spring and Summer style is all about easy dressing. And nothing says easy like the Maxi. Follow the steps above and your sure to look too good for words in your Maxi. I've got my eye on this number. After all, I do have a birthday coming up.

5 Spring Ready Scarves Under $50

Dahlings, spring is all about transitions and shedding off old layers to make room for the new. While we're still waiting for spring to truly bloom, why not invest in the best transitional accessory around; the scarf. Scarves are a great way to add instant interest to a plain outfit drawing attention to your face and away from other areas of your body you may not be embracing that day. My favorite scarf often becomes by security blanket when I'm feeling less than stellar or when I want to add extra pop to my outfit. Right now, you're probably getting a little sick of your sturdy-winter scarves. Unlike their bulkier winter counterparts, spring scarves are lightweight, breezy and make you look pulled together in that Parisian-chic way. The great part is you don't have to spend a lot to look fabulous. Lightweight, lovely to the touch, they will add that crucial finishing touch to your favorite casual ensembles. This Spring there are a  wide range of scarves to complement just about everybody. Solid colors are okay but go for bold prints and colors to stand out from the pack and let your individuality pop!

Check out these spring versions all under $50.

Plume scarf - organic-$38.00
A super soft and extra long scarf that is a completely green item. Made of organic cotton in vintage black and printed locally with earth friendly inks.
 

Nordstrom Printed Scarf-$48

Sheer, lightweight scarf is boldly printed and cut on the bias for a chic, asymmetrical look.
Love the colors!

Spring Garden Scarf-$38.00 

I love this flower-print scarf from Rachel Roy's Friendship Collection.  

Tie-dye jersey scarf-$39.50
Check out this cute tie dye inspired scarf from BR. I love the papaya color. Reminds me of an orange creamsicle. Joy!

Brazen 'Tribal Dance' Scarf-$32.00
Metallic chain fringe tips an oblong scarf styled with a traditional artwork-inspired pattern.
Tribal inspired fashions is big this spring and this scarf evokes the trend in a major way.

Sunburst Infinity Loop Scarf-$38.00

The snood, loop, or infinity were the must-have scarves during the cold winter days. The trend continues into spring keeping this fun and practical look around a bit longer.I like this cream one from Topshop for $32.00 and the sunburst infinity loop scarf from Rache Roy's Desert Glamazon Collection pictured above.