I am so excited to introduce you to the beautiful Jade. I discovered her amazing beauty website, Kissable Complexions, through Pinterest and we have become blog friends! She’s an incredible makeup artist and I look forward to reading her blog every … Continue reading
Since I missed last week’s Friday post due to the loss of a close family friend, I’ve included some highlights of the past two weeks in pictures. It’s been an emotional time recently but there have been some really great moments … Continue reading
I’m always curious to know what other ladies swear by when it comes to skincare so I wanted to share my current must-haves with you! Last year I did a post about essential skincare steps and products, which you can … Continue reading
It’s time for my February Beauty of the Month! Meet the drop dead gorgeous Britaña Campos. A New Mexican like me, she writes the wonderful fitness and lifestyle blog, Blogging with B, and owns the chic new women’s clothing store … Continue reading
Happy Monday you guys! I neglected my little blog over the holiday but I’m back now! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I certainly did. I have some delicious (and skinny–duh!) recipes to share with you this week that I … Continue reading
We are off to Oahu today for a much needed vacation! I won’t be updating my blog much over the next two weeks but promise to return to it as soon as we get settled back in! I loved when … Continue reading
Peace Love and Glitter is a fellow beauty blogger and one of my first blogging friends I made when I started Gourmet Beauty (read my beauty interview with her here). She’s currently in aesthetics school and she’s a huge fan of Image Skincare, as am I. She recently posted a picture of two Image masques on Instagram and said that combining them sheds dead skin and leaves your face luminous. I have both of these masques and had to try it immediately! I absolutely love both of these masques on their own so I was looking forward to seeing the results of using them together. I tried this routine before our girls night out this past weekend and was thrilled with the glow I achieved. Details are below and both of these products are for all skin types so I would suggest this to anyone!
Step 1: The first product is the Vital C Hydrating Enzyme Masque. This masque is full of enzymes that gently exfoliate dead skin while the antioxidants and vitamins replenish skin. It’s for all skin types and is particularly great for dry skin, aging skin, or Rosacea. This masque has a creamy consistency that just melts into the skin and smells like oranges.
Apply this mask first and allow the enzymes to start sloughing off the skin. You will feel a tingling sensation as the product does its magic. After about 10-15 minutes, apply the second masque.
Step 2: The second masque is the Ageless Total Resurfacing Masque. This one is my personal favorite due to the minty fresh smell. This masque contains Glycolic and Salicylic acids to exfoliate and cleanse while a lightening agent lessens any discolorations or brown spots. This masque is also ideal for all skin types, although it does have exfoliating beads in it, unlike the above Enzyme Masque, and people with severe acne may want to avoid it. These beads can rupture acne and make it worse.
After letting the Enzyme Masque start working, don’t rinse it off. Rub the Resurfacing Masque into skin so it mixes with the first product. The blend of both products and all the active ingredients work wonders on skin. This combo hydrates and nourishes skin while deep cleaning and shedding dead skin. Leave this on your face for another 10 minutes or so, then wet heads and rub the products into your skin one last time before rinsing it all off thoroughly.
Your skin should feel soft and look luminous. After using these products and all other masques I rub a nourishing oil or serum into my skin to amp up the glow factor and rehydrate. My favorites are Argan and coconut oil or Vinie’s Dry Skin Dew Drops.
After you achieve the glow that these two masques will give you, you can increase your luminosity by following my dewy skin makeup routine!
I’m so in love with Birchbox and the idea of new beauty products and samples being shipped to your door. My friend Josephina told me about the New Beauty TestTube and was instantly sold on it. Unlike Birchbox it only comes 4 times per year, but it’s overflowing with full-sized products, generously sized samples and the New Beauty quarterly magazine (normally about $12 on it’s own) for just $29.95 per quarter! You do pay for shipping with this service so it comes out to $39.80 per quarter total.
You end up getting way more than you paid for considering some of the full-sized items in the box retail between $10 and $50! And you always get more than one full-sized item. I love love love TestTube!!! I’ll be reviewing each tube I get, providing details on the full-sized items I received and a brief description of the deluxe samples.
Here’s a peek into the summer TestTube!
Full-Sized Items Inside (Valued at a total of $54.98):
Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Blossom ($20)
What it is: A sheer lipgloss in a twist tube with a brush applicator
My Thoughts: This is definitely not a lipstick like the title suggests. It’s a sheer lipgloss and it’s great. It has a very emollient texture and a sheer mauvish-pink color. The tube is also really elegant looking with gold and snake skin. It also has a lipsticky smell to it, which I like. While the gloss is great, for the $20 price tag I don’t think it rivals my favorite lip glosses enough to fork over the cash for it. But the full-sized tube came in my box so I’m not complaining!
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum ($20.99)
What it is: An anti-aging serum packed with retinol and Hyaluronic Acid
My Thoughts: I’m a big fan of Neutrogena skincare so I was excited to try this serum. It’s full of skin-brightening retinol and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to smooth skin and reduce the look of fine lines while diminishing age spots. While I don’t have a lot of these skin issues at this stage in my life, I do use anti-aging products daily and Neutrogena is known for making fantastic anti-wrinkle products. I’ve been using this daily and would definitely pay full price for this when I run out. It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly without feeling greasy and my skin feels great after using.
Neutrogena Brightening Eye Perfector ($13.99)
What it is: A concealer, brightener, depuffer and sun protectant in one
My Thoughts: This is a neat product because it’s a concealer and eye treatment in one. While hiding under eye circles well it also brightens and depuffs with a blend of vitamins and antioxidants and protects from the sun with SPF 25! It goes on really smoothly and blends like a dream with a great applicator brush, although I use my BeautyBlender to apply it. Love this product and would definitely purchase.
Deluxe Samples Inside:
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin (Full size cost $20)
What it is: A leave-in conditioning hair treatment
My thoughts: I am seriously loving this stuff! I received a really generous sample bottle of this treatment. I’ve been using it daily for the past week and have not quite used up half the sample yet. First, it smells AMAZING. It has a thicker substance than most leave-in conditioners I’ve tried, but it absorbs quickly and leaves no residue or weighted feeling in the hair. This awesome product defrizzes, restores protein, makes styling easier, protects against heat, etc. I’ve been using it before I put in my MoroccanOil and my hair feels amazing. I will be buying a full-sized bottle when I run out of this generous sample.
LashFood Eyelash Conditioner (Full size cost $80)
What it is: A lash treatment that thickens, darkens and lengthens with long-term use
My thoughts: I’ve only used it twice since I received it but the sample tube is a really large size so I’m hoping to see some results before I run out! It’s supposed to work within 3-6 weeks. I’m not sure I’d purchase a the product due to the hefty price tag but if it really works then it may be worth it!
Hydroxatone InstantEffect 90 Second Wrinkle Reducer (Full size cost $60)
What it is: An eye serum that provides a temporary fix for wrinkles and puffy eyes
My thoughts: I used this to depuff my eyes twice so far. The first time I must have used too much because as soon as it dried I was left with white streaks all around my eyes. I washed it off immediately. I tried it again the next day with a much smaller amount and it did tighten and depuff my eyes. I feel like a good eye cream (like this one) or a splash of cold water would do the same. Would not purchase. It may work wonders for temporarily smoothing wrinkles. I didn’t have any to test that on. 
Lumene Time Freeze Firming Night Cream (Full size cost $21.99)
What it is: An anti-aging night cream
My thoughts: Like all their samples, this was a generously sized sample jar. I’ve tried a lot of night creams and am really picky. This is not nourishing and hydrating enough for my skin type so I tried it once and haven’t used it again. It may be right for someone whose skin is normal to oily. I prefer a much richer night cream.
Jane Iredale Tantasia (Full size cost $36)
What it is: A bronzer and self-tanner for face and body
My Thoughts: I have not tried this yet but may put it on my legs this weekend since I plan on wearing a lot of dresses. It’s just too hot for jeans!
Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Foundation Primer (Full size cost $36)
What it is: A water-based primer that preps skin for foundation by allowing a smoother and more even application
My Thoughts: I haven’t tried this yet but I love all things Smashbox so I’m sure it’s amazing.
AHAVA Time to Hydrate Essential Day Moisturizer Normal to Dry Skin (Full size cost $39.50)
What it is: AHAVA’s products are full of minerals from the Dead Sea. This moisturizer has amino acids, Vitamin E and Aloe.
My Thoughts: This was a generous sample size and I’ve been using it every day this week. I really love it. It has a rich texture and my skin feels supple and happy after use. I would not purchase only because it doesn’t have sunscreen in it. I don’t like to have to wear both sunscreen and day cream, I only use products that have both. I would try other things from this line, though.
I’m excited to share my July Beauty Talk segment with you guys! I asked Kayla Kernel, the author of the beauty blog Peace Love and Glitter, to be my July interview because she’s a fellow product junkie and beauty blogger … Continue reading
I’m really excited for today’s post! My best friend Devon got married to her college sweetheart on May 5, 2012 and I had the pleasure of being her maid of honor. It was a wonderful wedding and Devon was truly the most breathtaking bride. She is a professional esthetician and makeup artist and owns her own spa, Broadway Skin & Body Retreat. She also writes the skincare and beauty blog, Broadway Beauty Blog.
Devon did her own makeup for the wedding and did an amazing job. As an expert in skincare and beauty, I asked her to guest post today and share the makeup she used to look so stunning as well as some skincare tips and products for brides-to-be. Enjoy!
When Arantha asked me to be a guest blogger for Gourmet Beauty I was honored. Arantha and I have been best friends for many years and we always shared a passion and obsession with skincare and cosmetics products. Naturally, I elected Arantha to be my Maid of Honor when I became engaged last spring. I unofficially referred to her as the President of my wedding and I relied on her not only for her MOH duties but her ideas, opinions, and advice for my bridal make-up palette.
I did my own makeup for the wedding and Arantha asked me to share the products I chose and some skincare tips for brides-to-be, so here you go!
{Best friends!}
My wedding colors were very light and springy (lots of white, blush pink, lavender, and champagne) so we decided that shimmery nudes and mauves would be a romantic color palette for my make-up. See my wedding day make-up products below:
-Lorac Unzipped eye shadow set
-Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner Pencil
-Make-Up Forever High Definition Foundation
-MAC lipstick in Creme Cup (Arantha and I both wore this on the wedding day)
-I had eyelash extensions provided by WM Lash Lounge
-Hair styled by Rosalie Wood of Waves Salon (She is amazing and did hair for a few of my bridesmaids as well, including Arantha)
{Applying my makeup before the wedding}
{My beautiful bridesmaids and me relaxing in the honeymoon suite before the wedding}
Every girl wants to look her best on her wedding day but before the lashes and lipstick go on, you need to prep your canvas. Implementing a healthy and consistent skincare routine is the most important aspect of achieving a flawless appearance on your wedding day. I have extremely oily, sensitive, and reactive skin so it was important for me to focus on balancing my skin before the big day. Check out my lifesaving skincare products below:
Image Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser: I am so in love with this cleanser. It is a foaming gel based facial cleanser that removes make-up and impurities without leaving a residue or over drying my skin. It is ideal for all skin types particularly sensitive and oily.
100% Pure Carrot Facial Scrub: Since I have very oily skin, I like to exfoliate everyday. Some exfoliants are too harsh to use that often, but that’s why I love the Nourishing Carrot Facial Scrub from 100% Pure. It is gentle enough to use daily without causing irritation and my skin always feels silky smooth after I use it.
100% Pure Organic Rose Hydrosol Facial Tonique: This natural aromatic mist instantly hydrates and soothes the skin. I love spritzing my face with this after a deep cleanse.
Image Clear Cell Acne Masque: This is the best facial masque for oily/acneic skin I have every used. My skin literally looks improved after each application. I use this about three times a week to absorb excess oil and quickly eradicate blemishes.
100% Pure Super Fruits Night Balm: This luxurious balm is my nighttime treat. It is rich and creamy and gives me the hydration I need without clogging my pores.
Image Solar Defense Universal Moisturizer SPF 30: The most effective way to preserve your skin and prevent damage is to protect it from the sun. That’s why I use this lightweight daily moisturizer with SPF from Image Skincare.
{Zach and me during the reception}
You can read more details about the big day here! Stop by my blog any time for skincare and beauty tips! If you have any skincare questions I’d absolutely love to hear from you or come see me for a facial! Here’s how to contact me.
XOXO,
Devon
