Video QuickTip for Dec 23rd, 2008

Video QuickTip for Dec 16th, 2008

Double duty for Chapstick!

It's that time of year. The air is colder outside and the heat get's amp'd up inside. Yes, this plays havoc on your lips, but what about your fingertips? Yes, I'm talking about dry cuticles. At times your hands/nails can get so dry they even crack. Nothing hurts worse and nothing looks worse! What to do? Applying more hand cream helps a great deal. I've even recommended the bed time 'thick hand cream and gloves' to women who just need that little extra deep penetrating moisture.

What if you want a quick fix, something you can do on the go? My tip is as close as your nearest gas station. Chapstick.
Yes, the classic lip treatment can be a real lifesaver for your fingertips!

Grab yourself the original, basic no-flavor formula. Glide over cuticles on each finger tip. My advice isn't to do just the problem area. Share the love! Rub in in warm up the balm and help it penetrate.

You can do this anytime, anywhere. In the car on your way to lunch or at night before crawling into bed. The dense formula in Chapstick really locks in moisture and protect.

In a perfect world you'd have a separate balm for your cuticles. I'd also suggest only the clear, original formula. Cherry Chapstick would look a little gross! Don't forget to wash your hands before each application. You want to hold in moisture, not dirt and oils.

Try it, ladies...have a fearless winter!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

THICK LASHES ON THE QUICK!

Do you use lash primer? I really like them to amp up sparse or lackluster brows. Actually, I use anytime I want to give eyes a little extra oomph. For my line, VANITYMARK, I actually added a fab primer ('the PRIME') so I'll always have that 'faux lash look' on hand.

At a shoot recently I reached in my kit and to my surprise my tube of 'the PRIME' was nowhere to be found. Keep in mind I have thousands of them in the warehouse...but that does me little good at this photo studio! I tapped deep into my 'Beauty McGyver' and came up with a fab idea to bulk up lashes with something we all have on hand.

Loose face powder. Yes. It really works. Here's how:

Curl and apply a thin layer of mascara just to darken and lengthen a tad. Probably just a touch less than you would usually apply in your first go around with mascara.

Next, dip a mid sized eyeshadow brush into your favorite translucent loose face powder. Fluff over your now dry first layer of mascara'd lashes.

It will look funny...like someone tossed pancake mix at your eyes! Trust me. Allow to set for about 30 seconds to a minute.

Apply your next coat of mascara over the powder until all the white is concealed.

POOF! Instant lash girth and length!

Try it...very fun...and how much do we love getting double use out of a beauty staple!



Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Retouch Nation

I was scanning magazine covers this past week when I got to wondering: why do they retouch pictures so heavily? It always looks weird to me. I mean, come on, Diane Keaton for LOREAL looks like one of the Olsen twins for God's sake! I know that large pores and tiny lines around the eyes are never as intense in real life as they appear in close up pictures. Making them a tad softer lets you focus on the eyes and lips of a gal. I get that. What I don't get is taking everything away. All of the lines, all of the shadows and all of the pores.

It takes the art out of beautifully lighting a photo. Poor photographers must get so frustrated. The recent Newsweek photo of Sarah Palin is a great example. We are so used to seeing women looking so perfect that allowing an untouched photo on a cover of a national magazine stirs cries of conspiracy. For the record, I agree. Newsweek is insane if they didn't have at least one meeting over the 'roughness' of that photo. They clearly knew it would put her in a very unflattering light.

I have seen some fashion campaign pix doing little or no clean up lately. I love that. You feel like these gals are just beautiful creatures, not over photo-shopped robots. There's my two cents!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

My Fave New Gum!

I work so face-to-face with my gals that you can imagine I have to have fresh breath all the time. I was shopping in Target recently and was about to reach for Eclipse gum, my old standby. Suddenly, something new caught my eye: ICE BREAKERS Ice Cubes. They're dang yummy! Little squares with tiny chips of breath fresheners that release with each chew. I've given it to friends and they are quick fans.

Check it out... new is news!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Wake Up A Tired Look

Do you want to take your everyday make-up and give it a little jolt? Well, here's my tip. Get a gorgeous colored mascara, like Dior's Diorshow Mascara in shade 'Azure Blue'.

Start by curling your lashes and applying your favorite black mascara as usual. Next, take your new Dior mascara and apply it to just the tips. Pow! Instant pop!

It's a great way to add interest to the eyes without doing something too style heavy. It's so subtle, it peaks out when you're in certain light or when you bat your eyelashes. Trust me, it's a great way to, on the DL, change up your look beautifully!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

All That Glitters IS Gold

Want a quick way to instantly 'Autumn-ize' your lips? Use gold lip gloss. You can take your favorite lipstick shade and give a warm, seasonal glow to it in a snap. Try YSL's Golden Gloss in shade 'Simply Gold'.

My tip is to apply your favorite lip pencil to the entire lip and then sex it up with a nice coat of wet, glossy gold. It mixes well with lip tints and over other glosses, too. Simply Gold is simply gorgeous!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Clearly A Great Cleanser!

For any gal out there with oily skin, here's a very cool product: Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash. It's a hidden treasure. I'm always on the lookout for something that will be strong enough to cut excess oil without drying the skin too much. I like that Purpose's facial wash is clear which is a good sign of it's sheerness.

The key to keeping oily skin in tip top shape is to keep everything that touches it as sheer and 'non sticky' as possible. Cleansers should wash away cleanly. You never want to use anything creamy or in bar form. The wax needed to hold a bar intact will be the culprit in clogging pores.

I advise washing your face twice. First, lather up to remove your excess make up and surface oils. Your second wash will go a touch deeper to clean out your pores.

You can find Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash in your favorite drugstore, so go ahead and Easy Breezy!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Wake Up Tired Eyes On The Quick!

Here's a quick-tip I use on my clients for early morning shoots. To brighten and de-puff eyes, I take a spoon and pop it in the fridge. Leave in there for at least 5 minutes until it gets nice and chilled. Take it out and dome it over yours eyes for 2-3 minutes to calm and tighten the eye area.

Giving your eyes a cold zap boosts circulation and helps calm even the most tired peepers. When the spoons are a little less frosty you can actually press the flat of the spoon under your eyes for a more intense zing. It's great after a long day, too. Refresh, reinvigorate, and have a great TGIF!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Fun Fab Cheek Color!

You gals that read my blog know that I'm a huge fan of Benefit Cosmetics. Having my own line of products makes me very aware of how much time and energy it takes to bring something new to the market. I stumbled on this terrific cheek stain and fell in love.

For those gals that felt Benefit's Hint Tint was a bit too vivid, Benefit's Posie Tint is sure to be your fave new product! This is a sweet pink lip and cheek stain that gives the impression that you're truly blushing.

My tip: dab it on cheeks BEFORE applying your foundation for a lit from within appearance. Oh, and add a dab to your lips to tie the this healthy glow together!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Opps... My Foundation Is Too Light!

Here's a quick tip to warm up a pale foundation -- add a touch of gel bronzer to it and mix. Just mix a bit of both on the top of your hand, or you can add a little squirt of gel to the whole bottle of foundation and shake. The goal is to give that pale base a nice lift of color. It's a great oil free way to get a little extra glow!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

A Nice Lift Of Color For Fall

When the sun goes down on summer, it may be hard to give up that warm glow. How do you keep that young, healthy radiance without looking 'season inappropriate'? My advice is to try and give your face an all over glow with a tone that's a touch more subtle than bronze.

My fave, that I suggest to the gals in my chair, is an all over peach powder. Used like a bronzer, it gives you a nice boost of skin tone without the over-tan, baked look that can stand out a bit too much in the colder months. Try Laura Mecier's Face Tint loose powder in shade 'Apricot'. Use a large, fluffy brush and apply all over your face and neck. Watch the autumn glow beam!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Fresh New Skin In A Snap

We all want to wash away dead skin cells and debris. I've found that with most exfoliants you have the problem of added oils or buffers. You want to smooth your skin, but not by adding a layer of humectant. When a product does that it gives you the feel of softer, smoother skin, but it's just smoke and mirrors.

I like Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. It's made with rice bran and rice extracts. My tip is to add it to your face cleansing routine for a clean, oil free bonus.

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

TGIF Pretty Flashback

Tuesday Taylor. Hey, maybe I should have waited to write this on a Tuesday! How many of you gals remember this fab fashion doll from the 70's? She's Barbie size and was on the market for about 2 years.

I remember having 'Suntan' Tuesday Taylor. She was like Barbie's naughty sister. She didn't have a perma-smile and she was so swanky in her fab 70's garb. Her hair would change color if you twisted the top of her head around -- she was blonde or brunette. Very cool! I always kept her a brunette probably because Barbie was always so famously blonde. I love how fashion forward her make-up was. She had vivid eyes with pale lips. Though she was a New York City kinda girl, she always had a Malibu tan.

If you recall Ms. Taylor, I hope I gave you a little 'blast from the past'. If you don't remember her or weren't even a toddler in the 70's, then I'm glad to educate you in all that is Tuesday Taylor!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Help With Individual Lashes

Every gal wants fuller, fabulous lashes. Yes, you can layer mascara and primers on, but what if you need just a bit more oomph? The answer is right down the street at your local drugstore. Individual lashes are a great, subtle way to give eyes that extra pop. Here's a quick how to:

BUY SHORT SIZE: This tip is huge. You want to fill out your lash line, not add a bunch of too long pieces. I use this size on my actresses. The short length is generally just longer than most gals natural lashes.

BUY BROWN: You'll be applying mascara over the lashes so you'll be darkening them. Brown gives a nice, natural softness to the lashline. Again, you want adding the lashes to be as seamless and natural as possible.

APPLY MASCARA FIRST: Do a quick coat or two of mascara to give the lashes something to 'rest' on. This will also give you an idea of where you need the extra 'oomph'.

USE DARK LASH GLUE: It actually helps blend the base of the lash to the lash line. Clear is fine, but the smooth texture of the glue once dry makes it more difficult to cover with a touch of eyeliner. If the glue is dark then that won't be an issue.

APPLY WITH TWEEZERS: Yes, it's tricky. I liken applying lashes to learning to ride a bike: it's tough to start, but once you've done it a few times it's easy breezy. Use flat edge tweezers and grab the lash close to it's base.

START ON THE OUTSIDE: You'll only need 5 or 6 per side. Start on the outer corner and work your way in towards the center.

ALLOW TO DRY COMPLETELY: This is a big tip! It is VERY important that the glue be completely dry before the next step. Work on your brows or lips for a couple minutes to pass the time.

GENTLY CURL: Yes, you read that right. I ALWAYS give a light pump of curl once the lash glue has dried. Don't do a big, hard curl. The false lashes with curl/bend much easier and it will make them stand out too much. You just want to give the lashes (both natural and add-ons) a bit of a lift and alignment. Start very close to the lash line as possible and just give a nice lift.

END WITH MASCARA: Apply a healthy coat of mascara to blend the natural lashes with your add-ons and WOW!

You are now free to bat and vamp those gorgeous peepers at will!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

The Beauty Of Darkness

After a fab summer of tanned skin and citrusy colored lips and nails, it's time to get seasonally appropriate. Break out the deeper hues for the fall! I'm a big fan of all of the wine and burgundy shades that you are seeing everywhere. You may ask, how a gal would wear these vivid tones? Well, I'm here to help. First, decide how 'far' you want to go. You definitely don't want to look goth or like one of the cast members of True Blood! My advice is:

* LIPS: Go with a glaze type formulation. I like a wine color that is sheer, almost like a gloss. I wouldn't go the lipstick route since it will be too color saturated and look heavy. Using solely a dark gloss will be too sheer. Line your entire lip with your favorite spice-toned pencil and then pump up your mysterious vibe by applying a nice coat of vino hued lip color. I like Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

* NAILS: If a deeper lip is too dramatic, I suggest amping-up your finger tips. What a great way to add a touch of edge to any look. Choose something that is dark, but with a subtle shimmer to cut the drama a bit. Keep it fresh and super glossy. I like Sephora's Nail Colour in shade 'I'm With Brad'.

Welcome to the dark side, ladies!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Tootsie Roll Lashes!

Okay, I was at lunch yesterday (at Newsroom on Robertson... if you're in LA you def have to try it!) and I was so distracted by the lady sitting at the next table. She had the thickest, icky-est, Lincoln Log lashes I've seen in a long time. In between bites of my Tandoori chicken salad, I was mesmerized. Top and bottom just layered beyond belief with mascara. I could see those suffocating lashes A WHOLE TABLE AWAY!

She seemed very together in every other way, but she just got a little nutty with the lashes. It's probably a bad habit held over from her teen years. It was all I could do not to have a Dr. Phil-like intervention with her. So today, ladies, when you are applying your mascara, take it easy. A couple combed through coats to darken and lengthen. That's it. No more! It's almost Halloween, yes, but let's not try and create 'spider eyes' just yet!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Cleaning Brushes 101

How do you clean your brushes? Over the years I've done it all from letting them sit in warm, sudsy water to using those quick spray-on brush cleaners. I used to even bring brushes in the shower with me! Here's my feedback:

* SOAKING BRUSHES: This is great when you want to really break down the product embedded in your brushes. I've found that this will also loosen the glue that holds your brush hairs in place. Not good for the long-term!

* SPRAY CLEANERS: These are great when you're needing to do it quickly. I liken these sprays to dry cleaning. They are a good idea in a pinch, but to really 'get in there', I like good old fashioned soap and water.

Here's my tip for pristine brushes that preserves their beauty. I quickly wash my bathroom sink with hand soap. I then squeeze squiggles of Kiehl's coconut shampoo along the bottom. I use Kiehl's because it's so gentle, healthy for the brush hairs, and leaves a light, summery scent. Then I'll dampen the brush's head and swirl it through the shampoo squiggles. Start with your smaller brushes first, then move to the larger ones. Now set each (with their soapy heads) aside for 3-5 minutes. This will allow the gentle cleansers in the shampoo to break down dirt and oils. Under warm running water, rinse each brush pushing them against the bottom of the sink. Blot off excess water and air dry for 1-2 hours.

Clean brushes in a snap!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

I *HEART* Benefit's "10" Shimmering Blush Powder

One of my favorite things about Benefit's is that they are always coming up with fun new products that make the rest of your make up bag look fresh and exciting. Next time you're out looking at pretty, take a sec to try Benefit's "10" blush powder. It has the finest shimmer around in two of the most universally flattering shades (pale pink and bronze).

Use one side alone for your eyes, or swirl a blush brush over both for cheeks. What the shimmer does is give a nice light reflective, dewy finish. I would have to say this product, like most shimmer, is for the evening.

Try it out... and wake up your old stand-by's with a pop of glisten. Thanks Benefit!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Are your cheeks ready for the summer?... Summer-ize your cheeks!

My favorite look in the summer is a tight tan with a tad of highlighted cheeks. How can I get this fun look, you may ask? Well, here are my ideas!

Formulation:
You definitely want to get a bit of sheen on your cheeks. You want the skin to look dewy and young. Ideally, if you have normal to dry skin, I suggest giving cream blush a try. This will give your cheeks color while adding a bit of sheen to catch light. If your skin is oiler, a cream blush most likely won't work. The oil in your skin will breakdown creamier formulations faster and diminish their color effect. I'd suggest a powder version that has a touch of shimmer which will mimic this effect.

Color:
You want something juicy and healthy. Try very 'fruity' shades that might look a bit bright in the package. Use a great apricot, strawberry, or cherry color to make your skin look radiant and lit from within.

How to apply:
Cream blushes are best on moister skins to make the color blend easier with no splotches. While your moisturizer (tinted, perhaps) or foundation is still pliable, use your fingertips or a sponge to dab and circle color onto the apple of your cheeks. Smooth the blush up and back toward your temples. If you apply powder to set your make up, do this after and over the blush. If you're using a powder blush, my tip is to use a really fluffy brush. Swirl color onto the brush and dab and swirl blush on apple of your cheeks, sweeping up and back toward your temples.

A couple shades I love for summer are:

Cream Blush: The Multiple by NARS (can be used on cheeks, eyes and lips) in shade 'South Beach'

Powder Blush w/Shimmer: Cover Girl Cheekers Blush in shade 'Golden Pink'


Brett's Tip:
When I'm working with an actress or model I always have them smile when I apply blush. This brings out the apple of their cheeks and guides me to the perfect, most natural placement for color.

Blush on ladies and as always...

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

SPF Q & A... Sunscreen 101 by Brett Freedman

The heat is on! How much do we love the summer? Growing up in Pittsburgh we would spend 3 full months at the neighborhood pool, soaking up the sun. In the late 70's and early 80's the importance for sun protection was just starting to take root. Does anyone else remember the Coppertone ad with a close up of a woman's face with a line down the center of the page? On the left side her skin was young and glowing. On the right side her skin was weathered, crepe-like and freckled with sun damage. That freaked me out! It was then that I decided to go easier on the sun exposure. I still tanned, just not as deep and dark. I still like to get sun. I joke that it's my only vice. In my quest to preserve my skin while still getting rays I've learned a lot about sunscreen and sunblock. It's the perfect time of year to share this information with you!

Q: What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?

A: Sunscreen screens out harmful rays while sunblock blocks them. Pretty simple, right? Think of them as the difference between a sheer curtain and a black out shade, respectively. You can put on a high SPF sunscreen and you will still get a tad bit of sun. It won't block it out completely. Sunblock, on the other hand is like a black out shade. It completely blocks out all rays.

Q: Which formula is best for me?

A: To assess how you want add sun protection to your summer beauty regime is quick and simple. If you're fair and burn easily it's best to stick with a sunblock. If you have a medium to dark skin tone, a sunscreen should work out just fine for you. That being said, there are exceptions: how long will you be in the sun, how much sun do you already have, and how much sun do you want get.

Q: Are there times when sunblock is best?

A: Yes. Say you are walking around a flea market at noon. You would want to use a cream sunblock on all exposed skin. This is mainly to ward off 'farmer tan' lines. If you're wearing a short sleeve shirt you don't want to risk getting a little bit of sun and getting that awful line. My advice is to completely block out all rays if you're in direct sun unless you're in a bathing suit. Also, parts of the body 'grab' sun more readily. We all know shoulders are prone to getting burned, but don't forget the nose, collarbone area and forehead. Physically, they are on 'top' of the body and are front and center for sun exposure. Also, they are thin skinned areas. Your nose, for example will absorb much more sun than the surrounding face. How many times have we seen a gal or guy with the dreaded 'burgundy triangle' nose? Nothing is worse looking. Keep these 'hot spot' areas covered with an extra layer of sunblock.

Q: When is it best to use sunscreen?

A: If you're headed to the beach and have your base tan then sunscreen is great. Choose an SPF that will 'buffer' out the burning rays and keep you bronze and glowing. You definitely don't want to develop a red-tinged tan. Using a shield of sunscreen keeps your healthy glow looking just that. If you are going to lunch with friends and you will be sitting outside in the shade, use a body lotion with SPF added. This is a quick way to keep skin hydrated and also have a layer of protection in one swoop.

Q: My face tends to be oily. What should I be using?

A: I definitely suggest a gel based sunscreen. You won't find a gel sunblock because block is made with titanium dioxide. You know how Lifeguards always have white stuff on their noses? That's a titanium dioxide cream. Sunblock creams have 'watered down' versions of that to reflect and physically block out the sun's rays. For day to day use, an oil free SPF gel works well. If you're going to the pool or beach, I would use an oil free sunblock designed for the face. Apply your sunscreen/sunblock right before you hit the sun and rinse it off when you're heading indoors. As an oily skinned person myself I know the importance of not having something too heavy 'sitting' on my face for too long.

Q: My face is dry. What should I be using?

A: For drier skins the world of sunscreens and blocks is your oyster. Most sun protection is designed to be moisturizing so you're in luck. A lot of times your favorite skin cream will come with some amount of SPF. Easy Breezy!

Q: I have a sunroof and I don't want to miss out on any rays. Do I need to put something on?

A: Sorry, but yes. Sunroofs are great but they lead to that horrible looking 'red face' syndrome. That's where your face (and head) end up being about 2 or 3 shades darker than the rest of your body. Continued exposure will actually make your skin a different 'tone' then the rest of your body. Your face and shoulders will tan with a more reddish hue. Yuk! I say, once again, to 'filter' the burning rays allowing your skin to bronze and skip the 'burgundy' phase. In the summer months, I put a SPF 15 lotion on my left arm before I jump in the car. Have you ever noticed how much darker your left arm gets in the warmer months? Think about how much unprotected sun your left side is getting while sitting in traffic! It's funny but true!

Brett's Tip:

I'm a huge fan of 'spot' sunblocking. If I go running, I'll put a light sunblock on my nose, ears, forehead and upper chest. I do the same thing at the pool or beach. I'll put a sunscreen everywhere, but full on sunblock those areas. My all time favorite little weapon is Clinique's City Block (SPF 25). It's a great little tube to pop in your summer tote, and it's perfect to fully protect those delicate, exposed areas!

Have a great summer!

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

What a fun day at Kalologie Skincare in Studio City!

On February 11, 2008, Kellie and crew at Kalologie Skincare in Studio City set me up in the front window for a day of brow shaping and make up tips. Julie, my helper for day was my first little starlet. Julie is a classic example of 'I think my brows are kinda okay'. Though Julie has a reddish tint to her hair, I actually used Blondie pencil on her. She has such a strongly uniform brow shape that she only needed a faint 'shadow' of definition. The light taupe of Blondie was subtle enough to look fresh and natural. My advice is always to tidy your brows every few days. It's easier to pull a few hairs here and there, than a bunch at the end of the week. You'll always look crisp and polished.

I also worked on Amy, who was visiting from Australia. I started by taking away all the strays. Amy has very full brows with coarse, wily hairs. I used Acrylica brow gel to keep those hairs down and in a line. This was a moment that I really loved having my own line! Doubtful another brow gel would have been strong enough to hold down Amy's little speaker wires!

An example of a brow transformation was with Samantha, whose brow situation isn't uncommon with Asian brows. Though her brows are ample and uniform across, there's space between the hairs. The skin that shows through looks a bit pale and gives her beautifully shaped brows a sparse look. After shaping her arches with my Ultra-Tweez, I added a veil of Milk Choco powder to cut the 'neon-y' pale from behind the hairs. The end result was a more tailored look.

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

My Love Letter to M*A*C's EYE KOHL pencil liner in shade 'Teddy'

Dear EYE KOHL pencil liner,

I'm a huge fan of a dark brown eye pencil, especially for the day. I like the way it softly gives eyes definition without the harshness of a black. It seems that whenever I'm asked to edit a woman's look for day shots, it's the black eyeliner that's the culprit. Unless you're a stripper working the lunch shift, deep shades of make up for daytime are too harsh.

So, why not switch to a more subtle shade? If you like a very lined look to your eyes and you favor black, why not try something that will still give you that dramatic effect but look softer and younger? Maybe try a pewter or gunmetal tone liner pencil. My suggestion: dark brown. Not just any dark brown, I'm going to turn you on to M*A*C's EYE KOHL wooden eyeliner pencil and 'Teddy' is the perfect shade.

I love the way it has a shimmery texture. It never looks flat or hollow. It deepens the lash line, and with a hint of reflection, it catches light and makes your eyes look more alive. Try this trick with all of your eye pencils. Find your favorite shades with a glistening formula and *POP*… you've instantly revamped your look!

WARNING: don't throw away your black eyeliners. They're perfect for evening and super vibrant looks.

Thanks M*A*C for making everything just so dang pretty with your Teddy EYE KOHL liner pencil.

XOXO

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics

Winter Skincare

Okay, so the holidays are over and you've had some time to yourself... yea! This is your time to not only enjoy the cool (and head-scratchingly bad) gifts you've gotten, but it's also that time of the year that you settle in for some of the driest air, and therefore skin, imaginable. I went to do an actress for an event the other day, and her face and body were so parched that the make up literally would have splotched up had I not done some good old fashioned prep work. Here are my tips on how to keep your skin the smoothest and beautifully moist this winter season.

IN THE SHOWER:

Body Wash: Switch to an emollient body wash. Choose something creamy and milky looking. Shower gels, bars and transparent soaps do not count. I really like Dove Body Wash. It's creamy, smells great, and is fantastic for sensitive skin. And as an added bonus, it is incredibly easy to find! It's available at any larger drugstore chain.

Temp: I know it feels really good to take a hotty McHot shower in the colder months... but I urge you to resist this. Too hot of a shower robs your skin of moisture. Take a nice lukewarm water temperature shower instead.

Time: Make it quick. The longer you stay in there the more precious oils you're losing. No need to speed-shower, but definitely don't dawdle.

ON YOUR HAIR:

Shampoo: Like the body, your hair will benefit from more emollient formula products. I like Soy Shampoo by Fresh (available at Sephora). It gets hair beautifully clean but gives a nice kiss of conditioning that won't overpower or weigh your hair down. I would wash the scalp first, using what is left as you move down to the ends. The ends of your hair are the driest and thinnest so they don't need full force shampoo to clean and clarify them.

Conditioner: It's so much about prep and timing with conditioner. First, you have to remove excess water from your hair before applying. Think of your hair as a sponge that's full of water. If you dip a sponge full of water into a bowl of conditioner, how much product do you think it will absorb? Not much, if any. If you squeeze that same sponge out a bit before you do the dip then there will be space for conditioner to enter. Your hair is like that sponge. Too full of water and your favorite conditioner will just slide off. That's not good for your hair, your hairstyle, or your purse! What a waste. My advice is to gently 'wring' out any excess water. For shorter haired gals, it may be a good idea to keep a small hand towel in the shower to pad away that extra water. Apply a small amount of conditioner to the ends of your hair and work your way up. Your ends will be drier and more “thirsty” for moisture, so they should get the lion's share. You'll work your way up to the scalp where you'll need less. This makes a big difference... try it! What is my product suggestion you may ask? I'm sticking with my old school favorite, Finesse. Still the lightest, moisture packed formulation on the market. And, like Dove Body Wash, it is conveniently available at any larger drugstore.

FOR YOUR SKIN:

Exfoliate: Sloughing off dead skin to promote cell turnover is vital. This jump starts the new skin cycle. I'm a huge fan of those little loofah body gloves you can get at The Body Shop. Apply your body wash directly in the palm of your gloved hand and scrub away. Once you get in the habit of these gloves you'll never wash without them again. Get an extra pair for travel... you'll miss them on the road!

Body: After the shower it's all about timing. Should you towel dry completely before applying your body lotion? I'm going to use the sponge analogy again. If you take all the moisture out of a sponge then slather moisturizer on it, what exactly are you preserving? What if you took a very damp sponge and put moisturizer on that? All that dewy water would be trapped beautifully in that sponge, keeping it softer for a much longer period of time. Your skin is like that. You want to apply lotions and/or oils WHILE YOUR SKIN IS VERY DAMP! I know it feels slimy and icky, but I guarantee you it will make a world of difference in the suppleness of your skin. After applying your moisturizer of choice, gently blot your skin dry with your towel and that's it. Note, you have about a minute to start slathering it up! My absolute fave body moisturizers for winter are Lubiderm and Aveeno. Again, remember to apply them when your skin is very damp!

Face: I'll have to give the same advice for timing your application of facial moisturizer as I did for applying your body moisturizer. Don't use a heavy, 'full formulation' facial moisturizer in the morning when you start your day. Save that for evenings/bedtime. I like Dermologica AGE Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery. This leaves skin velvety, and as a bonus, it has SPF30! It's really great stuff! You can find it at Ulta Beauty and online.

Body Butters: The Body Shop makes these super emollient body moisturizers that are just fab. Not only are they heavy duty 'hold that moisture in' helpers, but they come in some fantastically wonderful scents! I'm going to cover the subject of whether or not scented products are a good idea for everyone a little later in this post, so stay tuned. All of the Body Butters have shay butter so they really give your skin a dewy finish. Side note: keep in mind for the summer months that shay butter is a natural sunscreen, so keep that in mind if you use this product while trying to get a little sun. You can find this product at your neighborhood The Body Shop store.

Elbows/feet/hands: Yuck, how much do we hate dry, ashy elbows, cracked feet or scaly hands? Keep them moist and glowy with Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. It's a good product to have on hand (no pun intended). Apply it liberally and often. Do you want to know a classic fix? Vaseline Petroleum Jelly creams works wonders on dry elbows, feet and hands. Both products are available at larger drugstore chains.

Washing hands: This is a tricky one for me. I wash my hands all day all the time. I use a creamy lotion formula at home and work (yes, I carry my own) when washing up throughout the day. When washing my face at the sink I use a clear, more clarifying hand wash. I always apply to my hands while they are still damp. Again, this holds the moisture in. On days when my skin is very dry I actually apply lotion twice. Once right after washing then again a few minutes later when my hands and the first application of lotion has dried. This makes a huge difference... try it! I like Philosophy's Empowerment Hand Lotion. It's very creamy and has a zip of cooling mint that puts a skip in your step! You can find this product at Sephora.

SCENTS IN LOTION:

I used to love buying really fun fragrance filled lotions. In the winter my nails would split. It was SO painful. In response I'd slather on more of my scented hand cream. I was miserable, and I decided to do a test. What if the fragrance in the products I was using irritated my skin and it wasn't a dryness thing after all? I decided to try, for one week, to use only fragrance free or products with very little fragrance. Voila, it worked! My split nails healed and I've never returned. I now use mainly low to no scented products. I can use the fun stuff from time to time, but not solely. I found, with me, it was mainly the very heavily scented lotions and body washes that I can't tolerate. Those 'Baked Apple', 'Vanilla Cream Pie', and other over the top type products are now out for me. Kindof a bummer, but like I said, I still use them every now and then. I've stopped using them days in a row. If you have split nails or skin irritations maybe this is your problem (and solution!) too. Hmmmm...

FROM THE INSIDE:

Okay, this is going to make so much sense. Drink water! Not coffees. Not sodas. Just clear, classic hydrating water! Think of a house plant. Give it a nice healthy drink and watch it spring to life! Hydrating yourself fills everything out, plumps everything up, and just makes you feel healthier, solid and balanced. You don't have to go crazy counting, but try to do a small 8oz glass 4 times a day. Your other beverages will fill out your needs, but NOTHING beats 100% pure H20 straight up!

So there's my input. I hope you found a nugget in there that you may not have known. Have a great winter and never forget to:

Enjoy Pretty,

Brett

VANITYMARK Cosmetics