New Year, Let’s get real!

There is nothing like browsing gorgeous pictures online or in magazines, especially during award season. I want. I wish. I wonder. Sigh..

Having a makeup artist, hairstylist, great lighting and photoshop editors makes EVERYONE look great – trust me, I KNOW. At the start or end of my day, I don’t even come close to seeing a semblance in my mirror. Do you?

I hate to be Debbie Downer, but those people in the photos aren’t recognizable in their mirror at home after the event – once everything is off.  Good news: They are just as normal as you and I – only they have a BEAUTY TRIBE.

So it’s a new year.. I want to help you with real beauty concerns, questions & frustrations.  I want to give you real solutions, hope and inspiration!  So let’s GET REAL! Who’s with me?

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Here is your first Beauty “TO DO” for 2016.. schedule in #MeTime this year & regularly!  Whatever you have to do; add it to your calendar, phone, schedule an alarm or  stratigically place sticky notes – DO IT & be consistent!  Here’s list to help start you off.

I will be back with more TO DOs for YOU and your perfectly, perfect (and annoying) imperfections!  Together we will GET REAL and feel more BEAUTIFUL by the end of 2016..  Cheers!!!  ~Michelle

Crazy 4 Curls

I love lashes.  Linda loves hair.. together we ROCK CURLS!

EYELASHES

If you are not into lash extensions creating gorgeous natural curls.. Or maybe you have great natural lashes.. You NEED a Lash Curler.  This is the ONLY one you will ever need!

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

I have used this for years!  I have one at home and one in my makeup kit and they have each lasted me almost 15 years! (great beauty investment)

1.  Start at the base of your eye with curler.. fit into eye pocket and gently pulse curler a few times.

2.  Continue to open and close curler and walk up lash – gently squeezing all the way up to increase curl.

3.  Straighter lashes can get a great lift by focusing curl just at the base of the lash.

4.  Change the silicone pad when curler starts cutting into pad and loosing bounce.

5.  Never use curler on lashes with mascara applied.  You can break your lashes.

HAIR

Curly hair needs extra TLC to tame the curls.  Everyone’s curls are different.. that is why sometimes it is frustrating to try and figure out what’s best for your hair.  This is where we come in.. meet OUIDAD.

  We have a line with products for ALL types of Curls!  Let Linda style your hair and teach you how simple it is to get these gorgeous curls that will last for days!  (Picture above is 3 Ouidad products & a diffuser.. that is all!)

Dry curls, we have moisture.. frizzy curls we have control..

Linda and I LOVE our curls and we LOVE this line. (Certified Cutting Techique coming in March)

Eyelashes or Hair..

WE ROCK CURLS.. LET US ROCK YOURS!

Beauty 2 beat Winter Blues

Paint Your Nails

WINTER BLUES got you down?

Here are some ideas to lift your spirits & make you feel Pretty! (Because YOU ARE!)

1.  Paint your nails:  A little color can make all the difference.  Purple is the “IT” color for SPRING 2014 so start testing out some of your favorites.  Adding a little SPARKLE on top always makes me smile.

Product Pick:  Love Zoya AWAKEN Spring 2014 line, especially Monet topper.

2.  Take a bath:  Warm water and some wonderful smells can take you to a whole new world. Play your favorite music, close your eyes and breathe deeply.

Product Pick:  Pandora’s peaceful stations never fail to lull my clients into beauty rest.

3.  Grab an aromatherapy based lotion:  Applying aromatherapy to your body will lift your spirits and help soften and smooth your skin from chapped, dry skin.

Product Pick:  I am addicted to Shea Butter based lotions with aromatic scents (KleanSpa does custom “scenting”).  I can’t get enough!

4.  Buy a new lip gloss:  This works for me every time.  Apply & Smile.

Product Pick: Urban Decay has a beautiful new line of lipsticks for spring 2014.

5.  Add bangs:  Whether they are feathered, side swiped or curly – change can be good.  It always grows back.

6.  Give yourself a mini-facial:  Clean your face and apply a mask, then take a shower.  (Steam helps the ingredients penetrate) after you’re done wipe it off & apply coconut oil.  Your skin will LOVE it!

Product Pick:  This hydrating mask from Boot’s look delish (love the ingredients).  You can also just apply Honey.  Works beautifully.

I would LOVE to hear what YOU do to “Beat the Blues..”

Giving is Beauty; Beauty that Gives

For my the 1st of April is my spring! It’s time for me to freshen up my skincare, haircare & makeup products.

Got my hair sunscreen and color protecting moisturizing RUSK shampoo.
Picked a few new lip tints from Burts Bees to add to my collection.
Refilled my Epicuren Collagen night serum and grabbed a new container of my Micro daily exfoliant from Dermalogica.

After opening the Dermalogica package this is what I found. “JOIN the Fite.” I LOVE this. Beauty giving back! It’s what I do, why I do what I do..

So I grab the box insert and I run to the computer and type in the code. You can choose what time of business to help, what area or country and it breaks down the variety of businesses & people you will directly be helping. You can make an additional donation and help business fund their needs through microloans. As a business owner, I think this new concept (website launched Jan. 2011) to touch other businesses around the world is brilliant!) Please check it out and click on the link above. Who knew I would help someone around the world with my beauty purchase of skincare. (Clapping) Congratulations DERMALOGICA! Well done!

Now I am off to create my own Charity Bar at my spa. Candy with donations and items all to benefit a charity (changes monthly) this month, Autism Speaks.

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Have a wonderful and inspired day!.. Remember, “Beauty is all around us. Some people never take the time to see it!” ♥

January & February Celebrating Chocolate

Chocolate Facial

Introducing Michelle’s New Signature Facial: $149
A luxurious Chocolate Facial with a Chocolate Brow Design
and Lash Extension Flirty Flares
Strawberry scrub, hydrating chocolate massage & mask,
aromatherapy oil hand wrap, ending with a hot chocolate or caramel latte

“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”

 

After Keratin Treatment

Linda’s Chocolate Scented Keratin Straightening: $150
Back by Popular Demand
All hair lengths

Formaldehyde Free
Won’t make your hair “poker” straight.  It adds protein to condition & shine
and take away the frizzies

If you wear your hair straight, even in the hottest, humid conditions it will stay that way.
If you curl your hair, it will hold the curl and be smooth as can be.  It lasts for 2-3 months without any grow out lines.