So Fresh and So Clean

There’s a misconception that your everyday makeup brushes need to be washed all the time. While I keep a brush cleaner  on hand for daily (think gel eyeliner brushes) or weekly (bronzer brush) cleansing, I only do the whole shampoo-and-water scenario once a month. I start by dividing my brushes into groups, from biggest to smallest, then fill a sink with a little warm water.

Although I’ve tried many different detergents, my favorite is Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap because it gets the brushes very clean, it disinfects, and leaves them soft and smelling amazing. I add a little of the soap to the sink and swirl around until there’s a little foam.

Next, I dip each brush into the soapy water, gently massaging the bristles until the water runs clear. After I finish with that group of brushes, the dirty water is drained and each brush is rinsed under cool running water.

I do this for each group of brushes then reshape the bristles and lay the brushes out flat on a towel to dry overnight.

Good Skin Part II

After posting about the roller coaster that was my skin, I had some requests for my green smoothie recipe. As I stated earlier, I was introduced to the “Glowing Green Smoothie” through Kimberly Snyder, and her recipe can be found here.

My recipe makes four 16-oz. smoothies, and my husband and I both drink at least one a day.  One smoothie used to not fill me up, so I’d have some oatmeal on the side, or add flax or chia seeds directly into the blender, but now just the fiber from the fruits and greens is enough.

Also, please know that I am, in no way, shape or form, a nutritionist/nutritional coach/dietitian/etc. – just someone who wants to be healthy – so always ask a health professional before starting or changing your diet plan!

ELn Skin Saver Smoothie:

10 ounces organic greens (usually spinach or kale)

3 cups of filtered water

Juice from one lemon

½ cup orange juice (ish, I just fill it up to the 3.5-cup mark on my blender)

Blend until smooth (unless you have a super-powered blender, then you can throw everything in at once)

1 ripe banana

½  cup organic frozen berries (the fruit doesn't need to be frozen, it's just easier for me)

Blend until smooth

Pour into four 16-oz jars

Keeps in the fridge for up to four days

Sometimes I’ll swap the banana for an avocado or the berries for frozen mango, peaches, or pineapple – if you’re feeling feisty, an avocado/pineapple mix with a little fresh cilantro and a dash of cayenne powder is delicious.  Have fun experimenting, and let me know if you have any skin breakthroughs.  Enjoy!

Empties

Makeup can be (is…) expensive, so I’ve adopted some solutions to use up that last bit of product.

BOTTLES

The first one is pretty obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thrown away nearly-empty bottles for no good reason.

Simply use a spatula – or a long cotton swab – to remove the product all the way at the bottom.  It’s ideal to keep fingers out of jars/bottles to keep from spreading bacteria.

GLOSS

There is a little plastic ridge at the top of your lip gloss that scrapes the excess product off the wand – which is wonderful until it keeps you from using all of the gloss.  Enter: a safety pin.

By sliding the safety pin into the plastic and popping it out, the wand will not only be able to pull the gloss off of the bottom of the tube, but also the sides.

LIPSTICK

When your beloved lipstick (pictured: Hue by M.A.C.) has reached the point of no return, do not lose heart.  You have about half of the original amount left:

Use a spatula, toothpick, or something similar to slide out the lipstick inside the plastic base and place in an empty jar.  You can do this with a few different lipsticks to make a new color or add some lip balm to make a gloss.

Say What?

It all but breaks my heart when I hear someone say, “I love sparkly eye shadow but I’m over 50 so I can’t wear it,” or “Can you still do my makeup if I have {insert race} eyes/skin/features?” or “I feel gorgeous, confident, and powerful in red lipstick but it’s not appropriate for the office.” Somewhere along the way, these lovely people read or heard or were told they couldn’t do something with makeup or something was wrong with their faces and therefore they should only do their makeup a certain way or wear certain colors.  The people who spew all these “rules” are probably a) inept, b) misinformed, c) trying to sell something, or d) all of the above.

Don’t get me wrong – you need the right foundation color, and it is invaluable to know your facial anatomy to make the most of your makeup…

BUT

this is makeup.  It is not rocket science.  Obviously, if you work somewhere that doesn’t allow red lipstick, don’t wear it…

BUT

keep in mind that some of the most powerful and well-respected women in the world seem to work red lipstick into their dress codes (Condi...Hillary...Arianna...OPRAH...).

There are no rules in makeup.  Some colors and techniques look better than others, but that’s half the fun.  Do. Not. Let. Anyone. Hate. On. Your. Face.  Especially you.

Blurred Lines

Most eye makeup application is horizontal.  I’ve found a shortcut, and it requires vertical application.  Not only will this look work on every eye shape (since it doesn’t discriminate based on where your natural crease lies), but it can fulfill every look from The Work Appropriate to The Go-To Glam based on the contrast, intensity, and finish of the shadows used. For every day, cream shadow that melts into a soft brown will give polished definition, while a shimmery taupe blended with a deep, rich plum is perfect for a big event – especially when peeking from under wispy false lashes and paired with a sophisticated nude lip.

I made a video to demonstrate this technique using M.A.C. shadows in Folie, Honesty, and Dazzlelight.  Have fun playing around with different shadows and remember as long as you blend well, you can go from very pale to very dark.