After scraping the tube edges of my MaybellineVolum’ Express the Falsies Flaredmascara for about a week, I headed to CVS to re-stock. But of course, a quick trip into the beauty section is never quick. I noticed the stand for Maybelline’s new Volum’ Express the Mega Plush Mascara and paused for a few minutes. Gel-mousse mascara (what’s that? Sounds like I need it, right?), but it claimed to never leave lashes brittle or flaky. Sounds great to me!
Immediately I started making a mental check list of the pros and cons of trying out this intriguing new mascara. Love the Falsies–why not stick with what works? But if I loved the Volum’ Express line already, chances are I would like the Mega Plush, right?
In the end I remembered I’m a beauty blogger and it’s my sworn duty to experiment with new products—I take the oath quite seriously (or it’s just my excuse to by a ton of products)–and bought it.
The verdict:Love it! Delivers a lot of lashes (and long lashes) in each swipe. And as promised, no flaking. I can’t tell if I like it better than the Falsies, but it performs just as well. I’m sensing a lash off. At around $7, you can’t beat the price either!
Flexible mascara wand!
Extra tip I learned from my friend and makeup artist, Carie Brescia: For really dramatic lashes, after applying either the Falsies or the Mega Plus, follow up with a coat of Maybelline’s Illegal Lengths mascara.
Playing in the summer sun is all fun and games until someone breaks a nail! The sun that provides summer fun can also be a vicious enemy if proper sun protection is not followed.
In addition to skin, cuticles and nail folds are the most vulnerable areas of the hands that are susceptible to sun damage. Cuticles protect new nail growth as it emerges from the base of the nail. Sun, among other elements, can dry cuticles out, affecting the growth of nails. Nail folds are the areas of skin that frame your nails; the lateral nail folds framing each side and the proximal nail fold at the base. Extended sun exposure to the nail folds can also harm the growth of nails.
Dried and damaged nails are more likely to contract a fungal or bacterial infection. If nails harden, become inflamed or are painful to touch, consult a doctor.
Always remember to:
Wear sunscreen – this will prevent hands and cuticles from sun damage including burning and drying out.
Coat nails with a polish, base coat or ridge-filler – this helps protect nails against the elements of the summer, including sun, water and sand. It will also prevent breaking and splitting.
Moisturize hands and nails – to prevent cracks and peeling, constantly keep hands and nails hydrated.
Wear gloves – when cleaning, gardening and washing dishes. Gloves will protect hands and nails from harsh chemicals found in pesticides, cleaning solutions and detergents.
While enjoying the weather and relaxing in the rays, make sure to stay covered up. Continuously apply sunscreen, and be sure not to neglect your hands and feet. Beyond your fingers and toes keep the rest of your body covered while basking in the sun. During these hot months always keep water on hand to prevent dehydration and sport a large, floppy hat to shade your head and face. Enjoy the sunshine, but take necessary precautions to stay safe in the summertime.
Mila Kunis never disappoints on the red carpet and her sleek glossy hair at the premier of TED was no exception.
Frederic Fekkai Celebrity Stylist Adir Abergel reveals how he transformed Kunis’ tresses into sleek perfection:
How to Get the Look: Adir began by creating a defined middle part with a comb. He then applied Fekkai Coiff Ironless Straightening Balm from the roots to the ends of wet hair. He dried the hair using a flat paddle brush. Once the hair was completely dry, he used a flat iron on the ends of the hair to give it a sleek and glossy finish. Adir then applied a small amount Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Cream to get rid of any fly-aways. He then backcombed the top of the hair to give the look a little bit of height. To finish the look Adir sprayed Fekkai Coiff Sheer Hold Hairspray for a lasting red-carpet hold.
All products by Fekkai: Fekkai Coiff Ironless Straightening Balm ($25), Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Cream ($25) and Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Cream ($25). Available at Fekkai.com and Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.
I could take or leave summer. My ideal climate is California weather—80 degrees and no humidity (a fear of earthquakes is enough to keep me in Jersey). East coast summers can be brutal…hot and humid. One of the main reasons why I don’t like summer weather is it can be almost impossible to keep a freshly made up face from turning into a sweaty mess.
That’s why I asked Lifestyle Expert and Makeup Artist, LeAura Luciano, how to avoid the dreaded makeup meltdown. Luciano, who has worked with celebrities such as Zoe Saldana and Amanda Seyfried, provides 5 tips to keeping your makeup fresh all day:
1.Use a makeup primer to help smooth out dry patches and calm flaky skin. Your foundation will go on more evenly and last longer. If your skin is oily or acne prone, look for an oil-control primer. Wait a few minutes before applying your makeup to allow the primer to “set” so it doesn’t ball up.
2.Use waterproof eyeliner, shadow, and mascara. Waterproof formulas resist humidity, sweating, and greasy skin, so your makeup is less likely to smudge and smear. No more raccoon eyes!
3. Use oil blotting papers. If you reapply powder several times a day, it can mix with your skin’s natural oils, eventually looking cakey and creased after several hours. Instead, use oil blotting sheets to control shine. In a pinch, you can use Kleenex or even clean toilet-seat covers. But don’t use toilet paper to blot—the fibers will stick to your face.
4. Use brushes for a boost of color. If you have a last-minute meeting or date after work and you don’t have time to reapply your face from scratch, you can reactivate your eye shadow and blush with just the brushes. Your skin oils will mix with the pigment and reactivate the color, so you may not need to add more color.
5.Don’t forget the SPF! Keep your skin beautiful & protected easily with new ways to apply your sunscreen.
Some of our favorite melt proof products from A Beauty Loft and LeAura Luciana
NP Set Calming Foundation Primer"If you’re suffering from sunburn or just get red easilty, try a primer with a green tint like NP Set Calming Pre-Foundation Primer. The color minimize redness, with the addition of aloe and cucumber extracts to leave skin feeling cool and refreshed – perfect for after a long day in the sun!" notes Luciana.
$29.00
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer PotionIt's a cult favorite for a reason. This stuff keeps your eye makeup in place all day---even after the gym! No creasing. No fading.
$20.00
Makeup Forever Aqua ShadowThese melt proof makeup sticks are perfect for the summer. Highly pigmented and easy to apply, these are great for a quick smokey eye.
$20.00
Sonia Kashuk® Proudly Pink 5 pc Brush Set"Keep spare brushes in your bag at all times for emergency touch-ups. I like Sonia Kashuk Proudly Pink 5 pc Brush Set," remarks Luciana. "I would keep a blush and eye shadow brush in my makeup bag and leave the others at home."
$14.99
Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup FinishSkip the powder this summer and get a natural skin finish with this setting spray. Spray on before makeup and then again after to prevent shine and keep makeup fresh all day!
$29.00
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel EyelinerI love this stuff. I have trouble wearing eyeliner (oily lid girl problems) and this stuff goes on easy, delivers the clean look of liquid eyeliner, and stays all day.
$22.00
Proactive Oil Control Blotting Sheets"These 100% natural-fiber papers absorb oil and leave your face with a beautiful matte finish,"says Luciana.
$11.00
La Fresh Sunscreen SPF30"I like La Fresh Wipes," reveals Luciana. "The biodegradable individually-wrapped moistened towelettes are infused with sunscreen so all you have to do is wipe over exposed areas for SPF coverage. Plus, they are great to have on-hand (without taking up much space in a purse) during the summer heat."
$14.99
