posts in
2015
The Perfect Skin Base: Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation
Friday, December 4, 2015
Finding a perfect foundation is easily one of the toughest and most time consuming cosmetic tasks you'll ever experience. From color to formulation and every other unique concern in between, finding your ideal skin base is not as easy as it may seem.
With so many different foundations currently on the market, this dizzying pool of options becomes clearer if you understand your own specific needs. While a superstar product may be boasted by your favorite beauty youtuber or blogger, it may not be the best for you. Once you've understood your own skin, alone or with the help of a professional, you'll be closer to finding the perfect skin base that best suits you. Skin type, texture, desired coverage and finish are the main concerns one needs to take into account when shopping for a foundation.
These major concerns are the exact factors expert Prescriptives Custom Blend Beauty Geniuses (CBBG) look into when creating your unique foundation. I had the opportunity to have a digital meeting with my fabulous (and very intelligent!) CBBG, Erica. Upon providing a picture of my bare face in natural light (a crucial factor in picking up your actual skin tone/coloring), we got to chatting about my skin concerns.
I've always liked medium to full coverage foundations that aren't too heavy and provide a matte finish. While many foundations fit that very description, often times many of these tend to oxidize on me throughout the day. This leaves my face a good shade or two darker than my actual skin tone, which is terrible and looks awful. *tomato face*
If that's not troubling enough, SO many brands shy away from offering foundations with yellow undertones. I can't tell you how many lovely foundations I've tired where I needed another shade to even out the tones.
Thankfully, Erica noted every single one of my concerns and blended my perfect foundation while we chatted up foundations.
Here are some of the major noteworthy tips from our conversation:
*Oilier Skin Types: for a longer lasting and nicer overall look stick to matter finishes. Anything with sheen or a dewy finish will only further highlight the troubling aspect of your skin and will slide right off your face by end of day (or even start to breakdown within the hour)
*SPF: while a great factor to add to to foundation, this is the exact thing that is making the product oxidize
*Finding the Perfect Color: to get a true color match to your actual skin tone, swatch three colors along your jawline and neck in natural light (if possible). Erica noted that she take's all her clients at her CB counter outside to get the best look at shades. A foolproof trick that will get you the best match every time
*Application: foundation application is not just for your face. Pull it down to your neck and ears as well, especially if you're wearing your hair up. It will give you a perfect, seamless look
Anyone can walk up to a Prescriptives beauty counter and schedule a one-one-one session with a CBBG and you too can experience an eye-opening meeting that'll leave you with the perfect skin base you've been wanting for what seems like ages. Also you don't only have to be a fan of liquids, Prescriptives offers a powder in your exact shade as well.
With the holidays right around the corner, I'm sure your social calendar is filling up quickly with fun events. Now is the perfect time to walk run to your nearest department store and schedule your Custom Blend Foundation meeting with a Prescriptives CBBG. Don't have the time to head out, enjoy the digital Custom Blend experience from the comfort of your home, a PX Beauty Genius will help you find your perfect shade at a time best suited for you (please be aware of session hours).
Who wouldn't want the gift of flawless skin for the new year?
Spring Hair Revival
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Long are the days of hiding our hair under warm knit hats and fur-trimmed hoods. Spring has arrived and that means warmer temps and ample amounts of sunshine. It's time to let our hair flow freely in this (pollen filled!) breezy air.
BUT HOLD THE PHONE. Like any seasonal shift, our hair may still be suffering from the previous season's wrath. We may be experiencing dry. limp tresses that are in dire need of a major perk up for the season ahead. My hair is certainly different during the warmer months of the year--its more prone to frizz, dries out a bit more and intolerant to most styling products.
To insure healthy hair all season long it is important to treat the foundation and maintain a routine that is suitable to your unique concerns. Whatever your hair type, I always recommend a good coconut oil treatment once a week. Along with oil, here are my all-time hair savers that keeps this lioness mane of mine tamed and lovely.
Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Trust your mom when she talks about natural beauty wonders she loves, I listened to her about this and never looked back. Its an simple affordable and super beneficial treatment that will revive your hair in the best ways. A single treatment will leave it softer and lighter. Its a wonderful alternative to a heavy conditioner and does far more than just hydrate parched hair.
Simply massage oil onto your scalp and concentrate on the roots of the hair. Softly apply any and all remaining oil on hands onto the shafts and tips of the hair. You can tie your hair into a loose ponytail or messy bun and let it sit for a couple of hours. You can surely pop on a plastic shower cap if you feel strange at first. It's the perfect weekend treatment.
A voluminous blowout after a treatment makes my hair feel/look like I belong in a Pantene commercial.
Weleda Rosemary Conditioning Hair Oil
I was turned onto this little gem early last year and absolutely love it. A perfect product to tame frizz, hydrate and polish hair, Weleda's rosemary oil has become a fast favorite of mine. You need a super small amount of this product to do the trick and can apply to hair before or after styling. I prefer to apply a small bit to my hair after I've styled it as a serum to lock in the look and focus on the ends to soften them a touch. This product can be a bit thick in consistency (it is a dense oil after all) so a little does go a LONG way (trust me!) and be sure to avoid applying product in the roots.
Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails
There is no better way to treat our hair than from within. A fortified vitamin that targets these prime areas is a great piece to have to your routine. Infused with a super oil (Argan), these vitamins feature biotin along with a medley of antioxidants and Hyaluronic Acid.
From my experience, not only has my hair felt and looked more healthy but fallout (which happens too often for various reasons) has lessened quite a lot. From the pleasing results thus far, this lovely little vitamin isn't leaving daily vitamin mix anytime soon.
What are some of your go-to hair saving tips & products?
Springing Forward
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Sunnies: Kenneth Cole Collection | Jacket: via Bloomingdales| Earrings: Vintage
Belt: via Variazioni (old) | Dress: Eliza J
Hello sunny, floral-filled days of spring!
After one frigid winter, it's nice to finally say goodbye to the harsh days of months past.
A seasonal shift always welcomes a new beginning and I couldn't be happier to start anew.
While the low temps haven't completely abandoned my sweet city, NYC has been seeing some mild (by our standards!) days. Of course, being the dress obsessed girl that I am, a sunny, semi-warm day means bare legged style fun.
To welcome such a lovely weather change, I dug deep in my closet and pulled out one of my favorite dresses--a fun floral number by Eliza J. This brand continues to put out beautiful pieces that flatter many body types. It's rare to stumble upon a brand that can achieve that without skimping on quality and detail. This dress was my first purchase from EJ and certainly won't be my last. I recently bought a stunning embellished gold shift dress that I'm saving for a special event later this summer.
All of my colorful garments reserved for warmer weather are moving to the front of my closet this weekend and I'm pretty excited about it. Don't get me wrong, I love my chic NYC black ensembles more than the next stylish lady but about poppy colors on sunny days just work.
Along with my wardrobe, I've invited some bright tones into my beauty routine.
I've introduced some fun peachy, coral lippies into my daily mix -- NARS Audacious Lipstick (Jane) and YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lip Stain Gloss (#6).
Who knows, with all this color I may even try to wear a red lip outside my house this spring/summer.
Yeah, I wouldn't bet on it #NotReady!
A seasonal shift always welcomes a new beginning and I couldn't be happier to start anew.
While the low temps haven't completely abandoned my sweet city, NYC has been seeing some mild (by our standards!) days. Of course, being the dress obsessed girl that I am, a sunny, semi-warm day means bare legged style fun.
To welcome such a lovely weather change, I dug deep in my closet and pulled out one of my favorite dresses--a fun floral number by Eliza J. This brand continues to put out beautiful pieces that flatter many body types. It's rare to stumble upon a brand that can achieve that without skimping on quality and detail. This dress was my first purchase from EJ and certainly won't be my last. I recently bought a stunning embellished gold shift dress that I'm saving for a special event later this summer.
All of my colorful garments reserved for warmer weather are moving to the front of my closet this weekend and I'm pretty excited about it. Don't get me wrong, I love my chic NYC black ensembles more than the next stylish lady but about poppy colors on sunny days just work.
Along with my wardrobe, I've invited some bright tones into my beauty routine.
I've introduced some fun peachy, coral lippies into my daily mix -- NARS Audacious Lipstick (Jane) and YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lip Stain Gloss (#6).
Who knows, with all this color I may even try to wear a red lip outside my house this spring/summer.
Yeah, I wouldn't bet on it #NotReady!
ROCKSBOX
Friday, March 20, 2015
Rocksbox: c/o
Attention all jewelry enthusiasts -- I have a special treat for you and I think you may just love it!
You may have heard the buzz about Rocksbox over social media and after finally giving this super cool monthly service a go, I can certainly say that its a great one.
As one who loves jewelry, my personal style ranges from delicate to full on statement. Rocksbox is just the remedy to my glitzy obsession. A monthly jewelry service, Rocksbox has taken a personalized approach to shopping which allows you familiarize yourself with a product prior to purchasing.
Upon signing up and creating a dense style profile, you will be assigned a personal stylist who will chose three uber-chic pieces of jewelry that'll cater to your unique style preference each month. Featuring creative and wildly popular designers like Gorjana, Kendra Scott, and Loren Hope, among others, there is a variety of styles to please your sparkly needs.
My favorite aspect to this service is how it functions like your very own personal shopper. Each month, Rocksbox members get to familiarize themselves with three new pieces on loan. We can see if it truly suits us, plays well with our wardrobes or sits well with the jewelry we already own. The goal is the streamline our jewelry collections and find items that will carry us seamlessly into the next season, time and time again.
Once your personalized box has arrived, you are given three dazzling pieces of jewelry on loan.
These borrowed baubles can be swapped or purchased at a time you see fit. Better yet, once you find a gem that you adore, it can be purchased at a discounted price, simply for being a member. Once you're ready for a new set, neatly nestle your unwanted pieces back in the box and ship it back (shipping label is provided or your convenience) for your next set.
My box was quite great. Madison, my Rocksbox stylist, pulled pieces that perfectly catered to my tastes. Hitting the statement aspect beautifully with the Perry Street Olivia Necklace and delicate touches with the Gorjana Infinity II Ring in Rose Gold and Sophie Harper Pave Ball Studs in Gold.
As a Rocksbox "It Girl," I'll be taking you along with me on this fabulous jewelry journey for three sparkly sets. Stay Stay tuned for the next set and see which pieces I'll be receiving and styling.
If you'd like to try this pretty awesome service yourself, head over to Rocksbox and build your profile.
Don't forget to use code askandtellbeautyxoxo to score your first box completely FREE!
Let me know what jewelry you fabulous girls receive or which pieces you have your eye on!
Happy Shopping
Images taken by F.A.
NYFW Wes Gordon SS 2015 - Nails
Friday, September 5, 2014
New York Fashion Week is back and bolder than ever. However, just our luck, summer finally made its humid and sticky comeback this week with high temperatures and lots of (HOT!) sunshine. While this spells trouble for attendees, a little harsh weather has never been a reason to slow down style.
As usual, things are heating up backstage at the shows (I'm not just talking hot hair tools!) and the pro's are delivering some major looks. As one who loves all things nails, it's no surprise that I start my NYFW coverage with a nail post.
New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014
Designer: Wes Gordan
Manicurist: Rita Remark
Brand: Essie
Drawing inspiration from the muted tones of Gordon's SS 2015 collection, Rita created a look that was both elegant and and unexpected. Designing a delicate lined pattern on the nails emphasized the feeling of the collection and appeared as if linen was resting against the skin.
Offering a creative twist on a classic, sophisticated manicure, Rita's designer manicure reworked a staple look in the best way. Here's how you an recreate this manicure yourself:
PREP: Like all great manicures, a proper foundation is needed. Neatly coat a single layer of Ridge Filling Base Coat to clean, shaped, polish-free nails.
COLOR: Once dried, dress nails in a single coat of Cocktails and Coconuts, following with a layer of Imported Bubbly atop the previous color. Layering this slightly iridescent and sheer gives nails an almost dewy skin-like finish.
DESIGN: As the foundation color dries, it's time to start on the linen design. With a striping brush, dip into Essie's Blanc (the brand's whitest shade) and whip away the excess. Draw the lined pattern by pulling the brush from the cuticle to the tip in one motion, continuing with two more lines. Each should be evenly spaced and look tapper away at the tips. You will use the same method with the lines across the nail, neatly moving to either walls of the nail.
FINISH: To diffuse some of the stark whiteness of the shade, Rita suggests layering a coat of Allure on top of the design. Finish the look with a luxurious top coat (Good To Go Top Coat) which will leave nails looking glossy and luxe.
PEDICURE: To keep the look uniform, Rita picked an neutral shade that works well with a multitude of skin tones and features just enough of a creamy base tone (Sand Tropez).
Images: Courtesy of Essie
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