Beauty Trend: Orange...the HAWT color for 2012!

Ask just about anyone in the Beauty & Fashion industry and they will tell you that orange is the "It" color for Spring 2012....Tangerine Tango, to be exact!  Ever since Pantone LLC, the world authority on color in the design industries, declared Tangerine Tango as the color of the year for 2012 a little over a month ago, celebs and designers have taken a serious liking to this vivacious hue!  Splashes of this citrus shade was seen in various shades on the runways of New York Fashion Week and can be spotted on red carpets and in fashion mags, alike.

Tangerine Tango is described as "a spirited reddish orange" that's sophisticated, seductive and, most of all, dramatic. It is a sunnier and warmer alternative to the traditional red and what makes it even better is that this hue flatters just about every skin tone. I personally love the color orange.  It evokes warmth and vitality which remind me of my favorite time of the year....Summer!  And I am definitely looking forward to playing up my features with this regal tint.  If you are not as eager as I am to jump right into this trend and would like to play it safe with sheerer shades of orange and tangerine, there are tons of makeup options to choose from.  That's the fun part about makeup....you can play around with it until you find what works for you.  And be sure to choose one feature to focus on or else you might right looking like the Syracuse mascot! :)

Pictured above: 1) Tom Ford Beauty Nail Lacquer in Ginger Fire; 2) NARS Dual Eyeshadow in Scorching Sun; 3) Benefit Cheek Powder in CORALista; 4) Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bellini; & 5) Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Atomic Orange.


Check out the celebs below rockin' varying shades of orange lipstick:

Will YOU be wearing orange makeup this year??

XOXO

~Tiaja

Has Your Makeup Expired??

If you are anything like me, your vanity cabinet and/ or makeup bag has a few items that have been there since who knows when!  I am so guilty of this.  It's like I have some sort of attachment to my beauty items....even the products that I rarely use, and in some cases, never use!  Sad, huh?  Well, I know that I am not alone and since makeup companies are not required to post expiration warnings on their labels, I thought I would help you out a bit.

Please keep in mind that unopened, well-formulated cosmetic products can remain in fairly good condition for a couple of years at room temperature.  However, when you open the product and the air hits the formula, certain ingredients start to degrade and bacteria begins to grow.  Not to mention, every time you touch your makeup you transfer germs to them which can spread, fester and infect everything it touches...YIKES!  And although convenient, the bathroom is not the ideal place to store your cosmetics.  Heat and humidity promote the growth of mold and yeast.....a more ideal place would be a cool, dry linen closet.

With that said, here is a quick guide on the shelf life of your typical beauty products (in alphabetical order).  Bear in mind that this is just a guideline.  If your products start to smell, separate, change color or texture then chances are it is time to throw them out!

BLUSH

Since it does not contain water, Blush can usually last for up to 2 years.  Cream blush, however, should be discarded after a year.  Cleaning your blush brush regularly will prolong the life of your blush!  It is best to wait a couple of minutes after applying foundation or moisturizer before putting on blush.  The oils cling to the bristles and will transfer to blush causing a dull gray film to form on powder formulas or a white, chalky layer on cream formulas.

CONCEALER

With concealers, a tell-tale sign that it has gone bad is when the color starts to shift or change.  But overall, concealers in a pod or in stick form can last for up to two years. Whereas, concealers in liquid form or wand form should be tossed out after one year.  Your money is better spent on a compact, squeeze tube or push up style concealer.

EYELINER

Liquid liners should be replaced every three months because, like mascara, bacteria tend to flourish in liquid-eyeliner tubes. Also, when liquid liners begin to go bad, they will dry out and become flaky. Pencil liners have a longer shelf life because each time you sharpen them, you create a fresh, clean surface.  A pencil liner can last 2-3 years!  Just be sure to regularly sanitize your sharpen with rubbing alcohol.  And if you have used your liner while experiencing an eye infection, you should probably toss it to be on the safe side.  Wouldn't want you to re-infect your eyes!

EYE SHADOW

Cream shadows should be tossed after six months.  Powder shadows, on the other hand, have a shelf life of approximately two years.  Like pressed powders, powder shadows are less prone to contaminate because they lack water.  However, if you wet them, you should probably toss after six months!  Aging shadows will have performance issues.  They get packed down, making it harder to pick up pigment with your brush.

FACE POWDER

Like Blush, Face Powders have longevity.  Bacteria can't grow where there is no water and so face powders tend to last up to two years!  However, some powders contain small amounts of water from botanical extracts such as chamomile, oat extract, aloe, green-tea extracts and bamboo.  If your powder contains one or more of these ingredients, there is a risk of it growing bacteria if you leave it in a damp environment like your bathroom.  Also, powders containing botantical  ingredients become harder to blend and more likely to crumble as the trace amounts of water begins to evaporate.

FOUNDATION

Most foundations are water based (except for the powder formulas) making them prone to bacteria.  Once the seal is broken or the package is open, foundation can last up to one year for water based formulas and 18 mos for oil-based.  (You will know if your foundation is water-based or oil-based if the first ingredient  listed on the product is water or oil.)  As a foundation ages, oils rises to the top, thickening the consistency and causing it to go on unevenly creating a streaky finish.  If you notice a change in color and/ or smell it is probably best to assume that it has expired.  Applying old foundation can cause irritation or breakouts!

LIPSTICK AND LIP GLOSS

Lipstick and gloss should generally be thrown out after a year or two.  Lipsticks tend to dry out with age, making it hard to spread the pigment on your lips.  While lip gloss will feel globby when you try to apply it.  If either of these products begin to smell rancid, it is probably spoiled and needs to be thrown out.  In addition, if you have recently been sick, you should think about replacing your lipstick with a new one to prevent being re-infected!  TIP:  If you store your lipstick in the refrigerator, it will last longer.

MASCARA

This is the one makeup item which expires the fastest.  You should probably replace your mascara after 4 mos!  A mascara tube is a dark, wet environment which is perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  This is the main reason why you should be diligent about replacing this beauty item.  As the brush is taken out, applied and put back in the tube, it brings with it any bacteria that has been collected along the way.  This lingering bacteria can cause redness and itchiness and possibly even sties & pink-eye (conjunctivitis)!  TIP:  If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than it's shelf life, avoid pumping the wand.  The pushes air into the tube causing it to dry out faster.

NAIL POLISH

One good thing about nail polish is that it will not go bad from bacteria!  Nail polish generally last from one to two years, depending on the quaility.  As polish gets old, it will dry out and become thick and gooey.  And often times you will notice that the pigment has settled along the bottom of the bottle.  Try shaking it and if it remains separated....it's a wrap!  TIP:  Formulas are sensitive  to temperature and humidity so avoid storing your bottles in the bathroom.

Hope this helps! :)

XOXO

~Tiaja

Product Review: Nicki Minaj OPI Nail Lacquer Collection

The highly anticipated Nicki Minaj OPI Collection hit the stores earlier this month with 6 new colors  (3 creme polishes, 2 glitters and a new shade of Shatter) embodying the over-the-top personality of it's namesake.  When I first heard that Ms. Minaj was teaming up with OPI, the first thing that came to mind was OUTLANDISH!  However, I was pleasantly surprised with the color selection.  With names like "Super Bass Shatter", "Metallic 4 Life" & "Fly", this collection is cute, flirty and fun with my personal favorite being "Pink Friday"!

"Pink Friday" is the opaque, bubble-gum pink shade that I have been searching for high and low!  I absolutely LOVE this polish and thanks to Nailtiques (see my previous blog post) and my Manicurist, Cindy, I can not stop looking at my nails.  There is something very girly yet very adult about this shade of pink that makes it truly irresistible.  And the compliments are never-ending (see swatch below)! ;)

Me wearing Pink Friday! <3

So far, Pink Friday is the only polish in the collection that I have tried out.  And because of this, the swatches that I used below are courtesy of The Polish Aholic.

"Fly" is a pretty shade a teal that I am kind of eager to try.  It is a definite Spring-y color that I will try on my toes first and then possibly on my hands (not sure it would fly at the office...no pun intended!). 

"Did It On 'Em" is a yellow-y green shade which I was initially drawn to and will definitely try in the near future.  This shade is almost on the neon side and is definitely a fun shade that will be perfect of the Spring & Summer.  I can just picture walking on the beach or in the grass with this color on my toes!

"Metallic 4 Life" is a black base with a mixture of silver hex & square glitter.  This one is pretty Bad Ass and perfect for a night out on the town or when you are wanting to channel your inner-Rock Star!

"Save Me" has a clear base with silver glitter and blue & holographic confetti mixed in.  I am not really feeling the confetti look as I prefer the glitter polishes better.  However, I think this polish would pretty cool layered on top of another color.

And last but not least is "Super Bass Shatter".  This a metallic magenta shatter which is a slight variation of the usual matte finishes of  most shatter polishes.  While I think shatter polishes are fun, I was never a true fan.  I have tried it a few times but the novelty wore off for me a LONG time ago. As you will notice in the picture below, "Super Bass" has a slight glitter to it which a nice touch!

The Nicki Minaj OPI Collection is in stores now and can be purchased at selected beauty supply stores and even online at Amazon.com.  And I must say that this collection appears to be doing VERY well....so if you see a shade that you like, you better act fast as this is sure to sell out!


XOXO

~Tiaja

Saving Face....Buh Bye, Pimples!

For the past week I have been contemplating on what my next blog topic would be.  I mean really racking my brain!  And this morning, I awoke to the North Star on my forehead & instantly reached for Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash; giving me an "Ah Ha" moment.  Why not write about a product that I swear by and have been using for years?  That's what blogging is all about right, sharing thoughts, opinions and in this case...beauty secrets!

I rarely cheat on LaMer but when I wake up with a huge zit anywhere on my face, I am definitely moonlighting with this Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash!  Around the time that I turned 30, I discovered Adult Acne...or should I say it discovered me.  I never really had a problem with my skin except for the occasional breakout here and there.  So, it came as a complete shock when I began to breakout more regularly as an adult.  I was cheerleading at this time and i'm sure the fact that I was wearing makeup more than normal contributed to my acne issues.  But the bottom-line was that I had to deal with it and QUICK!  I tried going to an Aesthetician on a regular basis which really helped me out alot. However, it was hurting my pockets!  This is when I discovered Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash and was thoroughly impressed with the results.

Most acne medications are geared to target teenage oily-skin which is a bad choice for adults who tend to have drier skin.  The Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash is oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free and gentle enough to give you a deep cleanse without over drying your skin.  At the first sign of a pimple, I use this wash and my annoying little friend is significantly smaller, if not gone, the next day!  Now granted, my breakouts are generally not that bad.  I usually get a pimple here and there especially during that wonderful time of the month.  But who wants to be bothered with pimples??  Not me!  Which is why this product comes highly recommended.  Everyone's skin is different and I would suggest that you get a sample and try it first before you buy.  Although, I think you will be pleasantly surprised just as I was!

You can purchase Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash on their website, http://www.peterthomasroth.com/, ULTA and Sephora.  It retails for $35.

XOXO

~Tiaja

Holiday Hangover Survival Tips - Skin Edition!

Social calendars definitely fill up during the holidays.  Which can mean lots of parties, drinking and going to bed WAY past your bed time.  All of which can do a number on your skin, leaving you looking and feeling less than perky the next morning.  However have no fear, there are a few things that you can do and use that will have you looking like your normal self in no time! (The 'feeling' part may be another story)

The key is to stay hydrated!  The combination of an over-consumption of alcohol and scrimping out on sleep generally has a dehydrating effect.  So the next day it's best that you not only hydrate your skin with moisturizers but also hydrate your body by drinking lots of fluids and drinks containing electrolytes, such as Gatorade or even Pedialyte.  I also read somewhere that drinking a little lemon juice squeezed into warm water or tea does wonders, as well.  Not only does it help to re-hydrate but the lemon juice reportedly helps to balance the pH levels in your body.

Now what about that dull-looking skin?  When I wake up hating life because I should not of had that last martini the night before, there are a few products that I run to the next morning!

*Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

I was very pleased the first time that I used this product and understand why it is a cult favorite. The product literature states that this is the ideal beauty pick-me-up to erase signs of fatigue and/or stress and they did not lie.  It goes on like a lotion minimizing pores, hydrating the skin and leaving a soft, dewy finish.  The directions are a little confusing however, I applied the balm after washing my face and before my moisturizer & makeup and definitely noticed a difference. Packed with Olive extract and Witch Hazel, the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm works to instantly diminish the appearance of fine lines giving you a fresh, revived look.  And as an added benefit, it can also be used as a facial mask for an extra boost!  This product is perfect to use throughout the day or whenever you want to refresh your appearance.

*LORAC Oil-Free Neutralizer

If you ever want to know how someone is feeling, just look them in the eyes.  The eyes are a dead giveaway which is why I target my eye area when i'm not feeling 100%!  Usually after a long night or even when I am feeling sick, I notice that my eye lids often times appear reddish in color.  To combat this, I apply the LORAC Oil-Free Neutralizer.  Its yellow tone is great for counteracting any redness that I may be experiencing.  In addition, it is infused with Aloe, Comfrey and Chamomile which helps to calm and soothe the skin.  I use a very small amount of the neutralizer, gently patting (not rubbing) onto my eyelid until it is fully absorbed and Voila! 

*Ooh La Lift by Benefit

Again targeting the eyes, I apply Ooh La Lift as an under-eye brightener.  It has a cooling effect which helps to reduce any puffiness that you may be experiencing.  Infused with light-reflecting pigments and raspberry extract, this eye cream works as an instant eye lift in a tube.  I have been using this product for years and absolutely love it.  It is a staple product in my make-up bag and I apply it throughout the day or anytime I need a little "lift".



So there you have it, my little secrets on maintaining a "fresh"looking appearance on limited or no sleep.  With New Years Eve in less than 3 days, I wish all of you a very safe, healthy and prosperous 2012!  And remember, if you unleash your inner-Rockstar on the 31st and wake up feeling a little less than your fabulous self the next morning, these 3 little tricks are your friend!  :) 

Eye on the left has been prepped w/ LORAC Oil-free Neutralizer & Ooh La Lift by Benefit

Happy Holidays!!

XOXO

~Tiaja

Violent Lips: Hot Trend or Bad Fad?


Recently, I have come across pictures of celebs wearing what appears to be the latest craze....Violent Lips!  One picture, in particular, was of Keyshia Cole wearing the leopard print appliques (similar to the ones in the photo above) during a recent television interview.  And for the life of me, I could not make a decision as to whether or not I liked the look or not.  I was however, intrigued and being the beauty addict that I am, I HAD to check it out!

You are probably wondering what the heck are Violent Lips? Described as "the ultimate form of self-expression", Violent Lips is a line of temporary lip appliques offering a pretty wide variety of patterns ranging from animal prints to black/ white checks to a 'Glitterati' sparkle and are supposed to last up to 8 hours!   These vitamin-enhanced temporary lip tattoos are FDA approved, made in America and as stated on their website, 'tested on supermodels, not animals'. 

Interested, yet?  Well, I was! lol  I was more curious in finding out how they worked & how they would look on me.  So, I headed down to Sephora (where else) and grabbed a pack of the Red Glitterati which were on sale for $8 (original retail is $16) and headed home to bling out my lips! After reading the directions, I realized that these appliques work just like the temporary tattoos found in your Cracker Jacks box when you were a kid!  lol  And while it sounds fairly easy, I would say the tricky part is the placement and making sure that you get the right measurement (horizontal & vertical) for your lips!

After successfully applying the appliques to my lips, I have to say that I was not that impressed!  While they looked decent from afar, they were pretty disastrous up close.  Perhaps I didn't apply them properly but whatever the case may be, I did not find these to be practical in any way, shape or form.  Everytime I closed my mouth, the appliques would lift at the corners and they did not lay flat on my lips.  In short, the celeb photos looked WAY better than mine (see below)! And, I can't for the life of me begin to understand how Keyshia made it through an entire interview wearing these.  I give here major props!  lol  However, I will say that they were fairly easy to remove.  After rubbing my lips with an oil-based makeup remover, the appliques began to break down and peel off fairly quickly.

Kardashian/ Jenner sisters wearing Violent Lips
photo courtesy of bellasugar

My final thoughts....In theory, the temporary lip tattoos are a great and fun concept.  Would I wear them for a photo shoot...Yes!  Would I wear them for a night on the town, date or just because....NO WAY! Granted I may give them another try since it comes with 3 in a pack and just maybe I will get better results.  But at the end of the day, you know what they say about first impressions....

XOXO

~Tiaja

Holiday Make-up Trend: Be Bold In Gold!

As I peruse through my magazines, I noticed a definite trend for this upcoming holiday season.  It appears that contrary to popular belief....all that glitters is GOLD!  From the runways of Fashion Week to Celebs on the red carpert, everyone is gleaming in gold makeup (and nails).  And surprisingly, it looks REALLY good!  I think I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, that I am pretty conservative when it comes to my make-up.  It's my belief that less is more!  Make-up is like an accessory...it should enhance your look and natural beauty, not take away from it.  With that said, you could probably imagine my inital adversion to this new trend.  I mean you could either nail this look or get it really really wrong, right?  However you choose to incorporate this trend into your make-up routine, the bottomline is Have Fun (and try not to go overboard)!!

You, too, can be bold in gold with the following products:

Eyeliner:

Not only does gold eyeliner look nice and festive, it can make tired eyes POP!  By lining the inside corners of your eyes, the metallic shade will provide a more wide-open look as well as brightening up the skin.  I would suggest trying Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Eldorado.  This pencil goes on really smooth, is highly pigmented and lasts a long time (see my previous blog post).  If Eldorado is too bright for you, maybe try a more antique gold like NARs Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Campo de'Fiori. 


Nars Campo de'Fiori (left) & U/D Eldorado (right)


Eyeshadow:

I've always been a fan of gold eyeshadows and the pinky-gold shades are my absolute faves! Being the make-up conservative that I am, I generally apply the gold shadow to my lid and blend with a brown or bronze shade in my crease.  I know I should play with color more and that is on my "to-do" list for 2012. :) So, don't limit yourself!  Gold shadows can be mixed with a variety of shades ranging from navy blue, maroon and army green...it really depends on your comfort level.  So, just get in your make-up bag & PLAY!  :)  And while you're at it, check out these shadows: Half Baked by Urban Decay is packed with pigment and this true shade of gold offers lots of shine. Others to try are All That Glitters and Amber Lights by MAC Cosmetics!

All That Glitters by MAC (left), Half Baked  by U/D (mid), Amber Lights by MAC (right)

Nail Polish:

Looking for the Midas Touch? Try applying a gold polish to bare nails for a subtle jeweled effect or over your favorite nail color for an added sparkle.  Who needs jewelry when you're rockin' gold nails! ;) I really like Glitzerland by OPI w/ an accent nail in Bring On The Bling also by OPI (shown below).  Or you may also try Boom Boom Pow by Deborah Lippmann. This glamourous & glittery shade contains 24K Gold Dust!  

Glizterland w/ one nail accented in Bring On The Bling by OPI

Go forth and be B-O-L-D!

XOXO

~Tiaja