Hello Beautiful » sephora

3 Expert Steps To Beauty Success! By Ashunta

Hello Beautiful — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:06:43 +0000

Hello Beautiful people!!!

What a week of beauty it has been for me. I did two test shoots with a fantastic European photographer named Aleksandra Kazcowska and her hair stylist Sebastian www.henryhymon.com. The shoot was very creative so I had to call on my partner in crime Wouri Vice www.wourivice.com to style and bring his flair for fashion to these shoots. What a turn out it was for all of us!!!! Which inspired me to write this blog this week…

I’m always asked by women how they can change their look with regards to makeup. A lot of times life predicates our look because we are in a cycle of day to day and forget to “do you” for lack of a better term. We are inundated with work, kids, partners, marriages and just life. Well ladies, take a minute and just pause cause changing your look does not require a lot I’m even learning this myself…..

1. Skin: Drink water…. Yes, water! Water will hydrate you and clear your skin up. Water will detoxify you, give you a youthful glow and even aid in weight loss… So start drinking at least 8 glasses (8 oz.) Daily and build up to 12-14 glasses. Try is you will be surprised in one month there will be a change in how you look…

2. Get Moving: Movement is key it gets your blood circulating and burns excess fat that builds up especially when we have sedentary jobs that we don’t get to move around on. 20-30 minute 3 times a week will be suffice. Even watching TV during commercial breaks do some crunches, jumping jacks or just dance to get your blood flowing. If you do that 10 times in a night you will have worked out 20minutes. Again, blood flow is crucial to proper circulation which stimulates the body to changing and looking better. Relax I know I’m a mother of 2 full time and a stepmother part time. When do I have time with a hectic career to relax. Well, I’m learning to find my moment and make it a daily ritual. After I put the kids to bed at 9pm I take 10 to 15minutes to meditate or take an aromatherapy bath. Giving this time to myself allows me to decompress from my day and listen to my higher thoughts from God. This moment of peace along with some deep breathing they say just 10 can change your life and how you feel. So get breathing!!!!

3. Beauty: Take a day to visit a beauty emporium like Sephora. I know I love these moments with my mom and daughter we go to Sephora. We always find something new and we make a beauty budget so we don’t spend unnecessarily. A great way to try something new is if you like earth tones try subtle variations of them in metallic or shimmers. If you wear read lipstick try hot pink or coral. If you do way too much of everything try wearing less. With makeup the most simplest change can completely transform a person. If you want to try new bold colors start with eye liners first putting the concentration of color around the eyes will make you know if you will like eye shadow in that color.

Also, try getting faux lashes head to a MAC store and buy a natural pair and have them applied by a MAC artist (don’t forget to tip too!!!). Wearing lashes can immediately send a boost of confidence because it truly opens up eyes and gives them drama without wearing tons of makeup. If you don’t wear blush try a soft coral or a warm toffee color. Blush is an instant lift and makes anyone wearing it look happier.

So go for it. Remember a lot of times its not what makeup you’re wearing its how you feel. Start doing you and you will be amazed at fast your look starts to work for you and not against you. Be blessed and stay beautiful:)

Ashunta Contest: In May I will begin my monthly product giveaway to 5 lucky readers of my weekly blog. I will start my blog by asking a beauty related question and I want to test your beauty knowledge. For the first 5 readers to answer correctly their will be a great giveaway from a fantastic company. So stay tuned, read my blog and get ready to build your beauty case. Peace

Holiday Gifts: Bath And Body

Deborah Bennett — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:35 +0000

This holiday season why not give bath and body products to someone who needs a little pampering and rejuvenating. Here are some ideas from the staff at HB.

Well Being Nurturing Soap Set

Give someone that “Me Time” with these rock-shaped soaps by PartyLite. $14.95 for a set of 3 at partylite.com

Ojon Body Ball

The “White Ball” produces a creamy lather that can be used in the bath or shower to purify and nourish the skin to silky perfection. $65 at sephora.com

Bliss Spa Set

For the girl on the go, this set of travel must haves for a ‘fresh from the spa’ glow wherever you go. $46 at sephora.com

Peppermint Cooling Foot Heaven

This complete pedicure set will make someone special believe in “foot heaven on earth.” $14 at thebodyshop.com

Aveda Ultimate Sanctuary

This gift set is the ultimate in pure relaxation. $129 at aveda.com

GIMME: Tweezerman ‘Pretty in Pink’ Set

Hello Beautiful — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:30:49 +0000

They say waxing your eyebrows is bad for you. Threading is useful once in a while, but I can’t deal with waiting for them to grow out enough to be threading salon-worthy. Therefore, I live for my Tweezerman tweezers. They’ve stayed trusty for four years, I haven’t had to sharpen them once, and, as a complete eyebrow freak, I think I know what I’m talking about.

My favorite tweezer brand has now collaborated with my favorite beauty emporium, Sephora, to create a limited-edition collection of the store’s most popular Tweezerman products. And, for the girliest of fans, it’s even in their best-selling color, bright pink, and has a name reminiscent of a beloved ’80s hit teen movie!

Everything in the “Pretty in Pink” collection is sold separately, but I think the entire collection wrapped up in a pretty basket would make a great gift for the obsessive groomer in your circle. However, it’s available for a super-limited-time only, so catch it now before it’s sold out. Hey – at least you’ll have one gift you won’t have to worry about when holiday season rolls around!

Slant Tweezer w/crystal, $20
Point Tweezer w/crystal, $22
Point/Slant Tweezer w/crystal, $25
Petite Tweeze Set, $25
10 X Mirror, $15
Pedro Callus Stone, $20
Safety Slide Callus Rasp and Shaver, $10
Deluxe Nail Clipper, $10
FileMate w/ Polka Dot file, $5
Nail Rescue Kit, $20

all available at sephora.com

POP Beauty Apples of the Cheeks Gel Blush

Hello Beautiful — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:32:00 +0000

With POP Beauty‘s products being all about standing out, this one was no different! The U.K-based company introduced their newest product to make your cheeks and nose happy. With a title that makes its purpose self-explanatory, “Apples of the Cheeks” gel blush even smells fantastic – imagine a basket full of freshly picked apples. And, with two shades, Au Natural and Rouge, the product can be used on fair to dark skin.

I tried the Au Natural, which looked to be ideal for my fair/olive complexion. As this product boasts that it’ll give you a “sun kissed, natural look,” I was convinced that this would soon be a part of my daily mascara-and-bronzer routine. As soon as I took it out of the packaging, I fell in love with the twist-to-apply feature, which makes it way easier to put on, especially when you’re in a rush.

Now, I don’t wear much makeup, never really have because of my ultra-acne-prone/sensitive skin, so, being the novice that I am, I took the wand out and quickly read the instructions on how to apply. It said to, while smiling, make an “X” on the highest point on your cheek; okay, sounds easy, right? With my biggest smile displayed in the mirror, I painted an X on either side of my cheek and then blended in the make-up with the applicator. However, I looked as though someone punched me on the side of my face; it looked neither “sun kissed” nor “natural”.

I took a napkin, wet it with warm water, and scrubbed my cheek, which wasn’t the best of ideas: the right side of my face looked like I slept on it, it had a big red mark on it. So I tried the other cheek, but this time I blended the make-up in with my finger. Still nothing!! It just didn’t look “au natural.” Maybe it was the color, or maybe I just don’t know how to apply makeup, but this definitely did nothing for my face. Just as I was about to call it a day, one of my coworkers walked in, and I asked her if she would be a test dummy for this product. Her skin is darker than mine, and it seemed like it would be a perfect match. She gave me her biggest smile, blended the make-up on her cheeks, and voila: nothing but a slight shimmer.

Alyson tried the rouge shade and loved it; maybe that shade would have looked a little more natural on me instead, seeing as how my cheeks get red when I blush, not brown. While it scored in handiness, fragrance, and concept, Au Natural was not a one-size fits-all product.

$18 each, sephora.com