Are you a … Candle ❤️ Lover?

I am too! I surround myself with them in my home and in my business too. All types of candles give me a high. Battery operated, electric plug ins and the traditional candle. They are a part of my Self-Care Sunday or nighttime beauty rituals.

However I have become pickier when I buy them now..I found a brand on Instagram that I had to tell you about. The brand is called L’oil. Created by a woman (Lexi Brown) of course. This artisan candle maker said the L is for Lexi. The oil will n the name represent the oils used.

I love ❤️ supporting small business owners and indie brands.

Her candles are made with all- organic soy natural with 💯 cotton wicks. Choose from an array of scents. The best part they have a 30-34 hour burn time.

Her fragrance oils used are lab tested (phthalate free, SLS + SLES free, paraben free and not tested on animals.

Vegan lovers you’ll love that Lexi says they are vegan too.

My favorite candle is the one with the lip 👄 shaped vessel, so adorable and so sexy! It looks great as decor, on your or to enjoy in your bathroom or at your dressing/ makeup table.

The sweet apple cinnamon makes me swoon! So warm and inviting. And my space smells divine! I love her candles so much i featured them with me on TV 📺 on First Coast Living on NBC12 this week.

Check out her fun brand on Instagram.

@loilbylexi

L’oil by Lexi on Instagram

Beauty Secrets from my Kitchen and🪴 Garden!

On TV on a show called First Coast Living a NBC Station I am sharing natural beauty secrets I love ❤️ to do… I have a feeling you’ll enjoy them too.

Let’s make a Floral 🌸 Facial steam bath . There are so many different kind you can make but today it’s all about relaxing lavender buds. And if you’d like a smidge of vanilla.

All you need is:

Next add some fresh lavender buds. I buy the culinary kind. But if you own a plant or grow lavender in your garden, even better!

A bowl or pot (like you’re making pasta) of warm water 💦 that you have boiled.

Shut burner pot off. Either pour water into a glass bowl or keep water on stove top. After it cools a bit but is steamy still you’re ready to infuse flowers or herbs or whatever you’d like.

Next add a sprinkle of vanilla. I like the one you bake with. You’ll have a vanilla lavender facial steam. If this is not for you try an essential oil of your choice.

Place a tea towel or small bathroom towel over your head and allow the steam to rise to your face. Do this for at least 3 to 5 minutes.

Next, gently rinse your face and pat almost dry. Let your skin breathe.

Let’s make a Cuticle Oil treat for your hands & feet!

Best skin smoother ever! Your nails will love ❤️ it!

All you need is a bottle of sunflower 🌻 oil or Olive 🫒 oil. Soak your nails in a small bowl in the oil for at least 5 minutes. Then rub oil serums each cuticle abc on the nail itself. Follow up with your favorite hand cream.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Wanna soften your elbows and knees quick? Grab a banana 🍌 ripe bananas are the best but you don’t have to use only ripe ones.

Place a banana in a bowl. Mash it. Next scoop a spoonful out of the bowl and place on your elbow and or knees or both. Leave on at least 5-8 minutes.

Photo by Any Lane on Pexels.com

Is your face looking dull? After the long hot sunny 🌞 summer days our skin has taken a toll. Soften up your skin and kiss 💋 dull skin “Goodbye”.

Avocado Face mask… yes please!

All you need for this simple recipe is a fresh ripe avocado 🥑 the ugly is ok. You want a ripe one.

Mash the avocado in a bowl and place on your face.

Rinse with luke warm water and a washcloth. Pat dry. You’re good to go!

Lips need LOVE ❤️ too!

Try a blend of brown sugar and a small scoop of coconut oil. Or Vaseline if you don’t have coconut oil. Make one portion or a weeks worth. Kiss away!

Enjoy!

Lip Tips!

It’s almost National Lipstick 💄 Day!

July 29th. My favorite time of year next to the Christmas season.

So you know what I have to do. Kiss & Tell some lipstick secrets with you!

National Lipstick Day … Get Ready!

💋 What’s Trending Now?

Lip oils, Lip balms, Lip tints, Lip stains, Glossy Lips, Matte Lips, Lip Plumpers, Shimmering Lips. After years of face masks I’m so happy we are celebrating … LIPSTICKS💄

💋 What can I do if your lips are looking dry, peeling or flaky?

Try a DIY lip scrub or I like a Mango 🥭 lip scrub by Nature Pure Labs. It will exfoliate your lips gently and make your lipstick glide on beautifully. I also recommend a baby’s tooth brush with a bit of coconut oil or a lip exfoliator ring from the Dollar Tree.

💋 Drink more water 💦 or liquids! Your lips may be dry from thirsty body and dry skin.

💋 What should could I do to make my lipstick last longer?

Use a lip base. I use Perfect Day Lipstick base. One coat before you apply your favorite lipsticks. It will really work wonders. It makes colors remain true and not change on you.

💋 What color can I use to make NEW lipsticks out if my old lipsticks?

Give them a makeover with Lip Tricks. This product my lips 👄 stick look awesome and also lightens up dark colors you bought but don’t like.

💋 I hate the look of a lip liner but want my lipstick to stay in place and not run outside my lips. Is there something I can use?

💋Absolutely! An invisible lip liner shapes and helps keeps your lipsticks and gloss in place!

💋Always remember dark to very dark lipsticks make your lips look smaller.

💋 Lighter and frosted lipsticks make your lips look fuller.

💋 Want a skin softening lip treat you can also use to hydrate dry cuticles, hair flyaways and or unruly brows?

Try a product that Celebrities covet & so ❤️ love and what professional makeup artists like me use! I cannot get enough of Rosebud Lip Salve. Simply the best.

💋 Want PLUMP fuller lips and to look younger too?

My Skin Buddy is for you! A wonderful tech tool to plump 👄 your pout and revitalize your skin.

Today I will kiss & tell these hot tips for your lips on TV on NBC12 on First Coast Living. Checkout the video link. http://www.firstcoast news.com

Treat yourself to a new lipstick today!

A Makeup artist’s …MUST HAVE!

On movie sets,TV shows we love,photo shoots in Hollywood, New York and Las Vegas… there is a big beauty buzz on this invention.Created by a woman and a PROfessional Makeup Artist!

While I never practiced using my hand as a makeup application pallette many women and men in the industry do.I am featuring these on my beauty and lifestyle segment today on a daytime TV show I do called The Chat seen on NBC12 in sunny Florida!

I want to bring attention to this brand as I really think it makes a lot of sense and is much needed. I don’t want somebody to make up my face with their lunch, body heat and more coming out of their pores. I know you know what I mean.Think about it. It is so much ore sanitary to use this Hygienic hand pallette skin shield by Hygeniskin.Latex free. It is essential. Effortless clean up and healthier for you and your clients health too.

The most amazing part of this brand is beside the invention itself is the woman behind the brand.Unfortunately she is no longer with us.She died of cancer but her husband is carrying on her brand and legacy.I want to help George keep it going and alive too !

As seen in the TREND REPORT by American Spa magazine as one of the hottest brands for 2017.

So, if you are  a makeup artist,studying to be one or simply care about being more sanitary when doing your makeup….you need this product in your life!

How to …Clean Your skin!

Who doesn’t want gorgeous healthier looking skin in the new year? 

This week on my beauty & lifestyle report on TV on NBC 12’s The Chat  at First Coast news station (see my video) I  shared with the viewers a  simple skin care routine. I find women use far too many products on the face and that can cause a traffic jam on the skin…with not so pretty results. 

Here is what you really need to do to jump start your way to the skin you've dreamed of!
 
By a starter kit,try a free sample from inside a magazine,buy small sizes to TEST drive products first!
Keep it simple! Using expensive skin care doesn't make it any better. Experiment and see what brands
work for you!
 Daily AM and PM

• Clean
• Toner/ skin Freshener
• Hydrate
• Protect/sunscreen (daytime)
  

For your eye area:

• Eye gel or cream

For Your Face (not eye area) this is a MUST.

• • EXFOLIATION is key and is essential to refresh,plump up and renew collagen! 
    This is THE most important thing you can do for your skin at least every 7 -10 days. 

    The Super Star of exfoliation DIAMOND BUFF
    The hottest tool that is all the rage in spas and dermatologists offices.

  •  Diamond Buff by www.beestunning.com   

  • Explore their site online for all the details.
    
    Use a face mask weekly and choose one for your  SKIN TYPE. 

  • Sometimes that may be 2 different types of masks. 

  • One for the T-zone which is the forehead,chin and nose and one for dry cheeks!

  • Lastly NEVER go to sleep with makeup on! 

  • It ages your skin faster and you will wake up a hot mess!

  • Stay tuned…I am going to start using the new cool tool above and hope I will shine bright like a diamond! I’ll keep you posted and give you a play by play on my experience and results on my skin.

Be a SAVVY Sleeper!

Want to get a good nights sleep and wake up with better looking hair and skin too?

ME too! I discovered at a spa show an awesome pillowcase! It truly protects my hair and face.

Made of the highest quality 100% pure satin this luxe ultra-smooth for hair and anti-aging is my nightly beauty secret. I have always slept on a cotton pillowcase.BUT  not anymore!!!

Available in two sizes standard and king.It is like a SPA for your face!

Benefits of sleeping or napping on satin:

Soothing for the skin.

Protects delicate facial skin.

Dermatologist recommended.

Smoother than cotton.

Preserves hair breakage.

It even preserves blowouts.

I love the Wine Country Collection as I am in love with Napa Valley and all things wine Colors include:Vintage Rose,Pinot Greige, Zinfully Blue! All gorgeous hues.

Created by a woman of course. Dale Janee.

Another unique bonus is the built in secret pocket!!!

You can put some calming lavender,dried rose petals,a sweet treat or tuck in a LOVE note to your sweetie.Since I work on the road lots…I love leaving a message for my husband.

Quite unexpected and a lovely idea built into a pillowcase.Don’t you think?

Treat Yourself and Sweet Dreams darlings!

PS

The holidays are coming…great gift idea to give too!

http://www.savvysleepers.com or on Amazon.

 

Manscaping…your man!

Let’s hear it for the BOYS!
Men want to look good too so here are some awesome ideas for manscaping your man and products to turn him on to!
Cole Skin care for MEN founded by skin care expert and professional makeup artist Cole Patterson. 
Used by Usher yes, you heard it right (that awesome singer) and other Hollywood hunk notables in Hollywood and beyond.

A few Basic Steps are needed:
Konjac Sponge 100% Natural plant fiber to wash the skin and is biodegradable used with your fav’ face wash or soap.

Cleansing Facial Pads or Foaming Facial wash by Skincare for.It does a clean sweep, tones the skin and remove traces of dirt,oil and pollution.

Protect & Moisturize the Skin with Moisture Balm
http://www.coleskincareformen.com
Lips SuperSmile lip treatment stick in Vanilla Almond

Did you know men get cancer of the lips and women don’t typically because we wear lipstick or lip balm. Treat him to a lip conditioner. It also will give him more kissable lips.
http://www.supersmile.com
Eye gel or cream to soften tissue and lessen the look of lines.

Easy as 1,2,3… just a few ,minutes a day morning and night.

Once a week:
Use a Bentonite clay mask it is a good choice for oily or combination skin and cheap.
Or FarmHouse Fresh creamy Avocado mask for normal to dry skin.

In a pinch a FRESH avocado will do. Slice,take out the pit and mash. Apply to clean dry face. Stay away from eyelids.Leave on face 10 minutes. Rinse and moisturize as usual. Face will feel amazing and skin look hydrated and feel softer.

• This is the Trent the social media and tech guy at First Coast News he is my model on TV today…I can’t wait to show him what’s new and trending in beauty for MEN. Guys want to look good too!
• 

Beauty Cleanser for your…

…Liver that is a Liver Lover!

And great for the rest of your body too.

This fresh  fabulous flusher recipe comes from Tess Masters…THE BLENDER GIRL a sassy Aussie who I think is a healthy & FUN blender genius in her kitchen!

Love her amazing healthy smoothie book! 100 gluten-free,vegan and paleo friendly recipes to delight you.

I feel MARVELOUS! YOU will too~

http://www.theblendergirl.com

 

1 1/2 cups of unfiltered apple juice

1 medium raw beet,chopped,steamed or baked (if using a conventiocal blender)

1 medium carrot,chopped,steamed or grated (if using a conventional blender)

2 medium lemons,peeled and seeded

1 cup loosely packed chard leaves

1 teaspoon minced ginger

1 cup of frozen mango

Throw all of the ingredients(except the frozen mango) into your blender and blast on high for about 1 minute,until well combined. Add the frozen mango and balst ffor 10 to 20 seconds more,until smooth and creamy.

 

This vegetable-packed blend is surprisingly delicious according to Tess the author.She recommends you definitely add the mint.The betatine in beets flushes the liver,purifies the blood, and enhances circulation;carrots boost the liver’s anti-oxidant capacity and the lemons improve liver function. Chard provides syringic acid,a flavonoid that prevenst liver degeneration,and mango and ginger have liver-protecting properties,too.

 

I read if we partake of libations it is tough on the liver…so since I enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner meal…I tought this recipe for me is ideal. I have played with this recipe and added other ingredients. BUT I prefer HER recipe the best!

 

 

A Chat with Makeup Artist James Vincent

I recently had a chance to bring a fellow PROfessional makeup artist James Vincent to the TV station with me as he was in sunny Florida to guest speak at The Makeup Show in Orlando last weekend. I enjoyed chatting with him and got his take on what is going to be hot for this spring 2016 on the makeup scene.

In his 20 years in the beauty industry James has worked with Lady Gaga,our current President,Courtney Love,Liv Tyler,CNN and Reese Witherspoon to name a few.

He recognizes that innovation and technology in makeup and skin care are ever changing and that the absence of animal testing is key.

Here is a peek at his HOT for spring list that we will be wearing this season to come.

SKIN CARE: Cleanse,polish and protect are key steps to healthy skin.

Make-Up:

Sun kissed eye lip and cheek: Peach and pink will be your go to shades for the season.

A little bit of bronzer goes a long way! However apply it only wear the sunshine usually hits your face.And he recommends you mix it with a dash of your fave blush.Don’t just use it alone.

Black Liquid Liner is always in.

Candy Apple Lips that won’t land on your hips! James recommends a blue based red gloss on top of and only in the center and another shade of red lipstick.

Blue Eyeliner and Eye shadow: Blue eyeliner and shadows get a bad wrap.but says these shades of blue really lift up the eyes and brightens up the face too. He suggests you use pencil eyeliners over liquids or creams for liner as they are easier to apply.

GLOW on: He likes Scott Barnes Body Bling (JLO’s makeup artist) as well as Melanie Mills (A La Dancing with the Stars and more) Gleam body shimmer. they both illuminate  the skin on face and body.

I hope you enjoyed meeting this makeup artist and stay tuned for more interviews and tips!

 

 

 

Made in America!

Sorry I had to leave and sorry I had to wait to post on my Las Vegas trip wrap up. I came back with laryngitis and a cold.Wiped me out.

BUT I am delighted to be asked again to guest speak at the most amazing and largest spa show in the beauty industry held in Las Vegas every year.

The International Esthetics,Cosmetics and SPA conference floor was filled with the scents of aromatherapy,splashes of colorful cosmetics and new SPA treatments galore. Celebrate the red,white,blue and YOU with these indie brand products that are MADE IN THE USA.

What’s hot and new are things to exfoliate,refresh and renew. VIA BUFF is a skin polishing sponge that is dermatologist tested. There are colorful small puffs for your face and a larger body one that helps you exfoliate all the sides of you including that hard to reach back too.

LIP masks are all the rage. They plump up your lips and smooth the skin from smokers lips or sun damage.They also make the for your eyes. Ask for this treatment at your local spa.

Facial Buffing Biscuits are an awesome product by FarmHouse Fresh Goods. They come in a variety of scents and gently cleansing and mask the complexion at the same time. Double Duty beauty. I will share more on another blog about these.

BROWS and eyelashes are so en pointe with all kinds of beauties to make them look bigger,longer, best.

The world of nail polish is on fire! Right now COLOR is everywhere and so are metallics for this summer.From silver and golden hues to juicy shades of aqua and coral too.

Hair continues to come in all hues. Want to change your hair color in a flash. There are all kinds of products that can change your hue and then washes out too. Hair extensions also are on the rise.

Want to see more??? Watch me on TV at http://www.firstcoastnews.com click side bar for The Chat.