Sun in a Bottle

Summer is here.  School is out and we are heading to Mykonos or Tuscany, Florida or Paris.  We will be basking in the sun of the Mediterranean or the Rocky Mountains.  We will be eating, drinking and laughing with friends and family and catching a quick espresso at a side-walk cafe. We will be strapping on our Lilly Pulitzer's and dancing til dawn. We will be wearing our favorite sun-dresses and shorts, linens and capris, floating down the boulevards of our dreams all the while knowing we look fabulous. Our toes will be painted with one of the new hot colors of the season. Our skin will be glowing with the help of Darphin, Clarins, Smashbox and NARS.  Our faces lively thanks to Guerlain, MAC, La Prairie and Stila. And we will be sunburn (and sunspot) free thanks to Orlane, Natura Bisse, B.Kamins and Banana Boat.

Clarins has a great deal going right now on four of their

 most beloved sun products. The set includes their Delicious Self Tanning Cream, which really is delicious, especially for the chocolate lovers out there.  It has the look, feel and smell of a velvety chocolate mousse dessert. As with nearly all self tanners these days, the color and glow it leaves on the skin is believably like a beach tan without the consequences.  Another great self tanner is from Darphin.  Made without any chemical tanners and smelling like caramel this product is perfect for even the most green and discerning customer.

Another body bronzing product I like is from Smashbox. For those times I just want a little color temporarily, they offer a fantastic body bronzing lotion. With a hint of shimmery color (that won't rub off on clothing) this is perfect for a quick color pick me up. If you are feeling extra festive you can add some to your decollete and dust some Benefit luminizing powder over for a little extra shimmer where it counts. Remember, it all comes off in the shower.

Whether you are sunless tanning it or going for the real thing don't forget your sunscreen. Anything less than an SPF 15 and you'll pay for it as you age. In this case, the higher the number the better and when you tell people you are 35 they'll believe you.

Banana Boat is my favorite cheapie sunscreen for the body. When it comes to my face though, I never skimp. Products of choice:

Natura Bisse

Orlane

Clinique City Block

B.Kamins

(You can read more about sunscreen and it's benefits by reading my sunscreen 101 blog in the archived section.)

Enjoy your bike ride, hike and time on the beach. Show off your shoulders and your legs and never give away your secret.

Visa Goes Green

Visa is producing and entire new ad campaign to demonstrate their on-going commitment to the environment and the entrepreneurs that support it. We were shooting one of these commercials recently in Carbondale, which is 30 miles West of Aspen in the Raring Fork valley. A perfect location, given the commitment to the environment by the local population. The story for the commercial is about a local Carbondale woman who has based her business on straw bale construction.

Laura Bartel "fell" into her current business after being the first person on the Western Slope to build a certified, to code, straw bale home. Once her home was completed and other locals experienced the beauty and efficiency of her home, others followed suit. She was soon consulting and training others on straw bale construction including the building of the Waldorf School in Carbondale.

Given the nature of the content of the commercial and the commitment of the 'star' to the environment, I thought a break from my usual cosmetic brands was in order. This would be a good opportunity for me to experiment with some of the organic skin care and make-up lines that have been popping up across the globe. Laura and Visa agreed and requests were made for product. 

Since Laura is a simple girl and doesn't want (or need) to spend a great deal of time on her appearance, I wanted to keep things light and natural. 

We started off for a quick cleanse, by using a nourishing toner from Suki followed by the Osmotic Infusion Ultra Moisturizer from REN. These two products were relished by Laura's skin and really made her glow.

Given Laura already had a great complexion, I didn't need to use a lot to cover. We brightened around her eyes with a concealer from Nvey and also used it to cover some redness she had around her nose.  We followed this with an SPF 20 powder from Bare Escentuals to control shine during filming. and to provide some sun protection.

For color I used the Wildflower Face Palette by Josie Maran Cosmetics. I really liked the softness of the colors and the way they glided onto Laura's skin. To finish off the look I used a black mascara on Laura's upper lashes and a double ended lip pencil to define and add a  bit of color to her lips - both products by Tarte Cosmetics - and Origins Organic lip balm to keep her lips from appearing dry.  She looked fabulous and loved the way the products felt on her skin and we both liked the idea of doing something healthy for the environment by using organic products.

Overall I liked the texture and application of the products and think they are terrific for daily use in non-extreme conditions.  For the purpose of filming however, I wasn't happy with the wear-ability of the product. I felt I had to touch-up Laura much more than I did when I used my professional lines. So, I say, use the organic, natural cosmetics and skin care when going to work, futzing about or for that date with the hot new guy, and know you are doing something great for the environment, and I'll continue to use my professional products for movie making.

Summer Cheer Summer Sheer

It is summer again! Time for strappy heels, fabulous sun dresses, some highlights and a little glow for the skin. Oh my what an array we have to choose from this season. From cheeks to toes, lips to hair, summer has it all. Of course all the summer goodies are currently on display and being sold at your local cosmetic counter. So grab a girlfriend and run right down to try some of the new favorites for the season.

#1 Over-all Summer Collection goes to Chanel.

Bright, Brilliant and Beautiful.  Don't forget to check out their new glossimers too.

Best New Shades - Waterlilly, Venus, Silex, BelAire, beige Guitar, and Cosmos.

Now that Bobbi Brown is getting rid of her  lip balms, it's a good thing Laura Mercier is com

ing out with her own.  An array of fabulous shades not only do they feel good on the lip they 

have an SPF 15.

I am loving the new Shu Uemura lip glosses. The colors, the wear, the price.  All amazing.

There are an array of new Body Bronzers this summer, and Bobbi has redeemed herself (after discontinuing the lip balms) with the best this season. Packaged similar to her Shimmer Bricks, this product is a deluxe tri-bar shimmer of color.  While you're at it, make sure to get the ultra soft Body Brush to go with it.

Other great  body bronzers: Smashbox, NARS, Lorac, and Sugar

My Overall Favorite new product for summer is the Powder Blush from MAC in Sunbasque. I use it more like a bronzer and dust it lightly on my cheeks, forehead, chin and decollette then add a little pink color on the apples of my cheeks

Put a little color on your cheeks, swipe a little gloss on your lips and don't forget your sunscreen.  

-Coming Soon - Self Tanners, because we all want a little sun kiss without the sun damage.

Wedding Bell Blues, Greens, Purples, Satins and Lace

Tis the season for satin and lace, silk and chiffon, champagne, canapes and I Do's. No matter who you are marrying, where you are getting married, how many people have been invited etc... you want to look your best. And not just because it's a special day. It's your wedding day, and hopefully you are only doing this once so those photos and memories need to last you a long time. Long enough for your great-grandchildren to be able to oohh and aahh over how absolutely beautiful (and young) you were. Because you are (and were) and you want that husband of yours to remember too.

A few make-up tips and other tips for the big top day - 

Tip #1

Hire a professional make-up artist and hair stylist. Not only do these people know what they are doing as far as making you look your best, they can also help calm your nerves. 

If you can't (or won't) hire someone to help you bring out the natural beauty that is you, keep these things in mind:

You should wear a little make-up, especially if you are not prone to putting anything on your face.  Go down to the Chanel counter and have your shade matched in Teint Innocence Liquid make-up.  By far the best foundation for a bride.

Dust a little powder on your face - take off the shine and allow your natural glow to come through.

Brush a little blush on your cheeks and swipe a little color on your lips. Maybe even a long wearing stain so your lips don't come off on his.  Try Chanel long wearing lip stains.  MAC makes some good ones too.

If you get a little blemish, don't pick! Put a little emergency lotion from Clinique on it to help dry it out and then dab a little Visine on it to take the red out (really!). Cover with Bobbi Brown concealing stick for the face.

Tip #2

Don't ever get face waxing or a facial the week of your wedding! If you must pamper yourself in this manner be certain that you book that appointment at least 2 weeks out.

Tip #3

Get a massage a day or two before your wedding.

Tip #4

The most important of all... On the day of your wedding have a nice long bath. Drink a glass of champagne. Get the girls together for a make-up, hair and hosiery party. Wear your Grandmother's pearls and HAVE FUN!  You Are Beautiful! If you weren't, he wouldn't be marrying you.

Movie Time Again

Hello all of you devotees out there. I know I have been a bit of a sluff lately but I do have a good excuse! Another movie!  Not as glamourama as "Cougar Hunting" but fun none the less.  The latest production has been a Korean gangster film. Less dice a little more slice. The photo here may explain a bit more. Anyway, this film will be put to bed soon and I will be able to, once again, devote more time to glamourous, fun beauty.

Cheers to all and welcome to summer!

Me painting a tattoo on Scott aka "Techie"