"No Makeup" Makeup Look

Hey everyone! And helloooo August! As we make our way into the hottest month of the year, our hair is expanding and our makeup is melting as soon as we step out of our air conditioned homes.  Great.  But there are a few things we can do to find the happy medium between "I don't care, it's too hot," and "I care way too much even though it's hot."  Enter the "no makeup"/natural makeup trend.  Girls, this is to our advantage!  I'm talking minimal, lightweight makeup that's barely there but still enhances that natural beauty of yours!

A light amount of makeup is great for a very hot August day, a day by the pool or beach, or anywhere you're planning on sweating! I know a lot of people have something to say about wearing makeup to the beach, but personally I'm not comfortable leaving my house without something on my face.  I have a blotchy complexion and dark under eye circles that I feel are better covered than out to see the world.  So I just put on very minimal makeup to even out my skin and give me enough coverage to feel comfortable.  Without further ado, here is my "no makeup" mini makeup tutorial!!

*Expressionless for makeup viewing purposes only.

Step 1: Tinted Moisturizer 

This little guy is your best friend for summer.  It's like a moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation all in one!  It's lighter than BB cream, but still gets the job done.  I like to use the Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF.  This is great for the sun because it's lightweight so you won't feel clogged up, the tint gives you the right amount of coverage without looking like a foundation, and the SPF protects your skin from harmful UV rays!

I just start off using about a dime-nickle size amount and just rub it all on my face and neck.  Make sure you blend because it is tinted and you'll be able to see any lines or clumps.  On occasion, I'll just use this by itself, since it does such a great job.  Every step past here is optional, but today I'm going to show you a little bit extra.

Step 2: Concealer

I'm addicted to concealer.  It really is a wonderful thing.  For me, someone who has redness and the occasional blemish flare up, I just go to town with my concealer.  But for this look, the key word is minimum.  So I just put a little bit on my blemishes (if any) and under my eyes to cover those dark circles.  In my opinion, this is good for your tan anyway.  You don't want under your eyes, your blemishes/scars, or your super red areas to burn or get darker anyway.  To me, concealer gives that extra layer of protection.  Like a hat for your skin! I use Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer.  Mine is the double ended wand with the Pure Color Lip Gloss on the other end, but you can buy just the concealer alone.

Like I said, I just pat a little bit under my eyes using my middle finger and on any blemishes or extreme redness I may have that day.  Make sure you blend well so it gives you coverage, but still looks natural.

Step 3: Translucent Powder

This step is optional depending on how you're feeling.  Sometimes I'm feeling a little extra shiny, so I'll just tap on a little bit of translucent powder, even if just to set what I've done.  Here I've used the Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder.  

Just take a stipple brush and grab some powder.  Either tap on, or swirl the brush in circles to apply.  This will just mattefy what you've already put on and keep it from running or smudging.

Step 4:  Eyebrows

Eyebrows are so so important, even when you're wearing minimal makeup.  Making sure that your eyebrows look crisp and groomed will open up your eyes and your face!  There are several ways to do this, depending on your eyebrows.  Mine are temperamental and like to go all over the place.  They're also scarce in places, so I like to use the Benefit Gimme Brow.  It's a miracle working tinted brow gel that is one of my favorite products! In one foul swoop, my eyebrows are perfectly pigmented and set in place!  No fuss, no muss!  And it looks natural, but clean. It's super easy to use as well: all you do is take the little spoolie and brush it on starting at the front of your brow and work your way to the tips!

If you don't have this brow product, you can use a clear brow gel or mascara like this one, or a wax pencil like this one.  There are so many things made just for your eyebrows nowadays so if you have trouble finding something, then you haven't looked hard enough!!  Don't be afraid to try out different things and find one you like the best!

Step 5: Liner

No, we are not using thick black eyeliner, or anything crazy.  Just a little trick I picked up in my many years of using makeup!  To open up our eyes even more, we're going to tightline our water line with a pearly white liner!  I used to use stark white, but then I read somewhere that using a slightly off white, looks more natural and is closer to the whites of your eyes!  So I picked up this Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner in Pearl Beige.  

Simply use this liner along your waterline and in the corners of your eyes! It not only give you a nice glow, but will also make your eyes look bigger!

Step 6:  Lashes

Again, this is optional.  But for me, I like to use just a little bit of mascara to open up my eyes!  It's the finishing touch to my "no makeup" look!  The key here is waterproof.  Believe me, if you know you're going to sweat, you don't want to wear regular mascara!  Unless you're going for the raccoon look, then by all means go for it.  But seeing as that's not what we're going for, I used the Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara in the blackest black I could find.  I have super dark hair, so I use black and only black mascara.  Anyway, this mascara is great for a natural, full lash with that added waterproof protection.  Again, it looks like you're just having a really good lash day (if that's even possible). Just lift and wiggle on your top lashes and also your outer bottom lashes to really open up your pretty eyes!

Step 7: Lips

Don't forget to protect those luscious lips! I will reiterate what I said in my Beach Essentials Post: people often forget about their lips!  They are just as sensitive to the sun as the rest of your face, so make sure you wear a lip balm with SPF!  This time, I used Sun Bum SPF 30 Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm.  I just got this and I absoluteness love it.  It smells and tastes good (if you accidentally lick it. I don't recommend purposely licking it) and it's greasy in a good way (if you can imagine that).  It gives your lips a nice shine and you can tell easily when it wears off and when it's time to reapply!  They also come in several different flavors!

And viola!  The "no makeup" makeup look! The point here is to say, I look great even without makeup!  Even though you are technically wearing some, it sure doesn't look like you are.  Away with the haters who bash on girls who wear makeup to the beach, pool, or even the gym!  I will not apologize for feeling more comfortable with makeup on and neither should you!  Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with girls who don't wear makeup.  Kudos to you! But for me personally, my skin gets yucky when I don't wear anything and then I'm self conscious about it all day.  So I rock this look!  Also, you can use this look for those days where you just want to do the minimum and still look put together and awake.  Hell, use it whenever you want!

Regardless of when and where you try this look, I hope you like it and test it out for yourself!  Remember, every step past that tinted moisturizer is additional so feel free to mix it up!  If you do try it out, let me know! I want to know what you used, your variations, and how you liked it!  Leave your posts and replies in the comments section! Thus, I leave you with the full product list below!! :)

Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder

Benefit Gimme Brow

Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner in Pearl Beige

Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

Sun Bum SPF 30 Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm

XO, Briana

Beach Essentials

As the last month of summer begins, us beach babies flock to the motherland to squeeze as many sun-soaked days in as we can before the leaves start to fall!  So, a cute beach bag full of essentials is first on my packing list!  Here is a compilation of some of my favorite beach essentials!

1. The Cute Bag

Any fashionista knows that you can't be caught anywhere without an adorable bag!  Not even the beach.  So if you haven't got your adorable beach bag already, you better go snag one before they're all gone!  I got this Lilly Pulitzer You Gotta Regatta beach bag way back when there was still snow on the ground!  I absolutely love it, not only because it is in my favorite Lilly print, but also because it's big enough to hold all of my loads of things!  It's also plastic, so the sand rolls right off! Since I got this bag so long ago, it's no longer available on the Lilly Pulitzer site. However, here is the link to the same style bag if you really like it!

2. Beach Seating

Some use a chair, some use a towel, and then there's me.  I use this awesome beach mat by Tommy Hilfiger. Another thing that I've owned for quite some time.  This mat is comfortable with a built in pillow and super convenient because it rolls up and has a handle!  Bonus: it's adorable.  Pink and green palm trees can do no wrong! Here is a link to a similar mat, but I've seen them around at places like Walmart and Target.  I have also seen these Tommy Hilfiger ones up for bid on eBay!

3. Sunscreen!!!

SPF is sooo important when you are at the beach!  I'm sure you've seen countless articles on the importance of sunscreen and that you have to reapply constantly, so I won't lecture you.  What I will tell you is that this Sun Bum sunscreen in SPF 30 is to bomb diggity (am I showing my age yet?).  As a mixed chick, my skin likes to be difficult; sometimes it's Puerto Rican and tans instantly.  Other times it's German and burns instantly.  So finding the right sunscreen to balance those out is essential.  I've tried just about everything.  After coming to the conclusion that I couldn't follow in my father's footsteps and use SPF 3 (jerk.), I settled on about a 30.  That seemed to be enough to protect my skin, but still let me tan!  Then I found Sun Bum.  I'm not going to lie, I bought it because it was cute.  But the slightly hefty price tag was totally worth it!  I have been using it, sparingly, all summer and I absolutely love it.  It smells delicious, and I've burnt ONE TIME. ONE! And that was my "first real sun of summer burn." So it's definitely worth a try!  And the company also makes companion products, like lip balm and a face stick!

4. Lip Protection

And that brings me to my next item!  Lip protection!  People often forget that your sensitive lips need protection from the sun as well!  So make sure you bring a lip balm or chapstick with SPF to protect your lips from those harmful UV rays!  My favorite of the moment is Baby Lips by Maybelline.  I'm in love with all of these lip balms, but make sure you grab the one with SPF when you're headed outside!  Also, if you like a little more punch, top it off with a neutral lip gloss!  I'm in love with Beach Party by Philosophy!  It gives me just a little bit of shimmer, isn't goopy or sticky, and it's rightfully named!

5.  A Good Read

Whether you enjoy a good sci-fi novel or a fashion magazine, don't forget to bring something with you to read!  There's nothing like cracking open this months issue of Glamour with a backdrop of waves and sand! (Can you tell I'm dreaming of the beach?  I live 10 minutes away and the weather has been awful!!) Pro tip: Don't expect to see your iPad, Nook, or Kindle out in the open sun.  Believe me, I've tried and you can't see squat.  The only one you might be able to use is the ones that are "paper white"

6.  Perfect Beach Waves

Everyone is going gaga for beach waves, and I am guilty.  Personally, I enjoy just throwing my hair in a bun and dunking my head in the ocean. Let dry and take out of the bun and viola!  However, my hair already has somewhat of a natural beach wave texture (told you I was a mermaid) so for those of you who don't I have a handy dandy tool for you.  My favorite beach spray that I've tried is Not Your Mother's Beach Babe spray!  I've been using it for a couple of years and I love it.  It really works and is super affordable! You can use it on wet or dry hair, and it always looks like you just stepped out of the ocean! Use it if you want to feel like Ariel!

7. Cheap-o Sunnies

One thing I will never ever understand is people bringing their super expensive sunglasses to the beach.  One, your chances of losing them multiply by at least 100, two, you will get sand on them and they will get wet. Why tempt fate by even bringing them?  I always bring a cheap pair that are still cute but that I won't have an emotional breakdown if they get messed up.  I honestly don't even remember where I bought the ones in the picture, but I usually get them on sale at places like Charlotte Russe or Forever 21.  They'd probably only last you a couple weeks anyway so who cares?  These are super cute ones from F21 and they cost a little more than $5. #STEAL.

8.  Electronic Companions

What are the two worst things that can happen to your phone at the beach...within reason.  It gets wet/sandy or the battery dies.  Well, I have two solutions for you.  First is the waterproof pouch.  You just stick your phone inside, lock the top and you're golden!  Now, I wouldn't recommend taking it in the ocean with you, but if someone splashes you or you drop it in the sand, your phone is safe. (phew!).  Some of them, like mine, come with a lanyard for extra paranoid protection services!  Next is the solar charger.  If you get a decent one that doesn't quit working after a few uses (lammeee.) then this is a great concept.  Especially when you are directly in sunlight.  Just plug your phone cord (or any other USB electronic cord) into the charger and then plug it in to your phone!  Presto, chango, your phone is now charging!  Now keep in mind, this works like other solar powered things: you have to let it suck up some sun first.  Don't expect it to work if you've had it out for ten minutes.  I assure you it won't.  But this is great if you plan on being at the beach all day.

9. Lots of Hydration!

Whenever you plan on being in the sun for a long period of time, make sure you bring lots of fluids to keep you hydrated!  Obviously, water is the best, but I'm difficult and don't particularly enjoy water.  So the next best thing is tea!  Even though some of them are high in sugar (calm down, you're on vacation.) they are delicious and made mostly of water anyway.  The one I have here is a Marley's Mellow Mood Tea.  I believe the flavor was the black tea with peach raspberry passion fruit, but I do remember for sure that it was delicious and very thirst quenching. I got mine at Lowe's supermarket, but you can probably get it at Walmart or other grocery stores. Also, don't forget to bring a koozie to keep that precious drink cold!! Nothing worse than hot tea or water or anything for that matter when you're already baking in the sun!  Koozies keep those puppies cold for longer so you don't have to chug! I mean, how cute are these monogrammed ones from Haymarket Designs??

10.  After Sun Protection

Whether you burn or not, it's essential that you moisturize after prolonged sun exposure.  When you burn, you're more likely to put on aloe or something to sooth the burn.  But don't overlook it when it comes to getting a tan!  Being in the sun all day strips you skin of moisture, so after you get a shower make sure you use something to replenish that essential moisture.  The leathery look is so not cool.  My favorite thing to use is the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion.  Not only does it give you tons of moisture, but it also locks in your tan!  Plus it also smells really, really good.  (Can you tell I like to smell really good? Because I do.)

So those are my top ten (respectively) beach essentials! I'm sure I could go on forever with things I didn't mention (like headphones, but duh right?), but these are the ones that made the cut!  What are the things you can't leave for the beach without?  What's your favorite sunscreen or lip protection?  Have you tried any of these things?  I want to know your opinions and suggestions! Don't be shy, leave me a comment!!

XO, Briana

*I have not been compensated to market any of these products.  These are my personal opinions.

**All photos linked to their source as well as where they can be purchased, unless otherwise noted.

Mascara Wars

As a makeup connoisseur, I know that I have tried so many different mascaras it isn't even funny.  I haven't found one I hated, but I am still on the quest for my favorite!  So I decided to duke it out between my 4 current top mascaras!

So far, most of the one's I've tried have been from Maybelline.  It all started when I bought one of the new ones to try and  the cycle continued; every time a new one came out, I bought it.  For a while I preferred the Maybelline Cat Eyes mascara, but then I tried the first mascara on my list: the Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara.

Shown in the first picture, this mascara works pretty well!  It gives my lashes volume and length like a good mascara should.  I like it because it gives my lashes a natural look.  My favorite thing about this mascara is the double wand.  I find that the small wand is perfect for the bottom lashes.  It makes it so much easier to grab those baby lashes without smudging it under my eyes.  Also, it retails for about $8 and it comes in waterproof as well! Can't beat that!

Second up is the Benefit They're Real Mascara.  I kept hearing so much about this mascara: that it was the best premier mascara on the market and that it was basically "magic".  So obviously, I had to try it for myself.  I am pleased to say I really love this mascara and I agree with all of the hype it comes with.  It not only lengthens and volumnizes, but also darkens your lashline, so you almost look like you're wearing eyeliner as well.  The coolest thing about this is the wand.  Again.  The shape allows you to not only apply as you normally would (lift and wiggle!) but also use the wand vertically.  It gets all of those little lashes you didn't even know were there and curls them even more, post-eyelash curler.  My only negative about this one is that it's really hard to get off.  I don't actually use "eye makeup remover" persay.  I just use a facial wipe to remove my makeup, so it takes a while to get it off and most of the time there's still some residue.  But a good oil-based remover should get it off.  If not, Benefit does sell a remover specifically made for the "They're Real" products.  I have to say, as much as I feel like it may be a marketing ploy, I still really want to try it. But overall, the product is wonderful. Price wise, this is a premier company, so it's a bit on the higher end; it retails at $23.  However, they also sell a mini version that's only $10!  So if you want to try it and are still skeptical, the mini is your BFF!  The small sizes are also great for travel!  A+, Benefit!

The third picture shown is the Cover Girl Bombshell Volume Mascara that I got to try, courtesy of my Influenster Surf's Up Vox Box.  This one is similar to the Maybelline mascara in that it has a double wand: Step 1: Volumize. Step 2: Intensify.  I really like this one for when I'm wearing darker eyeshadow, because it really does intensify the lashes.   You can see even by the picture that my lashes are thicker and darker, especially near the lashlines.  I like using this for a night out or if I'm just feeling like being a little bit glamorous!  This mascara retails for about $12, depending where you go.  For brands like Cover Girl and other drugstore brands, keep your eyes peeled for coupons!  They often pop up at Rite-Aid, CVS, Target, and even Ulta sometimes does deals.  Overall, I really like this mascara.  It looks great and I hardly can tell I'm wearing it! Way more comfortable than wearing false lashes, and it looks just as good!  Thanks Influenster!

Last, but not least, is the Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara that I received in last month's Influenster Vox Box.  So if you read my blog regularly, you've already seen this one in action!  Since I got it, I noticed that I've been using it quite a lot.  I really like the easy, natural look it gives my lashes.  As a natural makeup kind of gal, it goes great with my variety of neutral brown eyeshadows and still looks great sans eyeliner.  This one doesn't pump up the volume as much as the Bombshell, but it separates your lashes really well and gives you a nice, finished look. Price wise, this one is in between retailing at $15.  You can get it on line, or through your personal Mary Kay consultant!

So after trying all of these different mascaras, I can't say I favor any one of them!  They're all great and work perfectly for different occasions and looks. I think you should have more than one favorite to go with your mood, look, or occasion! I would recommend all of them to every one of you!  All of them work wonderfully and look great.  Who needs falsies when your natural lashes can look just as good!

So have you guys tried any of these? What do you think?  Leave your comments below!! :)

P.S. I feel like I should explain the difference of color in the photos.  I took a picture of each mascara on different days at different times!  So the two center photos were in full natural light, the others were a combination of natural light and the light in my room.  Oh, and that's my actual eye color, no editing!  They change ;)

XO, Briana

Christine Shampoo & Conditioner by Van Thomas Concepts

About a month ago, a friend of mine, Jason Griffin (celebrity stylist) so kindly told me he would love to work with me on my blog. I was so thrilled to have someone who not only lives in a completely different world from me ( LA baby!) but also is influential in the fashion industry. So for our first project, he hooked me up with a wonderful agent from Pistol & Stamen and she soon sent me some shampoo and conditioner to try out!

The set is called Christine and it's by Van Thomas Concepts. I received the The Christine Shampoo and The Christine Reconstructive Conditioner. I waited a little while to write the review because I wanted to thoroughly test the products. So after about a month of using them, these were my results!
First off the product itself. One of the most important thing to me about hair products is the smell. I pride myself on having fantastic smelling hair every day of my fashionable life. So therefore, I must have simply delicious smelling shampoo and conditioner. These definitely fit the bill. It smells amazing. It leaves your hair smelling like citrus and flowers. There is no way a girl won't feel good about herself smelling that wonderful.
Next is what it's made of. The shampoo is sulfate-free and paraben free, with no harsh chemicals, avoiding the stripping of essential oils and dryness. It uses grape seed and apricot oils for added shine and blackcurrant oil and essential omega-6 fatty acids for healthy hair growth. Also the shampoo is made to cater to all hair types!  The reconstructive conditioner uses hempseed oil, aloe veraextract, grape seed oil and olive fruit oil that hydrate, restore, and repair hair.

I particularly like products that use natural products. My hair seems to take better to them. Since my hair is curly, it tends to be more temperamental and harder to tame. All of the reparitive and hydrating treatments did wonders for my frizzy, dry curls. After only a few uses I started to see results.

Here I am with no product in my hair!!

After using the shampoo and conditioner together for a little over a month, I have noticed drastic results in the texture of my hair and how it behaves. When I wash it, it's less knotty and easier to brush after washing. Since I wash my hair every other day or more if I can, my curls tend to knot up and make my life a living hell after waiting those few days. I find myself sitting and brushing my hair for like twenty minutes just trying to detangle it! But ever since I started using the Christine products, it's gotten a lot better. My hair is also less frizzy, thank god. Since the start of spring, my hair has pretty much turned on me. Most days I just give up and rock the afro that is my un-tameable hair. I even started referring to it as Miley (because it "can't be tamed" Get it?) Anyway, the reconstructive conditioner really worked wonders in that department. I saw a noticeable difference in the size of my afro, especially after I'd been using it for a couple weeks. I can now go to bed with freshly washed hair and wake up with nearly perfect curls that only require a bit of tousling, some of my John Freida Miracle Cream, and some climate control hairspray and I'm good to go! It takes me a maximum of like, 3 minutes. So thank you, Christine products for making my hair a lot happier!

Close up of the Christine products doing their job!

The price is nothing to shake your head at either, by the way. The shampoo retails for $18 and the conditioner at $32 for a 12 oz. bottle. On average, my shampoo and conditioner costs about $12 combined or less, so these are a smidge out of my normal price range. But if you're really battling unruly or unhealthy hair, these are definitely worth the splurge. Also, there are 2 additional products in the line that I haven't tried: The Protective Glaze and the Body Wash. If they are anything like their fellow products, I have no doubt that they will be great!

Contents of my package!

Overall, I had a wonderful experience with both of the Christine products!  They worked particularly well on my hair, and I have plenty left to enjoy for another month or more!  Much thanks to Jason and Pistol & Stamen who were generous enough to send me these great hair products!  Look forward to hearing more from them soon!  If you want to learn more about the products I talked about, here is the website!  Let me know your thoughts if  you decide to get your hands on these!!

XO, Briana