Interview Series - Today: Rachel, a great makeup artist!

Today I'm so excited as I was able to interview one of the best makeup artists in Atlanta, Georgia.

I met Rachel from Brushworx when I was looking for a hair style and makeup artist for my wedding. As I'm not that good with my makeup I really needed to find the perfect makeup artist that would listen to "my fears" and that would work with me on my wedding day.

I'm so glad that I found her as she did not only made a fantastic job with me but also with the rest of the women at my wedding. Besides, they did not only loved her work but they were thrilled about her super sweet personality. If you want to have a relaxed and entertained session before your wedding then Rachel is for you too!

Rachel, what made you decide to become a makeup artist?

Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a hair stylist. As a toddler, I informed my Mom that I would be a "hair do-ist" when I grew up. As I got older, I was intrigued by the world of beauty. As a woman, I love the way it boosts our self confidence to put a little makeup on.

What is the best tip for a bride to keep in mind when choosing a wedding makeup style?

The best thing for a bride to keep in mind when choosing wedding makeup, is that she needs to feel like herself. You don't want to look like another person on your wedding day. That being said, you should feel more beautiful than ever on this day.  If you want your makeup to be similar to what you normally wear, but with a little added glamour, try some false lashes. These will really make your eyes "pop" and show up beautifully in photos. 

Which will be “the must do or have” at the First Trial Appointment?

The most important thing about your trial run, is being able to communicate to your makeup artist and hair stylist your vision for your wedding day hair and makeup. The best way to convey to your makeup artist what you are wanting, is to bring photos to your trial run. Bring a photo of how you usually wear your makeup, and one (or several) ideas for inspiration. Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration.

Is there any rule to pick your makeup palette if you are blonde or brunette? Or is it more based on your skin tone?

When choosing a makeup palette, you should take into consideration your skin tone, and eye color. Softer colors look better on fair skin tones, as it does not take a lot of color to show up on the skin. If you have a deeper skin tone, you want to stay with warmer tones, as cool tones (i.e. silver or grey) can look ashy on the skin. Neutrals are always a safe choice, and will never go out of style. 

Name your  4 “MUST HAVE” makeup items that every woman should have at her makeup bag.

Concealer, Bronzer, Mascara and lipstick. These items are absolutely essential in every woman's makeup bag!

Rachel Rozanski of Brushworx on Location Hair and Makeup

Brushworx.net

Where is the sun?

I miss the sun.

I miss summer time.

I miss having a "healthy golden" color on my skin...

I've just got the Victoria's Secret Catalogue and after reading it I was convinced that I totally looked like I have been hibernating for over a year!

I decided that I would not give up my dream of looking less pale and I was determined to find any healthy way of giving my skin "some" kind of color.

I do not trust self-tanners (...yet!) and I definitely don't like tanning salons.

So the quicker option was to create some kind of tan color with makeup and I found these magnificent duo at Bed, Bath & Beyond:

Bronze Booster by Physicians Formula (shade: light to medium)

Maybelline lipstick (Nr. 300 Warm Latte)

I really liked its creamy texture and golden hints. It totally reminded me of summer time. Both products combined were able to take out the "super pale white/grayish" color from my face.

I really recommend both as an easy fix in winter times.

Now if you really want to go over the top, add the Victoria's Secret Rockin' Body Shimmer Powder on your neck and upper chest. It really rocks! 

Be careful! Too much of this stuff and you would look too tan.

Last but not least, I wanted to complete my "fake" tan look with a pretty pink lip gloss and I bought the Marvelous Moxie Lip gloss by Bare Minerals.

Guess what? It did not work for me. 

As soon as I tried it on, I started feeling a tingling sensation on my lips and after a few seconds my inner lips were totally burned!

Yes! burned...

So I went back to Macy's and immediately returned the product. I later found out that this line of lip gloss had some ingredient that made your lips looked fuller (?...)

Well I certainly did not need that. It might work on other women but it did not work well on me. 

Sometimes makeup technology can go too far.

I insist. I miss the sun!

Xoxo...

Pink for the New Year!

Ok, I do love pink! But...who doesn't right?

Pink makes me smile

Pink reminds me that is an honor to be a woman

Pink brings happiness

Pink peonies, are my favorite flowers

Pink makes me feel more feminine

Pink reminds me that deep inside...I'm still a little girl

Pink wrapping is great for women gifts

Pink clothes make me feel more pretty

Pink cures cancer!


So obviously I picked a whimsical pink 2014 Planner (Sugar Paper, Los Angeles) that I was able to buy at Target for a very affordable price.

My "pink wish & goal" for this year is to make this blog a safe place for women to join and enjoy reading it. We are all here to learn from one another.

My spiritual wish is for every woman to discover her own beauty and be able to celebrate the fact that she is the most precious person in this world!

Thanks for reading me.

Xoxo...

Interview Series - Today: Beautiful Nancy!

I'm starting a new series of interviews that I will be sharing with you so that we could all learn form other women's wisdom, tips and life experiences.

Let's start with:

Nancy P., a beautiful mother of 3 amazing daughters and grandmother of 5 fantastic grandchildren ages 10 months to 20 years. Baltimore, MD. 

Nancy you really look gorgeous all the time, can you tell us which is your basic skin care routine every day?

Starting with a good night's sleep makes an incredible difference. I can go from a "glow" to "haggard" all based on my sleep or lack there of. I rely on lots of vitamins. There is always controversy about vitamins. But when you are low on iron, calcium, vitamin D, etc. the first thing the doctor does is to prescribe a vitamin supplement. My face gets wahed religiously 2-3 times a day. And I have NEVER EVER gone to bed with make up on.

No fancy creams, no fancy lotions. But I have found that I get so much enjoyment when I am giving of my time, work and money to others. That along with being thankful for my many blessings will always reflect the interior beauty and contentment you feel to your outer self.

Which are the four makeup items you can't live without?

1. Mascara.

2. Concealer for those trouble spots. I am not at all a fan of foundation. I think it masks your glow and clogs up your pores.

3. Moisturizer, I like Neutrogena products.

4. Finishing with my favorite lipstick (I'm a red or go home chick) always brightens my smile.

I know that you like to suntan, which is your favorite product to protect your skin from the sun?

Since I have become a caregiver 24/7 to my 98 years old Mom vacations to sunny beaches are not in my schedule. Although in the good old days I have to say that I have never like the smell or feel of sun block. So I think common sense is the best approach for me. Thirty to forty five minutes on each side and then retreat to the umbrella.

Based on your experience, which will be your beauty advice for a younger woman?

Realize how beautiful you are right this very minute. Because one day you will look back at those pictures and be surprised at how lovely you are and wonder why you were so hard on yourself.

Nancy, so well said!!! 

We should all be thankful for all the blessings that we have right now. Thanks a lot for your honest answers, your wisdom and your great attitude!

Stay tune as my next collaborator will be a well-known wedding makeup artist...

Xo, xo.

Loving the Moroccan and Argan oils

I know it sounds weird but oils are great for your skin and hair. Going back in time even Cleopatra was using oils for her skin and it seems that she was pretty famous for that.

While growing up I've never been the type of girl that liked to wear oils on my body, except during summer time when I used to bath in the traditional Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil...

 

Back then I thought that oils were too greasy to use them on my skin every day. Of course, I did not know then much about taking good care of my skin. But once you hit your forties birthday, you become as dry as a cactus plant!

 

 

 

 

Four years ago I started going to a hair salon where they sold Moroccan Oil Treatment
(http://www.moroccanoil.com/usa/h_us_en/moroccanoilr-treatment-219) and I tried it and since then I could not quit using it.

Though this product is kind of expensive I buy it once a year and the good thing about it is that you could go a long way with one or two drops. It's a conditioning, styling and finishing tool that you use only on your ends and never on your roots of your hair. This product is a great year round investment!

 

Two years ago I discovered another oil from Morocco that is sold by Josie Maran  (http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/shop/pure-argan-oil/)

 

This liquid oil is actually 100% pure Argan Oil. It is extracted from the nut of the Argan trees that grow in the Moroccan desert and it is fully packed with Vitamin E. It has no fragrances nor preservatives.

 

 

I usually order their travel size as it really lasts for a long time and it's less expensive. I mix 2 drops with my body lotion and I apply it on my arms, shoulders and chest after I finish taking my shower at night. It is instantly absorbed by your skin and it is a great way of nourishing it while sleeping.

I know you might be thinking that you would never put oil on your skin but trust me, if you just add a drop of two, or you mix it with your favorite lotion you will not breakout nor your skin will look greasy at all.

 

Oils are also highly recommended by dermatologists and I'm sure they can't all be wrong. Like anything in life it is a learning process.

 

Learning about your own skin and how it ages is a personal journey I hope you are enjoying yours!!!

 

Are you already using oils? Let me know which is your favorite.

XoXo....

Maryland Crab Cakes, yeah!

Loving That Cooking Corner

 

My husband is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and as you may or may not known crab cakes are one of the most traditional dishes there.

 

So for Christmas Eve I cooked Maryland style crab cakes for the first time in my life!

 

I followed the traditional recipe that comes at the back of the Old Bay seasoning but I added some "secret ingredients" that one of my sisters in law gave me before hand, as her crab cakes are famous for being awesome! (as quoted by my lovely husband).

If you have never cooked them before, let me tell you that the recipe is extremely easy to follow and it's a great dinner dish for those guests that you know love fish.

 

Any white wine will make them even better. I decided to pair them with a California Chardonnay from Acacia's vineyard.

 

This is how they look before you bake them in the oven  (total baking time: 25 minutes + 3 minutes time broil at the end): 

 

 

 

This is how they look when they were done (very important tip: buy only Jumbo lump crab meat):

 

 

We both love salads, so I also did my traditional Green Salad that included: spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onions, blue cheese and crashed walnuts)



 



 

Last but not least...

 

I included a side of asparagus that I broil with Italian seasoning and the super tasty sweet potato chips that I bake with Mrs. Dash's (salt free) seasoning.

 

 

 

 

The best part of the night was when my husband finished his dinner and said: " My love, these crab cakes were really good!"

 

Priceless moment...

 

 

XoXo. 

Just set up the table for Christmas!

This year I decided to go all red, all romantic and with only one wish:

Lots of love to the whole world!

Xoxo...