It’s mid February and your skin hasn’t seen the sun in months.  In fact, your skin probably hasn’t seen the light of day since August  if you live in an area that experiences seasonal changes.  Pretty skin is still under all those layers of clothing and dry skin, you just need to know how to perfect gorgeous skin year-round.  The major culprit of ugly winter skin is lack of moisture.  One of the easiest ways to add moisture to your skin in seconds is by applying a great body oil to your skin directly after your shower.  If you are a bath-person, simply add the oil to your bath water.  It’s quicker than applying lotion to every square inch of your skin, and it instantly gives your skin a moisturized, sexy look.   It also makes your shower smell like a spa!  The benefits of aromatherapy are monumental.  How do you keep your skin looking sensational in the winter months?  It’s a question I get all the time.  This is it…this is the secret.  Simply smooth your favorite body oil (mine’s Beach and Grapefruit) all over your skin directly out of the shower or bath, then pat dry with a towel.  Of note, use a product that doesn’t leave your skin dripping in oil; rather, use a great skin-absorbing oil.  Higher quality oils will be absorbed by the skin better and more quickly than a mineral oil, for instance, will.  And it’s nice to know that you are sporting sexy skin under those layers!

Great skincare products can be found right in the pantry of your kitchen.  Not only are they healthier for you, they are also on the cheap.  Baking soda is a great way to exfoliate your skin.  Because baking soda contains tiny granules of sodium bicarbonate, it makes for the perfect substance to lightly exfoliate your skin.  It also has antiseptic properties that will ward off breakouts.  Simply make a paste with a palm-full of baking soda combined with a small amount of water.  Apply to face, working in a circular motion, and allow to dry for three minutes.  Rinse away with warm water, followed with a splash of cold to close pores.  Keeps your skin looking refreshed and blemish-free.

Try this trick the next time you give yourself a French manicure.  To get the curved white tip, simply wrap a rubberband around your finger, which pulls the skin taut, and allows for the perfect curve to paint your white strip.  Simple, easy, pretty.

Just when you think Chaz Dean can’t do it any better, he does.  We loved WEN’s Fall Ginger Pumpkin, and equally love WEN’s Winter Vanilla Mint.  Chaz is very intuitive in that his products align with the seasons, and provide as much aromatherapy as they do hair nourishment.  This product slightly tingles on the scalp and awakens the senses.  It provides exactly what you expect out of a WEN product…mega-moisturizing to the hair.  If your hair lacks body and is dry, this product will truly give you bounce and moisture in one use.  Phenomenal product…can’t wait to see what he has coming in the Spring!  Check out Chaz’s entire line here.

Although many basic rules of makeup application stand the test of time, certainly, makeup application goes through its fair share of trends.  Donna Mills, the 1980s glam queen, gave us The Eyes Have It.  It’s her 80s version of all things glam.  Check out this hilarious look at old school Donna.

All you glossy girls listen up.  If you like a super-glossy lip without being sticky, YBF just might be Your Best Friend.  As you probably know from experience, some glosses can be so sticky and cakey on the lips that you can’t tolerate it.  Not so with YBF.  The glosses are easy to wear, and provide mega shine.  Available in trendy, cute colors, too.  The Pink Pearl color is baby pink with just a hint of the pinkest-pink color, and ultra glossy.  It’s very Kardashian.  And if you like to be a glam girl, these glosses are perfect for your kisser.

YBF Set of 3 Aqua Liplights Lip Glosses
These lip glosses help reflect light for a beautifully fashionable, get-you-noticed look. They are sheer enough to wear alone fur a pop of color during the summer or layer over lipstick in the fall for a rich pout.
Available in 3 different shades
Pink: Crystal Crimson, Pink Pearl and Radiant Raspberry
Neutral: Rustic Reflection, Twlight Tan and Twinkle Taupe
Wine: Glimmering Grape, Luminous Lilac and Vivid Violet.
Price: $19.80
Where to buy: www.Ybfstacey.com

  Blake Lively always gets it right when it comes to fab hairstyles!  Steal this look from Blake in a matter of minutes.  It’s actually a very simple hairstyle.   This style works well with long hair.  Here’s how it works:  Flat iron hair straight.  Next, part hair on the side and create a very low, slick and sleek, ponytail.  If need be, use hair straightening product to slick down your bangs.  Your low ponytail should hit the nape of the neck.  Next, create a bun by simply twisting hair around itself and securing it at the nape of the neck.  Secure with another ponytail holder.  Next, pull pieces from the bun to create a messy look.  Pull a few long pieces to depth.  Use bobby pins to secure pieces in place.  Flat iron the tiny pieces of hair from the bun to make them pop.  It’s super simple and a great fix if you are having a bad hair day.  Once you get the hang of it, it will take you less than five minutes to achieve this look.  This hairstyle looks great with a gorgeous dress….or even in jeans or Juicy Couture’s.  Try it!

It’s always a surprise to see how overlooked our makeup vanities are.  Women spend an exorbitant amount of time and money on makeup purchases, so their makeup vanities should have equal exceptional value.  Creating a beautiful and functional vanity to your home will not only make your home more beautiful, it will make you more beautiful!  A functional, well-lit, well-organized vanity will naturally provide a better end result…beautiful makeup application.   One of our former makeup vanity blog posts continually elicits comments and inquiries on where to purchase them.  The following makeup vanities can be found at Pottery Barn Teen, www.PBTeen.com.

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