Wedding Day Magic

My wedding day was barely a week ago and my photographs show how the past months products have had a wonderful effect on my skin (some that I still have not shared with you guys but I will!). I did not have to worry or waste any precious time retouching my make-up at my wedding! I enjoyed every minute and smiled at every camera that flashed my way.

The one product that truly shone through all this process amidst humidity, sun,beach breeze, anxiety,nerves and sweating is MICHAEL MARCUS Prime II. This magical product is made by a Dallas, Texas native who obviously understands the negative effects of heat and humidity on make-up. It's packed with aloe to create a moisture barrier and smooth out fine lines, soothing chamomile to fade redness and irritation, hemp oil which fades the appearance of fine lines and a tint that makes this primer wonderful even if worn alone ( I swear your skin will look like a million bucks!) To wear this product I usually wash my face, tone, moisturize and then I brush on some of this primer and ta da! Magically smooth and even toned skin.

Unfortunately this primer has no sunscreen, so remember to wear some before applying it (sunscreen first and then primer if you're wearing it alone with no make-up) and I've also noticed that it goes on best if you use a foundation brush (I use a Sonia Kashuk flat top brush available at Target) than if you use your fingers. Also, while it is a little pricy it is definitely an investment you'll want to make to look your best all the time.

The After Party

The party dictates the after party. And if the party was rockin' your eyes and face will show it in the morning. A concoction of beauty essentials will keep you looking bright and young the day after partying. Alcohol and long hours of make-up takes a toll on your skin and these are my recommendations to bring it back to life.

1)Please, take your make-up off! Recently recommended by Kim Kardashian as the best friend to any girl who loves to wear make-up, these towelettes by Neutrogena are my favorite after an all night dancing soiree. I keep them at my night table and they leave skin feeling soft and clean. (They will even take off waterproof mascara!)

2) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Those margaritas and cosmos dehydrate your skin, a great oil-free moisturizer like Estee Lauder Day Wear with SPF 25 will keep your skin quenched for hours and hours. Described as a "silky, cushiony creme," this new formula is for all skin types.

3) Depuff those eyes! A long night out equals red eyes and puffiness. Hide those under-eye circles and soothe your eye area with the Sephora brand Instant Depuffing Roll-on Gel. I love this! It's "made with light-reflecting pigments, a single application visibly diminishes the appearance of puffiness while an extract of red vine leaf works to diminish the appearance dark circles. The roll-on applicator tip with three agitator beads stimulates drainage and microcirculation to leave eyes looking fresher and brighter."

4) Lip service ASAP. Alcohol and staying out late will also dehydrate and chap your lips. I use a great night balm by C.O. Bigelow (Bath and Body Works) and it's an 8 hour night treatment that revitalizes the most tired, party hard lips. Wear it all day after your night out.

These beauty magic makers plus an all time water fest and lots of snoozing will leave you feeling brand new and looking like you're ready to party again!

Totally Tan

The sun is great! It chemically makes us happy and makes us produce Vitamin D but it also wrinkles us, causes sunspots and for those who are tan crazy, it can wrinkle you like leather luggage. Tanning makes you look toned in a bathing suit and it definitely makes your legs and cleavage look amazing in summer dresses and shirts. I've been looking for a sunless instant tanning product that doesn't have to be applied with my hands because I feel most of the product stays there when I apply it on legs or arms. There's great options though that are not instant self tanners like Nivea (which gradually tans and tones your skin) and Jergens (which develops a beautiful natural tan) which you do apply with your hands but are amazing. Sally Hansen also has an instant tanner for legs that leaves a lovely color and hides any bruises or veins,it's like make up for your legs! My favorite pick though for sunless tanning which you airbrush on and makes you look instantly tan and flawless, smells delicious, leaves your skin glowing and toned is Victoria's Secret Rockin' Body Luminous Tinted Spray. You will never have to use your hands to apply this tanner. I sprayed it on all over my body (my back, backs of legs,shoulders,everywhere!) and used makeup to make my face look tan. Instant perfection!

BB Obsession

The BB cream is the revolutionary, skin transforming make-up that seems to be popping out everywhere! Originally created in South Korea in the 1980's,these BB creams or Beauty Balms are the ultimate multitaskers: makeup, moisturizer, primer, and sunscreen (some even have oil-control properties for the oily or combination skins out there) all in one!

These creams are perfect for those of you who are not committed to a step by step make-up routine,lack the patience of careful make-up application or even if you want a lighter cover-up option for summer but still want an even toned,made-up look without all the time or effort. Brands vary from Garnier, Clinique,Estee Lauder to Smashbox, and Dior and they all promise one same thing: beautiful,glowing skin in one step.

I personally LOVE the Dior BB creme which I set with just a bit of mineral loose setting powder for a fresh,glowing look without all the caking or melting throughout the day. Most of them provide a sheer to medium coverage.I highly suggest you try them and try to score a sample at your Sephora and you will understand my BB obsession, a multitasking product at its best!

Wear Makeup...to Bed!

So how about breaking the golden rule of sleeping in your makeup? What if I told you,you could go to bed wearing makeup and it was good for you? Having your boyfriend or hubby wake up to sleeping beauty is any girls dream! We wear the creams, the zit zappers and wrinkle serums but none of them actually cover up these problems. In my quest to look beautiful sans make-up I discovered Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment which helped me look flawless and glowing while perfecting my skin tone and texture. This is an extraordinary mineral powder you wear after applying your face creams or serums at night, it doesn't rub off on your pillow and it promotes cell turnover, works on smoothing out wrinkles, healing break outs and brightening up your complexion. I absolutely love it and not only wear it to bed but also to my boot camp classes so I don't feel guilty for wearing makeup while I exercise. A feminine plus: The case is cute, the brush is sturdy and super soft on your skin.

Prom Ready!

My sister Natalie just had her prom and she asked me to do her make-up for the party. She was wearing a steel gray dress with glitter accents and matching shoes. Her eyes were the focus in my make-up process. I love using Sonia Kashuk brushes (available at Target in cute sets or individually) which are super soft and great quality at accessible prices. I used Clinique and Hard candy Baked eyeshadow, Sonia Kashuk noir gel liner, Mary Kay mascara (surprisingly wonderful for volume and curl) Revlon Photo Ready Airbush Mousse foundation (great coverage with one pump and light as air),Victoria's Secret blush and YSL matte lipstick with a touch of gloss. What do you think of her eyes?

Glamouriety by BENEFIT

An exciting exclusive party was held at the River Oaks vintage theater to screen the documentary/movie/animation/talk show/soap opera (I was a little confused myself while watching!) of the story of the Ford twins and their rise to empire in the cosmetics industry. Pink cupcakes,pink champagne flutes and an awesome photo station were set up for all of the attendees. At the end we got an awesome gift bag with two of their most famous products (plus some chocolate and caramel popcorn): Benetint, their ever most popular rose made cheek and lip tint (it's got an irresistible rosy smell!) and Dr.Feelgood (one of my favorites!), a mattifying balm that you can wear over or under make-up for velvety,oil-free smooth skin. Check out the beauty gifts I got and the trailer for GLAMOURIETY!