GASP!!! An alternative to "Well Rested"

I had this question posted as a comment, and I've actually gotten the same query more than once. Instead of just responding to the comment, I decided it was new-post-worthy. Look out!

Here's the conundrum:

I need to change the concealer I'm using to tackle the lovely genetic dark circles that seem determined to hang out under my eyes. I have very thin, translucent skin and the concealers I've tried just aren't hacking it. I still look tired even when I'm not. Got any suggestions?!

Here's my suggestion, which, let's be honest, is usually correct. But we can talk about my ego problems later:

While I've always been a huge fan of Bare Minerals "Well Rested" mineral powder concealer, it seems not to work as well for folks with thinner undereye skin.  So I got all detective at Sephora and went investigatin'.  My super duper find? Laura Mercier "Undercover Pot" concealer. It's great because it's basically a 3-part concealer in one little pot. The top of the container is home to two cream concealers: a thinner cream, and a thicker, more yellow-toned version of the first.

Use the thinner, peachier-toned cream for undereye circles, being careful not to create that 'reverse raccoon-eye' effect where you make a bright circle directly under your eyes. To avoid this, blend the concealer lower, working it into the sides of your nose and even partly onto your upper cheek. After applying the cream (with a concealer brush; see previous post on brushes), unscrew the bottom of the pot for a surprise. I love surprises!! This smart little product hides a thin powder in the bottom that you will want to use to sweep over your cream concealer. This sets the cream and also keeps it from settling into creases.

Now what to do with that thicker, more yellow cream? That stuff is awesome for red spots and blemishes. It's too thick and yellow for dark circles (tends to make them look blue), but it's perfect for a pesky zitty zit zit.

One more thing:  obviously, this product comes in multiple shades.  They are named by numbers (1,2,3,etc. in order of darkness).  Be sure to test on your skin or consult with someone at Sephora or the makeup counter to find your perfect match.  Now go out into the world looking awake and refreshed!





 Check out my new little happy.  Two cream concealers on top, and then.....wait for it....a surprise finishing powder on the bottom!

Click here to buy this super duper concealer at Sephora online

Addendum to the hairspray entry....

To clarify, I'm not pregnant.  After reading my comment about Rachel Zoe and her hairspray habits while 'with child,' I realized it might have been misleading.  No lil' Sammons cooking in this oven yet!

Also, as a side note, my sweet hippie cousin in Portland (that's right, Molly; I called you a hippie.  Love you!) wrote me an email about the dangers of hairspray and other chemicals when used by expectant mothers.  While I have plenty of friends and family who haven't changed their beauty routines and have had healthy kids, Molly is right that I should at least point out that it might not work for everyone.  Here are some links to check out on the topic.  Just to be frank, however, I probably won't be one of those people who chills out on the hairspray and perfume when I'm a mommy-to-be.  I'm just too vain.  But hey, you never know!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1088255/Pregnant-women-exposed-hairspray-double-chances-genital-defect-boys.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Health/story?id=6309940&page=1

Validation via Bravo TV

So I'm watching The Rachel Zoe Project the other day (OBsessed, by the way), and there's a segment of the show where she's having her hair guy perfect her 'do.  What does he pull out and spray all over her locks?  L'Oreal Elnett hairspray!  I also thought it was hilarious (and possibly perfect foreshadowing of my future) when her husband begs her to stop using it while pregnant.  As a woman after my own heart, she refuses to give up her beauty must-have.  I mean, pregnant women have been dousing their hair in chemicals for years; how bad can it be??

Anywho, shout out to my mom for introducing me to this product years ago, and now it's practically famous!  I get requests for hairspray recommendations all the time, and I've yet to find one that is better than this miracle in an aerosol can.  You guys know how I roll by now:  I've tried every spray on the market, from grocery store shelves to salon-only buys, and Elnett is my jam.

This product is only available at Target for around $15-20.  I prefer the 'max hold' -- it's not sticky or too strong.  The beauty of this spray is that it gives you a good hold but allows your hair to maintain its natural movement.  You can actually run a brush through it after you spray!  Amazeballs.  Once again, you're all welcome.

Here's a link to buy at Target online --- looks like it's cheaper than in the store!

Everybody Loves a Quickie

Oh, get your minds out of the gutter.  I've gotten quite a few requests for a post about tips for a fast face --- you know, like a makeup shortcut.  Although I love nothing more than a fully made-up face, sometimes I just don't have time to do the whole sha-bang.  Here are the essentials for Meredith's Signature Quickie (you guys are dirty):

1.  Concealer
First, use your concealer brush to swipe on some Well-Rested under your eyes.  Duh.  Next, if you've got some red spots or blemishes, use the same brush and add a dot of concealer to those spots as well.  I like Bare Minerals Bisque, which comes in a ton of shades that you can match to your skin tone.

2.  All-over powder
I know this may sound like sacrilege to some of you, but I'm just not a fan of liquid foundation.  I like a loose powder that gives good coverage.  Use your big kabuki brush to apply all over.

3.  Blush
It's amazing how awake and polished a simple swipe of the blush brush will make you look.  Don't forget this crucial step on Quickie days.

4.  Eye Primer
Remember the Product Whore post about Urban Decay Potion eye primer?  This is where a tinted version of that comes in handy.  Swipe the gold or bronze shimmer onto your lid and use as your "shadow" for the day.  One easy step, and it lasts all day long.

5.  Mascara
Even though it pains me to say it, sometimes I skip out on the entire Dior Trifecta and just go with one coat of Diorshow Blackout on my upper and lower lashes.

6.  Brows
You know me and my brow particulars.  If you've got thin or light brows, you can't skip this step, even if you're in a ginormous hurry.  Use your angled brow brush to apply color to your brows and define them for the finishing touch.

Voila!  You look bright and polished, but not overdone, and only in a few minutes!  Obvi review my fave products if you don't already have them in your collection :)

Gel-Liscious

Product Whore Alert!

I know it's not technically hair- or makeup-related, but gel nail polish is so superfab that I deemed it blog-worthy. 

Now don't be alarmed; I'm not talking about old school "gel" nails that are more like acrylics.  Those suckers are terrible for your nails.  I'm talking about no-chip, soak-off gel polish.  This phenomenal invention comes in lots of colors (including clear) and lasts weeks, not days.  I have a standing appointment at my nail salon every other Tuesday, and the color literally does not chip for the entire two weeks (unless you are doing intense manual labor or something)!!  How does it work?  A special UV light is used to "set" the polish and seal it onto your nails.  To remove the polish, your nails are soaked in acetone, and the polish basically lifts off of your nail.

I've tried just about every brand of the stuff, so here's the rundown according to Yours Truly:

OPI Axxium was the first big name to this party.  I love me some OPI regular polish, and now I love me some OPI Axxium. 
Pro:  The largest selection of color.  Axxium comes in the best/most popular colors OPI makes, including a ton of glitter shades.  You peeps know how happy I am when you give me some glitter. 
Con:  Tends to be a bit thicker than Shellac

Shellac is another big gel polish manufacturer.  It seems a little easier to find salons that use Shellac than the other brands.
Pro:  Goes on very thin and looks exactly like normal polish.  This also makes soak-off easier/shorter.
Con:  Colors are boring.  Hopefully they will jump on the Fun Color train soon, but for now they are heavy on the pinks and neutrals.

Gelish seems to be the hardest to find in salons, though I'm not sure why.  I'm not totally in love with this brand, but I'm not mad at it either.
Pro:  Good color selection (also with great glitters!)
Con:  Goes on the thickest of all 3

Call your nail salon and ask if they offer gel polish, make an appointment, and get yourself a gel manicure.  It's worth it!!

Disclaimer:  Don't try this at home!  Leave it to the professionals.  The polishing process involves 'setting' each layer of gel using UV lights.  Also, definitely, DEFINITELY don't try to peel the polish off yourself --- most of your nail will peel off with it.  Trust me.  I've tried it.  Let the nail peeps soak it off in acetone and use their tools to do the job correctly.

DiorShow-stopper

This product-whore post is going to be dedicated to not just one product, but instead three products that act as one.  I'm talking about the triumverant known as the Diorshow mascara family. 

I'm not one of those women who are blessed with long, thick, naturally dark eyelashes.  When I take off my mascara at night, I can be mistaken for one of those OCD folks who pull out their lash and brow hairs.  So when I say I've tried every mascara on the market, I MEAN I've tried every mascara on the market --- crazy expensive brands, drugstore brands, even my precious Bare Minerals version.  After countless test runs of all the that Sephora had to offer, I found the answer to my limp-lashed prayers:  Christian Dior.

The first mascara by Dior was simply called "Diorshow," and it was pretty sweet.  It was smooth and dark, and it seemed to be better than any other mascara I tried.  Then, one seemingly ordinary day, I had one of my "A-Ha Makeup Moments" upon walking into Sephora to pick up some essentials.  (Ok, so my "A-Ha moments might not be tear jerkers or worthy of a couch session with Oprah, but I still consider them pretty important.)  I walked over to the Dior section to pick up my mascara, and low and behold, there was a new addition to the usual display:  Diorshow Blackout.  What was this unknown black tube that stood before me, whose description boasted stage-worthy lashes?  Clearly, I had to find out for myself.  2 words: a. mazing.  Blackout is darker, richer, and makes my lashes even more lucious than its predecessor. 

Fast-forward to now, when 2 more must-haves have been added to the Diorshow lineup:  Diorshow Maximizer and Diorshow Unlimited.  The Maximizer is a white basecoat that goes on first (after you curl your lashes, of course) to moisturize and lengthen your lashes.  Don't freak out --- you'll look like Casper when you first apply it.  Next up is the Blackout to volumize and vamp you up, followed by the Unlimited.  Unlimited comes in a skinny tube with a thin wand to define and lengthen your lashes even more, adding the perfect finishing touch and preventing clumps.

...the only time threesomes are acceptable

Yes, it might seem excessive to have a 3-step mascara regimen every day, but I'm not here to teach you people how to shortcut your makeup.  Looking amazeballs takes time and patience, Grasshopper.

Click here to buy Diorshow products at Sephora online

(PS: for some ridiculous reason, Sephora.com doesn't sell Diorshow Unlimited.  Click Here to buy it on Dior's website, or grab it next time you swing by your local Sephora)

KeratinWatch: Day 17

So it's been over two weeks, and my hair is still generally a badass.  There are days --- brace yourself --- when I wash it, slap some Moroccan Oil on the ends (let's not forget that little gem), and go to work with wet hair.  By the time I drop my horse-dog at daycare and roll into the store, I've got shiny, straight hair.  I literally thank my hair stylist a few times a week for this miracle that is Keratin.

I love to wavy-curl my hair with an iron every now and then (future blog topic), so I was a tad worried that the Keratin would mess with that process.  Thankfully, it hasn't changed a thing except to make the waves shinier and healthier. 

As a side note, a friend of mine who gets regular Keratin told me that some salons offer a "mini" treatment that doesn't cost as much but doesn't last as long.  She tried it once and wasn't happy with the result.  I haven't tried this myself, but I thought I'd let you guys know.

To summarize:  Save up some money.  Get a Keratin treatment.  Become a general badass.