My Favorite Products

I LOVE...



















I admit it: I am a complete product-junkie! It's hard for me to stick with one specific line, so I use my favorite things from all different lines. My background is in spas/salons/makeup counters, so I have access to some of the best products out there. I like to experiment with everything, and therefore spent hundreds...make that thousands on beautifying products.



Here are my all-time favorite must-haves...



I. MAKEUP BRUSHES



M.A.C. Tapered Blending Brush #224 - $28





M.A.C. Eye Shader Brush # 239 - $24.50




M.A.C. Medium Angled Brush #275 - $24.50






Jane Iredale Kabuki Brush $35.50

This brush is made of hand-tied goat hair and specifically for applying mineral powders flawlessly.

Aveda Brush Set $229

This set has an eco-responsible flax-infused handle and luxuriously soft bristles made with 100% taklon (non-animal) fiber.



Prescriptives Foundation Brush $30

This synthetic fiber brush is made to apply liquid and cream foundations with ease for an ultra-smooth finish.

II. FACIAL

St. Tropez Whipped Bronzing Mousse $38.50

A light-weight, quick drying self tanner that gives an instant bronze glow to the skin.



SkinCeuticals UV Defense SPF 30 $37

Moisturizing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with transparent zinc oxide.

SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic $142

Combination antioxidant treatment containing L-ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, and ferulic acid. This is applied before sunscreen for best results.

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub $7.49

This combo wash/scrub powerfully clears blemishes and blackheads with maximum strength Salicylic Acid. With 100% naturally derived grapefruit extract and vitamin C, and the gentle microbeads smooth away roughness without over-drying or irritating your skin.



Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask $3.99

This clay-based mask helps dry up acne, clear blackheads, and shrink pores. Has a wonderful tingling feeling once applied.

Dermalogica Activ Moist $52

A lightweight, oil-free moisturizing fluid that combats dryness and helps protect the skin.

III. NAILS

OPI Nail Lacquer $7

In my opinion, there is no other nail polish that compares!




Solar Oil $8.50

Apply this moisturizing oil to cuticles frequently for conditioning results.

IV. BODY

Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream $9

Natural foot cream with coconut oil and vegetable glycerin to naturally heal and moisturize even the driest feet.

Origins Whipped Body Souffle $27.50

When waging battle with the elements, whether cold and dry or hot and humid, you can always seek shelter in this creamy cocoon. Your skin will never feel softer!




Aveda Hand Relief $19

Incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes dry, chapped hands—leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. Hydrating plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti-oxidants—including vitamins A and E—help diminish signs of aging and provide optimal relief. Increases moisture levels and elasticity in skin with continued use.

V. COSMETICS

English Ideas Eye Brow Sealant $18

Makes brow pencil color waterproof and smudgeproof up to 12 hours and aintains brow color and shape.

NYX Eye & Lip Liners $4

Glides on beautifully for a long-lasting, stay-put application.

M.A.C. Eye Shadows $14.50

Highly-pigmented powder. Applies evenly, blends well.

Jane Iredale Mineral Pure Pressed Blush $26

Create beautiful, flushed cheeks with our mineral blush. Colors so subtle and natural you'll look like you're glowing from the inside out!

Prestige Liquid Eyeliner $5.75

Finally, a liquid eye liner that doesn't smear and comes in beautiful colors.

Merle Norman Luxiva Creamy Compact Concealer $14

Hydrating concealer provides buildable coverage with a natural-looking finish in two easy-to-blend shades.

GloMinerals Liquid Foundation $30.50

This medium-coverage, satin finish liquid foundation delivers a flawless complexion while improving the health and appearance of the skin.

Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15 $42

This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15 and a sheer wash of color - for those days when you don't want to just even out your complexion, without applying all that makeup.

Bonne Bell Lip Lites $6

A smooth, glossy color and moisturizing shine lip gloss. Great tasting, too!

Lancome Definicils Mascara $24.50

For lavishly long, perfectly defined lashes, this best-selling mascara provides the ultimate in shaping and separation

Jane Iredale Amazing Base Mineral Foundation - SPF 20 $42

An incredible loose mineral foundation with UVA/UVB broad-spectrum sun protection. The look is creamy and luminous. The feel is like silk.

VI. HAIR

Alterna Hemp Maximum Hold Volume Lock Hair Spray $22

Add superior volume and hold to your do with this quick drying aerosol mist, containing hemp seed oil and Enzymetherapy to nourish and add shine while firm, touchable hold keeps your style looking great.

John Freida Root Boost $9.99

Creates volume and lift, without that stiff hair feeling.




Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo $27.75

Provides nourishing benefit and moisture to dry, brittle hair.

Chi Shine Infusion $11

Thermal Polishing Spray is an innovative weightless thermal active shine spray that provides an instant polished shine to all hair types.

Go ahead...drink it in!

Life Aquatic...



Not only does water cover about 70% of the earth, it is also natures best hydrater. That is why health care professionals recommend drinking 8 glasses of water per day, to maintain complete body hydration and health. In addition to being soothing and refreshing, water can create a more harmonious environment, encourage prosperity, strengthen bonds and relationships, and provide a number of other positive benefits.



Here are my favorite water-drenched products that improve your skin, hair, body and mind!

Vichy Shower

I am in love with this procedure! It feels amazing and the experience is similar to standing under a gentle warm waterfall. I prefer this as an additive to exfoliating salt scrubs or mud wraps at resort spas. It Originated in Vichy, France, and is one of the most popular forms of hydrotherapy. Vichy means "health and vitality through water." During this horizontal "rain bath", you relax on a shallow cushioned table while a 5-7-headed shower bar rains low and high-pressured water streams to massage away tension in targeted areas of the body. The massage of a Vichy shower can also stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic flows, which helps detoxify and cleanse the body.



Clarins Water Purify One-Step Cleanser $30

Experience the feeling of cleansing with water…without water! This innovative new facial cleanser removes make-up and impurities, refreshes, soothes and protects in one easy step. No rinsing required! Packed with purifying mint essential water, skin will feel fresh and clean without a fuss.


Laneige Water Bank Hydro Gel $70

Keeps skin as fresh and radiant as newly fallen snow. Enriched with 70 different types of snow minerals from the Himalayan's. Skin attains an ethereal glow in as little as a few days of use, as it is packed full of liposomes that trap moisture under the skin for a supple and resilient complexion. ­ It contains extracts from Swiss alps that facilitate water supply and circulation to keep the skin clear and hydrated.

Evian Mineral Facial Spray $10

This delightful cool mist rehydrates skin suffering from overheated or dry office air. It also revives your makeup throughout the day, and keeps you looking fresh by replenishing that much needed moisture. The spray increases skin hydration by 16 percent with regular use and provides better penetration of makeup products due to the mineral composition. While a little spritz is cool and refreshing, its benefits are best when used before and after applying makeup.

Natural FX Water-Based Foundation $40

A water based liquid foundation with SPF 15. Provides hydrating sheer to medium coverage for the face and body. The formulation was designed to achieve a natural looking, satin finish. This fluid foundation is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and oil-free. The results leave your skin looking younger, healthy, and flawless.



Aquafina Hydrating Lip Oil $3

If you like minty moisturizing gels, you absolutely must get this product! This gel/oil is one tasty, moisture packing, shine imparting, product! With vitamin E, sweet almond and jojoba oil, it moisturizes quite well, yet it is gel enough in consistency that it sticks around awhile, so reapplication isn’t needed often. The product contains menthol so it has a great minty taste and a bit of a tingle.

Almay Hydracolor Lipstick $3.95

Refreshes and hydrates lips like never before. The moisture-packed formula instantly revitalizes – with 100 times more water than regular lipsticks – and nourishes with plant extracts and vitamin E. Protects with SPF 15 and is available in 32 rich, refreshing shades. It’s hypoallergenic, non-irritating and clinically dermatologist- and allergy-tested.

Jonathon Antin Shower Purification System $95

Jonathon Antin, hair guru to the stars and judge of reality show "Shear Genius", has an understanding of the importance of pure water on treating hair and skin. This spurned the development of his water purification filter, giving men and women with frail hair the chance to shower with pH balanced water that is free of impurities, strong metals, and chlorine.

Angel Water Depth Spa Shampoo $20

Enriched with natural refined oil and marine collagen, it is suitable for controlling dandruff, flaking and prevents hair loss. Also contains the pith of deep-sea plants-double resistance molecule to form a resistance cream, protecting the hair from environmental damage, at the same time, it keeps the moisture in the hair efficiently leaving the hair thoroughly moisturized.




We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. ~Thomas Fuller

Save Water = Save Life

~ Water plants early or late in the day to reduce evaporation and mulch around plants to hold water. Use an shutoff nozzle on your hose
~ Purchase Energy Star labeled washing machine and only wash full loads
~ Turn off faucets when brushing teeth or washing dishes
~ Take shorter showers and use low flow shower heads
~ Install new toilets that use less than 1.6 gallons per flush
~ Place faucet aerators on sink faucets

All Aboard!

Sail Away, Sail Away...

In 1917, Coco Chanel first introduced the feminine striped French-style tee coined "la marinière." Designers have since then proposed their own versions, and spring 2010 makes no exception. Women all over the world have adopted this chic, iconic look, and designers started re-creating the stripes in different cuts for their runway looks, making from the "marinière" one of the most important trends in the fashion industry. The style is fun, simple, dynamic and pretty non-conformist. It's a classic, timeless style, using functional pieces that no matter the fashion era they will always be trendy. Make sure not to wear more than one single item sailor style at a time. You don't want to end up looking like ole popeye here...





How do I wear sailor stripes?



Although there are a few rules to obey when sporting this style, basically you can play with different shades and accessories to create your own personal style. Stripes represent the key element that will always distinguish this trend from the others. The original sailor-inspired shirt has blue and white stripes, but throughout the years more options became available in colors, from black and red striped -- to more even more colorful, modern interpretations. The advantage of the "marinière" is that it can be androgynous, feminine or masculine depending on your personal style.







My Tip:

For a casual look, wear this sailor t-shirt with a pair of dark washed skinny jeans. Throw on some ballet flats or gladiator sandals.





Aubin & Wills Pearton Tee $80



White cotton-blend ribbed T-shirt with red horizontal stripes, long sleeves, a scoop neck with a red trim, and a diagonal striped panel.





My Tip:
For a boho look, pair this striped mini-skirt with a fabulous pair of denim heels, retro sunglasses and a postal bag.



Top Shop



Navy ruffled short-sleeved shirt $11
White skirt with blue and red strips along hem $35





My Tip:

For a flirty style, slip on this sailor-inspired dress, and pair with some brightly colored heels or bag.

Marc by Marc Jacobs $298



Two-piece denim shift with a sweetheart neckline and short-sleeved navy/white striped scoop neck tee. Wide belted waist.





My tip:

For a trendy look, this tunic can be perfectly matched with a pair of leggings and a simple scarf tied in your hair, for a Bridgitte Bardot-esque style.



Angel T-Shirt$35



Longer length soft cotton white burnout tee with anchor and angel wing detail on front and back.





My Tip:

If you are looking for a touch of sailor style without sporting the stripes, try one of these cool accessories that will add a little "ahoy" to any outfit.

Luella Stevie Tote $700



This nautical inspired tote is dressed in a pinstripe design coat, accessorized with the heart & anchor shaped charms and thick bronze hardware.





Lulu's Half Sugar Eva $23



Navy blue and white striped heel, with red leather bow detail.

I jumped aboard to design a few sailor-inspired pieces, and added my own spin!


Gold chain necklace with gold anchor pendant on white plastic platform.

Shredded denim bracelets and cuff, one with gold wrapped chain and gold helm charm detail.

Final Tip:

Remember horizontal stripes tend to widen the body. Boat shape necklines trimmed with large bows are great for pear shaped figures. Wide legged pants with sailor button fronts, work best on tall, lean bodies - they are NOT "every body's" friend!