Month: September 2012

Beautyblender–achieve flawless skin

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

Any of you that know me well, know that I have NEVER used a sponge to apply makeup in the last 10 years. My disgust for a sponge went as far as me actually buying a brand new compact and disposing the nasty thing in the nearest trash can.

I’m a faithful believer in a good quality, natural bristle, foundation brush. But no matter your expertise in makeup application, a foundation brush can cause streaks. To make them disappear, you have to put some serious muscle into buffing them out with powder and a brush.

Well, say good-bye to makeup streaks and lines with the renowned Beautyblender! It is the ultimate makeup sponge applicator that was created to leave you with a flawless complexion and feeling like your makeup was professionally done.

Loveleigh’s, prepare to change your life!

First of all, the Beautyblender is latex free and hypoallergenic-so even the most sensitive skin types (like myself) will benefit from it. The hot pink color is my fav! It’s suede-like texture and it’s curvy shape allows foundation, and even powder, to glide on easily. It fits nicely within the contours of face and those hard-to-reach areas.

We all die for dewy skin (well, at least I do) and the Beautyblender creates an airbrushed look that will help you blend your foundation effortlessly.

How to Use:

+ Dampen the Beautyblender with a little bit of water-it expand to about twice its original size, so don’t be scared. It also allows you to use less product.

+ Apply with a “bouncing-like” technique (or what we makeup artists call stippling) to create a flawless finish. DO NOT use a rubbing or dragging method to apply your foundation or product of choice.

+Beautyblender is guaranteed only with proper cleansing using the blender cleanser…

However, my favorite cleanser is CinemaSecerets–a vanilla scented (my fav smell) , fast drying cleanser that will disinfect and even condition your make-up brushes and new Beautyblender. It kills viruses and eliminates even the most difficult makeup products. It is environmentally safe and non-carcinogenic (love that!)

Winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty: Tools award.  Seen in magazines such as: People, Elle, InStyle, Seventeen and many more, this little pink sponge has become a beauty sensation!

Rea Ann Silva is the creator of the fabulous Beautyblender. Being a full time mother of two, celebrity makeup artist, and entrepreneur, Rea Ann can understand the many demands that women face today when it comes to quick and easy beauty solutions.

So, that leaves no excuse to not look and feel fabulous with these tools created just for us!

Find your very own Beautyblender at Sephora and puh-lease let me know what you think.

Love, LL

xo

Emi-Jay Hair Ties <3

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

Are you so over the not-so-cute elastic hair rubber bands? You know the ones that rip our hair out and hardly hold it in place? Well, allow me to introduce a chic new hair tie by Emi-Jay. Emi-Jay are functional, handmade hair bands created by two teens with a dream of being in fashion. A hair revolution, Emi-Jay can be seen all over magazines and in the hair of celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, and Oprah, to name a few. The best part is, the two young teens donate a portion of each purchase to Locks of Love.

My loveleigh Mother was the first to introduced me to Emi-Jay. She picked out a set for me and my daughter that matched our taste and style. Not only are they the cutest darn things ever, they serve as a stylish bracelet when not in your hair.

 

I have very fine hair (not thin, there’s a difference), so no matter what, I get that annoying dent from regular pony tail holders. These little cuties are made with soft and stretchy material that will leave your hair absolutely dent-less.

 

 

It’s amazing that they actually HOLD for a workout, yet work for high-glamour situations equally well.

These ties come in a refreshingly wide array of colors. I die over the leopard!

You can find your very own Emi-Jay here. Retails for $6.50 for a pack of 3 or $12.99 for 5.

+What Emi-Jay color pack will you choose? Let me know what you think.

Love, LL

xo

Dry Skin Brush by Elemis

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

Skin. It’s the largest organ in the body. It is responsible for ¼ of the body’s detoxification each day. When the blood is full of toxic materials, your skin will surely reflect negatively with problems. Pretty important, don’t you agree?

Well let me fill you in on a little secret to help eliminate toxins and keep your skin looking fresh(!)…dry skin brushing. The practice of dry skin brushing may be old news to some; obviously you have held on to a classic piece of beauty advice. With all the overwhelming products to choose from and the hype in today’s “quick-fix” market, I feel it is important to re-introduce this basic beauty process. Dry brushing not only is a great way to maintain healthy skin, but also helps you to maintain a healthy body.

The Benefits Of Dry Skin Brushing

* Assists the lymphatic system in removing toxins from the body to promote healthy    and glowing skin.

* Helps to exfoliate dead skin cells; which can improve skin texture and cell renewal.

* Lessens the appearance of cellulite by increasing blood flow and circulation.

* Allows for proper absorption of nutrients by eliminating clogged pores.

Dry skin brushing is probably one of the simplest and cheapest ways of promoting overall health.

I purchased a new Body Detox Skin Brush by Elemis, at Nordstrom last week. It is important to find a dry brush with natural bristles; some can be made from synthetic material, which can be toxic. Elemis uses natural cactus bristles.

Dry skin brushing should be performed once a day. I prefer to do it each morning before my shower. If you are feeling sick, try twice a day to build up your immunity and until you feel better. Begin brushing your skin in long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, then from your hands towards your shoulders, and over your stomach area in an upward direction. Always brush towards your heart.

I have the most sensitive skin ever and dry skin brushing doesn’t irritate my skin whatsoever.

Commit to dry brushing for 30 days and be ah-mazed by the results.

It is recommended to wash your dry brush once a week, with hot water and mild soap, to keep it clean and sanitized. Hang dry.

Also, don’t forget to hydrate with a good quality lotion that will nourish the skin afterward. I use Hempz Pomegranate Herbal moisturizer found here.

This lotion is enriched with 100% pure organic hemp seed oil. It smells so yummy! It absorbs well and doesn’t leave a greasy residue on your skin.

Let me know when you start your new dry skin brushing regimen and keep me posted on your results.

Love, LL

References:

elemis.com

livestrong.com: Skin Brushing and Weight Loss

Julep

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

Lately, I’ve been a little obsessed with finding products that are made naturally, without a bunch of chemicals. I have always been a healthy eater, making a conscious effort to choose whole and natural foods. I believe what we put into our bodies reflects the healthiness of our skin. So, it is equally important to be conscious of what products we use on a daily basis. I was so excited to discover a new line of natural nail products called Julep!

 +What makes Julep nail polish so great?

Julep Nail Color is “4-free” and does not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, or DBP. It is a chip resistant formula delivered by a flat brush with micro-frayed brush hairs.

Julep nail polishes come in a sexy, sleek packaging with a long and lean silhouette. You will have absolutely no streaks(!) as all the colors are so creamy and pigmented.

It is essential to let each coat dry a few minutes before the next coat is applied. If not, you will notice the layers will appear “tacky” and not paint on easily. So set aside ample time to get the best out of this amazing nail polish. You won’t be disappointed! My mani will last a full 7 days with Julep.

My favorite part (other than toxin-free aspect) is the company is “founded on the belief that beauty is a connection, not a competition, Julep was created to celebrate the bond between girlfriends and the beauty of the human spirit.” Inspiring, right? Julep also donates a portion of the proceed to organizations that support women.

The color I am wearing is Claire (found here), a creamy sky-blue. I paired it with OPI Metallic 4life (found here) for an added flare.

+What are your favorite colors of Julep?

Have a beautiful day!

Love, LL

The Absolute Must-Have Makeup Organizer!

by loveleighbeauty, posted in Favorite Products

First things first: GET ORGANIZED! The only way to utilize all your amazing products is to be able to find them.

I became obsessed with the The Clear Cube a few years ago after spotting one (actually two or three) on the countertops in the bathrooms of all the Kardashian sisters. I searched long and hard for one until it the maker was finally revealed.

I have never seen anything like The Clear Cube and it isn’t comparable to any other makeup organizer found in Target, The Container Store, or the like.

The craftsmanship of the Clear Cube is so unique; as it is made with 100% acrylic. The look of the acrylic is so appealing and it allows all your products to be visually seen with ease. This little gem retails for $290 (worth every penny!) plus tax if you are a resident of CA, plus shipping costs. The inserts retail for $9.99 a piece and if you like the look of a top handle, add an additional $2.50.  You can purchase the Clear Cube here.

Here are closeups of the way I’ve organized my Clear Cube. I opted for two different inserts: the grid and the x-insert. All orders are custom made to your liking.

Love, LL