My Favorite Skin Care Products and My Skin Care Routine :)

The most important part of a woman's beauty regimen, is her skin care routine. Think of the skin as the canvas for our artwork. If our skin is "glowy" and smooth it will make for a much better makeup application. So yes ladies, do not skip out on washing your face at night!! Now I am going to show you my skin care routine along with some of my favorite products :) 

1. Morning Routine: I always wash my face every morning. Believe it or not, while you sleep, your face accumulates oil and dirt throughout those 8 hours. Make it a habit to wash your face in the mornings like you brush your teeth :) My Holy Grail face wash is Fresh Soy Face Cleanser! It is so gentle on my skin, it leaves it feeling clean, soft and not too dry. I don't break out with this face wash: 

2. Nighttime Routine: The nighttime routine is the most important, because that's when we wash off our hard day's work and all of that makeup! For nighttime, I use the same Fresh Soy Cleanser Face Wash to  wash off all of my makeup. But twice a week, I will exfoliate with a different face wash, It is actually a body wash but it works perfect as an exfoliant on my face. It is very gentle. I use the Aveeno Positively nourishing body wash: 

I put a small amount on a wash cloth, then I put the cloth under warm water and scrub my face gently with it. It is important to always wash your face with hot water. This will make your pores expand, making it easier to clean out your pores. I would not suggest exfoliating every night, only exfoliate 2 times a week. 

3. What to do about those pesky Blemishes: Ok I have few tricks for preventing and getting rid of those annoying blemishes. When I start to feel a blemish appearing, I take my Zeno Hot spot right away and press it onto the area. This is an amazing little device and it really does work. It works the best when you do it during the beginning stages of a blemish. You turn it on and there is this tiny little metal circle that heats up. It will beep when it's done heating up, and then you place it directly on the spot and you hold it there until it beeps that it's finished. You will feel a tingly feeling, that is because the heat is killing what is creating the blemish. Once you finish, there will be a little red mark where you were holding the device, this will fade in 10 minutes and in 20 minutes you will notice the blemish has gone down in size and redness, or it has disappeared all together :) ps. I will also apply a blemish cream on the area after I use the Zeno, for double the action

4. My Favorite Blemish creams if the Zeno Hot Spot Does Not Work: My #1 all time favorite blemish cream is La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. This stuff is amazing! It really gets rid of any blemishes. Every time I get one I put this on and it works! It will make the spot go down in size and redness. Caution: This stuff is very strong so first test it on your neck before applying to your face to make sure you do not have a reaction. 

5. My 2nd Favorite Blemish Cream: This next product is actually a gel, I use this for a more mild break out, because it is more gentle on the skin than the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. This product is the Clearasil Rapid Action Treatment Gel. I love this product, it works great and it is much more gentle on the skin!

Ok these are all of my favorite remedies for those blemishes! 

6. My Favorite Clarifying lotion/toner: I am not sure if this would really be considered a toner, but I love to put this product on a little cotton ball and apply it to my face after washing it. It really gets off any extra, left over dirt and I think it might minimize the pores a little bit. It gives the skin a clean, tingly feeling :) This product is the Clinique Clarifying Lotion. I use the #2.  I won't use this every single night, I will only use this every other night because I do not want to dry out my skin. 

7. My Favorite Eye Makeup Remover: I have 2 favorites actually. I love the Almay Moisturizing Makeup Remover pads and I love the Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover. I think if I had to choose I would pick the Sephora one, because it is less greasy and works great!

8. My Favorite Eye Cream: I must admit this is my most expensive skin care item compared to the rest. I do not apply an eye cream every night, I only use one when my eyes are looking a little tired. Sometimes I will apply an eye cream in the mornings before I do my makeup. My favorite eye cream is the Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Eye Treatment Gel. I love this stuff, anytime I apply it I can see results immediately. This product helps me look like I have had a full night's sleep :) 

9. My Favorite Face Mask: In my opinion this is an excellent face mask and exfoliant! This product is the Glam Glow Youth Mud Face mask. I feel so pampered when ever I use this mask. It makes my skin so soft and glowy afterwards :) I do not use this all the time, I will use it once a week or once every 2 weeks because I do not want to dry out my skin. 

10. My Favorite Moisturizer: Every morning after I wash my face, I always apply this moisturizer before doing my makeup. I am absolutely in love with this product and I have been using it for close to 2 years now! It is the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This stuff moisturizes my face without feeling heavy or greasy. It soaks right into the skin. I love this product so much.  

This is my Skin Care Routine! My Number one skin care tip though is to Drink LOTS OF WATER through out the day!!! Water prevents wrinkles, breakouts and makes your skin glow!! So no matter what product you use, always remember to hydrate yourself with water :) 

Thank You So Much Everyone!!! Any questions or comments feel free to email me or comment below :) XOXOXOXO

-Britt-ann 

Step By Step Tutorial: How to Get The Classic Smokey Cat Eye :)

The eyes really are the windows to our soul, so why not make them stand out? I am going to show you just how to do that with the classic smokey cat eye :) Here is my eye makeup tutorial:

Step 1: Prime your lids:

Start with a clean eye. Then take an eyeshadow primer and prime your lids just using your finger. I like to use Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer:

Step 2: Wash your Whole Lid with a Neutral Shadow:

I like to use the light grey shadow from the Revlon Colorstay eyeshadow palette in Siren. I use my finger to color my whole lid. 

Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow: Siren

Step 3: Add Some Depth:

Add a darker grey shadow from the Revon Colorstay Palette to the outer corner of the lid.

Step 4: Fill in the Crease or Create a Crease:

I fill in my crease with MAC Carbon eyeshadow, and I use my Real Techniques Eyeshadow Crease Brush. 

MAC Carbon Eyeshadow

Step 5: Line your Bottom Lash Line with a Black Eyeshadow:

The goal here is to get the line as straight as possible. You do not want to follow your natural eye shape (we do not want a rounded look here). Draw a very straight line with your shadow and go past your natural eye shape. End with a slight wing, but keeping it mostly straight. You want to elongate your eye. I am using my MAC Carbon eyeshadow and my Real Techniques liner brush.

Step 6: Line Your Bottom Eye with Liquid or Gel Liner: 

Now you want to intensify the line you just created with a liquid or gel liner. Here I used Stila Stay All Day Felt Liner in Intense Black. Make sure you keep the line very straight :) 

Step 7: Line Your Top Lid with a Liquid or Gel Liner:

For this look, I used both a liquid and gel liner to line my top lid. You want to start with creating a wing  on the outside corner of the eye. You want to make that wing meet with your bottom wing that you created in step 5. Then fill it in and make the line thinner as you get to the inner corner of your eye. You should start  to see a "cat-eye" effect happening. I first created the line with my Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid liner in Perversion and then I made the line darker by going over it with my Inglot AMC 77 Gel liner. 

Step 8: Darken your Crease with a Darker Shadow:

Darken the crease you created earlier with a darker shadow. Then smoke out that crease so it falls nicely on top of that wing. I used Urban Decay Blackout EyeShadow.

Step 9: Apply Mascara and Lashes (Lashes are Optional):

You can finish this look with just mascara if you like, you do not need to apply false eyelashes. If you want to intensify the look then you can definitely add lashes! I used Katy Perry Eylure lashes to get that cat eye look. And I finished off with some Loreal Voluminous Mascara in Black :) 

Voila! Here Is the Finished Look:

Thank You so Much for Reading My Blog! If you have any questions or comments feel free to email me  or comment below! :) XOXOX

-Britt-ann 

All About The Brows!! Product Reviews and All The Products I Use!!! ;)

In my humble opinion, the eyebrows are the most important feature on a woman's face. It can make you or break you. Eyebrows not only shape your face, but it brings out certain features like your eyes, your lips and your cheekbones. Trust me, you always want your eyebrows to be on point, regardless of a good makeup day or a bad makeup day :) I am going to now share and review all of my favorite brow products with you in the order that I put them on when I do my brows:

1. Step 1: The Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Powder Palette in Brunette:

This palette is absolutely amazing. It includes an eyebrow wax to keep the brows in check and the brow powders in a lighter and darker brunette shade (I use the darker shade). And it comes with a lovely highlighter powder for below the brow bone. I have been using this product for 3 years now and I don't intend on stopping! The brown color is perfect for most brunettes its dark enough to make a statement but not too dark that it does not look natural. When I do my brows I start with this powder first. I carve out the perfect shape with this powder and I use the Anastasia #15 brush. Once I finish shaping my brows with this powder, I move onto my next product...

2. Step 2: The Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown:

Every woman should add this to her beauty collection. This product makes your eyebrows look perfect. It's a dark brown cream that you apply to your brows using a brush like the #15 brush from Anastasia. Once you let it completely dry it will make your brows waterproof; so you can go to sleep and wake up the next morning and your brows will be in place :) This will make your face look stunning because you need eyebrows to break up the monotony in your face and this will do it, since it intensifies the brow! I love this product, it really gives your eyebrow the "done" look. If you are not a fan of this product here is a great alternative for you, which I also use as well:

3. Step 3: Makeup Forever Aqua Brow in 30 (My Alternative Product to Dipbrow):

This is also a great product! I was using this for a while before I discovered the Dipbrow, right now the Anastasia Dipbrow is my number one favorite but this comes in at second. I love this stuff, it is also an eyebrow cream that comes in a thicker consistency from a tube. It dries much darker on the brows. This is also waterproof and I wore this in Hawaii on my Honeymoon and it held up pretty well. The only complaint I have is this tends to be a little more clumpy than the Dipbrow. Once I finish applying one of these eyebrow creams to my brows, I finish it off with some mascara: 

4. Step 4: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Black:

I am sure many of you are thinking "Mascara for the brows??" Don't worry, I have a method to my madness; since the brow creams on the eyebrow can sometimes make your brow look all one color or a little "flat" looking, you want to bring those brow hairs back to life with a little touch a mascara. This mascara should be a shade darker than the brow cream. This will make your brows look more natural and separated opposed to being all one color. 

There you have it! My Brow Routine! I hope you enjoyed reading this post and I hope you all learned something new. Thank you so much for reading :) Feel free to comment or e-mail me any questions! XOXOXOX

How to Get That Perfect Model Tan Without Laying In The Sun!!! (A List Of MY HOLY GRAIL Self Tanning Products)

Spring time is just about here, and I am sure most of you cannot wait to throw on those flirty little sun dresses!! You can kiss those pasty winter legs good bye, and say hello to sexy tan skin after reading my self tanning secrets! When it comes to self-tanning, I am a Pro! I have tried every self tanning product under the sun (literally). I've been orange, I've been streaky and I've even had those orange palms! Self tanning has been a part of my beauty routine since I was 15 years old and through many trials and tribulations I have finally perfected it. Being a model, has pushed me to find the perfect formulas and I know I finally have! I will let you in on what I feel are the highest quality self tanning products that actually deliver stunning results!

1. MY #1 FAVORITE SELF TANNER: Vita Liberata Tinted Self Tanning Lotion in Rich and Extra Rich:

This Self Tanner is truly amazing! It does not streak and it is super easy to blend into the skin. It gets me very dark, but its a beautiful golden dark....not a muddy green dark. The smell is very faint, hardly any smell at all. I would give this tanner a 10/10. It will get you dark!!!

2. My #2 Favorite Self Tanner: Bare Minerals Faux Tan

Although, I do not love this tanner as much as the Vita Liberata, It still does get me pretty dark. It also is not streaky and is pretty easy to blend into the skin. The main thing that I am not a fan of is the smell. Its not terrible but it is also not too faint. I would say this is a great back up self tanner! I give it an 8/10. It is still a solid product :) 

3. My #3 Favorite Self Tanner: Fake Bake Self Tanning Spray

I used to wear this self tanner all the time, but since it is a spray I was concerned about breathing in all of these chemicals. I wanted a safer alternative, so I switched to a lotion. But I still will say this self tanner is excellent. I would suggest spraying this in an open room or outdoors in a private area. This self tanner is also streak-free, smells kinda good...like chocolate and gets you very dark. But I hate the fact that it is a spray self tanner, so I will rate this a 7.5/10. 

4. My #4 Favorite Self Tanner: Tarte Brazilliance Self Tanner

This is a great self tanner if you are looking for a nice glow, not a super dark tan. It is SUPER blend-able and and soaks into the skin nicely. There is hardly any smell at all and it really moisturizes the skin. I love using this whenever I feel like just having a nice healthy glow. I will give this a 7/10.

Ok as of right now, these are my favorite self tanners, but now I will show you my favorite products when you forget to put on your self tanner! Life is unpredictable, and to be honest applying self tanner takes a little planning ahead. Most self-tanners take anywhere from 4-8 hours to fully develop, so you usually have to apply it the night before. The following products have been a life saver for me when I have to go to an event last minute and I am white as a ghost! Here they are: 

1. My #1 Favorite Instant Bronzing Product (Not self Tanner): Makeup Forever Body Tan in Medium and Dark

I am obsessed with this product! It gets you super dark like a self tanner would! It dries instantly and does not come off until you shower the next morning. It is perfect for a night out in your little short dress! It blends so easily and there are no streaks. Make sure you wear some clear latex gloves when applying this product! When you first apply it into the skin it looks really red, but do not worry, it blends out to a golden tan. For a tanning quick fix I would rate this product 10/10 :) 

2. My #2 Favorite Instant Bronzing Product (Not self tanner): Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion in Deep 

You would not believe how many models wear this product for shoots and for the runway. This is a leg makeup but I buy it in the color deep, so I can use it as a quick tanning fix :) It will cover any imperfections on your legs, arms, tummy and make you look totally airbrushed. I would not use this product for every day use, but it is great for a special occasion or a night out. Make sure before getting dressed after applying this product to take some dry paper towels and lightly wipe down your skin to get any excess body makeup off. I think this stuff is great in winter; during summer it can feel a little heavier on the skin and you may run the risk of it sweating off of the back of your thighs if you are sitting in a warm room. Overall I would rate this product a 8/10.

If you are looking to get that Sexy Glow that J-Lo always has, then you need a great shimmer product to put over your new tan :) These are some of my fave body shimmer products:

Above Photo Left to Right: Hard Candy Glow, Body Bling by Scott Barnes, Gleam by Melanie Mills

SELF-TANNING TIPS:

Last but not least here are my tips on making your self tan look it's best:

1. EXFOLIATE: Removing dead skin will make sure you won't have any streaks or patchiness. I love to exfoliate with Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish:

This product makes my skin so soft, I use it in the shower and after rinsing, my skin feels brand new! You do not need to moisturize after using this product.

2. Wear Gloves!!: Always wear gloves when you are self tanning to prevent dark palms. And make sure the gloves are your right size and not too big and baggy (this will create streaks). I love using the latex gloves from Sally's Beauty Supply store.

3. Moisturize: Before tanning, always apply a small amount of lotion to your ankles, back of your heals, your elbows and your knees.

This is Everything you Need to Know About Self-Tanning! Please Comment below with any questions or feel free to e-mail me. Thank you so much!! :) XOXOX