“Spring Fling—Try Something New!”

As soon as the weather gets warmer and the sun starts to smile on us all again, I instantaneously have the desire to roll up my jeans, break out the flip-flops, and add bursts of bright color to my look. And what better way to do that than with some fun makeup!

I’ve recently tried out a vegan and cruelty-free line of cosmetics called Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and, pardon the pun, I’m officially “obsessed.” In particular, I love their Lip Tars—they come in a wide variety of exciting colors but, what’s better, they are COMPLETELY innovative! How, you ask? Well, they go on like a lip gloss, but are matte and have the opacity/staying power of a lipstick (without drying out your pout!). Normally, I’m a smoky-eye-and-neutral-lip kinda girl, but my spring fling with Lip Tars is turning that upside down. Now I’m thinking, the brighter the lip color, the better—and my eyeshadows are getting some well-deserved vacay time. ;)

Image from http://www.occmakeup.com/

So, what’s the best part of spring flings? You can have more than one. ;) My other makeup flirtation happened during a recent trip to Sephora. I was browsing around and stumbled up these AMAZING portable mineral skin powders and bronzers from Peter Thomas Roth...

Image from http://sephora.com/

Image from http://sephora.com/

They are super easy to throw in your purse, they control the oiliness that naturally happens to most of us once the weather gets warmer, AND, they have SPF in them (hooray for healthy skin!). I’ve been using them now for a few weeks and they have not disappointed once—may just have to turn this into a long-term relationship after all. ;) Would love to know what makeup products you’re addicted to during the warmer months, so please feel free to share in the Comments section below.

Enjoy the weekend, catch some rays, and perhaps even have a spring fling of your own.

xo always,
Diana

“Play On, Playette”

Just a fun little morsel I wanted to share with all the DKBeauties out there this Friday: my ultimate “gettin’ done up” playlist. The people closest to me know that, in addition to being passionate about makeup and writing, I LOOOVE music. These 25 tunes (in no particular order) never fail to put me in the best mood—and make me feel happy and gorgeous both inside and out! (They also create the perfect ambiance when I’m on a job, glamming someone up for a special occasion.) Happy listening! :)

1. No Diggity by Blackstreet
2. Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
3. You Gotta Be by Des’ree
4. Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
5. My Love Is Like…Wo by Mya
6. Poison by Bel Biv DeVoe
7. Out Tonight from The Original RENT Soundtrack (big theater nerd over here…haha)
8. Tik Tok by Ke$ha
9. You Rock My World by Michael Jackson
10. Buzzin’ by Mann
11. Right Here by Brandy
12. Let Me Think About It by Ida Corr/Fedde Le Grand
13. Night of Your Life by David Guetta/Jennifer Hudson (pretty much anything by David Guetta is a-okay by me!)
14. 100% Pure Love by Crystal Waters
15. Glad You Came by The Wanted
16. I’m a Slave for You by Britney Spears
17. Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson
18. When I Get You Alone by The Cast of GLEE (adore those Warblers!)
19. Run the World (Girls) by Beyonce
20. She Ain’t You by Chris Brown
21. (You Drive Me) Crazy by Britney Spears (yes, she’s on here twice…what can I say, I ♥ her)
22. Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder (I could do a playlist just with Motown!)
23. Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO
24. It Girl by Jason Derulo
25. Say Aah by Trey Songz/Fabolous

xoxo,
Diana

“Beauty That Doesn’t Budge? It’s In The Bag!”

Making up your face impeccably is one thing, but keeping it that way for hours is another! See my tips below on “The Power of Prepping” and “Essential Touch-up Tools” to help ensure your makeup stays looking fresh all day/night.

THE POWER OF PREPPING

- Taking the extra step of applying primer to your face and eyelids before applying any makeup goes a looong way—it keeps your makeup from “moving” on your face. My reco’s: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light for your face and MAC Paint in Bare Canvas for your eyes

- Limit how much you need to reapply lipstick by filling in your entire top and bottom lip with lipliner before putting on your lipstick (always condition your lips first, though, to prevent chapping)

- Once your look is complete, set your makeup with a quick spritz of MAC Fix + Spray—it’ll feel weird at first (like, “Why am I wetting my face after I’ve finished this makeup masterpiece?!?”), but as it dries, it works to moisturize skin and seal your makeup in place, all while adding a subtle dewy (and gorgeous!) glow

ESSENTIAL TOUCH-UP TOOLS

Pack these in your purse to perk up your makeup every few hours…

1. FACE: Oil blotting sheets (I like the Clean and Clear ones)

NOTE (and I can’t take credit for this discovery, my best friend Randi clued me in!), the BROWN paper towels work like a charm in a pinch/if you don’t have any oil blotting sheets on you.

2. EYES: Q-tips to wipe off any unwanted under-eye smudging that naturally occurs; pencil eyeliner to touch up waterline; and a light, satiny eyeshadow (my fave is Shroom by MAC) to reapply the little bit of shimmer/glow in the inner corners of your eyes

NOTE, if you’re wearing false eyelash strips, bring your lash glue along in case the corners start to lift.

3. LIPS: Lip balm to keep lips soft; lip pencil, lipstick, and/or lip gloss to keep color bright

NOTE, wearing a bold red or coral color is a commitment and usually needs more reapplying than neutral shades.

Have a DKBeautiful weekend, everyone! :)

♥ and hugs,
Diana

“Let’s Get Cheeky”

Okay, this week—in preparation for Valentine’s Day—it’s all about perfectly flushed, perfectly accentuated, perfectly kissable cheeks! They are incredibly easy to achieve with these three simple steps:

1) Starting on the apples of your cheeks (that’s the plump, round, oh-so-pinchable part below your eyes) and with a bushier brush, buff in a rosy shade (my fave is Smashbox's Blush Rush in Heartbreak) to give your cheeks that healthy pop of color. Just be careful with high-pigment blushes to not use too much—a little goes a long way. If you like cream blushes, you can certainly use them instead. Using your fingers, apply a little to the apples and rub in (start out with less—it’s easier to add more if you need it than to correct if you overdo it at first).

2) Next, with a more angled brush, apply bronzer to the lower part of your cheekbones, making sure to follow the natural contour of the bone and to blend the product all the way back to the hairline by your ears. My go-to’s here are Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick in Bronze and Cargo’s BIG Bronzer. Also apply a little bronzer along the hairline on your forehead, on the bridge of your nose, and on your chin for an even glow.

3) Finally, to tie it all together, apply highlighter powder (as you know, I’m in LOVE with MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle) with the angled brush to the upper part of your cheekbones, veering ever-so-slightly towards the outer corners of your eyes. If you prefer cream highlighter, MAC’s Cream Colour Base in Pearl is a good option—apply it in little dabs with your fingers in the same place, blending as you go.

Enjoy Superbowl weekend, my cheeky DKBeauties—GO GIANTS! :)

Infinite x’s and o’s,
Diana

"Very Superstitious!"

Once again, it’s Friday, DKBeauties! And not just any Friday—but Friday the 13th!

So, in the spirit of this, I figured I’d focus on the “FUN” today by providing some links to body and beauty superstitions. Some of these you’ve surely heard before (ie, “If you pull out one gray or white hair, ten more will grow in its place”), but some are extremely out-there and incredibly hilarious (ie, “If your eyebrows meet, you will be rich”—ladies, what have we all been waxing/plucking for?!?! Haha!).

In any case, enjoy! And feel free to comment below with your favorite superstitions! (P.S. My fave one so far: “If you touch a beauty spot on your face, you will travel overseas”—my fabulously freckly friends, you are the lucky ones!!!). :)

http://blog.eastdayspa.com/2011/10/27/beauty-12/
http://www.whimsy.org.uk/superstitions.html
http://asiams.net/AM/else/103/

xo always,
Diana