shine beauty guru

Shine Beauty Guru: Best Beauty Product for Summer!

Posted by Michelle July 28, 2010

This month’s Shine Beauty Guru assignment is:

What is your best summer beauty secret?   Name one!

WHAT!?!? No way! Not possible! Too many choices! Well, maybe if I try!

hmm, ok I think I’ve got one!

My biggest beauty problem in the summer is my hair! I have little desire to dry and fix it.  READ: use any kind of heated tool!  While air-dryed hair sometimes dries nicely, mostly it just goes crazy!

ENTER: Frederic Fekkai Limited Edition Marine Summer Hair + Aquanutrients Beach Waves2206645

Beach Waves for short!

It’s the key for easy summer hairstyles, whether you pull it in a pony, half back, twist it, braid it, or leave it down!

My favorite way to use it: I let my hair dry overnight then in the morning I’m ready to start styling.  I flip my head over spritzing a few sprays of shine spray all over.   I flip my head back up and section into 4 layers (bottom, middle, top right of part, top left of part).  On each layer I spritz on a few sprays of BEACH WAVES then finger scrunch all over layer.  After I’ve completely finished I scrunch a few more times. 

Voila—5 minute hair!   celebrity-beach-wavesIf I’m in a rush, I’ll usually stop here but if not, I can take a little more time and make softer waves with a curling iron or a wave iron. This makes a dressy ’do a lot easier. (Like Kate Hudson and Jessica Beil!) It’s such a beautiful style that looks completely effortless and almost is!

One of the best things, it does exactly what it says: “Marine waters create surf-sexy texture, and sea kelp hydrates and blocks moisture loss for sexy, tousled waves, anytime and anywhere. UV shield helps prevent fading.” [Frederic Fekkai]

Beach waves can also be used before/after the pool.  Helps make a cute hairstyle after getting wet in the pool! And the UV protection makes NO DYE JULY just a little bit easier.

While it’s not the cheapest at $23.00, I’ll probably get 2 summers out of it which makes it worth it! I don’t think I could survive my horrible hair days without this little summer beauty secret. 

What’s your Summer Beauty Secret?

 PHOTO SOURCES: 

Celebrity Waves: http://dailycookie.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/celebrity-beach-waves.jpg

Ulta:http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2206645&productId=xlsImpprod1251312&navAction=push&navCount=0&categoryId=&title=Limited+Edition+Marine+Summer+Hair+%2B+Aquanutrients+Beach+Waves

More on Fekkai’s Beach Waves: http://www.fekkai.com/products/marine-hair/beach-waves

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Shine Beauty Guru Review:Sweat and Water get the knockout with the right Strength!

Posted by Michelle June 29, 2010

As soon as clinical strength deodorant came out, I was on it.  Texas heat + weak deodorant don’t mix well.  So Secret Clinical strength was a blessing.  When I found out, we would be testing the WATERPROOF kind for our Shine Beauty Guru assignment, I was stoked!

 Summer is upon us and this couldn’t come at a better time. I opened that baby up and applied away.  After reading the directions, it said the best application time was at night (that way it could absorb better!)   But I’m a twice a day applier so…we’d see. 

 

 I already love the clinical strength of Secret. It really does cut down the sweat. Which makes it a lot easier when wearing colored shirts. (no stains!)

 I’ve been applying it nightly after my shower and when needed during the day.   Its worked great and smelled fantastic. So fresh, so clean clean!  Sometimes even when I forget perfume, the hubster says, “You smell good!” 

 So when lake days and pool days came around, I was ready to put it too the test!!  Layin in the sun, the rest of my body would be covered in sweat, but my arms were dry! Holy moly! That’s never happened! I wondered if I could apply it to my whole body? But that might be a little odd.

 After swimming in a lake all day with no where to shower, I put on clean clothes (of course I forgot my deodorant!) and still felt fresh. The rest of my body felt grody but I my arms felt clean.

 When I spent the evening outside dancing, it worked no sweat!  Even in the shower, I could tell it worked. It took two or three scrubs to feel like I got it off.    

 This deodorant is a new summer must!  The clinical strength wards of sweat and the waterproof ensures that you’ll feel clean in and out of water.  Whether you apply it once or twice a day, it works!

 Though it might be a little higher than your normal deodorant, the extra protection it provides is worth that extra 2 or 3 dollars to me!  Another plus, no white marks when dressing! (unless you apply your deodorant and then immediately put on a shirt..but that was my fault that time!) 

 I give it 5 stars!!

 So grab your self a tube and dive in that pool! 

Photo Source: http://www.secret.com/ClinicalStrengthProducts.do

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Step out of your normal beauty box-I dyed my hair red!

Posted by Michelle June 3, 2010

For our May Shine ! Beauty Guru Challenge, we were asked to “document a beauty transformation”.   We were challenged to step out of our normal beauty routine and try something new/different!

 “The makeover could be as simple as wearing that bright red lipstick you’ve been too scared to wear out of the house, or go bold with some new highlights or bangs”

After reading the challenge, I knew immediately what I was going to do! Seriously there was no contemplation. (This had come long before!) 

I was going to dye my hair red!

Ever since I saw Confessions of a Shopaholic, Julie and Julia, or anything with Isla Fisher and Amy Adams, I’ve been wanting to transform my hair to their pretty shade!   About February, I found my favorite hair dye ( Perfect 10 ) in a new shade!  Honey Berry(Medium Reddish Blonde)!  The box looked like the color I wanted to achieve, so I bought it.  With a wedding impeding, I decided to wait to dye my locks.  So now about 6 weeks later, its the perfect time!

My hair was sandy blondish (the natural color is a light brown color, I think.)  From the diagram on the box it should turn a even shade of light red.  *crossed fingers*  After wanting to do this for so long, I was no longer nervous, just excited!

I got my bathroom “dye” ready, cleared out the counter, newspapered the floor for drips, and had cleaning wipes handy!  The good think about Perfect 10 dye (it’s the only kind I’ve ever used so I don’t know other ways) its easy to set up and start the process. I mixed, shook, got my gloves on and started applying from the bottom to the top! As I started applying, the dye got darker in the bottle, making me slightly more nervous! 10 minutes later, I washed out the dye and applied the moisturizing cream.  As I washed the dye rinse out of my hair, it was definitely red. Then I started blow drying!  A few minutes later, I had red hair!

I was surprised at first and how much I thought it didn’t change.  It looked only a little bit darker.  Then I took a picture, it looked red! After I put on makeup, I liked it even more.  I have been thoroughly pleased with the results.  The color changes depth and darkness depending on the light.  In direct sunlight, it looks absolutely red.  Indoor lighting makes it look more strawberry blondish.

Some people have noticed; others haven’t. Some can’t figure out what the difference is.  Its definitely been a good change up for summer! I’m glad I took the risk! 

If you dyed your hair an out-of-YOUR ordinary color, what would it be? Have you ever done it? 

Watch the video of my transformation below:

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Beauty Guru Review:Cover Girl Smoky Shadow Blast

Posted by Michelle May 3, 2010

I’m back loves! Hope you haven’t missed me too much. I’ve missed you quite terribly!  After we got back, my internet was out which completely hinders this posting business.  But no fear, its back and here we go!  Here’s the latest Shine Beauty Guru Review!

Remember, as a guru I recieved a product to test. (disclosure-gotta love it!)

As a guru, I’m always super excited to try our new products. This month it was Cover Girl’s Smoky Shadow Blast in Purple Plume.  I was suprised to see that it was a cream shadow and a stick. Who knew that combination could happen!  I’ve used cream shadows before and it hasn’t been a pleasant experience. So  I decided that I would start anew with this Smoky Shadow.  I even took it on my honeymoon.  Its been to the Bahamas and back! 

I opened the package, carefully read the directions, and studied the tube. (Does anyone else ever read the directions on makeup?) 

Easy enough, its even labeled step one and step two.

Pros:
1) Its easy to apply.  The stick allows quick swipage, which is helpful during a running late morning.
2) Its small, so it wouldn’t take up much room in your purse. 
3) The step labels make it almost foolproof to screw up. (almost)

I’m just not a cream eyeshadow girl, even after Cover Girl Smoky Shadow Blast. 

Cons:
1)After a few hours of wear, it creased on my lid. 
2)The color wasn’t dark enough from the get go and then would fade to almost nothing by the end of the day. 
3)The most uncomfortable part was it felt like I had something on my eye lid.  I could actually feel it on my lid.

Certainly didn’t look like it does on Drew on my eyes!

While the packaging is eyecatching, and the application is easy, its just not my kinda shadow. I’ll stick to my brush applied powder shadow.

If your a cream user, you should try it.  At $8.49 (walgreens.com-buy one, get one 50% off!)  it won’t break your wallet!

To learn more about Cover Girl Smoky ShadowBlast, visit http://www.covergirl.com/products/product.jsp?productId=smoky_shadowblast_eyeshadow!

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Shine Beauty Guru Review: Paint Nude! on your nails! Love the effect!

Posted by Michelle March 31, 2010

Beauty Guru Reviews Nail Polish Shade In Nude!

That would make quite the headline wouldn’t it! But its true! We got to review one of this season hottest trends-Nude/Neutral nail polish!  We got to test CND’s Colour & Effects line in Desert Suede and Gold Shimmer polish.

Their website touts “Content yourself with rich crème Colour or kick it up a notch with Effects.” (Colour & Effects- CND)

Oh, and how content am I!  I tried these polishe 3 different ways:Desert Suede alone, Gold Shimmer alone, and together.  

Here’s each shade alone (ignore the bad hands!):
  

 The Desert Suede alone was a nice change from the pinks and reds I’ve been sporting lately.  I wasn’t sure about it at first, kept looking at my fingers to check if I still had fingernails. It was that neutral!  My fiance told me it tlooked like I had been making ginger snap cookies and forgot to wash my hands. (I don’t listen to him about certain things, nail polish is one! Seriously, what does he know?)

The Gold Shimmer alone was also wonderful. It was so subtle and noticeable only if the light caught my hands just right!  I felt like it was my own secret beauty trick.  Plus, so much better than just naked nails.  Who doesn’t like to shimmer?!

The combo together was BOOM! (bam! is trademarked or something right?!?)  The gold shimmer toned down the Desert Suede and made it a beautiful neutral polish to wear every day, with everything! After a week and half this stuff had slightly chipped without a top coat! Its defienlty got long lasting ability which is a godsend in nail polish!

I’m not wearing it at the moment ’cause I’m testing wedding nail color. Neutral is too close with my cream dress, BUT as soon as we are on our beachy honeymoon in 2 weeks this combo will be on my hands and feet! Perfect for the sand and sun!

CND Nail polish is definetly worth the price!

Bonus: browsing through the website, they have tons of other colour/effect combos I’m dying to try!

Check them out here!

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Shine Beauty Guru Assignment: Beauty Obsession

Posted by Michelle March 2, 2010

Lipgloss 2This month our assignment was to admit our beauty obsession! Here is mine! Find it on shine, here!

OBSESSION:
Main Entry: ob·ses·sion

Pronunciation: \äb-ˈse-shən, a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly : compelling motivation  [Merriam-Webster]

When asked directly what my beauty obsession was:

First thought: I don’t have any obsessions!
Second thought: Uh oh! I have a bunch…hair products, , lip products, eye shadows, nail polishes….

Third thought:    I just moved and cleaned stuff out! Got rid of a lot of out of date or old products. Shucks!

I sat on this assignment for a few weeks, contemplating what my beauty obsession really is!

It should be noted that the first 2 runners up were Eye Shadows and Nail Polishes.

 The ultimate winner: Lip Gloss/Lip Stick products.

If this assignment would have been given to us about a week before, I would have had about 75 or more to show in a picture. WAY WAY too much!Lipgloss 1

 So this obsession probably started at about 4 when lip smackers were part of Christmas and birthday gifts!  The flavor sets were the best!  I was always weird-ed about by any chocolate flavor but loved the Dr. Pepper and Grape Soda flavors (even if it turned my lips blue).

 Then at about 12, I was allowed my wear my first makeup products—clear lip gloss and mascara. 

During teen years, It used to be only lip glosses.  (the glossier the better! Though I quickly Lipgloss 3realized boys didn’t like that very much!) Bring on the glitter, high shine, and even better if it was flavored!  After years of over the top red lips for dance recitals, I was against lipstick!

 If I got a sample though I never turned it down.  My collection has now turned into a nice mix of lipsticks, lip balms (I couldn’t live with out Burt’s Bees!), and lip glosses.

 I think I first realized I had obsession with the stuff when I found 14, yes, 14 lip products in my purse and had a reason for needing each one.

 Currently, I have (hold on lemme count) 9 lip products in my purse! Three of them are the Cover Girl-Shine Blast !  I have 4 lip products in my desk at work, and way way way more at home.  (I know of at least one bin that has about 20 products in it.)

 Now that I’ve admitted my obsession I can’t say I’m proud or embarrassed by it. That’s’ just they way it is.  I’ll update this soon with pictures from my home collection!

I love my lipglosses, lipsticks and balms.

  I’m going to keep on swiping on color and shine! But in the mean time, what’s your beauty obsession?

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Shine Beauty Guru Review: Shine Blast Lip Gloss,Shine-ON!

Posted by Michelle February 8, 2010

Shine Beauty Guru Review: Cover Girl Shine Blast Lip Gloss

covergirlI’ll admit, I’m a huge sucker for shiny pretty packaged lip gloss.  Cover Girl’s Shine Blast lip gloss only fed my hunger.  Three pretty silver tubes, in Ember (clearish), Fire (coralish), and Ignite (pinkish), were glittery shiny heaven.    When I was a teen, I was gaga for any kind of glittery lip gloss.  As I’ve matured in makeup taste, I’m less keen on the glitter stuff. So the glitter in the Fire and Ignite made me a slight bit hesitant, but not that much.  I was so excited about the Ember color that I put it on immediately after opening, which happened to be right before engagement pictures.  (This might not have been the best time to try a new makeup product!)

 

Makeup intuition was correct! The clear was so pretty with just enough shine that it was perfect over my lipstick.

 

 

A few days later I tried the other colors, and was pleasantly surprised that the glitter I was worried about was completely unnoticeable.  Both were sheerer than I expected.

 

So here’s my breakdown:

 

Likes/Loves:

I love the shiny tube packaging.

It’s the perfect size for sticking in a pocket or clutch!

The special tip applicator made it easy for no-mirror application.

The glitter was off-putting at first, but was so subtle that it was gorgeous once applied!

I love the “Ember” shade! One of the best/prettiest clear shades I have ever had.

The price can’t be beat: $7.99 ( Ulta ) $8.99 ( CVS )

 

 

Dislikes:

There was really only one. I wish it was a more pigmented! So I could use it as lip color, not just as cover over lipstick!

 

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Shine Beauty Guru Review: Kielhs Ultra Facial Creme

Posted by Michelle January 7, 2010

SHINE BEAUTY GURU REVIEW:

My Skin + Kielhs= Frenemies

When I recieved the Kielhs Ultra Facial Cream, I literally jumped up and down like little girl!  I read all the Gossip Girl books and one of the “luxury” brands they use is Kielhs. Hence, I was super excited to try whatever was inside and have an expensive beauty experience! 

S622_lo here’s a little about  the Ultra Facial Creme: “Our formula is made with Antarcticine–a Glycoprotein extracted from microorganisms sourced from sea glaciers and notable for an ability to protect skin from cold temperatures–as well as Imperata Cylindrica, a plant indigenous to the Australian desert which possesses superb water retention properties in dry conditions. Our unique combination of ingredients helps reduce moisture loss while drawing and absorbing moisture from the air. With continuous water replenishment throughout the day, skin is smooth, healthy-looking, and “moisture-even.” [Kielhs.com] 

On the package, it mentions how it was developed for workers in Antartica! (My thoughts, gotta be amazing!)

So a couple days before Christmas I applied it for the first time.  My skin tends to be finicky so I used as little as possible but still enough to cover.  It went on easy and my face felt immediately refreshed.  As the day went on though, my skin got increasingly greasy! Then a few days went by, my face broke out so bad, all over.  So of course I stopped using it immediately. 

*Light bulb* My bf’s face has been extremely dry between shaving and dry winter air, so I asked him to start using it. 

Well, this week I decided to give it one more try, and this time it worked great. No greasy skin or breakouts, just nice moisturized fresh looking skin. 

My overall review–I’m still out on this one!  This facial cream is my frenemy, it can be so good yet so bad.  I think that east Texas doesn’t have the right climate for this.  It definitely works for ultra dry skin and would be the perfect moisturizer for an extreme winter! Grade: C+

My bf’s review–He liked it! He thought it was great for after shaving, and even days in between.  It kept his skin smooth and dry.  “It wasn’t greasy. It didn’t make it feel like I had goop on my face” Then he got tight-lipped because he realized I was quoting him. Grade: A-

To buy Kielhs Ultra Facial Cream, visit http://www.kiehls.com/_us/_en/face/collection/ultra-facial-cream.htm

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Shine Beauty Guru Review: Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller

Posted by Michelle September 23, 2009

As a Shine Beauty Guru, I get sent products to review. For September, we were sent Olay Regenerist products. I chose the Anti-Aging Eye Roller. Here is my review:

When I think about skincare, wrinkles and fine lines are usually the last thing I consider. I mean I’m 23 and shouldn’t have too many wrinkles yet right? So when I picked up the Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller to test as a Shine Beauty Guru, I was really skeptical. But what could it hurt? I mean it does promise that it helps “reduce eye puffiness, but also regenerate skin’s appearance to diminish fine lines and wrinkles.” [Olay]

So diligently for the past 2 weeks, after washing my face before bed, I used it. The “tool” itself is just a little bigger than my mascara tube. With one click, the cream is gently massaged into the skin. After the recommended 30 seconds on each eye, I was left with cool (the rollers were a little cold!) refreshed, dewy skin.

I didn’t notice an instant effects. But my eyes sure did feel good after the initial application! I kept applying and enjoying. One no-makeup day, I glanced in the mirror as I passed by and had to do a double take. I looked close up and was shocked. My eyes didn’t look puffy or dark or wrinkly! They really did seem to look rejuvenated. I would have gladly gone out with no makeup on because my face, mainly eyes looked amazing! My only thoughts were, “WOW!”

I am thrilled with the results. Happily, I’ll be fighting off wrinkles for years to come with this!

For about $23 a pop, seems like it wouldn’t be worth it. But that little tube holds tons more than you would expect! Mine should last me about 2 months. Lasting so long it makes it worth the price. I’ll be buying it again!

P.S. I found it at CVS Online for $21.99. Have you used it? What did you think?

P.S.S. I LOVE OLAY!

Photo Source [Olay Regenerist]
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