Current Likes: Summer Edition

Just a quick post to share with you some of my "can't live without" products this Summer. Hope you girls are having an amazing time!

1. Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

My favorite hair oil!: I find myself using this product sooo much since after the beach and pool my hair gets very dehydrated. This oil works wonders to provide shine and smoothness without making my hair feel greasy or weighing it down. 

Extra points: It smells so nice!

2. NYX Blush

My killer combo: Pecan (PB22) which I use to bronze and contour my face and Dusty Rose (PB02). The perfect combination to create subtle-yet-defined cheeks.

3. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen

My no-fail recurring product: Sunblocks/sunscreens are a must on summer and no matter how many products I try within this category, I always see myself going back to this one. Is my one and only since it doesn't feel sticky and it's super easy to apply.

4. L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm

My ultimate long time favorite: Caring Coral (418) since it provides a very peachy and natural color with the added benefit of hydration and oils to pamper my lips during this hot summer days.

5. Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover

Just what your skin needs during harsh sunny days: A very simple paraben-free cleanser that will remove makeup traces as well as excess oils from your skin without making it feel tight or dehydrated. 

6. güd Body Wash 

My new fave: I bought this body was in the scent Vanilla Flame a month ago and have been in love with it ever since. Why? It smells amazing and relaxing, it's natural and doesn't contain harsh ingredients, plus it leaves my skin very soft. End point: Great product!

Summer Wish List

Summer is already knocking at our doors, so here are some products I would love to try during this wonderful season of the year!

1. Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm in Cherry Me

Summer or not, lips should always be protected with SPF. This lip balm is such a great combo. It’s inexpensive, has SPF 20, moisturizes your lips, plus it provides just the pinch of color you need to keep those lips of yours looking gorgeous in or out of the beach!

2. Organic Lavender Sea Therapy Bath

There’s no better way to pamper your body after a sweaty and drying day at the pool or beach than a relaxing bath filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that will drench your skin. I for sure want to try these bath salts since not only they contain all those incredible goodies but it’s also 100% natural and vegan. Plus it contains lavender which has aromatherapy properties to help you relax. 

3. Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Lip Cooler in Peach

This product is very appealing to me for multiple reasons. First…I just LOVE the peach color with just a hint of sparkling particles to give you that great watery summer look to the lips as if you had just eaten a yummy orange popsicle. Second…it’s a cooling lip treatment that will also hydrate and soften your lips. Last but not least, it has a rollerball applicator that will give you that cooling effect which I'm sure will be glorious after a whole day under the sun. Another plus: it does not contain parabens, sulfates nor phthalates (read my harmful substances post!). 

4. Vichy CelluDestock

Let’s be real…the vast majority of women suffer from cellulite and it’s such a hassle to disguise or get rid of it. But Vichy has this very talked about intensive treatment that claims to reduce the appearance of cellulite, smooth the problem zone and tone up skin in 4 weeks. The company says that this product was tested and showed positive results so I would love to give it a try…anything to vanish away the cellulite curse! 

5. Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée in Poppy Paradise

I think this cheek color will be great for any given day that you find yourself outside in a picnic or pool party. It is infused with coconut water to provide hydration plus the color is supposed to last 14 hours. It is sort of a cream blush and a gel stain in one pot. Also the poppy color is just amazing and will give that pinched-cheeks look. And as some of the other products mentioned, it does NOT contain parabens, sulfates nor phthalates. 

6. The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner

During the heat of the summer my face develops more sebum (a.k.a. “face oils”) which clogs my pores forming the terrible blackheads. A friend recommended this Tea Tree toner that works wonders for him so I definitely want to give it a try. It removes makeup traces and impurities plus the tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that will help you prevent and/or fight blemishes. The added benefits: 100% vegetarian, never tested on animals, contains Community Fair Trade Ingredients (for definition of this go here), and is formulated without sulfates, phthalates, GMOs nor triclosan.

7. Victoria’s Secret Smooth Me Over Exfoliating Body Polish

Since the exposure to sun is higher on summer time our bodies need extra exfoliation to remove dead skin cells that make our skin look dull and dry, so an exfoliation at least once a week should be mandatory in our body-care routine. I really want to try this one since it has a buttery feel combined with Himalayan sea salt to buff your skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. Plus VS products always make me feel so feminine and I just love them. 

So, which product(s) are you looking forward to using this upcoming summer?!

Primping up for V Day

Valentine's Day is coming up tomorrow and I couldn't be more exited. This is one of my favorite celebrations. It's the celebration of one of the most important things in life: LOVE. Many people hate Valentine's Day because they see it as a commercial tactic to sell products that is focused on couples, but I think everyone should see the big picture. This day you can celebrate love for not only a love partner but for your friends, family, pets, people in need, work partners, and last but absolutely not least, love for YOURSELF. So whether you have a special celebration or just going to work/school, primp up a little more than usual and give yourself a treat!

1. Scrub - Use a nice sugar or salt scrub to exfoliate your skin for it to be extra soft and ready to be touched this special day....even if you are the only one touching it! For the face, try using a more subtle formula with micro-particles instead of an abrasive exfoliator which can bring redness to the skin, and believe me, the only redness you want this day is that from your lips or flushing cheeks. And don't forget your lips! You can use a lip scrub or a toothbrush and water to gently exfoliate them.

2. Moisturize - do this right after you get out of the shower since the skin will still be moist, which will absorb any cream or oil so much better. Try using a body butter! They are the most hydrating and moisturizing formulation of all.

3. Mani/Pedi - eating chocolates out of a perfectly manicured hand is such a great view! So primp up your nails with either a classic red color or in my case I'm opting for a rich berry shade. To make it more interesting, add some nail art like glitter or hearts. And of course, don't neglect your feet, they need care and attention too. <3

4. Makeup! - Go with one focal point on your face. Make either your lips, eyes or cheeks stand out and then leave the other points subtle and neutral. I'm going for lips this Valentine's! And instead of the classic red lips (which I still absolutely love), my color for this Valentine's will be a berry shade as in my nail polish selection. I just think is a more modern, fun, and rich shade that will definitely make an impression!

Here are just the lips, tomorrow I will be adding a very thin liquid eyeliner and some natural -looking false eyelashes ;)

5. Hair - Make a romantic look with barely there curls. To achieve this, use a curling wand to curl your hair. Take hair sections of different sizes, so the curls look even more natural. After you are finished curling, use your hand to separate and soften the curls. To finish it all apply a small amount of hair spray all over to maintain the curls throughout the day and if needed apply some spray hair oil to add shine and make them look smooth and healthy!

6. HAVE FUN! This day is to enjoy love, ANY kind of love. So make it extra special and enjoy any of the mentioned above. Plus you can add some music, strawberries, and wine throughout the process to make it a little more cliche jet enjoyable!

So what will you do on Valentine's?

Spring '13 Beauty Wish List

I'm already preparing for the next season...I mean, after all you have to be ready on time! Anyway Spring is all that magazines are talking about so why not do it too?! There are so many amazing new products that are coming out, and others not so new that just passed me by but that are still on my mind. But these are the ones which I would love to have and try. Here's my Spring '13 Beauty Wish List:

1. LORAC Pro Powder Sheek Stain in Coral Crush: I'm all about long wearing formulations in makeup and I definetly want to try this one since the company claims that it lasts for 12 hours! Also it is free of parabens, sulfates, and other ingredients that can bother your skin. Plus I've been looking for a coral-colored blush to change things up a little.

2. Maybelline Color Whisper: I've been seeing these all over the blogs and beauty gurus are all talking about them, but they still haven't arrive where I live...so that's a bummer. But they are for sure a product to try since they claim to provide pure pigments of color in a soft gel formulation...jumm...sounds interesting to me!

3. OCC Lip Tar Metallic in Yaoi: Lips Tars have been causing sensation for a while now since they are super super pigmented, but now Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics added a new finish, metallic! Maybe they won't work for everyday use, but I think they will surely turn head on a hot night out on the town.

4. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation: This product claims to combine primer, concealer, and foundation all in one. Skipping some steps in my makeup routine those days when I have to wake up early and have no time? How amazing this sounds?!

5. Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder: Another product that is creating a lot of buzz! Some say that the powder is very light weight and almost feels like a high-end product. Plus many beauty gurus claim that it leaves your face oil free for the most part of the day so I'm eager to test all these rumors for myself.

6. NYX Makeup Setting Spray in Matte Finish: I have been wanting a setting spray for a long time, but they can be very expensive and definetly not on my "to buy" list for that reason. But NYX released this new setting spray for a fraction of the price of other brands. Plus you can decide whether you like a Matte or a Dewy finish while preserving the staying power of your makeup throughout the day.

7. Color Club Holographic Nail Polish: If you haven't seen holographic nail polish yet, please google it now...it is just so cool! The holographic trend have been popping out throught the runways in clothing and accessories but now you can also display it on your nails which takes your manicure to another level!

So there it is! Are any of these products on your Wish List? Or better yet, what is YOUR Wish List for next season?!

Love to hear from you girls!

Beauty looks from the #1 Model of the World: Joan Smalls

If you're a magazine junkie like me you probably have seen Joan Smalls in like...well...ALL of the top magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W Magazine, etc. So no wonder she was named by Models.com the #1 Model of the Year. Not only this, but also she is the first Puerto Rican to be the face of Estée Lauder. If I continue taking about all her amazing work this post will be never ending, so here I share with you some beautiful makeup looks worn by her in some of her ad campaigns. Hope these serve you as inspiration!

P.S. If you want to know a little more about this amazing model, here's the link to a short interview. Enjoy! ----- Joan Smalls #1