#FaceMyBeauty Part II

Images by: Debbie Markham

Yesterday I introduced you to the amazing organization Changing the Face of Beauty and the important work they are doing for people with disabilities in advertising. Read it HERE

Today I wanted to explore what the campaign means to me as a WOMAN.

The #FaceMyBeauty Campaign is amazing, bringing attention to the much needed representation and acceptance of people of all abilities in advertising.

When Katie first launched her video it made me think about all the resistance women have to face themselves without judgment, as is in this particular moment. It is difficult to look at yourself with acceptance and resist the urge to dream about yourself 10 pounds from now, your next social media filter you can use or more money from now and how much  better you will "look and feel". We all know it is bullshit yet it is still hard to face yourself, perceived flaws and all and accept who you are and what you look like this moment.

I took images with my son Blake who has Down Syndrome in an effort to start a discussion about this campaign and realized that it isn't just about people who have perceived disabilities.

I can tell you that I've been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and am literally wearing it in these photos. My battles with self esteem and body image have been hard won and sometimes is still a work in progress. I have survived abusive relationships, countless heart breaking names, labels, betrayals and experiences and you can too! The road to becoming better instead of bitter begins with facing all of the negative and CHOOSING to move forward in a positive manner. I did it by converting my pain into power.

Necklace: Lydell NYC / Shoes SJP Collection "Carrie" / T-shirt: CTFOB

I decided to FACE MY OWN BEAUTY and remove all I did to "enhance" or "conceal" myself and removed my makeup. Below is one of the videos I shared on my instagram story.

I removed my makeup and chose to face my beauty in a natural way. 

What I am:

I am 37

I am a mother of 2 (plus 2 step-kids)

I am an "Ability Parent" to a son with Special Needs

I am Tried

I am curvy

I am happy

I am authentic

I am confident

I am Facing my beauty

What I am not:

I am not a sample size

I am not bag, dark circle or line free

I am not ashamed

I am not in my 20's

I am not wanting to be younger

I am not afraid to Face My Beauty.

Are you?

Share your  makeup/makeup free photos with me on social media tag me @evolutionvtg (twitter/Instagram) or Facebook

Love, Lisa

XO

Independence Day: Women's Edition

 Celeste Photography for Troublemaker

Model: Amanda Valena

Today we celebrate Independence Day in the United States with fireworks, food and fun. What about every day independence for women?  Yesterday I saw this amazing makeup tutorial and it got me thinking, we can only be independent women when we FREE OURSELVES. We can assist each other by supplying motivation, inspiration and empathy but at the end of the day we are on our own and our personal freedom is up to us.

How can we break the confines that society places us in? or be free from the need to be perfect? or "be more" or "have more" than others? There is nothing that can free US but US.

This tutorial is a great start though. It is brilliantly delivered in the context of makeup application, the item we use to conceal our perceived physical imperfections is used here as a catalyst to our independence in a way.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

SHARE this message as far and wide as social networking will allow. All women should have a look and ponder their independence today and beyond ...

The Shame Game: Shame on them? or Shame on us?

Is it just me or are there others who are annoyed to see the winner of 'The Biggest Looser' being shamed for her weight loss? 

Our society projects an utterly unattainable ideal of beauty. It is unattainable not only because it is unrealistic, it actually ceases to exist. No one can agree on what is 'perfect' or 'ideal' at all as beauty or any imagery  is a totally subjective experience.

The winner of the reality series, Rachel Frederickson lost 155 pounds on the show. She started at 260 and the final weight was 105 (she is 5'4" & 24 years old.) 

The Internet has exploded with criticism over her loss and I am sickened to read the comments from people. I do not watch the show but have had a hard time escaping the news stories and commentary from all the critical people hiding behind their computers and smart phones.

My first thought was, 'society should be ashamed of themselves. First they FAT shame her for being overweight and then they THIN shame her for being to thin'.  My second thought was, 'is this really a news worthy story? who cares how much weight some stranger just got paid $250,000 to loose'. 

After the incessant images, stories and posts in my facebook timeline and twitter feed I felt compelled to 'weigh' in on the issue.

I would first like to say BRAVO to Rachel. She worked her ass off, literally to lose the weight, regardless of peoples warped opinions. It was her choice and I'm glad she is standing behind it. 

The "experts" are complaining that her BMI now is too low, but before it was too high. They are the Goldilocks of body image but what they forget to mention is no one will be ideal or juuuust right. If people were accepted for who they are shows like "The Biggest Loser" would be completely irrelevant.

BMI it is like the weight equivalent of IQ in my opinion. A completely arbitrary measure with way too many variables to be accurate and applied to everyone. 

This issue of body image and shame must be discussed so I guess we should all be grateful to Rachel and the media shame game for being the catalyst. Women need to open their eyes and realize that there is no REAL ideal of beauty, only the ones that we impose on ourselves. We are served the proverbial entree of some random fashion editor's ideal but it is only a 'suggestion' or something to 'inspire us'. Instead of taking accountability, women BLAME the media and fashion magazines for depicting an image that they CHOOSE to accept.

Labels & Stereotypes

Day after day I see intelligent, beautiful women feel poorly about themselves based on what a stranger prints online, in a magazine or puts on television. They hold themselves up to a standard that completely ceases to exist and is generally a digital illusion or digital delusion. We have all done it. We just need to not take part in societies shame game.

Why do we accept the shame that others project on us for our weight, body shape or overall appearance? 

Don't you think it is time to take our power back and stop being mindless victims to the media and fashion magazines? There was nothing more empowering to me than the day I realized that actual person who makes us fee 'less than' is US/ME/YOU.

We should embrace the media onslaught of unrealistic imagery and choose to turn it into an inspiration for self improvement or accept it simply as someones subjective taste, not something that you are to be compared to or measured against. There IS strength in accountability ladies. I don't have a flat stomach because I choose to eat/drink what I want and not exercise to the level that would be required to achieve that result. I am not the size I was in high school because I choose not to put the work in to be so and instead I make excuses. I am actually happy with who I am today. It has been a long road, not without days I feel less than fabulous but that is all me, not participating in societies shame game. I accept accountability for myself and my choices. I strive to be the best version of myself not a version of someone else, especially someone who is clearly a figment of Photo Shops imagination. I do enjoy my fashion magazines too and feel no need or desire to compare myself to anything  I see, I just gush over the grossly over priced accessories and dream of the day I can waltz into CHANEL in Paris and get my quilted bag.

Thank you Rachel for getting this dialogue started. Enjoy your success and don't get caught up in the shame game.

Is it then shame on them? or shame on us?

What do YOU think?

My personal BMI (Bold Modern Idea):  We are ALL PERFECTLY IMPERFECT!

Muddy Waters with UGLY MUD

I will try anything once and I love to sample all kids of skin care and beauty products in the search of the perfect combination for my skin and lifestyle. As we age our skin and our needs change, the trick is trying to keep up with it.

I was introduced to UGLY MUD Coffee Scrub back in December and was excited to give it a try.  I love the smell of coffee and to be honest it was the name that sold it for me.  I loved how clever and honest it was.

The mud was created by Mompreneur Rachel Streck to help her baby deal with the skin condition keratosis pilaris or KP. Her blend of coffee and other organic oils helped relieve the appearance of KP and was gently enough to use on her infant.  She began to share the MUD with her friends who had issues with acne scars, psoriasis, rosacea, fine lines/wrinkles, and cellulite. They were happy with the results over the four year period she made it exclusively for them. Now it's YOUR TURN to get UGLY with this mud.

Both myself and my husband used it. I love the smell of coffee and the scrub itself.  It is a mess but well worth my smooth and soft skin post scrub.  She did not include any artificial fragrance, dyes, or chemicals to make the mud "PRETTY", she believes "it is not okay to add poisonous substances like bleach or artificial fragrances in order to sell more products at the expense of your health". So the mud is what it is. It is UGLY but it WORKS.

What's In It? Ingredients and their applications according to her brochure.

*Coffee (tightening your skin, smoothing out cellulite)

*Dead Sea Salt (proven to remove toxins and scrub away dead skin)

*Grape Seed Oil (light antioxidant and provides skin with moisture)

*Jojoba Oil (Helps skin conditions by reducing appearance of "redness")

*Almond Oil (Gives your skin a radiant, healthy glow)

*Vitamin E Oil (nourishes and treats your skin)

I had a cross section of women of different ages (20-64) and occupations try UGLY MUD. Here is what they found:

Hayley Said:  "I love it!!..actually want to buy some. Its invigorating and i love how it leaves my skin nice and soft...and its not too abrasive which I like....SOLD!"

Jennifer Said: "I really loved the smell and ratio of coffee to oil however I would have liked the grain of coffee to be a little bigger. I didn't try it on my face but I'm sure it would have been great for that, I just used it on my legs and usually like a scrub to give me more of an exfoliation. But the smell was amazinngggg loved it! I would definitely purchase this item to use as a facial scrub!"

Kim Said: "I liked the scent of the scrub, but the texture could be refined s bit. The scrub felt gritty. However, my skin did feel as though it had received a good and exfoliation. I would use it again."

Jessica Said: "I like that its a scrub, it makes my skin feel really soft after I use it. It is pretty coffee-y and messy but when I use it in the shower it's not hard to clean up. I haven't really seen it make a difference on the appearance of my skin besides the softness, but I can say that I like using it!!"

Sydney Said: " I've gotta say, it was too coffee'ish for me. Both the smell and texture. Way too messy-not my thing. I'd have to see big results for me to use regularly. Enjoyed trying it"

Jensine Said: "I enjoy, more than anything, the sensation of a good scrub in the shower. I love getting my back scratched and a body scrub is the next best thing. I do enjoy the scent of coffee and like the idea that the caffeine may be giving my skin some tightening and/or smoothing. I can't say whether or not it has reduced cellulite, but it feels and smells great! I don't recommend using it on the face. I didn't like it for that purpose. I felt like it was too oily for that. It definitely makes a big mess, so I am grateful for my flexible shower head to rinse the walls when I'm done!"

Marie Said: "I have been using the UGLY MUD and i think i like it. It does smell quite strongly of coffee but I go used to it and I happen to be one to like that fragrance. I can see how some would not appreciate it though. The application does invigorate my skin, but I haven't used it long enough to know if there are any long term benefits. I found the consistency pretty good but I generally prefer an exfoliate a little thicker."

Carol Said: "I sampled the Ugly Mud and absolutely loved the smell. I have fibromyalgia and found that the coarse texture was a bit much for me. My skin felt smooth and nice afterwards but the shower was a mess and took a bit of time to clean up."

Erika Said: "ok so I just did my face and I'm impressed! it really is very soft after and doesn't feel dry at all.

A little messy, but I can see why it should be done in the shower and not over the sink!

and all I can smell is awesome coffee beans!!"

The UGLY MUD 411:

*Each 8oz jar is ONLY $15

*$1 of every sale goes to CHARITY A different charity every month thus spreading the love and mud around!

*The offer a MONEY BACK Guarantee if you are not happy with the product or results.

*Connect with UGLY MUD & Rachel Via FACEBOOK and their WEBSITE

So What are you waiting for? 

Will you MUDDY UP?

Pedicure De Jour: Houndstooth

Vintage Houndstooth Print & Jewels

I love experimenting with new Mani & Pedi Prints and my Pedicure De Jour is a "Houndstooth" print courtesy of our friends at Sally Hansen. I'm a busy mom and on the go and with no dry time the Salon Effect "stickers" are my go to for both fingers and toes. I love the Salon Effects for nails and converted them for my toes but now they are available in pedicure form. #303 - Puppy Tooth.

My daughter loves them too.

Have you tried the Salon Effects line? What's your FAV print?

EYE LOVE COLOUR

I am obsessed with COLOUR (YES with a U - I'm Canadian). Anyway, My most recent colour purchase came in the form of eye shadow. I like the pigments from Tattoo artist Kat Von D's makeup line for Sephora (I have both her Ludwig & Beethoven palettes) and recently purchased her NEW pallet for Spring 2012 "Mi Vida Loca".

The palette is inspired by her back tattoo with the same name (Spanish for "My Crazy Life") and her love of colours. I remember reading somewhere that the best part of her day and one of the only times she has alone, is when she is applying her makeup.

I love her Rock-N-Roll / Theatre take on her makeup and wanted to share her new collection with any bold beauties out there in cyber space looking to chuck your neutral tones and try some colour.

I think this is the coolest rainbow effect and I will be compelled to try:

Get polished for the season

SHOP SEPHORA FOR THE COLLECTION

Kat too commercial for you? Take this Coloured "Peacock Inspired Eye" from the Fall/Winter 2012 Runway of Roberto Cavalli (and make-up artist Pat McGrath)

Are you ready to ROCK life's runway in COLOUR?

FACE IT: RAW

As we evolve and age we should expect to see some evolution in our wardrobes, taste in food & drink, hair styles as well as skin care regimes. I for one was ready for a change for my skin when I had to FACE IT: RAW! Model/Actress/Author Carol Alt has a new line of skin care that is RAW, all active ingredients never heated above 115°

I have been vegetarian for almost 4.5 years now and as I age care more and more what I am putting in my body and on my skin. When I heard about her new line I was so EXCITED to try it! Carol has spread her love and enthusiasm for raw food by educating people over the last decade via her 2 books and her lifestyle. Carol says "I decided to take action by creating my own skin care products out of the same raw ingredients I eat."

RAW ingredients retain all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants providing maximum nourishment to the skin. Carol Alt is proof to me that there is something behind the RAW food & skin care movement. She is still as beautiful as she was in the height of her modelling career and I know she attributes her aging so gracefully to a combo of raw food, exercise and fabulous skin care. I had to investigate and try the line.

I am currently using:

1) The All Day Eye Cream
2) Radiant Face Scrub
3) Night Time Firming & Nourishing Face Moisturizer
4) Nourishing Face Serum
5) Clarifying Pore Tightening and Face Toner
6) All Day Eye Cream

In 3 words: I LOVE IT!
Why I love it:

* My skin feels AND looks amazing
* the line is cruelty free and not tested on animals
* the price points are AMAZING ($15-$30)
* I feel really good about what I am putting into/onto my body
* The products smell like fresh citrus
* My skin does not feel oily
* Available in both Canada (at all Shoppers Drug Mart locations) and the USA (FREE shipping on all orders over $75)

When I had a chance to talk to Carol (Check out her Style Maven interview HERE) she said "Your skin will never get oily because the oil in our product is “raw oil”. It is in a form that the body can understand and utilize immediately."

According to the RAW ESSENTIALS WEBSITE; "Many chemical-based traditional skincare products may provide short-term superficial results, but did you know they can also encourage long-term damage and premature ageing? This is because your body absorbs up to 60% of what is placed on your skin. It doesn’t discriminate between beneficial or damaging ingredients. By feeding your skin with raw ingredients, instead of synthetic chemicals (that your body was never designed to assimilate), your skin becomes nourished, naturally healthy and balanced. RAW ESSENTIALS skincare incorporates an abundance of super-nutrients, nature’s vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, enzymes and proteins."

I however need to get used to using a serum as opposed to a moisturizer so I may try the RAW ESSENTIALS moisturizer for day. Now that I love the line I am off to get the body wash and the body oil.

I have used several skin care products from high to low end and this is by far my FAV! Don't take my word for it though. Give it a TRY! Literally while I was composing this blog my cousin is down the hall using the face scrub and the night time moisturizer. Her thoughts after one try? She's going to Shoppers Drug Mart Tomorrow.

Have you already tried the line? Post your thoughts and/or comments. Let me know if you do give it a try and your feedback. Also check out the FAQ page for RAW ESSENTIALS.

Got a question that needs an answer? Tweet it to Carol @ModelCarolAlt

Lisa's Library: Lexi's Lesson's in STYLE

I love that EVOLUTION REVOLUTION reaches the PC's, laptops and mobile devices around the world. A super Stylish reader in Paris, France reached out recently with her new book: "Decades of Style" (By Lexi DeRock). A Step-by-Step hair and makeup guide to days gone by.

Just as I at Evolution Vintage style fashions past current, Lexi is bringing back the Chic 60's and 70's for the modern woman.

She enjoys being an educator and sharing her knowledge. In her words; "Do a girls hair and she'll look good for the night. Teach a girl to do her own hair, and she'll look great for a lifetime."

Her new book was a GREAT read! besides the makeup, hair tips and tricks I loved her use of iconic images and quotations (I'm obsessed with quotations). You can browse her book and tap into your alter-ego; Are you The Studio 54 Sweetheart? The Boho Baby? The Cabaret Singer? Luckily you don't have to pick just one - You can utilize Lexi's guide through 2 decades of hair and makeup and use it over and over again. Information on each look as well as each decade are provided in a FAB and reader friendly way.




I had the chance to chat with Lexi about her book and her style.

LISA: What inspired the book?

LEXI: A very talented painter friend of mine, Marcus McAllister, was working on an art book with my friend and editor Alicia LeBlanc, and a little green monster reared it's head and said "I want a book too! Me, meee!" because it sounded like a fun project. So, I pitched her the idea because I have just always loved vintage styles and wanted to share them with other people in a way that was easy to follow and fun.

LISA: What is your favourite decade for fashion/hair/makeup? and why?

LEXI: I'm not sure that I have a favorite. I do love the 20s, 30s and 50s, but I think the 60s are really one of my faves. The hair is dramatic and fun, and so is the makeup...and the attitude is so liberated and full of spirit. It's so elegant and wild at the same time.

LISA: Why the 60's & 70's?

LEXI: I intend to write books covering all of the decades I love, but started with the 60s and 70s because, while all the looks have their timelessness, these eras seem to be especially relevant again. You see the 60s popping up all over the place like in Mad Men or The Kennedys series, and the 70s styles are all up and down the runways in this season's fall/winter collections. Maybe it is the spirit of revolution in the air all over the world that is making people want to dress and style like the revolutionaries of the 60s and 70s, but something seems to have sparked our interest in the chunk of time and I couldn't be more for it!

LISA: Who are your personal style icons?

LEXI: I've always loved glamour and performance and people whose style is over-the-top and playful. One of my faves is Katherine Hepburn: glamorous, but also casual and strong. Brigitte Bardot inspires a style in the book and she is definitely one of my favorites for hair styles. So sexy and so French. But I also love people with a bit of a harder rock & roll style mixed in, and I love body art, so Kat Von Dee is one of my favorite style icons too.

LISA: How did you get your start in hair & makeup?

LEXI: I started doing hair and makeup as a teenager in theater and have always loved it. I was always that girl cutting and coloring all my girlfriends' hair in high school. When I decided to make my career of it, I attended the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis MN which was a fantastic school. From there I continued to work in the US until 2007, when I decided to move to Paris and work more on the fashion side of things. After four years in Paris, I decided it was time for a change so I am currently in the process of relocating to Melbourne, Australia, this December. I'm really looking forward to seeing where that takes me.

LISA: What are your favourite makeup and hair products?

LEXI: I love hair and makeup so when I go into a beauty supplier or a store like Sephora, I am just like a kid in a candy shop (someday I'll get organized enough to figure out how to write it all off as a business expense!). I am not a brand loyalist and there are lots of things I like from a number of companies, but I do have a few favorites. I love L'Oreal Double Extend mascara and have used it for maybe 10 years at this point. There are others I like too, but my go-to is always Double Extend. I love the liquid and creme blushes that have come out in the last few years, and my favorite one is by Benefit. They have three shades now, a red (benetint), pink (posietint) and their newest one and my favorite which is a tangerine/mango sort of color called Cha-Cha tint. As for hair products, I do love Freeze hairspray by Schwartzkopf because it doesn't flake and it's not too heavy...Goldilocks would have said "It's just right," and I would be inclined to agree.

LISA: Describe your personal style aesthetic. What are you wearing this fall/winter?

LEXI: I guess I have a mixture of those styles in my wardrobe. I love vintage for clothes and for my hair and makeup, and I also love the dark, layered looks the French wear with all the scarves and hats and things, very chic...but I like my style to have a bit more of a rock & roll edge to it. I'm a fan of skulls and studs and leather and things like that, but softened up by a sweet retro hairdo and a cute vintage scarf which keeps it from being too harsh.

Lexy the Author
(center), editor Alicia LeBlanc and the Photographer Steve Wells


A perfect coffee table book at a salon, gift for the Vintage Diva or for your own Super Stylish library. BUY IT HERE

Visit Lexi ON LINE

*Her model in the "Super Model" look reminded me of a 70's Jerry Hall ...

"The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy." Yves Saint-Laurent

From GRIND to GLAM

Dear Readers,

I have entered a competiton to be the next contributing writer for LUCKY MAGAZINE!! The competition has 5 rounds total and I require VOTES to get me to the next round. This is round 2 of 5! There is onle a day left to VOTE for my second submission! You must take a few minutes to register so your VOTE will count!

FROM GRIND to GLAM:
Life is all about choices; from what you wear to how you style your hair are a few of the most important choices you will make during the course of your day. We live in a commercial and digital world where all the answers and miracle products are literally at our fingertips. We must choose our path from the daily GRIND to GLAM, taking us from our workday well into the night.

Drab to FAB:
I have an eclectic style sensibility and dress according to my personal mood and not necessarily based on the event or setting. I am a work from home MOMpreneur and on most days’ I am an owner/stylist for an on-line eBOUTIQUE (Evolution Vintage), writer, mother, and domestic diva (which includes but is not limited to: a laundry lass, chef, and house cleaner). I have multiple roles and wear multiple hats on a daily basis. Rarely do I have a full blown yoga pant drab day with my lap top. Let’s face it we all feel like human blotation devices at certain times during the course of the month so those days DO happen. That being said I don’t come to my home office in a 2 piece blazer and pencil skirt either but I am all about mixing the old with the new for fashion-flex comfort. Accessories are the key to my day/night transition.

On a typical day I work in denim or leggings with a fabulous, lightweight top or tunic. My RockNRoll Burnout Style T-shirts (from Evolution Vintage $25) are my go-to tee with jeans and a blazer – Soft, Stylish & CHIC! Maxi dresses are also a recent staple as well as cute vintage day dresses and of course the wrap dress. I love prints and textures and never shy away from color regardless of season. I wear sequins to the grocery store … HELLO! Instant day time GLAM. My accessories run the fashion gamut from vintage jewelry, sequin berets, junk jewels from Forever 21, fedora’s, headscarves, a selection of sunglasses, belts as statement piece necklaces and cocktail rings. You name it; I wear it in my home office, spending time with friends and family and while running my daily errands. Making a transition from day to night is all about the accessories for me and a quick make-up upgrade. I usually have my closet at my fingertips running my business from home but many of you are on the go from the wee hours of the morning. If you are on your way out the door to the office throw a clutch, cocktail ring and statement necklace in your bag as well as a fabulous pair of heels. After work ditch the blazer and briefcase for your colorful clutch and cocktail ring and let your necklace make a statement. Throwing on heels can enhance your entire look by making you feel taller and even changing the way you carry yourself … life is your runway sisters ~ WORK IT!

The BUSINESS of daily BEAUTY:
LOCK IT IN: If I have no time for a blow out in the AM (which is usually the case for me) I throw my wet locks up/back into a sleek chignon or braid. By days end my hair is damp/dry where I take it down and shake it into a fabulously wavy beachy look. I use products from the TRESemme line. Hot rollers have been a go to piece of equipment since the 1990’s for me. They set while I rush around in the morning, dressing, moisturizing, and eating breakfast. I remove, spray, shake and fly out the door (during my corporate days). I now repeat the same steps but in a much slower pace while making the kids breakfast, packing lunch and still SPF-ing. To maintain the curls strategically pin them for day (all up or half up) and let them loose for the evening. Soft curls in long hair for day AND night is still CHIC! Top it off with a cute hat, turban or headscarf (if allowed at your place of business) if not pull it out of your bag of tricks for evening.

FACE IT:
DAY: I wear very little make-up during the day. My beauty ritual starts with my Meaningful Beauty Skin Softening Cleanser and Antioxidant Day Crème (SPF 20 – UVA/UVB) – Don’t forget the SPF ladies, we don’t want to work toward looking like a 30 year old leather hand bag do we? YIKES! Can’t justify Cindy’s program? Try a lower priced alternative like Bioré Revitalize 4-in-1 self-foaming cleanser and Olay Complete daily UV moisturizer w SPF 15. I am a gloss girl and use M.A.C. Crème sheen Glass (Try: Boy Bait) or Lip glass (Try: Viva Glam V), Dior Addict Crystal Gloss (047). A fruity flavored lip balm from The Body Shop is a budget friendly alternative for $5! I finish my minimal look with M.A.C Eye shadow (try Dazzlelight) and Lash Stiletto Mascara, in Black from Maybelline New York.

EVE: The evening is a different story, a color story. It does not take long to make your face your canvas and get creative with color. Packing your purse to transition in your cubical for cocktails is simple. Don’t be afraid of COLOR; try a bright blue from Kat Von D’s Beethoven True Romance Eye shadow Palette in “Speed Blue” or a beautiful green from the Ludwig Palette mixing “Orbi” & “Dimebag”. With your Dazzelight base from the morning you are good to go. Add a quick “Cat’s Eye” on top of your lash line with a M.A.C. Fluid line (Blacktrack) $15 using M.A.C angle brush #208 for a vintage-esque touch. Pay lip service to the glimmer gloss and give my FAV’s a spin; Y.S.L. Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss (in Simply Golden $30) or M.A.C. LustreGlass (in Morning Glory - $14.50). Prefer a liner and stick? Try Creamola lip liner ( also from M.A.C. @ $14.50) and one for their MANY lip stick shades, perhaps a classic red lip is another quick way to go into the evening. I use M.A.C Studio Fix pressed powder ($26.50) on my face in the evening as a base and completely shy away from blush. Your natural glow or blush is my preferred method.

NAIL IT: On the days we dash from our workplace to dinner take some time to add some drama on your digits. Try the new dry manicure from Sally Hansen Nail Effects. No fuss, no fumes, no problem. They are the BEST conversation piece. They are nail polish “strips” or “stickers” that you can use to give yourself an instant manicure with no spills or mess of a regular polish which make them totally portable. They come in some fabulous patterns and prints too, let me recommend (350)-Misbehaved in a metallic with fishnet pattern or (230)-Skinny Jeans for a digit denim look. All the tools you need come with the strips and last up to 10 days. Give yourself a hand in 10 minutes for about $9 bucks!

No matter what your occupation, geographical location, budget or style you can take it from the daily GRIND to GLAM with a few easy steps and choices. Embrace the FUN of establishing your beauty routine by sampling or trying out new items and looks. Remember many manufactures or brands offer free samples of their products so take advantage of the offers (in the store or on-line), think outside your cubicles and let your unique beauty SHINE!

CLICK TO REGISTER & CAST YOUR VOTE!!!