makeup

SILKY RADIANCE

POST + PHOTOS BY AMY NADINE, GRAPHIC DESIGN BY EUNICE CHUN

Our last lesson in our Blush & Bronzing Series is liquid blush, the least common of all the blush types, but worth looking into. Here’s why: READ MORE…

tutorials

NAILED IT!

photos/post/design: Kristin Ess

In a world where everything feels so new, I always like to take a step back, reach into my pocket of childhood memories and see if there’s something to bring back to the table. Who didn’t LOVE needlepoint as a kid? It’s classic folk art! In memory of an era when most things were handmade, I thought it could be fun to do needlepoint nails and I’m pretty obsessed with the way they turned out. If you have the patience and time, it’s a super cute mani…

Here’s the pattern I made. You can follow the same one or make up your own. Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Once you lay down a lot of little x’s, it tends to come together. To see the polish colors I used, click the links I’ve added in the steps below.

  1. Start with a base color. I chose black so that the colors would pop. White would also be a great fit for spring!
  2. Follow the pattern I illustrated above. Start with GOLD x’s.
  3. Next one WHITE x to help the center “pop” .
  4. LIGHT PINK for the inner petals.
  5. DARK PINK for the outer petals.
  6. DARK GREEN for the darker leaves.
  7. Next, you’ll carry the dark green petals over to the middle finger.
  8. Add some additional LIGHT/BRIGHT GREEN x’s for the lighter leaves.
  9. Same colors will be used on the pinky.
  10. Add a quick drying topcoat once your x’s have dried!

makeup

YOU’RE MAKING ME BLUSH!

POST + PHOTOS BY AMY NADINE, GRAPHIC DESIGN BY EUNICE CHUN

We continue our Blush & Bronzing Series with today’s lesson in powder blush. This option:

  1. works well with all skin types,
  2. is the best option for those of us with oily skin,
  3. opens up the world of shimmer if you want an extra glow,
  4. lasts longer than the various blush types,
  5. and layers beautifully on top of mineral powder foundation.

Powder blush has been around since the onset of makeup and will never go away because it adds that perfect flush of color for an instant healthy-looking glow. READ MORE…

hair

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

photo/post: Kristin Ess

Reporting live from Miami, Florida! Keeping your hair in check while traveling to a humid place can definitely be a challenge. If you have paper-straight hair or really curly hair then lucky you! Paper straight hair may be mildly affected and tight curls tend to look best in humid places. However, if your hair type is anywhere in between those two types, you know how difficult it can be to avoid frizz in high-moisture climates. Here are my favorite things to pack and how to use them:

  • A DETANGLING BRUSH- THIS ONE has very flexible bristles and is my favorite for detangling. It’s meant for detangling wet or dry hair. I take it in the shower with me and brush my hair out with the conditioner in it. Then I rinse the conditioner out and I don’t brush it after that– just towel dry once out of the shower. Flip your head upside-down as you towel dry so the hair doesn’t lay too flat against your head.
  • SERUM OR ARGAN OIL- Take something to put on the ends of your hair to help weigh it down a little. I put this on once I’m out of the shower and after I’ve towel dried. I always take THIS SERUM because my hair is so red and it protects the color, but you can take whatever serum or oil you love!
  • BLOWDRYER + NOZZLE- I like to air-dry my wavy/curly hair for the most part in humid climates, but bring a blow dryer with a nozzle on it to knock out any of those unwanted cowlicks along your part, crown or hairline.
  • ANTI-HUMIDITY SPRAY- It does just what it says- keeps the moisture out. THIS ONE (also comes in a mini size) is my favorite. I like to spray a very light veil of this over the areas where I know my hair gets most frizzy later in the day. For me it’s the midddle. I like to put this on first and then…
  • APRES BEACH SPRAY- THIS ONE is my fave because it’s soft. It’s not crunchy like a lot of beach sprays can be. (This one comes in a mini too!)
  • CURLING IRON- I always take my 1″ curling iron to humid places to quickly touch up any of the curls that misbehave once my hair has air-dried. Not every single piece is going to lay perfectly.
  • HOT IRON COVER- These are the greatest thing for travel because when you’re rushing, you don’t want to throw a hot curling iron in with your clothes and products. I particularly love THIS ONE because it’s cute and mostly because it’s made by the lovely Lauren Conrad with xo(eco).
  • HAIR PINS + PONYTAIL HOLDERS- You can’t go wrong with putting your hair up in a bun or pony when you’re dealing with humidity so don’t forget these gems!

Got any tips + tricks of your own for dealing with hair that gets frizzy in humidty? Leave them below! xo