In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo

There are certain scents that just feel like a vacation. The kind of scent that carries you far, far away from the stressful day you’re having – even if just for a moment. I live for these products.

My In-My-Tub-Tuesday pick today, Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo ($13.50), is one of these said products.

 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo ($13.50)

Far from just a pretty scent, this super-cleaning shampoo adds body to my fine hair while deep cleaning my hair from root to tip. You may have noticed that I mentioned the word “cleaning” TWICE in that last sentence. That’s because this shampoo really gets the job done – and all without stripping the hair of the oils we need – and want – for shine and smoothness.

The peppermint scent awakens your senses (helllloooo morning!), the rosemary helps protect against harmful environmental influences and the pure plant aroma energizes you and gets you ready for whatever you’ve got goin’ on next.

But, again, it’s that soothing-yet-invigorating scent and subtle tingling sensation it treats my scalp to that has kept me coming back for years. It’s minty fresh!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What product’s scent do you crave? 

 

FabFitFunFriday’s In-The-Bag: A Few of My Favorite Things

As many of you know, I am a featured blogger for the lovely Giuliana Rancic’s blog, FabFitFun. I currently have two columns on FFF – Primping with… and my new column,    In-The-Bag. I love the FFF team and am so privileged to blog with their fabulous Ambassador Network! Besides being in good company with these blogging beauties, FabFitFun also knows how to put the HAPPY in happy hour! But more on that later…

For now, my inaugural In-The-Bag, featuring a few of my favorite things of all-time!

 

xoxo,
BF

DawnBeautyWP

by Dawn McCoy of BeautyFrosting

I couldn’t be more thrilled to share my fave finds with you fearless and fabulous FabFitFun readers! As a beauty and lifestyle blogger, I get to try a lot of products that help make us look and feel our beautiful best!

In In-the-Bag, I’ll share my favorites of the moment so you can know what you have to have. Now, a few of my favorite things:

Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm ($52): For my dry, dull skin, this is my everyday, go-to foundation. I can almost guarantee that your skin will look five to 10 years younger. Yes, really. Each perfecting and light-reflecting shade seamlessly vanishes into your skin, leaving your skin smooth, plumped, hydrated, and glowing. You’re gonna thank me for this one, FFFers!

Beautyblender Sponge ($19.95): Whether erasing eyeliner, chiseling cheekbones, smoothing out sunscreen, or perfecting your pout, Beautyblender is my heavenly heroine of the moment. Its unique pink egg-shaped design rolls on the skin to smooth away harsh makeup lines, leaving a flawless finish. I love to apply my blush, bronzer, and highlighter, and then go in with my little pink friend and perfect it.

Kai Fragrance Oil ($48): Whether wearing it on its own or layering it with other favorite fragrances, Kai is an essential. It smells like a Southern summer with its delicate recipe of gardenia and white flowers. It enters the room when I do – not a second before. And it never overstates. If Kai were an adjective, it would be graceful. Kai is the Audrey Hepburn of fragrances, helping me to smell like a lady, whether I’m feeling like a Jackie O or a Marilyn.

Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara ($30): I have sung the praises of my first boss’ mascara for a while. The formula creates water-resistant tubes around each lash. And the 24-hour formula always looks glossy and freshly applied. Perfect for all-day wear, you need only to curl your lashes again to revive it for the evening. It lasts through tears or marathons (or both!), all while defining, darkening, and volumizing. Perfect for a low-maintenance lady, it washes off effortlessly with water. Yep, you read that right — water. Easy to apply and even easier to remove, it’s a forever fave for me.

Mustela Multi-sensory Bubble Bath ($10): So maybe this multi-sensory bubble bath was formulated for a baby’s delicate and sensitive skin. Hey, who you callin’ a baby? I love the stuff. It’s a magical potion perfect for my nightly bath. Rich in marine extracts, its soothing scent deeply relaxes me, helps me wash away any remaining stress of the day, and helps me sleep…well, like a baby. Baby, I’m yours.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Long-Lasting Lip Pencil and Lip Liner in Leif ($23): I love a neutral, metallic nude. A bit of bronze with a hint of plum and pink, this Rouge Bunny Rouge lip liner makes any lip gloss or lipstick pop. And it gives your lips beautiful, believable, rich definition while blending in with all shades. Perfectly paired even with lip balm, it’s sure to please!

For more FabFitFun, check it out here: FABFITFUN!!

BF Loves: Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer

Perfect for Thirsty Thursday, we’re talking about a seriously quenching product here!
I like to look dewy. And I like to look like I’m not wearing foundation.
I strongly believe that makeup should enhance not hide and disguise.

(Call it my cosmetic conviction, if you will)

Aaaand I like to look polished and smooth but in an effortless way.

Gosh, that sounds exhausting and impossible, doesn’t it?
The great thing about what I do is that I get to try soooo many products.
The bad part, I fall in love with some and have to let some go.

Wanna know one I’ve kept and loved?

Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer in Linen

I have a routine that works.

And wearing tinted moisturizer is my favorite way of hydrating.

FYI, My skin is dry. And I moisturize like crazy. Crazy, I tell you!

I have my tried-and-true favorites and when I first tried the Josie Maran tinted moisturizer, I thought it looked too perfect.

Too perfect, you ask? Is there such a thing?

BF wearing Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer
BF wearing Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer in Linen

Well, I thought it looked too smooth and, heaven forbid, that maybe I had a touch of makeup on.

As though people don’t know.

I was ready to let this one go but then I wore it out on the town.

My pictures looked better than ever! Friends and strangers were asking me what I do to make my skin “so smooth and glowing” (yes, beauties, that really was a quote).

Plus, it’s SPF 30, organic, paraben free, toxin free, cruelty free and chock-full of reparative argan oil.

Wow. So it’s a keeper! A MAJOR keeper!
And it’ll make your skin perfect.

So, perfection, isn’t too much to ask for, after all!

Buy your perfection by clicking here:

Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer at Sephora.com

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What spf-tinted moisturizer makes you look perfect? Or are you more of a foundation beauty?

Once a Trish girl, always a Trish girl…

Once a Trish girl, always a Trish girl.

That’s what I always say.

Once a Trish girl, always a Trish girl... (Photograph by Amy Opoka Photography)

One of my friends, Kristin, even prides herself on the fact that she buys nothing but Trish save for one beloved lip balm. She is a true Trish devotee. Thanks to me.

So who is this “Trish”?

Trish McEvoy, don’t you know?

I started out with Trish and, it seems only proper, that I have come full-circle with BeautyFrosting.

Here’s my Trish story interlaced with my latest Trish find/fetish!

When I was 17, I was introduced to the Trish McEvoy line, by Lori Nelson, at Neiman Marcus and it was love at first sight.
Trish was all about lining with powder (Wow!!), like my makeup god Kevyn Aucoin‘s style, and her super-simple “press & wiggle” technique made me a comely convert.
As an 18-year-old dedicated Trish devotee, my Mom scheduled an appointment for me for the Trish McEvoy fall cocktail makeup event at the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus Northpark (I refer to it as The Mothership).
I got to meet Trish McEvoy, in the flesh, and you would have thought I was meeting God.
I gushed to her about how amazing her products were and how brilliant the techniques were. I. Couldn’t. Stop. Talking.
She asked me, on the spot, if I wanted to work for her as a makeup artist.
OHMYGOODNESS!!!!! OHMYGOODNESS!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!
It was as if God asked me to be an angel.
YES!!!YES!!!YES!!!!
So that’s how my professional story started.
From there, I went on to become a Trish McEvoy freelance makeup artist in Dallas (during my summer and winter breaks in college) and then in Los Angeles to supplement (oh, who are we kidding, support) my fledgling acting career. From there, I became a celebrity personal beauty shopper and then BeautyFrosting was born in March! Trish made quite an impact.
In May, I found myself at home in Dallas for my friend Jenny’s wedding. At her bridal shower, I couldn’t stop raving about her gorgeous lashes, flawless skin and subtly polished makeup look. When I asked who did it, the Bride-to-be said, “Well, you know who it is! You introduced me to her! TRISH, of course!!! Linda at Trish McEvoy”!
Before the wedding the following weekend, I had to hightail it to the nearest Trish counter with my favorite shopping buddy, Mom, by my side. My old friend, and former boss, Linda Nunez, was there! A Trish reunion!! It felt like home!
She introduced me to the Ultimate Beauty Organizer and it is, in one product, every reason I fell in love with Trish to begin with:
Gorgeous!!
Trish McEvoy Ultimate Beauty Organizer (Photograph by Amy Opoka Photography)
Superb brushes!

Superb Brushes! (Photograph by Amy Opoka Photography)

Beautiful, travel-friendly & dressing table-friendly!

Travel-friendly & Dressing Table-friendly! (Photograph by Amy Opoka Photography)

Gorgeous color, smooth skin & expert application!

The Coral Bow Petite Makeup Planner! (Photo by Amy Opoka Photography)

And, as with any Limited Edition Trish McEvoy Ultimate Beauty Organizer, I found a treasure trove of beauty essentials in her Nude Quilted Ultimate Beauty Organizer. Included here ( $495, USD retail price):

• Brush Collection including Nude quilted brush clutch with nude interior, Brush Mistake Proof Sheer Application, Brush 37 Bronzer,

Brush 65 Angled Contour, Brush 29 Tapered Blending, Brush 40 Medium Laydown, Brush 50 Angled Eye Lining

• Coral Bow Petite Makeup Planner including Petite Page, Translucent Finishing Powder, NEW Golden Glow Face Color, Small

Refillable Double Decker Compact, Glaze Eye Shadow White Peach, NEW Luminous Eye Shadow Rose Gold, Glaze Eye Shadow

Glamorous, Eye Definer Arabian Nights, Eye Base Essentials Bare*, Instant Eye Lift*, Intense Gel Liner Arabian Nights*, High

Volume Mascara, Treatment Foundation SPF 15 Beige*, Lip Liner Barely There, NEW Flawless Lip Color Perfect Coral, Beauty

Booster SPF 15 Lip Gloss Sexy Petal*, Classic Lip Color Natural, Pocketable Fragrance Trish

• Skincare Essentials including Advanced Protective Shield Moisturizer SPF 40 (full size), and deluxe travel sizes of Gentle Cleansing

Wash and Beauty Booster® Serum, Trish signature headband

• Professional Cotton Swabs

• Professional Powder Puff

• Professional Sponge

And the finished look!

The finished look! (Photo by Amy Opoka Photography)

Over the years, my tastes may have broadened, but my passion for Trish never fades.

I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us this Fall!! CANNOT WAIT!!!

* NOTE: The Nude Ultimate Beauty Organizer is no longer available but the products prettily housed inside it are ripe for your picking at Neiman MarcusNordstromWoo or online.

xoxo,

BF

 

BF Asks: Are you a Trish girl?

For more of Amy’s fabulous photos, please visit http://amyopoka.com/

Magic Mascara: Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara

Helloooooooooooo lover!

Women say it to their casanovas. Carrie Bradshaw said it to her shoes.

I say it to mascara I love.

And I don’t say it as often as I’d like to.

But this Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara is strong enough to be my man, er, mascara.

Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara ($30)

Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara ($30)

If I cry, it doesn’t smudge. I may run during a workout but I know it won’t. It’s dependable, reliable and sexy. And it increases my lash length and volume so much that you wouldn’t even believe me if I told you.

And then there’s the totally tubular aspect.

As a child of the 80s, I just love being able to say “tubular” without any funny looks.

And oh what those tubes can do!

Totally tubular lashes. I'm in love.

More wonderful than waterproof. Totally tubular lashes. I'm in love!

With each application, this game-changing mascara forms water-resistant tubes 360 degrees around your lashes. So high tech! The modest yet precise brush is deceptive because it really grabs lashes at the roots and lengthens even the most shy & puny lashes for the look of a naturally dark, lush and lovely lash line. Did I mention it adds volume, as well? What doesn’t it do?

Well, the just-applied-looking formula dries clump-free immediately (no messes!) and won’t smudge or smear as the day or night goes on. Pinky promise.

More wonderful than waterproof, when it comes time to say goodnight, the tubes gently and easily slide off with just warm water. Yes, you read that right. No makeup remover needed. Just warm water. You won’t have raccoon eyes and there won’t be a remnant one as evidence of your totally tubular evening.

I’m still in shock at how much I love this product. I’d tried the tubular mascaras of yesterday and they left a sour taste in my mouth and black rings around my eyes.

Not Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara, my friend. This is MAGIC MASCARA!!!!

So much so that I just had to share it with you! This is the ideal mascara for brides, athletes, career women, moms and/or anyone going to a funeral/wedding/graduation or through a breakup.

I think that just about covered all of us, didn’t it?

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: Have you tried tubular mascaras before? 

 

 

 

Blown Away by Blow Angels

Oh Blow Angels! You had me at $29 blowout.

Blow Angels - I designate thee, The Primping Palace

Blow Angels - I designate thee, The Primping Palace

And then you add parking in the back, mint-infused spa water, talented stylists and superb customer service?
Oh no. Now I’m really in love.

You see, I love to love. I really do. But when it comes to primping salons, I have been broken-hearted a few times.

Not this time, Romeo. This time, Cupid’s arrow has made a match.

I have found the ultimate primping palace that won’t pummel your pocketbook.

And I’m reallllly excited about it? Seeeee!

BF Really Excited!

BF Really Excited! I mean, this was my hair 4 hours after my visit!

And not one of my friends knows about this beauty mecca so I feel like I’m Oprah debuting one of my favorite things to the world. Or at least, in this case, to my friends and readers.

YOU get a blowout! YOU get lashes! YOU get makeup!

And all for under $30 each!
Now, that’s just something I can feel good about. Right?

Here’s the scoop:

From the ladylike, Tiffany-robin’s egg-blue and white theme to the master stylists who do truly exceptional work, I am seriously blown away by Blow Angels.

The thrones at The Primping Palace that is Blow Angels

The thrones at The Primping Palace that is Blow Angels

I decided to get the works for my Hotel Cafe show on a Saturday night. My family was in town and I was going to be onstage and visiting with tons of people so I really needed to look my best!

I told the Angels this. I felt a little bit like Charlie from Charlie’s Angels to be honest.

“Angels, I have an assignment for you. I need glamorous hair, makeup and lashes that will last as long as I do this evening.”
The Blow Angels, Libni and Ziggy accepted their challenge.

In a little under an hour and a half, I was walking out with gorgeous, Jaclyn Smith/Farrah Fawcett winged hair, Victoria’s Secret Angel-worthy runway makeup and faux lashes that didn’t look false at all – just lush, lush, lush.

BF's Angels: Libni and Ziggy
 BF’s Angels: Libni (hair) and Ziggy (makeup)

And all for UNDER $100!!! No, you’re not imagining things. The styled, voluminous blowout was $29, the makeup $30 and the lashes $15. Wowsers.

FYI, I got the Angels Blow – seen here:

Blow Angels - Angels Blow

Blow Angels - Angels Blow

As I was leaving, I told them (yes, really), that I felt like I needed to get in my car and sing that famous ditty from West Side Story, “I Feel Pretty”. Um, I think I may have lost them there.

But you know what isn’t lost on me? Talented stylists who love what they do and make me love the way I look..if only for a night!

At dinner – 4 hours later –

Flaunthing my angel's wings with my friend, Jenn

Flaunthing my angel's wings with my friend, Jenn

And, guess what, 8 hours later, I still felt like singing the “pretty” song.

My angelic 'do - 7 hours later

My angelic 'do - 7 hours later

Thank you, Blow Angels!!

I’ll see you soon with another “Angels assignment”.

xoxo,
BF

p.s. It was also an added bonus when I said “Gosh, I’m nervous! I could really use a glass of wine.” And the angels heard me and brought me a glass of chocolate-infused red wine. Is that you, God? It’s me, deliriously delighted Dawn.

*
BF Asks: Have you ever tried Blow Angels? Or how ’bout just “winged” angel hair? Dying to hear your answers, angels! 

Darphin 8-Flower Nectar: A BeautyFrosting Hall of Fame product

Darphin 8-flower nectar is a princess among princes.

I love Darphin. I think it’s extremely underrated and underused. Especially for the quality of product they’re offering and (!!!) the fact that it comes dressed in Tiffany-ready boxed bliss.

Daprhin 8-Flower Nectar

This little beauty is not cheap ($150 for .5 ozs that should last you about 2-3 months) but, let me tell you, its results are worth every penny.

As we have covered before, beauties, I looooove oil. I think it’s the most important ingredient in your skincare recipe. Have you added it to yours yet?

If not, meet the creme de la creme of beauty oils.

This is not the oil you start with. This is the oil you arrive at. The Bentley of oils.

This is oil for skin in serious need of renewal, replenishment and rehydration.

(If you need a lighter or more pocket-friendly oil, see here or let me know, and we’ll fix you up). But I couldn’t go another day without telling you about one of my all-time favorite products!

There are lots of oils around the same price point as this little Darphin luxury.

But I have yet to meet an oil as rich, moisturizing, age-defying and youth-blossoming as this one. Darphin’s 8-Flower Nectar is a perfect cocktail of essential vitamins, omega 3 and 6, iris extract, avocado oil and jasmine. It smells buttery and floral (just like my Nanny’s garden did) and is the perfect nightcap to your beauty routine.

I apply it right after my bath, following patting my face dry. It’s my first step on most nights (except those on which I’m exfoliating or using an anti-aging serum). Then it’s on to eye cream and moisturizer.

As you can see here, I’m running low on mine. And this makes me very, very sad.

Darphin 8-Flower Nectar

So what can you expect with this little Darphin gem? Well, there have been times I woke up the next morning, after applying it, and swore I looked 5 years younger. Here are some other words that come up when asking me, my clients and friends about the 8-Flower Nectar:

Magical. Glowing. Clarity. Luxury. Detoxifying. Moisturized. Youthful. Fine line-fighter. Dewy. Beauty potion. Secret weapon. Reverses aging.

It does ALL that. Yes, really.

I also like applying a drop in the morning (after rubbing between my fingertips) to my face – starting under the eye area and on my cheekbones. It’s beautiful for dry skin in need of a boost under makeup!

Try it and let me know what you think.

Beauty and a little renewed youth are but a click away.

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: Have you added an oil to your beauty recipe yet?


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