FALL SWEETNESS: HONEYED HUES OF MERLOT AND HEATHER

COLOR OF THE WEEK: MERLOT!  

PERFECT FOR FALL!

P.A.R.O.S.H. Long Sleeve Shift Dress - $293

Bootights Elevators - $28

Liliana Footwear Black Audrie Knee-High Boot - $34

H&M Wool hat - $31

Pinghe Lila Mongolian Lamb Fur Gilet - $1,475

Athleta Lux City Scarf - $52

Pre-owned Coach Park Colorblock Carrie Tote Bag - $176

Prada Square-frame acetate sunglasses - $255

THAT'S MY TAKE...  WHAT'S YOUR HUE?

DIY LIP STAIN!

For those of you concerned about what chemicals and impurities in cosmetics and beauty products, this is a homemade berry lip stain that actually works! It truly gives the perfect “just-bitten” hint of color to any pale lip! 

Here’s how to DIY:

INGREDIENTS: 3 Blackberries, 1 Raspberry, 3 Pomegranate Seeds, 1/2 teaspoon edible oil (Extra Virgin Olive Oil works best), a small Bowl + Spoon (or mortar + pestle if you have them), Fork or Sifter to drain, small 5-gram Pot/Jar with screw top from any craft store.

STEP 1: Mash the blackberries and raspberry in the bowl thoroughly with the back of your spoon.

STEP 2: Add the pomegranate juice into the mixture by individually squeezing them between your thumb and index fingers over the bowl.

STEP 3: Pour the olive oil into the bowl and stir everything together with your spoon.

STEP 4: Finish by draining the liquid from the mixture into your small portable jar.

For application, use your fingers, a lip brush or a Q-tip. 

It’ll only be good for a few days so refrigerate it for longevity. 

Have a ball with a bunch of different berries!  

Try blueberries, or Pomegranate or cranberries!

You’ll get the most color payoff from the blackberries, though-- promise.

>>MORE INFO HERE<< 

THE SCOOP: Hard Candy GLOW ALL THE WAY Tanner/Bronzer

NOTE:  THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST!  I JUST WANT TO SHARE MY HONEST REVIEW OF A PRODUCT I HAPPEN TO LOVE!  :)
 
At first glance, I raised a skeptical eyebrow at HARD CANDY GLOW ALL THE WAY in "Tropical Tan" because of its use of the gimmicky "real 24K gold". 

I hate gimmicks. However... 

I am a make-up artist, body paint artist and photographer based in Sunny South FL, and tend to partake in a lot of creative beach shoots... 
I was on a budget and needed a last minute gold or bronze shimmer for a photo shoot, STAT!
At just $8 bucks for a 2.7 ounce tube of some serious sparkle, I decided to take a chance. 
It also appealed to my curious sensibility that this product is a gradual self tanner and an instant bronzer hybrid.

When Hard Candy states "Glow All The Way", they mean it!! Holy Golden Goddess! 

 Above Photo Courtesy of ShopGlamour

I found this to be perfect for a light bronze body paint alternative for this shoot, and a CHEAPER alternative, too. 
Plus the models looked dazzling, dripping in gold in the South Beach sun. 
I must say I noticed those gold flecks while shooting. Impressive. 
It photographs very well, even in the South FL sun; another pleasant surprise. 
It looks like a deep olive tan but with loads of sparkle! 

For the end of Summer, I'd Pair Glow All the Way in Tropical Tan with some Snazzy Neon nails...

Base color: Orly – Tropical Pop; Darker orange: Sally Girl polish from Sally Beauty Supply.

See More cool summer polish at http://PolishMeSnazzy.com

I wouldn't recommend Glow All the Way tanner/bronzer for day time use, unless for an outdoor summer soiree, or it can be lightly applied to the cheek bones and eyelids for contouring post-primer. 

Also, it's best for those who already have an olive or golden undertone (not pink) to their skin. 
If you do have a pink undertone, try it in combination with a BB/CC cream, or with Hard Candy's Sheer Glow All the Way In the Buff "Soft Glow Illuminator", as shown below-- Otherwise you'll look like Snooky (no offense to the fist pumping Jersey girls out there)!

Hard Candy's Glow All the Way Hybrid instant bronzer and gradual self-tanner in Tropical Tan, however, is perfect for night time beach and club outings. It's radiant and will last all night. 
It's thicker than I'd imagined since it contains some form of foundation in it, which was fine for the purpose I used it: To add the tan look to the models without it appearing "faked", which the product succeeded at beyond my expectations (as shown below)...

 Model: KittyCafe's Kimberly Visit KittyCafe >>HERE<<

MakeUp: MU by Priscilla; Styling/Body Paint by Sapphire Ice

This product glides on smoothly, BUT you have to really be careful about applying too much, as this hybrid is not like its thinner gel-based self-tanner counterparts.
However, streaking is not as much of an issue with this creamy product as with gel-based self-tanners so long as you rub it in well, and it washes right off with plain soap and water- another plus as opposed to gel-based self-tanners which can take up to 72 hours to come out completely if no balm is used in advance on the dry areas of your skin (i.e., elbows, palms, knees). 

Another thing I noticed, was that it has amazing coverage! One of the models had a nasty bruise on her shin from a soccer game and this self-tanner/bronzer hybrid practically made the bruise unnoticeable, especially with its light deflecting gold flecks. I didn't even find it necessary to use any Dermablend or Smart Cover on her, two products I never do a shoot without. 

Keep in mind, a little bit goes a LONG way with this product. 
Mixing this with a non-tinted moisturizer would be gorgeous for the Spring/Summer and even for Fall evenings. I wouldn't recommend it for the winter, as it would look too unnatural, in my opinion.

If you opt for Hard Candy's Glow All the Way for the winter and you're not golden to olive complected, shoot for their Doll Face Illuminator for fair skin or their Glamazon Bronze Illuminator for medium skin, as shown below to the left of the Tropical Tan, which I used.

Overall, I loved Hard Candy's Glow All the Way Tropical Tan! It serves endless purposes for beach girls, night club goers, and of course for creatives like myself, always in search of affordable, multi-purpose products that can be reused and remain sanitary. 

It smells quite pleasant; almost like cookie dough.  It's not very tasty, though (what? you don't taste your bronzer? lol).  


I will purchase again, no question.