DIY Lime Coconut Sugar Scrub

This is the time of year when my skin always seems to be the driest. Coincidentally, it's also the time of year when I feel the most desperately in need of a tropical vacation. It is fortunate then that I recently discovered how easy it is to make a sugar scrub using coconut oil. The basic recipe is as simple as it sounds: just mix sugar and coconut oil together and it's done. Adding lime zest and essential oil takes the scrub to another level. You will feel like you've been transported to the tropics, and you will have the smoothest, softest skin ever.

My Pregnancy Skincare Routine

While I've been blessed thus far with a generally complication free pregnancy, I have had occasional struggles with my complexion. Either this was just more of an issue during the first trimester or I have finally figured out the right combination of products for my skin, because my face has been more or less clear of blemishes for the past few weeks. Several people have complimented me on my "glow," which I attribute at least in part to my new beauty regimen. Check out my favorite pregnancy skincare products below!

Fall Inspired Lipstick Shades

Now that is getting chilly out, my summer glow is long gone and it's time to change up my makeup routine. I find that deep berry lipstick shades look great with a fair complexion and really seem perfect for the fall and winter season. Read on to check out a few of my favorite shades this year.

Make-up Inspired by Tilda Swinton for NARS

As promised, here's my attempt at being Tilda for a day. I ended up using foundation with a touch of pink lipstick on my lips to get the right effect. Otherwise my tools were pretty much as the same as I predicted on Monday. But let's be real. It's not even a contest. My god, her skin is ethereal. But I do think I came as close as a mere mortal could hope to be. Let me know what you think in the comments! 

Beauty Inspiration: Tilda Swinton as the New Face of Nars

source

If you are familiar with the blog at all, than you already know that I have a total fashion crush on Tilda Swinton. Well, be still my heart, Tilda has been named the new "face" of NARS cosmetics.

Not surprisingly, she looks phenomenal. What's really nice about her look in the initial campaign is that it is so wearable for anyone. Just about any complexion looks great with a nude lip and a little liquid liner!

Fall High Five

Over the summer, I was pretty much going au naturale with my nails. But now that it's officially fall, I'm excited to get back into the spirit of things with seasonal nail polish shades that pull my entire look together! Here are a few of my favorite shades for fall:

Marc Jacobs High Shine Laquer in Tree Bark Brown

Product Review: DIY Spa Treatments by masque BAR

As more natural and bare make-up trends are sweeping the runways, the importance of amazing looking skin is greater than ever. Samantha and I recently tried a new line of high-quality and affordable facial masks from masque BAR. The line features two specialized treatments that can help enhance skin’s look, feel and texture – the Brightening Sheet Mask and the Anti-Blemish Mud Mask. Read on to see what we thought!

The Best Beauty Trend Ever From NYFW (Lazy Girls Rejoice)!

Custo Barcelona

This season NYFW beauty is all about athletic inspiration and the natural lip. Slicked back hair and/or a natural, lip-balm nude lip dominated the runways over the weekend. Which is fabulous, because what could be easier than that? I mean, as a new mom I am thrilled that I will be able to hop out of the shower, brush my wet hair into a ponytail, smear on some lip balm and a swipe of mascara and BOOM, I am instantly stylish! Read on for more examples of this simple, yet pretty look anyone can do.

Weekend Beauty Roundup

Ah, Labor Day Weekend, the last hurrah of summer. Time to take that last road trip or stay in town and BBQ it up right. Either way, you want to look good. To help you look your best, we have rounded up some of our favorite beauty links to help you in the process. Read on to find out how to create the perfect cat-eye, how to perfect your "bare face," and more!

source

Spotlight: Cream Eyeshadow

Having a seven week old baby has made me seriously rethink my makeup routine. Right now I am still at home on maternity leave, so most days I go without makeup entirely. Let me just tell you this does not do wonders for my self esteem. I find that when I force myself to eek out a moment to do just a little something, I feel a thousand times better about my appearance and that has a positive effect on the rest of my day. Needless to say, this does not involve a full face of makeup, not even a half-face, really. Aint nobody got time for that. What I need is a quick fix that offers dramatic results in 30 seconds or less. Enter cream eyeshadow.

Road Test: Makeup Brush Cleaner vs Shampoo

I have been needing to clean out my cosmetic brushes for quite some time, but hey, I've been busy. This week when I finally got around to doing it, I realized how many brushes I have and how little brush soap was left in my bottle. Needless to say I was in no mood to run to the mall just for a little brush cleanser. Then I remembered that a friend working in the cosmetics industry told me I could use shampoo to clean out my makeup brushes. I thought it would be a perfect chance to test the shampoo against my remaining cleanser.

Pucker Up: Seven Summer Lipsticks

Summer time heat is not always kind to your carefully applied makeup, not to mention the fact that you probably don't even feel like putting any makeup on that sweaty mug in the first place. So why not take a cue from celebrities like Miley Cyrus (say what you will, but the girl has her beauty game on lockdown) and ditch the full face of makeup for a great pair of sunglasses and a statement lip?

Summer Scents

Summer heat calls for light, refreshing perfumes that won't overwhelm, and let's face it, stink when you sweat. I have never been a fan of musky, heady perfumes so these lighter citrusy fragrances are right up my alley. Here are six summer fragrances that will leave you feeling fresh and sweet smelling, even on the hottest of summer days:

Shine On

CFDA Fashion Icon Rihanna was shinin' bright like a diamond at the CFDA awards Monday night. And like most things Rihanna does, I thought, "if that broad can do it, so can I!"

source

Summer Beauty Essentials

It's warming up fast, in fact this weekend was downright muggy. That means its time to update your beauty regimen to correspond to the toasty temperatures and cruel humidity. Read on to find out what you need in your medicine cabinet to get you through this heady summer season!

Beauty Inspiration: Penelope Tree

I love Penelope Tree's look. Her messy fringe, her cartoonish eyeliner, her nude lip. She's just so much fun! Not only that, it's a great look for summer. So skip the foundation, brush on a little bronzer, line em' up and curl the bejesus out of those lashes! Why not make like a Tree and preen?

source

Six Bronzers That Will Make You Feel Like a Sun Goddess

Santigold for Smashbox

I have been a fan of Santigold's unique brand of pop/hip-hop (hip-pop?) for about five years. Her music is fun, and makes me feel kind of bad-ass, which I like. As far as style goes, she's definitely not afraid to experiment, and she's kind of a tom-boy, which I also like. So what's not to like about a Santigold/Smashbox mashup? Nothin. That's what.

image via Shaxinart

How to Grow Out a Pixie: A Learning Curve

So I have decided to grow out this mop of mine, at least to a short bob style and then we will go from there. I know this is something many gals go through so I thought I would document the process in hopes that others can learn from my mistakes and possibly get ideas for cute ways to style an always awkward stage in hair history.

I take most of my hair growing cues from Michelle Williams, who has gone from pixie to bob flawlessly. I mean, really, she can do no wrong. She, like me, started out very short. Here she is killing it in a Louis Vuitton ad from a few months ago. She actually has a chin length bob now, but I love this in-between point. It makes me want to go blond. But I digress.

Winterize Your Skin

I have the driest skin ever. I mean, it's ridiculous how much I can exfoliate this mug and still have a flaky shnoz at the end of the workday. I have been on a mission this winter to figure out the correct formula of exfoliant+moisturizer=skin that stays in one place, and I think I have finally done it. To save you a load of time and frustration, I'm going to share with you the tricks I have learned and the products that work for me. FYI I have combination skin. That means I have oily areas next to dry regions living nonsensically all over my face.

Just so you know, this works for me, but you may want to personalize your routine. Nordstrom is having a Winter Beauty Event this weekend. Hit them up for some free samples and expert advise.

Here is my face jam:

I wash my face everyday with Cetaphil, which is available at any drugstore.