How To Tuesday: 5-Free is the way to be!

The nail world, it's constantly under a microscope or in the news. Should you breathe acrylic dust? Should you have a gel manicure? Is that implement sterilized? The newest topic up for debate: is that polish "5-free"?  What does that even mean?

5-Free is a polish that is completely void of five known toxic ingredients: formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toulene, formaldehyde resin and camphor.

Formaldehyde is a commonly used chemical to preserve and embalm dead animals (and humans). It's vapors are also irritating and can trigger asthma. Formaldehyde is also a known human carcinogen, a factor directly involved in causing cancer.

Dibutyl Phthalate is a commonly used plasticizer and has been linked to cancer. DBP has also been connected to birth defects in studies involving lab animals.

Toluene is a liquid that is used as a solvent and has the familiar smell of paint thinner. You can be exposed to toluene by breathing it in or getting it on your skin, causing irritation. Unfortunately, inhaling high levels of toluene is said to be harmful to your nervous system and can cause light-headedness and nausea. Toluene is a toxin that may also cause birth defects and developmental problems in children of pregnant women who have had extended exposure.

Formaldehyde Resin is a derivative of Formaldehyde, mainly used in production of coatings and adhesives. It is not as toxic as Formaldehyde but can be an allergen.

Camphor is a poison that can cause seizures and disorientation if used in large doses. This chemical acts as a cover on your nails, depriving them of nutrients and causing yellow staining on your nails.

While the odds are slim that polishes containing these ingredients will hurt you (polish sits on top of your nails, which aren't made of living tissue, so it's not likely to be absorbed into your bloodstream), you are still breathing it in. Also it is good to know what exactly is in the products that you're using.

So which brands are 5-free? Here are my top 5 favorite ones:

Zoya $9 (zoya.com)

Deborah Lippmann $18 (deborahlippmann.com)

Julep $14 (julep.com)

Chanel $27 (chanel.com)

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics $10 (occmakeup.com)

Are any of my readers 5-Free? Are you going to start? What brand is your favorite? I can't wait to hear from you.

Love|Makeup|Nails,

Alexis

Subscription Day!

So I'm sure all of you have seen or heard about subscription boxes.  For a certain fee a month a company will delivery you a box of goodies, and they have become quite the craze. Why not..who doesn't like getting fun things in the mail?! You can get a subscription for just about anything: jewelry, clothes, food and of course beauty products.  I personal have tried Birchbox and Love With Food and I currently have accounts with Popsugar, Julep and Ipsy.

Today I decided to show you what I received in my April Popsugar Must Have box. This subscription goes for about $40 a month and it is totally worth it! April's box contained products that totaled $126, not too shabby.

Dabney Lee Dottie Umbrella $20:

"With an umbrella as adorable as this, we're welcoming Spring showers with open arms. Plus, the auto open-and-close feature and quick-drying fabric are sure to make any outdoor adventure enjoyable, rain or shine."

One Love Organics Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum $39:

"We're addicted to this luxurious serum that takes moisture to the next level. Infused with antioxidants and other superstar ingredients, it has a subtle fragrance of gardenia and offers nourishing effects for softer skin all over."

Produce Candles Rhubarb Spring Candle $20:

"Bring the farm stand home to you with this sweet smelling rhubarb candle. Crafted in Charleston, SC, with natural soy wax, this candle crop will fill a room with the scent of fresh rhubarb on a crisp Spring day."

Flip & Tumble 24-7 Bag $12:

"From bag to , this 24-7 reusable bag compacts in a pinch- no folding or zipping necessary. Made of a reliable ripstop nylon, it's perfect for the market and carries all your essentials with ease!"

Potting Shed Creations Garden-in-a-Bag Basil $10:

"Homegrown fresh spices just got easier with Garden-in-a-Bag Basil. No chopping or mincing required- enjoy the miniature leaves straight off the plant for flavorful dishes year-round."

Special Extra! Mott 50 $25 Gift Card:

"With fashion and function in mind, Mott 50 created a lightweight clothing line with a 50 ultraviolet protection factor to combat harmful UVA and UVB rays."

I love everything about this box and I can't wait to put it to good use. Do you have any subscription boxes? Which ones do you have, and why do you love them?  I cant wait to hear from you.

Love|Makeup|Nails,

Alexis

How to get a flawless look in 10 minutes and only 7 products

Did you over sleep today? How about everyday?  Well if you are like most people this does happen from time to time.  However just because you may feel well-rested you might not look well-rested and the last thing you want to do is spend forever on your makeup. Well below I have a quick and easy look that anyone can wear. 

Step 1:  apply your favorite foundation

 Step 2: fill in your brows

Step 3: apply a shadow or tinted primer all over your eyelid

Step 4: apply your favorite eyeliner

Step 5: apply your favorite mascara

Step 6: apply your favorite bronzer or blush to the apple of your cheeks

Step 7: apply your favorite lipstick or lipgloss

It really is as simple as that and it can be done in as little as 10 minutes!  

I can't wait to hear if this works for you and if it took 10 minutes or not.  Let me know what your favorite products were to create this simple look.  

Love|Makeup|Nails,

Alexis

How To Tuesday: Clean Those Brushes

Makeup brushes...we all have them and we love to use them. However, how often do you clean them?  If it took you more then 30 seconds to answer that then you are not cleaning them enough.  Brushes are an investment and you want them to last.  Cleaning your brushes weekly will not just help maintain the lifespan of the brush, it also helps stop the spread of bacteria.  Dirty brushes contain old makeup, dirt and debris, dead skin cells and oil.   If you keep on using these with all of your makeup you are just creating a giant bacteria breeding ground and problem skin for yourself down the road, gross.

However all of this can be avoided with regular cleanings.  Wash them at night and they will be dry and ready for use the next morning.  All you need to clean them is a brush cleaner or baby shampoo and a sponge, olive oil, and rubbing alcohol.

How to clean brushes:

•brush cleaner- thanks to a dear friend who gave me this as part of a gift I have been using blendercleasner solid by Beauty Blender.   It's an amazing product and so simple to use.  Wet you brushes with lukewarm water and twirl the bristles directly onto the soap.  Rinse the brush with water until it runs clear and no longer feels soapy.  Be sure to avoid getting water past the shaft( metal part) of the brush, this prevents rusting and having your bristles fall out.  Squeeze out the excess water and place your brushes on a clean, dry towel to air dry for about 6-8 hours.

•baby shampoo and a sponge-  the process is pretty much the same.  Wet a clean sponge with lukewarm water and squeeze some baby shampoo onto the center of it.  Wet brush and swirl the bristles into the shampoo. Rinse with water until it runs clear and no longer feels soapy.  Squeeze out excess water and lay on a towel to dry.

•olive oil- if you have brushes that have waterproof makeup on them or gel liner, this is your secret weapon.  Pour a little olive oil into a paper towel.  Swirl your brush into the oil to remove the stubborn makeup.  Proceed to wash your brush with your cleansing routine of choice.

•alcohol- after your have cleaned all your brush and let them dry you want to clean the handles.  Pour some rubbing alcoh onto a paper towel and simply wipe down the handles.

There you have it, simple yet effective ways to clean your brushes.  I hope this helps you ladies out. Let me know if you have any other tips that you would like to share. Happy cleaning!

Love|Makeup|Nails,

Alexis

How To Tuesday: Rock that nude lip!

Nude lips, they were all over the red carpet at the Grammys.  They are the perfect pair to a bold eye and they are the finishing touch to a flawless natural look.  However achieving a great natural lip is not as easy as just swiping on some Chapstick and calling it a day.  Pick a shade too dark and you look like you just got done eating a chocolate bar. Pick a shade too light and you end up looking like a corpse.  Here are some guidelines to help you achieve the perfect nude lip.

Know your skin tone:

Find a shade the flatters your complexion.  It should freshen your skin, not wash you out.  If you have lighter skin, think soft pink like a ballerina's leotard or tights.  For medium skin, go for a color that has peach undertones and is a shade darker then your actual skin tone. This way you won't look like you're wearing concealer.  For dark skin, opt for a milk or dark chocolate shade.

Prep the lip:

Nude does not look good on chapped lips.  Be sure to exfoliate with a lip scrub to give yourself a smooth canvas to work on.

Gloss or Matte:

When wearing a nude lip you want to be able to tell the difference between your skin and your lips.  Are you more of a matte foundation girl? Then go with a glossy nude.  Do you prefer a more dewy, luminous complexion? Then try out a matte nude.

When in doubt, test it out:

Nude lipsticks (or any makeup for that matter) can look completely different from the tube to your skin.  Be sure to test colors out on the back of your hand to see how it looks against your skin.

So now that you have your guidelines, will you dare to go nude in public?  Have you found your perfect shade?  Let me know in the comments below.

Love|Makeup|Nails,

Alexis

How To Tuesday: Contouring

Contouring...we seem to hear that word everyday thanks to a dreaded reality star and I am always asked for tips on it from friends, family, and clients.  So what exactly is contouring?

Contouring is giving shape to an area of the face and enhancing the facial structure through makeup.  It's not supposed to be noticeable—just a subtle definition.   

So now that we know what contouring is, how do we do it.  Before we get to technique though let's come up with a quick product list.  You will want two foundation shades-one a shade lighter and one a shade deeper then your skin tone. You'll also need a brush.  I prefer a fan brush, it prevents you from being heavy handed with product.

Now for technique:

Take your deeper shade or bronzer and sweep it from your forehead to your cheek and down to your jawline in a "3" shape.

With your lighter shade or highlighter sweep a crescent or a "C" from your brow bone to down and across the top of your cheekbone.

Now, blend, blend, blend!

So that is basic, natural contouring.  I can't wait to hear and see your contouring stories and hopefully you try out some of these tips.

Love|Makeup|Nails,

Alexis

Transformation Thursday

I had some time on my hands this morning so I thought I would give you a quick and simple look that you can use both day and night.

Step 1: prime skin

Step 2: apply foundation, I used Temptu Airpod in 003 warm ivory

Step 3: fill in brows, I used Smashbox Brow Tech to go in Brunette

Step 4: apply shadow from lash line to crease, I used Make Up For Ever artist shadow ME-612

Step 5: apply shadow under the brow and the inner corner of the eye, I used Make Up For Ever artist shadow I-514

Step 6: apply liner to the waterline, I used Make Up For Ever graphic liner

Step 7: apply mascara

Step 8: apply blush to the upper cheekbone and blend towards the temples, I used Make Up For Ever artist shadows I-808 and S-748

Step 9: apply lipstick and gloss, I used Make Ip For Ever rouge artist natural N4 and lab shine D14

To take this look from day to night I would just apply a darker lipstick.  Let me know if you try this look with products that you already have and be sure to take pictures.

Love|Makeup|Nails,

Alexis