Glam it Up for the Holidays

Hi there!
Penny here with some last minute tips and products for cool Holiday looks!

It's that time of year when many of us get dolled up to attend holiday parties, shows at the theater, and to be the hottest hostess! So the dilemma becomes...do I go with my typical red lips and sparkly eyes or do I try something new?

Stila, MIND palette

For the company holiday party I did a little bit of classic with a twist (unfortunately my pics didn't come out well). I used my new Stila 'Eyes Are the Window' palette in Mind; these are matte shadows used to create a slightly neutral eye, but I added a touch of shimmer using NYX Roll-on Shimmer Powder in Almond (love this stuff; I put it on the back of my hand then tap onto the eyelid to avoid using too much). I mixed my staple MAC Blush in Harmony with NARS Blush in Sin (which has a slight shimmer).


For my lips I did an ombre, deep red color using Make Up For Ever Lip Liner in 11C Matte Dark Raspberry, Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Prayer, with MAC's Lip Liner in Nightmoth blended from the outer corners in for an ombre effect. The look was completed with MAC's Viva Glam Rihanna 2 lipglass for a slight opulent shimmer. It was cool to see that lip gloss over a red color.

Penny loves this time of year when all the 'limited edition' and new palettes and colors are released. Check out the following if you're in the market for great new eye shadow shades:

• Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar ($49, Sephora)
• STILA Eyes are the Windows Eye Shadow Palettes ($49, Sephora)
• Maybelline The Nudes ($8.99, ULTA; quickly became a Penny staple)
• Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette ($54, ULTA)
• Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Palette ($65, Bloomingdales)
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-con No.7 in The Starlet 204 ($59, Sephora)
• Urban Decay Naked On The Run Palette ($54, Sephora, eyes and cheeks; Penny's fave right now) 

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2

Trending Now:
Metallic lips and eyes in gold, bronze, and pewter
Plum and berry lip colors
Metallic or vampy nails
Smokey eyes with browns, bronze, blues and grays

Classics:
Red or shimmery lips
Sparkly eye shadows

Kat Von D, Prayer

Smokey eyes
Red nails

Check out this beautiful beauty blogger/vlogger and fellow product princess (Cindy Diaz) who posted a beautiful holiday look 'tutorial.' Her blog is: www.vinylblush.com
The step-by-step video is on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRPgTxNMqso
- Check out her video for the 'jewel-toned smokey eye look' too for something different this holiday season.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P

   

Winter Skin Woes

Hello Beautiful!

Penny is not a fan of the Winter season...many of you probably know this. And one reason is because of the havoc it wreaks on my skin. Aside from aggravating my eczema, the cold dry air, or the dry indoor heat causes itchy skin all over. It causes my face to feel dry and my lips to get dry and sometimes cracked. Not only is this not 'pretty' for Penny...but it's uncomfortable. To combat dry, itchy skin I have tried a multitude of products and routines over the years. Yes, many will say I need to drink more water...that's a given...I'm bad at that. I've also been told to use a humidifier at home...and that helps but only a little. Instead, as soon as the weather turns cold  I find myself with the winter woes; having to change my daily routine to help maintain soft, supple, moisturized skin from head to toe. So here's what's been working for me this winter:

Body treatment:
C. Booth Ginger Sugar Body Scrub - One of Penny's faves! Not only do I really like the ginger smell but the sugar buffs my body smooth, and the natural oils makes my skin as soft as a baby's bottom. LOL! This is a staple in my household. ($8.99, ULTA.com)
NOTE: Please be very careful as this product makes for a very slick bathtub/shower floor. Once you safely exit the shower, be sure to scrub the surface with a cleanser as the oil will stay on the surface and create a slippery surface even after it dries. 

Body Gloves

Earth Therapeutics Body Gloves ($6.49, ULTA) - Since I exfoliate daily in the winter months I use these great body gloves to slough off any dead skin cells which preps my skin for the moisturizing treatments that follow. These are easy to use, and inexpensive so you can replace as often as you'd like. I prefer these to the shower 'puffs'  and loofahs because you get better exfoliation and mold  often grows on the puffs at the base of where the rope is tied on (gross!).

Waxelene

Waxelene - A natural alternative to petroleum jelly made of organic soy oil, beeswax, organic rosemary oil and natural Vitamin e. I love the texture and the fact that it absorbs well into the skin. It is a little costly for the size it comes in ($16.99, 9 oz jar). You can find it at your local Whole Foods grocery store or on Amazon.com (sometimes slightly cheaper; $15.49, 9 oz jar on Amazon). I use this nightly mixing in other essential oils at times.

Coconut Oil - Everyone knows that there are many benefits to pure coconut oil. I not only use this in my hair sometimes but I also use it at night in combination with the Waxelene for added skin softening. I bought the Nature's Way brand at Whole Foods ($19, 32 oz jar) and later saw it on Amazon for $17.24 for the same size. Coconut oil is rich in proteins which contributes to cellular health, and tissue repair; which counteracts the damage caused by my eczema. I can even use this on my face at night without breaking out.

• Penny's Perk: Just tried NOW Foods Wheat Germ Oil  for the first time at the recommendation of a friend ($11.69, 16 oz, Amazon.com). I'm not a fan of the smell but will try to use it with my Waxelene at night to see how it works on my eczema. This oil has a heavy fragrance and dark color and should be stored in the refrigerator. Those with wheat allergies should avoid wheat germ oil. 

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