Take good care of your skin! It's your body's largest organ.

I always have skin care on the brain. As a make up artist, I need a good canvas to work on. I've come to realize that most people are unaware of some of the basics of good skin care. You don't need to spend a fortune to get good results but you do have to make skin care part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth.

Since it is summer, let's talk about sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone use at least an SPF 30 all year round.

All kids starting at 6 months of age must have sunscreen of SPF of 30 applied correctly and frequently when they are out in the sun for any length of time. Sunscreen should be applied half an hour before sun exposure and before your child is dressed and reapplied hourly and every time your child gets out of the water.

Now for the adults. If the increased risk of melanoma doesn't scare you maybe some pictures of horribly sun damaged skin will! Yikes!! Up to 90% of skin aging is caused by sun exposure. Don't make the mistake of thinking that tanning beds are any safer of better for your skin. If Snooki can give up tanning beds, so can you!

Dermatologists and Plastic surgeons have been coming up with new procedures to reverse some of the affects of premature aging caused by ultraviolet exposure but they are NOT cheap. Professional laser treatments run thousands of dollars. In comparison, a tube of sunscreen is a bargain.

Most cosmetic day creams have an SPF 15 and are fine for when you are just running from your car to your office, for example. There are also many good hand creams with SPF, very important for avoiding age spots and crepey skin on your hands. The amount of sun that comes through your car window would surprise you! Wearing a lip balm with an SPF or an opaque lipstick will protect your delicate lips.

Here are links to some of my favorite SPF products:

Neutrogena Sun Block, Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 55

Chanel UV Essential Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF 50

Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Stick SPF 60 +

Sun Spray Tanning Rocks!!

My friend Patty Thatcher has a cool new mobile Airbrush Tanning business. She came to my house and tanned me tonight. LOVE the results! I look like I've been in St. Martin for a week minus all the UV skin damage. Patty does parties, brides, special events ..."Anywhere.Anytime.Anyplace".

I HIGHLY recommend Patty, she gives great tan! Sun Spray Tanning, 765-480-0384.

Last Day of Beauty Week at Saks!

I worked at Bobbi Brown today at Saks at the Fashion Mall, Keystone Crossing here in Indy. Bobbi Brown had a very special event: John Hernandez, a member of Bobbi's Beauty Team for 14 years, was here from Atlanta. John does Bobbi's makeup for the Today Show and her appearances on QVC. Cool, right? This is the 2nd time I've been lucky enough to work with John. I've learned something important from him both times. Have to love that.

I had time to take pictures of my last 2 appointments...Kristen and Melanie.

Kristen is a busy mom of 3 young daughters so she doesn't wear very much makeup during her normal day. She wanted me to teach her how to do something fun with her eyes for when she and her husband get a night out.

Kristen's eyes are a beautiful and unusual color: celery, gold and blue. I decided right away that I wanted to really rock out some dramatic liner and keep her lids light. I was thinking a rosy/peachy shade to pop the blue in her eyes. John thought Ivory Eye Shadow all over the lid then Champagne Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow on the lower lid with Sage Metallic eyeshadow in the outer corner of the eye. Lined with Graphite Shimmer gel. I smoked her liner out with the Sage Metallic Eye Shadow then used it for corner detail with the Eye Definer Brush, my fav. Her eyes were mesmerizing! Kristen got lots of compliments on her eyes as soon as I finished her makeup. (YAY) I taught her a new way to use eye liner and of course, my famous mascara trick. The colors John picked were spot on, I guess that's why he makes the Big Bucks :D

Melanie has huge dark brown eyes and loves makeup. I knew we were going to have fun playing with her eyes and we totally did. Under her eyes, I applied Bisque Corrector and the Tinted Eye Brightener in Medium. To cover some red in her complexion I chose the Luminous Moisturizing Foundation, Warm Beige, 3.5. On her eyes: I chose Galaxy Long-Wear Cream Shadow for the lower eyelid. Staying neutral I lined her eyes with Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink. That's when the real party started...Melanie has the perfect eyes and skin colour for the New Bobbi Brights Eye Palette, limited edition. The entire palette is fabulosity! I played with many of the purples, blues and greens on Melanie's beautiful brown eyes for a gorgeous effect.

Thanks for the pretty pics, Kristen & Melanie!

The Clarisonic Brush

The Clarisonic Brush is the best invention since sliced bread! I've bought one for everyone I love. I've even talked my kids doctor into buying one!
The Clarisonic Brush was invented by the same people who make the Sonicare Toothbrush and it totally rocks. After using the brush my skin feels so smooth it's amazing! Anyone who tries the brush falls in love with it right away. The Clarisonic Brush gets your skin cleaner than it's ever been.

Saks Beauty Week.

I worked a really fun and busy event February 27th & 28th at Saks for Chanel. This is Beauty Week at Saks, they have a really cute free bag filled with deluxe samples from all over the department. They have 3 colors of bags and you can pick your favorite with any purchase of $75 or more in cosmetics. It's a really good time to stock up if you need any makeup or soon will! Don't miss out on "Hot House Beauty".

Chanel has the most fabulous new foundation and concealer!! Lift Lumiere, firming and smoothing fluid makeup SPF 15 & Lift Lumiere concealer, Smoothing and Rejuvenating Eye Contour Concealer.
Both are totally the bomb!

Super concentrated, a half a pump of the concealer is more than enough to cover even the darkest under eye circles. It comes in 2 beautiful shades: Rose Lumiere and Abricot Lumiere. The finish of this concealer is so pretty, it dramatically changes the texture of the skin under the eyes making it feel smooth and look velvety.

The Lift Lumiere Fluid comes in 8 colors, they have a perfect match for just about any skin color. Just like the concealer the fluid made every one's skin texture look incredibly better. I am very impressed by these new additions to Chanel's already impressive range of foundations. I thought they were great when they were unveiled at the Progressive training I attended in January but working with them the past 2 days has been fantastic! They did much of my foundation work for me. Another cool feature about both products is the packaging: air tight plastic pumps. The beauty of the pumps is that because they are air tight the product will not go bad or change color, pretty much ever. Perfect for Ladies who have vacation homes (lucky them) these products will remain fresh forever. Of course the plastic is great for anyone who travels or likes to carry their foundation or concealer in their purse.

Go on into your favorite Chanel counter and get a sample in your perfect color ASAP before they run out!

Thanks to Michelle and Kate for letting me take their "Mystic Eyes" pictures for my portfolio.

The Book EVERYONE has to get!

Hey Everyone, This much anticipated book is a must read!
Bobbi has really put all of her many years of beauty experience in this book. It is being used as a text book for makeup at a few colleges.
If there is anything you want to know about makeup, you'll find the answer in this book.
I am getting copies for all of my makeup challenged friends and family!