Category Archives: beauty

Beauty on a Budget Tip #1

Baby wipes are great for removing makeup. The best ones are cotton and fragrance free. My favorite wipes are Parent’s Choice Organic Baby Wipes (Walmart, around $2 for one pack or $8 for a wholesale box of 6 packs). These biodegradable wipes are made with organic cotton. If you want to “splurge” a little, Pamper’s Sensitive Wipes (drugstores, around $3 for a tub of 60 or $13 for a wholesale box of 6 packs). These alcohol free cotton wipes are hypoallergenic and soothes irritated skin with chamomile.

Marissa’s Pick of the Week!

Ick! Acne! It never fails to surprise me. There are times when my skin is flawless and smooth as butter. In the summer, it just feels like butter was spread all over my face. My

favorite remedy? Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and Body (Clinique, $12.50). This is by far the best acne targeted soap I’ve used. It also comes in liquid form, but I’m partial to bars. They last longer, it costs less, and you get more product for your buck. Think of how much water is added to liquid soaps, yet they are more expensive. ??? I don’t get it either.

Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar can be used on most problematic skin types due to it’s mild salicylic acid formula. (If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor. Salicylic acid is known to cause birth defects and complications.) My skin literally squeaks after cleansing with this bar. After one wash I notice an improvement in my skin’s condition. It’s recommended that you either only use this bar once a day (I prefer night so my skin can regenerate at it’s cleanest time.) Or every other day. If your skin is extremely oily (you can go through a pack of blotting sheets in a day) it’s okay to use twice a day every day. No matter how often you use this acne bar, remember to always follow up with toner and most importantly, MOISTURIZER. Remember, oily skin that doesn’t moisturize WILL produce more oil.

Makeup Mondays: Pink!


Until a few months ago the color pink made me uncomfortable. It was so feminine, so demure, so “girly.” To me, “girly” was a bad thing. It meant giddy, air headed, boy crazy and shallow; everything I didn’t want to be. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I would tell people “no pink please,” in fear that she would inherit those traits by simply wearing the color. Well, just a few weeks ago I admitted to the Facebook world that I liked pink! What really triggered my admiration for the color was Aaron de Mey’s debut color line for Lancome, Pink Irreverence.

I was practically forced into liking pink. As I looked through my Lancome spring business planner, I stopped jaws dropped on the pages gushing with hot pinks and sparkly blacks. I could hardly contain my excitement…for pink? A couple months later the line launched, and I was surprised to find out that I actually looked good in it! I then declared that anyone can wear pink. It’s just a matter of finding the perfect shade for you.

I would go into detail about how to chose and wear the right pink for you, but cosmetiholic already interviewed me for this very subject. I was featured on her “Makeup Artist Monday” article back in June. You can view the blog here: http://cosmetiholic.com/2009/05/31/makeup-artist-monday-marissa-rhoades.aspx
Here are some of my favorite pinks:

Eye shadow:

Lips:

  • “Bamboo Pink” Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick by Clinique ($14),
  • “Rock Icon Fuchsia” Color Fever Lipstick ($25), and “Electric Pink La Laque Fever Gloss ($26) by Lancome
  • Posie Tint Lip and Cheek Stain by Benefit ($28)


Blush:

  • Iced Lotus” Blushing Blush by Clinique ($18.50)
  • “Rose Fresque” Blush Subtil and “Shimmer Pink Pool” Blush Subtil Shimmer by Lancome ($29.50)
  • “Thrrrob” cheeck powder by Benefit ($28)

Marissa’s Pick of the Week


La Base Pro by Lancome (www.lancome-usa.com, $42) is a must have for anyone who wears foundation. I have La Base Pro at home and in my freelance box. This silicone based makeup primer is oil free and has a satiny smooth texture.

Using a makeup base is important to keep your skin healthy. The benefits of adding this extra step to your makeup routine are worth the end result. Not only does this oil free formula help to reduce shine, but the silicone sets a canvas on top of your skin to prevent your foundation from absorbing into your pores. Think of La Base Pro as a shield filling in pores and fine lines so nothing can slip through the cracks. Your makeup color stays truer longer, while your skin stays protected.
Applying La Base Pro is very easy, but there are some tricks that will help you love this product even more. One pump is enough for your entire face. It may not seem like it, but its silky consistency spreads well.
  1. Pump the product onto one hand.
  2. Dip a finger from the opposite hand into the base only acquiring a small amount, then blot on your forehead.
  3. Repeat this again dotting your cheeks and chin.
  4. Using your index and middle finger gently blend the base with a light touch until you getthe coverage you desire. Try to be as quick as possible without rubbing too hard.
  5. Wait 60 seconds before applying the foundation of your choice.
If you see rolling ( the product collecting and rolling off your skin), there may be one of a few things wrong.
  • you are rubbing it in too hard
  • you are taking too long to apply the product and it’s starting to dry while you are still blending
  • you didn’t wait long enough before applying foundation
  • you didn’t cleanse tone and moisturize your face before applying La Base Pro
  • you need to exfoliate using a face scrub or pad
La Base Pro is safe for all skin types and great for all foundations (including mineral makeup). I use it on myself and all my clients. I personally would rather not wear foundation than wear foundation without a makeup primer.