This may not be the most flattering picture of Jada Pinkett Smith, but this outfit is perfect for spring and summer
The outfit is simple, white tank, pink denim, and polka dot shoes. This look is casual yet polished. It could be worn pretty much anywhere during the day.
There are many guys who don’t think that they can benefit from a good skin care routine. They probably look at their wives, girlfriends, mothers, sisters, or any other woman in their lives and feel that skin care is too time consuming. Skin care is important for people of all ages, yes even children. I mean look at Pharrell, he’s looked the same since 1990, yes it is genetics and some type of secret water that he drinks (I kid), but it’s also because he takes care of his skin. So gentleman, here are three simples steps that you can use to make sure your face does not feel like sand paper. I’m sure your girlfriend will thank me later.
Look for products according to your skin type. Please refrain from using the soap designated for washing your body alone. A good cleanser can make help prevent acne and irritated skin. It can even your complexion, brighten your skin, and make your skin feel silky smooth.
Vaseline or your typical body lotion. A good moisturizer pretty much seals the deal with your skin care. It can help your skin feel supple all throughout the day. It could also help prevent acne, even complexion, and soothe skin after irritation. A good moisturizer also has SPF. Sun exposure is serious, and if you are a guy that is very active with outdoor sports SPF it is especially important. So look for a moisturizer that is light weight with at least SPF 15-30.
Most guys suffer from in grown hairs irritated skin because of their razors. Invest in a razor according to your skin type and the coarseness of your beard. Also use a moisturizing shave gel to help soothe your skin during the shaving process, which can take a toll on your skin.
Although the weather hasn’t been consistently warm as one would like it is still spring and NIVEA has some tips that will have our skin looking fresh and feeling renewed.
“Exfoliate rough skin over from winter weather to reveal softer, touchably smooth skin, just in time for spring. Reach for NIVEA’s Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub with Hydra IQ technology that contains peeling particles that cleanse by gently removing loose dead skin revealing silky renewed skin.
“Apply lotion immediately after the showering to lock in even more moisture. Be sure to pat your skin with a towel until dry instead of rubbing it to prevent irritated skin. Try NIVEA’s Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion with Q10, proven to firm and tighten skin’s surface in as little as two weeks. It’s formulate with HYDRA IQ Technology that supports skin’s own hydration network to unleash non-stop moisture, lasting more than 24 hours.
“Did you know keeping lips hydrate is the best way to maintain a plump pout? Moisturize your pucker, and add a pretty Spring shade to your look with NIVEA Kiss of Care & Color, formulate with a moisturizing core of nourishing Pro-Vitamin B5 and Shea Butter.
I am a faithful user and believer in most NIVEA products. Just last week I told you all how some NIVEA products helped get my skin back in order after a muddy and physical challenge. I love the Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub and the Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion with Q10 does help tone. My only wish is that NIVEA begin to incorporate spf in their lip products and will officially be hooked!
Tell us how you incorporate NIVEA into your beauty routines to help get the perfect spring look. Share your favorite beauty tips with NIVEA on Facebook and Twitter using the #NIVEA Hashtag.
Disclosure: The products in the picture were provided by NIVEA. All ideas and opinions expressed about the products are my own.
It’s almost that time of year again, it’s time for the Makeup Show NYC. On May 4th and 5th the Makeup Show NYC will feature over 80 exhibitors such as Make Up For Ever, MAC, Stila, Bdellium Tools, Ofra Cosmetics, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Kevin Aucoin, NARS Cosmetics, and more! Click here for the full exhibitors list
The Makeup Show is your chance to not only get some of your staple products or refill your makeup kits, it is also a great place to learn. The creators of the Makeup Show want to provide a total experience. So not only are you afforded the opportunity to connect with brands and get exclusive items debuted at the Makeup Show, you can also learn how to perfect your craft and learn more about the makeup industry with a series of workshops, seminars, and keynote speakers.
Top- Orlando Santiago, Danessa Myricks, Ashunta Sheriff
Bottom- James Vincent, Merrell Hollis, Kabuki
Some of the keynote speakers are Ashunta Sheriff who will discuss the new movement in makeup, Alice Lane-Understanding Beauty, Nick Barose-Red Carpet Revolution, and more. There are also seminars and workshops for bridal makeup, era makeup, the power of contouring, brush 101, and much more. Click here for a full list and schedule of the education opportunities at the Makeup Show NYC.
The Makeup Show is one of my favorite trade shows and arguably the best trade show in the beauty industry. You can expect to see some of your favorite makeup artists, brands, bloggers, youtube vloggers, and more. You can also expect new releases, this year there will be new releases from Sephora Collection, OFRA, CLEANSE by Lauren Napier, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, and more.
The makeup show will be held at the Metropolitan Pavillion 125 W. 18th St. New York, NY
Advance tickets are on sale now for both days
Sunday May 4, 2014 9:00am-6:00pm
Monday May 5, 2014 9:00am-5:00pmAdvance Prices
One day-$55
Two days-$75At the Door
One day-$65
Two days-$85
On Saturday April 19, 2014 I did something that I never thought I would do, complete a Tough Mudder race. I don’t mean that I never thought I could complete a Tough Mudder, I just thought I’d never participate in one. I’ve seen the Facebook sponsored posts and photos from a few people that I know that completed it and said, “Yeah they got that.” My brother sent an email early January about the race to a few people so we can join his team. I was a bit skeptical, but I let him talk me into joining his team. Only a few people obliged and the “Brooklyn Squad” was born, with three people from Brooklyn and two from Queens lol.
Tough Mudder is a 10-12 mile, 25 obstacle race that will definitely challenge you physically, but it is more mental than anything. Tough Mudder Poconos was 11.6 miles (I wanted to cry at mile 11 lol I was so happy). I joined a gym in January and began “training.” All of the work that I did was nothing compared to what was required to complete the obstacles. With the help of God (I called on His name and prayed through a few obstacles, especially the Arctic Enema), my teammates, my family and friends, and my fellow tough mudders I earned my orange headband.
Electro Shock-to get to the finish line you had to run through electrical wires….so yes you had to purposely get electrocuted lol.
When I first signed up there were many people that were like, “You are going to run through mud?” lol. As a fashion blogger and an all around girly girl who loves floral prints, feminine dresses, high heels, and lipstick I understood where they were coming from, so it made me want to do this even more.
I crawled and waded through 500,000 gallons of mud, scaled walls of varying sizes, jumped in a dumpster filled with tons of ice and the coldest water that you could imagine (34 degrees), tested my balance walking across beams over water, used my upper body strength to climb up a rope, jumped across mud filled ditches, carried tires, crawled under barbed wire and logs, and much more. At the beginning of the race we had our send off speech by Sean Corvelle, the Tough Mudder motivator. I think after our last Hoorah we were all amped and ready to go. One thing that he said that stuck with me was that Tough Mudder was a challenge not a race. It’s about giving your best and fighting though obstacles for yourself and your loved ones.
Here are a few pics from the challenge that our spectators (family and friends) took
Start of the race with our wave. I was number 3432
My brother and his friend and Laurel. We were the only girls on the team. This was after our first obstacle- Kiss of Mud
Glory Blades! Yes that’s me climbing over a wall with a little boost from my teammate Ian
My brother Lloyd and sister’s boyfriend Ian hoping over the wall for glory blades. They definitely inspired me! They were just jumping over those walls like pros.
Here is the team’s before and after photo
We started off smiling… Antonio and I kept smiling lol
Here is my before and after photo
Before and After I was FREEZING if you couldn’t tell
Yes I was a hot muddy mess. I was able to get my muddy clothes off and change into something much cleaner for the 2.5 hour drive home. When I got out of the car I could barely walk. My body had never been through such an intense physical challenge at once like Tough Mudder. I managed to gain enough strength to shower because all I wanted to do was get in the bed.
Here was my “After Tough Mudder” Routine
I needed to do a deep deep cleaning because that mud was thick! I had to give my skin the ultimate treatment. I was in and out of water and mud for hours. My skin was very, very dry.
Body
1. NIVEA Touch of Renewal Exfoliating Body Wash– I used this after I rinsed off the dust and mud. It was great for exfoliating, cleansing and moisture.
2. Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash– Restored the moisture in my skin in addition to cleansing my skin.
3. H20 Plus Sea Salt Skin Smoother-infused with natural oils and sea salt, this left my skin feeling silky smooth.
4. Boiron Arnicare Arnica Gel– I don’t remember where I got this from, but I’m glad that I had it. It provided immediate relief to my sore muscles and joints.
5. NIVEA Extended Moisture Body Lotion– After I applied the gel I used NIVEA’s extended moisture body lotion. This currently my favorite body lotion because of how moisturized my skin is after I use it. I love it because it is not thick and it is long lasting (48 hours)Face
1. Simple Foaming Cleanser– I use this cleanser at night because it is gentle and does not leave my skin feeling dry.
2. Mary Kay Satin Lips Lip Mask– This is my favorite lip scrub. After the race my lips were dry! The sun, wind, water, and mud left me looking like Tyrone Biggums, well that’s what my sister said lol. I mad sure that my lips were kissable again with this scrub.
3. Ambi Even and Clear Daily Moisturizer– My favorite moisturizer at the moment. It is light weight and very moisturizing. Great for combination skin.
4. NIVEA Lip Butter– This lip balm left my lips very soft and smoothHair
1. Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo
2. Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner
3. Shea Moisture Detangler
4. Eden Body Works Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner
5. Karen’s Body Beautiful Leave-in Conditioner
6. Personal mix of oils: Coconut, grape seed, avocado, extra virgin olive oil
Here are some of the products that I used:
I also soaked in Epsom salt all weekend because my body was incredibly sore. I never felt so much pain in my ankles before in my life. And my brother laughed at me when I told him the back of my knees even hurt. Yes I was in that much pain. I thought I was in decent shape, but next year will definitely be better. This experience ignited something in me that makes me want to get more active. So our next feat will be a 5k, I’m not sure if it will be timed or not time, but I’m just getting started.
