Shine & Pretty

What is the correct way to apply mascara?
You may be tempted to go straight in with loads of product, but for the best lash look, Gray recommends starting little by little. “I like to take the wand and scrape the excess product off,” she says.” “I prefer to work in thinner layers and build up the lashes.”
Start from the bottom roof of the lashes and “wiggle” your way to the top. “Work on the other eye and allow that coat to dry before adding another layer. Depending on the product, I like about three to four coats of mascara.”

Make any lipstick matte
Matte lips are on trend at the moment, but what can you do if your favorite shade isn’t in a matte finish? Find a matte blush that is a similar shade then, using your finger, gently pat the powder blush onto your lips to create a beautiful matte finish.

Exfoliate your lips
No matter what color or finish of lipstick you are using, having smooth, hydrated lips is vital. When your lips are dry or flaky, the lip color doesn't last as long or look as uniform. Use our Sugar & Butter Lip Exfoliator to slough off any dead skin, leaving your lips smooth, supple, and ready for color.

Pick a shade that works with your skin tone.
Blush isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of deal you need to choose the right shade to flatter your complexion. Something too dark or too bright can actually age you instead of giving you that warm, youthful glow. The key is to choose something that's close to your natural flush and the best way to figure out what that is is to pinch your cheeks. If you're still not sure, here are some tips for finding your best shade:
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If you have very pale, fair skin, opt for light pinks for a pretty flush of color that won't overpower your tone. Pale pink and lilac formulas give a sheer wash of color that flatter your light complexion without looking garish. A safe bet? Covergirl Cheekers Blendable Powder Blush Natural Rose. It's a Beauty Award Winner and under $4.
If you have light-medium skin, choose a peachy pink shade to give your skin a pretty glow. Since this shade is universally flattering, if you're in doubt, try it in your desired formula. We love NARS Blush in Or**sm and Maybelline Face Studio Master Glaze Blush Stick in Coral Sheen.
For golden or olive skin tones, the warm undertones to the skin can stand up to brighter, punchier pinks. We like Revlon Cream Blush in Flushed for these medium skin tones.
Darker skin tones can go for brighter hues with warm undertones, like a bright apricot, to deliver an ethereal glow and truly radiant results. Try Milani Baked Blush in Corallina — While the shade seems bright, it buffs into the skin for a natural look.

Layer your lip color
Snacking, sipping, and smiling—the signs of a great holiday party—are lipstick-fading culprits. Try this multi-step system to keep your color locked in.
Buff away any dry lip skin with a lip scrub and a damp washcloth.
Apply lip balm to create a smooth, hydrated canvas.
Line and fill your lips with a longwear lipliner, creating a layer of pigment beneath your lipcolor.
Top with two to three thin coats of longwear lipstick for a more even, budge-proof application.

Your glow acts as your signature.
Makeup or a mirror does not define you, but quiet confidence radiates from within.

You don't have to be perfect for now. When you time your skin, each drop touches and each moment presents, you remember you deserve softness.

You are beautiful. Comparison to other beauties is not for you.
Because when you move with love within yourself, the world can't help but notice.

✨ Shine where peace lives, down in the center within you.

Targeted or Spot Treatments
This step is where you can tailor the routine to your skin concerns, says Thornfeldt, whether that's a serum for hyperpigmentation or a prescription acne product like tretinoin. This is also where you put any spot treatments on active breakouts. However, it's important to note that prescription retinoids and spot treatments work best on dry skin, so it's best let your skin dry for about 20 minutes after cleansing before you add treatments with active ingredients.
Most often, targeted treatments are commended to be used 3-5 nights a week, so you can skip this step on your "off" nights.

Wash Your Face. Every. Single. Night.
Let’s start off with a very basic (and very important) nighttime skincare tip: wash your face every night. As Skincare 101 as this may be, many clients tell me they don’t wash their faces consistently at night. Here’s why it’s smart to flip the script on this neglect: Your face is the dirtiest part of your body. The DIRTIEST. Think about it. We unintentionally touch our faces all day long spreading bacteria from our keypads, our phones, pretty much everything we touch. Add in surface film from SPF, makeup, and sebum. Wrap it all up in environmental pollution and indoor ventilation and it’s dirty wrapped in filthy.

The most radiant glow is the one that can’t be bottled.
It comes from the way you pause, breathe, and give yourself a little extra love.
From washing away the day’s chaos. From pressing warm hands against your cheeks, reminding yourself that you’re enough.

Skincare is not vanity.
It’s connection — with your body, your mind, your peace.
Every drop of oil, every gentle massage, every quiet ritual is a love letter to yourself.

Your glow doesn’t need approval.
It doesn’t need perfection.
It just needs you — choosing yourself, every single day.

✨ Glow is a feeling first, and a look second.

Foundation
I make sure to use products with SPF every single day to ensure that I’m protecting my skin from the sun’s harmful rays. The two products I have been using in tandem for quite some time now are Elta MD’s Facial Sunscreen SPF 46 and Rodan + Fields Radiant Defense.
Both products are packed with skincare benefits, so they act as makeup and skincare at the same time. What could be better than that?! They each contain SPF and just enough pigment to match and even out my skin tone. Unless I am headed out for a special event or plan to be on-camera, I don’t like to wear heavy makeup during the day. These two products together are the perfect duo since the Elta is more sheer and the R+F has a touch more color. When combined, the two products provide just the right amount of coverage for a very natural looking, glowing foundation. I mix a small pump of the Elta MD with a pea-sized amount of the Rodan + Fields on my fingertips and rub into my face.

Beauty isn’t built overnight. It’s layered — like your favorite moisturizer.
Each layer tells a story.
Of late nights and early mornings. Of quiet moments in the mirror. Of choosing to care, even when no one’s watching.

True beauty isn’t loud.
It’s in the calm confidence that comes from consistency.
From knowing your skin. Honoring your texture. Listening to what it needs — not what the internet tells you.

This is your space.
To glow. To heal. To love the skin you're in, exactly as it is — evolving, real, and deeply yours.

✨ It’s not about perfect skin. It’s about your skin, treated with love.

Cosmetics are essential for maintaining healthy skin. They provide hydration, nourishment, and protection. Using quality products can enhance your natural beauty. Regular skincare routines prevent skin problems and aging. Invest in beauty products for a radiant, healthy complexion.