ARE YOUR FEET READY FOR SUMMER?

Summer is in full swing, but have you given any thought to how your feet will look in those Steve Madden wedges or those Torrey Birch sandals?  Here are some tips for putting your best foot forward!

Getting Even
If you love wearing boots or socks throughout the season, the skin on your legs may be less than uniform in color, especially around the ankles. A little self-tanning lotion can get them back on track. The Clarisonic Plus Head to Toe Glow ($225) includes some Lancome favorites like their sunless tanning lotion for legs along with a body polisher to get your tootsies in tip-top shape.



Don't Forget the Sunscreen
The delicate skin on the tops of the feet are just as prone to sun damage as the rest of your face and body. Make sure to use an SPF 15 or higher to shield and protect this delicate skin. One to try: Supergoop SPF 50 Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C ($19).  This one does it all. Its broad spectrum sun protection is paraben and sulfate free and is water resistant so its great at the beach or pool-side.




Dump Dead Skin
Exfoliate your feet, paying close attention to the heels and the balls of the feet. Be sure to soak in warm water first, then follow with a loofa or callus remover. Here's a quick and easy recipe for an exfoliating scrub you can make at home:      
                                                                     1 cup epsom salt
                                                                     1/4  cup olive oil
                                                                     1/4 cup essential oil of your choice
                                                                     (lavender, peppermint, coconut, etc)
Mix ingredients. Gently scrub over rough areas of feet with hands or loofa. Rinse with warm water.

Polish it Off
After hydrating your feet with a rich and creamy lotion it's time to apply nail color. Show off those sexy toes and remember to have fun with it!

Please check out the video of my appearance on San Diego Living where I talk about getting your feet sandal-ready!

Stay Beautiful!
-Karol

PROM-PERFECT MAKEUP

Prom season is in full swing!  You've got your dream dress, matching shoes, accessories and an appointment lined up with your favorite hairstylist. Now it's time to make sure your makeup will go the distance. Here are some beauty basics to help you achieve that prom-perfect makeup look that is guaranteed to hold up while you dance the night away!

NUDE AND NATURAL

Dakota Fanning

Jordin Sparks

Jenna Ushkowitz

Even if you don't usually wear any makeup it's best to add a touch on this special night. It will help you look fabulous in your photos rather than unfinished. Keep it light and natural by using concealer or foundation only where you need it to create a flawless complexion. Try Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream($35) a hydrating and color correcting moisturizer that will  leave skin smooth and radiant. A sheer wash of color on your eyes like Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Sandy Gold($24) will look fresh all night without creasing or becoming oily. Choose a lip color that closely matches your own natural lip tone and add a touch of mascara to accent and emphasize your eyes.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

Kerry Washington

Emily Blunt

Emma Stone

 

KeKe Palmer

A"pop" of color is always a great makeup choice for a festive event like prom. A bold lip and a precisely lined eye shows you can be both modern and edgy at the same time. Stay closest to matte when choosing your vibrant lip shade  pink, coral, berry or red. Stila Long Wear Liquid Lipcolor($22) and Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color($24) have many shades to choose from and you won't need to constantly re-apply. Tried and true black, brown, gray or navy eyeliner will compliment your formal attire without over-powering your statement lip. Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner($22) goes on creamy and looks amazing when winged out on the corner of the eyes. Or try a subtle hint of bright color on both eyes and lips like Keke Palmer is wearing. A soft bright cheek and lots of mascara or false lashes complete the retro feel of this look.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lipstick

 

 SMOKEY AND SULTRY                                                                                  

 

The smokey eye remains the most sought-after look not only for prom but most social occasions. Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus help popularize this trend  You can create a smokey eye using either deep or colored eyeshadow and a khol eyeliner pencil. Urban Decay's Vice Palette($59) works beautifully for both an intense and colored smokey eye.

The key to a great smokey eye is mastering the technique. Start at the outer corner of your lashes and draw a strong outline on both the top and bottom of the lash line, including the inner rim of your eye.  Begin by applying the most intense of your eyeshadow shades at the base of the lash line. Gradually soften and blend lighter shades as you move up toward your crease and brow bone. The lightest shade should be just below your brow. Now use that same intense shade you started with to outline under your lower lashes. Mascara and false lashes add drama.

 With all the focus on eyes your skin must be flawless, so full coverage foundation is a must! Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation(about $10) works as a primer, concealer and foundation and looks fabulous for hours. Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H ($45) provides 24 hour wear, is oil-free, dries to a natural matte finish and is available in more than 20 shades.

 

 So go ahead and dance the night away. You won't need to check your mirror for hours!

Stay beautiful!
-Karol
 

GRAMMY GLAMOUR

There was no shortage of star studded beauty and Hollywood glamour at this year's Grammy Awards. Bright lips, luxurious eyelashes and brow-grazing bangs dominated on the red carpet through a sea of dazzling and often skin-baring gowns. And though the looks were varied, there were some obvious stand-out trends on the red carpet. One thing is for certain, these ladies owned  their looks and used everything in their bag of tricks to help show off their own unique style!

Chic and Sleek

Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez worked this look to a tee on the red carpet. With a slicked-back ponytail Bey rocked two trends by also wearing a vibrant lip (see below). J-Lo's chic top knot was the perfect complimented to her graphic eye, not to be outdone of course by that sexy slit in her dress.

To perfect this shiny, sleek 'do try Enjoy Hair Care Shine and Smooth ($15-35). It locks in moisture and blocks out humidity without a heavy or greasy feel.

The Vibrant Lip

 

Clearly aware of the "no competition" clause the vibrant lip paired with a subtle eye was definitely the order of the night. Song birds Kimbra, Janelle Monae, Alicia Keys and actress Kat Dennings all had perfect pouts ranging from candy apple red to deep berry. From soft matte to sheer and glossy and everything in between this look remains a huge trend. 
A few shades to try:
Chanel Rouge Allure 109 Rouge Noir ($32)
 
                                                           MAC Lady Danger ($15)
             

 

Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm Haute Pink ($7)       

 

Miss Match

 

 

Rihanna, Natasha Beddingfield, and Skylar Gray decided to take it old school and matched their lip color to their dresses. Rih Rih even took it further by matching both her lips and nails to her sexy red sheer gown. Flawlwess skin, groomed brows, and soft curls make the look work for these stunners.

 

Going Nude

Nude and natural makeup highlights your features and puts glowing skin in the spotlight. Add a modern, edgy spin on this popular look by winging out  your eyeliner or subtly smoking out your eye shadow. Deeper skin tones need a soft hint of color, while those with a more fair complexion can almost match their skin. Kelly Rowland, Nancy Odell, Solange Knowles and Kaley Cuoco got it right.  

 For gorgeous skin without foundation try one of the new BB or CC creams. A hybrid of both makeup and skincare, they perfect and correct your complexion, hydrate and brighten your skin.
Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF35 ($42) and Smashbox  Camera Ready BB Cream SPF35 ($39) both offer broad spectrum sun protection and come in a variety of shades.

 

Simply Gorgeous

 These beauties earn honorable mention for being well put together. Their fashion choices could not overshadow their glamorous and sophisticated looks. Adele's skin was glowing despite the floral explosion she was wearing, and even her cleavage couldn't detract from Katy Perry's "old Hollywood" style. Model Chrissy Teigen, Carrie Underwood and Ashanti were oh-so-elegant! And Carly Rae Jepson's blue eye shadow was perfectly fun and flirty  for a starlet her age, don't you agree?
Amp up your eyes with Clininique Chubby Stick for Eyes ($16) or try Sephora Jumbo Liner 12H ($14).  Create a thick and smooth line above your lashes for a soft smoky effect anytime.