Favorite Reds of 2015

There's really no better time to talk about red lipstick than the holidays, when all anyone really wants to do is wear reds. I tested my share this year and am bringing a recap of the highlights. These are the shades that brightened my days, brightened my complexion and made me smile real, real big.

1. Tom Ford Lipstick in Ruby Rush, $52

This one absolutely tops my list. After accidentally purchasing, not realizing how much this cost, I came to understand that it was worth every cent. Easily the best red I've ever worn (it better be, for that price), from the shade to the formula, to the wear time. And that packaging, of course.

2. Lipstick Queen Cupid's Bow Lip Pencil in Desire, $22

A more affordable option than Tom Ford's, but with just as much pigmentation. This shade is just the right amount neon red, with a matte look, but no dry matte finish...this just glides on. And if you look closely enough, there's even a tiny hint of sparkle.

3. Laura Mercier's Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Mon Cheri, $28

This one is super moisturizing with mango butter, that moisturizes lips for hours. With a hint of coral, this bright red is awesome for brightening olive complexions.

4. Trestique's Matte Color and Shiny Balm in Chile Red, $28

New-to-the-scene Trestique's Chile Red lasts forever, has a creamy matte finish and can be topped off with the Sangiovese BB Lip Balm on the other end of the pencil.

Beauty Glutton in La Revista Mujer

Earlier this month, regional magazine La Revista Mujer released its fifth issue: Mujer Invierno (or Winter Edition). I had the opportunity to collaborate with their team and contributed a write-up on some of my favorite pregnancy beauty products.

If you haven't heard of La Revista Mujer, it distributes in Austin, San Antonio and McAllen, is written exclusively in Spanish and celebrates women in the region who have inspiring stories to tell. I recommend you pick up a copy, not just to read my write-up, of course, but for their great content on local and regional arts, food, style and travel and culture. I also suggest following them on Instagram for tons of beautiful content on events, emerging designers, beauty companies, restaurants - you name it - in the region.

In Austin you can pick up a copy at Whole Foods (Domain, Downtown and William Canon locations), Central Market South and Book People. Or you can visit their website to read the magazine online. You can find me on page 30. 

And because it's entirely in Spanish, for the non-Spanish readers, here's the translated English version. 

CONTRIBUTORS

Samantha Figueroa

Samantha grew up in Laredo, where her mother taught her the importance of always looking her best, regardless of the occasion. She gained a profound respect for women who, like her mother, made the effort to put their best faces forward. And most importantly, she learned that this effort creates something important - self-appreciation. After religiously practicing what she learned from her mom, with her collection of lip colors and her own self-appreciation, Samantha left Laredo for Austin. There she studied advertising at the University of Texas and then later began a career in public relations and communications. 

While working for fashion designer Pamella Roland, Samantha experienced the beauty magic that happens backstage at New York Fashion Week, where she realized that beauty was so much more than just a hobby. This compelled her to launch Beauty Glutton, her personal beauty blog where she publishes beauty content, including topics around makeup and skincare. Currently, Samantha develops social media strategies at the Austin-based multiculutural advertising agency, Latinworks. She's also the Contributing Beauty Editor for The LV Guide, the website for New York-based style expert, Lilliana Vazquez. 

When she's not developing social media strategies, testing and reviewing beauty products or writing about them, you'll likely find her enjoying her husband Andres's amazing cooking, playing with her dog Pablo or getting ready to be a mom. Samantha and Andres are expecting their first baby at the end of the month. 

A BEAUTIFUL PREGNANCY7 Beauty Products for the Mama-to-Be

With a first pregnancy you'll probably have enough questions and surprises to drive you insane. And while beauty can be something difficult to navigate during such a chaotic time, it doesn't have to be something impossible to achieve. From dry skin, to finding high quality organic makeup, to surprise!...pregnancy acne...there are solutions. And, of course, for you and your baby's utmost care, it's recommended you consult with your doctor before introducing any new products into your beauty and skincare regimen.

Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Butter

There's a reason Kim Kardashian practically bathes in this stuff. I started to use it at the first sign of a stretch mark and have been able to avoid new ones. It doesn't go on greasy, is super hydrating and has an incredible, delicate scent.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
For some time, doctors have recommended CeraVe's gentle skincare products to patients with sensitive skin, as well as expecting mothers. This cleanser was a lifesaver during my first trimester when my skin refused to cooperate and has helped me maintain clean, supple skin throughout the rest of my pregnancy.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
With its light coverage that looks more like your own skin than makeup, this tinted gel is ideal for daily use during and after your pregnancy. The formula is very hydrating, and has a dewy finish that only augments your natural glow.

Tata Harper's Repairative Moisturizer
This entire line of non-toxic, natural products can be used throughout pregnancy. This moisturizer has become my go-to face moisturizer, especially for cooler days because it's so hydrating. Your skin will drink it right up.

Ginger + Liz Colour Collection
When you're working on a healthier beauty regimen during pregnancy, it's important not to forget the small details. Ginger + Liz has an entire line of vegan, non-toxic nail colors in sheer creamy, saturated, vibrant and metallic shades.

W3LL People's Narcissist Foundation Stick
Finding a green foundation that gives the same results and coverage as prestige brands is difficult.

The Narcissist Foundation from this organic line gives flawless coverage and a soft-focus finish that makes it look like you're not even wearing makeup. 

EOS Lip Balms

Dry skin is very common during pregnancy. And if you're pregnant during winter, that means you'll be reaching for the lip balm very frequently. EOS lip balms, in addition to being practical, deliciously smooth and let's be honest - cute - they are also formulated with organic ingredients that make them pregnancy-safe.

Photoshoot Makeup Tips

I have done quite a bit of makeup for photoshoots, whether maternity or family, for friends or for myself, as with my recent maternity shoot with Happy Alpaca Photography. With the holidays upon us and because I often receive questions on tips for on-camera makeup, I wanted to compile a list of things I do  and recommend when having photos taken.

Mrs. Happy Alpaca herself, on the left during a family photoshoot, and on the right, when she was expecting that cute little fella in the photo on the left. I did her makeup for both of these. 

1. Prep and Clean Skin:
Begin days before, making sure to get enough water. Your skin will look brighter, smoother and you'll look fresh-faced and healthy in your final shots.

If you're a spa-facial kind of lady, schedule one for 2-3 days before your photos to target key concerns. An at-home facial can also do wonders. The day before your shoot, do a deep cleanse, and exfoliate. Currently I'm hooked on Goldfadden MD's Doctor's Scrub, which leaves my skin super hydrated (thanks to the hyaluronic acid), bright and baby soft. Finish your at-home treatment with a mask specific to your needs. Suggestions below:

• Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, for an overall skin detox
• Hada Labo Ultimate Ant-Aging Facial Mask, for a hydration boost 
• Glam Glow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, it's a complete facial in a jar
• First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask, for cleaning pores and fighting blemishes 
• Honey and brown sugar, a simple homemade mask to help soothe redness 

2. Moisturize and Prime:

Moisturize before applying any products to have a good foundation to work on. Stick with daytime formulas to avoid looking too shiny. Before applying foundation, use a primer on your skin, focusing on areas where your pores may appear larger. Hourglass's Mineral Veil is the smoothest finish I've found so far. 

3. Lighting:

Do your makeup in natural daylight or bright lighting. Odds are you'll be having photos done in some natural light, so you want to know exactly how much makeup you need to highlight your features without looking harsh.

4. Tools:

Apply foundation with a good foundation or stippling brush, or a BeautyBlender for liquid foundation for a soft focus finish. Brushes I like include Sigma's 3D HD Kabuki Brush and Sephora's Pro Stippling Brush #44. Sometimes I'll even spritz my brush with clean water for an extra hydration boost and smoother application.  Get a soft, natural look on your eyes using a blending brush like MAC's 224 Tapered Blending Brush. Make sure whatever blending brush you use for your eyes has long, fluffier bristles. 

5. Flawless Complexion:

Achieve a flawless complexion in photos by sticking with semi-matte or matte foundations, and avoiding shimmer. While great for evenings and parties, shimmers or highlighters can bring out imperfections in the skin, and with light from flash or the sun, they will be even more prominent due to harshly cast shadows. 

If you love highlighter as much as I do, reserve it for the inner corners of eyes to brighten and look more awake. You can also subtly highlight the highest point on your cheekbones, right under the outer corners of your eyes. 

6. Contour:

Because bright lighting can wash you out, you will want to contour to add depth and definition to your features. To avoid a harsh contour, apply a matte powder bronzer that's taupe or brown and not too orange, with a stippling brush, blending well. One of my favorites is the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. Avoid contour creams as these can be disastrous if not blended well. 

7. Add Healthy Color: 

Blush will look great on camera and will also keep you from looking washed out. Apply a matte blush in coral or soft pink, like Urban Decay's Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Indecent, to your cheeks by smiling and blending upwards from the apple towards your temples.

8. Define Your Eyes: 

In addition to defining your eyes with neutral shadows, brighten them by adding a solid liquid or gel line on your top lash line, false lashes if you can manage to get those on and two coats of mascara. Define the lower lash line more subtly either with eyeshadow or a soft brown eyeliner. Drawing attention upwards will make you appear fresh and awake, which is perfect for early morning shoots.

9. Keep Hydrated:

If your shoot is scheduled for a warm morning or afternoon, stay hydrated throughout. If you're not properly hydrated, you're more likely to sweat and risk runny makeup or a shiny face. Consider a cooling mist like Caudalie's Grape Water Spray, which will keep your skin fresh while helping you avoid overheating. 

10. Set Your Makeup: 

For  a longer photo shoot, set your look with a setting spray like NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray. You'll be at ease knowing everything is in its place. 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide

I am a firm believer that the gift of beauty is always appreciated, no matter the level of the giftee's beauty affinity. There are dozens of products and gifts out there for everyone from the minimalist to the simply obsessed, and nothing makes any woman (or man) feel better than when they invest a little time in themselves and indulge. These are some of my favorite gifts for the 2015 holiday season.

1. Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer, $18
For the lady who pays attention to every detail. This 5-free formula, created by the woman who launched Hard Candy, has picked up quite a following for its color options, flawless coverage and unbeatable shine.

2. Lisa Eldridge's Face Paint Book, $19
For the girl that loves the makeup...all the makeup. Its entire history in these beautiful pages put together by legendary makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. Covers history's most iconic looks and products, is perfect to curl up with on a rainy day or as part of a coffee table vignette.

3. Tom Ford Lips & Boys, $35
For the woman who appreciates the finer things in life. Nobody makes lipstick like Tom Ford, and he just added new boys to his Lips & Boys collection, so finding a match for anyone should be easy.

4. Rocksbox Gift Subscription, $49 - $149
For the girl who finishes off any beauty look with the perfect pair of earrings. Give her a three-month, six-month of year-long membership to this jewelry subscription service. And you can get a month free with my code: socialstylatexoxo.

5. BKR Water Bottle, $28 - $45
For the lady with the "from-within" beauty approach. Yes, it's a $42 water bottle, but that's what makes it perfect for gifting. It's sold as a beauty product that encourages you to stay properly hydrated. All that in a beautiful BPA and phthalate-free glass water bottle that is more an accessory than a practicality.

6. Anthropologie Geo Soap Rocks, $12
For any girl on your list, because who doesn't love fancy soap? And these illuminate under water. With formulas like milk and honey, green apple and tea rose, actually using them is wonderful, but they are just as great displayed in a glass canister for admiring.

7. MIA Fit, $189
For the always on-the-go gal (or guy). The new addition to the Clarisonic family is more compact than the Mia and Mia 2, perfect for travel, and has 60 and 80-second cleansing settings with a velvety soft brush head. This one is way at the top of my wish list.

8. Sugar Paper 2016 Planner, $7.99
For the lady with dozens of beauty (and other) appointments. This Sugar Paper pocket planner is perfect for filling up with with mani/pedis, facials, haircuts and other beauty appointments and fits right in your purse or pocket. Who needs iPhone reminders with a planner this pretty?

9. Henné Organics Luxury Lip Balm, $22
For the "green" beauty. This new balm from Swedish-American Henné Organics is, as the name suggests, super luxurious, moisturizes for hours, and is just good for you.

10. Nugg Beauty Face Masks, $3.29
For the girl that loves to travel. I've talked about these quite a bit. They're great as stocking stuffers, and you can mix and match for customized skincare.

11. Laggo LA SOHO Clutch, $210
For the effortless lady who knows less is more. A year-round clutch that's just the right size for beauty essentials, really high quality and some unexpected but super versatile color combos.

12. Birchbox Gift Subscription, $30 - $110
For the lady just beginning to dabble in beauty. Choose an exclusive starter box and a subscription to give her three months, six months or an entire year of custom, curated beauty discoveries.

Cyber Monday Deals You Can't Miss

I'll be sitting at my desk Monday morning, sad that the long weekend is over, but happy to have Cyber Monday. It’s an extension of the holiday with opportunities to do a little (or a lot of) shopping, and far more enjoyable than Black Friday because you don't have to go anywhere at all. And on top of that, the deals are pretty worthwhile, so this makes it my favorite time of the year to shop beauty. These are some I'm most looking forward to:

The Balm Cosmetics

The Balm will offer 50% off everything online starting at 7 am, sharp, so rise and shine! One of my go-to products from The Balm is the Cindy-Lou Manizer, only $12 with the discount. 

Tarte Cosmetics 

All mascaras and lip glosses will go for $10, cheek stains and blushes for $20 and foundations for $30. Favorite include the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara and their cheek stain in Blushing Bride. 

Nugg Beauty 

Nugg masks are perfect as stocking stuffers for the holidays. Nugg will be offering 10% off all orders, as well as a free deep cleansing mask with any purchase.

Julep

More great stocking stuffers! Julep is offering 50% off site-wide with code YAYTODAY. Yay today, indeed. 

Lorac Cosmetics 

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Lorac is releasing a limited edition Alter Ego lipstick and lipgloss collection including three best sellers and seven exclusive, new shades. And through Nordstrom, you’ll also be able to buy the Lorac PRO Matte palette, with an eye pencil and mascara for $28.

Bobbi Brown

You can get 20% off any order all day Monday on BobbiBrown.com. I’m a huge fan of the Creamy Concealer Kit - it has cream and powder in one, stays put for hours and has unbeatable coverage. 

Tata Harper 

A new favorite of mine this year, Tata Harper is offering 15% on all orders through December 8, with code FF2015. The Repairative Moisturizer is divinity in a bottle, and safe for your skin. 

Caudalie

The French skincare experts at Caudalie are offering free goodies with purchases of $25, $75 or $150 or more. An all time favorite is the Beauty Elixir, and a new favorite is the Instant Detox Mask.

First Aid Beauty

Because nothing cures dry winter skin like First Aid Beauty. They're offering a whopping 30% off with code CYBERMONDAY.

Dermstore
Dermstore always has great deals to begin with on skincare must-haves, they're offering 30% off all day with code CYBERMONDAY.

NARS 
The most pigmented makeup in all the land, and they're offering 20% off through Wednesday with the code TAKE20. 

W3LL People
The green beauty brand is offering 20% off online and in-store through 11:59 pm on Monday, and all orders ship free. This offer alone is worth taking for their Narcissist Foundation Stick.

MAC Cosmetics
MAC is offering free overnight shipping on all orders Monday, so if you're as impatient as I am, this is the best news. They're also offering 25% off all their holiday kits and pre-filled palettes.

You're welcome! 

In-Home Maternity Photo Session

I'm shocked at how quickly this pregnancy has gone by. I'm 35 weeks along, and the holidays and our little boy's arrival are just around the corner. I'm feeling a flurry of emotions and while I'm frankly very nervous, I can't wait much longer to meet this little person and see his face. I hope he has his dad's widow's peak and big heart, among so many things I love about him.

Amidst all the prep, I knew I wanted photos to remember these days by, and to one day show Baby Fig just how happy we were waiting for him. A few weeks ago, we had an in-home photo session with my good friend Celina McGraw of Happy Alpaca Photography, who just launched her photography business. With every opportunity I have had to be her subject, she amazes me more and more with her talent and craft. If you're looking for someone to capture your family's moments in the Austin area, I encourage you to reach out to her.

This is a beauty blog after all, so I do want to share about what I put on my face and did to my hair for these photos. Because this was an early morning session and I overslept, I had to expedite the getting ready process. Still, I managed. 

I shampooed with Kevin Murphy's Hydrate Me Wash and conditioned with his Angel Rinse. Before blow drying my hair, I applied his Anti-Gravity serum to my roots for volume. On the lower half of my hair, I applied Bumble & Bumble's Styling Lotion for ease when giving myself some soft curls. I took big chunks of hair, wrapped around a 1 1/2 inch curling iron and held for no more than 10 seconds a piece. 

For my face, I used W3ll People's Narcissist Foundation, a pregnancy favorite, and contoured with Trestique's Color and Contour Stick. I concealed and highlighted with Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit, as well as Benefit's LemonAid. Eyeshadow was a combination of my go-tos - the Lorac Pro and Urban Decay Naked 3 palettes - and I finished my lids off with Nyx's Gel Eyeliner and Smudger and Ardell Lashes in #403 . I softly filled my eyebrows in with Trestique's Define, Sculpt and Set Eyebrow Pencil. On my lips I'm wearing a combination of Flower Beauty's Kiss Stick High Shine Lip Color in Baby Buttercup and Sweet Peony, with a dab of Urban Decay's Revolution High Color Lipgloss in Failbait. Blush was also Urban Decay, the Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Indecent. 

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Instagram Beauty Favorites

My love for beauty came long before social media allowed us access to bloggers, vloggers and other beauty insiders. My first inspiration was my mom, with her endless collection of red lipstick, and her refusal to leave the house without a full face of makeup. But, today, it's easy for beauty aficionados like myself to find inspiration in other women (and men) whose approaches to beauty may resonate with us. I gravitate towards Instagram for inspiration, because it's simple and usually authentic, and narrowed down a list of my favorite folks to follow for nuggets of beauty wisdom, life wisdom, or simply because they truly own who they are, and there's nothing more beautiful than that.

Sophia Amoruso
@SophiaAmoruso 
What I most love about her Instagram presence, beyond the fact that she is striking and you just want to live vicariously though the snapshots of her incredible (and hard-earned) life, is that she is so comfortable making a complete fool of herself in front of her audience. She hides nothing about who she is (if you read her book, you know she put it all out there in those pages) and every single one of her posts makes me want to work towards having that kind of confidence. Of course, seeing her flawless complexion and eyebrows serve as reminders for my own personal maintenance.

Matin Maulawizada
@ItsMatin 

I had the privilege of meeting Matin while working for Pamella Roland, and he's one of those gentle souls -- and extremely humble despite the amount of success he's had as a makeup artist. Matin's account is a favorite because his approach to beauty is real and never intimidating, and he has a knack for highlighting his clients' (Claire Danes, Lena Dunham and Lupita N'yongo to name a few) beauty without gimmicks or masks, so to speak. I especially love when he shares personal stories about his family, adorable Italian Greyhounds, and his work with Afghan Hands, a nonprofit he founded which helps disadvantaged women in Afghanistan gain independence through the craft of embroidery.

Ximena Navarrete
@XimenaNR
I can appreciate sheer beauty in another woman, especially a fellow Mexican. This former Nuestra Belleza Mexico winner and Miss Universe's account is pure eye candy. Her features, reminiscent of Maria Felix, make for a beautiful post every single time. And all the makeup shots highlighting her usual makeup artist Victor Guadarrama give me loads of inspiration for beauty looks.

Into the Gloss
@IntoTheGloss
Into the Gloss is my go-to source for behind the scenes coverage of fashion week and trends in beauty that are real, approachable and actually attainable. The #ITGTopShelfie content franchise is great for discovering new products, and for causing some serious top shelf envy. And, this Instagram account has to be the must visually appealing and gorgeously curated beauty accounts out there.

Sarah Brown
@SBRogue 
I learned about Sarah Brown a decade ago (or longer), reading an essay she wrote in Vogue where she shared that her beauty resembled that of the Renaissance. Now I follow her on Instagram, and appreciate her account for the lack of pretense you might expect from a Vogue beauty editor, and all of the approachability and accessibility that you might not. I love the glimpses into her life, her travel and experiences, but am obviously there for the beauty products, the treatments, and even fashion from likely the most well-versed person in the industry.

Review: W3ll People

In an effort to make some healthy changes to my beauty regimen while pregnant, I attended an event for moms to be at W3ll People’s Flagship Store in Austin. I had been wanting to try this brand for long time and finally had the opportunity. The flagship store itself is beautiful, a little relaxing escape with a number of green skincare and beauty options, in addition to the W3ll People makeup line. The event featured five-minute, no-makeup makeup looks for expectant mothers. Their artist used some of the brand’s best-selling items including the Narcissist Foundation, the Universalist Matte Multi-Stick and the Elitist Eyeshadow Powder Shimmer. Each of the products had amazing color payoff and coverage and the overall look was fresh and frankly, made me feel very pretty mid-pregnancy. Here’s a breakdown of what used on me:

• The award-winning Narcissist Foundation, which can be used as a foundation, concealer and eyeshadow primer, was applied with a kabuki brush for sheer coverage. The results were glowy, even skin tone and soothed redness, a big plus for my easily irritated skin. And I’ve never had a foundation match my skin tone so closely.

• 
  The Universalist Matte Multi-Stick, similar to a cream blush, was applied to the apples of my cheeks, lips and eyelid crease for a natural, healthy burst of color that was lightweight and looked just like my natural pigment.

• The Elitist Eyeshadow Powder Shimmer was probably one of my favorite items from the entire line, with an unexpected sparkle that works for both day and night. The powders range in shades from shimmery golds and nudes to their darkest grey, perfect for a smoky eye, in number 82. She used a tiny bit of this on the highest point of cheekbones as a highlight and told me the shimmer powders work beautifully mixed into their glosses as well for an additional layer of color and dimension.

• The artist completed my look with one of W3ll People’s most coveted products and recent winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty for 2015, their Expressionist Mascara. This instantly gave me big, fluffy lashes that were jet black, with beautiful length. And while all of W3ll People’s products are free of harsh chemicals, there’s something even more enticing about a clean mascara that won’t irritate the ultra sensitive eye area.

I certainly didn’t leave the store empty-handed. Because the Narcissist Foundation matched my skin tone so closely and gave me the light coverage I loved (but also proved to be very buildable), I had to take it home with me.

I’ve been wearing this foundation for everything from day-to-day and for bigger events like my boss’s wedding and recent baby shower, and it manages to work excellently for both. The coverage is not at all cakey or heavy, making it perfect for work, yet look fresh for hours on end. And after wearing for all those hours, I also never feel that icky feeling you get when your pores are clogged and the foundation doesn’t creep into all those little corners of my face.

Review: Essie Gel Setter

I know that a great top coat is the secret to a long-lasting manicure. And you all know that Sally Hansen’s Mega Shine top coat has long been my top coat of choice. I swear by it. I’ve tested my share of other top coats and have experienced terrible sheet marks, chipping, lackluster shine, you name it. Few have compelled me to actually repurchase or even wear a second time.

But Essie released their newest top coat, the Gel Setter, not long ago. And because Essie is just Essie, I had to try it. Here’s what I found:

Drying Time

Drying time is one of the things I most look for in a top coat because I’m usually doing something, anything, soon after a DIY manicure. The Gel Setter’s drying time was much quicker than expected, and I actually had to work quickly to get smooth coats. The polish dries so quickly you may notice a little dragging between swipes.

In comparing drying times among Gel Setter and Mega Shine, I’d say both are quick to dry. Because Essie’s is a “gel” formula, there was that dragging, which I never experience with Mega Shine. I’d say both are completely dry about as quickly.  

Shine

The shine really is about what you’d expect from any gel. It's reflective and even while reading a book or typing on my keyboard at work, I kept getting distracted by my super shiny nails. Many top coats will give you shine for a day or two, but the Gel Setter’s shine looked fresh the entire time I wore it.

From the time I’ve tested the Essie Gel Setter and the years I’ve used Sally Hansen’s Mega Shine, I would say this is among the few things that truly differ in the formulas. The Gel Setter’s shine seems to stand the test of time, by just a tad.

Strength

You know those top coats that are so soft they’re malleable and you get sheet marks, even if you go to bed hours after having done your nails? The Gel Setter has a strong, resilient finish. I even went as far as digging and dragging my nail across the finish to test it, with no scratches in sight. Definitely no sheet marks here.

Wear Time
When your DIY (or salon) manicure is properly done - short length on nails, buffed tips, base coat and capped nails on that final coat of polish - the Gel Setter should get you through 4-5 days chip-free. I extended my wear time to about a week, with minor chipping. My favorite neutral polishes that best hide chips include Essie’s Minimalistic and Ballet Slippers.

Gel Formula
In defense of every brand trying to recreate a gel formula in a nail polish, this is a difficult thing to do. That said, Essie’s Gel Setter won’t give you that salon gel wear time. But this is actually a good thing. I think I’ve nearly ripped off a nail trying to remove gels. But it will give you a much thicker, longer lasting and shinier manicure than any other top coat.

So am I ready to trade my Sally Hansen Mega Shine top coat just yet? No, I’m not. Yeah, the shine is just marginally better on the Gel Setter, but there is that slight difference in drying and dragging, which the Mega Shine has a one-up on. There’s also price point, the Gel Setter’s being slightly more expensive. At the end of the day the $1 to $2 difference won’t make or break me, but just one other factor to consider. I see myself continuing to use both of these in the future.

Preserve a Blowout with a Silk Pillowcase

Hair is difficult for me. I've had pretty much the same cut and style since I was twelve, with the exception of sporting the occasional zig zag part in middle school, that time I stupidly cut my own bangs in college, and those other times I was curious about both the bob and the lob. And for most of my life, I've washed my hair daily, requiring frequent styling. But I'm lazy. So instead, I often opt for disheveled. I finally trained my hair to be washed less frequently and most recently, figured out not just how to maintain clean hair for days, but how to maintain styled hair for days - a feat for me because I get such terrible bed head. Disheveled. A boar bristle brush, a silk pillowcase and dry shampoo seem to do the trick.

After taking my time on an amazing at-home blowout a couple weeks ago, I was determined to maintain it as long as possible. I've heard of the benefits of silk pillowcases for hair and skin (apparently it prevents wrinkles), and did a little more research before bed. Because silk is such a smooth and natural fabric, your hair glides on it, versus being exposed to friction caused by cotton which results in bed head. I didn't have a silk pillowcase on-hand, but really wanted to test out the theory.

Isn't that hair worth trying to preserve? 

So I got creative and safety-pinned that beautiful, coral 100% silk scarf up there to my pillow. I brushed my hair thoroughly with a boar bristle brush to distribute my scalp's natural oils throughout my hair and went to sleep. I woke up to an intact blowout - a rarity for me. All I did to "style" my hair was turn my head upside down to brush upwards for volume with the same brush and I was set. I thought maybe it was luck, but I had a couple more night's to test the theory.

On night two, I did the same routine: boar bristle brush, improvised silk pillowcase. Again, I woke up to a still smooth, albeit slightly less voluminous blowout. Nothing my upside down boar-bristle brushing couldn't fix.

On night three, I did the same routine. This time, on day four, I woke up to a less-than-perfect blowout. My hair was definitely flatter and the front layers didn't cascade quite as nicely, but my ends were still looking great. I did my upside down brushing, sprayed in some Batiste dry shampoo for volume, mostly - my hair wasn't oily at all - and pinned it back into a half up-do which still managed to get me a compliment or two.

On day five, I washed my hair.

I should address the questions as to whether or not the pillowcase can be satin or a blend, as opposed to silk, and this past weekend I decided to test that theory. I was visiting my parents and my mom mentioned she had some satin pillowcases, so after another beautiful DIY blowout on Saturday, I put satin to the test. I woke up Sunday morning to flat hair, with hints of bed head. The results really didn't compare to my pillowcase...I mean, scarf.

In order to get the most out of your pillowcase, it must be 100% silk, and preferably long-strand mulberry silk with a traditional charmeuse weave (!?!). It sounds super fancy because it is. I'm not even sure my scarf met the long strand and weave requirements, but it is 100% silk and was successful for the most part. Here are some options that are on the affordable side and do meet those requirements. I won't use my scarf forever because my safety pins keep coming undone and poking me, so I'll be making my selection from among these, too.

Beauty Bites Volume 4

This/last week's recap:

Play! By Sephora 
Sephora announced last week that it's entering the subscription beauty box market with Play! By Sephora. It's a $10 subscription (like competitors Ipsy and Birchbox), which includes five products and a curated Spotify Play! List. I had multiple short-lived relationships with both Ipsy and Birchbox and I can't say I felt great about either. Both work with new and emerging brands, which I love to learn about and discover, but there were far fewer hits than misses among what I did receive - I even once received a Bic Pen. A Bic Pen! Even though Sephora sends a slew of samples anytime you place an order online, and even though you can ask for samples at any beauty store (and you can bet I do!), I'm curious to see what the company includes in its monthly themed boxes. Considering there are more hits than misses at Sephora in general, even if the choices are similar to their 100-point Beauty Insider rewards, I'll definitely consider subscribing for a test run and for that added-value playlist.

The Mindy Project Returns 

While technically not beauty related, Mindy Kaling is my own personal hero (even though I know she feels old when people refer to her as such - you're fantastic, Mindy). I shamelessly have two Mindy quotes staring at me at my office desk. So when I found out this week that The Mindy Project is set to premiere on Hulu on September 15, the same day as her book, Why Not Me? (the title is actually the less profane and cover-friendly version of one of my desk quotes), my heart wept tears of joy.

Christian Louboutin Lipstick Collection

Apparently these new Louboutin Lipsticks cure cancer, or something. Not really. But they are $90 each. When I mistakenly bought a $50 Tom Ford lipstick I had the worst buyer's remorse. And then Andres (of all people) convinced me it was okay - and I realized that particular lipstick was worth every cent. I am, however, a somewhat reasonable adult with a baby on the way and I have to draw the line somewhere. But you can bet I'll envy anyone who can actually afford these and wish them an infection that causes their lips to melt off. Too much?

Honest Company Organic Belly Balm
My belly is finally a clear bump and not an "Is she just getting fat?" pooch. I started using belly balms and butters, first with Palmer's Tummy Butter. Even though the Honest Company is under a microscope right now for defective sunscreen, I went ahead and picked up their Belly Balm after hearing great reviews. I'll be reporting back on this one and others.

Essie Gel Setter 
A little more than a month ago, Essie launched their new Gel Setter Top Coat and I got my freshly manicured hands on one just last weekend. Because my current Nailmatic polish and all-time-favorite Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat are both working overtime, my mani is pretty much still intact. But to finish off my next mani, I'll be testing Essie's Gel Setter and reporting back on whether or not Sally Hansen's Mega Shine remains the reigning champ. At this point Gel Setter has three and a half stars on Essie's website with 89 reviews.

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20-Week Pregnancy Skincare Update

I have some beautifully organized posts on pregnancy beauty and skincare planned, but have lots more research to do before I can actually write them. For this first pregnancy skincare post, I'm sharing a hodge podge of products getting me through pregnancy now, four and a half months in. So far, I've consulted list after list of safe/recommended products, talked to my doctor for confirmation, and checked the FAQ pages of some of my favorite brands for information on their pregnancy safety.

First, a disclaimer: I spent my entire first trimester asleep and to make up for my lack of research I just refrained from putting anything on my face altogether to avoid any potential harm. I stopped using my Clarisonic from fear that I was cleaning so deep into my pores that whatever products I was using were seeping into my skin, into my bloodstream and hurting my baby. I started washing my face in under thirty seconds to avoid having cleansers (even gentle ones) on my face for too long. And I switched back to my raw, organic Manuka honey as a face wash, knowing for certain it was the only one-hundred-percent safe item in my cabinet.

You would think simplifying my routine would have helped my skin, but be it hormones, or my lack of Clarisonic-ing, my skin did not react well during this time. It felt incredibly dry, scaly and I even experienced a few minor breakouts. And diet wise, in the first couple weeks of my pregnancy I was the picture of health, but after the carb, Takis and Flamin' Hot Cheeto cravings kicked in, it was downhill.

Now that I've gotten my life back together and am awake more often than I am asleep, I've done a little more reading and a lot more testing. Below is some of what is working for me. Let me know what you used during your pregnancy. I would love to hear from any other moms or moms-to-be that had good experiences with pregnancy-approved products.

• Prenatal Vitamins
  Obviously necessary, whether you care for gorgeous hair or not. I stick with VitaFusion - the only brand I've been able to find in gummy form. These have the added benefit of making your hair super lustrous and shiny and your nails really strong. 
• CeraVe
  CeraVe products are gentle, safe for pregnancy and are often even recommended for baby's skin. In fact, they have an entire baby skincare line that I'm definitely registering for. As part of even my pre-pregnancy routine, I use their moisturizing cream (for evening) and moisturizing lotion (for day time). I introduced their Foaming Facial Cleanser into my routine recently hoping to find a deep cleanse in a non-irritating formula that contains no salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an anti-acne (read: harsh) ingredient in many cleansers, so finding a balance between a deep clean that's pregnancy safe can be challenging, and a bummer in 100-degree weather. This is a great option. 
• Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
  This is a product I started using strictly for pregnancy, but have fallen in love with and will continue to use. It's a gel cream that glides onto the skin, moisturizes, contains SPF 30 (so it cuts a step out of my routine), and is formulated without parabens or fragrance - great for moms-to-be. And while it gives a very dewy finish, it's not heavy because it is formulated without oil, too. It has light coverage for daily use, but is buildable for when your skin needs a little more. 
• Tata Harper Skincare
  I learned about the relatively new Tata Harper line at an event this spring at Neiman Marcus. The line is all-natural, non-toxic and completely safe to use during pregnancy. I'm currently using the Nourishing Oil Cleanser, one of my favorite cleansing oils that literally dissolves your makeup and feels unbelievably silky as it's doing so; and then is rinsed off for clean skin that's also hydrated, covered in a super soft layer of nutrients. The Reparative Moisturizer smells as if you're rubbing your skin with fresh flower petals. It's supremely rich, but milky in consistency. My skin is touchably soft after wearing this and actually feels healthier.
• Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask
  It turns out that lots of Origins' products - with the exception of some of their products with herbal ingredients -  are safe to use during pregnancy. As little as I try to use overnight masks during pregnancy, if I do use one, I'm reaching for this one because of how much my skin just needs and loves the extra moisture.
• Palmer's Tummy Butter
  This is officially the first tummy butter I've tried since becoming pregnant and have only been using it about a week, as my bump is finally starting to take shape. I plan on testing others and comparing my favorites later into my pregnancy. Things I don't love about this butter: the consistency is a little too thick and I really have to work it between the palms of my hands to melt it down before applying. And it doesn't spread as easily as I'd like. Things I really love about this butter: my tummy feels super soft and moisturized after a full-day's wear. And it's been using a lip balm before bed. My lips have also been desert dry, they feel like sand, and this stuff is just magical as a lip balm.
• EOS Tangerine Medicated Lip Balm
  And speaking of dry, dry lips. I realize the medicated version of the organic EOS lip balms is probably the less safe of the options, but in my defense, all EOS balms are paraben, petrolatum and phthalate-free. And it really does the trick. I apply and this will keep my lips feeling super moisturized for hours. 

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