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.