A Hot Bronze Look.

With Summer basically here, I start to take a different approach with my makeup. The first thing I do is to definitely tone down the eye makeup. I usually just wear a bit of bronzer on my lids for the day, if anything at all.

But... I may just have to change my summer shadow habits. I just tried out a few new eye products, and they are helping me create a pretty summer eye look. I am calling it my "island eyes" look.

The products are from Elizabeth Ardens's Cool Blue - Hot Bronze Collection. And if you haven't used anything from EA lately, you must make a stop by one of their counters soon. I swear that their powders are the softest and most velvety feeling powders I have ever used. The first product is an eye shadow palette with four color intrique shades. They are Ember, Sand Dune, Cool Blue, and Sand Castle. I sweep Sandcastle across my brow bone, and then Sand Dune on the inner half of my lid. I then apply Cool Blue to the outer half of the lid, sweeping slightly outward and upward. Next, I apply Ember as a contour in the crease, and blend this outward and upward into the Cool Blue. Next, I use their gel eyeliner, which is a round container with two shades in it. I apply Deep Brown to my upper lash line, and then Hot Bronze to my lower lash line.

Now while you may only want to turn up the heat by making "island eyes" in the evening, don't skip all the eye makeup for the day. Apply a bit of powder bronzer all over the eyelids with a sweep of the Hot Bronze gel eyeliner color on the upper lash line, and your daytime eye look is complete. The Color Intrigue Eye shadow Quad retails for $29.50 and the Color Intrigue Gel Eyeliner retails for $22.50. Check them out on Macy's.com where shipping for beauty items is a flat $5 total!

On the Strip with MAC.

MAC Cosmetics is launching so many great goodies as of late. There were Tendertones (which I promise I will review soon), Moonbathe, and now Sunstrip.

The newest products in this collection are new to MAC. They are called Charged Waters. Charged Waters are hydrating Mists that are "charged" with natural minerals. You simply spray the fine mist over your skin after moisturizing, or throughout the day when you may need a little pick me up. Charged Waters are safe to use over makeup, if misted carefully, of course. These waters, which retails for $19 each, come in three enticing blends:

Revitalizing Energy -"I-water, diamond powder from Brazil, and caffeine infuse skin with energy that revitalizes skin’s radiance and vitality. The charge of the diamonds instantly shifts skin’s energy level allowing the mineral rich water to penetrate and rejuvenate skin easily. The aroma of green tea and citrus enlivens one’s senses while skin is hydrated and rebalanced."

Renewal Defense - "S-water, Rhodochrosite from Argentina, and Salicylic Acid combine to protect skin from the environment and renew it to a healthy, more hydrated condition. The light peach water is infused with anti-oxidants that shield skin from a harsh environment. Grapefruit and mandarin aroma recharge the senses while the vital mineral ions keep skin healthy and hydrated. The combination of ingredients shifts skin’s energy to revitalize dull skin anytime, anywhere."

Youth Aura - " I-water, Malachite from Zambia, and Amino Acids combine to rejuvenate skin and regenerate new vital skin. The mineral-charged, aqua-tinted water atomizer boosts tired skin into skin 
that is soft and supple. The enhanced water regenerates skin and relieves surface irritation while the aroma of bergamot violet soothes the senses."

I am very intrigued by these waters, and I am anxious to try one out.

The Sunstrip collection also offers two new Bronzing Powders and Studio Mists to bring out your best bronze too. The Bronzing Powders, $20, are available in:
Bronze - Muted bronzed-brown with golden shimmer
Refined Golden - Muted golden tan-beige with golden shimmer

while the Studio Mist Foundations, $28.50, have two new shades as well:
Summer - Rich caramel bronze
Sun Rays- Peachy bronze with golden nuances

Before I forget, MAC Cosmetics.com is offering free shipping on ANY purchase from now until June 16th (US address only) with the code SUN at checkout.

Let me know what MAC newness you select!

Bronzing in an Instant.

I have been asked by many readers who do not tan or self-tan, what to use for a temporary, instant tan for an event. Besides makeup bronzers, I have found some great products for the entire body that will have you bronzed and beautiful in just a few minutes. And the benefit of these bronzers, is that with a scrubbie and soap and water, they will be gone!

 
Benefit Cosmetics has Jiffy Tan, which is perfect for the legs. It is a bit of a darker shade with a bit of shimmer, so I would only suggest using it on the legs. It glides on evenly and smoothly and lasts through a long hard day. You have to be careful to take the time to wash hands immediately after applying, as it will leave your palms stained and messy.

Philosophy has a nice body tint in a tube called The Big Skinny, which is actually a tinted body shaper in a tube. Why a body shaper? Because this instantly makes you appear more slender with the look of glowing skin, from a healthy, instant tan. It is very moisturizing and slides on very easily. This cream only takes a few minutes to try, so blending is simple, quick, and easy. The results are great and this can be used all over. Remember to wash you hands right after applying as well.

Lastly, there is a bronzing gel, that is very lightweight from Becca. This Translucent Bronzing Gel instantly gives the body a healthy, light glow. Not a deep dark tan, but a nice sheer golden tan. This bronzing gel spread out quickly and easily too, and is appropriate to where all over the body. And it is so nice and light, with no smell, that I suggest it for men too.

All of these are also great for evening out a bad self-tanning job as well - I bet you never thought of that, did you? Stop scrubbing away the mistakes and even them out - even if it is only temporary.

It is pretty safe to say, that whichever you choose, you will be quickly transformed from a snow bunny to a golden summer, bronzed goddess.