Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Let's make Body Sprays!




When spring hits I open windows and freshen the whole house. This, of course, starts my never ending search for the perfect new scent to spritz in the drawers and on the curtains to stretch that fresh feeling....sounds like deodorant, eh?

You might be going through some of the same things and drinking from the same well of frustration, especially when it comes to new body sprays and perfumes. Don't you hate spending money for a scent that smells like any other woman who can pay for it? When guy gets that hint of scent, you don't want it to remind him of his ex, you want him to focus on current events, meaning you!


Using fragrance oils is less expensive that upscale perfumes and body sprays!

Try blending your own body sprays and colognes! Most of the time, it is less expensive than buying from the perfume counter, and the scent is all yours. With a fresh spray bottle, some distilled water or inexpensive vodka and a fragrance oil or two, you can blend a scent that makes you stand out without being over bearing.

Body sprays are the easiest to begin with as you are looking for a light scent that doesn't have to carry the burden of top notes and bottom notes. Buy distilled water at your grocery store, and vodka at the liquor store, then choose the fragrance oil you would like to start with. Essential oils can be used also, but unless you are already accustomed to working with them, fragrance oils are best.



Five drops of fragrance oil go into about 1/4 cup vodka, then add distilled water. This blend has a shelf life of several weeks, allowing you time to adjust the intensity of the scent with distilled water. Why distilled water? Because tap water has chlorine, which kills scent!

This is a basic "once over lightly" for a body spray. There are several sources and recipes that can be just as satisfying and more complex, just surf the web.

Enjoy!!!!!


Monday, March 3, 2008

New Spring Colors: Lips, Cheeks, and Eyes

The end of winter is in sight. I hope you are as happy about this as I am!

Nothing lifts the spirits like planning a new
cosmetic color palette, highlighting the perfectly prepped skin I have worked on all winter. All of those days spent experimenting with facials, peels, and creams have paid off and it is almost time to show off!

I start building my spring
make up "to do" list mid February, which means I start trying mineral make up samples almost daily. Using compatible shades means I can save buying separate colors for each zone of my face.

New eyeliner colors


I have been known to stick with blacks and browns in my eyeliner drawer but found a wonderful deep green that enhances the eyes while bringing out those lower lashes where mascara runs amok. Since my eyelashes are black, the green allows them to show up without creating a ghastly pale line beneath.

Try pairing pencil colors to define, creating depth with subtle highlights.

I took Pencil Me In - Natural Eyeliner for a test drive and am thoroughly impressed with the staying power. Be sure to look at all of the colors...there's no reason to think this pencil can't be used for other special effects. Picture yourself on a warm, late spring evening grabbing the attention of an admirer with those Marilyn Monroe like eye lids. A little pink above the darker line right at the edge of the lid will cast that perfect glamour. No worries about the ingredients as they are all natural. It even has its own sharpener attached!


Versatile loose mineral powders.

Give me a jar of the right mica or oxide and I can make it work almost anywhere on my body, but right now I need to focus on the lips and cheeks. Not the hollows of the cheeks, but the cheekbones themselves. I want a hint of highlight there, very sheer, that works as the echo to of the deeper, almost opaque lip color. A smoldering kiss that glows at the cheek. Blended with a matte powder, it will carry an etheric but sultry glow just under the brow.



I found Paradise Sand Mica works for cheeks and lips!

A violet shadow might be the perfect highlight for afternoon gatherings, dusted with something that sparkles, for evening. I happen to love Rose Sparks Shadow and Hi Light Violet Shadow. They are light enough to stay in place and to layer without creating that caked on look, with Rose Sparks bearing flecks of glittery minerals guaranteed to catch moonlight.



Simplicity = Perfection

I have a feeling that beauty and fashion gurus are cooking up "new" looks that are striking but simple. Using the same colors for lips and cheeks, while adjusting their depth, will make eyes stand out.

Have your new look ready to go when spring settles in....start here!