Want some BRIGHT COLORFUL LIPS this Spring???

If you see my daily, then you know that I loving hot pink lips right now!  When I go to the makeup store, it is like my eyes go straight to the lipsticks to see if they have came out with any new bright pink colors.  I was so bummed because when MAC came out with the Wonder Woman collection, I fell in love with one of their lipsticks but I was too late and it sold out!  I still cannot get that color out of my head so I have been trying to recreate it.

Before I put on any bright color of lipstick I always apply Laura Geller Lip Spackle ($24) first!  I learned about this product this from Kandee Johnson and I love it.  It prevents your lipstick from bleeding or changing colors.  I carry one in my purse at all times and in my makeup kit for my clients.

What I am using right now is two colors…first I apply Mac Cherry Lipliner ($13.00) and outline my lips and then also blend in the color on my lips so I don’t have a harsh line.  Then I apply Mac Girl About Town Lipstick ($14.50) over the liner and press together and you get that perfect HOT PINK lip! 

I have done a nude eye and a smokey eye and it seems to work with both, even though I prefer the nude eye, especially for spring. 

Some other colors that I really want to try but haven’t had the chance are…

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in REBELLE ($32)

Dior Addict in DIORKISS ($28)

Yves Saint Laurent in ROSE CULTE ($34)

Here is a pic of my dog, Good Time Sammy, with a lasting lip mark of my love!

Hope your summer is filled with hot pink lips!!!

Hugs…

Annastina

GET READY FOR SUMMER WITH A FRESH AND FLAWLESS LOOK!!!

Summer is coming and I love having that fresh, flawless face when going to the beach or out with my friends on those sunny days!  During the summer, I do not like to spend a huge amount of time on my makeup because I want to get out and be in the sun has much as I can.  Some celebrities that I think always have that sun kissed look are Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Lauren Conrad.  I do not know what they personally use for makeup products but I try to duplicate their summer looks.  Here are some products I use to get that beachy, sun-kissed look…

Concealer

I always conceal first no matter what…around my nose, under my eyes and on top of my eye lids, wherever I tend to get the most hormonally red.  I really like Cover FX concealer ($27) or Laura Mercier Undercover Pot ($34) or Secret Camouflage ($28).

Foundation

I use two different kinds of foundation, depending on how much coverage I need for the day.  I love Makeup Forever HD Foundation ($40)…when achieving the beach look, I really only use a little…only enough to cover my flaws.  If I am having a better day with less flaws (trust me, it can change from day to the next) then I will use a tinted moisturizer.  I like Cover FX Tinted Moisturizer ($42) or Mac Studio Moisture Tint ($29.50).  I still use concealer with both options, but I prefer the tinted moisturizer in the summer because it gives you less of a heavy look.

Bronzer

I always use bronzer to contour my face and add some depth.  I love Mac Blunt Cheek Blush ($19.50).  I bronze around my hair line on my forehead and then I use the side of my contour brush and bronze right below my cheek bone to define and chisel my face.  Any bronzer would create the same effect.

Cheeks

When I want to glow I use a lighter blush…usually Well Dressed by Mac ($19.50).  But any color that is similar will work.  There are plenty drugstore brands that have the same color.  I use my blush brush and lightly sweep over my cheek bones and then I make sure I get the apple of my cheeks so when I smile I have rosy cheeks.

Illuminator

An illuminator is what is going to achieve the “glow” you are looking for.  I use Shell Cream Colour Base ($16.50) when I am more tan and when I am less tan I use the color Pearl.  I carry both in my makeup kit because I really like it as a highlighter, it sinks into my skin nicely instead of sitting on it and I love the shimmer it leaves on my skin, it's not too much or too little.  I place it right above my cheek bone where I place the blush, down the center of my nose and I will even use it on my lid below my eyebrow.

Eye Shadow

I usually keep the eye shadow very basic, I might put the Shell Cream Colour Base to add some dewiness or a gold bronze color like Mac Goldmine or Gorgeous Gold ($14.50) to sweep some color to lower half of my lid.

Eyeliner

I usually do not wear eyeliner with this look but if it is something you cannot live without, here are my suggestions.  Use Mac Penultimate ($17.50) and just use a thin line over the top (I never put it on the bottom) but if you like it on the bottom I suggest going very lightly and then smudge it out so it looks more natural.  Over the liquid liner I press Mac Smolder Eye Pencil ($14.50) to lock in the liquid and smooth out any ripples.  Also if you are going to the beach or pool, I would use a waterproof liner so then it doesn’t run.  There are plenty of waterproof liners out there that will work the same.

Mascara

Again if you are going to be near or going in water, then I would use waterproof mascara.  I really love Waterproof Bad Girl Lash from Benefit ($9 - $19).  But again you can find a cheaper waterproof version in any drug store.  I always add two coats to my upper lashes to get the depth but then only one coat on my bottom lashes so they look softer.

Lips

I love lip gloss that just adds a hint of color.  I like most people love Mac Lip glass in Pink Lemonade ($14.50) and also if you want a cheap version, I love Victoria Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss (4 for $20).  They both give you a soft shiny lip that tops off the look.

You do not have to use just these products to achieve this look, you can find similar and more affordable ones in the drugstore and Sephora…this is just what I use.  But I love it and it always makes me fresh and flawless!  This looks can literally take under 10 minutes to do so you have more time to enjoy the sun and not look like you spent hours on your face!

Hugs…

Annastina

MONEY CAN'T BUY YOU EVERYTHING!!!

Think money can buy you everything? Well, personally I don't think it can. Nowadays, everything seems to cost money and it can get difficult if there is something you really need and cannot afford it.  So I thought it would be a great reminder on what money CANNOT buy...

• ·         Passion: You can't pay someone to give you passion nor can you buy it. Passion comes from within and it is natural to those who follow their hearts. Ever hear of the expression, "do what you love and money will follow." All the money in the world won't buy you passion, but all the passion in the world will make you rich. 
• ·         Belief. No matter how much money you earn, belief is earned not bought. 
• ·         Loyalty. Devotion can't be bought neither is loyalty. Are the people around you also the same people that believe in you and encourage you to do better. Are your friends those who are with you no matter the circumstances? Does your family stick by you in the good and bad? Money might buy you many things, but never loyalty. 
• ·         Success. You can only achieve success by doing what you love. 
• ·         A piece of mind. It can only be gained by a loyal heart. 
• ·         A funny joke. 
• ·         Those unexpected bonds you share with your friends.
• ·         Helping someone else succeed. Have you ever helped someone without asking, just because you want to or you love that person. These gestures can't be bought they are only given. 

Hugs...

Annastina

Heidi Klum's Top Five Rules for Succeeding in Business

I found this article the other day and thought it has some great information for us entrepreneurs out there!  Heidi Klum has been extremely successful as a model, TV personality and jewelry designer…I love listening to her interviews on how she kept moving forward when she wanted to quit.  Here are her top 5 rules for succeeding in your own business…

You Have to Have a Goal

"Some people have not figured out what it is they want to do. That's the main problem. When I knew I wanted to be a model, I wanted to be a good model. First you have to have to have your goal."

You Should Learn About What It is You Want to Do

"In my business, it would be like knowing what photographers, what stylists, what magazines, [are in the industry] and being in shape for it. If you want to be a chef for example, then you have to know what are the best knives, what are the best pots and pans, what kind of food do you want to cook! What do you love to eat? Do you want to do Japanese, Italian, Chinese?"

Work on Your Confidence

"I think you have to just look at things positively. If you're scared, don't show it. Maybe it's cute when people are on stage and say they're nervous, but it's not so cute when you go into a business meeting. You have to look in people's eyes and you have to just say, 'this is what I like to do and this is why I'm here and I believe I'm good at what I do.'"

Be Open to Learning New Things

"It's not good to think you know it all—I don't think that's cool or smart. I think there's always more things that people teach you. Be confident and open to incorporating certain suggestions!"

Don't Take No for an Answer

"Be tenacious and don't give up. How do other people do it? I think a lot of things happen because someone knows someone, but there are other people [who succeed] because of their talent and because they don't give up. Otherwise I wouldn't be here. I know from people I work with, that people say 'I want to have Heidi’s career,' and my friends are like, 'but she also works very hard.' It's the truth! It's not as if I sit back and watch things fly onto my plate. I went for a lot of the things. It doesn't happen by waiting for things to happen because there are other people who are hungry. The early bird catches a worm."

Hope you all have a productive day!

Hugs…

Annastina

Nail Polish...THE PERFECT ACCESSORY!!!

I am obsessed with this spring and summer’s nail polish trends!  I love experimenting with new colors and patterns.  Me, personally, I am loving the bright, neon colors…I wish I had time to change my polish everyday because I want to wear them all.  Here are some of the colors that have caught my eye…

Neons - I have to say that I love the new neon nail colors; they are flirty and fun, just like a summer day! Even if at first glance you think they are a little too much for you, try them just on your toes. You might find that after you wear them on your toes for one week, you’ll be ready to go full-on neon the next!

Grays…Grays are a staple in my nail polish collection. They’re versatile, go with everything, and are still totally trendy and fresh. I always feel great when I’m rocking a gray polish!

Even better, my favorite shades are still in for this spring – this trend has been around for a while now and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon! However, what I’ve been noticing for this spring is that people are abandoning winter’s dark grays and instead choosing lighter (much more springy) grays. I can’t wait to get my hands on a couple of bottles in these shades!

Blues…Let me first just say that I am SO EXCITED for this trend!  So, for this spring, I’m psyched that all types of blue polishes are popping up everywhere.

This trend isn’t limited to pastel hues, though – it also includes rich, bright blues, like Butter London’s Blagger, as well as muted blues and periwinkles. This such a fun nail trend because you really aren’t limited to just one hue; choose any shade of blue that you like, and your nails will look perfectly modern and on-trend.

Nudes - It seems that the population has a love-hate relationship with nude polishes; they go in and out of style very quickly and can be super cute one minute, and completely shunned from a girl’s polish collection the next. However, I’m happy to say that they’re officially back in style right now!

Some people avoid nude polishes because they don’t like looking like a mannequin, however, if you pick the right shade, that definitely won’t happen! It’s all about choosing nudes that work against your skin color. If you feel too monotone wearing a nude polish, opt for one with some different undertones or subtle shimmer to change it up a little bit!

What are your favorite colors to wear this summer?

Hugs…

Annastina

Life to Stressful???

As we get older our lives tend to become more stressful.  It seems like there is always something that happens that requires our full attention and drains away all of our energy.  The older we get the more complex and chaotic our schedules and lives become.  I feel that now that I am trying to run my own business, everyday is stressful.  I have to do my own scheduling, accounting and marketing...and it ends up weighing pretty heavily on me.  How many of you feel your life is too chaotic, stressful in where you find it hard to disconnect and break away from your daily routine?  Here are a few ways you can detach from the chaos and find your inner peace. 

·         Meditate/Pray: If stress has you anxious, tense and worried, consider trying meditation. Spending even a few minutes in meditation can restore your calm and inner peace.

·         Smile: So many people underestimate the power and importance of a smile, it can work magic, heal emotional and physical pain. That one simple smile has the power to calm fear, insecurity and help anxiety.

·         Embrace your beliefs: Whatever you believe in, embrace it with your entire being. The more belief you have the more inner peace you will experience. 

·         Live in the now: Stop worrying about what happened yesterday or what could have happened, instead live in the present focus on living now, relax, unwind and enjoy your life now!

     Hugs...Annastina

Motivational Women...Past and Present!!!

For those that know me, I love inspirational quotes!  There are so many women past and present who have given me the courage to continue to keep fighting for what I believe in. These are some of the quotes that have inspired me by these famous women. 

1. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt 

2. If you feel incomplete, you alone must fill yourself with love in all your empty, shattered spaces. -Oprah Winfrey

3. Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got. -Janis Joplin

4. Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. - Hellen Keller 

5. In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death. - Anne Frank

6. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. -Eleanor Roosevelt

7. Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. - Mary Tyler Moore

8. If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. - Maya Angelou

9. Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. - Katherine Hepburn 

10. What matters most is that we learn from living - Doris Lessing 

Hugs...

Annastina