WHITE WASHED

22 April 201526 April 2015Posted in BeautyLeave a comment

I was flipping through the March/April 2015 TWO Magazine by Pixiwoo issue 29 and was just captivated by the details in the Wight on Wight editorial starting on page 10. I pinned a few images and then thought I may as well share it here because it’s just so unconventionally artistically beautiful.

I love the white-washed makeup and lines, her white/gray hair, which compliments her gorgeous blue eyes… I love the purple eyelashes in some shots and the dark rings and light nails in other. Oh I just love it all! Note the white strings tying her braids together!

Credits…

* PHOTOGRAPHER: Ad Vaughan
* MAKEUP + NAILS: Emily Porter
* HAIR: Lee Brown
* MODEL: Miss Jones
* JEWELRY: Atilea

Sara Dal Monte

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10 MAKEUP TIPS TO LOOK BETTER IN PHOTOS

6 December 20146 December 2014Posted in BeautyLeave a comment

your makeup looks in real life is one thing, but with flash and sometimes awful indoor lighting to consider, applying makeup for photos is another story. In my videos, I’ve talked about everything from perfecting your picture day look to finding the right lighting for those selfies. But with end-of-year parties and events coming up (have you decided what to wear?), I decided to put together a guide to nailing the photo every time. Here are my top 10 tricks:1. Prep & prime. Make sure your skin is healthy, hydrated and primed for makeup. A good primer goes a long way toward achieving smooth, photo-ready skin that will last through your whole event.

2. Always opt for matte. Makeup with shimmer and sparkle will look like more of a sheen in photographs, so choose matte whenever possible.

3. Avoid sunscreen, which can wash you out. If it’s a day or outdoor event, then use a chemical, not physical sunscreen. Make sure to check your foundation for SPF beforehand, too.

4. Go bold. There’s a reason Hollywood stars always have a full face on – the camera can diminish the features you’re trying to accentuate with makeup, like bold lips and bronzed skin. Go a little bolder than you normally would.

5. Contour. Contouring your cheekbones, nose, jawline or any other features you’d like more prominent will add back in any definition lost in a photo.

6. Make your eyes pop. Like I said above, it’s good to go a little bolder (without overdoing it!). So if you generally opt for a brown liner or mascara, try black this time around, and add false lashes if appropriate.

7. …But, create balance. While you want your eyes to pop, there are other features you’d probably rather not draw attention to. Make sure you don’t accidentally go too far on one specific area, such as overly defined brows or super flushed cheeks. Otherwise, it’ll be all you notice once those photos hit Instagram!

8. Adjust your lighting and position. Step away from your vanity every now and then during the process so you can see your face from a new perspective and in a new light. Check your look in a different mirror, or…

9. Snap a selfie. Always take a practice pic before you leave the house to ensure everything looks just how you think it does. You’ll avoid any mishaps before they begin and be able to correct.

10. Grab those wipes! Oil-blotting tissues are your best friend when you’ll be on camera, so don’t forget to stow a few away.

Here’s to many a successful photo!

Sara Dal Monte

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BEAUTY AND BODY USES OF TURMERIC

21 November 201421 November 2014Posted in BeautyTagged anti-inflammatory properties, antibacterial propertiesLeave a comment

Turmeric might just look like another spice to liven up your Asian cuisine (yum, curry), but it’s really a powerful food that can help your body and beauty routine. Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant and is usually found in powder form. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, can alleviate stomach problems, and help heal skin issues like eczema and allergic reactions. Turmeric is also loaded with antioxidants.

I love using holistic medicine, sound therapy, and natural foods and vitamins to help my body be its best, so turmeric is a welcome addition to my routine. This bright orange power house can do so much for us! And, it doesn’t just help our bodies, but it’s incredible color payoff can be used to dye beautiful fabrics. I’m thinking you could use it for one of these home DIYs as well.

If you want to add turmeric to your routine here are a few ways to fit it in for a healthier body.

Turmeric Tea – Sipping this tea has been known to improve brain function, calm inflammation and aid digestion. The taste can be pretty intense, so it may take some getting used to but if steeping a cup with just a hint of ginger isn’t a flavor you can handle, then try this recipe from Meghan Telpner for a more flavorful cup of gold.

Face Mask – If you suffer from acne scars, blemishes or eczema then a DIY face mask can ease redness and give you glowing beautiful skin. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are at work here. Similar to my DIY pumpkin mask you’ll combine honey and yogurt to a few tablespoons of turmeric and let it dry. You can spice it up (pun intended) even more and add chick pea flour to the mix. Toss a tablespoon of sandalwood powder in if you have oily skin.

Pill Form – You can purchase turmeric pills in order to get your daily dose and benefit your body from the inside out. Taking it twice a day after eating can act as a cancer preventative, increase cellular growth, relieve arthritis, and help with your menstrual cramps thanks to its ability to reduce pain.

If these methods don’t work for you, then toss the powder into drinks and meals. Turmeric, along with some uncommon super foods, are an excellent natural way to maintain a healthy lifestyle without ingesting chemicals.

Are there other spices, herbs and foods I should be trying? Share with me below.

Sara Dal Monte

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#WINTER SKIN ESSENTIALS

16 November 201416 November 2014Posted in BeautyTagged skin careLeave a comment

Winter months can trigger many changes in our skin, from drying caused by the cold to breakouts from travel. It’s these months we need to be ultra aware of how to nourish and hydrate our skin. With the right regimen you can tailor your skin care to combat all of your concerns. Think of yourself as your own skin care chemist – using products and lifestyle changes to banish winter skin woes. With these five winter beauty survival tips you’ll get a much-needed blast of moisture and fight back again other pesky issues you’ve been dying to diminish.

Drink more water

First and foremost, it’s important to hydrate from within. Our bodies are made up of 60% water and when we drink water to prevent signs of dehydration we are actually aiding circulation, energizing our muscles and helping lock moisture into our skin. During winter months when our skin looks dry and fatigued (and we’re drinking lots of warm teas and ciders), you can fight back by carrying a water bottle with you. A chic glass bottle like thebkr bottle in Pout is a cost effective and environmentally-friendly (not to mention stylish) way to get your daily water intake in without lugging around a plastic eye sore. That way, on-the-go or at home, you can always replenish your body.

Nourish your skin

Winter calls for more moisturizing and targeted skin care. During other months you’ve been able to skip a day of lotion or rushed out of the house without your go-to serum, but when the weather strikes, it’s not always pretty. These are the months to bump up your skin care routine and address the skin issues you want gone. Typically, you would need a toner, serum, lotion and treatment to achieve all of this, but I recently heard about this great brand,Skin Inc, that customizes your skin care, giving you one product to do it all. You simply fill out their Skin Identity quiz and violà, one of their 84 combinations is made to treat your wrinkles, dryness, acne…you name it, they’ve got you covered. I recently ordered my own My Daily Dose blend that contains antioxidant CoQ 10 for anti-aging, Vitamin A for my dark circles and Ceramide for my sensitive skin and have already noticed a difference! Even on my busiest mornings, when last-minute beauty is necessary, this product has been a life saver. We’re talking mega-hydration nicely packaged in a bottle color of my choice!

Wear sunscreen

The doom and gloom of overcast days and slushy mornings may have you thinking that you’re not exposed to a lot of UV rays, but you can actually get sunburned during the winter. The sun’s rays can reflect off of snow and believe it or not, the sun is closest to the earth during winter months. Since exposure to UV rays are a major culprit of wrinkles, apply sunscreen on exposed skin whenever you plan on going out. And to avoid the sheen some sunscreens leave behind, try a mattifying sunscreen instead.

Treat your hands and feet

Dry heels, dry hands–it’s all par for the course, but it doesn’t have to be. Regularly moisturizing hands and feet will keep your skin subtle and prevent further issues like hang nails and cracking. Always bring a heavy hydrating hand cream with you and apply a few times a day. A cuticle oil can work wonders as well. And to make sure your feet aren’t left out, use a moisturizing foot glove. Just apply a heavy moisturizer all over your feet and wear socks to bed. Your feet will feel much better come morning.

Protect your pout

Lastly, winter can wreak havoc on your lips, so during the winter make sure to moisturize, exfoliate and prep them prior to wearing product. Lipstick on cracked lips will accentuate the signs of dryness, so it’s important to always moisturize. When summer months have me reaching for any gloss, salve or stick, winter calls for a daily layer of balm.

Combined, these five tips will allow you to tweak your regimen and get just the right routine to give you the skin you’ve always wanted.

Sara Dal Monte

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#PRETTY HAIR

2 November 20142 November 2014Posted in BeautyTagged HAIRLeave a comment

Sara Dal Monte

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YOU’RE WASHING YOUR HAIR ALL WRONG

12 October 201412 October 2014Posted in BeautyTagged shampooLeave a comment

Ever have one of those days where you swear your hair is clean, but a few hours later the underneath side feels waxy or dirty? This is typically the result of a rushed wash, but it can happen during normal washes as well – causing build up and added weight to your strands. We’ve been taught that applying shampoo to the top of our head and then lathering up will leave our hair squeaky clean, but this method alone rarely does the trick. Improper washing leaves impurities behind and causes blemishes along the hairline.

A proper wash can only be compared to that of a salon wash. Sure, no home wash will ever be as enjoyable as the salon experience (hello, head massages), but you can do as good of a job if you cleanse the scalp AND focus on the hair behind your ears and along the nape of your neck. Here’s 4 steps to the best shampoo imaginable.

After fully wetting your hair, use a dime sized amount of shampoo to lather the underneath side of your hair first. Make sure to run your fingers through your locks and really scrub. If you have nails, gently use them to massage the shampoo into your hair from the nape of your neck up the back of your head.
Apply a small amount of shampoo to the crown of your head and lather as you typically would. Do not bunch all of your hair on top of your head and scrub (your ends rarely need shampooing and your scalp will not get the attention it deserves). Rub your fingers through all areas of your head, then use some of those suds on the next step of your wash.
Starting right above your ears at your hairline, move your fingers through your hair in a circular motion back and then down behind your ears. Repeat this motion multiple times and get ready to rinse.
Similar to how you washed your locks, break your rinse up into sections. Rinse the top of your hair with warm (not hot!) water first, then try to separate chunks of your hair and let water flow through these sections with the help of your hand. Don’t rely on the water overhead to wash away all product – turn your head from side to side and scrub the hair behind your ears. Lift your hair up and run water along your neck. Then rinse all over one more time so no residue remains. Now you’re ready to condition!

It should also be mentioned that depending on your product you may have very little lather or bubbles, but that doesn’t mean your shampoo isn’t working. Some products just aren’t meant to suds! Preserve the health of your hair after washing with these tips forbrushing wet hair and towel drying.

Do you have any tricks for getting the best wash? I’d love to hear them below.

Sara Dal Monte

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CLEAR BEAUTY PRODUCTS EVERY WOMAN NEEDS

11 October 201412 October 2014Posted in BeautyTagged BEAUTY PRODUCTSLeave a comment

CLEAR BEAUTY PRODUCTS EVERY WOMAN NEED

When you think of doing your makeup, you most likely envision yourself applying color to give you those rosy cheeks and knockout smoky eyes we all know and love. However, some of the best makeup products we own are the ones that have no color at all! I’m talking about clear products that work magic on every feature of your face, but go unnoticed to the common eye. It’s these beauty products that not only hold your look together and act as a base for endless color opportunities, but also pull double duty with uses beyond their intended purpose. Below are five clear beauty products every woman should have in her stash – for emergencies or day-to-day use, they’ll change your makeup game for the better.

Face Primer – There are plenty of tinted primers available, but a clear primer like Smashbox Photo Finish will leave you with a silky smooth base without causing the tint to affect your skin tone. Plus, you can use a primer to thin out cream foundations and change the coverage of the product. It’s a quick, one-step base application that is ideal for all of you busy girls.

Top Coat – Applying top coat to your manicure isn’t always a priority when you’re in a hurry, but it will save your manicure. A top coat strengthens your nails, helps lacquer dry faster (yes, with Seche Vite Top Coat) and it can give you long-lasting shine that’s a welcome distraction in class. It doesn’t stop there – top coat can revive a manicure that has lost its luster and seal the deal on these everyday uses.

Mascara – Before wearing makeup was allowed, clear mascara found its way into many girls’ backpacks. That’s because even with no color added, it will make your perfectly curled lashes stay put. But clear mascara can also be used as a base for mixing your own mascara shades (just add shadow or mica pigments) and for setting your bold brows.

Lip Liner – Instead of buying a lip liner shade to match each of your lipsticks, reach for a clear one. A clear liner helps prevent against feathering and leaves you with an error-free, match-all pout. Whether trying to save a few dollars, downsizing your makeup collection or just looking for the most forgiving liner around, a clear liner like Milani Anti-Feathering Lip Liner is a must.

Lip Balm – Products like Vaseline or Labello (the German brand I cover here) Lip Butter will nourish your lips, tame unruly eyebrows and help you customize your makeup. By adding mica pigments or crushed up eyeshadows to a dollop of salve, you can play beauty chemist for a day. If that shimmer pink on your eyes is too good to pass up, break some off and mix it with the balm – instant matching lip color. You can mix up a new cheek stain with this technique as well.

Sara Dal Monte

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TRICKS FOR THE BEST CONCEALER APPLICATION

9 October 201412 October 2014Posted in BeautyTagged concealerLeave a comment

Concealer is a beauty product that, on the surface, seems so simple it shouldn’t need to be explained. With shades, types, techniques and tools to consider, very few actually get it totally right. Because the point of concealer is to look like nothing is there at all, it can be a serious game changer when you finally learn the way to apply it to your advantage.

Here are a few things to take into consideration next time you reach for this wonder product:

The Types

Choosing a concealer that’s the right color (usually one shade lighter than your skin tone) is important, but finding one that goes with your foundation is just as vital. Foundation can mix with your concealer to make it look darker than it is, so sometimes going as far as two shades lighter keeps it looking natural, and it never hurts to test out concealer with your go-to foundation before committing.

As far as type, lightweight concealers are best for highlighting and reducing fine lines, while full-coverage concealers work magic on zits. If you tend to have more than one problem area such as blemishes and dark eye circles, consider a multi-functional product like em’s concealer color mixing palette to truly cover your bases. Smashbox ‘Camera Ready’ is another multipurpose favorite; it comes in a stick for on-the-go application and touchups.

The Tools

There are many tools that can be used to apply concealer, from brushes to sponges like the famed beautyblender and even your finger. The trick is to find the one that blends the product best with both your skin and other face makeup. If you find that a brush makes it look too streaky or sponges don’t create the natural finish you need, a clean finger used to gently mix the concealer may just do the trick – just make sure to wash your hands before and after!

The Technique

To conceal under eye circles, apply a brightening serum or under eye cream (Burt’s Bees Hydration Eye Cream is a wallet-friendly alternative to luxury brands) to give it a healthy dose of moisture that will reduce the appearance of wrinkles. That way, your concealer won’t have to work as hard to get the job done.

Now decide whether to apply concealer before or after foundation. If your go-to foundation is powder, it often helps to apply it before the concealer. Sometimes applying a powder foundation after a cream concealer leads to that unsightly caked-on look. If this is the case with your products, switch up their order – it may even mean not having to use as much concealer, since a layer of powder already did the trick.

Lastly, make sure to apply the concealer in the way that works for you. Trying to hide dark circles? Apply product in three small dots under your lower lash line – with two dots toward the line and the one other below it in a triangle. shape that mimics the bags. Then, carefully blend the three together. Concealing a blemish? Try patting the product on as opposed to rubbing it in to minimize lines and streaks, then perfect with a concealer brush.

Have any concealer tricks up your sleeve? Leave them in the comments below!

Sara Dal Monte

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NAILS FOR THE CAUSE // STAND UP TO CANCER

28 September 201428 September 2014Posted in BeautyTagged cancer community, NAILS FOR THE CAUSE STAND UP TO CANCER, skin cancer, STAND UP TO CANCER Friday eveningLeave a comment

NAILS FOR THE CAUSE // STAND UP TO CANCER

Friday evening while watching the Stand Up To Cancer special, I was inspired to create a manicure to share here as a way to become part of the movement to bring awareness to this great charity whose mission is to raise funds to accelerate the pace of groundbreaking research that can get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives.

Each day about 1600 people in the U.S. die from cancer and that means everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. For me, it was my dad, who died from skin cancer when he was just 54 years old.Stand Up To Cancer brings together the best and the brightest researchers and mandates collaboration among the cancer community to help more people diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors.

So in addition to donating, I thought I’d paint my nails for the cause as a way to help spread the word {just in case you hadn’t heard of it}. Think of all the people you can help so we can all stand up to cancer together and make a real difference.

Sara Dal Monte

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#WELCOME TO PITTI FRAGRANCE 12

12 September 201412 September 2014Posted in Beauty, FashionTagged fragrances, perfume, Pitti, Pitti Fragrances1 Comment

#WELCOME TO PITTI FRAGRANCE 12

“A SPECIAL THANK TO ALESSANDRO SICURO FOR SURE-COM”

The perfumery author never stops, much less the characters and the brand that animate it. It seems like yesterday the end of the week perfume Milan 2014 and many serial sniffers have not finished yet to try the new products introduced in March, which arrive the first highlights of Pitti 12 fragrances that will take place as usual at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, from Friday 12 on Sunday, September 14.

The word to perfume. This edition will feature a fascinating subject, Perfumes & Parole, which will become the main theme of the festival fiorentina with meetings, appointments of olfactory culture, installations and panel discussions devoted to dialogue between words and fragrances, with particular attention to those poets and writers which over the centuries have loved to write and describe the world of odors through their art.

Among the special projects Fragrances 2014 mention Verba Olent – Journey in the literature of perfume, a journey exciting by Giovanna Zucconi, journalist and presenter of radio and television and soul of Serra & Fonseca, a brand that explores the connections between perfume and literature, art and design. The project-installation Verba Olent is a journey through the many shades of the perfume literature, or literature scented. It is no secret that fragrances and odors through the centuries in Western literature: a secret track high emotional intensity, a fil rouge bouquet to express eros, nostalgia, social judgment, mysticism. From the Bible to Baudelaire, from Shakespeare to Pascoli, the most neglected and mysterious character sketches of the senses, conveys emotions, evoking memories, says the past is used to tell the impalpable, invisible, indescribable and often even unfathomably .

Beyond words, at Pitti Fragrances 12 there will be the most loved brand of perfume copyright with their classics and novelties that we anticipate will be many.

The best of the first day at Pitti:

The Pitti Fragrances is always a mix of emotions and events, meetings with international noses and homegrown discoveries. Here’s the best of the first day, according to the editors of Icon.

1 Shades of Indigo Olfactive Studio. It is inspired by a photograph, like all of the line – in this case an image of Gustavo Pellizzon in which a young woman (or man?) Emerges from the water. The jus is a blue sea, and contains woods, resins, tuberose and petit grain. Distributed in Italy by essenses.

2 Patchouliful Laboratory Olfactory. This is a real patchouli, inspired by a traditional king but who has lived in the seventies, then brings Hawaiian shirts and marched through the streets. The earthy patchouli is less than usual, which appears and disappears in surprise. Distributed in Italy by Kaon.

3 The Modern Figaro Chez Dedi and Men’s Heritage. The portable kit for the perfect hipster: a toothbrush and a comb mustache, a mustache wax always to Capt Fawcett’s encased in an elegant clutch bag in soft leather.

Vintage set of 4 Taylor of Old Bond Street. Toothbrushes of all shapes and sizes to clean the nails, and the elegance of English gentleman from Taylor of Old Bond Street always win. Distributed in Italy by Calè.

5 Cleanser by Zenology. A unisex body line, from shampoo to shower gel, in respect of the skin and also the aesthetics of the bathroom. Distributed in Italy by Campomarzio70.