Want Flawless, Gorgeous Looking Skin? Add Oil. ~ Beauty Tip Of The week #38

So how is your skin doing right now?
If yours is anything like mine it's starting to feel the effects of the colder weather. Cold weather stresses our skin out. It makes it sensitive and irritated, it dries our skin out.
The holiday season adds to this, because we are running around more, going to parties and events (alcohol + tiredness), going out at night shopping (stress + cold weather) and even though the holidays are tons of fun, they are exhausting.
If you are traveling there is another layer of chaos to add in to your equation, and it becomes super visible on your skin.

I couldn't figure out what was up with my skin. My foundation started looking really flat and lifeless, and nothing seemed to be working. I tried a bunch of different things before I realized what was up - I wasn't using a facial oil.

When I talk about facial oils people freak out

The old way of thinking was that facial oils would give us acne. They don't.

The new breed of super facial oils work magic on the skin.

Plenty of them are super antioxidants. They are incredibly nourishing and hydrating. They prevent water loss, sensitivities and irritation.

Facial Oils make your makeup look gorgeous!

From the makeup point of view facial oil make the skin look smooth and glowing. A couple of drops of a really good facial oil before your moisturizer will make your foundation glide on beautifully and smoothly, and give you the most gorgeous, healthy looking skin.

Which Oil Should You Use?

There are lots of different oils to choose from.

Personally I adore products with Camellia Oil. I am a firm believer that the most effective lip balms are the ones that contain camellia oil. My all time favorite face oil has a camellia oil base too.

I use Tatcha's Camellia Beauty Oil. It calms your skin when it is feeling sensitive or irritated, it hydrates it when it feels dry. This is one of those products that gives you an instant result - you see the difference immediately, and know you just did something very right for your complexion!

It also contains 24 karat gold which gives your skin a really sensual glow.

Tatcha Camellia Beauty Oil even comes in a travel size, which is perfect to take onboard your flight with you, and if you are a little nervous about adding an oil to your skin care regimen, is perfect as a trial product.

Check it out at tatcha.com

Camellia Beauty Oil

Makeup Mistakes To avoid This Holiday Season

ScarJo wearing beautiful, Instagram-free makeup

With the holiday season in full swing you've no doubt got tons of parties and events lined up to take you all the way through to New Years Eve.
You've already planned out your outfits, your accessories and your hairdo so that you look and feel super glam at each and every event, now lets make sure you don't ruin your look by making any of the following makeup mistakes.

 8 Makeup Mistakes To Avoid This Holiday Season

Too Much Makeup

The more makeup tutorials girls watch, the more makeup they pile on. Don't get caught up in all the makeup steps you see online - makeup is meant to enhance your features, not smother them. 
Seriously, less is more.

Contouring Like An Instagrammer

Looking at a face that has been over-contoured makes your brain hurt. Makeup artists have been contouring forever, but not the way you see it on Instagram. We artfully apply a little highlight here and a little shade there to bring out the best features in the face. The key is to be subtle and to be so well blended that you can't see it with the naked eye. 
The nonsense that is still all over Instagram is like a very bad joke.
Heavy product, sitting on the surface of the skin (instead of blended away to almost nothingness) shaded too light and too dark, flagrantly abusing color theory and totally visible to the naked eye is really bad makeup.
Do yourself a favor: don't look at Instagram before you do your makeup!

Stoppppp!

Treating Your Face Like A Makeup Chart

When you treat your face like a makeup chart you start to look like a caricature of yourself. It's super unflattering. 
Instead of following the Instagrammers, focus on creating a gorgeous complexion with sheer foundation and a soft creamy blush. Leave the drag queen look to the drag queens - remember these goddesses of the night use this extreme makeup chart makeup to take their larger, more manly features and turn them into soft, female features. They have reason to do it. You don't.

Instagram Eyebrows

I'm not sure which bothers me more. Instagram contour or Instagram eyebrows.
Eyebrows are one of the most important features on the face. They help give the visage dimension, frame and open the eye, and create balance. 
I am all for a well defined brow, but these crazy, squared off, ferocious brows that are all over the IG look plain stupid. 

Too Much Foundation

Foundation shouldn't be a thick, opaque layer that obliterates the skin. It's job is to create the illusion of perfect, glowing, healthy, even toned skin. Keep your formulation sheer, and blend it well. The person standing next to you should be thinking you have a gorgeous complexion, and shouldn't be able to see foundation sitting on the surface of your skin.

Mis-Matched Foundation

Your foundation shade should ideally match the skin color at your collarbone. Your face shouldn't be any lighter or darker than your decolletage.

Putting Trend Before Reason

Don't be too obsessed with trends in makeup. Find out what works for your face, and do that. 
If a matte oxblood pout is all the rage and you have thin small lips, do a sheer, glossy neutral instead. If dark, smoky eyes are the biggest thing in makeup, but you have deep set eyes or heavy bags under your eyes, you will just draw more attention to those features.
Colors that are on trend might not suit your skin tone, makeup styles that are in vogue might not work your face shape. 

Dull Lipstick

Party season lips need to have a pop of bright color. Dull, brown lips drag your face down. The idea is to look bright and vivacious.

If bright colors feel overwhelming, at least give yourself a pretty, colored gloss.

Gift Ideas For The Beauty Junkie

Do you have a beauty junkie on your gift list?
Make your shopping easy by checking out some of the fabulous beauty gifts available at beauty emporium Space NK. Everything is available online.

The Oribe Gold Lust Collection $95 is designed to restore hair to it's most beautiful,  glossy, healthy state with luxurious healing oils and extracts. Nothing smells as beautiful as Oribe in your hair.

The Rodial Bee Venom Collection The bee venom paired synergystically with plant stem cells in these incredible products visibly improves skin tone and elasticity, giving firmer, younger looking skin. This one is on the cutting edge of skin care technology. 

Laura Mercier Kiss Of Color Lip Glace Collection $50
is a set of high shine glosses that are moisturizing, anti-aging and lip plumping.

Kat Burki Body Collection $85
Exclusive to Space NK this collection hellps heal weather damaged hands, scrub away dead skin cells, and restore dry lips.

Nudestix Go Nude Collection $49 these creamy all in one lip liner, lipstick and cheek color pencils give a soft, subtle, natural tint.

Me Smooth At Home Hair Removal System $395 
Me' is the only at-home hair removal device to use patented elos technology that is clinically proven and FDA cleared to be safe and effective for all skin types and tones. Gentle, easy to use and just minutes a treatment, now you can experience the freedom of silky, smooth skin without the hassles of shaving and waxing.

The Modern Girls Guide To Hostess Gifts ~ 14 Great Hostess Gifts For The Holidays

It's that time of the year again - the endless swirl of chic soirées, holiday parties, cocktail parties, dinner parties and events that make up the holiday season.

Your hostess has taken the time to plan, put together and now be the ringmaster of the evening (or whatever time the event is happening). Your job is to be the perfect guest, and to show up with an appropriate hostess gift.

What should you not take? 
Don't show up with flowers - she already has her decor for the event planned, and when you are at the door with a bouquet she now has to stop what she was doing and go find a vase, deal with the flowers and find a place for them. 
Flowers make a lovely thank you gift after the event.

Don't show up with wine. (unless asked to) Your hostess has probably planned wine pairings to go with the foods she is serving. A bottle of wine can be awkward too - are you expecting her to serve it at the event or save it for later? It can be easily lost or confused, so opt for something that at least looks like it has been well thought out.

Make sure your gift is wrapped and has a hand written card attached as she may not open it until the next day and will probably forget who gave it.

Here are 15 great hostess gift ideas for this holiday season:

Diptyque Candles

Whether you are gifting a single candle or a set of minis,  a Diptyque Candle is always a win. The fragrances are glorious, and the quality is exceptional. Diptyque is synonymous with chic, classic and luxe. For the holiday season try the Diptyque candle in Feu De Bois for a woodsy, wintery scent.

Macarons

A little touch of Paris goes a long way. Decadent, glamorous and delicious, macarons are lovely to receive. Order online from Laduree

Bath Soaps

Sets of bath soaps or bath gels are always welcomed.

Where possible try to match the fragrance to the girl. If she is a floral girl a woodsy scent might not thrill her. If she is sleek and modern, get her something sleek and modern. If you aren't sure try Aqua di Parma, their products are always chic and luxe.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything lavender - it smells like grandma.

A Coffee Table Book

Find a statement piece that matches her interests. A fashionista may love the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

A girl who loves home decor may enjoy Ellen De Generes' Home

A Leather Notebook

In a world that has gone impossibly digital it is still lovely to write notes by hand in a beautiful leather notebook.

A Bottle Stopper.

Lovely wine bottle stoppers make a great gift. I found this Michael Aram Botanical Leaf Stopper 
at Nordstrom

A Picture Frame.

If you don't know her taste get something simple.

A Reed Diffuser From Jo Malone

A Jo Malone Diffuser is a super chic looking gift, and her fragrances are so beautiful - you will win every time.

Coasters

I found these Ben's Garden coasters at Nordstrom

An Interesting Or Exotic Tray.

She can use it to serve food, as a decor accent, to store her perfumes on - the list is endless but the gift is both lovely and original. I love this Rosanna Golden Alphabet Tray

A Throw 

Especially during the winter months a throw blanket is fabulous to curl up with, and they make wonderful gifts. Check out these Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Throws

A Tin Of Holiday Flavored Tea

Holiday flavored teas in interesting packaging make great gifts. Teavana has tea gift sets, and their White Chocolate Peppermint tea tastes like the holidays.

Drawer Fragrances

Everyone loves fragrances for their closets and drawers. These Diptyque Scented Ovals can freshen up any space, and make your clothes smell fresh and lovely.

A Himilayan Salt BBQ Plank.

Completely random, but what a great gift! I found this one on uncommon goods.com

5 Tips To Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

Are you suffering after a robust Thanksgiving weekend?
I actually was incredibly well behaved this year, but with an endless stream of parties and events coming up, as well as some travel, I need a game plan to keep healthy this holiday season.
(And to be able to still fit into my clothes by the end of the holidays...)

While clicking away on one of my favorite websites, The Zoe Report, I found this 5 step guide to staying healthy this holiday season. 

5 Tips To Keep You Healthy This Holiday Seasonby Laura Eggerston

It’s that time of year again—holiday cheer fills the air, tasty treats seem to be at every turn, booze flows freely and before you know it, your jeans no longer fit. Allude the over indulgence and stay healthy during the most delicious (and difficult) season with our simple and practical tips. You’ll be able to indulge when necessary while still staying on the right track, we promise. Ahead, 5 tips for not completely losing yourself to the season.

Hunger is the fast track to overindulgence. Keep it at bay with a power-packed start to the day.

It's easy to get dehydrated from free-flowing booze and sodium-laden snacks. But did you know your body can incorrectly interpret that thirst as hunger? Drink a glass of water every hour.

Encourage outdoor group activities or help around the house to avoid a sedentary weekend, which only serves to sap energy levels. Try working out in the morning to set the tone for the day.

Encourage outdoor group activities or help around the house to avoid a sedentary weekend, which only serves to sap energy levels. Try working out in the morning to set the tone for the day.

If you've waited all year for your mom's pecan pie, savor a piece. Everything in moderation.

Find more stories like this on The Zoe Report

All images via The Zoe Report

The 6 Best Red Lipsticks For The Holidays

A red lip is the perfect accessory for the holidays!

It's bright, it's fun and with one quick swipe can turn your look from boring to bold.

photo by Kelly Cappelli
Makeup by Corinna Cooke

A well defined brow paired with a kick-ass red lip is classic. 
It's also a quick and easy look to pull off. 
A red lip makes such a statement on it's own that you can scale back the rest of your makeup, keeping the eye and cheek simple and letting the lip do all the work for you.

My favorite red lip look for the holiday season is a rich, matte lip paired with glowing, luminous skin. 
Check out 6 of my favorite matte reds for the holidays:

The 6  Best Red Lips For The Holidays

Tatcha Kyoto Red is a geisha inspired red that is universally flattering - it looks great on everyone. And it packs a serious punch.

It's a matte lip with a silk finish.

Tatcha Kyoto Red

Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope Matte Lipstick in Black Tie.

Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope lipstick in Black Tie

This gorgeous, lightweight matte lipstick

Tom Ford Lip Color in Cherry Lush

Tom Ford Lip Color in Cherry Lush

Tom Ford believes the lip is the focus of the face and has the power to define your whole look. No wonder his lipsticks are so luscious!

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Vesuvio

Nars Pure Matte Lips are super pigmented and very long wearing, which is ideal when you are going bold - you don't want to be wearing a lipstick formula that requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep.

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo

Ruby Woo is a timeless, iconic red lipstick that will never go out of fashion. 

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Red Carpet Red

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Red Carpet Red

One of my all time favorite red lipsticks, Red Carpet Red hasn't been around very long, but will become another of the iconic red lips. It's wonderful.

How To Survive The Holidays ~ The Art Of Being A Great Conversationalist

The holidays can be a wonderful opportunity to connect or re-connect with family and friends, those who mean the most to you.

Sitting around a big table with your favorite people, sharing great food and wine can be one of the most wonderful experiences in the world.
It can also be a complete nightmare.
Maybe you are a guest at someone else's family event, maybe you are in an environment where you only know one or two others. Or maybe you have a mother in law from hell. 
The best way to navigate your way through this, or any other event, and come out smelling like roses, is to become a great conversationalist.

What to do:

Be expressive.

People who communicate in an animated and lively way are generally liked or received more than people who are considered moody or hard to read.

Make Eye Contact.

These days everyone seems to have their eyes cast downwards to their smartphones / tablets / other screens. If you pay attention to an average day of interaction with others you will be amazed at how many people you talk to who either don't make eye contact with you, or who look away multiple times while you are speaking to them. 
When someone makes eye contact and maintains it during a conversation, it is completely intoxicating. Those are the people who make the biggest impact on you, and who you remember.
And it is one of the traits of a great conversationalist.

Be A Great Listener.

People love to talk, especially about themselves. 
You will be perceived as a better conversationalist if you do more attentive listening than actual talking!

Don't Talk About Yourself.

Well, not all the time anyway. 
Having to sit through never ending conversations where someone is just talking about themselves is plain nauseating. Spice up the chatter with interesting things you have done, but don't spend all your time ME-ing.

Learn About The Interests of Others.

Do a little research on the people you will be with, find out what they are interested in, and learn a little bit about those things. Enough to ask a few leading questions about subjects the person or people in question feel passionate about.
The art of great conversation is not to talk at people, but to draw them into a conversation where they feel their input is desired, appreciated, enjoyed and respected.
Even if you will just be with your own family or people you know really well - use the opportunity to practice and become a better conversationalist.

Find Common Ground.

People instinctively like someone they have things in common with.
A great conversationalist seeks out the common ground they can find with others, and in doing so opens conversations that everyone enjoys participating in.

My friends at Proflowers.com created this info-graphic about the Science of Dinner Table Conversation

Please include attribution to ProFlowers.com with this graphic.

Another great way to start a conversation is to bring a fabulous bouquet of flowers to the dinner (or in this case Thanksgiving).
Check out the gorgeous bouquets available at ProFlowers.com

And if you are the poor girl with the evil mother in law? Take a deep breath, square your shoulders, keep your chin parallel to the floor, and know you are not alone! You win by maintaining grace and dignity. Don't let the old bag get under your skin ;))