Self-Tanners

For those of us in the white (florescent see-through) club, self tanners are a must. I can not even look outside without getting sunburned. Even when I bathe in sunscreen, which I always do, I also always have a strap that moves or a tiny spot on the ear that gets missed and ends up blistering. Considering my aversion to the actual sun and inability to get a tan, self tanners are my summer ritual. I, unfortunately, also have a problem putting tinted self-tanning products on. I always get tanned palms no matter how much I wash and I find it impossible to get the product everywhere leaving amazingly gorgeous white spots. A fun side effect of being see-through.

Considering the foregoing, I really like moisturizers that gradually develop a tan over time. I put them on at night and in a few days I can wear a skirt or dress without shame. When I do use straight-up self tanners, I always mix them with lotion which prevents tanned palms and it keeps my legs from going from a white factor of 0 to a tan factor of 10 which looks ridiculous and obvious. I hope we all know that tan legs look thinner and draw less attention which is always what I'm going for. one last important thing to remember, don't use cheap self-tanners! You WILL turn orange and look ridiculous, pretty much guaranteed. Some good tan-developing moisturizers to try are Clinique Self Sun Body Daily Moisturizer (comes in two tones which is nice). If you insist on using a self-tanner some good ones to try are Clarins Instant Self-tanning gel (the tint lets you see where it's being applied) and Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Body Spray. There are also some fun products that you can use in a pinch to get glowing like Tarte Glam Gams Leg Bronzing Stick and Michael Kors Leg Shine To Go

Highlighters

Adding shimmer can be a fun way to spice things up for a night out. We're not talking Bonnie Belle glitter here, we're talking finely micronized shimmer powders and creams that give a little extra glow. Shimmer can be added to the cheekbones, the inner corners of the eye, and the centers of the lids. I also like to add a little above the lids, about halfway out then frame the outer part of the eye to lighten up the area. Powder highlighters are best for the eye area and you can use either powder or cream for the cheeks. Some people use the shimmer on the middle of the lower lip but I think that just look tacky! Benefit (High Beam, Lust Dusters), Nars (The Multiple in Copacabana), and MAC (Glitter, Iridescent Powder/Loose in Silver Dusk) have some nice choices.

Sara Claire & Esther Trunk Show in Birmingham...better late than never!

I have put this post off for too long now but here's the exciting news...Sara Claire & Esther is having a trunk show in Birmingham! Tuesday night (4/28/2009) @ 5 pm, downtown at The Wine Loft. We can all shop their Fall line and pay wholesale...YAY! They will also have a few of their Spring items available as well. This line is gorgeous..."Vintage Reimagined" and we are lucky to get to see and buy a few pieces to support this soon to be well known and wildly respected fashion line. Check out my older post for more info on the line.

Also, check out their fabulous website...www.saraclaireandesther.com!

If you can't make the trunk show, here is a list of current retailers where you can check out the goods: (note the Southernness of it all, LOVE IT!)

	Effie's, Tuscaloosa , AL
	Savvy Rags, Gadsden , AL
	We One You Too, Washington , D.C.
	Chattabox, Baton Rouge , LA
	Tuni's, Winter Park FL
	www.eDressMe.com

Lush...Fresh Homemade Cosmetics

OK, I have a new obsession, Lush. Bath & Body products made from organic fruits and veggies, all vegetarian ingredients, no animal testing, and all handmade! They have lots of different products but my favorites so far are the bath bombs and the soaps. The bath bombs are balls of yummy fragrance and skin detoxifiers that fizz in the bath...think alka seltzer. The fragrances are amazingly rich and also fun with choices like "All That Jasmine," Vanilla Fountain," and "Youki-Hi" (jasmine and ylang ylang). Some of them have treats inside them like dried flowers and even glitter! Might create a mess in the tub but definitely worth it! Talk about the perfect gift for all the ladies in your life...here you go...www.lushusa.com. Visit the site...order bath bombs...fall in love:)

But that's not all folks, they also have hair products and lotions (they also have skincare but we all know how I feel about Clinique, I'm not a cheater...), which I haven't tried, and handmade soaps, which I have tried, that I also love! The soaps are SO pretty, another great gift idea, and smell as delicious as the bath bombs. I tried the "Honey, I Washed the Kids" soap that has an amazing honey scent and soothes upset, sensitive skin like mine. There is another soap called "Porridge Soap" that I'm looking forward to trying. It has oats in it so your exfoliating and cleansing at the same time, got to love that, right?!

Estee Lauder Free Gift

Just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that Belk is having an Estee Lauder free gift right now with any $27.50 purchase. It's a pretty good gift for the EL fans out there. The gift has a beautiful step-up bag and comes with two travel bags, a choice of lip-stick and eyeshadow shades, "Take It Away" makeup remover, mascara, and Daywear Plus moisturizer. Now I'm not the giantest EL fan in the world but their Double Wear Foundation is pretty awesome and their Pure Color Crystal Gloss is a favorite! Also, my favorite blush in the ENTIRE world comes from EL: Peach Nuance Tender Blush. Any fair skinned ladies out there, I recommend it highly!