Dre Does DONATING!

I've never been so excited to post on Dre Does. Don't get me wrong, I love my makeup, but today's post is something special.

If you know me personally you know how much I love my hair. I was blessed with silky, smooth, easy to deal with and straight hair... (Thanks mom and dad!) I don't have to use heat on it unless I want curls, so it barely gets damaged and grows super quickly. Basically my whole life I've had medium to long hair...mostly super long hair to my waist though if I'm going to be honest. I'm the girl who freaks out when I have to get a trim because I hated losing any length. It was the one thing I was always known for; long, dark, healthy hair, so it became a security blanket in a way for me.

I will be turning 25 in a few short weeks and I got to thinking. I don't know if it was a quarter life crisis or what, but I wanted to do something different with it. I started looking at pictures of shorter haircuts and I realized something. I am so freaking blessed to hit 25 and be able to choose what my hair will look like. There are so many women my age and even younger that are diagnosed with cancer and may not get to see what 25 looks like. For this reason I decided I would chop off enough to donate my hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. I feel like it's a birthday gift to not only myself and I couldn't be happier! 

Pantene Beautiful Lengths is a wonderful program that donates wigs for FREE to women undergoing cancer treatment. They can only accept hair that hasn't been chemically treated so I knew I had to donate mine. I have proudly never even gotten a single highlight on this head in my 25 years and knew that since most women can't say that, I should do my part! I highly suggest checking out the program especially if you don't color your hair. Grow it out and let it be a part of something that will bring a smile to another woman's face. As women we have to empower and support each other and I think this is a great way to support those going through difficult journeys. 

Click the link below to visit the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, check out the requirements and more!

Pantene Beautiful Lengths 

Now for some pictures! Shout out to LC the greatest stylist in the world and a wonderful friend. I showed her 18 million pictures, described something that made no sense, and she somehow managed to give me the exact cut I had pictured in my head. You are so beautiful and talented!

 

This is me pretending that I wasn't freaking out on the inside. 

 

This is a facial expression that more realistically shows how I was feeling. 

When it's going to a good cause you can't help but smile from ear to ear!

 

Thank you LC!!

And what's a new haircut without a selfie to show it off better!

LC also recommended some new products for my hair and once I've mastered my favorite way of getting this beachy and messy style myself I will be sure to update you all on how I do it and what I use.

My friends please consider donating your hair! I've decided that for every year I'm lucky enough to be on this earth I'd like to donate my time or money in a different way; a way to give back and turn getting older into something exciting. Leave your suggestions for any ideas and please send me your pictures if you too donate your hair!!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Colour Pop Cosmetics First Impression

Chances are that if you keep up with the social media beauty world you've at least heard of Colour Pop Cosmetics and maybe even own a few products. I kept seeing the brand popping up on Instagram and after talking with a client while working for Benefit (Hi Michelle!) I decided I needed to browse the website more in hopes of buying a few of my own products.

Let me set up the scene for you later that night. My friend and I whom are both makeup addicts, open a bottle of wine and begin discussing recent new product launches. I mention that a client had earlier talked about how much she was obsessed with her recent Colour Pop purchases and after a quick refill of the wine glass and browsing of the iPad, I had my own Colour Pop order on it's way to me.

Warning: Drinking and browsing makeup is dangerous. Whoops...

Fast forward to 2 weeks later, and I had a pretty little box in my mail. I will say, it took FOREVER to get here. I placed my order, was told it shipped a few days later and after receiving a tracking number, my package mysteriously stopped updating. It was supposed to get to my place on a certain date and when that day came and went, I was getting worried. I was warned from my client that their shipping takes a long time so I'm not sure if this was a delivery service issue or a Colour Pop Cosmetics error, but it took over 2 weeks to get my products. I don't mind this as long as they update the information so I don't think my package has been lost.

Regardless, I received my package and I have been so happy. I only purchased the Super Shock Shadows because they were the thing I was most intrigued by and only 5 DOLLARS A SHADOW!! However, now that I am so happy with them I can see myself trying other items as well.

The reason that these Super Shock Shadows are so unique is the texture and formula of the product. It is unlike any product I have ever felt. It's as if the shadows are a cream, mousse, and powder hybrid. They don't feel wet at all like a cream, yet blend so effortlessly. The only thing I was worried about with them was creasing. I was not expecting them to stay put since they blended so easily. Boy was I wrong though! They lasted all day and are so easy to work it. I love how the company sends a few info cards on how to best apply the product depending on the result you want. I used both my fingers and synthetic brushes as recommended by the info cards and was really happy with the result!

As you can see below I stuck with my usual warm neutrals because when I'm testing out a new type of product I like to stick to shades I know I will use so that I will actually test them out a lot.

 

 Truth (Satin Finish):

 

I <3 This (Metallic Finish):

 

Desert (Satin Finish):

 

Amaze (Metallic Finish):

 

LA LA (Ultra Metallic Finish):

 

Girl Crush (Matte Finish):

 

Game Face (Ultra Metallic Finish):

 

Mittens (Matte Finish):

 

(None of these swatching pictures having any filters in order to show the truest shade of the shadows).

I will say that I love the satin, matte, and ultra metallic finishes best. The metallic finish is less pigment and more glitter as you can see in the swatches, but the ultra metallic looks more like a foil and is very pigmented. Overall, I can see myself using every color I got frequently and would recommend them all!

Have you tried anything from Colour Pop Cosmetics yet? I'm looking to purchase the new blushes and highlighters soon, and obviously some lip products because who would I be if I didn't! haha 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation Review

I mentioned in my last post that the new NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation was a favorite of mine and if you wanted a more in depth review of it, I would share. So here we are! Shout out to those of you who requested it! Before we get started, always remember that foundation is very specific to each individual so what works well for me or someone you know may not work well on your skin. 

Incase you missed my current favorites post, I mentioned that I tried out a sample of this foundation because I had been hearing such good things about it but I was scared to fall in love with it because of the price tag; $48 a bottle...As an oily skin type I'm always wanting the glowy skin but terrified I will look greasy instead, so I've always gravitated towards a matte finish foundation. Well you guessed it, I fell in love and purchased a bottle about a month ago. 

The NARS website describes the foundation as "Full, natural-looking coverage with unexpectedly weightless, 16-hr wear. Highly pigmented and perfectly balanced, this breakthrough formula builds and blends effortlessly with just one drop..." While I don't necessarily agree with 'one drop', I have to say I agree with the rest of it. You can definitely build up a full coverage look easily. I personally use 2 drops on average when my skin is behaving and 3 drops during those temperamental skin times, but you really do use very little product compared to foundations I have used in the past. The best part is how natural it looks. The finish is gives your skin has such a beautiful luminosity that doesn't by any means look greasy. The NARS website also talks about how there is 'Even Tone Technology' that neutralizes redness and dullness and helps long term to diminish the appearance of discoloration. I would agree with these statements as well because I have a lot of redness due to Ezcema on my cheeks and it does a wonderful job of covering it. As far as overall discoloration, I will have to report back once I've been using it longer! 

Another positive for me about this product is that it is oil and paraben free. I have very sensitive and acne-prone skin so if my skin can't breathe I will not like a foundation. Due to the addition of it also being so light and weightless, I love how it feels and wears on my skin throughout the day! 

Now before I get you too excited, I will say that I don't think this is will be the best option for you if you have dry skin. I purchased it when I had just gotten back from Puerto Rico and my nose was extremely dry from the sun. I noticed that the foundation clung to the dry patches and didn't look natural at all. Once the dryness subsided though, I loved how it looked on my skin. Overall I would say normal to oily skin types will probably love this product best. I use it over my Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Primer and it works like a dream. I'm curious to see how it would go over a hydrating primer though so I will probably test that out on someone soon. Leave me a comment if you've tried it this way or if you've tried the foundation at all!

(Disclaimer: Yes it looks a little too yellow for my hand because my face is different than my hands. Hence why you should always color match on your face not your hands! For reference I wear the shade Medium 1 Punjab.)

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Current Favorites

Since it's been awhile since I have posted a monthly favorites, I figured I would kick things off with a post dedicated to the products I have been loving recently. As usual, it involves some items that are not beauty related but I like to share these items none the less. This post gets me thinking about how my go to products for day to day use change as the seasons do, so if you're interested in me sharing what changes I've been making, comment below and I can do that soon.

So let's get to it!

1- Aveda Comforting Tea: This was a favorite of mine when I was in Esthiology school. I drank it almost every night I was there. I recently went in to pick up some favorite Aveda products and had completely forgotten that they sold this tea in a loose form. I obviously picked it up and have been loving it recently. I will say that I would recommend getting the tea bags instead of the loose tea because some of the tea particles are so small that they go through my tea strainer. It doesn't bother me enough to stop using it this way, but for some people it might be gross. haha Maybe I just love this tea too much...It is 100% certified organic and caffeine free, so I like to have a cup before bed. The strongest notes are licorice root and peppermint, but it also has basil and sweet fennel in it. I personally hate all forms of licorice so I was shocked that I loved this so much the first time I tried it. Regardless, if you've never experienced it, I recommend picking some up!

2- Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask:  I received a small sample of this mask as a free gift at Ulta when I purchased my favorite shampoo and conditioner and I absolutely love it. While I don't have much damage in my hair, I first started using it a lot when I was recently in Puerto Rico because I knew my hair would be dryer than normal. It makes my hair so ridiculously smooth and I love it. I don't feel like it weighs my hair down at all. I typically will use it every other wash or if I've used any heat to style my hair.

3- 'Turquoise Summer' by Escada: When I worked at Ulta I would always spray the new perfumes as they came in and I couldn't stop wearing this one when we got it in. I call it the adult version of Pink Sugar because it's light and sweet but doesn't make you feel like a teeny-bopper. I get so many compliments on it when I wear it, so if you like sweet scents, head to Ulta to smell it.

4- Laura Mercier Universal Invisible Loose Setting Powder: I had always heard really nice things about this setting powder but had never tried it before. I hadn't been using a setting powder with my foundation I used to use (the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hr Foundation) because it was clay based and left a powder finish. I was really excited to see it come in my Ipsy bag a few months ago, but sadly it ended up in my powder drawer of my massive makeup storage system (aka forgotten about). Fast foward to switching foundations and now needing a setting powder, I decided to give it a go and I couldn't be happier. I love how it airbrushes the look of my skin while still maintaining the finish of the foundation underneath. I also love how it makes my contour, blush and highlighting blend seamlessly after!

5-NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation: Speaking of new foundation, here it is! My new absolute favorite foundation. When they say all day, luminous, and weightless, they couldn't be more correct! I love how full coverage this foundation is while still feeling like I don't have any makeup on. The consistency is like water, so you definitely have to shake it well before you apply it and you don't need much product which is nice. It was one of those products that I got a sample of at Sephora and prayed that I didn't love it because of the hefty price tag. I was dying to know if as an oily girl I could pull off a luminous glow and it worked! If you'd like to know more about it, please let me know and I can do a more in depth review of it soon.

6- MAC Soft and Gentle Mineralized Skin Finish: You know when you hear nonstop amazing reviews of a product but you're reluctant to hop on the bandwagon because EVERYONE is obsessed with it? Sounds silly to type out but that's how I felt about Soft and Gentle. Everyone and their mom is obsessed with it so I never tried it, but finally gave in. Now I'm obsessed like all the others but seriously...Most beautiful warm highlight to the cheeks and it's what deserves the credit for the beautiful skin compliments I've been receiving lately. (Insert foot in mouth now)

7-Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Peach Smoothie: This favorite is thanks to an amazing client of mine (Hi Jodi!) who gifted me some beautiful MUG products when I did her brows. Peach Smoothie has become my absolute holy grail eyeshadow. I use it in every single look because it seriously makes everything look better. It's not quite as dark as this picture shows but it is seriously a must have transition color. I personally prefer warmer looks on my eyes, and I love how it adds just the right about of warmth no matter what I put over it. Thanks again Jodi!

8-Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Gold: During the most recent 21 days of Beauty Event at Ulta, there was a Becca Cosmetics 4 piece kit that I snagged. It featured mini sizes of 4 of their most popular products and I can't get enough of this little guy. I love to use it on my cheekbones to after my blush and before my highlight to blend everything seamlessly. I can't wait to use it strictly as a highlight in the summer. I love how if you're in a hurry it can easily be used as a highlight and blush since it's warmer and darker than your typical highlight. Can you tell I've been loving highlighters recently?

Well that is a small sample of some items I've been loving recently. What have you been loving? As usual if you have any requests of what you would like to see on Dre Does, please email me or comment below!

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does Adventure

It's time for a new adventure friends. I'm so excited to announce that I will be bringing my beauty services back to the East Lansing area as a licensed esthetician and makeup artist! If you are interested in knowing exactly where you can find me for all sorts of amazing things, please email me at andreafontanabeauty@gmail.com and I would be happy to share it with you! 

While I loved being an Arch Expert for Benefit Cosmetics I couldn't help but wish I was doing more than brows so I decided to leave my position in March. Don't get me wrong, I will still be giving you fantastic brows at my new location but I will be able to offer so many more services in this new venture including two of my largest passions; facials and makeup. I am helping in the opening of a new spa and couldn't be more excited! 

I can't wait for this new journey and thank you to everyone for their constant support and love. It means the world to me! I hope to hear from you all in my emails so you can come visit me! As usual if you ever have beauty related questions you can email me as well.

Now Dre Does can return to its normal postings and beauty/lifestyle fun! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre