Dre Does Friday Favorites

I'm going to start integrating Friday Favorites posts a few Fridays a month to share what I love with you more frequently instead of monthly favorites posts. Whether it's a makeup product or lifestyle item, I think it would be nice to share them as I fall in love with them, instead of waiting for a list to compile and sharing it at the end of the month.

1. I can't get enough of this Skinny Cauliflower Man and Cheese recipe that a wonderful friend shared with me. I highly recommend trying it. I might have made a double recipe the first time so I could have plenty of leftovers...haha

2. Just like the rest of the beauty world, I love the Sephora Cream Lip Stains. I have about 5 of them, but this week I've been loving the shade Always Red 01. They stay on so well and don't move.

3. Masterchef. If you know me personally, it probably comes as no surprise that I love this show because I love any type of cooking competition. I love Masterchef specifically though because the main judge is Gordon Ramsey and because it is a competition just for home cooks that have no previous culinary training or schooling. It's on Hulu if you've missed it and want to catch up but it's currently about half way through the season.

4. With all of the self tanning I've been doing recently I've been trying different foundations in my collection because I feel like some days I'm more than others so not all match me. For days when I want something light, I've been loving the Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Liquid Veil Spray Foundation. It gives light to medium coverage and a satin finish that doesn't look like I have makeup on. I love how light it feels. I prefer to spray it on the back of my hand and use a damp beauty blender to apply it to my face.

Happy Friday all you beauties! Have a great weekend,

Dre

Dre Does a Warm Smoky Eye

I decided to keep the bronze theme going from my two previous posts (facial self tanning routine and makeup to enhance your tan) with this photo tutorial that will compliment a tan perfectly. I prefer super warm and smoky eye looks over cooler ones for tan skin, especially on my skin tone. I used only three shadows to create this look so it is really easy. All three shades were from the Stila 'In the Know' and 'In the Moment' palettes. You can still order the In the Moment palette on Stila's website if you're interested but to be honest, you could find shades like these anywhere. The rest of my makeup is the routine I shared in my last post on enhancing your tan. I hope you enjoy!

1. The first step for any eye look is to apply a primer or eyeshadow base. For this look I used my Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer from Benefit Cosmetics and applied it from my lash line up to brow.

2. Next use Desert (In the Know) as a transition color on a fluffy brush and blended it into the crease. This adds a little dimension but it's purpose is mostly to make blending darker shadows easier. 

3. Add Fire (In the Know) on a fluffy brush a little at a time, blending as you go. I know this color looks intense on its own, but I promise it won't be after you add your lid shade. I love using these types of oranges to warm up a look. It's always easier to add shadow, so rather than accidentally getting it too intense in an area you don't want, apply a little at a time. 

4. Using a flat shader brush, pack Whim (In the Moment) onto the lid. Go back in with the fluffy brush and blend the edges of the brown with the warm burnt orange color. You may loose a little bit of the intensity of the brown when you do this, so pack a little extra color on the lid if you need you. 

5. On a pencil brush mix the burnt orange and brown and blend them into the lash line. Depending on your skin fine you might have to be careful with how much of the orange you use. It can sometimes make your eyes look sick, so definitely add a little at a time and don't smoke it out too crazy the first time you try it. 

6. Lastly, add your eyeliner (I just used a brown pencil in the upper and lower water lines), and mascara and you're good to go! 

Let me know if you like the format of this photo tutorial and if you'd like me to do them this way from now on! Also if you have any requests as usual, be sure to let me know!

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does Makeup to Enhance your Tan

On Wednesday I shared my facial self tanning routine that involved two wonderful products from Tarte Cosmetics (click here if you missed it), and I promised I would share the products I've been using to enhance my tan to look very glowy and natural.

 When I have a fake tan on my face, I find that I need to do a few key things with my makeup to make sure it doesn't come off as fake. I try to keep things as simple as possible because adding a lot of  bronzing and tanning will eventually be impossible to pull off as natural looking.

Above are the key products that I have been using in a simple bronzed makeup routine. It's focused mostly on my skin since the tan is what I'm enhancing, with nothing much on the eyes.

The first thing I do is apply my foundation. I love MAC Face & Body because it is a light coverage that is waterproof and natural looking. I want my tan to shine through so I think it's important to find a foundation that compliments my skin tone rather than covering it up. I use a brush to buff this into my skin really well.

Next, I use my Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer to cover any blemishes or areas that need a little more coverage. I love how light this concealer feels on the skin and how natural it looks. I really agree that it is weightless and complete coverage.

After concealing, I work on bronzing. I found this Sephora Collection MicroSmooth Baked Bronzer Duo in 01 Honey Heat in my collection that I remembered that I used to love and decided to put it to work. I love how one half is really shimmery and the other is more of a matte finish. I think it's important to use different tones and shades of bronzers when trying to use makeup to enhance your tan because they create dimension. The more dimension, the more natural your look will be. I use a large powder brush to mix the two shades in a 'E3' pattern. This simply means that if you trace from your left temple, down to the hollows of your cheeks, to your jawline, it creates the shape of an E. If you do the same on the right side it creates a number 3. Google this method if you need a little more explanation. It's really easy! I find this method is the quickest and easiest way to add a beautiful bronzed glow to the skin in the areas where you would naturally tan. I then take a smaller fluffy brush and use the darker, less shimmery side to contour my cheeks a little bit.

Next, I apply Benefit's Dallas blush because it is a very natural warm brown tone. It looks less like blush and more like a natural flush on the skin and it complements a tan really nicely. After blush, I move on to highlighter. I've been loving the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Rose Gold because it is such a rosy highlight shade. It looks beautiful applied to the high points of the face.

Lastly, I apply my brows and mascara. For these I use my favorites both by Benefit; Gimme Brow (a tinted brow gel that voluminizes and keeps my brows in place) and They're Real (my holy grail mascara). As with all of my makeup looks, I always spray a setting spray to hold the looks in place for the rest of the day. For this one I used Urban Decay's All Nighter.

There you have it! My quick, easy, and natural makeup look to emphasize a beautiful fake (or real) tan! As usual, if you have any questions please let me know!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre

Dre Does a Facial Self Tanning Routine

I am just like every other girl who wants to be bronzed and glowing in the summer time. However, as a licensed esthetician I know the consequences that can come from sun exposure and they are simply not worth the risk. For this reason, I am RELIGIOUS with my SPF 45 or higher on my face and neck region. While I do wear it on the rest of my body when I'm in the sun, I am the strictest with my face because that is where the aging and fine lines are going to show the soonest and the most. Due to the SPF 45 that is constantly applied, my face is always paler than the rest of my body.  I have developed a facial self tanning routine that I love to combat this issue and it couldn't be easier. 

The two tanning products that I have been using are both from Tarte cosmetics. I swear they do not pay me to talk about all of their products. If you've noticed how much I mention them, it's because they are truly one of my favorite brands. I am talking about the Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes and the Maracuja Bronzing Serum. I use the facial towelettes once a week and when not using a facial towelette I use the bronzing serum.

As you can probably imagine, I start my facial self tanning routine with cleansing. I remove all of my makeup and then cleanse my skin. I recommend exfoliating your skin next so that the self tanner develops evenly and doesn't cling to any dry patches. I prefer to use a chemical exfoliant rather than a mechanical exfoliant. Next, I tone my skin. After toning if it's a night that I am not self tanning, I will apply all of my serums or treatments for that particular night and my eye cream. Next, I use the Maracuja Bronzing Serum by applying a few drops evenly all over my face and neck. I will admit this doesn't smell good at all, but most self tanning products don't and the smell fades pretty quickly. This is a gradual bronzing serum that I like to use to extend the wear of my tans. It's not something that you will notice overnight, but I do really like the glow it gives my skin. Lastly, I apply my moisturizer, which right now is still the Maracuja Oil, also by Tarte. 

If it is a self tanning night (by this I mean that I'm using a facial towelette), I do the same routine, except I skip the treatments and serums because I find that everything looks better when I self tan right after I cleanse. The Brazilliance Facial Self Tanning Towelettes are seriously as easy as opening up a little packet, unfolding it, and wiping your face and neck evenly. You don't have to be perfect with this at all. I am not a pro self tanner and I have never had anything but great results! Then I just let it absorb and I'm done (No moisturizer or oils on this night)! I go to bed and wake up with a tanner face and neck that matches the rest of my body! I haven't noticed any residue on my pillowcases at night which is one thing I was concerned about. 

The Maracuja Bronzing Serum is still available on Sephora and Tarte's websites but I'm not sure if it is a permanent product. It is $47 and is 1.7 fl oz. I would say that if you use a few drops on your face and neck every night, it should last you at least 6 months. 

The Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes are $21 for 10 towelettes which I think is a pretty good deal, since that would last you 2.5 months if you use one a week. 

Make sure you come back Friday because I will be sharing how I've been enhancing the fake tan with makeup! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Body Shop Review: Camomile

I have heard multiple bloggers and youtubers mention the Camomile range from The Body Shop so I decided to give two of the standout products a go. About a year ago I switched from using makeup remover wipes to using a cleansing oil to remove my makeup before cleansing. As I started to use up the oil I had, I decided to pick up the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil because of a sale. I had also heard great things about the Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover so I decided to give it a go as well.

When it comes to cleansing oils I look for a few things; that most of my makeup is removed well, it is light on my skin (not too greasy), and that it doesn't break me out. I have to tell you, this cleansing oil is amazing and passes all of these tests. You apply it to dry skin; just enough to have a thin layer all over. Then you wet your hands and you can see the oil emulsifying all of the makeup on your face. After I very gently massage it into my skin, I also lightly massage my lashes to start the mascara removal. Then once all the makeup is broken down (except my eye amekup), I wash it off my face. It doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy at all which is great! I love that this cleansing oil doesn't have a strong odor and doesn't bother my sensitive skin at all!

Affter I wash all of the oil off, I put a few drops of the Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover onto a cotton pad and gently remove my eye makeup. This remover works like a dream. It is not oily at all and doesn't burn my eyes, so it would be great for contact wearers. The thing I love most is how effectively it gets off my They're Real mascara. If you've ever tried it, you know how hard it is to remove. The fact that this eye makeup remover can feel that gentle but still be so effective is amazing to me! No tugging on the eyes needed. 

You can purchase both products at ULTA or at The Body Shop. I had to buy my cleansing oil online because my ULTA didn't carry it in store. The Gentle Eye Makeup Remover was $17 and the Silky Cleansing Oil is either $18 or $19 depending on where you get it.

I highly recommend both products if you are in the market for some great, gentle makeup removers!

Have a beautiful Monday,

Dre

Dre Does 3 New Ways to Tie your Bikini

It's no secret that bathing suits with interesting backs have been a trend for awhile now. Everywhere you look they have extra straps or cool criss-crossed details. Whether you can't afford to buy a new bikini top every time there's a new trend, or (like in my case) you need to be able to adjust and tighten the sizing to support the front, I've got you covered! I'm here just in time for the 4th of July, to show you three new ways to tie your basic bikini so it can look unique in the back! 

This first tie, is how my family always tied their bikinis and what inspired me to make this post. Start by tying the bottom tie how you would normally around your back. Then tie each top strap on that base tie like a bra strap. I always tie double or triple knots and make sure everything is extra tight to guarantee nothing is going anywhere! 

Next we have something similar as above except instead of tying the straps straight back, cross them and tie them to the opposite side. You will also want to tie that bottom tie around your back first like the last tie.

This is my personal favorite tie because I think it looks the coolest. However, if I'm being honest, it's best for those with a smaller chest because it doesn't really offer much support. Just criss-cross your upper straps behind your neck and tie one bottom strap with the opposite upper strap, on both sides. You may have to readjust and re-tie a few times to get the correct tightness. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and discovered a cute new way to tie your bikini this summer! Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!! 

Dre