what a pretty face

As promised Beauty Week is continuing!

Obviously skin care is number one because the better condition your skin is in without make up...the less make up you'll need.  BUT not only is make up fun but...none of us are perfect and make up helps us pretend we are! So here are my tips for a flawless face!

Primer is an amazing product.  It helps smooth the skin and reduce pores before you even put your make up on.  Think of it like putting primer on the wall before you paint!  Helps the color stay longer and truer.  My personal fave is Lancome's La Base Pro.  It's #2 nationwide and a little goes a long way.  I recommend using a silicone based primer.  The silicone in your foundation will bind with the silicone in the primer and makes it stay extra long.

Concealer is an absolute life saver!  For those tired dark circles or that pesky blemish that popped up overnight....concealer is the magic trick!  Maquicomplet by Lancome is my personal fave because I love the creamy texture.  Estee Lauder makes a great concealer called Double Wear that is long lasting.  I also love Revlon's blemish concealer because it actually has a little salicylic acid in it to help heal your blemish!

And now for the main event!  Foundation!  I love foundation but in the right way.  Tips for good foundation..
1.  Know your skin type
There are so many different formulas and if you're oily you certainly don't want a foundation for dry skin.
2. Know what kind of finish you want
Foundations have all different kinds of finishes...matte, luminous, natural etc.  Really think about how you want your foundation to look.  And also note whether you'd like a mineral or a liquid foundation.
3. Know your shade
This is the most important part of foundation.  No one likes that orange line ladies!  Go into your local department stores cosmetics area and have someone match you!  They'll do it for free and you can ask for a sample to try out.  If you love it...treat yourself!  If you really can't shell out the $'s then at least you'll know your undertone and  you'll be able to match yourself better at the drug store.

*Important to note that foundation doesn't always have to be applied to the whole face.  You can use it just in places of discoloration.

I love mineral foundation for the summer because it's a little bit lighter (Lancome's Oscillation Powerfoundation is my FAVE) but in winter we usually need a little bit extra.  I love Laura Mercier cream foundation, Lancome's Teint Miracle, Nars Sheer Glow, Makeup Forever HD Photofinish, and Clinique's Even Better.  As far as drug store foundations go...I loved Revlon's Photo Ready foundation.

Powder is a great finishing touch.  Seals everything and keeps that pesky oil shine away.  I love a nice loose translucent powder like Lancome's Ageless Mineral and I'm a huge fan of Rimmel's Stay Matte pressed powder.

No matter what your skin tone is (even very fair like me) I recommend a bronzer.  It gives your face dimension and gives a nice healthy glow.  I love Bobbi Brown's shimmer bricks and Physician's Formula even has one that is actually supposed to help boost your mood....worth a shot I guess!

 I'm obsessed with blush.  Obsessed.  I love how it makes your face glowing and beautiful.  With blush you can't really go wrong.  Just make sure the color is right for your skin tone.  Nars in Orgasm is my absolute favorite and has been for years because it truly is the perfect shade.  I also love a nice cream blush like Revlon's for a nice natural subtle glow.

Finding the right tools to apply your make up does play a key role as well.  I love the Beauty Blender!  Has literally changed the way I apply my make up.  It's easy to clean and you use it damp so it doesn't soak up all your foundation.  I also love a good foundation brush.  I HATE sponges and recommend you use anything BUT a sponge.  It soaks up all your foundation and you waste so much plus it holds a lot of bacteria.  Using good brushes for your powder/blush is good but not as necessary if you ask me.  I love Lancome's brushes but you can get your powder brushes at Target...Sonia Kashuk makes a great line of brushes.  

That's all for the perfect flawless face.  Hope you enjoyed the tips!  Tomorrow it will be all about the eyes....

Beauty Week...

I decided to have a week of beauty!  It's what I do and what I know and I love educating the customers I turn into clients and I would love to share with y'all as well!  Today we'll start with the first part of any beauty routine...

Skin Care routines don't have to be time consuming or expensive...that's what's great about them...you can completely tailor it to your lifestyle and your needs.  Here are some basic tips and my fave products!

Removing your make up is key at night.  Make up clogs your pores and seals all that dirt and oil accumulating throughout the day...onto your face.  Gross.  I recommend a good eye make up remover and some kind of make up removing product.

Lancome's Bi-Facil is my personal favorite eye make up remover.  It takes all your eye make up off with one swipe.  LOVE.  It's a little pricey though so if you're saving pennies check at your local drugstore for a dual action or oil based eye make up remover (you're cleansing afterward so don't worry about the oil clogging your pores)

I LOVE the I Love Blueberries cleansing cloths.  So quick and easy.  Just swipe all over face PLUS they are 99% all natural (with yummy apple, lemon, and blueberries cleansing your skin), paraban free, and they smell awesome!  PLUS they are biodegradable (yay Earth!)  But wait there's MORE...only $7.99 at Target!!!

You don't always have to have a different skin care routine for both day and night....I do because I still have some on/off struggles with acne.  Acne cleansers tend to be tougher on skin so if you can I recommend only using them in the day and using some good (oil free) hydration at night.  DEFINITELY recommend a good night cream...your skin loses 96% of it's moisture at night so it's important to take extra good care of it while you sleep because that's also when it's doing all it's rejuvenating. I also do recommend some kind of toner because it will clean your pores and rebalance the PH levels in the skin to help it glow.

My personal faves: 

AM: Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser, Clarifying Treatment Toner, and Oil Free Moisturizer

PM: Lancome Mousse Radiance Cleanser, Tonique Doceur Toner, and Bienfait Aqua Vital Moisturizer

*Also an important note PLEASE WEAR SUNSCREEN.  Your skin absorbs much more sun than you even know and trust me...I have seen the damage that sun can do to the skin.  To save you money when you're older trying to repair your skin....just take care of it now!  I recommend a sun screen that has zinc vs. titanium dioxide (yuck so bad for you!) Zinc is a natural sun protection PLUS it helps prevent those sun spots created by birth control YAY!

Serums can get tricky (and expensive)  I recommend picking one really good serum that is going to benefit you the most.  My faves...

Lancome Bright Expert: For uneven skin tone, dark spots, acne scarring.  I SWEAR by this serum.  Literally  has changed my life.  My skin has never looked more even than it has since I have started using this.  LOVE.

Clinique Pore Refining Serum: Reduces the appearance of pores 62% in 2 weeks.  LOVE.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair: Repairs damage done to the skin from free radicals, pollution, and UV rays.

Lancome Genefique: Gives visibly younger looking skin in 7 days.  Helps restore youthful bounce, helps with tone and texture. 

Lancome Visionnaire: Corrects wrinkles, pores, and uneven skin tone.  Amazing product.

Eyes often get forgotten but because the skin around the eyes is so thin and so prone to wrinkles...it needs some extra love.  I've had a really hard time finding an eye product that works for me because I have EXTREMELY sensitive eyes....I finally discovered "Yes To Blueberries" Eye Firming Treatment.  It's 95% natural and helps with fine lines plus firming and it doesn't make my eyes react at all!  And super affordable.  Highly recommend.

If you're like me and still struggle with any kind of acne or occasional breakouts, it's important to treat them fast (please please please don't pick or pop guys...)  

I LOVE Clinique's On The Spot treatment (super quick!) and for a more affordable choice I love "Yes to Tomatoes" spot treatment.  Proactiv makes a great refining mask that you can just put on top of a blemish before bed and when you wake up...it's virtually gone.

The BEST thing you can do for your skin is keep it hydrated and that starts from the inside out.  Your skin is the largest organ of our bodies.  It breathes and it NEEDS hydration.  So drink your water and your body and skin will thank you!

Tired skin is dull and lifeless.  Get as much sleep as you can (I know if you're a new mom or have kids...this is not easy!).  The more sleep the better your skin will look and you will feel.

This is not a game of one of these things is not like the other....

A couple bonus items...

Clarisonic- The most amazing cleansing tool of all time.  Removes 6x's more dirt and oil than washing manually.  Improves skin's texture and tone.  Helps reduce acne problems and helps reduce redness.  An investment well worth it.

Apple Cider Vinegar - One of the best things for your body.  Downing a tablespoon a day does so much good for your body especially helps improve skin and clears up acne!  It's totally disgusting but just take it quick!  Best part is....it's only a few dollars!

That's all for my skin care tips!  Tomorrow we'll move on to....

FOUNDATION/FACE MAKE UP

Until then...what are some of your fave skin care products?

• Jason Reeves - Pretty Eyes
• Lady Antebellum - Wanted You More
• Florence + the Machine - What The Water Gave Me
• Fionna Apple - Love Ridden
• Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
• Taylor Swift - Untouchable
• Ella Fitzgerald- I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
• The Verve - Lucky Man
• Coldplay - Yellow

Weekend Collage

This weekend was filled with work and.....shopping.  Sephora is my biggest weakness in life. BUT I did stock up on some great products that I will share with you this week...this is just a sneak peek ;)

Also we had our annual Fantasy Football draft..aka the best day of my life....

Here's hoping that dream I once had about Aaron Rodgers serves me well this season.

Hope you had a great weekend as well and for those of you who aren't slaves to Macy's (aka everyone except me) enjoy your extra day off for Labor Day!

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring oxford shoes

5 Things

I know it's rare for me to post on a Saturday but usually I'm working the day away but in a lucky and rare turn of events I was off work by 2:00 today!  I've never known what a real Saturday afternoon looks like!  I'm here to tell you that they are beautiful!  In honor of this lovely Saturday of freedom which I love....I thought I'd share some other things that I currently LOVE

"Yes To" is an amazing line of natural products which I will be blogging more in depth about next week but I thought I'd share these first.  "Yes to Blueberries" Moist Facial Towlettes.  Remove dirt and make up and are 99% natural and paraban free!  It's nice knowing that you're using apple, lemon, and blueberry to clean your face instead of chemicals.  So excited to share my other great finds from this line....
P.S. And added bonus...they only cost $7.99 at Target!

I don't know what exactly it is about summertime that makes me listen to country music on an endless loop but I'm obsessed.
Current Faves:
Lady Antebellum - Dancing Away With My Heart
Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night
Pistol Annies - Boys from the South
Sugarland - We Run
Rascal Flatts - Cool Thing
Tim McGraw - Red Ragtop
Pam Tillis - Maybe It Was Memphis
Miranda Lambert - Heart Like Mine
Blake Shelton - Honey Bee
Little Big Town - Little More You

Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt

Have a great rest of your weekend!  Some things to look forward to...

• Weekend Collage
• Tuesday Playlist
• Wednesday Beauty Day

And all sorts of other shenanigans...see  you then!

Friday Letters

Dear Lancome,
Thank you for making the BEST red lipstick of all time.  Too bad this doesn't make up for having to work gift with purchase time.
xoxo,
Vanessa

Dear Afrin Nasal Spray,
I know that you and my parents have had your differences...seeing is how they think I have an addiction to you.  But that's just people talkin.  You've saved me from my allergies.
God Bless,
Vanessa

Dear Calypso Southern Peach Lemonade,

If we were the only two things on Earth....I would be absolutely ok with that.
Love with all my heart,
Vanessa
P.S.  I'm highly convinced the Blueberry Muffin Pop-Tart guy invented you....I wish he would stop being so obsessed with me.

Dear Face,
Why do you always get all scrunched up and weird in family photos?  Let's work on this.
Thanks,
Vanessa

Dear Football Season,
Just thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  For everything.
The deepest of love and respect,
Vanessa

And now we come to you....

Dear Tom Brady,
Here we go again.  How's that pony tail working out for you?  Oh what's that?  You're still a tool?  Oh yeah...that's right.
Looking forward to the season with you....
Regards,
Vanessa

playlist and an anecdote

First of all let me just say I'm so sorry I didn't put my playlist up yesterday as usual...but I was too busy laying in bed watching every single Anne of Green Gables even the continuing story even though it sucked doing stuff.

Before I share my playlist with y'all I wanted to tell you a story.  The other day while at work a lady came up to my counter.  She emptied out the entire contents of her purse on said counter looking for her check book.  One of the items she removed from her purse was a large piece of cheese.  She then proceeded to leave the piece of cheese there after she left.  Questions you may have...

1. Why did she have a piece of cheese in her purse?
I don't know

2. Was it her snack for later?
Considering it was warm and melted I'm guessing it had been there for a few days so probably and hopefully not.

3.  Was it in a wrapper?
Yes but the wrapper was open

4.  What kind of cheese was it?
Gouda.

I'm thinking she just didn't want to be upstaged by the lady who brought her cat in for a make over.
I love my job.


Now without further ado (I don't even know what that means or why people say it...)

• Mindy Gledhill - All About Your Heart
• Kanye West & Jay Z - Why I Love You
• Florence + The Machine - Heavy In Your Arms
• Gym Class Heroes - Stereo Hearts
• Pistol Annie's - Boys From the South
• Beyonce - Love On Top
• Jack and White - Double Trouble
• Lady Gaga - You and I
• Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night

Weekend Collage

My weekend was BUSY.  I've seriously been working every day.  My only day off was Sunday and I spent the day in bed doing nothing but watch movies (including an Audrey Hepburn marathon and my FAVORITE movie ever...Anne of Green Gables....) watching way too much "Jersey Shore" (it's getting cray cray up in that house)  and taking naps.  LUCKILY I have the next 2 days off...because I think I'm going crazy.  I literally saw Jack Nicholson and Deena from Jersey Shore at my work today.

Yeah...time for a break.

Here's my collage!

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring old navy shoes

See you tomorrow for your weekly playlist!

"People stereotype country music to be about 'your dog dying, your mama dying, your wife leaving, your husband cheating, losing a job etc. etc' BUT if life were perfect and there were no conflicts to resolve, where would any artform be?"
-Sugarland

• Alan Jackson - Drive (For Daddy Gene)
• Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I'm Going
• Brooks & Dunn - Red Dirt Road
• Carrie Underwood - Someday When I Stop Loving You
• Dixie Chicks - Cowboy Take Me Away
• Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line
• Lady Antebellum - American Honey
• Pistol Annies - Hell on Heels
• Miranda Lambert - The House That Built Me
• Sugarland - Keep You
• Taylor Swift - Mary's Song
• Tim McGraw - Whiskey and You
• Toby Keith - Should've Been a Cowboy
• The Wreckers - Stand Still, Look Pretty
• Zac Brown Band - And She's Walking Away
• Dolly Parton - Jolene
• Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty - Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man
• Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss - Whiskey Lullaby

Weekend Collage

Life has been CRAZY busy.  Lancome is in gift right now.....and so I've been pretty much dead to the world.  I worked every day last week (even a couple 12 hour shifts).  Needless to say I'm exhausted.  Thankfully I have  a day off tomorrow!

This is what my weekend consisted of...

my weekend by vanessanelson on Polyvore.com

I wish there was a search for "obnoxious female customers" on Polyvore...because that's mainly what my weekend consisted of.

Hope you've gotten a little more rest than me.

Stay tuned and keep reading because I'll be having another giveaway coming up soon!!!

Adventures with my sister

The other night my sisters along with my friend Rhiannon and I decided to go on a little adventure to Herriman where they have recreated the house from the movie "Up"...it was dark but we still got some good pictures!

Then we headed to the Oquirrh Mountain temple and took some more pictures.  The view was so beautiful and the grounds of the temple were quiet and peaceful as usual.

 My sister left today and I'm really really going to miss her.  It was so fun to be able to laugh and joke and laugh some more.  We always have so much fun when we're all together.

ALSO I finally got my Pottermore email and was sorted....can you guess what house I'm in.....

Yep.  Unexpected but at least I'm not a Hufflepuff.

Happy Wednesday and in the words of Ellie from the movie "Up"....

"Thanks for the adventure...now go have one of your own"

1. Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings
2. Loretta Lynn - Portland, Oregon
3. Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth
4. MGMT - Time to Pretend
5. Jason Reeves - No Lies
6. Soft Cell - Tainted Love
7. The Bird and the Bee - Rich Girl
8. Ed Harcourt - Strangers
9. Manchester Orchestra - I Can Feel a Hot One
10. James Morrison - Please Don't Stop the Rain
11. Amos Lee - Arms of a Woman
12. Mika - Love Today
13. Lady Antebellum - We Owned the Night

Weekend Collage

So I finally have an actual weekend update for you because I actually did stuff!  This weekend was nice because I had Friday and Saturday off work (yay!) so because my sister is here visiting (double yay!) we decided to make a weekend trip!  So we started the morning of Friday off with pedicures.  Let me start off this story by saying that this is a locked on the balcony story.  For those of you who are recent readers click here to get some background.......I'll just wait here.........ok so you finished?  Yes that really happened.  So I now refer to situations that don't happen to normal people but happen to me....as locked on the balcony moments.  So here we go with the latest.....

I just want you to get a clear picture in your mind here...it's 9:30 in the morning (which is like...the middle of the night for me) and I'm with my Mom and my 2 sisters.  We check in for our pedicures and we are told our stylist will be with us shortly.  A guy walks out.  Not like a cute sassy gay guy....but you know that guy who used to smell your hair in math class?  He also probably used a lot of big words and had a Star Wars role play group.  Ok so take this guy and put him in a hair salon.  And then picture him as the stylist who comes out and calls my name.  My first thought was "typical"...my second thought was "he is going to be touching me".  

Now I realized I was pre judging so I quickly changed my attitude and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.  It's certainly not fair to judge someone on first sight....so I waited...and then he says "I'll make sure your first time with me is a good one".....and then I vomited a little in my mouth and wanted to run away.

He was massaging my feet (and enjoying it a little too much) and then says "Oh I love that smell" and wanted me to smell his hand.  Then he forgot to scrub my dead skin off and he says "Your feet are so amazing I keep forgetting what I'm doing"...and THEN said "How often do you do this for yourself because your skin really seems to be enjoying it" 

And that was pretty much the time when I knew for a fact that there is NO Santa and the universe hates me.

So yay for strangers touching your body in places you don't really want them to anyway.

After I drank a Diet Coke and took a Xanax for the PTSD we headed up to Park City for some shopping.  I spent a little too much money at the Coach outlet but never really regretted it.  THEN we headed out to Tooele to visit my favorite Aunt and Uncle and my cousins.  We visited and laughed and watched a concert in the park featuring a man who yodeled and played the accordion...(yeah that's real life)

And saw a couple amazing sunsets...

 and then headed to the Hampton which was hands down one of the cleanest and most comfortable hotels I've been in.  I don't know if they are all like that but this one certainly was so yay for Hampton! 

On Saturday we had hotel breakfast (which...dirty little secret of mine....I absolutely LOVE) and then got all gussied up for our family pictures.  My cousin Meagan is an amazing photographer and took our family pictures this year.  

We had so much fun laughing and taking amazing pictures and then after a delicious dinner...headed home exhausted but happy.  

Sunday we were able to have dinner at my grandparents and shared some more fun family time.  I'm so sad this weekend is over...back to work.  I get to work EVERY day this week because it's GIFT WITH PURCHASE time again at Lancome (yay.)

I hope you all had an amazing weekend and were blessed enough like me to be surrounded by family and laughter.  

Here is my collage of the weekend...

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring graphic tees

Also just as a shout out to my cousin...this is a video of her performing last year with her high school showchoir.  She is the soloist in the middle with the brunette hair and she's AMAZING.  I'm seriously blown away by her....she has the big solo part at the end too...enjoy!

1. Patty Griffin - Christina
2. Ike & Tina Turner - Nutbush City Limits
3. Bananarama - Cruel Summer
4. Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal
5. Adele - I Can't Make You Love Me
6. Fall Out Boy - Grand Theft Autumn
7. Cat Power - Sea of Love
8. New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream
9. Noisettes - Never Forget You
10. David Bowie - China Girl
11. Alanis Morissette - Head Over Feet
12. Wakey! Wakey! - Car Crash
13. The Virgins - Rich Girls

Weekend Collage

I hope everybody had a great weekend!  I spent it mostly reading fashion magazines, working, and watching TV.  Coming your way this week are some reviews on some truly horrendous television....(Jersey Shore I'm talking to you here....and yes Teen Mom.  Don't think I forgot you.)

The most exciting part about this weekend is that my sister Calah is here visiting from Seattle!  Yay!  Hopefully I'll have some fun pictures to post this week!

Here's a collage of some of my other activities....

Weekend Collage by vanessanelson featuring crystal earrings

Also I'd like to share this music video with you....just because.



See you tomorrow!

Friday Letters

Dear Peyton Manning,
My life would never have been complete without you.  I look forward to our relationship getting back to where it's supposed to be this fall.
Love,
Vanessa

Dear Lancome Gift With Purchase Pre-Sale,
You suck.
Regards,
Vanessa

Dear Shark Week,
You are the best week.  Something I've learned so far is that sometimes when a shark bites someone he didn't mean any harm.  He was just doing an "exploratory bite".  So since you put it that way...no big deal.
Tell that to the guy with the prosthetic leg though.
Vanessa

Dear new guy at work,
You are very adorable.  You have the eyes of an angel and the arms of a god.  I firmly believe we should fall in love.
Think about it,
Vanessa

Dear people of Utah,
The 4th of July was about a month ago.  Fireworks are no longer necessary.  Especially after the hour of 11 pm.
Stop being douchetools,
Vanessa

Dear Jersey Shore,
Thank you for bringing guidos, hair gel, spray tans, and veneral diseases back into my life.  It was seriously lacking.
Cabs are here!
Vanessa

Dear Readers,
Have a GREAT weekend.
xoxo,
Vanessa

Weird Stuff

Surprisingly enough even with all the crazy things that we see in this world....I can still be shocked by things.  I could tell you the recent items that have induced this shocked feeling OR even better...I could show you.

1.) Hoffsicles

Yes.  Popsicle in the shape of a full grown David Hasselhoff.  This makes me incredibly uncomfortable.  Are we supposed to give these to children?  Do we call CPS first?  I don't know what the protocol for this is.  Do us all a favor Hoff....stick to the music.



2.) Monkey Babies
Remember that show "My Monkey Baby"?  If you've been reading this blog for about a year (no one) then you definitely remember monkey babies.  BUT have no fear because clicking {here} will refresh your memory.  Ok so now you've been sufficiently creeped out....remember the show "My Fake Baby" where the people had baby dolls made to look like real babies and they would push them around in strollers?  Yes?  Or more likely..no?  Well don't worry because clicking {here} will take you to that sad depiction of life in this world.  So now that we're all bummed out and thinking that there's really no hope left....(yaaayyy) let's COMBINE those two things and purchase this

Are you freaked out because I am.
*sidenote Remember when that chimpanzee ate that woman's face off?  This baby could eff you up.  I'd be scared.

3.) I don't really have a number 3 but I thought it would look lame with only two.

So enjoy this day of weirdness!  If you find any more weird stuff send it my way.

And seriously....don't Hassle the Hoff.

Also: if you're looking for an appropriate birthday gift for me (it's on October 25th this year...same as last year) might I suggest this

Oh yeah...it's happening.

• Joseph Arthur - Honey and the Moon
• Lenka - Maybe I Love You
• Amy Winehouse - Valerie 
• The Honey Trees - To Be With You
• Billie Holiday - I'll Be Seeing You
• Spice Girls - Say You'll Be There
• Florence + The Machine - I'm Not Calling You a Liar
• Beck - Girl
• Jay Z & Kanye West (feat. Otis Redding) - Otis
• Jewel - Foolish Games
• Ingram Hill - Almost Perfect

Weekend Collage

No sleep for the wicked as they say....it was a very busy weekend and I was definitely sleep deprived!  A lot of the reason I am sad to say was because of Pottermore.  Anyone else as crazy about this as I am?  Anyone?  Anyone want to pretend that they are just so I don't feel so pathetic? 

Well I ended up getting the first clue on the first night and I'm officially IN to be one of the 1 Million people who will get to do the site early.  And I'm ecstatic.

In other news.....I'll just give you this.

Yeah.  That IS Cory Monteith.  No....I didn't actually meet him BUT my friends did and they got me these pictures and videos!  He even said my name in one! So now the we're getting married obviously.

Here is the rest of my weekend in collage!

my weekend by Vanessa Nelson featuring guess watches

Hope y'all had a good one as well!