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 Multi Use Summer Essentials

While I love a good full on glam look like the next girl, you will 95% of the time find me with little makeup on in the summer time. As an oily skin type that only gets oilier in the hotter months, I hate having a full face on during the day. So today I bring you the SIX key products to keep in your purse so you can have an easy summer look, not only quickly, but with multiuse products. Each one can be used in multiple ways, which is always a bonus.

Dre's Summer Essentials:

1. Concealer stick: Perfect for multiple reasons, it will help with covering blemishes and under eye circles, evening out skin tone, highlighting your brow bone, and using as a base for eyeshadow! (Covergirl Trueblend shown above)

2. Powder: You can't get around this one this time of the year. Powder will even out your skin tone and help control oil, so it's a must to keep it on hand in the summer. (Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation shown)

3. Cool toned Bronzer: My favorite is Hoola by Benefit Cosmetics because it isn't too warm toned, which makes it great for contouring your face but also to use as a crease color so you don't have to carry around any eyeshadow. 

4. Champagne highlighter: a face highlighter is great to not only enchnace a summer glow on your cheekbones, but you can also use it as an all over lid color instead of eyeshadow. MAC Cosmetics Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb Shown)

5. Cream Blush Stain: Many companies make multiuse cheek and lip products so find a shade you love for both your lips and cheeks. I love a good natural coral that will give your skin a natural summer flush on both your cheeks and lips. (Stila Convertible Color shown)

6. Waterproof Mascara: a waterproof mascara is always good to keep on hand incase you want to intensify your look but if you keep a small eyeliner brush with you too, you can use the mascara as a gel eyeliner in a pinch! (tarte Lights! Camera! Splashes! Waterproof mascara shown)

My favorite thing to do in the summer is keep these 6 products, a travel pack of makeup remover wipes and blush, Bronzer, and eyeliner brushes in my purse as well. This way if I'm out and about with makeup already on or none at all, I can find a bathroom, quickly clean my face and apply these 6 products for a complete and easy summer look! 

Don't be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to makeup! There are no rules and you can use products however they work best for you! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Quick Fix: Broken Powders

Good quality makeup is expensive and if you're willing to shell out the money to have it, the disappointment is huge when we either break it or lose it. It's no secret that I'm absolutely obsessed with the tarte Amazonian Clay blushes. After I bought my first in the shade Natural Beauty for a pretty penny ($26 to be exact), I was broken hearted when I accidentally dropped it on the bathroom floor and it shattered. Luckily it was closed so I put my good old rubbing alcohol to good use to save my favorite little guy. Here is a picture of the sad broken blush beforehand.

And here is a picture of everything you need (however, the quarter and tissue are optional and you'll see why later).

You can certainly use a normal shaped Q-Tip, but I have these on hand in my makeup kit for touch ups, so I prefer them for this quick fix. The pointed end is great for breaking up the broken pieces and the flat end is great for smoothing the product before you let it dry. I got 75 of these guys for $1.79 at drugstore.com so click here for the link to these exact ones if you're interested. They're great for any touch ups or removal when doing your eye makeup too. But let's get back to fixing makeup! 

So the first step is to break up the product into as fine of a powder as you can. Be careful because depending on the product it can fly everywhere. 

The picture above is using just the pointed end and the one below shows how well the flat end works too. This is about how broken down you need it. The more broken down, the easier it will be to mix.

Next, pour the rubbing alcohol into the pan a few drops at a time. Be careful because you don't want to add too much. I ended up using about a capful for this size of a product. You can also use this method to set any mineral or loose products in a pan, but be careful because the finer the product is milled the less amount of rubbing alcohol you need to add. So start with a few drops at a time. The flat end is good for mixing it. The idea is to get a thick paste that you can easily spread but isn't too runny.

Now it's time to smooth it out. Using the Q-Tip's flat end, I smooth everything so it looks nice and even. This is where the quarter and tissue come in. If you want a smoother finish, simply wrap the quarter in the tissue and gently press the product to smooth (Shown below). 

Once your product is as smooth as you can get it, simply clean up the edges and let it dry! It should only take a few hours and then it will be ready to use again! Rubbing alcohol is really easy to find at your local drugstore or grocery store and is really inexpensive so this is an amazing way to save those expensive products. This is my finished product!

I hope you enjoyed this Quick Fix! Have a beautiful Monday,

Dre