Healthy Skin

First off thank you so much for the love shown since I announced I would be blogging again! I love being able to share my advice and passions with you all and am so thankful that so many of you are looking forward to me starting this up again. I got many requests so we will start with those!

To kick things off we will be talking about healthy skin. I got a few requests regarding it and there are two directions this post could go, so we will be tackling both! First, I'm going to be talking about the products I use to maintain healthy skin. Then, I will be discussing the makeup products I like to use in order to make my skin appear healthier, even in the time of a major skin crisis. 

First off however, I want you to know my philosophy with skin care. I teach all of my clients about the importance of being able to really understand your skin. Everything is about BALANCE. You will see me use this word a lot, because I am a big believer in trying to help your skin achieve balance. Just like your body craves homeostasis internally, your skin craves balance. The more you can learn about and treat your skin depending on how it is any given day, the more likely your skin is to be balanced and not as likely to freak out. 

If you don't know about your skin's acid mantle yet, listen up. It is a vital layer of your skin that protects you from various bacterium, viruses, and contaminants that could come in contact with it. We want it to be balanced so it can properly protect you. One of the most important ways to balance it is with a toner. Toners adjust the pH after cleansing, which can be very stripping in order to cleanse properly. There are various toners for all different skin types; from exfoliating to gentle and hydrating. The trick is finding the right one for you. Always feel free to reach out to me if you need help finding the right product. I personally use the Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Glycolic and Lactic Acid Toner. I love how it gently exfoliates my skin every day which speeds up my cell turnover and helps my pores not feel so congested and clogged with excess oil. 

The next holy grail product that I love for achieving healthy skin is Organic Rose Oil. Rosehip oil is a dry oil that I give a lot of credit to for fading my hyperpigmentation left from acne scars. If you're oily and acne prone you need to try this oil to bring your skin balance and even tone. Rosehip oil is filled with essential fatty acids and Vitamin E so it helps to hydrate you, while the low pH helps keep that acid mantle balanced. I buy mine at my local health food store and use it every night before my moisturizer, as my serum. 

A magical mask for all skin types is Bentonite Clay. I can't speak highly enough of this stuff. I recommend it to everyone because of it's strong cleansing and detoxifying properties. I bought a tub of this at my local health food store and it lasts forever! Simply mix a little clay powder with water until you get a paste consistency, then apply it to your face and leave it on for 20-30 min. I try to leave it as long as I can bear it because it will dry and start to pulse your face. When you take it off, your face will often be blotchy but that is completely normal. So what exactly is happening here? Bentonite clay is great at pulling toxins and such out of the body and rapidly increases the circulation. The clay is also able to bind to any excess hydrogen molecules in your skin to lower the pH and make room for your skin to bind more oxygen. You thought I was done talking about that acid mantle didn't you? Haha

The last product I want to share with you is a sleeping mask. Now I'm so obsessed with sleeping masks, so I plan on devoting a whole post to them, but I will share my favorite one now because it helps my skin maintain it's hydration on a weekly basis. Whenever I've been drinking or in the sun, I make sure I sleep that night with the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask in place of my moisturizer. I also use it whenever my skin feels extra dry and dehydrated, usually in the winter. You will wake up the next morning with happy skin that is no longer dehydrated and feels baby soft. 

Ok. You should have learned two things by now. I respect my acid mantle and you should respect yours too. But more importantly BALANCE! Ok now let's talk about makeup.

While a balancing skincare routine is most crucial to the health of your skin, a few makeup products can take your skin to the next level. 9 times out of 10 if I get a compliment on my face at the spa it's usually something about 'my skin being so healthy'. 10 times out of 10 it's probably my highlighter that made them notice. A good highlighter will give you the healthiest and most beautiful glow. If you haven't been drawn yet to the shimmer and shine of highlighters like a moth to a flame, don't say I didn't warn you when you want to buy them all! While I love both powder and liquid highlighters, I use them for different reasons. 

My favorite powder highlighter would hands down be the Makeup geek highlighters because they are so smooth and STUNNING. I have Moonlight Sun (a warm light gold) and Luster (a beautiful cool pink) that I am obsessed with. They even have duochrome highlighters that are beautiful too. I use these highlighters every day on the high points of my face. If I want my skin to be dewy I reach for my either my Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in Opal or the Sephora Collection Radiant Luminizing drops. Both work great when mixing with foundation for an all over glow, but the Becca ones work best to also use on your cheekbones. The Sephora drops are a much more affordable option however.

So there are my favorite products for healthy skin. If you have further questions always feel free to reach out to me at andreafontanabeauty@gmail.com.

Keep the requests coming and have a beautiful and healthy week!

-Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links which means that I receive a small commission from your purchase. The price of the product does not change if you use my links. Your support allows me to continue to create new content for you and I will forever be thankful for your support if you choose to use my links. 

Update Post!

I am back! I realize it has been a short 7 months since I've posted on Andrea Fontana Beauty. Life was being life and my blog simply got away from me.  My schedule gets a little more manageable in the summer so I recently decided one of my goals  was going to be to start blogging again. Every now and then I get asked by a friend or client why I ever stopped and it always make me think about how much I miss it. Enter today's post. 

So here is my new goal. One post a week. Nothing crazy but at least I'm getting back into developing content for you guys to enjoy on a consistent basis. So today's post is going to be short and simple. I'm going to ask you to think about your goals and choose one to attempt for the summer. Whether it's big or small let's do it together!

Here are 10 ideas to get you started:
-Reading 30 Min a day
-Getting at least 10,000 steps a day
-Make a summer bucket list and actually do it!
-Trade in 2-3 nights of netflix a week for doing something outdoors
-Try one new recipe a week
-Research and sign up for volunteering in your area
-Drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water a day
-Set up a weekly/biweekly/monthly girls night
-Pickup that one hobby you've been dying to try
-Go through your house/closet and donate everything you're not using

Have a wonderful Monday and let me know if you have any requests for posts as I'm getting back into the swing of things!

-Andrea

Current Favorites

Since product recommendations have always been a huge hit on my blog, I figured I would kick off Andrea Fontana Beauty with a post sharing what I've been loving recently. It's officially the time of year when things start to get a lot cozier! 

Epsom salt baths: If you've never taken an Epsom salt bath you need to try it. I take at least 2 a week (don't judge) because after massaging sometimes more than 12 people in a week, my body starts to ache. Epsom salts are made of magnesium sulfate, which naturally relieves the aches and pains in our bodies. Magnesium helps regulate enzyme activity, reduce inflammation, helps muscle and nerve function and loads more. Sulfates improve nutrient absorption in our bodies, flush toxins, and can also help ease the pain of migraines. Dump a cup or two of these in with your bath water and soak for about 20 minutes and you will feel much better. If you live a very active lifestyle, I highly recommend incorporating these into your routine. Plus, I buy Epsom salts with essential oils added and they make the best aromatic bath experience ever!  

Makeup Geek Cosmetics Blushes: You will not find better blushes for this price. For $10, yes I said $10, you get a blush that is so smooth, pigmented, and long wearing. I have them in the pan form and pop them in a Z-Palette and then I have all my favorite shades in one spot. They have a great shade range and are a must in my makeup kit for all jobs. Some of my favorite shades include Puppy Love, Heart Throb, Spellbound (all mattes), and Romance (slight sheen). I know this fall I will be reaching the most for Puppy Love though because of it's a berry toned BEAUTY!

NYX Microbrow Pencil: I have been using the shade Espresso for about a year now and I have probably gone through about 5 of these. I use other brow products here and there but I always come back to this one for two reasons. First, it's so budget friendly. I swear they are always BOGO 50% off at Ulta and are only $9.99 originally. So I always snag two at a time and don't have to buy as often. The second reason is that they are so easy to use and give me the exact brow I want without having to put too much time in. I'll do an update brow routine soon but know these are also a staple in my makeup kit and you should try them if you like simple and easy (which I know you do).

Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon in Crimson: The newest shade in one of my favorite lip products of all time! I love these lip pencils because they come with a sharpener in the lid and are an extremely long wearing and comfortable lip pencil. They deliver pigmented and smooth color and are perfect for keeping in your purse. I love deeper red shades for fall, so when I saw this new shade was launched, I immediately ordered it. If you've yet to try these pencils, come in to Remedi and I would be happy to help you test one out! 

KeVita Sparking Probiotic Drink and Masterbrew Kombucha: If you like carbonated drinks that are more bitter and tangy than sweet like La Croix, I highly suggest checking these out! Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that has active probiotic cultures to support digestive and immune health. My favorite flavors include mango coconut, Lavender melon (I know it sounds weird but try it), and the Masterbrew citrus flavor. I try to stick with the fruitier favors and everyone I've tried so far I like. They are low calorie and low sugar so if you're looking for a refreshing and healthy treat besides water, give these a try! I get mine at my local Whole Foods and they seem to go on sale a lot!

Sleeping masks: I have been so into sleeping masks for the past 6 months because you can simply apply them as your last step of your skincare routine and you don't have to wash them off. It's the lazy girl's secret to skincare. I will be doing a post within the next week on my favorite ones and how I have incorporated them into my weekly routine, so look for that soon! 

So there are a quick few of the things I've been loving recently. I could add more but I want to do specific posts on some of the things that need a little more explanation so look for these posts to come! If you have questions about any of the items mentioned please let me know! 

Have a wonderful day,  

Andrea 

Welcome to Andrea Fontana Beauty

Welcome to the new and improved version of Dre Does, now known as Andrea Fontana Beauty. I had been hemming and hawing for quite some time as to whether I wanted to make the switch to a more stream lined blog and website that allowed me to have everything in one place. So here you have it! I've imported all of my blog posts from Dre Does incase you want to read up on any old ones. I'm excited to bring you this new look and I hope you will enjoy it as well. You'll find everything from product recommendations to frequently asked questions on this new site. Plus I have a special section devoted to inspiration pictures of different makeup looks I've created! I can't wait to get the posts going so all suggestions and questions are welcome as usual.  

Dre Does a Target Beauty Box Review

 

About a year ago I cancelled my Ipsy subscription and am always on the look out for intriguing subscription services. I had heard good things about the Target Beauty Box as far as value goes, so when I woke up to an email last week saying they were in stock, I jumped at the chance to get my own. For only $10 you can have deluxe sized samples and even full size products sent to your house!

Starting in the top left and moving clockwise, I received the Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream, Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo,  L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes, Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream, Derma e Firming DMAE Moisturizer, L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen, Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, and the Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream.

Not only did I get all 9 of these products but I also got a $3 Off a $15 Target Beauty Purchase. I believe these coupons are included in every Beauty Box. I love how this box comes with a card explaining every product because I hated that I never had a list and description of every product in my Ipsy Subscription.

Now let's talk products. While I can't give reviews of products yet, I can at least let you know the things I'm really interested in trying and what their value is!

Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream ($24.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $6.00): I've heard really great things about this all-natural brand so I'm excited to try a night repair cream from them. It has antioxidants that help stimulate circulation and healthy cell renewal while slowing the damage of cells while you sleep!
Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo (Travel Size Value $4.99): I use a dry shampoo at least 4 times a week so I'm always open to try new ones. I like that this one is paraben and sulfate free and light on your hair.
L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes ($7.79 for 6 Towelettes; Sample Value-$1.30): I've heard amazing things about the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze line, for a drugstore self-tanning line. I'm really excited to try something from it. My only complaint is that since you are supposed to use the product every day until you like how dark you get, I feel like one towelette might not do that much, but we shall see!
Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream ($32.00 for Full Size; Sample Value- $12.80): Ever since this brand came to Target I've been dying to try it. I'm excited to start with this product because it is supposed to keep you hydrated for 24 hours!
Derma e Firming DMAE Moisturizer ($19.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $5.00): This moisturizer claims to visibly firm and lift the skin and since I'm always looking to prevent the loss of elasticity in my face, I can't wait to try it.
L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen ($8.99 Full Size Lip Pen): I've been meaning to pick one of these Lip Pens up since they came out so I'm excited to try this one. I got the shade 207 Laque-y You.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil ($15.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $2.67): I am obsessed with cleansing oils to remove my makeup so I'm thrilled to try this one. I have loved Burt's Bees products in the past so I'm excited to try another from them.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser ($11.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $0.50): This is honestly the only product in the box I'm not excited to try because I'm not the biggest fan of gentle cleansers like CeraVe and Cetaphil. I don't geel like they do enough to really help the skin. This will probably be something I keep in my shower or gym bag for when I'm in a rush and don't want to grab my normal cleansers.
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream ($24.00 for Full Size; Sample Value- $1.20): I love that this is all-natural and only contains 6 ingredients derived from living plants and organisms.

I will do a follow up post once I've tried all the products and let you know what I think! As far as value goes this box was worth $43.45! That's amazing considering that I only payed $10. Plus we can't forget the additional $3 coupon I got towards my next Target Beauty purchase. I'm not sure if I just hit the jackpot this box or if they are all this great but I will be sure to pick up the next one as long as I can snag it before it sells out!

Let me know if you've tried the Target Beauty Box or any of these products before and what your thoughts are!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Tips for Transitioning Your Skin into Spring and Summer

Hello! I'm back and ready to go. As many of you know, I live in Michigan and spring can mean all sorts of weather. We can have a sunny 70 degree day followed by an ice storm the next. With this bipolar weather can come bipolar skin, as it's not sure how to adapt to these crazy weather changes. A large percentage of the guests I've been seeing recently are experiencing this difficulty in balancing their skin so I figured we could all use some help. Today I would like to share my 5 tips for helping your skin in this transition period and get it glowing and ready for the summer!

1. Get on a routine. Regardless of what is going on with your skin, getting into a routine is the best thing you can do for it. Your body craves balance and your skin is no different. If you don't already have a solid skincare routine, I highly suggest starting here. If you're not one for spending a lot of time doing so, I recommend the three basic steps; cleanse, tone, and moisturize. No matter the skin type, do these three morning and night and I guarantee your skin will thank you. 

2. Up your water intake. Even if you are usually great at drinking water, use this opportunity to commit to drinking the correct amount of water for your body (I recommend at least half your body weight in ounces, however I strive for much more than that every day)! You'd be amazed what I can tell from looking at a client's skin about how much water they consume.

3. Get a facial. Now you're probably thinking I'm recommending this only because I'm an esthetician but I promise that's not why I'm suggesting this. Every time you get a facial, we take a good look at what is actually going on with the skin. I can't tell you how many times I have a guest on my table who is either completely wrong about what their skin is actually like, or isn't sure what to do about the changes they are seeing in this transition season of weather. Your esthetician is there to guide you to the correct products and treatments based on what is actually happening that day. If you've ever been to a treatment with me you know I'm loaded with tips and tricks to help! 

4. Exfoliation. Whether it be at home or at with your esthetician, it's important to exfoliate especially during this time of year. I have so many guests coming to be with dry, dead skin cells on the surface that are preventing the skin from glowing and looking bright. A good microdermabrasion, peel or enzyme mask, is just what you need to get rid of dead skin cells and allow your skin to really absorb and utilize the amazing products you put on afterwards. 

5. Try some sleeping masks. I plan on making a post about this soon, but my latest obsession are sleeping masks. I love how they take no extra time on nights when I just want to get to bed because you use them in place of your moisturizer. You then wake up the next morning with completely refreshed skin! I've been trying a few different ones and can't wait to share with you what I've been loving so stay tuned.

I hope these tips help you get your skin where you want it! Spring is all about refreshing and rejuvenating your life and your skin should be no different! 

As usual if you ever have questions about a specific skincare issue or product, please leave me comment or email me at andreafontanabeauty@gmail.com! If you're in the greater Lansing area, come see me at Remedi Spa and Wellness and I'd love to pamper you and get your skin on track for summer! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does 2015 Beauty Favorites

After careful consideration my favorite products of the year are finally here! These are makeup, skin care and hair products that have been used on a regular basis throughout the year and even repurchased multiple times so you know that I have put them to the test and love them. I chose 15 products total and have separated them into categories...So let's get started!

Let's start with hair products. If you know anything about me, it's that I am not one to fuss a lot over my hair. I've never colored it and keep styling to a minimum so for me to stand behind a hair product means that it has to be easy! These three products have been my rocks for the year and I can't imagine life without them anymore.

1. Kenra Professional Platinum Dry Texture Spray ($22): This might be my favorite hair product of all time. It smells amazing and gives my hair the perfect amount of texture without weighing my hair down. It gives me volume and revitalizes flat and boring hair. I love to use it both on curly or straight days. Click here to read a post more about it in my June favorites!

2. Redken Hot Sets ($17): This product changed my life when it comes to curling my hair. My hair has never wanted to hold a curl for more than an hour so when someone recommended this to me I was floored at how well it makes my curls stay. It's essentially a hair spray that you apply before heat styling that not only holds the style, but protects your hair from any heat damage! Go out and get some NOW if your hair is hard to curl and I promise you will love it!

3. Enjoy Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($24): I have tried more dry shampoos than I can even count and this one is by far my favorite because there is no lingering scent and my hair doesn't feel instantly dirty. It also is one of the easiest dry shampoos to blend into your hair if you are a brunette so I love that I don't have to spend much time with it. It gives me volume and I always get compliments on my hair when I use it (aka trick people into thinking I have beautifully styled and clean hair!) If you're interested in purchasing it please shoot me an email and I'd be happy to talk to you more about it because we retail it at the Spa & Wellness center I work at!

Now for the skincare! I have been experimenting with so many new products in the last year, but I've found that I have a few that I have really been loving.

4. Tarte Maracuja Oil (Reg. $48 but only $28 right now!): I feel like most of you probably know by now how much I love this stuff. It should come as no surprise that I am obsessed with Maracuja (passion fruit) oil. With a burst of Vitamin C it helps hydrate and brighten my complexion every morning and night. When my foundation feels too drying or I want a lighter coverage, I simply add a drop in. I have gone through probably 5 big bottles over the last couple of years and I can't see myself stopping anytime soon. The limited edition holiday bottle that I'm currently using is on sale on Tarte's website so if you've been wanting to try it, now's your chance!

5. Lelexo Mandelic Acid Scrub ($33): This has quickly become my holy grail cleanser. I use it on so many of my clients at the spa because it is amazing for so many skin types. Mandelic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from almonds that gently exfoliates the skin and helps with acne, hyperpigmentation, aging and so much more! It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal, so it helps keep your skin extremely clean. Not only that, it is anti-inflammatory so it helps the skin to calm and heal quicker! I have gone through multiple bottles myself and would be happy to talk to you more about it if you're interested in trying it out!

6. The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil ($19)/ Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter ($16)/ Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover ($17): You're looking at my makeup removing routine. I always use either the Cleansing Oil or Cleansing Butter and the Eye Makeup Remover. All are gentle and remove my makeup so well without causing any irritation to my skin and leave it feeling smooth and hydrated! I always use my cleanser after, but as a first step to my skincare routine, I LOVE THEM!

It's time for the main course friends! My 2015 favorite makeup products. If you're new to my blog, I hope you try some of my obsessions.

7. NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ($48): Guys this foundation changed my life. I know that sounds extreme but as my skin has been transitioning into being less oily all the time, I have needed a foundation that gives me a full coverage yet light feeling luminous look and I'm obsessed with it. I used to be a die hard Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation fan but it's too drying for me these days and this one has saved the day! I can't say enough great things about it and here is my post from last year. If you've followed me at all throughout 2015 you are probably not surprised that this one came out on top! I highly recommend getting a sample from Sephora if you are normal to oily!

8. Anastasia Beverly Hills Original Contour Kit ($40): I have to admit that at first I wasn't too impressed with this one. It was getting so much hype that I didn't think it could possibly be as amazing as everyone was saying so I probably didn't give it a fair chance. Fast forward to a busy bridal season and doing my makeup hundreds of times in 2015 and it's now easy to say that this is my favorite contour kit. The shades work so well and blend so nicely that I will be refilling it as soon as I finish up these pans. I found myself bringing other contour products to jobs but always ending up using this one.

9. Benefit Dallas Bronzer/Blush ($29): Back when I worked for Benefit this was one of the products that I talked about with clients on a regular basis. Anytime some said "I need a good every day blush that will go with everything" Dallas was the first thing that came to mind. Yes it's technically a bronzer, but let's face it, who likes following all the rules?! It gives the cheeks a beautifully natural glow without looking fake. It works on so many skin tones and blends easy as well! You must pick up a box for yourself now! (I might already have two back ups...)

10. Too Faced Original Chocolate Bar Palette ($49) & Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Palette ($36): These two palettes have been my go to palettes of the year. I've used them far more than any Naked palette and they were even picked up more than my beloved Anastasia palettes. I love warm shades and I feel like they both give me a great range of shades to do any intensity of neutral looks! If you don't have either you need to get them both ASAP!

11. Benefit They're Real Mascara ($24): SURPRISE! This made the cut another year...haha! I don't think another mascara will ever compete for me. It's a cult favorite for a reason and stays on like no other mascara for me. The wand, the formula, the intensity...it does it all!

12. Glo Minerals Brow Collection ($45.50): I'm obsessed with this brow kit. If you've ever been a client of mine regarding brows you know how much I love brow waxes instead of pencils. I think they are more customizable and you get more for your money. When I started using Glo Minerals at my job I fell in love with this kit because it is such a good value! You get two brow powder shades, a brow wax, cream highlighter, spooly brush, angled brow brush, tweezers, and stencils all in a zip up kit for only $45.50! Such a deal and the product is really great quality! If you have questions about it let me know! You can buy it through me at Remedi!

13. NYC Liquid Eyeliner ($2.99): Yes you read that right... it's onlyl $2.99 and it's amazing! If you haven't heard of how amazing this inexpensive liner is you either aren't that interested in makeup or are living under a rock. So here I am recommending it to you as well because it is Dre Does approved! You can get it at your grocery store or Target and it's extremely black, easy to use, and lasts all day!

14. Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon ($16): I love lip products, it's no secret. At any one time my purse can have upwards of 15 lipsticks in it so let's say I've tried quite a few. These crayons are my ideal lip product for a few reasons. First, they are matte which is my favorite lip finish because they last all day and make my lips look the best. Second, they are really pigmented. It doesn't take much product but they are easy to apply. Third, they are very smooth and don't dry out the lips. Sometimes I have to take a break between matte lipsticks because they dry my lips out too much but these never do! Lastly, they come with a built in sharpener so you can take them on the go and never have to worry about it not being ready to use!

15. Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castille Bar Soap ($4.69): If you missed THIS post, you might be wondering why bar soap is in my 2015 favorites. Read the post and you'll find out that it has become my favorite way to clean my makeup brushes. Not only is it extremely good at getting every last bit of makeup out of them quickly, but it also softens and conditions my brushes for future use! Go read the post on it and you'll learn more!


There they are friends! All 15(ish) products that I LOVED throughout the year. Let me know what your favorite products were and if you have questions about anything, as usual, let me know and I will be happy to answer them!

I hope your 2016 is off to a fabulous start! Remember to stay kind and grateful to everyone!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does an Adele Inspired Tutorial

I shared the picture above asking if you guys would like to see my Adele inspired makeup look and the response was overwhelming! Thank you always for your support! I obviously bought Adele's album the day it came out and every time I listened to it on my phone, the photo above of her makeup was looking back and me and I knew I wanted to re-create it. I realize it's not a color photo but the defined and contoured eyelook was what I was after. The look is super easy and honestly a great look with or without the liquid liner, for those of you who are still working on the perfect wing! The thing I like most about this look is that it is about layering shadows from light to dark, so you're in complete control of how light or dark you want to make it. Every shadow I used was from the Too Faced Natural Matte Palette and while you certainly don't need this palette to get this look, I highly suggest investing in it or adding it to your christmas wishlist. I don't know what I would have done without this palette for my freelance kit because everything you need to start and blend a look is in it. Without this turning into a Too Faced review....let's begin!

(On my lips is the Maybelline Color Sensational 'The Mattes' Lipstick in Daringly Nude)

1. As usual I started with a primed eyelid and then applied Heaven from lashline to brow bone using a flat shader brush. 

2. Using a very fluffy blending brush I mixed Lace Teddy and Nude together and applied them throughout the crease. As you can see this doesn't appear too much darker than the Heaven shade, but thats what I want. This look is all about slowly building the color and blending A LOT! Adding the lighter/medium shades in the crease will make blending the darker colors much easier. 

3. Next, I mixed Cashmere Bunny and Risqué on a pencil brush and applied it in my crease. Using the same fluffy blending brush from step 2, I blend the crease color out. I want the edges to be more blended on the top as you can see but the area where my crease meets my lid, I keep pretty intense and not so faded. 

4. The last shadow step is to take some more of Heaven and apply it to the lid to create that contrast between the dark crease and light lid. This is what gives Adele's look that defined and contoured eye shape. 

5. Next it's time for liquid eyeliner. In this look I used the NYC Liquid Eyeliner which is such an inexpensive and great product. It's only a couple dollars and is especially great for those who are practicing winged liner because you won't feel bad wasting expensive liner if you have to remove and re-apply. I always start my winged liner with a small line extending from the end of my lashline outwards. The angle I create is based on following my bottom lashline and extending that line out. 

6. Next, I draw from the end of the tail I've created back to my lashline, creating a little triangle. 

7. Lastly, I create the line along my lashline from the inside of my eye connecting to the tail I've just made. If this seems super confusing let me know and I can create a post completely devoted to how I do winged eyeliner!

(I unfortunately didn't get a picture after I finished my eyeliner, but I always perfect that line of liquid liner along my lid at the end to create a smooth line so please excuse any uneveness!)

8. The last step is lining your waterlines. I used Black on the top lashline and NYX's Wonder Pencil (a nude shade) on the bottom to get that bright open-eyed look like Adele has in the album cover. Two coats of your favorite mascara and you're done!

And that's it! You can get Adele inspired makeup that easily! Let me know if you have any questions or requests of makeup looks to recreate. I really enjoy recreating celebrity looks for you guys!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and please know that I am so thankful for you!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Brows for Beginners

I had a good friend reach out to me lately asking for some pro tips regarding brows and it got me thinking that I've never really covered the basics regarding filling in brows, here on Dre Does. So I decided to share some of the basics with you incase you have never filled them in before and don't quite know where to start. 

1. Start small: If you've never colored your brows in before ANYTHING is going to look more dramatic than what you're used to. Just because you notice a huge difference doesn't mean they look bad. I would recommend starting with a tinted brow gel first, working your way up to a pencil, and then moving on to a tinted wax or pomade if you're really feeling confident. Filling your brows in for the first time should be subtle and minimal to avoid going too dramatic. 

2. Small Strokes: If you are using a product to fill them in always use small hair-like strokes because after all you are trying to make your brows look like they are full of more hairs. No one has perfectl straight and opaque brows naturally, so don't make long and intense lines with your product. 

3. Get a spooly: You'd be surprised how different and much easier filling your brows in is when you have a spooly for blending. A spooly is simply a disposable mascara wand and you can find a pack of them for only a few bucks at your local beauty supply store. If you don't want to go out and buy one, simply wait to use up your current tube of mascara (if it's one with a traditional bristle brush wand) and sanitize it for use in place of a spooly! Simply apply your brow product like you normally would and then use your spooly to slowly brush through the brow hairs and blend the product. This will ensure that your filled in brows don't look so fake.

4. Start in the middle: Whenever you are filling in your brows, I recommend starting to fill the middle of the brow first for a few reasons. If you're using a product that has a wand or brush (so a tinted gel or pomade for example) you will have the most product on it initially. You don't want to put all that product right in the front of the brow because naturally we aren't the fullest right where the brows start. It's also hard to master how to start your brow, so slowly building the front with only a little bit of product will help you acheive a much more natural look. This will help you avoid the obvious, too squared off brows. 

5. Shade is key: Don't use too dark or too light of a product. Brows should always stay a little darker than your hair if you're blonde, or a little lighter than your hair if it's darker. Also unless you are a red head, your brows should stay ashy and cool-toned. No one really has warm brows except for red heads, so picking the right tone of product will help you avoid your brows looking fake!

6. Get them shaped by a professional: I tell all of my clients that they beauty of getting their brows shaped is that I give them the blueprint to fill in their brows. Simply follow the shape I've waxed them to and in no time you'll get the hang of what you should be filling in. I take the guesswork out of adding product and will even show you how to do it if you need help. If you're in the Lansing area I would love to help you in person, but if not, find someone you trust to help shape your brows and get rid of unnecessary hairs!

7. Get them tinted: If all of this seems way too difficult and intimidating, look into tinting. This is a service I personally perform at the spa and it allows me to tint the hairs and underlying skin, to look like the brows are fuller than they are and to help emphasize the shape I give by waxing. The tint lasts up to 3 weeks so it's a great option for those who don't want to fill them in with product every morning. 

If this post stirred up any questions you might have regarding brows, please feel free to leave a comment below or on my Facebook page! I hope this helps!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Beauty Secret

If there's one thing us makeup artists and makeup enthusiasts can agree upon, it's that cleaning brushes is the bane of our existence. It's the thing that we know we have to do but always dread. Well I'm here to share a tip I discovered about a year ago but didn't actually try out until very recently. I'm happy to say I'm never going back to my old ways!

So what it is? A solid brush cleanser. You may have heard of the most famous one from Beauty Blender that retails for $16 for 1 ounce of soap. The idea is that you wet your brush or sponge and swirl it around on soap, pick some up and then use that to clean the brush in your palm or whatever you normally use to clean your brushes. I have always used baby shampoo for deep cleansing my brushes because it's just how I was taught and what has always worked. Mind you this always takes forever when you have a lot of brushes and I feel like I'm always wasting shampoo because I'm pouring it into my palm.

Well I heard another makeup artist suggest trying Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castille Bar Soap as a solid cleanser and seeing as it costs a shocking $4.69 for 5 oz, I figured it wouldn't hurt to try. OMG! Ladies go out and buy this completely organic soap ASAP and try it. Not only is it ridiculously cheaper than the Beauty Blender's alternative, but it's organic, conditioning for your brushes with coconut and tons of other oils, and it comes in so many different scents. Since it doesn't come with a container to store it in like the Beauty Blender one, just make a trip down the travel sized beauty section like I did and snag yourself a clear 97 cent container to store your bar of soap in.

I love how quickly I can wash everything too because I'm not picking up a shampoo bottle and pouring out and wasting extra product with every brush. It also cleans the brushes quicker than I've ever seen! I've linked the Citrus scent above which is the one I am currently using.

If you try this out and love it, let me know! Also please feel free to share any other beauty secrets you might have!


Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does an EXO Supply Review

Now that the flu is finally starting to stop occupying my body, let's get to a post I had originally planned for last week! A few month's back I was contacted by the company EXO Supply to try out two of their new products. They are a relatively new organic and natural company and since the two products involved skincare (hello!) and nails, I was excited to try them out. I love that their products are all formulated with USDA certified organic essential oils. I love me some essential oils because of not only their benefits and versatility, but most importantly their smell. I received the Natural Foaming Coconut Cleanser and samples of both the Lavendar and Citrus scented Pure Removers. 

I was excited to try the Coconut Cleanser because it is super gentle and safe for all skin types. I have oily and acne prone skin and while I normally prefer to have a really deep cleansing cleanser, I still think it's important for all skin types to have a gentle and soothing face wash in your drawers for days when you're skin is really irritated or hypersensitive. The fact of the matter is that I live in Michigan; where the weather changes drastically at a moments notice and my skin can reflect that. 

The Pure Coconut Cleanser is formulated with coconut oil obviously, but also jojoba oil and floral waters. I initially wasn't too thrilled with the cleanser because I didn't feel like I was getting a deep enough cleanse. However, once I started using it as the first step in a double cleanse, I liked the results I was getting. I now use it every night to get every last trace of makeup off before I go in and deep cleanse my skin. I know you might think this is excessive, but when you're as acne prone and sensitive as I am, this extra step helps! Plus I've liked having it on hand for those sensitive nights. The Pure Cleanser retails for $16.95 for 6 Oz. 

The next product I tried was the Pure Remover which is a completely organic and natural plant-based nail polish remover that is both alcohol and acetone FREE! I repeat, alcohol and acetone FREE! The scent is completely naturally and the product is non-toxic too! While I think this is an amazing natural option for everyone, I think this product would be amazing for use on both children AND women that are pregnant who are looking for organic and non-toxic options! The wipes are a great option if you're traveling or simply like the convinience, but they also sell bottles of the Pure Remover if you prefer. (Can we talk about how proud I am that I remembered to take a picture before I ripped the adorable packaging open and ruined it?!)  The wipes are available in packs of 10 ($12), 20 ($24), or 30 ($30) and in the scents Lavender, Mint, Orange, or Unscented. The bottles are $15.95 for 4 oz and come in the same four scents. 

You can find out more about EXO Supply and their products by visiting www.EXOsupply.com or checking out their Instagram (@exo_supply).

A huge thanks to EXO Supply for letting me try out these awesome products! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

*These products were sent to me to try out for free but all opinions are my own and I wasn't required to post about them! 

Dre Does Hair Accessories

I don't know about you but I'm really picky when it comes to the hair ties and headbands I wear when I'm working out. I hate when my hair feels like it's falling out or loose, so I'm always searching for functional yet pretty ones. I am happy to report that I have found a few hair accessories that have lived up to my expectation and I'm here to share them all with you!

First up we have hair ties. I have to always have a hairtie on my writst because when I'm at the spa, I need to be able to tie my hair back at a moment's notice. However, I'm usually dressed up and I don't like the look of classic hairties. I got a coupon for the scunci Everyday & Active 3X Braided Elastics (around $2.99) so I decided to try them out. I am obsessed! They look like a cute braided bracelet on your wrist, but have amazing stretch and really grip the hair well. I only need one of these to keep my hair in place during even the most intense workout. I got my pack of 6 black braided elastics at Target but I've seen them at other grocery stores too! They also come in a multi color pack which I will probably pick up next!

Next, I found two headbands also from scunci that I really love. Both have rubber grips sewn into the undersides so they always stay put no matter how much I'm moving when I'm working out. The first is the No-Slip Grip Braided Headwrap (around $5.99) and I can't get enough of. It not only holds my hair back, but it adds a little bit of style too! 

Lastly is the No Slip Basic Headwrap (around $6.99). I like how this one keeps all of my hair completely out of my face because it's so wide, yet it doesn't budge when I'm moving. I have both of these headbands in black and bought them at my local Ulta. 

What are your favorite hair accessories? If you have any suggestions please leave a comment below so I can try them out!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

*This post is not sponsored by scunci and everything was purchased with my own money.