Planning Obsession

Something that most probably don't know about me is that I am a huge planner nerd. I absolutely love a handwritten, hard copy planner in front of me and I feel one thousand times more productive when I open the cover. Stupid I know but if you geek out about planners too, I KNOW you get it. I have tried so many times to like electronic to-do lists and calendars on my phone but I just cannot get used to them and do not accomplish as much when relying on them. 

Last week I bought a new planner for 2018 and I posted a poll on Instagram asking if you wanted me to talk about my various planners I've tried, what I loved, hated, etc. and I got 100% yes! So I've decided to share with you today a little bit about my love for planners.

Let's first go over some basics that I look for in my planners. I have to have a monthly spread and weekly spreads too. I've tried daily pages in the past, but I feel like it wastes paper and I don't end up using a whole sheet for the day so I've always reverted back to weekly spreads. I also like enough room for to-do lists and plenty of notes during the week. I like to take my planner with me, so I need it to be durable and last during a year's worth of adventures. While I like a little pop of color here and there, I usually like a mostly black and white planner, which allows me to use whatever color pens or even functional stickers, I want. 

And now for the planners...

Erin Condren Life Planner: The one I had for the end of 2015 and all of 2016 was the original Life Planner with the vertical layout. This planner is one that really re-established hardbound planners again and most of you have probably seen it or maybe even owned one. I coughed up the terrifying $50+ for my Life Planner and I really did like it for the first few months. I liked that there was 3 vertical boxes a day that I could customize how ever I wanted and there was plenty of notes space. This may come as a surprise to you because most people love it, but I doubt I will ever buy a Life Planner again. For me there is really 3 reasons; the cover, the thickness, and the price. First off I HATED the cover. Erin Condren is known for the interchangeable covers that you can customize and get in a million different patterns. I really thought I would love this until I started using my planner. Within a few weeks, I was losing tons of the plastic tips that connected the planner to the coil, and I had to contact the company and they sent me a code to reorder a new cover. Luckily I snagged a deal and got BOGO free so I figured this breaking cover wasn't normal and was glad I'd have two now to last the rest of the year. Except the same thing happened AND my covers started peeling at the corners. I'd say they had great customer service, but the product just wasn't working. Mind you I am not that hard on things and take great care of my stuff. The other two issues I have are how thick the Life Planner is. I had the 18 month, so that didn't help, but I still feel like this planner is just so much thicker than most and a pain to carry around with you. Lastly, the price is just difficult to swallow for me. I think there are just as great or even better planners for less, so I doubt I'll ever go back to Erin Condren. 

One thing I do like is Erin Condren is always coming up with new things and improving previous designs, so I've noticed they have coil-less and hard bound planners now which do solve the problems that I had. I do believe they are a little more inexpensive than the Life Planner too, so that is nice. If you're someone who would leave their planner only in one location, like home or at work, you may really like the Life Planner, but for me it just doesn't work.

Sugar Paper for Target: If you click here you can see this specific planner I have been using for 2017.  I bought it at Target for $20 (I mean can you really beat that?!) Target has been stepping their game up in the planner world and collaborating with some pretty cool design companies like Sugar Paper, Day Designer, Britt & Co.,  May Designs (hint hint hint)...I really liked the hard bound black cover and this one satisfied all of my needs. It was simplistic in color and design, had weekly and monthly spreads, and was thin and easier to travel with than my Life Planner. I have to say that I really did love this planner for most of the year until about 2 weeks ago when it broke. The front cover unattached from the binding. It's usable but a pain to work with because it keeps moving around weird when I try to write. Up until it broke I really thought I would repurchase a planner for 2018 that was similar in size and design. I don't have much more to say about this one besides keep your eye out at Target for planner launches because they kill it!

May Designs for Target: Now we have reached the good stuff. I am absolutely obsessed with my new planner from May Designs. I have a lot to say so let's just dive right in. I bought this one here for $19.99 and it's beautiful, simple, functional, but most importantly CUSTOMIZABLE! It's esstentially May Designs' version of a traveler's notebook, a leather-type cover with elastics that allow for you to connect your own mini notebooks together. If you've never heard of this but love planning please do yourself a favor and google it (but only when you have extra time to blow because you will get sucked in)! I spent a good few months last year (when I was just over the Life Planner) dabbling with the world of Bullet Journaling (again google at your own risk, but PLEASE do it). Bullet journaling is essentially a brain dumb method that involves you creating a planning space out of an empty notebook. It involves you creating your own spreads which allows for complete customization. I really enjoyed it but was too busy at the time to really continue so I went back to a pre-designed planner for 2017. 

So fast forward to now and why I love this May Designs Traveler's Notebook. It came with two notebooks, half the year in each, and I purchased two blank, lined notebooks to insert as well. I also love that it fits the thin Moleskine's that I always keep on me for doodling, lists, and such. 

So where am I at now? I currently have dove right back into bullet journaling in a moleskine for the last two months of the year in the Traveler's Notebook and ditched the Sugar Paper planner because it's broken. I love that this has allowed me to carry the rest of 2017 and the first half of 2018 with me so there's no awkward time of carrying two planners at the end of a year. The thing I love most about the Traveler's Notebook is that at the end of the year if I still love this cover and it's in good shape, I can just buy some new May Designs custom notebooks and use it again! If you've never browsed their site YOU NEED TO. They make the most beautiful customizable notebooks for whatever you need them for. 

I hope this was helpful for all of you who requested this post over on Instagram. If you aren't following me please do it ASAP so you can vote on my polls that help decide what content I bring to you next! Scroll down to the bottom of this page to FOLLOW ME!

Leave a comment below with your favorite planner or any planning tips! Also, let me know if you want to see more planner related content on Andrea Fontana Beauty. I know it's not beauty related, but we all need to be organized to be productive so I love sharing this type of stuff with you!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Andrea 

Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo Review

I wanted to share a company with you that I've recently been loving. I was contacted by Maple Holistics to see if I wanted to try out a product to learn a little bit about their brand. (This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own). Maple Holistics is natural and holistic product line that carries hair, body, and skincare items all made in the US, that are cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and safe for color. They sent me a Tea Tree Shampoo (click here to see it) and I have fallen in love with it. This shampoo is also gluten, GMO, and paraben free which is amazing. I personally love the smell of tea tree so I was super excited to try it.

I personally only wash my hair 2-3 times a week. I was worried that an extremely natural and sulfate-free shampoo while way better for my hair, wasn't going to clean it like I need it do when I'm Day 3 or 4 of dirty hair. Boy was I wrong. I have fallen in love with how clean my hair feels when I wash it and how great it smells. It's ingredients include only water, jojoba oil, botanical keratin, argan oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, and rosemary oil. The combo of tea tree, lavender, and rosemary is where it gets it's amazing scent from. Sometimes I can be a victim to dandruff as seasons change, but I feel like this has really helped my scalp health too. 

Maple Holistics is offering a special deal right now that allows you to try a sample of their products for free! Click here to get your free sample. I was really excited to share this company with you because they offered to let you guys try the products too! 

Let me know if you try anything and what you think about it!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Andrea

Sleeping Masks: A Lazy Girl's BFF

It's probably been about 2 years since I was first introduced to sleeping masks and ever since then I haven't looked back. A sleeping mask is exactly as it sounds; a mask that you wear all night instead of washing off after 10-20 minutes. This makes at home masking SO much easier! Today, they have become an integral part of my skincare routine because I'm busier than ever, but still trying to keep my skin healthy and balanced. I try to use one at least twice a week after a good exfoliation, or sometimes more if my skin needs it. I apply my skincare routine like normal except instead of using my normal nighttime moisturizer, I apply one of the masks below and sleep with it on!

I usually opt for a hydrating and brightening sleeping mask because then I wake up with baby soft and nourished skin. Here are some of my favorites:

 1. Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial ($48 for 1.35 oz): This mask is fantastic if you want to brighten and even out your skin tone. I wear this a lot at night if I have any post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation caused by blemishes. The Vitamin C is brightening and the Rose gives this mask an amazing aroma and also helps hydrate and nourish the skin. I'm obsessed with the smell. If you've never tried anything from this Rose Product line from Korres, PLEASE visit your local Sephora and smell it!

2. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask ($27 for 3.4 oz): This is probably my most used mask because again it smells amazing but you seriously wake up with a face that's as soft as a baby's bottom when you apply this before sleeping. It is loaded with amazing oils and does such a good job of nourishing your face. I use this anytime I feel dehydrated, dry, or even if I've been drinking. It smells like citrus and peaches. I can't even tell you how many times I've recommended this mask to friends and clients. 

3. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask ($25 for 2.3 oz): This Laneige Water Sleeping Mask was sent to me for free from a really cool company called Influenster***. They send you free stuff to try and review and give your feedback! I was so excited to try this one out because I already love Laneige and funny enough, this product had made it into my cart so many times online, but I never seemed to buy it! It's great for skin that desperately needs water, not oil. I love that it comes with a little spatula too, so it's easy to keep your container of product bacteria-free! I feel like I wake up in the morning with refreshed and hydrated skin whenever I sleep with this one on. 

Do you like sleeping masks? Have you ever tried one? Leave me a comment below sharing your favorite one if you have!

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea

***Influenster sent me the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask for reviewing purposes to try for free. All opinions on the product however are my own and I am not being paid to talk about this product!

Fall Favorites

This is one of my favorite posts to write every year. I think it's because I love all things cozy and comforting and that's what this post is all about. I'm going to be sharing everything from products I'm loving to recipes and cookbooks I've been obsessed with. So grab your favorite warm fall drink, grab that soft blanket, cozy up and read on! Oh and be sure to share with me your favorites for this time of year. 

PRODUCTS:
I know this probably doesn't come as a surprise but I love a good pumpkin mask in the fall. So let's talk about how I have been incorporating them into my 'At Home Fall Facial'! My skin type is extremely oily in the summer, but as the cooler months approach, I start to normalize and even feel dry from time to time. I have two favorite pumpkin masks that I use to prep my skin for super hydrating masks (This also helps to brighten my skin and even my skin tone). If you read my last post on my BFF Glycolic Acid (click here if you missed it!), I shared the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask ($14.99) , but I also like the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme ($58)  if I'm feeling a little flakier and dry on the surface. It has little beads that you scrub your face with for 1-2 min before letting the mask sit and the pumpkin enzymes go to work. Once I remove which ever one of those I've chosen that night, I like to add my serums, eye creams (yes I'm using two right now), and then which ever sleeping mask I'm loving at the moment for some super hydration while I sleep. Spoiler alert: I'll be sharing my favorite sleeping masks soon!

As far as my makeup goes in the fall, I start to gravitate towards warmer and darker tones. Think deep browns, bronzes and even oranges and burgundies to warm things up. Last year I bought the Makeup Geek Autumn Glow Eyeshadow Bundle ($49) and I'm still obsessed with it. It included 9 shadows of various warm shades that make the best fall looks. (Please note that this is an affiliate link where I can earn money if you make purchases. If this bothers you, feel free to visit Makeup Geek separately). While the Autumn Glow bundle is no longer available, the Autumn Glow Bundle II is or you can purchase shadows from the bundle individually. MAKEUP GEEK EYE SHADOWS are LIFE! Go get you some now. 

My lip colors for fall start to get bolder and darker as the days get cooler. I love the wine and burgundy shades in the fall, one of my favorites being the Lorac PRO Matte Lip Color in Merlot ($19). Another favorite is the MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Diva ($17.50).
Now I can't skip over the fact that I love browner lip shades as well in the fall. Think of that 90's lip color that has been super popular the past few years. A few of my favorites include MAC Lip Pencil in Spice ($17.50), Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner in FIGGY ($21), Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon in Trademark ($18). 

BOOKS:
I have an amazing cookbook to share and also two non-cookbooks. The cookbook is the amazing Eat Beautiful by Wendy Rowe, a well known makeup artist who has written a beautiful book full of recipes for healthy skin. I love that this book combines my two passions, food and skincare. I also love how this book is structured. There are four sections for each of the seasons. Each section includes ingredients and what benefits they have for your skin and body, and then recipes that correlate with those seasonal ingredients. I highly recommend this one (it also looks beautiful on your bookshelf)! (Huge shout out to my best friend Emily who knows me better than I know myself sometimes and gave me this one for my birthday...talk about hitting the nail on the head!)

Next we have two books recommended by my dad. If you've met him, this comes as no shock but these two books are AMAZING! The Referral of a Lifetime by Tim Templeton, and The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann are two of the best books I've ever read. I've always believed in treasuring every relationship that I've created with my clients and these books validate this belief for me. If you are in a service or referral based industry, you NEED to read these now. 

RECIPES: 
For those of you who follow my Facebook Page Andrea Fontana Beauty, I shared a picture of the pumpkin bread I've made my whole life. The recipe comes from the good old fashioned Fanny Farmer Cookbook and luckily many people have shared it online, so here you go! It's the bomb and more often than not, I make them into muffins instead of loaves, so I can take my pumpkin bread with me easier. Enjoy and don't come back here and yell at me when you want to eat 5 muffins in a row (totally not speaking from experience....)

For some reason, sweet potato fries always make me think of fall. I'm realizing now as I'm typing this that it's probably because sweet potatoes are orange, but whatever! Here's how I make my super easy sweet potato fries. I preheat my oven to 450 degrees F. Then I peel my potatoes and cut them into long wedges. Next, cover a sheet pan with aluminum foil, toss them with olive oil and whatever seasonings you want. I like garlic powder, S&P,and basil or oregano. The most important thing I've found with these is that you don't over crowd your pan. Make sure the fries aren't touching and bake them in the center rack of the oven for 10 minutes at a time, checking and flipping when they are browned on top. It usually takes mine 20 on the first side and 10-15 on the second but every oven is different so check often! I LOVE dipping mine in mustard but ketchup is great too! Enjoy!

RANDOMS: 
I have two random favorites that I have to mention. I seem to drink way more tea when fall comes around and I'm currently obsessed with the Tazo Wild Sweet Orange tea. It has hints of orange, lemongrass, and licorice root and I drink it a few nights a week before bed (Yay caffeine free!) 

The other random is wearing olive green clothing. My absolute favorite fall coat for the last 4 years has been this one from Gap.  They usually do a similar one each year, but I can never get enough of it. I love the fit, the color, how broken in it feels. I highly recommend a jacket like this because I think the olive green can often act as a neutral, depending on what you're wearing. I love to pair it with a gray t shirt and denim jeans or black leggings. 

So that wraps up my fall favorites. Be sure to share with me the products and things you love for this time of year. I love when you guys share new things with me!

Have a beautiful and cozy fall,

Andrea

Science of Skincare (S.O.S. #1): Glycolic Acid

If you've spoken to me about skincare before it probably comes at no surprise that my first S.O.S. post would be about Glycolic Acid. I say it all the time, that it is my favorite skincare ingredient and I will never stop using it (even when eventually pregnant because FUN FACT: it's safe to use during pregnancy). 

So what's the big deal? Why do I love it so much? Well Glycolic Acid works in many ways on the skin to help increase cell turnover, hydrate, stimulate collagen, thicken the skin, fade hyperpigmentation, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, improve texture, keep breakouts away, and so much more! Today I'm going to give you a brief overview of what Glycolic Acid does for us on a scientific level and then recommend some of my favorite products if you would like to start incorporating it into your regular at home skincare regimen. 

Glycolic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid or A.H.A. known for it's tiny molecular size which allows for it's effectiveness when penetrating the skin. Dervived from sugars like sugar cane, it's great for all skin types including those who are sensitive. It works on an epidermal and dermal level which is how it gives us so many beneficial results.

On the epidermal level, Glycolic Acid breaks down the desmosomes, or glue, that bind dead skin cells together. Dissolve the glue that holds the dead skin cells down, and you have an effective way to exfoliate them. This ultimately increases cell turnover, since you're encouraging newer cells to come to the surface, which helps fade sunspots, acne scars, melasma, fine lines, and reveal fresher and brighter skin. It also helps dissolve sebum, which is why it's great for clearing up congestion and texture issues in pores. I often recommend it to people if they feel excess oil is being trapped in their pores on a regular basis. 

On the dermal level, it stimulates the collagen and works to increase the thickness of the skin. As we age it's important to focus on thickening the skin or maintaining thickness to prevent aging. Glycolic Acid also helps draw water molecules in the air into the skin which helps you retain moisture and ultimately look hydrated and plumped. 

So I'm guessing one or more of these benefits has intrigued you and you're wondering how can you incorporate Glycolic Acid into your skincare routine? Below you'll find first, the two ways that I incorporate Glycolic Acid into my skincare routine daily and weekly. Then I have a list of links of everything from Cleansers to Masks, that I recommend you trying. If you have any questions of which ones would work best for you, please shoot me a message or email and I'd be happy discuss further or set up a 1 on 1 skincare consultation with you!

I currently use the Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Healthy Toner ($39) every morning and night after cleansing. If you are new to glycolic acid start off by using it every other night and build up to twice a day. Then once a week I use the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask ($14.99). 

Cleansers: Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge Antioxidant Enchanced Glycolic Acid Racial Cleanser ($32), Exuviance Clarifying Facial Cleanser ($36), Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser ($16). 

Toners: Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner ($16), Exuviance Moisture Balance Toner ($32), Peter Thomas Roth 8% Glycolic Solutions Toner ($40). 

Treatments: Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 ($77), First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($30), Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive ($42). 

Moisturizers: Exuviance Glycolic Expert Moisturizer ($46), Cane + Austin Facial Moisture Cream ($80), Ole Henriksen Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator ($34). 

So there you have it! My love affair with Glycolic Acid explained! As usual these recommendations are only that; please reach out to me with specific questions for your skincare routine. I recommend only trying one new product at a time to give them an honest shot (You will only need at most, two of those products incorporated at once in your daily/weekly routine).

If you have recommendations for the next S.O.S. topic, please be sure to leave a comment below so I can address it in the future!

Have a beautiful day!

-Andrea

Huge Announcement

Dear family, friends, clients, readers, and all,

I'm here to share my very exciting announcement I mentioned in my last post. After much consideration I have decided to step down as Spa Director and Lead Esthetician at Remedi Spa & Wellness and pursue this; Andrea Fontana Beauty! While I will miss seeing all of my people on a regular basis I am so excited for what is to come. So let me explain what brought me here to this decision and what I will be doing. 

Let me start off by saying Thank you to everyone reading this who might have been a guest of mine. It truly is an honor to make you feel beautiful. Don't worry though, our fun doesn't have to stop!

While I have always treasured the creativity that the world of cosmetics and esthetics has given to me, I have found myself struggling with the superficiality that can come along with it. I have two little nieces looking up to me and I have to be careful with the example I am setting for them. The only way for me to grow as a service provider is to sell more services and products which is not where my heart is. I've realized that I needed to focus more on making women feel amazing on the inside and out and eliminate the pressure of selling things to women. I needed to own my own business so that I could create whatever I wanted. No brand to represent but my own. Unfortunately as a spa director my plate had become too full and I found myself not being able to give 100% to my guests and it ultimately started to make me feel uncomfortable. I realized how many women came to me for advice, recommendations and even just to open up to about whatever was going on in their world, and that I needed to put them first and spend more time educating and helping them. 

To be honest this idea was born out of conversations with so many of you. So many times I'd hear "I wish you could come to my house and teach me this..." Or "I love the blog post where you shared this..." And so much more! The truth was that I just didn't have enough time in my day to continue at the pace I was, while still taking care of my people. I was brain storming how I could shift my focus to helping more women, when it dawned on me. If I owned my own beauty business I could help women in whatever capacity I wanted, while having complete creative control to create whatever I wanted! If there's anything I treasure most about my career it is the relationships I form with women on a daily basis. Helping you feel beautiful and confident, educating you about your skin, and helping you learn new techniques is truly what drives me. 

Now for the fun part! What will I be doing? The possibilities are honestly endless! Here is a list of some exciting things to come, but know that this business is for you! If you have ideas of what you'd like to see me do, do not hesitate to send me them!

1. Freelance makeup for weddings, special events, and more: this one is a no brainer because I've been doing weddings for 4 years now! One of my absolute favorite things about being a makeup artist is making a woman feel beautiful on her wedding day. It is truly an honor. I am booking for 2018 now, so please let me know if you or someone you know wants more info on wedding or special event pricing!

2. This blog: I will finally be putting so much energy into this creative space. I love trying new products, teaching new techniques and educating you on skincare topics and I will finally be able to commit to being consistent here and growing my blog. 

3. Parties: I love teaching the everyday woman techniques on how to feel confident in doing her own makeup on a daily basis. So gather your friends, open some bottles of wine, and let's get to playing with makeup! I want to create a fun environment for you to ask questions and learn techniques!

4. Consulting with skincare and makeup: have no idea where to start when it comes to developing a makeup or skincare routine? No fear! I will come to your house and help you figure it out! Need helping finding a new shade of lipstick but feel overwhelmed the second you step into Ulta? No fear! I'll meet you there and we'll figure it out together! 

Incase you haven't noticed a theme, I want you to feel like you are paying for my honest opinion and time, rather than the brand name I work under. I want to create a space for you to say "Hey, can I have an hour of your time to help me do this.." I love so many brands that I don't want to be confined to recommending only certain ones. 

There's so many more ideas I have in store so please stay tuned! I will always introduce things first on this website so follow along for more updates! If you haven't already liked my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/andreafontanabeauty) please do or follow me on Instagram (@andreafontanabeauty)!!! 

Thank you for taking the time for reading this and supporting me along the way! I'm so excited for what the future holds and I hope you will join me! 

Love,  

Andrea Fontana Beauty!  

Science of Skincare (S.O.S.)

I've decided to come up with a new series on my blog! I recently asked on my Facebook page if you guys would be interested in my posting of content focused on education in skincare. As a science nerd, I love sharing the why's and how's of products and procedures, so that you can truly understand the importance. So I brainstormed and came up with the title you see above. 'Science of Skincare' or S.O.S. Posts will cover topics like explaining key ingredients in products, the makeup of your skin, the science behind procedures, and so much more. If you have questions or suggestions for ideas, please let me know! I already have some ideas including my first post on Glycolic Acid and explaining my love affair with it! I also have some extremely exciting news that I will be sharing soon, so STAY TUNED!! 

Sending love and happiness to you always, 

Andrea

5 Acne Tips for Preventing Breakouts

Just because you are no longer a pubescent teen doesn't mean you aren't susceptible to acne and breakouts. As adults it's really common to experience acne from time to time, especially as women. Often times it's challenging as an adult because it's due to hormones and hard to get rid of. For this reason, I've compiled my list of tips to implement into your every day life, in order to decrease the likelihood of breakouts. 

1. Change your pillow cases frequently. And I mean frequently, as in every other day. This may seem excessive to you, but if you are a face sleeper, you are spending hours each night, exposing your face to tons of dirt and bacteria. If you wear a lot of hair products, those can get on your pillowcases and then get on your face and clog your pores. 

2. Separate hand towels. This is a huge one as far as cutting down on bacteria. In my bathroom, I have one hand towel for drying my hands on one bar, and another towel for drying my face on a different bar. This means that the towel that I use to dry my face will only be used for my face. I also change those out twice a week usually. 

3. Wash hair before bed. If you are someone who wears a lot of hair products it's probably best for you to go to sleep with clean hair. This way there's none of that transfer of hair products to the face while sleeping that I mentioned before. 

4. Stop touching your face. This is a really tough one. A lot of us touch our faces frequently without even realizing it. Try your hardest to consciously stop touching your face so much and in return you will cut down on the amount of bacteria your skin is exposed to on a day to day basis. 

5. Keep hand sanitizer in your makeup bag. Most of us do our makeup in the bathroom right by our sinks but do you always wash your hands before starting? Keeping a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your makeup bag will allow you to make sure your hands are squeaky clean before touching your skin. This is also a great idea because if you take your makeup on the go or to another room, you will still have a way to clean your hands first with you at all times. 

Do you have any every day tips on how to keep your skin clean? Please feel free to share in a comment below and make sure to share my tips with your friends! 

Have a great weekend! 

Andrea 

The one product every woman needs

If I had to describe myself, I'd definitely say that I am someone who tries to do it all. Most days I run a mile a minute trying to accomplish everything on my to do list, but it's just a part of my personality that I've accepted. I'm sure many of you can relate to this. We rely on that extra cup of coffee and 5 hours of sleep to get it all done. This means that there are plenty of mornings that I wake up looking like I only slept 5 hours. Puffy and tired eyes frequently welcome me in the morning mirror. Insert the one product I think everyone should own. 

Friends! I'd like you to meet your new best friend, the Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-gel Eye Patches. I cannot even explain how much of a game changer these have been for me since I purchased them. I can't remember where I heard about them from but I do remember they raved about them so much that I HAD to try them. I haven't once been disappointed by how much they have helped. 

Here are some of the situations I've used them/ recommend them for:  
1. Special Events: If you frequently have special events in which you need to look flawless, pop these on 20 min before doing your makeup and your undereyes will be smooth like nobody's business. 
2. Allergy Eyes: I often get puffy from allergies and will wake up looking swollen out of nowhere. Throw a pair on and you'll be depuffed quickly!
3. No Sleep: As mentioned before, these have saved me on some rough nights of only 3 hours of sleep. I work in the beauty industry and I have to look presentable ALWAYS so these are huge when I'm so busy that I have no time for sleep. My undereyes look puffy when I'm tired and these save me. 
4. Makeup Kit: As a makeup artist, these are a go to for every bride and mother of the bride/groom as a pre wedding makeup fixer. I can't explain how much of a difference they are for undereye makeup application when your client has some fine lines/wrinkles.  
5. Migraines: I once gave a pair to a mother of the groom who was struggling with a migraine the day of her son's wedding and she couldn't believe how much better the cooling effect made her feel. 
6. Crying: Sometimes we watch too many episodes of Grey's Anatomy at night and wake up with swollen eyes that have a lot of empathy for Meredith Grey. Or maybe you've been dealing with a lot of stress and had a good cry (If it's crying for a sad reason, know THAT I LOVE YOU AND THINK YOU'RE GREAT!)  Whatever the reason for crying may be, you don't have to show the world with swollen eyes now! 
7. Anti-aging: While these are a quick fix product, they are great for temporarily hiding fine lines and wrinkles but can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and tone with repeated use. 

Now let me get into what makes these hydra-gel eye patches so great, ingredient-wise. Cucumber helps to detox, nourish, hydrate and de-puff the skin. Allantonin, Chamomile and Aloe soothe it. A few ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Hydrolyzed Collagen deeply nourish and hydrate the skin so it looks more plump, while improving appearance and tone over time with multi use. Caffeine and Arnica work to decrease darkness under eyes. All of these ingredients basically tackle every skin issue around the eyes. 

Now for the pictures. Mikey thinks I look like a superhero when I use these haha. Also remember I'm human and for all of you who think I wake up with perfect skin every day, meet my dark circles! 

There are two ways to wear these eye patches! If your main concern is your crow's feet, wear the larger portion over those on the outside like I did in the top picture! If your main concern is under your eye (like me) wear them like I do on the bottom picture with the larger portion towards the inside!

(I have done absolutely NO editing to these pictures) 

While I tested these for you on a day when my puffiness isn't as bad as it can be, you can still see huge improvement in my fine lines, darkness and even the texture of the bumps around my eyes! I'll make sure to add pictures to my facebook page Andrea Fontana Beauty when I use them next for a serious de-puff session. So go give that a like to stay updated!

Regardless if what your use is for these, I think it's smart for everyone to keep a jar on hand! While many brands make similar eye patch products, this is the first one that I've tried I feel like I can stand behind 100%.

 ***You can purchase at both Sephora or Ulta. Obviously it's important to be aware of allergies and sensitivities so test the product on your skin somewhere else first (like your neck behind your ear) before trying on your face if you are sensitive. 

Happy Sunday!! Sending good vibes for your week ahead! 

Andrea

Bridesmaids Makeup Tips

Recently, a common conversation topic that I've been encountering is getting your makeup done as a bridesmaid. I'm at the age where every weekend someone is getting married, so it's not a surprise that so many clients and friends are asking me questions about being a bridesmaid. Some of you have never had your makeup done, so I decided to compile a list of tips for you to have on hand for the next time you are in a wedding!

1. Make sure you have a consultation before the makeup artist begins. Since bridesmaids rarely have a trial before the big day, it's important that the makeup artist chats with you for a few moments to discuss things like your skin type, how much makeup you feel comfortable in, anything you love or hate, your favorite features, etc...If they aren't asking you these questions, speak up! If you know you get super oily throughout the day, that's something the MUA will need to know. 9 times out of 10 the bridesmaids pay for their own makeup which means you are their client. It's your face! Don't be afraid.

2. If you wear dramatic makeup on a regular basis or want a dramatic look for the wedding, okay it with the bride first! After all, it is her day and she may have an idea of the look she wants for the bridesmaids. On multiple occasions I've had a bride let me know ahead of time that she doesn't like the look certain bridesmaids might ask for so please don't do it! It's always better to double check with her first to make sure she's comfortable with what you want.

3.  Be on time! Getting ready for the big day will take some serious time. If the bride gives you a specific itinerary with a time slot for you to get your hair or makeup done, make sure you're there 10 min early. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen girls not show up on time and this could cause a cramp in the schedule! The last thing you want to do is stress the bride out hours before she walks down the aisle! 

4. Bring pictures! Sometimes the most difficult part of a MUA job is understanding what you mean when you're describing what you want. Everyone is different and depending on your makeup knowledge, you might describe a natural eye as a dark smokey eye. Pictures allow the MUA to instantly see what you're talking about and help them understand you better.

5. If you've never gotten your makeup done before I'd recommend going with a natural look that's a little more glam than what you wear every day. You can't go wrong with that! 

I hope these tips help you the next time you are in a wedding. Remember, it's the bride's day and you may have to sacrifice your signature red lip which will be ok. Just remember that the most important thing is you standing up with her on the biggest day of her life!  

 -Andrea

The Bane of My Existence

If you wear makeup you generally associate washing makeup brushes with being annoying, time consuming, and all over the worst part about wearing makeup. I feel like there's just a general consensus that it's the least favorite task to do. Thankfully, many companies have used this to their advantage and created tools and products to help us clean our brushes quicker and better. Until recently, I had yet to buy anything of this nature because I figured washing brushes was always going to suck and just accepted it as a part of my routine. That is until now.

I believe Sigma Beauty was if not the first, one of the first, to come out with brush cleaning mats and gloves with bumps and ridges to aid in the cleaning process and help break down makeup quicker while still being gentle on your brushes. I wanted one for a long time, but again always put it on that list of products I didn't reeeeally need, especially with the $25-$40 price tags. Fast forward a few years and product launches by many companies, Real Techniques came out with a Brush Cleansing Palette that had a handle on the back for you to slip onto your hand and essentially clean your brushes in your palm. Oh and did I mention it was only$14.99 (plus I feel like Real Techniques is always Buy One Get One Half OFF at Ulta. It is right now so hurry and snag some products if you want to try this after you're done reading!) Now if there's a company that can create great tools for a good price, it's definitely Real Techniques. You've heard me say before that I stand behind their brushes and sponges 100% so I was hoping this brush palette would be no different. 

It came with a few free samples of their brush cleansing gel, but if you read my post here (CLICK ME) you know that my holy grail brush cleanser is a $5 solid bar of Dr. Bronner's Soap. If you haven't read that post, read it and get yourself some Dr. Bronner's NOW! (I wrote this whole post then went back to that one and apparently washing brushes was the bane of my existence in November 2015 too haha) So I got out my soap and started washing away. As you can see below, the palette has three different sized and textured bumps; little dots, medium x's and large bumps. I loved the different sizes because they helped clean the different brushes depending on size and density of bristles.

Another thing I really like about these types of cleansing mats and gloves is that they are usually made of silicone which allows for the tool to bend easily and stay clean. I feel like I will get thousands of uses out of this product which is again very typical of Real Techniques. Just because it's affordable doesn't mean they skimp on quality.

So what's my overall opinion of the Brush Cleansing Palette? If you wear makeup often  or simply have a lot of brushes, you'd probably really enjoy having this tool. While I feel like it's difficult for a product to drastically cut down my wash time because let's face it, I have A LOT of brushes, I do feel like they came out really clean and quicker than I expected. Even the brushes that are really hard to wash cleaned quicker. You can buy Real Techniques products online or in stores at Ulta, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Meijer and many other places! 

Have a beautiful day friends! 

-Andrea

Water. Water. Water.

If you've ever had a facial with me, you've probably heard me talk about drinking water. It's one crucial way to keep your body and skin especially, healthy. I know I'm not the first to tell you this, so I'm going to instead share some tips on drinking water and how it relates to your skin.

Your body is mostly made of water, therefore you need to make sure you are staying hydrated every day not only for your skin, but for your general health. Your skin is your largest organ but it's also the last to get water. So if you don't drink enough, your organs internally will need to absorb and use that water first. This is why it's so important to stay up on drinking water. You have to make sure your skin is getting it as well, in order for it to stay healthy. 

How much should you be drinking? While everyone is different, I generally recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces. So if you weight 140 pounds, try to get in at least 70 fl. ounces of water a day.

When should you drink more? If you are pretty active you need to be drinking more than that because you are losing water and electrolytes when sweating. I usually try to follow the rule for drinking 1 ounce for every minute that I'm sweating in addition to my normal water intake for the day. You should also be drinking more water when you're stressed or sick, because your body is focused on healing or keeping you healthy, and your skin gets even less water. If you know your are sick or dealing with a lot of stress, give your body a head start and drink more water. 

How quickly should you drink water? It's better for your body and skin to slowly sip water throughout your day than to chug it a few times. If you drink too much at once (more than a cup), it'll go straight through you to your bladder. Some people complain that they don't like to drink a lot of water because then they have to use the bathroom constantly, but I'd bet they are probably chugging their water or drinking it too fast and their body is just excreting it, not actually absorbing it. If your body can't absorb it, it won't get to utilize it! Drinking your water slowly allows your body to absorb it, which means all of your organs will get to utilize it, especially your skin that gets it last! If you're guilty of chugging your water, try switching to a water bottle with a straw to drink it slower.

What temperature should you drink it at? In general it is better to drink warm or hot water because your body doesn't have to expend energy to heat it up to your internal body temperature. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Drinking cold water when you're extremely hot in the summer or you just got done working out, is ok because it can help cool off the body. 

Other tips and tricks regarding water consumption:

1. Check your lips! If they are constantly dry, this might be a sign that you are dehydrated.
2. Drink your hot or room temp water with lemon juice! This is my favorite way to flavor my water and the lemon juice aids with digestion.
3. Use apps to help you count. There are so many that will help you keep track of your daily consumption. If you are competitive you might like this because it feels like a game.
4. Drink a glass of lemon water before you have your coffee in the morning so start the day off right!

I personally notice a huge difference in my body when I'm drinking a lot of water. Stay hydrated friends! If you have more questions about drinking water, feel free to leave me a comment or message!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea