The Sun is out to Play!!!

Summertime! Finally you're here!  So many things to do, hiking, weddings, laying by the pool, enjoying a patio, possibilities are endless when the weather in Kentucky is gorgeous!
But WATCH OUT! There is a silent killer lurking around...if you don't protect with sunscreen, that is.
Most of us love to get color and have that flawless tan, however, you must also protect your skin, especially that on your face. Sun is the #1 damaging source to our skin & makes us age much faster. 
Some tips below can help when you are out & about, enjoying the outdooors!

What can sunscreen do for me?
Sunscreen acts as a shield against sunburn & helps block UV radiation from going beneath the skin's surface.
"Through everyday activities lke driving or walking outside, sun damage will add up. Occasional exposure means that, later in life, deep wrinkles and skin cancer can appear. Luckily, this cumulative damage can largely be prevented with sunscreen." ~Dr. Beth Lange, MK Chief Scientific Officer

What is the best suscreen to use?
Using a facial moisturizer with sunscreen is an easy way to get the protection you need without even having to think twice about it. Apply Timewise Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 for a viel of defense that also softens the look of fine lines. Next, hydrate with TimeWise Age-Fighting Mooisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 to help protect skin and fight the signs of aging.
You also want to use a sunscreen on your body, depending on the activity & exposure to sun you will have that day. Key active ingredients in the Mary Kay SunCare Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 & SPF 50 target the sun's harmful rays to protect the skin.
Look for this seal of recommendation on broad spectrum (sunscreen that provides UVA & UVB protection) sunscreens in the US. It symbolizes safe and effective sun protection.

 

How much? How often?

As a general rule, men & women, should wear sunscreen daily, applying a liberal amount about 15 minutes prior to going outside. Then sunscreen should be reapplied to sun exposed areas every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. 

UVA rays can also penetrate clouds, clothing, & windows, so it is imperative to use sunscreen daily, even if it is not sunny. 

Extra Care for Snow, Sand, & Water
98% of the sun's UV rays can bounce back to you in these reflective environments. To enjoy sunscreens max UV protection, make sure your SPF level is appropriate and is applied all over.
We always remember our arms, legs, & face. The "Forgotten Five" are the neck, scalp, ears, lips, & hands!

Extra Precautions
1- Wear a wid-brimmed hat to shade face from sun.
2- You can also wear sunglasses, long sleeve shirt, or long pants.
3- Compromise by using a minimum SPF 15 and head inside early.
4- Stay in the shade, preventing sun exposure to minimize the opportunity to damage skin.

For more information, head over to the Mary Kay Sun Care eCatalog.
http://ecatalog.marykay.com/us_en-us/GetLatest.aspx?d=www.marykay.com&m=0&t=Sun_care 

Happy Sun Screening!

Wedding day tips to make it Last! (makeup, that is)

It will be the most important day of your life, a tme when you have your picture taken a million times, see everyone you have ever known, & you have to look flawless!
Here are some tips to make that makeup last the whole, entire day!

#1- Prep Your Skin
*Note: Skincare should be started 6months before the big day. Do Not start a new regimine close to the big day, as it could shock your skin & cause breakouts.
Wash your face with a mild cleanser (MK 3-in-1 Cleanser), as well as a gentle scrub to brighten your glow (Microdermabrasion Set). Dry your face & apply a light moisturizer (Age-Fighting Moisturizer), even better when it contains about 20spf (higher can make you look white in pics).

#2- Create a Flawless Canvas
You can choose to apply your eye makeup before you do anything else, so fall down is not an issue. If you choose to do foundation first, then eyes, make sure to put a tissue under the eye area so the undereye/cheek area does not get tainted with shadow color.
So, back to foundation! A Beauty Consultant can match the perfect foundation to your skin tone, as well as suggest the correct foundation for youe skin type! And all for free! It is a total WIN-WIN! Steer clear of illuminating formulas, as they tend to look greasy in pics instead of their natural finish. (Try Timewise Matte Foundation)
Apply a light layer of foundation primer (Foundation Primer, spf15), then use a foundation brush to sweep makeup into the Tzone. Blend it out to the edges of your face & ears, taking care to work it into your hairline & neck.
Finally keep shine in check by applying a mattifying balm to your Tzone, and sweep translucent powder (not too heavy, as it can look cakey!) all over to set everything in place. Throughout the day, use blotting sheets to soak up excess oil without removing your makeup.

#3- Conceal & Camoflage
Reach for a creamy concealor & make sure to apply with your fingers to prevent risidual amounts from sinking into fine lines. For blemishes & pimples, use a camoflage, a type of coverup that's tacky to the touch. It's a drier version of concealor that's densely pigmented & less emollient so it stays put and makes anything vanish! Magical! Apply a tiny amount with a small pointed brush, and repeat to build coverage, if needed.

#4- Prime the Eyelids
Eye shadow primers smooth out the skin on the lid, cover up veins, and prevent shadows & liners from migrating for hours. After smoothing it all over the entire lid, crease, and to the eyebrow with your finger, dust on a nuetral bone- or almond-colored shadow with a fluffy brush.

#5- Apply Liner like a Pro!
For a very defined line, use a felt-tipped liquid liner (Liquid Liner in Black) ot a waterprrof eyeliner pencil; then to set it, trace the line with a thin brush dipped in a matching eye shadow powder. You can also use a gel liner, which is waterproof & smudgeproof. For a softer line, apply regular eyeliner before your base nuetral shadow. The shadow will smudge the liner for a diffused look.

#6- Budge Proof Blush
Blush often pulls a disappearing act halfway through the day. To make it stay, layering is key. First, smooth the cream formula onto the apples of your cheeks. Then, dust on an oil-absorbing invisible powder to lock the color. Lasly, apply a final coat of powder blush with a large, fluffy brush.

#7- Wear Waterproof Mascara
Chances are pretty good that you are going to experience a happy tear or tow, so don't risk having a streaky mess! Waterproof formulas are the way to go for weddings, but can dry out quickly & make lashes look spidery if you're not careful. If using waterproof, make sure to use a brand new tube on the day of your wedding, and seperate your lashes with a lash comb after applying it. Or, use a lash primer, which causes regular mascara to become waterproof! It also extends lashes to make them look longer, as well as seperate better. (MK Lash Primer & I Love Lash mascara in Black)
You can also choose to opt for faux lashes!
*When you do tear up, make sure to blot the tissue directly under your eye, rubbing the eye will make it all a mess!

#8- Make Lipstick Stay Put
First, prep lips with a scrub & moisturizer (Satin Lips Set). Scrub to get any dry skin off. Next, apply balm & work it in the lips by rubbing them together. Then, use a lip primer to make sure lipstick doesn't go anywhere. Apply your lipstick with a lip brush, blot with a tissue, and then repeat. Matte lipsticks last the longest, but if you want a hint of shine, layer on a glos or balm, mainly on middle of lips. Just remember, adding there slippery toppers also shortens the lifespan of color & increases the need for touch-ups.

Make sure to contact your Mary Kay Beauty Consultant to help you with your skincare, foundation, & custom colors for your big day! Or if you don't have one, contact me on Facebook @ Bleed Pink, or twitter @awoods1793.

Keep Living the Dream,
Amanda 

Southern Wedding Tradition: Burying the Bourbon

I love Southern traditions. A lot! I’m also rather proud that I know a whole lot of them & where they came from. This simple, down-home tradition will definitely keep the rain away!

Image credit: Photo Lady Love

My research was inconclusive as to where this tradition began, though some sources said Virginia, and some Tennessee. Regardless of the location, Southern folklore says that if you bury a bottle of bourbon at the site where the bride and groom are to be married, then it won’t rain on their wedding day. According to many believers, this must be done exactly one month before the wedding, the bottle must be completely full and it must be buried upside down in order for it to keep the rain away.

Image credit: Jodi Miller

Did you bury bourbon prior to your wedding? Did it keep the rain at bay? Have any more details about this tradition? Leave us a comment below!

One Woman Can!!!

One woman can make a difference. That woman can be YOU!

 

This makeover contest celebrates the 50th anniversary of a Company started by ONE woman, who made a difference in the lives of MANY women. 50th anniversaries are HUGE, calling for big celebrations, tons of recognition and keeping with Mary Kay tradition...great prizes! So we're launching this contest on International Women's Day the day when women's accomplishments are celebrated around the globe!
So that you don't miss one bit, we're breaking the contest down one exciting step at a time to help you stay on track! The first thing you can do is book your color makeover now!

• Online Entry/Submission Period: Mar. 8 - May 10
• Public Voting Period: May 12 - 27

• The 250 top vote-getters in the public voting will receive a Special Edition Mary Kay^® Compact Mini in honor of Mary Kay's 50th Anniversary
• 50 top customer winners will have $5,000 donations made to the charity* of their choice benefiting women and children.
• One (1) grand prize winner from the 50 top customer donation winners will also receive a dream vacation of a lifetime, valued at $5,000.

Find your perfect match

Foundation is the base of makeup...it is the coverer, the flawlessness that makes your skin look amazing. Foundation also protects your skin.

Skincare is the only thing that will fix your skincare problems

First, pick the look that you want with foundation...matte or luminous (dewy, youthful). Matte is recommended for oily skin, Lumi is for dry/normal skin.
Secondly, choose what type of foundation you like to use. Liquid, mineral, cream-to-powder, tinted moisturizer, etc. It depends on what type of look you would like

Let's start painting!

1- Get your skin ready...cleanse & moisturize your face, use a moisturizer with an spf that is broad spectrum! I am in love with Timewise Repair skincare regimine from Mary Kay. My skin is very dry & this skincare plumps it up beautifully & has gotten rid of most of the redness in my skin! Yay!

2- Primal instincts...use a gel foundation primer. Primers help your foundation stay on longer, makes skin smooth (foundation won't sink into lines & wrinkles), & usually include an spf. It is permeable and does allow your skin to breath.

3- Brush it on...use the correct brush for your foundation (diagram below), a brush helps you use less product & makes applying makeup so much easier; squeeze a small amount of foundation on top of hand and put brush in product, apply a small amount at a time on brush so you are able to build, otherwise foundation may look cakey, set with a powder if desired.

4- Conceal it...use concealor under eyes (down nose, then make V to outer corner of eye) and fill in, use a small amount to make sure it look natural, & you must, must, must!!! make sure to blend in. Use a concealor under eyes that is 1-2 shades lighter than foundation.

Now you are ready for contouring! Go to my sirte to search products you may need...
marykay.com/amanda.woods1793.
Stay Beautiful!

Contour it girl!

I learned these tricks to help certain features stand out. Using these simple techniques, you’ll be able to emphasize your angles using bronzer, blush, and highlighter. Contouring makes a huge difference in emphasizing every feature on your face! 

Again, I will say that makeup does not fix your skincare problems, only a proper skincare regimine will fix your skin!

 

BRUSH: Before you can think of contouring, you need the right tools. In my opinion, an angled brush is your best bet. It works great for both blush and bronzer, so you’re really getting your money’s worth.

BRONZER: Bronzer is amazing for contouring because it is usually a shade or two darker than your actual skin tone. Once you’ve picked one out, here are the places to apply:

• Diagonally under your cheekbones or parallel to your jaw line. This will really make your cheekbones pop. 
• On the sides of your nose from the bridge straight down. This will make your nose appear longer and thinner. Blending here is key. 
• On your jaw line and under your chin, which will make your round face look more elongated, and who doesn’t want that?

BLUSH: This should go one level above where you applied the bronzer on your cheeks, so parallel to your jaw line. This will really make the apples of your cheeks stand out. 

HIGHLIGHTER: Highlighers are every makeup artist’s secret trick. My favorite right now is Mary Kay's pink porcelain, which is a matte highlighter. Here’s how to apply:

• Add a dab to the bottom and top portion of your lips to make their shape more prominent.
• Cover a small bump on top of your nose (this trick is used frequently by stars like Kim Kardashian and Jessica Simpson).
• Apply to your brow bones. 
• Make your cheekbones stand out even more by adding highlighter above your blush. For extra glow, add a touch to the apples of your cheeks over your blush. 

From here on out, you will start to look at pictures of celebrities differently. You’ll notice the line of bronzer, blush, and then highlighter as you glance from the inner to the outer portion of their faces. Be warned: It’s a trick that takes practice to fit your specific face shape. But once you master it, you’ll feel like you’re red carpet ready—I know I do!