Beauty of a Site Blog

There was a lot of talent on the red carpet during this years Oscars! We were surprised by the amount of "worthy" movies this year,  which is not always the case, season to season. A movie to see if you haven't already is Silver Linings Play Book. This movie has something for everyone, please, do not rule this as a chick flick because it is far more than that! We think Jennifer Lawrence looked beautiful, we congratulate her on her 2013 award and we commend her on her make up and over all look! She is beautiful, by nature, and her rose tone shades looked great. We have been seeing this "romantic" look beginning to trickle into this Springs trends. The use of light colors brings out the natural beauty in fabrics and on your face! In this case, Jennifer wore very natural looking make up, for an understated, yet angelic appearance. We love the asymmetric lines of Gwyneth's one shoulder draped dress. This classic and chic look never goes out of style, she owned this dress! White can sometimes be a tricky color to wear, because often it is see through, but obviously this leading lady has the body and the curves to make any outfit look stunning. Mila's dress was tapered to perfection. We love those dresses you can put on, and they are instantly flattering. If you notice how her dress is folded across  her body, it slims her already TINY waist line and brings your eyes across her dress from head to toe. This year we have seen a lot of one shouldered dresses. We know that wearing a dress that reveals a lot of skin means you have to take care of your skin. We offer a great Lipo Conquer Toning cream by Dermelect, to help tone your skin in problem areas, this cream also helps with sag in your under arms, love handles and thighs. You can replicate this simple and clean look through understanding your skin tone. Colors like peach, have  tendency of looking good on everyone, when applied correctly. Duwop offers just that, a perfect and even textured blush, for all day wear!

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If you lean more towards the bold colors, like Mila, consider a hot and sexy red lip by Duwop | Click Here!

Regardless of the trends, it's important to let your natural beauty shine through, never hide it! Embrace wearing the clothes you love, and it's never too late to change your make up style, if you don't like what you are currently doing. We know that change is difficult, but you live once, it's time to experiment and try to new things!

It's the trick that every woman tries to master "how can I apply makeup and make it look natural?" We have all seen the girls who cake the make up on and we can all agree it doesn't look good.

The romantic shades are trending this Spring, you will see clothes, nail polish and make up in rose, peach and pink  hues.

Let us show you some tricks and tips for that natural, born this way appearance.

For a list of the brands seen in this blog, please see below:

Duwop|TIGI|Naked Princess

Though I'm a little bitter that The Artist stole so many awards at the Oscars, I was absolutely thrilled with what the red carpet had to offer.  Below are some of our favorites for "best dressed," including a couple of products we thought might help you achieve a similar look! Jessica Chastain: Twitter lit up with "oohs" and "ahs" when Jessica Chastain graced the red carpet. Donning a stunning black Alexander McQueen gown detailed with gold embroidery, Jessica's look was dazzling, elegant and classic. She accented her bold colors with simple makeup and stunning eyes, using thick black eyeliner. We suggest Tigi's Precision Black Eye Liner Pin to achieve a similar look. Michelle Williams: Michelle Williams was stunning in a coral-y red tiered Louis Vuitton. With creative accents, beautiful lines and attention-grabbing details, Williams was an instant favorite. Her crimson gown was accented by cool pink makeup. Her rosy lips can be achieved with a lipstick like Tigi's Decadent Lipstick in Finesse. Stacy Keibler: Even more than her handsome date, Stacy Keibler drew attention for her gorgeous gold frock. Oscar-like in its style, her shimmering gold Marchesa gown was classic, sexy and perfect for her form. Her side-swept hair accented the neckline beautifully, especially with its creative twist at the back of her neck. Set a style like Stacy's with a hairspray likeKenra's Design Spray for hold, flexibility and styling.

I'm always a little skeptical when a product calls itself a "miracle."  Makeup is makeup, is it not? However, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried Miracle Skin Transformer for the first time.  I'm only in my twenties; I have smile lines and some minor acne scars left over from high school, but I am not covered in wrinkles or age spots.  Because of this, I was *shocked* to find that this foundation made such a drastic difference when applied to my skin.  For the first time testing new foundation, I actually felt like I looked prettier. The formula applied extremely comfortably.  Moisture-rich and velvety smooth, Miracle Skin Transformer went on beautifully.  The makeup evened-out color, covered blemishes flawlessly and did an incredible job of reducing the appearance of pores.  It was awesome. Seriously. The description of the "magic" ingredient, M3 Complex, provided by its manufacturer boasts the following benefits (with which I completely agree!):

• Transform skin tone and provide an instant matifying effect
• Neutralize free radicals
• Reduce redness, calm and soothe skin
• Minimize pigment inconsistencies and discolorations
• Refine pores’ texture while softening and soothing fine lines

Miracle Skin Transformer can be purchased here for $48 and is available in the following hues:

We all know Kate Winslet.  She touched all of our hearts in Titanic whens she told Jack that she'd never let go, and made us scratch our heads in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. We know Kate as the glamorous movie star that she is. Now Ms. Winslet can add television Emmy winner to her resume. Playing the lead and title role in HBO's mini-series Mildred Pearce, Kate portrayed her character's many life battles with grace and believability. So what did Kate wear to receive her first Emmy Award? A fabulous red gown, diamond earrings and bracelet and some fierce hair and make-up. Kate always looks classy on the red carpet, but she definitely upped the ante this year. There were a lot of red dresses on the red carpet this weekend, but Kate's smokey eyes and nude lips made her stand out. So how did Kate get her make-up so perfect? Well, we're not her make-up artist so we don't know exactly, but here's how YOU can get a look just like hers for your next night out. Start out with your favorite foundation all over, even on your lids. For the eyes: Use the Tigi High Density Eye Shadow Quad in Love Affair using the lightest color as a highlighter under your brow. The shimmer brown color should go on your lid up to your crease.  Don't forget to apply this color along your lower lashes too! Then take the darkest brown and gently blend that in a "V" shape at the outer corner of your eye. Blend the colors until you have your desired look adding in some of the highlighter if needed. Now, use Tigi Perfect Eyeliner in brown and line both your top and bottom lash lines. Smudge this a little to increase the smokey feel. Finally, apply some Blinc Mascara in Black to both your top and lower lashes. If you're going for a more subtle look just use you favorite eye lash curler and you're done.  If you're going for a little more drama, put on some Ardell Fashion Lashes for a "wow" effect. For your lips and face: Dab on some DuWop Blushbooster in Watermelon. Then line your lips using Tigi Perfect Lip liner in Nude. Finally, apply Tigi Decadent Lipstick in either Faith or Peace depending on your skin tone.  Make sure to blot your lipstick and re-apply as needed! *Be paparazzi ready by putting a little vaseline on your teeth before applying your lipstick. This will prevent the awful fashion faux pas of lipstick on the teeth and will also make your smile that much brighter*

A new season, a new look!  Here in the Midwest we had our first week of Fall weather.  Along with our sweaters and boots, we pulled out some new looks for the season.  Here are some looks we're seeing on the runways! Smoky eyes get revamped for Fall 2011! Choose burnt oranges, deep blues, turquoise hues and plums for an unexpected splash of color. Apply above and below eyes for a dramatic and beautiful look! We suggest Tigi High Density Eyeshadow Singles for beautiful and high quality shades. While pretty pink blushes were the craze over the summer, Fall is all about a clear, fresh, dewy face.  Choose a light foundation, powder and more importantly, a fresh-looking mineral tint.  These tints bring out your skin's natural glow while covering minor imperfections. We suggest Tigi's Mineral Glow in Natural Glow. Switch up your look with thick, bold eyebrows.  Use a brow defining pencil for additional shaping, but fill and expand using a brow sculpting kit.  We suggest the Tigi Brow Sculpting Duo.  Choose either Brunette or Blonde colors of wax and powder to shape and thicken to your heart's content!  

Kick off your Labor Day sales shopping with this awesome coupon from Beauty of a Site!  Take 15% off ANYTHING in the store from today through Labor Day- Monday, September 5th! Enter the coupon code below (LABOR11) at checkout to claim your discount! Not sure what to spend it on?  With such a great discount, Labor Day Weekend is the perfect time to pamper yourself with some of our super luxurious products! 1. Choose Amika hair products for a nourishing blend of essential oils, including sea buckthorn berry oil (a favorite of Dr. Oz!) and argan oil (the main ingredient in the ever-popular Moroccan Oil range).  These replenishing products are packed into Amika's nourishing hair mask, designed to reinfuse your hair with moisture that makes it stronger and shinier - even guarding against split ends! 2. Soothe skin with Principessa's decadent Dolce Dreams Whipped Body Lotion.  Lavish and moisturizing, this shea-butter based lotion have a velvety finish sensationally silky, healthy skin.  Plus it smells delicious: top notes of peach and vanilla flower, middle notes of night blooming jasmine and ylang ylang and bottom notes of sandalwood and warm amber 3. Treat yourself AND help a great cause: Get ready for October! Support Breast Cancer Awareness month by purchasing select haircare and cosmetic  products that support great cancer research. A lot of our favorite brands donate huge amounts to these great organizations based on the products that you purchase!

Alright, Moody Judy.  We've got the perfect makeup palette for you. Like to switch up your look depending on your mood? A nice cool set of hues for night, and a warm comforting palette for a natural, glowing complexion, this palette provides the best of both worlds.  Packed with high quality eye color, cheek color, lip color, lip liner and lip venom, the DuWop Moodswing Palette has all the colors you need in one beautiful package. The Palette includes two of DuWop's popular, unique products: Reverse Lipliner: Invisible lip pencil that helps you flawlessly shape your lips without the harsh edges of a colored lip liner.  Using Kombuchta, a miracle ingredient that causes "lipofilling", the Reverse Lipliner pencil can actually restore volume to the skin in areas where volume is needed, including fine lines around your lips. Lip Venom: DuWop Lip Venom is the very first, original lip plumper. Tingly on application, DuWop lip venom results in sexy bee stung lips, causing blood to rush to the surface and flush lips perfectly.  Lip Venom also includes jojoba & avocado oil to add moisture and shine, giving you the perfectly natural rosy look that is one of kind. Click here to purchase the DuWop Moodswing Palette, on sale for the month of July! Usually $42.00, purchase the palette for only $28.00!!

With your vacation planned, your clothes picked out and a beach in Hawaii awaiting your arrival, only one obstacle remains: packing.  Like all of us, you just don't know how you're going to get everything you need for your trip in one suitcase.  Especially with airline regulations about number of bags, size of bags and size of toiletries, packing is truly becoming an art! Because you want to look good on your vacation, investing in quality toiletries in airline and travel ready sizes is essential.  The week that you plan on taking two hundred pictures is NOT the week to be depending upon some hotel travel shampoo, nor is it the week to pack less clothes just to fit in your full-sized salon products. So, to help a sista out, here are a couple of excellent travel sets to make your travel plans WAY easier: For Your Hair: The Blow to Go Travel Kit.  Including four products specifically designed for heat styling, of the highest salon quality, this convenient kit is packaged in 2 oz airplane ready bottles, even packed in a small, clear plastic bag.  Did we mention how CUTE this thing is!? ($28) For Your Skin: Juara Glow on the Go Travel Kit. Also in travel sizes (all under 2 oz), and packaged in a clear plastic bag, the Glow to Go Kit addresses all of your toiletry needs, including facial cleanser, facial mask, hydrating toner, moisturizer and body balm.  In lovely packaging and suitcase-friendly sizes.($36) Cosmetics: Bella Il Fiore Face Palettes.  MakeUp doesn't travel well, but vacation is not the time to be skimping on quality cosmetics.  Take care of the space and travel issues with a multi-use color palette, including beautiful colors and a range of texture and formulas to accommodate eyes, lips and cheeks in one small palette.  Beautifully packaged and expertly coordinated. ($20)

Does this happen to you? Do the warm summer months wreak havoc on your makeup? Fight off humidity with Model in a Bottle, a cosmetic finishing spray designed to keep your makeup looking fresh, in spite of tears, smudges, water and humidity, and anything else the day has in store for you.  Simply spray this matte finisher over your makeup in the morning and avoid the need for touch ups all day long. Model in a Bottle's specially designed formula absorbs access oil (keeping you from looking "shiny") without clogging pores! Model in a Bottle has been featured on Oprah and the Tyra Banks Show, as a product used by celebrity makeup artists to keep perfect makeup application fresh for hours on end. Don't let humidity get the best of your day.  Choose Model in a Bottle to look your best all day long!  Click here to browse all Model in a Bottle products.

Why yes, we DID say free. Cake Beauty's glosses are creamy and delectably flavored, nourishing and hydrating lips with a hint of color and TONS of shine! Apply for smooth, shimmery lips that look deliciously kissable and taste faintly of sweet vanilla cream. Like a quaint dessert after a great meal, a touch of Cake lip gloss brings a smile to anyone's lips! For the month of May only, Beauty of a Site is giving away FREE Cake lip gloss to anyone who orders $30 worth of Cake product. Especially for those of you already hooked on Cake, this is the perfect time to put in your usual order, and score a lovely lip gloss on us! Click here to start shopping Cake today! Want to know more about our specials? Click here to see them all!

With Easter just days away, its time to snatch up some great gifts to stuff those baskets! The perfect gifts are fun but useful, small but precious and not always covered in chocolate.  Move aside Peeps; here are some of the most sought after easter basket stuffers:

	OPI Mini Nail Lacquer collections are an adorable addition to any basket. Including 4 1/8 oz bottles, these collections are both affordable and fun! Choose from OPI Femme de Cirque, OPI lil' Shooters (Texas Collection) and OPI Swiss Collection minis.
	An affordable luxury, high quality lip balm brightens any basket. Useful for anyone, packaged beautifully and intensely moisturizing, Balsamo Italian Argan Oil Lip Balms deeply nourish lips in three delectable flavors.
	A Beauty of a Site favorite, Leila Lou Perfume Oil, by Rosie Jane, is a light and airy spring fragrance. In a precious little bottle (that's so affordable!), this beautiful oil will be cherished by any woman who receives it.
	New from Kala style, these fun Statement Soaps make for great gifts, and say something, too! With words like "Faith," "Hope," "Joy," and even funnier phrases like, "Save Water... Shower with a Friend," these bright, high quality suds are perfect basket stuffers!

Here's to a happy spring holiday to all of our customers!