lip stain - A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care | A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care

Sun Bum SPF Lip Balm Review

One of the most under-protected parts of your body when it comes to sun exposure, is your lips. I'm definitely guilty of applying lip gloss regularly, most without SPF, which is like a big UV magnet. Anyone willing to admit the same? Amanda raved over Sun Bum's Continuous Spray Sunscreen, Read more

Top 10 Beauty Products to Get Your Glow On

Sun bathing is so 1980. Achieving a summer glow without the damaging rays is the way to go. Here are the top 10 beauty products to get your glow on: 1. Gabriel Cosmetics Zuzu Luxe Bronzer 2. L’Occitane En Provence Pivoine Flora Shimmering Oil 3. CoverGirl Champagne Enhancer as a highlighter 4. Laura Mercier Foundation Read more

LATHER Go Coconuts Body Scrub and Body Whip Review

  There is nothing I love more in the summer (or for a mid-winter wake up) than the scent of coconuts. The fragrance makes me nostalgic of my childhood spent on the beaches of Rhode Island--from Prudence Island to Narraganset and Portsmouth, the scent of coconut-scented sunscreen filled the air. Read more

The Body Shop New Lip Gloss Collection Review

I’m a sucker for good lip gloss. You can never have too many and you’re never too old for a juicy, fruity, super shiny gloss. The Body Shop’s new Lip Gloss Collection is packed with juicy flavors, mouth watering shine, and moisturizing glazes of color. With 11 super-glossy shades Read more

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen Review

Life after Melanoma for me has been an interesting balance of educating myself and others about the dangers of the sun and skin cancer awareness ... and finding ways to enjoy my time in the sun without being totally paranoid. Part of that mission has included trying every sunscreen Read more

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Holiday Makeup Tips From Melissa Taylor

The one and only time of the year that I will get bold with my makeup is during the holiday season, any other time I keep it pretty basic.  But during the holiday season I start craving a bolder lip and more dramatic eyes, however I have no idea how to even begin trying to create the looks I lust after, so I decided to seek advice from a pro…enter amazingly talented makeup artist Melissa Taylor.

Melissa is the owner of The Beauty Lounge in Minneapolis MN and is also in high demand as a hairstylist and makeup artist.  She has been published in various media outlets and can often times be found behind the scenes at photo-shoots, editorials, weddings and fashion shows.  Follow her uber easy tips below for creating a dramatic eye and bolder lips:  Read more

Posted on by Gail Lewis in beauty, beauty interview, eyeliner, lip gloss, lip stain, lipstick, Makeup, makeup tips Leave a comment

Fall Beauty Burgundy Obsession

It’s not often that I become completely obsessed with a beauty trend, but after browsing the fall issues of a few magazines I could not stop staring and lusting after the bold burgundy lips I noticed in just about every single magazine I thumbed through.  After doing pinks and corals pretty much all summer I am definitely looking forward to  a stronger, much more grown up berry lip.  It just looks so glamorous and polished…not to mention confident.  I absolutely cannot wait to visit different makeup counters in search of my perfect shade of burgundy…Sephora here I come!

Will you be ditching the corals for burgundy this Fall?

Posted on by Gail Lewis in beauty, Beauty Trends, Fashion Week Beauty, lip gloss, lip stain, lipstick Leave a comment

Rain Cosmetics: Blood, Sweat, and Tears Lip Trio

 It’s been said by passionate careerists time and time again – if you love your job, you’ll put your blood, sweat, and tears into it. Now, beauty lovers can apply the same mentality (well, maybe not literally) to their beauty regime thanks to Rain Cosmetics.

The Vegas-based beauty brand has a lot to live up to. The line was inspired by the city’s glamorous nightlife, and they even refer to themselves as “The Sexiest Makeup in the World”….so when I tested out their Blood, Sweat, and Tears lip trio, I was hoping to be nothing less than amazed.

Naturally, each product in the trio serves a different purpose. While you can definitely wear each of the shades alone, I prefer using the three together for the best effect.

Blood: Blood is a red lip stain. Stains can be tricky, but this one is an awesome product for first-time users because it isn’t too dark upon first application. I prefer a darker lip, so I put on about 2 or 3 coats. TIP – Make sure you exfoliate your lips before applying ANY lip stain! If your lips are dry, you’ll wind up with uneven color that is hard to remove.

Sweat: A shimmery champagne sparkle, Sweat adds some needed dimension to Blood. I found that when wearing alone, this product wears off pretty quickly…so for best results pair with Tears to lock the sparkle in.

 Tears: Tears is a standard, slick high gloss. The sheen lasted longer than other clear glosses and added the finishing touch to Blood and Sweat  that will make your lips pop.

 

Here I am testing out Blood, Sweat, and Tears lip trio from Rain Cosmetics.

I was very pleased with the collection and it has officially been added to my daily beauty routine – a girl can never have too many red lip stains! The set retails for $30.00. Check out  www.raincosmetics.com to learn more about other products in the collection.

Have you tried Rain Cosmetics products before? What was your experience?

Posted on by Amanda Huggins in beauty, lip gloss, lip stain, Makeup Leave a comment

Makeup Consultation with Christopher Drummond at The Lodge at Woodloch

This past weekend I had the opportunity to head up to one of my favorite local spas, The Lodge at Woodloch, to meet up with makeup artist Christopher Drummond for a 1:1 consultation. Christopher Drummond Beauty is now being sold in The Lodge at Woodloch’s spa boutique and I am so excited that Northeast PA gets to experience this spectacular vegan makeup collection.

I’ve known Christopher for about 4 years now, but this was the first time we actually had the chance to meet in person. Like a mother hen, I am so proud of him because I knew him when he was just launching his line with only 1 product at the time: Saude Pele Radiance Booster. When I walked into the spa boutique, Christopher was working with another customer so I had a chance to talk with The Lodge at Woodloch staff, my favorite being Stephanie who was so personable and funny, I was ready to give her my phone number so that we could hang out some time. There’s nothing better than being able to feel at ease in a spa where the atmosphere is inviting versus some that are so pretentious with their noses in the air (do you know what I mean?)

When Christopher told me I had to arrive without any makeup on, I was ready to put a paper bag over my head with holes cut out for the eyes. My skin just happens to be breaking out and I feel like a new age spot is debuting on my face every day. Christopher promised that the products he would be using from his line would conceal the flaws and highlight my natural beauty. (Chris and I were laughing hysterically before the picture on the right was taken. This is our “trying to be serious” shot.)

Here is the before and after shot (i.e. before shot was at 10:30am sans coffee):

The biggest thing I notice between the two pictures is how much my eyes pop. Christopher used Alluring Apricot Sateen Blush on my eyes, Soft Black cream to powder eyeliner and his mascara. On my face he used Concealer in Light, Veludo Velvet Foundation in Luz/Light, Finale Finishing Powder in Branca/White, Alluring Apricot Sateen Blush and Bronzing Powder. Lastly, on my lips he used Coral Reef Lip Stain (LOVE.)

If there is anything that I can say about this makeup, it’s that it feels as light as air on your skin. With the concealer, it is creamy with great coverage without feeling thick or cakey. And the best part is that you only need tiny dabs of it on your skin, so a little goes a long way! The Veludo Velvet Foundation is AMAZING–velvet, indeed!

You can find all of these products online at www.ChristopherDrummondBeauty.com or if you are local here in Northeast PA, stop by The Lodge at Woodloch‘s spa boutique to see them in person (and book an out of this world spa treatment while you are there! I know that their Lotus Salon and I will have a date for a pedicure soon enough!)

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in blush, bronzer, concealer, eye shadow, eyeliner, foundation, lip stain, makeup tips, mascara, mineral makeup, Pocono Spas & Salons 3 Comments

Review: Stila Mango Crush Lip and Cheek Stain

stila-mango-crushGuest review from beauty blogger Beauty Girl Musings.

Stila Mango Crush Lip & Cheek Stain has become my latest Summer beauty crush, and I think you’ll discover the same when you decide to try it for yourself– trust me, this is a must-have!

A little confession: I’m a full-face makeup girl (primer, foundation, powder, blush, multiple eye shadows, liner, mascara– you get the idea). Yes, everyday I go through my routine, and it’s just a habit to apply everything. In my defense, during the Summer months I choose more season-friendly colors that will withstand the heat, and never, ever do I look like I just stepped out of a Vegas stage show.

Ok, confession time is over– moving on… Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, lip gloss, lip stain, Makeup 3 Comments