When the summer months come I usually find myself opting for a lighter foundation than what I normally use. There’s nothing pretty about sweating of a thick layer of foundation and having your face melt off before noon and, contrary to what you might think, letting a few freckles shine through can be kind of delightful.

But before you run out to find a bottle of tinted moisturizer, try this super simple way to turn any foundation into a tinted moisturizer. Keep reading

Probably one of the hardest things to learn when it comes to makeup application is liquid liner. When done properly liquid liner can finish off a look quite nicely (and with no smudging) accentuating the eyes or adding some drama to your look.

Whether you have trouble getting a perfectly straight line or apply too much, with some helpful tips and a bit of practice you can apply liquid liner to achieve the lovely look you’re after.

• If you’re just starting out with liquid liner, it’s a good idea to first apply a pencil liner where you want the liquid liner to go. That way you create the outline and can easily follow the line when you go over it with liquid liner.

• Try applying mascara before liquid liner, this will allow you to apply it as close to the lash line as possible and you’ll be able to see any gaps between your liner and lashes so you can fill them in.

• Try applying a thin line first and then go over it until you reach the desired thickness. You can always add more but taking it away can be difficult.

• Try not to pull the lid taught when you apply, as a lot of people do. Too much pulling at the lids can ruin the lids elasticity and who wants wrinkles? Instead try tilting your head back which will hold your lid tight and allow you to apply it easily.

• Liquid liners in pen form can be easier to apply if you’re just starting out. Rest your hand on your cheek to steady it and apply the liner from the middle to the outer corner in small strokes. Then join the liner from the inner corner to the middle. The idea is that the inner corner should be the thinnest, getting thicker toward the outer corner.

• Don’t be afraid to go beyond your outer corner to create a winged effect. To do this, follow the diagonal line going up from the lower lash line starting at the outer corner.

• When it comes to applying liquid liner with brushes, there are a few different types. A small angled brush, a thin liner brush or a pencil brush will work. Personally I prefer to use a bent liner brush which is a regular liner brush that is bent at the end. This allows you to easily apply liquid liner from different angles to get a precise line.

Applying liquid liner does take some work, but with a steady hand and lots of practice anyone can do it.

As much as I love going on vacation, packing is probably the one thing I dread the most. In the past I've usually left it until the last minute, always overpacking clothes and stuff, half of which I usually don't end up using. Over the years, though, I've learned some tips and tricks for packing makeup and beauty products to assure I have everything needed in as little amount as possible all while following the TSA's strict guidelines. Using these beauty packing tips on your next vacation will save you time and effort so you be ready to enjoy vacation bliss.


Keep packing to a bare minimum. When it comes to makeup and choosing color combinations try to select makeup looks beforehand that go with the clothing you have packed. I usually pick a neutral daytime look and a few more dramatic looks for night time. I keep it simple, as when you're away you don't want to be spending most of your time on makeup, sticking to one does-it-all mascara, and 1-2 goes-with-everything blushes and lip colors.

For eyeshadow I like to have combinations picked out ahead of time, it's a good idea to bring palettes with pre-selected colors as they've been preselected for you because they go together nicely, takes out a bit of guessing work.

When it comes to powder products, I like to tape up the holes where the powder is dispensed to prevent too much powder from escaping. I also tape the lip on to prevent any spilling.

For brushes it's a good idea to try brush guards which keep brushes intact and keep them from being contaminated should a spill occur.

If you have your own color combinations in mind, try using the quad palettes from MAC and selecting colors that go well together. I like to place a tissue or paper towel inside the lid to prevent shadows from breaking and to insure a tight fit, then surround the palettes with bubble wrap for extra security.

I get so many samples from makeup counters or from Sephora's beauty insider program and rather than using them up right away I like to stash them to save for when I go away. This way your products take up a lot less space and you only have what you're going to use. I bring perfume samples, lotion samples, shampoo and conditioner samples and they take up hardly any space at all.

For lotions that I only use a small amount of, like eye cream, instead of taking the entire jar I like to place just the amount I use into a day-of-the-week vitamin holder. You can get them from the drugstore and they have different compartments for each day of the week and it takes up minimal space.

Many salons and stores also sell mini versions of your favorite hair products which are a great option for traveling light.

Be sure to keep hair products and any other liquids and lotions in a tightly sealed ziplock bag to avoid spillage, nothing ruins a vacation like spilled shampoo all over your entire suitcase contents.

Enjoy your trip!

How many times have you boarded a long flight looking like a star only to emerge 8 hours later looking like something out of a horror flick? Long hours in a stuffy, dry airplane can wreak havoc on our skin, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice emerging looking great. Here are some quick tips on how to keep you looking gorgeous upon arrival, no matter where you go.

When it comes to in-flight makeup, Its best to opt for a minimal routine. Very light if any foundation, a touch of blush, a good waterproof mascara and a moisturizing lip balm usually suffice. Bring along ziploc bag with a few makeup essentials (mini versions if possible) which can be applied right before landing.

One of the key components of emerging from a flight looking fresh is to get lots of sleep. Beauty rest means looking well rested and helps keep those dark under-eye circles at bay. Try using moisturizing eye mask to keep eyes from looking dull and sallow. A heavy moisturizer can also help fight off dry skin from the lack of moisture in the cabin air.

Blotting papers are great if you tend to get oily, these can help control shine and they pass the FDA regulations for beauty products allowed on flights so you won't have to try and fit them in your ziploc bag.

Be sure to drink plenty of water during the flight to keep skin looking moisturized and try not to consume too much caffeine or alcohol which can leave skin looking dehydrated. I like to get one of those spray cans with water like travel-sized Evian Mineral Water Spray to mist my face periodically, it really helps to keep skin looking fresh and hydrated and it feels amazing during a long haul.

Don’t forget the lips, a good moisturizing lip balm is essential to keeping lips from getting too dry.

Eye drops are also a good idea to help eyes look awake and bright. A small bottle should fit in your regulation 1 litre ziploc bag with your other makeup and liquids.

About 30 minutes prior to landing is a good time to pull out the makeup ziploc. First it’s good to cleanse and moisturize the skin to prep it, makeup always feels better on clean skin. Then you can apply your regular makeup as you normally would.

Some tips for looking alert and awake post-flight? Try using a good concealer under the eyes to camouflage any dark circles. A white eyeliner or light shadow applied in the inner corner of the eye also gives the illusion of being wide awake. Finish off your face with a mist of the water spray to give your makeup a dewy fresh look. And lastly a flattering lipstick will help your makeup look finished and polished.

Long flights can be a drab but with these few quick tips you can be off the plane and looking great in no time.

Nothing ruins a relaxing beach vacation like a bad sunburn. You spend all day by the beach in search of that bronzed-goddess look only to wake up the next day looking more like a lobster. Here are some tips on how to treat a sunburn and get skin back to normal as quickly (and painlessly) as possible.

1) Avoid the sun, this is imperative. While skin is red and burning, going outside in the sun will only make burned skin feel worse. It’s best to opt for a cool shaded area or somewhere with A/C for the time being to avoid any more exposure.

2) Drink plenty of water - hydration is of paramount importance. Getting a sunburn can leave you at a greater risk of dehydration, so your body's fluids need plenty of replacing. Be sure to drink lots of water and try to steer clear of alcohol which can have dehydrating effects.

3) Pain relievers.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) are recommended pain relievers to deal with that painful sunburn, they can also help to bring down any swelling. Lidocaine or Benzocaine can also be administered topically to the sunburn for pain relief, you should apply them liberally to the burn.

4) Cool baths. This is perhaps one of the quickest ways to find relief from the burning. It helps by drawing out some of the heat from the sunburn. For bonus itching relief try adding some oatmeal which will soothe the affected skin.

5) Aloe vera. This skin cooling plant extract has antibacterial properties and lubricants which speed up the healing process. I prefer to keep mine in the fridge for added cooling effect. Keep reapplying every few hours for a few days after you get burnt. Aloe Vera comes in the form of a jelly-like green substance that can be found at the drugstore, make sure it is one of the first ingredients on the list to ensure a greater content of aloe.

6) Moisturizing lotion -  dehydrated skin needs moisture too, so opt for a light moisturizing lotion that contains cooling ingredients like aloe vera or cucumber. Be sure to steer clear of anything heavy or petroleum-based which can keep trap heat inside making the sunburn effects last longer.

Lastly you can use a cold wash cloth on the effected area, which might help you sleep better. And opt for loosely fitted clothing which will help skin to breathe and let the heat out. And resist the urge to peel skin - this may reveal raw tender new skin that isn’t quite ready to be exposed causing a lot of pain and discomfort.

For next time: don’t forget to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun, this will allow it to soak in. Have someone help you apply it to hard to reach areas such as the shoulder and back areas, and don’t forget to reapply every couple hours especially if you go in the water or sweat a lot. Sunglasses, hats, and cute cover-ups are also a good idea to avoid feeling the burn. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation as little as 2 sunburns can double your risk for skin cancer later in life so seek the shade, especially between the hours 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. when the suns rays are at their strongest.