Color Me Pretty

How often do you buy makeup?

I know some of my friends buy new makeup all the time; they LOVE beauty products.  I've never enjoyed shopping for make-up as much as I have for shoes or bags.  That said, given how infrequently I buy make-up, I forget how expensive it can be.  The only piece of good news is that it lasts a long time.

One of my friends who is actually in the beauty industry always has a flawless complexion.  I mean, gorgeous!  I am not sure why I haven't asked her about the brand she uses sooner, but I finally did and it was a brand I hadn't even considered.

Has anyone tried Giorgio Armani makeup?  Yeah, me neither.  I ended up packing up Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation.  It's awesome, so lite on your skin.

Your makeup always looks flawless when you get it done professionally, as it should.  However, it can never be recreated at home.

Here's me right after, still in Bloomingdale's, obviously.

Oh, by the way, if you get your makeup done at the counter and buy a few things, always ask for free samples.  The sample sizes are very generous and allow for you to try a product you wouldn't normally.  Who knows, you might love it! 

xx,
KMH

Lady Like Nails

It's not surprise that I typically can't keep nail polish on.  And, if you're like me, you have about 50 different colors of nail polish that you never use!

Between working out, cleaning, working and cooking it chips so easily it's not even worth putting on.  I would say that after a manicure I have a chip in less than 24 hours.  Pathetic, I know.

However, I still want great looking nails.  It really bothers me when I don't have time to file and (at least) put a base strengthener coat on.

Just recently though, I stumbled upon a pretty neutral color that works year round and a top coat that helps my polish last even longer.

On the left is my "Grow Stronger" from Essie, the middle Lady Like and on the right Sally Hansen's Strengthening Top Coat.  So far, so good on the top coat.

In fact, the last time I painted my nails myself, the polish stayed on for FOUR DAYS!

How often do you change up your polish?

xx,
KMH

Weekend Recap!

Happy Monday, everyone!  The only thing making this Monday a happy one is that it's a 3 day (well, technically 2 1/2 day) week for us!  We are headed back to KC on Wednesday for another Hiatt wedding.

It was a perfect summer weekend.  The highlight, of course, was that the guest post I did for The Lean Green Bean went live!  If you didn't know, The Lean Green Bean is an AWESOME blog.  Lindsay focuses a lot on a healthy lifestyle and fitness related posts.  Not to mention she has some amazing recipes.  Here's the link in case you missed it!

I took a few photos to be featured on Saturday but sent them over a little too late to get them posted.  Lucky for you, here they are!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have NO IDEA how professional bloggers do it.  I would seriously have to have a photographer on staff to get the photos I like.  Although, my husband does do a pretty nice job.  He has a lot of patience.  ;)

Saturday was quite a busy day!  It started with a book club brunch that was amazing.  Amazing because of the food, not because of the book (which I didn't finish, unfortunately).

The host made an amazing strata that I will definitely be trying soon.  Of course, no one else wants to host following this spread.

In between brunch and a BBQ, I headed to the salon for a fresh haircut.  My hair feels stringy when it gets too long.  It feels a lot thicker at this length.

Ugh, I miss grilling!  This was our amazing rooftop spread on our friend's roof.

Thank goodness there was a makeshift table already up there.

And obviously this face was the best guest.

Hopefully this week moves as fast as I think it will.  The only downside, there is a lot of work to do between now and Wednesday.

Cheers to a short week!

xx,

KMH

Worst Shampoo Ever!

I'm out of shampoo and am in the market for a new brand.  There is one that I LOVE, but it's so expensive.  We will get to that one.

After thinking about it, I've tried so many shampoos.  There are too many to choose from.  I swear, the worst shampoo I've ever used is by Dove.

It's unfortunate too because I love most of their products.  But the shampoo leaves your hair feeling like straw; dry and dull.  

On the flip side, the best shampoo I've ever used is by Kerastase.  It's no secret their products are amazing, but they're so pricey.  

I love going home though, my mom has one product from about each of their lines.  No wonder I have great hair days when I'm back in Kansas; I'm throwing hundreds of dollars of products in my hair.  ;)

I might have to break down and buy it this time around though; it's too good to pass up.

Pretty Face

Pretty Face by kmanoun featuring mario badescu skin care

 I have a very thorough nightly routine when it comes to my skin, especially my face.  

Even though we all have our little breakouts or dry skin, there are products I use regularly.  As I near 30 (UGH!), I have found it even more important to stick with my routine.  I have different products that I use day and night.  

Here are a few of my current favorites when it comes to the face:

1. Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel - I just recently switched to this cleanser and am still unsure how I feel about it yet.  I like a cleanser that's slightly more abrasive; it makes my skin feel cleaner for some reason.
2. Mario Badescu Special Healing Powder - After my last facial, my facialist suggested I purchase this to help calm  my skin after minor breakouts (it happens to everyone).  So far, I really like it.  It helps with redness a lot.
3. Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner - I use this every night (only once a day) after I clean my face with the cleansing gel.
4. Olay Anti-Wrinkle Day Creme  - It is importantly to use an anti-wrinkle or night cream at night rather than just using your face cream for the day.  It is on your face longer than anything else and needs to be very hydrating for your skin.
5. Olay Complete All Day Normal UV Moisturizer SPF 15, 4 oz  - I use SPF every. single. day.  Winter, Fall, Spring and Summer.  I am very pale (and I like it that way), so I want to protect my skin every time I go outside.
6. Mario Badescu Control Cream 0.5oz at BeautyBay.com - I typically wear this cream under both my night cream and SPF.  It is light and not oily, so is great under make-up.
7. Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser Skin Care - 5 oz - Going forward, I'm going to use this every night and the cleansing gel in the morning.  I have used this cleanser for years.  You can't go wrong with Olay products.
8. Mario Badescu Azulene Calming Mask - Typically, I don't use a mask but every once in a while, but I'm trying to get in the habit of using it once a week.  I feel like it really helps my skin and minimizes breakouts.

What is your nightly face routine?