Tag Archives: beauty

How to Get the Perfect Smokey Eye

Like everyone else, I have my own personal insecurities. However, I absolutely love having blue eyes so it’s no wonder I’ve become such an expert on the smokey eye which is smoking hot with any eye color. Though the smokey eye is traditionally an evening look, I’m a strong believer in adding a little smokey eye makeup to a daytime look too.

Follow these 3 steps for the perfect socialite smokey eye:

1.  Start with a good base: Every great makeup look begins with a good base.  Wash your face and apply moisturizer prior to applying foundation, concealer, powder, and blush.  Having moisturizer under your foundation not only gives your skin some much-needed moisture and SPF (great for preventing wrinkles), it will also prevent your pores from absorbing your makeup.

2.  Apply dark shadows: The ultimate secret to any fabulous makeup look is to Blend, Blend, Blend!  I can not stress that enough.  I love to blend different colors and brands of makeup into a look that is all my own.  Start with a lighter grey or silver eyeshadow as a base and apply darker and darker shades on top blending each shade on top of the other.  For a more dramatic look, use a darker shade along the top of the lid.

3.  Black eyeliner: This is by far my favorite part of the process!  To get the perfect smokey eye, you must use liquid eyeliner.  Since blending is the big secret, I like to start with the liquid liner as a base and use a black eye pencil over it.  Always use both liquid and regular liners on the top and bottom of the eye.  If you mess up (which happens often) just take a q-tip with a tiny bit of makeup remover on it and (you guessed it) start blending.  Top it off with your favorite mascara and you’re ready to take over the world.

Money-Saving Manicure Tips

manicure tips

In light of my recent credit card statement causing me to be uncharacteristically frugal, I’ve started channelling my elite sense of creativity into ways to save money.  Having a fresh manicure 24/7 is a socialite essential.  One that I admittedly often fall short on due to my overly busy life.  But, I’m working on it.

Seeing that I may be faced with the task of doing my own nails at home, I’ve come up with a few tips to the make the most out of the home spa experience.  Perhaps, saving money can be glamorous.  CNBC’s personal finance expert, Suze Orman, will be so proud.  She spells “Suzie” without an “I” and that’s how she saves money.  Not a lot of people think to leave out the “I,” but in this economy you have the make significant cuts.

Here’s how you can save money on manicures:

  • Wear the same color for an entire season: Choose one color for fall and another for spring.  Get your nails professionally done once a season and use the same color to effortlessly fill in the cracks as your nails chip.  This saves tons of time and money.  Not to mention, this strategy will guarantee you a fresh manicure 100% of the time.
  • Practice, Practice, Practice: When it comes to art, practice and dedication always makes perfect.  Practice keeping a steady hand and once you’ve perfected a simple paint job, you can move on to nail art.  Nail polish remover is cheap so no worries if you mess up.
  • Do your nails during your favorite show: Half of doing your own nails is getting yourself to sit in one place long enough to concentrate on doing them.  Make plans for a quick mani during your favorite show or movie.  When your nails are finished, sit tight and enjoy the rest of the show as you wait for them to dry.
  • Throw a DIY mani/pedi party: DIY is all the craze right now.  Spread the trend of the money-saving mani to your friends by throwing a girls’ night in with movies, drinks, and “Do It Yourself” mani/pedis.  Just try to keep the cocktails to a minimum until everyone’s nails are painted.

Going Organic & Vegan with Dr. Woods Soaps

Socialites are renowned fashionistas known to spend hours in search of the perfect outfit.  Being an Aspiring Socialite, I’m extremely picky about what I wear.  However, the products you use to wash your body are just as important as the fashions that go on it.  As a strict vegetarian, I’m no stranger to the organic and vegan lifestyles.  So when I came across Dr. Woods Pure Peppermint Castile Soap, I immediately replaced my body wash with Dr. Woods for its natural eco-friendly qualities.

From the first time I used it, I noticed an instant difference in my skin.  Organic really does make a difference because as soon as I made the switch, my skin felt so much softer.  But, Dr. Woods isn’t just a body wash.  It’s also an excellent face wash (natural products are great for sensitive and/or acne-prone skin).  It can also be used as a shampoo, house cleaner, and even a laundry detergent.  Its uses make it perfect to bring along on vacation.  Lightening the load of the many beauty products you are bound to travel with.

I’m not usually a fan of bars of soap. I’m really more of a body wash person. But, Dr. Woods Red Currant Clove Raw Shea Butter Soap is great for skin exfoliation.  This is one of the first solid soaps I’ve used in a while.  Try Dr. Woods for yourself.

Silk’n Flash and Go Home Laser Hair Removal System Just in Time for Summer

When you’re a socialite, most of your summer appearances are either poolside or beachside.  As you can imagine, hair removal is of the utmost importance.  Shaving and waxing aren’t permanent solutions and the cost of professional laser hair removal treatments are in the thousands.  So I’m psyched to have discovered Silk’n Flash and Go, a permanent home hair removal system that is both FDA cleared and dermatologist recommended.  Using safe light-based technology known as Home Pulsed Light™ (HPL), this system utilizes optical energy to disable hair growth in selected areas.  In order to achieve such a thermal effect, the hair shaft needs to selectively absorb light energy and transform it into heat.  This phenomenon that will make your summer far less stressful is known as the theory of selective photothermolysis.  I’m sure my dad, the chemist, will be very proud of me for this very scientific explanation.

Compared to professional spa treatments, Silk’n Flash and Go, retailing for around $300, is cost-effective which is very helpful for those still aspiring.  It is also one of the few home hair removal devices approved for use on the face and other sensitive regions like the bikini area.  So it’s ultra-sensitive and can be used to treat both small and large areas.  Starting with the fact that no appointments are required for this treatment, Silk’n Flash and Go is simple to use, quick, and clean with minimal set up required.  The pulse speed ensures quick treatment and silky smooth skin without ingrown hairs or razor burn.  I’ll be sure to bring this along with me on my weekend trips for all of summer 2012.

Silk’n wants everyone to have a socialite summer.  Therefore, they are offering 20% off their Silk’n Flash and Go System to all Aspiring Socialite readers with the discount code NYNY. 

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but the opinions are all my own.   

*Silk’n Flash and Go will not work on individuals with dark skin tones and is not recommended for their use (if the skin tone is too dark the Flash and Go cannot detect the difference between the hair and the skin and will not be as effective).

Socialite Beauty

Every socialite or aspiring celebrity dreams of having their own beauty and/or fashion empire.  Who knows what fragrances, cosmetic lines, and fabulous fashion collaborations could be in my future?  When I came across the Sephora Collection Monopoly Edition, I thought it was something every Aspiring Socialite should have.  Games are excellent practice for real life.  This version of the classic Monopoly board game is not only adorable, it serves as a simulated version of your future beauty empire allowing players to stock their stores with beauty essentials, hire store directors, and pay for it all with Beauty Bucks.  On the downside, you do go to jail for bad hairdays.

I’ve long been an avid makeup wearer.  I think it all started at the age of 12 when in a desperate attempt to cover up my horrible acne I learned everything I possibly could about makeup.  Though my acne was eventually eliminated with the help of a dermatologist, in the process of engrossing myself in all things beauty, I perfected the smokey eye technique that I still use today to illuminate my blue eyes.  I also developed a steady hand for liquid eyeliner.  As a teenager, I refused to leave the house without makeup, even if it was just to go to the grocery store.  But, as I grew more secure in college, my love for makeup remained strong, but my need for its constant companionship disappeared.