LIVING CORAL: Pantone’s Color of the Year 2019

Just when we can all use a bit of optimism and warmth, Pantone has released its Color of the Year 2019, Living Coral: “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes, and enlivens with a softer edge”.  We can all use a little life affirmation and energy in our lives, and if we can get it via a color, then bring it on! 

I’ve always loved coral as it seems less aggressive than red, and not as delicate as pink.  Not to be confused with orange, it feels traditional and fresh at the same time. With winter cold bearing down on us, less daylight, and forced heating, Living Coral seems timely and just the warm up we need, making us dream of sunsets, coral reefs and beaches, vacation, and sunshine. Optimistic and energizing, yes, and enlivening, for sure.  

Makeup, fashion, lifestyle products, and interior design will all start to offer this shade but there is no need to wait.  You can find coral-hued treats already that will brighten anyone’s day as a holiday gift, not to mention yours, so treat yourself!  

                                                       XOXO Shelley

#pantonecoloroftheyear2019  #livingcoral  #giftideas  #pantonecolors  #coralmakeup  #beautygifts  #16-1546  #facethis.blogspot.com   #ShelleyGoodstein

Holiday Spirit = HolidayStress? It's Time For Luxurious Self-Care Treats

Has the season got you feeling a little less festive and a lot more stressed?  The lead-up to Christmas with the shopping lists, decorating, entertaining, traveling, all in frigid temperatures can really leave you feeling worn out and dreaming of a quiet day at home in your pajamas on the sofa, eating Christmas treats and binge-watching Netflix.  And maybe that’s exactly what you should do!  The notion of “self-care” seems counter-productive when your to-do list seems to just get longer and longer, but de-stressing and forcing yourself into a time out can recharge your batteries keeping you healthy, not to mention sane, during the holiday season. 

I know I am not the only one who needs me-time and my friends are just as stressed out as I am, so I will be treating not only myself but my girls to pampering treats to warm them up, slow them down, bring some peace and tranquility, and to help them get a much-needed good night’s sleep.  Skipping a holiday spice flat white latte isn’t so hard when I am tempted with the loose teas in the David’s Tea Wellness Box especially the blend called Serenity Now, served up in my artisanal Arendelle mug from Anthropologie (the best place, by the way, to find the most beautiful selection of tea cups and coffee mugs for holiday gifts).  Scent has a strong effect on well-being and can really calm, refresh, or invigorate depending on which fragrance elements you choose.  I love Halcyon Crystal Eau De Parfum in Amethyst which is infused with peony, jasmine, rose, which slows me down and helps create a peaceful feeling.

Nothing soothes like good soak in a fragrant bath, chasing away the chill and warming you up.  Yuzo Soap Bath Bomb Cubes in Lavender Sage is so good you won’t want to get out of the tub.  Essential oils are a wonderful way to channel tranquility, to energize, and to help you sleep.  Vitruvi’s Stone Diffuser in Blush looks like a beautiful decor object and I love their Quiet Blend Essential Oil before bed to help slow down a racing mind. Pleasing all my senses, including visual. 

Jo Malone’s candles are legendary and come with gorgeous packaging making them the perfect gift, but are just as lovely as a treat for yourself.  The luxurious Mimosa and Cardamom candle is a delicious winter scent with delicate golden mimosa blended with spicy cardamom, damask rose, heliotrope, earthy tonka, and sandalwood.  An indulgent way to create a calming  atmosphere.  

Sleep: nothing melts away stress quite like a good night’s sleep, yet it is one of the hardest things to achieve.  I can’t count how many things I can find to start worrying about just as my head hits the pillow.  But beauty sleep is possible! Slip’s silk eye mask and pillow case in pink are sumptuous and soft, and make me feel so pampered while dozing off.  Just in case my mind takes off on a tangent, I love This Work’s Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, which I actually spray on a handkerchief so as not to mark the silk pillowcase. And it’s true - This Works!  Don’t forget your feet - Make + Model’s plush faux fur scuff slippers are so cozy and give your feet a treat. 

All the pampering in the world won’t help if you don’t set aside some me-time to take care of yourself over the holidays.  It is easy to get caught up and think that you will rest up afterwards, but it is a time of giving, and that means giving to yourself too.  So don’t race to exercise or do yoga, ease off the self-imposed holiday diet, and let yourself rest and relax, and recharge. You are worth it! 

                                                                XOXO Shelley

#beatholidaystress #selfcare #beautyandwellness #howtomanageholidaystress #metime #pamperingtreats #wellnesstreats #copingwiththeholidays 

Sparse Eyebrows? No Problem! How to Create The Illusion of Luscious Brows

Bold brows make a gorgeous beauty statement this holiday season, framing the face and drawing attention to the eyes.  But that doesn’t mean you can get away with just letting them run wild, without any grooming or maintenance. The most beautiful brow is defined, full, brushed, and not at all woolly, scruffy, or neglected. Achieving ravishing eyebrows is not that difficult, even if your brows are thin or sparse.  You just need the right tools, and I have that all sorted out for you:

Serum: start now with a daily-use serum to build up the hair follicles and to stimulate growth. I like Shiseido Full Lash and Brow Serum, and as an added bonus I use it on my eyelashes as well to help them recover from any damage they sustain when I wear eyelash extensions.

Fine Hair Pencil: While it takes a little practice, using an ultra-fine pencil to draw in individual eyebrow hairs is amazingly effective at giving the illusion of fuller brows.  I am a big fan of Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, with it’s fine tipped pencil on one end and brush on the other.  I have used this for a while and I now have the technique down to under one minute for both brows to achieve a look that is ultra-realistic.  It comes in ten shades so there is one to suit just about everyone’s skin tone.

Fiber Gel: adding microfibers to the eyebrow hairs that I actually have makes them fuller.  I like Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel for its tinted gel formula that comes in six different shades.  It helps lock the shape and style in as well, for a look that lasts all day.

Brow Gel:  if you already have enough natural eyebrow hairs you can skip the fiber gel formulas.  I like Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Eyebrow Gel which comes in four shades, and creates a very natural look, using a micro-fine precision brush that reaches even the tiniest of hairs.  

                                                                All products available at Sephora.com

It’s all about the brows this season and it’s definitely a go bold or some home situation, but it really is possible to get luscious, full brows with a little effort.  Find the shades that work for your skin and hair color and take a few minutes to practice getting a natural arch with individually drawn hairs and set them with gel.  Fix any mishaps with makeup remover on a swab.  Full brows look sexy, healthy, and youthful.  Yes, please.  

                                                                XOXO Shelley

#statementbrows #holidaybeauty #howtocreatefullbrows #browmakeup #eyebrows #browserum #eyebrowgel #bestbrowproducts #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein