Holi-Daly™ Tips For Looking Relaxed & Glowing

Ah, the holidays. Time to sit back and relax with family. Sounds easy enough, right? It even “sounds” like a stress-free time. Wrong! As much as we all are stressed out by love seeing loved ones over the holidays, getting everything ready can be a bit of a stress. Decorating and readying our homes, baking and cooking, shopping and wrapping, and oh my, the parties! All the while looking rested and gorgeous. I know my skin tends to flip out a little (ahem) when I’m stressed out. I eat too much chocolate, don’t drink enough water and definitely don’t sleep as much as I should. All of this adds up to skin stress. Luckily/obviously I have some tips!

Cleanse Gently: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - Consonant Organic Foaming Face Wash is the shizz. It cleanses, calms and tones while it soothes. I make a point of using this, and not experimenting with anything else, when my skin is flipping out.

Moisturize Deeply: It’s winter, and man oh man is it cold here! The furnace is going strong and the air is so dry you can almost feel the moisture leaving your skin. The Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Masque has been miraculous! It has a lovely cooling gel texture suitable for all skin types. This concentrated masque infuses dehydrated and stressed skin with optimal amounts of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to replenish depleted moisture levels. I use it after I wash my face, as a treatment. Heaven!

Don’t Let Your Hands Be A Crime: I recently received a sample of Providence Perfume Beauty Elixir Oil. I’d read rave reviews for this liquid gold and was so excited to try it! It is recommended for hair and nails, and so far I have been using it on my hands, nails and cuticles at bedtime and can see a difference after a week. It smells like soft white flowers, but like most botanicals, the scent fades gently and is never cloying. I fell in love with it immediately, and love it even more now that my hands are so soft. From the website:

Providence Perfume Co.’s Beauty Elixir Oil for Hair and Nails is a concentrated blend of nourishing anti-oxidant rich oils that strengthen and moisturize. 100% natural and botanically based, with organic argan, camellia, coconut, avocado and neem oils, Beauty Elixir Oil adds softness and luminosity to dry hair, skin and cuticles. Scented with uplifting essences of orange blossom, jasmine, apricot and neroli to impart a sense of fragrant well being.

Stay tuned for the hair review….

Fake Wide Awake: I love it when I dig deeply into my stash and find untested goodies. I happened to stumble upon an unopened Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener and thought, “hmmm”. It has a soft creamy pink formula with a doe foot sponge applicator and looked impossibly bright. I didn’t have a lot of faith as I applied it, then…WOW! I’m amazed and astounded at how my shadows disappeared instantly and how bright-eyed I appeared! Seriously, if you suffer from circles and tiredness, you need to try this! I’m so glad I did, and will never be without it.

Glow A Little, Already: Easier said than done, I know, I know. But science has progressed and given us many options to brighten up dull complexions and add a little oomph. I managed to find the most luxe way to do this, thanks to Chanel. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder is a gorgeous powder designed to make you glow. From Chanel’s website:

With an effortless touch, this innovative, versatile powder makeup enhances, brightens or bronzes the complexion for a custom glow. On its own, it heightens skin’s natural beauty; over foundation, provides a sheer, luminous finish. Advanced technology protects against skin-dulling environmental stressors, while White Rose and Cotton Flower offer absolute comfort for even the most sensitive complexions. In seven no-fail shades; each, with its own sculpted half-moonbrush.

People. It does what it says. I use #20, which is pretty much my skin tone. I want #30, which is more tan than I am. It is super sheer, fine-milled and buildable, so you can safely play with a shade that makes you glow a little. I love everything about Chanel Les Beiges, including the Chanel Retractable Kabuki Brush that feels like unicorn eyelashes giving you butterfly kisses on your cheeks.

Add Some Extra Glow, Because You Probably Need It: I was watching an amazing Lisa Eldridge make up video where she gave an amazing radiance tip. Using her fingers, she smudged a little Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Emerveillé on her cheekbones for a super subtle and elegant glow. I add a little smudge to the inside of my eyes and the cupid’s bow on my lips – the soft rose tone works beautifully with most skin tones.

And finally,

Don’t Wig Out: Dry, flyaway, frizzy hair that won’t hold it’s style is not welcome during party season. All you need is Liquid Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner. Read why here. Bonus – the LK Leave-In Treatment is also amazing. Review to come.

How are you glowing right now? Share your secrets!