beauty – the Spiff

Tanning Tips for a Spiffy Faux Glow

June 25, 2019 No Comments

self tanning tips, knoxville beauty blogger, self tanner tricks and tips

Want to look like you just stepped out of that picture and DIDN’T lather yourself up with SPF?

Sephora has some really awesome options that I’ll be posting about later in the week. For now, let’s go through some application tips that I’ve picked up myself and from the ever trusty YouTube…

1. Lotion up.

As you are doing your arms/legs and you start to get close to the tricky areas like your wrists and ankles, apply some regular lotion so that you can use it to blend that with the tanner and create a smoother transition. Keep reading for the unexpected tool to use to help with that…

2. Use a beauty brush for a smooth application.

You don’t want your hands giving away your faux tanning secret, so take a big soft blending brush and use it to buff the areas around your elbows, wrists and ankles. It’s a great trick to get those tricky areas looking natural and smooth.

3. Wear long sleeves/pants to bed to prevent stained sheets.

No one wants to sleep in a pool of tanner night after night so a good trick is to wear full coverage pj’s in order to keep your tan off your sheets.

Coming from someone who has to wash their sheets SO VERY OFTEN thanks to kids and dogs? This is a game changer.

Stay tuned later this week for a post with ALL the self-tanners I brought on the show this morning – all of which you can pick up at Sephora in West Town Mall!

Beauty, Spiffy, west town mall

Have You Been to The Edge?

August 17, 2018 No Comments

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You’ll want to live life there (get it?…on “the edge”)

It doesn’t matter how many reviews you read, or how many YouTube videos you watch, there is nothing like going and shopping for things in person. Touching the product, even trying it out. Hearing from a LIVE person why it will or won’t help your skin type. It’s just such a more personalized experience – no clicking required.

Which is why I’m thankful Dillard’s has the beauty experience called “The Edge.” Located inside their beauty department, The Edge features a number of brands that are hard to find anywhere else in person, and great customer service by people who are makeup freelancers on the side – so they know.

My favorite part is they offer classes and training! Yes please! A lot of the tips and tricks I’ve learned came from good ole’ fashion classes in the mall. Years ago MAC offered them periodically and I learned A LOT by going to those. In fact I use a lot of those same tips today!

They have one coming up on August 27th that is at two different times – one in the mid-morning and one in the afternoon. The cost is $45 – but that goes towards buying makeup – which you’re going to want to do after hearing how to use everything and how certain products can help you look and feel your best.

Go check out the Edge and say hello to Aryn (pronounced Erin), Marissa, or Audrey! They are all super nice and will be happy to help!

Beauty

Top 5 Best Beauty Products of 2017

December 26, 2017 No Comments

best beauty products of 2017, derma rolling, satin pillow case, bare minerals liquid foundation, matte lipsticks, beauty product reviews, 2017 beauty product reviews.

It’s so fun to see every year what new product is going to come out to make us look 25 years younger, more rested and generally more like a super model.

I’ve pulled together 5 of my favorite things from this year and want to share them with you!

One: Magnetic Lashes

Ground breaking when it comes to having full lashes without having to keep a regular appointment. By far, the best beauty purchase of 2017. I can’t wait to see what else the company comes out with!

Two: Derma Roller

Skin care is so important no matter your age. This popular regimen of poking tiny needles in your skin is said to promote collagen, and open up your skin to really soak in your products. I’ve seen a difference in my own skin since starting about a month ago. Good news is these rollers are pretty cheap – good news because you should replace them every 15 uses. Also be sure to wash them afterwards.

Here’s a great video that explains how to do it.

Three: Soft Surroundings Silk Pillow Case

I talk about this in the link above. Just know it’s going to help your skin and hair in the long run!

Four: Bare Minerals Foundation

Greatest. Foundation. Everrrrrrr. You guys!! *Deep breath* It’s long lasting, has SPF20, has beautiful, buildable coverage, lays great on your skin, blends nicely – I can’t rave about it enough. And did I mention it’s long lasting? I can put it on at 7 in the morning and not need a touch up at 4 in the AFTERNOON. It’s ah-maz-ing.

Five: Matte Lipsticks

I’m loving the surge of matte lips. I think they look way less fussy, more “natural” as in they don’t overpower your whole face but still give you great color. Bare Minerals version is my favorite (it’s actually hydrating!) especially now that they have a bunch of punchy colors.

Beauty, Spiffy

My Favorite Beauty Products from 2016

December 27, 2016 No Comments

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Every year our beauty routine gets easier and more beautiful. Just think of how glorious we’ll look like by 2020!

In my world, this year was all about a refresh. I wanted to revamp my makeup routine, so I watched A LOT of YouTube videos and did a total refresh on my whole process. I’m really happy with the results.

Here are the things I changed and loved about the beauty world in 2016…

Bare Minerals:

When putting this list together, I realized it was going to be totally filled with Bare Minerals stuff if I wasn’t careful, I’m in love with a lot of their products…

Their new brush and foundation was exactly what I was looking for. It gives great coverage, is filled with ingredients that are good for your skin, it lasts all day (which is an upgrade from their original foundation) and it won’t break the bank. I also love the brush it comes with.

Tinted moisturizer is awesome. It’s truly hydrating, I feel as if I’ll look 25 forever when I rub this on in the morning because I’m just letting the moisture sit in my skin all day everyday.

Their primer is fantastic, and this mineral veil is life changing. I never believed in adding another layer of powder to my face at the end, but then I tried it and I saw the difference and how it gives you that airbrushed look. Now I believe.

They came out with a new line of lipsticks this year. This is from the matte collection. It’s so beautiful, so soft and won’t dry out your lips like matte lipsticks can tend to do.

Brushes:

The beauty blender I talked about a couple years ago, really seemed to open the door to new ideas for brushes.

This is oval brush is another big one to hit the market. I got the cheaper version from Amazon. You can also buy a really expensive version. I did some research and found that while there is a difference between the two, it’s only slight. And since I was only going to use this for my concealer, I went with the cheaper version.

I’m such a fan. It blends better than my fingers, and I don’t feel as if it’s soaking up a lot of product.

Concealer:

Tarte Creaseless Concealer is fantastic. It gives you great coverage without the cakey look. If you’ve ever tried to “bake” method, this concealer with the Bare Minerals Mineral Veil does a great job of giving you a picture-perfect look.

Here’s how to bake: after putting on your under eye concealer, cake, and I do mean, cake on the mineral veil. Apply loads and loads of it under your eyes to the point where you look ridiculous. Then let that “bake” on there for about 5-10 minutes (or 15 if you have it). What that does it is all starts to warm up with your skin and will mix together well. Once the time is up, buff off all the excess powder and you’ll be left with a very smooth, very very flawless finish. This is a great technique if you’re going to be taking pictures.

Sheet Masks:

These were a big trend in beauty this year. I couldn’t be a bigger fan, and I have stayed on top of doing a mask once a week because of these bad boys.

I get the cheap kind. These are about a $2 a mask. You can get them at Wal-Mart or Target. My husband makes fun of me because you do look like you’ve been hospitalized when you’re wearing it. But goodness it’s relaxing. And I love them because you can wear it in bed and you don’t have to get back up and splash water on your face when it’s done. You just take it off and rub the excess in.

Bath:

If you want a complete relaxation/spa experience, add some of these amazing bath salts to your bath! They are detoxifying, and so good for your skin. I loved sitting in the bath with these because I felt like I was doing myself so much good.

And the wonderful smell lingered on my skin well into the next day! Here’s where to get it.

Here’s my full review.

Ipsy:

Still my very favorite beauty purchase every month all year – it’s the gift that keeps on giving. This $10 subscription gets you all kind of great stuff and usually a full-fledged product along with some nice size samples. It’s ended up saving me a lot of money, and I have my life sorted out into really cute bags, so it’s a win, win.

Here’s a link to sign up!

I can’t wait to see what all 2017 will bring. I know it will be good and spiffy! :-D See you back here January 4th.

Beauty

Airing of Grievances

December 20, 2016 No Comments

Break out your poles and start stretching for the feats of strength, it’s time to celebrate Festivus!

Part of the tradition of the holiday that is for the rest of us, is the airing of grievances. Well, my friends, I have some grievances to get off my chest. So sit waaay back (because I may yell a few times, Frank Costanza style), and leave your own grievances in the comments…

1. BOYS NEED TO DRESS UP TOO, YA KNOW.

You can’t walk through a children’s clothing shop without smacking into a fancy dress for little girls, but forget trying to get your little boy to look sharp. Apparently all they do is roar around like dinosaurs while looking like Lumberjacks.

I love a great graphic tee as much as the next girl, but for the love of all things holy, could you throw me a suit or a great vest every once in a while!? I feel like I have to scrape the corners of stores trying to find an appropriate outfit for my toddler boy to wear to church.

And apparently finding clothes for boys has gotten EASIER. So I can only imagine what it was like 10 years ago! SHEESH!

2. SO WE CAN PAY BILLS, RECORD VIDEO AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE WORLD ON A DEVICE THAT FITS IN OUR POCKET BUT WE CAN’T INVENT PANTYHOSE THAT DON’T RUN?!

WHY??!!

I think this falls in line with my theory about cancer. There’s a cure out there, they just haven’t shared it. Someone some where has developed run-free panty hose but then Walgreens everywhere would go out of business.

3. PILLOW MARKS ON NAILS THAT I THOUGHT WERE DRY!

Does this happen to anyone else? I painted my nails the other night, sat there in bed for at least 45 minutes working on the blog while I let them dry. I touch them and yep, totally dry. I go to bed, dream some great dreams, wake up and BAM pillow marks and (what I can only describe as) tiny tire marks ALL OVER MY NAILS.

Turns out, this isn’t all I have to rant about. Check out the three more grievances I aired on the Knoxville Families Blog.

And have a happy Festivus!