Sun-Soaked Spring Look

The seasons have changed and we’ve got a special treat for you to ring in spring! Guest vlogger and fellow Benebabe Alexandrea Garza (a beauty artist in our Michigan store) shares her tips on how to achieve the perfect sun-soaked spring look. Take note & enjoy!

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“Spring is here! Whether you’re still watching the snow melt or dreaming of jet-setting somewhere for Spring Break, you’re probably looking for those few solid products that will make your skin glow. Think lounging by the pool or an evening walk on the beach. Here’s how to get this pretty coral & bronze look that’s perfect for welcoming spring:

Step 1: We want our skin to look naturally even and luminous, but we still need that protection from the harsh sun. That’s where big easy comes in! It’s SPF 35, medium coverage and a liquid-to-powder finish that’s lightweight & skin-safe!

 

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Step 2: Bronze baby bronze! Get out your hoola bronzer and contour your little heart out. Even if you’re not vacationing in a tropical paradise this month, just add a little bronzer and everyone will ask where you got your glowing tan!
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Step 3: Define those eyes! Don’t forget to line with some BADgal liner in black and load up on they’re real! mascara; I’m talking at least 3 coats!
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 Step 4: Let’s make those cheekbones pop! Pull out your favorite rose gold blush, rockatuer! Swipe this on the top of your cheekbones and across the bridge of your nose. Doing this will almost create a fresh-out-of-the-sun effect.
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Step 5: Put some bella bamba ultra plush lip gloss on that pout and you’re out the door!”
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xo—Alex Garza

Glowing All Winter Long.

It seems oddly inappropriate with this freakish snowstorm that we’re currently having to be talking about showing some skin – and tanned skin at that. But, seeing as spring still feels an eternity away, I think we all deserve a little self-care and self-love in the form of glowy golden skin, even if you’re the only one who sees it. A tan cheers me up. It makes me feel a little more confident. It puts a spring in my step.

After being stuck indoors with a brand new little human for the past 3 months, I am so READY for spring and summer adventures. but until then, I can shop online and apply gradual tan to my heart’s content. I’ve been using two products for this, one for face and one for body. They’re equally fantastic and work a treat at turning my vitamin D lacking pallor into something a little more healthy.

Face

The Tropic Sun Drops Gradual Tanning Facial Serum is a booster serum that you add to your regular daily moisturiser to instantly give a little warmth and glow whilst gradually tanning the skin over several days.


The serum is incredibly intense and a little scary at first glance, but don’t be afraid like I was! It dilutes right into your everyday moisturiser and application is as easy as pie. Suitable for tanning pros and first-timers alike.

Tropic say to use 2-3 drops for a subtle tint, or 4-6 drops for a more sun-kissed glow. I only ever use 2 drops at a time to go slow with the gradual tan developing. I have used this at most for three days in a row so far and I really loved the colour it gave to my skin, it evened out redness and made blemish marks seem less harsh. I don’t wear makeup regularly at the moment, so this has been great for making me feel a bit better when I catch myself in the mirror after being up 4 times in the night 😉

Ingredients:

Aloe Vera Juice, Coconut Water, Sugar Beet DHA Skin Tanner, Plant Allo-Melanin, Plant Derived Humectant, Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Plant Erythrulose, Caramel, Radish Root Extract, Passion Fruit Extract, Corn Sugar Derived Gum, Gentle Preservatives from Basil and Star Anise, Lactic Acid, Phytic Acid

Body

For lacklustre limbs, we have the Eco by Sonya Winter Skin Gradual Tanning Moisturiser. I’ve been using this on and off for ages now and the bottle is still going strong, so that’s a huge win right off the bat.


I originally bought this in September last year to apply it a couple of times before our holiday so that I wouldn’t be so shockingly pale next to all the gloriously tanned Spanish folk and of course the crispy brown Britons who sunbathe from sunrise until sunset. You know the ones. Upon first use, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the moisturiser is, in fact, more of a thin lotion consistency that makes application quick and easy, no spreading a thick cream over the skin and massaging it in for half an hour only for it to gather at your ankles and turn them 5 shades darker. It sinks in quickly and you’re free to get dressed and go about your day, or evening, without feeling sticky.

The colour transformation is subtle and does take a good few days to build up to that ‘beautiful honey complexion’ mentioned on the bottle, but I like that! It’s much less scary waking up in the morning to a subtle tan rather than a patchy orange disaster.

At the moment I only use this once a week, during the 15 minutes or so every 168 hours that I get to myself to have a mini pamper routine; apply a face mask, moisturise, and maybe even brush my hair. Glorious. The boost in colour lasts a few days, even after showering, and like I said before, it’s not necessary for winter really, but it makes me feel good, so screw it!


Bath and Body Works Mad About You Body Lotion Review

The fragrance from Bath and Body Works “Mad About You” is fairly new, it just came out past February. Read ahead for more details.

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Product Description:

America’s #1 Body Lotion just got better! With 2x the moisture and 3x the Shea, our enhanced lotion contains more of what skin loves, leaving it feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished. Fortified with nutrient-rich ingredients like protective Vitamin E and fast absorbing Jojoba Oil, our ultra-nourishing formula delivers 16 hours of continuous moisture.  A love-struck pairing of soft peonies and black currant kissed with creamy vanilla musk.

 

Key Fragrance Notes:

Top Notes: Black Currant, Luscious Strawberry, Sparkling Cassis
Mid Notes: Ginger Lily, Bright Peony, Pink Jasmine
Dry Notes: Amber Wood, White Patchouli, Vanilla Musk

Our exclusive Mad About You fragrance captures the rush of falling truly, madly, deeply in love.  Our triple moisture body cream is the perfect deep, daily moisturizer.  Provides 16 hours of continuous moisture.  Infused with Shea butter and with your exclusive Daily Moisture Complex of protective Vitamin E, Aloe and conditioning Vitamin B5.  Non greasy formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth and nourished.

Price:

$12.50

Ingredients:

Packaging:

Okay, I am a sucker for pretty and cute packaging and this also has won my heart. This lotion has such sweet and simple feminine packaging which I would have even bought without even sniffing it :P It’s a transparent bottle with a silver color cap which you press the top to dispense product. The lotion is itself a very light pink color, so the bottle looks like it is that color too. The packaging also has “Mad About You” written on very pretty looking flowers. I am really glad BBW has new style bottles, I really got bored with the old packaging.

My Experience with Bath and Body Works Mad About You Body Lotion:

Before I bought this product, I had tried samples of this, so I knew what I was getting into. I received some free samples from my friend who had received these sample bottles even before the product came out. Ever since I became a fan of this scent and just had to go out and buy it.

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Whenever I buy any type of lotion, the scent is always the main factor for me. The scent of this is just amazing! It is a smell which is hard to describe, something of various flowers and fruits and fruits – something sort of roses, jasmine, and berries. I just love how the scent lingers on my skin many hours later. I get so many compliments from my husband :D. I apply lotion all over my body after shower most mornings and when I return home around 6 or 7 o’clock I can still smell it all over me, though it is not as strong as it first smells, but it is still lightly there which is longer than usual lotions.

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The consistency of this lotion is fairly thick. It is definitely not runny and when applied it goes on thick. It feels a bit too thick when applying but my skin absorbs it quickly and after some time, the thick heavy feeling is gone. I have combination skin tone but it mostly depends on the season. My skin tends to be on the dry side in the winter since most of my time is spent in central heaters so my skin over dries. I have been trying out this product since this winter and it has kept my skin from drying up and instead I am left with soft and supple feeling skin. Even after 6 to 7 hours, my skin still looks and feels moisturized. I do not have to worry about re-application (except for my hands). It works exceptionally well for dry elbows, knees, and heels. For the price of this product, I think it is definitely worth it and even currently BBW is having a huge sale so all you ladies must take advantage.

Pros of Bath and Body Works Mad About You Body Lotion:

  • Smells very refreshing and fruity.
  • Provides perfect amount of moisture for skin.
  • Perfect for winter time use.
  • Moisture lasts a long time.
  • Lingering scent, stays on skin for hours.
  • Pretty packaging.

Cons of Bath and Body Works Mad About You Body Lotion:

  • Consistency can be a bit on the thick side.

IMBB Rating:

5/5

Would I Recommend Bath and Body Works Mad About You Body Lotion?

Yes, I recommend. When I compare this with my other BBW lotions, this one has given me much better results.

Would I Repurchase Bath and Body Works Mad About You Body Lotion?

Yes, I would repurchase this.

Hairstyle Trend Photos 2013: How To Get Sideswept Waves, Deep Part – SAG Awards – Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried

Hairstyle Trend Photos 2013: How To Get Sideswept Waves, Deep Part - SAG Awards - Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried

Last night was not only a big occasion for actors at the 19th Annual Screen Actor’s Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, but a night for the next big trend in hair: the side swept wave! Hollywood’s hottest leading ladies including Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried and Julianne Moore all sported this retro hairstyle with a modern twist.

Read on to see how Julianne Moore‘s hairstylist for the evening, Living Proof‘s Chris McMillan, gave her relaxed, Veronica Lake-type waves.

Hairstyle Trend Photos 2013: How To Get Sideswept Waves, Deep Part - SAG Awards - Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried

“First, I applied Living Proof Prime Style Extender to her damp, towel-dried hair and combed it through. Prime Style Extender gave me the sleek, healthy hair I needed for styling. I parted the hair on the left and blow-dried it straight with a large round brush.

Hairstyle Trend Photos 2013: How To Get Sideswept Waves, Deep Part - SAG Awards - Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried

On dry hair, I applied the Firm Hold Hair Spray as a heat protector and used a 1 1/2-inch curling iron to create a S-curve with her bang, accentuating her eyes and keeping her hair away from the face. I then used the same iron to bend the ends under, curling the iron in a counter clockwise motion. I wanted the look to be glossy, sleek and simple.”

Are you lovely ladies fans of this Old Hollywood side swept hair trend? Let us know by commenting below, which will automatically be posted to our Community Forum (click here to check it out!) where you can find other beauty related discussions! Don’t forget to also submit a photo to our Photo Of The Day (click here!) feature, where a new photo will be picked daily. Your photo just might be selected, so get going!

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