How to get Beautiful While You Sleep

We have all heard the expression, make sure you get your ‘beauty sleep’… but did you ever think of actually using beauty treatments and products meant to work as you are slumbering?  While you are getting your proper rest you could also be treating your hair, skin, lips and more!  Below I share my favorite products to ensure you wake up even more beautiful than when you went to sleep.

Kiehl’s ULTRA FACIAL OVERNIGHT HYDRATING MASQUE

Available at Kiehls.com for $16.

TATCHA LUMINOUS Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate

Available at Barneys.com for $110.

MARIO BADESCU Drying Lotion

Available at MarioBadescu.com for $17.  Refer to package for directions, if you apply this on any pimple before bed by morning your skin will look flawless.

Korres Wild Rose Brightening Sleeping Facial

Available at Sephora for $48.

Sephora Algae Sleeping Mask

Available at Sephora for $4.

Pacifica Wake up Beautiful Sleep Hydration Sleepover Mask

Available at Ulta for $15.

Sleep Plus dream body 2-in-1 De-aging Night Cream

Available at thisworks.com for $46.

YES TO Coconut Overnight Crème Mask

Available at Ulta for 14.99.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Intensive Lip Repair Blam

Available at ElizabethArden.com for $24.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Available at LANEIGE.com for $20.

Slip Silk Pillowcase

Available at Sephora for $79

Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask

Available at DermStore.com for $45.

Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Sleep Gloves and Sleep Socks

Both available at Iluminage.com; gloves, $45 and socks, $35.

Avocado Hair Mask

(Mask recipe from LuxyHair.com)

The Avocado Hair Mask will restore shine, fight frizz, repair any damage and add moisture.

What You’ll Need: – 1 Avocado – 2 Eggs – 1 Tablespoon of Honey – 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil

Directions: 1. Mix all ingredients into a bowl 2. Apply to your hair from the ends to the roots 4. Let it sit 15-20 minutes (for better results leave overnight).  5. Rinse

I hope you enjoyed my guide to the perfect night of beauty sleep.  Before you go to bed pick a beauty treatment or two and then hit the hay!  You will wake up refreshed and feeling your best.  Have other overnight beauty products you love?  Comment them below and share them with us!

The Beauty Secret All of These Celebs Share

The beauty secret all of these celebs share should not come as a big shock, it is one of the oldest beauty tricks and probably the easiest…  I am talking about drinking enough water.  Your biggest beauty problems can be solved by simply drinking water.  We all have probably heard the health benefits associated with proper water intake but this can the saving grace for your hair, nails and more.

The average person requires 48 to 64 ounces (or 6 to 8 cups) of fluids per day according to dietitian Amanda Foti of Selvera.  By drinking enough water in conmbination with your current beauty routine really equals major beauty benefits.  Grab a glass of H2o and read below how your are making yourself more healthy and beautiful glass by glass.

Beauty Benefits of Drinking Water

Drinking adequate water does more than keep you hydrated, it will make your skin glow.  Your body can flush out toxins more efficiently when you drink the right amount of water.  This will leave your skin looking fresh and radiant.

Thin and brittle nails can be a sign of dehydration. If you want to prevent your nails from being dry or peeling/flaking start increasing your water intake.

One more reason to make water your BFF? “Your hair is one-quarter water, so when you do not drink adequate fluids your body conserves water for other vital organs,” adds Foti. “This can lead to hair loss, thinning, and breakage.”

Another amazing part about washing away toxins is that it can prevent acne flare ups and other common skin issues. Celebrity facialist Renee Rouleau recommends squeezing a fresh lemon into a cup of hot water and drinking it first thing in the morning.

If you ever have a sunscreen mishap, drinking water is essential in healing the sunburn. “Burns draw fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so you may become dehydrated, explains Dr. Brackeen. It’s important to rehydrate by drinking extra liquids, including water and sports drinks that help to replenish electrolytes, immediately and while your skin heals” (skincancer.org).

(For more information and information found: instyle, skincancer.org, Forbes).

Kim Kardashian West

“I try to drink water. I think after you have a baby you want everything to be as pure as possible. I want to set an example and to be natural and healthy”. (Via Harpers Bazaar)

“I always try to sleep for at least eight hours a night and, of course, water, water, water! I drink 100 ounces of Smartwater every day,” Jennifer Aniston says, via Shape.

“I try to take care of myself, drinking at least a gallon of water with lemon a day and making sure to take my vitamins” (via Vogue UK)

“I drink the juice of a whole lemon every single morning, and green juice. And lots of water. In New York City, I can drink tap water, but at my farm, it’s not so great. So I buy the giant bottles and have it dispensed through crocks all over the property. It’s not refrigerated.” (via Allure)

Each of these celebrities all embrace the benefits that come with drinking water.  I hope this post inspires you to up your water intake and start reaping the benefits that will follow!

Follow me on instagram: @makeupbyallina

Is Your Deodorant Safe?

What if you did not realize something that is part of your daily beauty/hygiene routine was not safe for you?  Well, many people are unaware that the ingredients in their deodorant can be harmful to them.  About a year ago I picked up my deodorant that I use each day and began to read the ingredients… to my horror I found that I was using a product loaded up with chemicals.

Aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, phthalates, parabens, the list could go on and on.  I could not believe I was voluntarily applying things to my body each day that I knew were not safe.  I started to research and read articles online highlighting the harmful  factors in each of these chemicals.

 Below I will be sharing with you 7 unsafe ingredients in deodorant and then my personal favorite products that can replace your current product.

1. Parabens 

(methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl)

Parabens are a very common ingredient that is found in everyday cosmetic products and your deodorant as well. You may have seen “paraben free” labels, and it’s a good thing. So why is everyone so down on parabens after it has been used for nearly 70 years? During a study done in 2004, parabens have been linked to breast cancer.  They are said to disturb the body’s hormonal balance and to mimic estrogen, as estrogen is said to play a part in breast cancer formation (Organics.org).

2. Aluminum compounds 

(Aluminum chloralhydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly)

Aluminum compounds within deodorants act as a plug within the sweat ducts and temporarily stop the flow of sweat. However, these compounds can be absorbed by your skin. Just as the parabens, these compounds can mimic estrogen, which promotes growth of breast cancer cells.

3. Silica

Silica is a known skin irritant, it may also be contaminated with crystalline quartz which is a carcinogen.

4. Triclosan

Triclosan is another ingredient that can irritate your skin and cause contact dermatitis. Your body contains good as well as bad bacteria, but triclosan kills both. The FDA classifies triclosan as a pesticide, while the IARC has it listed as a possible carcinogen.

5. Talc

IARC, claims that if Talc contains asbestiform fibers, then it is considered a carcinogen. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in deodorants is unclear as it is not regulated in cosmetic products. 

6. Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is another common ingredient with health hazards. It may cause delayed allergic reactions, and is considered a neurotoxin, which may cause kidney and liver damage.

7. Steareth-n

The “n” stands for a number. So the label may say, for example, steareth-1. It is actually derived from vegetables, but it is reacted with a known carcinogen, ethylene oxide.

(Information found via Organics.org, click here for more details)

Tarte Clean Queen vegan deodorant (available at Sephora, $18) 

Crystal Body Deodorant Stick (available online, $6.99) 

Purely Great Cream Deodorant (available online, $18) 

Native Deodorant (available online, $12)

Liken Plant Unscented Natural Deodorant (available online, $9)

Each of these deodorant options can replace your current antiperspirant.  Once you make the switch you will not go back, especially since you know you are making a safer choice for your health.  Let me know if you try any of these products or have any recommendations of your own!

Follow me on Instagram: @allinalamort

 

Sunnies + Lippies

Today I will be getting real about a beauty shortcut I take at least a couple times each week.    It is my trick to looking some what put together, without taking more than 3 minutes.  This is the perfect hack if you are running errands or meeting friends for lunch.  This combination consists of two things: lip color and sunglasses.  I will be sharing with you my favorite lip and sunglass duos that perfectly compliment each other for that chic “together” look in less than 3 minutes.

 A lot of times I will leave the house with just a bit of moisturizer on my face and then I take to my “sunnie + lippie” trick.  I throw on my favorite oversized sunglasses and a dark pink lip.  From a glance I look totally put together and not like I left the house in a few minutes notice.  Take a look at my fool-proof combinations below.

To achieve the classic chic look, pick your favorite pair of black sunnies.  I love the classic Ray-Ban wayfarer in black, available at Macy’s for $150.  This sunglass goes perfectly with a matte red lip.  Any red lipstick will work, I really like the Bobbi Brown lip color in the shade, Red for $28.

For this glossy glam vibe, try a mirrored aviator style sunglass option.  These sunglasses from the QUAY X Desi collection are called “High Key” and available online for $60.  Any mirrored sunglasses will do, and for this look keep the shiny look going with an amazing lipgloss. Any gloss with a little bit of peachy pink color and shimmer will work great.  I recommend the NARS lipgloss in “striptease” to complete this look (available at Sephora of $26).

When your looking for a bold and more daring look try an unique sunglass shape and style.   These sunnies from the new HADID EYEWEAR collection ($149) are perfect for making a statement- the rose gold mirror lens and contrasting navy frames make these a standout pair of shades.  To complete this look try a matte coral tone lipstick, I like the “Melted” long-wear lipstick by Too Faced (Melted Coral, $21)  This will bring out the colors in the lens of the glasses and be sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Taking a tonal vibe on your sunglass and lip color duo is always an amazing combo.  I love pairing a colored lens with a matching lip color.  Its also fun to pair a reflective sunglass lens with a matte lip or vice versa.  These bronze-copper sunnies from Ray-Ban are a classic shape in a modern color ($175).  To compliment these shades I pair a liquid lipstick by Urban Decay in the shade “menace” ($18).

I hope you give my beauty shortcut a try next time you are trying to save time when leaving the house.  Whether you take a classic, modern, or standout approach to this method its sure to make a statement!

Follow me on Instagram: @makeupbyallina

First Day of Spring: This season’s hottest makeup trends

Today is officially the start of Spring!  Some of us are still looking out our windows to see the remains of winter’s snow, however there is no better way to bring in a new season than stepping up your beauty look.  The runway shows for Spring ’17 leave me inspired with fresh, bold looks that we should all give a try this season.  Celebrate the first day of Spring with the latest trends in beauty!

 BLUSH FLUSH

There is nothing I love to see more than a pop of color on someones face.  I think everyone looks prettier and healthier when they have a good sweep of blush on their cheeks.  On the Chanel runway, models had a rosy blush applied paired with a great lip color to create a bright and flawless look.  Get this look with the Chanel “Blush Harmony” Palette.

BOLD LIPS

If you are someone who never opts for a standout lip, this Spring is your chance.  Shades of reds and pinks are all on trend this season and will be sure to step-up your beauty game.  If you already go for a bold lip, try an ombre effect and start with a dark red on your lips then go over the inside of your lips with a lighter pink shade for a cool faded look.

(Left-right: NYX COSMETICS  Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in, “KITTEN HEELS”, MAYBELLINE Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in, “ON FIRE RED”, SEPHORA COLLECTION Rouge Lip Tint in, “03 MAGENTA”)

WATCH ME GLOW

Highlighting, strobing, all of these techniques have been trending for many seasons now and it is no secret why- they make you glow!  What could be better than looking like you have a perfect healthy glow?  This Spring try a glossy product on the highpoint of your cheeks for a high fashion glow.  The Balmain show featured slick hair and perfectly beaming cheek bones. This new take on strobing is an essential trend for Spring.

(Left-Right: PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish 003, HONEST Beauty “Magic Balm”)

GLITTER VIBES

Yes, glitter!! Makeup Artist, Pat McGrath has inspired the beauty world with her magical Instagram posts of models wearing glitter lips and eyeshadow. We saw this look executed by Pat on the runway and then done in our social media feeds.  Try out a glitter lip or lid this Spring.  This is a fun trend to experiment and really have fun with.

(Left-Right: PAT McGRATH LABS, MAC COSMETICS Glitter in, Reflects Bronze, NYX Face & Body glitter in red.)

I hope you all now have some fresh inspiration to update your beauty routine at the start of the Spring Season!

Follow me on Instagram: @makeupbyallina