Makeovers!

I know that this is a fashion blog, but there's something around New Years that I just love...the idea that you get to start fresh. So I figured, why not dedicate a post to makeovers? After the first week of school (or for us lucky ducks who still haven't gone back), it's nice to have a day of beauty to rejeuvenate ourselves for a new start. So, here's some tips for a truly relaxing, blissful, amazing beauty day!

Get Started:

Books are the #1 way to learning great beauty tips!! I couldn't figure out how to work my scanner (anyone know?), but here's some fabulous books that really help.

This is the beauty bible. It has tips on everything - how to put on eyeliner, how to get rid of under-eye bags (really!), how to give an amazing facial, how to wax your eyebrows...

This book has a list of what to buy (from really cheap to super expensive) for any beauty thing you need. It's sooo helpful!

Usually for makeovers you think really relaxing, mellow music...but I like just the opposite! I like watching up beat "makeover movies" (I get bored easily...). Here are some of my all time faves:

Seeing Britney Murphy morph into a gorgeous girl? Classic. This movie is just so hysterical and fun.



I never get bored of seeing Anne Hathaway turn into a beauty right before our eyes...even though there are many attempts!



Hysterical.



Finally, the makeover part! I start every relaxing "spa day" in a hot bath or shower.

This is some of my favorite body wash from L'Occitane. It's so soothing and relaxing and the scent is soo delicious.



Then rub on some lotion - with a tangy pink grapefruit scent.



Afterwards, it's time for some much needed coziness. Wrap up in a fluffy robe, put your hair back in a messy bun, and get ready to apply a facemask.

In the book "Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor" here's the step-by-step facial 101:

1, Apply Scrub: Pull hair back and off the face with a headband. Wash with your usual cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, rinsing the skin well and then lightly patting it dry. Drop four chamomile tea bags into a large saucepan of water, and while waiting for it to come to a boil, apply an exfoliating scrub with fruit enzymes like papaya.

2, Steam Skin: Once the water is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. Hold your face more than one foot above it, close your eyes, and create a tent over our head with a towel. After three to five minutes, rinse off the exfoliant with warm (not hot) water, and gently blot the skin dry. Apply a face mask taht's suited to your complexion - one with hyaluronic acid or glycerin for dry skin, sulfur fora cne, clay for oily skin, and antidioxidents for normal or combination.

3, Moisturize: Relax until the mask is ready to be removed (check the label for suggested time), then rinse it off thoroughly, and blot witha towel. While skin is still damp, rub on a thin layer of your everyday moisturizer - oil free for oily and combination skin, a richer formula for dry skin. If possible, wait six to eight hours to put on makeup.

So, here are my favorite must-need ingredients for this procedure!

As they said in the beginning, apply a fruity facial scrub. My favorite is Kiehl's Pineapple/Papaya Facial Scrub - it smells amazing and isn't too hard on your skin!



Origins 10-Minute Face Mask works wonders because it gets rid of zits, and even moisturizes dry skin as well!








Afterwards, apply Clinique's tonor, Clarifying Lotion 2. It tingles a little but feels amazing aftwerwards!



Lastly, apply a really gentle cream (your skin has just gone through a scrub, mask, and toner!). My favorite is Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer.



After I do all this, I usually go out to get my nails done (or just do them myself). A really glamorous, long-lasting nail polish is Essie in "Bordeaux"!



Stay Chic (and relaxed)!,

Chic in the City <3