HauteLook: Great Shopping Without Going Bankrupt

www.hautelook.com

I first saw an ad for this site, HauteLook.com, on Facebook. Once I clicked it, I never looked back. This is a great idea for those of us that love having nice things and can’t seem to find the heart to say no to them when we should. This site makes it possible to buy these nice things without breaking the bank. This is possible because the HauteLook discount on our favorite designer clothes brings the prices down to normal people prices! Amazing, I know!

I am able to save on the brands I love, as well as finding new brands to try and love. They also have quite a few cosmetic brands that they feature on the site, which is great because I am able to try new products as well as build up my kit, without tossing away too much money.

Another great thing about this site is that if you refer people to it, and they end up buying, you get $10 free in HauteLook money. It happened to me once and I was so happy that I went shopping right away, and the $10 was gone in a flash.

One thing that could be negative, depending on when you need the item or items, is that if you need them right away, it isn’t possible to get them right away. It takes them a little time to ship the items to you, but they make you fully aware of that before you purchase, so they are not trying to trick you.

When you do get your products, everything is packaged very nicely. I kind of like that it ships a bit later, because when it does come it is a bit of a surprise, because you forgot you had ordered it; and you fall in love with the product all over again! And let’s be serious, we all know what it’s like falling in love with that beautiful pair of shoes or that gorgeous sequin dress: it’s purely awesome!

So go on the site and at least just sign up, maybe the first week of sales won’t grab you but I know at some point you will get that update email of sale events and you are going to jump on it! And presto you have a new little black dress or a new piece of artwork for your apartment, all at a very affordable price! 

Please go check it out! I know you will not be disappointed!

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

www.hautelook.com

DiorShow Maximizer and Its Many Uses

DiorShow Maximizer: Lash Plumping Serum

I guess this is an all about Dior week so far. The next amazing product from them is the DiorShow Maximizer.

This is an eyelash primer with many uses and benefits to it. I started using it and in a few days I could tell my lashes were healthier and a bit longer. The best way to see results in your lashes from using this is to not only use it during the day under your mascara but to also wear it at night. The nice thing about it is that it dries pretty much clear so you don’t freak yourself out when you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror.
You can also put it on your brows to help with growth, if you want your brows to grow a bit thicker or longer, it will help a bit.

This product can also be used to increase the volume of your lashes. When you put it on let it sit a second and then check your lashes out and see if they are at the thickness you are looking for; if they aren’t then add another coat. Then apply your choice of mascara, which leads me into another awesome perk of this product…you can use it with any brand of mascara.

Most primers I have tried seem to only work the best when you use mascara from the same brand otherwise you may experience flaking throughout the day. I tried this primer with another luxury brand mascara as well as a drugstore brand mascara and guess what! No flaking! It almost actually makes the mascara a bit waterproof because at the end of the day I have to take it off with an oil-based eye-makeup remover (in another post I will fill you in on the best ones).

So by now you are probably running out the door to go get yourself hooked on this product. But wait there is more! I saved the best for last…I just tested and was confirmed correct that this product can also be used as an eyeshadow primer! I know you are thinking what is this girl talking about. Well I was analyzing the Dior products and which makeup must-haves that they had and which they didn’t, a primer was one that I didn’t really think they had a great one.

So I thought to myself, if the Maximizer helps my mascara stay on and not flake, then couldn’t it do the same thing for my eyeshadow? And I figured that since it was safe to use on your lashes which are very close to your eyes, then it should be safe to use on your eyelids. So I tried it out for a week; I used it with Forever 21 eyeshadows, Dior eyeshadows, Lancôme eyeshadows and Inglot eyeshadows. And at the end of each day there was no creasing!

So there you are, a product with so many benefits and uses that it would be a smart decision if you went out and got yourself this amazing product right now. You can order it online from www.dior.com or stop by your closest Dior counter.

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

www.dior.com
www.carolynthombs.com
www.carolynthombsphotography.com 

One Essential: A Must for Every Skincare Regimen

One Essential Serum

When I started working with Dior as a Freelance Makeup Artist, I asked which product was the must-have from their skincare. Their answer was One Essential Serum. I didn’t fully understand the product’s special powers until I researched it a bit.

After I read about the product, my eyes were completely opened and I truly understood why this is such an amazing product!

This product has 15 years of research and 10 patents backing it up. Without this product no age correcting product can be 100% effective.

The reason this product works so well is because it contains detoxifying and regenerating benefits. In 6 weeks it is supposed to erase one year of damage caused by aging. I have not yet reached my 6 week mark of using the product yet, but I have seen many women of all ages who use the product, and their skin is all the testament to the product’s effectiveness that I need to continue its use. 

Each day our skin is exposed to millions of elements that can damage our skin. One Essential serum eliminates these toxins that cloud our cells. Without eliminating the toxins, your cells have a harder time at absorbing your skincare products and hence the lessened effectiveness of your products. Basically One Essential helps your products to be the best version of themselves.

Another great benefit of this product is that it can work with any brand! This is because it doesn’t work with a specific formulation. It works with the specific ingredients of other products. It boosts the effectiveness of the following ingredients by 4 x’s:

• Retinol: Is the name of the entire vitamin A molecule. It is a cell-communicating ingredient and antioxidant. Anti-aging ingredient because it tells the cells to act normally instead of having them act like oldies. It helps skin cells to create better, healthier skin cells, provides antioxidant support and increases the amount of substances that enhance skin’s structural elements. Also present in anti-cellulite products. (www.cosmeticscop.com)
• Vitamin C: Antioxidant for the skin. Shown to increase collagen production, reduce the appearance of skin discolorations, strengthen skin’s barrier response, enhance skin’s repair process, reduce inflammation and help skin to better withstand exposure to sunlight. (www.cosmeticscop.com)

It boosts the effectiveness of the following by 3 x’s:

• Resveratrol: Powerful antioxidant, abundant in grapes and in red wine. Reported to be one of the most potent natural chemopreventive agents inhibiting the cellular process associated with tumor development, including initiation, promotion and progression. Also contains significant anti-inflammatory properties. When present in products used on a daily basis make sure you also use something with at least a SPF of 15 or more. (www.cosmeticscop.com)
• Hyaluronic Acid: Is a component of skin tissue that is used in skincare products as a good skin-identical ingredient. It can boost skin’s moisture content and help prevent moisture loss. (www.cosmeticscop.com)

So enough of the science talk, pretty much the jist is that this product is amazing and everyone should try it (for longer than 6 weeks, not just a night) so you can see the amazing potential your skin possesses when using the right products. 

When you first start using it, your skin may breakout a tiny bit. Do not fret!! This is only your skin getting rid of all of those toxins that have built up over the ages. Once they are eliminated your skin will only continue to better itself!

You can visit the Dior site, www.dior.com, to  purchase it or stop by your local Dior Counter. 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

www.carolynthombs.com

www.carolynthombsphotography.com 

Facebook Page: Carolyn Thombs Makeup Artistry & Photography

Definitions of ingredients: www.cosmeticscop.com

www.dior.com

A Typical Makeup and/or Skincare Consultation

I bet most of you are wondering why you would actually need to consider hiring a consultant, like me, for makeup and/or skincare advice. Well this option is not for everyone, but if you find the cosmetic and skincare sections of department stores and drugstores daunting, a consultant may be able to take the stress out of choosing the right products for you. 

My joy in life is studying the different products out there and seeing which products work and which don't. I love looking up the ingredients and seeing why the products work the way they do. It is then possible to see if there are less expensive products out there with similar ingredients that may work just as well.

Before each session (which is 1 1/2 hrs) I have a quick 30 minute consultation that is free of charge. This way I can get to know the client and what their routine is, as well as what their expectations are of me. I find out if they are interested in a complex skincare routine, a simple skincare routine; whether they want to spend 5 minutes on their makeup in the morning or can spare 10-15 minutes to doll up their face. Another factor in my choice of products for the client is finding out the price range they are comfortable with and which products they are looking to invest a bit more money.

After this mini consultation I am able to research even more and make sure I have some options for the client for the next time we meet. I try to have some samples of the products so they can see what the texture feels like and if it works well with their skin. We also discuss the skincare/makeup routine that will be most effective and easiest to stick to.

This is just a basic overview of the advantages of hiring a consultant to help you navigate through the different channels of skincare and makeup. I decided to offer this service because I know that it can be quite overwhelming approaching a counter and not knowing whether the person helping you is being up front with you or if they are just looking at you as if you are a dollar sign. I am able to take the hassle out of all of that and help you to truly find the products that are best for you.

 I am not claiming to be a doctor, esthetician or dermatologist, but I am very knowledgeable about the products out there today and if I don't have an answer or solution for you right away, I will do everything I can to find that answer for your questions or solution for your concerns.

If you would like to schedule an appointment please email me at bookings@carolynthombs.com and visit my website to view some of my work... www.carolynthombs.com.
*Pricing is available upon request*

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

www.carolynthombs.com
www.carolynthombsphotography.com

Argan Oil/ Moroccan Oil: Its Benefits for Your Hair

Argan oil, also referred to as Moroccan Oil, over the past few years has made quite an appearance in the beauty market. Not that it is a new sensation, just somewhat new to us. For centuries Moroccans have used it as a topical oil to treat certain external problems, such as: dry skin, acne, psoriasis, eczema, wrinkles, joint pain, and skin inflammation. As for hair treatments it was also used to help with hair loss and dry hair.

Argan oil contains vitamin E as well as other antioxidants, which is why it is such a great component in hair care products! It can help to restore elasticity, rebuild strength, repair chemical and UV damage. You really can't go wrong with any products containing argan oil.

I was first introduced to products containing argan oil when I told my hairdresser I wanted Kardashian hair without having to get extensions. So he told me I needed to get the MoroccanOil Restorative Hair Mask (8.5 oz. $41.00 www.beautycollection.com). So I made a decision to stop dying my hair when I needed a change and decided to really put some leg work into my hair care. So I bought the mask and started doing a 30 min. regimen once a week. I would shower and shampoo my hair and then put the mask in my hair wrap it in plastic wrap and then hop in my robe and clean my room or do homework. After 30 mins passed I jumped back into the shower and rinsed it out.

 After doing this for a month my hair was so much better! Now I do not do it as religiously as I used to, but when my hair feels a bit dry I do the intense treatment; otherwise I just do a quick 10 min leave in and then rinse while in the shower (which may be a better option for those with less time on their hands). This product is amazing because it doesn't just moisturize my hair and make it silky smooth it also makes my hair feel thicker.

Another great product is the Moroccan Argan Oil line from Organix. Organix also has many other products for other hair care needs which are fabulous as well. I like to use the shampoo and conditioner combo from the line. Since I am trying to grow my hair out to my waist I sometimes go a bit too long between getting a trim. This combo keeps my hair from being such a total wreck when I finally do make an appointment. My mom uses the Penetrating Oil from the collection once in a while, which makes her hair super silky and shiny without leaving it greasy. You can find Organix products at drugstores and grocery stores such as: Walgreens, CVS, Duane Reade, Harris Teeter, Target, and Ulta among others. You can see the other locations at www.beautypureandsimple.com.

I hope you will try these products and love them as much as I do!
Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

"Argan Oil" by: Dom Guillaume PhD & Zoubida Charrouf PhD featured in the Alternative Medicine Reviews
www.beautycollection.com
www.beautypureandsimple.com

How I Got My Skin Back

After my freshman year of college my skin went psycho on me out of the blue. It was ridiculous, my skin had never been that bad before and I had no idea of how to handle it emotionally. It was a huge hit to my self-esteem and how I looked at myself. I decided to try Pro-Active, which I had heard worked wonders. I tried it for 2 ½ months and didn't see a change, if anything it had gotten worse.

 I went to a dermatologist and didn't really get any help there either. So my next step was to try Skin ID by Neutrogena, because during the summer while I was dealing with my ogre-ish looks the Neutrogena makeup was the only kind that was giving me any type of coverage and enabled me to show my face in public… Wonders of wonders the Skin ID regimen actually worked pretty well for awhile! Then I got really sick and the stress massacred my skin once again, yet I stuck with the Skin ID because it helped once in awhile, which was better than having something that didn’t work at all.

 I then ventured to Spain and my skin had calmed down. Over there I was using a combination of the Skin ID and a serum I got from a farmacía over there, C-Vit Revitalizing Serum (Vitamin C serum). It was an amazing serum and really helped with my scars.  

When I got home from Spain things were still not where I wanted them to be with my skin. On a family trip to New York to visit family we made the usual stop at Scentsationals, an amazing little shop where you can make personalized perfumes. There I encountered my first Mario Badescu products. I read the descriptions on a few of them and finally chose the Healing Cream and the Drying Lotion to try out.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion 1 oz

 After one night of using the products my skin looked less irritated and I was ecstatic! My family even noticed the difference! That was when my obsession started. I went online and created my MyMario profile, which directed me toward specific products that would help me with my concerns. I decided to get the Buffering Lotion, the Drying Cream, the Enzyme Cleansing Gel, the Special Cucumber Lotion (Toner) and the Oil Free Moisturizer. My new skincare regimen was born! I was very good about sticking to it and I bought other various products including masks and exfoliants from Mario to try as well. Since the products contain more natural ingredients it takes a bit longer for things to really work. It was working somewhat slowly but I knew I was definitely going in the right direction. 

My final effort in bringing my skin back was when I saw a recommendation for a new diet book. It was the Feed Your Face Diet developed by Dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu. I must say she is a genius and after I read the book everything she pointed out and suggested made perfect sense. Once I started cutting out certain foods that were not face friendly, I was seeing faster results. 

Now my skin is doing really well, after trial and error I know which foods to stay away from and the Mario products have been amazing!!! I also use some other Lancôme and Dior products on my skin, but the majority of the products I use are Mario Badescu. 

So pretty much after this long winded skincare history (I hope you have not spontaneously fallen asleep on your key board), my advice is to not try all the skincare products in the world like I did, but see if anything in your diet is affecting your skin. After all your skin is the largest organ in your body and it makes sense that whatever you put in your body will affect your skin just as much as what you put on it. 

I will be doing more posts explaining different ingredients in products and which ones you should look for to correct your different concerns. The best way to start improving your skin though is to de-stress your life a bit. Trust me it works! 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

www.mariobadescu.com
www.carolynthombs.com

Hello and Introduction

Hello All!

I am Carolyn Thombs and I am finally getting into blogging! I am very excited to start helping anyone who would like to learn about fashion, makeup and skincare. 

Art is my main passion in life and I love to see how it translates into the world of Makeup and Fashion. I also love exploring new skincare products and seeing how they care help people and their different concerns. 

I have created this blog in order to share my explorations in all of the fields listed above. If anyone ever has a question about a product or a question regarding any of these fields please email me and I will make sure to make it my next research project. 

These articles and videos will offer well researched information as well as tutorials. 

A little bit about myself... I am a professional makeup artist and freelance for Dior cosmetics. I am also going to be working with the wedding makeup artist Lora Elaine for weddings in the DC and Charlottesville areas. 

Well I hope you all enjoy! 

Carolyn