What to use, what to use …

Today’s product lines can be daunting in the amount of choices out there. What I want to know is what the average woman does for her basic face washing rituals? Expensive, inexpensive, medicated, herbal, or nothing it all!

I asked the girls in the warehouse what they use on their faces every day, and why they like them so much. Here were some of their responses:

Kathleen: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.  “It takes off all of my make-up, and is really good for sensitive skin.”

Brittani: Garnier Skin Renew.  “I use a light soap in the shower, and this face lotion. I think it’s amazing. This lotion is the best. It makes my skin feel so soft, it’s ridiculous!”

Rachel: ProActiv.  “I usually go back to ProActiv every couple of months.”

Lindsay H.: Aveeno.

Indya: Alba Coconut Milk.  “It’s all-natural, organic, creamy, and it’s gentle, exfoliates and moisturizing. It’s also Earth-friendly, and I can get it at my favorite co-op.”

Siobahn: Aveeno.  “I don’t really pay that much attention.”

Val:  “I don’t use facial cleanser because it dries my skin out. Just water.”

Me? I’m simple. I love St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub. It’s inexpensive and exfoliating.

What do you use?

I wanted to share with you guys a fun music video by Weezer for their song, “If You’re Wondering If I Want You To.” It features the Weezer gang in a Pleasantville type of town called … what else? Weezerville. They’re four best friends, and life is sweet in Weezerville.

Enter the femme fatale, played by the gorgeous and charming actress, Odette Yustman. Her character is what inspired this blog and a couple YouTube hair tutorials on the web. Check out her awesome costuming, makeup and hair!! I love the soft feminine look of the dress combined with the flawlessly crafted, 40′s-inspired victory rolls.

Check out the video below to see what an impact her looks make on Weezerville and the surprising ending!

And if you’re inspired by her look like I was, give the hair tutorial by the talented LisaFreemontStreet a try. It shows a quick and easy way to get a similar effect.

Now, if I could only get my hands on that darling yellow dress …

On a typical Wednesday night, I found myself once again searching on YouTube for a cool vintage makeup tutorial. My goal was to find just the right retro look for those upcoming holiday parties.

It was then that I came across one of the best Dita Von Teese inspired tutorials I have ever seen by makeup artist and writer, Ashley, known on YouTube as HollywoodNoirMakeup.

Ashley’s vids are so wonderful because you know you’re seeing professional quality work brought to you in an everyday, understandable language. Ashley uses her creativity and makeup artistry experience to teach her viewers anything from how to get the perfect red lip, to how to shape your brows, to more artistic and edgy makeup looks for those looking for a little something different. She is truly a makeup wizard with a MAC brush as her wand.

Here is the Dita Von Teese look I found. Give it a view, and watch the glamorous transformation begin!

Don’t forget to subscripe to HollywoodNoirMakeup for more great tutorials!!

We all have certain expectations of what will happen at your typical holiday party: sipping eggnog and nibbling on sugar cookies in the shape of Christmas trees, exchanging presents in Secret Santa swaps, enduring annoying questions about your boyfriend from your aunt and grandma. (Well, maybe that’s just me.)

Whatever your typical party looks like, I think it’s high time we shook up the holiday season with a bit of creativity. A major fan of dressing up, I’m always looking for that next big event to get clever with your look. Why not the holidays?

IDEA #1:  A Mad Men Themed Party

I just love this idea featured on Basket of Kisses, a blog devoted to all things Mad Men. As a work party idea, the Arkansas Advertising Agency, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods all dressed up as characters from the hit drama. Everyone looks just like their Mad Men counterpart, down to a tee.

I think this party would translate perfectly into a holiday theme. What could be more glamorous than a 60′s updo and a high class cocktail? Dibs on Joan! If you love this pic, check out the Mad Men Holiday Card idea on vintage hair and makeup guru, Lauren Rennells’s Bobby Pin Blog.

IDEA #2: Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with Family Portraits

The ugly Christmas sweater party idea has been growing in popularity during the holiday season, and believe it or not, I have yet to attend one (hint, hint). It’s fairly easy to do if you think about it.

Visit your local thrift store and find the ugliest, cheesiest, most hideous Christmas sweater you can. Some may have smiling reindeer and snowman. Some even have twinkling Christmas lights and tinsel. The more outrageous, the better!

And to top it all off, why not take a fun group photo to send out to all your relatives? I can’t help but smile when I look at these two portraits by Seattle-based photographer, John Keatley. Visit his blog to read the funny stories behind them!

Overall, the idea is not classy by a long shot, but hey, we’re always dressing up to look better, so why not make yourself look as awkward and dorky as possible. There’s definitely some charm to that.

Happy Holidays Lulu*s fans! What cool holiday party ideas do you have?

Beautiful skin with a healthy glow never goes out of style.

Below are pics of celebrities that I absolutely admire for the radiance of their skin. From the flawless luminescence of Dita Von Teese, to the sun-kissed glow of Jessica Alba and the dewiness of Liv Tyler, there is much evidence to show that a soft, candlelight glow can go a long way in enhancing your look.

Step One: Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

• DRINK PLENTY OF WATER: Water refreshes the skin and keeps it hydrated and dewy. Have a glass first thing in the morning to wake up your complexion.
• GET PLENTY OF SLEEP: Nothing dulls down your skin like sleep depravation. Get enough rest each night and your skin will be ready to rise and shine.
• EAT SMART: This one is a no brainer. Your skin needs to be nourished from the inside out. Cut back on refined sugars and starches while stocking up on whole grains, fruits, veggies, and stomach friendly probiotics like yogurt and kefir. All will keep your digestion system running efficiently while delivering nutrients to the skin.

Step Two: Adopt a Pro-Active Skin Care Regimen

• EXFOLIATE: Exfoliating 2-3 times a week will remove dead skin cells, allowing younger skin to shine through. It will also help your foundation glide on smoother. Try the Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser by Yes to Carrots or Biore’s Refresh Daily Cleansing Cloths if your skin is more delicate.
  
• WASH BEFORE BED: Never, never, ever go to bed with a day’s worth of makeup on. Your foundation and eye makeup will cake, smear and clog pores. Get into the habit of washing your face before bed, even if it’s a late night. Your skin will thank you in the morning.
  
• HYDRATE: If you’re in the market for skin care products, moisturizer is the thing you want to spend your money on. Choose a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type and use it twice a day. It will plump your skin and seal in moisture. My favorite moisturizers of all time: Mario Badescu’s Buttermilk Moisturizer and Kinerase’s Clear Skin Moisture Light.

Step Three: Try These  Makeup Bag Tricks

•  Get a luminescent glow by dusting your face with a sheer, light reflecting powder to set your foundation or light up bare skin. One such powder that is gaining much popularity is Make Up For Ever’s HD Micro Finish Powder. If it’s made to make you look flawless in HD, then just imagine what it can do for a day at class or work.
  
• Apply a highlighter to places where light reflects naturally on your face. I like to press Stila’s Eyeshadow in Starlight on the tops of the cheekbones, down the nose, at the cupid’s bow of the lip, and at the brow bone for a radiant lift.
  
• if you’re skin is starting to dull by mid-day, boost your completion with a spritz of hydration. I love love love Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray It will give your skin a dose of dewy while putting new life back into your foundation.