Makeup Organization Hacks

Still storing all your makeup in a bottomless, foundation stained zippered cosmetic pouch? There are so many other ways to keep an orderly kit (for home and travel) so that your makeup stays clean and organized, and you save yourself the time and frustration of DIGGING through that ratty bag!

Let’s dive in. First, I know those clear acrylic set of drawer systems have been extremely popular lately- and they look gorgeous for about one day, until you smear the plastic with oils and makeup, which is inevitable. Unless you want to devote time every few days to making each drawer see-thru again, I suggest a different method. it depends on your setup situation. Do you have a vanity? Only a few drawers in a shared bathroom? No matter what kind of space you have to store your makeup, you can make it pretty. My advice if you’re using drawers is not to let everything just hang loose in there. Drawer organizers are your BFF here! Find a few that fit together nicely and so you can have different sizes and categories of makeup in each one like brushes, lips, eyes, etc. If you’ve never done it like this, trust me, it is so gratifying to have everything neatly laid out so you can see each item and put it back exactly where it goes! Can you tell I’ve binged the entire season of Marie Kondo??

Maybe you have zero bathroom drawers to spare - in which case you can always utilize any flat surface and stick your drawer organizers on top of it, neatly like above. Beware if you have cats who like to find small objects to bat around. A safer more enclosed option, and one that doubles for travel is the amazing Lippie Book, created by a makeup artist for artists and regular janes too. Even tough it’s called the “lippie'“ book, you can store anything in there. It’s a great tool for keeping brushes, mascara, eye pencils, tube concealers and other tube products.

Pictured here in the medium size which has 92 slots!

Pictured here in the small, which is ideal for personal travel use!

You can also use an artist’s pencil roll or booklet like these, from an art store or Amazon. I have used the booklet form in my pro kit for years - it’s compact and keeps all my eye and lip pencils visible. Look for elastic that is larger than one pencil width so that you can fit other items besides just pencils. Or if you have a million pencils, this is perfect.

Found on Amazon

If you like to save packaging and purchase your powder products directly in the pan, an empty magnetic palette is an amazing organizational tool. As long as you’re using makeup housed in a metal pan, it will pop right in to one of these palettes. If you want to get crazy, you can learn how to pretty easily “de-pot” your makeup here to get rid of the packaging and get the makeup into pan form so that you can use the palette method. There are tons out there! to choose from! The Cozzette padded palette is one of my new favorites because the cover doesn’t stain with makeup and fall apart (like the Nars one) and it feels nicer to hold and is safer for the delicate powders inside than the metal Makeup Forever one. Many brands geared towards makeup artistry have them for sale online.

one of MAC’s pro palettes

Now that you’re armed with knowledge, have some fun organizing, getting rid of makeup that your never wear, and cleaning up your makeup kit! Trust me, it makes it even more of a treat to sit down and do your makeup when you have a clean, beautiful workspace in front of you!

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

3 Favorite Tinted Moisturizers for Summer

The last thing you want on a hot and sticky summer day is a face of full coverage foundation dripping down your neck. Enter tinted moisturizers! A great lightweight alternative to foundation, this product usually feels and looks lighter (as in less coverage) on the skin. While it’s meant to moisturize and even out your skin tone, it doesn’t have enough pigment to cover most acne scarring or breakouts. You can layer a concealer underneath or on top of your tinted that’s the same color as your skin should you need a bit more coverage in certain areas. Many have an SPF built right in, making it the perfect thing to wear to the beach without looking overly made up for a day outside. Take a look at our list of the best of the best and let those freckles shine through!

Photo by Anna Wolf styled by Morgan Gibbons Makeup Junkokioka Hair Ashley Rubell

If you’re going for something clean and chemical free, W3ll People makes an incredible tinted moisturizer with so many benefits to your skin. The broccoli seed oil, algae and pomegranate base deliver nutrients to the skin, and a mineral SPF 30 will keep you protected under the summer sun. Coverage with the Bio Tint is exactly what it should be, a perfect happy medium between wearing foundation and wearing nothing at all - makes you feel like a natural beauty and a health goddess!

Simply the best! Find it at select Target and Whole Foods locations

A tried and true favorite with women everywhere, the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. I’d like to take this opportunity to set the record straight, it’s pronounced “Mer-see-ay” (she’s French). Back in my makeup counter days I can’t tell you how many people asked me where the Laura MERCER counter was. Anyway back to the product! People love it for its skin-perfecting quality without looking like you’re wearing any makeup at all. Comes in three awesome formulas- The original, Illuminating, and Oil-free. I love the original, but the illuminating is pretty if you want all over J-Lo glow plus coverage in one product, should your overworked highlighter need a break for the day.

A cult favorite for many years!

A 2018 beauty award winner from Allure, the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted moisturizer is another must-try. While Bare Minerals isn’t quite as clean as a brand like W3ll People, they do cut out some of the real nasty stuff found in so many cosmetics today, like mineral oil, parabens, and phthalates. This formula has mineral sunscreen SPF 30 (better than a chemical one)  and includes a plant-derived Squalane which is so hydrating and a great natural ingredient to keep the skin looking youthful. This is a nice formula if you have normal to dry skin and like a dewy finish.

Give one of these tinted moisturizers a try and be prepared to love your new warm-weather look :)

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Beauty

How to: Highlight n’ Bronze

I come across many people who when asked “do you use a bronzer?” They usually own one, but often aren’t quite sure what to do with it. Same with highlighter! There’s so many easy ways to sculpt your face with highlighter and bronzer - you just have to know where to place ‘em.

Getty images

So what’s the point of using a highlighter and bronzer anyway? These two amazing pieces of makeup add subtle dimension to the face, making your features and bone structure sing!  Yes, this is considered contouring, but as long as you go about it in a light-handed matter, you won’t look like Kim K circa 2002. (P.S. obsessed with her makeup these days !!) Bronzer also will give a warm glow to the skin when applied all over, so it’s a great multipurpose product.

Bronzed Beauty!! @ianjacobphotography⠀@meaganlee_1 @brisoffa⠀@miamihair_chantel⠀

After applying foundation, the order of the two doens’t really matter, as long as the placement is correct. To contour, start with a matte bronzer, emphasis on the matte. This is important because a shimmer bronzer will give a “pop” effect, and for this purpose we want a matte formula which will help recede the areas where applied. I start by applying my bronzer at the hairline to minimize my forehead - this works so well if you have a long face shape or a larger forehead to make it appear smaller and your face a bit wider. Skip this step if you have a small forehead. Next, place your bronzer underneath the cheek bones in a curved shape, not a straight line. Start up by your ear, and blend down, but not all the way down towards your mouth! Stop in the center of your face, right under the apple of your cheek.  This will give the appearance of more prominent cheek bones.

You can also bronze right under your jaw line to help create more definition there. Just be sure to blend some down the neck so you don’t have a line. If you want to thin your nose a bit, you can use a small all-over eye shadow brush to apply bronzer to each side of the nose. Below shows both proper highlight and contour placement.

Istock, Caithlin Pena

Now you can use a fluffy powder brush to lightly dust bronzer all over the face if you want to achieve a bronzy glow. This is where you can use a bit lighter shade, and one that has some shimmer if you’re into that. When in doubt, simply sweep across the center of the face- cheeks and upper nose, where the sun would hit most if you were to get a natural tan.

Now for the highlight. Power is the easiest to work with, especially for beginners. Using a small blush brush or an eye shadow blending brush (or fingers) start by highlighting the tops of your cheekbones. This is above where you would place your blush, which is in the center of the apple of the cheeks. You can place a small amount down the center of your nose. Go lightly here! You don’t want to emphasize your nose too much, you’re just creating high a low points on the face. Below: proper blush placement, and an example of good nose contouring:

@makeupforeverofficial

@zezahbaragbah

I love accentuating the lips by highlighting the cupid’s bow and the top of the chin. Just take your ring finger and dab a small amount of product there. Finally, you can take some highlight above the brow (lightly) and on the inner corners of the eye. Below is a great example of the cupid’s bow, chin, and nose highlight. You can even do less product on the cupid’s bow and still get the effect.

Practice makes perfect with these techniques, so give yourself time, remember less is more, and for further education, youtube has endless hours of tutorials on this :)

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Beauty

Mask It!

While the skincare trend of facial masks (sheet masks in particular) may seem fairly new, facial masks have been in use throughout history. In Indian Ayurvedic tradition, facial masks came into use 5000 years ago. One of many strange royal skincare remedies during renaissance time was a lovely mask of pigeon poo to achieve the dewy youthful look. Fast forward to today, and masks remain one of the most popular non-invasive, instant result skincare treatments. There are hundreds of options for store bought foaming-bubbling-clarifying-detoxifying-moisturizing-anti-aging masks to remedy any skin care issue you can think of. If you have an event coming up like a wedding or photos where you want your skin to look beautiful with less makeup, masks are a really safe way to prep and get that glow. Doing a moisturizing and exfoliating mask before an event is a great way to have the makeup lay more flawlessly on your skin. No dry patches = no cakey foundation! Here are some tried and true favs!

IG @giveme.cosmetics

The Erno Lazlo brand has been around for nearly 100 years, making it a very trusted source of skincare products in my book! They make two INCREDIBLE sheet masks, one that is gentle for moisturizing and plumping,  and one that is more detoxing and pulls out impurities. I love them both. It also feels like the skin of a sting ray, which it basically the softest thing you will ever touch, and if you haven’t touched it you should get yourself to an aquarium ASAP. When I wear these, I will gently massage my face and then leave the mask on for hours if time permits, until it starts drying out.

A bit pricier than your average sheet mask, but worth every penny! Here’s a four pack

For a much more affordable option at about $4 per mask, the Pacifica sheet masks work really well and come in a variety of treatments. The sheet is a bit trickier to arrange on you face, the the result is worth the minor struggle. If you’re picky about ingredients, this is a great clean beauty option! I love the “disobey time” rose and peptide mask , which makes my skin so juicy and plumped! Wear in the evening for an hour or so, and you’ll see beautiful dewyness and plumped skin in the morning.

@pacificabeauty

Now for something that doesn’t come in sheet form - let’s mask the old fashioned way! This gentle and super exfoliating water mask is just amazing. Through some really cool skincare tech, they have created this light-weight water based gel mask which peels off the dead layer of skin in the most gentle way, Try it once, and I swear you’ll be hooked. Skin is instantly baby soft and glowing with a fresh layer of new skin. A bit on the pricey side, but the bottle will last you a year at least.

find it at Dermstore

Lastly, we need a mud mask. These are a great formula for combo/oily skin types and acne prone skin types. A mud mask is fun because it feels so effective when it dries out and you can see the oil being absorbed right before your eyes! This glamglow mask is an award winner and works with activated charcoal and a blend of acids to minimize pores and detoxify the skin.

@glamglow

Next time you need to unwind with some self care (and give your roommates or significant other a quick scare) give one of these a try!  

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

Put your Best Brow Forward

Brows. They can do so much to define not only eyes, but the entire face, and they can go so wrong so fast! With ever-changing trendy shapes, styles, products, (even stencils?!?) how do you know you’re doing it right? Here are some general pointers to give you a natural looking brow that works to enhance your beauty.

Brows/ makeup by Kristie Streicher, Photo by Paris Helena, Model @princesscyberspace

A few main things:

• Consider going to see a brow specialist who can help you find a great shape for your face. I did this when I thought my brows were already great, and let me tell you - it took my shape from okay to AMAZING and so much more flattering for my whole face. Shout out to The Browgal team in Los Angeles! I highly recommend booking an appointment with them if you’re in the area and have never had your brows shaped by a pro.

• Work with your natural shape. Again, this is something a pro can help you see. You don’t need to create an arch out of thin air if you have very straight brows. You also don’t need to pretend you’re Brooke Shields by drawing on a brow that’s really thick when you don’t have enough hair to support it. It can end up looking painted on if you try to fill too heavily.

• Your brow should begin where the inner corner of your eye starts, or a little further inward. You can use the bridge of your nose as a guild by holding a pencil or tweezers against it (see below) or just draw an imaginary line directly upwards from your inner eye corner to see if the hair starts there. If you’ve over-plucked in the past and there’s too much space between your brows, don’t be afraid to fill them in to where they should start - just make sure the color of pencil or powder you’re using matches perfectly with the brow hair for a seamless look. Brows that are too far apart can make your nose appear wider and make your eyes appear wider set.

• To find where your brow should end, draw from the outer corner of your eye towards the temple. This will show you how much you can elongate your brow without going too far - also see below.

• Don’t go too dark. The only people who should be using a black brow pencil are those who have naturally black hair and at least a medium to deep skin tone and even then- black may be too harsh. If you are fair to medium skinned with natural black hair, using black to fill in the brows will most likely be too harsh on your face. Try a cool brunette shade, or even taupe if you’re brow hair is fine. You know you’re going too dark when you see a photo of yourself and your brows are the first thing(s) that jump out at you.

• Taupe is a universal shade that will work on almost everyone with fair to medium skin tones. Dior makes one called the Brow styler that works for many people in the shade “universal  brown”. My absolute favorite brow product is a pomade by Ecobrow. The shades “Marilyn” and “Penelope” work for so many people! I have brunette brows and red hair, and I’ve found Marilyn, a cool taupe, to be perfect.

Photo by James Westman, Brows Kami Phillips

A note on microblading: this can be a very effective and natural looking tattooed brow for someone who wants to save time day to day on filling in brows. If you want to go this route, be prepared to have these brows stay with you and your face for roughly two years. The point being: make sure you would basically be willing to put your life in the hands of the microblading artist you choose. Stalk your artist! Check our their qualifications and certifications, website, Instagram, look at all of their prior brow work, and if you see things you don’t like, keep looking for another artist!

Remember, good brows can take time, so be patient with them and yourself as you perfect your shape and style. When in doubt, let them grow and risk them looking a little messy for a few months so you can see where they naturally fill in! This will help you find your God given shape :)

I leave you with a photo of pure brow beauty and inspiration, the Brooke of our time, Cara <3

Xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

Get Glowing for Spring!

Everyone craves the just-left-my-facialist look, but we don’t always have perfect blemish-free skin or a natural glow happening. Here’s a few tricks to get glowing this spring, with a little help from some gorgeous products and really simple skin hacks.

Image by Natascha Lindemann, makeup by Christian Tesch

If you’re new to the “dewy” look and scared of looking too glowy, add a drop or two of a skin oil into your foundation. It creates a subtle glow that includes no shimmer, if you’re going for a truly natural glow. A great skin oil that has so many benefits for your skin is W3ll People’s Bio Booster Facial Serum. They call it a serum but it’s definitely the texture of an oil and will leave you more moisturized than you’ve ever been!

At $28.99, it wont break the bank and is so beneficial for your skin!

If you’re looking for some shimmer and a step up in the glow department, try an illuminating liquid like 100% Pure’s All Over Glow. Wear alone for a bronzed beachy look, or add a pump into your foundation for a win-win of coverage and glow.

Great for body bronzing too!

One of my favorite tricks from a facialist is to combine some baking soda with a little water to create a paste, forming an extremely gentle but highly effective face polish! I’m telling you, there’s no need to invest in any other facial scrubs except this. I keep a little jar of baking soda in the shower, and use it every few days to get rid of dead skin and reveal a fresh complexion with skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom. And that $2 price point is simply unbeatable!

Always remember to foster the glow from within by drinking lots of pure, filtered, H2O and feeding your body natural unprocessed foods of many colors - leafy greens, blueberries, carrots, red fruits and veggies all work together to create a beautiful radiant complexion. If you can work a vegetable into every meal, you are winning. When making smoothies, pack them with blueberries (which are low in sugar and high in antioxidant rich pigment) and a cup or two of baby spinach, which I promise you can’t even taste! Try all of this, and I guarantee you’ll be a ray of dewy sunshine in no time :)

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

Best Drugstore Beauty Finds

Sometimes you don’t have an extra $64 laying around for that fabulous Armani Luminous Silk foundation; you just need a product that’s affordable and WORKS! That’s where the drugstore is your best friend. Over the years, drugstore brands have gotten better and better- it’s surprising the quality makeup you can find for such accessible prices. Here are some tried and true drugstore best sellers, award winners, and favorites that will prove you don’t always need to spend a lot of money to get an awesome product.

First up, the Covergirl TruNaked eyeshadow palette. The softness, high pigmentation and supreme blendability of this shadow is kind of unbelievable for $9.99. The line of 8 palettes offers surprising and creative color combinations that will make you want to buy them all.

Above shade in Peach Punch

Revlon PhotoReady perfecting foundation primer is a multi-tasker. Not only does it instantly mattify, it also reduces the appearance of pores and gives your skin an overall smoothness and even texture, making the perfect canvas for foundation. Truly on par with some $30 primers!

Such a deal at Target

Rimmel London 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner. The wear is incredible, and at about $4 a pencil, you can have one in every color! They glide on smoothly and stay put for hours. One shade that I always have in my makeup kit is Spice.

Find it Here

Loreal Lash Paradise is the best thing since Great Lash. I hope this mascara never goes away, and with the popularity it’s gaining I think it’ll be here to stay. It lifts, curls, lengthens, and basically doubles the look of your lashes. This mascara is for fans of a very full voluminous look, not clumpy, but a nice thick application. If you’ve tried Chanel’s Le Volume or Too Faced Better than Sex, this will give you a very similar if not identical result. This mascara is not for someone who likes to see every lash separated- if that’s you, stick to something like Lancome Definicils. Lash Paradise does not flake! I repeat, zero flakes, and it’s easy to wash off at night. What more can you ask for in a mascara??

Next up, the Make Her Gel-Ous gel Eyeliner by Joah Beauty. SO waterproof!! Stay’s put in the water line and is soft enough to use with an eye liner brush to wing it out. This is a CVS exclusive brand. Available in 6 great shades for $7.99! I’m trying granite next.

In 2017, Burt’s Bee’s came out with an entire line of makeup! You won’t find the whole line at all stores, but it’s worth the search. The blush is great, I love Bare Peach, and I use Toasted Cinnamon as a bronzer- perfect for fair to medium skin tones. Also amazing, and an award winner with Allure is the Mattifying Powder Foundation which controls oil without killing  your radiance.

NYX - I suppose it’s debatable if this is truly a drugstore brand, but it’s certainly at a drugstore price point! Really almost everything they make is great, but if I’m choosing a few favorites, it’s the lip liners, The dewy finish setting spray, and the Soft Matte lip Cream, which is like a silky long wear without the drying effect.

The matte formula is great too!

And finally, foundations. According to Allure, the beauty bible, Maybelline’s SuperStay 24HR Full Coverage Foundation won the number one spot for their 2018 best full coverage foundation. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter and more glowy, the Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation won’t do you wrong. Love that it comes in 40 shades! Also in Allure’s top five is the Physicians Formula Super CC Cream, which I haven’t tried yet but will be heading to Rite Aid today to pick one up. Happy shopping and happy saving, beauties!

Xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry



14 Tips for a Stress-free Wedding Day

After being a part of hundreds of weddings, plus getting married myself, I have truly seen it all! Every bride envisions a flawless big day, but the truth is it takes a good amount of pre-planning to minimize stress and prepare yourself and your crew for a near perfect day. Here are my top tips and tricks, from a makeup artist’s perspective, to ensure a smooth, almost stress free day where you look and feel your most gorgeous!

LEADING UP TO THE DAY

• 2 months out- try Rapid lash or another lash growth serum to maximize the length and fullness of your lashes! (unless you’ll have lash extensions.)

• 1 month out- stop trying any new facial products! You don’t want to give your skin any excuses to freak out.

• Drink a ton of water the week prior to your wedding, I’m talking at least a half gallon to a gallon daily. This will help the appearance of your skin to be plump, hydrated and clear.  And it will help you feel really good!

• Moisturize your face nightly, and no matter what, wash your face and moisturize after your rehearsal dinner! If you can limit your drinking the night before, your skin and body will thank you on your wedding morning. Spend an hour before bed (or morning of) in a sheet mask that you’ve used before for supple silky smooth skin! This is my all-time favorite sheet mask, a little pricey but worth every penny.

• Do designate a bridesmaid to be in charge of your touch-ups during the evening! Tell them to find you for touch-ups after the ceremony & after dinner, or whenever they see you might need some lipstick or a bobby pin. Let them know - and don’t feel bad about this - that they shouldn’t wait for you to ask for a touch up. Choose a detail oriented BM who will take initiative and come to you so that you have one less thing to worry about!

• Try on your exact undergarments and shape wear with the dress after the final alteration to make sure everything looks the way you want it to and that nothing is showing that shouldn’t be showing!

• Share the entire day-of schedule with bridesmaids a week or two before so they are in the know. Make sure this schedule includes Hair, makeup, photos, ceremony time, and where you need them to be for each part of the day.

THE BIG DAY

• Do go to the bathroom directly before putting on your dress.

• Do ask bridesmaids to pop champagne far away from your dress and shoes. Don’t have dark colored beverages in the room, or snacks that can make a big mess like chips and salsa.

• Do NOT touch your face once makeup is done. If you do, it will make it’s way from your hands to your dress!  Your makeup artist should set everything with powder and setting spray, but the dress is still white :) Also, not touching your face helps the makeup to last as long as possible!

• Have a BM bring a hotel towel for you to sit on if you are getting into a car to get to your ceremony location. You don’t want to take any chances of sitting in something on a seat!

DAY-OF SCHEDULING

• Delegate (the day before) to have someone figure out lunch delivery for you and whoever is getting ready with you so you aren’t scrambling to find something to eat while trying to get ready. You’ve heard it a MILLION times- but make sure you eat something before heading out!

• Can’t stress this enough: leave extra time! Time FLIES like crazy on the wedding day. Encourage bridesmaids to be early for their hair and makeup appointments, (or just ask them all to arrive at the same time in the AM) so hair and makeup can start early on the next person whenever they can. In the schedule, leave at least a half hour at the end where everyone is finished and can help you with whatever you need.

• For bridal makeup, I’ve found the sweet spot to be the second to last time slot. This way, your makeup is fresh, but you still have another hour or so for a hair touch-up, putting on your dress, jewelry, shoes, veil, any body makeup/shimmer that you might want, and get out the door un-rushed.

IG: bezman.us

Once all this planning is done, you will be so happy that you’ve taken the steps to giving yourself a well thought out day so that you can relax, take it all in, and be that easy breezy, calm and happy bride we all hope to be!

Xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

A Clean Beauty Starter Guide

The Cat’s out of the bag. What you put on your face travels through your skin and into your bloodstream- and if what you’re putting on your face is toxic, it can cause hormonal issues, disease, possibly even cancer. Lucky for us makeup enthusiasts, there are new green beauty brands popping up daily. While there are plenty of options, sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin, especially when you’ve been using the same suggestively named Nars blush for the past ten years ;) If you want to clean up your beauty routine, here’s how to start.

To change your purchasing habits, you might need to change where you shop. As of now, most Ultas, Sephoras and department stores stock very few, if any natural makeup brands (sorry Tarte, I love you but you don’t count) But hallelujah, there are now beauty retailers like Credo Beauty and The Detox Market that stock ONLY clean brands!! They have very high standards and many glorious options fit for a professional makeup artist’s kit. Shop with them online if you aren’t near a big city. Or, shop online directly with brands. As a makeup artist, here are some non-toxic beauty brands I love, and my favorite product they make:

• 100% pure - honestly I have no idea how this lipstick stays put so long

• RMS Beauty- the magic luminizer, a cult fav!

• Rituel De Fie - The Etherial Veil conceal and Cover simply a m a z i n g.

• Antonym - baked blush in Copper (it’s really a bronzer)

• Beauty by Earth - the BEST natural sunless tanner

• W3LL People - never met a tinted moisturizer I liked better, and the mascara is award-winning!

Another bonus of Green beauty brands- they often package sustainably too, all the more reason to love this organic bronzer.

Now, I’ll admit that sometimes you just need a good waterproof mascara that won’t budge, and this isn’t something our natural beauty chemists have been able to conquer just yet. Until they do, it’s ok to use a conventional product! As long as you are aware of what’s in it-  just look for the top 10 dirty ingredients to avoid:

• PARABENS -Petroleum based preservative found in everything. Disrupts hormones by mimicking estrogen, potentially linked to breast cancer

• MINERAL OIL / PETROLEUM- even though mineral oil sounds natural, and it technically is, our bodies can NOT metabolize it, thus it stays in us forever. Can be found in our fat tissue and breast milk, linked to possible organ toxicity.

• SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE/ PHTHALATES -The FDA allows companies to list “fragrance” as if it’s one ingredient, but it never is. This means there could be 30 other ingredients hiding behind that synthetic “fragrance” curtain. Phthalates are the #1 cause of dermatitis, also possible birth defects, breast cancer, diabetes

• SULFATES/ SLS/ SLES- A highly drying and irritating foaming agent found in anything that suds

• TALC -Can be laced with asbestos- since it’s not tested and there’s no way to know, it’s best to avoid

• TRICLOSAN- Antibacterial agent that allows bacteria to become antibiotic resistant, endocrine disruptor

• PROPYLENE GLYCOL- Petroleum derrived, helps a product (and all its ingredients) penetrate faster. Also used in anti freeze and brake fluid

• BHA/BHT Synthetic preservatives, possible carcinogen and  endocrine disruptor

• OXYBENZONE + OCTINOXATE- These extremely common synthetic chemical sunscreens can generate free radicals in the body, endocrine disrupting

• ETHANOLAMINES (MEA/DEA/TEA)- ammonia compound that is another hormone disruptor, linked to inhibited fetal brain development

Once you are in the know, it can feel a bit overwhelming. But remember that this can be a gradual change- you don’t have to throw everything out today. As you finish a conventional product, make the switch to a clean one. For further education, check out EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic database. This site allows you to search popular products, which are individually scored from 1-10 on a “clean” to “dirty” scale, helping you make a quick and informed decision.  If you’re still skeptical that this whole thing is even an issue, head to beautytruth.com and start reading :)  

Some good news regarding conventional beauty brands: they are slowly beginning to realize we DO care what goes into our products, and we’re seeing reformulations of products to remove some of the really bad stuff. Nars used to have three forms of Parabens in their blush (Methly, Propyl and butylparabens, all at the top of your do-not-use list) and now its paraben free. It’s still far from organic, but hey, it’s a start!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of my green beauty research, it’s this: the only person who can regulate and care about what’s going into your body is you. Not the government, not the FDA, and not Sephora. We only get one body in this life, and it takes us on an amazing journey. Be kind to it! Here’s to being beautiful and healthy.

Xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

New Year's Eve Party Looks

Whether you’re a makeup minimalist or die hard fan of glitter, New Year’s Eve is a great time to experiment and play with makeup. There are endless possibilities to choose from. You can go classic, with a bold red lip or more exotic with pops of glitter. To help you ring in the new year, we narrowed down the best beauty looks for you to try. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to New Years Eve makeup. Just have fun and let your creativity do the work!

1. Glitter

One of the easiest ways to achieve NYE glam, is by adding some glitter into your current makeup look. No need to spend a ton of money on the most current eyeshadow palette from Sephora. Your local craft store will have tons of fun colors and shapes to choose from. Simply use your fingers to pat some glitter across your eyelids or you can swipe some glitter on the high points of your cheekbones, for some extra sparkle.

2. Red Lipstick

Red lipstick will instantly add a bit of elegance to your party look. You can go retro with a Hollywood red, bold with matte red stain, or subtle with a sheer tinted gloss. Whatever shade you choose, remember to reapply between sips of champagne.

3. Gem Colored Shadows

If glitter and red lipstick isn’t your thing, give bold eyeshadow a go. Think emerald green, violet, and sapphire. You can go for an all over wash or add a dash of color with strategically placed liner. Pro tip: For an extra festive look, place a dab of clear gloss over your eyeshadow. It will give you lids a glossy finish that is perfect for ringing in the New Year.

We hope this list inspires you to have fun with your New Year’s Eve makeup. Have fun and we’ll see you in 2019!

All images via google

Do this tonight, for better hair tomorrow

Our relationship with our hair can be quite a tricky one. Some days it looks great, but more often than not, we find ourselves frustrated with frizz, dryness, or breakage.

Here are a few quick tips and products that will have your hair looking better in no time!

Step 1: Use a wetbrush! The Wetbrush effortlessly brushes through wet or dry hair, without any harsh pulling. When your hair is wet, it is at its most vulnerable state. The Wetbrush gently loosens knots, so it won’t cause any breakage.

Step 2: Stop wrapping your hair in a bath towel! Instead, use a rapid dry towel. Regular bath towels rough up your cuticle which leads to frizz and breakage. The Aquis rapid dry towel absorbs water more quickly and it doesn’t cause any friction on the hair cuticle.

Step 3: Take your vitamins! Vitamins are great at promoting strength in your hair. We love these ones from HUM Nutrition. They are packed full of all natural supplements that promote hair growth, shine, and color protection.

All Images Via Google

Best Skincare with Pumpkin

image via Maximum FX Salons

Fall is finally here! We couldn’t be more excited for the cooler temperatures and all the fun beauty trends to try.

For most people fall means swapping your shimmering pink lip gloss for a matte berry lipstick, but it’s also a great time to switch up your skincare routine. What better way to transition into fall with some pumpkin infused skincare?

Pumpkin is a great source of enzymes that can help smooth out your skin by supporting your cell turnover. Pumpkin is also packed full of vitamin c and vitamin a. By incorporating some pumpkin into your skincare routine, you’'ll notice a huge improvement in the tone and texture of your skin. We hope you try out this fall trend and remember that pumpkin is great for pie and your face!

1. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask: This dual exfoliator mask contains both a physical and chemical exfoliant, for maximum resurfacing. The enzymes will help to removed dead skin build up so that serums and moisturizers can fully absorb into the surface your skin. The best part about this mask is that it smells just like pumpkin pie!

2. If facial scrubs aren’t your thing, we recommend trying the Too Cool For School Pumpkin 24K Gold Sheet Mask. This mask contains all the benefits of pumpkin but is designed to hydrate your skin as well. If you’re more on the dry side, we highly recommend this decadent mask to plump up your skin and restore its natural glow.

Why You Should Be Rolling Your Face

Image via: Anthropolgie.com 

By now, you've probably seen or heard about gemstone facial rollers.  These dual-ended facial massagers help to release facial tension, help with the absorption of oils and serums, and according to crystal healers have the ability to ward of stress and bad energy.  Whether you believe the claims or not, gemstone rollers are a fun beauty trend to try.

The first step to trying a facial roller is choosing your gemstone.  There are many different options to choose from.  We recommend trying jade or rose quartz.  If you opt for a jade roller,  you'll see a reduction in inflammation and water retention. This stone is known for its healing properties and is great for those with easily irritated skin. 

Image via: Anthropologie.com 

If rose quartz seems more like your style, you'll notice the smoothing out of your fine lines and wrinkles.  Rose quartz is known for reducing the signs of stress and promoting circulation.  

Image via: Herbivore.com 

Gemstone rollers are super easy to use.  Simply apply your favorite oil or serum to your skin and roll upward along the contours of your face.  You can even chill your roller in the fridge, before you use it on your face.  The cooler temp will help to reduce puffiness.

Once your skincare is massaged in, you can complete the rest of your daily routine.

We hope you enjoyed this article.  Gemstone rollers can be found at Sephora, Amazon, or other online retailers.

Happy Rolling Friends!

Best Bronzers!

Image via: Instyle.com 

Besides your SPF, bronzed skin is summer's best accessory.  With so many formulations on the market, there's no need to expose your skin to the harmful rays of the sun.  A sweep of bronzer, across the high points of your face, can leave you looking like you just got back from a day at the beach.  We've rounded up a few of our favorites, below!

1. Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel

This pro makeup artist fave is perfect for achieving the most natural glow.  The creamy formula can be layered under or on top of makeup and gives you the most subtle hint of color.  We even like sweeping a bit onto our eyelids for a monochromatic look.

2.  If you're looking to add a bit more glam to your summer look, we love the Ambient Bronzers from Hourglass.  With three different shade options and a shimmery finish you can easily take your summer makeup from day to night.

Image via: I Heart Beauty 

3. If you're into a classic bronzer, check out Hoola from Benefit.  This bronzer has gained a cult following because of its versatility. Swipe over the high points of your face to enhance your tan or you can brush it into the hollows of your cheeks for a more contoured look.

If you're craving an all over glow, we recommend Terracotta Bronzing Mist from Guerlain.  With two shade options you can customize the intensity of your bronze.  The mist applies evenly to your face and body, so it makes it easier to reach areas like the back of your legs.  We also love that this spray has SPF of 10.

Post Gym Beauty

Looking good post gym, can be a bit of a challenge.  It gets especially tricky, if you have to be at work and only have a few minutes to get ready.  Thankfully, we've put together a few of our favorite products that will have you looking office ready in no time.

1. No time for a shower, no worries.  Instead, use a few oil blotting papers, to absorb excess oils.  The Tatcha oil blotting papers are a must have in your gym bag.  They are formulated without parabens, sulfates, and pthalates. They'll prep the skin, so your face makeup will lay evenly.

2. The It Cosmetics CC Cream is great if you're in a rush.  This full coverage cream is infused with serums and spf. No need to worry about packing extra products in your gym bag.

3. Add a little color back into your lips and cheeks with the Benefit Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain.  This multitasking product can easily be dapped onto your lips and cheeks for a healthy looking flush. 

4. Lastly, give your roots a spritz with a dry shampoo. We recommend the Bumble and Bumble Pret-a Powder Dry Shampoo. This spray is formulated with pink clay to absorb any excess oils left over from your workout.  

Common Concealer Mistakes And How To Fix Them

Choosing the right concealer is complicated enough—and applying it? Well that's a whole other story. One wrong move and instead of a flawless canvas you've got a creasing, cakey mess on your hands, er, face. To help you avoid these mistakes, we're bringing them to light. Here, six common concealer faux pas you're probably making (and how to avoid them).

Skipping Primer

Great makeup starts with a great base, so you want to make sure you're primed to perfection. Apply an even layer across your face and neck to help your concealer and the rest of your makeup stay put all day long.

Applying Concealer Before Foundation

Foundation serves as a base to even out your skin tone, and concealer is meant to hide blemishes or spots left visible after the fact—not vice versa. Always apply and blend out your foundation first.

To see more tips for fixing common concealer mistakes check out the full spread at The Zoe Report!

Head-To-Toe Summer Looks

Deciding on a head-to-toe beauty look is no easy task, especially when there's that bold little summer dress staring back at you from your closet and you have no idea what makeup to wear with it. Lucky for us, Makeup Tutorials has done all the heavy lifting and curated this helpful (and did we mention chic?) guide for those moments when we need a bit of advice from the experts.

Follow us on Pinterest!

If you weren't already spending WAYYYYYY too much time browsing the web's best place for creativity and DIY EVERYTHING, now you've got one more stop to make on Pinterest; Dreamcatcher Artistry of course! We've collected all of the hottest beauty tips, bridal trends, fashion must-haves, and more, all on one page! 

The Secret to Perfect Skin

The secret to any perfect makeup application starts with your skin. Through the combination of a nourishing skincare regimen and seamless foundation application, you get the most out of any other products you apply and bring out that natural, healthy glow.

15 Holographic Products to Complete Your Transformation Into a Unicorn

Because sometimes you just wanna SPARKLE...

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