The Look

“2020” it just rolls off the tongue. The year 2020 numerically feels like a big wedding year, so if you’re getting married this year, next or the one after that this ones for you. Deciding on the “look” for the big day is different for everyone. Whether you have spent (or will spend) hours on Pinterest or are just leaving it up to your Dreamcatcher artist, here are a few tips to get the ball rolling.

1. Be honest with your artist! While for some it’s not hard to voice opinion, sometimes speaking up can be difficult. When working with the artist responsible for your FACE on the big day it is important to be able to say what you want. In the end he or she wants you to be happy with the end result, so speak up!

2. No drastic changes in the few weeks leading up to the big day. This one can be surprisingly hard to stick to with all of the things available out there. Micro-blading, fillers, botox, extensions, etc. The options are out there, and I am by no means saying that you can’t do them, BUT let’s consider what COULD happen. A botched brow, an emotionless face, a matted mop - could all ruin your most photographed day. So, let’s not leave anything to chance, give yourself a couple of months before hand to do anything major. This way you’ll have time to let the change settle and/or pivot if need be.

3. Start with a natural look and go from there. During your trial try starting with a fresh, natural look and build from there. Going backwards is more difficult and you might surprise yourself with which feature you want to emphasize as your look comes together. 

Last but not least, be you and enjoy every moment. From the pinning, to the trial to the morning of - be present and have so much fun celebrating your love!

Valerie @nathonyphotography

Jillian by @stanflan

Katie by @jensosaweddings

Photography by @keithmunyanweddings

Natalie by @gretchengause

Sharon by @comeplum

Resolutions

Resolutions, who needs ‘em? Me, I need them. Not the stress of sticking to them so much - but having a few goals to check-in on throughout the year feels manageable and totally worth it. I thought it might be helpful halfway through the first month of 2020 to lay out a few, obtainable resolutions that I hope to incorporate in to my routine that you might want to take on as well! 

• Drink 3L of water per day. We all know that drinking water and staying hydrated has its benefits. Clear and glowing skin alone make this a no-brainer but what makes it an even easier task is a cute new re-usable water bottle from San Francisco based company, BKR. BKR’s Big bottle is 1L so refilling it twice a day makes it easy to measure your progress. They’re a bit spend-y but think of all the plastic disposable bottles you won’t be buying. They are made of glass, so no funky plastic taste/leeching concerns and - wait for it - they are dishwasher safe. You can also purchase alternate silicone sleeves to swap out your color AND they have a fancy lid option that holds what might be my all-time favorite lip balm/gloss, Paris Water Balm. Drink up buttercup!

• Self-Care. This is a hard one because who has the time and/or money? Which is why I invested in a Gua Sha tool, its like a gym for your face! Gua Sha feels almost as good as a lymphatic massage and it stimulates circulation, aids in lifting and firming and is easy enough to do yourself. Here’s one that I really like from Skin Gym that I found at Credo Beauty.

• Change it up. Getting stuck in a beauty rut happens from time to time, so this year let’s try and keep it fun, shall we? I mentioned oVertone in my Cyber-Conscious Monday round-up, their colored conditioners provide a new punch of color in just 15 minutes! It’s a fun way to temporarily change it up when you’re feeling bored with your look.

Here’s to being a little more hydrated, self-aware and adventurous in 2020!

Starry-Eyed Beginnings

Starting a new year evokes unparalleled feelings of optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. One trend that feels aligned with the dawning of a new decade are the celestial hits popping up on runways, red carpets and television (I’m looking at you Euphoria). This space craze speaks to the wonder of the stars, a metallic flashback to the space race of yesteryear and our current catapult into the future. Whether its a simple silver eyeliner, holographic rainbows, a cascade of glitter or a fun addition to your manicure; here are some of our favorite starry-eyed looks for the new year.

The Cat Eye: A Tribute

After the recent loss of iconic French New Wave beauty Anna Karina I found myself down a rabbit hole of her work. Her dreamy style alone is well worth a deep dive. A signature look is a statement and a commitment and Anna’s cat eye was just that. The perfect flick of an eyeliner provided an envy-worthy winged tip that is equally classic and dramatic all at once. Check out our highlight reel (via pinterest) below and as an homage to the Danish-French beauty add some eyeliner to your holiday look this season.

Cyber-Conscious Monday

Despite being a conscious consumer 99% of the time, its super easy to get roped into this holiday shopping craze. In an attempt to seek out the best options for today’s deals, I’ve sought out the top 10 deals (20% or more) from some of our favorite daily (and splurge worthy) products. Hopefully this helps to zen the frenzy that is Cyber Monday, happy shopping!

1. Osea - Now is the time to get that Hyaluronic Sea Serum I was raving about last month. Their CyberMonday deal is a FREE full size serum ($88 Value) with your purchase of $135 or more.

2. Living Libations - The cleanest of the clean and rarely discounted, 22% off everything and free shipping after $150. May I recommend any of the Best Skin Ever’s and the Maiden Fern Blushing Balm for the perfect natural flush for cheeks and lips.

3. Overtone - Heard of it? Quick and easy colored conditioners that allow for some fun and funky colors in just 15 minutes. 20% off of $80+ with code OVER20.

4. Drunk Elephant - If you were following along during the summer months, then you know that DE is my go-to for sun protection. 20% off sitewide!

5. Biossance - 30% off everything! Including the Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum!

6. Fresh - 20% off everything! Stock up on some of those lippys, cleansers and my favorite luxe bath soak - Saki Bath.

7. GOOP - For the first time ever Gweny and her brand Goop is offering 20% off on all of their products. Today only. So if there ever was a time to try - its now!

8. Charlotte Tilbury - This cult classic is offering 40% off of some of their hit-singles, including some great palettes.

9. Tarte - 25-60% off the whole site. Stock up!

10. Tata Harper - She’s a spensy one but 20% off plus gifts with purchases could make it all worth it.

The (Hyaluronic) Acid Tests

Hot ingredient alert. Hyaluronic Acid is everywhere, and though nearly impossible to say - it may be just the thing your skin needs for a smoother and more supple texture. Hyaluronic acid is produced naturally in your body (mainly found in your skin, connective tissue and eyes) its main job is to keep your tissues hydrated. Unfortunately with aging, sun and pollution exposure your HA levels decrease over time but luckily there are some great topical solutions to combat this loss! Hyaluronic Acid molecules can hold 1,000 times their weight in water making it THE ingredient to keep your skin super plump and extra moisturized. Studies show that when regularly applied to the surface of the skin, hyaluronic acid serums can reduce wrinkles, redness and dermatitis all while providing maximum hydration and absorption of additional layered products like moisturizers and creams. Here are a few of our favorite products (for all price points) with Hyaluronic Acid to add to your arsenal as the days (and nights) get colder and dryer.

The Dry: Fall Product Round-Up

It’s no secret that we love this time of year but there is one downside to our favorite season, the spookiest of the spookies, dry skin! Easily combated by a few new additions to your beauty regimen, moisture deprived skin won’t stand a chance with this round-up of products we’re loving.

Dried Flower by Hilde Mork

I’ll start the top five anti-dry products with not one but two serums that I’ve been layering in to the routine this Autumn. The first, bed-time addition is Herbivore’s Orchid Facial Oil. This facial oil truly smells like orchids and will surely evoke some sweet dreams whilst providing hydration and protection against visible signs of aging. The second, Osea’s Hyaluronic Sea Serum has become my favorite part of my morning medicine cabinet arsenal. This one is so incredible I will likely stick with it year round. The age-defying organic seaweed extracts boost skin with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals while the high performance hyaluronic acid serum absorbs instantly, leaving a velvety-soft, luminous finish. Next on the list is the all-over (really, can go anywhere) Wildcrafted Shea Butter Skin Food from Sun Potion. This stuff is THICK but it absorbs like a dream on any and all dry spots. On super-dry nights I will seal in all of the mists/serums/etc with a bit of this stuff and wake up the next day super hydrated. It’s also the BEST hand/cuticle/heel hydrator. Lastly, two gems that stay on my desk all day long, Nucifera’s The Mist and Evan Healy’s Whipped Shea Butter Stick for Lips. The mist is the perfect refresher for your skin OR hair, a dose of moisture and an intoxicating scent - whats not to love. The stick from Evan Healy says its for lips but it is also great as a moisture slick under and around your eyes, who doesn’t love a two-fer. Not only will these products keep you looking dewy and fresh into the winter months but they are all super-clean with no nasty additives - enjoy and stay hydrated!

Autumnal Inspiration

If you’re one of those people that gets super amped at the slightest feeling of an autumn chill, you’re not alone! The idea of cozy sweaters, messy bed-head hair styles and warm bevs are right up my alley. Hastily ready to welcome in the cozy vibes this season, I’ve gathered some of our fave beauty trends happening from the streets to the runways. If you’re finding yourself trying to get over your Summer high may I introduce a metallic hit or a primary and/or white color pop? How about a shag-y new cut? Or just fully embrace it, and go with a full-on vamp-y beat. Here’s a little fall inspiration to get you over to the darker autumnal side.

Hair Hacks

Image via Pinterest

Vitamins, minerals, masks – you’ve heard of (and likely tried) them all. A lot of hair products are specially formulated to focus on a certain part of the hair; scalp scrub, split end mask, leave-in conditioner. We’re into the holistic approach, root to tip every part is important and deserves some lovin’. Here are some of our at-home tips to quench your coif’s thirst for moisture and nutrients from the inside out.

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture. Like your skin, moisture is key for your hair. Especially if you spend a lot of time in the ocean or chlorinated pools. A slick of oil on your locks can do the trick. Coconut oil is the easiest and likely most readily available choice. A little coconut oil applied pre pool or beach will add some extra moisture and protect your hair from absorbing too much chlorine or salt.

Image Via Pinterest

Nettles, the unsung herbal hero. Stinging nettles in capsules or tea form have been known to treat hair loss internally and promote new growth.

You can make your own loose leaf infusion at home or buy tea bags at your local grocer. Extra credit, use nettle oil to massage your scalp to boost the afore mentioned benefits and to help control oil production.

Braids. According to Ayurvedic tradition, loosely braiding your hair before sleep helps prevent damage by keeping your hair secured. Rumor has it the loose tension also promotes growth. One thing is for sure, once released the wavy volume will at least give the appearance of healthy thick hair.

Stay hydrated, Ashley

Minimalist Makeup: Less is More

Faces by Philaoppel

I think we can all agree that a full face of makeup on a hot day is not the jam. Luckily, a little bit of makeup goes a long way in the late summer heat. Especially with a little extra color on your skin and a natural sun (sweat?) induced highlight. In the warmer months we 90% subscribe to a minimal makeup routine. That being said sometimes a summer soiree calls for a little something extra, like a bold lip, strong brow or a heavy lash. Here are some of our favorite minimalist make-up looks that won’t melt during these last gasps of summer. 

High Summer Must-Haves

So it’s the middle of Summer and you’ve yet to dial in your sun-protecting beauty kit. Not to worry, there’s still time to tweak and perfect your pre/post sunshine routine. Here’s our current go-to carry for a day in the sun, choose from it what you will and enjoy that Vitamin D!

Photo by Gray Malin at the Coral Casino

Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30

First things first, sunscreen for your bod. Best practice, pre-bikini/one-piece/tankini/trunks/speedo–what have you, lather up with sunscreen all-over. Thus preventing weird missed areas and allowing some time for optimal absorption before you run into those waves (or pool) Baywatch style. We’ve been loving this one from Drunk Elephant. Not only is it one of the cleanest on the market but a little goes a long way and it makes a good base layer. 

Now for that gorgeous face of yours. Almost everyone’s got a favorite daily driver when it comes to sunscreen for your face but if you haven’t found your fave may we suggest this combo that does it all. A pump of Josie Maran’s Protect + Perfect SPF 47 for sun protection and a drop or two of Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops. This combo provides an added boost of pollutant protecting antioxidants while giving you a hint of color and a serious glow even before you set foot in the sunshine. 

D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

Okay you’re set and off to the beach and you’re going to reapply after each dip and boost that UV defense you’ve built up, right?! This easy spray-on from Supergoop in tandem with their Defense Refresh Setting Mist (SPF 50!) are quick, no fuss options. Bonus, snack on some sun-protecting fruits like raspberries and blueberries to help nourish your skin from the inside out. No sunburns for you this Summer!

What a day. Time to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate post shower with your favorite body oil or moisturizer to replenish that sun-kissed skin of yours. Lately, this clean and natural beaut from Nucifera has been on repeat after hours spent soaking up the sun. 

Enjoy these lovely last weeks of Summer! Love, Ashley

6 Tips on How to Wear a Red Lip

Photo by Dannie-Dan Irabor, model Maddy Pinkerton

The classic red lip- It feels timeless, chic and slightly daring. Here’s how to get it right and feel confident wearing it, even if you’ve never done it before.

Step One: Be Prepared to Own it

Often when doing makeup for clients, they tell me they want to try a classic red lip for the first time. Then they see themselves and decide it’s too bold and they don’t feel comfortable in it. My advice is not to try it for the first time on the day of a big event, but on a Tuesday! Wear it a few times in a row to get used to it and remember: no one is noticing your lip color as much as you are! How do they know this is the first time you’ve worn it?! It’s really as simple as this: if you tell yourself you can pull it off, then you can. I firmly believe that everyone can look great in a red lip, it’s really just a matter of finding the right shade and owning it!

Two: Liner

It’s an essential step if you are using a traditional tube of lipstick that isn’t a super matte formula. Why? A few reasons- namely shape, depth and longevity. It’s going to help you define your shape and give the lipstick something to cling to so that you can get a nice long wear out of it. It’s also going to make the color look more bold and give you full coverage without having to apply a ton of the actual lipstick, which can look overdone real fast. If you’d like your lips to appear fuller, you can slightly over-line them with your pencil. Just be careful at the corners, where over-lining can look obvious. Add more fullness to the top and bottom by tracing just outside of your natural lip line. ***Important*** DO NOT just outline your lips with the liner- fill in the entire lip! This will give you that depth we talked about AND it’s the most important step for longevity because it gives the lipstick something to adhere to. When the lipstick does wear off, you’ll be left with the liner underneath and no one will know the difference! When doing a red, choose a liner that’s the same color as your lipstick.

Three: Choosing a Color

You can follow the “rules” about finding your perfect shade, or you can just see what you think works for you! They say if you have cool undertones (typically pale skinned people) a red with pink/blue undertones will work for you. Think more cherry and almost berry reds. If you have warm undertones, a warmer orange base will work for you, and you can wear those rusty or terra-cotta reds. That being said, if you choose a red that’s not your suggested tone and you like it and think it’s flatters you, that’s really all that matters! And everyone can wear a classic true red, like this Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso.

Beso by Stila

Four: Lip brush

A good lip brush will help you achieve a precise Red lip if you want a crisp line. It can be really tough to get a precise look applied straight out of the tube. If you’ve ever wondered why people use lip brushes, this is why!

Five: long wear formulas

A long wear formula lip stick will allow you to get other things done during your day besides touching up your lip. One of my absolute favs is the Stila Stay all day, mentioned above. Most brands now make a long wear, so you can try different ones until you find the perfect shade and feel. Starting out with a drugstore brand is a good way to experiment without breaking the bank. I LOVE the NYX soft matte lip colors, which comes in a great red called Amsterdam and is under $7! It isn’t drying and lasts a really long time especially with liner underneath. They describe it as a “true red”.

Six: The Whole Look

Remember that when wearing a red lip, it becomes part of your outfit! Red lips look beautiful with whites and neutrals, stripes if you’re really going Parisian, and of course RED! I love wearing red to an event and pairing it with red lipstick of the same or very similar shade. It looks bold and chic if you keep everything else simple. And by everything else, I mean eye makeup and accessories. This is not time to bust out your smokey eye. Keep your shadow simple and neural, or maybe add a little gold/bronze to compliment the red. A red lip also works wonders to jazz up a casual outfit and will make you appear extremely put together! See below. I hope these little tips gave you the know-how to take the plunge into red, and just remember to own it!

See what I mean???? CHIC.COM

SEE?!

Red worn with a casual look. amazing.

2019 Wedding Hair Trends

Today we give you four of the most popular and gorge bridal hairstyles we’re seeing right now. The beauty of these is that you can make them your own and modify away to achieve a look you’re really comfortable with, that makes you feel like your most bridal and beautiful self!

Romantic Textured Pony

There is a reason Jlo lives in a pony- the style feels put together and laid back all at once. Great if you want your hair off the face, but aren’t quite ready to go for the full on “up-do”. Lower to middle placement on the back of the head is popular right now; higher placement on the head will make you look like a barbie princess in the best way possible. The key to making this pony wedding-worthy is to cover the elastic with hair and/or add a sparkly hair ornament.

@hairbyhannahtaylor

pinterest

pinterest

see? perfect balance of polished and laid-back!

The Low bun

At first mention of the low bun, you may think.. ok kinda boring, but think again! The low bun is such a versatile style because it can be very traditional, sleek and chic, or textured and modern looking. A center part looks current, volume and texture on top looks classic. You can really make it your own and be sure your hair will stay put all night long with this secure style! Looks beautiful and romantic with a few tendrils framing the face.

@hairbyhannahtaylor

add a pearly hair ornament for a current yet timeless touch!

@tonyastylist love the hair jewels!

@hairbyhannahtaylor

Twisted and Textured

In 2019 we are seeing a few less braids and a few more twists! Whether they’re part of an updo or a half-up half-down style, textured twists will make your style feel current.

@tonyastylist

Here’s the low bun again, but with fun twists added on each side by Simeona Lanta

A braid that comes together in a twist by Chaney Alexis

lots of curled twists and texture! by Chaney Alexis

Romantic Waves

Again, romantic waves can come in so many different styles from a Hollywood glam type wave, to something looser and less structured, but not quite beachy. Either way, make sure you have the hair thickness and length to support this look (or you’ve added in those extensions). Romantic waves of any type will never look dated!

Hair by Katie Lee, makeup by Joelle

Hair by Katie Lee

Pinterest

@hairbyhannahtaylor

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

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

Unique Central Coast Wedding Venues

California offers some of the most gorgeous wedding venues a bride could ask for. Working in the wedding industry for so many years, I’ve seen more venues than I can even count, and these all stand out as unique, memorable and idyllic settings to tie the knot.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm

Check them out here

A Breathtaking 50 acre farm located just north of Santa Barbara along the Gaviota coast, The Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm has an airy, rustic but chic feel- stunning beach views, but not on the beach. The bright, high ceilinged greenhouse is great for a reception in the cooler weather months, while still giving the feeling that you’re outside. Simple and beautiful for couples who lean towards the no-frills, minimal side of life.

Check em out on IG

from a plane, thanks Chris

1880 Union hotel

There truly is no place like the 1880 union hotel. Your guests will never forget the feeling that they’ve stepped back in time to an 1800’s era western hotel and saloon. My first time inside the hotel had me thinking this place has to be haunted! An ideal space for small weddings, or for parties of up to 300, this hotel and venue all-in-one allows you to rent out the entire hotel (which itself is small) for your wedding party and guests, creating an intimate wedding weekend experience for you and your favorite people! With an on-site coordinator and great catering in house, you can cross off two major items off of your busy bride to-do list.

all 1880 photos courtesy of the hotel

The Madonna Inn

So you want quirk, you want camp, you want unconventional! An over the top venue that definitely does not scream “wedding”. Welcome to the Madonna Inn of San Luis Obispo, where things are weird and awesome. With 110 uniquely styled guest rooms, and multiple banquet rooms to accommodate weddings of different sizes, this place is unforgettable and just plain fun. Did I mention they have GOAT YOGA. And lots of PINK!

photo by Michelle Roller

Courtesy Anna Delores Photo

They have a pool with a waterfall.

Did someone say Christmas wedding?!?!

Don’t forget the goats!

The Belmond El Encanto

If you’re looking for something that’s the polar opposite of the Madonna Inn, The Belmond El Encanto is an understated and super elegant option. Simply put, this hotel evokes the perfect combo of refinement, class and laid-back, Santa Barbara style relaxation. Stunning coastal views, sweet bungalows, and award winning food make this venue a California classic and one in a million.

Now get out there and tour some of the central coast’s best venues! Happy Hunting :)

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

Summer Hair Inspo

With summer around the corner, it’s a great time to try out a new cut or style. Here’s some trending styles ranging from sophisticated to fun for summer 2019!

As opposed to what’s been trending in braids the last five or so years - the messy boho braids and deconstructed fishtails - this summer’s braids are sleek, tight and polished. Bonus, these types of braids take much less work and skill to create! Pro tip: braid your hair when it’s half wet and you wont have to use much product to get the sleek look, finish with a little hairspray or shine enhancing spray to set and gloss.

Getty Images, Cushnie

The “wearable” wet look. This style is normally trickier than it looks to pull off, and doesn’t work for everyone, but this looser and kind of half wet look is easily achievable by doing a few combs through of a good gel or mousse. Great when you have less than five to spend on your hair.

Getty Images, Chloe

Hair by Ashvin

Getty Images, Altuzarra

The sleek and polished look: simple, pretty, sophisticated. Great for keeping hair out of the face when it’s hot and sticky outside.

Anthony Perez

MoroccanOil, for Missoni

Hairccessories!! keep it simple or camp it up with this fun summer trend. A silky scarf tied around your pony has been trendy this spring, and you can wear this right into summer as an unexpected way to tie together an outfit or accessorize a beach look.

About Face

Imaxtree, Dolce and Gabana

Modadacom

Imaxtree, Versace

And lastly, how can we forget the most effortless of all summer looks, the beach wave! Or, what’s being referred to on the runway currently as “natural movement”. Still looks pretty beachy to me, but this is what actually what your hair would look like coming from the beach, not a curling iron.

etro

Getty Images

Happy summer and here’s to many good hair days.

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

your wedding floral style

With so many floral options and styles for your wedding these days, where does a bride begin?! Here are a few visual inspirations and examples to help you hone in on the feeling you want with your flowers, so you can then choose a florist who will create that vibe and give you the bouquet of your dreams!

Soft colors, earthy blush tones with unexpected accents like these fluffy grasses make for a elegant feel while feeling modern, cool and boho chic:

@theposygarden

@bestdayeverfloraldesign

Bold colors with some exotic blooms in a more traditional round bouquet shape work for a bride who wants to use fun colors and have an element of the unexpected without getting too crazy:

@theposygarden

@ixiabotanicals

@milieuflorals

A bold, elongated composition/ shape and untraditional floral combinations makes for a show-stopping eclectic bouquet:

@flourish.floraldesign

For a classic, fresh and understated feel, mostly whites and greens with a rounded shape- but not perfectly round - feels timeless but not outdated:

@milieuflorals

Or, all white done with smaller blooms and less blooms with an irregular structure is interesting, yet keeps the focus on the bride:

@botaniqueflowersseattle

@botaniqueflowersseattle

Whites and dusty blushes with one bold pop of color adds some fun without being super loud:

@milieuflorals

@botaniqueflowersseattle

Big, fluffy blooms like peonies, dahlias, and garden roses in peaches and pinks feel ultra feminine and glamorous:

@bestdayeverfloraldesign

Hope this helps you brides to-be, and happy Bouquet-ing!

xoxo,

Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry

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