Category: beauty

• It’s applied just like regular polish, but it dries under a UV lamp in between coats – It’s your natural nails, but better!
• Your nails are completely dry before you get up from the manicure table
• No dents, scratches or smudges; Put those boots on right after application!
• Application takes only a few minutes longer than a regular manicure would
• 3-Free (No toluene, formaldehyde or DBP)
• Helped my nails grow stronger, thanks to its durability
• Stays shiny and chip free for two weeks

• Limited color selection – More will be released around January 2011
• Should only be removed by a professional – Your tips will soak in pure acetone, then the product comes right off
• Pricier (but I think the convenience is worth it)

I’m a bad, bad southern belle. I rarely, if ever, wear makeup. I’m not very good at applying it and I hate the way it feels on my skin. I’ve employed the help of a friend who knows a lot about beauty products to help y’all look your best when the humidity and heat are at their peak.. Lorraine recently started her own blog where she shares her makeup secrets and goth fashion tips.

Trying to wear a full face of makeup in the southern summer sun can end up feeling like an exercise in futility. Luckily we live in an age of beauty breakthroughs that help us get more mileage from our makeup even in the most hot and humid of climates.


You’ll need to begin with your skincare routine. Choose an oil-free cleanser. Try to limit exfoliation in the summer to once a week at this time of year.  Doing it too much can over-stimulate oil-production and you’ll end up looking quite shiny. 
 Follow cleansing with a gentle toner and a light oil-free moisturizer. Let the moisturizer absorb for a few minutes, then blot with a tissue. One way to deal with the “Melt-Factor” in the summer is to substitute regular moisturizer with a good tinted variety (try Urban Decay Urban Defense tinted moisture) and skip foundation. This is nice if you don’t require heavy coverage but if you need to even out skin tone further or cover blemishes, read on!







A step worthy of adding to your summer makeup routine is facial primer. It not only fills in lines and pores but it creates a barrier between your skin and the makeup which helps it adhere and last longer. There are even tinted versions which help minimize redness or brighten up a dull complexion. (Try Make Up For Ever HD primer) If your eye makeup tends to smear and slide in the heat you will want to apply an eye primer as well. Eye primers prolong the staying power of liners and shadows as well as making the colors appear much truer and brighter. My eye lids tend to be oily so I don’t go a day in summer without my Urban Decay Primer Potion. A little goes a long way with these products and trial sizes are available.



Summer foundation should be oil-free and contain SPF. Liquid in a long-wear formula is a good choice for summer as is mineral powder foundation. Mineral powders give you coverage without looking made up and they come in such a variety, it’s very easy to find a color- match. Indie mineral companies offer samples of all their products so you can find your perfect match without breaking the bank. (Try Meow Minerals, or Aromaleigh for the most quality & variety of foundation) Try spot applying a cream concealer to blemishes before dusting on your face makeup.


Be sure to choose mascara in a waterproof version and try using a lip-liner to keep lipstick from migrating or feathering. Top it off with a setting spray from Urban Decay for extra lasting power and you can use blotting papers and a translucent blotting powder for touchups. (Try Hard Candy Welcome Matte blot powder)


Now that your face is guaranteed to withstand August in New Orleans, you want to make sure your hair isn’t a hot mess! My biggest tip would be to not fight your natural texture. You’re bound to struggle when trying to get curly hair to look sleek or keep curls from drooping in straight hair. The humidity here is so high that heat styling won’t be enough. If you must fight it, use an entire line of products made for the texture you want. If you want to go straight, use shampoo & conditioner for straight locks, a smoothing cream, ceramic ionic flat-iron and setting spray.  The best styling tools I’ve found are from a company called Herstyler. 


 Their Curler is unlike any other, it’s tapered and it’s a wand sans clip. You start the curl from the hair nearest the scalp and hold the end with your fingers. The resulting curl is natural-looking, glossy and it lasts and lasts. Their flat-irons also work well and make your hair look very glossy. They both work so fast you will wonder how you ever made it anyplace on time without them in your routine! All styles can benefit from being topped off with an anti-frizz gloss spray such as tresemme no-frizz shine spray, and you’re truly good to go!








We all know the heat here in the summer is brutal. Depending on the amount of time you’re outside, how active you are and how oily your skin tends to get you may want to add one or two of these steps to your routine or all of them. This will ensure your makeup will be beautiful and budge-proof all summer long!