Do It Yourself Pore Strips!?

I'm pretty confident in stating that everyone hates blackheads. With that said I've often researched products and methods of getting rid of them. Exfoliation is key and if your skin can handle it peels and products with retinol can help greatly. Recently I've come across numerous blogs and articles on how to make your own pore strips for blackheads, so that's just what I'll be doing! I found Knox Unflavored Gelatin easily at my grocery store in the baking aisle. The recipe I found online from Michelle Phan goes as follows:


In a microwavable container mix:
1 Tablespoon Milk

1 Tablespoon Unflavored Gelatin

Mix Together 

Microwave for 10 seconds 

Brush on problem areas using a foundation brush etc.

Let dry for about 10 minutes

Peel off! 


After trying this myself I would recommend it to someone if they are really trying to save money and use pore strips regularly. I myself, saw some results but in all honesty I feel I had better results with the commercial pore strips. I also had to exfoliate my face afterwards because there was left over residue.
Oh, and just so you know there is a major downside to this.....The horrifying smell this recipe will produce that no one seems to feel the need to mention! But If you can make it through the smell for 10 minutes it's worth it to try at least once and see what it does for your skin.

Until Next Time!

Stay Classy & admit that peeling stuff off your face is fun!
-Kristin

Roses Are Red....

Today's post is in honor of perhaps the most classic cosmetic product of all time. Red Lipstick!

Lipstick has been around a loooong time, dating back 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Historical icons such as Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I were known for their cosmetic practices, that we still emulate to this day. When it comes to red lipstick in particular however, my mind always travels to the film sets and lavish parties of Old Hollywood. Red lipstick seems to take on a life of its own by bringing a sense of elevated glamour and style. Red lipstick has survived throughout countless other trends and times and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere anytime soon!

Choosing the right red for your skin tone can be challenging since there are so many variations. For those with pink undertones to their skin, choose a cooler, blue based red and for those with warm yellow undertones, choose an orange based red. If you think a full on red lip is too dramatic for you, try a red lip stain or gloss for a rosy hint of color.

Here are just some of my favorite "Red Lip Moments" from some very glamorous women throughout the years!

Until Next Time!

Stay Classy & make sure you don't have lipstick on your teeth!

-Kristin

Marilyn Monroe

Audrey Hepburn

Anne Hathaway

Emma Stone 

Zoe Saldana

Lucille Ball

                                     

Butterflies and Flowers

Summer is fast approaching so I thought I would post some colorful, vibrant photos from a makeup project I had in class last year. All of the looks I created were based on pairing diverse color combinations and inspired by the beauty, detail, and whimsy of butterflies and flowers. My lovely models were Lauren, Dana, and Hannah. Thanks again beautiful ladies!

Until Next Time!

Stay classy & have fun doing your friends makeup!
-Kristin

Lauren

Dana

Hannah

Kermit, you are an inspiration!

 I've been a fan of The Muppets since I was little ( Muppet Babies, ALL of their movies, The Muppet Show!!) and though they all have their own  quirky charm, I'd have to say my favorite muppet is classic Kermit. He is the definition of kind, sensitive, silly and smart! So with that said I am dedicating this post to Kermit and his glorious green sheen!

 Green is a great color to wear because it is fun and alittle daring but done right it also looks good on pretty much everyone. If you want to make your eyes really stand out go for a full on green lid, smokey green eye, or sparkling green shadow. You can also do more of a natural look and wear a champagne or light gold shadow, with green liner. There are many hues of green to choose from, so go with what you feel will work best with your skin tone, or style. For the most part if you do a green eye you should keep the rest of your look pretty and natural, using a peachy pink blush and a light petal colored lip.If you feel really daring however you could also try a swipe of neon green liner paired with a deep glossy burgandy lip. 

Some product recommendations I'd make are as follows:

Nars: Soft Touch shadow- in Parrot Green

Makeup Forever: Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in- Pistachio, Green, or Forest Green

Urban Decay: Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in- Mullet

Urban Decay- Deluxe Eyeshadow- in Graffiti

Yves Saint Laurent- 5 Color Harmony For Eyes- in Garden Of Eden 

 However you decide to wear your green, make sure to do it with the same charisma and style that Kermit always has and always will.
Until next time!

- Stay Classy & go find the Rainbow Connection! 

-Kristin

Photo from www.RealTechniques.com

Beautiful Bride, Bethany

Bethany and Johnny Montana

Last July one of my best friends Bethany got married in her scenic town of Millrift Pennsylvania. She had a gorgeous, intimate outdoor ceremony and reception along the Delaware River. Bethany married her highschool sweetheart Johnny and they live with their two dogs,Wylie and Ninja in Pennsylvania. I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in Bethany's wedding as well as doing her hair and makeup. We went for a very light luminous look to highlight Bethany's effortless, natural beauty. For her eyes I used a soft taupe shadow along with a shimmering champagne highlight shadow. Bethany was blessed with sky high lashes so we only used a light coat of waterproof mascara. Nars blush in "orgasm" was used on the apples of her cheeks, and is  my absolute favorite blush out there because it is the perfect blend of pink and peach with tiny flecks of shimmer. It also looks great on many different skin tones. To finish it off I applied Lorac multiflex gloss in a sparkling mauve tone. I think it goes without saying that Bethany made a beautiful bride! Overall I have to say this was such a fun, creative, unforgettable wedding and I wish Bethany and Johnny every happiness! 
Until next time 

Stay Classy & always
wear waterproof mascara to a wedding!
- Kristin 

(All photos by Bryan Bedder) 

P.S. Bethany is an artist in Millrift and makes awesome jewelry, she made all of her bridal jewelry as well as necklaces for each bridesmaid. Look her up!

Leather Skin Is Not In

The famous Coppertone Kid!

Ok, this is a touchy subject for some people, but really it shouldn't be. I know that most people want to have a golden tan for the summer and look great at the beach but it needs to be said how dangerous tanning really is! And it has been said a countless number of times in studies and articles on the risks and effects of tanning beds. Yet women and men for that matter choose to ignore them, thinking "It won't happen to me". Well, yes it could happen to you. As someone who has the complexion of milk and red hair, I am the poster child for sunburn, so I have been wearing sunscreen since I could walk. (Well, before that even). My Mom always taught her redheaded daughters how important it was to be safe in the sun. With that said, I personally don't understand the tanning obsession, because well, it's impossible for me to tan. For those that love a tanned look, there are other safe methods, such as spray tan, tan towelettes, and bronzing lotions. I never think physical beauty should come before health or safety, so this is my plea: Please think twice before tanning. Think a few years down the road the effects that it will have on your body. Is the risk really worth it? We would be appalled to let a child lay in a tanning bed, yet why is it acceptable for an adult to? This link is from LiveStrong and outlines the true dangers of tanning. Please take a minute to read it and really think about what's important. http://www.livestrong.com/article/17204-tanning-bed-dangers/
Until Next time!


Stay classy & seriously, please wear sunscreen!
-Kristin

Beauty is all around

For my first post on "Poise and Primp" I wanted to focus on the face of beauty. As much as I love to swoon over the latest product at Sephora and dream of doing makeup for runways and movies, I think it's important to remember the heart of beauty has nothing to do with cosmetics at all. The real beauty lies underneath in our hearts and spirits. With that said, I've always seen makeup as a way to enhance ones own unique features and style because we certainly all have our own! These are just some of the women who are personal beauty inspirations to me. I would love to know some of yours. Until next time!

Stay Classy & wear sunscreen
-Kristin

Audrey Hepburn

Christina Hendricks 

Grace Kelly

Cate Blanchett

Julianne Moore