Cleaning Makeup Brushes

It's been four months since you bought those makeup brushes and some of them are probably floating around the bottom of your purse with loose change, chewed gum and other fantastic surprises.

Brushes harbor dirt, oil, dead skin cells and bacteria.  If you can't figure out why you are breaking out, perhaps its because your brushes need a little deep cleaning!  You can wipe them after regular use with a paper towel and a little brush cleaner, but once in a while you need to actually shampoo them.


Ten minutes, once or twice a month will make a difference.

Use brush cleaner or baby shampoo (way less expensive) and warm water, swirling the brushes around in a soapy cup several times.

Rinse thoroughly.

Wipe gently and swirl on a soft cloth or paper towel.  For the larger, more soaked brushes I like to tap the edge on the sink to get the excess water off.

Lay to dry overnight on a towel.  In order to elevate the end of the brush to make the water flow out of the bristle side of the brush, just roll the towel on one end.  Or, I like to use my window sill as I am killing two birds with one stone.  Drying and drying.

5 Ways To Prevent Breakouts Naturally

If you are wondering why the f*#& you are having zits and you are past your teenage years, you are not alone.  Mine like to  pop in and say hi the day of an important shoot or hot date.  Its only natural to have gorgeous glowing skin on a rainy cold Tuesday where I am sitting at home with nowhere to be organizing my shoes and watching Dr. Oz.  That's how it always works.

Rather than treat and cover the problem.  Lets try a few tips and tricks to aid in PREVENTION!  Just like pregnancy.

1.)  Change your pillowcases often - Bacteria and drool and leftover makeup from a dizzy night will be stuck to your face for several hours.  Your face's bed should be clean and fresh!

2.) Clean Your Cellie- Your face makes constant contact with this..... So does your hands that just touched the men's urinal at that dive bar because the ladies line was too long. Antibacterial wipes are super handy for your hand-held phones!

3.) Stop Touching Your Face- Have you seen Contagion?

4.) Watch Your Diet- Greasy foods lead to a greasy face.  Things like red meat and dairy should be kept at a minimum, as these foods are harder to digest and can also contain hormones.  Eat more vegetables and fruit, as well as nuts.  Nuts are GREAT for your face. (:  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  Water is the key to life.  Dead, dry skin has more ability to clog pores.  H2O can also flush out toxins!

5.) Hit the Gym- (but shower after!)  Your skin is your largest organ.  Exercise is good all around and as long as you drink a lot of water and wash off the sweat after, effects will be great on the skin.  And your butt.

New Yorkify Yourself In Winter

I came to NYC from Myrtle Beach, SC.  Where boob jobs, spray tans, fake nails and bare legs are abundant.  I'll never forget the first month moving here when I had girlfriends in town and we wanted to have a girl's night out!

It was December and about thirty degrees out.  

We wore....dresses, spray tan, open toed heels and cleavage.

At every stop on our escapade to the clubs.  

People were stopping us left and right..."Where are you from!?" 

I would exclaim, "I live HERE, asshole!"

They would say, "Uhhh, no you dont."

I did not comprehend this, how could this be?  I am a NEW YORKER dammit! 

Fast forward to now.... 2 Years later and I get it.  

Here are a few things you can do to New Yorkify yourself:

-Rock the vampire look. 

 Tans are not cool in NYC.  (Which saves me money and wrinkles, score!)

-Lose the stilettos. 

 You walk a lot, and can always spot tourists on the cobble stones of Meatpacking, for they drop like flies.

-$10 Manicure.  

Fake nails are rare...and manicures are cheap!  Short, natural nails are in.  

-Cover those pasty legs. 

  Unless it is Summer, tights and leggings are the way to go! And you will not have to shave as much, yessss.

-Dark colors. 

 Its a sea of gray and black and neutral shades at the club.  I guess NYC just generally looks "cooler" in the Wintertime.

-Get a good coat and boots. 

Comfort and warmth look better than a frozen barbie.  

-Schlep Bag. 

Girls are carrying around those big ol' black purses for a reason.

-Less Makeup. 

 If you paint on your face (I love to do occasionally) you will stick out.

-Less drastic hair. 

 "Not too blonde" (as agents have told me)  Not too much pouf or product!

-Less Cleav. 

 Put the Miracle Bra away for South Beach.  

-Get a job! 

New York

Recurring themes?  Natural. Warm. Ninjalike?