Twitter

Twitter

Let me first say that I do not know the first thing about “the Twitter” as cute Betty White said. I really am on new ground and it is FAR from terra firma to me! I mean, the bird looks so sweet and innocent right? How hard can it be right? Are any of you on this feathery site? Help a sister out!!!!!

CRAZY Weekend!!!

CRAZY Weekend!!!

So I am doing great in Utah, I really am, I love it…….but I ADORE Portland and have missed it greatly. It’s quirky, unexpected, fun, artistic and fits me like a glove. I was so happy to travel back this weekend for some great times and photo shoots. Friday was packed with rushing from the flight to grab my rental car. Side note, look really cute and somewhat “lost” and the boys behind the counter will pretty much give you anything you want =). Isn’t it cute???

I was so pleased with my cute little ride and rushed off to my first appointment….shopping with my dear friend Nicole!!!!! I had missed her so much and it was so great to hit up our favorite haunts and eat yummy food. The next morning I awoke at the crack of dawn to bid farewell to Nicole and head out on the road to the wedding. The bride was lovely and her bridesmaids charming. They were all so beautiful it made my job super easy.

 Next I went straight to the airport to catch my flight down to California. My “who did you sit by” companion was Mary. A lovely woman from Sacramento who had just been visiting her daughter and very first grandson. We chatted and laughed talking about babies and my life when I lived in Siberia. We walked out together, rushing somewhat as I had to get home quickly and she had to pick up her cute pup before the kennel closed. I was then met by a tall dark and handsome man that I lovingly refer to as Dad and we rushed to my childhood home to get my little sister ready for her Senior Ball.

 It was wonderful to spend time with my family and meet some smooshy nieces and nephews I had not yet met. That night my Dad took me and my sisters-in-law, my grandmother and great grandmother, in from Hawaii, out to our fav restaurant where we just sat for hours eating, talking, laughing…it was a dream. I left the following evening and was lucky in my travels again in the “who did you sit by” category. Lovely Christine was my companion on this leg of the trip and we talked as if we had known each other for years. Her daughter was off doing service in New Zealand and was named Jen as well. Unfortunately it was SUPER windy upon arrival and we had to circle for what seamed like FOREVER in gusts of wind in a tiny plane. Needless to say I enjoyed the lunch my mother so lovingly made for me before I left but didn’t keep it down. Christine, you are a beautiful soul and I thank you for the patience and grace under fire that you exuded =). YUK! I am now home, safely on the ground, in my pjs still and about to take a nap!Just wanted to fill you in on some fun times and leave you with some glow wisdom that I thought was pretty appropriate =).

 Whether your next flight is 2 or 12 hours, here’s what to do to keep looking fresh on board and when you land:

  • Slick on a thick layer of lip balm as soon as you board the plane. Sticks can be waxy and drying, so look for a balm in a tube or pot. My new favorite is Lavanila’s Healthy Lip Shine, which contains apricot, jojoba, and sunflower oils and shea butter. I’m also a fan of Kiehl’s Coconut Scented Lip Balm, as well as Aquaphor, which you can find in any drugstore. For a little natural color, dab on a bit of lipstick (not a thick layer) first. The color will stay on even when you reapply the balm.
  • Carry a lubricating nose spray. Dry, stale airplane air can irritate sensitive nasal passages, especially if you have allergies or you’re recovering from a cold. And there’s nothing worse than getting a nosebleed at 30,000 feet in cramped quarters. Look for a nonmedicated saline solution like Ocean Nasal Spray (available at drugstores).
  • Pack moist towelettes to wipe off oil and makeup before you land. It’s impossible in the plane’s closet of a bathroom to wash your face with one hand while pressing the faucet with the other. Basis So Refreshing Facial Cleansing Cloths are individually wrapped and contain aloe, chamomile, and green tea extract.
  • Keep everything in a small Ziploc bag in the outside pocket of your carry-on for easy visibility and access.
Fantasy Fairy Makeup

Fantasy Fairy Makeup

This is just whimsical fun =). My fav is seeing my youngest Branson in the background. He kept saying (with a confused look),”Um. you look (pause) pretty Mommy?” Yes it was in the form of a question LOL. I have to admit that I didn’t love how the brown line underneath turned out but practice makes perfect right? =) Come with me to a land of fairies. If you want to blend in, you may want to try this look out….okay I’m a geek but ENJOY!!!

Mature Makeup Conversation

Here are a few things that I wanted to share with my ladies that are of my more “mature” audience =). I’ll have some more tutorials coming up on age spots, under eye circles, foundation application, colors and lipstick application.

The Glow And J-Lo Win the Book!!!

The Glow And J-Lo Win the Book!!!

 Many of you watch her on American Idol and have asked for more tips on how to achieve her gorgeous look. So I turned to my friend Scott Barnes, who was her makeup artist for more than 10 years and whose book, About Face, features Jennifer on the cover. Scott points out that Jennifer often pairs a smoky eye with pale lips. This combination can look polished for daytime or glamorous at night, depending on how much “smoke” you apply. Here’s how Scott does it:

  • Line the inside of your upper and lower lids with a black eye pencil. Scott’s favorite is Maybelline ExpertWear eyeliner in Velvet Black. First he flames the pencil with a lighter or match; this softens it and makes it easier to smudge. But be careful! Let the pencil cool and test it on the back of your hand before using it. He also uses the pencil to fill in between the upper and lower lashes to make them look thicker.
  • Use an eyeshadow brush to apply brown or gray shadow in the crease. Sweep the brush back and forth from the inner corner to the outer corner to build up color and give your eyes depth. (For Asian ladies who don’t have an obvious crease, feel where your brow bone is, then move your finger down until the bone stops and your eyeball starts. That’s where your shadow should go.) Bring the shadow above the crease and under the brow bone, but leave a space between the shadow and your brow as well as the middle of your upper lid. Then take a shorter, tapered brush and use the same shadow above and below your eyeliner making the line thicker at the outer edges of your eyes. Blend well so it doesn’t look stripy.
  • Use your finger to dab on shimmer in the middle of your upper lid. Scott likes gold (with brown shadow) or silver (with gray shadow). As he says, “When you look down, there’s something happening on your lids.” For evening, dab a bit more shimmer on your brow bone, between your shadow and your brow.

Want to win an autographed copy of Scott’s book? Send an email to Submissions@AskJessicaWu.com and tell me your favorite J Lo look. I’ll choose one at random and announce it in an upcoming Shout Out. Good Luck!

April Favs & A Few Comparisons

Here are a few of my favs and I have tried some alternatives to my regular products that I have loved and used on a daily basis. Here are some thoughts on just a few. What have you tried that you just can’t get away from? Have you had a bad experience with trying something new and hating it or loving it more? SHARE!!!
Monday = Glow Glow Gadget Miracle Product

Monday = Glow Glow Gadget Miracle Product

Today’s Editor Obsession: SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense

My husband just told me how great my skin looks. This is strange for a couple of reasons. 

One: While he isn’t oblivious to changes in my appearance, my spouse’s observational tools are sensitive enough only to detect the fairly obvious. For example, he declared a shade of red lipstick wrong for me but didn’t comment when I had lash extensions. And the hubs certainly isn’t savvy to pore size or pigmentation.

Two: I just survived a couple of the most stressful weeks I can remember. Long hours at work, little sleep, and standard hormonal issues on top of a couple of life crises are exactly what usually turn my skin into a bigger mess than Charlie Sheen’s career.


So this comment on my skin had me floored. And the only reason for my calm complexion is SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense serum ($78).

This miracle skin cocktail contains a blend of ingredients that help prevent acne, fight the signs of aging, and combat hyperpigmentation. Dioic acid inhibits sebum production and kills acne-causing bacteria. And a combination of alpha and beta hydroxy acids help clear pores and exfoliate to minimize the appearance of pores and reveal more even skin tone.

I started using the lightweight serum before the chaos, and I still apply a few drops every morning before my moisturizer. The fluid is totally nongreasy and absorbs in an instant — I don’t feel like I have another product sitting on top of my skin.

In the weeks since I added Blemish + Age Defense to my routine, I haven’t seen a single breakout, and I think my skin looks more even and radiant. And it seems my husband agrees!

Visit the SkinCeuticals Facebook page to sign up for a free sample of Blemish + Age Defense.

How do you keep your skin from showing stress?

— Liesa Goins

I’m So Sorry

I haven’t posted at all this week due to the fact that I have been feeling WRETCHED!!! I’ve totally been looking forward to this week since I have been registered for an amazing conference AND my girlfriends are flying in from California tonight. I ReAlLy hope I’m not going to be a Debbie Downer! I mean, amazing classes, great speakers and delectable restaurants…WHY ME??? I hope that all of you are happy and healthy! Posting will resume next week no matter WHAT!!! I really hope this goes away soon =(.