Beauty Archives - 2 Cats and Chloe

Oh hey, Friday! Makeup and a Giveaway!

July 25, 2014 by Susan Leave a Comment

I will be the first to tell you that my skin care and makeup knowledge is the worst. I’m pretty positive that there are 5 year old girls who know more and do more to prevent wrinkles than I do. Getting married and getting old has made me really start pondering things though. Things like: Does being 30 mean I should look like I know how to wear makeup? What the heck are crows feet and is this something I should be worried about? When do I start wearing lip color, for the first time ever? When I got married, I partnered up with one of my favorite wedding vendors, Best Face Forward, located here in Virginia - and had the pleasure of meeting and working with one of their lead makeup artists Susanne! Despite the fact that I have bucked the system and I still only wash my face on a whim {lies Susanne… all lies…} she taught me what I was doing right, doing wrong, and how I can embrace “30, flirty and thriving” with clear skin and non-80’s-prom style makeup.

Today we are linking up with September Farm and The Farmer’s Wife for Oh hey, Friday! I am pumped and ready to share a few awesome things that I’ve learned and now use from Susanne - AND - stick around because you’re really gonna like NUMBER FIVE. Wink wink.

Gals - the lipgloss. It has a flashlight on it! Need I say more!? If Jack Bauer wore lip gloss he would be carrying this handy tool with him all the time. And yes - I do need to say more… I never ever wear lip color of any sort because my lips ALWAYS dry out from them. Not with this stuff though! There aren’t many products that I will 100% swear by, but this stuff I will! By the way, there’s something in it for the men too… this lip gloss has a wonderful minty kick to it that the husband appreciates also! 😉

{You could be rocking light up lip gloss too - keep going down to number 5!}

Once a week there is a very enjoyable shower on my calendar. Wait - that sounds weird. Don’t go there. Because what I’m talking about is my once a week Microdermabrasion Scrub.

It is Ah - wait for it - Mazing! I use this once a week. I hop in the shower, do my thing, and scrub my face. When I hop out - my skin looks so radiant it like I have makeup on! It’s clean and clear and fresh. I have never had the professional stuff done - but who needs to pay the big bucks when I promise you will love the results for this. And seriously - the product lasts forever.

During part of my initial consult with Susanne she told me how my skin clarity was okay, she stuck me into some machine that showed the sun spots on my face {totally freaking me out!} and she told me that I drink too much wine {i.e. I don’t drink enough water.} My skin is really dry. She set me up with a Hydrating Foundation. Honestly, I didn’t use it for about 6 months after she gave it to me. I was a-okay with the stuff I had been using. But then my stuff ran out and I was too poor at the moment to buy it’s replacement. So I gave Susanne’s product a go… and now there’s no turning back.

Because my skin is so dry, the fact that this foundation not only conceals things I want hidden but it hydrates my skin AND it has SPF 20 built in - it’s an across the board win. {This could be yours - keep going down to number 5!}

Now, I can’t believe I am about to put this out here like this… but I really struggle with luggage under my eyes. Not just bags… I have luggage. You know, that you-always-look-so-tired darkness underneath your eyes? Yup. Even if I have slept for 4 days straight, I will still have dark bags under my eyes.

So Susanne asked if I would be a guinea pig for her. Apparently not many folks are willing to try a product out for 3 weeks, but only on one side of their face. {I’m probably crazy} but of course I said yes.

I have only been using a tiny sample of the Youth Xtend Enriching Eye Cream for the past 10 days underneath my right eye. My plan is to try it out for 3 solid weeks, just underneath the one eye. Here is a picture of my 7 day mark {with no makeup on, of course} :

Can you see the difference? Because I sure as heck can! By the time I’ve made it to week three, I have this crazy feeling it will look like I was punched in my left eye. {You could win a sample of this stuff too… read number 5!}

Okay okay - so you made is all the way down here to good ole number five. It’s giveaway time friends! Susanne is in the process of building her business just like most of us are building our blogs. I asked her if there was anyway for us to collaborate and she was extremely excited to have the chance to share some of her products with you! First of all, ALL 2 CATS & CHLOE READERS can get a LIFETIME 10% DISCOUNT in her store if you FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM and tag me {@2catsandchloe} in one of her posts. How incredibly easy is that?! And you don’t have to buy from her today! You can save your pennies because it’s 10% off for a LIFETIME!

And for one lucky reader - You know there drill! There are several ways below that you can get yourself entered to win! But what is it that you are actually winning? One lucky person {located in the USA} will be winning:
1 // One Artistry Light up Lip Gloss {color to be determined by winner} 2 // One Artistry Liquid Foundation {either Balancing or Hydrating Formula depending on winner’s skin type} 3 // A one week’s supply of the Artistry Youth Xtend Skin Care {which includes the eye creme I have been using} 4 // A ONE HOUR Consult with Susanne {a professional makeup artist!} where you will discuss skin care, makeup use, and even a virtual makeover!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner must be in the USA. You don’t have to be a blogger to win. There will only be one winner. But you’re all winners in my book.

Holler at me if you have any Q’s because I may have some A’s. Happy Friday y’all! And don’t forget to get your lifetime 10% off!

All of the thoughts above are 100% my own. I was not gifted anything for this post.

Wedding Wednesday: Aunt Flo Wasn’t Invited (Plus a Free Sample!)

July 23, 2014 by Susan 4 Comments

Happy Wednesday Girls! I am on the road for work this week but wanted to stop in for a little Wedding Wednesday action! But there’s a catch. Since I’m not at home {and was almost hotel-less last night! A story I will share another day…} I decided I would do a Wildcard Wedding Wednesday post rather than just simply dragging you down good ole memory lane, recollecting my day full of love and glitter. So today, I’m letting you in on a little secret: Me, the crazy, OCD wedding planner that I am… I was even concerned with *GASP* my undies (!!) on my wedding day! But seriously?! Who isn’t!? Of all days in your life… you may really want to put some thought into your wedding undies. I know, I know. TMI right? But let’s be real. There’s a lot of planning that goes into your wedding day… And we can’t forget what to wear, under there! I was super thankful that my bachelorette gals threw me a mini lingerie bash. I stocked up and I didn’t even have to go shopping! {Because bra and underwear shopping is almost as bad as spending the day at the DMV. Am I right?}

Cute and Comfy, via Target.

Getting ready, Lounge Worthy. Via Target.

Or something lacy and sexy? Again, via Target. The whole point {other than saying our i do’s and marrying the man we love, of course} is that we want to look our finest, feel the prettiest we can possibly feel, and spend our wedding day on cloud nine as a confident, married lady, who is ready to party! That doesn’t just happen with the gown. It includes the earrings, the veil, the garter, and the undies.

I would like to introduce you to the new U by Kotex® Ultra Thin Pads with 3D Capture Core. What does all that mean?! It means that these pads have a one-of-a-kind center that locks away wetness to help stop leaks. They are perfect for protecting your wedding white undies, not to mention your wedding gown! They allow you to spend your day having fun and tying the knot without worrying about your crazy ole Aunt Flo crashing the reception.

U by Kotex® would like to help you SAVE YOUR {wedding} UNDIES! So how about a free sample to toss into your bridal bag? Just click over here: Free Sample of U by Kotex Pads

And as a social media junkie, I can’t wrap up this blog post without mentioning that I’m pretty obsessed with their witty hashtag: #savetheundies So gals, answer me this - what did you, or what will you be wearing {under there} on your wedding day? {Or do I not want to know?!} I promise I will be back next Wednesday with some of my favorite reception photos for you! If you want to catch up on some of the past, glitter filled, Wedding Wednesday Posts you can see them here. As always, I’m linking up with these lovely gals:

Many thanks to U by Kotex for sponsoring today’s post.

How to put makeup on digitally.

January 25, 2014 by Susan 1 Comment

I know I promised a Whole30 post. Seriously. I want to talk about my Whole30 experience more than you know. But I just don’t have the time right now to sit down and delve into this experience. Again - trust me. I want to tell each and every one of you as well as your long lost cousins about it. (No kidding - I told the 2 ladies that work in the office of my chiropractic office yesterday, as well as a Starbucks barista and the security lady at Target. I can’t even make this up. They seemed pretty pumped but I’m sure the second I walked away they were making that ‘she cray cray’ sign behind my back…)

But today - since I’m in a hurry - I figured I would catch you up on the finest makeup tips I can provide. Hint hint: They aren’t very fine. And they aren’t really tips. I simply felt the need to show you that I can put my makeup digitally.

Meaning: I used the photobooth app on my imac because my husband takes really long showers, kicking me out of our bathroom.

Now that I think about it - we have 3.5 bathrooms in this house…

Ombre Nails and Wedding Nightmares

July 9, 2013 by Susan 4 Comments

All of my friends and clients who have been through the whole “I’m Getting Married” Phase of their lives have ALL told me that at some point in the planning process you begin to have crazy dreams about your wedding. I woke up this morning in a cold sweat from my first official wedding nightmare.

My photographer did not show up and I saw on Instagram that he was at another wedding, Michael and I never picked out our first dance song so the DJ took it upon himself to pick “Funk Soul Brother,” and I ended up not hiring a videographer so I spent the entire evening running around with my point ‘n shoot camera asking people to record the festivities. I was so frustrated because my guests had the nerve to be put out by this and they had no clue how to use my camera.

Needless to say, I will be emailing a few vendors today and forcing Michael to help me pick our wedding song. Funny thing is, exactly 4 months from this moment I will be at The Chamberlin, drinking Mimosas with my girls and getting my hair-did. Time is flying by!

Speaking of hair and makeup and my sparkly wedding… last night I went to one of my newest, dearest friend’s house for some wine, pizza, and girl time. Scratch that. First we went to Ulta and spent some dough on semi-needed makeup. Then we had girl time. And she did my nails.

Welcome to Salon de la Kim!

I have always been impressed by her DIY “Home Salon” Gel Nails. In a moments notice she busted out the whole set up… the neon light thingy, the work station board and light, professional nail cutters and shapers. And don’t forget her slew of color and pattern options! I decided to go with the gold sparkle ombre look. Because let’s be real… I love me some gold glitter.

This was when the UFO landed in the backyard. Jay Kay. My nails were baking in that neon thinga-ma-bob. And many thanks to the person who let me out of the bell tower… I’m all Hunchback of Bad Posture in this one. Time to sit up straight!!

I’m a wiggle worm. Sorry for the blur. Wigglin’ does make my ring looks ginormous though!

Not to bad right? I am in love with the ombre look and have decided this may be a contender for my wedding nails. I did tell her though, next time we are definitely doing a purple coat under the gold ombre for a legit JMU manicure.

I hope you all have a lovely Tuesday. I am heading to Washington DC for a job “meet and greet.” More on that later though.

And let’s not forget the pit stop to visit my soon-to-be sister-in-law and my soon-to-be nephew who is just a mere 9 days old! The G-fam is growing! Can’t wait to meet the little guy!

Now if I could just wash Funk Soul Brother out of my head…

God Bless You! Top Five Worst Places to Sneeze

June 26, 2013 by Susan 1 Comment

As I found myself in that awkward “Do I hold it in or just let it rip” moment I realized this was a blog-worthy PSA topic…

So here you have it…

Susan’s Top ~~Ten~~ Five Worst Places to SNEEZE.

5. When you’re in the midst of kitten cuddles. Cat lovers out there know the exact moment I am referencing. Your picky cat FINALLY settles in, cuddles up next to you and falls asleep… You sneeze. He takes off as if a stampede of wildebeest were about to trample him.

4. It’s bad enough when the dentist tries to talk to you while he’s cleaning your teeth… But there’s nothing much worse than the panic and fear when his hand and pointy, metal instruments are in your mouth and you feel a sneeze brewing!

3. The airplane. It’s really not all that bad, but people immediately hate the girl who sneezes on an airplane. Even if you’re pretty and your breathe is minty fresh. And let’s not even think about letting out a second sneeze. Even if you’re a quiet, polite sneezer who covers her mouth. You might as well just go sit next to the crying baby.

via.

2. Have you ever had to sneeze while pretending you’re a mermaid in the swimming pool? I’m not sure what’s worse… the pain or the awkwardness. Not gonna lie, I still have flashbacks and nightmares.

1. The nail salon in the midst of an overdue mani. {The inspiration for this post.} You’re pedicured toes are drying in that neon machine while the soft spoken lady politely cleans, polishes, tries to rescue your short and broken fingernails. One hand is in the bowl water and marbles while the other is half way through it’s paint job. Here are your options:

Do you quickly pull the hand out of the water and risk spilling it all over as you sneeze onto the hand she is about to work on?

Do you pull your hand away from her and risk gel polish being mis-painted? And sneeze into wet polish? Ain’t nobody got time for that. You don’t want those germs literally at your finger tips for two weeks!

Do you turn your head and sneeze on the lady next to you who is currently having 2 inch long talons applied to her fingertips? Lord knows she could claw your eyes out if she really wanted to…

Or do you sneeze straight at the sweet little innocent lady who is doing her job and painting glitter on your nails?

Quite the predicament. And you have 1.4 seconds to decide on your plan of action.

What do you do?

I awkwardly sneezed on the lady painting my nails and then doubled her tip.

In other news… my nails look great.