Valentine's Day Makeup Suggestions with Cosmetologist CJ LaRose

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we talked with our In-House Makeup Expert, certified Cosmetologist, CJ LaRose, about makeup suggestions for the big date.

Q: What do you think the biggest stress is for women when prepping for their Valentine's Day date?

A: Women often go days thinking about what to wear; how to do their hair; and what to put on their face. Makeup can be fun and easy; it doesn’t have to be complicated and overwhelming. For me, applying makeup comes naturally. I have been doing it for years and I enjoy helping people find what works for them.

Q: Any tips on where to begin with makeup?

A: Think about this: What do you want to put on your face? Are you more simple and natural? Do you like glam? Or, are you somewhere in the middle? There are so many options out there. The Mineral Fusion line we carry is great because it not only provides us with top-quality products that look great, they also are full of minerals that are healthier for skin.

Q: Back to Basics. What's your thoughts on a liquid foundation and then a powder verses just powder?

A: I usually keep it simple with a pressed powder.

Q: Those eyes are always the tricky part for most women. Between colors and the how-to, it can be confusing for many. Any advice?

A: I opt for light, cool colors for special occasions. Use a light color on the lid, such as Buff, and a warmer color for the crease, such as Stone or Rare. Also, making sure you use the right eyeliner and mascara is important.

For eyeliner, I like to use Midnight Blue. With blue eyes, it makes my eyes stand out. This also works for other eye colors. The blue is subtle enough that it draws attention to the eyes without a lot of color.

I always use Volumizing mascara; Jet is my favorite.

Q: Lastly, let's talk lipstick. That always seems so easy, but I think we have a tendency to choose colors we like instead of what works with our skin tone.

A: Choosing the lip color you like can be challenging. Finding the right color can be even more challenging. Remember that lighter skin tones look best with pink based colors and darker tones look best with orange based colors.

You can play around with colors to help you decide what looks best. I like to swap between Melon lipstick and Honeysuckle lip butter. Or, you can use a true red – like Ruby – to really stand out - especially on Valentine's Day where bold can be beautiful.

Q: Any final tips for Valentine's Day?

A: Finding what works for you can be fun and easy. Take your time and enjoy trying on different colors. And of course, have fun pampering yourself on Valentine's Day. 

6 Date Night Tips

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about chocolate, roses, and romantic love songs anymore. It has evolved into a ritualistic date night for couples and has become more stressful. Make your evening memorable and stress free with these tips.

1. Try NEW Urban Moonshine’s Chocolate Love Potion for a special evening.
2. Take extra care of your sweetheart with Badger body oils. Naturally soothing ingredients like Jojoba and Olive oils keep your skin hydrated and silky soft.
3. Treat yourself to a luxurious bath with San Francisco and Evolution Salt bath salts. With scents like lavender and coconut, who could resist?
4. Brighten your dazzling smile for the special night with all-natural toothpastes.
5. Harness your hairstyle with healthier options! ShiKai and Conceived by Nature are perfect for your hair-styling needs.
6. Mineral Fusion cosmetics are great for those with sensitive skin. With an array of products like foundations, nail polish, eye shadows, lipsticks, and more, there’s something for everyone!

~CJ LaRose, Senior Supervisor

5 Ideas for a Healthy Heart & Happy Life

    

Healthy Heart, Happy Life

With today’s hustle and bustle lifestyle, we often forget to stop and think about what it is our hearts need to be healthy. Drinking plenty of water, getting exercise, and a good night’s sleep are a good start, but often are not enough. So what can you do for your heart? Here are a few tips to get started!

1. Eat Healthier. Reading and understanding what you are consuming is crucial to the beginnings of a healthy body and heart. Foods full of sodium, carbohydrates, sugars, trans fats, and saturated fats take your body longer to process. Frozen meals, fast-food, and boxed meals are often full of sodium, saturated fats, and processed foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (such as beans and lentils). Replace white bread with whole wheat bread; try whole grain pasta. Turning your diet around can make a huge difference in the long haul.

2. Stress Management. Stress is one of the biggest problems we face daily. High stress levels pave the way to cardiovascular problems. With heart disease being the number one killer for men and women in the U.S.[1], it is vital to ensure we keep stress levels at a minimum. While it’s difficult to get rid of stress altogether, we can make changes to limit stress. Here are a few tips to help manage stress:
1. Try Meditation. Learning to meditate, or do yoga, can be very relaxing not only for our minds, but also for our bodies. Meditation can help you let go and be in the present moment. Learning to touch base with your breath can be a great tool. You can use these techniques on a daily basis. Harsh deadline on your mind? Close your eyes and breathe. Count to ten. Try deep, slow breathing for a few minutes. Learning to manage breathing is very therapeutic for many people. Learning what therapeutic techniques work for you is important to keep stress levels manageable.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Often times we forget that our peers can be our most useful (and helpful) resource. Even just asking someone to run the mail to the post office for you can be helpful. Let family and friends help. Ask family members to help cook dinner or run the kids to soccer practice.
3. Remember that you are the star of your life. It is important to take care of you first. Make sure you’re drinking enough water, getting plenty of sunlight when it’s possible and getting the recommended amount of sleep. These three factors can make or break our ability to adapt to stress.
4. Get Active! Exercise is naturally therapeutic. “Couch potatoes have increased cardiovascular disease risk, so make sure you get regular exercise.”

3. Try supplements that may support heart health:
1. CoQ10 – “a powerful antioxidant.” [2]
2. Fish Oil – “may reduce the risk of heart attack and heart disease.” [3]
3. Folic Acid – “Taking folic acid may reduce blood levels of homocysteine.”[4]

4. Get regular check-ups with your doctor, especially if heart disease or any heart-related issues runs in your family. Have your doctor check cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure regularly.

5. Tried and True: Avoid smoking at all costs. Smokers are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than nonsmokers.[5]

Remember, a healthy heart makes a happy life.

- CJ LaRose, Bookkeeper, Senior Supervisor

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[1] Source: CDC http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm

[2] Source: 2016 Healthnotes, Inc.

[3] Source: 2016 Healthnotes, Inc.

[4] Source: 2016 Healthnotes, Inc.

5Source: WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/quit-smoking-heart