Modern, Organic...Beautiful

Kjaer Weis was created by NY makeup-artist Kristin Kjaer Weis. She wanted to create high-quality cosmetics that were safe, natural and organic. She had Marc Atlan create works of art for the cosmetic cases. They are bold metal compacts that are refillable, showing even further dedication to her cause. The products are beautiful from the inside and out, and the quality is undeniable.
As a mother, I often worry about what goes on my skin. My daughter loves dress-up and I often find her rifling through my cosmetics. She is not allowed to wear makeup of course, but I like to keep my cosmetics as natural as possible. Kjaer Weis allows me to do it with ease. I am enamoured with the Cream Blush. There is something so special about the packaging and the delicious product inside that gives me a "natural" glow. It also smells fantastic.

Kjaer Weis Cream Blush Compact is a clean and organic cream blush that give skin a beautifully fresh glow to create a youthful sun-kissed look.The hydrating, soft formula gently melts with the warmth of the fingers. Creme Blush is gently scented with Vanilla from Madagascar.

I use the blush as a lip gloss too and so little goes such a long way. Kjaer Weis cosmetics are true beauty for the eyes, planet and the soul.

Looking and Feeling Your Best

I know I got on and on about it, but recently I have decided to start taking better care of myself. I like to look good, as anyone does, but it was one shocking morning when I realized my au naturel look needed a little something. I don't think women necessarily need makeup, but it sure makes us feel better. One of my favorite lines to help me look "natural" is Laura Mercier. Laura Mercier makes it so easy to look your best. With everything from cosmetics to scent. She is the makeup artist that women of all ages turn to.

I love her Oil Free Suprême Foundation. It looks natural, but helps to cover-up my hormonal skin blemishes. I love that it is not greasy, which was a huge reason I avoided foundations in the past. It never settles into those fine laugh lines of mine.

The
Lip Stain is a great way to keep my pout colorful and cheery all day with minimum work. I swipe it on and go, and it stays on for hours! Perfect for a busy mom like me. I love the balmy feeling of it. I also love Laura Mercier Lipstick because instead of drying out my lips, it moisturizes, and every color seems to suit all skin tones.

My favorite for lips has to be the Lip Plumper. I use it in Bronzed Berry and it is my natural lips but better. This is what I carry everywhere with me. I love the scent and the way one swipe brightens up my whole face when I have not had time to do myself up.

The Eye & Cheek Palette is my gym-buddy. I am able to get a good work-out in and make myself presentable before I head off to do errands and all the 100 things moms need to fit into a day.

Featured in Spring's Lingerie Collection, the Eye & Cheek Palette includes six shades for eyes and two for cheeks to give skin soft kisses of colour.

6 Eye Colours. Luster Eye Colour in Buff Pearl and African Violet, Sateen Eye Colour in Tawny Apricot, Matte Eye Colour in Rich Cocoa, Pale Pink and Black Plum.
2 Second Skin Cheek Colours in Rose Desire and Fresh Peach.
All shades, except African Violet and Black Plum, are exclusive to this palette.

Laura Mercier is all about being a better, brighter you with a few little hints of color. Laura Mercier studied to be a painter, and she certainly is an artist.

The Eyes Have It

I always believed the eyes are the looking glass to the soul. Mine are usually ringed in black from lack of sleep, so I definitely need all of the help I can get making them look beautiful. To make that happen, I turn to Stila.
Stila's In the Moment Palette helps me achieve both daytime and nighttime looks that make me feel and look like I have had a full night's sleep. Imagine that?!

featuring a mix of pretty purples and ultra-wearable, neutral shades that flatter every skintone and can be worn wet or dry. The palette also includes an exclusive Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Tetra, a deep shimmery purple, plus an instructive eight-page look book with comprehensive application tips and tricks.

This set contains:
- 10 x Eye Shadows in Instinct, Impulse, Glance, Improvise, Catalyst, Desire, Wonder, Spontaneous, Whim, Captivate
- 0.01 oz Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Tetra (shimmering purple)

For a great price ($39) I have all the tools I need to take my look from day to night. It comes in cardboard (recyclable) packaging, and the colors flatter everyone. There are colors I would usually have not been brave enough to try, but now I am so glad I did. I use the Tetra to line my eyes on a night out and it makes them pop. This palette is a mommy-must-have! Little tip: add some shimmery light shadow near the corners of your eyes, and people will actually think you slept and you will feel like you are glowing.

Trish McEvoy Solves My Beauty Emergency

It took me a long time as a mother to realize I need to also take care of myself. One day I looked in the mirror and was shocked to see how tired are weary I looked. I have no excuse. I currently have one child. She keeps me busy, but now that she is four, I have more time to get things done. I have started a fitness routine, and now I have also started taking more time with my appearance. I am a firm believer that you should never judge a book by its cover, but makeup is more about how I feel about myself. I love a little something to spruce up my look, but all cosmetics have to fit three important rules for me 1. No Testing on Animals 2. Convenience; must be easy-to-use, and 3. Natural-looking. Trish McEvoy certainly fits the bill! Trish McEvoy is a line based on making it easy for busy women to look their best and feel their best. From planners to fragrance, Trish McEvoy has you covered.

My two items I carry everywhere with me (and because they are the size of a credit card, that is very easy to do) are the Beauty Emergency Card For Eyes and the Beauty Emergency Card For Lips.

Beauty Emergency Card For Eyes is an 8-color eye palette that gives you

infinite possibilities—from highlighting, contouring and defining to custom brows—in the palm of your hand. Wear each mistake-proof shade singly or mix-and-match to suit your mood.

In a pinch, I can apply any of the shades, and still look natural.



The Beauty Emergency Card For Lips is a fabulous collection of wearable lip colors that leave you glossy, not sticky. Every single shade is flattering.

Trish McEvoy understands that cosmetics should be easy and natural. Instead of an arsenal of cosmetics, these two little cards solve all of my beauty emergencies. These are a mommy must-have!

Stila Brightens up My Day

I have mere minutes every morning to get myself looking presentable. I am not the mother who wakes up at the crack of dawn to look perfect; sleep is way to important to me. I like any product that simplifies my routine. Stila does that for me. Stila cosmetics was started by a mother, Jeanine Lobell. She was a makeup artist herself so she understands the importance of products that work well. She also clearly understood that moms love a multi-functional product. I use two of the Stila products every single day. They have become my holy grail to looking good, well presentable.

The One Step Bronzer gives me a glow I wish I had time to get myself. I love the way it illuminates my skin(and seems to magically cover imperfections so I no longer need foundation).

This revolutionary new formula contains three illuminating bronzers:
Matte bronze with copper undertone - to bronze
Bronze with pink undertone - to enhance skintone and illuminate
Kitten - to brighten, illuminate and help diminish the appearance of sun spots
This primer, illuminating, bronzing, color-correcting skincare serum contains Stila's Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex that instantly:
Reduces imperfections
Improves skin texture
Diminishes the look of fine lines & wrinkles
Minimizes pores
Hydrates, balances and nourishes the skin
Controls oil production

And it really does each and every one of these things. This is my promise of a new day in a bottle. Even after a sweaty gym workout, this peps my face right up.


The Convertible Color is my other go-to. It is a blush and lipstick in one. The creamy formula is the perfect consistency, and a little goes a long way. I am one of those people who thinks you cannot leave the house without a little blush. It brightens up my entire face. I use this once a day, and it stays on ALL DAY! A mom cannot ask for more than that. Style Best Beauty Buys has voted this the best cream blush on the market 2005-2011 (and I have a sneaking suspicion it will win 2012 too).

Get your glow on fast and easily. Use that extra primping time that Stila saves you for spending with those little cherubs who really brighten up you day.

Revolution Organics

I often blog about how I am trying to make my life more and more chemical-free. I became a mother and realized that everything I have in our home and especially on my body could come into contact with my daughter. I use the safest things I can find on her, so why not on me? About five years ago I found out a brand of cosmetics I was using contained very harmful ingredients and even worse, they tested on animals. I was horrified! So I threw everything out and could never find multi-tasking products to replace them. This resulted in me often looking a lot pale and a lot tired. I needed something. Revolution Organics was and is that something. Revolution Organics was created by founders Melissa Shabinsky and Alexandra Zanella out of their own desire to simplify their lives and make healthy choices with their beauty products. The Revolution Organics line is USDA certified organic using only plant-based ingredients.

Each ingredient is carefully selected for their skin benefiting properties and all of our formulations combine highly concentrated blends of nourishing organic butters, oils, herbs and certified organic perfume blends to create our beautiful formulations.

My favorite part about this line is that everything is multi-tasking which means less time having to apply different products for busy moms.

The Freedom Lip Gloss is formulated with 100% natural and 85% certified organic ingredients, and is free of chemicals, mineral oil, petroleum, artificial ingredients and parabens. The colors are super-natural looking. They are so moisturizing that I use them like a lip balm.

The Lip Balm smells like oranges and vanilla is a nutrient-packed punch that boots the dry scaly lip look out the door. I wear this to bed at night.

The All-Over Skin Creme is really concentrated and rich. A little goes a long way to getting rid of rough feet and elbows. It has an uplifting citrusy smell I cannot resist.

My favorite go-to product from this line are the Freedom Glow Beauty Balms. They can be used on lips, cheeks, eyes...you name it! Each color is so natural looking, making me, but better. They are not glittery, flashy teenager makeup. These are dewy and nourish your skin rather than sitting on top of it. They really last all day. With colors Sunkissed, Bronzed and Blushed you will find one that works for you.

Come on ladies, time to clean out the makeup drawer and really commit to an organic, beautiful life.

Shiny Mama

As we are coming up on the weekend, I am pretty excited because Mommy and Daddy are getting a night out. It happens very rarely...I mean very rarely. I like to try and look my best when going out, but as I have mentioned, I am kind of lazy about putting in too much work. I am constantly on the search for a product to give me that extra pop! Shiny Mama is a fab line of products designed to make you glitter and glow. Think you cannot pull of glitter, gleam and shimmer? Think again. Shiny Mama was created by NYC superstar Yana Chupenko, the original "Shiny Mama".

The products are super user-friendly and subtle enough for even the shyest mum. I usually use one product from the line each time I go out so the sparkle is not overwhelming, but leaves everyone wondering where my glow comes from. The Shimmer All can be used as blush, lipstick, shadow or all-over powder. The sponge component in the cap makes it easy to get the perfect application. I use this as a brow highlighter, and BAM! I instantly look like I have actually slept. Shimmer All is a grown-up glow.

The Gleam All comes in a double-ended pencil (with included sharpener) and allows you to apply Sunray or Frost wherever you need it. It is paraben free. It looks amazing in the corners of you eyes and as liner.

If you usually shy away from sparkles, gleam and shimmer, give Shiny Mama a try and it will bring a little sparkle to your world.

If you want to receive 30% off your order email sales@shinymamabeauty.com with ‘shiny rocks’ in subject- let Shiny Mama know what products and amounts you want to order and Shiny Mama will bill you via Paypal with an invoice 30% off total order- and only pay $4.95 for shipping (Priority USPS).

Pure Beauty by Terra Firma Cosmetics

When you first become a mama, the thought of putting on makeup or even having a shower seems daunting. Eventually you get a handle on your new life and suddenly you want to feel and look human again. Then you worry (or at least I did), about what is really in those products you slap on your body and face. I purged everything after researching what was safe and what was not. Thankfully, cosmetics companies have listened up and we have options. Pure Beauty by Terra Firma Cosmetics has you covered from skincare to body care and cosmetics that are safe. It is a one-stop super shop for all things pretty and more importantly safe.

Their commitment to the ethical compact they've signed with SAFECOSMETICS to provide beauty care products free of potentially harmful ingredients is reflected in
their formulations.

The cosmetics are Paraben free and free of potentially carcinogenic and toxic ingredients such as Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, Petroleum and other harmful preservatives and additives such as lead. I use the Tickled Pink Tinted Lip Balm. It gives me a pop of pink and brightens up my whole face. I am super lazy about makeup, so this is a quick, easy pick-me-up.

I am also gaga for their Toasted Almond Body Butter from the Body Cravings line, which is free from Parabens, Synthetic Fragrance. It is nice and light, yet surprisingly moisturizing and it smells...well come on Toasted Almond, how could it not smell delicious?!

I am huge fan of the Pure Beauty by Terra Firma Cosmetics, and I cannot wait to try more!

Priti NYC

Painting my nails is one of the small things I do as a quick pick-me-up. I have always loved how relaxing it is. When I got pregnant with my daughter I packed it all away. I was so careful with everything I put on or into my body. We tried using "kid-friendly" paints, but they all chipped immediately and did not seem worth the effort. Then we found Priti NYC. Priti NYC was launched in 2005 in an effort to go green by creator Kim D'Amato.

Priti NYC polishes are all completely non-toxic and made without toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DHB) and formaldehyde- all known carcinogenic ingredients. The luxury polishes are fast drying, chip resistant, contain a UV inhibitor, and are extremely durable and glossy. They are also completely safe for use on children and moms-to-be. Available in over 100 different shades including metallics, mattes, bright neons, rich darks, classic nudes, and everything in between, limited color selection due to ecological restraints has officially become a thing of the past.

Priti NYC now has a soy nail polish removed, recycled glass nail file and even polishes for little ones (the Priti Princess nail polish collection, inspired by D'Amato's 9 yr. old daughter). They are 100% cruelty-free and 100% vegan.


We gave these polishes a go and love them! My daughter and I have had it on for a full week (it lasted through gardening with no gloves, cleaning and beach days). The soy remover is fabulous and works better than those chemical ones. We got to try the Soy Nail Polish Remover Wipes and are truly converted. I am really in awe of the 2 in 1 Top & Base Coat, I usually find them too thick, but this one is great and really prolongs your manicure and pedicure. Priti NYC even has a way for you to recycle your nail polish bottles. What's not to love?! Priti NYC polishes are Priti fabulous!

rms beauty...Naturally

Many cosmetics lines claim to be "all-natural" and "organic", and then you read the ingredients and shudder. rms beauty is finally the real deal! Makeup Artist, Rose-Marie Swift was experiencing health issues and her body contained large levels of toxins including Aluminum and Lead. Through questioning, she realized it was her work with cosmetics that was causing this. She decided to do something about this, and in 2008 she launched rms Beauty, the first truly organic color cosmetics brand in the world.

My cosmetics routine changed greatly when I became pregnant and then a mother. I started to pay more attention to what was touching my skin, and that went into overdrive when my toddler started getting into everything. rms beauty is natural, not only with the ingredients used, but in the way they wear. I cannot stand heavy makeup, so this line is perfect for me. The products that I have been lucky enough to try, are all winners.

The "un-cover" up is a melts right into your skin covering flaws, without looking heavy. It actually heals your skin. I have very dry patches under my eyes in winter, and this not only got rid of them, but covered my "less than eight hours sleep" dark circles. I even use it to cover blemishes.

The lip2cheek is perfect for that natural glow. It comes in an array of colors. I found the pigment to be just enough to give me a glow, and it seemed to work with my skin rather than sitting on top of it. One quick dab on my cheeks really lasts all day.

The cream eye shadows are also 100% natural and come in six different shades. They are moisturizing and a little goes a long way. They are perfect for dry eyelids and instead of accentuating wrinkles like most shadows, they hide them, giving you a youthful glow. No crazy glitter in these, just a nice subtle, youthful, glossy look.

My favorite product is the living luminizer. It looks amazing because it is not sticky, greasy or glittery. I use it on my brow bones, and on top of my cheeks (works wonderfully with the lip2cheek). It gives me that glow that makes it look like I am well-rested.

rms beauty does not use any genetically modified ingredients. This is a line that has done the research and knows what is not only good for your skin, but good for your health. Looking your best should never be at the cost to your health.

Pur Minerals

This is the time of year when my skin takes on a ghostly pallor and I look like I am part amphibian with super dry skin. I admit, getting myself prepped and ready is so far down on the list of important things to do. I would rather my child looks presentable, but sometimes I get a glimpse of myself and try to make some effort. Now, effort for me is still all about keeping it simple. I like to use products on my face that are not only quality but keep my skin looking fresh and healthy with good ingredients. Pur Minerals is the place to make that happen. The Pur Minerals line is made with natural minerals that are safe to use on your skin. What I like best is that each product is easy to use and does not come with a full instruction manual. Makeup should be easy!

I decided to try the Hot Rocks. Pur Minerals Hot Rocks are little rocks of color to add multi-dimensional color to your face. One swipe on each each with my brush and I am ready to go. Color is very easy to layer. I even use the Hot Rocks as an eyeshadow. It is pretty rewarding to do so little work, for such a great effect. Best of all, my skin looks better because I am using this amazing product.

The other product from Pur Minerals that I am just in love with is the Lip Revival. Lip Revival is a wonderful lip volumizing lip balm that is chemical-free. It draws your own lip moisture to fill in lines in your lips, making them appear fuller. I have been using this to moisturize and in place of goopy glosses. It is non-scented and very effective.

So now I make an effort, and have gone from ghostly to glamorous...well let's not push it.