Laura’s been in the Salon/Spa business for years before becoming a full-time freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert. She covers all aspects of living a glamorous lifestyle of good taste and beauty. She has graciously agreed to share with us a few of her beauty tips and secrets. And as usual I’ll be taking notes.
Anita: What are your top 5 favorite beauty products and why?
Laura: 1) Lip Gloss – it gives me a little boost without looking totally ‘Made Up’. I’m not a big lipstick person. I like very few lipsticks. My favorites are CoverGirl LipSlicks in Princess and Chanel Glossomer in Blizzard. 2) Cuticle Care – You can have a beautiful polish job and if you have ragged, dry or cracked cuticles, it totally detracts from your hands. Moisturize your cuticles daily! I love Duri Herbatherpy or Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream. 3) Sunscreen with an SPF or higher – this is the most important beauty product – bar none. I am a fan of Aveeno positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30. 4) Foot File – Using a foot file on dry or wet feet is the best way to prevent callouses. I like the Flowery Swedish Clover foot file. 5) Mascara – You can go over the top with 3 coats of black or much more subtle with one coat of brown mascara on top lashes only. My current favorites are Revlon Grow Luscious and Maybelline Falsies.
Anita: Favorite Non-Brand beauty products and why?
Laura: 1) I love Olive Oil – it can be used to moisturize dry elbows, knees, cuticles, hands and hair etc. 2) I have dark brown hair and do a coffee rinse, then condition. This gives my hair loads of shine! 3) Avocado makes a wonderful mask for face or hair – check the internet for recipes.
Anita: My favorite question, what’s your favorite shade of Red Lipstick?
Laura: I’m not a big fan of Red Lipstick on myself – I love Juice Beauty SPF 8 Lip Moisturizer in Playful, a strawberry shade. Personally I think Red Lipstick is often a beauty blunder! You must have just the right of shade of red for your skin tone and you must know how to apply it and most important you need the right attitude to pull it off.
Anita: If you only had 5 minutes in the morning to get ready, which beauty products would you use?
Laura: I never spend more than 5 minutes anyway! I curl my lashes and apply mascara, maybe a little mineral powder, and a bit of eye pencil with lip gloss and I’m out the door!
Anita: Last minute pearls of wisdom?
Laura: I think the downfall of makeup is that women can use too much, subtle makeup is alluring and shows off your features, not the makeup itself. Tread lightly in the makeup department. A very important aspect of makeup is that it can make you look older. Frosty or sparkly makeup can easily settle into fine lines and the worst culprit for aging is dark lipstick. A dark shade of plum or brown can add 20 years!
City Girl in Red Lipstick 