Kimmie’s Pre-Weekend Pretty-Up: Red, White & Blue Beauty

Happy Independence Day Weekend, Pretty Indy readers!  You’ve probably planned a weekend full of outdoor activities, delish picnic foods, summery cocktails, and family time.  While you’re “oooh-ing” and “ahhh-ing” over the fireworks, your beauty routine should be the last thing on your mind.  This week, I’m dishing out tips on keeping your look perky, pretty, and super patriotic!

Red: A nice bright lip is the perfect complement to tanned summer skin, but nobody wants lipstick smudging and smearing all over their hot dog bun (or worse, their white shirt!).  For a pretty pucker with serious staying power, opt for a red-hued lip stain.  I’m always loving Stila’s Lip & Cheek Stain, and if you’re an HBO junkie, be sure to check out Tarte for True Blood Lip Stain in a bright blood-red.  Bonus: A bright lip can be paired with a nude eye, making it the only makeup you need in the summer!

White: Attention, Crest Whitestrip addicts everywhere!  The era of creepily super-white teeth is officially over.  To learn the new standard for pearly choppers, simply look in the mirror at your peepers.  Cosmetic dentists are now advising that teeth shouldn’t be whiter than the whites of your eyes.  Learning this little trick can save you money, tooth sensitivity, and the shockingly white teeth that come from over-bleaching.

Blue: Check out any fashion mag this season and you’ll see that bright nails are in — the crazier, the sassier.  What better time to rock a 4th of July-themed manicure?!  You can approach this in tons of ways, but I’m loving the idea of starting with a white base, painting a wide red stripe up the center of the nail, and adding two smaller stripes of blue on either side of the red.  For a pedicure, try painting all your nails one color and painting both of your second piggies a contrasting color.  Bizarre?  You bet, but totally trendy.  Love it or hate it, ridiculous manis and pedis are here to stay (for the summer, at least!)

Happy 4th of July, ladies!

@KimmieTrubiro

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tarte for True Blood

Take a peek at tarte’s new limited-edition collection for True Blood – if you’re a True fan, you’ll probably need to have these.  Buy them at Sephora.

What’s your fave?

xoxo.

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We Invite You: Stella & Dot Mystery Hostess Show

With so much going on at Stella & Dot, it’s the perfect time to buy or WIN some new jewels.

The Renegade Collection was just released and it is TO DIE FOR—Vogue magazine took every single piece in the collection to feature this Fall!  View the collection HERE

Some of our Spring’s Bestsellers are up to 50% off!  View our SALE HERE

It’s wedding season, and our Wedding Ready section will help you find the perfect piece for the wedding you are attending, in or starring in!  View our Wedding Ready pieces HERE

You have multiple ways to WIN!

• Every person who orders (regardless of purchase amount) will be entered to win a $20 gift certificate towards a future order.

• For every $30 you spend you get entered to win the Hostess Rewards!!! This is typically a $250-$300 value in FREE jewelry, and you will earn the opportunity to shop at 50% off!  This opportunity will run from today (Friday, June 24) to Wednesday, July 6.

• Every person who visits the Stella & Dot by Rhiannon Facebook Page and “Likes” it and posts a comment that “Pretty Indy sent me” gets entered to win the Jenna Black Ribbon and Pearl necklace shown here!

• So, are you ready to WIN??? Here’s how to order!

Visit: www.stelladot.com/Rhiannon11

Click:   Find your hostess (top right hand corner)

Enter: Pretty (first name) Indy (last name)

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Product Review: Exuviance Performance Peel AP25

The lovely people at NeoStrata sent this Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 to me and I was super excited to try it.  I’ve tried “radiance-revealing pads” in the past that honestly seemed to do nada for my skin, but had never tried a legit at-home glycolic peel.  First and foremost, this is the description on their site:

“A 25% blend of AHAs and PHAs including Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid and Gluconolactone that exfoliates dead, dull surface layers, and stimulates the process of cell renewal among all skin layers, to reveal healthier cells. Clinical studies after one month of twice weekly use indicate:

• 100% of users saw improvement in fine lines & wrinkles
• 94% of users saw more even skin tone, texture & radiance

With regular use, up to twice a week, this peel has been clinically proven to:

• Refine pore size and smooth texture
• Visibly diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve clarity and brightness
• Brighten and even skin tone
• Provide an all-over healthy glow, suppleness and smoothness to skin”

Do those results sound good to anyone?  Sounds amazing, right?  As it turns out, this product is amazing.  While I’ve been lucky to not have to deal with too many fine-line or wrinkle-related issues, I’ve definitely had my fair share of texture and skin tone problems.  Just 3 weeks in with this at-home peel, and I’m hooked.  My skin definitely looks more even (with that healthy glow) and the texture feels super smooth and soft.  I’ve noticed that makeup is going on easier – and I’m not requiring primer like I was before (I still love it, but just don’t need it).  I use this peel before bed and wake up to skin that I swear is not my own – I’ve even gone makeup-less more often and trust me, that is not something I take lightly.

This peel could not be any easier to use; each pad is individually wrapped so there is absolutely no mess.  Just swipe on the pad with the peel ingredients and let it sit for 10 minutes.  If your skin gets uncomfortable before the 10 minutes is up, just use the neutralizer pad when you want to remove the peel and work your way up to the full 10 minutes.  I didn’t find this to be an issue, but I also don’t have very sensitive skin.  After you’ve neutralized the peel, splash your skin with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizer.  It is that easy.

This peel gets a A+ from me and it is something I will keep in my skin care regimen for a long, long time.  $68 for 6 week supply.

xo.

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Grand Opening – Athletic Revolution

I love the fact that Indy seems to be more on track with fitness as a priority – as evidenced by the multiple new fitness facilities that have opened recently!  Dale Speckman and Matt Hasbrook, both former football players, have opened Athletic Revolution.  Their aim is to get you into tip-top shape, and you can check it out at tomorrow’s (Saturday, June 25) grand opening.  From 2-7 pm, Athletic Revolution will be yours to experience, with catering from Ritz Charles, entertainment, games, and a raffle for some great prizes – this is super family friendly.

As an added bonus, anyone who mentions that they saw this post on Pretty Indy will snag 2 weeks of boot camp classes for FREE!  That will no doubt kick-start your fitness routine.  Check them out on Facebook!

Here’s the re-cap:

• When: Saturday, June 25
  • Doors open at 2pm.
  • Food will be served from 2-7pm.
  • Rafffle drawings begin at 2:30pm.

• . Where: Athletic Revolution Northeast Indy
  • 5111 East 65^th St. Indianapolis, IN 46202

xoxo.

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Kimmie’s Pre-Weekend Pretty-Up: Beach Babe Beauty 101

Ah, the beach.  It’s easy to feel like a goddess when you’re frolicking in the water, playing volleyball, riding a jet ski or just sunbathing.  Then you look in the mirror, and any goddessy-goodness you were feeling flies away with your hair frizzies.  Keep your beach look in line and fabulously fresh with my picks for the best stay-put-at-the-beach products.

Lips:  My new go-to lip balm this summer is the Eos Lemon Drop SPF 15 lip sphere.  It smells like a lemon cocktail and keeps my lips from chapping and burning (one of my biggest summer pet peeves).  Fresh Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment is also a rock star, albeit a slightly pricey one.  The original lemon-scented version is great, too, but I love the nude sheen and hint of color this balm leaves behind.

Face:  Tinted moisturizers will take you far during the summer, and there’s a lot of great ones out there.  I’m currently loving Philosophy Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer.  It’s sheer but still gives a bit of coverage, and it’s SPF 20 and jam-packed with Philosophy’s trademark moisturizers.  What’s not to love?!

Hair:  It’s easy to forget about your tresses when you’re outside in the summertime…which is exactly how my light brown highlights became blonde over the weekend (oops).  Keep your color bright with an SPF-infused beach spray, like Ouidad Sun Shield Sun & Sport Leave-In Spray.  It protects against sun damage and shields hair from other damage, like sun and chlorine.

Eyes:  I know I’ve raved about it before, but I used my bronze Tarte Waterproof Clay Liner last weekend at the beach and was reminded of why I’m obsessed with it.  This stuff lasts; I mean, really lasts…through swimming, sweating, everything!  But it comes off easily with face wash in the shower — brilliant!  My fave waterproof mascara happens to be a cheapie: Covergirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara goes on smooth and un-clumpy, and stays that way no matter what you put it through.

What are your favorite tried-and-true summertime products?  Get out there and enjoy some sun this weekend!

Cheers,

@KimmieTrubiro

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Not Just Another Pretty Pro: Jasmine Enlow

Today’s Pretty Pro, Jasmine Enlow, is one of the more interesting gals I’ve met lately.  She is the proud owner of Beauty by Nicole, where she provides on-site spa and beauty services.  She has served in the Air Force, is currently finishing her second degree in business, and grew up in West Lafayette with a very artistic family- chef/musician brother, actress/singer sister, artist/pastor father, singer/educator mother- which fed her obsession with beauty, fashion, makeup and music (she used to compete in classical piano competitions as well).  She is also fluent in Chinese.  My question is this: is there anything this gal can’t do?

1. Tell us about yourself in 140 characters or less:
2. Owner of mobile spa Beauty By Nicole and happy to be back home in Indiana after 11 years as a linguist in the Air Force, eight of which were spent in Hawaii where part-time I studied makeup and esthetics to get my beauty fix while fighting the evils of the world. I’m most passionate about helping women become their Best Self by providing the best in skin care and spa services and while I totally live for facials and body scrubs, I do have moments where my husband and I completely nerd out on the latest tech gadgets.

1. What, in your opinion, is special about what you offer?

The best thing about Beauty By Nicole is that I offer real solutions (like our skin analysis series) that meets needs for the most common skin care issues we all face. Just imagine being able to look in the mirror and feel great about the condition, look and feel of your skin  and without having to take out a second mortgage to do it. Plus with me being mobile, all the pampering you need comes to your home or office allowing you to relax even more than you would at a typical spa.

3. The beauty product I cannot live without is my Intensive Renewing Peel Treatment (a mushroom enzyme that shuts itself off, so it’s super gentle) and water, water, water, water.

4. What is your favorite beauty trend for summer?

I adore the bright lip colors that you are beginning to see all over the place and I’m glad that lipstick is back in vogue. When done right, it can be very Hollywood glamorous and even look great on brides.

5. Please keep Indy pretty, and stop, oh please beautiful women of Indy stop over plucking and shaping your eyebrows! Doing so ages you and makes you look stressed and in shock. If you think you may be a victim of over plucking and have that SURPRISE look, fill them in with short pencil strokes or powder or better yet call me. You’ll instantly look more modern.

Company Info:

Beauty By Nicole

www.beautybynicolecompany.com

317-883-7116

bebeautiful.nicole@gmail.com

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The Average Joe: Kneading the Noggin

I recently received a request from a reader wanting advice on how to convince her man to upgrade his choice of hair salons. Not an uncommon concern.

Speaking from experience, a lot of guys tend to select their haircutting destinations because on three criteria:  (1) convenience, (2) cost and (3) closeness. On the surface, these all sound like fine reasons…until you dive a little deeper and discover that convenience actually means never having to schedule an appointment in advance, cost means never having to shell out more than two Hamiltons, and closeness means never having to go farther than the nearest strip mall.

If that describes your man, rest easy. It might not be as hard as you think to get your man to graduate to an adult hair salon! In fact, it could take just two words:  Scalp…Massage.

Personally, I visited my first quality hair salon years ago, in the hopes of finding someone to repair a severely botched haircut I’d just gotten at a second-rate establishment. It was the best mistake that could have happened to my head. Not only did I find stylists who already knew how to work a set of shears—instead of spending appointments practicing on me—but I also discovered the downright indulgence of a scalp massage. The strip mall salons I’d been going to didn’t shampoo their clients as part of their $8 haircuts, so I had no idea the experience I’d been missing. Once I got my noggin kneaded, though, I was hooked!

And I think the same will be true for your man. Of course, he might need some cajoling at first, but that won’t be a problem. For his first appointment, negate the convenience factor by calling the salon yourself to book a time. Next, eliminate the cost factor by prepaying for his haircut—get him a gift certificate or call the salon and arrange payment ahead of time. Finally, cancel out the closeness factor by creating a good reason for him to be near the salon—set up lunch, dinner or drinks nearby for him to meet you at afterwards.

Do all this and I bet you’ll soon find him gladly arranging his own appointments, coughing up the 30+ bucks for a trim, and driving across town…all to get his noggin kneaded. Oh, and if you need a place to start, think Jenise at A Do Hair Salon—she will not disappoint!

— AJ

(Email your column ideas to averagejoe.pi@gmail.com or tweet me @AverageJoePI.)

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Review + Giveaway: Evan Todd Salon is a Must!

The Conrad.  What words come to mind when you see/hear that name?  Luxury, high-end, expensive perhaps?  Sometimes when we have such a luxury brand we expect an air of pretentiousness – and I have to admit, I wasn’t too sure what to expect when I was asked to make a little trip downtown to check out the brand new Evan Todd Salon & Spa.  I may or may not have been worried about the fact that I didn’t have time to fix my chipping nail polish, or the fact that my hair had air-dryed the night before (never a good thing for anybody) and was now being held down by a head-band, although it was a sparkly head-band.

Any worries I may have had about my appearance (silly, but hindsight is 20/20, no?) were put to rest when my friend and I were greeted by the lovely Maddy Barnas – quite possibly the most adorable PR gal ever.  She was warm and friendly, and I knew right away this was going to be a fun night.  When we got to the 6th floor, doors opened to a gorgeous front desk with a very inviting pool deck behind a large window – just stunning.  Champagne was in our hands immediately, and I’m pretty sure a smile never left my face.  Katie, the spa/salon director, gave us a tour – and I was completely impressed.  Not only was Katie amazingingly welcoming, but she just loves her job and it shows.  A few note-worthy nuggets – we were shown a massage room that contained 2 massage tables, perfect for a couple’s massage or a girlfriend’s day out, but then Katie shared that the massage rooms could be opened up to make a larger room containing 6 massage tables.  Is this not perfect for bridal anything?  How fun would it be to get a group of gals together for a spa day – complete with strawberries and champagne, oh yes.

I loved the pedicure area – dim and relaxing, with a booth-like leather seat to again accommodate you and a girlfriend or two.  I think what I love so much about the lay-out of this spa/salon is that it is so open and is conducive to sharing an experience with a good gal-pal.  The mani area (pictured above) is bright and cheery, as is the actual salon (pictured at the top).  Todd Leuck, the Todd of Evan Todd, happened to be in the salon and could not have made me feel more welcome.  After the tour, we were led back to the most relaxing shampoo room I’ve ever been in (dim with comfy-cozy chairs that vibrate, yes vibrate) and were given a nice scalp massage while shampooed – this is an Aveda salon so you know it smelled amazing.  Ahhh…scalp massage.  Ok I’m back.  Jillian and Amy were our stylists, and were so fun and easy to chat with.  I love a stylist who is engaging and fun to talk to – these girls have it going on.  For me, Jillian used some Aveda Smooth Infusion and I was floored by how soft, smooth, and shiny my hair looked when she was finished.  No more hair-taming head-band needed.  My friend has a cute short ‘do – and Amy made sure to give it some texture and finished it off with a little flower…so adorable.  Kat touched up our makeup and gave us some smoky glamour eyes…and by this time we were feeling prettied-up and ready to head to Tastings.

Are you envisioning this as a fun night for you and a girlfriend yet?  If you haven’t been to Tastings, you.must.go.  It’s like a Dave and Busters for wine – you load up a card with money and then slide it in machines that give you 2 oz. tastings of wine.  Pure genius.  And not just because it’s fun – you have a great opportunity to try so many different wines that you would otherwise not be tasting.  I also have to give Tastings a shout-out and say that their actual menu from which you can order bottles of wine is the most affordable in the city.  I’m talking multiple bottles between $18-$25.  They also have a fantastic menu of cheeses, sandwiches, flatbreads and more – I admit that I never think of this spot as a lunch locale when I’m downtown but I’m going to start.  It is delicious.  We tried the dip sampler (hummus, white bean dip, and bruschetta – all fantastic) and maybe a couple bottles of some delicious white wine (don’t judge).

I really could not recommend this combination of a trip to the Evan Todd Salon & Spa followed by Tastings any more – it makes for a perfect day or night whether you’re with girlfriends or your main squeeze.  And now it’s your turn to try it out.  The Conrad has so graciously offered 2 $25 gift cards to Tastings in addition to one shampoo and style at the Evan Todd Salon & Spa to one lucky winner!

To win, do any or all of the following (the more you do, the more entries you get!):

1.  Become a fan of the Evan Todd Salon & Spa on Facebook and let them know Pretty Indy sent you.

2.  Follow Evan Todd on Twitter and tweet that @prettyindy sent you.

3.  Comment on this post and tell us why you deserve an evening of pampering and wine!

Good luck!  xo.

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Here Comes the Bridal Makeup

It’s June, which means wedding season is in high gear.  Here are some fun bridal makeup/bath & body picks that everyone can enjoy!

Urban Decay’s Urban Bride kit is for the trend-setting, cutting-edge gal.  This kit contains everything you need to look like the fashionista you are on your big day: finishing powder, marshmallow sparkling lickable body powder (I think that might be for after the reception, wink wink), Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Midnight Cowboy (an Urban Decay classic color), curling mascara, All-Nighter makeup setting spray (a must), and eyeshadow primer potion.  Beyond the fab products – how adorable is the box they come in?

Sephora’s brand new Beauty & The Bride kit has you covered with products that range from a gorgeous perfume (Gucci’s Flora) to a perfectly bridal nail color (True Romantic by OPI for Sephora).  Other products include a Josie Maran Argan Oil color stick in Rosy, Kitten eye shadow by Stila (an absolute classic – everyone should own this shade), Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, and so much more.  I love this kit because you truly get to try so many different products from so many different lines!

I am completely in love with Tarte’s cheek stains.  They have been around forever but for some reason I’m a recent convert/new addict. Nonetheless, you can’t go wrong with the natural “I’m so in love” flush that belongs to Blushing Bride – it’s such a pretty color.  Two other shades I love include Blissful, a gorgeous warm peach, and True Love – a punchy watermelon.  For extra staying power on your marathon day, top the stains with corresponding Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush.

Philosophy’s Here Comes the Bride set includes all a gal needs to get her skin looking fab for her big day.  It includes Purity Made Simple face wash, one Micro-Delivery peel, and Hope in a Jar moisturizer to get your facial skin in tip-top shape.  For the body, Philosophy hooks you up with Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion and Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath, and Shower gel.  This makes a fun shower gift as well!

xo.

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