The Beauty Buff Bridal: DC Cherry Blossoms

DC resident or not, the annual blooming of the cherry blossoms around the city and particularly around the Tidal Basin are a sight not to be missed. If you're a bride-to-be, make it your business to get a few engagement-esq shots with your hunny in and around the pink, lush trees. They really are quite a vision and look beautiful in a framed shot with you two gazing into each other's eyes. Okay, that sounds uber corny but you get the idea.

The blossoms have reached peak bloom but there are still about ten days left to experience their beauty in person. People come from all over the country and even the world to see them and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival draws in large crowds down Constitution Avenue. Even if you don't live near the city, jump on a plane, train, or automobile and come check them out. They really add a whole new dimension to the city and are such a uniquely spring in DC sight.

So take some time and head out to see them. Grab a few photos or hire a photographer to capture you and your loved in front of DC's beloved blossoms and enjoy! The memories and gorgeous photos will be well worth the trip.

The Beauty Buff Bridal: Signature Cocktails

Your wedding should be the ultimate reflection of you as a couple. Couples have different personalities, interests and, idiosyncrasies that make them unique and what better day to illustrate who you are than on your wedding day.

From Brides.com

A signature cocktail is a fantastic way to show your style. If you're into old fashioned cocktails with a kick offer your guests a Sazerac, or if you like a sophisticated, stiff drink offer a classic Cosmopolitan. Your options are endless and you can always concoct your own drink and have fun testing potential winners in the process. Check out more fun suggestions from Brides.com's list.  

Make your wedding unique and you in as many ways as you can!

The Sweetest Bath Time Treat

Need a bath time indulgence that will smell sweet and feel soothing on the skin? Try Fresh Sugarbath Cubes in Lychee. I'm fairly obsessed with this aromatic scent and love how the big sugar cubes fizz in the water. The cubes dissolve into an effervescent solution that's great for dry skin and the aloe and chamomile ingredients are calming and comforting for your bath experience. They make a fantastic gift or housewarming present. I adore the packaging too! Check them out and give yourself a bath time treat! 

I'm a huge fan of Fresh products. Seriously one of my all-time favorite skin care lines. Their products make your skin feel fresh and clean and they all work well. Check out the rest of the line and see for yourself.

My Favorite Cleanser

I tend to experiment with a lot of different products which tends to make my skin freak out every so often.   The one cleanser that really calms my pores down and clears up my face is and always has been Cetaphil. It's so gentle and soothing on the skin and great for sensitive skin. It's also great for prepping your skin if you use topical medications.

Overall, it's cheap, reliable and always a sure thing. Sometimes it's best to keep things simple and this mild cleansing solution is just that.

Photo Shoot for Belly Satva

I recently worked on a photo shoot for Dahlia Shaaban, owner of Belly Satva Holistic Health. Shaaban is a yoga instructor who provides health consultations and Thai yoga therapy. She's also a fantastic cook and creates delicious recipes on her site that incorporate natural ingredients that are filling and healthy.

Dahilia worked with photographer Drew Xeron on updating her portfolio and I had the pleasure of creating the makeup look for the shoot. Drew is an incredibly talented photographer and made the shoot fun, creative, and easy.

Makeup:


Skin: Dahlia has tan, glowing skin, so I wanted to enhance her natural complexion and bring out the golden hues with a creamy foundation. After using foundation and concealer on her face, I used a caramel powder to create an even palette and bronzer to contour her cheek bones and play up her tone. I then applied a bright pink blush to the apples of her cheeks to give her a youthful, fresh feel.

Eyes: I focused on playing up her eyes. Dahlia has hazel green eyes so I wanted colors that would enhance her shade. Browns and purples look great on her so I created a purple smoky eye with lots of brown gel liner and mascara. I started by using a creamy concealer under her eyes, on her lids and brow bones to hide dark tones and act as a base. I then applied cream shadow base with a shimmer on the lids and added dimension to the color by using a light shimmery purple shade over it. I used a highlighter to contour the brow bone in a pearl shade and mixed a plum-brown shadow and purple shadow together and applied it on the outer corner of her eye lid and extended it up to create a triangle on her brow bone. I dusted a darker plum shade directly above her lid and connected to the triangle in the outer corner of her eye and brow bone. Then I lined her lids with a dark brown gel liner and applied black mascara to her lashes. I darkened her eyebrows with a brown shadow to let them frame her face and put a little brow gel on to keep the brows in their place.

Lips: I kept the lips simple with a little lip liner in a nude tone and pink lip gloss.

I wanted the focus of the look to be her eyes. Overall, the look is all about creating a clean base, dusting bronzer and blush on the skin and using plum and brown shades to create a sultry smoky eye.

Check out the look:

Eucerin Giveaway!

Elephants enjoy a pretty carefree existence, don't they!? They're big and beautiful and can stomp on pretty much anything. My one beauty concern is how they operate on a daily basis with such painfully dry skin. I look at their adorably craggily skin and cringe. They take dry skin to another level.

Luckily, my skin is in no danger of getting anywhere close to that dry thanks to my trusty collection of Eucerin skin care products. I've been using Eucerin for a while and feel instantly soothed and relieved by their formulas. Their creams are super nourishing, hydrating, and effective. I literally don't know what I'd do without their body lotion in the winter. I'm pretty obsessed with all their products and especially in love with their amazing Aquaphor Healing Ointment. I use it on dry skin and lips, cracked skin, burns, cuts, flyaway hairs, and dry cuticles. It's such a versatile and easy to use product.

The beginning of spring is near but the changing of the seasons comes with plenty of annoying skin transitions. As your body adjusts to the new weather it tends to get extra sensitive, flaky, and irritated as it slowly compensates for the new environment and temperatures. It's a time when your skin can feel even drier than it did in the winter and a time when using a good moisturizer is essential. 

In honor of the warmer weather and my love for this line, I'm giving away some of my favorite Eucerin products and a few other beauty treats! One winner will receive a collection of Eucerin lotions and washes along with two festive West Elm cosmetics bags and a gorge. OPI by Sephora nail color. 

All you need to do is leave me a comment below telling me what your favorite Eucerin product is. Then take this post and share it on Facebook and/or Twitter while mentioning The Beauty Buff on Facebook and/or Twitter and Eucerin on Facebook and/or Twitter.  Let Eucerin and the Beauty Buff see your skin care love and you'll be rewarded with some beauty loot! 

I'll announce the winner ten days from today. Show your support for us and win this great package! 

Hope to see your comments and shares! Good Luck to everyone who participates!  

Giveaway only valid for people living in the US.

In Love With Aquaphor

It's no secret that I'm fairly obsessed with Eucerin skin care products. They work so well to treat dry skin and leave it soft and hydrated hours after use. They're definitely my go-to skin care line, especially in the winter. 


My favorite new find is Eucerin's Aquaphor line. I'm not sure how I didn't know more about this magical tub before. Aquaphor is a vaseline-like healing ointment that is used to treat dry skin and lips. It's gentle on the skin and frequently used on babies and recommended by dermatologists to remedy cracked skin, burns, minor cuts and skin irritations. The formula packs glycerin, chamomile essence, and provitamin B5 to moisturize effectively and a little drop goes a long way on your skin. 


Spring is hopefully around the corner and there's no doubt your skin will be transitioning from the dryness of the season by being extra flaky, uncooperative and dry, so good moisturizing products are essential. 


A few drops of this potent solution will instantly revive your dull skin and lips and help you welcome in the seasonal changes. If you don't already own a bottle, run out and grab one today! You won't be sorry!


Aquaphor gets a big Beauty Buff seal of approval! Enjoy it and spread the word!