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Hair:
I wear my hair curly and straight, so I use different products for each look. However, whether I’m rockin’ my curls or styling it straight, I use John Freida’s Thermal Protection Hair Serum for shine, frizz control and heat protection. This stuff works and adds a nice shine.
My hair tends to get really dry, so I put effort into keeping it looking healthy and shiny. I use Carol’s Daughter Mirabelle Plum Biotin Hair Mask once a week for a deep conditioning. If I am on the run with no time for a treatment, I love coating my ends with Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Oil, wrapping my hair in a bun and conditioning as I go (great when I’m in the gym). For my curly hair days, Miss Jessie’s Multicultural Curls is my secret weapon and makes my curls look fantastic!
Makeup:
I believe the purpose of make up is to enhance natural beauty, not camouflage it. However, we all need a little oomph to glam up our look, whether it’s day or night.
For my everyday look, I like to keep makeup simple and fresh with a five-minute routine: After moisturizing I use Maybelline’s Age Rewind Eraser in medium under my eyes, the bridge of my nose and a dab on any blemishes. This concealer provides great coverage without looking heavy. I follow-up with Bare Minerals Original Foundation in Golden Tan all over my face and neck. I love how this foundation evens out my skin tone, while allowing for a smooth, natural finish. You can’t tell I have on foundation! Next, I line my eyes with Make Up For Ever’s Waterproof Eyeliner in Star Black. I just hate having raccoon eyes mid day, and this liner stays put. Defined eyebrows are key, and I go with Sonia Kashuk’s eyebrow pencil. I like to enhance my cheekbones with Bare Escentuals Mineral Blush in Joyous Jennifer year-round or Sonia Kashuk's Chic Luminosity Bronzer in Goddess for the summer; both give me a dewy, fresh look with the perfect amount of color on my cheeks. After swiping on a dust of light gold eyeshadow — I love Lorac’s gold shadow palette — I apply Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara and finish my look with a spritz of Evian’s Face Mist. The mist serves a dual purpose in setting my make-up and gives my skin an instant pick me up. Voila!
![Josie Maran Argan Oil http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=468077606&pid=uid6144-28361512-86](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0081/6562/1857/files/Josie_Maran_Argan_Oil.jpg)
Skin care:
Winter really takes a toll on my skin, no matter how much I moisturize. I love the warmth of the sun kissing my skin, so SPF is key to my skincare regimen. My mother stressed the importance of skin care to me early on, so I’ve been a huge proponent of proper cleansing, never going to bed with make-up on, (getting) facials and moisturizing. Beauty does start from within, so in addition to my skincare routine, I also drink warm water with lemon and/or Skin Detox by Yogi Tea daily. Josie Maran’s Argan Oil works wonders on my skin when it’s dry, and I love to use this on my face on weekends or when I’m going make-up free. For cleansing, I use Murad’s AHA/BHA cleanser. I’ve started to use Roc’s Retinol Correction Sensitive Night Cream every other night; for all other nights, I go with my mom’s secret weapon, the trusted Oil of Olay Regenerist Night Cream. For day, I use Body Shop’s Vitamin E Illuminating Moisture Cream after I apply SPF. This moisturizer beautifully illuminates my skin. For my body, I use Eucerin Intensive Repair and Origin’s Ginger Soufflé and Ginger Gloss — the scent is heavenly.
Nails:
When my nails are manicured I feel totally put together, even if I’m having an “off” day! With my schedule there are times when getting to a nail salon is impossible, but a coat of clear polish works wonders. I prefer shellac/gel polish for its durability. I’m a sucker for a cleverly named OPI Nail Lacquer! My go to for the BEST red is OPI’s Big Apple Red; Midnight in Moscow and Everyday is Oktoberfest are my favorite fall/winter polishes; A French manicure is my pick for that important presentation.
Fragrance:
I love perfume! While I agree that every woman should have a signature scent, I like to switch it up and wear different fragrances throughout the year:
Spring/Summer: Giorgio Armani’s Aqua di Gio; it is a clean scent that reminds me of being at the beach.
Winter/Fall:Tom Ford Noir and Dolce & Gabbana The One; both fragrances are strong, bold and sexy.
Year-Round: Narciso Rodriguez For Her or Coco Chanel’s Mademoiselle
Each fragrance is special in its own way and (each) screams style and sophistication.
Beauty Indulgence:
Doing my own hair is a time-consuming process, so going to a hair salon to get my hair washed, scalp massaged and tresses pampered is a true indulgence for me. Tied with going to a hair salon is enjoying full body, deep tissue massage or my favorite, a cranial sacral massage. Massages don’t only relieve tension, but they also support circulation and removing toxins from the body.
We know that every Beauty has her staple items that she can’t live without–we like to call it, her Ultimate Beauty Arsenal. Every arsenal is different, because every woman is unique. Our goal with our Ultimate Beauty Arsenal series is to showcase women who have varying lifestyle and beauty needs, in the hope that you’ll not only be able to relate–but that through reading about their beauty must-haves, you’ll be able to find a few Holy Grail items of your own.