Must-Have Summer Shower Essentials

Is your shower (and bathroom in general) overflowing with products? Mine is! I simply cannot help myself when it comes to my favorite products – and there are so many! The great thing is that every summer, I clean out everything and organize the essentials. When I am bronzed and blonde from the beach and sun, my summer shower essentials are all I need! Here’s my list of summer shower essentials. xo

 Summer Shower Essentials 

• A great razor – even though I do love a good wax, there is always something that needs to be shaved (c’mon, you know its true!) and a good razor makes all the difference for smooth legs and underarms.

• A go to facial scrub. Exfoliation is key all year round, but in the summer especially. I use a facial scrub every few days to keep my skin soft and clear. Fixx Microdermabrasion is one of my all-time faves.

• Conditioner. Get away from the dry hair of winter and remember to use a conditioner every day, like Fixx Argan Oil. When it’s hot outside, air dry to give your locks a break!

• Coconut body wash. Summer makes me feel like I should be at the beach every day! What’s more beachy than the tropical scent of coconut? Can’t find a coconut body wash? Opt for passionfruit or guava instead! Try the Body Shop Coconut Bath & Shower Cream.

• On the go hair products. One of the best parts of summer is having that just been to the beach, salt-water look, you know when your hair is wavy and free? When you can’t get to the beach, pretend with this after-shower spritz for hair: Bumble to Bumble Surf Spray

What are your must have summer shower essentials?

Loren Ridinger (@lorenridinger)

7 FLAWS YOUR DATE WILL NOTICE

You’ve only got one chance to make a great first impression. Check out these beauty tips to find out what he ranks on the top of his list when sizing up your beauty

While we like to think he’ll notice our fabulous leopard print pumps, guys have a different set of priorities when determining if they’re hot for you or not. Check out what beauty concerns grab his eye and how to turn an imperfection into your best asset.

1.  ACNE

There’s no beating around the bush — breakouts aren’t sexy. Unless the lights are off, a big blemish can cool the mood fast. Instead of putting your energy toward applying foundation, focus it on clearing up your skin. Men would trade in a made-up face for a flawless complexion any day of the week. To prevent zits, like Damone tells you often,ALWAYS wash your face before bed. To further avoid pores from clogging, slough away dead cells with an exfoliator two times a week. If a stubborn pimple persists, dab it with a drying potion containing acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide .

2. DARK CIRCLES

Love happens between the eyes. If yours look exhausted, all bets are off. Not to mention, dark under eye circles can age you. Whether it’s cars or women, men like things in mint condition. To look fresh as a daisy, hide the darkness with a concealer. Pat a creamy, peach-toned formula (tryMaybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector, $8.22) gently around the offending area and instantly increase your chances for sparks to fly. Need more than just a little concealer?

3.  FINE LINES

There are many understood rules that fall under guy code. For example, there’s the one about a man not cock-blocking another man. Even less talked about is the one about a dude determining if he likes a girl based on how well he thinks she’ll age. If your date subscribes to this code, fine lines are definitely not in your favor. To minimize the appearance of unwanted creases, use a silicone-based primer (try Lumene Crystal Radiance Skin Tone Perfector, $10). It will fill lines and allow for makeup to go on smoother. In addition, if you have dry skin, be sure to moisturize regularly as dryness accentuates wrinkles.

4.  FRIZZY HAIR

When prepping for a date, don’t neglect your mane. A man might not notice a purse, but he will appreciate a beautiful head of hair. It should be soft, shiny and ready for action at any moment. To rid frizz, apply an anti-frizz serum (tryFrizz Ease Thermal Protection Serum, $8.99) on damp hair. If you’ve got curls, diffuse your hair dry. For straight locks, use a dryer, blowing the air downwards at a 45-degree angle. Get extra protection by misting your brush with an anti-static spray (tryGraham Webb Stick Straight Smoothing Spray, $13.95) and brushing through hair.

5.  UNKEMPT NAILS

Nail biters beware. Stubby nails are as unbecoming on a woman as it to see a guy with his finger up his nose. Men are extremely aware of hands, and if yours are unkempt, they’re less likely to reach out and touch. Men also notice nail color that is chipping, so beauties, with all the wonderful bright trends in nail polish this season, make sure to maintain!  To help your nails grow, paint on a protein-enriched nail growth product (trySally Hansen Salon Nail Growth Protein, $8) and keep your hands supple by applying moisturizer post wash.

6.  FACE FUZZ

Chivalry isn’t dead, but it has faded. Gone are the days when the man paid for you, no questions asked, and he picked you up at your doorstep. However, one thing remains the same: men want to feel macho and hold their own. Unfortunately, women with extra face fuzz are not considered as feminine and can throw off his game. Heavy or dark hair around the lips and sideburns can create shadows. Remove excess facial hair.  Make an appointment at  a Damone Roberts salon and not only get rid of the fuzz, but also, shape your brows to frame your face.  

7.  BIG NOSE

It’s always important to accentuate your best feature. If your nose isn’t it, you can do just the opposite and minimize it. All it takes to make your nose look smaller is to employ a great makeup technique known as contouring. Take a foundation that is one shade deeper than your skin tone. Using an angled brush, start at the outer edge of your nostril and sweep the foundation up in a straight line along the side of your nose. Finish by brushing a highlighter along the bridge of the nose to make it appear even narrower.

Ok single beauties,  always remember that you are beautiful, no matter what!  These tips will only enhance what you are already working with!

XO,

Damone

Beauty Tip of The Day

 Sleeping on two or three pillows at a time, or putting a wedge pillow under your regular pillow will help get rid of dark circles under your eyes.

XO, Damone

DIY Beauty Secrets for the Non-Believer

1.  DIY HAIR MASK: COCONUT OIL + AVOCADO OIL

Celebrity hairstylist Corey Powell who’s clients include Cameron Diaz and Hilary Swank, raves about the benefits of a DIY hot oil hair mask

Mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a mug, nuke it for 30 seconds, and comb it through your dry hair. Yes, it’s a bit messy; it’s  easiest to apply in small sections, then comb through. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then hop in the shower to wash it out. 

After you blow dry your hair, you’ll notice a big difference. Your hair will be markedly softer and shinier than before. And the best part? Because avocado oil doesn’t have a scent, it just dilutes the coconut aroma and you’ll be left with a subtle tropical fragrance.

2.  DIY FACE SCRUB: OATMEAL + HONEY + YOGURT

Skin care legend Ole Henriksen (clients include Charlize Theron and Katy Perry) swears by a simple DIY face scrub: Mix 1 tablespoon of oats (a known skin soother), 1 teaspoon of honey (an amazing moisturizer), and 2 tablespoons of yogurt (which contains complexion-brightening lactic acid). While the mix seems more like breakfast than a DIY exfoliator, it will brighten any dull complexion and is great for people who are prone to break outs and/or have sensitive skin

3.  DIY LIP BALM: FLAXSEED OIL + VASELINE + HONEY

One of the biggest beauty bummers is flaky lips.  Henriksen suggests, a honey-based blend. First, apply a teaspoon of flaxseed oil (loaded with nourishing omega-3 fatty acids) onto your lips, then layer on some Vaseline for extra hydration, and finally a teaspoon of honey to seal in all the moisture.  Swipe on this mix before bed (after you have washed off all of your make up, as I always tell you to do) and eight hours later, you’ll wake up with lips that are still moist. 

4.  DIY BODY SCRUB: ORANGE PEELS

Dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD, suggests a simple DIY body scrub — made of just orange peels. Peel an orange and wrap the peels in a large piece of gauze or a cheese cloth, she says, and rub it all over your skin in the shower. 

The acid and the vitamin C contained in the orange peel help even out skin tone and firm the skin’s surface, Shamban says. You’ll  see the wonderful results before you even towel off.

5.  DIY FOOT SCRUB: SUGAR + LAVENDER OIL + ROSEMARY OIL

Mix a pinch of sugar (to exfoliate), a tablespoon of lavender oil (which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory), and a tablespoon of rosemary oil (which helps moisturize calloused skin).  

Scrub your feet and watch the dead skin just go away!  

6.  DIY BODY MOISTURIZER: GRAPESEED OIL

Hollywood skin care guru Sonya Dakar (the woman who keeps Gwyneth Paltrow looking flawless) suggests applying a small amount of grapeseed oil right after you get out of the shower, when your skin is still damp. This way the oil can trap in the moisture. Grapeseed oil is rich in antioxidants (which help prevent premature aging) and fatty acids (which nourish and smooth skin). Plus, because it’s one of the lighter, thinner oils out there, you won’t feel greasy. Do this for a few weeks and watch how much softer your skin will feel. Here’s a helpful hint: remember that with oil, a little goes a long way!

Ok, non believers, try some or all of these and let us know how it worked out for you!  We think that you will be smiling from ear to ear!

XO

Damone

(Source: totalbeauty.com)

Today’s Beauty Tip -Illuminated Skin

Sometimes a slight change in your beauty routine makes all the difference. While many opt to smooth on foundation before applying concealer, the trick to achieving Kim Kardashian’s illuminated skin is to reverse the formula. We love how her complexion has no hint of dark undereye circles, but the concealed area doesn’t jump out at you. Be sure to choose a concealer that is half a shade lighter than your natural skin tone, as anything too fair will look chalky. Dab the product right under your eyes and blend downward in a v-formation that lines up with the sides of your nose. You can also swipe a touch of the concealer along the bridge of your nose to give it a more contoured appearance. Then, fill in the rest of your face with a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation to blend any harsh edges and even out the rest of your skin. 

Ok, beauties…go on and radiate your glow!

XO

Damone

(Source: celebrityphotos.instyle.com)