Beauty Tips

Hey, girls. Do you ever have those days (or weeks!) when everything in your beauty routine goes to hell in a handbasket? Suckage, right?

MBB reader Leah sent me a note asking for help handling those bad beauty days.

Dear Karen,

I’ve been having a rough beauty week. My skin is all wonky, my hair has been a super mess, my skin is dry, etc. I need your routine for those bad beauty days when nothing seems to be going right.

Thanks,
Leah

Heya, Leah. I really wish I could claim to be one of those girls who never had days like that — you know, the gals who manage to look flawless from head to toe with perfect hair/skin/makeup 365 days a year? Yeah, I am sooo not that girl.

When I’m having a bad beauty day and feeling tow’ up from the flo’ up, I go back to basics.

Hair: On bad beauty days, the ponytail is my best friend.

I’ll do one of two hairstyles…

If I have at least 10 minutes, I’ll flat iron a few sections in the front and on the top of my hair to smooth things out. Then, I’ll work a defrizzing product like Bumble & Bumble Brillantine ($20) through those sections to add some shine and finish. I’ll then pull my hair with a low ponytail and throw on a headband. Fast and chic.

If I’m more pressed for time and only have a minute or two to get ready, I’ll put my mane into a ponytail and hide everything beneath a cute hat. I’ll grab some big hoop earrings (to draw attention away from everything else) and bolt out the door.

Skin: When my skin breaks out I reach for the same tried and true products I’ve been using for years.

To cleanse, tone and moisturize, I like gentle products and rely on Philosophy Purity Made Simple face wash ($20), Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion ($11), Shiseido SPF 55 Sunblock ($37) and Dermalogica Active Moist ($50) for night.

I’ll also add some pimple fighting treatments that I know won’t dry me out, like Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment ($7).
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I dunno about you, but I sure enjoy a good wedding. Cake, dancing, the crackle of crazy emotions in the air AND the chance to get your drank on (hopefully at an open bar, haaaay)?! — I’m so there.

With wedding season swinging into high gear, MBB reader Katy emailed for help finding her wedding gown.

Hey Karen!

I’m sure you’re used to getting the typical beauty questions–but I was wondering if you could help me with something fashion related?!

I know you’re a Bay Area girl, and I’m beginning the search for my wedding dress (getting married in October of this year). Do you have any salon suggestions? I don’t mind traveling around the greater Bay Area, I just want to find the right dress!

Thanks!

Oh, Katy. The dress. THE DRESS! You gotta make sure you have one you absolutely love! Along with a bridal salon suggestion (more on that in a minute), I thought I’d throw in a few things I learned along the way while searching for a gown.

1. If the person assisting you at the salon shows you a dress that at first glance doesn’t quite seem your style, just try it on anyway. Experienced shop people tend to develop an eye for how dresses will work with certain body types. You never know what will end up looking great on you until you try it on.
2. Bring a friend who’ll dish out tough love. Thank gawd my girl C. Money was there at the gown shop with me to talk me out of that slinky silk slip of a Monique Lhuillier gown. She told me, in the best possible way, that the cut of the dress wasn’t the most flattering for my body type (“That thing just might burst at the seams if you have an extra glass of wine and slice of cake at the reception”).
   
   If I hadn’t listened to her, I might’ve looked like a silky sausage in my wedding pics. You can’t put a price on a friend who can give it to you straight, ya know?
3. Check out Amy Kuschel Bride in San Francisco. Amy’s an SF designer who creates sophisticated, elegant custom couture wedding gowns at pretty affordable prices.
   
   A custom dress is created specifically for you from scratch (as opposed to an off-the-rack dress) so the gown should fit you to a T!
   
   If you don’t live in the Bay Area but are still interested in Amy’s dresses, you can also find them at select salons and trunk shows across the US.
   
   Not only are Amy’s gowns amazing, but her staff is prompt, friendly and fast.
4. Save a few bucks by purchasing a sample dress. If the wedding’s already over budget, consider buying a sample gown. Many dress shops sell sample gowns for up to 50% off!

MBB former brides and brides-to-be … do you have any other wedding dress advice for our homegirl Katy?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen