Debra's Tips & Tricks

Debra's tip of the month: "Kirkland Baby Wipes" Mom's multi-task. Mommy Makeup multi-tasks. Here's another multi-tasking beauty tip: Kirkland Baby Wipes - from Costco. For baby AND mommy! These wipes are soft, gentle and are made from REAL cotton! Great for sensitive baby bottoms AND... now get this... they make great makeup remover pads for mommy too!

5 Fabulous Time Saving Makeup Tips

By Debra Rubin-Roberts
Founder of Mommy Makeup …for Chic Moms on-the-go

After giving birth to my daughter I barely had time to brush my teeth, never mind put on my makeup. And since I'm a makeup artist this was not a good thing! I had to find a new approach to doing my own day to day makeup… and I did! Here are my top 5 tips to doing your makeup in minutes:

1. Your face should have what I call the CBC's, which stands for Coverage, Balance and Color. Use concealer for coverage, use brow tint for balance and color on the lips and cheeks.
   
   
2. Keep it simple by using as many multi-purpose products as possible. You will be amazed how much time you can save by not having to screw and unscrew caps of individual items. Some of my favorites are lip and cheek stains and powder foundations.
   
   
3. Find a good cream concealer (but not too, too creamy) that does not crease. It can usually double as a shadow base. And on the days you don't wear eyeshadow, wear it on your lids anyway. It will help you look more awake and bright eyed.
   
   
4. Bronzers are great for giving the face a hint of color and warmth. Apply them to the T-zone and just next to the nose since this is where the sun mainly hits your face. After that, dust your bronzer brush your eyelids… The remnants of bronzer in the brush has now become eyeshadow too!
   
   
5. If you are going to wear lip color, then fill your brows in too. When you wear lip color only, your face will appear "bottom heavy". The brows balance out the mouth. Color in the brows also makes the eye appear brighter and more open.
   

These tips have helped me do my makeup even in a taxi cab and I hope they help you spend less time in front of the mirror and more time enjoying life!

Weathering Winter Dryness

By Debra Rubin-Roberts

The cold, the wind, the dry heat all lead to dry winter skin. Your face hurts! It feels like it's going to crack off! You'll do anything for relief! Here are 2 quick ways to get your skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated:

1. Exfoliate - This is truly one of the most common face "faux pas" women make. They do not exfoliate enough. Dry dead surface skin acts like a "gate keeper" to healthy skin. The cleansers and moisturizers can't get in and the toxins and oils can't get out. To remove the dead skin gently, use exfoliants containing rounded spheres. They will lift off the dead skin but won't scratch the healthy skin underneath. GENTLY massage the beads around your face (don't "scrub" hard). And exfoliate often, about 2-3 times a week. Some of my favorites are Skin Milk Facial Scrub, Origins Swept Away, and Creme de La Mer The Refining Facial. Also don't forget about your lips! Cold weather causes chapped, dry, peeling lips. To prevent and combat this, massage your exfoliant around your lips too (and then rinse well)! Also, you can exfoliate your lips with a wet, clean toothbrush. Always apply a lip treatment (NOT Chapstick or Blistex) afterwards… ones containing Vitamin E and/or Aloe are best.
   
   
2. Moisturize - Obviously! But not all moisturizers are created equal. For day, always use one with sunscreen (especially if you ski). And a richer moisturizer for night while your skin is "resting". Look for the following ingredients in them, Shea Butter, Vitamin A and Soy. All of these help bind moisture to the skin. Consider the following when shopping: Avon's Ageless Results Renewing Day Cream SPF15, and L'Occitane's Ultra Moisturizing Care SPF15.

These are some easy ways to keep your face feeling soft and balanced in harsh cold weather. And try to be gentle to your face even if the elements outdoors are not!

Summer Skin Survival Guide

By Debra Rubin-Roberts

Summer is here! It's sunny, hot and we are all outdoors more. Here are some easy tips to protect your skin, keep it healthy but still looking great this season.

1. Sunscreen, Sunscreen and more sunscreen - it goes without saying… the best way to protect your skin is to use a good sunscreen. But all sunscreens are not created equal. Be certain that the sunscreen you use has a broad spectrum and blocks UVA and UVB rays. And with the ozone layer thinning daily, I personally wear an SPF 30 or higher everyday. Parents do not have to buy a sunscreen for themselves and then one for their kids… simply just buy a kids sunscreen and use it on yourself. Sunscreens designed for kids sensitive skin will also work well on adult skin plus the kids sunscreens usually have a higher SPF anyway. Some good ones are Coppertone Continuous Kids Sunblock Spray, SPF 50 and Banana Boat Ultra Mist Kids Sunblock Spray, SPF 50. Both of these spray on continuously (almost like and aerosol), are good for kids sensitive skins, and have a really high SPF of 50. The Coppertone version sprays on clear, the Banana Boat version spays on white so you cannot miss spots and is also tear free. If you are by the beach a lot, Safe Sea Sunblock with Jellyfish Sting Protective Lotion SPF 30+ For Kids not only gives sun protection but also protects against 3 types of jellyfish and sea lice. If you are camping or in wooded area often then try For Kids, Coppertone Bug & Sun Sunscreen SPF 30 with Insect Repellent or Avon's SKIN SO SOFT BUG GUARD PLUS IR3535® SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion. Both are designed for kids, have SPF 30, protect against mosquitoes, ticks and other insects but Coppertone's contains 10% Deet while Avon's is Deet-free. And if you are pregnant try Belli Pregnancy Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen. This product has an SPF of 25 and protects against chloasma, which are dark brown splotchy areas on the face that occur in 70 percent of pregnant women.
   
   If you insist on looking like a "bronzed babe" do not bake your self in the sun. Instead try using a self tanner that also has an SPF. You will then get the bronzed look you desire and you will also protect your skin at the same time. Try Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily Moisturizer SPF 20. This product does triple duty! It's a daily body moisturizer, a self tanner and protects skin with an SPF of 20. It is also available for Fair or Medium skin tones. And if you are afraid of looking like a pale face, try Jergens Natural Glow Face Daily Moisturizer SPF 20. This product also does triple duty but is gentle enough for your face and is available for Fair or Medium skin tones.
   
   

2. Hair Today (hopefully) gone Tomorrow! - whether you wax, use depilatory or shave (or a little bit of each) staying smooth and hair free during summertime is always a challenge. And ingrown hairs are a nuisance…the best way to prevent them is to exfoliate and do it often! Some great body exfoliants are Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish and Totally Juicy Grapefruit Sugar Body Buffer. Both of these products use sugar and not salt (which can sting after shaving) to exfoliate and are loaded with yummy smelling essential oils that also feel delicious on your skin. If you are pregnant try Belli Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator or Basq Citrus Sugar Body Polish. Also try Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Pads daily for added insurance against ingrowns!
   
   
3. Survival of the Footest - we all love wearing sandals and ultra comfy flip-flops on a hot summer day. But nothing will ruin your sexy summer sandals more than chipped or cracked toenails and rough looking heels. So get a professional pedicure. And to maintain it longer use foot cream after showering. This will keep your feet softer and smoother. Some good ones are Green Canyon Spa Deep Relief Callus Balm and AHAVA Mineral Foot Cream Body Treat.
   
   
4. Don't Make Me Over - we all wear less makeup in summer but still want to look awake, fresh and bright eyed. The Clean-n-Casual Kit by Mommy Makeup is all you will need to give you a super quick, fresh, and clean look. Every Clean-n-Casual Kit contains 5 products that do your ENTIRE FACE and leave you looking rested and bright-eyed. It's just enough makeup to look awake and healthy but never overdone. And every kit includes "Paint by Number" Instructions & Face Chart for super easy, fast and efficient application. And since it's mineral based it is suitable for pregnant, post partum and post surgical skins. Also, great to keep and use at your beach house, weekend or country home!