Beauty - 3 Questions with A Makeup Artist

Meet Dallas! She's a professional photographer, and makeup artist with an inspiring website and blog. She's also the one who took these fun confetti photos of me last year. With a new season around the corner, I asked her for some tips for a spring makeup and beauty transition. Enjoy!

credit: Andria Lindquist

Winter leaves skin drab, what are some beauty tips for switching up a routine for spring?

Start by drinking as much water as possible. I use the Waterbalance app to remind myself to take breaks from working to grab a big glass of water and stay hydrated. The next thing I'd suggest would be finding some kind of exfoliating product that works for your skin. My two favourites are Lush Ocean Salt and Aveda's Exfoliant from their Botanical Kinetics line. The main point of both products is to help remove the buildup of dead skin cells and dry patches that winter seems to create. Follow this up with your favourite moisturizer immediately afterwards to avoid drying out your skin. My final tip would be to amp up the SPF of your sunscreen with the arrival of spring, since you'll be spending more time outdoors in the glorious sunshine.

What is your top pick for a seasonal blush swap?

During winter I favour cream blushes or cheek tints in rosy or wine shades. The cream formula tends to blend better with heavier, winter moisturizers I layer on. When spring arrives, I like to use classic pink or coral shades for a brighter, more cheerful look. I also switch to a powder format as soon as the weather gets warmer to help avoid shine. My all-time favourite springtime blush is NARS Gaiety.

What is your number one makeup tip to look awake?

Any kind of luminizing product that can be used to add dimension to your skin and highlight your features. Benefit makes several shades, such as High Beam, Moon Beam and Sun Beam. Choose the one that complements your skin tone and apply it to your cheekbones, cupid's bow and chin. I use either Benefit's line or I mix MAC Strobe Cream with my foundation to look upbeat and bright on even the earliest (or most hungover) of mornings.

Stuff I Find in My Hair - Part 2 - The Kit

My latest post for The Kit is quite confessional. I mean, who wants to admit that their scalp is a little on the dry side? However, in the name of beauty (writing) I decided to out my situation for the greater good of the human head.

Here we go..

Let me start first with a disclaimer: if you want to date me, or if you are currently dating me, stop reading here. I mean it, don’t go any further.

There is nothing more horrifying than someone saying, “Uhh, there’s something in your hair.” A co-worker of mine recently informed me of a piece of “gunk” as he referred to it, in my mane.

Mortified, I watched as he offered to pluck it out.

Now I’m sure you now conjure up images of me, as a greasy, gross, dandruff-ridden mess, living in fear of black wool sweaters but that’s not the case.

As a curly haired girl, I’ve been told on many occasions from hair stylists that I have a very dry scalp (a usual symptom of people with curly hair).

My issue is that I find scalp-focused shampoos a little bit too harsh. With their gooey consistency, sometimes strong smells and warning to use only “once or twice a week” I’m never sold.

My scalp saviour? Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo. With burdock root, echinacea and sage, it’s gentle enough to use daily and still removes extra build-up from my regular product routine.

Now how about that date?

Do you have any favourite products? I'd love to hear from you! Also, remember to visit The Kit for plenty other beauty posts from great bloggers.

xx