Category Archives: AM to PM

AM to PM with Meg Biram

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“I work from home, so my routine varies depending on if I’m going anywhere that day. It also revolves around when I shower, because if I am planning on working out or hanging out by the pool, I wait to shower until after that. If I’m only heading to the store or the post office, I usually don’t wear any makeup, and in the summer I like to be outside so I usually have sun on my face and therefore I don’t wear much makeup anyway. I don’t like to spend lots of time on beauty or getting ready so I try to keep it simple.

Being blonde, I do have to get my hair done every eight weeks or so. I haven’t really lived here long enough to explore a lot of places but I like Dessange hair salon in Friendship Heights. Samuel gives amazing haircuts there. Everyone at Axis Salon in Dupont is great. I wash my hair every other day with Nioxin Shampoo and Conditioner (for fine/color-treated hair). I also use Alterna Caviar hair powder (I like the Lulu Organics hair powder also). I love my Chi Ceramic Flat Iron, I try not to use this more than two times a week.

I religiously wash and moisturize my face. I use the Clarisonic Mia every other day in the shower with my One Love Organics Easy Does It Cleanser. I moisturize with One Love’s Skin Savior and I use their Springs Eternal (for wrinkle prevention) on my face before bed. I just want to get carded forever. I’m not into surgery or Botox, so I’d rather just try to prevent aging skin by as natural means as possibly through a healthy diet full of greens and organic facial products, especially the OLO Love Springs Eternal.

People always ask me about my mascara, I’ve been using Lancome Hypnose Mascara in black for years. I don’t wear foundation, I don’t even own any. I use Lancome Macquicomplet Concealer under my eyes. I like to blend Benefit Benetint or ChaCha Tint on my cheeks for color, or NARS blush in Orgasm. I’ve been using Physicians Formula Powder Palette Bronzer since college. It’s the best drugstore find. For a touch of color, I always keep Yes to Carrots Rose Bloom Color Balm in my purse.”

Meg’s Vanity: Top row: Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System ($119), NARS blush in Orgasm ($28), [the beauty muse] Christy Turlington; bottom row: Physicians Formula Pressed Powder Bronzer ($12.95), One Love Organics Skin Savior ($68), Lancome Hypnose Mascara ($26), Benefit Benetint ($29).
Meg Biram is a digital media and brand consultant, artist and founder of Mimi + Meg.

AM to PM with Metrocurean’s Amanda McClements

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“I have sort of an ‘earth mama’ ethic when it comes to beauty. I seek out products that are as natural as possible (with a few exceptions) and I keep my routine pretty low maintenance. In the morning, I splash cold water on my face and then moisturize with Suki Pure Facial Moisture Balancing oil. I adore Suki products. They’re super high quality, very pure ingredients. I also love a spritz of the Balancing Toner. Or I’ll use John Masters Pomegranate Facial Nourishing Oil. For the body, I love Aura Cacia Sweet Almond Oil, with a few drops of essential oil added in, makes the best moisturizer.

I avoid the hair dryer at all costs in the summer, and I’m a big fan of messy, beachy hair. Thanks to a super cut from Kelly Gorsuch (a master hair sculptor) at Immortal Beloved, I pretty much either wake up, tousle and go; or shower, towel dry, spritz on some homemade salt water spray, and let it air dry. If I have time, I’ll twist segments back and pin them in a bun to dry, which creates great waves.

For daytime makeup I use Vapour Atmosphere Luminous Foundation, one of the best all-natural makeups I’ve found. I like Smashbox Baked Starburst Bronzer. I love Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Mascara—the brush is amazing. It’s so fine and separates all the lashes. If I want a dusting of finish powder to take off some shine, I use Mineral Fusion Pressed Foundation. For evenings, I’ll add Clinique Color Surge eyeshadow, Mineral Fusion Blush and L’Oreal HiP Studio shadow (I use the navy powder as a eyeliner). In my handbag you’ll find Badger Lip Balm (unscented), Vapour Lip Gloss and EO Lavender Wipes.

Before bed, I like Aura Cacia Pure Sweet Almond Oil to remove eye makeup, and Thayers Witch Hazel (unscented, alcohol-free) to remove the rest; then a little elbow grease with a warm washcloth. Sometimes I’ll make a little scrub with powdered green clay and water (this makes a great mask and spot treatment).

I think I need to add a few indulgences. More massages would be nice. I get my hair cut like three times a year. Maybe I should that more often too. I do my own nails a lot, but when I have time, I hit Q-West.”

Amanda McClements (@Metrocurean) is the creator and editor of Washington’s beloved food blog, Metrocurean.

AM to PM with Northern Virginia Magazine’s Jolleen Tran

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“I begin my day with light Pilates and Ballet exercises to stretch and essentially wake myself up. After my shower, I apply Neutrogena lotion for sensitive skin. I stick to the same routine when I get ready everyday. I have an obsession with always having a fresh face every time I apply makeup. I use Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract to clean my face.

My makeup regime varies depending on the occasion. If I’m holding an event, I go for an evening look. I’m notorious for having “cat eyes” with the help of MAC’s Liquidlast Liner and an overall smoky eye look (Bobbi Brown’s Smoky Eye Palette). For an everyday look, I keep my look more natural. I use Urban Decay’s Naked Palette. I’m a lip color enthusiast. I believe that color should be incorporated in everyday looks. For all occasions, I use a lip color that best matches my outfit, whether it’s a red lip or a rosy pink color. I choose from my selection of Nars Semi Matte Lipsticks in Scarlet Empress or Funny Face.

My must-have products right now is MAC’s Fluidline [a gel-based eyeliner], Clinique’s Butter Shine Lipstick (fresh watermelon, cranberry cream, and apple brandy are my favorites) and Nars Bronzing Powder. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara has always been a keeper. It was my first mascara I attempted to use in High School. Although I poked myself in the eye several times in the beginning, this mascara has always been the only one I use and trust.

After applying makeup, I use a Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum to add a little shine to my hair. I’m ready to hit the town after I spritz perfume from one of my collections of Marc Jacob fragrances (either Daisy or Lola).

My favorite and frequently visited hair salon is Studio 61 in Fairfax, VA. My best friend’s aunt is the owner and she has done my hair as long as I can remember. She picks my hair color and style every time I visit; my hair has always turned out great! I’ve never been to a nail salon, which sounds silly. Several of my aunts working in the [nail] industry. My aunts have done my nails since I was in elementary school.”

Beauty 101: “Because my almond shaped eyes are much smaller than most women, the best beauty advice I received is how to make my eyes appear larger. There are three easy steps I learned. First, keep liner thin. The thicker the liner, the smaller eyes look. Second, apply a dark eye shadow color where the creases of your eyes would be. Lastly, apply a lighter eye shadow color on the edge of the crease color.”

Jolleen Tran (@SimplyJolleen) is a marketing and events specialist for Northern Virginia Magazine.

AM to PM with Lindsey Mask

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“I try to never fall asleep with make-up on my face, so I always have a supply of makeup removing face wipes in stock at my house in addition to a regular cleansing routine. Neutrogena has a nice line of facial wipes. As for my general cleansing routine, I have sort of jumped around, probably too much, but stayed consistent with maintaining the basic “Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize” routine. I have sensitive, yet oily skin, so it is complex. There is this terrific, very natural line that is also very affordable for the great quality of products; it’s a Japanese line called DHC. One of my favorite products is a cleansing oil, which is so counter-intuitive. I also recently started using Arbonne, which also has top-line products, which includes a cleanser, toner, rejuvenating serum, eye repair cream and either SPF day-cream or a nighttime repair cream.

The real must-have for me is a good facial scrub, one that exfoliates without tearing the skin. I love the DHC facial scrub, in addition to Clarins! At this point in the aging process [laughs], keep my skin looking fresh is the key, so it includes keeping my pores clear and dry skin removed using steaming techniques and facial masks—clay for enlarged pores and peel off for removing dry skin. I love going to the spa for facial treatments and when indulging, microdermabrasion!

I am sort of known by my friends for finding obscure hair and nail salons in some of the less popular areas of DC. I have found some of the best talent doesn’t come with a high price, but sometimes the passion that led them to their profession makes for the best service providers. All to say, I know a few secret, hole-in-the-wall type locations…some of which I don’t even know the name of but know the cross-streets!”

Beauty 101: “You are what you eat!” This is important to remember because real beauty comes from within, in all regards. I am a vegetarian, which lends itself to more water-based foods, which is terrific for skin. Bottom-line: eat well, exercise, get rest, laugh, wear sunscreen, don’t smoke, and don’t hold grudges, because it shows up on your face.”

Lindsey Mask is the founder of a national young professional women’s networking organization, Ladies America.

AM to PM with Barre Instructor Amy Barnes

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“It is all about balance. Like my workout, I approach beauty with balance. I shower in the morning with Aveeno Body Wash (for sensitive skin). It’s soothing to my skin and leaves no residue. I mix up my shampoo and conditioner to give my hair what it needs when it needs to create build-up. I only condition my hair with Aveeno Volumizing when it’s dry and Purology Shampoo when it’s oily. Essentially, I try to create a balance to my regiment as I do with my skin care. Because my skin is a combination, I try to find an active foaming face wash such as iS Clinical Cleansing Complexand use their Active Serum. Serums are all the rage right now and there is a reason why. A serum contains a specific combination of vitamins, active ingredients, and antioxidants that fight signs of aging all day. I recently learned that the delicate application of both face wash and serums is key to its ability to produce results. So I gently wash my face for a minute or longer in a counterclockwise motion and apply the serum immediately after while the skin is still moist with my fingertips. After the serum absorbs, I apply a vitamin C day lotion by Skin Relief ($5 at Sally Beauty’s Supply) that promotes collagen growth. I do this every morning and add a vitamin A serum by Environ to exfoliate and Skin Relief’s vitamin C night cream to firm my skin overnight.

My must-have is Mica Bella makeup. It is completely simple, natural, and easy! It has great coverage for a powder and the best eye shadows. A loose powder is all about the brushes, so go for quality and softness. I still get the best haircut and color back homein Louisville, KY. The nail salon I like the most is Queen Nails in Dupont Circle—best pedicures around.”

Amy’s Skincare Tips: “Be gentle and wash your face an hour before bed. Oh, and get some sleep, which I’m still working on. Always groom your eyebrows and pluck everyday. Your eyes are the windows of your soul, but the eyebrows frame it. Or, if I am slacking, I only thread my eyebrows, no more wax! If oily use a foam cleanser usually best for Spring/Summer. Use a cream cleanser for Fall/Winter. My facialist says to not apply pressure when washing the skin and avoid long hot showers. The pressure will overstimulate the pores’ oil production and could clog those pores and lead to breakouts. The hot water strips the skin of its natural oils. For a girl with combination skin and lots of stress, facials with a gentle peel help immensely.

Amy Barnes is a barre teacher at B Fit and is opening her own studio, Barre Code, in Del Ray this summer.