Perfect Foundation

Perfect Foundation

Trophy Wife Style

You have Pretty Skin!

by EL Gray    Feb|2017  #BEAUTY

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You have pretty skin, what do you use?  I am tempted to say nothing- I woke up like this!!

But the real response would be more like “everything”!  Great skin starts with a great cleaning, moisturizing & maintenance routine.  Then of course there is primer, color corrector, concealer & the so important FOUNDATION.  Since that is way too much to report on, (or wear daily for me) I usually mention my foundation and that I apply it with a brush & a beauty blender, which is what gives me that all over even color that makes my skin look pretty. Even on days like today when my sinuses are acting up.

Using a brush and starting in the center of your face and brushing outward gives me an even look.  I dab the foundation on cheeks, forhead and chin then work my way out, so that the areas around my hairline get less product and the inner part of my face which is a little lighter gets more.  I then lightly dab the foundation with a slightly (very lightly), damp beauty blender. This step evens everything out. An extra step to airbrushed looking skin is dusting on a lil translucent powder.  I use a mineral powder the same color as my foundation or a yellow tinted powder and a light hand. This not only makes you look flawless, the powder also sets the foundation so it last longer.

3 Foundations I am GAGA over

1.      Revlon Photo Ready Airbrush Makeup-  It goes on sheer but gives good coverage, I apply with the beauty blender only, skipping the brush. It is Sold in every drugstore.

2.      Mary Kay Time Wise Foundation – med-heavy coverage.  I use two colors 1 my shade and then contour with a color 2-3 shades darker.  MK makes my skin look flawless.  You have to find a rep to buy it from. I’m wearing Mary Kay in this picture. (inbox me and I will give u my girl)

3.      Loreal True Match Foundation – light liquid foundation that makes your skin look even.  It comes in tons of colors and is usually under $10.00 at most drugstores.

#beauty #skin #skincare #younger #makeup

#Revlon #Marykay #Loreal #beautyblender #prettyskin

#wrinklefree #foundation #truematch

Younger Skin: Beauty Creams

YOUNGER SKIN

Trophy Wife Style

Just How Old Are You?

by EL Gray    Feb|2017  #Skincare #Beauty

A question I am asked quite often as I interact with people, especially someone from another race. My African, European & American Indian skin really baffles them when I mention my 3 son’s being away at college. But alas I am here to confess, while I do believe (and science proves) that my clear forehead is partially due to genetics, I use skin creams.  Those magic concoctions found in pretty little jars with fantastic names like Regeneris & Hope promise youth and beauty, and I pray they deliver. The miracle creams that have prime real estate on my vanity right now are from Lancome. The Absolue Premium Bx which promises to replenish and rejuvenate my skin’s appearance while recapturing the qualities of younger-looking skin: firmness, elasticity, and clarity.  (It had me at Rejuvinate) And the Absolue Eye Premium Bx promises smoother and more luminous eye contours. “Within 4 weeks, see fine lines and wrinkles visibly reduced, feel firmer skin… visibly rejuvenated.”  Hold on to your ponytails ladies – I noticed a difference within 3 days. 

Yes Mam 3 days!!  Needless to say the Absolue Premium Bx is now my new beauty crack.   Now as much as I love it – I do not love the $168 face & $108 eye price tag and will need to replenish my supply during the stores gwp (gift with purchase) or find a sponsor.  As for purchase advice, I think you should go to a couple of cosmetic counters and sample the goods or ask older relatives who have youthful skin use. Also read your skin’s reaction. I heard great things about Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme (Anti-Aging) cream, but I had a lot of redness and fine bumps after using it and gave up after 3 days. 

3 Things to Look for in Skin Cream according to Dr. Perricone

1.      Alpha Lipoic Acid - one of the most powerful anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatories available.

2.      Fat-soluble Vitamin C ester -this essential nutrient’s full potential as an anti-aging agent.

3.      Neuropeptides - improves the appearance of skin's resilience, tone and texture, while decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

#beauty #skin #skincare #younger

#lancome #esteelauder #eyecream

#wrinklefree

Before and After Photos

Hey Dolls:
GWR- Get Ready with M!

 I woke up super Early the other day, and had to wait for the gym to open up.  So I played Barbie with myself and did a light makeup routine and decided to share my "playtime" with you.  So here I am

 B4 ( uhgg) so fresh and so clean clean, moisturized and in the after shots- A lil light glam, remember I was headed to the gym.  

p.s.  I usually swim, so blow drying is all I have time (or energy) to do after I workout so I usually take a wig to throw on.

"laters" -EL

Top 10 Diet Motivation Tips

Dear Diva's:

29 pounds Down!!!! Applause Please!! Like many of us on the diet rollercoaster. . I have Yoyo'd up and down. Most significantly by gaining back 10 of the pounds I lost.  My Shenanigans! ! Well I am very happy to announce that I just passed that marker and weigh less (only by a few oz. But I'm celebrating), than I did this spring! ! 
But this time I'm paying attention.  I won't be dazzled by dropping a dress size and forget that this weight loss journey requires work and my attention.  So my advice to anyone working hard to take back their life, their health and their self-esteem... Celebrate every pound, every oz. -And keep your eyes on the prize by following these tips

1. Set small goals that are reachable.  I set a weekly goal for M-F & another for Weekends. 
2. Reward yourself for hitting goals and weight loss milestones.  I reward myself with small non-food related items like a $12.00 gift card to Bath & Body Works. (12.00 buys a travel trio in new scent) Or a new makeup item from ELF purchased with pocket change. (I  love Elf's under eye soothing serum price tag $3.00)
3. Track weight loss creatively with posters, notes, etc. & place items around your house to remind you of your goal.  I got a great idea from several Pinterest posts to use a 2 jars filling one with marbles and moving a marble to represent the pounds as I lose them.
4. Hang up a goal outfit where you can see it.  I organized a clothing rack, like they do in a department store, full of the clothes I am trying to get back into.  The "pretty" look of the clothes makes me want to "shop" in my closet.
5. Find motivating quotes online and Pin them to Pinterest, review often. My favorite is "You are not Fast, Cheap or Easy so your Food Shouldn't be either"- Repeat!
6. Imagine what you will look like the day you hit your goal.  What you will wear, what you will do, who you are with... I can't wait to post a new photo here in my blog to show everyone my results wearing a pair of my skinny jeans!!
7. Take a milestone photo after losing a few pounds and set it up as a before and after photo to document your progress.  Bonus - Playing in your makeup is calorie free!  Here is a photo of me taken after workouts.
   
   
8. Remember why you want to lose weight! - Whether it's a special event or to fit a special outfit, remembering why you started your weightloss journey can help keep you going! Don't have a special reason, create one - why not plan a vacation or get tickets to an event coming to your town in the future?!!
9. Make a list of things to do besides eat: Paint your toenails, try a new hairstyle, read a new magazine, etc.  Enjoy the experience of doing things that may be small but enrich your life rather than take away from your goals.
10. Make yourself a priority and schedule time to be a Healthy Hottie! 

Hope these tips inspire you - Our Healthy and Hottie Goals need consistent lifestyle changes to be long lasting.  We can do this.. So keep going and check out my Trophy Wife Diet Beauty & Weight Loss Gadget reviews on YouTube for more motivation and ideas.
TAKE CARE OF YOU!
-EL

Sweet Potato Fries Recipe!!

Dear Dolls: 
I woke up with a craving for "Mc fries" today! My body said yes...but my mind said NOoo -a reg Fast Food fries is 378 calories and 18 grams of fat! My mind & body compromise = Sweet Potato Fries with BBQ Truffle Dip. Amazingly good, 1/3 the calories and still good for me and the TrophyWife Diet!  The Tangy BBQ sauce means you only need a small amount for dipping - enjoy the kick not the quantity. Here is my recipe and some pictures of my snack, but there are plenty of others on the web. So explore and enjoy!  -Trophy

Heat oven to 450.
1 med Sweet potato sliced into fry sticks
French Fry seasoning
Olive Oil 1- 2TBS to lightly coat sheet pan and to drizzle on "fries"
White Truffle Oil drizzle or 1/8 tsp
BBQ Sauce 2TBS
Light Mayo 1/2 TBS

Tabasco Sauce to taste (about 1/2 tsp)

Coat large sheet pan with olive oil (spray is fine). Place potatoes in bowl and drizzle 1 Tbs of Olive Oil over fries and sprinkle (to taste) with french fry seasoning. Arrange fries on pan evenly with space in between. Place pan in middle of hot oven and bake until crisp. About 15 minutes. 

Prepare dip by mixing BBQ sauce,Tabasco, light mayo and truffle oil in a small bowl.

 110 calories with Med Sweet Potato

* Make your own french Fry Seasoning - sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, pepper, chili powder and onion powder over fries.

** Sweet Tooth - Instead of French Fry Seasoning, sprinkle the potatoes with a dusting of sugar and cinnamon with the olive oil for a sweet variation on this dish.

**Great Benefits - Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene). They are also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and phosphorus.

Stand Tall to Look Slimmer

Dear Trophy: 
  While losing weight and getting fit I am seeking distractions to keep me busy instead of eating. Today's distraction - Proper Posture. Having proper makes you look more confident, taller and slimmer. We want that! So here are some tips.

Stand straight as if a hand is under your chin holding it up slightly to plant a kiss on your lips.

Shoulders should be pulled back - 2nd benefit, your bust looks bigger.

Tilt your pelvis forward and look in mirror. Make note of where your body looks aligned and feels comfortable.

Through all of this imagine that your almost floating against gravity. It will keep you from feeling dumpy. Your flesh is not holding you up - your skeleton is, let it do its work.

Hold your head and ears up with your chin. I always feel royal when I have great posture and walk in a room of people not watching theirs. You stand out. And Us trophies love standing out.

Hope these tips help. Have fun playing barbie with yourself!

Knocked out by Illness: How to workout after being sick.

Dear Diva:  After a recent bought (2 weeks) with bronchitis, I am ready to get back to working out.  But a few hours after proclaiming myself heeled - I am exhausted after just doing a few task around the house.  I am ready to workout - but I do not want a relapse so I decided to do a little research and grab some tips for easing back into my fitness routine - And of course I am sharing my knowledge with you!

WHAT? - Don't work out until you are actually better or you can slow the healing process! Your immune system needs all that extra energy to fight off what has been ailing you.  A Washington Post article says I should wait 2 weeks after being ill to start exercising or risk relapse.  While I initially thought this was a little long, I can attest that though my body feels better my oxygen levels are still labored, so even small amounts of movement ware me out.

WHAT? - Each week missed working out can slow your cardiovascular progress by 30%  according to SHAPE magazine.
     Silver Lining is that you can return to your former cardio levels quicker since you were already conditioned.  Take a couple weeks to build back up or try a variety of new routines to keep yourself mentally stimulated as you build back your strength.

WHAT? - Hydrate REST Hydrate REST Hydrate! No surprise here every article says hydrate and get plenty of rest.  Medication and the illness itself can zap precious hydration and many medications are very high in sodium so hydration makes sense.  And of course getting plenty of rest is important - Rest is when your body does it's most repair work, so along with the recommended 7-8 hours, I found I also need a 1-2 hours of rest in the middle of the day to feel fresh. **For the youthful fun of it I froze Gatorade in ice cube trays and noshed on them as a hydrating snack while resting and watching endless hours of Law n Order.




*http://www.shape.com/fitness/tips/how-to-exercise-after-being-sick
http://www.delightsanddelectables.com/
www.livestrong.com
www.washingtonpost.com