Product Review: Fake Bake Self Tanning Products

My father is straight off the boat Irish which has left my life full of culture, ironic sarcasm, and very, very pale skin. I've always been jealous of the girls that could sit out in the sun for ten minutes and return with a beautiful, golden brown tan. My skin turns that lobster shade of red or freckles, neither of which is the same thing as a tan. In a quest to try to achieve a golden glow without visiting tanning beds, (which are terrible for your skin!) roasting my self in the sun (also not safe) and avoiding spray tanning booths (they terrify me!) I have tested and tried out self tanners from the drug store shelves to the most expensive ones retailed at Sephora. I've never really quite found one that works, either leaving me looking a little tiger striped, too orange, or just unnatural.

The Fake Bake Airbrush Instant Self Tan is the first one that truly dazzled me with the results! Not only is the color beautiful, natural and bronze, it was super easy to use! I tend to like lotions or gels better for ease of application, but the 360 degree nozzle was amazing. I could spray holding the can upside down to reach my back, sideways, backwards or any which way. The spray came out with ease and didn't sputter at all! It dried really quickly too- almost in minutes. The reaction from the staff was enough to keep me spray tanning for life. When I came in the next day after using Fake Bake's Airbrush and The Face Self Tan  they all exclaimed how radiant, tan, beautiful and amazing I looked! They literally couldn't believe I did it myself. I'll think I'll be keeping up with this all year...

Here are my tips for the best application!

• For the best results, always shower, shave and exfoliate (our Harmony Body Scrub is my new go-to for exfoliating) before self tanning! 
• Do not moisturize before self tanning! The tan will not adhere and work on your skin, the moisturizer creates a barrier that the self tanner can't penetrate; so...
• DO apply a little bit of moisturizer on places where you do not want the tan.. elbows, knees, top of hands, ankles... Skin is drier here and will come out darker if not pretreated.
• Two light applications are better than one heavy one. 
• Airbrush Self Tan comes with two purple gloves, I put these on after my application and rub/buff in the self tan in circular motions to ensure a streak free look 
• When applying The Face Self Tan, definitely wear gloves! I made the mistake of applying with my hands and my palms turned a very very dark brown which I was able to get off with dish soap and a good scrub... but save yourself the hassle!
• If using the Gradual Self Tan Lotion; I recommend rubbing in a circular motion to make sure you don't create any harsh lines or streaking.
• Practice makes perfect! If you are tanning for an event try it out a 3-4 days before hand so you can correct any missed spots.
• Don't fret if your tan looks slightly blotchy or uneven after your application. Once you shower the next day it miraculously evens itself out. 
• Self tan in the evening- the longer you wait before you shower the darker your tan will be! And with this formula I had absolutely no rub off on my sheets! 
• Stay moisturized! To keep your tan longer, moisturize every day ideally using the Fake Bake Tan Enhancing Moisturizer. It has gold glisteners in it- great to enhance the look of your tan or create a cool golden glow even if  you haven't self tanned!
• Stay safe! Use an SPF every single day. Having a Self Tan doesn't protect you from the sun. Try out Fake Bake's Sol Survivor SPF 30! It has antioxidants to help prevent free radical damage and is specially formulated to use over Fake Bake. 

Stay tuned for before and after pictures! Happy tanning everyone! ~Richael

hello, my name is richael, and i am a makeup addict

Eye Shadow in Truffle, Blush in Teaberry

Everyone knows that if there were at 12 step program for make-up-aholics I'd be fully admitted. I've tried millions of brands, tested thousands of mascaras, own a mecca of lipsticks, a shrine of eye shadows...and until I started working here, at My Liege,  I was still a bit unsatisfied having never quite found my makeup soul mate. My vanity has been simply cluttered with all sorts of "Mr. Wrong Shades For You" and I was growing tired of settling. After working at My Liege for a full year now, I am quite certain that it was written in the stars and the moons, carved in stone somewhere in an ancient cavern, that I was destined to find this place and have all of my makeup dreams come true the second I walked through the door... Hello, Duchess!

I introduced you to one of my loves in the Smooch blog (read here: falling for smooch) a few weeks ago...Today I'd like to tell you a bit more about the makeup line as a whole.

                Duchess Cosmetics, by myliege, mineral makeup is sourced from nature and fused with science to protect, correct and beautify skin without irritation. Minerals provide a natural, chemical-free sun block, shielding skin against damaging ultra-violet light. Their powerful, light-reflective properties make flaws and imperfections practically invisible. Virtually weightless, Duchess Cosmetics allow skin to “breathe” freely while shielding it against age aggressors and every product is free of fragrance, oil, talc, dyes, heavy fillers and pore-clogging ingredients. Pure mineral makeup is the perfect choice after cosmetic procedures or for individuals who suffer from chronic skin conditions. The Duchess Cosmetics mineral makeup formulations are endorsed by leading cosmetic surgeons,dermatologists and estheticians.

We have a full array of foundations- a Mineral Sheer Tinted moisturizer for those that like an easy breezy quick and easy makeup routine to a full coverage Mineral Photo Touch Foundation. We have lipsticks with SPF, liquid lustres, blushes and bronzers, and eye shadows galore. But, my friends, I think I've found the one that I'm ready to settle down with.. The ultimate makeup item that is going to finally make an honest woman out of me.. (I've seriously got to delete those old eyeliner's #s from my cell, they keep calling , I always cave and then I'm left with a sad feeling and raccoon eyes the next day).. The Prince Charming of makeup ... the 2011 Fall/Winter Palette...fully loaded with 12 eye shadows, (8 matte, 4 metallic) 10 lipsticks, and 2 blushes.  The eyeshadow colors are so versatile- you can create anything from a nude/everyday look to a Kim Kardashian smokey eye with these colors (look past her wedding drama- the girl's eye makeup is amazing)! You can use the shadows as eyeliner if you use a wet brush.  The lipsticks range from deep red to barely there and can even be put on lightly just to give a hint of color. The two blushes- Teaberry and Blush Dusk are wearable on everyone. This palette can do no wrong. 

Here he is folks, the 2011 Fall/Winter Palette. I'll give you two a minute.

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....available for Holiday 2011. Limited Edition.

breathe easy

My Liege Salon and MetroSpa is excited to announce that we are the first salon in NH to meet and exceed the new clean air quality standards as issued by OSHA and the EPA. How are we doing this? With a three zone certified air purifying system. Adios, keratin vapors. Perm smells, be gone! The purifying system works even when there are no chemical services being performed...Which means the metroSpa is literally,  a breath of fresh air.

In celebration of our new chemical source capture system we have decided to extend our Keratin promotion through the month of November as well! That means $100 off Keratin packages for 30 more days!! Read on for information about the treatment, and why its a life-changing experience. 

Keratin Complex Hair Therapy at My Liege Salon & MetroSpa:

This new revolutionary hair therapy smoothing system infuses Keratin deep into the hair cuticle eliminating up to ninety-five percent of frizz and curl from the hair, leaving the hair soft, shiny and luxurious. The hair is more manageable and easier to maintain, reducing daily styling time. For many, this is truly a life changing experience! Since hair is made of Keratin, when you re-infuse into the hair shaft, you rejuvenate the hair, giving it the soft, silky feel that people everywhere are raving about. Think of it as "skin care for your hair." The advanced patent pending formulation restores and restructures hair by infusing a special blend of natural keratin deep into the damaged cuticle. The keratin is bonded into the cuticle by the heat of the flat iron to relax the hair's sub- cuticle layer. With each treatment the hair becomes healthier as the keratin builds up inside the hair.

After 1 treatment you can expect your hair to be:
• Softer & Silkier
• Straighter & Shinier
• Faster and easier to blow-dry  - Reduces daily styling time
• Less maintenance - close to being  "maintenance-free"

A great time to have the treatment done would be directly after coloring or chemically treating the hair. The color will be sealed in, leaving the hair vibrant and extending the life of the color. Treatment can last up to 3 months, depending on hair type an texture, provided you follows all after care instructions recommended by your designer.

Check out this before and after of Hoda Kotb's (of the Today Show) Keratin treatment.

Keratin Packages start at $250 and include Arrojo Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner! Appointments by consultation only for first timers. You are always welcome to call the our guest service experts with any questions or for appointment availabilities.

going green, getting green

What does your to-do list look like?

To Do

1. Win the powerball
2. Use coupons to get all my groceries for free
3. Master that crazy swan yoga pose
4. Make 100 cookie monster cupcakes for the bake sale
5. Save the environment
6. Walk the dog 
7. Laundry
8. Be fabulous

So much to do, so little time. However, I think I can help kill two - or three- birds with one stone. I can help you be fabulous, save money, and save the environment in one fell swoop. (Drum roll, please.)

At My Liege Salon and MetroSpa, we have come up with a whole new way to shop. We have introduced a refilling station for shampoo, conditioner, and even styling products! How it works: we buy products in bulk, repackage them into standard and travel sizes, you make a purchase, enjoy the fabulous product at home until you run out and then---! Don't throw away that bottle! Bring it back in -- we will not only refill it for you but you'll receive a discount on the refill! Everybody wins- the earth, your wallet, and your hair!

Go green. Get fabulous. Save money. How can it get better than that?

falling for smooch

Labor Day has officially passed, the kids are grabbing their lunches and jumping on the school bus, and beach days are bidding us adieu until next year. It's a sad thing to say goodbye to summer days and sandy toes, but alas! there is a light in the tunnel. Cool fall breezes beckon us to start throwing on big comfy sweaters and furry trimmed boots, but also, they allure us with a change in color... Have you ever glanced into the trees in October, seen a beautifully hued autumn leaf in a shade reminiscent of the summer sangria we were just sipping on, and wish you could bottle up and take it with you everywhere you go? Well luckily for you, I have that color, sitting in a tube, right in front of me.

                             World, meet Smooch, Smooch, meet the world!

This new color from our Duchess Cosmetics collection has been with us for a few weeks now, and I must say-- I have fallen in love. I've tried it on blondes, brunettes... people with blue eyes, green eyes, brown eyes, the list goes on and on..  And honestly...Smooch loves them all. Not that I usually like to share the love of my life, but with this one, I'll make an exception. So, Smooch it up, ladies! I am, and I haven't looked back!