As an obsessive and devoted fan of Into the Gloss, I was delighted to read a new term for my favorite bronzer technique. The idea is simple -  a matte powder bronzer is pressed along the tops of the cheeks and nose, as if the sun were dusting a face wearing sunglasses. Paired with a light natural base this is the ultimate summer look.

According to ITG Editor Emily,

Bronzer, obviously

This I know to be true: Everyone looks better after a bit of sun. But the sun is slowly killing us all, so we gotta fake it. Someone on Instagram told me they call it "catfishing a sunburn"—I thought that was very clever. Pick the shade that's right for you (anywhere from cool taupe to warmer browns), but avoid shimmer. Sitting out in the sun for 20 minutes never added an ounce of mica to your face. Benefit Hoola is nearly foolproof (it even comes with its own brush if you're truly a beginner), with no shimmer in sight. Swirl the brush in the powder, tap it off a few times, and start to dot it on your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the high points of your forehead, and the eye sockets. This technique is about pushing the powder on, instead of traditional brushing. Keeps the effect where you want it. Then swipe the excess along your jawline to bring it all together and make it more believable.

You can see exactly what I did in the video but I started with a very light application of foundation and concealer (the Violette FR Technic is definitely worth a watch. When it comes to bronzing powder I personally have a special place in my heart for The Balm Bronzer is Bahama Mama. Like Hoola it is absolutely shimmer free, and it is much cheaper than it's popular competitors. It is also the most popular bronzer on Amazon so that has to count for something. something. I layered it here with a light gel, in the form of No Bronzer Bronzer, and a heavier creme bronzer from Sonia Kashuk. I also ignored Emily and blended (my brush skills just aren't there!) These paired awesomely with my boy brow, haloscope in moonstone, cloud paint in beam, and birthday balm dot com. The bronzer brush is from Wet N Wild and I love it - especially the finger grip. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner in Pillow Talk, Chanel lipstick in Boy and Deauville, look like you've spent the day on a yacht in the caribbean without the risk of melanoma.

PS: This is the Violette_Fr video I reference.

Dear Beloved Readers,
In honor of the descending gorgeous amazing weather, I am going to be scaling back my posts so that all of us can spend more time playing outside. From now until the end of summer you'll find fresh content here every Monday through Thursday.  Check back tomorrow for a new post! And, please don't forget to wear sunscreen.

Thank you for being my loyal, amazing, inspiring readers.

Lots of love,
xoxo Dena

8 hours after applying to face 

Vita Liberata 10 Minute Tan 

Listen, I as much as anybody in this world get the appeal of a golden glow. I'm pretty sure I used to refer to myself as tanorexic. Here's the thing, I as much as anybody else also understand how much it sucks to have cancer. Not to mention aging. Sagging skin, discoloration, dryness, lines,  So, with these thoughts in mind I remain a steadfast devotee of self-tanning.

There really is something for anyone. Formulations now range all the way from creams to foam to wipes to oil to powder and every texture in between. The other major developments include getting rid of that yucky smell, adding moisturizers and anti-aging ingredients, formulas that work to  prevent streaking, eliminating that orange cast (come on Trumpdemort - you're a billionaire, what's your excuse???) and, my personal favorite, making the time you need to marinate in that gunk shorter and shorter.

Last year I was all about the one hour tan, which was actually a three-hour tan since I liked the deepest shade. It was nice to put it on, sit around in the gross guide color for a little bit, then shower it all off before I had to go to bed. I love me some guide color for ease of application, but the guide color is what usually ends up staining bed linens and clothes.

Now, innovation of all innovations, there's a tan that can be washed off after ten minutes. And it's a gorgeous one - imparting a dark, cinnamon tan. It even goes on streak free on the tops of feet, a legendary occasion worthy of a parade. I tried it both ways - applying it, waiting 10-15 minutes and showering, and applying it, waiting 20 minutes, then going to the pool. Both times my color was smooth, deep and totally natural. I used it on my face (applied with a beauty blender - hot tip right there) and was left with a perfect, natural looking color and zero dryness or irritation.

Not shockingly it's a Violet Grey editor's pick. Oh, and did I mention it's organic. I'm just going to leave this here.

The organic formula features anti-aging peptides and hydrating botanicals for a collagen boost and lasting smoothness.

• The advanced Matrixyl 3000 Peptide Complex plumps and conditions skin, reducing fine lines and stimulating collagen production.
• Vitamin C from neroli, and omega oils from rosehip further lock in moisture for deep hydration and smoother, more radiant skin.
• Patented Odour Remove technology eliminates the self-tan smell.
• Formulated without parabens, fragrance, alcohol, petrochemicals, sulphates, gluten, or silicones. Vegan, and not tested on animals.

Editor's Note: This product was purchased and testing began before I began my saving money training. 

Something I have become an expert on since I started to experience the blood-thinning side effects of my medication. Whereas I never bruised before, now suddenly I'm a freaking peach. So here's what you do.


1) Ice the area immediately. While you're at it, go full RICE. Rest Ice Compression Elevation - if possible.

2) Apply arnica gel.

Sometimes these two steps are enough to prevent a bruise from even forming! But if not, here's what comes next.

3) Boost the arnica gel with microcurrent - I alternated between my Jenu,  Ziip, and Nuface when I got a bruise on my face I was desperate to get rid of. The slight vibration also acts to promote circulation which clears up a bruise more quickly.

4) Hot compresses. (Do the same as above. After 24 hours you should switch from cold to hot.)

5) Gentle Massage. My selenite wand is awesome for deep tissue in big muscles (mostly neck and legs) but also to gentle massage hard to reach areas.

6) Vitamin C Serum. I found this doing a deep dive on the web for how to cure bruises fast (remember, face bruises) but I only came across this once, so take it with a grain of salt.

Anything I'm missing? Let me know in the comments. xo.

It's here, the highly anticipated Birthday Cake Balm Dot Com launch (click Skincare and you'll find all the delicious flavors!)

This delicious flavor, made in partnership with the famous Milk Bar in New York, is flavored like a funfetti birthday cake. It's also flecked with a hint of holographic shimmer. Enough to bounce a little plumping light off lips and cheeks, but not so much that it looks like you tried. Also, it tastes and smells amazing, and the packaging is cute as hell. If you're not on a shopping ban - or you've got a budget for a $12 treat - check this dark horse favorite out.

There are many many kinds and causes of rashes, but for the most part (mermaid thighs being a notable exception) if you go to the doctor they will all treat it the same way at first. This is what they will do:

1) Benadryl for the allergic reaction. One pill every 8 hours. It can also be rotated with a daily allergen fighter like claritin or zyrtec, but the benadryl will be used until you can work up a therapeutic dose of the other kind.

2) Keep the area clean, cool and dry. Heat and sweat can exacerbate rashes - whether they are hives or heat rash. Sweat can also be an irritant. Avoid all products that could cause or increase irritation with the exception of:

3) A gentle, mild soap used at least once a day.  My current love is this french pharmacy brand but really anything that is marked for sensitive skin will work.

4) A clean moisturizer, also marked for sensitive skin.  For the face I like Atopalm, which is also awesome if you have some kind of irritation from trying a new product that isn't right for you - Alicia Yoon from Peach & Lily turned me onto it.  She used it when she had a bad allergic reaction right before her wedding and the results she shared on Instastories was magic. For the body there is nothing like the magic of pure lanolin, which is extremely hydrating but also non-greasy and gentle, like this all-over everywhere cream from Lanolips.

5) A steroid cream.  Pictured here is the prescription one they always prescribe, but plain old OTC hydrocortisone is usually my first stop. Although once you get this one it's hard to turn back, if for no other reason then even as a scrip it's big and cheap.

6) A find dusting of powder for high sweat areas. I try to avoid this, but if the heat is inescapable, or the rash is somewhere that just sweats (like armpits, cleavage) a fine dusting of plain, baby-powder can help keep the area dry and sweat free while it heals.

See that little patch on the back of my thigh? Mystery rash, what caused it I may never know. Fortunately the treatment is usually the same.