the future of awesome

Over the last few years popular beauty brands have begun to evolve, with many making the shift to cleaner, greener products. Excitingly, what was once unthinkable is now commonplace.

Almost every major brand now offers products made with "natural" ingredients, has a “beauty oil” and might even be paraben-free or organic. Why? Because natural products are awesome, they feel good and work just as well as their mainstream counterparts made with benzones, color additives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (what?), etc. The adaptation of conventional cosmetics into something cleaner, greener and healthier is not just a fad or for people who eat granola; it’s for everyone!

About ten years ago, sarimotley cosmetics launched a “pretty” pursuit to share clean, healthy, beautiful skincare and cosmetics. Most of our products were made from simple ingredients, many right from the kitchen. The collection included facial oils, castile-based cleansers and simple essential oil mists and tonics. Then cleaner color cosmetics emerged and were added to the collection.

As the beauty industry evolves, sarimotley cosmetics also evolves. You will see many products prevail and a few fizzle out. Rest assured knowing that if one of your favorite products is no longer available, something equally (if not more) amazing is right around the corner.

Some of our beauty brands available at sarimotley.com and studio:

BijaBody
A body care system designed around the four core pieces of true skincare: exfoliation, protection, regeneration and targeted treatments. Products are formulated using scientifically advanced ingredients infused with holistically nourishing goodness.

bkr
A trendsetting, luxe glass water bottle that will change the way you drink your water forever.

Coola Organic Suncare
Suncare actives (like zinc and titanium dioxide) in an organic ultra-moisturizing base, making spf super-nourishing and easier than ever.

One Love Organics
A natural, ethical and environmentally driven skin care company created by skilled cosmetic artisans, and handcrafted on St. Simons Island, a small barrier island off the coast of Georgia.

Vapour Organic Beauty
Where luxury performance cosmetics meets pure organic formulation.

Preserve Skincare
The perfect face cleansing pads developed by two experienced estheticians looking for an easy, effective way to get people to wash their faces and take care of their skin.

SariMotley Pressed Minerals 
Pressed mineral eye shadow, blush, powder and fun color.

Senna Cosmetics (select products)
Natural, wearable and innovative mineral and high-definition makeup and colors for everyone.

For information about sarimotley cosmetics and our beauty brands, please feel welcome to reach out and say hello. If you do not see your favorite product(s) on the website, do not hesitate to ask (sari@sarimotley.com). 

gorgeous green gadgets

The way we apply makeup has evolved since we smeared kohl across our eyelids with our fingers. In this century, we find that the proper "tools" are as essential as the makeup itself. There are many to choose from and each with a different material and function. Makeup brushes are made using either animal hair or synthetic bristles. Both come in various densities, textures and shapes. Both have their admirers, but synthetic makeup brushes have become increasingly popular with the “green” scene because they offer eco-friendly, non-allergenic and cruelty-free advantages.

Because of the great advantages of sythetics', I decided these were a great place to begin my search for the best makeup brushes. And, over a year later, I found them. Meet Bdellium Tools (pronounced “del-ee-uhm, -yuhm," with a silent "b"), which are among the best of the best. Their cutting edge technology is unique and innovative, and their brushes are handmade by skilled artisans ensuring quality and integrity every time.

Bdellium Tools Green Bamboo collection is made with eco-friendly bamboo handles, anodized aluminum ferrules and all vegan synthetic bristles. Bamboo is fully sustainable due to its rapid re-growth cycle, and can be harvested with virtually no impact in the environment. The ferrule is the metallic ring of the brush that connects the handle to the fibers, and Bdellium’s are anodized for a longer lasting life. The synthetic fibers (or hair) have little to no shedding compared to natural hair, they are easier to clean, are hypoallergenic and provide a gorgeous application. 

Bdellium’s Green Bamboo collection is perfectly priced from $8 - $20 per brush. For more information on makeup brushes and finding the essential ones for you, contact sari@sarimotley.com.

take it off, take it all off

You’ve done it at least once after a long tiring day or a wild night out. The only thing you want to do is kick off those shoes and fall into bed. But your makeup—did you take it off? If you go to sleep right now, it will feel so awesome. You think, “Oh, I’ll just wash my face in the morning...” Well, sure; chances are you will wake the next day with the same gorgeous face you fell asleep with. However, repeated nights of shimmering shuteye can lead to a bevy of un-beautiful.

Your skin has a chance to replenish itself when you sleep, so take advantage of that. This is its moment to soak in nourishment, erase environmental filth and purge signs of stress. Be good to your skin because what you do when you are twenty will show up when you are forty. Nearly every time you sleep in the day’s muck and makeup, your skin can age ten days. Not to mention the fact that waking up with blah, dull skin, clogged pores and a general lack of radiance is senseless. All you really need to do is simply cleanse and nourish. To bypass un-beautiful, see the blog post “prepare to preserve” for an easy-to-incorporate plan.

greasepaint gossip

Hello Makeup Bag, we need to talk. Rumor has it you are are holding on to a few things that are making me look, well, older!

image above: People Clipart.com

Many amazing things come with age: intelligence, security, comfort, etc., and with that delight comes gravity, graying and an occasional feeling of being less gorgeous than before. Brave the battle with a little tweaking of everyday things, like your makeup.

In the article "16 Ways to Look Younger With Makeup" (Allure, April 2012), Danielle Pergament amusingly writes that "turning back the clock can be as simple as opening your makeup bag." With her insight and some product suggestions, here is a little sarimotley digest version on how to look more youthful:

• Moisturize. Forget this step and you're doomed with dullness. Keep skin smooth and supple and the rest is easy. (Great for daily moisture replenishment and filled with antioxidants, do-over daily moisture creme with co-Q10).

• Creative concealing. Correcting facial imperfections with a light-diffusing and hydrating concealer is key. Think of adding brightness to camouflage by reflecting light away as opposed to adding layers to hide behind. Try Illusionist from Vapour Organic Beauty.
• Warm it up. Adding a touch of bronzer to warm the skin and give a healthy, youthful glow can take years off a tired face. Just go with a more day at the spa look vs. back from the beach (Vapour's Solar Bronzer in Simmer is the perfect shade for most skin tones).

• Powder is passe. The days of being powder perfect are in the past. If you must, use a translucent, light-diffusing powder like the Mineral Mix Secret Set powder from Senna Cosmetics (available at sarimotley studio). Or when it's just a touch up, try Tatcha's Japanese Blotting Papers made from Abaca leaf.
• Get cheeky. Creamy, dewy textures are perfect for dry mature skin, especially when they are packed with nourishing organic ingredients that leave your face feeling cared for. Use your cheekbones as a guide for placing blush for just the right flush. (Aura Multi-Use Blush from Vapour).

• Just browsing. Go a little lighter with your brow color (unless you are blonde, then just a shade darker) using softer strokes to fill in sparse areas. Find your brow solutions at sarimotley studio.
  

• Batter up. If you are not already doing so, start using your eyelash curler. Lashes become less full, and giving them a little bump up helps open the eyes and brighten your look. (Tarte's Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler is awesome.)
  

• Prime time. Smooth on a little shadow primer to even lid tone and soften fine lines. This will help eye shadow keep its true color and stay put longer. Totally Transforming Eyeshadow Primer from Senna is an anti-ageing powerhouse with ingredients like hibiscus to help firm and smooth.
• Beware black. Dark brown liner is the new black. It's less intense, but still defines the eyes. Keep the line super-close to the lashes and maybe fore go the liner on lower lashes for a softer look. (Superwear Gel Liner in dark sienna available at sarimotley studio).

• Let in a little light. A soft shimmer, not glitter, on the inner corners of the eyes will wake up your makeup. Also, jut a touch above cheekbones and on the brow bone will add nice dimension. (Trick Stick from Vapour, available as sarimotley studio.)

• Lips of luxury. Boost natural lip tone with universally flattering shades like berries, mauves and just bitten reds. Vapour's Siren Lipsticks are the go-to for finding your perfect shade. Colors that are more sheer allow natural lip tone to peek through, making the hue you choose your very own.

For more information on how to makeup a younger looking you, schedule a visit to sarimotley studio.

giving back

a sarimotley staple, vapour organic beauty is committed to healthy, safe and beautiful makeup. what you'll find: gorgeous, cutting-edge products made with certified organic and all natural ingredients.

when you buy, you give back... all proceeds from vapour's elixir lip plumping gloss "honor" are donated to breast cancer awareness and research. this universally flattering, perfectly-pink shade is 100% natural, chemical-free and 70% organic (the other 30% is natural mineral pigments and vitamins). share and wear with honor.

clarity, a clear choice

whole living magazine (september, 2011) shared great insight on cleansing with oil. the article, coming clean (j. hart), talks about why these types of cleansers work. "when you put oil and oil together, they bind to each other... the oil in the skin attaches to the oil in the cleanser, and then you rinse them both off, resulting in effective deep-pore cleansing (j. graff, m.d.)." visit wholeliving.com for the whole story.

the article goes on to talk about who might be a great candidate for using said cleanser (those who love supple skin), how to use them and suggests a few brands to peruse. mentioned, you'll find a sarimotley favorite: vapour organic beauty's clarity makeup removing cleansing oil (available at sarimotley.com).

clarity gently and effectively cleans by dissolving all traces of makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural protective layer. this tissue-off formula is made with 95 percent certified organic ingredients, like camellia oil to perk up skin tone and evening primrose, which deeply hydrates with essential fatty acids.

for more information visit sarimotley.com.

summer makeup tips

scorching temps, barely bikinis and melting makeup? who's ready for summer?

summer fun has its place, but your makeup does not have to melt off your face. keep makeup simple and beautiful with these five face-friendly tips.

1. prime time

neglecting this savvy makeup step is so yesterday! a great makeup primer will provide a smooth and ready surface for longer-lasting makeup. try VAPOUR favorites stratus instant skin perfector and stratus soft focus instant skin perfector. these 3-n-1 moisturizer, primer and no-color foundations balance skin for a smooth, luminous look on their own or as a beautiful base for color makeup.

2. living light

use foundation to even skin tone and perfect. find light-as-air formulas like VAPOUR atmosphere luminous foundation that gives skin a luminous glow and natural finish.

3. beautifully bronzed

a bit of bronzer = fresh-from-the-beach glamour. apply to the high points of your face where the sun touches: forehead, cheekbones, chin and nose. use VAPOUR solar translucent bronzer for a sun-kissed glow on face, shoulders, decolletage and legs.

4. multi-tasking

go natural looking or add a pop of color, but keep texture simple with easy-to-blend cream (VAPOUR aura multi-use blush for cheeks, eyes and lips) or soft mineral cheek colors.

5. soft set

set it and forget it. a light dusting of oil absorbing powder keeps makeup fresh. sarimotley favorite: secret set mineral buffing powder glides over foundation with a candlelit finish.

for more great tips on summer proofing your makeup, email sari@sarimotley.com or visit our contact page.

your treat

looking to "wake up your make up", check out this tidbit treat.

Fall 2010: A Little Sense of Frill

The best way to describe what is in store for Fall 2010 is a fresh richness with a flair for doing what feels good, but also what appears "pretty" to the naked eye. The sprit of the looks that are right around the corner invite a little sense of frill as classic tones are paired with unexpected surprises; look for bolder lips and very present cheek color.

Even though they might pack a little extra punch this year, be comfortable knowing your favorite neutrals will sit front and center. Experiment with classic mineral shadows that are romantic and captivating: olive, taupe, cocoa, brass, peach, mauve, emerald...

And, great skin is definitely in... this come first with any fabulous makeup look. Once you find that pureness of real skin, the perfect color and beautiful texture will follow.

To schedule a makeup lesson or seasonal color review, send an email to sari@sarimotley.com or visit the contact page.

NEW Studio

I just moved in to my NEW studio, and wanted to give you a sneak peak of this special place I call "the best place to work, ever!"

I look forward to offering you the very best service in Makeup Artistry, Skincare Coaching, Private Shopping parties, special events and more. Visits to the studio are by appointment only. You can contact the studio by email (sari@sarimotley.com) or phone at 713-292-6711.

The above images are courtesy of Sara Catherine Photography... Sara is a Houston area photographer who found a genuine love for photography and photo editing. Her talent, skill and essence help her capture true personality allowing you to keep the moments forever. For more information about Sara, visit www.saracatherine.com.

The Right Makeup For Your Hair Color

Check out the great article at endlessbeauty.com.

I'm Loving Spring

Well almost!! Just another day and Spring will have sprung and all will be happy in the world. Or at least I will be less cold, less layered and enjoying a more sheer look with my makeup.

My favorite Spring going forward concoction: mix your best match shade of Stript Crushed Mineral Foundation with a pea-size bit of do-over moisture to create a dreamy, creamy tinted moisture.

For more information on finding your just-right shade go here, or send a email to sari@sarimotley.com.

What Are You Not Wearing?

It's almost here: a long awaited collection of makeup that is CLEAN and BEAUTIFUL.

You heard me right, girl. I have happily provided you with beautiful mineral and fashion makeup for 4 years, and I am super-excited to share this eco-sexy collection of new, pure and long-wearing marine minerals.

Meet Stript. Developed out of a tireless search for a brand of cosmetics that not only talks the talk, but can also walk the walk! Stript is 100 PERCENT paraben, fragrance and talc FREE, and VEGAN. This brand unites purity and product safety and is chock-full of some of the best ingredients nature has to offer. Experience Stript at sarimotley cosmetics, and love what you are not wearing!

Professional Makeup For Photography, Part II

Last month I blogged about photography makeup and the benefits of hiring a professional Makeup Artist. However, it is not always feasible to hire a professional, so here are some important tips for having your skin look its best on camera when going at it on your own.

First, know that less is more! Piling on extra makeup wont make you look your best; it's likely

to lead to a cakey mess. Also, makeup that looks great in real life may not look as good in photographs, you may want to experiment a bit.

Always start with clean, moisturized skin. Then prepare your skin with a makeup primer. Primers are so important in photography because they help to smooth skin and give the makeup something to hold onto for a longer-lasting application.

Once you have prepped and primed, it's time to work on the "look" you want to create. It may be a natural look, something glamorous, a boudoir photo session or your bridal portraits. Play with color that accents your favorite features. For eye shadow, use colors that flatter and remember to blend. Do not use shadow that has too much shimmer or frost; these do not appear as flattering on camera.

Apply foundation evenly over the face, blending into your neck. Make sure that the foundation matches your skin tone appropriately. Remember that your skin is not one-dimensional; this is where contouring comes in handy. Contouring is great for helping define the natural dimensions of your face. Use a darker color that your foundation, but one that is tonally correct. Apply under cheek bones and other areas you want to sculpt.

Finally, use a lip color that makes you feel comfortable. The color should be at least a shade deeper that your natural lip tone. Avoid colors that are lighter than your lips since this will make them appear washed out on camera.

For more information on professional makeup application or to schedule a makeup lesson, contact sari@sarimotley.com.

Skincare Without Hair

As we are fast approaching Halloween, I wanted to share a little treat that will help you "do what what do without messing up your doo!"

Meet tassi!

Keep your hair out of your face when washing, applying makeup, getting a facial and more. This little fast-friend is incredibly inventive and a must-have for only $15. Get one for yourself and another for a friend, www.sarimotley.com.

Professional Makeup For Photography, Part I

Not everyone is a professional with makeup. Many women know the basics, but a professional makeup artist is fully equipped with tools and skills that are essential for looking your best in pictures.

A professional makeup artist can effectively hide blemishes and scars, and knows the right tricks to emphasize your best features, while diminishing the less desirable ones. Additionally, she/he will have insight on how to create the right look for the theme of your photo shoot.

For more information on professional makeup application for photography, contact sari@sarimotley.com . Check back soon for Professional Makeup For Photography, Part II -Tips for creating the perfect look on your own.

Photo: Sara Catherine Photography

Priorities

A great review...

"I did a trail run with my fantastic makeup artist Sari Motley, and what she did was amazing. First of all, getting a makeup artist was a top priority for both my wedding day and bridal portraits. I am 24 years old, yet forever mistaken for high schooler, and I still break out a lot. With pictures being taken and all eye on me, of course I want to look my best. The best part about Sari is that she sells her own makeup line of awesome products, and she can work with you to find the right shades of everything. And, if you're not savvy with makeup, she can also give you some makeup tips for everyday use. Bottom line is she is so sweet and I lover her work and her products: am so glad that she's agreed to travel to do my makeup. If you live in Houston defiantly check her out: www.sarimotley.com!"

Read the full story at weddingchicks.com.

From Girl to Girly

I had a makeup lesson with Jena earlier this week, the results - nothing less than perfectly beautiful.

Jena came to me for a "how to" on just about everything. Since her present routine entailed sticking her head out of the car window for a blow dry, we started with the basics. First, the importance of skincare. Next, lash curling - this is a step often neglected, but so worth doing. I think Jena now agrees. Then we covered foundation all the way to finishing touches. It's a lot of information when you are new to makeup, yet seeming crucial when you really want to put your best face forward. See Jena before and after.

To schedule a makeup lesson for yourself or someone else, send an email to sari@sarimotley.com or visit my contact page.

Summer's Must-Have Makeup

With Summer comes longer days, lighter fabrics (weight and color) and LIGHTER makeup. Try these tips for sizzling summer days or sultry summer nights:

I find that most gals like to keep their makeup simple when it's hot outside. Try this easy-as-pie routine for a day-time look, it's perfect.

• Sheer foundation. I love this one with spf 20, and it's packed with antioxidants as a great-for-your-skin bonus.
• Bronzer. This is a "must-have makeup", it will enliven any complexion. Swoosh a little over the areas of your face where the sun would naturally highlight your features – forehead, cheekbones, nose and chin.
• Lips. Try your favorite color in a sheer shade or gloss - somethings that says "airy smooth", not "barely moves".
• Mascara. You can add definition to your eyes without color. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. Black mascara works for most, but fair should opt for brown. Sweep the mascara brush back & forth (like a windshield wiper), then one horizontal swoop to evenly distribute the color.

For Summer nights it's OK to "glow" for the glam, here's how:

• Eyes. To create gorgeous eyes that speak for themselves, apply a medium-toned shadow lightly over the lid, and blend a darker color into the crease.
• DO NOT forget mascara at night. Remember, mascara is your WOW factor for the eyes.
  Curl lashes with an eyelash curler. I like black mascara at night. Start at the lash base and move up beyond the tips to lengthen, wait a few moments then add another coat. If need be, use a lash comb to remove clumps.
• Highlight. Glow ahead, you can do it... my favorite sheer mineral skin treat will have you literally luminous.
• Cheeks. Look for blush colors that say, "I love to vacation" sans the sun damage.
• Bronzer. When bronzing for evening, follow the same steps you would for day, but add a little extra on collar bones, back, etc. go on now, get glowing...

xo, sari sari@sarimotley.com

Bridal Event = New Friends

Today was our Business Collective's Afternoon of Bridal Indulgence. This special event welcomed brides-to-be to an intimate party at the sarimotley cosmetics private showroom. Our guests were able to meet one-on-one with members of our small business group offering services and goods ranging from hair and makeup to flowers, photography, videography, jewelry, and more.

Our four-hour gathering included light bites from Midtown’s Farrago, samples from Sugar Shack Cookies & Cupcakes, jazz piano from Henry Darragh, door prizes, and a fashions styled by Louisa Hamlin.
A big and generous thank you goes out to all of our vendors, hosts and hostesses and our new firends.

Our Collective: The Bayou City Business Collective is a private Houston-area group of young women entrepreneurs that provides support, inspiration, and networking opportunities for its members. Through bi-annual events, members collaborate to market their goods and services to the public and within their personal networks. For more information about the Bayou City Business Collective, contact Louisa Hamlin.