Save your face and skip the waste.

Think about your nightly face wash routine. Most of us need something with a more cleansing power to get off the day's makeup. Typically the ingredients in most makeup remover wipes are stripping our skin of it's natural oils and depending on the wipe size, we may go through a few wipes before we feel like we have a blank canvas to start with in the morning.

Not only are we robbing our skin of it's natural balance, we are piling up a pretty decent stack of wipes. With April being "Sustainable Beaut Month", we want to introduce you to the Magic Mitt. Jane Iredale has come up with an incredible new makeup remover mitt that doesn't require soap or chemicals, only warm water!

Don't believe us? Just YouTube "magic mitt" and see the countless beauty bloggers praising this gentle but incredibly powerful little mitt. Save your face, skip the waste. Available in-store!

The Difference Between Hard Wax and Soft Wax

Throughout the years, we've all heard a myriad of waxing stories: the good ones, the bad ones, and the ugly ones... but, the truth is, you shouldn't be scared of waxing! Read on to understand a little more about hard wax versus soft wax, including their pros and cons. Once you know exactly which area of your body each wax is better for, you will certainly make your waxing experience more comfortable, more efficient and safer.

Hard Wax vs. Soft Wax

There are a wide array of brands and types of wax out there, but all of them fall into two main categories: hard wax and soft wax. Soft wax is what you usually think of when you think of body waxing. Soft wax is applied with a waxing spatula before being removed using a muslin strip. This wax is best suited for larger areas such as arms, legs, and armpit.

Taking more skill to use, hard wax is a little different. It is thicker and applied warm with a spatula. Once the wax hardens, it is removed without the use of a strip. When waxing the face, hard wax is generally used. Additionally, it is our professional opinion that, when it comes to sensitive skin such as the bikini area, hard wax is also the best option. It attaches itself only to the hair, not the skin, reducing discomfort and minimizing the possibility of irritation.

Nevertheless, soft wax is ideal for Brazilian waxing. Why is that so? Unlike traditional bikini waxing, where a small strip of hair is left on top, with Brazilian waxing, everything is taken off from the labia to the rear. This area in particular is extra sensitive for one reason: the hair is extra coarse because it grows in different directions, making soft wax more effective and less painful for patients.

Hard Wax - Pros and Cons

• Hard wax is less painful on the face than soft wax.
• Hard wax can only be applied in small areas or it will break - it is not efficient to use on larger areas of the body like legs.
• Hard wax leaves no sticky residue. It is much easier to clean up.
• Hard wax grabs shorter hair, eliminating the need to wax on the same area twice.
• Hard wax is significantly more costly for suppliers to purchase, making it less popular in regular salons.
• When using hard wax, the hair follicles and pores open up from the heat, making it much easier to pull the hair out.

Soft Wax – Pros and Cons

• Soft wax adheres to skin more than hard wax, exfoliating skin more.
• Soft wax grabs fine hairs perfectly, working better on large areas of the body than hard wax.
• Unlike hard wax, soft wax cannot be applied to the same spot twice because it removes layers of dead skin.
• Even if soft wax tends to be stickier than hard wax, there is no special preparation needed.
• Soft wax is much cheaper than hard wax - it usually costs only between $5 and $15 dollars per pack.
• Less painful for most people, soft wax is perfect for extra sensitive areas such as the armpits or a Brazilian wax.

Spring Makeup Tutorial: Bold Night Out by Jane Iredale

Having a night out with the girls or your beau? Try this bold makeup look using Jane Iredale spring makeup collection, which includes mauve eye makeup and a berry lip.

ELLE: How to Extend Your Spray Tan's Shelf Life

Photo by Image Source/Photodisc / Getty Images

BY VICTORIA DAWSON HOFF

No, baking in the sun is not the smart way to glow this summer—but rather than forego bronzed skin altogether, why not spring for a high-quality spray tan? By shopping around for a highly recommended technician, you'll evade the risk of oompa-loompadom—no one will be the wiser, and you'll avoid tan lines. Better yet, you can request some subtle muscle contouring , so you pretty much get a fully-serviced bikini body in the span of 10 minutes. That being said, improper care can be the difference between a faux glow that meets an untimely, streaky death and a Gisele-worthy one that lasts up to 10 days. For some insider tricks on how to get the most mileage out of your spray tan, we called on editor-beloved tanning guru Sophie Evans of St. Tropez, who, with a decade and a half of experience, has seen it all. Here, she lays out the nuances and non-negotiables of making your bronze last twice as long.

1. The longest-lasting tan starts before you get to the salon.

This means getting your skin in the best possible condition prior to treatment, since the better its condition, the better and longer lasting your tan will be. Start exfoliating every day three days prior to your new spray tan, and make sure any waxing is completed 24 hours prior to spray tan application. (This will help you avoid a less than desirable dark pore look.)

2. Arrive to your appointment cleaned and buffed.

Try to shower and exfoliate about eight hours prior to new application. This will allow the skin to settle and be at its best pH balance level for self-tan development. Avoid putting heavy body lotions on the day of your treatment, as this can lighten the self-tan.

3. Wear loose clothing and pedicure-friendly shoes.

There's nothing worse than walking out of your appointment with a fresh tan only to realize that your bra strap left a nice little line on your shoulder. (The beauty of a spray tan is that you get to avoid tan lines.) Let 'em hang free if possible, and aim for minimal skin-to-fabric contact—a loose T-shirt dress is a solid option. Shoes are trickier—if you do end up with strap lines from flip-flops or Birkenstocks, just exfoliate your feet until the color is even when you get home, since the tan there isn't that noticeable anyway.

4. Deodorant could be your downfall.

A good technician will give you wipes to remove deodorant, foundation, and lotion (eye makeup is okay), since that barrier could mean uneven color—specifically, white pits.

5. Ask your technician to detail exactly what to do in the hours following your appointment.

Because not every treatment or formula is the same: Showering just a few hours after your appointment might be necessary for one kind of tan but could wash away another. Check to be sure, and try to follow the recommended shower time and aftercare as closely as possible. If you opt for a quicker-developing formula, take note of the clock and when you need to shower (usually a few hours after the treatment). If you opt for a classic self-tan solution, always wait a good eight hours or sleep with the product on overnight. While you sleep, the pores open up and your body temp heats up, really allowing a self-tan to get to work and reach its optimum tone.

6. Shower the right way.

For the first shower after your tan, it's always best to use water that's lukewarm and not too hot. Avoid shower gels that leave residue behind on the skin—your first clue is that the product touts itself as "deeply moisturizing." The residue from the moisturizer can degrade the life of your tan. Basic, natural products are best.

7. Moisturizing is key—but it can also be your tan's undoing.

Proper hydration is what will make your glow last, but an oil-rich formula will make it slip right off. Use a very basic lotion that isn't oil-based, and moisturize in the shower or right after.

8. Call in back-up for your face and hands.

A good spray tan should last for five to 10 days, however the face and hands will fade the quickest (due to heavy duty cleansing and washing) so invest in a good self-tan for the face. Face self-tanners are also a perfect way to touch up the hands as they are lighter in formulation than body products; you won't need to worry about them developing too darkly. Just make sure you wipe your palms and nails with a cleansing wipe after application to avoid buildup and residue in those places.

9. Don't sweat it.

Heavy exercise, sweating, sunscreen, and chlorine can really deplete the life of your tan, so after the gym, beach, or pool, apply a gradual tanner to boost and maintain your glow. St. Tropez's Gradual In-Shower Tan is a genius invention that makes self-tanning totally foolproof (and mess-proof): Take a shower, apply to wet skin, wait three minutes, and rinse! Use your gradual tanner when you've had a physical day or every three to four days to boost color in-between spray tan appointments.

10. Exfoliate to avoid blotchiness.

Don't worry about rubbing the tan away—light exfoliation is the best way to ensure the tan is always fading evenly and no color gets built up in undesired areas. Use an exfoliating product every two to three days, though aim for a gentle formula: A salt scrub or oatmeal scrub can sometimes be too harsh and make the tan patch.

To learn more or schedule your appointment, book by clicking here or call 479-935-4070!

Calley's Braided Top Knot Tutorial

Calley shows you a half updo using braids and a top knot and how to style the lower half with a beachy wave look that holds it's texture. Products featured by Davines and Evo Brands. A Crown Beauty Bar production.

Katherine Heigl's Beating the Signs of Aging

Beth Wischnia wrote up a little piece on Katherine Heigl's Hydropeptide go-to. Check it out! Katherine Heigl is more than an actress + producer — she’s also a mother to two adorable girls, wife to singer Josh Kelley, a huge animal lover and, perhaps most surprisingly, lives on a mountain in Utah.

Needless to say, the woman is busy and constantly on the go, which is something we all can relate to. Katherine runs out the door looking fabulous on the daily partly because she has her 10-minute morning routine down to a science. She gave us details on which products she starts her day with, and we bet you’ll adopt part of her program after reading this.

Katherine is a big fan of HydroPeptide skincare products, which are designed to combat the signs of aging. She’s also a firm believer in the importance of sun protection products. Even when she’s rushing to drop her kids off at the bus stop (by 6:55am!), she still makes time for her morning must-haves. “I will quickly wash my face with a HydroPeptide cleanser. I need good, deep cleansers. I get really oily skin, which is weird with the dry weather [in Utah], but my skin is confused,” she said. “Then I throw on the HydroPeptide tinted sunscreen that’s self-adjusting. It smoothes everything out and gives light coverage, but it’s perfect for me. I usually use a little cream blush to get a little color, otherwise I look a bit dead inside. And then big sunglasses — that’s it.”

To see Katherine's super cute pixie and read the rest of the article by Beth, click here.

Eyelashes In A Day

A lot of women are turning to eyelash extensions to not only enhance the lashes they have but save them some time and makeup when getting ready in the morning. Today we turn to adorable, crafty mommy blogger, Mary Larsen's experience with Novalash. Below is her review:

My eyelashes are stubby, stick straight out, and aren't really pretty. For fancy events, or if I'm going on television, I usually glue on a strip of fake lashes - which are perfectly curled, dark, and oh so feminine.

The problem is, now that I have a toddler running around my household, I don't have time to get ready in the morning, none the less carefully curl, mascara, and then glue fake lashes on with a steady hand. I'm too busy chasing around my cat (whom I'm convinced is a ninja escape artist) or making sure Itty Bitty doesn't go all Godzilla on all of our lamps.

But just because I'm a busy mom doesn't mean I shouldn't feel pretty, right?

So what are NovaLash Eyelash Extensions?
They are lash extensions that are worn daily - you don't have to take them off each night. Each synthetic lash is bonded onto a single natural lash. You don't have an awkward strip, and even close up - people wouldn't be able ot tell the difference. It honestly looks like your natural lash.

How Long Do NovaLashes Last?
When applied by a certified stylist, NovaLash extensions can be worn all year with minimal monthly maintenance - it's recommended that you visit your lash professional at least every four weeks. Think about it this way - your eye lashes naturally shed and fall off, and when they do, your NovaLashes fall off with them.

Are Lash Extensions Harmful?
This was super important for me to know. I had worn nail extensions for a year or so in my late twenties, and they actually did some pretty bad damage to my nails. I was worried that lash extensions might do the same. 

The technician (in addition to the research I did online) assured me that when applied properly, NovaLash extensions will not do any harm to my natural lashes. The reason is because of the application technique, when the techbonds the NovaLash to a single natural lash. 

Since I will not be removing the NovaLashes, and I will just allow them to fall off naturally with the lash that they  are bonded to, I will not be damaging my own lashes in the process.

Can I Wear Makeup?
From the pictures I saw online, it looked like I wouldn't ever have to worry about wearing mascara while my NovaLashes are on. I am allowed to wear all sorts of makeup, and Denise told me that I could wear water-soluble (not waterproof) mascara if I really wanted to, but it really wouldn't be needed.

Care For NovaLashes:
The tech also told me that I would need to keep my new lashes conditioned to help extend their life. There is special NovaLash conditioning/cleansing pads, or I could even use baby oil.  I she also recommended that I use a lash wand or comb to make sure the lashes were free of tangled.

To book your appointment with one of our eyelash techs, click here. To read more of Mary's blog, visit tallmomtinybaby.com.

Clip-In Extensions Tutorial with Catherine

Clip-in extensions are the easiest way to give your hair the length and thickness you want. Catherine shows you how she wears her SHE by So.Cap clip-in extensions.

Overnight Curl Tutorial With Bree

Today Bree shows us how she gets her bouncy morning curls without the frizzy hair that usually comes with it!