Before I started blogging about beauty, my Google Reader (RIP) was infiltrated with a bevy of blogs that I read on a daily basis (and ultimately what inspired me to create my own), including The Glossarie, a long-time running beauty blog penned by Lara Ramos. Lara and I bonded over our love for testing beauty products (go figure) over the course of many coffee dates at Starbucks, not to mention she was so supportive and a great friend I could vent to when I was unemployed (::tear:: I will never forget that).
Today, my beauty blog twin dishes on her daily beauty routine, how she manages her gorgeous natural curls and her favorite salons in the DMV.
Lara’s AM routine: “Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser followed by Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer- simple simple! Since it’s spring, I normally skip primer and opt for a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation. Then I just spot conceal any acne marks to keep coverage light and natural.”
Lara’s skincare essentials: “I mix and match and change things up fairly often, but the brands that never let me down are Simple, Mario Badescu, Kiehl’s and Somme Institute. My skin is fair, sensitive and acne-prone so anything that offers gentle chemical exfoliation, oil-free hydration or SPF is probably in my medicine cabinet.”
Her spring hair routine: “I have natural curls that I blow dry straight every other day. I cycle through several spray volumizers from Living Proof, Rusk, and Verb. I really only need something to protect my hair from heat since my curls kind of gave up long ago! If I do wear it curly, I go for a salt spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf or Davines No. 14.”
Currently in her makeup bag: “Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer, Make Blush in Vegas, NYX Are You DeprEYEved of… Mascara, Benefit Eye Bright, YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in Succulent Pomegranate.”
Favorite salons in the District: “I go to Kevin at Progressions in Rockville for my cuts—he is a genius. People are constantly asking me if I’ve just had my hair cut, even when I’m desperately due for one! He cuts my hair in a way so that it grows out really nicely.
The Sephora in Reston Town Center sees my face more times a week than I would like to admit. I also love Bluemercury in Bethesda and Bellacara in Old Town.
For manicures and pedicures, I have a go-to hole in the wall in Herndon called LA Nails. Their non-gel manicures last for two weeks and their $10 eyebrow waxes are magical.
For the occasional blowout, I like Flow in Reston. The team is so upbeat and happy, you can’t help but leave there smiling and looking like a million bucks.”
Lara’s PM routine: “Mario Badescu Orange Cleansing Soap followed by Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner (a must for keeping my acne-prone skin in check). If I’m feeling dry (or if I’m traveling), I smooth on Simple’s Vital Vitamin Night Cream. To treat pimples, I have actually been using Neosporin! It’s the only thing that doesn’t seem to make them angrier and actually reduces them by morning, making them much easier to cover. I finish up with L’Occitane Precious Eye Balm and Aquaphor on lips.”
Beauty mantra: “Less is more.”
Current obsession: “My brows! I’m working on growing them out so I have locked my tweezers away and I haven’t waxed them in way too long. It’s torture! The combination of Anastasia’s Brow Enhancing Serum and Brow Wiz are keeping me sane.”
All photos courtesy of Lara Ramos
Always looking for a great PM routine: thanks for sharing! This is great info!