Hard As Nails.

Well..... as you've probably noticed, manicures have done a 360 back into the 70's/ 80's look of pointy. Not flat tips. I NEVER thought this look would make a comeback but I think pointed manicures are SO much better than the trashy flat tipped white acrylic nails. Those were fun in high school, but now growing in to a woman, I want something more sophisticated. But still fun. In Lana Del Rey's music video "Ride" you probably noticed long pointy red acrylics. I think she has been a pioneer to this style trend that is making it's way back from 1975. Whether you have long peach colored nails (Try OPI's Bubble Bath) or pin stripes and leopard print, this trend is absolutely adorable. You can do acrylic or press on (that's one thing I love about this trend). You don't need a lot of money for your nails to look absolutely fabulous. This trend is not only blowing up on fashionista's but all you have to do is click on Pinterest and you will see a slew of trendy design ideas from fellow pinners. I think this spring/summer trend is here to stay and hopefully will develop from a trend to a classic. Also considering the zeitgeist (the spirit of the times), we are in a 1970's inspired fashion world and these nails go along to match. If you don't like long nails, try short acrylic flat tips painted with spring inspired designs (no white tips please)! It's still a fun but trendy look! Now go.... get a manicure. Not only is it doing something good for yourself, it's making the world a more fab place.

Spring 2013: Peach & Bold Stripes....

Finally! After a horrible, cold, depressing winter, Spring has finally arrived! Don't get me wrong. I LOVE fall/winter fashion. After all, I am a sucker for blacks and greys, and dark red lips....But the nice thing about having rough winters, is that you are SO ready for Spring to be here! Anyways... let's talk about some trendy styles we are seeing hitting the runways, pages of Vogue, and of course the floor sets of our favorite boutiques. Last Spring, peach and mint green were THE colors to wear. Not only are we seeing it in nail color, clothing lines, and makeup, but mint green is also showing up in car colors, like the new Fiat 500 cc's. Seeing how the color took off I am guessing they are going to become classics. Especially when peach looks great on any skin tone and makes you look tan. Peach and Mint Green are coming back again this Spring... I am seeing it everywhere again. Especially in nail colors and lipsticks. Another hot color this Spring is Royal Blue.... (who would have guessed?)... I'm not a fan of the color but forced myself to buy a Royal Blue Romper for a work party. I actually love it. It will be a great summer look this year. Another trend I am seeing is bold black and white stripes. I am not only seeing jackets and skirts, but leggings too!  I got a pair at H&M that I'm kind of in love with. Just make sure not to pair it with something too bold or crazy, because you don't want to have too much texture in one outfit. Another great spring classic is of course, sun dresses, particularly with a floral print, wedges, and the color nude will always be a safe bet. Whites with browns, etc. If you are like me and wear a lot of black add some coral colored jewelry, pearls, or turquoise. Coral and turquoise are this years colors of the season.... So accesorizing with the colors will give your outfit a springy feel. Some great apps for your iphone like Wanelo, and Polyvore will let you shop the latest trends right from your iphone so you can go shopping on the go. Anyways.... Happy Spring 2013 beauties! xoxoxo

Let's talk about Jane:

So there's a little mineral makeup company....(not little but started out small) that's only sold in salons, doctor's offices, and plastic surgeon's offices. It's call Jane Iredale. You may have seen it in your favorite salon or your plastic surgeon's. It's 100 percent natural without preservatives, oil, and fillers. In many countries across Europe, many makeup companies products are not sold because the fillers and preservatives are linked to cancer. But here in wonderful America, we are a country of massive consumption and will basically buy anything people are telling us to buy. But why would you want to put something so horrible on your face??? Especially everyday. Jane's most popular products are the foundations. They are basically treatments for the face, with full coverage to light coverage depending on what you need. My good friend Andi, a business consultant for Jane Iredale, is who introduced me to this miracle product. (Not to mention her skin has improved TREMENDOUSLY since using Jane). Liquid Minerals is a foundation for older looking skin, that is a treatment in a bottle. Then there is Dream Tint that is basically a tinted moisturizer. Then there is the compact foundation for light to heavy coverage. If you want heavier coverage you can use the "flocked sponge" to pat and thicken the coverage. My personal favorite product just came out and is flying off the shelves....BB Cream (Beauty Balm and Brightener). It's Jane's first full coverage liquid foundation that you can actually work in to the skin to hide pores. You only need a dime sized dallop to cover the entire face. It's also oil free so you don't have to worry about breaking out. This product literally is THE BEST foundation I have ever tried. And the fact that it's natural makes me feel so much better about what I'm putting on my face. It also comes with a primer that sets the foundation. I like a matte finish so I will finish with a powder and contour with a bronzer, but Jane also carries a mattifying powder that eliminates oil and shine. One of my other favorite products is ABSENCE. It's a primer that immediately absorbs oil and mattify's the face before applying foundation. My skin is especially oily in the warmer months so this has helped me with my oil control. Another favorite of mine is the corrective colors concealer pallet. It comes with 4 different colors to conceal blemishes, grey spots, yellow and red skin, etc. It even shows which colors cancel which colors on your face. And it's soft and easy to apply. Also try the Bitty Brow Kit, for a great powder AND cream to finish off those brows.  Not only does Jane just do foundations, but she does eyeshadows, lip plumpers, lipsticks, hydration sprays (which sets powdered foundations) and an amazing self tanner that looks natural and doesn't streak. Her blushes, bronzers, and highlighters are amazing for contouring and giving you a soft glow. If you have any questions about Jane feel free to message me. You can also buy Jane at all Image Studios in the Salt Lake Valley. I highly recommend checking out Image Studios for all of  your hair, aesthetics, lipo, waxing needs. Not only is it high end but it's home to some of the best hairstylists in Salt Lake City. So when you are checking out Jane, make sure and schedule an appointment with one of the amazing artists, or vice versa. Also check out my interview with Salt Lake Magazine on more of my favorite beauty products!!

Burlesque at it's Best:

                Last October I was asked by one of my favorite local Burlesque Dancer's Dia Diabolique to do a solo with Salty Tassle's. Salty Tassle's is not a troop, but a group of soloists that put together shows every other month. I instantly fell in love. I have always wanted to try burlesque and after seeing the Slippery Kittens perform the previous October I was hooked. The movie "Burlesque" starring Christina Aguilera and Cher created quite the craze. But Burlesque has been one of the oldest forms of seduction. The peep shows with traveling circuses in the 20's and performers during prohibition started off this form of entertainment. Frowned upon by feminists and degraded by religion; nothing stopped Burlesque from blowing up in to something bigger. Strippers we are not, but more of a sultry seduction technique.... covering up with big feathered fan, and pasties. A lot of classic Burlesque will be forever remembered and adored. Bettie Page we thank for that. Even Marilyn Monroe can be considered one of the mother's of Burlesque. And everyone knows Dita Von Teese, the beauty who paved her way with classic burlesque in to world wide fame. You can still see classic Burlesque at places in Paris like The Crazy Horse Paris, and Moulin Rouge. But it has also made it's way to Vegas with the Pussycat Dolls Lounge, The Crazy Horse Paris 2, and in Hollywood with places like The Royal Jelly.
             Burlesque has definitely opened up doors for me in the Salt Lake Scene with appearances in promo  videos, articles in NOW Salt Lake, photo shoots, boudoir shoots, and now an upcoming reality show with Fitzen Guns and Knives. Come see what Salty Tassle's has to offer on September 15th with our beautiful girls at Bar Deluxe. You won't be disappointed.

xo

Make Your Life Gorgeous... Just Like You:

Having an addictive personality is strange, because you're always looking for the next high, the better high, the next best thing. So naturally I become obsessed with new trends, fashion ideas, makeup ideas, music, people, etc. So I decide to use that to my advantage. Whether it's wearing the highest heels in the room, the longest eyelashes, and the pinkest lipstick. I always do things over the top, and take things way too far. For example, my Lana Del Rey obsession. Ever since I first heard her coming down the canyon from a swanky Sundance Film Festival Party, I haven't been able to get enough. I listen to her every day without fail. Some would say this is irrational behavior, but I say I get inspired easily. I love getting excited about new and beautiful things. I would rather be excited and inspired over little things to keep me on life's high. A year ago I wasn't wearing false lashes. But today I wear them every day. Even to work. I love being fabulous. I love owning my materialistic, erratic behaviors. Life is like the sun. You can either soak it up and play in it, or you can slather yourself with sunblock and hide under an umbrella or a cabana. It's your choice. Fall in love as much as you can, laugh as much as possible, and make every day beautiful. Beautiful moments are for beautiful minds. Anything you want in life you can achieve, as long as you put your mind to it, and can picture yourself accomplishing those things. Life is too short for doubt. So be crazy. Dance all night, wear the highest heels, get creative. Make your life gorgeous. Because if your surrounding aren't gorgeous and inspiring, then you can't be gorgeous or inspired. And don't be scared to live. If you were to die tomorrow, would you die happy and believe that you have gotten everything you ever wanted out of life so far? Being young, I know I have so much ahead of me, but I at least know that if I were to die tomorrow, I would die happy and know that I've achieved what I've wanted to achieve so far in life.....

Flashy Falsies:

I've never felt more beautiful. Doing a makeover on the inside really helped me on the outside. Getting rid of things that weren't good for me emotionally and physically was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I still am a candy addict and will binge on anything with frosting or chocolate, but that's part of being made of sugar and spice! =) I've never been a fan of false lashes. I've always tried wearing them and could never get the lash band close enough to the line of my lid. The thick banded lashes especially (found mostly in volumizing lashes) really bothered me because I have never been a fan of thick liner on the top lid. But one night while getting ready with my gay boys (one who is a MAC artist) pulled out an amazing pair of lashes that he said I had to try. So I gave it a whirl. I instantly fell in love and false lashes have become my go to beauty best friend ever since. The trick is to stay away from volume lashes. You can still get lashes with volume just as long as they are lengthening. The length balances out the volume and you won't end up with a thick banded lash. Most people use Duo for lash grip. It's thick and white, and you have to let it set for 30 seconds and wait about 5 to 10 minutes to let it dry completely clear. I don't have that kind of time so I suggest using Ardell Lash Glue. It's clear and you can immediately apply your lashes after you swipe the glue across the band. This glue has seriously changed my life! Place the band as close to the lash line as possible. When the glue dries, take your favorite mascara (mine personally is MAC Falsies Extreme Black) and apply it to the falsies and your natural lashes. This will make the grain of both lashes follow the same exact direction and makes it look more natural. It's so easy and can make your photos pop. I feel more confident and beautiful with lashes anytime I go out. I even wear them to work most of the time. If you're not a falsie girl, just wear them out on occasion. The compliments will flow. Oh and one more thing. My favorite falsies of all time, that lasted about a full month were Duo lashes. You may have to trim the edges if you have wide set eyes, but just avoid the Duo lash grip. It's not horrible, there is just a better glue out there! Well.... there you have it beauties! A quick little Sunday Morning lash lesson. I suggest you try it!

Learning From Your Mistakes....

2011 was an roller coaster way, and I mean this in the best way possible. I have met the most amazing people and actually decided to grow up. You see, I was a spoiled little girl, who threw a fit if I didn't get my way, and all I wanted to do was party and spend my family's money. I thought life was perfection until something life changing happened. I won't disclose what happened because I don't want to be recognized as that person anymore. I'm wiping away the rust from my tarnished name and becoming a better person. In 2010 I was forced in to making a decision that I am so grateful for now. My life was forever changed and I decided that staying sober was the way for me. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that easy. It was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. I wanted to drink and party and be the old Ashley MANY times during this year. Especially now, that I'm going through a heart break. But thanks to my loving friends and family I have stayed sober. I have accomplished so much this year. I got a job in the fashion industry doing what I love, I am now doing burlesque which has been one of my dreams, I moved out of my parents house and got my OWN APARTMENT! I am independent, I am happy, I am free. I am doing things that I only dreamed about but wasn't able to do because of alcohol. I get to go on guilt free shopping spree's with MY hard earned money. Not my parents or my drained trust fund. I am finally getting modeling offers and talent agencies interested in me, because I am taking care of myself. This year has been so amazing and I am so grateful for everything in my life. 2012 started out rough. New Years Eve was full of glitter and good friends, but I had my heart broken on Day 2. New Years Day was the 14th anniversary of my mother's death, and I have been working my ass off. BUT my horoscope said that today is the first day of the rest of my life. So I'm taking my control back and not letting anything get me down! You shouldn't either. I wish all of you the best year ever beauties. Happy 2012!