Vintage Vixen

Today’s geisha is a vintage vixen, a look that flatters everyone. Traditional geisha makeup emphasized a red mouth, and today’s make-up trend brings back the red! Pin up those curls, press on a velvety soft powder, and paint on a bold slash of crimson; give them your best Mona Lisa and let them beg to know what you’re thinking! To get this look:

On Hair:

Pin-curls are in! And easier done than said. Prep hair with a little volume-inducing spray: try John Masters Deep Scalp Follicle Treatment & Volumizer. Part hair on the side, aiming the part with the highest-level of your eyebrow arch; using hot-rollers or a large-barrel iron, vertically wrap 1-inch pieces around the iron and hold for 10-15 seconds. Gently release, then pin up and let cool-down. Leave up for approx. 20 minutes, then let loose and finger comb. Spray a little moisturizer – try Hamadi Beauty Shea Spray - from mid-curl down, and fluff.

On Skin:
Begin with absolutely clean, moisturized skin. Try Kimberly Sayer Firming Botanical Face Serum. It’s the perfect under-makeup prep! This look begins with a flawless finish, which sets the backdrop for both the eyes and lips. At Upurea, we recommend a crème foundation, providing high-definition and full coverage – which also makes the final dusting of powder unnecessary. Try Nvey Eco Organic Creme Deluxe Foundation in a variety of shades. Getting the right shade can be tricky – see our article on Choosing The Right Foundation for tips! Gently smooth foundation on, paying close attention to the temples, jawline and around the nose – these spots are commonly missed and can produce a blotchy effect.

On Eyes:
A modern-geisha’s eyes are defined, but not heavily lined. Try Nvey Eco Organic Creative Eye Color System in No. 3, which includes neutral earth tones and a highlighter in silver. Beginning with the upper and lower lids, softly outline the lash-line with the lightest of the shades. To define the shape of the eye, sweep the medium shade along the crease; using the darkest shade, apply along the outer upper and lower corners. Finally, press the silver on the inner corners, and sweep softly under the browbone. Add two coats of Nvey Eco Organic Moisturizing Mascara: for Brunettes, try Black; Blondes and Red-Heads can try Brown.

On Lips:
The center-piece of our classic look is the mouth! This look screams red, and Nvey Eco Organic Lipstick in #369 – Real Red delivers a smooth embellishment. Blot with a tissue and re-apply for long-lasting color.

The Art of Bathing

At Upurea we love a good soak. In fact, we revel in it. It relaxes and melts away our tension, soothes our aches and pains, and comforts us when we feel unwell. We
recognize that the bath is a key element in taking great, personal care of ourselves, promoting not only our health but also glowing, gorgeous skin!

All of us at Upurea consider ourselves pro-bathers, but after our trip to Japan we
know better. We have been painstakingly introduced to the Art of Bathing, and now
we humbly share it with you!

In Japan, bathing is a cleansing of mass proportion: not only of the body, but the mind and soul as well. After a long, hard day at work, the bath becomes a place of familiar ritual; one sheds not only the clothing but the entire day, as well.

Most often public baths until very recently – mid-twentieth century – the bath is
still an integral part of every Japanese day. It begins by thoroughly cleansing the body before getting into the water; and ends with the most delicious feeling of complete renewal.

Before running any tub water, step into the shower first (trust us!). This is a great opportunity to scrub, lather, and get buff – try a scrub with salt, sugar, walnuts or loofah, or a grainy, invigorating mentholated soap. Rubbing in a slow, circular motion from hands and feet towards your heart removes dead skin cells, and
also promotes circulation. Use this time to also gently massage a shampoo into the scalp, or work in a deep conditioner.

Next rinse completely with warm – not hot! – water, and pat dry with a clean towel.

Now you’re ready for your bath! Bath salts and oils are a wonderful way to enhance
the bathing experience, delivering powerful aroma-therapeutic properties directly
to the nervous system. Add your oil or a salt-blend while running the bath water, and pay attention to the temperature – you want it hot, but not too hot. When full slip in and close your eyes. With each exhale, visualize the challenges of the day
leaving your body – we swear this works!

You may find that you sweat more than normal, which is a sign that all the scrubbing and massaging is working to remove toxins from your system. You’ll want to steep for at least 20 minutes. * Please bathe mindfully if pregnant or unwell. Certain herbs, essential oils and hot temperatures should never be taken by pregnant women; check with your physician if you wish to enjoy a long soak.

After your special bathing time, extend your relaxation by smoothing on a luxurious
lotion, wrapping up in a warm robe and enjoying a cup of tea. Optimally, you'll
float peacefully off to bed!

With a little extra time and attention, you too can truly immerse yourself in the quintessential Japanese experience. Rirakkusu!

Antonio Sabato Jr.

He may have made his name famous in the US, but Antonio Sabato Jr.'s Latin heritage
gives him one of the best tressed-profiles in show biz! To get this look:

On Skin:
Our uomo has a smooth set of cheeks. Try The Art of Shaving’s 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave Kit to guarantee optimal shaving results while relieving and preventing ingrown hairs, razor burn, tough beard and sensitive skin.

Includes Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Cream, After-Shave Balm, and a Pure Badger Shaving Brush.

Your acting partner will thank you!

On Hair:
Try something a little sophisticated, with a funky edge. Warm a small amount of John Masters – Bourbon Vanilla & Tangerine Hair Texturizer and run hands through hair from the roots and up to the ends. This texturizer is perfect for shaping hair into any style desired, from spiky to smooth; use to flatten big hair.

On Body:
Even by looking at his photograph we know that Antonio smells good! Try Anthony Logistics – Strenth Men’s Cologne. It’s the perfect prescription for today’s
sophisticated bad boy.

Into Sports? Try Vitaman’s Desert Muscle Rub, a must-have for pre and post sports activity. This rub gives deep penetration relief from muscle aches and pains, and sore joints.

Pro-Tip

As you come to the outer corner, flick your wrist slightly but confidently toward your temple. It’s better to make a longer extended liner - you can always remove the tip with a q-tip after. The key is more about placement of wing, rather than the length.

Pro-Tip

Always prep clean skin with a moisturizer for your skin type – allow to set at least 15 minutes before applying makeup.

Monica Bellucci

Famous for her long dark waves, perfect pout and heavily lined eyes, Monica Bellucci is as stunning on screen as she is on the street. Her cat-eyed look is wearable for both dressy days and exotic evenings. To get this look:

On Hair:

Luxurious locks make everyone feel like a Boticelli. Begin with freshly cleansed and conditioned hair - we love John Master’s Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo and Neroli Detangler. While hair is still damp, spray John Masters - Deep Scalp Follicle Treatment & Volumizer onto roots. Next, warm a small amount of Hamadi Beauty Shea Leave-In Conditioner into your palms, then work into hair beginning at the ends.

When your whole head has been lightly texturized, section hair into small bunches and
lightly wrap each section around a few fingers, rolling to the crown of the head. Clip or pin sections and allow to air dry. Unroll and tousle.

On Skin:
Warmly kissed skin is a must for this look, to balance the bold eyes. On fair skin, apply Nvey - Organic Powder Blush in Warm Pink; medium to darker olive tones can try Nvey - Organic Powder Blush in Rusty Bronze. For both skin tones, Nvey’s Organic Compact Powder bronzer will highlight areas where the skin would normally hit, so smooth some onto the brow and cheekbones, and the tips of nose and chin. Don’t forget your collarbone!

On Eyes:
The perfect cat eye can be tough to apply, but not with Nvey’s Organic Cake Eyeliner (*brush not included).

To apply: Open your eyes! This look is best achieved when eyes are open. Keeping the brows relaxed (trust us on this one!), starting with the inner corner of your eye barely touch the brush to your lashline, slowly lining toward the outer corner of your eye. Keep the line as close to the lashes as possible—you can add more liner if wanted but it’s best to start small!

Finish with 2-3 coats of Nvey - Organic Moisturizing Mascara.

On Lips:
A nude lip with a heavy eye will keep this look balanced, and can help lips look fuller! Try Nvey - Organic Lip Lustre in Amour Rose, a sheer baby pink shimmer.

Olives & Grapes

Olives & grapes – and therefore their products for consumption: oil and wine – contain naturally
occurring polyphenols, which are known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticoagulant actions. A recent study indicated that drinking just one glass of red wine per day, high in polyphenols, could even help to reverse dementia (hello, Barolo!) !

Additionally, polyphenols may also prevent against some cancers and bone loss. It’s no wonder that a diet rich in olives and wine is
considered to be a dieter’s dream!

Skincare products abundant in olives, grapes and grapeseed oil can benefit our skin health in the same way. Uneven, blotchy surface areas have you running for cover?

Unveil your radiance with a smooth, soothing serum or lotion, packed with anti-inflammatory extracts of olives and grapes. We may not all be born to Roman parents of high-cheekboned lineage, but we canstill do as the Romans do: by incorporating therapeutic products into our daily skincare regime, the results may be famously gorgeous!

Green Is Sexy

At upurea, we've been searching high and low for the sexiest alternative to conventional cosmetics. Finally we’ve found it – gorgeous makeup that’s good for your skin! Introducing NVEY ECO (pronounced na-vay) Cosmetics, NEW! from Australia.

NVEY ECO explodes the myth that going green reduces the performance and application of make-up, with the development of unique production methods that deliver long lasting color and high performance. Created by a team with over 46 years of beauty industry experience, and 6 years in the making, NVEY
ECO Cosmetics are free of parabens, petrochemicals and synthetic fragrances. And of course, they are cruelty free!

Being green has never looked hotter!

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