BFR Blog

We all find our inspiration in different ways. You know that incredible feeling that comes when someone or something you hear, read or experience really strikes home and you feel more joyful, purposeful and just happier to be alive? Well, this happened to me in a big way recently and I want to share my story with you.

What’s the deal with the fear of orange? Pumpkins are orange. Leaves turn orange. It really is a wearable color. And while it might not have the reputation of more neutrals like pink and brown, it looks great on many looks. Here are some of the ways to rock the orange pout this fall.

Do you know what Labor Day actually stand for? And why you have this day off every day? We have working men and women to thank for this National Holiday. Labor Day is the annual celebration of workers and their achievements originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in the pursuit of basic living.

On this Labor Day, we'd like to celebrate some of the powerful women etching a new path and stepping up into executive roles. Here are six of the CEO's and COO's leading the way and inspiring us on this Labor Day. 

Whether you’re an animal lover or not, you can agree blinding bunnies and injecting puppies full of poisons is an unnecessary and inhumane practice. Beauty products that have been tested on animals are banned in the EU. It’s just not necessary to perform animal testing to create safe products to make you look pretty.

This Cinco de Mayo you can find us with our Really Red Lip Cream lined glass in one hand and a guacamole topped chip in the other. Check out a couple of our fav drink recipes for a Spicy Mango Margarita and classic Michelada.

By Stephanie Milner Giles 

So much of what we do and how we feel internally and externally is directly related to environment. During these winter months, it seems no matter where you reside or visit it’s difficult to escape some sort of cold snap. With that comes dry, itchy, sometimes flaky skin. How do you revive that smooth, soft, radiant glow your skin once had? Let’s talk about ingredients and do’s and don’ts.

Call me a crazy cat lady but the more natural the ingredients = the better. Yes, some natural ingredients have chemical names such as Vitamin E is TOCOPHERYLACETATE (or a version of). As a consumer, I try to educate myself on what’s super harmful and what’s super beneficial as ingredients are not regulated as strictly in the US as they are in, let’s say Europe. 

As far as your skin, a few things to try to avoid: products containing alcohols, sulfates, petroleum, synthetic dyes and fragrances. Enjoy a long, hot shower with a harshly strong soap? Well your skin doesn’t. That hot water and harsh soap is striping natural oils and damaging the outer top layer of skin cells. So what can you do to lock in water, close the barrier and maximize moisture? Turn the water temp to lukewarm, use a more mild cleanser and within 3 minutes after towel drying apply a rich moisturizer, nourishing oil or both!

Ingredients to consider adding to your daily regime: hyaluronic, glycolic and lactic acids, shea or cocoa butters, essentials oils such as rose hip, jojoba, carrot seed, chamomile and ylanng yang to name a few. Don’t believe the hype that oils will make your skin more oily, in most cases it’s not true, they actually absorb into the skin more easily than some cream based moisturizers. Also, don’t be intimidated by products, I believe trial and error is the most effective way to find what works best for you and the health of your largest organ.

By Jada Mohammed 

Holidays mean parties, and sometimes those parties have overlapping dates. Your dramatic Smokey Eye is cute for late night cocktails after work, but might be a little too much for the office lunch party planned on the same day. How can your makeup bag help you transform looks on the go, you ask? Boy, does Beauty For Real have some tips for you!

The Basics

Every look needs to have a foundation, pun intended. In order to achieve any level of glam, you need to start with the basics.

• MVP Tinted Moisturizer + Concealer
• HI-DEF Mascara
• A brow product of your choice

All of these first-step products will set you up for your glamorous look of choice.

Casual Glam

• Bronze + Glo
• Shadow STX: Midnight Marathon, Ever Starstruck
• Lip Gloss + Shine
• I-LINE Eyeliner: Whiskey, Chocolate Fix, Champagne Buzz, Black Magic

Slightly highlighting your features is perfect for showing off your inner makeup enthusiast without being overdressed for your casual event.

Star-Studded Glam

• Blush + Glo
• Shadow STX: Midnight Marathon, All Day Latte
• H20 Matte Liquid Lipstick: My Pleasure, Bring It 
• I-LINE Eyeliner: Storm, In the Navy, 24 Karat, Jade, Platinium Blonde, Totally Titanium, Black Magic

Dark and bold colors will assist in highlighting your features while adding an extra diva factor to dress things up.

Everything you need to transform your look can fit right into your purse. You can switch your looks back and forth on the go with a makeup wipe and some Beauty For Real holiday magic.