Always ready for another fun outing, my friend, Debbie and I opted for the Southern Beauty Boot Camp that one of my blog friends, Shannon, holds about once a month or so right here in Birmingham. Shannon had invited us to sign up and come and we finally made it last weekend. The weather was dismal, so it was a good day to stay inside and learn some new beauty and skin care tips. Shannon’s blog, Southern Beauty Magazine, is chock full of great makeup and fashion tips, so if you’re into that sort of girlie thing, check it out. And those of you here in town just might want to sign up for Beauty Boot Camp yourself. Lots of good and practical information on skin care and makeup. And several of us got makeovers from the Dior pros that were on hand. THAT was fun! 
As a bonus, the Beauty Boot Camp is held in the Southern Progress building, home of some of our favorite magazines, Southern Living and Coastal Living. Right after moving to Birmingham, I took a tour of Southern Progress (owned by Time, Inc. by the way) and it was so exciting to see where Southern Living magazine is born and edited after reading it for so many years. It was very fun to walk through the test kitchens where all those recipes are hatched.
The building itself is so remarkable and if you have to work, you would wish that you work in a building like this. Inside is beautiful and the outside has the most remarkable views. They are perched in the treetops right off Lakeshore Drive, with the added benefits of a pond, waterfall, and absolutely stunning woodsy views. 
Talk about letting go of stress, I suppose just staring out the windows at this everyday would encourage creativity and low anxiety.
Inside, the building is decorated very sleek and stylish and feels very warm and inviting. 
Lots of pretty artwork is hanging everywhere.
Check out one of the conference tables. Can you imagine holding a meeting in this location? I’d be totally distracted. 
More of the gorgeous artwork that graces Southern Progress. 
Right outside, one of the patio areas that encourages savoring those outdoor lunches and if I worked here, this is where I’d spend my lunch hour for sure.  
So, back inside we’re ready for the Boot Camp. The tables were set and we heard a great presentation on skin care.
And enjoyed some delicious munchies, including cupcakes that weren’t just pretty, but also tasty. 
Dior cosmetics was represented at this Boot Camp and several beauty professionals were on hand to give 4 of us makeovers using Dior products.
Everything was beautifully displayed. 
And ready for the makeovers. 
The 4 of us sat here for our beauty treats.
Debbie and I before our makeover.
And after. I don’t think you can see a drastic difference and we were under the harsh glare of fluorescent lights. The makeup did feel good, but we didn’t purchase anything, although we all got some freebie samples to take home, which was nice. I use Bare Minerals foundation and really like it a lot, so it would take something special to sway me from it.
I did like how he did my eye shadow though. I’m going to experiment on combining some different colors for a fresh look. I use to be a lot crazier with my eye colors and bought those huge eye shadow kits, but now I tend to stick with browns and neutrals with my blue eyes.
We had a great time at the Beauty Boot Camp! Fun way to spend a Saturday morning and it was nice getting pampered by the pros. I left with a new determination to arm myself with toner, serum, and eye cream once again. I’ve been a little lax with my skin care products and feel the need to add those back into my arsenal.
How about you?
Are you disciplined with your skin care routine?
Do you have a favorite skin care brand that you are loyal to?
Me, I jump around from one to the other and don’t spend a ton on my skin care products. I’ve been sticking with Oil of Olay for awhile now and have heard great things about their Regenerist products.
Thank you ALL for signing up for the book giveaway. The Making a Family Home book giveaway winners are:
Stephanie from Bona Fide
Weezie
Becky in SC
As pretty as you are, you do not need a makeover! And you are beautiful inside as well, it is evident in your lifestyle and mainly the respect you show to your parents. I am a long time reader and have always been impressed with your constant reminders of how important God is in your life.
Oh, lucky you! Yes, I would truly love a girlie day like that. I really don’t have a complex skin-care routine, just really simple- I wash with sensitive skin dove and moisturize with an SPF lotion. I used to use Olay, but now I’m economizing with Walmart’s equate brand. No idea if it’s at all comparable…
I like the Bare Minerals foundation powder, and then I stay pretty light with the rest. Being a blonde, with very pale eyelashes, I rarely go anywhere without mascara. My “beauty” tip is that I use A&D ointment for everything, especially in the winter when everything is dry and chaps easily. (Find it in the baby diapering section. It’s very basic stuff, like vasoline and beeswax and with vitamins A & D – good for skin renewal.) I squeeze some into a lip gloss pot and keep it at my bedside, put it on my lips and cuticles every night. (And around my poor nose when I have a cold.)
WendyBee
Looks like you had a blast! I am a stickler for my Neutrogena products. I love their moisturizers. I love their Ageless Essentials night and eye cream. I typically use their plain moisturizer with SPF15 for day, but I found a Target brand Oil of Olay knock-off that was super cheap. I have been happy with it. I actually like it better for under makeup.
Exactly where do you sign up for “Beauty Boot Camp?” That sounds like so much fun……love, love make-up and ideas (and I need all the help that I can get!)
Thanks!
I have used Bare Minerals for a few years and love it too!!! What I can’t live without is eye cream – I never skip it (morning or night)!!!
What a great post! I am a Bare Mineral Foundation girl too. I WILL NEVER USE ANY THING ELSE! I use Oil of Olay Regenerist too. My dermatologist says it is the best bang for your buck. BUT! My dermatologist also said everyone over 40 should be using Vitamin C on their face. I use Active C. It helps with collagen in the skin and it helps reduce fine lines. I have a horrible time with Retinol products because I have very sensitive skin but this Active C is wonderful! I also use Dalton Make Up products. Dalton makes a fine milled powder that makes my skin look air brushed! The Bare Minerals has SPF all ready in it so I am Good To Go! Nancy from OHIO
I love the break from decorating our homes to a bit of sprucing up our faces. You both look stunning to begin with, so the makeup only enhances what you already have. I tend to use skin care products from my dermatologist — I love my MD Forte skin care products and Green Cream is a must. It’s a Retinol product without the harshness that can sometimes be accompanied by use of Retin A. It was developed and created by a woman dermatologist in New Orleans and I’ll never be without it. As far as makeup, I’m a product junkie. I use everything from Armani foundation to Maybelline mascara to Mac eyeshadows to Chanel and Merle Norman powder foundations depending on the season and weather. I recently went through my collection of lipsticks and culled out 22. I still have around 50 in my makeup cabinet. I had to have my husband build a cabinet for all my products! Crazy, I know. But I’m a girly girl and every makeup company’s best friend, er uh customer. 😉
Hsd to add…I used to use Bare Minerals. It was good. Then I tried Everyday Minerals and loved it. But now I love Merle Norman’s powder foundation in the hot, humid summer. It never separates and always looks perfect. Chanels Double Perfection Powder is great too. Can you tell I can be a little fickle with makeup? There’s so many great products out there these days to play with. I’ve been this way since I was 19 and you would think I would slow down now that I’m in my 50’s. But I guess once a make-up addict, always a make-up addict.
That looked like so much fun!
What a fun day!! It is always nice to get pampered. Love your eye shadow too. You look so pretty. Congrats to the winners. Love & blessings from NC!
Rhoda,
FYI: Dr. Oz announced that mineral makeups were the #1 most dangerous cosmetic product because when it’s breathed in it scars the lungs.
I’ve been using Paula’s Choice skincare products for about a year now and absolutely love them! They don’t have a bunch of the fragrance and funky additives that make my skin break out. Also, check out her book or her site, Beautypedia — she’s got reviews on just about everything you can think of when it comes to makeup and skincare, and she’s doesn’t mind recommending other brands’ products when deserved even if she sells a competing product.
how fun! beauty boot camp sounds a lot better than the work out boot camps 🙂 I used to eat lunch (and occasionally have meetings) on that patio. It was so nice. My dept is in another building on campus now which is fine, but I do miss that little patio!