Guest Blogger: Tera From Tera Rae Stephens

Today's Guest Blogger is a local OC Rockstar! Tera and I connected over Twitter and she is always encouraging me on my Fitness endeavors and Blog posts. She is absolutely darling with rocking personal style. She also specializes in Hair Extensions that I am DYING to try! I am also CLUELESS when it comes to beauty products, so I am glad she is sharing her faves with you!

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Hey there In The Fashion Lane Readers!

I'm so excited that Mandy asked me to guest post over here today!  I'm a wife, mom to 3 and hairstylist to many living in OC.  I recently did a morning news segment for Fox 5 San Diego and thought it would be fun to share my favorite beauty products that are super long lasting.

You can find all of them, and more of my beauty faves, right here! While you're there, have a look around my blog and let me know what you think!!!

1. Glamglow is literally a facial in a jar.  It was designed to be used by celebrities the day of big appearances, events, photo shoots and award shows.  It can be used in between facials with your esthetician to extend the benefits of regular facials.  I am a total skeptic when it comes to skin care.  I wasn't sure I should try it because my skin is so sensitive but OMG!!!!  It is the best!  My skin looked way smoother and just looked glowy, I highly recommend this one!!! ($80)

2. To extend the life of your tan or spray tan you must keep your skin hydrated!  My favorite body moisturizer is Epicuren Kukui Nut.  It has kukui nut, coconut and macadamia nut oils.  It smells like a tropical paradise so you can imagine you're on vacation!  Dig it! ($41)

3.  To double the time that your perfume stays on, I recommend wearing one made of essential oils.  Anje is made by a perfumer in Carmel who says to make it last even longer it's a good idea to use the body wash and lotion in the same fragrance. ($150)

4.  Brand new by Opi for Sephora is Gel Shine.  It's an at home gel system for your nails.  My girlfriend and I tried it last weekend and my nails still look great!  It costs $159 and I pay $45 for my gels so after 3 home applications, it pays for itself!!!  It comes with everything you need to get started and additional colors and supplies are available at Sephora.  Obsessed!

5.  The best way to extend the life of your blow out?  Try Oribe Dry Texture!  Not only does it add crazy texture and volume, it also has patented polymers that absorb excess oils on the scalp.  Score!!! ($39)

6.  Diorshow Mascara is my current fave.  I have bounced around between drug store offerings for the past few months and after a make up lesson decided to try out Diorshow.  Ummm, hello!!!  No more flakes under my eyes!!!  This stuff lasts so try it out!!! ($22)

7.  I have never in my life had a lip stay on like the Make Up Forever Aqua Rouge.  It comes in a ton of colors but I'm partial to the bold lip of fall so I'm wearing #8 Iconic Red.  One end is the stain that goes on effortlessly and the other is the gloss that you put on top.  I seriously ate a cheeseburger and fries for lunch today and my lips were still PERFECT!!!  So crazy!  I think I'll try the #11 Dark Raspberry next! ($24)

Let me know how these nuggets work for you!

Step away...

...from the Tweezers!

I am about to COMPLETELY embarrass myself.

I am going back, way back to 2003.

And showing you all my TRAGIC eye brows.

I am hoping to get you all to understand the importance of learning HOW to do your eye brows from a professional and that skinny is NOT good for the brows.

The Photo Gallery

(Yikes! I cannot believe I am showing you these pics.)

2003 and 2004

Brows are non existent, uneven, anorexic and just UGLY!

2005 and 2006

Clearly I like the surprised look and am digging a High Arch. And really??? How did I manage to be even thinner in 2006?

2007 and 2008

In 2007 my brows were scared of each other. I mean, HOW much space between them did I need? Luckily in 2008 I realized I needed some hair in the grand canyon and you can see the growth.

2009

The year that I decided to GROW out my brows.

Then groom them myself.

Left Pic: January 2010

I clearly thinned my brows out again...but they weren't anorexic

Right Pic: May 2010

Starting to grow the inner brows a little thicker while maintaining a high arch

Left pic: September 2010

Good solid shape, like my arch, brows pretty even

Right pic: December 2010

Brows maintained for three months.

In early 2011 I was ready to put down my tweezers, see a professional, wax and use product.

 Left Pic: February 2011

I saw my brow lady for the first time a couple days before this pic. Waxed and using product. Working on GROWING in more of my brows. Was told NO plucking. Period.

Right Pic: March 2011

LOVING my brows. Still slim but great shape. I have learned how the brows REALLY shape the face and highlight the eyes.

Left Pic: April 2011

I was out on leave and had not had my eyebrows done in about 4 weeks. A little big but pretty and full.

Right Pic: May 2011

Finally had my brows done the day before. Hair is all starting to grow in the same direction.

June 2011

And a pic from a few days ago. It has been five months and I feel like I am getting better and batter at maintaining the brows. I LOVE using product and I only pluck the very random strays.

If I can give you any advice it would be to break up with your tweezers. I did, and I could not be happier.

I see an Anastasia waxer at my local Nordstrom.

I use all of the Anastasia products and I cannot get enough of them. I have the powder, pencil, highlighter and tinted brow gel along with the stencils (which have been a life saver).

Leave a comment if you have any questions!

This has been an amazing process that has taken restraint (from plucking) and patience! But I LOVE my brows now! LOVE!