Pretty Real: Brooke Gibson

Looking gorgeous is easy when both your makeup and your photos are airbrushed.  That’s why the women we admire aren’t movie stars, they are Moms, Daughters, Sisters and Wives who manage beauty -- inside and out -- without an army of personal chefs, trainers, makeup artists and stylists to get them there.

This month, we quizzed one of Charlotte’s favorite style setters,  Brooke Gibson, on how the blogger and entrepreneur stays oh-so-pretty despite delivering an “inbox of awesome” to Charlotteans via Waxmama.com.

Here are her pretty picks and pointers…

Face Cream:  “I’ve gotten hooked on this “KojiLac-C Cream” that I picked up from Ageless Remedies Med Spa.  It has everything you need in it to make your face bright and firm.  I’ve noticed a big difference.  I feel fresh again after 33 long years.”

Mascara:  “Cover Girl’s Lash Blast Volume.  This stuff is daaa bomb.  It literally makes your eyelashes so thick and long that it looks like you’ve got on fakes. Rooowl!”

Lip Gloss/Lipstick:  “Mama don’t do lipstick unless it’s a formal event, at which time I like fire engine red!  Day to day, however, I just go with lip balm of some sort.  In the winter, I live and die by Blistex Lip Medex. If you really want to get gross with it, also try it on your chapped nose in the winter.   PLEASE ADVISE:  This method only to be tried in the privacy of your own home.”

Nail Lacquer:  “I really like dark colors.  My new fave is “No Whinning” from Icing.  It’s such a dark purple that it looks black.  It’s my inner goth.”

Spa Treatment: “I don’t often indulge, but when I do, I go for a deep tissue massage. If you’re going to do it, you might as well get at it.”

Charity: “Anything with athletics and kids.  I have been a soccer coach at the YMCA for over seven years and I see firsthand how sports can create confidence and teamwork that lead to great social and work skills.”

Shopping Destination: “I am a full-blood bargain shopper.  I think I’d keel over if TJ Maxx or Marshalls ever went out of business.  Oh, or Target.  The wonderful challenge is to look like a million dollars but spend $10.  It’s an art, but I think I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years.”

Restaurant:  “If I’m paying, 300 East.  If I’m not, Sullivan’s.  If I’m on a road trip, Arby’s.

Vacation Spot:  “I’m a beach girl, so anywhere with sand, margaritas and cabana boys.”

Reality TV show:  “Keeping Up with the Kardashians; how awesome to party for a living.”

Workout: “I work out a lot and do a combination of weights and cardio.  I also play soccer once a week which is a serious butt-kicker.  My favorite exercise, however, is to use a jump rope that has one pound weights in each hand grip.  Looks easy, but you try it.  I’ll bet you $10 bucks that you can’t do it for ten minutes straight.  DANG, it’s awesome.  Feels so good.”

Book: “Eat, Pray, Love.  Duh.  I have it underlined and pages turned down throughout.”

Splurge: “Traveling.  I spend pretty much all of my extra dough exploring new places.  I’ve been to and lived in many places around the world but some of my favorites are China, South America (lived there for a year and a half), and Italy.  I’ve always wanted to go to Spain and Greece.”

Friend/Colleague you most admire: “Anyone who can keep a smile on their face through it all.  Life can really be a cesspool of negativity if you let it, so I always admire those who can rise above it, keep their heads held high and most of all, be happy.”

Quote/Saying:  “Always stop, think, and truly appreciate the small things in life.  You will realize that there are way more good things in your life than bad and thus, your entire focus on life will change for the better.”  Brooke “Wise One” Gibson

Your best-kept beauty secret:  Wear a hat and minimum 30 SPF sunscreen on your face when you’re lying out.  Girls, you don’t want to look like a Shar Pei when you’re 60.”