Pony Tails

I wear my hair in a pony tail a lot. Having to get 2 kids ready for school every morning, I just do not have enough time to get dressed, do my makeup, AND do my hair. Total Beauty has a great article that shows some really pretty pony tail styles that are not your basic ponytail and don't look too hard to duplicate. I am going to try a few this week. My favorite is the look by Ashley Simpson, sexy and chic, but still simple! Check out more styles HERE.

mi SPA

Mimie Wong, the owner of mi SPA, recently emailed me to tell me about a great back to school special she is running on her site right now. Eco-friendly, mi SPA is an all natural bath & body company that stands for simple and pure body care with an Asian influence. The line, well known for their rice soaps, also have an extensive collection of Paraben Free Lotions, Shampoo Bars and perfumes and soy candles. Click HERE to try some of their products while this special offer is available!

Nars Fall 2008

I am starting to check out the new makeup collections coming out for the Fall and my favorite so far is from Nars Cosmetics. I have been a fan and user of their makeup products for some time and I am loving their entire Fall collection! Rich and vibrant earthy toned hues are complimented by a cool and classic lip. I got the Isolde Duo eyeshadow (a gorgeous frosted ginger and shimmering copper), the Dolce Vita Blush (a lovely dusty rose) and the Senorita Lipstick (a sheery shimmering cherry blossom color). The colors are fantastic and are great for layering...I swipe on a light layer for work to add some color but glam it up at night by using the copper color eyeshadow to create a fabulous smoky eye effect. I am also a huge fan of their Lip Laquer pots (I have 6 of them!) so I tried a new color Caraibe (a peachy nude) that is rich and textured and lasts hours! Plus, I love the minimal but totally chic packaging. The Nars website is pretty cool too...they have a section under Looks which demonstrates how to create some beautiful looks of your own, without a professional makeup artist!

Clean

Being a product junkie, and determined to have beautiful silky hair, I have tried almost every shampoo out on the market, from the cheap to the super expensive. Happily for my pocketbook, I have been consistently using the L'oreal line of hair products for some time now (see my previous post HERE.) The Vive Pro collection from L'oreal Paris is what I have been using this summer. The Pro Color Vive Shampoo is fantastic...it has a beautiful non-floral scent with a rich lather that really makes my hair feel ultra clean. My favorite is the conditioner though. Very thick and rich, it makes my hair feel very smooth but not greasy feeling. I don't know about their claim that it prevents color from fading (I still have to color every 5-6 weeks) but it does make my hair feel clean and pretty, so I guess I don't mind a bit of puffery. L'oreal Paris is available at all retail outlets.

Balm-Shell Beauties

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I am practically addicted to lip balms. I have tons of them so that I can have one in every pocket of pants or jacket and every purse. Pin Up Balms are one my new favorites. Yes, they are extremely soothing and hydrating, and yes, they are available in 8 luscious flavors (I got Coconut---which smells like my favorite vacation drink--a Pina Colada), and yes, they are even all natural (avocado and apricot oils, beeswax and vitamin E.) But, what sets these balms apart are the little fabulous slide top tins, perfectly pocket-sized, and each featuring a vintage pin-up beauty! The retro packaging is so damn cute and perfect to pull out on a night on the town! At only $4 each, you can afford to get one in every flavor and nourish your lips while still looking flirty and fun! Check out all the flavors HERE.

Origins Sale this WEEKEND

Origins is one of my favorite skincare lines. Right now I am using the Checks and Balances frothy face wash and A Perfect World white tea skin guardian (I put this on before my spf moisturizer). This weekend they are having a great online sale...free standard shipping plus your choice of a deluxe size sample with any order of $25. Check it out HERE.

Lip Luxury

I am obsessed with lip balm since it seems my lips are dry no matter what time of the year it is! The lip balms by Flameworks are now my lip balm of choice. Available in 9 yummy flavors, they are all natural and feel so amazing on my lips. There is entirely no waxy feel to it...it just slides on. Seriously...I have 4 of them and keep them near me at all times. One in my office, one in my car (although will have to change since that one started to melt with the 90 degree heat this weekend!), one next to my bed, and one in my purse every day. I got the sweet flavors (tiramisu, creme brulee, sugar kisses and chocolate) and they are every bit as delicious as they sound! Only $5.25 for 2!!!

Sun Spray

I just got the new Dior Bronze Brume de Poudre and I love it! A bronzing powder in a spray form, it is very simple to use. Shake the can well, hold about 12 inches away from the face and give a list mist to the face. Beware...it dries quickly so you can get the dreaded oompa loompa face if you don't use a brush (kabuki works best!) or small makeup sponge to immediately give it a quick blend through. I like the effect. Tan and Bronze, like you spent the day lounging by the pool, yet totally natural. I got mine at Saks but I believe it is available at most fine department stores!

Fake Baking

In the past few years I have sworn off the suntanning...just too damaging for the skin. However, I still love that healthy tan look (even though we all know it is in no way healthy!). I have tried ALL of the brands out there, and my two favorites are from Lancome. I use the Flash Bronzer Deep Colour Instant Dry Spray (for the body) on my face. I spritz a generous handful into my hands and swipe it over my face. It dries almost instantly and gives a really gorgeous natural glow...no oompa loompa look here. I use the body formula instead of the formula designed for the face because I like the spray aspect of it, and it lasts longer. Plus, the spray just seems to go on more evenly than the face gel. (And, yes...I have used that too!). I use the Flash Bronzer Airbrush Multi-Angle Self-Tanning Spray (for the body) on my body. I wait about 10 minutes for it to dry and then get dressed. It doesn't streak...although if I put on flip flops too soon I will get a mark from the straps. I use it once a day for 4 days, and then during the summer about every 3 days to keep the look up. People can never believe that it is fake...really, it looks that real. I make sure that I exfoliate before I first use it, and then during the week, I will exfoliate the parts that start to shed a bit (namely in the elbow nook and the backs of the knees). I have posted a picture below that was taken last week in Disney (with my two gorgeous friends Cindy and Carlita!). It is absolutely unretouched and shows how well the product works since I have not been in the sun since January (and even then I used spf 30!). I recommend these products for anyone who wants to get tanned...the right way!!

Cool Site of the Week--RN Central

I used to be a sun worshipper in my youth, but as I have gotten older I have recognized the importance of staying out of the sun to protect my skin (Thank goodness for self-tanners!). Now that summer is rapidly approaching, it is time to start thinking about your skin even more. RN Central is a cool site that I came across that features really interesting and well-written articles relating to health and health care. I particularly liked the article 50 Tips for Healthier Skin which gives fantastic and very useful advice on sun protection, skin care, and diet that will help you get your best skin. Most of the sun protection tips I knew of (but it is wise to update your memory!), but the diet tips were especially helpful because I didn't know, for example, that avocados are a great natural moisturizer for the skin! Check out the full list HERE.

Blondes Have More Fun!

I finally bit the bullet last year and started coloring my hair...plucking my gray hairs just wasn't cutting it anymore! I have been using Loreal Excellence Creme (9, Natural Blonde) since it is the closest to my natural hair color and completely covers those pesky unwanted grays! I have been hearing about the new Clairol Perfect 10 in every magazine out there, so I gave it a shot last time. And, I have to say that I was extremely disappointed. Yes, it took only 10 minutes, and, yes, it didn't have a horrible smell, and yes, it even effectively covered my gray. But, and this is a big but, my hair looked and felt really horrible for the whole 6 weeks. Not the color...the color was fine and natural...rather, it had a dirty sort of greasy look to it. Seriously. For 6 weeks. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what could be causing my hair to look so bad. I colored again last week, and switched back to Loreal, and lo and behold....my hair has been silky and smooth again. Now, I don't have any scientific proof that the Clairol Perfect 10 caused my hair to feel and look so blah, but that is the only thing I can think of. So, I will continue to use the Loreal Creme Excellence because it may take 30 minutes longer to work, but I won' t have dull drab blah hair for 6 weeks!!

Nude Beach

I did some Spring-time beauty shopping last week at the mall...I hit Sephora, Bare Minerals and Saks. I had fun trying on all the new products, and, of course, got a slew of great new colors for the Spring and Summer. One of my favorites is the Nude Lip and Eye palette by Bobbi Brown. 8 very flattering nude eye shadows and lipsticks in a portable little container with two brushes and a mirror. I don't like to wear lots of makeup in the summer, but I still want to look put-together. This palette is the perfect "secret" to looking good while totally natural. I especially love that the lip and eyes are separate...because I hate those palettes where everything is on the same level, and the powder from the eyeshadow always seems to get into the lip. Yuck! $60 for the collection, which is a great deal considering the lipglosses and eyeshadow pots are $19 each!

C.O. Bigelow

Chapped in the winter, sunburned in the summer, it seems that I am forever using lip balm to soothe my lips. When I was pregnant with my second daughter, one of my very good friends gave me a pot of lip balm from C.O. Bigelow. I have been hooked ever since! The original formula comes in a pot or tube and has a delicious, not overpowering, honey scent. I leave one next to my bed at night, slather it on before I sleep, and wake up to incredibly soft lips! I also carry a tube in every pocket of every jacket! Right now, at Bath and Body Works, they are having a Buy 2, Get 1 free deal. I tried some of the beautiful new tinted colors (same great formula but with some fabulous light shades) in Plum and Bare and the new Lemon-oil infused one...which could possibly become my new favorite! I love the scent of the lemon! Check out all the different formulas and colors next time you are there!

Davies Gate

I am a lip product junkie...I love to try new colors and brands of lip glosses, especially if they have scents and colors! I just bought 2 new lip glosses by Davies Gate, an organic skin care line that I found at the local Bath and Body Works. I got the Sugar Plum (a sparkling plum color with the delicious scent and flavor of plum) and Sweet Orange (a gorgeous reddish-brown with lots of sparkle and an amazing orange flavor). Very sheer, it is a perfect top coat to add some dimension to any lip color, or, just by itself for a hint of color. Made with natural ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil and vitamin E, they are incredibly moisturizing as well. Only $12!!

Regenerate!

I have been using the skin care line from Patricia Wexler for the past few months, and I have to say that I have never been happier with how my skin looks. One of my favorite products from the line is the MMPi Skin Regenerating Serum. A beautiful pink color (don't worry, it goes on totally clear), this serum has a silicone smooth consistency that just melts onto my skin. There is no discernible scent and I cannot believe how incredibly soft my skin feels immediately after I put it on. You only need a small dab to cover the face, but I love how it feels on my skin, so I put on a double dose. A 1 oz. jar is $55 in store, but you can get a 3.4 oz jar on-line for $55.

Make Me Up!

I have to admit that I am a make-up junkie. I don't wear a lot of it...but I do have a treasure trove of products. I am always fascinated by the magazines and how they make up the models. Obviously, Vogue and Elle show mostly high fashion which are not meant to be worn everyday, while Glamour and Marie Claire portray some more realistic looks. Total Beauty ran a cool article this week on the Best and Worst Makeup Looks from the Fall '08 Fashion shows. I love the "vintage, downtown cool look" of the bare eyes and deep red lip from the first picture and had to agree that the pink eyes looked sickly when paired with the dark goth lip in the second picture! See more of their picks HERE.

Easy Breezy Hair

I have long hair (not Crystal Gayle long, but past the shoulder) and I have to admit that I am in a total rut lately. I just don't have the time in the morning to dry it and style it like I would like...so I just throw it back. I came across this article on Total Beauty and thought it gave some great easy and low key tips that I can do other than just a basic ponytail. 17 styles that take less than 10 minutes is a great guide that has great photographs and easy to follow steps so you can achieve the same look. These are a few of my favorites...but you can check out more styles HERE including lots of ideas for short hair too.

Cool Site of the Week--DermStore

I got a gift certificate for the DermStore over the holidays and just had the opportunity to use it...and I have to say that I was totally impressed by this site! Very easy to navigate, tons of cool products that I have not seen anywhere else, and at prices less than I see at the salon. Plus, they offer free shipping, free samples and gifts with purchase! I ordered way more stuff than just the $50 gift certificate and I cannot wait to start using my new products and telling you about them. Until then though...I definitely suggest you check DermStore out for your beauty needs.

Clean Slate

While on my trip to Mexico, I didn't wear much makeup during the day (some waterproof mascara and a swipe of lip gloss (see my earlier post here!) was about it.) However, I did use this cool product called Clean Slate by Tarte. A clear silicone based gel with avocado, rosemary & hibiscus oils this product was extremely moisturizing and made my skin ridiculously soft. I applied this product after I put on my SPF 30 face cream. I used about a dime sized amount for my entire face and it really made my pores appear smaller. I also used this product at night, underneath my makeup, and my makeup really did glide on over it. I have been using face primers for a few years now, but I have to admit that I am not loyal to any one brand...as far as I can tell, they all work the same way. So, whether you use one from Bare Escentials, Laura Gellar, or SmashBox (to name a few of the ones I have personally used), they are all a great addition to your daily make up routine.

Cool Site of the Week--Truth in Skincare

I use a lot of beauty and face products...I truly am a product junkie. So, when I came across the Truth in Skincare blog, I was pretty intrigued. Written by Dr. David M.D., a real medical doctor, the blog aims to debunk many of the skin care myths and lies that are perpetrated in and by the beauty industry. He writes a very interesting and relevant article on "all-natural" deodorants (which I would never wear outside of the house...too afraid it won't work!) and an even better post on the health risks associated with potted lip gloss (yes...I threw away my potted lip gloss and got a tube one instead!). The blog is relatively new, but I think it will be a great read for anyone who uses beauty products on a regular basis. Check it out HERE.