So now that spring is officially here, you may be considering lightening up your look, including your nail polish color. If you've painting your nails in the winter's hottest gothy-dark shades, you've probably noticed your naked, unpainted nails have turned a nasty yellow-ish color under all that dark polish. So, what do you do if you want to go with a lighter, more natural look and you don't want the yellow to show? According to Glamour magazine, try using a little whitening toothpaste on your discolored nails to get them back to their unblemished color. Kind of make sense if you think about it! Give it a try.
Quick Tip: Nails
So now that spring is officially here, you may be considering lightening up your look, including your nail polish color. If you've painting your nails in the winter's hottest gothy-dark shades, you've probably noticed your naked, unpainted nails have turned a nasty yellow-ish color under all that dark polish. So, what do you do if you want to go with a lighter, more natural look and you don't want the yellow to show? According to Glamour magazine, try using a little whitening toothpaste on your discolored nails to get them back to their unblemished color. Kind of make sense if you think about it! Give it a try.
Ask Lydia: The Right Red for a Fair Face
Hey Lydia! i have to say, i LOVE your website! i, too, am obsessed over make up (and shoes). make up makes my heart skip a beat. although my obsession leads me to finding new and interesting products, there is one area in particular that i am having trouble with and was wondering if you could help. i am fair complected and can't seem to find a shade of lipstick that doesn't make me look like a trashy corner walker. ultimately, i would like to find a lipstick that gives me a hint of red...like a pinched look. not too bare, not too crazy. i would like it to be versatile for both day and night. have any suggestions??? thanks for your time and have a great day!!!
Thanks for your message! I'm a fair complected gal as well, so I totally know what you mean about reds that don't work. You have two options: either embrace your inner Gwen Stefani or try to find a different shade of red that's more flattering.
For an everyday look, I use Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It's a very sheer color that gives a plum-red stained look that's not too hooker-esque. I've also tried Clinique's gloss version of Black Honey, and it makes my lips looks super shiny and much darker red. You may also want to consider a winey red-tinted lip balm for an every day alternative.
With your fair skin, the best thing you can do is avoid yellow or orange based reds. They would look way wrong with your coloring. You might also want to click here for one of my earlier posts about picking the right red, and refer to the color chart I snagged from Real Simple magazine for specific brands and colors that you may want to consider.
Right now, Cover Girl has a whole line of lipsticks that are supposed to match 97% of the skin tones out there. The line is called TruShine lip color and when you go to the store, the lipsticks are displayed according to the appropriate skin tone. The fair complexion colors range from a boring pink to a pretty wine-based red. You may want to give one of these a try.
Good luck and let me know what color you end up with.
Thanks for your message! I'm a fair complected gal as well, so I totally know what you mean about reds that don't work. You have two options: either embrace your inner Gwen Stefani or try to find a different shade of red that's more flattering.
For an everyday look, I use Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It's a very sheer color that gives a plum-red stained look that's not too hooker-esque. I've also tried Clinique's gloss version of Black Honey, and it makes my lips looks super shiny and much darker red. You may also want to consider a winey red-tinted lip balm for an every day alternative.
With your fair skin, the best thing you can do is avoid yellow or orange based reds. They would look way wrong with your coloring. You might also want to click here for one of my earlier posts about picking the right red, and refer to the color chart I snagged from Real Simple magazine for specific brands and colors that you may want to consider.
Right now, Cover Girl has a whole line of lipsticks that are supposed to match 97% of the skin tones out there. The line is called TruShine lip color and when you go to the store, the lipsticks are displayed according to the appropriate skin tone. The fair complexion colors range from a boring pink to a pretty wine-based red. You may want to give one of these a try.
Good luck and let me know what color you end up with.
Beauty Product of the Week: Good Night's Sleep Restoring Cream
What is it? According to Elizabeth Arden, Good Night's Sleep Restoring Cream "helps restore, repair and strengthen the look of skin from daytime damage to look and feel firmer and more resilient. Fine lines and wrinkles are softened and skin is conditioned and fresher looking. Aromatic lavender and honeysuckle help ease away the cares of the day." Available at department stores and drugstore.com for $36.What did you think? I've been wanting to add a night cream to my daily routine, one that would be good but that wouldn't break the bank. Elizabeth Arden has a reputation for having wonderful skincare products, so I was pleased to find a product by them for less than $40. When the cream came (I bought it from drugstore.com), I couldn't wait to wash my face and apply my new product. I was not disappointed.
This cream is really thick and kind of purplish in color. And it smells great!! It seems cool when it goes on the skin, and feels really luxurious. It leaves my skin feeling well hydrated and amazingly smooth. When I wake up in the morning, my skin feels incredible to the touch. I notice that this smooth feeling continues throughout the day. Since I'm (only?) 31, I only have a handful of fine lines that only I notice, and though I have yet to see a reduction in them, the way this cream makes my skin feel is worth the price.
The final verdict? At this point of my life, this is probably all the anti-aging power I need. This cream smells beautiful and makes my skin feel great. This is the best night cream I've tried so far, and I plan on continuing with it.
Not So Pretty in Pink
Every season there's always an "IT" beauty item, and this spring the cosmetics world has crowned Lancome's Pout a Porter Lipstick in Proenza Pink that item. This lipstick was specifically created for the Proenza Schouler spring show where it graced the runways and created a ton of hype.Lancome refers to their uber-trendy lipstick as "bubblegum" pink, and says that it looks amazing on almost all skin types. This lipstick usually sells for $25 but is sold out almost everywhere. Based on a quick, unscientific search, it looks like Proenza in Pink is going for about $50 on eBay.
What do you think of this shade? I think it's surprisingly lacking something--namely, color. It seems more than a bit flat, and I'd worry that it would leave my lips looking a bit corpse-like. But what do I know (except that I would save my $50 and get something else a bit more flattering!)?
Ask Lydia: I Hate My Hair!
Dear Lydia,I really enjoy your site. I hate my hair right now. I had long hair and had several inches cut off. Now my home perm from last July seemed to reactivate. My hair's a mess. If I have time I can roll or flat-iron it. But I usually don't have the time. I've tried several different hair products to get it more under control. I don't blow dry it. Any suggestions or styles I can try? I'd greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
ChristinHi Christin! Thanks for your message. God, I've been where you are--my hair is a constant source of irritation. It seems to have a mind of its own!
From what you've described, it sounds like your hair has been through the ringer over the past several months. While there are things you can do at home to help heal your hair, I think the most important thing you could do at this point would be to seek out professional help.
Even if you don't want to lose a lot of length, a good stylist can cut out years of damage caused by constant heat styling, at-home styling techniques, and other potential disasters. They'll also work with you to find a hair style that will not only flatter your face, but will also fit your lifestyle. If your hair is driving you crazy, it's time to call for an appointment. The money you spend on a good cut will be money well spent. Your hair will look healthier, be more manageable, and will grow in better after your appointment.
If you don't have a regular stylist, start talking to women you know who's hair you like to see who they go to. A good stylist can be a life-changer, and it's worth it to find someone you like (and trust). It's an important relationship to develop--the better they know you, the better your experience will be.
Until you get into see a stylist, you may want to try some at home conditioning treatments to get your hair under control. You may consider a weekly mask (like Frederic Fekkai's Protein RX Reparative Treatment Mask or Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Treatment) or a hot oil treatment. The added moisture will tame your hair and make it easier to work with.
Good luck, Christin! I hope you're able to get your hair under control!
Breaking Up is EASY to Do
Essie has a fun new line of nail polish in "freewheeling reds and adventuresome pinks" that are targeted to women who are starting over in the relationship arena. Their six new shades have the best names:
- E-Nuff is E-Nuff
- My Way
- Pinking Up the Pieces
- Red-Y Set Ex
- Starter Wife
- Wife Goes On
Essie nail polish can be purchased at Ulta, Trade Secret, and Beauty First.
By the way, who comes up with nail polish names? I'd love to hear the execs in charge over at OPI and Essie trying to come up with catchy, fun ways to sell nail polish!
Fake Your Way to Fabulous
This month's Allure magazine focuses on how to slow the impact of aging on your skin and overall look. I'll post some of their more serious tips later this week, but until then, here are a few easy cheats you can do to make 'em think you're younger than you really are:- Do your nails and flash some bling. According to findings in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal (god, there really is a magazine for everything!), a woman's hands appear younger when she has her nails done and wears rings. Not sure what the reasoning is behind that, but it's just an excuse to be pretty, so why not?
- Get laid more often. Like you need a reason to have more sex, Allure reports that women who have sex at least three times a week are perceived as being up to 10 years younger than those who do not. I like this tip. Oh, honey...
- Make scents. According to the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, men rated women who wore a scent mixture of grapefruit and baby powder (weird combo!) six years younger than their actual age. Allure says the research foundation has now bottled this scent and is selling it under the name Timeless View. I checked their website, but didn't find any mention of it. Oh well!
- Mind your pearly whites. As you age, teeth shorten and become stained. Keeping them whitened will keep 'em guessing about your age. You may also consider getting veneers if you have a real need.
Curses! Foiled Again!
Although I've dyed my own hair almost every color imaginable (I still have pictures of me in my younger days with purple, blue, and pink hair--I was soooo cool!), I'm not really that "in the know" when it comes to different salon dying techniques. Now that I'm all grown up, my natural blonde hair has darkened a bit, and I really prefer to keep my locks as blonde as I can tolerate. Thus, I've gotten into the habit of getting a partial foil as often as I can afford it. Then I was thinking--what's the difference between a partial foil and a full foil?I busted out my mad Internet research skills, and here's what I found out:
PARTIAL FOIL
- Normally, the top and sides of the head are the focus of your stylist in a partial foil.
- Partial foils are sometimes meant to be "touch ups" between regular highlighting sessions.
- Partial foils last 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how dark your roots are.
- Partial foils are cheaper (though not cheap!), and are ideal if you regularly wear your hair down.
- This technique highlights the entire head, down to the nape of the neck.
- Full foils are preferable if you wear your head up most of the time.
- Full foil highlights can last 3 to 6 months, depending on your roots and frequency of shampooing.
- Full foils usually cost more than partials.
Beauty Quote of the Day
So--no time for a real post today. I just had a really nice dinner with a great friend, so the blog fell to the back burner. Instead of a Beauty Product of the Week, I leave you with something to ponder:"People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within."
--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Strut Your Stuff
Today's the first full day of Spring, and judging from my allergies, the Pacific Northwest is in pollination mode, despite the fact that it was 33 degrees as I drove to work this morning (brrr! thank god for my Beetle's heated leather seats!). Now is the time for us to shed our heavy, winter ways and lighten up. And just in time for the season change, Bare Escentuals has put together their Pecacock Collection.According to their website, "Our 10-piece Peacock Collection is about the power of attraction, color as an expression of self-assurance and assertiveness designed to enhance your natural beauty and encourage self-expression of your own unique identity. You will feel alluring, elegant, captivating and unique every time you enter a room. Inside you'll find 100% pure bareMinerals in highly luminous tones, as well as other ornamental accents, like pout-plumping gloss, a lash teaser and other decorative tools to create beautiful optical effects. Only you will know it's the magic of bareMinerals turning the light on from within. "
Who couldn't use a little extra luminosity these days? This collection is loaded with great Bare Escentuals products and brushes and only costs $60 (the retail value is $168). I deem this a worthy investment as you update your look for the Spring.
Who couldn't use a little extra luminosity these days? This collection is loaded with great Bare Escentuals products and brushes and only costs $60 (the retail value is $168). I deem this a worthy investment as you update your look for the Spring.
Lips Like Sugar
What look are you going for when you apply lipstick or gloss? Are you looking for a pretty color with a sexy amount of shine? I know I want my lips to feel slick and look shiny and perfectly tinted after I slide on my favorite lipstick. So, why on earth would I want to dust my mouth with something that will result in matte-looking, powdery lips?According to Revlon, the "I've been eating too many powder donuts and have sugar stuck to my lips" look is hot, hot, hot. They have a limited edition product on the market called Sugar Sugar to achieve this powdered sugar pout. Basically, after you put your normal lipstick on, you dab their "lip topping" over your mouth and viola! Instant beauty.
I'm not buying what Revlon's selling when it comes to Sugar Sugar. Not only do I hate the "desired outcome", but I also hate the fact that you have to lug around a lipstick and the lip topping. It seems too high maintenance for me. I usually love Revlon (they don't test on animals, their products are decent, especially for the price), but I'm just not digging their line of limited edition products. Hopefully they'll be off the shelves soon!
What do you think of this product? Do you want your lips to look like powdered sugar, or am I missing something here?
4 Years...For What?
Sadly, today marks the 4th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. While we could sit here and argue about whether or not we should be involved in this war or when the US should leave, we should take a moment to consider its costs:- 3,218 US soldiers killed (2,937 died in the 9/11 attacks)
- 23,417 US soldiers injured
- 59,000-65,000 estimated number of Iraqi civilians killed
- $400+ billion estimated cost of the war (your tax dollars at work)
I'll get back to the beauty stuff soon, but I leave you with one happy date to keep in mind: 1-20-09: George Bush's last day in office. It can't come soon enough.
Scents and Scentsibility
It's allergy season, but pollen might not be the only thing making you sneeze. Perfume could also be causing your nasal irritations.How many times have you walked by someone (usually a woman) and were immediately bombarded by a wall of fragrance? Not a great experience. Having encountered this problem yesterday, I got to thinking about perfume etiquette. Since we all smell things differently, what makes one perfume beautiful to me may make it obnoxious to you. And, when you wear too much of the stuff, you might end up going through the world like Pepe LePew.
So, here are the dos and don'ts when it comes to fragrance:
DO...
- Apply perfume conservatively but directly to your pulse points. Pulse points include the nape of your neck, behind your knees, behind your wrists, your cleavage, or in the crooks of your elbow. Just spray the scent once directly on the pulse point(s) of your choice.
- Be aware that the longer you use a perfume, the less you are going to smell it. You get used to your favorite perfume and lose your ability to detect it, so be aware of this fact if you're into your 10th bottle of Chanel No. 5.
- Be courteous and know when not to wear perfume. Some theaters ask patrons to refrain from wearing perfumes, but you also should remain fragrance-free when flying, going to a wine tasting or nice dinner (your scent may interfere with your ability to taste wine/food properly), or if you're going to any public event that will put you in very close proximity to others.
- Overdo it. Perfume is an intimate product, and should only be enjoyed (and apparent) to you and people who come in close contact with you. If you spay every pulse point on your body, your clothes, and your hair, you'll be in the center of a cloud of stink, sure to offend everyone within a 5-foot radius of you. Not good.
- Spay perfume in the air and then walk under the mist. A lot of people apply their perfume this way and it really makes no sense. You've fragranced the air, not yourself...probably not what you had in mind.
- Get in a rut. Instead, change your scents periodically. Some scents are more appropriate for specific seasons, so it's a good idea to change your signature scent as the weather changes.
Even Greek Gods Could Use a Shave
Ok, so 300 is tops at the box office and people are saying it's an amazing movie. Because I'm such a nice wife (not really--it's more like because my husband puts up with me and my craziness) I took my husband to see 300 last weekend. To be honest, I was totally unimpressed. I had a hard time staying awake through the movie, but the sheer quantity of well chiseled men in nothing but leather undies kept me mildly interested. (My co-worker refers to guys like this as "tasty man morsels"--a great description!)Even though the 3oo were slaughtered and Sparta is now nothing more than the name of zillions of cheesy restaurants, it got me thinking about the contributions of the ancients on our beauty routines. It also reminded me of a great product I bought my husband for Christmas: Korres Brushless Shave Cream (about $30 at Sephora).
Like most men, my husband hates to shave. Like most men, he doesn't think too much about taking care of his skin. But, like most men, he does appreciate being pampered and taken care of. I gave him this shave cream as a way of making a mundane task a little more special. He promptly took the bottle up to the bathroom where I thought it would stay, unused, for months. I was surprised when he emerged from the bathroom freshly shaved, his skin smooth and yummy smelling. He loves this shave cream, and it leaves his skin so soft--I love it, too!
So, if you want to give your own personal Greek (or not Greek) god a little gift you'll both benefit from, pick up a bottle of this stuff. It lasts forever and will keep things smooth!
Random Thoughts on ANTM
It's no surprise that I'm hooked on America's Next Top Model, my guilty pleasure. Last night was the makeover episode--one of the better moments in ANTM world. I love seeing the before and afters. It just reaffirms what I've already known--hair and makeup can change the world!As I watched the girls get glammed up, I had some revelations--I realized I was sick and tired of seeing some things. So here they are--the 5 things ANTM could use less of:
- Phony drama. Do we have to endure any more bitch fights? Honestly--it's like watching Mean Girls without the humor. And why do the girls have to freak out about getting their hair done or posing nude? They're models, after all--it's what they DO. Quit your crying and pose, damn it!
- Smoking. I live in the Seattle area, a place where smoking is almost as taboo as voting Republican (and believe me, I am not complaining about that). So it's shocking for me to see a pack of pretty, young women puffing away as if it were normal. I hate to sound like a whacked-out anti-smoking zealot, and I realize that smoking is part of the fashion world. But do we have to see it? Eating disorders are often part of the modeling world too, but would the CW execs show the girls puking after each meal? I think not.
- Product placement. You know things are out of hand when there is a commercial for a commercial! Yet, there it is week after week--the ad that says "Stay tuned for Cover Girl's Life as a Super Model commercial." Ummm....what? Stay tuned for a commercial? When I am watching a show filled with not-so-subtle hints that I should be buying Cover Girl makeup and reading Seventeen magazine? Enough already! The product placement bits are so bizarre and awkward and they just bring the show down.
- Models doing their own makeup. Yikes. It's like letting little children pick out their own clothing--you know they're going to end up wearing a combo of polka-dots, plaids, and stripes. Last night the girls caked on the wrong colors of lipstick, smeared hideous (Cover Girl) eye shadow on their lids, and attempted to paint their nails--all in 60 seconds. The fashion biz is loaded with makeup artists...why in the world would you let a bunch of models paint their own faces?
- Renee. She's vial, insecure, and embodies everything I hated about girls in high school and college. The fake self confidence, the "I'm so mature and you're a child" attitude....oh barf. Get over yourself and try to wipe that sour look off your face.
Gift Time at Estee Lauder!
Here's a great deal I have to pass on to you! If you order $25.50 worth of Estee Lauder goodies at www.esteelauder.com, you'll get a bunch of freebie worth $65, including:- Full size of long lasting lipcolor in Tiger Eye
- Blush in rose nude
- 10-day supply of mascara
- 10-day supply of night repair
- 7-day supply of moisturizer
- Hair brush and bag
Feeling Blue?
In the latest edition of Life and Style Weekly magazine (out on newsstands now), their beauty editors have declared blue finger nails as a current trend. See the pictures above of Eva Mendes sporting gothy, dark blue nails, perfectly manicured and on the short side (thank god--can you imagine super long blue talon nails?).
What do you think of this trend? Is blue the new black? (Sorry, had to say it!) I kind of like it, though I'd reserve this look for the winter. I'm so over dark nails right nail and am just dying for springtime and fun pinks!
Ask Lydia: Foundation and Fine Lines
Hi Lydia,I am 33 years old and have never worn makeup. I look much younger than I am, often getting carded when I go out. I have just started experimenting in this fun little world of makeup. I went to a Mary Kay party the other day and they put the works on me--concealer, foundation and powder. It is really weird but I actually noticed wrinkles that I never noticed before around my eyes after the make was on me. It is almost as if makeup accentuates them! Is that possible?
I also went to Sephora and bought the Bare Escentuals starter kit since a few of my friends use it and love it. The gal put it on my face and I loved the look of the makeup, but when I got home I noticed the lines again. Do you know if there is anything I can do for this? I would appreciate any advice.
I have skin care questions, too. I have always worn sunscreen. I use Clinique City Block and love it! But in terms of a cleanser and moisturizer, I have tried a few different products. The crazy thing is I think I do better with just plain water. If I start wearing makeup though I will need a cleanses and I know a moisturizer would be good as I am noticing those fine lines. However, I tend to get breakouts when I use cleansers and then my face either gets too dry or too oily. I would say my skin is normal except during certain times of the month when I kind of get a little acne here and there. I guess I would be normal to combination skin maybe? Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks so much!
Mimi
Thanks for all the questions, Mimi! I'm going to break everything down a bit:
- Can makeup cause fine lines to be more noticeable and how do you prevent them from showing?
It's sad but true--yes, foundations, powders, you name it, can cause lines to seem more visible. Here are a couple of things to try: - Instead of a moisturizer, try applying a foundation primer first. If you bought the Bare Escentuals kit, I believe one is included in the pack. The primer will smooth out your skin, creating a more even surface and filling in pesky little lines. If you can't find a foundation primer, you could also try a pore minimizer.
- Make sure you're not applying too much foundation. A light touch is always best. With Bare Escentuals, be sure to really tap off the excess. You don't want layers of foundation caked on your face--it will give the texture of your skin a strange appearance and will drag you down.
- Check your color. This is where a trip to Sephora or the beauty counter and some trial and error with someone in the know (who can see your coloring, take into consideration lighting, etc.) might help. If the color you pick is too light, too dark, too orange, too whatever, your entire look will be off.
- Do I really need to use a facial cleanser and moisturizer?
In my humble opinion, you should be using a gently facial cleanser in the morning and at night. I look forward to washing my face at night to get rid of all the makeup, grease, pollution and other icky residue that builds up during the day. The world's a dirty place, and getting all the gunk off your skin just feels good. Try something really gentle, like Philosophy's Purity Made Simple. If you read past entries of my blog, you'll know that I'm very anti-bar soap for the face--it's much too harsh and will dry you out.
Everyone says you should be using moisturizer daily, but I disagree. Moisturizer is one of the most overused products out there. If, after you wash your face, your skin feels tight, or if you have obviously dry patches, go ahead and moisturize. If not, only use it occasionally. A lot of foundations (including Bare Escentuals) include SPF, so you don't need to apply a separate sun block or moisturizer to get the sun-blocking benefit. If you want a moisturizer, you should go with something that does not contain oil...try Clinique--I know their moisturizer is oil-free. Since you have lines around your eyes, you may want to consider adding an anti-aging eye cream to your routine.
You and I are about the same age, and it's time for us to think about preventative actions. You may want to look into using an anti-aging night cream after you wash your face. Think of it as an investment in your skin--if you can slow or stop the formation of fine lines and wrinkles now, you'll continue to look youthful over the years.
You've Got the Look
Last week (or maybe the week before--god, they're all blending together this month!) I received a box full of fun skin care product samples from a company called SpaLook. SpaLook is an online site that sells "luxury skin care essentials"as well as cosmetics from manufacturers like Caudalie, Kerstin, Dr Brandt, L'Occitane, Murand, and Too Faced just to name a few. They have products from tons of great cosmetics and skin care companies, and they offer free shipping (on orders over $60), free returns, free samples (love that), price protection, and a 90-day return policy.What's also great is that SpaLook has a free refill program. If you order a product and select the refill option, SpaLook will send you a refill when you get low (since they know their products so well, they know how long each is supposed to last with normal use). The cool thing is that when you pay for4 refills, you get the 5th for free. Not too shabby. You can also build a profile online and have SpaLook recommend products based on your wish list or past ordering history.
Check out SpaLook if you're in the market for some high-quality skin care goods! In the meantime, I'll be testing out all my samples. Don't worry! I'll be sure to keep you posted on any great new finds!
Springing Ahead or Lagging Behind?
I hate the change over to daylight savings time. Losing an hour of sleep may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Darker mornings make it tough to wake up; brighter evenings make is more difficult to fall asleep. I don't know about you, but it takes me a few days to get used to the change. Perhaps a little cosmetic therapy could help? If so, maybe I should try some of these products:TO HELP YOU FALL ASLEEP AT NIGHT
- Lavender Wind Down Gift Set from The Body Shop, $29. Lavender is prized for its ability to help calm the mind and the body. This set combines lavender with lilac and lilly and includes massage oil, body wash, bath oil, and a wooden massager. Use these before bed and you'll (hopefully) feel ready to fall asleep.
- Lavender Eye Pillow, The Body Shop, $12. Place this over your face to rest weary eyes. Combined with a little light meditation, the relaxing scent of this eye pillow could restore you after a long day and prepare you for a good night's sleep.
- Relaxing Pillow Mist, L'Occitane en Provence, $18. Convert your bedroom into a spa-worthy retreat. Spray this on your sheets and pillows to luxuriate in the calming aroma of lavender.
- Bliss Shock Therapy Body Wash, $23. This minty shower gel with wake you up in the shower and get you ready to deal with whatever the day has in store for you. Bliss makes yummy products, and this will help revive your skin and your spirits.
- Indulgences Body Scrub in Coffee and Cream by Sephora, $12. Indulgences Body Scrub by Sephora in Coffee and Cream, $12. Sure, coffee is a great pick me up, but when you're first rolling out of bed, do you really have time to brew yourself a cup? If not, hop in the shower and scrub down with this product. The scent will invigorate you and put you in a better mood, all before your first cup of coffee!
- Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser by Biore, $7. This face cleanser cools the skin and wakes you up, all while battling breakouts. Clean skin and an instant wake up call for under $10 bucks? Sounds great to me!
Hear Me Roar
Instead of a Beauty Product of the Week today, I'm want to remind you all that March is Women's History Month and today is International Women's Day. While some may not consider me to be a "good feminist" because I like to wear makeup and I'm married to a man, I am serious about my place in the world as a woman. And with a growing war on my reproductive rights, it's a good time to remember just a few of the important struggles women have faced throughout history:- 1869: Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Women's Suffrage Association with the goal of getting a constitutional amendment to allow women the right to vote.
- 1916: Margaret Sanger opens the first US birth control clinic in Brooklyn, NY. The clinic is shut down within 10 days and Sanger is sent to jail.
- 1919: Women gain the right to vote.
- 1966: NOW (National Organization for Women) is formed, seeking to end discrimination in the workplace.
- 1973: The Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision guarantees women the right to an abortion.
- 1976: The first marital rape law is passed in Nebraska, making it illegal for a husband to force his wife to have sex.
- 1996: The Supreme Court rules that women must be allowed into traditionally all male military schools if such organizations want to continue to receive federal funding.
- 2006: Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female speaker of the house.
If you want to get educated about the women's movement, there are plenty of places to check out. Start with www.now.org or www.plannedparenthood.org.
I'll get back to the beauty news the next time I post. Until then, celebrate your femininity and your rights! They've been hard won and there are many who want to take them away.
Mail Call
Remember when you were a kid and getting something in the mail was really exciting? Now that we're grown up all we can expect from the mail are bills and junk. Today was my exception. I got a package from drugstore.com with my recent order, and I felt like a kid ripping open the box with anticipation (even though I knew damn well what I had ordered!).In my box was my shipment of two beauty products I am looking forward to testing:
- Elizabeth Arden Good Night's Sleep Restoring Cream: I am on the hunt for a decent night cream that won't break the bank, but that will provide me with some wrinkle relief and skin treatment. This night cream offers all that, plus it has a great lavender/honeysuckle scent that seems really soothing. A little aromatherapy with my skin treatment? Sounds great.
- Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pods: I keep seeing ads for this product and have mentioned it before in my blog. However, trying to find it on the shelf has been proving difficult. Thank god for the Internet and ordering things by mail! The derma-pods are an 8-week eye treatment that are supposed to resurface, decongest, and fill in wrinkles.
What Is It and Why Do I Need It? Zeno Acne Treatment Device
If you've strolled through Sephora or Ulta, or flipped through any beauty related magazine, you may have seen a bizarre looking device with a ridiculous almost $200 price tag attached to it. I've seen this gizmo a number of times, and it kind of looks like a cross between a lighter and an iPod. Either way, I wasn't entirely sure what it was doing amongst more pedestrian things like lipsticks, foundations, and makeup brushes. Apparently, it's actually a acne-busting, skin saving gadget called the Zeno Acne Cleaning Device.The Zeno is hand held and battery-powered tool that has been approved by the FDA to treat "mild to moderate" pimples. This zit-zapper applies a specific amount of heat to the affected area through a metal pad. Each treatment lasts about 2 1/2 minutes, and a total of 2 to 3 treatments over the course of 24 hours is usually all it takes to clear up a breakout. The manufactures say that the Zeno does best on new, fresh zits which it is able to fade away.
I've never used the Zeno and, since I'm firmly out of my teen years (thank god), pimples aren't a huge issue for me. However, the few reviews I've seen are glowingly positive about the effectiveness of this product. If you've used this product, leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.
If you suffer from acne or frequent breakouts, the Zeno may be an investment worth making. People have spent a lot more and have used more bizarre methods to deal with acne, and since this is FDA approved, it may be a good option to try.
Turning Japanese
My sister-in-law sent me a bunch of samples from a Japanese company called Komenuka Bijin (translated into English this means Rice Bran Beauty) that specializes in skin care and hair care products made from rice bran. According to their marketing, rice bran "has long been revered for its beneficial skin care properties." Rice bran is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and provides nutrition to skin and hair that protect against aging.I have samples of the full line of their products. I haven't had a chance to try them all out yet, but I've tried a few. Here are my thoughts:
- Cleansing Foam: According to Komenuka, their water-based cleanser both softens and smooths as it cleans. I've used it for a few days now, and my skin doesn't feel as tight (or dry) as it usually does right after I wash my face with my everyday non-soap cleanser. My skin also felt a lot smoother, more even, and much more touchable. Not bad!
- Moisture Cream Silver: Komenuka says this moisturizer will provide "instant calming and soothing." This anti-aging moisturizer is packed with antioxidants to keep skin youthful. I've used it after the cleansing foam and it really reminds me of another product I've used in the past, but I can't remember what that product is. My memory is failing me already! I didn't notice any instant changes to the appearance of my skin, but the moisturizing lotion did feel nice and cool on my face. It goes on easily and leaves skin soft and not greasy feeling like some moisturizers.
- Eye Moisture Jell: I love they way they spell the word gel! It makes me think of jelly and for some reason that makes me laugh. Doesn't take much. This "jell" is designed to firm up eyes and deflate bags. I find it to be a bit sticky, but it does soothe tired eyelids. Not the best product I've ever used, but not the worst either.
- Komenuka Shampoo and Hair Treatment (aka conditioner): The shampoo is pH balanced and is gentle enough for daily use. It states that it will provide volume, help prevent split ends, and keep hair healthy. The conditioner is designed to reconstruct damaged hair, leaving it vibrant. I used the two in conjunction today and wow! My hair feels light, healthy, soft...I love it! Both products have a nice clean smell and they made my hair look and feel great--no small task.
Beauty Quote of the Day
This explains so much:"Cosmetics is a boon to every woman, but a girl's best beauty aid is still a near-sighted man."
Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
Come to think of it, John Lennon did wear glasses.
Happy weekend!
Beauty Product of the Week: Shades of Venom
What is it? According to the manufacturer, DuWop, "these high shine, moisturizing lip colors are infused with the same spicy, tingly taste and feel of Lip Venom." Available in four colors. Sold in department stores and at Sephora and drugstore.com for $18.00.What did you think? I adore Lip Venom, the spicy, tingly clear gloss that gives lips a bee stung look. The only problem with Lip Venom is that it doesn't provide a whole lot of color to the lips (it's also sticky, but that's to be expected with a gloss), so I love the fact that DuWop has made a product that combines the cinnamon-spice of Lip Venom with a little bit of color. And in a lipstick form--that's a plus. I tried out Azalea, a shimmery nude-pink shade that was very flattering, if not a bit too natural! Maybe next time I'll try something darker.
Shades of Venom goes on just like any normal lipstick. The only difference is that after a few minutes, the familiar tingly bite of Lip Venom makes itself apparent. Just like Lip Venom, Shades of Venom gave my lips a pretty, full shape. There is absolutely nothing negative I can say about Shades of Venom.
The final verdict? As a lipstick junkie, my tube of Shades hasn't made it to my top 5 go-to colors yet, but that's just a matter of my own fickle nature. Ask me again in a week and I might tell you that I wouldn't go anywhere without Shades of Venom. There are a lot of good lipsticks on the market, many of which are cheaper than Shades. Shades of Venom is a decent product for people who are Lip Venom fans. I wish DuWop offered more than just four colors of Shades of Venom...maybe they'll work on that.
