Every year at the same time (late March, early April) I start getting a little scared. Not really for me, but for people that have to see me bear arms...and legs...when the temp rises.
Honestly, I'm not a total disaster this year compared to years past because back in December I decided to take preventative measures. For example, I've done my fair share of exfoliating and self tanning lately so I'm not as pasty pale and dry as I typically am. I'm quite proud of myself that I've maintained normal grooming rituals throughout the winter.
Even though I'm a product junkie, I found that making my own body scrub at home is the best way to exfoliate the skin. You'd be surprised how many nourishing and moisturizing ingredients are found in your very own kitchen. All I use are two simple ingredients: brown sugar and olive oil. Brown sugar smells nice and sweet and is more gentler on your skin than salt is, and the olive oil will really sink into the skin and moisturize it (baby oil - a.k.a. mineral oil - will not). First, pick a jar, any jar. Pour 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 5 tablespoons of olive oil into it, mix together with a spoon. If your skin is sensitive, wet it before applying the scrub. Then start scrubbing your arms, torso, legs, and feet in circular motions and with light pressure - don't vigorously scrub or you'll create micro-tears in your skin which isn't good.
After exfoliating, apply a moisturizer with a touch of self tanner in it to give your skin a bit of color. Try Nivea Sunkissed Firming lotion to give your skin a glow without stinking like self-tanner.
The moral of the story? Save your money on a scrub and go buy a pretty sundress instead!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
major salon news
Ladies and gents, I am so thrilled to tell everyone about Recessionista Tuesdays at the Ted Gibson salon, which I love more than anything in the whole wide world! This salon boasts some of most brilliant hair stylists and colorists I've EVER come across but unfortunately most of the population has a hard time affording their services. I think Ted charges something like $800 for a cut (and for good reason - he has styled Angelina Jolie and Anne Hathaway).
Now, for the news: Every Tuesday at the Ted Gibson salon, you can get a cut OR single-process hair color for only $75, and a blow-out for $40. People, that's crazy cheap. It's refreshing that a celebrity hairstylist realizes that not everyone has a celebrity budget, especially in this disaster of an economy.
Ted and his team are fantastic at what they do. They're all so kind and welcoming and friendly; I'm not one to have convos with my colorists, but everyone is just so darn easy to talk to. Jason Backe, the head colorist at the salon, is a haircolor genius and once took my hair from a dark flat brown to medium auburn. When I accidentally dyed my hair dark purple (or as my very artistic bf called it, "eggplant"), he miraculously brought it back to a normal brown shade found in nature. I've also watched in awe as he created beautiful highlights and lowlights on other customers.
This is definitely something to check out - just make sure you schedule your appointment for a Tuesday!
Now, for the news: Every Tuesday at the Ted Gibson salon, you can get a cut OR single-process hair color for only $75, and a blow-out for $40. People, that's crazy cheap. It's refreshing that a celebrity hairstylist realizes that not everyone has a celebrity budget, especially in this disaster of an economy.
Ted and his team are fantastic at what they do. They're all so kind and welcoming and friendly; I'm not one to have convos with my colorists, but everyone is just so darn easy to talk to. Jason Backe, the head colorist at the salon, is a haircolor genius and once took my hair from a dark flat brown to medium auburn. When I accidentally dyed my hair dark purple (or as my very artistic bf called it, "eggplant"), he miraculously brought it back to a normal brown shade found in nature. I've also watched in awe as he created beautiful highlights and lowlights on other customers.
This is definitely something to check out - just make sure you schedule your appointment for a Tuesday!
Ted Gibson Salon
184 5th Avenue, between 22nd and 23rd Streets
2nd Floor
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
i was addicted to stripping.. whitestripping, that is
Hello, I'm Jill and I used to be a whiteaholic...
A year or two ago I was officially addicted to Crest Whitestrips. I used and abused the things. I'd buy box after box and use them one after the other which you are NOT supposed to do. Not only did I use them every single day for a year, but I'd leave them on for way longer than the suggested time (30 minutes, twice a day). Once, I put them in before bed and fell asleep with them in, only to wake up with a strip stuck to my right cheek and gums so sore that I couldn't eat, drink, or breath through my mouth without severe discomfort. I used to live by the saying "beauty is pain" and just attributed my aching teeth to the whitestrips which were otherwise harmless.
I reached a point where Whitestrips simply weren't enough to fulfill my whitening addiction. I started using those portable whitening pens, those little GoSmile ampoules, whitening toothpaste, and whitening mouthwash. When I went for my yearly dentist visit, the lady complimented me on my "very white teeth" and then proceeded to make some joke about that Friends episode where Ross overbleaches his teeth and then they glow in the dark. I loved that one.
Anyway, a few minutes into my check-up, she asked me if I knew that my gums were wearing away. I didn't know that. Oops. She said that if I continued to whiten and brush my teeth as hard as I do, the roots and nerve endings of my teeth would be exposed...blah blah blah. At that point I think I zoned out.
It wasn't until I interviewed a cosmetic dentist that I found out everyone has their own level of whiteness that can be reached. I had officially reached my whitening plateau. My chompers weren't gettin' any whiter, even if I used Clorox for mouthwash. Oh, and those celebrities you see with blindingly white teeth? Most likely, they're veneers.
And so my search for dental perfection came to an end. Although I still SWEAR by Crest Whitestrips, I use them as indicated, and go through only two boxes per year. My gums are a lot happier now, too.
A year or two ago I was officially addicted to Crest Whitestrips. I used and abused the things. I'd buy box after box and use them one after the other which you are NOT supposed to do. Not only did I use them every single day for a year, but I'd leave them on for way longer than the suggested time (30 minutes, twice a day). Once, I put them in before bed and fell asleep with them in, only to wake up with a strip stuck to my right cheek and gums so sore that I couldn't eat, drink, or breath through my mouth without severe discomfort. I used to live by the saying "beauty is pain" and just attributed my aching teeth to the whitestrips which were otherwise harmless.
I reached a point where Whitestrips simply weren't enough to fulfill my whitening addiction. I started using those portable whitening pens, those little GoSmile ampoules, whitening toothpaste, and whitening mouthwash. When I went for my yearly dentist visit, the lady complimented me on my "very white teeth" and then proceeded to make some joke about that Friends episode where Ross overbleaches his teeth and then they glow in the dark. I loved that one.
Anyway, a few minutes into my check-up, she asked me if I knew that my gums were wearing away. I didn't know that. Oops. She said that if I continued to whiten and brush my teeth as hard as I do, the roots and nerve endings of my teeth would be exposed...blah blah blah. At that point I think I zoned out.
It wasn't until I interviewed a cosmetic dentist that I found out everyone has their own level of whiteness that can be reached. I had officially reached my whitening plateau. My chompers weren't gettin' any whiter, even if I used Clorox for mouthwash. Oh, and those celebrities you see with blindingly white teeth? Most likely, they're veneers.
And so my search for dental perfection came to an end. Although I still SWEAR by Crest Whitestrips, I use them as indicated, and go through only two boxes per year. My gums are a lot happier now, too.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
new mascara
I ran out of my beloved Dior Show mascara yesterday, so I had to restock. Unfortunately, I'm not financially secure enough this week to support my designer mascara habit, so I went to CVS and looked for something that could produce similar results (big, separated lashes and no smudginess). Well, ladies, I think I have found something just as great for a fraction of the Dior Show price.
L'Oreal Voluminous mascara is not new to the beauty world, but is IS new to my beauty stash. I decided to get this because I liked the tube and the little picture of the brush on the packaging. I also figure that since it's called "voluminous" that's exactly how it would make my lashes look. Lo and behold, it did. The formula does not clump, no matter how many coats you apply and it lengthened and thickened my fine lashes. Definitely my new favorite mascara, and it cost less than my lunch.
Try it - you'll love!
Monday, March 23, 2009
brazilian ban
When someone recently told me that the state of New Jersey had plans to "ban Brazilians", I was a little confused and wondered "What did Brazilians do to NJ? Is there a sudden invasion of Brazilian people that I didn't know about?"
It took a few seconds for me to realize she was talking about Brazilian waxing, not the lovely Brazilian people. Apparently, two women were hospitalized after getting a pretty bad infection after their waxing session. Let me start by saying that I'm not a waxer and never will be. Any beauty ritual that suggests popping Tylenol (or Vicodin, in the case of a former co-worker) beforehand is something I'd prefer not to deal with.
Although I've never been waxed, I don't see anything wrong with the procedure. Let's think about how many NJ women have probably been Brazilian-ed in the past year. I'm willing to bet the number is in the thousands - and only two of these women got an infection. Why not just inspect, or at the very worst, close down the salons they went to? Perhaps salon workers need to be retrained to properly administer hot wax and remove hair on hidden areas of the body. Completely banning this procedure is ridic. For every poorly done wax job, there are probably hundreds of success stories.
I also find it disturbing that the state of NJ would even consider banning Brazilian waxing. It's just so weird that NJ lawmakers would be sitting in a room discussing the topic. Interesting to think about...
The good news is that the ban was scrapped - great news for all of you New Jersey peoeple who like to walk around hairless and happy. Phew!
It took a few seconds for me to realize she was talking about Brazilian waxing, not the lovely Brazilian people. Apparently, two women were hospitalized after getting a pretty bad infection after their waxing session. Let me start by saying that I'm not a waxer and never will be. Any beauty ritual that suggests popping Tylenol (or Vicodin, in the case of a former co-worker) beforehand is something I'd prefer not to deal with.
Although I've never been waxed, I don't see anything wrong with the procedure. Let's think about how many NJ women have probably been Brazilian-ed in the past year. I'm willing to bet the number is in the thousands - and only two of these women got an infection. Why not just inspect, or at the very worst, close down the salons they went to? Perhaps salon workers need to be retrained to properly administer hot wax and remove hair on hidden areas of the body. Completely banning this procedure is ridic. For every poorly done wax job, there are probably hundreds of success stories.
I also find it disturbing that the state of NJ would even consider banning Brazilian waxing. It's just so weird that NJ lawmakers would be sitting in a room discussing the topic. Interesting to think about...
The good news is that the ban was scrapped - great news for all of you New Jersey peoeple who like to walk around hairless and happy. Phew!
the mini-mes of beauty
You know what I love? Cute little beauty products. Not only are they conveniently sized for portability, but they remind me of packing for vacations - which I don't do very often. It's feels great to purchase, let's say, a tiny tube of Crest to make me feel like I'm going to Aruba for a few days.
But there's another thing that travel-sized items are great for. Sometimes I'll head to the drugstore and buy a little bottle of something just to try it out before buying the full-sized version. For example, I once purchased this itty bitty Soft and Dri deodorant because it claimed to not leave white residue on clothing. It was a clear gel formula, which I had never tried before. Well, it's a good thing I only spent 99 cents on it because upon application my poor pits felt like they were rubbed with chilled hair gel - cold, wet, and sticky. Do people actually use and like this stuff? Maybe I was just accustomed to my Secret solid that I've been using since I was 12.
Yet another reason to heart little beauty products: I have something I like to call Beauty ADD. I have never EVER finished a full-size beauty product in my entire life. If I'm lucky, I'll use 75% of it, and in the trash it goes. Even if I love what I'm using, I always feel like there's gotta be something better out there. I love trying new things.
I'm curious to hear if anyone else secretly likes miniature beauty loot. It's one of my biggest drugstore weaknesses (aside from the aisle that sells those big bags of sour gummy worms - yum) and I really wish they made miniature sizes of every single beauty product in existence. A girl can dream...
But there's another thing that travel-sized items are great for. Sometimes I'll head to the drugstore and buy a little bottle of something just to try it out before buying the full-sized version. For example, I once purchased this itty bitty Soft and Dri deodorant because it claimed to not leave white residue on clothing. It was a clear gel formula, which I had never tried before. Well, it's a good thing I only spent 99 cents on it because upon application my poor pits felt like they were rubbed with chilled hair gel - cold, wet, and sticky. Do people actually use and like this stuff? Maybe I was just accustomed to my Secret solid that I've been using since I was 12.
Yet another reason to heart little beauty products: I have something I like to call Beauty ADD. I have never EVER finished a full-size beauty product in my entire life. If I'm lucky, I'll use 75% of it, and in the trash it goes. Even if I love what I'm using, I always feel like there's gotta be something better out there. I love trying new things.
I'm curious to hear if anyone else secretly likes miniature beauty loot. It's one of my biggest drugstore weaknesses (aside from the aisle that sells those big bags of sour gummy worms - yum) and I really wish they made miniature sizes of every single beauty product in existence. A girl can dream...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
making the cut
Boy, do I hate getting my hair cut. So much so that I only do it once per year and when I walk into the salon I'm overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. It might have something to do with me never fully recovering from my involvement in 2001 hair show in which I watched 9 inches of hair fall to the floor - with no warning of this dramatic change whatsoever. Horrific.
They - and by "they" I mean hairstylists, beauty editors, and pretty much anyone who knows how to maintain a healthy head of hair - suggest trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks. I couldn't imagine taking a scissor to my hair that often. I did the math in my head: hair grows 1/2-inch per month. If I went every two months to get a trim, my hair would grow only 3 inches per year instead of 6. I'd much rather have 6.
I decided on a whim yesterday to get my long overdue trim. I figured it's been long enough - 4 months - and with all the heat styling and coloring I do, the ends of my hair look like they belong in the garbage and not on my head. So I called Antonio Prieto salon (127 West 20th Street in NYC) because I had been there once before and they did a phenomenal job from start to finish. Not only is it a Kerastase salon - yay! -, but everyone who works there is really cool, down-to-earth, young, and most importantly, they know what they heck they are doing. I'd say that's a good thing, wouldn't you?
My hairstylist was Brian. As I listened to myself tell him what I wanted, I realized how insane I sounded. "I'd say take off this much", as I grabbed a 3 millimeter-sized strand at the bottom of my hair. "I'm trying to let it grow," I explained. I was waiting for the moment when he would tell me I needed more than that, and that I needed a full inch or some absurd amount, but it never came. What? A hairstylist that didn't want to take a chainsaw to my hair was rare, and I was pleasantly surprised when he complied with my wishes.
"You'll get a dusting, which means I'll take off the very tips, mostly removing just the split ends," Brian said. Wow, I thought, that's impressive. I've heard the term dusting before but I've been to a few unfortunate salons that aren't aware of the term and just think it's a fancy way to say "trim one inch off my hair." He went on to say that dustings allow your hair to grow while keeping the split ends away. I liked the sound of that.
And so, Brian did as he promised, and added a few layers in the back to give my hair more bounce and body. The bottom of my hair looks exactly as it did when I walked in (boob length? check!) but it feels and looks much healthier. He really did it - he cut my hair without making me cry. Congrats, B, that's a very big deal.
The lesson of the story here is this: don't be scared to take off a little bit of hair. It'll make a huge difference in the way it looks, and you'll spend less time making it look perfect every day. Find a salon that can fulfill your dusting needs (I highly recommend anyone at Antonio Prieto), and you'll never be scared of scissors again.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
my trip to MAC
Oh, how I love sunny, almost-spring weather. There's nothing I'd rather do than frolick in the city streets and aimlessly walk around mid-day and just happen to accidentally pass by the MAC store on 22nd and Broadway.
Truth is, I find myself spending insane amounts of money on my lunch hour when the weather is nice. Jill + long walks + stores + a few bucks is a recipe for danger. Today, I wandered into the MAC store to buy some more of my beloved Studio Fix shade C3 - the best pressed powder ever, by the way - and was somehow suckered into purchasing two eye shadows as well. Good thing I was pressed for time, otherwise I would have easily tried on some lip glosses, liners, and god knows what else. Scary to even think about.
As I made my way to the colorful display of shadows, a lovely man armed with a gazillion brushes approached me. Uh oh. Not good. Get away! Don't you know I have issues saying "no" to cosmetics salespeople? He asked if I needed help, to which I felt like saying "Yes, I need a LOT of help, actually. I shouldn't be in here, because I'm kind of broke and I shouldn't be buying makeup." Assuming that's not the kind of help he meant, I admitted that I was on the prowl for a shadow that wasn't "boring brown" but "not too intense for daytime." He aimed his magic wand (a.k.a. his shadow brush) at the row of plummy shades and pointed out Trax, a gorgeous medium purple with subtle gold shimmer (pictured here). He asked if he could try some on my lids and asked me to have a seat.
Great. Whenever I "have a seat" I feel as though we're spending quality time together and it'll be EXTRA hard for me to resist a purchase. I'm so weak.
He lightly dusted Trax along my entire lid, from outer to inner corner. Then, he grabbed a deep rose shade called Expensive Pink and brushed that into my creases and outer corners only.
Now, I usually don't go for pinks because a) I tend to apply it wrong, resulting in that unattractive conjunctivitis effect and b) it doesn't tend to do much for my dark hazel eyes (blue-eyed gals, however, should LIVE in pink shadow). For my wallet's sake, I was hoping this would look dreadful, or at the very least, just so-so. But alas, it did not. It looked GORGEOUS. It gave my eyes depth, made the green and gold flecks in my eyes really pop, and added just the right amount of drama and smokey-ness for daytime. For a split second, I didn't believe I was looking at my very own eyes. The MU artist said I could layer even more product on to really build the color for nighttime, and dip an eyeliner brush in Trax to line my lower lash lines. I thought about thanking him and exiting the store with only my Studio Fix, but then I thought about how utterly painful that would be. I know I'd just be dreaming about these colors for ever and I would procrastinate washing off his beautiful creation, which I justified as a health hazard to my eyes. I purchased.
Hey, I'm $60 poorer, but my eyes look like a trillion bucks. What a happy day!
Truth is, I find myself spending insane amounts of money on my lunch hour when the weather is nice. Jill + long walks + stores + a few bucks is a recipe for danger. Today, I wandered into the MAC store to buy some more of my beloved Studio Fix shade C3 - the best pressed powder ever, by the way - and was somehow suckered into purchasing two eye shadows as well. Good thing I was pressed for time, otherwise I would have easily tried on some lip glosses, liners, and god knows what else. Scary to even think about.
As I made my way to the colorful display of shadows, a lovely man armed with a gazillion brushes approached me. Uh oh. Not good. Get away! Don't you know I have issues saying "no" to cosmetics salespeople? He asked if I needed help, to which I felt like saying "Yes, I need a LOT of help, actually. I shouldn't be in here, because I'm kind of broke and I shouldn't be buying makeup." Assuming that's not the kind of help he meant, I admitted that I was on the prowl for a shadow that wasn't "boring brown" but "not too intense for daytime." He aimed his magic wand (a.k.a. his shadow brush) at the row of plummy shades and pointed out Trax, a gorgeous medium purple with subtle gold shimmer (pictured here). He asked if he could try some on my lids and asked me to have a seat.
Great. Whenever I "have a seat" I feel as though we're spending quality time together and it'll be EXTRA hard for me to resist a purchase. I'm so weak.
He lightly dusted Trax along my entire lid, from outer to inner corner. Then, he grabbed a deep rose shade called Expensive Pink and brushed that into my creases and outer corners only.
Now, I usually don't go for pinks because a) I tend to apply it wrong, resulting in that unattractive conjunctivitis effect and b) it doesn't tend to do much for my dark hazel eyes (blue-eyed gals, however, should LIVE in pink shadow). For my wallet's sake, I was hoping this would look dreadful, or at the very least, just so-so. But alas, it did not. It looked GORGEOUS. It gave my eyes depth, made the green and gold flecks in my eyes really pop, and added just the right amount of drama and smokey-ness for daytime. For a split second, I didn't believe I was looking at my very own eyes. The MU artist said I could layer even more product on to really build the color for nighttime, and dip an eyeliner brush in Trax to line my lower lash lines. I thought about thanking him and exiting the store with only my Studio Fix, but then I thought about how utterly painful that would be. I know I'd just be dreaming about these colors for ever and I would procrastinate washing off his beautiful creation, which I justified as a health hazard to my eyes. I purchased.
Hey, I'm $60 poorer, but my eyes look like a trillion bucks. What a happy day!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
fergie crosses over to the dark side
Wow, what a difference haircolor makes. Fergie's new chocolate hue really complements her skin and eyes and makes her hair look so shiny and healthy. Her signature blonde locks were nice and very "California girl", but this looks more rich and sophisticated.
As much as I adore this, I have a funny feeling she'll be back to blonde in no time. What do you think?
free stuff from Bliss
Exciting news for those of you who like skincare and drink coffee (I'm willing to bet that's pretty much everyone reading this)...
Free Samples AND Free Coffee From Bliss
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Get a free sample of Bliss' new best of skintentions SPF 15 daily moisturizer AND a free cup of coffee tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 at the following participating locations:
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Get a free sample of Bliss' new best of skintentions SPF 15 daily moisturizer AND a free cup of coffee tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 at the following participating locations:
New York: Bistro 320, 320 Park Ave
Chicago: Caffe Baci, 225 W Wacker Dr
LA: Elsyee Cafe, 1099 Gayley Ave
SF: Sweet Joanna's, 101 Howard St
Monday, March 16, 2009
i'm totally hitting this bottle
Well folks, here's another fragrance to add to my "must have right this second" list. This one, Halle, by actress Halle Berry, is truly one of those unforgettable, unique scents that you don't come across very often. I also haven't been very partial to celebrity fragrances in the past (with the exception of Britney's Curious, which I wore for three whole years in college), so I'm surprised I love this so much.
I got my first whiff of Halle last October when I went to the launch event where I got to meet the actress in person. Halle teamed up with Coty to create this delicious fig, mimosa, and sandalwood blend that's very sensual and rich - but not overwhelming or strong. I've always gravitated towards woodsy, natural scents like this (you won't find too many florals or citrusy scents in my collection), so I'm super excited to add this to my stash.
The fragrance hits stores this month, and I can't wait to get a full size bottle. I used the teeny sample I had in only one month (yeah, it makes me smell that good). Oh, and speaking of the bottle, I'm not a huge fan. It's kind of boring and I don't like the rectangular shape, but I suppose that doesn't matter. This is truly one of those cases in which you can NOT judge a book by its cover, because I'm obsessed with this stuff!
Friday, March 13, 2009
what's your number?
As of today, mine is 16. That's how many bottles I have in my shower.
I have some serious hoarding issues when it comes to beauty supplies. My kitchen cabinets are stocked with lotion, fragrance, shampoo, and conditioner. My kitchen drawers are reserved for travel-sized items and minis. My bathroom cabinets are a plethora of self-tanners, lotions, and scrubs. My shower shelf looks like the hair and body wash aisles at CVS threw up in my bathroom. What can I say? I like variety and I get bored - most people have a rotation of, say, two shampoos. I have a rotation of 10.
In the next few weeks, as I approach spring cleaning duties, I'll be forced to ask myself "what do I really need here?" The answer is not everything. One human being can not consume all the cosmetics that I own (safely, at least - these products expire!).
I'm thinking of becoming a minimalist. One bottle of shampoo, one bottle of conditioner, one bar of soap. Think I can do it? I might need inspiration here - what's in your shower?
(P.S. If you think my shower sounds scary, you don't even want to see my train cases. Yup, I have several. Quite scary...)
I have some serious hoarding issues when it comes to beauty supplies. My kitchen cabinets are stocked with lotion, fragrance, shampoo, and conditioner. My kitchen drawers are reserved for travel-sized items and minis. My bathroom cabinets are a plethora of self-tanners, lotions, and scrubs. My shower shelf looks like the hair and body wash aisles at CVS threw up in my bathroom. What can I say? I like variety and I get bored - most people have a rotation of, say, two shampoos. I have a rotation of 10.
In the next few weeks, as I approach spring cleaning duties, I'll be forced to ask myself "what do I really need here?" The answer is not everything. One human being can not consume all the cosmetics that I own (safely, at least - these products expire!).
I'm thinking of becoming a minimalist. One bottle of shampoo, one bottle of conditioner, one bar of soap. Think I can do it? I might need inspiration here - what's in your shower?
(P.S. If you think my shower sounds scary, you don't even want to see my train cases. Yup, I have several. Quite scary...)
the most perfect gloss
They say no one is perfect, but I don't think that holds true for makeup. Case in point: the most perfect mascara is Dior DiorShow, in my opinion. There's just nothing wrong with it.My beauty revelation of the week is....drumroll, please... finding the perfect lipgloss. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Afterglow is the most amazing thing to grace my lips in years, and god knows I've tried a million, including MAC, Smashbox, NARS, Lancome, Bare Escentuals, Laura Mercier, Fresh, Lorac, Dior, Calvin Klein, Make Up For Ever, Clinique, Givenchy, Benefit, and more. Some were good, but nothing really wowed me.
This Revlon gloss is silky, moisturizing, long-lasting, and has SPF 15, which is definitely a plus in my book, since a gloss with sun protection is hard to come by. The color is a sheer rosy pink with teeny tiny pink flecks of shimmer that make lips look plump and juicy. I would imagine this would look good on any skintone, and it's as equally perfect for the daytime as it is at nighttime. It looks phenomenal on a bare face or with a smoky eye. Versatility is a wonderful thing!
Of course, another thing to love about this gloss is that you don't have to fight crowds at Sephora or spend $30 at a department store to get it.
Note to my dearest cherry Chapstick: I'm not dumping you. I'm simply finding a more colorful and sophisticated lip product for the daytime. You'll always be my trusty gym and bedtime companion...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
just say no to picking and popping
I've been known to sit in front of my magnifying mirror and pick and poke and press things on my face. Every dermatologist in the world will tell you not to do that, but it's just so darn entertaining. And addicting - once you find one teeny tiny inkling of a pimple, you examine every other millimeter of your face for something else to get rid of. At least that's the case with me.
I used to do this all the time, but then I started to notice that the more I touched my face, the more I broke out and the slower my pimples would heal when I did get them. Think about it - here I am, digging my fingernails - god only knows what kinds of dirt and bacteria are on them - into my face. I might as well have rubbed my face against a subway pole. No wonder my skin started to look better when I stopped picking things that had no right being picked.
But, here was the problem - what if there was something on my face that I wanted to get rid of - fast? The temptation to touch was very strong, and I knew that if I just gave it one little press, it would be gone. Then I learned that's not the best way to get rid of a pimple. If you want to force bacteria and dirt and oil back into your skin and possibly risk scarring, then pop away.
The right way to get rid of a pimple, my dermatologist told me, is to use the hot compress trick. You place a washcloth (clean, obviously) under hot water, let it cool for a second or two, then place it onto the spot for 10 seconds. When the towel starts to cool, dunk it under the hot water again, and repeat these steps for about 5 minutes. This increases circulation to the pimple and makes it "develop" faster, if you will. You won't notice a difference ASAP, but in about a day, you can pop the heck out of that sucker, using two Q-tips on either side of the zit and pressing ever so gently. You'll surprise yourself at how effortless the gunk comes out. This is truly one of those absolutely gross beauty rituals that oddly enough produces extreme gratification (similar to holding up a Biore pore strip under the light after I rip it off my nose - ohh, how I love that).
Once you're in the clear, apply a dab of a Clearasil Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream (it has benzoyl peroxide) to help dry out the spot. Try this trick next time you have a pimple and make your derm proud!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
pop of purple
Want to make your hazel or brown eyes look absolutely gorgeous? Reach for plum eye shadow. When I wear it, the pop of color – whether it’s light lavender or a deep plum- really makes my dark hazel eyes pop and seem lighter and greener than they really are.
Here’s Katie Holmes rocking the purple shadow. She looks pretty, doesn’t she? This fairy-like yet sophisticated look proves that you can wear a bright color without looking like it’s 1986.
I sometimes feel a little childish when I stray from my usual daily palette of nudes and mochas and try a bright shade, but the trick is applying purple in a sheer wash of color across the lid and slightly above the brow bone. Keep the rest of the face simple, with a coat of black mascara and pink lip gloss.
Here are some great purple shadows to try:
NARS Strada, at Sephora
Smashbox Single Eyeshadow in Spellbound, at Sephora
Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Purple Pop, at drugstores
Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Stay Matte in Stone Violet, at department stores
Here’s Katie Holmes rocking the purple shadow. She looks pretty, doesn’t she? This fairy-like yet sophisticated look proves that you can wear a bright color without looking like it’s 1986.
I sometimes feel a little childish when I stray from my usual daily palette of nudes and mochas and try a bright shade, but the trick is applying purple in a sheer wash of color across the lid and slightly above the brow bone. Keep the rest of the face simple, with a coat of black mascara and pink lip gloss.
Here are some great purple shadows to try:
NARS Strada, at Sephora
Smashbox Single Eyeshadow in Spellbound, at Sephora
Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Purple Pop, at drugstores
Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Stay Matte in Stone Violet, at department stores
Lohan does self-tanner
In case you haven't already heard the news, Lindsay Lohan is launching a self-tanner to be sold in Sephora. It's called Sevin Nyne, and here's a promo shot for it.
I'm all for trying new self-tanners, but I'm not so sure I'd buy this one. At $35, it's pricey, considering my current favorite is only $10 at Duane Reade. And Linds looks a little orange and muddy in the photo. If that's the color that Sevin Nyne will make my skin, I think I'll save my money. Thoughts?
are you dehydrated?
My one and only facial experience was at Exhale spa in NYC. After being steamed, poked, moisturized, and exfoliated, I was left with glowing, smooth, seemingly poreless skin for a couple of days. It was a great experience, but I could never afford the upkeep - facials are over $100, and my budget certainly doesn't allow me to do that weekly.
My biggest reward, I guess you could say, was the reality check I got when my facialist and Director of Skincare, Red Zoe, told me how dry AND dehydrated my skin was. Fine. I'll apply moisturizer and be back to normal, right? No.
Dry skin is a skin type. Dehydrated skin is a skin condition.
If you have dry skin, you were most likely born with it, although diet can exacerbate dry patches and flakiness. Dry skin lacks oil from too little sebum production, so the best way to treat it is to keep skin nourished with a diet rich in EFAs (essential fatty acids, like those found in salmon), an oil-based moisturizer, and a moisturizing mask once per week.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, can actually effect all skin types, whether it's oily, combination, normal, or dry. This means that skin lacks water (in addition to oil, if your skin is dry as well), caused by not drinking enough H2O, extremely dry weather conditions, or use of diuretics or alcohol. If you're dehydrated, your skin is probably also dull.
One way to test for dehydration actually comes from my boyfriend's survival guide/camping manual. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand (although beauty experts recommend back of the wrist because the skin is thicker), then release it. If your skin quickly snaps right back into place without any indents or wrinkles, then congrats! You aren't dehydrated. Keep doing whatever you're doing. If your skin takes a second or two to go back to normal, you're dehydrated like me. Congrats.
The good news is that as easy as you can become dehydrated, you can become not dehydrated. Here's how to slow and prevent future moisture loss:
1. Make sure you're drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day, and a few more if you exercise daily. 2. Apply a water-based moisturizer onto skin twice per day.
3. Take short, lukewarm (not hot) showers.
4. Cut back on the martinis.
5. Consume healthy fats (like those found in nuts and fish).
Good luck!
My biggest reward, I guess you could say, was the reality check I got when my facialist and Director of Skincare, Red Zoe, told me how dry AND dehydrated my skin was. Fine. I'll apply moisturizer and be back to normal, right? No.
Dry skin is a skin type. Dehydrated skin is a skin condition.
If you have dry skin, you were most likely born with it, although diet can exacerbate dry patches and flakiness. Dry skin lacks oil from too little sebum production, so the best way to treat it is to keep skin nourished with a diet rich in EFAs (essential fatty acids, like those found in salmon), an oil-based moisturizer, and a moisturizing mask once per week.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, can actually effect all skin types, whether it's oily, combination, normal, or dry. This means that skin lacks water (in addition to oil, if your skin is dry as well), caused by not drinking enough H2O, extremely dry weather conditions, or use of diuretics or alcohol. If you're dehydrated, your skin is probably also dull.
One way to test for dehydration actually comes from my boyfriend's survival guide/camping manual. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand (although beauty experts recommend back of the wrist because the skin is thicker), then release it. If your skin quickly snaps right back into place without any indents or wrinkles, then congrats! You aren't dehydrated. Keep doing whatever you're doing. If your skin takes a second or two to go back to normal, you're dehydrated like me. Congrats.
The good news is that as easy as you can become dehydrated, you can become not dehydrated. Here's how to slow and prevent future moisture loss:
1. Make sure you're drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day, and a few more if you exercise daily. 2. Apply a water-based moisturizer onto skin twice per day.
3. Take short, lukewarm (not hot) showers.
4. Cut back on the martinis.
5. Consume healthy fats (like those found in nuts and fish).
Good luck!
foundation shopping
I'm in the new market for a foundation. I secretly DREAD shopping for one and I kind of put it on the same level of annoyingness as buying a perfect pair of jeans. You try on a million different ones and if you're lucky, you find one you like. In fact, I've been putting it off for so long that I haven't worn any in months (foundation, that is. not jeans). Sure, it's shaved 5 minutes off my routine, but my skin is not looking so great (blotchiness and uneven skintone is my issue).
Instead of wasting hours at Sephora trying different foundations on, or randomly buying one at the drugstore that turns out to be utterly horrendous, I've turned to one of my favorite websites for product reviews: totalbeauty.com (check it out, it's addicting). I put a lot of faith into websites that review products because the reviews are coming from real people who have actually tried the product. Their readers voted these 5 foundations the absolute best:
5. Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15
4. Cover Girl Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream Foundation
3. Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Mineral Powder
2. Jane Iredale PurePressed Base
1. gloMinerals gloPressed Base
Well, no surprise there - mineral foundations top the list. I'm a little wary of mineral foundations since I don't love Bare Minerals, and they're like, the Holy Grail of mineral makeup. The stuff made my skin look great (airbrushed, smooth, glowing perfection) but after a while it started to itch and cause breakouts. Not only does my foundation have to make my skin look pretty, but it has to feel good while I'm wearing it. Ideally, it would feel like nothing at all.
I'll probably give the gloMinerals gloPressed Base a try but I'm hoping and praying that someone will post their favorite - I'm open to any and all suggestions!
Instead of wasting hours at Sephora trying different foundations on, or randomly buying one at the drugstore that turns out to be utterly horrendous, I've turned to one of my favorite websites for product reviews: totalbeauty.com (check it out, it's addicting). I put a lot of faith into websites that review products because the reviews are coming from real people who have actually tried the product. Their readers voted these 5 foundations the absolute best:
5. Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15
4. Cover Girl Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream Foundation
3. Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Mineral Powder
2. Jane Iredale PurePressed Base
1. gloMinerals gloPressed Base
Well, no surprise there - mineral foundations top the list. I'm a little wary of mineral foundations since I don't love Bare Minerals, and they're like, the Holy Grail of mineral makeup. The stuff made my skin look great (airbrushed, smooth, glowing perfection) but after a while it started to itch and cause breakouts. Not only does my foundation have to make my skin look pretty, but it has to feel good while I'm wearing it. Ideally, it would feel like nothing at all.
I'll probably give the gloMinerals gloPressed Base a try but I'm hoping and praying that someone will post their favorite - I'm open to any and all suggestions!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
get low
Ponytails. I'm not a big fan of them, unless I'm off to the gym. They make my ears look big, and my little hairline frizzies really stick out, so I generally wear my hair down. Sure, I like to play around with texture (sometimes it's straight, sometimes wavy), but even that gets old sometimes.
My favorite new hairstyle was created unintentionally. I had my hair in a high pony after I came out of the shower at the gym, then wanted to take it down while I put on my makeup. I haphazardly made a low loose ponytail down by the nape of my neck - but off to the side - and when I was finished, a few little tendrils had randomly fallen out of the sides. I thought it was kind of cute, so I left it that way the entire day (plus, it was raining - a perfect excuse to test a new updo). I finished with my trusty Dove Flexible Hold Hairspray.
Unfortunately I didn't have a camera on-hand to take a picture of my masterpiece, but here is some celeb inspiration for the low side pony. I think its much more glamorous and different than a regular ponytail, and it's flattering to any hair texture and face shape.
I'd actually do this again!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
beauty tricks
There's nothing quite like a really freakin' good beauty trick. Here are the best that I've come across over the years (from fellow beauty editors to celeb hairstylists to my dear mother), and the ones that I use most often - because they WORK. Enjoy!
1. To dry nails faster, dip them in ice water for a few seconds. Works even better than blasting them with air.
2. To dry self-tanner quickly, blast your blow-dryer on the self-tanned areas, pressing down the cool shot button as the air flows out.
3. Got hair that's hard to curl? After using your curling iron, release the hair into the palm of your hand while keeping it "coiled". Hold it there for three seconds, then release it. (a lot of people don't know hair retains its shape as it's cooling down - not heating up.)
4. Vaseline or baby oil are great for removing eye makeup and moisturizing cuticles.
5. Most people only need conditioner on the portion of hair that's below their earlobes - it's the oldest and probably the driest.
6. Dab Visine on a pimple to really get rid of redness.
7. Boar-bristle brushes are best for straightening and blow-drying curly or wavy hair. Metal or plastic bristles don't pull the hair taut enough to really smooth it.
1. To dry nails faster, dip them in ice water for a few seconds. Works even better than blasting them with air.
2. To dry self-tanner quickly, blast your blow-dryer on the self-tanned areas, pressing down the cool shot button as the air flows out.
3. Got hair that's hard to curl? After using your curling iron, release the hair into the palm of your hand while keeping it "coiled". Hold it there for three seconds, then release it. (a lot of people don't know hair retains its shape as it's cooling down - not heating up.)
4. Vaseline or baby oil are great for removing eye makeup and moisturizing cuticles.
5. Most people only need conditioner on the portion of hair that's below their earlobes - it's the oldest and probably the driest.
6. Dab Visine on a pimple to really get rid of redness.
7. Boar-bristle brushes are best for straightening and blow-drying curly or wavy hair. Metal or plastic bristles don't pull the hair taut enough to really smooth it.
8. No deep conditioner? Plain old olive oil will really soften brittle hair. Apply some to the ends right before bed.
9. Apply pink highlighting cream to the inner corners of your eyes and the very top of your cheekbones to look awake and glowy.
10. If you're extra pale and find bronzer too intense, use a peach blush to warm up your entire complexion (Benefit Georgia is a great peach for pale skin)
11. If you literally have only a minute or two to get ready, apply dark brown liner to your upper and lower lashlines, then smudge with a Q-tip. When your eyes stand out, you need very minimal makeup everywhere else. And, unless your lashes are really pale, you don't even need mascara. Finish with a swipe of lip gloss or lip balm.
Friday, March 6, 2009
a whole lotta red
Hm. I don't know what to think about this. After looking at this picture for a few minutes I've come to the conclusion that Scarlett has really great features. Porcelain skin. Pillowy lips. Lovely thick hair in a new auburn shade. Greenish-gray eyes.Here, though, I feel like she sought out to enhance every single one of those features, and it just backfired. The really red lips, the rich, dark hair, pale skin, smoky eyes - it's really intense. And you can't really tell from the pic, but her dress was animal print and form-fitting.
It's almost spring, so I feel like she could have lightened up a bit. With a dress like that, I probably would have gone for minimal makeup. But that's just me.
Thoughts?
P.S. I just noticed the earrings. CRAZY!
tales of a tanner
Last night I hit a major milestone in my just-over-one-year relationship with the boy. I self-tanned. In front of him. I think he already knew I use and abuse the stuff - there's no way I'd be golden in early March if it wasn't for my tan in a can. But this is one of those things that I've always reserved for the solitude of my bathroom at 10:30pm just before jumping into bed in my loosest-fitting black t-shirt. And so last night, the process was revealed...
All experienced self-tanners know that applying a tan is an art. You start at the feet, possibly with a light formula. Then you do the calves, thighs, back, tummy, chest, and so on, using a circular motion and being SUPER careful to get every millimeter of your body. The whole process sort of looks like you're applying plain old lotion, but there's a lot less room for error with self-tanner.
He sat there looking kind of confused - as any guy would, I suppose - and went on to comment and ask questions about this rather unfamiliar beauty ritual:
This whole self-tanning fiasco made me realize that when it comes to grooming, I really think most guys have NO idea how much time, money, and effort we invest. Think about most guys you know. Their beauty routine is: Wash body. Shave face. Trim nails. If they're feeling ambitious, they MIGHT put a little gel in their hair.
Now, think of a few women you know. Chances are, most of them have spent at least 15 minutes on their hair today, gotten a manicure in the past week, applied makeup, reapplied lip gloss at least twice today, shaved their legs, lotioned their bodies, plucked a hair from somewhere, and lord knows what else. I'm tired just typing all this, but I'll never complain. Taking care of one's appearance is rewarding, and leaving your house feeling all primped and glossy is priceless. (Sorry, I couldn't resist).
All experienced self-tanners know that applying a tan is an art. You start at the feet, possibly with a light formula. Then you do the calves, thighs, back, tummy, chest, and so on, using a circular motion and being SUPER careful to get every millimeter of your body. The whole process sort of looks like you're applying plain old lotion, but there's a lot less room for error with self-tanner.
He sat there looking kind of confused - as any guy would, I suppose - and went on to comment and ask questions about this rather unfamiliar beauty ritual:
Him: Why do you do this before bed? (Me: Because putting my day clothes on afterwards is one of the most uncomfortably sticky sensations in the world. Plus, I don't like to smell like self-tanner when I'm at work).
Him: So...uh...you tan EVERYWHERE? (Me: Yes, because tan legs and a white tush just doesn't make me happy. So what? I like tan cheeks, sue me).
Him: You know, that stuff is probably just as bad as the real sun.
(Me, getting very defensive: It is LOTION. It doesn't penetrate the deep layers of skin the way the sun's harmful rays do. The only "harmful" things in the bottle are probably the parabens and other chemicals that are in every other beauty product. I just tend to ignore the potential dangers of those).
Him: Wow, you're getting blacker by the second. (Me: Not possible. This stuff takes at least four hours to fully develop.)
Note: by now, I'm sure he's amused by my seriousness of this whole thing, and how diligently I'm applying.
Him: You missed a spot. (Me: What!? WHERE? Not funny.)
This whole self-tanning fiasco made me realize that when it comes to grooming, I really think most guys have NO idea how much time, money, and effort we invest. Think about most guys you know. Their beauty routine is: Wash body. Shave face. Trim nails. If they're feeling ambitious, they MIGHT put a little gel in their hair.
Now, think of a few women you know. Chances are, most of them have spent at least 15 minutes on their hair today, gotten a manicure in the past week, applied makeup, reapplied lip gloss at least twice today, shaved their legs, lotioned their bodies, plucked a hair from somewhere, and lord knows what else. I'm tired just typing all this, but I'll never complain. Taking care of one's appearance is rewarding, and leaving your house feeling all primped and glossy is priceless. (Sorry, I couldn't resist).
Thursday, March 5, 2009
your suntanned skin will like this
I've had more than my fair share of suburns in my life - and I'm not proud of it. Lately (as in the past two years) I've been smartening up about my skin and slathering on my trusty SPF 30 when I'm at the beach so that I don't burn. Sometimes, I still do get a little red because I tend to forget to reapply my sunblock after sitting in the sun for a few hours and swimming. It's a bad habit, but I have come a LONG way from wanting to burn on purpose with hopes it'll turn tan in a few days (which, by the way, never happened. I'd peel and be white again in a week).
My friend Laura, fresh from Miami and probably tan as ever, emailed me today raving about this fantastic after-sun lotion that moisturizes and soothes the skin and gets rid of redness. She mentioned having to "buy 10 bottles of this stuff" so it's gotta be good. It's by Dr. Hauschka and it's called After-Sun Lotion. I'm a big fan of Dr. H products so I'm excited to try this - but I'm a little upset because I learned from their website that the brand's sun care products are no longer sold in the United States. Bummer! I'll probably end up buying a bottle from their UK site, which is http://www.drhauschka.co.uk/.
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