Beauty to the People

Help For Perma-Chapped Lips

2012-01-24T20:57:00.001-05:00

It's winter. It's cold. Your lips are chapped and flaky like it's nobody's business. You reach for your trusty lip balm in the hopes that it will turn your poor peeling lips into a soft, pillowy pucker.

HALT! HALT! YOU COULD BE MAKING IT WORSE!

Some of the most popular lip balms on the market (I don't want to name names, but I'm talking about the medicine-y ones you see at the checkout at the drugstore) contain an ingredient called phenol.

Phenol is evil! Undertakers use phenol to embalm corpses! Phenol actually breaks down your lip tissue and creates the dreaded "lip balm addiction." I have this on good authority from dermatologist Amy Wechsler, M.D.

May I suggest an alternative? The divine Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Balm is Awe.Some. It's really luxurious and cushiony and smells great, and you don't have to keep reapplying it a million times. It contains shea butter and jojoba instead of nasty chemicals.

I like the ones from Badger, too. Also natural. Also no nasty chemicals.

The Gorgeous Complexions of Downton Abbey

2012-01-21T16:19:00.000-05:00

Have you been watching Downton Abbey? It's the miniseries about an uppity, circa 1912 aristocratic family and the devoted staff that runs their enormous estate?

It's really good, so if you need to catch up, season one is on Netflix. And then you can join the boisterous Twitter conversations I've been having on Twitter. (Everyone hates poor Edith, and I am the only one who will stick up for her.)

One of my favorite things on the show is the abundance of glowing, milky English rose complexions. Oh, how lovely. Nary a ray of sunshine has touched these fair maidens.

It's my beauty goal to look like that at all times, but since I have a stressful job, eat like a crackhead, and rarely get enough sleep, I need a little help, and my guess is, you need some help, too. So here we go:

Stila Convertible Color: Dab this or any non-shimmery cream blush onto the apples of your cheeks.

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum: Rub a little bit of this in between your fingers and pat along the top of your cheekbones. Instant dewy glow.

Lipstick Queen Medieval: Sheer red lipstick that makes for the perfect, proper-lady pout. PS - this might be my favorite lipstick of all time.

And perhaps the most important step in getting the Downton Abbey beauty look: NO MASCARA. Ladies, let those beautiful complexions speak for themselves.

Why "Toddlers & Tiaras" Represents Everything Wrong With This Country

2012-01-06T21:23:00.001-05:00

Do you watch "Toddlers & Tiaras"? Of course you do. We all do. Maybe you've even seen this terrifying clip of aspiring beauty queen Alana circling the interwebs today.

Here is why I think these horrifying kiddie pageants represent everything wrong with the USA:

1. The little girls (and in some cases, boys, but let's not even go there) are given crowns/ribbons/trophies/puppies (!!) without any of them actually doing anything to deserve them. It's obvious to an outsider that the pageants are set up as money making machines, and by giving every single participant some sort of prize, it's like giving a crack addict a taste. They'll keep coming back for more. I mean, "Dance Moms" is kind of crazy, too (I love me some dance moms!) but at least when it's all said and done those girls are awesome dancers, which is something to be proud of. T&T represents the false sense of accomplishment that is running rampant in this country. That brings up something about T&T that I don't get. All the moms say they want their daughters to be Miss America, but haven't they noticed that there's a talent portion of the Miss America Pageant? The T&T girls just jump around the stage in weird costumes making faces like they recently suffered a stroke. C'mon moms - get little Cassadee some piano lessons or something.

2. The pageants teach that beauty is the only important thing. The moms love to say that beauty is important in this world and they know Briley, McKinzley, and Jayla will have a better life if they're beautiful, and that's their weirdo reasoning behind the madness. They're right that being beautiful is an asset, but it can only take you so far. If you're a total asshole, no one will care how beautiful you are. And I'm sorry but a giant wig, fake tan, fake nails, caked on makeup, and spangly dress does not make you beautiful anyway. Being a happy, well-adjusted person makes you beautiful, and these poor kids will likely never know that feeling.

3. This country is in the shitter, financially. People are living in tent cities and selling plasma until they faint just to buy a three-pack of instant noodles! The families on T&T are one bad day at the track away from losing their house. But does that stop them from buying $2000 custom pageants dresses for Paisley, BreeAnna, and Berkeley? It does not! It is their right as Americans to spend every last dime they have on pageants and if you think otherwise you are a Socialist!

4. Ok, my husband just asked me what I was blogging about and I said "How 'Toddlers & Tiaras' represents everything wrong in this country." He said, "Well, you watch it, so doesn't that make you everything wrong with this country?" He might be on to something.

5. These little girls are going to be fat when they grow up. Many of the moms are significantly overweight, which means it's very likely the kids will grow up to be the same way. They are quite literally feeding into the obesity epidemic and health crisis. Every time those moms pump their kids full of pixie sticks (apparently called "pageant crack"), Mountain Dew, Red Bull, and lord knows what else to keep them energized during practices and pageant days they are setting their kids up for a lifetime of health problems, and that is really, really sad.

6. Little girls dressed in hooker costumes. Enough said.

[photo: TLC]

Vintage Celluloid Vanity Set

2012-01-05T19:02:00.000-05:00

Check out this vintage set I got, with a brush, comb and mirror.

It's unusual because it came in the original box and it wasn't used. (Read: no nasty hair stuck in the brush.)

The original price tag is on there, too. 98 cents from J.C. Penney!

Resolution Inspiration: Sick Yoga Moves

2012-01-04T20:09:00.001-05:00

Do you need inspiration to stick to a yoga routine this year? Watch this beautiful video, featuring Briohny Smyth from Equinox. (If you are viewing this on anything besides an iPad, the video will likely be cut off, but you can still see some of her best moves.)

See more on Q by Equinox >

Could you just die of envy? Ugh - I can barely get my ass to class once a week, and the studio is 20 feet from my office. Pathetic. I'm going to keep this video handy for when I need to remember why yoga is so awesome.

Read more about what it takes to get into a handstand here, and let me know what keeps you motivated to go to class.

This + That = Great Skin

2012-01-01T12:37:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Do you want your skin to not look like ass for the rest of the winter? Hey, me too!

I don't know about you, but suddenly this year my skin turned into a dull, tight, flaky mess the second the weather went chilly and dry.

I've been tinkering around with some skincare cocktails to alleviate the problem, and I think I found the magic combination.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence at night and Dr. Gross Skincare Active Vitamin D Serum Oil in the morning.

SK-II is a super fancy brand that has the world's best skincare spokesperson: Cate Blanchett. Her skin is ridiculously luminous, and she was actually using the brand before she became the spokesperson. Anyhoo, I've been patting this hydrating tonic on my damp skin at night before moisturizer (it's sort of like how dudes pat on after-shave), and the flaky patches have up and disappeared. Score.

Then, in the morning, I apply the Dr. Gross serum on (damp skin, again) before my sunscreen. Unlike most serums, it makes my skin glowy. I really notice a difference during the day - my skin doesn't dry out by 2pm. (Of course...NYC hasn't had the bitter, suicide-inducing cold weather yet this winter. I have a feeling no serum can protect against that.)

So, overall my skin looks pretty good this winter, and I'm really happy about that. I haven't noticed any dark spots completely vanishing, but overall my skintone looks even and more radiant than usual. Good stuff.

Here's to a 2012 filled with glowing complexions!

Vintage Christmas Decorations - Part 2

2011-12-29T21:49:00.000-05:00

New vintage Christmas haul today! Look at this great stuff.

Cellophane wreaths, one with a working light bulb. Another deer. "Seasons Greetings" tray. Bell thing that spells out "Noel." Little matchbook and a paper bowl.

Vintage Christmas Decorations

2011-12-25T16:51:00.001-05:00

A few years ago I got into vintage Christmas decorations, and thankfully I am from Springfield, Missouri where you can find them at flea markets and auctions for practically free. I am slowly replacing all my modern holiday decor and tree ornaments with vintage, and I love it. These pictures show this year's additions to the vintage movement. I think my favorites are the little deer. I've been looking for little vintage deer for about a year now.

I have to give props to my husband who found the vintage metallic garland, ribbon, and cook book in NYC. My mom found the rest at flea markets in Missouri. I hope to find some more decorations while I am home for Christmas - aren't they cool?

Need The Perfect Ponytail? Introducing Bungees.

2011-11-20T20:33:00.000-05:00

You know how when you are trying to do a tight, sleek ponytail and you go to loop the ponytail holder around it, it suddenly gets all loose and not as tight as you'd like?

These bad boys are life-changing: BUNGEES.

Bungees are what stylists use at photo shoots to get those super tight 'tails.

Simply scrape your hair back all nice and tight, then hook one end into the base and wrap the thing around and around how ever many times you need, and then hook the loose end into the base.

Get 'em at Ricky's or Sally Beauty.

Honey: A Multi-Tasking Wonderfood

2011-11-01T23:01:00.001-04:00

I have a head cold, so I've been thinking a lot about honey today.

Whenever I have a cold I remember when I was young and my mom would give me a spoonful of honey to help get rid of the awful tickle-throat that keeps you awake all night long going ahem, ahem. I think it sort of worked...for like two seconds.

But it got me thinking about honey, and how it's sort of awesome.

For instance, did you know...

Honey never spoils. Crystals in the bottom of your honey jar aren't a sign that it's going bad. How quick honey crystallizes indicates the pollen count in the honey. Less processed honey will have more pollen and crystallize faster than your run-of-the-mill grocery story honey.
Honey is naturally antibiotic. You can put a drop of honey on your cut in lieu of ointment like Neosporin.
Research suggests that honey doesn't cause crazy glycemic spikes like white sugar does.
I think this one is more of an old wives' tale, but someone told me that if you have pollen allergies and you eat local honey it will help you build a tolerance against local pollen. (Hm - I don't know about that one.)

On a semi-related note, if you haven't watched the Honey Badger video yet you simply haven't lived.

Viva la honey!

Happy Halloween! (And An Awesome Face Mask)

2011-10-31T20:57:00.000-04:00

I really can't be bothered with face masks.

I love them in theory, but I just can't get my act together to use a face mask more than once a month, even though I always love the way my skin looks afterward.

I'm going to have to get some sort of mask schedule going though, because I really love the Renee Rouleau Pumpkin Smoothing Peel (eh? Halloween link with the pumpkin??).

Yes, it smells good and blah, blah, blah, but the reason I love it is because it instantly makes your skin look brighter and...I don't know. Just better.

It has enzymes in it, which eat up all the dead skin gunk on the surface. According to the company it's even safe for sensitive skin and rosacea.

Also, how 'bout that Bieber pumpkin?? Crazy, right?

Puffy Eye Tip

2011-10-26T11:47:00.004-04:00

Or, how to use those dang roller balls.

I have chronically puffy eyes. No matter what I do (although chillaxing on the salt helps), I wake up in the morning packin' bags.

I never knew what to do about it except shrug my shoulders and be all, "dems da breaks!" But then my homegirl (and wise oracle of all things beauty) Mary Schook introduced me to the sickest tip ever.

Get one of those eye de-puffing roller ball pens. I am currently using the one from Clinique, but lots of brands have them. Every morning, roll that bitch in half-moons right along the puffy part, on top and underneath your eye. Don't be afraid to put some pressure into it - that's how you move the fluid out. Roll it from the outside in.

I've done this every morning for the past few months and it makes a huge difference.

It's kind of confusing to explain, so check out Mary's video where she demos it here.

Product Update: I Love 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer

2011-10-02T19:19:00.002-04:00

Product-wise, not a lot has changed in my hiatus. I'm still spreading the gospel of the amazing-ness that is Pratima Neem Rose SPF 30 Sunscreen. I even got my girl Amber Katz from Beauty Blogging Junkie hooked on it. Seriously, it's life-changing.

BUT! Sometimes I want a tinted moisturizer to help make my skin look a little dewier and even. So, I've been mixing this little gem with the Pratima every morning: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer.

The combo is fantastic. Both products are all natural (no pore-clogging silicone, no synthetic chemicals), and both contain impressive amounts of physical sunscreen, AKA the best way to protect your skin from UV damage.

I'm seriously convinced that these little moisturizers with their SPF 30 and 20 protect better than any SPF 100 chemical slurry. CONVINCED.

I'm Back! (With a Glitter Ombre Mani)

2011-10-01T17:30:00.001-04:00

Heeeeeeeeeeeey kids! I'm back on the attack!

I know I said I stopped Beauty to the People, and I'm busy as hell with my new(ish) gig, but I missed you guys! So I'm back, and I'll try to update the blog whenever I can.

Since we last chatted, I moved on from magazines to the wild world of web start-ups. I am now the senior editor at YouBeauty.com, which is a rad site cooked up by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen. With those two braniacs behind it, how could I possibly say no?

We also have some really stellar beauty experts on the site. Fantastic dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler, one of my favorite makeup artists ever Fiona Stiles, and (AND!) Guido, who is literally the best hairstylist in the world. Not too shabby, eh? (Seriously - read one of Guido's columns. He should be a self-image counselor or something.)

It's an awesome site, but I won't be using this blog to plug it all the time, unless there is something I think you should really check out. (Like this article about how sit-ups are awful for you. Whoa.)

I have lots to share with you, so look out for new posts coming up soon. In the meantime, check out my new ombre glitter manicure! Cool, right? I love it. My nails are short and stubby, and the ombre would look even better on someone with longer nail beds. But still, I love it.

If you're in NYC I highly recommend stopping by Lali Lali Salon in Noho for your own glitter mani. Schedule a gel manicure so it'll last two weeks or more.

Talk to you soon!

Farewell

2011-02-06T19:25:00.000-05:00

Dear readers,

I'm sad to report that I am no longer writing Beauty To The People. I've had a blast bringing you insider beauty tricks, and this blog has been an awesome outlet for all the beauty mania swirling inside my head. Although my blog is ending, I'm happy to say it's because I recently started working at a great new beauty web start-up called You Beauty. Start-ups are exciting, but there's a ton of work to do! I can't share a lot of details yet, but be sure to check out the new site when we launch this summer - it will be unlike anything else you've seen - I promise! (You didn't think I'd stop Beauty To The People for something lame, did you?)

Thank you so much for reading!

Best Wishes,
Courtney

How To Trim Your Own Hair

2011-01-22T21:32:00.000-05:00

I got this tip from a hair stylist a long time ago, and for the life of me I can't remember who told me. But I'll never forget the tip.

If you have long hair with layers and you're desperate for a trim, but you can't find the time to go to the salon, here's what you do:

Bend over at the waist and flip your hair in front of you so it's hanging like a curtain. Take scissors (sorry - stylists call them shears) and trim from one side towards the other in a straight line, and when you get about a fourth of the way in, angle the cutting so it makes a shallow upside-down V shape. So going from side to side in fourths is like: straight, up at an angle, down at an angle, straight.

For the record I have never tried this so I don't personally know if it works. I do remember him saying to only do it once or twice at the very most, because any more than that will make your hair start to look wack. If anyone does it with some success, please let me know.

How The Hell Do You Use A Fan Brush?

2011-01-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

Now I know!

I was chatting with makeup artist extraordinaire Pati Dubroff (she most recently did Julianne Moore's makeup for the Golden Globes) about one of my favorite topics -- super bright blush -- when she blew the lid off something I've been wondering for years, but never thought to ask.

And that is, the purpose of those darn fan brushes.

When working with bright powder blush, Pati says, "My new way of doing blush is to use fan brushes, because they pick up very little color. I used to use those dense blush brushes and it would deposit a whole lot of color. Now using a fan brush, I use very little blush so I can give lighter veils of color. For years I had those fan brushes and I never knew what to do with them -- I just figured it out."

So now I don't feel so lame for not having any clue what those brushes were for since Pati just figured it out herself. And there you have it!

I Love the Clarisonic!

2011-01-08T22:36:00.000-05:00

I need to prep this post with a little skincare anecdote. At the height of glycolic acid popularity in skincare, I overexfoliated my skin to the point where it looked tight and shiny, kind of like I had had plastic surgery. I was using glycolic acid skincare day and night, and I was scrubbing with a grainy face scrub a few times a week. It was also around that time when one of the so-called "best" facialists in NYC ripped my face apart with microdermabrasion. My intervention came when Annet King from Dermalogica saw me and said, "What did you do your face?"

Ever since the Glycolic Incident of '05 I have been exfoliator-phobic. Sure, I've dabbled here and there, but I always back off from exfoliating regularly because I'm scared of overdoing it. So even though the Clarisonic came out a few years ago to great fanfare, I never tried it. But about 2 months ago I finally broke down and started using the Clarisonic Mia after a bunch of dermatologists told me that they use them.

So I used it 2x per week* for about a month and a half, and I thought it felt good and make my skin feel smooth, but I was kind of meh about it. Until I left town for two weeks and didn't bring it with me. My skin looked like ass. Once I got back and used it again, I swear I saw an instant improvement. In fact, the Clarisonic followed by Caudalie Premier Cru (applied while my skin is still slightly damp) makes my skin super duper soft. I love it.

*Clarisonic says you can use it every day, but for me 2x per week is plenty. Any more and my skin starts to get that scary look again.

Dry Skin Tip (No Greasy Creams Here!)

2010-12-15T21:36:00.000-05:00

Maybe you're reading this from balmy Miami Beach, but more likely than not, it's ASS COLD where you are right now. Not doing much for your skin, is it? I don't know about you but I my skin is dry as a bone and feels tight. Instead of layering on tons and tons of cream (which doesn't seem to help much anyway), I took some classic dermatologist advice and got a humidifier for my bedroom. I turn it on at night and it seems help a little bit, and hey, every little bit counts. I think I can also thank my Walgreens Cool Mist Humidifier for making my eyes less red and burny. (Yes, I know burny isn't a word. I'm tired, ok?)

Wash Your Sleazy Makeup Brushes, Why Dontcha?

2010-12-10T22:11:00.000-05:00

When was the last time you washed your makeup brushes? Yeah - that's what I thought. Makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo says to wash your brushes with dishwashing soap because it's designed to pull grease from hair (or synthetic hair!!). Don't use shampoo or face wash because those kinds of products usually contain moisturizers that will coat the bristles. Then set the brushes on a table or counter and let the brush heads hang off the side to air dry.

Let's Adjust This Hair Washing Tip, Shall We?

2010-12-09T22:12:00.001-05:00

Do you ever read the tip that says when you wash your hair you should only shampoo your roots? That way the rest of your hair doesn't dry out?

Um...

I only think that's appropriate for frequent washers because sure, if you're sudsing up daily you might dry out your hair, and the long bits won't be dirty after only one or two days. But I only wash my hair once a week (yes, you read that correctly) and try as I might to keep it off of dirty stuff like subway seats, by the time I get around to shampooing on day ~~ten~~ seven, I need to clean that shizz.

So I am officially changing the tip to: If you frequently wash your hair, only shampoo the roots. But if you wash um, less frequently, lather up, baby!

Wanna Hang Out With Me This Sunday? (And Get a Rad Gift Bag?)

2010-12-08T20:39:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, December 12 from 3-5pm I'll be at the MS Apothecary pop-up shop in Tribeca NYC dishing about beauty - and you should come! Besides seeing all the cool beauty stuff for sale in the shop, you'll also get to chat with me and two of my fellow beauty editors, ask us questions, share your beauty tips, whatever you want. It's going to be fun.

And we have amazing gift bags for you! People - I've seen some gift bags in my life and these are SWEET. I'm talking full size bottles of products from brands you see on this very blog, like Stila, Clarins, Dermalogica, Tarte and more! The first 25 people to come by from 3-5pm will get a bag, so come early and be sure to say hi to me.

See more details at msaholiday.blogspot.com. The pop-up shop address is 9 North Moore in NYC. See you on Sunday!

Holiday Promo at Ted Gibson Salon

2010-12-07T20:34:00.000-05:00

You know how you always promise yourself you'll look polished and pulled together all holiday season long, but instead you get too busy to care and end up looking like a hot mess half the time? (Or is that just me?) Here's the antidote: Super swanky (but somehow super chill at the same time) Ted Gibson Salon has a deal right now where you get a gloss, color and makeup application for $150 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am-3pm all through the month of December.

Be sure to mention the holiday promotion when booking. Call Ted Gibson Salon in NYC (212-633-6333) or Washington DC (301-951-444 for a little holiday pick-me-up

How To Remove Eye Makeup

2010-12-07T20:30:00.000-05:00

It seems like a simple thing, but lots of peeps are removing their eye makeup all wrong. First things first, most cleansers can't handle full on eye makeup, especially if it's waterproof. Even non-waterproof mascara needs something besides cleanser to dissolve it. That way you won't get mascara smudges on your white towels when you dry your face.

So here's what you do. Get an oil-based eye makeup remover like the makeup-artist-preferred Lancome Bi-Facil. Soak a cotton pad with it and hold it on your closed eye for about 10 seconds. Then GENTLY wipe outwards. Then wash your face to rinse away all residue.

Don't EVER vigorously scrub or rub your eyes because it stretches out the skin and causes wrinkles.

Gorgeous Holiday Gifts From Jo Malone

2010-12-04T16:24:00.000-05:00

When it comes to luxury holiday gifts, Jo Malone knows how to throw it down. Pricey? Sure. But if you need to suck up to someone this year, here's how do to it:

Tea Box Deluxe Candle Collection, $425

Amber & Lavender Fragrance Chronicle, $95

There's much more at jomalone.com

Should You Break Out After A Facial?

2010-12-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

I always kind of thought it was bogus when facialists would say that it's normal to break out after a facial. Why would I want to look worse after doing something that was supposed to make my skin look better? It seems like maybe they're just not doing a good job, right?

I was about to look into it when I found this blog post from esthetician Renee Rouleau, which basically says NO, you are not supposed to break out after a facial, unless you have really bad acne and the person did a ton of extractions. In that case there might be some residual pore purging going on.

Do you break out after facials? I'm curious.

Super Cute Swedish Soaps = Great Emergency Holiday Gift

2010-12-01T22:49:00.000-05:00

I love these adorable Swedish Soaps from beautyhabit.com. I plan on stockpiling a bunch of them to have on hand as emergency holiday gifts because they only cost between $6-$14. Love that price!

The Chanel Khaki Rose Winner Is...

2010-11-23T20:21:00.000-05:00

It was really hard picking a winner for my Chanel nail polish giveaway. I wish I could give you all a bottle but not even Chanel has enough left in their office for me to do that. So...the winner is...LAURSLOGIC!

Congratulations, laurslogic, I hope your perfectly groomed nails help you land your dream job.

But - surprise! I've decided to send everyone who entered my contest a little treat from the beauty closet! I'm not telling you what it will be - you'll just have to be surprised. Anyone who emailed me a US shipping address by midnight of November 5th will get something. Thanks for reading Beauty To The People!

Some Of My Favorite Posts

2010-11-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

I've been getting a lot of new readers lately, which is awesome! I throw out a lot of beauty tidbits on this blog, some of which (I hope) you haven't heard a million times before. Since it's a lot to go through, today I'm highlighting a few of my favorite posts since I started this blog.

I love oils! For makeup removing (this tip will change your life), instead of body lotion, and to plump my skin.

Apply cream blush with a brush and it'll look super natural.

Some beauty tips are really, really dumb.

If you're anti-fur, check your makeup brushes for animal hair!!!

Reapplying sunscreen throughout the day is a beauty conundrum.

Red Riding Hood Looks Awesome! (And What Is This Christina Ricci Thing?)

2010-11-18T21:59:00.000-05:00

Little Red Riding Hood is one of my FAVORITE fairy tales! How dark and dreamy does the new adaptation look? Amanda Seyfried is perfect for this - so dewy and fresh...and that hair! My god, that hair. And how amazeballs is that red cape?

So when I was looking for the trailer to put up (and sorry it's so crappy-looking. I can't figure out how to post HD videos without them getting cut off) I found this weirdo trailer with a very young, very um, nubile Christina Ricci. What the eff is THIS? And more importantly, why haven't I seen it?

Great Anti-Frizz Product: Fekkai Zero-Humidity Frizz Control

2010-11-16T22:32:00.000-05:00

It's a monsoon outside right now as I am writing this and my hair looks really wack from all the humidity. Suddenly I'm reminded of the awesome hair product I used while on my beach honeymoon in French Polynesia: Fekkai Zero-Humidity Frizz Control. I can't stand slimy serums, so I spritzed this on my freshly washed hair before we went to dinner to keep the flyaways under control. And it worked! I mean, it's not Teflon, so some frizz still escaped (and Bora Bora winds are mighty powerful), but my hair looked a hell of a lot better with it than it would have without. I just might bust it out again tomorrow morning, and the tropical-y scent will instantly remind me of crystal clear water and beach bungalows. Great - now I'm depressed.

What's Your Makeup Hierarchy?

2010-11-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

I'll pick a winner for my Chanel giveaway soon - I swear! In the meantime, I thought I'd show you my makeup hierarchy. What's a makeup hierarchy, you ask? It's the order in which you assign your makeup its level of importance. Everyone has a different one and sometimes other folks' hierarchies seem weird. Like, I know someone who would pick mascara as her #1 and just do that if she didn't have time for anything else. To me that's weird because I can't imagine not covering up my dark circles first and foremost. And mascara is my last choice. So you see what I mean? It's sort of fun to think about. What's your makeup hierarchy? Here's mine:

YSL Touche Eclat - I've been using this for years and years. If I can only do one thing, I put this on under my eyes and around my mouth. Gives skin a baby glow.

Tarte The Eraser Concealer - A great concealer for covering up breakouts, redness around the nose, or spots of any kind. (Er...not that I have any!)

MAC Venomous Villains Blush in Briar Rose - This is the MAC blush that has Maleficent from Disney's Sleeping Beauty on the package. I originally just grabbed it because she's awesome, but then I fell in love with the cool pink powder blush inside. But then I found out it (like the Chanel polish) was limited edition and it's sold out. Once it's gone I'll probably go back to one of my cream blush staples: Kevyn Aucoin or Revolution Organics.

*On most days this is where I stop and dash out the door. If I'm feeling a bit more motivated I'll continue with...

One of my red lipstick loves - Nars, Stila, Lipstick Queen or Ellis Faas. If I stop here and don't put on mascara, the whole thing comes off as a bare-face-with-mega-lips thing, which is so Peter Lindbergh-esque.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara in Black Tea - I like my lashes long and inky. This does that nicely. Sometimes I curl my lashes first and sometimes I don't.

Beauty To The People on RealBeauty.com!

2010-11-04T18:02:00.002-04:00

Thanks to the gals over at Real Beauty for the shout out to this little ol' blog. It was fun picking out the product I'm most thankful for: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl. Check out it out here!

[photo: Elizabeth Griffin/Hearst]

Ya Know...You Can Trim Your Eyebrows

2010-11-04T13:47:00.000-04:00

This seems like kind of a lame tip but you know when you have a weird, stray eyebrow hair that sort of sticks up or curls down or something? You can just trim it shorter with nail scissors. I don't know why but this NEVER occurred to me until recently, and I've been grooming my eyebrows since the 8th grade. (That's right - 8th grade. I didn't even know what makeup WAS in the 8th grade and I dressed like a boy but for some reason I started shaping my eyebrows. Not sure why that instinct kicked in before all the rest.)

Anyhoo, I use to pluck the weird hairs but then I became afraid my brows would get too thin. Now I trim them and it all stays nice and full.

Vintage Beauty Products

2010-11-01T22:04:00.000-04:00

Look at these cute vintage beauty products I found at an antique store! The Pink Petals set even has its original box. Love!

A Gorgeous, Everyday Makeup Look From Tina Turnbow

2010-10-26T19:31:00.000-04:00

Tina Turnbow is my kind of makeup artist - for realz. She just gets it. "It" as in she makes women look exactly like they've always wanted: Fresh, dewy, young, awake, pretty. See Anne Heche in this picture? That's Tina's handiwork.

Check out interviewmagazine.com to get Tina's tutorial on how to do this makeup look on yourself. I for one haven't worn makeup in four days and am feeling a bit haggard, so I'm going to give this look a try ASAP.

Giveaway! Chanel Nail Colour in Khaki Rose (Yes, the SOLD OUT One!)

2010-10-22T21:59:00.003-04:00

I was going to do a post about how I love Chanel Nail Colour in Khaki Rose, and how it's a fresh alternative to overdone gray, and how it's the hue of Dean & Deluca hot chocolate. Then I found out that, in the typical Chanel way, it was a limited edition shade and it's sold out everywhere.

So I made a rash decision. I'm going to give away my bottle to one lucky reader! I haven't even used it yet - I was going to go get a manicure with it tomorrow. But instead I'll keep it safe and sound in its little Chanel box until I send it off to the winner.

Do you want my bottle of Khaki Rose? Leave a comment below explaining why you simply MUST have it, and email your mailing address to beautytothepeople@gmail.com. I'll pick the most compelling argument and send you my bottle. You have until November 5th to enter. US ship only.

Reader Question: Is It OK To Exfoliate With a Washcloth?

2010-10-14T19:28:00.000-04:00

Today's reader question is answered by dermatologist Dr. Anne Chapas. Thanks, Dr. Chapas!

Reader question: My face is suddenly dry and flaky. Is it ok to use a regular washcloth to exfoliate or should I invest in a Clarisonic? I don't like the feel of grainy scrubs on my face.

Dr. Chapas' answer: If it's just general dryness then it's a good idea to exfoliate. I really like the Clarisonic brush since it gives a more even exfoliation than using a washcloth. This time of year, sudden dryness around the eyebrows, nose or nasolabial folds [area that creases when you smile] might actually be a rash called seborrhea dermatitis which needs to be treated with a topical anti-yeast cream.

Clarisonics are pricey, so if you're happy with a washcloth then it seems like you can keep on keepin' on. Just be careful you don't scrub like a maniac or else you end up red and irritated. Easy does it!

My Trick For Applying Bright Red Lipstick

2010-10-13T19:59:00.000-04:00

I love, love, LOVE bright red lipstick but I admit it can be tricky to put on. Recently Stila came out with the MOST gorgeous shade of deep crimson that I just can't get enough of - it's the Long Wear Liquid Lip Color in Fiery - but since it's a liquid (with a sponge tip applicator wand) it's pretty hard to apply. I'm proud to say I've mastered it! Here's what I do to get a perfect, clean shape with liquid lip color:

Cross your less dominant forearm across your stomach, like it's in a sling. Prop the elbow from your dominant hand on it, like you're putting your elbow on a table. Hold the wand straight up, directing it towards the center of your mouth. Now, keep the wand still (you're using your other arm to stabilize it) and move your head around to create an outline of color with the wand. Does that make sense? After you have the outline, you can fill in with or without the arm trick.

Even after I figured out the trick it still took me a few times before I got it just right. And just as a warning, act fast if you make a mistake and draw outside the line because once this bad boy is on it doesn't move.

[photo: Christian Dior Spring 2011; elle.com]

Golden Girls: Variation On A Theme

2010-10-11T10:10:00.000-04:00

The theme of shoulder pads, that is. How awesome are these outfits? What you can't see is that Dorothy is wearing a maxi skirt in the same sea green velvet fabric, and Blanche is wearing red satin pants. Amazing. And for any bride-to-bes out there, get some inspiration from Dorothy's wedding dress.

Love: Old Timey Marvis Toothpaste

2010-10-08T12:00:00.001-04:00

I have a new apartment and am doing that thing people do when they move into new homes. I'm having grand visions of having the perfect apartment (because this time will be different!) - I won't let dishes sit in the sink, I won't have a haphazard mail pile by the door, I'll keep my cereal and pasta in glass, Martha Stewart-esque containers, I'll use sunwashed, vintage tablecloths when I have people over for Saturday afternoon tea (I've never in my life had people over for tea, but it seems to fit with the fantasy. And by tea I mean mimosas).

I've also taken a vow to only use beauty products that come in attractive packaging*. Now this might actually happen. First stop - Marvis Toothpaste in the old timey tube. I love it! And it's very, very minty and makes my mouth feel super clean and refreshed. Next stop, Chanel body wash!

*And if a product doesn't come in attractive packaging, like hand soap or something, I will transfer the contents into a clear pump bottle. We'll see how that plays out.

Fall Smells Good!

2010-10-07T19:31:00.000-04:00

I love, love, love fall candles that smell warm and spicy and cozy. (I am less enamored with Christmas-y candles, unless they smell like fir tree. I do not want my apartment to smell like gingerbread, peppermint hot chocolate, or sugarplum - whatever that is.)

My current fave is Nest Pumpkin Chai candle. Oh, man does it smell good. Pumpkin, spice, cardamon and cinnamon. Yes. And it doesn't come in a cutesy jar, which is awesome because I really hate cutesy.

Awesome Products: Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo and Conditioner

2010-10-05T14:22:00.000-04:00

Do you have any idea how hard it is to find silicone-free shampoo and conditioner? Let me rephrase that: Do you have any idea how hard it is to find silicone-free shampoo and conditioner that actually works and isn't full of lots of other weird chemicals? I've been on a silicone detox since about mid-August (with my skincare and makeup, too, but that's a whole other post) because I'm convinced that silicone overload is really bad for your hair. See Ning Chao's post on marieclaire.com for more info about why.

But dang is it hard to find hair products without silicone. After a pretty long search and many disappointments, I finally found a shamp/cond combo I love: Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo and Conditioner. Intelligent Nutrients is the awesome natural and organic beauty company started by Horst Rechelbacher*, who founded and ran Aveda until it was sold to Estee Lauder. All the Intelligent Nutrients products are so natural that I think you could eat them and be just fine. Anyhoo, the shampoo and conditioner are the bomb. They make my hair nice and soft and there's a lovely spearmint smell that lingers after my hair dries.

*Horst is so rad in his steadfast earth and animal-friendly practices. I heard that he once fired a top level executive at Aveda because she wore a coat with a fur collar to the office.

Retin-A Works Even If You Don't Wash Your Face

2010-10-04T12:00:00.000-04:00

Readers of this blog know that I am not the biggest fan of Retin-A (or its cousins Renova, Differen, etc.), unless you have very oily skin and you need to curb the grease factor. But my job is to bring you the facts and let you make your own decisions, and since most derms (and beauty editors, for that matter) are crazy for the stuff, I have to assume that a lot of my readers are using it, too. Therefore, if I come across something interesting regarding Retin-A, I feel the need to share.

So for all you lazer tags out there who don't always wash their faces before bed, Dr. Leslie Baumann* once told me that it's better to put Retin-A on over your grimy face than do nothing at all. You'll still get benefits. How 'bout that.

*You'll notice that most of my Retin-A info comes from Dr. Baumann, who probably knows more about it than any other derm on the planet because she's involved with a lot of the clinical trials.

I'm Baaaaaaack!

2010-10-03T15:29:00.002-04:00

Hi folks! I'm back from wedding/honeymoon extravaganza! I'm so sad it's all over! The wedding was beautiful and everything I dreamed it would be, and the honeymoon in French Polynesia (where I went through approximately 67 bottles of Shiseido sunscreen) was divine. Pictures and wedding/honeymoon deets coming soon - including a look at the red lipstick that lasted for six hours. In the meantime, check out this pic of my wedding shoes my sister snapped on her phone as we were riding to the ceremony. Lanvin - not too shabby, eh?

See You In October!

2010-09-15T10:25:00.000-04:00

I'm taking off for a bit - my wedding is this Saturday and then off to Bora Bora on a dream honeymoon!

Laterz, Crinkly Eyes!

2010-09-15T10:20:00.000-04:00

About two weeks ago, out of nowhere, the skin around my eyes got really dry and crinkly. Not a cute look when you add concealer on top of it. I was annoyed because I'm getting married this Saturday (as in 3 days from today!) and didn't want old lady eyes in my pictures. I tried bunches of eye creams and serums but the thing that did the trick was layering Decleor Flower Dew Moisturising Gel-Cream For Eyes (I'm such a sucker for anything that involves the word dew) under my regular SPF eye cream in the morning. Yes, it's an extra step but I don't care.

One Week Until My Wedding!

2010-09-11T13:20:00.000-04:00

I'm getting married next Saturday. This song pretty much sums up how it's going to go down. Enjoy! (PS - how awesome is this picture? God I love the '70s.)

Are You Still Into Gray Nail Polish?

2010-09-11T11:26:00.000-04:00

New York Fashion Week (for the Spring 2012 season) started this week so I'm getting my daily barrage of emails from publicists showcasing the hair/makeup/nails/whatever they did at that day's shows. One of my favorites is The CND Daily Nail because it has pictures and gives the CND nail polish colors used on the models.

I was a bit surprised to see gray nail polish pop up again, as seen here at Victor de Souza. Gray has been a staple for at least two seasons now and I really didn't expect to see it again. But alas, here it is. I mean, I LOVE gray in any and all forms (except in my hair!) but I'm definitely ready for something fresh.

So I really love the purple-y/maroon nails at Jason Wu. Isn't this color beautiful? Not too vampy and so versatile. The color is a limited edition collaboration shade with Jason Wu called Veronica Colour, which will be available in March 2011.

Loving the Hipster Photo App

2010-09-09T12:33:00.000-04:00

I love grainy, '70s-looking photos and film so I'm really stoked on the Hipstamatic photo app on my iPhone. You can choose different "film stock" and "lenses" to take really rad pictures. I snapped these of Luna this morning on our walk. She's submitting them to Vice magazine for consideration. (Luna has always dreamed of being a hipster model.)

5 Ways To Save Your Summer-Ravaged Skin

2010-09-06T18:52:00.000-04:00

It's the end of the summer (sad!) and your skin looks like crap. Here's how to deal:

Add a high-quality, all natural face oil to your skincare routine. All natural is key because if it has mineral oil or weird chemicals in it you'll break out. Right now I'm loving Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Anti-Aging Serum made from argan, acai, carrot seed, and a whole bunch of other luxurious oils. Use one pump on damp skin and you'll be all plump and dewy.
Use a sugar scrub once a week on your bod.
Chillax on eye creams that contain caffeine. They make you look less puffy in the short term (which makes them great for special occasions) but long term, everyday use makes the skin around your eyes crinkly and dried-out.
Get a holistic facial and have someone who knows what they're doing squeeze all the summer gunk from your pores. (YOU do not know what you are doing.)
Don't stop wearing your daily sunscreen!

Free Physique 57 Class! Courtesy of Biore

2010-09-03T18:52:00.002-04:00

I've been going to Physique 57 for about 2 1/2 years now and it rocks my clock. It is the most awesome workout EVER. P57 is a super intense class based on the Lotte Berk method, which was designed in the 70s for dancers. It's low-impact, so it won't kill your joints, and you work every single muscle in your body and then some. I love it! I'm not kidding around -- thanks to P57 I sleep better at night, my anxiety problems are gone, my injuries don't hurt as much and my clothes fit better.

Right now you can only take classes in NYC or LA or do the at-home videos. But if you'd like to get a taste of Physique 57, check out the Biore Skincare and Physique 57 tour coming to 10 cities across the US. The class is free! Sign up for an ass-kicking workout and a free Biore towelette to remove the grime post-workout.

Sign up now -- I bet the classes will fill up fast!

Beauty Samples Galore - Delivered Right To Your Door

2010-08-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

(Hey - that rhymes!)

I did a post about this yesterday on marieclaire.com but I think it's cool and bears repeating. Birchbox is a new membership club that is like a beauty-of-the-month kinda thing. For $10 a month they'll deliver a box of deluxe beauty samples from rad beauty brands (see the picture for an example) right to your door. Then you can try them out for a few days, and if you find one you're stoked on you can buy the full size bottle from their website. Each purchase gives you points to redeem during future purchases. The first samples ship out next week and they're also launching an informative website where you can go get more info about your samples and get beauty advice and tips. Good idea, huh? (I kinda wish I would have thought of it.)

Reader Question: Do I Have To Reapply My Sunscreen If It's Under My Makeup? (How?)

2010-08-24T21:18:00.001-04:00

Ah - the great skincare conundrum. Reapplying sunscreen throughout the day. Trust me, this is something I have grappled with quite a bit since I am incredibly ~~vain~~ fair-skinned and do everything in my power to keep the sun from touching my skin.

The best solution I have come up with is this: Wear sunscreen with physical blockers instead of chemicals. Chemical sunscreens start breaking down the moment UV light hits them (oh, the irony!), and even though there all these science-y "stabilizers" nowadays that claim to keep chemical sunscreens effective longer, I'll be honest, I'm not convinced. Physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are made from minerals and therefore do not break down in sunlight. So as long as you're not sweating like mad or wiping your face, your sunscreen will still be there until you wash it off.

My favorite daily eye cream is Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30, which is made with titanium dioxide. As I've said before on this blog, I've been using it for years and am convinced it's the reason I don't have any crow's feet.

As for finding a daily face sunscreen (which I suggest slathering on your face, neck and chest) with physical blockers, it can be tough because they tend to leave a white film behind. I've tried them all (you'll remember my love for this one) and thought the ghost face was just something you had to deal with in the name of skin protection. UNTIL I FOUND THIS:

Pratima Neem Rose Face Sunscreen SPF 30

I don't know HOW they did it but somehow they managed to pack 18.6% zinc (!!) into the formula and I swear it doesn't leave behind ANY whiteness. None! It's what I call a true miracle product.

I'm also a fan of Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 with a zinc/titanium combo. The tint cancels out the white factor.

If you're really stoked on a chemical 'screen and refuse to give it up, you can use a powder sunscreen like Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 midday before you head to lunch or whatever. It leaves more of a matte finish than some people prefer, but I suppose that's a small price to pay for beautiful skin.

Wedding Makeup Inspiration

2010-08-20T11:49:00.000-04:00

Well folks, I'm in the one month zone until my wedding. EEEK! So much left to plan.

For my beauty look I'm going for a Snow White thing -- perfect skin, rosy cheeks, stained lips, inky lashes and not much other eye makeup. I saw this today on 100 Layer Cake and thought the makeup was great inspiration for my makeup artist. (I would tone down the blush a bit!)

Rad Gift Alert: Modern Alchemy Salem Candle

2010-08-16T20:32:00.000-04:00

I love, love, LOVE this beautiful, spooky candle from Modern Alchemy and am giving one as an engagement gift to a friend who is toying with the idea of having a destination wedding in Salem, MA. How fantastic do these notes sound? Scents of New England maple, hickory and walnut are set ablaze in a ravenous bonfire. What a great way to get a little taste of fall, right?

Gone Fishin'

2010-07-27T11:42:00.002-04:00

I'm taking a little hiatus to finish my wedding plans -- and I'm moving apartments. YIKES! I'll be back soon; I promise!

Unexplained Chin Zits? Try Washing Your Blankets.

2010-07-19T17:28:00.000-04:00

This is going to sound kind of nasty but if you have stubborn zits along your jawline and/or neck, try washing your bedding more often. When you tuck your duvet up under your chin you're mashing bacteria and grime into your pores night after night. Just sayin.

Summertime Adjustment: Caudalie Serum

2010-07-12T09:50:00.000-04:00

I realize that sometimes people buy the products I recommend, so I felt the need to let you know about a skincare adjustment I've made for the summer. As you know, I adore Caudalie Premier Cru. I've been using it every night since November. Just in case someone went out and bought it on my recommendation, I wanted to say that once the ridiculous heat hit a few weeks ago I started getting clogged pores so I stopped using it for the time being.

Instead I've been using Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum, which is moisturizing enough on its own for my skin.

I just wanted to throw it out there in case you've been getting clogged, too. If that's the case I recommend putting Premier Cru aside until the fall.

Reader Question: Is There Such A Thing As Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow?

2010-07-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

I asked makeup artist-to-the-stars Fiona Stiles if there are any cream eye shadows that don't gunk up in eye creases because I couldn't think of any.

She only had one suggestion (besides a MAC shadow that was limited edition a few years ago):

Ellis Faas Milky Eyes

I love Ellis Faas! In the US you can only buy it at Bergdorf Goodman or you can order on ellisfaas.com.

SPF 100 Is a Total Crock of Sh*t

2010-07-08T10:49:00.002-04:00

I could write a really long post about what's going on in the sunscreen universe right now but you'd just get bored and possibly think I was a mental case. Let's just say there's a lot of ~~deceiving~~ clever marketing going on out there.

So I'll simply say this: SPF 100 is meaningless. Please take my word for it. The key to success with sun protection is reapplication -- that's where most people fail. All SPF 100 does is give you a false sense of security.

A prominent dermatologist just told me this: "I don't care if you use SPF 15 or 500. If you don't reapply throughout the day you're wasting your time."

Quick Dry Nail Polish = Bad News Bears

2010-07-05T19:55:00.000-04:00

A nail tech who has been in the biz for a long, long time told me that all the new quick dry nail polishes are really bad for your fingernails. She said using them once in a while is fine but if you use them over and over and over they burrow down into your nails and make them peel and flake off on top.

So...that sucks.

Happy Fourth Of July!

2010-07-03T21:00:00.001-04:00

[photo: Zooey Deschanel by Ellen von Unwerth; Jane magazine June/July issue 2007]

Can I Get a What What?

2010-07-02T09:12:00.000-04:00

Thank you Celia Ellenberg -- style.com senior beauty editor, former Jane colleague of mine, and all around cool chick -- for featuring my little blog on her big fancy site!

Check out style.com to see me and other beauty bloggers picking our favorite products for summer 2010.

It's been almost one year since I started Beauty To The People (my first post was about Rose McGowan's lipstick on Charmed), so I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for reading!

Have great Fourth of July weekend!

The Nail Polish Equivalent of an 80s Pants Suit

2010-06-29T19:19:00.000-04:00

Meet Monkey Business by Essie. MB here has been my signature nail polish for over three years. I absolutely adore it because it is, as the title of this post explains, the nail polish equivalent of an 80s pants suit. A silk pants suit. I'm not even going to explain myself here because I know you know exactly what I mean.

(Doesn't it look like something Kathleen Turner would have rocked back in the day?)

Well, I found out that Monkey Business has been discontinued. [sob, sob, cry] I asked Essie (yes, as in the Essie -- being a beauty editor has its perks) to send me a few leftover bottles and, thank heavens, she did.

She told me that if I keep the bottles away from light and heat I can coast on them for several years.

But what, pray tell, will I do after that?!

Reader Question: What's So Bad About Sulfates?

2010-06-23T23:20:00.001-04:00

A: Nothing or everything, depending on who you ask.

You know what sulfates are, right? It's a type of detergent found in just about everything that lathers, and they've been getting a lot of negative attention in hair care because natural companies started outing them as evil. So now there are a million sulfate-free shampoos out there.

So...should you avoid sulfates? Depends on why you don't want them.

Are you avoiding them because clever marketing is telling you that sulfate-free formulas will make your hair color last longer? Well, there are tons of great sulfate-free shampoos out there that will help make your hair soft and your color long-lasting, but there are also a lot of crappy ones. Same with sulfate-y shampoos. There are great ones and crappy ones. So if this is the only reason you're avoiding sulfates, I say in this case you can ignore the sulfate-free hype.

If you're avoiding sulfates because you think it's better for your health and the environment -- tread carefully. So many brands have jumped on the sulfate-free bandwagon just so they can pretend to be "pure" or whatever, but the formulas are still loaded with chemical-y stuff. I talked to Deborah Burnes, the founder of super-natural beauty company Sumbody and author of Look Great, Live Green, and she said that many times companies will take out sulfates but throw in some other chemicals that are pretty much the exact same thing but with a different name. Shady McShadesters!

She also said that even though she's not a fan of sulfates (she doesn't use them in her products), in her opinion there are worse ingredients out there you should be more concerned about. Propylene glycol being one of them. Parabens aren't so great, either.

All that being said, I think trying to avoid sulfates is great IF you take the time to do a little research and ignore the marketing hype when making your product decisions.

Beauty Editors Love a Good Face Mask

2010-06-20T12:02:00.000-04:00

A week or so ago I tweeted something about how skincare masks seem great in theory but does anyone actually use them. I got so schooled! A bunch of my editor pals tweeted back that not only do they use masks several times a week (!!) but they have a few favorites in rotation. Clearly I am just a lazypants and need to get into masks. Here are the ones the editors tweeted back to me:

Eva Chen (@evachen212) from Teen Vogue: SK II Facial Treatment Mask (she uses as least 1x per week) and Nude Miracle Mask

Abby Gardner (@abbygardner) from Glo: Sonya Dakar Flash Facial

Anne Jones (@anniemarie_) from The Knot: Korres Thyme Honey Moisturizing and Revitalizing Mask and Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea With Acai and Goji Berry (Eva likes this one, too)

Holly Siegel (@hollyseigel) from Nylon: Mario Badescu Temporary Lifting Mask (she keeps it in the refrigerator) with Fresh Rose Face Mask over it

Michelle (@beauty_editor) from beautyeditor.ca: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Mask

Follow me on Twitter @beautyeditorNYC and tweet me your faves, too!

Look Young and Fresh Instead of Worn Out and Haggard

2010-06-17T08:50:00.000-04:00

Introducing my amazing skin power duo:

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint + Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm in Blushed

I've been wearing this combo since Monday and no less than five people have told me my skin looks amazing. I feel compelled to share my secret with you.

The Jouer tinted moisturizer is amazing, and here's why. It has a bit more coverage than your average tinted moisturizer (it's really like a sheer coverage foundation, but since it's called a tinted moisturizer you can still be like, Oh me? I don't wear foundation.) It's slightly luminescent (but not overly shimmery) so it makes your skin glow. AND it has SPF 20 with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which means people who are intolerant to chemical sunscreens (ie, me) can use it with no problem. I don't use this word very often but I am OBSESSED.

Tina Turnbow introduced me to the Revolution blush stick and I'll try pretty much anything she recommends. As you know, I am a huge fan of bright pink cream blush, so this was an no-brainer. (See here for my favorite application tip.) With this one you can just dab the stick once or twice on your cheeks, blend and just like that you have the most natural, fairy tale-esque flush on your cheeks you rarely see naturally on any female over the age of 10. It's fantastic.

Viva la Fuzz!

2010-06-11T15:45:00.003-04:00

As you know, I'm a big fan of fuzzy hair. Not frizzy hair, but fuzzy. Fuzzy hair looks young and cute, as proven by this delicious picture of Zooey Deschanel, which was taken by Ellen von Unwerth for the second to last issue of Jane.

Fuzzy hair requires little to no product. My beloved stylist Michelle Snyder is a fuzzy hair extraordinaire and a fan of Sachajuan Ocean Mist for non-contrived texture.

Now that I think about it, Michelle actually does Zooey's hair from time to time. Hm - how 'bout that.

I have straight hair so it's easy for me to embrace fuzz. Curly-haired gals are generally terrified and tend to douse their hair in gel in the hopes of suppressing their natural flyaways. Please, oh please, step away from the gel! There is nothing cuter on this earth than wispy curls around the face.

And there is nothing ickier than product-covered crunchy curls.

Take Care Of Your Neck Or YOU'LL BE SORRY!!

2010-06-09T22:15:00.001-04:00

Mmmmm...maybe it's not THAT dramatic but I did learn something this week about necks and the sun damage-prone skin below your noggin.

I was at a skincare launch event and dermatologist Dr. Doris Day was there. At one point she busted out with something I have never heard before in all my years of obsessing over skincare. She said that your chin acts as a little parasol for the front of the neck by shielding it from (some) UV rays. So when older women start to show sun damage on their necks it shows up in weird, splotchy patches down the sides of their neck. Have you ever noticed that on some women? I know I have and I always wondered what the deal was. Now I know!

Of course the moral of the story is to treat your neck (and chest, while we're at it) with the same loving care you do your face, and don't neglect the sides. I personally use everything that goes on my face on my neck and chest, but if that's too much for you to deal with, at the VERY least put on your damn sunscreen every day.

I know I'm a broken record about daily sunscreen, but look at Ms. Blanchett here with her enviable neck. You better believe she wears sunscreen every freaking day of her life -- and it shows.

Neck sun damage is really hard to reverse later in like so do yourself a favor and prevent it all together.

Is There Anyone More Beautiful Than Elizabeth Taylor?

2010-06-08T23:07:00.002-04:00

I got the July issue of Vanity Fair and the cover story is about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's epic love affair. The cover image is a stunning picture of young Liz at the beach.

I must ask -- could Elizabeth Taylor be the most beautiful woman that has ever lived? All signs point to yes.

Worth Every Penny: Oakley Sunglasses

2010-06-06T16:05:00.002-04:00

All these years I've been wearing crappy $7 sunglasses from St. Mark's (for you non-New Yorkers, St. Mark's street is NYC's former punk mecca turned tourist trap) because I was like, Why would I pay for expensive sunglasses when these are just fine?

Man am I stupid. Have you ever worn Oakley sunglasses with polarized lenses? It's a whole new world! They get rid of all the glare (I've heard that when you're on a lake you can see right into the water because all the glare is gone) and have great UV protection so A) no squinting, even in direct sunlight and B) fewer crow's feet!

Oakley has done a really good job recently of designing cool, fashion-y styles so even though you're getting sporty lenses, they don't look like sports glasses.

My Fave Sunscreen = Shiseido

2010-05-31T13:47:00.001-04:00

Happy Memorial Day! Hot town, summer in the city, blah blah blah, doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city. Or however that song goes.

Here in NYC summer is already make us her bitch so I thought I'd tell you about my favorite hot-weather sunscreen. It's Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion For Face/Body SPF 60.

The reason why I love it so, so much is because it has 16% zinc oxide, which is the best UVA/UVB protective ingredient out there. 16% is a really high percentage, but surprisingly this sunscreen doesn't leave a white-ish cast on the skin. The consistency is runny like a serum and it sinks in pretty well, so you don't feel coated in thick cream. I hate that.

But the main reason I love this sunscreen is because it is the most water resistant one I've ever used. Seriously -- you have to work to get it off at the end of the day, either with a cleansing oil or a washcloth.

Shiseido makes a few sunscreens in this line -- including a really convenient foundation stick -- and they're all great.

Cute Braids for the Weekend!

2010-05-28T17:24:00.001-04:00

I got my hair trimmed today by super amazing Michelle Snyder at Whittemore House Salon. She is the only person I'll allow near my hair with scissors (or in stylist speak, shears) because, although it would seem otherwise, cutting very long hair isn't easy. Everyone always wants to do dorky layers on me. Michelle does cool, gypsy-ish, wispy layers and the result isn't so perfect-looking. Love her.

Anyhoo, after she trimmed me today she quickly whipped my hair into this lovely French braid headband. It circles all around my head like an off-kilter crown. See how it's all fuzzy and imperfect? That's why I love Michelle. She just gets it.

When It Comes to Skincare, Patience is a Virtue

2010-05-28T10:37:00.000-04:00

I went to a skincare launch event the other day where someone from the company brought up a very good point about anti-aging, so I thought I would share.

Anti-aging skincare needs time to work. Although there are products out there that claim to deliver instant results, the truth is, wrinkles and sun damage didn't happen overnight and therefore you can't get rid of that stuff overnight. (Unless you're doing in-office procedures like lasers or Botox.)

"Instant" changes from skincare products are temporary and cosmetic. Skin needs time to repair, so if you're using a new anti-aging skincare product, don't get discouraged if you don't see a difference right away. A lot of experts say you'll start to see something by week eight -- usually improvement in texture and radiance -- but lines and sun spots are stubborn fellas and it could take months to see improvement.

One derm told me that it can take six months before a brown sunspot starts to fade, and he was talking about prescription Retin-A.

So be patient and wear your sunscreen every day, because if you don't, no amount of anti-aging products will help you.

White Eyeliner: Don't This Do

2010-05-24T17:14:00.000-04:00

Allure's Beauty Reporter section has a page about white eyeliner, as seen at the Donna Karen show.

Take heed, ladies. This is an example of a makeup look best left on the runway. (Although the subtle inner corner smudges seen in the bottom left pic are nice.)

Hey - does anyone else remember thick white eyeliner having a mini moment circa 1996? I'm pretty sure I've tried this out before...with horrible results.

Caudalie Premier Cru Rules So Hard

2010-05-23T19:21:00.001-04:00

Last week I hinted about an awesome skincare product that I've been using. It is...Caudalie Premier Cru!

When you work as a beauty editor you get used to hearing a lot of bold claims from skincare companies, and even though you nod and smile as the PR person explains it all to you, in your head you're thinking yeah freaking right. So although Caudalie had impressive data on all the anti-aging stuff this cream does for your skin -- increasing collagen production, decreasing dark spots, reducing lines, etc. -- I didn't have high hopes.

But I was wrong! Premier Cru rules! I've been using it for six months now and my skin has never looked better. It's more radiant, the weird dark pigmentation patch around my mouth is gone (do you know what I'm talking about? it's like a reverse clown mouth where the skin is slightly darker?) and, most importantly, the product doesn't clog my pores. It also smells nice and has a velvet-y texture that I love.

Premier Cru costs $150, but before you start screaming about how expensive that is, there's something you should know. One bottle lasted six months. I think that's kind of amazing. I used one pump at night (while my face was still damp from my Dermalogica mist) and that one pump covered my whole face.

I'm not saying it's a miracle. Topical skincare products can only do so much for your skin and Premier Cru can't undo 20 years of tanning beds and smoking. But if you're looking for a night cream that might actually do something, I can recommend this little gem.

Another Concealer Trick - This One's For Dark Circles

2010-05-18T22:45:00.001-04:00

You may have noticed I've been slackin' on the ol' blog lately. Er...sorry about that! To make it up to you I've brought you another makeup trick from the inside (as in inside the beauty industry -- not jail).

Today I finally met the lovely and talented Sarah Lucero, who just happens to be the makeup artist spokesperson for Stila. Not a shabby gig, huh?

She told me that most people apply under-eye concealer all sorts of wrong. They put too much on, or put it all around their eye or something. But the most common mistake -- and as far as I can tell, every single woman I know does this -- is when you apply the concealer directly to the dark part and blend.

Um -- that's wrong? Whooooops.

Sarah told me to apply the concealer just below the dark circle and then lightly blend the product upwards to cover the darkness. She says when you do it the other way you end up getting concealer pushed up into your lower eyelashes and it gets crease-y and weird. She's so right! That's exactly what happens to me every day. So I'll be trying this out tomorrow morning fo sho.

Also check out my concealer tip for covering zits.

How Much Money Would You Spend On a Beauty Product?

2010-05-10T13:31:00.001-04:00

I'm kind of a nerd and love to read about money and finances and stuff, and one of my favorite money dudes is this guy Ramit Sethi, the author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich and the accompanying blog.

Besides talking about regular stuff like Roth IRAs and credit cards, he also does this awesome thing where he calls people out for being total money hypocrites. Like, when people get all judge-y about other peoples' spending habits when they're probably in way worse condition. You know what I mean -- when your friend says things like, I can't believe you spent $200 for one dinner! I would never spend that much money on something so frivolous! Meanwhile, they have tons of credit card debt and no savings and you're doing just fine, thank you very much.

It got me thinking about super expensive beauty products. You could easily spend thousands of dollars on a single skincare regimen. Hell, you could easily spend close to $1,000 just on one product. I'm not saying this is in any way necessary, but if you fell in love with a beauty item that did everything it claimed and made you feel awesome, and you weren't going to go into debt over it, how much would you be willing to spend?

I'm setting myself up here for another post about a product I've been using that is AMAZING. It's not terribly expensive ($150) but to some people that would seem like a huge waste of money. More deets to come!

Scoop Up Some Fresh Umbrian Clay

2010-05-02T16:55:00.001-04:00

Fans of the Fresh Umbrian Clay line, listen up. For a limited time, Fresh retail locations are offering loose Umbrian Clay by the scoop. It might seem weird to buy a bag of loose clay/dirt, but the detoxifying minerals in the clay have been used for centuries by the people of Nocero Umbra, Italy to heal rashes, burns, and a myriad of other conditions.

According to the directions on the bag, you can mix it with water to create a purifying face mask or blemish spot treatment, or you add it to just about anything for added clarifying/re-balancing. I mixed a pinch into a blob of Soy Face Cleanser during my morning cleansing routine and it turned into a little mini-facial.

It's kind of fun, too, and made me feel like a medieval alchemist mixing up natural skincare potions. Also, since you only use a tiny bit at a time, I suspect one bag could last about two years. And since it's literally dirt in a bag you don't have to worry about it expiring or anything. I mean, it's been in the ground for hundreds of years, so I think it can handle your bathroom.

How To Determine Why You Have Acne (And Then Fix It)

2010-04-24T12:39:00.004-04:00

I get a lot of questions about getting rid of acne and I never really have a true answer. You see, acne is a tough nut to crack because it is my opinion that people break out for all sorts of different reasons, and there absolutely is not one thing that works for everyone -- not even Accutane.

In my opinion, finding out what works to get rid of acne is a lot of trial and error. Just because your friend had success with Proactive doesn't mean you will. Maybe prescription topicals from a dermatologist will work, or maybe they won't. Maybe switching to all-natural skincare products will work, or maybe it won't. Maybe you'll get lucky and the first thing you try will work, or maybe you'll spend years trying to figure it out. This is why acne is so endlessly frustrating for some people.

The first thing you should do is try to figure out WHY you break out. Some dermatologists will tell you all acne is hormonal. I think that's bullsh*t. Do you break out every month like clockwork in the same place (usually your chin)? Then it's probably hormonal. Do your breakouts seemingly have no rhyme or reason, and are they scattered all over your face? Probably NOT hormonal.

Hormonal acne usually responds well to prescription acne medication. Random, scattered acne is probably because you either A) have oily skin or B) are reacting to an ingredient.

If you are oily with chronically clogged pores, you might want to try Retin-A or one of its cousins like Differin Gel. If you are a straight-up oil slick, this is really the only way to curb it. Trying to fix the problem with "mattifying" serums and primers loaded with silicone just masks the problem and, in many cases, makes clogged pores worse.

Quite often, if you've ruled out hormonal and you're not oily, you are probably using a skincare or makeup product that includes an ingredient that triggers acne in your skin. Women with the perplexing skin type of dry with pimples (frustrating!!) usually fall into this category, or so I have found.

Once again, trial and error comes into place. It can be so frustrating to figure out what your personal trigger is, especially because it's not as easy as simply choosing "oil-free" products because oil might not be your trigger. For me, Avobenzone (a chemical sunscreen), Vitamin E, and certain silicones make me break out like crazy (but not all silicones, which only further adds to the frustration). I suspect there are also some natural ingredients out there that do it, but I haven't been able to pinpoint exactly what they are yet.

This goes back to why Accutane doesn't work for everyone. If you get acne from an ingredient and you're still using it after Accutane, guess what? Your acne will still be there.

So when people ask me what to do about their acne, I can suggest a few things. The first is to make sure to completely remove everything from their face at night, but that does NOT mean scrubbing like mad with harsh cleansers and exfoliators. Friction can make zits way worse. It means dissolving all the sunscreen, makeup and grime with a separate makeup remover BEFORE washing with regular cleanser. Second is to try one thing at a time -- acne medications, new products, new treatments, etc. -- instead of throwing a bunch of new crap on your face, that way if you break out (or clear up!!) you'll know what did it.

There's probably a lot more I could say on the subject of acne but this is already long enough.

Something Pretty on a Saturday

2010-04-24T11:41:00.000-04:00

Do You Shower at Night or Morning?

2010-04-23T10:59:00.000-04:00

There are two kinds of people in this world: nighttime shower-ers and morning shower-ers. Nighttime folks can't imagine getting into their nice, clean bed covered in the dirt and grime from the day. Morning people use the shower to help them wake up and start the day.

I'm a nighttime shower gal. I feel so nasty at the end of the day and I just want to get clean. I won't even let daytime clothes touch my sheets or my pillows because I know where they've been.

Which one are you??

Win A Summer Weekend in the Hamptons!

2010-04-22T13:45:00.000-04:00

I have friends who, when at the beach, think they are in a Michael Kors ad. They bust out the huge sunglasses, head scarves, gold hoop earrings and sarongs, and absolutely refuse -- REFUSE! -- to wear any sort of sunscreen unless it is the most glamorous sunscreen on earth. Which means it has to smell good, leave behind no sticky residue, and come in a chic bottle. No Coppertone for these folks!

In these cases, I always recommend Hampton Sun because their sunscreens are the only ones I've found that fit all of these criteria.

If you relate to these glamazon beach-goers and would like to jet on out to the Hamptons sometime to join them, Hampton Sun is running a contest to win just that. One lucky winner will get a summer weekend trip to the Hamptons, including airfare, hotel, fabulous dinners, and loads of products to wear at the beach.

Good luck! Enter at HamptonSuncare.com

Don't Fear Oils

2010-04-16T10:42:00.000-04:00

Americans have been brainwashed into thinking that oils are bad -- at least when it comes to beauty. Most peeps hear "oil" and they picture baby oil, which is really just nicely scented mineral oil. The problem is that mineral oil and oils from petroleum sources, like paraffin, don't sink into the skin. They just sit there on top bein' their greasy selves.

But natural oils that mimic your skin's natural make up actually sink right in and disappear, leaving behind soft, glowy skin. Shelley Bawiec, Global Director of Spa Sales and Education at Aveda told me this: "A lot of oils, particularly jojoba oil, are very similar to our own skin's natural sebum. So they offer a beautiful 'seal' on the skin and prevent hydration loss by working with the skin's natural oils."

I for one have this thing where I hate body lotion. I don't know what it is. Maybe the texture? And they always seem to be sticky and then I can't get my jeans on. I LOVE Kneipp body oils, which I apply right after the shower while my skin is still wet. This process takes some getting used to, BTW, but it's worth it. Putting oil on dry skin can be a disaster because it's hard to move around.

For die-hard lotion fans, Shelley says to mix Aveda Beautifying Composition (which contains jojoba oil) with body lotion and apply to damp skin.

Get Kneipp oils at kneippus.com and Aveda at aveda.com (duh).

Oh, How I Adore Lipstick Queen

2010-04-14T20:39:00.001-04:00

Didn't you hear? Sticky, glittery lip gloss is sooooooooo done.

Poppy King happens to make my favorite lipstick of ALL TIME. It's called Medieval and it's the most perfect, beautiful sheerish, non-shimmery, stain-like blood red color. Poppy told me it was inspired by the Middle Ages when lipstick was considered a sin so women would put lemon juice on their lips to irritate them into a state of blood red. She also told me it looks good on everyone, and I believe her.

Poppy's fantastic brand Lipstick Queen just put out the Discovery Kit, which is three great lipsticks -- including Medieval -- in a little trio pack. It's for die-hard gloss girls who don't know where to start when shopping for lipstick.

Also included in the little box: Saint Nude, a rad '60s-ish neutral, and Butterfly Ball in Fly, a cheeky, iridescent fuchsia.

Get the Discovery Kit at Space NK. You won't be sorry.

The Big 3-0

2010-04-14T15:43:00.000-04:00

Or, Why I've Been Crying Myself To Sleep Since Sunday

Okay, okay, it's not that dramatic, but over the weekend I did in fact turn 30 and I've been taking it a lot harder than I expected. Logically I know that 30 is young and I think I look a few years shy of it, but the truth is, I'm bummed.

Turning 30 got me thinking about all the beauty stuff I've tried over the years. As a beauty editor it's my job to check out new products and treatments, and since 99% of the industry seems to be dedicated to anti-aging, I've been subjecting my face to all sorts of stuff since I was 23.

I've used $800 creams and $8 creams. I've tried pseudo-scientific products that made my face get a rash, fancy herbal oils that clogged my pores, and intense dermatologist brands that required a million steps and didn't deliver any results. I had an unfortunate run with the glycolic acid craze of '05 (in-office peels, plus at-home products) that dehydrated my skin and made me look stretched and glassy. I tried Retin-A in '07 and couldn't get past looking windburned all the time; I had a disastrous microdermabrasion session in '06. After pummeling my young skin into submission I went the complete opposite route and committed to holistic herbal facials and the accompanying products, which made my skin itch like crazy. I've had a very prominent dermatologist tell me that moisturizer is making my skin "lazy" and a top holistic facialist tell me that without it my skin won't be "juicy." I've been lasered. I've gotten Botox (only once last summer and I don't think it's worth it, at least not at this age). I've used serums made from baby foreskin, snake venom, snail secretion, and lots of other weird things. (As a vegetarian I have since sworn off trying things like that.)

And through it all I've worn loads and loads of sunscreen, which in the end is the only thing I think mattered.

I'm on a break

2010-04-04T11:46:00.001-04:00

Hi all! I'm taking a little vacation so I'll be back next week with new posts and beauty tips. I'll also contact the winners of my Shiseido lipstick giveaway.

Check ya later!

xox,
Courtney

5 Ways To Look Younger Right Now

2010-04-02T17:29:00.001-04:00

Grow out your choppy layers and color over stripe-y highlights. Frump city!
Berry lip stain. In a strange turn of events, shiny gloss has started looking over-the-hill.
By Terry Touche Eclat De Teint. Put it all around your entire eye and the area around your mouth in place of thick concealer. Thank me later.
Fill in your over-plucked eyebrows with brow powder. And stop excessively tweezing. Full brows = young.
Wax or Nair your upper lip. Don't bleach. Just get rid of it all together.

I Want That: J. Crew Floral Romper

2010-03-31T09:56:00.000-04:00

The new J. Crew catalogs are infiltrating mailboxes all across America as we speak. I know this is old news but they've really amped it up in the past few years and gone from snoozy khakis and sweaters to super-duper cute t-shirts, skirts, etc., that everyone wants to wear. [Of course the bad news is now that the J. Crew design has such a specific look everyone immediately recognizes what you're wearing the second you buy something new.]

Anyhoo, I want this romper and I want it now. Not sure when I'll wear such a thing -- I work from home most days but am I the type to sit at my computer in a skimpy romper? -- but I want it anyway.

[photo: jcrew.com]

One More Day To Enter To Win A Shiseido Lipstick!

2010-03-30T16:43:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win a free Shiseido Perfect Rouge Glowing Matte lipstick from the Spring 2010 collection. See details here!

My Face Is Disgusting Right Now

2010-03-30T16:30:00.000-04:00

Ugh. A few days ago I had nary a blemish on my face and then of course I couldn't leave well enough alone and so I tried a new face cream and now my face is covered in tiny little red and white bumps. Like dozens of mini-pimples. ICK. Clearly my skin didn't like an ingredient in that cream.

In dire times like these I turn to the fantastic Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque. It's so good. Although it's a clay mask it doesn't suck all the moisture out of your face like other ones do, and I also like to use it as an overnight spot treatment. It doesn't make the zit go away completely, but it takes some of the redness away and makes it less noticeable. Of course right now my entire FACE needs a spot treatment so I'm just using it like a regular mask.

I recommend having it on hand over the summer when you start to get sweat-induced zits but you don't want to use a bunch of irritating chemical-y products.

Horrifying Skincare Story!!

2010-03-25T18:54:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I was getting an Elemis skincare treatment at Bergdorf Goodman by Clinton Hardesty, who is the head of education for Elemis, and he told me the most horrifying thing.

He said sometimes a woman will come to him and before the facial she will point out a stubborn blackhead/clogged pore on her face.

Upon further inspection Clinton will see that the blackhead is not a blackhead at all -- it's a grain of face scrub embedded in her pore!

He also said he has seen this more than once. Terrifying.

I know a lot of people like those grainy scrubs with walnut shells or whatever, but shells have jagged edges that tear into the skin and dig around and burrow into your pores. EEK!

You know how I feel about aggressive exfoliation and this just gives me more ammo against it.

So what are the gentler options? A physical scrub like Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator that has round, smooth-edged jojoba beads, a mask that dissolves dead skin like June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Masque, or hydroxy acid-soaked pads like Dermologica Daily Resurfacer (I personally use these every other night).

Maybe I'm overreacting to this story but I'm sorry, little walnut shells stuck in your skin? Scary.

Don't Forget To Enter My Shiseido Lipstick Giveaway!

2010-03-23T18:06:00.000-04:00

You have until April 1 to enter to win one of four Shiseido lipsticks from the gorgeous Spring 2010 collection.

See the lovely Raquel Zimmermann showing off one of the colors. Doesn't she look lovely?

So can you if you enter to win! Click here for deets.

Concealer Trick

2010-03-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

Although I act like a beauty know-it-all, sometimes I do learn tricks from the people around me.

Case in point: I once spied my college roommate (Crystal -- holla!) applying concealer. What she did was, she first put little un-blended dots of liquid concealer on all the spots, and then she went back to the first dot and blended it in. I realized the point was that the dots dried a little while she was attending to the others and it made for more opaque coverage on the actual spot, instead of thinner coverage all around the area, which is pretty much what happens when you try to blend a fresh dot.

Does that make sense?

I've applied my concealer in this manner ever since. It's a simple thing, but it helps.

Joan Jett's Smoky Eyes - Here's The Face Chart!

2010-03-19T16:22:00.000-04:00

I write a lot about soft, pretty, girly-girl makeup but that's not all I'm into. To prove it, I snagged this face chart from the makeup artist who did Joan Jett's makeup at Wednesday's NYC movie premiere for The Runaways. I can't wait to see it because I was born too late to be a rock chick in the mid 70s and it burns me up inside.

Joan is still rocking her signature smoky eyes after all these years! Make Up For Ever Alliance artist James Vincent used these products on her eyes for the premiere:

[pulled from a post I did on StyleList.com, where you can see the finished look on Joan]

All products are by Make Up For Ever and available at Sephora:

Start with Eye Shadow #35 (light pinky-nude)from lash to brow as a base.
Sweep Diamond Powder #11 (champagne shimmer) across the brow bone for a highlight effect and Eye Shadow #13 (matte brown) to the crease for depth.
Use the same Eye Shadow #13 to line top and bottom lashes, which makes the liner (next step) look smoky.
Line your inner rims and along the top and bottom lash lines with Aqua Eyes #0L, which is a perfect black liner pencil.
Apply a little bit of Aqua Eyes #2L (rich brown) over the black liner to keep it from looking too hard.
Smudge the lines and set with Eye Shadow #139 (black-brown shimmer) for extra smokiness.
For lashes, Vincent says, "Put down the lash curler and let the lashes stray straight and spiky for rock-chick realness." Apply a liberal coating of Smoky Lash mascara.

Tour de Force - The Childlike Empress

2010-03-18T23:14:00.001-04:00

I've been hunting around online for headpiece inspiration for my own wedding and I keep thinking about how when I was little I knew that when I got married I would wear a jeweled headband thing like the Childlike Empress from The Neverending Story.

Bastian, say my name! Please!

And although I would never do it, I'm looking at this picture and thinking how rad it would be to see a bride actually wear her hair like this and rock the headpiece. Even though this movie was made in 1984 she doesn't look like an 80s version of a fantasy character (I'm talking to you, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome!). It would be a risky beauty move but I would totally support it.

PS -- Atreyu is so hot and yes, I know he's like 14, ok?

Reader Question: Why Am I Hating On Sunscreen Makeup?

2010-03-17T15:20:00.001-04:00

I got a reader email about my last post called 5 Beauty Truths in which I state the obvious fact that you have to wear sunscreen every day to prevent premature skin aging, followed by the not-so-obvious fact that sunscreen in your makeup doesn't count.

"Why doesn't sunscreen in makeup count?" she inquired.

Here's why: You will never, ever use enough makeup at one time to get the full amount of sunscreen needed to protect against UV rays. Because of the way it's formulated and because you're probably not slathering it on in a thick layer, an SPF 15 becomes like, a 2 or something once it's spread out over your face.

I actually wish companies would STOP putting sunscreen in their makeup because they add chemicals like Avobenzone and it makes me break out. In fact, one of my (former) favorite products of all time is Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer because it makes skin look ah-may-zing, but alas, it also makes me get zits all over my face because of the added Avobenzone. Take it out Stila!! Please!

Another bonus of companies taking sunscreen out of makeup would mean women wouldn't falsely think they're getting decent UV protection and would stop relying on makeup for it.

Plus, and this is just my speculation, once you apply that makeup OVER whatever moisturizer you have on underneath I just don't think it can bind with your skin and be effective.

The exception here is mineral makeup. Mineral makeup is by nature a physical-blocking sun protective product without anyone having to add a bunch of chemicals. Minerals sit on top of whatever you put on underneath so it forms a little protective bubble around your face. I still don't recommend relying on it as the sole provider of your sunscreen, but I use BeingTrue Protective Mineral Foundation SPF 17 over my regular sunscreen and I always think every little bit helps.

[image: hiren.info]

5 Beauty Truths

2010-03-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

The sun causes wrinkles and brown spots. Wear your damn sunscreen EVERY DAY. (Sunscreen in your makeup doesn't count.)
You can guzzle water all you want but it will never effect your skin's hydration levels. There are several scientific studies that prove this.
No one looks good in yellow or red eyeshadow.
Healthy, strong hair holds color better than over-processed, fried hair. Chill on the daily flat-ironing and get thee a protein treatment (Redken Extreme CAT Treatment is an industry fave).
Low-fat (or no-fat) diets will make your skin look older faster. Eat olive oil, nuts, avocados, etc to keep skin plump.

Shiseido Lipstick Giveaway!

2010-03-13T16:38:00.000-05:00

Hey! 'Member how I talked about matte makeup and how much I love it? I thought it'd be cool to spread the matte love with a little lipstick giveaway.

All you have to do is follow my blog (see followers to the right) and you'll be entered to win one of four Shiseido Perfect Rouge Glowing Matte lipsticks from the gorgeous Spring 2010 makeup collection (which was created by makeup artist extraordinaire Dick Page). $25 retail value.

The Glowing Matte lipsticks are a good way to ease into wearing matte because the color is semi-transparant and lightweight. In other words, no granny-style cakey lips here.

Join my blog by April 1, 2010 and I'll pick four winners at random, then I'll contact you for your mailing address. All followers are eligible, including the ones that have already signed up.