What goes in must come out, so, the greasy food IS bad.

The other day on Oprah I saw a show about the food we put into our bodies and how that comes out.  Alicia Silverstone did a big testimonial about her vast improvements once she went vegan.  Although I do agree with the author she had on, Michael Pallon, all the synthetics, hormones, and additives being vegan seems a bit extreme.  I have to hand it to Alicia, she has never looked better.  But will I be singing the praises of kale and broccoli-rob as if it is a stack of Pringles?  No.  I do concede a bit more green and a little less white in my diet is a good idea, just don't think it will change my cosmetic purchase budget!

There is a new game in town!

Perhaps they are not new, but they are new to me and are advertising A LOT!  Dermstore.com, I saw there ad in a few mags and had to check them out.  What a great site!  They have old favorites such as Tarte, Stila, Lorac, Sue Devitt, Paul and Joe, Too Faced, etc. Also, they offer some brands I have not seen too much of,  Nvey Eco, Beauty Blender, and GoMinerals.  Dermstore also has a huge selection of hair and skin products, many of which are not available at some of the other major retailers we are used to.  My personal favorite part of the site is the Gift With Purchase section. It is four pages long!  The gifts are also a lot of full size products, which makes it feel like an even bigger bargain.  Maybe everyone else has seen this great site, but I feel like its Christmas morning!
DERMSTORE.com

Loreal True Match Roller Foundation

I am intrigued by a new product that I saw in InStyle.  Loreal has a new foundation that has a "roller" for its applicator.  This seems like a great idea in theory, painting with a roller gives a smoother finish so I suppose that "paint" for your face (foundation) would benefit from that application as well.  I do have a few concerns though, mainly germs.  The applicators that are reusable and stay in the packaging seem like they would be a breeding ground for more germs than necessary.  I have the same concerns about the foundations with the brush and pads that are not replaced.  Does anyone else have these concerns, or had any problems with products similar to these?

Pretty, pretty Christina

For over a decade the transformations of Christina Aguilera have been headlines in the world of beauty.  She has sung and danced her way from cute teen, to "XTina", to Preggers, you get the idea.  She is this months covergirl for Marie Claire.  I think she looks radiant!  She still has that flawless porcelain skin. Jealous!  Her eye make-up is stunning, a grey smokey eye that is not too threatening.  As a fair skinned person myself I struggle with the smokey eye, I generally look like a racoon or a member of Fight Club.  She also has a frosty lip, not like your old aunts frosty lip, just pretty.  Another trend that comes and goes.  I generally like to see it go, but maybe I will give it another go.  The products are not listed individually but are all from Sally Hansen Natural Beauty, Inspired by Carmindy.  Check your local drug store (CVS, WalGreens, RiteAid, Duane Reid) or large retailer (Target, WalMart) for all the goodies.

Full Face Make-up is BACK!!!

Everywhere you look actresses and socialites are getting all dolled up with full faced make-up.  I am not sure if its the holiday party season or the start of awards season but red lips and bold eyes are back!  This really shouldnt be much of a surprise, the past few fashion seasons have been full of eighties inspired shapes and looks that the make-up of the decade was sure to follow.  InStyle has a great condensed rundown of products for skin tones and nails.  They have a great tip, stick with a bronzer or highlighter instead of blush because bold lips and eyes will be enough. Because this is a trend I would stick with budget minded brands.  Target is infamous for having the upscales brands with a smaller and better priced line; for example, Sonia Kashuk, Jemma Kidd, Napoleon Perdis, and Pixi.  Available at Target in store and on-line.

Cold Advice!!!

Ok, I live in florida, Northwest Florida(otherwise known as Alabama) most people think its like South Florida always cold. Wrong! We have a snow watch for the next two days. I need some tips for REALLY cold weather skin. Any suggestions?

beauty resolutions

New Year's Resolution's have never really worked out well for me, basically I am a quitter.  This year I am not going to call it a resolution, more of a goal.  First, I need to get back into giving myself a weekly facial.  My favorites are Clinique turnaround, Bliss triple action energy mask, and Lumene Vitamin C mask.  As long as I do the mask on a schedule I think I can keep it on track.  The next thing is along the same lines, hair masks.  In the remaining winter I need to stick to moisture masks such as Graham Webb and Pureology are great for colored hair.  The summer months call for more repairative, more humidity means more styling, so I like Garnier Nutriste and Redken for as well.  Wish me luck! What are your beauty resolutions?

Gear up for New Years Eve

I am not a fan of glitter in cosmetic products unless there is a bachlorette party, it's Halloween, or New Years Eve. I generally stick with drugstore brands. I hate to admit it but I have really liked the stuff I have used from Mary Kate & Ashley Olson. This year I think that I will try some sparkle from E.L.F., they have been written up everywhere lately. Any other suggestions?

The Classics are back!!!

I have to say, as a child of the eighties with a mother that adores red lipstick, the classics are back!!!! Every magazine I read has ads ever other pages with deep pigment lipstick, Pantene hair products, and Oil of Olay. I love it. My favorite is the Maybelline lipstick ads with all the shades and the dramatically beautiful models. Ahhhh...thanks Santa, this has been a great gift.

Taylor Swift

I am in love with Taylor Swift in People this month!! She looks great, is not full of tabloid mess, and writes her own songs. Beauty and brains, we should all be so lucky. Oh yeah, musical talent as well!!

Back to beauty talk, despite some people's opinions, blonds look fabulous in red! Honestly, because they look better with the low key lips, dressing is much less fuss! Stick with spare make-up fair skin ladies, NARS orgasm blush, sheer lip gloss (smahbox, NARS, Bobbi Brown, Almay, and Covergirl), great mascara (Lancome, Covergirl, and Maybelline) .

Don't be afraid to sport bold colors - just not everywhere!

Check out Sephora.com, Beauty.com, Nordstrom.com, ....

Happy Birthday NARS!!!

I am in love with NARS right now, OK always, but for their 15th birthday its stellar. Check out the anniversary palletes and city based collections. Shhhh...Sephora has some NARS on clearance. When I saw that it was like a saw a unicorn, unbelievable!!!
Check out Sephora.com, Nordstrom.com, and Barneys.com.

I just got an email from my aunt showing me a preview of my holiday gift. The Avon "blockbuster" set. I am a very excited girl!!! The bath and body products could be a gamble, but they will be great for the "hunting cabin" we frequent. The pink lipgloss, skincare and mascara look very exciting. I can not wait for Santa (dressed as the UPS/FedEx/Mailman) to get here!!

hautelook.com great sale on Lollia!!!

check out hautelook.com, RIGHT NOW!!! They have a great sale on on Lollia products. I have only been lucky enough to enjoy the decadence of Lollia through a hostess gift I received for a bridal shower but it is f'n divine! they have great mini's and soaps on sale that would make dynamite stocking stuffers! Go now!!!! Have fun!
hautelook.com

Oprah's New Year Beauty Recommendations

I have to admit, I do not always subscribe to the O! Magazine beauty recommendations, most are really pricey and not that accessible. I think Ms. O forgets who her audience is....

Never the less, the "Best Face (and Body!) Forward" has some selections that I can stand behind. Although I am a die hard Cetaphil fan, I have several friends who swear by the Aveeno cleanser's, Oprah's editors agree they are backing the Moisturizing Cream Cleanser in the line. As far as sunscreen goes LaRoche-Posay has been touted for a while now as a leader in the industry, Oprah agrees. Eucerin Calming Body Wash is also a great procuct for the Winter months, very moisturizing. As far as a blush, the editor's of O recommend the new Benefit "One Hot Minute", I can't wait to try it!!! I have seen it in several magazines and websites, not to mention the history that Benefit has with making your skin look amazing! Ring in the New Year with some new beauty goodies. Find these products at Walgreens.com, Target.com, and other mass retailers. Benefit products can be found at benefitcosmetics.com, Sephora.com, and amazon.com.

neiman marcus gifts with purchase

Even with the holidays so close Neiman's still has some great gifts with purchase available. Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Lancome, Kiehl's, Clinique, etc. give you the chance to give something special to someone else, or treat yourself after shopping for the one's you love. Neiman's isnt the only game in town, or online, browse around and get the most bang for your buck. While you are cruising around the web be sure to check out my facebook page, Pretty Faces. Give many any tips or feedback!

Secret Santa, Beauty Style

Sometimes the office party, ok, usually the office gift pool is crappy. Let's say that the spending limit is $20. My best bet is usually on a gift card. The "beauty" of a gift card is that you can turn around and spend it on someone else, oorrr, tuck it away for a treat for yourself. You know, after the holidays, budget gets a bit tight, and the after holiday blues have set in; until, yeah!!!! treat yourself to a little something with your card that you scored during dirty santa. Chances are, gift sets and holiday items will be on sale, treat yourself away! The "beauty" of the situation, guilt-free!!!

holiday at its best

I realize that we don't have all day to surf the web for deals n steals. This is a great site to join up with, hautelook.com. It is a member only site, aka, you get there emails. They have Stila on amazing discounts right now, really. Stila products at drugstore prices, go, go, go!!!

*****Christmas glow*****

I feel like the holiday season is an oxymoron for the world of bearing skin. During the spring and summer it is expected that we all look glowing, healthy, and well tan (real or fake). We show skin that time of year, who wants to wear tanks, sundresses, and shorts glowing like casper? Not me. Here is the dilemna: inevitably we all find that fabulous holiday outfit that shows arms and/or shoulders, What to do? Self tanners are going to make your face look like the white star on top of the tree and too much of any color makes you look REALLY fake. One of my favorite solutions is the Jergens natural glow lotions. They are great because you control the color and adjust your face make-up accordingly. If you have several parties in a row indulge in a spray tan so that you do not have stress about one more thing during the holidays. Party on!
You can find Jergens lotions at drugstores and grocery stores everywhere!

Holiday PERK-UP

With the holiday season upon us schedules are more hectic. Between families, parties, and budget concerns perhaps your sleep hours are down. I have noticed several new products on the market with caffeine. Origins has a skin energizing line that is of course, all natural, my sensitive skin tends to react badly with some of origins products; however, I LOVE their microdermabrasion system! Has anyone tried this new line? The next line I am dying to try is from Garnier, it is an energizing system that includes an eye rollerball as in previous lines. I have never tried the rollerball myself but have only heard rave reviews. Give me some feedback on any of these products. My undereye circles will thank you!

Find these products at drugstore.com, beauty.com, and dillards.com

Shop, Shop, Shop!!!

Cyber Monday rules! I will not waste too much time for all of your bargain hunting. Tarte.com has 40% plus a great GWP. Beauty.com is full of specials and they still have a great GWP, keep it for yourself! Please send me your suggestions for more shopping deals!!!

Spending = stopping the recession!!!