GirlPaint: Experiences of a Cosmetics Aficionada

I was in a movie!

2010-11-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

It's less than a minute and a half, so it won't take long to watch the whole thing. Let me know if you like it.

Blog Move

2009-02-16T00:40:00.004-07:00

GirlPaint is proud to announced it has officially moved to a new format on a new server. Please come visit at http://girlpaint.com/blog. See you there!

My Review of e.l.f. Studio Complexion Brush

2009-01-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

EyesLipsFace.com

This new anti bacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. studio brush!
-Creates an even and natural finish
-Expertly sweeps all types of powd...

Complexion Brush

Best powder and blush brush, for only $3

GirlPaint Santa Fe 4/19/2009

Pros: Easy To Use, Great Design, Soft bristles, Good quality, Functional

Cons: Bulky

Best Uses: Everyday, Going Out

Describe Yourself: Classic Style

Well balanced brush with very soft bristles and good quality construction. I can't believe it was only $3! A definitely recommend.

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Review of e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner

2009-01-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

EyesLipsFace.com

No more tugging or pulling on your eyelids with this easy glide liquid eyeliner. The smudge-proof liner is rich in color, creating a long lasting defined look. The fine tip brush creates easy and precise definition for natural or dramatic effects.

Don't waste your $1

GirlPaint Santa Fe 4/19/2009

Pros: Long-Lasting

Cons: Smudges or Runs, Smells toxic, Difficult To Apply, Stiff "magic marker" tip

Describe Yourself: Classic Style

Difficult--if not impossible--to get a nice, clean line. Smells terrible, like chemicals/plastics. Smudges easily during application process. After three different attempts, I threw it away.

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The Two Magic Ingredients for Lighter, Brighter Face

2008-10-14T19:00:00.002-06:00

The latest studies show...

How many times have we heard that? Countless, I imagine. But guess what? Those "latest studies" are actually pointing to some real, actual results (this time).

So, I assume since you're here you wanna hear 'bout the good-results studies about the two magic ingredients. Okay, okay...

Per the American Academy of Dermatology, real, actual results from honest-to-goodness studies -- Harvard, even -- point to the effectiveness of glucosamine combined with niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation of the skin, especially in those with UV damage.

What's this mean? In laymen's (or laywomen's) terms, use a combo of glucosamine and niacinamide in the right amounts and, in time, you should see lighter, brighter skin.

Hey! That's great!

But wait. Where do you find these magic ingredients? What is the "right amount?" How long will it take before you get the glow?

Hold still, I'm not finished.

1. You can get glucosamine (in the effective form of N-acetyl-glucosamine, best known for helping treat arthitis prior the skin studies) and niacinamide (a vitamin B derivative) at most any bulk skincare actives retailer: Skin Actives Scientific, Bulk Actives, Garden of Wisdom or LotionCrafter. Just mix them into your favorite (non-active) facial moisturizer for a custom blend.

If you'd rather not DIY your skincare, you can also find them together (ah, how sweet) in Olay's Definity line.

2. The amount of each active, at least the amounts noted in the "studies," suggest that 2% glucosamine and 4% niacinamide should do the trick.

3. How long must you wait to experience the magic? Try four to eight weeks.

Not bad, eh?

Well, the news gets even better. How, you ask? Because glucosamine and niacinamide are both shown to be effective for all skin types (hear that, Sensitive Sally?), plus they're inexpensive. Expect to spend about $6 (or less) for each active if you buy in bulk -- doing so, you should have enough to last several weeks or more. And Olay is asking about $25 for their Definity complex.

Light on your pocket book, bright on your face.

Sometimes those studies ARE right ... and bright.

30 Days to Healthier, Younger-looking Skin

2008-05-26T16:24:00.013-06:00

On Memorial Day, it's appropriate to remember your skin, no?

Last post, I gave you a recipe for a youth-inducing serum.

This time, we're going to add some active ingredients to the Fountain of Youth Serum to bump up it's healthful qualities and increase your skin's ability to maintain its youthfulness...and maybe even take a few years off.

First, use the recommended quantities. Period. Click on the links to purchase the individual ingredients.

To 1-2 tablespoons of plain vegetable glycerin, add

pinch Ellagic Acid - antioxidant, cancer preventive, anti-inflammatory, helps improve discoloration
pinch Ferulic Acid - cancer preventive, protects the skin against UVB-induced erythema, skin lightener, increases stability of vitamins C (MAP) and E
1/8 teaspoon of Coenzyme Q10 - topical application restores mitochondrial activity, increasing energy production plus minimizing energy needed to make new collagen; antiaging, antioxidant, stimulating active, it will push your skin into "high gear"

Mix thoroughly until all actives are dissolved. If you have difficulty dissolving, microwave for 10-15 seconds and mix, mix, mix. Set aside.

Next, to the Fountain of Youth serum, add:

1/8 teaspoon Alpha Lipoic Acid** - (aka ALA) essential for youthful cell function; our bodies' own production dimishes as we age
pinch Beta Glucan - anti-aging, cancer-preventive
pinch Carnosine - accelerates and improves healing. Prevents wrinkles and loss of elasticity brought about by aging and exposure to sunlight, .also an antioxidant and seems to improve immune response
1/8 teaspoon DMAE** - antioxidant, increases firmness and overall appearance of aging skin
pinch Green Tea ECGC - antioxidant, repair of damage done by UVA radiation, cancer preventive
1/4 teaspoon Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate - (aka MAP) the "real" ester-C, a stable and soluble form of ascorbic acid, stimulates collagen synthesis, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, anti-acne, skin brightening, decrease appearance of sun spots
1/8 teaspoon Niacin - relieves itching, controls sebum products, skin lightening effects

Last, add the glycerin-active mix to the serum. Mix thoroughly. Put the mix into a glass dropper-top bottle or other non-reactive liquid dispensing container.

Some of the actives may never dissolve completely, but they will release their active ingredients continuously. If the undissolved 'grit' bothers you, strain your serum using CLEAN muslin, cheese cloth, nylon or any fine-sieve strainer.

DIRECTIONS: Use this super-active serum once or twice a day, after cleansing your skin, before you apply your moisturizer and sunscreen, and after 30 days, you will see smoother, brighter, clearer, younger-looking skin.

If you experience ANY irritation...

either your skin doesn't like one (or more) of the ingredients--in which case you should stop using it altogether and toss it
OR your mix is too concentrated--dilute it with some distilled water until your skin can tolerate it
OR your skin is simply adjusting to one or more of the ingredients--use your serum only once a day when you are not using any other products and if the irritation doesn't subside after 3-4 days, stop using it and toss it

COSTS: The active ingredients is this serum are exactly the same as those found in the most exclusive, expensive skincare products on the market today. What you'll spend: $87.00, plus shipping. If you don't have glycerin, you can find it at most pharmacies or grocery stores, about $6 for 4 oz.

BONUS: You'll have LOTS of the active ingredients leftover, which you can add to most any moisturizer (NOT sunscreen, NOT already-active cream...plain Eucerin, Olay, et al are okay) to make your own super-active skincare cream--way better than the high-dollar stuff at the department stores. Whether you use your mix on your face or body--or both--is completely up to you. But keep in mind with all these actives: A LITTLE BIT GOES A LONG WAY.

**Many people experience mild stinging with Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE, especially when they first start using them. However, if the stinging is intense or if you experience ANY redness and irritation, OR if the stinging occurs for more than a few days, STOP USING THIS SERUM.

NOTE: If you have rosacea or sensitive skin, or if you want to avoid the irritation issue, DO NOT USE Alpha Lipoic Acid or DMAE.

AS ALWAYS: When mixing, take extra precautions to wash your hands and be sure to use sterilized mixing, measuring, straining implements and containers.

Fountain of Youth for less than $35

2008-04-05T19:15:00.008-06:00

DIY (do-it-yourself) Skincare can be fun, easy and best of all, work wonders on your skin...plus, it costs WAY less than those ultra-expensive beauty products, most of which are a bit of a rip-off (and some of which are a complete scam).

The following Fountain-of-Youth serum is one that can be used by itself but it can also act as a base for other active skincare ingredients. Click on the links to purchase the individual ingredients. Distilled water (a must...no tap water, please) can be bought at your grocery store:

1 1/2 tablespoons of distilled water
1/2 tablespoon seakelp bioferment
1/4 teaspoon hyaluronic acid
1/8 teaspoon Germaben II preservative

Optional ingredients include aloe vera juice (substitute 1/2 tablespoon of water) and plain vegetable glycerin (add up to 1 teaspoon).

Seakelp bioferment is a kelp extract containing vital nutrients that feeds your skin. It's the "magic" Miracle Broth™ ingredient in Creme de la Mer.

Hyaluronic acid (also called hyaluronate or hyaluronan), produced naturally by the human body, is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate. It's been nicknamed the "key to the fountain of youth" because it has been noted that some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages and also because it provides volume and fullness to the skin.

To mix: stir together the water and hyaluronic acid first and let it set for a few hours to overnight. This mixture will thicken (you can add more or less hyaluronic acid depending on the consistency you prefer), then add the remaining ingredients, adding the preservative last. If you use another preservative, be sure to use one that is water-based or will work in a hydrophilic solution -- and that you use the proper amount.

Directions: Apply to your face and neck after cleansing your skin, 1-2 times per day. Moisturize and apply sunscreen over the top of the serum.

Costs: $32 (plus shipping for the actives and Germaben II) depending on what distilled water costs at your grocery store.

Bonus: LOTS of leftover Seakelp Bioferment, distilled water and Hyaluronic Acid that can all be used in other youth-inducing skincare mixes you make yourself.

Please note: When mixing ANY products you put on your face or body, take extra care to wash your hands and use sterilized implements and containers (mixing sticks, bottles, droppers, etc.).

Next time, I'll recommend different active ingredients to add to the base serum. Each active or group of actives will address different issues, i.e., free-radical protection, collagen building, firmness, and so on.

DIY...Is it all it's cracked up to be?

2008-04-01T22:24:00.010-06:00

In the world of do-it-yourself, there's home repair, tech gadgetry (see make.com for some pretty cool projects) and then there's your skin.

I started dabbling in DIY skincare a few years ago. My introduction started innocently enough with homemade lipbalm...some recipes incredibly successful--a chocolate-mint balm that used real chocolate chips...yum--and a few not-so--picture a sluggish mess of shea and cocoa butters sitting on a layer of glyercin goo...ewwww.

After a short while, I graduated to essential oils and aromatherapy home-study (ahhhh, lavender oil, the cure-all). The result of a solid year or so of investigation? Not much, I'm afraid, but I do still use a homemade concoction including sweet orange oil to clean my bathroom and freshen my linens. Plus, I know exactly which little smelly bottle to reach for when the signs of a cold sore pop up.

About a year and half ago, I found a little website called Skin Actives Scientific. And my DIY hobby became an obsession.

Skin Actives--and other suppliers like it--offer individual active skin care ingredients. The same ones found in the best, most expensive and most effective skincare products available on the market today--along with a nice selection of ready-made products--at a fraction of the price. So you can literally make your own version of Creme de la Mer...or just about any other high-end skin care product you can think up...as long as you have the INCI ingredient list.

My own first DIY products--mostly face treatments--were hit and miss. And many of them--the misses, anyway--looked a like anything from a vegan's kitchen project gone bad to, well, baby poop.

Since then--after a few skincare experiments gone awry--I've learned *some* restraint, had a lot of fun...and gotten much improved skin, too boot. I'm 37 1/2 years old, and my age is often guessed at least 10 years younger (even with my grey hairs showing!).

Over the next few months, I plan to post some of my successful recipes, along with some tips about what to do and not do when mixing your own skincare concoctions. I hope you enjoy the process as much as I have and that you save a few bucks. Who knows? We might just start a little DIY skincare revolution right here. Well, I can dream, can't I?

Moisture Maximizers

2008-01-21T22:06:00.001-07:00

Follow these 5 tips to ditch winter itchy skin

You could wear nothing but cashmere from head to toe. But there's a less expensive way to address autumn's dry-skin miseries: Maximize the moisture level in your skin. Here are five good ways to maximize your dry skin in cold weather.

Lather, rinse--and do not repeat. Hot water removes natural oils from your skin that help keep it hydrated. So those long, hot baths rob your skin of moisture, making it dry and itchy. The cure? Shower in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes.

Slather while damp. Moisturizers work by trapping water in your skin's outer layers, so use creams and lotions immediately after exiting the shower. Give yourself a quick towel-dry so you're not dripping wet and then coat yourself with moisturizer. Need industrial-strength help? Go for ointments or creams rather than lotions, which include more water than oil. (You might even dab on some baby oil or petroleum jelly.)

Spring for a humidifier. In the summertime, your skin can replenish itself by soaking up the moisture in the air. But when the mercury falls, so does the natural humidity. Add the drying effects of indoor heating, and you have trouble. Solution: When you jack up the thermostat, turn on a humidifier, as well.

Drink water. Hydrate your skin from the inside by downing at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day.

Switch soaps. If, despite your best efforts, you're still plagued by the winter pricklies, switch to a milder soap (look for "moisturizing" on the label). Your choice should also be fragrance-free--it'll be less irritating.

Was It Something You Ate?

Certain foods can cause flare-ups of contact dermatitis, the catchall term for skin irritation and itching, reports a recent University of Louisville study. Anything related to balsam, including tomatoes, colas, chocolate, and spices such as vanilla, can cause problems. And products containing citrus may also be troublemakers. Try eliminating these foods from your diet for a month. If your condition improves, you'll know that you're sensitive to balsam and that you need to avoid them. (Yes, that means chocolate and vanilla. Strawberry, anyone?) If you find that you're missing your favorite goodies, add them back one at a time and see how your body reacts.

Photo Courtesy of World of Stock | Post by special guest Megan Othersen Gorman

Take 10 Years Off Your Age Right Now, Pt. 1

2008-01-20T00:30:00.000-07:00

Properly applied make up can make you look fabulous. But unless it's done the right way and using the right amount, make up can actually add years to your face.

As a 37 year old former makeup artist, I've learned a few simple tips to follow that will help you look younger starting today:

FACE

Moisturize your skin--face and neck--with a light moisturizer before you apply your makeup...and allow it to sink in, about 5-10 minutes
Apply makeup primer BEFORE any makeup. The least expensive and one of the most effective I've found (it rivals Smashbox): Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel. It contains the EXACT same ingredients as most of the best makeup primers. Plus, you can pick up a tube at most drugstores for $5
Apply your concealer BEFORE foundation. Using your finger or a concealer brush, pat a little concealer under your eyes, around your nose and on any blemishes or discoloration. Concealer before foundation prevents you applying too much foundation.
Apply less foundation. And switch to mineral foundation. The better brands and newest formulations (Jane Iredale, Everyday Minerals are some of my favorites) give excellent NATURAL coverage with a light application
Apply blush to the apple (round part that pops out when you smile) of your cheeks. For a youthful glow, use a cheek stain or cream blush in a pink, rosy or peach-y color
Blend your makeup well and use a light touch

Take 10 Years Off Your Age Right Now, Pt. 2

2008-01-20T00:15:00.000-07:00

A few more simple tips to follow that will help you look younger starting today:

EYES

Groom your eyebrows. Pluck only stray hairs (those are the ones that fall outside your natural eyebrow)
Apply eyeliner to the top lash line only. And unless you have medium-or-dark toned skin, DO NOT use black eyeliner. Brown, grey, plum and green are better for fair-to-light toned skin
Apply two coats of mascara maximum. One coat for daytime wear is best
Curl your lashes. If you don't like the traditional lash curlers, use an electric version. Sephora's is terrific and a great deal at $16
Avoid shimmery eyeshadow
EXCEPTION to above tip: Use a shade-lighter-than-your-skin-tone colored shimmery eyeshadow applied with a light touch to your brow bone (the area just below the outter two-thirds of the eyebrow), AND apply a dab of shimmery ivory shadow to the inner corner of your eyes. These tips really open up the eye area--young!
Also, avoid 'cool' eyeshadow colors like grey, blue, true green. Opt for colors like pink, peach, gold, warm greens (olive, moss, sage), plum, ivory, brown, taupe

Take 10 Years Off Your Age Right Now, Pt. 3

2008-01-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

And a few more simple tips that will help you look younger starting today:

LIPS

Use lipgloss or sheer lipstick--NOT lipstick. Use a shade just deeper than your natural lip color. Avoid 'cool' colors and dark colors. Instead, choose a sheer pink, peach, rose, mauve or berry
Apply lipbalm or clear gloss when not wearing colored gloss. This will keep your lips moist and young-looking all the time

More Anti-Aging Tips:

Take care of your skin by cleansing, moisturizing and nourishing it every day using good skin care--P.S. good does not necessarily mean expensive
Wear SPF 15 (or higher) sunscreen every day
Drink a gallon of water every day
Go for a walk at lunch, shoot for 3 times a week. It's a great excuse to catch up on your window shopping; just don't take your wallet--debt makes you look and feel old
Smile, or better yet, laugh--a lot
Eat plenty of protein, complex carbs, fruits and vegetables
Manage your stress levels. Take up knitting, painting, piano, yoga or meditation. Find something you like to do and 'just do it'
Get plenty of sleep--sleep is a proven fountain of youth

DIY Skin Care: Save Money and Actually Improve Your Skin

2007-12-01T19:42:00.001-07:00

For years, we've been DIY'ing...our bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Italian plaster and wood flooring from Home Depot, designer fixtures from Tuesday Morning, luxury cabinets from Lowe's, Talavera tile from a local importer (may be specific to Santa Fe--but I doubt it). We're willing to spend more time to save money.

I ask you: why don't we practice this same frugal practicality when it comes to our skin care? We've just handed over our precious beauty to so-called experts. Seriously, do we really trust those famous, celebrity-endorsed "dermatologists" to formulate our most beloved skin care products? Apparently, we do--or least we have for the last decade or so. Not only do we trust them to treat our skin--gasp, our dear faces--but we pay them plenty to do it. I mean, what is up with $500 serum and $1000 skin cream? And the best part? It seem there's always one more to buy: the next generation, the newest active ingredient...it's like we're addicts, and we are hooked, Folks.

What's more, those crazy expensive face concoctions don't do anything terribly special for your skin...and they sure as hell don't contain any magic ingredients.

Really. Is this the best we can do? I don't think so. Did you know that you can purchase the same stuff the experts do...and mix it up yourself? Usually for less than $50?

The trick with DIY skin care: 1. start slowly using small amounts of the 'active' ingredients, 2. don't fall into the trap of thinking "a little is good, so a whole lot more is better." (you wouldn't add more latex to your wall paint, would you? okay, maybe not the best example, but you get the point) 3. follow the instructions. Period.

There are plenty of sites that offer simple bases and actives that you can mix into them. But the best DIY skin care sellers offer good instructions and lots of resources--and many of them have terrific forums or message boards where 'recipes' are posted and clients share what works (for their skin type or condition) and what doesn't.

From lovely base creams and gels to nutrient-rich, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, acne-fighting active ingredients--the exact same ones found in minute quantities in those $1000 creams--DIY skin care providers offer it all.

I've been mixing my own skin care for a little over one year. When I started, I made the mistake that all newbie DIY'ers make (I'm a little hard-headed--and, oh yes, I know EVERYTHING. Don't you?), and mixed EVERY active I could--mass quantities, no less--into one 'fix-all' recipe. I got away with this...for a little while. Then, I ended up with a nasty case of contact dermatitis. Ooops. Well, I learned my lesson (and fixed my problem with many of the same ingredients I'd overdosed on).

Henceforth, I mix my 'magic' concoctions with restrained diligence. My wallet (and my hubbie) are thankful for DIY skin care. And my skin has never looked better nor younger. Plus, I can adjust the mix to suit whatever my skin needs (this comes as you become more advanced as a DIY'er--please do not attempt to self-diagnose your skin problems).

Here are a few of my favorite DIY skin care proffers...

Skin Actives Scientific (www.skinactives.com) - Affordable selection of the best ingredients, knowledgeable team, top-notch service, quick and cheap shipping
Somerset Cosmetics (www.makingcosmetics.com) - easy-to-navigate, great recipes, skin care and makeup. The Resources section is a must read for any DIY'er.
Platinum Skincare (www.platinumskincare.com) - Exceptional glycolics, sun screens and skin-healing concoctions. Plus, they offer children-specific skin care products. Platinum is a little less about 'do it yourself' and more focused on treating skin conditions.
The Personal Formulator (thepersonalformulator.com) - Nice selection, complete downloadable catalog, backed by a reputable cosmetics lab.

Tips for skin care DIY'ers:

Don't be afraid to experiment
Take great care in writing your mixtures and recipes
Read all instructions (yes, I'm repeating this for those readers who, like me, may feel they know what's best--trust me, you don't when it comes to mixing stuff with active ingredients--at least not for awhile)
And for goodness sakes, have fun!

P.S. These little homemade gems make really great gifts...and you can completely customize them for the recipient. Think about it: Mom gets the special 'anti-aging' cream, Sis gets the anti-oxidant serum, and Dad gets the 'all-in-one' cleanser/toner/moisturizer/protectant

P.P.S. Look for Elle magazine's upcoming feature on DIY skin care.

GirlPaint's YouTube Connection

2007-11-25T22:18:00.000-07:00

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Searching for an all-new look? Or maybe just the newest trend in holiday make-up? Look no further than GirlPaint's YouTube Connection: makeup and skin care tips and tricks from the pro's who know.

Determine Your Ideal Eyebrow Shape

2007-11-24T15:55:00.001-07:00

Eyebrows are ESSENTIAL to a framing a beautiful face. No matter how great your skin and makeup, if your brows are a wreck, you will not look your best. Bobbe Joy, Brow Artist to the stars (ehem, like Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johannsen--beautiful brows on those ladies!) shows you how to achieve the perfect brow shape for your face.

Must Have X-mas Gift: Pooping Reindeer Candy Dispensers

2007-11-22T17:33:00.001-07:00

What do Reindeers do in the off-season? Doo-doo, apparently. But of course they poop candy! Deer god (ha ha ha)...another gift for someone who has everything EXCEPT a reindeer that s**** candy.

P.S. It's never too soon (or too late) to start your holiday shopping list.

P.P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mermaid Eyes for Halloween

2007-10-31T20:16:00.001-06:00

Try this look for a unique Halloween look! It's simply gorgeous.

MAC Holiday 2007 Royal Assets

2007-10-31T19:32:00.001-06:00

You will be DIGGING the all the glamorous golds in the new MAC Holiday collection. They make green-eyed and hazel-eyed lovelies even more so.

Best of...Sephora Offers

2007-09-09T21:07:00.000-06:00

Mouthing off about Light Beam

2007-07-28T23:26:00.001-06:00

I have to mention my experience with a new lip gloss. I'm a lip gloss fanatic (I won't say 'junkie' just because I don't endlessly apply, I'm just obsessed with the stuff, k?).

I got a tube (or cube is more accurate) of Rimmel's Light Beam gloss, and I LOVE it! The packaging is absolutely worth mentioning because a) it's a short, rectangular cube-y thing, b) it has a built-in mirror (yes!!) and, c) it has a light. What do mean it has a light? Well, it literally has a light inside the cap. A little button on the top of the cap is expertly concealed, but curiously placed so that you DO notice it.

When I got mine, I did the monkey-thing where I spotted the button and of course pushed it...and voila! The beautiful beam of light revealed itself. So great for applying lovely gloss in darkened rooms, like elegant restaurants (when you need a bit of help deciphering the menu), the Opera, or your favorite nightclub when you desperately need lovely lips and you don't want to excuse yourself to pop into the Ladies Room.

Not only is the light in Light Beam fun and fantastic, but the gloss itself is quite nice. It's very light (no pun, really) and subtle. The gloss appears to have a color (or more of a tint) to it, but it translates to a soft sheen with little-to-no color transfer when applied.

The flavor is simply devine. Sweet (but not yucky) and citrus-y. Like you just finished eating a juicy orange and the flavor lingers on your lips. Mmmmmmm.

Bonus alert: Rimmel Light Beam makes a fab lipstick or thick lipgloss base coat by priming your lips with a touch of shimmer, a boost of moisture and a lick of flavor. The best! $10.99 at Ulta.com

Do-It-Yourself Anti-Aging Skin Care

2007-07-21T12:19:00.001-06:00

Smart Skin Care

In the world of skin care, prices over $100 for a little jar of cream are not uncommon, particularly if a product claims to reduce the signs of aging. If a person buys a few such products each month, the annual cost may be equivalent to a trip to Hawaii.

As it turns out, you can often get the same (or even greater) benefits at a fraction of the cost if you make your skin care items yourself. It may sound like a difficult and time consuming task but it is actually quite simple if you know the right ingredients and how to combine them. And it takes very little time, usually just a few minutes. Furthermore, the ingredients you need can usually be easily purchased at your local health food store. You are wondering why hasn't anyone told you about it? Well, perhaps high-end skin care manufacturers have been dying to tell you how to replace their expensive products with affordable do-it-yourself alternatives... but somehow couldn't get a hold of you.

Here are some of the advantages of making your anti-aging skin care items yourself:

Save money. You may be able to spend up to ten times less on skincare.

Desired strength. Many skincare products have no ingredients that help retard skin aging. Those which do, often have too low a concentration of active ingredients to make any real difference. Conversely, when preparing a cream yourself, you can put in as much of active ingredient(s) as you need.

Always fresh. Chemicals, whether natural or synthetic, decay over time because they react with water, air or each other. When active ingredients decay, a product loses its benefits and may even become harmful. Skin care products that you buy in a store were prepared months if not years in advance and some of their active ingredient may have already partly decayed. (Not all products even state the expiration date). Furthermore, when you open a product, the decay will accelerate because of the exposure to air. On the other hand, when you prepare your skin care items yourself, you get a fresh batch every time. Also, you can make small batches so that the product is used up relatively quickly (in a few weeks not months) and doesn't have the time to decay.

Easy to make. When making a cream of your own, you can often avoid a tedious stage of mixing inactive ingredients by buying an appropriate base cream (i.e. a very inexpensive cream that already has inactive ingredients mixed together). Then you only need to add active ingredients. The whole process becomes quick and simple. (And some believe it's fun too!)

For complete practical instructions on making your own anti-aging skin care see DIY Anti-Aging Skin Care Infopack.

Article courtesy of SmartSkinCare.com

Skin Food from Skin Actives Scientific

2007-06-13T19:49:00.001-06:00

Recently I went through a bout of dermatitis. I am still unsure where it came from but I had been using quite a lot of acids (ascorbic, salcylic and DMAE among them). I'm of the school, "if a little is good, then more is better." Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Although my skin was becoming very smooth (hey, look it's smoother...let's put some more acid on it!), I ended up 'burning' my face, neck and the palms of my hands...quite uncomfortable with lots of redness, itching and even some burning. Yikes! Plus, I looked like I'd had a peel, and I guess I had--a self-imposed one.

Skin Actives Scientific to the rescue...in the form of an amazingly active, incredibly gentle and wonderfully nutritive serum called Marine Nutrient Serum (MNS)! MNS contains a fully-active formula including sea kelp bioferment, sodium PCA, alpha bisabolol, coconut endosperm, natural active peptides, sodium hyaluronate and guaizulene. What are these actives, you ask?

Sea kelp bioferment: a sea macroalgae rich in caragenaan, algin, minerals and many active chemicals. Fermentation makes the cell contents of this algae readily available to your skin, moisturizing it and providing the nutrients required to synthesize new components. Incidentally, this is the key ingredient (the Miracle Broth™) in Crème de la Mer!

Bisabolol: this natural chemical is partly responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of chamomile essential oil. Useful in the treatment of acne, may also help with rosacea. Yes!

Sodium PCA: this derivative of glutamic acid (an amino acid) is very hygroscopic, i.e. absorbs large quantities of water. It is one of the natural components of "natural moisturizing factor".

Coconut endosperm: coconut endosperm (Cocos nucifera) is considered perfect "skin food".

Sodium hyaluronate (aka Hyaluronic Acid): Because of its water holding capacity this active will help keep your skin moist.

Natural active peptides: a mix of small size peptides derived from marine collagen. They will help with moisturizing but, mostly, they will supply your skin with amino acids that will be used in collagen synthesis. They are also likely to work as "matrikins" making your skin cells synthesize new collagen just as when the skin is damaged.

Guaiazulene: this molecule, also called azulene, is a natural colored substance present in some flowers. It is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory activity.

Combined in Marine Nutrient Serum, these ingredients create a power house of skin food, gentle and effective--and super healing and soothing. My skin is all better...perhaps even improved. Gotta love that. Thanks again, Skin Actives Scientific. $9.50 for 1 oz. or $32.30 for 4 oz.

Note: Skin Actives Scientific is currently updating their website, so some of their images are 'in hiding.' Hang in there because the new website is going to be really great, or so I've heard.

Get Creative...with Creative Nail Design

2007-06-11T21:24:00.000-06:00

Creative Nail Design, started by dentist-by-day, chemist-by-night Dr. Stuart Nordstrom (nice name!) in 1970's, is the home of renowned products like Solar Oil (remember Solar Oil? I do...and I still use it today!) and GelBond nail adhesive. Creative Nail Design was 'reborn' in 1997 and they are still going strong (pun definitely intended) today.

If you've never tried one of the amazing Creative Nail Design Enamels, you are in for a treat. Unlike many nail polishes, CND formulates their enamels with NO formaldehyde and NO DBP. So, they're good for your nails. Plus, the addition of a UV absorber prevents the no less than 109 richly pigmented shades from discoloring or fading.

These lush enamels, $6 each, glide on like butter, with no lines, gloppiness...they're practically goof-proof because the formula is sooooo smooth. And they dry quickly, to a hard, yet flexible, finish. I've been wearing a shade called Negligee which is a barely pink, sheer, slightly opalescent shade that is perfect for daytime.

Creative Nail Design also offers some fab cuticle repair products. A.H.A. Cuticle Eraser is a hydrating treatment that helps rough, dry cuticles 'disappear' and keeps hangnails away. Rejuvenator, with copper, peptides, panthenol and aloe, is an incredibly rich copper complex cuticle therapy cream for those of us with especially damaged skin around the cuticle. Me, the cuticle-nibler, has found that the combination of these repair treatments topped with a layer of Solar Oil has transformed my sad, ragged cuticles into those of a 'lady of leisure.' Well, not only are my nails Creative, but so are my fantasies, right?

Comments for a Cure: Update

2007-06-10T21:12:00.001-06:00

Well, it's official. GirlPaint is excited to announce that we received 20 comments over the June 4-6 Comments for a Cure event.

As a result, $20.00 was donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation / Komen for the Cure.

Ongoing efforts of the Comments for a Cure event are the fabulous eBay auction kickoff. Visit this page for a listing of the items up for bid--I must say that our Beauty Blog Network team put together some fab collections, so get out there and continue the great work...and bid on one (or more) of the items. The goodies you're bidding on will not only benefit yourself, but the dollars you spend will help someone else, too. Good luck!

Look Good...Feel Better

2007-06-07T20:53:00.000-06:00

Ever heard of Look Good...Feel Better? No, it's not a vitamin cream, nor is it a nutrient-infused drink concoction. It is a a free, non-medical, brand-neutral, national public service program founded in 1989 and supported by corporate donors to help women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment.

FREE. HELP. For women (and men and teens) who have cancer, and are dealing with the effects of the disease...and the treatments...Look Good...Feel Better offers many services.

Group Programs
Each two-hour, hands-on workshop includes a 12-step skin care/make-up application lesson, demonstration of options for dealing with hair loss, and nail care techniques.

One-on-One’s
Trained cosmetologists provide personal advice in salons using patients’ own make-up, as well as a free make-over tips booklet.

Self-Help Kits
“Just for You” self-help kits in English or Spanish with 30-minute video and make-over tips booklet are offered free to patients who cannot locally access Look Good...Feel Better.

Hotline
Look Good...Feel Better's toll-free information and referral line — 1-800-395-LOOK — is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our trained specialists speak English and Spanish — and translators are available for many other languages.

And the major sponsors and donors list reads like a who's who of cosmetics giants and well-known cancer research and support foundations and charities. Quite impressive to say the least.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Look Good...Feel Better, visit their site and find out how to Look Good...Feel Better now.

Protect Your Skin, Be Good to Your Skin...Everyday

2007-06-06T22:34:00.000-06:00

Everyday...be good to your skin. Say hello to Everyday Minerals pure mineral makeup and say good-bye to inferior, damaging, expensive makeup.

What's different about Everyday Minerals? It contains only 4 inert ingredients: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, and Zinc Oxide. This is 100% all natural mineral makeup, free from oils, preservatives, fragrance, talc, and all other binders that cause skin irritation.

What else? Everyday Minerals is the only major mineral makeup company in the world offering superior salon-grade mineral makeup at a price every woman can afford. In fact, their goal is to eliminate the need for mass-market chemical and plastic based products entirely so that every woman can enjoy the benefits of premium all-natural makeup. Wow!

I've tried several Everyday Minerals products, including their foundations, concealers and blushes. And I must say that the quality rivals i.d. minerals and Jane Iredale. And you still get the same wonderful, natural protective qualities (all-day-long SPF 15) that you get from the others...with fewer ingredients and for less money. For example, the large 8 gm. size of foundation is $12

Bonus: you can choose from Matte, Semi-Matte, Original Glo (a dewy, slight shimmer), and Intensive, featuring more coverage in an almost-matte formula.

Everyday Minerals gets major bonus points for their FREE Sample Makeup Kit and for their 100% Guarantee.

Free Cancer Screening on June 25 in NYC

2007-06-05T20:53:00.000-06:00

WHO: face to face nyc day spa & a board certified dermatologist from St Vincent's Hospital

WHAT: FREE 10-Minute Skin Cancer Screening

WHEN: Monday June 25th, from 5-8pm (By Appointment Only, Call 212-633-0404)

WHERE: 20 West 20th St, Ste 603

WHY: According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. With summer here, there is no better time to ensure that you are melanoma free. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

7 Steps to Cancer Prevention

2007-06-04T14:58:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (www.PreventCancer.org)

You can protect yourself against many diseases, including cancer, by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Take action to reduce your cancer risk with these seven simple steps.

1. Don’t use tobacco.

Tobacco use is deadly and causes cancers of the lung, throat, mouth and esophagus, in addition to causing heart disease, emphysema and many other smoking related health problems. More than 80 percent of all lung cancer is related to smoking, and non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk for lung cancer and other respiratory problems.

Don't smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes or use smokeless tobacco. If you do use tobacco, quit now! Keep children away from smokers. Help to create smoke-free public environments in your community.

2. Eat a variety of healthy foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.

There is an increasing amount of evidence linking diet to cancer. Some research suggests that one-third of all cancers diagnosed every year may be related to what we eat. Reduce dietary fat intake, especially animal fat. Make your diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains.

3. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

Add exercise to your routine to reduce stress, control your weight and reduce your risk for cancer. Even moderate exercise at least three days week can make a big difference in your health and well being.

4. Protect your skin from the sun.

Always wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or more, even on hazy days, no matter your skin color. Overexposure to the sun is the cause of most skin cancers, including the most deadly type, melanoma. Most damage occurs in childhood and adolescence when skin cells within all layers are still developing. Be certain to protect your children’s skin as well as your own.

5. Avoid risky behavior: Practice safer sex and limit alcohol consumption.

Cervical cancer is linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Women with HPV – a sexually transmitted virus – are at an increased risk of getting cervical cancer. Beginning at age 18 or when they become sexually active, women should begin regular pelvic exams and Pap tests to detect pre-cancerous or abnormal changes in the cervix. Always use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom. While condoms can't protect against HPV, they do protect against other sexually transmitted diseases.

Alcohol alone may play a role in 3 percent of cancer deaths. Alcohol and tobacco together can be a deadly combination. If you drink, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks a day.

6. Follow cancer-screening guidelines.

There are many tests that can help detect cancer early when it's easy to treat and that can detect abnormalities before they become cancer. Ask your health care professional which screening tests you should have and when. Find out if you are at higher risk for some cancers because of family history or your lifestyle. Talk with your health care professional about earlier or more frequent screening or if there are other steps you can take to protect yourself.

7. Get immunized.

Cancer prevention includes being immunized for certain types of cancer. Ask your doctor about such vaccines.

Comments for a Cure Official Kick-off

2007-06-04T14:41:00.000-06:00

Today, Monday June 4, 2007, is the official Kick-off date for Comments for a Cure, a Beauty Blog Network-wide cancer fund-and-awareness raising effort.

GirlPaint has pledged that for every comment posted beginning today and running through Wednesday, June 6th, $1 will be donated to Komen for the Cure in order to help in the effort to bring a stop to this killer disease that affects 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 women.

We beauty bloggers appreciate your support and hope that, even beyond June 6th, we're all a little more vigilant and a lot more educated about cancer, its effects and its victims...and hopefully, there are far fewer of them in the days to come.

Many types of cancer are partially preventable, so please visit www.PreventCancer.org to learn more...don't forget to share what you learn with your friends and family. If you'd like to learn more about the Susan G. Komen, the Foundation and Komen for a Cure, GirlPaint's selected cancer charity, visit www.Komen.org.

Long Lasting Soft Lips from TESS Sun-Kissed Lip Balm

2007-06-03T23:38:00.000-06:00

I recently tried another great lip product from TESS (Teen Everyday Skincare System). It's called Sun-Kissed Lip Balm, and all I can say is that this is hands down the best lip balm I've ever used. I love how their website humbly claims "Deeply moisturizes and protects the lips from overexposure to the sun." Well, I'm here to say that this claim is absolutely true. And I'll even add some acclaim to their claim.

I've been using Sun-Kissed for several days and my lips have never been softer....and I've never had a lip-balm last so long, and be so pleasant to apply and wear (endlessly). For example, today before I left the house to play tennis, I put on Sun-Kissed--by the way, yummy subtle minty-vanilla scent and pleasantly sweet flavor--and after an hour on the court, Sun-Kissed was still going strong. Seriously, there was still a nice layer of this perfectly textured balm on my lips. And the look is untraditional for a balm. Not waxy, not glossy...just right.

So, say goodbye to rough, chapped lips. And say goodbye to messy, waxy, goopy lip-balm. And say hello, soft, supple, kissable lips...for good. $16

Open Your Eyes to FACE Atelier

2007-06-01T22:18:00.000-06:00

Alert! New "favorite" alert, that is...

FACE Atelier eyeshadow. In a word, luxurious. In many words, perfectly balanced colors, rich textures, soft and smooth application, hours of wear, no creasing or caking...I could go on, but let's just move on to a few of my favorite shades. $15

Melon
Light pinky-peach with a tiny hint of shimmer. The perfect base color for fair-skinned folk like myself. Or wear Melon alone with cat-eye liquid eyeliner...tres chic.

Metallic Taupe

Simply gorgeous, perfectly shimmery medium-toned warm brown. I LOVE Metallic Taupe when sporting a smoky eye to die for. Much more luxurious than grey or black.

Blue Steel
The photo appears more grey than it actually is, Blue Steel is an absolutely gorgeous, oceanic, warm-ish shimmery blue. If mermaids wore eyeshadow, this is the color they'd wear every day. Period. Blue Steel makes a lovely contour shade, and also a fabulous layering color when eye-lining.

Ice Burg
Yum. Ice Burg is one of those eyeshadow colors that I cannot stop staring at. It is truly one of the most gorgeous, rich colors I've ever laid eyes on (hahahahahaha)...and when I lay it on my eyes, WOW. If you have any green or gold in your eyes, Ice Burg makes it POP! Again, a perfect shade for 'smoking' or for contouring.

Highly Recommended: FACE atelier's eye shadow Palettes, available in (4)-well and (12)-well designs

Tess Perfect Pout Strawberry Moisturizing Lip Gloss

2007-05-29T22:59:00.001-06:00

TESS (aka Teen Everyday Skincare System) Skin's Perfect Pout is one of those truly surprising products that made me re-think "Teen" skincare. I mean, I'm a thirty-something, but somedays my skin reacts more like I'm a thirteen-year old. So why in the world couldn't my skin, more specifiically in this case: my lips, benefit from a product designed for teenaged skin...well, it could and it does.

On to my experience with this more-than-fun lip treatment. First off, from the looks of Perfect Pout, you'd never think it was 'teen' product. The packaging looks more grown-up than some of the truly grown-up products I've purchased. Next, the product itself: way more grown-up than many of the "grown-up" products I've purchased. The gloss is not goopy, but it is substantial. Although it smells of strawberries, it's not plastic-y. In fact, the addition of Aloe Vera gel and Safflower oil really ground this lip gloss and bring it to the level of a lip treatment. But more than that, the gloss is really pretty. It looks clear, reddish-orange but it goes on perfectly clear...perhaps with just a hint of color, but certainly not noticeable, just healthy.

I've started using TESS Perfect Pout as the last step in my night-time skincare regimen, and my lips have never been softer or smoother. Plus, I use it as my lip-color base when I apply my daily makeup, and my lip color of choice always lasts longer and my lips look more youthful and dewy...throughout the day.

So, my darlings, here's one of those age-old (pun entirely intended) lessons that you cannot judge a book by it's cover, nor can you judge a lip gloss by it's name. What is supposedly intended for "teens" may surprise the most grown-up woman in all of us...and make us look (and feel) much younger than our birthdate mandates.

Three for May: Cheeks by FACE atelier, beautyADDICTS and Benefit

2007-05-25T22:40:00.000-06:00

Don't be a cheeky monkey. Just be cheeky. Fabulously cheeky, of course.

Part of GirlPaint's Three for May focus on FACE atelier, beautyADDICTS brings us to sunny, pretty, spring-summer cheeks.

FACE atelier proudly offers Ultra Blush. I have never been a big fan of powder blushes...they tend to look streaky or cakey on me, or they just wear off. Not so with Ultra Blush. Plain and simple, not shimmery or bright, Ultra Blush is available in five fairly neutral, wonderfully professional colors. Plus, it's easy to blend and looks silky smooth for hours. Me being as fair as I am, I love Pink Satin (the same shade used for Madonna's Confessions Tour) which is the perfect pink, not too light, not too deep. Also available are Peach Glaze, Rosewood, Tea and Mocha. And surprisingly, each color looks like it's supposed to...like you'd expect it to. The colors are not cryptic, strange or off. All are lovely...and all were featured, by the way, at New York's Fashion Week to much accord. $22

Equally lovely, but quite different, beautyADDICTS features a sunny cheek disc, aptly named HydraSUNRays. HydraSUNRays is available in one single, perfect color. This is one of those great colors that you simply build, depending on the amount of color you want. And build you can...with ease and confidence. No cakey build-up here. Just a sunny wash of glowy, warm color. beautyADDICTS' HydraSUNRays does not shimmer, but it IS formulated with pure pearl powder which claims to "stimulate cell renewal." Plus, it is packed with healthful anti-oxidants and green tea to soothe and calm. So, HydraSUNRays is not only healthy-looking, it actually is healthy. Good stuff, that! $32

Benefit cheeks? Oh, Benefit cheeks. I'm sure everyone is expecting me to wax poetic about Dallas or Hoola...or even Benetint. But no. Everyone knows what lovely cheeks you can achieve with these well-known products. I am talking about jiffy tan. What? Haven't you heard of Benefit's jiffy tan? Well, allow me to go on then. jiffy tan is actually a 'body' product, but I found that it gives you the most beautiful, warm and fabulously natural-looking sun-kissed cheeks! jiffy tan is a tinted, lightly shimmery self-tanner--so be sure to wash your fingertips after you apply. I recommend applying jiffy tan before you put on your makeup--just let it dry for 10-15 minutes. You'll get an immediate glow and touch of glimmer. And then a couple of hours later, you'll look like you spent the day at the beach...minus the damaging UV. And if you want more glowy goodness, just apply another layer. P.S. the shimmer washes right off when you wash your face. $24

Getting Ready: Comments 4 A Cure

2007-05-20T20:36:00.000-06:00

June 4-6th, 2007

On these dates, all participating network blogs will be writing a blog post for “Comments for a Cancer Cure”. The amount of comments posted during these days, will count towards the dollar amount that will be donated to the cancer charity of their choice.

GirlPaint is one of the many wonderful blogs participating in this incredible effort. Please join us in focusing on this effort to raise awareness (and money) for research...and ultimately to find a cure.

SkinCeuticals Launches SPF with a Cause

2007-05-20T18:13:00.000-06:00

SkinCeuticals, pioneers in anti-oxidant and suncare protection technologies, recently announced the launch of three limited edition high SPF sunscreens--AFFECT Daily SPF 20, AFFECT Physical SPF 30 and AFFECT Ultimate SPF 30--that not only protect your skin but also AFFECT the future of healthy skin by donating a portion of the sales to the Skin Cancer Foundation, in an effort to raise awareness and support cancer research.

Each limited AFFECT sunscreen edition offers a "cosmetically elegant," broad-spectrum formula containing transparent Zinc Oxide to provide ultimate protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Skinceutical's Daily edition is (duh) optimal for daily use and is fragrance, PABA and oil-free.

The Physical formula isn't for jocks, like I was thinking. No, it was in fact designed for sensitive, tramatized and post-treatment skin. In addition to 5% transparent Zinc Oxide, it contains 10% Titanium Dioxide. Physical is also great for daily use.

My favorite, however, is the Ultimate. Why, you ask? Well, I live in Santa Fe which is located 7,500 ft. above sea level. Altitudes like this put me at higher risk for sun damage (and, incidentally, are typically much dryer than lower altitudes). Ultimate is specially designed for high altitude locations with its 7% Zinc Oxide and more moisturizing (but not greasy) formula.

I have found the entire line to be very gentle, effective--they truly are 'cosmetically elegant'--and after a few weeks of use, my skin has improved. It looks remarkably smoother, with fewer freckles.

So, if you're in the market for a new sunscreen, give one of Skinceutical's AFFECT line a try. And remember, these are limited edition formula's and Skinceutical's has committed to donations to the Skin Cancer Foundation through this summer. Heck, why wouldn't you try one of them now?

Melanoma Facts:

The incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is rising faster than that of any other cancer
One person dies every hour from skin cancer, primarily melanoma
When detected in the early stages, survival rate is nearly 99%

Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good

2007-05-19T00:03:00.001-06:00

CARGO's new lipstick, PlantLove Botanical Lipstick, is lovely in so many ways.

First of all, the lipstick itself is this really amazing, high-quality lipstick with an emollient-rich, smooth lip balm built in. Rarely do you find a such a nice, treatment-based lipstick with pigment this dense, but the masters at CARGO managed to pull it off. The finish is low-luster, almost-matte but with amazing softness and conditioning. And guess what else? No mineral oil or petroleum-based goo. Just natural butters and plant-based oils to soothe, smooth and beautify your smile.

Next, the packaging--well, it's sorta corny. CARGO PlantLove touts a lipstick tube made completely out of corn (but don't eat it)! And the box is crafted of something called 'flower paper'--you can actually unfold the box, plant it, water it and wild flowers will grow...from the box. I can't get over how cool this is!

Last, the heart of it all. CARGO is donating $2 from the sale of every shade of PlantLove to St. Jude's Childrens Research Center. Wow. Not only is CARGO committing to taking care of our lips, they are also helping the environment...and sowing the seeds of love for our planet's children's future. Amazing. Who knew that one lipstick could do so much? CARGO, that's who!

Johnny B. Takes Shaving to the Next Level

2007-05-18T23:05:00.000-06:00

Although removing hair from your body (or your face, in the case of you guys...or girls who shave your faces. what? anyway.) is not a glamorous task--actually far from it. It's tedious, boring, mundane...but it must be done. Agreed?

Well, I'm happy to say that I recently found a fabulous shaving cream (well, not actually a shaving cream--read on) that makes this tedious task, well, kinda fun.

Johnny B. Shampoo Paste (GirlPaint, did you say 'shampoo'? Yes, yes I did.) IS it! This tub of cool, funky textured (i liken it digging into icy, fluffy, firm-ish cream) is heaven to shave with. And Johnny B. knows it. Heck, they even claim its double duty right there on the label.

The lather is not super-sudsy, but it conditioning properties and cooling sensation (thanks to a touch of menthol and cinnamon oils) make it the perfect shaving cream. Johnny B. Shampoo Paste takes shaving to the next level...leaving your skin smooth and silky with no knicks. And it smells great, too.

And because Johnny B. Shampoo Paste is, in fact, a shampoo (a conditioning shampoo!), it's not only great for saving space in your shower and great for traveling (it's not a liquid!), it's also great for the environment!

Three for May: Background on beautyADDICTS

2007-05-15T20:36:00.000-06:00

For me, I must admit I find very little romance behind the bigger, more well-known cosmetics brands...as nice as they are, they don't tickle my quest for 'the story.' As Oprah says, 'everyone has a story' and I absolutely relish hunting for products that are brought to us by little upstarts, entrepreneurs...dreamers. These are the ones that hold the most satisfaction for me to test, try and ultimately wear. I was a business owner myself for over 10 years, so it must be my desire to support the 'little guy' (or girl), to promote those that are trying their best to push their way into an ocean of well-backed, well-placed products, that really gets me going. Hence...beautyADDICTS.

Since I've been testing several of beautyADDICTS cosmetics, I've discovered quite a bit about the line itself. Adam, the Founder & CEO, has an engineering background with lots of high-tech qualifications. He combined his education and techie contacts with an innate love of color and design, and beautyADDICTS was born. Maria, beautyADDICTS' President, was a cosmetics heavy-hitter for many years who left the industry to 'save the world' in the world of non-profits. However, her love of cosmetics brought her back to the beauty biz (we cannot stay gone for long, can we? it must be love...or addiction?). She eventually found her way to this great company.

beautyADDICTS theory, concept and design is based on four color families: Glow, Express, Motivate and Seduce. Glow is flirtatious with lots of lavenders and pinks smartly balanced with smokey greys and nutty browns. Express (my personal favorite, perfect for day-wear) is sleek and minimalist with its neutral palette of ivory, golds and natural peachy-pinks. Motivate is edgy and sophisticated with its high-contrast plums, mauves and greys. And Seduce is well...seductive with its dramatic and sexy ruby, burgundy and silver-based palette.

Each 'family' incorporates a quad of stunning, high-quality eye colors, silky-smooth cheek duo, beautiful lip quad and, and--an interesting and artistic addition--a Glimmer duo, essentially a highlighter set that can take any of the families, in an almost-effortless step or two, from day to-night.

Of course, the families of color can be mixed, but the simplicity and elegant design guide you effortlessly through the beautyADDICTS experience. What a concept! Beautiful, sophisticated...and easy.

May Madness: 20% Off Everything at CherryCulture

2007-05-14T21:00:00.000-06:00

I've been away for several days (unexpectedly!), but I promise to get back on track this week. In the meantime, I appreciate your patience and welcome you to enjoy an exclusive discount just for you.

Get on over to CherryCulture.com and help celebrate May Makeup Madness where we get 20% off EVERYTHING, plus free shipping on any order over $40. Be sure to enter code MM20 when checking out.

Have fun! And don't forget, this is where you can get one of GirlPaint's all-time favorite foundations for fabulous-looking skin, L.A. Colors Mystic Foundation, for $6 (minus 20%).

Three for May: Benefit Dear John Face Cream & eyecon Eye Cream

2007-05-09T22:26:00.000-06:00

Benefit Cosmetics not only has great cosmetics, but they also have some decent skincare offerings.

Unfortunately, I was not overly impressed with Dear John.

The fine art of primping that Benefit promises doesn't seem to extend to this particular moisturizer. Although Dear John does a fine job of delivering nice, simple moisture, it tends to be a little waxy and for my taste, a tad heavy in texture.

Plus at $30 for 2 oz. which ain't too bad, I struggle to find the value. Touted by Benefit as "Loaded with active ingredients...like a 'moisture magnet' for your skin...put lustre back into your complexion," I did an exhaustive search of the ingredients and could not really find one that was particularly 'active.'

On the other hand, Benefit's eyecon eye cream with fading action offers tremendous benefits (ha, ha!), a nice, active list of ingredients, and a texture that is fluffy and truly beautiful.

Three for May: Building a Foundation

2007-05-04T23:50:00.000-06:00

As promised, my focus in May is on three makeup makers: Benefit, FACE atelier and Beauty Addicts. And why not get started at the foundation...literally?

First up is Beauty Addicts' Mineral SheerTINT SPF20. A favorite of Oprah's, A lovely light-to-medium coverage, lightly moisturizing and oil-free 'foundation.' So many tinted moisturizers tend to leave me a little (or a lot) greasy, but not Mineral SheerTINT...just nice, even and natural coverage. But don't get me wrong, this 'foundation' is not drying, nor is it flat. It adds just the right touch of moisture and radiance. My favorite feature of Mineral SheerTINT is, in fact, the color--it's downright glow-y. It mirrors your skin perfectly while giving a just-right amount of coverage. Plus, it has a very lovely subtle shimmery quality. Beauty Addicts' Mineral SheerTINT is perfect for those days when you want a no-makeup look (while still having a nice boost of color and coverage). $35

Next up is FACE atelier's Ultra Foundation. This product is the cornerstone of the FACE atelier line...and now I know why. It's an amazingly flexible product. The level of coverage is dependent on the way you apply and what you mix with it. First of all, you can apply it straight out of the bottle with your fingertips. You can apply it with a brush or sponge...but you'll get a completely different look with each application type. You can mix in a little moisturizer for a lighter finish. Or...and this is really cool...FACE atelier has created two very special foundations called Zero Plus (a deep caramel brown) and Zero Minus (white!!) with which you can adjust the color of your foundation by adding a drop or two. You can opt to apply Zero Minus before your foundation as a highlighter, or you can apply Zero Plus after foundation to contour. The texture of Ultra Foundation is deceptively thin, almost watery, but it packs a wallop of lovely, dense pigment; a little goes a long way. The colors tend toward the golden/yellow range, so if you long for redness reduction or if you have skin that begs for warmth, you'll love the color selection.

Once you put Ultra Foundation on, it's on. I tried a little experiment by putting a few drops of Ultra Foundation in the palm of my hand and then immediately ran water over it and attempted to wash it off...it smudged a little bit, but it stayed put until I grabbed the soap. FACE claims, "Ultra Foundation is a silicone-based emulsion that floats on top of the skin, doesn’t crease or flake, and lasts all day long." So...because of the amazing silicones and high quality pigments, Ultra Foundation is a combination primer/foundation in one...and a heckuva good one, too. After a really long day, running up and down stairs, inside, outside (this is my life, by the way, as a full-time staffer at a four-star resort hotel--we run around for a living!), Ultra Foundation didn't budge...and it looked REALLY good--smooth, pore-free--even at the end of my very long day. For a full-coverage foundation (which I usually don't prefer), this is my favorite due it's very high-quality, non-greasy, non-oily, lovely-textured formula. FACE atelier Ultra Foundation isn't cheap at $39, but (I repeat) a little goes a very long way. UF will last much longer than much less expensive foundations, and I find it to be of such high quality that it truly is worth more than its more expensive competitors.

P.S. No review for a Benefit foundation (although I do love Benefit's Non-Fiction...wonderful stuff).

From Hotel Hilton to the Big House

2007-05-04T20:34:00.000-06:00

Looks like America's princess, Miss Paris Hilton, is off to jail. Jail in June...it's like a pop song, ain't it?

Seriously though, after three times being stopped for wreckless or drunk driving, you might think Paris would get the message. It took her being sentenced to 45 days in jail (no substitutes, either...no house arrest, no 'electronic' jail and no work releases or furloughs), 36 months of probation and $1500 in fines for her to possibly realize that no matter how cute, rich or otherwise perfect you (and the rest of the world...in particular, your crazy mother) may think you are, you simply are not above the law.

I have to say that I found her mother, Kathy's, reaction very strange. Perhaps the elder Hilton has been altering herself chemically, too. According to AP Reporter, Sandy Cohen, "As a city prosecutor said during closing arguments that Hilton deserved jail time, Hilton's mother, Kathy, laughed. When the judge ruled, Kathy Hilton then blurted out: "May I have your autograph?"

Wow, it sounds as though massive amounts of money coupled with constant media attention coupled with questionable principals might make one a little batty.

Side note: the judge's name who ruled in this case is Michael T. Sauer...gotta love that.

Three for May: Benefit, FACE atelier and Beauty Addicts

2007-05-03T21:06:00.000-06:00

May...Mother's Day, Memorial Day, International Nurse's Day (not familiar? It's on May 12th). May...it's the only month in which a President of the United States has not died (okay, weird, I know, but true).

May...a month of focus, the fifth month. In May, GirlPaint will focus on three. Three what? Three cosmetics manufacturers, what else?! FACE atelier, Beauty Addicts and Benefit Cosmetics will take center stage this month.

Benefit Cosmetics? Well everyone knows them, right? But I intend to cover some of the skincare products that don't get as much attention as their famous cosmetics. Included will be Dear John, a face cream for "movin' on;" Eyecon, brightening eye cream and Jiffy Tan, which if you didn't gather from the name is a self-tanner...for the body, not the face.

FACE atelier, the official makeup sponsor of Madonna's True Confessions tour (hello!), is a cosmetics company that believes that we, as women, need cosmetics assistance and that all this fancy 'natural ingredients' business is not necessarily the best route to go when making makeup that works. Now don't get me wrong, FACE is not about chemical or weird fake-y ingredients...oh, no, in fact, they tout that only the 'essential' ingredients are included in their high-quality formulas--to the point that they do not use any scents or flavors. FACE, originally geared towards professional artists (the acclaimed makeup artist/hair dresser Billy B. claims that FACE atelier's Ultra Foundation "...has changed the way I do makeup."), is gaining a reputation for being quite user-friendly and incredibly innovative. FACE atelier is against animal testing and strictly adheres to PETA testing procedures...you have to admire them for that (well, I know I do).

Beauty Addicts, a relatively new cosmetics line with fans like Sharon Stone and Zooey Deschanel, believes in the ease of choice in makeup. Their packaging is, in a word, stunning. More than that, however, is the quality and sophistication of their makeup. The first time I opened a Beauty Addicts eyeshadow compact, I literally gasped--the colors were so beautiful, perfectly coordinated...and just looked soooo rich. And I am eager to share this experience...and the line...with you!

So stay tuned, May's the month. The month for three.

Benefits Galore

2007-04-30T17:13:00.000-06:00

Brill-iance for Your Eyes...

2007-04-30T16:41:00.000-06:00

The BRILLIANT Diane Brill, author, pop-icon, “It Girl,” and self-promoter extraordinaire, is also a cosmetics magnate.

Her line, not surprisingly, is geared towards an evening look, all about re-inventing yourself. I recently checked out her eye shadows and, although the shades are sultry, fabulous and rich, I found my new day-time favorite shade, Tiara Lace, that I now use every day, without fail.

Tiara Lace is that perfect, light champagne-y shade. Upon opening the pretty ‘lace embossed’ compact, the shadow appears very glittery. But upon application, you find a soft, subtle shimmer with the right amount of sparkle—it actually subtracts the look of tiredness and age! A little below your eyebrows, a dot in the inner corners of your eyes...voila, fabulous! Tiara Lace also makes an ideal highlighter--cheekbones, chin and Cupid's bow look lovelier with just a touch. Quite remarkable. Plus, the shadow’s formulation is perfectly smooth and, better yet, NOT tested on animals.

I must congratulate Ms. Brill on another achievement. Introducing a complete line of cosmetics is an undertaking that even the most ambitious socialites do not undertake. Diane Brill has done it, and done it quite successfully!

Diane Brill Eyeshadow, aka Lingerie for Your Eyes, is much like the woman herself, warm, witty and full of the best ingredients…okay, maybe that last bit was a stretch, but you know what I mean.

photos courtesy of www.dianebrill.com

Glossifed and Glorious

2007-04-26T21:21:00.000-06:00

I'm a lipgloss junkie...well, addict anyway. And I would be remiss if I didn't share how great one of my favorite stand-by glosses is. It's by a well-known purveyor...one I'm sure you're all familiar with, but with all the amazing glosses out there, it sometimes gets pushed by the wayside, forgotten, unfairly.

Every day (well, almost), I grab my Sephora Ultra-Shine Lip Gloss in my favorite shade Golden Rose 16. I think of it like Nars Orgasm, only for my lips. It has that same great 'perfect' glow-y balance of pink and coral with a beautiful, but subtle, golden shimmer. And it glossifies like no other. Shiny, fabulous.

And it lasts. I'm notorious for alway having my triple latte, water (no ice) or mint herbal tea handy, so I've got to have staying power when it comes to my lip products. Many have tried. Tried and failed? No, tried and died. But not Sephora Ultra-Shine. It's formula, while not too gloppy or gooey, is a powerhouse.

And with 24 amazing shades to choose from (including clear), you're sure to find your favorite too. $15

She Drew #1

2007-04-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Drew Barrymore for being named #1 Most Beautiful person by People. What I find even cooler is that she is one of seven beauties that agreed to have a photo published without makeup...with faces exposed!

Now that's beautiful.

photo courtesy of people.com

Love Handbags? Wanna Be Famous for Designing One?

2007-04-24T21:17:00.000-06:00

Marie Claire and Glam Media have joined forces to create a competition for aspiring handbag designers. Starting today aspiring designers can submit their handbag sketches on Glam.com, where the fashion community will vote for their favorites.

The lucky winner will receive a trip to New York, a one-night stay at a posh New York hotel, and the MOST EXCITING part of all is that she (or he) will be a Marie Claire "accessories editor for a day." Additionally, the final eight (8) bags will be auctioned off on E-bay.com with all the proceeds going to charity.

To enter, simply submit your handbag design. From there, Marie Claire and Glam.com readers will vote online for their favorite handbags each week, and the top eight finalists will have the opportunity to create the handbag they've sketched. Our panel of judges will then pick the top handbag, and the winner will be flown to New York to be a guest accessories editor at Marie Claire for the day. After the competition, the final eight bags will be auctioned for charity on eBay. Enter Now and Be Discovered!

A Foundation for An Improved You

2007-04-22T21:08:00.000-06:00

I recently had the good fortune to try a new foundation from a line I was not familiar with. The line? L.A. Colors, a division of Beauty 21. who create makeup “to target the diverse beauty needs of women of every demographic at an affordable price.” The foundation? Mystic Foundation, which claims “natural looking coverage and a creamy formula that evens out skin tone and improves skin texture.”

I have long been a fan of cream foundations. Unlike liquid foundations that tend to be tricky to apply, difficult to blend and can rub off after a few short hours of wear, cream foundations tend to solve those challenges and still give a nice, natural finish, usually with better coverage.

You will be pleased to know that my experience with L.A. Colors Mystic Foundation was a fantastic one! It has a smooth, creamy and dense consistency--I liken it to Becca’s stick foundation, but with a creamier texture and less ‘drag’. However, unlike many stick or cream-style foundations, Mystic Foundation does not turn powdery and it does not get cakey, a big plus, especially if you set your makeup with a dusting of powder, which I definitely do.

Mystic Foundation offers superior blendability. I rubbed the stick across my forehead, cheeks, chin and then rubbed a little extra around my eyes and nose (the areas where I tend to need a more coverage), blended quickly with my foundation brush and I was, in essence, done. A few blemishes were still barely visible, so I grabbed my concealer brush and found that Mystic Foundation covered them quickly, completely and still looked very natural.

The coverage is medium to medium-to-full, and easily blended. I found the finished look especially natural if a foundation brush is used (I know, I know…enough with the ‘natural’ already!). It totally gave my skin a smooth tone and texture; my husband even said that my face looked especially healthy and clear (wow!). Also, coverage can be built up, so in effect, Mystic Foundation may be used effectively both as foundation and as concealer.

The color and pigmentation are superior (the color I am using is called Nude—my skin tone is fair with some freckles and red spots). With nine shades available to match almost all skin tones, you are sure to find one that will give you ‘perfect skin,’ too.

Another HUGE plus: Wear is superb. Example? After one hour of rigorous tennis and marathon shopping trip, I found that Mystic Foundation still looked perfectly fresh and even.

One note for those who are fragrance sensitive: Mystic Foundation contains fragrance but not so much so to be overpowering; in fact, I found the fragrance quite nice; it’s soft and minimal (reminiscent of baby powder mixed with almond).

Overall, L.A. Colors Mystic Foundation is one of the best foundations I’ve used. And at $6, it is a complete steal!

SpringWidgets: GirlPaint

2007-04-22T01:32:00.001-06:00

One of the nicest widgets available...

read more | digg story

Before and After

2007-04-21T22:59:00.000-06:00

I busted out Photoshop this weekend and gave this pretty young lady a makeover. By manipulating the layers and lighting, and by airbrushing a little makup on her face, I gave her a whole new look. Whattaya think? I think I like it.

GirlPaint Wins...

2007-04-19T22:17:00.000-06:00

WINNER: The Coolest Conduit

I Cheated...

2007-04-19T21:42:00.000-06:00

Yes, that is right. I admit it. Me, a typically-loyal Leo. What did I do, you ask? Well, I have been using (and loving) Blinc's Kiss Me Mascara, almost exclusively for the past two years...and not much else has touched my finicky lashes (except of course warm water and my finger tips--gotta remove the stuff before beddie-bye time).

Only...well. Kiss Me doesn't quite give me those lovely, flirty, curly lashes that I wish for somedays.

So, for some reason, today I broke out a tube of purple irridescent snakeskin-wrapped mascara that I got a couple of weeks ago...as a gift. At the time, I was like, "oh, thank you. is that mascara? oh, it sure it. how 'bout that?" all the while thinking, "by the looks of it, this must be the stuff that those guys from Poison and Motley Crue used in the '80s."

I took a closer look. tarte mascara Lights, Camera, Lashes!. Well, aside from one single not-so-great experience with a Tarte eyeliner (my eyes are soooo sensitive), I LOVE anything and everything by Tarte. And, I must admit, I was intrigued by this mascara in it's decidely 'fashion-forward' package.

Plus, the brush is completely different from any I've seen. It's got a point-y end with spikes all around. Again, a little intimidating, foreign to my Kiss-Me-only lashes.

Oh what the heck. It's just mascara, right? So I dove in. And much to my surprise, after applying two, three, four coats, my eyelashes looked lovely...flirty...curly. Precious! Not at all "Bret Michaels" (not that there's anything wrong with that, but for me...um, no.)

Yes!!! I've discovered THE mascara. That one that gives you what I call "wedding lashes." Pretty, fringey...with the perfect curl, coverage, density...need I go on? I didn't think so. tarte mascara Lights, Camera, Lashes! $18

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

2007-04-18T21:24:00.000-06:00

Sanjaya, the stickiest of all American Idol finalists, has finally taken his bow. Geez, who would've ever thought he'd last this long?

So long, Hair Boy.

Little known fact: Sanjaya has his own Wikipedia entry. Lord! If nothing else, you have to check it out, if only for the strangest phoenetic pronunciation listing.

GirlPaint out.

Firm Up for Bikini Season...or Just for Fun

2007-04-18T18:15:00.000-06:00

All right, Ladies. How many of you can honestly say you're ready for beach weather? Do you have a beach bod? My guess is that you may need a little help. Luckily, I have that little bit of help, and I'm going to share my little secret helper.

Flirty Little Secret, a revolutionary new firming cream from Booty Parlour, contains a wheat protein which acts as the firming agent, a collagen booster to create the appearance of smooth skin and Bio-Bustyle, a targeted enhancer to firm and tone the bust.

Does it really work? Well, I've been putting it to the test for the past three weeks, and I can honestly (and quite happily) say that yes, it does! Listen, I'm thirty-something, work indoors--primarily behind a desk, could lose about 10 pounds. And Flirty Little Secret has me excited about wearing shorts...and even my bathing suit.The texture is nice and dense, but not greasy. It smells lightly of apricots...nice, but not overwhelming, so it won't overpower your favorite fragrance. It also contains a touch of shimmer, so while you're on your way to toned, tight sexiness, you have a little extra help in the way of light-reflecting particles.

Another secret about Flirty Little Secret? It contains a special ingredient to make you irresistible to the opposite sex...pheromones. While making your skin look tighter and more toned, Flirty Little Secret will make sure that all the boys will take notice of your curves. Unleash your inner man magnet and pick up your own Flirty Little Secret.

Oh yes, don't forget Mom! Mother's Day is fast approaching, and what Mom wouldn't like to share our Flirty Little Secret? 6 oz. $32

Flawless Eyeshadow...Primer-Free!

2007-04-17T22:50:00.000-06:00

The brilliant beauties at Benefit bring us Creaseless Cream Shadows. These babies are THE shadow for low-maintenance days (or gals) when you just want to swipe a quick daub of color across their lids and run out the door...and still look amazing (and like you spent more than a few seconds on your makeup)!

The texture is light and a bit spongey or spring-y. Cooling to the touch and smooth as silk, Creaseless Cream Shadows come in a lovely assortment of soft shades, perfect for spring...or for those of us with fair-to-medium complexions.

Flexible? CCS's are wonderful for lining. The smooth-as-silk texture whips on quickly, and the soft formula helps prevent smudgey mess-ups. Oh, and they also make FABULOUS highlighters for cheeks, chins, decolletes...you find a spot you want to highlight and Benefit's gotcha covered...pun, intended.

Another great feature? Plain and simple, Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadows work well on bare, un-primed skin.

Ease of application, flexibility and smooth, blendable formula...and beautiful shades--all these add up to one amazing product (shall I say, another great product from Benefit). Certainly one of my new favorites!

Bonus! Creaseless Cream Shadows are featured as a part of Benefit's newest quiz. Take the quiz and reveal your FREE gift!

Nirvana for Heat-Styled Hair

2007-04-15T16:58:00.000-06:00

For those of you who are heat-styling mavens (blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons), you need to stop whatever you're doing - and run to the nearest location carrying the ThermaFuse product line. I can tell you from experience (and I've got tons of experience with different lines of haircare products) that the ThermaFuse products are among the best for those of us who live by our heat stylers! The magic is the HeatSmart Complex - a "scientifically proven formula" that works with the heat of a blow dryer.

I recently tried the ThermaFuse Strength formula Shampoo and Conditioner. Its fortifying formula is terrific. The Shampoo is sulfate-free--worry not, Folks, 'cuz you can still count on a rich, sumptuous lather here--and works to rebuild and fortify hair with lots of potent proteins. The Conditioner is also rich, bathing your hair in proteins, and leaves your hair strong, shiny and manageable.

Is your hair particularly overstressed? Good news! There's also a treatment (I just love it!), the Intense Repair, a deep conditioning infusion of 'hydrolyzed' proteins that bring hair back to life. Along with all this, the Intense Repair has a scrumptious fragrance. It's reminiscent of peppermint patties.

Oh, by the way, I can recommend all the Thermafuse products for ethnic hair, too (as a former stylist, I can speak from experience on that front, as well).

Cheers! And good hair to all.

The Daily Obsession Celebrates One Year...Give-Away Alert!

2007-04-13T22:13:00.000-06:00

Ya'll take advantage of the amazing one-year anniversary celebration taking place over at The Daily Obsession:

Hello!

In celebration of our first anniversary, we're doing a jam-packed giveaway for our readers! All you need to do is comment in the giveaway entry and one lucky winner will be picked at random. Readers have until Tuesday, Apr. 17 at midnight (PST). We've got fabulous goodies from Tocca, CoverGirl, Banana Republic, Essencia, Jurlique, Foot Petals, Azalea Online and more! More information can be found here.

Thanks for your kindness & support!

xo,
The girls at The Daily Obsession

Congrats on your first year, Ladies! Best wishes for many more to come!

Champagne Wishes, and Lemonade Dreamzzzzzzz

2007-04-11T20:27:00.000-06:00

Spring is officially upon us (although if you live anywhere in the U.S., you might be wondering...), and it's time to spruce up that wintery hair.

Sudzz FX comes to the rescue with Lemonade Dreamzz, a lucious, lemony souffle made for all hair types, lengths and conditions. Dreamzz is a great shaping and texturizing cream. Great for all types of hair including fine hair, you can use it for blow drying volume into the style, as a leave in fixative for both straight and curly hair. Plus, it holds shape of your brush when blow drying.

For you stylists out there, Lemonade Dreamzz makes a great cutting lotion when mixed with Zenyth Frizz Eliminator, giving hair shape and body in the cutting process. It leaves curl soft and sleek if using diffuser. It can be used for dressing long hair into up-do styles.

And it's also great for finishing details. Lemonade Dreamzz adds shine, body, and volume. $15.95 for 2oz.

Burning for Luxury, Purity, Health

2007-04-10T21:02:00.000-06:00

Via Candles are hand crafted by artisans in Connecticut from natural soy wax, natural unbleached hemp, high quality fragrance, and they do not include any synthetic colorants. This keeps impurities to a minimum and your environment as clean as possible.

What does this mean? Well, if you're a friend of Al's, then this is THE candle for you. If, however, you do not consider yourself a tree-hugging, Prius-driving (or bicycle-peddling) guardian of Mother Earth, it simply means that...this is THE candle for you.

Via Candles are not only made from 100% natural soy wax, which burns cooler and minus the carcinogenic soot (unlike paraffin), they are also scented with the finest aroma-therapeutic fragrances. The wicks used in these luxurious candles is cotton-wrapped hemp, so again, they're very healthy and burn naturally, without chemicals.

If the healthy benefits don't entice you to try a Via Candle, well, the beautiful clear glass container and clean, relaxation-inducing scents, like Lemongrass Sage (my favorite), Jasmine Citrus and good 'ol Vanilla surely will.

Currently Via Candles are only available in upscale boutiques and spas, so hunt, Dear Painters, and seek and find one of these wonderful, healthy, pure candles from Via. Bring one home. They're certainly worth the effort...and so are you. To Life!

Look Younger!

2007-04-09T16:26:00.000-06:00

According to the geniuses over at Elle, there really are a few (fairly simple) things you can do besides resorting to going under the scalpel, or having facial injections of Restalyn or Botox --eee-yikes!--to look younger.

#1: Curl your lashes.
Curling your lashes opens up your eyes. Follow with a coat of mascaral. Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler

#2: Use an illuminizer.
Give your eyes an instant lift by dabbing illuminizer on the center of the brow bone under the arch of the eyebrow. Vincent Longo Water Canvas Highlighter Aura Passion

#3: Brighten your smile.
Take years off by whitening your teeth. You can do it yourself at home by mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into the consistency of toothpaste. Brush your teeth in circular motions and the paste will remove surface stains. GoSMILE Touch Up Refillable Compact Mint-licious On-The-Go Smile Refresher

#4: Dab on blush.
A moist, creamy blush will light up your face. Use a neutral pink on cheeks and lips for no-fuss natural beauty. Sue Devitt Starbrights Lip And Cheek Alhena

#5: Take care of your skin.
Good skin care is much more important than makeup. Beautiful skin is partly genetic, but there are also many steps you can take to achieve healthy, younger-looking skin. Among them is drinking lots of water, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and not drinking alcohol excessively. Duh. N.V. Perricone M.D. Skin Clear Nutrional Support System

photo courtesy of Elle.com

Sol LeWitt, Great American Artist, Dies

2007-04-08T23:09:00.000-06:00

Sol LeWitt, one of America's pre-eminent visual artists, passed away Sunday at the age of 78. Sol, you will be missed.

Mr. LeWitt's work, described as playful, simple and full of logic and essential esthetic, lives on indeed.

AP photo courtesy of Keystone, Walter Bieri

Laura Poretzsky brings Abaete to Payless

2007-04-08T22:32:00.000-06:00

Forget the Easter bonnet...I'd rather have new shoes! And I love, love, love these cute flats from the Abaete for Payless Collection.

Payless Shoes has revamped (hahahaha) their image, along with many of their shoes, and needless to say, "GirlPaint likey."

Get these adorable Ana Maria Flats in bone (shown), red or bronze from the Abaete for Payless collection for $20.

Olive Pits Make You Beautiful

2007-04-07T23:20:00.000-06:00

Korres Natural Products, well known for it's amazing body butters--my favorite is the Guava--and their Vanilla Cinnamon Showergel (yum!), is a pre-eminent skin care manufacturer in Greece. Heck, they established themselves in 1989 and within two years became THE center of homeopathic medicine in their native country.

From the moment I tried Korres's 3-in-1 Milk Proteins Facial Cleanser and their Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer, I was hooked. Simple, essential, natural products that do the job they claim to do are Korres's specialty. Gotta love that.

So when I recently ran out of my regular exfoliant, I decided I'd give Korres Natural Products Olive Stones Scrub a try. I'm glad to report that it didn't disappoint. Simple and effective, this creamy, densely-textured cleanser loaded with medium-coarse scrubbies clears away all the gnarly buildup on your skin without stripping it or drying it out, revealing softer, smoother, clean and healthy-looking skin. Just like a baby's butt (minus the Desitin and Johnson's Baby Powder...unless you're into that, of course).

One word of caution, Olive Stones is very scrubby, so for those of you with sensitive skin, give Korres Almond Meal Soft Natural Scrub a try...its supersmooth scrubbies are Korres's answer for a kinder and gentler scrub.

Yahoo! Answers: GirlPaint Q&A "Best"

2007-04-07T22:54:00.000-06:00

I always thought I knew the answers...at least some of them. Turns out I was right. I recently joined Yahoo! Answers and started sharing some answers from the pool of knowledge I have accumulated over the years about hair, skin care and of course, makeup.

And you know what? My answers have been selected as "Best" answers 17% of the time. I'd say that's pretty good. I earn points on Yahoo Answers for each answer posted, plus I get bonus points for Best answers. Incidentally, answers are deemed the 'Best' by the individual who posed the question. Now, I'm not quite sure what happens with these accumulated points, other than the I have the right to brag about them. Granted, I'm a newbie in this world of Answers, but my competitive nature drives me to earn more and more points...hence I work hard to give good answers. What can I say, it's fun...and maybe a little silly...but there a lots of questions to answer.

Here's wishing you all a Happy Easter and Happiness and Togetherness for Passover.

Beauty Blender Sponge + Cleanser Duo Pack

2007-04-07T00:07:00.001-06:00

Sick of your dirty, makeup filled cosmetics sponge but still yearn for the blending and natural texture you get from it? You're in luck! BeautyBlender, created by two talented makeup-artists-to-the-stars, Rea Ann Silva and Veronica Lorenz, will help YOU look like a movie star without paying for the pricey services of a high-end makeup artist.

This egg-shaped wonder sponge, used to 'stipple' ('stippling' is bouncing the sponge lightly on your face as you apply your makeup), blend and soften your cosmetics application, has so many pro's they're hard to count. Let's just say that NO makeup sponge even comes close to BeautyBlender's ability to create a flawless, natural texture. You can use it wet or dry to apply, blend and soften makeup primer, foundation, concealer, blush, highlighter and powder--and you can probably find some additional applications by just playing with it! It's pretty, it's fun and guess what else? It's CLEAN! Clean means better skin, ya'll, anyway you look at it. But how is it so clean? Read on, Dear Painters...

BeautyBlender comes with it's own little clear, acrylic pedestal right in the package, so it's designed to be washed after each use and then perched atop its specially designed little spot to airdry. You can purchase BeautyBlender with the custom formulated cleanser called what else? BlenderCleanser!

BlenderCleanser is a gentle, lavender-infused cleanser packaged in an ingenious upside-down pump bottle made especially to gently and effectively clean the BeautyBlender.

One (or two) last great features that I just have to mention: environmental consciousness and Earth friendly. Yes, because BeautyBlender is sturdy and washable, it lasts forever and can be used just as long. And BlenderCleanser's formula is low-suds, soy-based and free of dyes and irritants. What more can I say? Not much. Just this...you gotta get one! (via CherryCulture)

Notable Beauty Blenders: Gwen Stafani, Oprah, Jessica Simpson, Carmen Electra, Alicia Silverstone

M'Eye Disappointment

2007-04-05T19:23:00.000-06:00

This week I received the newest product from Tarte, one of my all-time favorite cosmetics specialists. The product? It's called EmphasEYES and it's Tarte's answer to the age-old question "how do I get my eyeliner pencil to last, especially when I line the inner rims of my lovely eyes?"

I must say, my dear Painters, that I have not had a 'lasting' experience with EmphasEYES. Application is difficult because the pencil is VERY thin and it's hard to control. On top of that, EmphasEYES has one of those flat-end, twist up designs that does not lend itself to tightlining. It was made to 'emphasize' the inner rims which it does nicely...for about 30 minutes. However (and this is one pretty big 'however'), the formula, for me anyway, slid and smudged and ended up completely gone by the end of the day. By Noon, I looked racoon-ish, and by five, well...let's just say it was not pretty. I was so plagued with fallout under my eyes that I rubbed it all away (along the tedious applications of powder, foundation, concealer and primer)...yuk.

To top it off, I'm a contact lens wearer--I'm not lucky enough to have the proper corneal depth to have the 'magic corrective eye surgery'--and my contacts had dark floaties on them all day long, no matter how often I removed and rubbed and rinsed them.

All said and done, I feel a little let down. This is Tarte's new featured product (only available on QVC, mind you). Hopefully, they reformulate it, or at the very least, take out any reference to 'budge-proof' or 'long lasting color.' I'm sure it's a decent eyeliner pencil, but I haven't used eyeliner pencils in years...I'm stuck on liquid for it's lasting power and for me, ease of application.

EmphasEYEs is one tiny blot on a reputation that's truly supreme. Darn it. I really wanted Tarte's EmphasEYES to be awesome...it just wasn't.

The Art of Lip Balm

2007-04-02T18:16:00.000-06:00

Australians Dianna Burmas (a supremely talented merchandiser) and Dion St. Mor (renowned interior designer) met in Melborne, hit it off and combined their efforts to create MOR. The name, serendipitously discovered on a New Delhi street sign on one of the many trips the duo took together, means “peacock” in Hindi. Their foray into beauty products began with a shared fondness for traditional apothecary, the art and science of making health-enhancing beauty products.

From there, a line of candles and soaps was born. In keeping with the exquisite beauty associated with the cavalier peacock, today MOR features over 250 sophisticated and artistic products custom created for their discriminating clientele.

MOR Lip Silk is like a lip balm ‘experience.’ It incorporates almost all your senses. Elegant luxury packaging in the tradition of Chinoiserie exhibits an antique design style inspired by the culture and art of China. Even the little ladylike paper ‘purse’ that encloses the chic acrylic lip compact is lined with a beautiful floral pattern and has the sweetest satin ribbon ‘handle.’ No detail is overlooked.

Altogether feminine, the fragrance is soft and refined. Essences of peony, muguet and violets are combined with subtle sandalwood and orchid—the scent is so beautiful, Lip Silk could almost be used as perfume…but then your lips would suffer.

The smooth and delicate texture turns almost liquid as soon as you wipe your fingertip across the glassy surface. Smearing Lip Silk on your lips reveals a pleasing and subtle shine that looks great over lipstick or on its own. The flavor of this lip treat is delicate, lightly sweet and floral…much like honeysuckle in spring. MOR Lip Silk leaves your lips velvety soft and silky smooth.

MOR products are featured online at Cherryculture. FYI: Beautiful and famous fans of the MOR line include Charlize Theron, Elle MacPherson, Oprah and Hillary Duff.

No Foolin': If You’re Second Rate, Admit It

2007-04-01T18:24:00.000-06:00

If You’re Second Rate, Admit It: Donna M.C. Johnson (Startup.com article link)

Donna Maria Coles Johnson, a lawyer and entrepreneur better known by her business name "Donna Maria," has a passion for home made beauty products. Years ago, she started her own handmade products company--unfortunately, to little fanfare. She found that her business was 2nd best in an ocean of 1st bests.

But she was familiar with all the 1st bests in this business of hand made beauty products, both wholesale and retail, and since she knew she was 1st best in business and entreprenerial success (and they were not--many were struggling despite the fabulousness of their products), she channeled her passion for hand made beauty products into her own 1st best business, the Indie Beauty Network.

What the IBN does is helps all these little indie businesses maximize their potential by coming together, centralizing their ideas and marketing efforts, and growing their businesses cooperatively and collaboratively.

"IBN's missions include harnessing the shared energy and vitality of members to address issues of consumer education, regulation, marketing and public relations, freeing IBN members to concentrate on achieving making their businesses a driving force in the competitive global marketplace."

So if you're into hand made beauty products, crafting, making your own products (even if it's just good 'ol lipbalm), you have your own hand made beauty products business, or if just you're into supporting small--mostly women-owned--businesses, GirlPaint encourages you to check out Donna Maria and the Indie Beauty Network.

B Fabulous

2007-03-29T21:56:00.000-06:00

Do you believe in magic? Do you like moldable, highly textured hair styles? Well, I found just the 'stuff' for you. B Tenacious Design Fix is the 'stuff.'

Brand new from Benniefactor, B Tenacious is a creamy-spongey (to create texture, the product must have a weird texture) mint-colored opaque pomade that smells of cucumbers and daisies...well, that's what is smells like to me, and yes, it smells really good.

Benniefactor's B Tenacious is available in salons only, so visit their website to find out where you can B Fabulous and obtain some B Tenacious...and B Beautiful.

Tips to remember when using B Tenacious are #1) start with just a little bit or you could end up with a bit of a mess--B Tenacious can weigh your hair down especially if it's fine in texture, #2) apply B Tenacious to dry hair so you can judge exactly how much you need and just where you want to put it, and #3) have fun!

image courtesy of Benniefactor. Special thanks to Nicole for the sample.

M'Eye Goodness 24/7

2007-03-29T21:08:00.000-06:00

If you're an eyeliner goddess (like me), you gotta check out Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils. Available in array of brilliant colors, from Bourbon, a rich brown, to Dime (just guess what color Dime is? And yes, they have a black one. it's called Zero), Glide-On Pencils do just what they say: they glide right on, soft, smooth and utterly buttery. Oh no, I think. As beautiful as the colors are, the soft formula is going to end up melting under the pressure and end up all under my eyes.

But NO...the Urban Decay magic happens. After about 30 minutes, these amazing eyeliners 'dry down' to a budge-proof--and waterproof--finish. Truly a wonder of the eyelining world, UD's 24/7 Glide-On Pencils are clearly innovative and a complete no-brainer...at least in my mind. $15

Where in the World is GirlPaint? And Where in the World Are You?

2007-03-28T20:45:00.001-06:00

Britney on American Eyedoll!

2007-03-27T22:29:00.000-06:00

Another shameless plug for my fabulous spouse's talents! Rock the vote.

What is it?
A parody/satire of America’s favorite reality tv show, ‘American Idol’.

How does it work?
You create a short animated parody/satire of the ‘American Idol’ contestants using your own original song parody or using one of our 26 downloadable song parodies produced by AniBOOM for the contest. Other registered users then vote on your movie by assigning it from one to five bombs, five being the highest score.

What does the winner get?
The winner has their choice of two kick-ass prizes:
• An all expense paid trip to LA to meet with a Hollywood Agent
• A production deal with AniBOOM for your own webseries – you bring the talent, we provide the budget and distribution.

Aniboom - Blow Your Mind

2007-03-27T22:28:00.001-06:00

Joe Ed White of Laughing Crows Studios created this hystical animation. Add your vote. The winner gets a movie distribution deal!

read more | digg story

GirlPaint's Beautybar Updated

2007-03-27T20:15:00.000-06:00

Hola! GirlPaint has updated the Fab Feeds on our ToolBar, aka Beautybar, so if you haven't downloaded it yet, what's the delay?! Get on it, Girl.

Featured GirlPaint Beautybar Feeds include...

The Beauty Read at the Beauty Blog Network where Elke shares the best from THE Network
Ageless in Los Angeles features one of the great beauty goddesses of our era, Madonna, and her decision to bare all on Nip/Tuck
Beautiful shoes by tashkent over at a wee bit skint.
Ms. New Beauty dishes about her not-so-great experience at Shecky's Girls Night Out
Apples2apple Blog revisits the stone age...of bathtubs. Alls I can say is, "Yo quiero!"
Faking Good Breeding ponders, "Are Expensive Makeup Brushes Worth It?" I can answer that one...yes, some of them
Does Cargo's Pursegloss measure up? Find out. Beautynomics weighs the pluses and minuses
Eyeshadow Government gives a nod to Britney and rehabs her own hair with Redken's All Soft Heavy Cream
Beauty Dish invites you to add yourself to the Beauty Dish Map...how fun! Now I know where all ya'll live (or at least where you admit to living)
Who's the Hottie, and Not-So-Hottie, of the day? Check out Celeb Gossp Junkie for the answer--NEW LOOK ALERT! Ceceladybug recently modernized the look of Celeb Gossip Junkie; GirlPaint likey!

So, there's lots to do and see and download and install! So get busy and for that extra touch of Girl, don't forget to add the GirlPaint Beautybar to your browser.

Lipgloss and Eye Shadow that I LOVE: Urban Decay!

2007-03-24T21:23:00.000-06:00

I cannot tell you how good I've looked over the past couple of days...well, yes, I can. I've looked GOOD. And it's due to two amazing NEW goodies from Urban Decay. Yes, I said, "Urban Decay. " Perhaps a misnomer these days because their latest offerings are truly beautiful, fresh and fabulous. I'd say that they're miles away from "urban" and "decay."

Urban Decay Ultraglide in Heavy is that perfect shade of lipgloss that I was searching for. Why? Well, so many reasons. But let's boil it down. First, the color (isn't that the main reason we love most of our favorite cosmetics?). Heavy is that wonderful, neutral brownish rose color that compliments EVERYONE's coloring. It's THE perfect daytime color. Next, the formulation. Urban Decay has developed a gloss--Ultraglide--that has staying power, sexy shine and moisture...in a texture that's not too gloppy, not too thin. And, flavor. The perfect simple sugary sweetness that's not too sweet. Finally, product delivery. A generously sized, yet super-slim tube with that angled application method that delivers the just-right amount. Just perfect. $17

Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow. This divine collection of high-tech creamy powder eye color will turn your eyes into opulent works of art. Why “Deluxe”? Definitely incomparable, the creamy formula feels like cashmere, blends beautifully, and delivers an even more intense burst of color than the regular Urban Decay eye shadows. And, Deluxe hues have an even greater fill weight than regular 'ol eye shadows - a generous serving.

And have you ever seen a more beautiful collection of compacts...ever? Even if the contents were only so-so --which they definitely are NOT, they're amazing...I believe I said incomparable!--they would be worth purchasing for the little works of art that they come packaged inside. We have to remember the whole reason we paint ourselves...art. And Urban Decay has rediscovered not only the fine art of creating fine cosmetics, but also the lost art of packaging them in the loveliest compacts I've seen in years. A friggin' bargain at $17 each. I couldn't resist the newest shades: Ransom, electric purple-blue; Scratch, romantic Champagne rose; Shag, medium shimmery gold; and my favorite, Underground, a deep fawn brown.

Say Goodbye to Dry Skin Forever

2007-03-21T20:10:00.000-06:00

I discovered another 'shielding lotion' and I must say I'm really impressed. Gloves in a Bottle, designed for those with extra-dry skin who HATE lotion, is nothing short of amazing.

Recommended by literally hundreds of dermatologists and touted by numerous hospitals, universities and the City of Los Angeles (hello! L.A. knows good skin. Am I right?!), Gloves is a Bottle is light, scent-free and absorbed quickly with no trace of tackiness or greasiness.

"Until now, all one could do to alleviate a dry skin condition was apply conventional lotions (artificial moisture). These are designed to just temporarily mask dry skin by placing artificial moisture over the top of it.

Unlike artificial moisturizers, Gloves In A Bottle is a shielding lotion that bonds with the outermost layer of skin cells to turn it into what works like an invisible pair of gloves.

These "invisible gloves" prevent dry skin by helping to keep moisture-robbing irritants out while better retaining your skin's own natural moisture, resulting in skin that is far better hydrated, over the long term, than what can ever be achieved by conventional lotions."

I really cannot say enough about such a great product--the list of ingredients does not reveal a magic cure...it's formulation, plain and simple. So instead of saying more, I'll just say this, "it works...really, really well. " I mean, my husband even likes it...and that, My Lovlies, is saying something! And at $12.95 for 8 oz., Gloves in a Bottle is a tremendous value. Okay, enough said.

A very special 'thank you' to Pete for the samples.

You Can Stop "Normal" Aging | PARADE Magazine

2007-03-19T22:31:00.000-06:00

You Can Stop "Normal" Aging | PARADE Magazine

According to Dr. Henry S. Lodge, we actually have a great deal of control on the aging process, and can essentially reverse it...or at least keep it at bay.

"Most aging is just the dry rot we program into our cells by sedentary living, junk food and stress. Yes, we do have to get old, and ultimately we do have to die. But our bodies are designed to age slowly and remarkably well. Most of what we see and fear is decay, and decay is only one choice. Growth is the other...

...This whole system evolved over billions of years out in nature, where all animals face two great cellular challenges: The first is to grow strong, fast and fit in the spring, when food abounds and there are calories to fuel hungry muscles, bones and brains. The second is to decay as fast as possible in the winter, when calories disappear and surviving starvation is the key to life. You would think that food is the controlling signal for this, but it’s not. Motion controls your system."

Wow, is it really that simple? Just imagine: exercise, eating healthy foods and building and maintaining relationships...hmmm. Tennis anyone? C'mon, it'll make us younger!

-------------------------------------
Dr. Henry S. Lodge is on the faculty of Columbia Medical School and is co-author of “Younger Next Year”

Pop to Front of the Beauty Line

2007-03-19T20:06:00.000-06:00

Over the weekend, I popped open some new products and popped them onto my face and guess what? My face simply popped with healthy color!

Okay, enough with the popping, I know. So what did get?

Pop Beauty Cheeky in Sunset is a lovely, new ultra-micromilled cheek duo designed to give your cheeks a healthy pop (sorry, I just had to) of color. Sunset contains a peachy-pink color that rivals the great Francoise Nars 'Orgasm'--now, it's not exactly the same, mind you, but it sure is close. The other color is a true pink, again with a touch of golden shimmer, that gives you what I call "sweet cheeks," which just means you look like your glowing...ahhhh, how sweet! Pop Beauty calls Sunset a combination of 'powders' and that these special powders contain hydrators to treat and condition the skin. Bonus! And hello, only $18? Extra bonus!

I also tried Pop Beauty's new Pop-up Glow in Sunny, which is a sheer, shimmery yellow-gold. Pop-Up Glow has to be the most perfect highlighter I've tried yet (and believe you, me, I've tried many, many highlighters)--soft color and shimmer with a pore-minimizing formula that also reduces redness. The cream-to-powder formula is flexible, so you can rub the stick directly on your face and then blend with your fingertips for a stronger look, or you can rub the stick with your finger and then apply to your face--brow bones, high on the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, on the round of the chin and on the 'bow' of the upper lip--for a softer look. The texture and color of Sunny makes a really great eye shadow base, too. Oh, I almost forgot the scent...it smells just like a watermelon Jolly Rancher! YUMMMY...and only $19.

Have you heard of AGLOGO? Wanna make some $?

2007-03-16T23:56:00.000-06:00

You probably already know that almost everything you do on the internets makes money for someone else. And that’s not just when you spend money. Just about every time you view an ad, click an ad, search, buy something, download something, join a community, or post a story, picture, or video, some person or some company is making a fee, commission, and/or sale from your activity.

If you want to join AGLOGO as a Member, you simply download a piece of software called the Viewbar. It’s like a toolbar that sits at the bottom of your desktop, and it will be available soon. Essentially, it collects on your behalf some of the revenue you would usually generate for other people while you conduct your everyday browsing. Then, it returns most of this money to you.

You win because you get your share of the money for doing what you would normally do. AGLOCO wins by keeping a 10% cut of this revenue (like Brad Pitt pays his agent a 10% fee). And the companies win, since they get your business. All you need to do is have the Viewbar up on your screen while browsing the internets like normal.

Beaut.ie Offers Beauty Tips from the Emerald Isle: Happy St. Patty's Day!

2007-03-16T22:19:00.001-06:00

Sisters Kirstie and Aphrodite (lovely name, that!) created Beaut.ie, a fabulous blog based on their cosmetic and accessory obsessions. Not only are these two fair lasses from Ireland very well-informed, they are also hilariously funny!

Check out their picks for the Irish national celebration of St. Patrick's.

Beaut.ie header image courtesy of Beaut.ie

Refuse to Have Bad Hair, Revisited

2007-03-16T21:07:00.000-06:00

Oscar Blandi Straightening Balm aka Raffinata aka Pura Straight. This medium-weight creamy balm from one of the maestros of hair is the perfect 'dressing' to help you create straight! Oscar Blandi, who is called upon by the likes of Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek and Jennifer Garner to design their spectacular red-carpet hair-dos, developed this straightening balm with protective and texturizing ingredients like guar beans (a bean to straighten hair? well, whatever...'cuz it works!), wheat proteins, aloe and algae and sea kelp. It's like a protein shot for your hair.

Use just apply a dime-sized amount--a little more if your locks are long--starting with the ends of the hair and then work to the roots. Then style...straight, ofcourse...as usual. Frizz-free, smooth and sleek!

Bonuses: Raffinata has an amazing citrus-honey scent that's to die for, and the special formulation actually minimizes drying time...neat! $19 for 4oz.

GirlPaint's Take on Dove SkinVitalizer

2007-03-13T21:55:00.001-06:00

Okay, so you all know how much I love the ClariSonic, but when I was approached about trying out the Dove™ SkinVitalizer cleansing 'appliance,' I had to try it! Gadgets are great...and I mean, for around $13 how could you not, right?

Here are my thoughts...

Pros:

Inexpensive...around $13 for the SkinVitalizer, which includes 6 cleansing pads and a AA battery
'Readies' my face very effectively for all the expensive, active products I apply (in many, many layers mind you)
Long after cleansing my skin feels baby soft
I've been using the SkinVitalizer for about a week, and I have already noticed that my pores appear smaller, my skin feels smoother and its texture and tone is much more even
SkinVitalizer's fun to use!

Cons:

You can ONLY use Dove™'s little cleansing pads, filled their THEIR cleanser** (I very much dislike scented cleansers...plus I like even less not having choices). I would much prefer the option of using plain cleansing pad, so that I can use my own cleanser. Okay, cleansers.
The cleansing pads that Dove™ makes tend to lather a bit much for my taste
The vibration of the appliance can be a little annoying...it reminds me of a dentist's drill...hmmmmm
Even though the SkinVitalizer itself is a good value at around $13, the replacement cleansing pads are around $4.49 (correction) for 14 pads, meaning that if you cleanse your face twice a day, the cost can rack up.

Soooooo....I'm not completely sold on this little gadget. But I do think Dove™ is on the right track, and if they add cleanser-free cleansing pads to the SkinVitalizer collection, then I am 100% on board with the SkinVitalizer. Because for skin this soft, I can get used to the vibrations!

Save $3.00 when you buy the New Dove™ SkinVitalizer with a 14 count refill of Dove® Cleansing Pillows. Visit the website for details.

**Cleanser ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Silicone Quaternium-8, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-4, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylisothiazolinone

Very special thank you to Arabella for the sample!

Airbrushed Perfection for Only $25

2007-03-12T23:57:00.000-06:00

Have you ever wished for pore-perfect airbrushed skin? I got it! Today I received Splash Mineral Powder's Natural Glow and it's the most beautiful finishing powder ever. Dewy, gorgeous, sheer perfection, y'all--and the added bonus of SPF 15.

Just a dab'll do ya so don't over apply. You can find it at CherryCulture for $25, so it's not only a fabulous beauty goody, but it's also the deal of the day. Remember, you heard it here first.

Naturally Beautiful for Spring...Youth pt. 3 of 3

2007-03-12T18:19:00.000-06:00

To further contour and define the face, it’s time to add a touch of bronzer. Now I know what you’re thinking, ‘Bronzer makes me look orange…and I won’t wear it.’ Believe me, I used to say the same thing. Well, let me tell you a thing or two about today’s bronzers. Gone are the days of streaky, garish bronzer…bronzers of the new millennium are soft and natural…and perfect for our spring look.

The best new bronzer I’ve found is Jelly Pong Pong’s Omnibronze--Packaged in a chic, hot, Cognac compact, the formula contains no shimmer, so your bronze looks & feels real. Its silky texture ensures a sublime application and gives a hedonistic, matte finish. *Comes in a faux leather pouchette. Brush included. Formulated in a universal shade to compliment all skin tones. Use to bronze & contour.

To apply your bronzer, tap the bristles of your blusher brush on the surface of Omnibronze, shake out the excess and then brush onto the ‘apples’ of your cheeks (the fleshy part of your cheek that pops up when you smile), temples, forehead, tip of your chin, edge of your jaw (just below your earlobe) and your nose. These are the spots on your face that naturally collect color when you go out into the sun (without sunscreen—we don’t do that anymore, do we?). Deepen the color where you need to by repeating the application process. The secret to perfect bronzer: remove any traces of color on your blusher brush by rubbing the bristles on a Kleenex or clean towel and then softly ‘buff’ your entire face with the brush to blend and soften.

Next, apply a light dusting of loose, translucent powder—but don’t ‘sweep your face. Instead, dip your face brush into the powder, shake or tap to remove the excess and then ‘dot’ your face with the powder (in other words, do not ‘sweep’ the powder onto your face). If you apply too much, use a makeup sponge to lift off the excess. Applying loose powder using this method will ensure you do not remove the makeup you just applied.

Using a fine mist spray bottle containing distilled water, your favorite alcohol-free toner, or a floral water, spritz lightly about 6-8” away from your face to moisten and ‘set’ your makeup. This step imparts moisture into the skin, plus it keeps the 'cake-y's' at bay.

Finally, allow your face to dry, then apply a coat or two of your favorite mascara and lastly, coat your lips in a clear or nude-berry lipgloss. You’re done!

GirlPaint extends a very special thanks to Michael at CherryCulture

Naturally Beautiful for Spring...Youth pt. 2 of 3

2007-03-12T18:01:00.000-06:00

Time for makeup...but first, makeup primer.

You’ve worked hard to achieve the perfect base for your makeup, and using a makeup primer will help to ensure that your skin stays soft, smooth and protected all day. Try Bloom’s Makeup Base $18; its gentle formulation is both light and protective and will give your foundation a good base on which to sit (notice I said ‘sit’ and not ‘settle’ because the last thing you want is your makeup settling into your pores and wreaking havoc on your skin). Plus, most primers contain silicones that help to absorb excess oil on the surface of your skin. The secret to applying primer is using as little as possible (think pea-sized amount or less) and just skimming the surface of your skin—do not rub it in.

Next comes foundation. Makeup foundation can be tricky, and makeup made-easy is my favorite kind of makeup. Many wonderful (and easy-to-apply), natural-looking mineral foundations are now available. Reasons to use (and love) mineral foundation are 1) because it’s applied with a brush, it tends to be far more hygienic than its liquid cousins and hence, far less likely to cause breakouts, 2) it contains health-promoting minerals like titanium dioxide and mica which impart protection, stability, silky texture and are naturally anti-bacterial, and 3) it offers controllable coverage so that you can achieve the perfect finish for your skin.

Important points to remember when choosing your mineral foundation are to look for one that is the right color (match the color on your jawline—it should blend perfectly with own your natural skin color, with perhaps just a hint of yellow to neutralize any redness) and one that does not contain talc, aka talcum powder, which can settle into your pores, encourage the growth of icky bacteria, cause breakouts and actually enlarge the size of your pores over time—who needs that?! Recommended: Splash Sheer Mineral Powder is the line's best selling product. Contains SPF15. Covers and protects your face at one brush. $25

Applying mineral foundation to achieve the perfect finish requires just a little practice, and you know what they say…practice makes perfect! First, shake just a little bit of the powder into lid of the container. Next, lightly rub a medium-sized face brush or Kabuki brush into the powder and tap off the excess powder into the container. You should see almost no product left on the brush. Now, starting with your cheeks, use light, circular strokes to ‘buff’ the powder onto your face. Do not worry about covering dark circles, blemishes or red spots during this step. Just buff a layer or two of mineral powder onto your skin to even out the overall color and tone of your skin. The use of very little powder, plus the small, circular buffing is what will create amazingly smooth-looking, pore-free skin, so follow these instructions implicitly!

Next comes the ‘concealing’ step. Using a smaller brush--a medium eye shadow brush works perfectly—dip the bristles into the mineral powder. Again, tap of the excess. Now buff out any circles under your eyes and any red spots or blemishes on your face—remember to use a light touch and keep the brush moving. Repeat this step as necessary to ‘erase’ any imperfections around your nose and on your chin and cheeks. You may need to switch to a smaller brush to hide smaller blemishes and freckles.

Now that you have neutralized the color of your face and achieved a soft, natural base, it’s time to add definition and healthy color. Always apply makeup, in particular powdered colors, from the top down. The reason is that many powdered colors, like eye shadow, brow powders and even some eye liners tend to ‘tumble’ down onto your cheeks. You will want to sweep these little flecks of color away, and if you’ve already applied blush or highlighter to your cheeks, you’ll end up having to reapply, resulting in a cake-y, heavy look that is decidedly unnatural—and a Big No-No.

Enhancing your eyebrows, even just a little, can have an amazing and dramatic affect on your entire face--in a very positive way, no less!. Brows frame the face, just like your picture frame frames your favorite artwork...and without the frame, it just ain't right!

Brow powders are best in achieving the 'natural look' because of the soft definition they impart. And the best brow powder kit is NYC’s Eyebrow Kit. The colors are very natural and the quality is remarkable; plus the price is incredibly reasonable. Select the correct color kit to enhance your natural eyebrow and hair color. NYX Eyebrow Kit--Long lasting eyebrow cake powder has two shades to blend and the perfect natural eyebrow. To fill and define eyebrows, apply with slanted eyebrow brush and then shape and style with round brush, aka spoolie-- Start by brushing your brows upward and outward, using either a brow brush or ‘spoolie’ like the one you’ll find in NYC’s Eyebrow Kit. Next, using a stiff-bristled angled brush (there’s one included in NYC’s Eyebrow Kit!), tap the end of the bristles in the lighter of the two shades and, using short, light strokes, brush the color into the end of your brows closest to your nose. $4

To maintain the most natural look as possible, do not brush the brow color all the way to the edge of your brow. Every few seconds, stand back and survey your results, checking the color intensity and overall balance. If you need to deepen the color a little bit, use a little bit of the darker brow powder and brush lightly into your brows. Follow the natural shape of your brows as you apply. As a last step to ensure the color coverage is even, lightly brush through your brows with your brow brush or spoolie tool. Voila!

If you like to use eyeliner, now is the time to apply it. Just use a soft, smudgy color, like chocolate or dark gray, and apply it only to the top lash line, making sure to ‘hug’ the lash-line as you apply it.

Keeping with the natural, healthy look we want to achieve, sweep a layer of eyeshadow in a color one shade lighter than your eyelids over the entire lid area. Pick a shadow with a hint of shimmer if you like…yes, just a hint (no glitter, please). The Amuse makeup line features some beautiful shadows in a range of ‘natural’ skin-tone colors, from pearly white and shimmery pink to soft olive and rich bronze. $22

Naturally Beautiful for Spring...Youth pt. 1 of 3

2007-03-12T17:57:00.000-06:00

Spring is all about bare-looking skin with healthy color. For some of us, this can be a challenging. Because of oily skin and the side effects of over-active oil glands, like breakouts and shiny oil slicks and the resulting cake-y makeup, we tend to over compensate by using harsh cleansers, alcohol-laden toners and ultra-drying treatments that contain skin-damaging ingredients like benzoyl peroxide. Well, it’s time to stop the insanity!

Achieving that easy, natural-looking bare-skinned look is not as hard as it may seem. An absolute ‘must’ is starting with balanced, healthy skin. The first step is to cleanse your skin with a gentle, no-nonsense, oil-free cleanser. Next, exfoliate…gently. And the best way to achieve gentle exfoliation is to stay away from physical exfoliants. As much fun as ‘microdermabrasion’ and scrubs sound, for skin with overactive sebaceous glands, these scrubs are too harsh and often contain oily bases that counteract any benefits you might gain. The secret to gentle exfoliation is to use a skin treatment or toner containing no more than 5% salicylic acid (and NO alcohol). As counterintuitive as it may seem, using an ‘acid’ with a scary name like salicylic actually ‘punches up’ the cleaning power of your cleanser (salicylic acid specializes in cleaning inside your pores, and it’s the only one proven to do this!) while enhancing the effectiveness of the next step: moisturizer.

Many people with oily skin do not use a moisturizer because they mistakenly think it will cause more breakouts. But in actuality, the right moisturizer will balance your skin and keep breakouts under control. The trick is choosing the right one. Choose an oil-free, lightly textured moisturizer. Try one made with glycerin, aloe or hyaluronic acid (a special ‘acid’ that holds 100 times its weight in water). Important: it is imperative that you protect your skin, so please, please, please if you take one thing from this article, make sure to choose a moisturizer containing sun protection with at least SPF 15. For best results, let your moisturizer ‘set’ for about 10 minutes (time to do your hair and brush your teeth!) before you apply your makeup. This ‘set time’ is one of the secrets to natural, healthy-looking skin, so don’t skip it.

Next comes the fun part….makeup!

Skin Savers Deluxe

2007-03-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

I was down with a major head cold over the weekend and as a result of rubbing my nose raw with too many Subway napkins (who buys Kleenex anyway?) and suffering rough, chapped lips from heavy-duty decongestants and antibiotics, my face was not lookin' too good, ya'll.

So I reached for a few (hopeful) remedies and thank goodness, by the time Monday rolled around, I was actually quite presentable.

Juice Beauty Organics To Go Kit contains a power-packed, anti-oxidant rich assembly of organic facial goodies to help you put your best face forward. Kit includes a creamy milk cleanser, refreshing hydrating mist, exfoliating green apple peel, vitamin rich-antioxidant serum and lightweight oil-free moisturizer. $29 (a $45 value for only $29?! Yes!)

Skin Actives Scientifics Every Lipid Serum (ELS) is specifically designed to help repair the skin barrier and supply all lipids your skin needs. I never knew my skin needed so many lipids, but this healing serum is the one product I vow to never be without again...ever. Ever. $9.50 for .5 oz.

And who'da ever thought that a super-shiny lip gloss would actually soothe and treat your lips well enough to heal and reverse chapped lips? Not me, but guess what? I was wrong, wrong, wrong. TINte's Flavored Lip Shine provided a fabulous, shea-butter enriched layer of pampering goodness to my lips that was unexpected. Nourishing, moisturizing and very pretty to boot, TINte continues to impress me with their incredible lip treats...ehem, treatments. $17

Head colds be d*****, I've finally got you beat! Ha-ha!

Win a $300 Shopping Spree at Benefit

2007-03-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

Let’s see those writing skills! It’s time to put those creative writing classes to use – with a twist! A Benefit twist that is…

The Grand Prize winner receives a $300 shopping spree on www.benefitcosmetics.com and TWO runners up each get $150 shopping trip!

Pull out that pen and paper and get to it… contest ends April 3rd

Official Contest Rules:

All essays must be 300 words or less.
Mail essay to: Online Essay Contest, Benefit Cosmetics, 685 Market Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
One lucky "grand prize" winner will receive a $300 Benefit gift certificate redeemable at benefitcosmetics.com.
Two "runner up" winners will receive $150 Benefit gift certificates.
The top three essays will be published on our website.
For a list of product names, visit benefitcosmetics.com
All entries must include entrant's name, address, phone number and email address.
All entries must be received by 4/3/07 and will not be returned.
Winners will be notified by 4/23/07.
Benefit Cosmetics employees are not eligible to win.
Good luck!

My Sister's Coming to Visit!

2007-02-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

My sister, the PhD candidate in Physical Chemistry (don't ask 'cuz I can't tell ya) at Baylor, is coming to visit this weekend so I plan on putting together a little care package with some of my favorite makeup and skincare goodies for her to play with in her spare time (right).

tarte fRxtion lip scuff & balm. This double-sided lip balm stick with built-in flip-up mirror exfoliates your lips with the power of sugar..mmmm, sweet.. and then the vitamin E-enriched balm softens and smoothes your lips.

Alison Raffaele Tinted Moisturizer, Natural With vitamins a, c and e and green tea, Alison Raffaele's tinted moisturizer softens, protects and firms your skin naturally with aloe and seaweed. Plus it provides safe, mineral-based broad spectrum sun protection with the addition of both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Oil-free and fragrance-free, my sister the chemist (and triathlete) will love it!

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Victoria Falls, a soft easy-to-apply definer, will highlight her chocolate brown eyes without being too harsh or heavy. Plus her coloring is similar to Brittany Murphy's and look how beautiful Victoria Falls looks on her ....

supersmile Whitening Fluoride Mouthwash Packets My sis is a Virgo, who are notorious for carrying their toothbrushes around in their back pockets. Well, as busy as she is--and as much coffee as she's consuming these days to get through classes and lab-time, it might be nice to just pop a packet of supersmile's Mouthwash in her back pocket instead. You just mix the packet with water and rinse. Et voila! Beautiful, whiter smile and clean, fresh breath...and she's ready for her academic presentations.

Nyakio Perfume Oil is a clean, beautiful and ultra-long-lasting fragrance oil. This low-maintenance perfume is is derived from fresh coconut, sandalwood, apricot, and amber accented by a light musk. The moisturizing formula, containing no alcohol, includes Vitamin E and Grape Seed Oil. Beautiful and healthy!

Korres Natural Products Milk Proteins 3 in 1 Cleansing, Toning and Eye Make-up Removing Emulsion is the ultimate time-saver. Moisturizing, cleansing, toning and makeup remover all in one. Plus the added benefits of Korres' generations of experience in formulating gentle and effective pharmacological products. Milk proteins, rich in lactose and essential amino acids, offer nourishing properties and form a hydrating film on the skin by bonding with water molecules--perfect for a chemist, molecules and bonding.

Academy Awards Coverage

2007-02-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

Anonymous commented that I had posted last years red carpet photos of both Keira Knightley and Nicole Kidman. Apparently Ms. Knightley didn't attend this year, even though Pirates of the Caribbean 12 was nominated for...well, for something; as a result, her photo has been removed. The photo of Ms. Kidman has been updated (I decided to leave '06--I think you'll see why). Thanks so much, Anonymous. You've been a big help.

Helen Mirren is THE winner. She looks amazing--hair, makeup, earrings, dress--all amazing. Well, heck, she just is amazing. Ms. Mirren embodies true royalty. Congratulations, Helen.

Oops, she did it again. Or maybe Cameron was actually trying to look like she's ready for Prom...in 1986.

Yikes!! Anne Hathaway's eyeliner is terribly heavy...and terribly scary! And her dress and jewelry are just plain terrible. Now, I know she's busy with college classes, but come on...there's just no excuse for this.

Kirsten Dunst? Is that you? Oh I guess it is.

Kirsten's foundation is too heavy (or maybe just the wrong color) and her lipstick is too dark, and too cool of a color, plus her highlights are also too heavy--all of this results in Kirsten looking much older than she is. Nuh-uh...don't do this again, Kirsten. You're way too young to look this old. It's just tooo....tooo....anyway. Let's move on.

Someone deemed Jennifer Lopez one of the 'best dressed' this year at Oscar; however, I have to disagree. The dress makes her look pregnant. If she is pregnant, then GREAT...congrats! But if not, then the choice of this dress is just bad, bad, bad. Plus, her makeup is dated--heavy lipliner, too much eye shadow and streaky blush work against her natural beauty. Plus her hair is over-done. It looks like her hairdresser ran out of time.

Beyonce, Beyonce, Beyonce...why are her dresses always too long? I just don't get this. Does she not have fittings before she goes to the Oscars (or the Grammys, for that matter)? If the extra length is intentional, would someone please tell her it's not working? It makes her look shorter. And this white dress, while lovely, is not suited to her body. But as always, Beyonce's hair is gorgeous, and her makeup is quite tasteful and very pretty.

Cate Blanchett displays another winning look. The metallic dress she's wearing is dramatic and perfectly offsets her precise grey eyeliner. The rest of her makeup and her hair are subtle and understated. Lovely!

Although her makeup is very nice, Jodie Foster missed the mark with her choice of dress and hairstyle. The dress is ill fit, though the color certainly works (it matches her eyes perfectly!). The hair is just too casual and a little 'soccer mom' blah.

Even though she didn't take home Oscar, Penelope Cruz is a winner with this look. Perfectly balanced makeup, hair, jewelry and dress. And not at all boring, just beautiful.

Rachel Wiesz is stunning. Her hair, while mussy, looks completely appropriate with her very tailored makeup--lovely deep wine shade of lipstick! Her necklace compliments her dress.

Nicole looks fine (in 2006...on the left). Pretty, simple, classic. I am actually very surprised that she's not wearing a necklace (what's up with that?), but her makeup is really pretty and fresh. Frankly, Nicole's haircolor is too light and is beginning to look like the same color as her skin, which is beginning to make her look old.

Judging by the 2007 photo (on the right...in RED), she's had a rough year. Her makeup is exactly the SAME, but she has clearly lost some weight and had her lips done. The dress is pretty, though.

Jessica pulls off another winning look. Her makeup and hair are subtle and naturally beautiful, offset by her dramatic fuscia dress. Wow.

Photos courtesy of Oscar.com

Beverly Hills...more than just Oscar-Worthy Actors & Actresses

2007-02-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

Some of the most beautiful people in the world come from and live in Beverly Hills. You and I might not come from or live in Beverly Hills, but we can reap some of the benefits that come from Beverly Hills. I was lucky to discover a fabulous new product, Skin MD Natural, created and manufactured in Beverly Hills, that helps create and maintain these world-class Beverly Hills beauties. Great news, it's clean and non-invasive!

"When 21st Century Formulations, the producers of Skin MD Natural, had perfected their new revolutionary development in skin care, none of the descriptions of existing products seemed to fit. A new definition was needed to accurately describe what their brainchild actually accomplished. That function of their creation was shielding our skin from the many toxic materials that it is exposed to in our ordinary everyday lives as well as preventing dehydration. The new category of skin care was therefore called a 'Shielding Lotion'."

What is a 'shielding lotion,' you ask? According to dermatologist Dr. Brian Zogg, "A shielding lotion is a lotion that forms a protective barrier on the skin and keeps out irritants and chemicals. It also allows the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better." Sounds pretty simple. And guess what? It is. You can use Skin MD Natural on your face, hands and body. It's that light and clean.

How does it work? Like this:

Skin MD Natural's 'thin' formula feels a little watery upon application. It sits on the surface of the skin for a moment before it soaks in. And once it does soak in, there is nothing you feel on the surface of you skin except VERY smooth skin. Powdery, silky smooth.

GirlPaint bonus alert: The past several nights, I have mixed a little Skin MD Natural into my regular facial treatments before bedtime. As a result, I have discovered two additional benefits of Skin MD Natural (yes, aside from the 'shielding' and protective ones already touted by the manufacturer). Skin MD Natural 1) stretches the life of any facial products I add it to, and therefore saves me money, and 2) seems to enhance the delivery of the active ingredients in my facial products--my skin has felt softer and looked smoother and brighter since I've started using Skin MD Natural. $25 for 4 oz.

Special thanks to Pete for the samples.

Winter Beauty Tips from around the Blogosphere

2007-02-21T19:39:00.000-07:00

It's the middle of Febrary and we're in the midst of winter. Don't let your guard down and give in to the cold, blustery days and long nights. Happiness is cruising the blogs and there is beauty to be found in winter, and here are some of the best tips from around the web to get you through to March 21st.

Your Handmade Natural Beauty Representative encourages you to enjoy winter with tips to keep your skin and hair beautiful.

The Daily Obsession reminds us not to forget our feet with a review of Olay Thermal Pedicure.

Apples2apple shows us how to capture spring in a beautiful bag.

The Beauty Brains explains what causes dark undereye circles and what you can do to battle them.

Faking Good Breeding looks forward to spring with a rundown on some beautiful shoes. Shoes! Shoes! Shoes! Yea, shoes!

Bon Bons in the Bath pays special attention to hands and reviews Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure

Style It tells us a little bit about Too Faced Eye Shadow Liquifier and exclaims, "It's Magic."

Dorit Baxter New York Day Spa reminds us to "moisturize lavishly" to keep winter skin at bay.

Blogfabulous advises to get out and help others...now that's beautiful!

Hair Medicine from THE Hair Doctor

2007-02-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

I received a package of SudzzFX goodies in the mail today, and guess where they came from? Right here in Santa Fe. From none other than the Santa Fe Salon's and International Creative Director of SudzzFX, Dwight Miller. Among his many achievements (many, many achievements), Mr. Miller is responsible for creating some of the best lines in hairdo history, including John Frieda's Sheer Blonde, Vidal Sassoon and System Biolage. Add another winner to his resume: SudzzFX.

So, I must say after my weekend in the California sun, my hair needed an assist. So here was SudzzFX's Zenyth Frizz Eliminator. Unlike most other silicone-based shine boosters, Zenyth has a much thinner texture and includes health enhancing ingredients like extracts of asparagus (?!) and sandalwood and is packed with amino acids. A drop or two of Zenyth and my hair was instantly smoother, silkier and much shinier.

I've tried a number of brilliance enhancers and most have disappointed. Most left my hair greasy-looking and weighed down. With Zenyth, I couldn't be happier to report the exact opposite it true. The beautiful, light texture stays true from bottle to application to long-wearing loveliness.

My locks thank you, Doctor Dwight!

Two Days in the Surf and Sun...and My Lips are Perfect!

2007-02-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

I get chapped lips at the drop of a hat, but I must say I'm amazed that I spent 8 hours on airplanes and several hours at the beach over the past couple of days and because of Tarte Inside Out Vitamin Lip Gloss, my lips remained perfect through my entire trip.

The texture of Inside Out is thick, so if you find heavy glosses unpleasant, this one might not be for you. However, even though it is thick, Inside Out is very smooth. Plus it smells wonderful, sort of citrus-y and not too sweet, like fresh pomegranates.

I kept a nice, thick layer of ultra-long lasting and comfortably soothing Inside Out Lip Gloss in either OM (a light, neutral, almost-clear gloss with silver-white shimmer, top picture) or Apple-A-Day (a very sheer, rosy pink with also with a subtle shimmer, bottom picture) on my lips at all times. And it paid off. My lips are actually healthier than when I left home, even with all the time on airplanes (can you believe we had to change planes in Salt Lake City to get to Los Angeles from Albuquerque?!) and at the beach. Fabulous, simply fabulous. Another winner from Tarte.

Special Bonus Alert: Inside each Tarte Inside Out Vitamin Lip Gloss is a single serving of BORBA's specially formulated vitamin cocktail powder. You just mix with a glass of water and sip your way to a more beautiful you. So, while Tarte's shimmery gloss beautifies you on the outside, BORBA's nutraceutical blend beautifies you on the inside. Inside Out includes natural ingredients from BORBA's Age Defying, Replenishing, and Clarifying lines.

LaLa Land

2007-02-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Los Angeles for a few days, so I'll catch up with y'all when I get back. Until then, have a Happy Valentines Day and a LaLa Lovely Weekend!

Valentines Day Sponsored by Booty Parlor

2007-02-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

Trend Watching at the Grammy's

2007-02-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

Trend: 40's Meets 80's, Christina Aguilera (stunning!!) at the Grammy's

Trend: Trapeze Silhouette, Ciara (hmmm, not so sure) at the Grammys

Trend: The new color, buff, Mary J. Blige (lovely) at the Grammy's

Trend: Metallics, Carrie Underwood (nice but ordinary...and what's with the pencil bag?), Hillary Duff (oops) , India Arie (pass the Grog) and Fergie (not bad for Fergie, honestly)

More Grammy Beauty and Fashion Highlights
The Dixie Chicks, Back in Black ...and beautiful (love Natalie's new hair color)

Lovely Ladies in Red: Jennifer Hudson, Natalie Cole and Shakira

And guys, too...OK Go

Okay, let's go...

Photos courtesy of WireImage.com and Style.com

If I told you that you had a beautiful product, would you hold it against me?

2007-02-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

Spa Towells, individually packaged moisturizing disposable body towelettes, were recently introduced to much fanfare. Spa Towells are the brainchild of two Dallas beauties, Ellen and Lisa, who developed and patented the very-cool design. One a retired consultant and the other a stay-at-home mom, they created Spa Towells as a time-saver for today's active women (and men).

If you're not familiar with Spa Towells, they are individually wrapped 8"x8" lightly scented moisturizing towelettes drenched in a rich blend of natural oils, antioxidant rich vitamins and moisture attracting humectants that leave skin on your body feeling smoother, softer and more supple.

Fabulous for visits to the spa and gym, Spa Towells are indespensible when you travel, especially since you can't take along your big bottle of body moisturizer anymore! Plus you avoid messy moisturizer spills in your gym bag, or even worse, your suitcase.

Bargain alert: Spa Towells just announced a major savings...10 Spa Towells for $10, 20 Spa Towells for $20 and 30 Spa Towells for $30. That's a buck each, ya'll...now you have absolutely no excuse not to give 'em a try if you haven't already!

Threat Down for Chapped, Dry Lips

2007-02-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

I have been a big fan of Apivita's Propoline skincare line. Their Body Milk for Dry Skin is heavenly. Plus, their lip balms are unmatched in their protective abilities.

Propoline recently introduced a new lip LipAid Trio. Just in time for the mid-winter blahs, these healing, protective, preventive and cosmetic lip balm wonder triplets includes LipAid Propolis for healing and reversing chapped lips, LipAid Chamomile (ahhhh, soothing) to reduce sensitivity and calm redness associated with chapped lips, and LipAid Rose for added moisture and a beautiful glaze of roseberry color. And you get all three for only $13.50? Goodness me, the LipAid Trio makes a wonderful Valentines gift for your best friend, your sister, your mother and your grandmother.