Beauty pro division

Are you like me - a guy on the go who never has time for the sun but longs for the lust look that has been kissed by the UV? If I go three days without the rays I swear I turn blue. I have always admired Hong Kong's beauty obsession with porcelain skin. Do you think that trend will ever hit the USA? I hope so, then my self tanning expenses wouldn't be so high. But will American's put Mercury on their face to inhibit the skin from getting darker? According to a recent study in China SK-II the brand owned by Procter & Gamble says yes. Now that Reuters has released this story on SK-II the prestige line at Saks Fifth Avenue that competes with Cle de Peau, Natura Bisse and will need to do some serious beauty PR damage control in the USA if this leaks.

I am thinking "NO MERCURY" stickers like "NO MSG" when I go for lunch on the side of the bottles, yes? (kidding)

Liza Ng, a public relations executive living in Hong Kong, has no time or inclination to cultivate the sporty, tanned look either. "I love to be pearly white because that is more beautiful," the 38-year-old said. Ng is not alone.

Women across Asia pay exorbitant prices for cosmetics that promise to whiten their skin and give them a fair, frail look which for centuries has been considered a sign of beauty in women in China and across much of the region.

But the demand for skin-whitening cosmetics -- which can cost as much as $385 for a 50-ml bottle -- has more than a monetary cost. Health experts say that mercury -- a potentially deadly substance that helps to keep skin white -- has been found in a number of skin-whitening cosmetics.

"In Hong Kong, there are no strict rules for product labeling and you can buy cream that says it is mercury-free, but when we examine it, it is full of mercury," said Christopher Lam, a professor of chemical pathology at the Chinese University.

Today while walking around Manhattan it was easy to notice the 50 degree weather. My skin felt dry and was starting to flake. When I store away my summer shorts and t-shirts I always put my gel creams and foaming face washes in a box also. It's time for cream cleansers and layering serums with night creams. Ahhh how I dislike cold weather.

The winter months can be a nasty time of year for your skin. Unfreeze your skins potential with these skincare suggestions.

Just when your skin was finished recovering from the blazing summer damage (or perhaps its still working on it!) the fall and winter months hit us with all new skin care drama. A lot of people dont realize the simple truth that wearing a quality SPF is important year round, not just when the sun is shining. Snow can reflect the sun and cause burns, while cloudy days should never be taken as a free day from the suns damaging rays.

However, winter skincare goes beyond the typical SPF lecture. There are a lot of other things that you can do to keep your skin care up to date and ready for anything!

Dark Desire by Paris M. for MAC Cosmetics

It's October and the skeletons and pumpkins are hanging out in the store windows, reminding you that Halloween is just around the corner. With costumes, makeup, and candy galore, it is tempting to lose sight of your regular skincare routine on this fun holiday. But it's important to realize the effects that even one night can have on your skin.

If you are considering turning yourself green, purple, or orange this Halloween, remember that the makeup items you buy aren't made with the same formulations as many of the skin care products you would wear on a regular day basis. A lot of the face paints out there are grease-based, which can cause a multitude of skincare issues for anyone who has acne-prone skin. Try to choose oil free products whenever possible, and also alcohol-free products for anyone who has sensitive skin. Water-based makeup will always be your best bet and won't put a major roadblock in your regular skincare regime.

If you're too busy to make an appointment at a day spa or can't spare the cost for skin care treats such as facials, read on to see how a few key organic ingredients and homemade recipes can help you become a do-it-yourself skin care specialist.

Many devoted skincare users have long celebrated organic ingredients and products as an alternative to the sometimes chemically enriched skincare products being churned out constantly. However, knowing what specific ingredients do to benefit skin care practices can help anyone concerned about whether such products would suit them and their skin type. While there are literally too many such ingredients to account for, there are a few whose roles definitely deserve to be in the spotlight.

I knew the day would come when one of the top 5; Lauder, L'Oreal, etc. would jump on the organic band wagon. Clarins steps in organic cosmetics. French cosmetics maker Clarins has concluded an agreement with organic cosmetics producer Kibio for the joint development of a line of natural organic cosmetics. Under the terms of this agreement, Clarins acquires a 10% stake in Kibio SAS and subscribes to the full amount of a convertible bond issue. The total investment is EUR 3 million. The conversion of the bonds which will be possible starting in 2008 will enable Clarins to increase its shareholding in Kibio to 60%.

Kibio, created in 2005 by Pierre Cabane and Laurent Potier, has developed a line of organic products certified by Ecocert.

Currently in the initial commercial development phase, Kibio products are mainly distributed through direct sales using the method of home demonstrations. The products are also available for sale at the brand's website: www.kibio.com

Bree Williamson of ABC's One Life To Live asks, "How well do you know your breasts?" in this PSA for breast cancer awareness.

I was grabbing my usual morning cup of java the other day at my favorite local café in LA when a lady and her teenage daughter stopped me in my tracks and demanded to know what I use on my skin. Caught off guard by the beauty inquisition from the mother/daughter duo, a flashback of my bathroom medicine cabinet quickly came to me and I immediately blurted the word, “Skingenic!”

Collagen, that vast network of structural scaffolding that lies just beneath the surface of the skin, is responsible for the skin’s strength, durability and the smooth, plump look of youth. As we get older, collagen production naturally slows down and the skin loses its structure. Wrinkles appear and anti-aging products start flying off the shelves and into your bathroom. However, natural skin care basics and a few simple tricks can prevent collagen loss and even synthesize its production.

Collagen is created by a type of cell known as fibroblasts which reside in the layer just under the skin’s surface. These cells also produce elastin, the protein which gives our skin its bounce. The production of collagen is vital for health internally as well as it supports tissues and internal organs and helps them connect to the bones. In fact, it not only gives our skin its shape, it basically holds the entire body together.

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant and a basic in natural skin care, is a vital co-factor in the production of collagen. Without adequate Vitamin C, fibroblasts cannot do their job. Lack of Vitamin C is therefore one of the major causes of collagen breakdown and lack of production.

The other major elements that prevent collagen production are lack of moisture, exposure to UV rays and a high level of free radicals. While it is well known that each of these is vital in natural skin care, you may not have known that collagen production slows down without them.

The remedies should be pretty obvious now that you know the cause.

~ Supplement your diet with high quality, natural Vitamin C and other antioxidants.
~ Practice good dry skin care basics and avoid anything that will cause your skin to lose moisture. Natural skin care products that do not contain harsh chemical cleansers and lotions will help accomplish that. You should also use a shielding lotion – it bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective layer that locks in moisture and keeps out chemicals and other irritants.

~ Wear sunscreen. Again, find natural products, not those heavily laden with drying chemicals.
~ If you’re a smoker, consider quitting. It will improve your skin, your overall health and save money.

Following the few natural skin care guidelines above will help prevent collagen loss and may even restore some of that youthful glow!

You may think the sun less dangerous now that summer’s (don’t shorten this – looks strange – summer is) over, but winter UV rays can be just as harmful. In fact, winter protection may be even more important than summer - indoor heating and harsh weather strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture, leaving it more susceptible to UV damage. In addition to using a shielding lotion, now recommended by hundreds of doctors (dermatologists) for topical dry skin care, here are a few natural UV fighters you can add to your diet.

Several foods contain nutrients that help prevent sun damage by absorbing UV rays. Generally, these foods are high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids, Vitamins C and A, carotenoids and tocopherals (tocopherols). Fortunately, these nutrients are also essential for dry skin care.

~ Red or orange foods like tomato and watermelon are high in beta-carotene and lycopene (both are carotenoids) (comma is missing) which settle into the outer layer of the skin and repair sun-damaged cells. These nutrients are excellent for dry skin care and can prevent sun damage. According to one study, this combination of nutrients can increase the skin’s defense against UV rays by 20 percent.

Is 50 really the new 30? Well other than some achy joints and some of the unwanted symptoms of peri-menopause. I say, "yes," it can be indeed, at least as far as fine lines and wrinkles go. Skin care is no longer just cosmetic or superficial. It's science, and if you purchase the right skincare products, they work!

Cosmeceutical skin care creams with ingredients such as glycolic acid and vitamin C, work and they work very well. The days of just lathering your face up with moisturizer to plump up the outer layers of the skin are gone. Today pharmaceutical or physician strength ingredients can now penetrate the skin and work from the deeper layers of the skin. Additionally, when these regimens are supplemented with oral vitamins and proper nutrition your skin will look even younger and fresher.

Many physician strength lines such as Murad, Dr. Brandt, and Dr. Perricone are adding nutritional supplements (everything from the omega-3 fatty acids which are excellent inflammation fighters to the amazing anti-aging properties of antioxidants) to their already tried and true skincare lines. These cosmeceutical companies are realizing that to achieve that youthful look we can no longer just apply skincare products topically; we need to nourish our skin cells from the inside out. Another excellent and mandatory way of keeping your skin looking 30 instead of 50 is by staying well hydrated. Dr. Perricone recommends drinking 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water per day and avoiding coffee, instead opting for green tea.

When adding proper nutrition to your new skincare regimen be sure to choose plenty of the best sources of foods rich in anti-age fighting value. According to New Beauty Magazine, dried berries such as blueberries possess anti-wrinkle properties and orange vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and pumpkin are rich in fiber and iron and essential for postmenopausal women.

With proper nutrition and the new science in skincare you can say goodbye to 50 and hello to 30!

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is good for your complexion.

False. In general, people do not need to drink 8 glasses of water a day for any health benefits. It's good as an appetite suppressant and obviously to keep yourself from dehydration, but water alone won't help your complexion. That is based on a combination of genetics, healthy eating habits, managing stress and taking care of your skin with a good
skincare routine.

Cutting your hair will make it grow faster.

False. Hair grows a half inch every month regardless of it being cut or not. It does tend to grow faster in the summer than winter. Hormones play a factor as well, as most pregnant moms know that their hair will grow faster during pregnancy.

There's no need to slap on the sunscreen when it's an overcast day.

False. Clouds or not, UV rays can still penetrate your skin. You should always wear sunscreen when heading outdoors in the spring and summer. In the fall and winter when you are all covered up, you should be wearing a moisturizer and/or foundation with an SPF--and don't forget SPF for your lipcare either!

Shaving makes your hair grow back thicker.

False. Your hair may appear thicker, but it is only because of the angle you cut it at.

Drinking coffee, eating chocolate and greasy foods causes acne.

False. While some of these foods can make acne worse, it is not the cause of it. Acne is a hormonal issue.

Eggs and Mayonnaise are good conditioners for your hair.

False. First, I can't even imagine putting eggs and mayonnaise in my hair just for the smell factor alone. If you want well moisturized, soft tresses, stick to the conditioners you can find in the beauty aisle.

Toothpaste gets rid of zits.

False. Toothpaste will dry out your skin, but it certainly won't rid your skin of acne.

Hair care products can repair split ends.

False. Split ends can be temporarily "glued" back together with hair products, but once the product is washed out, the split ends return. The only way to fix a split end, is to cut it off.

You should stick to one product line for your beauty products.

False. All I ask is why? Nothing bad will happen if you mix and match products, in fact I do it all the time because I love a concealer by one company and love an eyeshadow by another. The same goes for hair care products and skin care. Mix it up!

Dry skin causes wrinkles.

False. Wrinkles are caused by internal and external factors including sun damage. Fine lines are also caused by repetitive smiling and frowning, etc.

Tweezing your eyebrows can be a tricky thing. If you overpluck, it will take a week or so for those hairs to grow back. If you underpluck, then you risk looking like a bushy mess. Here are some tips to achieving the Model Eyeybrow look:

1. Everyone understands where the eyebrow starts, but not where it ends. Line up a pencil at the end of the nose, towards the corner of the eye. That's where the line of your eyebrow should end. This is also where your eye shadow should end, as well.

2. Balance to the eyebrows are very important. You want to make sure that they're not uneven. From where it starts to where it ends, the line of the eyebrow should be horizontal. If you line up a pencil at the beginning and the end of the brow lines up too high, you know you've tweezed too much.

3. The Model Eyebrow is a shape that looks great on everyone. From the start of the eyebrow to the arch, the line is straight. From the arch to the end of the eyebrow, the line is softly curved. It's a classic eyebrow shape that's always in and looks great on everyone.

4. Avoid creating a straightness in your eyebrows by not tweezing above the eyebrow. By tweezing on top, you tend to flatten the shape, making it very difficult to create a high flowing arch. You get your arch only by tweezing underneath, never on top.

5. If you are getting that pinching ouch when tweezing, do what the pros do. Grab the hair with tweezers and pull the hair with the tips of the tweezer touching the skin as you pull. Pull in the direction that the hair grows, and you'll find tweezing to be virtually painless. Why? It's the pulling up of the skin that hurts, not the hair. By keeping the skin flat, you eliminate much of the sting factor.

6. If you find yourself breaking out after tweezing your eyebrows, keep it sanitized. Use witch hazel on a cotton ball before and after you tweeze to avoid those little red bumps.

7. Ideally, the best shape is the natural line that your eyebrow already is. If your eyebrows are extremely thick, a very thin eyebrow will not work for you. If your eyebrows are thin, trying to maintain a thicker eyebrow will be too much work. Just as in hair texture, work with what you have. Softer facial features enhance a thinner, more elegant eyebrow, while a strong bone structure is the perfect face for a thicker, stronger eyebrow.

8. The secret to model eyebrows, is to never completely wax your eyebrow. Models know that eyebrow looks come and go, and if you wax only, you lose the ability to grow in your eyebrows at a later date should you want to change your look. The best technique is to just wax the hairs that are not needed and tweeze to define the shape of the eyebrow.

There are several shapes to tweezers, but the most used are:

The thin tip: Good for grasping fine hairs and plucking ingrown hairs.
The slanted tip: This tip gives you maximum control.
The square tip: Removes coarse hairs or several hairs at a time.

I personally use Esthetic Plus' Slanted Tweezers and find that they work fabulous on my brows. You can learn more about them through my review of them on my blog or simply visit their website at www.estheticplus.com.

(Model Eyebrow tips provided by Elke von Freudenberg, eyebrow expert.)

Soaps from Bath and Body Bliss
4 out of 5 Stars
I crossed my fingers and hoped that the soap was just as good as the pretty packaging. The Seaweed Soap smelled so nice and you could just feel from the bar that this soap would just glide across your skin. The Seaweed Soap is made of kelp, sage, chamomile and is scented with sage and rosemary essential oils. I loved that this soap was mildly abrasive, exfoliating my skin nicely, while creating a great lather. This soap felt wonderful...Read more.

Bikini Kitty Shave System
3 out of 5 Stars
Bikini Kitty is a Shave Care System to eliminate and prevent razor rash, ingrown hair and provide an irritation free shave. Bikini Kitty's products are vegan and organic. The kit comes in a very handy vinyl bag with handles. It includes a Body Brush, Everyday Magic Spray, Shave Gel, No nick Razor Oil, Razor-burn soother and 2 single blade disposable razors...Read more.

Joico K-Pak Liquid Reconstruct
4 out of 5 Stars
As my hair gets longer, I find that it splits and freys a little more easier, or just seems a little more obvious, and that my hair tangles a lot more causing me to wish (for just one millisecond) for short hair again. This product has been a miracle worker, along with the Joico K-Pak Smoothing Balm...Read more.

Maryam's Soap Nook Exfoliating Body Wash
4 out of 5 Stars
My VIP package came from Maryam's Soap Nook. Today's review will be about her Exfoliating Body Wash with Kukui Nut Oil and Jojoba Beads. This product was sent in an out of this world fragrance---Pomegranate and Wild Berries. This wonderfully pink Body Wash with it's blue-green Jojoba Beads lives up to my expectations of not only smelling wonderful, but also working just as well...Read more.

Spa Towells
4 out of 5 Stars
I have to admit, when I was approached to review Spa Towells, I wondered what it would look like and if it would actually work. I received a few packages of the towells, which were pretty good size. In fact, the towells were bigger than I imagined them to be. They are 8x8, which for image purposes imagine opening up a tri-folded papertowel like those in women's restrooms...Read more.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment
5 out of 5 Stars
Ojon is the talk of the town these days. If you haven't seen them on QVC, then you've surely heard other beauty bloggers raving about their products. Ojon's Restorative Hair Treatment contains 100% Ojon palm nut oil from the rainforest in Central America...Read more.

Korres Wild Rose Brightening Serum
4 out of 5 Stars
I loved the very light rose scent. Not too florally or overly done. Nothing that would cause you to think it was too fragrant. The serum was tan in color and it only took 3 pumps to cover my entire face and eye area. It only pumps out a small amount at a time, so the 3 pumps really wasn't a lot of product...Read more.

Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
4 out of 5 Stars
I have an uneven skin tone, and honestly, I don’t know too many people with the perfect complexion. I am always on the hunt for a product that will transform my blotchy skin and make it look flawless. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to liquid Foundation, I have a love hate relationship with it...Read more.

I received the Korres Body Butters Trio and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With winter actually beginning to set in, my skin starts to get so dry and I know that Shea Butter is a fantastic deeply moisturizing lotion.

Korres Body Butter is mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethanolamine free. The butters glide on smooth with no greasy residue. The trio comes in Guava, a tropical sweet scent; Quince, a fruity & spicy scent; and Yoghurt, a baby pure fresh scent. If I had to pick a favorite scent of the three, it would be Yoghurt because it is so fresh out of the shower clean smelling. Besides Shea Butter, all of the butters contain Sunflower, Almond and Avocado oils, which nourish the skin and restore its elasticity and smoothness.

Some of the benefits of Shea Butter are:

* Helps cell regeneration and capillary circulation. This favors the healing of small wounds, skin cracks and crevices, and skin ulcers. In the cosmetic field, this property is an asset against skin aging. It has restructuring effects on the epidermis, also on dry and fragile hair.

* Due to it’s natural high content of fats, fatty acids, vitamins A, E and F) and other active ingredients; it’s no wonder it has been used for centuries for skin care.

* Shea is used to moisturize severely dry skin. It heals and smoothes itchy dry skin, as well. It has an anti-elastase characteristic that makes it an excellent product to prevent and reduce wrinkles. It aids in the healing of stretch marks and helps heal and restore elasticity to the skin of burn victims. Shea Butter helps control eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and skin discoloration; it helps heal bedsores on bedridden individuals.

Bourjois Metallic Eyeliner
5 out of 5 Stars
The color Elke gave me was Effet noir miroir, which is a nice kohl black. Actually I find that it also has pigments of purple in it, which is one reason I really like this eyeliner. It’s the way that it catches in the light that at different points you see black and in others you see a purple hue. I have hazel eyes and quite honestly, my eyes are rockin when I wear this eyeliner. The above color card does not do this color justice...Read more.

e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss
3 out of 5 Stars
Last week when e.l.f. was having their lip product sale, I decided to scoop up their Hypershine Gloss. I purchased mine in Candy Apple and Flirt, but honestly, the color makes no difference as this is a practically sheer gloss. The gloss resembled a mechanical paintbrush-pen of sorts, because the gloss is up in a chamber and you need to twist the pen to bring it down to the area where it trickles the gloss down into the paint brush-like bristle tip. The pen says to twist it several times, twelve I believe, however it took a lot more twisting than that. I had to twist my gloss pen 32 times until the gloss came into the bristles...Read more.

Besame Cosmetics Delightful Rose
4 out of 5 Stars
I opened the bottle to a wonderful and very realistic fragrance of roses. It brought back memories of the very first bouquet of roses I received when I was 17 from my first “real” boyfriend. It is a very lovely and romantic scent. The lotion is very lightweight, which is not surprising, since I feel that all of Besame’s cosmetics are lightweight. This lotion doesn’t feel greasy, either...Read more.

AVON Super Full Mascara
5 out of 5 Stars
Time and again I think the most sought after makeup product is a fantastic mascara. One that does what it claims it does. Am I right? So I see the commercial for AVON’s newest product, their Super Full Mascara. I’m intrigued as it claims to use a new clean-build brush that will deliver up to 5 times fuller lashes. I’m just about out of my current mascara, so I decide I want to give this one a try. I put a call into my AVON representative, the lovely Michele Parzych, and ask if she could bring one over to me. She gladly obliges (thank you Michele) and I quickly take a peak to see exactly what a “clean-build” brush looks like...Read more.

Urban Apothecary Supernatural Mineral Powder
5 out of 5 Stars
Urban Apothecary has very fast shipping; I had my products within 5 days of ordering. When I opened my package, I was very pleasantly surprised at how big the compact was. I definitely felt it was a generous size for the price ($38), bigger than the average compact offering more product for the money...Read More.

Esthetic Plus Deluxe Metal Eyelash Curlers
4 our of 5 Stars
When I received my eyelash curler, I wondered what all the fuss was about such a device. How in the world could this product really make my lashes stand out? So, very nervously, I took out my Esthetic Plus Deluxe Eyelash Curlers and put them to the test. I got as close to my lash line as I could and squeezed the handle for about 10 seconds. I found that the black padding made it easy to see where my lashes lined up...Read more.

e.l.f. Moisture Care Lip Color
4 out of 5 Stars
Back when I purchased my Hypershine Gloss from e.l.f.,I also purchased their Moisture Care Lip Color. The packaging almost appears the same; separate chamber for gloss, you have to twist the tube to make it release from the chamber and so on. What’s different about this product is that the tip is smooth and velvety and the lip color appears in tiny goblets for you to smooth across your lips. I purchased mine in Pink Lemonade...Read more.

Tarte: Jake & Samantha Lip Gloss
4 out of 5 Stars
I recently received tarte’s double ended lipgloss in Jake & Samantha (formerly Carrie and Big). The colors are dark raspberry and pale cotton candy pink. Two colors that happen to look smashingly on me (if I do say so myself). These gloss containers spare no expense and waste no space. They are literally completely filled with gloss. More bang for your buck and I have to say, I like it that way...Read more.

The Cucumber Eye Care Kit from Earth Therapeutics offers a soothing oasis in the middle of the stress, pollution, environmental factors or even a late night after the Oscars, which can take their toll on the eyes and the delicate skin surrounding the eyes. To soothe, calm, and condition, try the Recover-E Cucumber Eye Pads. Infused with real Cucumber extract, Vitamin E, and a beneficial blend of nutrients, these pre-moistened treatment pads cool and soothe on contact – offering a convenient, one-step solution for comforting and replenishing delicate skin around the eyes. Over time, these treatment pads help restore the skin.

Tired eyes are pampered. Tired skin is nourished and nurtured. Puffiness and swelling are relieved. Dark circles are visibly diminished. After a relaxing treatment with the Recover-E Eye Pads, try on the Herba-Gel Beauty Mask to put the finishing touches on your eye care regimen. The Herba-Gel Mask can be used either warm or cool to further soothe and invigorate tired, strained eyes. Eyes will feel fresh and rested. Skin around the eyes will look and feel soft, smooth, and radiant. -Enjoy in good health

Many times it doesn't matter how much lotion you are slapping on your skin, if you are not exfoliating your skin on a regular basis, your skin cannot absorb all the benefits your moisturizer has to offer. This is due to your pores being clogged by the dead skin cells your skin has shed. Clogged pores makes your skin look dry and dehydrated...you know that flaky skin look? That look is never "in."

Besides the normal places to exfoliate like your face, legs and arms; have you remembered to exfoliate your neck? Exfoliating your neck is often ignored. If you exfoliate your neck, it will give you a fresher look. What about your elbows and knees? I remember all too well what it felt like to have cracked, flaky elbows. It hurt to have dry skin in this area. Knees need to look polished too. You could be wearing that killer red dress, but when your dry knees peak out, it completely takes away from how gorgeous you look. What about your feet? Have you looked at your heels lately? This is something that needs to be taken care of daily, as dry cracked heels look pretty on no one. Also, exfoliating your feet before applying sunless tanning lotion helps prevent streaking. What about your lips? You can't have a great pucker if they are scaley and peeling.

Some of the benefits of exfoliating are:

* It's ability to improve texture of your dull skin, making it more vibriant.
* Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
* Sloughs off the dead skin cells your body has shed.
* Unclogs pores.
* Keeps skin healthy, thus helping to prevent break-outs.
* Helps retain your tan when you exfoliate before slapping on the sunscreen.

You will notice a tremendous difference in your skin's softness and moisture retention if you simply follow a routine of exfoliating one to two times per week.

We're always looking for a way to make our lip color last the entire day, to make our lips look fuller without the burning and stinging of lip plumpers or how to get that great matte look. I was able to tap into the expertise of my Makeup Artist friend Elke von Freudenberg for a few tricks on just how to accomplish the above.

A way to keep lipstick on all day is to avoid lipstick all together. First, apply a "lip-friendly" colored eye shadow on dry lips with an flat eye shadow brush.

Next apply your favorite lip gloss in clear or a colored gloss to create a custom color. The eye shadow powder gives the gloss something to stick too and lasts hours longer than gloss by itself.

The Finished Lip

For a trick that works just as well in real life as it does in front of the camera, try this tip to make small lips appear fuller. Apply a concealer pencil, or concealer with a brush around the outside line of the lip and blend well. The lightness makes lips appear fuller and more prominent.

Need to change a lipstick or gloss fast? Take a Q-tip spritzed with water or toner and roll off the lipstick. Make sure you roll from the outside corners of the mouth inwards. This trick works great when lipstick color changes must be done fast.

To create the perfect lip line, take concealer on a pointed concealer brush and lightly trace around the lip after you've applied lipstick. This creates a perfect line to the lipstick and gives a sharper edge.

The matte lip is back, but with a softer feel. To create this look easily, apply a favorite lip color. Separate a Kleenex so it's 1-ply and place over the lips. With a small eye shadow or fluff brush, lightly apply a loose neutral or translucent powder through the Kleenex. The right amount of powder will go through to create a soft matte mouth without the dry look and feel.

Finished Matte Lip

Besame Cosmetics Enriched Lip Glaze
4 out of 5 Stars

My previous encounter with Besame Cosmetics Enriched Lip Glaze was a positive one; this time is no different. I was in love with their Chocolate Lip Glaze when it was just a small sample and recently I was sent Cotton Candy and Shimmer Peach...Read more.

Benefit Cosmetics Moon Beam
3.5 out of 5 Stars

Moon Beam is a highlighter that is a natural golden pink. While the site says it works best on olive, tan and darker skin tones, it made my pale complexion shimmer. I made X's at the apple of each cheek as the box recommended and then blended with my finger tips. I believe this is a product you can wear all over your face, but since I am shiny to begin with, I decided I would use other products to tone down the shine on most of my face, but leave Moon Beam on my cheeks...Read more.

Booty Parlor I'm So Sexy Lip Gloss
3 out of 5 Stars

Loved the color of both of these glosses. The pink is really subtle with such a super fabulous shine. The peppermint reminds me of candy canes. The Cinnamon Shine was red and looked great alone and I even put it over my Jane Iredale lipstick, which really gave it a whole new dimension...Read more.

Jane Iredale Cream to Powder Eyeliner
5 out of 5 Stars

I recieved her Cream to Powder Eyeliner in Black Plus, which is quite nice. It has 3 colors: Black, a greyish blue and a slate color. Application is super easy, as you don't have to wet your brush to apply them. Actually, I sometimes even use my finger to give my eyes that smokey look to them. The cream glides on smooth and quickly turns to powder...Read more.

Dr. Stuart Kaplan, one of the nation's leading dermatologists and the creative mind behind the skincare line KaplanMD, recently wrote an article to distinguish the difference between Botox, a muscle relaxer, and dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane. If you are not aware of the difference and how each product works, the article below is a good start to understand the difference between the two.

Botox vs. Fillers: How To Choose The Best One For You
By Stuart H. Kaplan, M.D. Beverly Hills Dermatologist

It is important to understand the difference between Botox, a muscle relaxer, and Juvederm, Restylane, Collagen, etc. which are fillers. The easiest way to visualize the difference is to think of a crease as a valley between two mountains. Botox prevents the mountains from being pushed together, and fillers fill in the valley.

Before Botox®Cosmetic

After Botox®Cosmetic

Injectable Wrinkle Fillers: The differences between fillers has to do with thickness and longevity. In general, the thicker the filler, the better it will fill creases, but the greater the chance of possible bumps. Bumps are more likely in thinner skin such as the lower eyelids, and crows feet. Zyderm (a type of Collagen), and Restylane Fine Line are the least thick and can be used around the eyes, but they are also the shortest lasting. Juvederm Ultra Plus is one of the longer lasting hyaluronic acid fillers. It can be used for deeper creases. Juvederm Ultra Plus can last between 3 and 6 months.

Fillers can also be used to improve or enhance facial structures such as:

* Filling in acne scars
* Enhancing cheek bones to make them fuller and more defined
* Enlarging lips for a fuller, softer pout
* Correcting lip deformities or asymmetry
* Non-surgical nose-job to fill in dips and valleys in the nose bridge
* Filling in hollows under the eyes that contribute to dark circles

Before Restylane Injection

After Restylane Injection

Other new trends include:

* Nipple enhancement
* Vaginal rejuvenation
* Injecting into the soles of the feet to make wearing high heeled shoes more comfortable

Korres Lemon Anti-Shine Gel
4 out of 5 Stars

Always on the hunt for an anti-shine product that will last for hours on end, I received Korres Lemon Anti-Shine Gel to see if it could combat my oily t-zone. I’ve been applying the anti-shine gel as part of a step by step process in my facial routine, which have made my skincare issues turn around 360 degrees. I have been exclusively been using only Korres skin care products on my face and the results have been amazing...Read more.

Kiss My Face Tinted Moisturizer
5 out of 5 Stars

I love when I get to try a product I have never tried before. It really helps to come into a review without having any preconceived notions about how it should work. 1. I’ve never used a tinted moisturizer. 2. I’ve never used Kiss My Face. So it was a double whammy with Kiss My Face’s Tinted Moisturizer in Sisal, which is for light coverage. This moisturizer has an SPF of 8 and its oil and fragrance free. LOVE the oil free part because then it means less shine to contend with for my combination skin...Read more.

Lumiere Mineral Cosmetics
4.5 out of 5 Stars

While I absolutely love every product I received, my most favorite has been the Lavender Pearl eyeshadow. Even my mother remarked on how gorgeous the color was and asked where she could get it. Lavender Pearl is a pinky lavender with an opal-like sheen. The picture on the site does not do it justice. It has an iridescent shimmer to it. This is the product I have been using to make my eyes really pop...Read more.

Kiss My Face 3 Way Color
4.5 out of 5 Stars

After trying Kiss My Face’s Tinted Moisturizer, I was intrigued to try out their 3 Way Color product. I received mine in Heather, which is a light frosted berry looking color. The 3 Way Color can be used on your lips, cheeks and eyes. Kiss My Face’s 3 Way Color has an SPF of 8 and is moisturizing with olive and mango butter. The scent is completely delicious and its a mix of pink grapefruit, pomegranate, rasberry and white grape...Read more.