Rise and Shine!

I am not always a morning person. There are times when I can jump out of bed, get myself ready, and feel like I can take on the world. But then...and more often...there are days when my alarm goes off and I can't move. Morning has come too early and all I want to do is curl up under the covers even though I have to get up and face the day.

Whether it's ennui, staying up too late, or over-indulging the night before, some mornings are just harsh. Even if you don't get enough sleep, there are a few tricks you can use to make yourself look more rested and ready to go. Try these:

• Get your blood pumping. Sure, lying in bed may seem ideal, but try to get up and get physical. Do some jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk, or (better yet!) have a morning quickie with your honey. Getting your body moving and your blood pumping will improve your circulation and will get your skin looking more alive.
• Hit the shower...but keep it cool. A cooler shower will stimulate circulation and will help you feel...and look...better when you're dragging.
• Exfoliate! Wash away your dead skin and the remnants of your night before with a gentle exfoliating wash. Avoid the harsher exfoliators that contain glycolic acid since they can make your skin more sun sensitive.
• Moisturize well. Give your freshly scrubbed skin a healthy drink with a good moisturizer. Be sure to use one that contains SPF to get extra sun protection.
• Be a tea-totaler. Well...not really! But if you have bags under your eyes, place cool tea bags over your eyes for a few minutes. The caffeine in the tea will help to reduce any puffiness.
• Apply concealer with care. Take care of your dark circles carefully. Try a concealer or foundation primer and apply it with a light hand. You don't want to over-correct and end up with circles that are too light around your eyes! Blend, blend, blend.
• Go easy with the foundation. Remember that foundation applied too thickly can cling to lines and other imperfections, making them even more pronounced than you want.
• Be rosy. A hit of blush will make your face look brighter and more alert. Don't skip this step.
• Don't forget your lids. If you have dark circles and tired looking eyes, chances are you're focusing most of your time on your under-eye area. But you can also do a few things on your upper lids to make your eyes look more open. Try curling your lashes and applying a decent coat of mascara, especially to your outer lashes. Also consider embracing a 50s style cat-eye look by flicking your eyeliner up and out from your upper lids. Finally, a little nude liner on your lower lids or a hint of white liner in the inner corners can really make your eyes pop.

My final hint: stay hydrated. Don't go for the crutch of drinking cup after cup of coffee unless you want an nasty crash later in the day. Stick with water--plenty of it!--to keep your skin hydrated and everything functioning properly.

Kiss of the Vampire

Well, we all knew it was bound to happen one day, and that day is finally here. It seems as though DuWop is unveiling a new product inspired by the glittery vampire juggernaut that is Twilight.

Here's what DuWop has to say about Lip Venom V, their lip plumper made in the vain (vein?) of Twilight:

Be transformed. Let the alchemy transcend.

This special limited edition Lip Venom is a sneak preview of our highly anticipated Twilight Venom, debuting this Fall. Lip Venom V is not your typical DuWop venom. Instead of a gloss, Lip Venom V is a shimmering crimson lip stain suspended in a venom-laced liquid lip conditioner with a bite, and contains argan, avocado, olive oils and vitamin E.

This product should be shaken before use to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds and applied repeatedly until lips are plumped, revitalized and the desired intensity of color has been reached.

Hmmm....Interesting! What would Edward and Bella think? I love normal Lip Venom, so I'll bite my tongue for now. I just wonder if this will bite or rock....time shall tell. I wonder what kind of makeup product DuWop could design for Jacob and his werewolves? Some sort of hair remover, perhaps?

I ordered a few vials of Lip Venom V, so be on the lookout for a giveaway and a review soon!

Need Makeup? Get Online....Now!

Too Faced is having a big sale this weekend! If you need to stock up on some high quality, cutely packaged beauty products, head over to Too Faced's website. Enter code SIZZLE at check out and you'll get:

• 20% off your entire order
• Free mini Pinpoint mascara with every $35 purchase
• Free shipping with every $75 purchase

My suggestion? Check out Too Faced's amazing eye colors and fun pallets. You really can't go wrong.

The sale ends on the 28th, so get shopping!

Beauty Product of the Week: DoubleTwist Mascara

What is it? Revlon's new DoubleTwist mascara, "gives you the volume and definition you've been looking for in a mascara. Revolutionary 2-in-1 brush for massive volume and remarkable definition. Thickening Brush + Separating Combs = the Ultimate Lash Look." Available at drugstores and big box stores for $8.99 or so.

What did you think? The thinking behind this product is good. A rubber wand that will help declump lashes combined with a more bristles that will add volume...what could go wrong? The short answer: everything. This product sucks in so many ways. I honestly have nothing positive to say about this product.

Let's take a look at the wand. It's both too stiff and too wobbly all at the same time. The red comb gets all crapped up with mascara and huge gobs of tarry black mascara gum up the entire brush. The wand is too large to allow for easy use, so you can't get into tight corners to apply mascara to your outer lashes.

This mascara applies horribly. The very first time I carefully swiped the wand across my lashes, I was left with not one, not two, but three disastrous clumps on my top lash line. That meant I had to grab my metal lash comb and rake it through the wretched clumps to make my lashes look unclumped. Separating comb, my ass!

This product is messy, takes a lot of time and patience to use, and the end result? Yeah...nothing spectacular. I had such a bad time with this product that I wonder how much effort Revlon took in actually testing this product out before slapping it on Jessica Alba and selling it to suckers like me.

Don't be a sucker: Avoid this rotten product at all cost!

The final verdict? This appallingly bad product pisses me off. I hate it when cosmetics companies spend all their time and money on advertising rather than on making a decent product. I normally like Revlon--partially because they don't test on animals--but lately some of their new products are big flops. This mascara is a huge miss. It's messy and hard to apply. It's about as appealing as applying tar to your lashes.

Do not waste your money. What a massive disappointment!

I Need YOUR Advice!

Okay--I answer lots of beauty questions, but now I have a few questions for you. I need advice and I'm turning to my blog for the answers! Yes, this is self-serving, but hey...it's my blog so by definition it's self-serving.

Here's what I need help with:

1) I am a natural blonde, but lately I've been going platinum. This means suffering through a bleach and tone every eight weeks or so. I love, love, love my platinum blonde locks, as I've mentioned before. The only drawback? My hair is much more dry than normal...thanks to the bleach and harsh chemicals. I've been trying to wash and condition every other day (and never on the weekends). This seems to be helping a little, but on day two, my hair is dry-ish and my scalp oilier than I like. This is my question: If you have dry, chemically treated hair, how do you care for it? Specifically: what products are your favorites?

2) As I mentioned yesterday, I have come to the realization that I have combination skin. My T-zone tends to get a little shiny during the day but I also have some dry patches on my forehead and cheeks. Nice. I wash daily and exfoliate regularly. I moisturize....I try to do everything right. If you have combination skin, what products and treatments do you use? What's worked and what hasn't?

Thanks in advance for your comments! I'll be back tomorrow with a brand new Beauty Product of the Week!

Dark Angels for My Bathroom

Over the weekend, my husband and I made a visit to one of our local Lush shops. As I mentioned last week, I'm in the need for new products, and I hoped that Lush could hook me up.

I love the idea of Lush. Everything they sell is unique and tempting. And I really like giving Lush products as gifts or blog giveaways. But I rarely buy Lush products for myself, and I'm not really sure why.

I've also recently come to realize that--despite my past insistence otherwise--I have combination skin. And right now...now that it's getting warmer and more humid...my skin can be a little to oily for my liking.

This past weekend, I decided to stop my self-deprivation and take care of my weird combination skin all at the same time. I bought myself a fascinating Lush product called Dark Angels.

Here's what Lush has to say about this product: Dark Angels is powerful cleanser designed for young, oily and darker skin – as requested by our customers and inspired by our best-selling cleansing roll. It's got a natural, anti-bacterial cleanser in the form of Rhassoul mud which we buy direct from the mines in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. Powdered charcoal absorbs oil as it gives you a good scrub. Its firm approach is balanced by soothing rosewood and sandalwood essential oils to keep your skin soft.

Now, my skin is not young (it's not old, but I wouldn't call it young!!) and it certainly isn't darker (I'm very pale!), but I am eager to give this a try. You take a little of the black cleanser, mix it with water, and wash your face. There are a lot of natural exfoliating agents in the cleanser that will buff away dead skin cells. Despite this cleanser containing coal, it smells really good.

I can't wait to give it a try...and I'll be sure to report back with my thoughts!

Sephora Samples in Time for Summer Travel

Planning for your pretty weekend or summer getaway? Be sure to tote these travel-friendly treats from Sephora! From multi-purpose mascaras to skin-sational moisturizers and fabulous fragrances, Sephora offers everything you need to make it through security…while looking snazzy! Slip these travel savers into your makeup bag and you're good to go.

Travel is made easy with these vacation necessities. And let me tell you, these samplers rock! I, for one, can't wait to try some of these babies out!

SEPHORA FAVORITES Naturally Gorgeous Skincare & Make-Up Sampler ($40 a $111 value) – Be a natural traveler with these eco-chic pieces: Korres Natural Primer, Tarte EmphasEYES, Tarte Lash Hugger, and Bare Escentuals 100% Natural Lip Gloss.

SEPHORA FAVORITES Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler ($36 a $65 value) – Made to make - and take - a splash, this waterproof sampler includes Tarte Lights Camera Splashes, Too Faced Mini Lash Injection, Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash and Make Up For Ever Sens’Eyes Makeup Remover.

SEPHORA FAVORITES Eau Girl Fragrance Deluxe Sampler ($40 an $80 value) – This scent-sational pack of petite spritzers includes some of Sephora’s most notable fragrances such as Marc Jacobs Daisy, Christian Dior Miss Dior Cherie, and Prada Infusion d’Iris.

SEPHORA FAVORITES Get Pink’d Pink Lip Deluxe Sampler ($37 an $80 value) – Pucker up with Sephora’s most kissable lip glosses, including Smashbox O-Gloss, Urban Decay Lipstick in Jilted, DuWop Prime Venom, Sephora Super Shimmer and Stila Cherry Crush.

SEPHORA FAVORITES Face Quenchers Moisturizer Deluxe Sampler ($37 a $100 value) – Treat your skin to Sephora’s ahhh-mazing face refreshers including Philosophy Hope in a Jar, Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer, Fresh Soy Face Cream, and Murad Protecting Day Cream SPF 30.

SEPHORA FAVORITES Fix-Its Skincare Deluxe Sampler ($40 a $118 value) – This emergency skin kit includes: Kinerase Extreme Eye Lift, Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask and Perricone MD Ceramic Skin Smoother, so pack them on for instant skin rejuvenation!

SEPHORA FAVORITES Lashstash Mascara Deluxe Sampler ($39 a $96 value) –You’re your bevy of lashes with these mini-mascaras. Including Buxom Lash, Smashbox Bionic Mascara, Lancôme Cils Booster, Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara and more, the options are eye opening!

Beauty Product of the Week: Smooth My Sole

What is it? Dr. Scholl's Smooth My Sole Microfile " is an effective, yet gentle stainless steel file that removes rough, dry skin and calluses to reveal soft, smooth skin. Stainless Steel ProSharp™ Micro File to remove rough, dry skin and calluses. Ergonomic Design - Designed to fit well in a woman's hand. Translucent, so you can see shavings accumulate as you file. So gentle, it won't burst a balloon. Easy, no mess disposal Smoothing pads provide the finishing touch!" Available at drugstores and wherever Dr Scholl's products are sold for about $10.

What did you think? I must admit I was a little nervous about trying this product. It looks a lot like the Ped-egg you see advertised on late night TV. The idea of a cheese grater like tool for my feet made me squeamish.

Despite my trepidation, I gave this a shot. And it works wonders! I get rough patches on the balls of my feet...and these rough patches are thick and gross. When I get pedicures, they require extra attention and when I leave, they're only a little better than when I walked in. But Smooth My Sole quickly, easily, and painlessly files away rough patches, leaving my feet feeling smooth and perfect.

Also included are "smoothing pads" that buff up your feet post filing. The pads are ok--they don't seem to do a whole heck of a lot. But the file? Wow! It really works.

The final verdict? I give this one a thumbs up...and that surprises me. I was fearful of this product at first, but it does a nice job at a very decent price. $10 for a product that gives top-notch, at home professional pedicure results? What's not to like?!

I Want A New Drug

My apologies to Huey Lewis and The News for stealing the title of today's entry, but I think it's apt. Here's why (holy cow--I just aged myself!):

I try tons of beauty products. Products from companies that are very well known, products that are from obscure manufacturers. I try expensive products and cheap products. I don't discriminate. I'll try almost anything.

But lately? Ugh! I think I've hit a rut! I need to try something new, something that excites me. So I am going to ask you....my beloved readers: What is your favorite new (or not so new) beauty product at the moment? Or: what product are you dying to try? Please leave me a comment--I'll use some of your suggestions for future blog entries and I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Thanks!

Ask Lydia: Foundation Primer

Hi Lydia -

I've been reading reviews about different foundation primers and am thinking about purchasing some. Reviews seem to speak highly of it, but are primers really worth the money? Also, should you still use daily face lotion with a primer?

Thanks! --Brooke

Hi Brooke! Thanks for your question...this is a good one. Let's examine the wonderful world of primers:

WHAT IS FOUNDATION PRIMER?
Foundation primers add a layer between your skin and your makeup. They help even out your skin's surface and some reduce the size of your pores. Some primers may help extend the wear of your foundation by helping to absorb oil. If you're in a humid environment or have more oily skin, primer may help to keep your makeup from slipping.

You can get some similar benefits from applying moisturizer first, but primers take it one step further.

HOW DO I USE IT?
First off, it is not necessary to wear moisturizer and a primer. You can pick one or the other...or both. If you wear any eye creams or moisturizer, apply them first. Then apply the primer. With primer, it seems a little goes a long way, so go easy! Give yourself a minute or two to let the primer absorb into your skin before applying your foundation. Then just put on your makeup as you normally do.

I have noticed that primers do give my skin a completely different texture--more matte or velvety, which is nice.

WHAT PRIMER IS RIGHT FOR ME?
That depends entirely on your type of skin and your budget. Primers are relatively new to the market, and it seems like they're mostly made by the higher-end companies. The Cadillac of primers is, arguably, Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Some primers are tinted to counteract any discoloration your skin may have. My advice: head over to Sephora and talk to their people. They can help you find the perfect primer for you. And plan to spend at least $30 or so, depending on what you end up with.

Dear Old Dad

Father's Day is just around the corner, and while you could get your dad the usual gift (a tie, bbq equipment, etc.), why not pamper your poppa with some of these great products. Men like to be taken care of just as much (if not more!) than women do, and you can share your love of skin care/beauty products with your dad by checking out these goodies:

Every Man Jack Beginner's Luck Kit, about $25: Every Man Jack products are awesome! They're well priced and easy to find (just head to your local Target!), and they do a great job. Their signature mint fragrance is subtle and clean smelling, and will be fun to use. I've used their bar soap in the past--it was pretty and smelled great. Every Man Jack products aren't tested on animals and they're not packed with nasty chemicals like some shaving products. Totally budget friendly, Every Man Jack products are approachable and damn good!

Lab Series Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 Gift Set, $37.50: Men need to use SPF just as much as women do, but we all know that they're far from enthusiastic about it. We get to sneak in our SPF by wearing foundation containing SPF, lipgloss with SPF, etc. This set, designed specifically for men, includes a face wash, shave cream, and sun block.

Sephora Brand Scent Sampler, $50: I love this gift! You get a box full of samples of the top selling fragrances for men. You also get a coupon for a full sized product of your choice. Your dad can test out ten different scents and then go back to Sephora for a full sized version of his favorite. If looking good and smelling good is important to your dad, this is a great gift...one that will let him get exactly what he wants.

Take care of your dad this Father's Day!

Beauty Product of the Week: blu_ray High Definition Gloss

What is it? CARGO's blu_ray™ High Definition Gloss "provides a high-shine and plumping effect that makes lips look full and smooth —for picture-perfect results. The technology-driven formula has a plumping and line-filling effect for instantly fuller and smoother lips with long-term results. It delivers high shine without the shimmer—making it perfect for photography. The formula improves elasticity of the lips and provides the ultimate in hydration and comfort while the cap features Timestrip® technology to show you when your gloss needs to be replaced. Timestrip™ is a strip that remembers when a product was first opened and alerts you when it is no longer wise to use it. Simply insert the Timestrip™ into the cap and it is immediately activated. As the months go by the Timestrip™ window gradually turns red and, when the entire window is red, it is time to replace your gloss" Available in seven shades at Sephora for $24 a tube.

What did you think? $24 is a lot to spend for lip gloss. I get that. For $24, I expect great things from a lip product. This lip gloss does not deliver.

Before I get to my complaints, here's what I like:

• The applicator: I prefer the spongy-tipped applicators for gloss rather than the brushes. They somehow seem easier to use.
• The minty flavoring: The scent/taste of a lip gloss is very important, and this one is minty and fresh. Nice!
• The lack of glitter: I hate glosses that are sparkly. I am not a Twilight vampire and I prefer my lips to shine, not sparkle.
• The feel: This gloss is not sticky or thick--it's slick and feels pretty good on my lips.

Now, here are my concerns:

• The lack of color: The shades are subtle and very natural looking--this is both a good thing and a bad thing. It would be fine to wear a subtle shade if it cost about $10. But for $24, I want more va-va-va-voom for lack of a better word.
• The Timestrip: I don't know about you, but I tend to keep beauty products longer than I know I should. The Timestrip counts down time and when it goes red, you're supposed to replace the product. According to CARGO, this gloss needs to replaced with in 9 months of being opened. I'm already at the 3 month mark--man time flies by. The red strip on my lipgloss tube grows, taunting me. I know I'll have (and use) this gloss well past the 9 month mark, but every time I do so, I'll feel like I'm doing something wrong...like drinking expired milk.
• The overall blah-ness of it all: Like I said, for $24 I have high expectations, but this just falls flat. I've tried much cheaper lip products that have provided a much greater value for the dollar.
  

The final verdict? Unless you need to be on camera regularly and are really concerned about your makeup, I say skip this product. It's expensive and I don't see that it's providing the kind of results that warrant the cost. If you want a pricey gloss, try Dior's Addict line of products. They're pretty damn awesome.

Summerproof Your Look

Now that warm weather is here, it's just about time to think about lounging around the pool or splashing through waves at the beach. But it's hard to stay looking made up and lovely when your makeup is running down your face.

Making a splash doesn’t mean sacrificing your summer look. Say “NO!” to panda eyes, streaky blush and splotchy foundation. Head over to your local Sephora to find out how to “wet suit” your makeup – from waterproof mascaras to lasting liners and shadows, you’ll be swimming pretty all season long. Make your look last with these budget-friendly beauty savers:

• Tarte EyeQuatic Waterproof Summer Essentials Set ($35 a $53 Value!) – This colorful set contains all your waterproof eye-ssentials. The eye-quatic collection has everything you need for balmy summer days.
• FACE 30 Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads ($8) – These handy must-haves easily remove eye makeup—even waterproof, in a flash. It’s perfect for the beach, the gym, or at home.
• Urban Decay Big Fatty Waterproof Mascara ($20) – This watery blue tube and cap sets this waterproof wonder apart from any other. A thickening mascara that creates the fullest, fattest lashes imaginable while keeping them soft and moisturized.
  
• Hourglass Supernatural Waterproof Bronzer ($45) – Withstand high humidity and extreme moisture with this oil free, long wearing, go-to bronzer. Excellent for swimming, outdoor activities and the summer heat.
• Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner Duo ($25) – This totally waterproof and crease-resistant cream shadow and liner duo gives you the power to create soft, smoky definition in one quick step.
  
• DiorShow Iconic Extreme Waterproof Mascara ($27) – Plunge in and play all day with this smudge-proof mascara specially formulated so lash length and volume lasts all day.
  
• Make Up Forever Professional Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow ($22) – Create the perfect smoky eye not the smudgy eye! This creamy pigment creates a sultry, long-wearing line every time.

Check out Sephora for these waterproof beauties.

Tool Time: Hana Professional Flat Iron

What is it? Hana Professional Ceramic Flat Iron with Tourmaline is made of the "best ceramic heaters and electrical parts and design features that are proven to give more stable, reliable performance over time. The advanced fusion tourmaline ceramic plates accelerator ion generation and maximize frizz-free shine." Available online for about $140.00.

What did you think? To give this flat iron a real work out, I tried it out on my husband's gorgeously long hair. He doesn't have a whole lot of curl to his hair, but he does tend to get a little frizzy. He normally lets his hair drip dry and then pulls it back into a ponytail. As a result, his hair is wavy.

He's a willing guinea pig and happily agreed to let me flat iron his hair. I turned the Hana Professional on and got to work.

The flat iron is simple to use. The controls are located on the inside, so it's almost impossible to accidentally turn it off or bump the temperature. The 1" plate glides easily over the hair, leaving it shiny and straight with very little effort.

My husband's hair looked great all day long. It was long, straight, and shiny...and almost completely devoid of frizz. Even after my husband pulled his hair into a ponytail, his hair still looked great and the frizzies didn't return.

Overall, the flat iron did an amazing job. And yes, it is pricey. But this flat iron is designed to last. The flat iron is packaged nicely--with a heat-proof mat and a storage tin--and feels very high end. In short, it seems like you're getting your money's worth with this tool. I was impressed with the final results and have happily added this to my hair care collection.

The Adventures of Super Blonde!

I've been a blonde since the day I was born. Apart from a few crazy times when I dyed my hair purple, blue, or pink, I've never gone darker than dirty blonde. I used to highlight my hair on a regular basis, but lately I've decided to go in a better direction: I'm now a platinum blonde!

Despite the fact that becoming platinum means suffering through the sometimes burning process of a bleach and tone, I love my platinum locks...and I love my stylist! She actually listens to me and gives me what I ask for. Plus she doesn't charge an arm and a leg, and I appreciate that.

Whenever I get my hair freshly platinumed, I joke to my husband that I am off to become Super Blonde. Super Blonde sounds like a super hero, and thinking that my ultra blond hair will somehow give me super powers appeals to me.

I know it shouldn't make any difference what my hair looks like, but when my hair is freshly colored, I feel a little better about the way I look. Super Blonde is a confident woman!

Am I alone with this? Do you feel somehow prettier or more sure of yourself after getting your hair done? And...what is the craziest thing you've ever done with your hair color?

Beauty Product of the Week: ColorStay Mineral Lipglaze

What is it? ColorStay Mineral Lipglaze is "Revlon’s first longwearing lip gloss with a unique mineral complex that provides a glossy seal of conditioning color. Just one application of this cushiony formula keeps lips coated with comfortable color for up to 8 hours, with no need for touch-ups. Available in 12 gorgeous, glossy shades." Costs less than $10 and is widely available.

What did you think? Despite the fact that it has the word "colorSTAY" in it's name, I somehow didn't make the connection that this was a long-wearing gloss when I bought it. I think I was focusing more on the "mineral" part and completely spaced out. See? We all get confused in the beauty aisle from time to time!

Anyway...if I had realized that this was a long-wearing gloss, I would have opted for a different shade. However, I was bold and bought a pretty red called Stay Ablaze. (Again, the name should have been a give away! STAY Ablaze, FOREVER Fig, ETERNAL Blossom....wow. Revlon's subtlety was lost on me!)

The gloss goes on really well and it made my lips feel slippery and glossy. That feeling lasted for a long time...and that's when I realized I bought a long-wear. After a few hours of wear, my lips were not as shiny as I would have liked. There is no tube of extra, clear gloss to apply with this product, so I had a matte red mouth for a few hours there. The color didn't budge. It stayed put and did not fade until I finally ate lunch and violently rubbed Stay Ablaze off my lips.

The next time I applied the product, I was a little more savvy since I knew I was dealing with a long-wear. I made sure to gently exfoliate my lips and applied the product carefully. The color and shine looked great for a few hours and then, just like before, the shine and slickness went away and I was left with lackluster red lips.

The final verdict? This color lasts and lasts and lasts. If only Revlon would have somehow included an extra tube of clear gloss for refreshing throughout the day, this would be an almost perfect product. I like the packaging and I like the colors they offer. One of the main reasons why I buy a gloss is for the shine. If my gloss loses that shine and I have no way to replace it, I should just buy a normal old lipstick. This product is soooooo close to being great, but it's just not quite there yet. Damn.

Getting Married? Enter to Win a Honeymoon!

I got married back in 2003, and if I had it to do over again, I honestly wouldn't change a thing. I loved my small wedding and my modest honeymoon on the Maine Coast. Despite my love of beauty products, I couldn't stomach the thought of a wedding that cost tens of thousands of dollars.

With the economy being in the shitter, many brides-to-be are probably looking at ways of scaling back costs. And that may mean sacrificing a honeymoon. Not good! After the stress of a wedding, you and your new spouse need a getaway.

Well, the good folks over at SpaWeek.com have teamed up with WeddingChannel.com and The Fairmont Orchid in Hawaii and are giving away an amazing honeymoon. During the months of May and June, visitors to SpaWeek.com (that are planning a wedding) can enter for a chance to win a 7-day honeymoon at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. This AAA Four-Diamond Resort is located on the alluring and exotic Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island and has been revered as one the Greatest Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure. The Giveaway, valued at over $8,000, has it all: Gold Floor accommodations, a romantic beachside dinner, spa treatments and more. Sounds great, huh?

If you're getting hitched, take a moment to enter. Click here for info and good luck!

New for Your Nails!

Yesterday, I mentioned that I got a pedicure over the weekend. I'm loving my Caviar & Vodka red from OPI. Since the spa I go to stocks OPI products exclusively, I somehow forget that there are plenty of other amazing nail products on the market.

To remedy this flawed thinking, I'm happy to let you all know that NARS has our nails covered with some beautiful shades.

In honor of NARS’ 15th anniversary, François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics, has resurrected some of the brand’s long-lost nail polishes from the archives.

For a limited time, experience the signature high-gloss, extra durable formula in an assortment of five vibrant nail hues. It seems some shades never go out of style...

• Blue Lagoon (Originally launched in 2001) – Lagoon is an iridescent powder blue that feels as fresh as an ocean breeze after months of navy tips
  
• Cha Cha Cha (Originally launched in 2001) – A semi-sheer tangerine with gold reflections, it is as sensual and vivacious as the Cuban dance it is named after
  
• Hunger (Originally launched in 2001) – A hot orange red that offers a summer respite for classic red devotees
  
• Tallulah (Originally launched in 1998) – A slightly moody and entirely elegant shade of rich grape, gives tips a taste of the good life
  
• Zizi (Originally launched in 1999) – This clear with peach and gold glitter polish dazzles both on its own and atop of other polishes

The nail polishes are pricey--$16 a bottle(!)--and are available starting this month online. My pick? I'm loving Tallulah's pretty purple, but since I'm a classic red type of girl, I think Hunger would look lovely on my toes!

When Life Stresses You Out....

Get a pedicure!

I'm tired of day job drama, so I'm going to focus on being nice to myself for a bit (since everyone is hell bent on beating me down). I ran off yesterday and got a much-needed pedicure. I now have Vodka & Caviar red toenails and smooth feet. Yay!

I think I'll schedule an also needed bleach and tone for my hair later this week. If I'm not going to be kind to myself, no one else will!

I'll be back with a real beauty update soon enough...I promise.