Get Your Hair Ready for Fall

A new season means updating your look. While you're freshening up your makeup look and your wardrobe, be sure to do something with your hair. Here are some hints from Pantene and Hallie Bowman, Celebrity Hair Stylist.

As we enter the fall season today, it’s important that we do what we can to help prevent further damage that’s already been done over the summer. Luckily, the color trends we will be seeing this fall are conducive to rehabbing your hair – it’s going to be all about giving your natural hair color a chance to shine and staying away from the harsh colors and bright platinum shades that are most damaging to your hair.

“The days of striking, contrasting colors are gone this season,” explains Celebrity Stylist for Pantene, Hallie Bowman. “This fall people will be going back to their roots, or at least making it look that way. We’re going to see natural-looking tones to balance the more extreme hair styles that are going to be big, including mixed textures and nods to the 80s shapes.”

The Color Trends:

Blonde: Platinum blonde is out and warmer, neutral tones are in. If you’re blonde Bowman recommends shades of sable, vanilla or mink. However, if you’re not ready to let go of your platinum locks, soften the look by adding some golden highlights. (Note from Lydia, the platinum blonde: Even though it's fall, I have no intention of ditching my ultra-blonde...no matter what the trends dictate!)

Brunette: Reddish or bluish browns are out and warmer browns are in. Shades like deep chocolate and chestnut are going to be all-the-rage; it’s all about making your shade believable.

Redhead: Two words – true red. The key is to ask your stylist to stay away from blue and copper undertones, both of which reflect orange in the sunlight. One way to avoid orange is to add some highlights to cool down the shade.

Black: Stay away from blue undertones and go for ebony to keep the shade natural-looking.

Maintenance: Once you’ve achieved the shade you want, keeping your color looking fresh can be a challenge, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot! Bowman recommends using a shampoo and conditioner system that is developed for color treated hair, such as the ones from Pantene.

“I love the Pantene Expressions collection because it keeps hair color looking fresh, and helps reveal the three facets of hair color: tone, depth and vibrancy,” explains Bowman.

The Pantene Expressions shampoos are formulated with a patented liquid crystal technology that helps repel water and condition hair to keep color radiant. The five collections are custom designed by shade – blonde, brunette, red, midnight and highlighting – to help color-treated hair maintain its vibrancy and multi-dimensional shine in between colorings.

The Pantene Expressions shampoos and conditioners retail for just $5.49 apiece at national food, drug and mass merchandisers, and online at drugstore.com.

Anastasia Has Her Eye on You!

Brow guru, Anastasia, is now branching out! Along with Anastasia's high-quality line of brow care products, they're now offering both a mascara and an eye serum. Here are the details:

ANASTASIA LASH LIFTING MASCARA
Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara thickens and curls lashes with one stroke! The formula contains hard waxes to build lashes and synthetic polymers to give them body and volume. The rich and creamy formula conditions lashes and an elastic veil helps mascara adhere to lashes without clumping. Available at Sephora for $22 a tube.

My take: I've tried a tube of this product and I liked it! It gave my lashes both a good amount of curl and a nice boost in thickness. If you're in the market for a pricey mascara, this one is worth checking out.

LINE ERASING SERUM
This lightweight serum contains a unique blend of natural hydrators, Instalift™ Goji, and an exclusive Balkan Botanical™ Infusion to improve the appearance of skin and help reduce signs of aging. Designed for all skin types, it soothes, softens, and hydrates—leaving skin brighter and smoother. Fine lines and wrinkles don't stand a chance!

• Instalift™ Goji (Tibetan Goji Berry): Gives the appearance of reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
• Balkan Botanical™ Infusion: Helps soften, soothe, and hydrate skin.
• Sodium Hyaluronate: Delivers ideal hydration to smooth and refresh the eye area.
• Chrysin and Hydroxysuccinimide: Masks the appearance of redness while leaving the skin looking brighter and lighter

Available at Sephora for $45 a bottle.

My take: This is a spendy product, but it feels great. It goes on cool and leaves the skin around my eyes feeling good. A little goes a long way, so one bottle should last a while...thankfully!

In my experience, you really can't go wrong with Anastasia products. They're high quality and they really do deliver! Check 'em out.

Your ANSR To Perfect Skin (Giveaway!)

As promised, I have another kick-ass giveaway for you all, this time from ANSR.

Never heard of ANSR? Well, they've developed a phototherapy treatment tool that can do wonders for your skin. I have never tried them out before, but I'd love to give the anti-aging kit a go. Their system sounds unique and interesting!

And they want to make sure that you have the best skin possible now that a new school year has started. Here's what they have to say about their product and skin care kits:

This school year, head back to the hallways with the best-looking skin in the building. Whether you’re a freshman in high school or a college professor, a law school student or a nursery school teacher, ANSR: has the solution with its two amazing skincare kits, which target the biggest skin woes, no matter what age.

ANSR:’s development team has harnessed the effectiveness of photo light therapy into the BEAM, a handheld, portable device that uses both red and blue photo light therapy to treat your skin – doing more than any other device out on the market and for a fraction of the cost of similar spa treatments. The blue light helps destroy impurities beneath the skin, and the red light penetrates deeply to rejuvenate the skin and stimulates collagen growth to improve skin tone and texture and reduce redness.

If you are troubled by acneic skin, your ANSR: is the Acne Care Kit. Along with the BEAM, the kit includes PREP, an exfoliating cleanser, DAY, a protective moisturizer that helps prevent blemish outbreaks, and NIGHT, a concentrated gel that treats blemishes overnight. Together, the BEAM and the topicals create an easy-to-follow skin regimen that will have your skin looking better in no time. $185

If you’re concerned about fighting the signs of aging, your ANSR: is the Skin Rejuvenation Kit. In addition to the BEAM, this kit includes SERUM, an advanced formula that combines powerful antioxidants, botanicals and vitamins to rejuvenate skin texture and tone. You’ll be mistaken for a student in less than a semester. $195

If you want to try out one of these kits for yourself, please leave a comment here on this post. Let me know which kit you're interested in and be sure I have a way to contact you. Sorry, this contest is limited to US residents, only. Get your comments in by noon (PST) on 10/9--I'll be drawing a winner at random. Good luck!
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T3 Featherweight Winner!

Congrats to Briannon! You are my T3 Featherweight Hairdryer winner. Be on the lookout for an email from me soon.

And to those who did not win, fear not! Be sure to check my site on Monday for an awesome skin care giveaway

Beauty Product of the Week: Paint and Peel

What is it? Sula Cosmetic's Paint and Peel is a "collection of good-for-you (nail) hues is inspired by what’s happening on the street and the runway - colors that are hard to come by but not to remove! Touch ups are a snap with the fast drying formula. For extended wear, use water-based Permanent in clear or metallic. Apply 2 coats to clean naked nails. Touch up when required. Peel off when desired--no polish remover needed!" Hard to find--I found it at my local Ulta--for less than $10 a bottle (I think I paid $9).

What did you think? I like that this nail polish is free of the "big 3" nasty chemicals found in some nail products (Toluene, Formaldehyde and DPBs). I also like the idea of not needing to use a nail polish remover since it just seems like one extra step (and one step that also exposes me to more bad-for-me chemicals!).

When I bought this nail polish from Ulta, I didn't have very many shades to pick from. I settled on Moss, and funky green shade. The polish goes on easily--just like every other polish. The color is decent--perfect for Halloween! The green tint had quite a bit of gold and earthy tones to it, and it looked surprisingly pretty next to my very pale skin. I put on a clear top coat from OPI and went about my day.

I was tough on my nails when I was wearing this polish. I got a wild instinct to scrub my bathtub which did not help my manicure last a long time. I noticed that after a day of hard use, the tips of my nails did not have color on them. I also noticed a few "strings" of polish around the side of my nails that was easy to pull off, but a little gross.

After about a day, I wanted nothing more than to but the peel part of the polish to the test. So as my husband and I spent a quiet day playing board games, I peeled all the paint off my nails. It felt oddly satisfying to pick away at the paint and then pull big strips of it off my nails. I can only imagine how annoying I would have been when I was much younger and in school if I had this product. I could visualize myself sitting through a boring math class, picking and peeling my nail polish to my heart's content. Ick.

The polish did all peel off without the need for a nail polish remover...for the most part. There were a few spots that I couldn't get to peel off for the life of me. And the surface of my nails was a little rough and dry immediately after peeling off the paint, but their condition returned to normal after an hour or so.

The final verdict? Peeling off nail polish is both disgusting and satisfying at the same time. It's probably not very socially acceptable to be pulling off nail color in public, but as long as you keep your picking and peeling confined to the privacy of your home, you'll be fine. This product intrigued me and I am left with mixed feelings about it. I wish it was a little tougher and able to withstand my tub scrubbing, but it did what it said: it peeled off easily and my now naked nails are ready to be painted anew.

My one main concern is this: how healthy is this for my nails? Is there any risk of damaging my nails by peeling off the paint? I don't know the answer to this. Anyway, if you're a nail product junkie, you may want to give this a try...if you can find it!

T3 Giveaway!

Don't forget: I've giving away a T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer. This is an awesome tool that retails for about $200. Click here for all the details and be sure to enter today!

House Brands

I buy the majority of my beauty products at places like Sephora and Ulta. I also stock up at Target, and only occasionally pick up a essentials (like nail polish remover) at the drugstore. I like Sephora and Ulta the best because they carry so many different brands of products. In one store, I can compare products and prices from dozens of companies. But I also like Sephora and Ulta because they offer a nice alternative to the more expensive brands in the shop: their house brand.

The Sephora line is massive. They sell makeup brushes and accessories, hair products, skin care, and tons of makeup under their moniker. The quality of their brand of products is very high, but their prices are much better than the high end competition in their store.

Best Sephora Brand bets? Their tools! I have many Sephora brushes and they're great. They're not super expensive, and they really get the job done. I also like Sephora's lipglosses. They have a wide array of shades to pick from, as well as different applicators and formulas, so there's something for everyone...or every mood...for around $10. Not bad.

I love to shop the Ulta house brand during their many sales. (They'll often have BOGO deals or vaastly reduced prices during their sales, so it's a great time to stock up!) The Ulta closest to me sometimes runs out of stuff, but despite that, I love Ulta's eyeshadows, eyeliners, blush, and lipsticks. Their lipglosses and other products leave me cold, but when I want to try out a funky new look for my eye, the Ulta brand is almost always my choice.

Like Sephora, Ulta is now also selling a professional line of nail polish that's cheaper than OPI and Essie, but that offers a ton of shade choices.

When you're trying to save a few bucks but you don't want to miss out on higher quality products, you really should consider the Sephora and Ulta house brands. I've not been disappointed so far. If you shop these house brands, what are your faves?

How to Wear Dark Lipstick

Fall is here and that means trading in your light, shiny lipgloss for a deeper, richer, dark lipstick. But pulling off the dark lip look can be tricky. If done wrong, darker shades can make thin lips look thinner. If the color feathers or is not applied flawlessly, it will look sloppy.

Here are some hints to help:

• Focus on your lips only. If you try to pull off a dark lip with a dramatic eye, you're going to look a little clownish. Avoid this by making your eyes look very natural with minimal shadow, just a touch of liner, and mascara. Also ease off the blush. Rosy cheeks and almost black lips could make you look silly.
• Be sure to pick your shade well. Consider your complexion and the undertones in your skin. And don't forget, dark lipstick doesn't have to be black.
• Exfoliate your lips. This is easy to do and requires no special products. When you brush your teeth, just gently brush your lips as well. This will remove dead skin cells and soften your lips. Dot on a little lip balm or moisturizer for added protection.
• Consider a lip primer. Again, don't buy anything special: just put some concealer or foundation on your lips. This will help to neutralize your lips' natural color and may help prevent against feathering. If you want a special product, try for something with silicone in it so the darker color has something to cling to.
• Line your lips. Try using a small lip brush and your dark shade to line your lips. I'm not a fan of using lip pencils for this, and you probably know why. Just think of the first image that pops into your mind when I say "lip liner." I rest my case! Next fill in the rest of your lips using your lipstick and the lip brush. Using a brush will give you better control and should result in a more precise look.

I've been trying out a few shades from Mattese Elite, one that's a deep raisin shade and one that's a vibrant (though dark) pink. Unlike some deeply pigmented lipsticks, this brand made my lips feel soft and moist--not cakey and dry. If you're looking for a dark shade, you might want to check them out (plus at just $10 a tube, they're pretty budget friendly!).

Fashion Weeks Looks You Can Pull Off!

Fashion Week just wrapped up in NYC last week, and there were so many great fashions and makeup trends strutting down the runway.

Sephora's PRO Beauty Team was busy doing makeup for 12 shows during fashion week, and I have the deets on how to attain some of their best looks at home. Here are my a few of my favorite looks from Sephora's team:

Dennis Basso
The Color Story: The collection is a modern take on old-school glamour. The designer was inspired by Hedy Lamarr, a 1930’s star known as “The Most Beautiful Woman In Films.” The contrast of the lip color shows there are no rules in glamour except confidence.

Credit Info: Makeup lead, Kabuki (supported by Sephora PRO Beauty Team)

How to Get the Look:

• Complexion – For a healthy glow, use the Sephora Tricks of the Trade Mineral Matte Setting Powder containing light-reflecting ingredients.
  
• Eyes – Achieve a subtle, smoky eye, with the Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow in City Fog. Apply the Sephora Flashy Waterproof Liner in 10 Deep Black closely to the top lash line to complete the look.
  
• Lips – Add star-studded drama with classic red lip – try the Sephora Lip Attitude - Chic in Red Kiss 28.

Gen Art Fresh Faces
The Color Stories: Seven designers (Cloak Dagger, Linus, Duskin, Vincente Vallarin, Min Young Lee, Yeojin Bea, S2VS) displayed fashion-forward trends for women and men with various makeup looks complimenting each collection. From rocker ballerina to modern glam and feminine, makeup ranged from strong smokey eyes to watermelon stained lips, sun kissed skin and rosy cheeks.

Credit Info: Sephora PRO Beauty Team, lead by Gilbert Soliz

Cloak Dagger - How to Get the Look:

• Complexion – For a natural complexion, apply the Sephora Matifying Compact Foundation to the entire face. Light-weight and shine reducing, this foundation is great for long wear.
• Eyes – Create a strong smokey eye by using the Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Must Have 06 over the entire lid.
  
• Lips – Finish off with the perfect orange lip - try the Kat Von D for Sephora Painted Love Lipstick in Stiletto.

Vicente Villarin - How to Get the Look:

• Complexion – Create glowing skin for this modern glam look, by applying Sephora Luminous Glow. This creamy, light-weight formula has a beautiful pearly finish.
  
• Eyes – Keep eyes subtle by using a champagne eyeshadow all over the lid, such as the Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Golden Girl 50.
• Lips – Finish off the look with a peachy, pink gloss such as the Kat Von D for Sephora Lightening Sheer Lip Gloss in Retox or Sexer.

Photos courtesy of Nick Baratta

This Giveaway is Full of Hot Air

Ok everyone....I'm excited about this one!

Thanks to the good folks over at T3, I am pleased to be offering a T3 Featherweight Dryer giveaway!

T3 is marking its 5th year anniversary this month, and to do so, they're offering some great deals on their revolutionary products. Click here for all the details on their Style, Save, Celebrate website. (I noticed over on Facebook that Sephora is running some budget saving deals on these time saving hair products.)

Here's what you should know about T3 (from Sephora's website):

Imagine a blow dryer that's actually good for your hair? You plug it in, and rather than blasting your strands with damaging heat for the better part of the next hour, you're done in half the time and your hair is hydrated, full of shine, and all the more healthier? Whether you want sleek, poker-straight strands or soft, sexy waves, pulling off either has never been easier or faster if you're armed with a T3. Infused with crushed tourmaline, a semi-precious stone that has unique electrical properties, this innovative line of blow dryers, flat irons, and diffusers is taking hair styling to an entirely new level.

T3's line of tools will hep you acheive beautiful, healthy looking hair in less time and with less damage than normal hair styling tools. Over 1 million people have used T3's time saving, hair saving tools since their launch 5 years ago.

As the company’s five-year anniversary approaches this September, T3 thought it would be fun to do a few calculations and determine exactly how many hours their consumers have saved while creating a fabulous look day in and day out. The result? If you were one of the first to use the T3 Featherweight Dryer when the company burst on the scene and revolutionized hair styling five years ago, you saved an average of 10 minutes every day. Assuming you style your hair six days a week, that works out to 270 hours or approximately a one-week vacation!

Nice!

And now you can try a T3 Featherweight Dryer for free! How? All you need to do is leave me a comment here on this blog entry by next Friday (9/25). A winner will be picked randomly. Please be sure to enter today!! Good luck. Please note: this offer is good for US residents only--sorry!

Beauty Product of the Week: DNA Superstructure UV Cream

What is it? Olay Regenerist DNA Superstructure UV Cream SPF 25, "helps block direct DNA damaging rays to help protect skin and maintain collagen's structural integrity. Hydrates to help rebuild cellular surface structure & restore firmness. This new anti-aging formula hydrates to help rebuild cellular surface structure and restore firmness, regenerating a more youthful appearance.

SPF 25 helps block direct DNA damaging rays to help protect skin and maintain collagen's structural integrity. Powerful anti-oxidants help protect the skin's surface from free radical damage.

Premium skin feel, suitable for daily use. Create the perfect skin care solution for you with the Regenerist line of advanced anti-aging products." Available at drugstores and big box stores for $30 or less (Olay is almost always on sale somewhere!).

What did you think? I have no clue if this cream is really doing what Olay says it will as far as rebuilding collegen goes, but I do know that it leaves my skin feeling very moisturized. Plus it give me the SPF bonus, which I appreciate.

The cream itself is very light and goes on easily. It also smells amazingly good! This cream is in a pump applicator bottle. I've experimented with how much product to use, and for me, it seems as though half a pump is all I need. A full pump leaves my skin a bit greasy, but a half pump of cream absorbs easily and quickly into my skin. If you buy this product, you'll have to take a few times to figure out how much works best for you.

The final verdict? I love Olay products. I've used Olay moisturizers as long as I have been using moisturizers. My mom got me hooked, and I've enjoyed all the upgrades Olay has made to their line in recent years. Since it's an Olay moisturizer, I instantly liked this product. My only word of caution is to use a light hand (or should I say a light pump!) when applying. A little really goes a long way, and too much product will make your face a little too moisturized--at least if your skin is anything like mine!

Double Duty at Sephora!

I was wandering through my local Sephora the other day--as I often do--and was checking out some new brushes in the Sephora line.

The brushes caught my eye because they were both cute AND multi-functional. Here's what Sephora has to say about them:

Make Yourself Twice as Pretty!
Double-Ended Color-Dipped Brushes Have Arrived…Only at Sephora

Need a hand or two to get on your gorgeous way? Keep your face looking flawless and your eyes looking extraordinary with five of Sephora’s new two-in-one tools. From hot pink complexion perfection brushes to bright yellow eye mastering tools, these colorful treats will give you a double dosage of beauty-full!

Jazz up your makeup bag (and your face) with these beauty gadgets:

Sephora Collection Double-Ended Smoky Eye Brush ($18) – Equipped with a slanted eyeliner brush and a smudge dome in posh purple, this tool guarantees a stunning stare.

Sephora Collection Double-Ended Perfect Complexion Brush ($35) – With its pretty-in-pink brush fibers, this multitasking must-have features a two-in-one foundation and powder brush for a flawless finish

Sephora Collection Double-Ended Every Day Eye Brush ($18) – Successful shading is what this brush is all about. Now you can apply shadow all over the lid and blend your way to fabulousness with this fun orange brush.

Sephora Collection Double-Ended Grab’n Go Brush ($32) – Grab this go-getter, perfect for applying all-over shadow, loose powder, and compact foundation. One brush, two sides, three big effects!

Sephora Collection Double-Ended Winged Brush ($18) – This is your ticket to sophisticated eyes! Use this yellow brush to draw a fine line, then apply cream or powder to your eyes.

What do you think of these? I think they're pretty awesome, though my only concern is how I would store them. I usually house my brushes in the brush slots in my bag, but doing so could damage one end. Hmmm....

Still, I might have to pick (at least) one of these babies up!

Shiseido's Fall Collection

I feel like I'm playing catch-up with my beauty blogging duties. I was weeding out my old emails when I came across a press release with Shiseido's Fall 2009 line. The line launched in August, and the shades are beautiful. Check out what they're offering:

Shiseido introduces its Fall 2009 Makeup collection, created by Shiseido’s Artistic Director Dick Page. The inspiration for this line was drawn from mosaic art, bringing a variety of different shades together to create a “full wardrobe” of colors, one that would fulfill a woman’s basic needs for every occasion. These colors are reflected in the new Luminizing Satin Eye Color Line, an elegant collection with the luminous look of fine silk. Available in 15 unique shades, this new interpretation of neutrals, pastels and brights makes choosing a color an adventurous pleasure. Each shade is meant to wear alone or in combination for an unlimited variety of looks for the season. The suggested retail price is $25.

Also included in the 2009 Fall Collection:

· Shiseido Makeup Perfect Mascara is available in 2 new shades at $23

· Shiseido Makeup Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil is available in 2 new shades at $20

· Shiseido Makeup Natural Eyebrow Pencil is available in 4 new shades at $20

· Shiseido Makeup Advanced Hydro-Liquid Company Foundation SPF 15 is available in 11 new shades at $30

· Shiseido Makeup Translucent Loose Powder is available at $38

· Shiseido Makeup Eyelash Curler is available at $20, $5 Refill

Available now at fine department and specialty stores nationwide and at online retailers Sephora, Nordstom and Macys.

Home Leg Waxing HELP!!!

I got the message below from one of my readers, and I really need YOUR help in answering her question:

Hi Lydia,

I want to save money by not having to spend $25 at the parlor each time to get my legs waxed. I tried a home product where you need to heat the wax first before applying, and nearly burnt myself!

Is there a product out there that you could use at home that does not require prior heating?

**********

So here's the deal: I have never waxed my legs! I've never gone to a professional to have it done, and I've never tried it at home on my own. As a kid, I vaguely remember my mom applying honey-colored wax to her legs with Popsicle sticks and being terrified at the prospect of at-home waxing.

I know there are products like Nair that you can use in the shower, but I always think they're smelly and not that effective.

So I need your help with this one! If you're an at-home leg waxer, please let me a comment to let me know what you've used, what works, and what doesn't. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

Beauty Product of the Week: Lights, Camera, Lashes!

What is it? Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara is "a lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning mascara. (It's) what we call a push-up bra for your lashes—a 4-in-1 (lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning) dermatologist- and clinically-proven to increase the appearance of lash volume by 430% after applying giving dramatic, thick and sexy lashes. Formulated WITHOUT Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, or Phthalates. This mascara contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like rice bran wax to help lengthen lashes and carnauba wax, an emollient wax that ensures a smooth application. ProVitamin B5 treats and thickens lashes, olive esters condition, treat, and protect lashes, and the mascara also contains mineral pigments known for their soothing and softening properties. Dermatologist-tested." Available at Sephora for $18.00.

What did you think? I'm something of a mascara fiend. I'll admit it. I've tried tons of mascaras at all different price points. This mascara is...in my humble opinion...blah. It doesn't do anything special. It doesn't lengthen, thicken, or curl better or worse than most products. It's not darker or more water resistant. It doesn't clump or separate more or less than other mascaras. It's not easier or harder to use than other products.

It's just a mascara. Plain and simple.

$18.00 mascara, so it IS more expensive than many other mascaras. I could head over to Target to pick up three tubes of better performing mascaras for that price...or add a few dollars to it and get something fun like Dior Iconic Mascara.

The final verdict? This product is so average, that I cannot confidently recommend that you buy this product or warn you not to pick it up. There's nothing I can point to that makes it stand out in anyway whatsoever except for it's stupid packaging. Yes, that IS a tube of mascara housed inside a purple pleather sleeve. And you know what? The one thing that makes this product unique is, in my opinion, wasteful, unnecessary, and in some respects, downright ugly. Unless you're a huge Tarte fan, I say skip this one.

Beauty Tips for the Fall

As you know, I've been doing a lot of reading lately. And by reading, I mean reading beauty magazines, fashion magazines, etc. to prepare for the coming season. The good folks over at Women's Health have a ton of beauty tips packed in their September issue. Here are some of their best tips--and links to get even more info. Check it out!

Find your most flattering lip shade

Sick and tired of your love-hate relationship with lip color? You love it in the store but you hate it when you get home…What’s a girl to do? This month’s issue of Women’s Health Magazine offers a guide to choosing the right lip shade for your skin tone. Follow these tips from celebrity make-up artist, Kimara Ahnert, and you’ll never toss a barely-used lipstick again!

Figure out your skin’s undertones

• Look at the veins in your wrists under natural light. If they appear bluish, you have cool undertones; If they’re more green, you’re warm.

Don’t test lip color on the back of your hand

• Always test color on your fingertip. It more closely mimics the shade of your lips.

Pay close attention to your skin tone

• Fair skin tones should avoid bright shades of pink and brown that can look too severe against light skin
• Medium skin tones, stay away from nudes which can leave you looking washed out
• Olive skin tones should steer clear of orange-reds and pinkish reds which will make your face look green
• Dark skin tones should pass on anything remotely orange—it will bring out yellow undertones

Check out all the lip shade tips at http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-and-style/beauty-product-tips

Can a pill make you prettier?

The latest beauty trends come from within…Literally. Recently there has been an increase in companies who produce pills and drinks that promise prettier skin, hair, and nails. In this month’s issue of Women’s Health Magazine, on newsstands now, we had six testers plus a nutritionist and dermatologist put these products to the test.

Tan from Within

• Rodial Skinny Beach Supplement is a drink mix that claims to stimulate pigmentation in your skin while shielding UV rays. Testers were disappointed with the results while experts said the pills don’t offer enough UV protection.

Increase Skin Hydration

• Crystal Light Skin Essentials drink mix claims to use vitamins A, C, and E to enhance skin elasticity. The testers thought it tasted great and said their skin was less dry than usual. Experts say the antioxidants help to maintain the balance of your skin.

Boost Overall Beauty

• Sonya Dakar Ultima Power Shakes claim to promote healthy body and improve hair and skin. Our testers said it tasted great and claim they got smoother skin and shinier hair. The experts say the shakes have all the right ingredients—they’re really good for you!

Check out these and other edible beauty products at http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-and-style/beauty-and-skin-tips

Extend your Cut and Color

Hitting the salon ever couple weeks to freshen up your ‘do can be expensive and time-consuming. Follow these great tips in the September issue of Women’s Health, on newsstands now, to lengthen the life of your look.

Trimming Tips

• If you have chin- to shoulder-length hair, asking your stylist to cut sublayers around your hair’s perimeter will soften your ends so your hair looks salon-fresh as it grows
• Bangs can be difficult to maintain but if you long for those face-framing pieces, have your stylist cut side-slashed bangs which will blend with your hair as they grow out
• If your hair is long, go for the long and layered style which maintains its shape better than any other cut

Styling Tweaks

• Using a styling cream can tame flyaways, defrizz and hydrate dry ends
• Twist or braid back fringe hairs around your face and secure with a bobby pin
• Add instant volume to outgrown hair by changing up your part

Hair-Color Helpers

• Instead of permanent hair color which grows out quickly revealing roots, use natural dye for a softer look
• Try an overnight treatment which will moisturize your hair while you sleep to promote vivid color
• Touch up your roots with hair-color pins that have temporary or semipermanent color

Check out the rest of these color- and cut-extending tips at http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-and-style/hair-and-style-tips

Beauty Quickies, Part 2

As we are all painfully aware, money is tight at the moment. These beauty and personal care products will make you feel pampered without having to spend a lot:

MS. MANICURE
One easy thing to cut out of your budget are all the extras...you know, morning coffees from Starbucks and regular pedicures and manicures. I can't help you with the coffee thing (actually, I can! Pick up a Keurig and brew single-serve coffee at home before heading out for work or school), but for your nails, I whole heartedly recommend Ms. Manicure products.

I've mentioned them before, but I was using a Ms. Manicure nail kit the other day and was impressed with the number of tools you get for next to nothing. Their Handy Dandy Mani solves all of your impromptu nail issues. Featuring Cuticle Nippers, Nail Clippers, Nail Scissors, Wood Cuticle Sticks, a Nail Brush, a Washable Salon Board, 4-Way Nail Buffer, and Slant Tip Tweezers, this beauty booty will keep your nails looking fresh and clean. At just $9.99 for the kit, you can keep on at home and stash one at your desk (or in your locker). Nice! Click here for more info.

ECO-TOOLS BRANCHING OUT
I really like Eco-Tools makeup brushes because they're inexpensive, high quality, and are made from good-for-the-earth materials. Now Eco-Tools is coming out with personal care products like “Clean Skin, Cleaner World” Body Wash ($7.99), “Sustainable Softness” Body Lotion ($7.99), “One Hand Helps the Other” Hand Cream ($7.99), and “Blooming Planet” Body Mist ($7.99). Their new line of products is 98% from nature, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dermatologist-tested and cruelty free. Check their website for retailers.

MOUTH FRESHENING TRIO
So you've spent a ton of time (and money) making sure your skin is perfect, your makeup amazing, and your body perfumed and primed for the day. But don't forget to focus on your breath! If you want to get long-lasting freshness and a very clean feeling mouth, try the new trio of Crest Extra White Plus Scope Outlast ($3.25 for 4 oz. or $4.25 for 7.6 oz.), Oral-B Advantage Floss Picks Plus Scope Outlast Flavor ($3.49 for a bag of 75), and Scope Outlast mouthwash ($4.99 for 750 ml or $5.99 for 1250 ml).

These products is infused with the advanced Outlast technology that binds tightly with select receptors in your mouth, triggering a minty fresh sensation that lasts longer than ordinary products. I've been using the trio for a few weeks now and WOW! They really make you mouth minty and fresh. And fresh breath is a perfect fashion accessory since it's always in season! Look out for them at drugstores and big-box retailers this month.

Too Faced Winner!

Congratulations, Emily! You are my Too Faced Natural Eyes Kit winner! Yay! Look out for an email from me soon. And for the rest of you...I'll be doing another giveaway soon enough.

Thanks!

Beauty Quickies, Part 1

I have a whole lot of beauty info for you! Here are a few quick snippets for your Labor Day. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for more beauty quickies.

NEW SHOPPING SITES

It's hard to keep up on all the new and interesting beauty and skin care products hitting the market. It's also tough to figure out what's on sale and when. Well, to help us out, two new sites have just sprung up:

GET THE SKINNY!
Shoptheskinny.com is A new sample sale site dedicated exclusively to your skin. Members will be able to get the high-end skin care products and spa treatments you love, at up to 75% off. And if you're a skin care newbie, pregnant, acne sufferer, or have questions about your skin, there are educational videos and personalized recommendations to help find the perfect products.

Shoptheskinny.com will be featuring brands like Perricone MD, Lisa Hoffman Beauty, 100% Pure, International Orange, Dermaquest and Organic Apoteke, among others. Their first sale will be in October, but if you sign up now, you'll be entered to win a Dermaquest anti-aging eye treatment.

WHO'S THE FAIREST?
Head over to the brand new, members-only beauty sales site, The Fairest. Once you sign up, you'll be able to get great deals on beauty products from Butter London, Korres, Cosmedicine, Tarte, Stila, and more! Their sales change regularly and are limited-time only. Plus you get a credit for signing up your friends. Nice! It seems like beauty products are never on sale, so The Fairest will certainly be a useful site in these tough economic times!

Final Chance to Win!

There are just a few hours left for you to enter my Too Faced Natural Eyes giveaway! Click here to read the details. I'll be picking a winner and tomorrow morning.

Good luck!

NARS for Fall

NARS makes some lovely collections, and their Fall line--out now--is no exception. It looks like there are some great things in this collection. I'm loving both the lipstick and nail polish mentioned below. Check it out:

Fall’s runways were dominated by two words: bold and feminine. Strong shouldered and form-hugging silhouettes, extreme heels and provocative thigh-high boots, and a color palette of classic hues turned up a notch to Technicolor volumes. These trends also illustrate the NARS Fall collection.

“For this collection, I wanted to create something fragile and strong, and seductive but not aggressive,” said François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics. The combination of strength and refinement has become a hallmark of NARS, and is particularly fitting this season as the brand celebrates its 15th anniversary. Below are the highlights:

NARS Fast Ride Lipstick - $24 This seemingly dark purple may intimidate, but swipe it across the lips and its true shade is revealed: a sheer mulberry. A color that falls somewhere between an intense plum wine stain, and a moody, deep violet.

NARS Tokaido Express - $16 This new hue is a cult classic in the making. Named after Japan’s most heavily frequented high-speed rail route, this lacquer is an opulent blackened amethyst doused with ultra-fine gold dust particles.

NARS Silk Road Duo Eyeshadow- $32 This new shade mirrors the hues from traditional damask fabrics. Classic meets edgy in this new duo — an icy pink is paired with a warm rose gold with golden flecks.

NARS Brumes Duo Eyeshadow- $32 These new hues perfectly capture the moody shades of a cool twilight sky. Brumes pairs a velvety matte charcoal with a sparkling, blue state for a smoky eye that is both confident and serene.

NARS Indian Summer Duo Eyeshadow- $32 A typical Indian summer comes as a surprise, balmy sunshine meets brisk fall. Swipe the summery, frosted champagne shimmer up to the brow, and line the upper lid with the autumnal deep, matte mustard for a striking look, appropriate for every season.

NARS Mekong Single Eyeshadow- $22 This is the perfect addition to the NARS woman's adventurous palette. The intense, blackened espresso hue scattered with rose gold is a study in contrasts. Applied liberty across the lid it exudes a sexy attitude, or applied lightly, a simple, fashion-forward sophistication.

The Fall 2009 collection is currently available at http://www.narscosmetics.com/Fall-2009-C545_collection.aspx.

Temptation...

I've been flipping though page after page of September magazines and I'm still not done with my stack. I've poured over Allure, Marie Claire, and half of Vogue, and I have yet to touch my Harper's or InStyle. (I didn't pick up Elle because I hate how they reformatted the magazine a year or two ago!) I feel like I'm OD-ing on fashion, trends, and makeup...not to mention frighteningly skinny models and the disgusting use of fur.

Anyway, in all my "reading" here are some products that have me intrigued:

• Clinique's Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour ($17.50). These look like pens, but they're filled with some juicy looking lip colors that brush on and promise healthy, shiny lips. Yum.
• Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 20 ($37.50). I love mineral foundation, and I love foundations containing SPF. This product looks interesting because you grind the product before each use, so the color is fresh. It says "No waste. No mess. No kidding." Hmmm...mineral makeup is almost always messy. I wonder if the grinding mechanism makes this foundation less messy...or more messy!
• Bare Minerals Matte SPF 15 Foundation ($28). I love the idea of a matte foundation. Bare Minerals does a great job with foundations, so I am eager to give this one a test. Like the Elizabeth Arden foundation, this one promises to be mess free. Uh-huh.
• Almost everything from Dolce & Gabbana's Makeup Line. The fashion giant has a full line of products for eyes, lips, and face. They're all beautifully packaged and they look delicious. Now I just need to figure out how to get enough $$ to get my hands on the stuff!
• Pixi By Petra Strand at Target Wakeup Kit ($34). This kit has everything: tons of eye shadows, blushes, and lip colors to pick from, all in a handy and pretty little box. This is face in a box, and it looks perfect for travelling.

There are tons of other products out there that I can't wait to see. These are just the tip of the iceberg! Are there any products you can't wait to try this? Leave a comment and let me know. ALSO: don't forget to enter my Too Faced Natural Eyes giveaway!

Beauty Product of the Week: EverPure Color Care System

What is it? L'Oreal EverPure Color Care System includes moisture shampoo, moisture conditioner, and a deep restorative mask. The line is "L'Oreal's first color care that helps keep color pure even after 32 washes. Color-treated hair requires special care. The EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System* protects and conditions hair for long-lasting color purity." Available at drugstores and big box stores for less than $9.00 per product.

What did you think? Since I get my hair bleached out on a semi-regular basis, it's important for me to keep my hair color looking good as long as possible. I also need to make sure my hair gets an extra dose of hydration, and if I can get all this and save money, I'm a happy girl.

I've used other professional hair care products--including high end L'Oreal products--and have always been disappointed by them. Not only are they insanely expensive, but they also lack the big sudsy lather of their cheaper counterparts.

This line from L'Oreal is different. It costs a lot less than the salon products, but it still manages to be sulfate-free and contain good-for-color ingredients that make my hair look pretty darn good. The shampoo lathers up beautifully. The conditioner and mask leave my hair feeling more hydrated and healthy than some of the more expensive products I've used. Plus the line smells fresh and clean, but not overly heavy.

Final verdict? For the price and convenience factor alone, I really like this line of L'Oreal products. Add to that the fact that it cleanses and moisturizes my hair, and I have no complaints so far! This is perfect for all of us who invest in hair color and who want to protect that investment without spending a small fortune.

Lip Primer FAIL!

I hate to give negative reviews of products, but I feel that it is my job to report my thoughts and experiences honestly and to not be swayed by the fact that I often receive products for free from various companies.

Unfortunately I have to give a negative review today. The product I tried out is Senna's Totally Transforming Lip Primer. I normally really like Senna products, so I'm disappointed that I didn't like this one.

Here's what Senna says about the lip primer: "The Totally Transforming Lip Primer hydrates and smooths lips for all day moisture and long lasting lipstick wear. Essential for anyone who wears lipstick as it prevents lipstick feathering, plumps lips, and neutralizes lip color."

I followed the directions on this product and have tried it out several times, and I'm not loving this. Here are my thoughts:

THE GOOD

• The primer does neutralize my lip color. My lips are rather dark, so being able to neutralize my shade is a plus. If I could get it to work, it would mean that I could have a wider range of shades to wear.
• The primer does make my lips feel hydrated.
• I can totally see how using the primer would keep feathering at bay.
  

THE BAD

• The primer makes lipstick application almost impossible. I tried applying my dreaded Lip Venom V, hoping the primer would allow the product to adhere better...I was wrong. The Lip Venom V beaded up on my lips and still didn't work (I really dislike that stupid Lip Venom V!!). Next I tried a deep red from NARS. The lipstick color was lighter on my lips--a lot lighter--than it should have been. It turned my dark red into a pink shade...not good. Plus it left a lot of gunk on the actual lipstick.

I'm not sure why this primer doesn't work for me. Maybe I'm applying it too thickly. Maybe I'm supposed to wait for the primer to dry before applying my lipstick. Or maybe I'm just not a fan of primers! Who knows. (On a side note, if you're a lip primer user, let me know your thoughts on the products in general.)

Sorry, Senna! This is one product I cannot recommend since I can't get it to work for me. I'm willing to try one more time, but for now....I say this is a pass.