Oscar Beauty, Part II

This was a banner year for the Oscars, beauty-wise. Nearly everyone looked amazing. A few key trends stood out, and they're simple enough to try yourself. Let's start with the hair:
1. Up and Tousled: Rachel Weizs, Jennifer Hudson and Cameron Diaz all showed up in this hot hairstyle, which is quite easy to pull off on medium length, layered hair. First, spritz a texturizing spray in hair to give it a little bit of oomph, and then pull back the longest strands of hair into a loose, unstructured chignon. Secure with tiny bobby pins. Now, for the front of the style, sweep the shorter layers off to the side, using a little bit of hairspray to keep it in place. (But go easy on the hair lacquer! The key to this look is natural movement, not stiffness.) Or curl them, a la Jennifer Hudson. Voila!
2. Straight and sleek. Gwyneth, Nicole, and Reese all looked amazing in superlong, blonde-goddess tresses. While hair is still damp, apply a straightening product to your hair and blow it out until it's completely dry and straight. Then, part your hair where you want it to fall (a side part, or one that is slightly off center, is more flattering to most faces than a middle part) and using a flatiroon (I recommend FHI) smooth hair until it's straight and sophisticated. Finish with a dab of shine product. Another option: Pull the center third of your hair back off your face, at the crown, and secure with a clip. This is a hot new runway look, and Jada Pinkett Smith pulled it off beautifully on Oscar night.
3. Retro and Wavy: Jennifer Lopez and Naomi Watts both wore their hair in retro style. This style works best on shoulder length hair. Start with clean, dry hair. Spritz styling spray generously on hair, and then section your hair off into fairly small sections and wind it around some hot curlers. When entire head is set, spritz with a bit more styling spray and allow to dry. After the hair is dry and the curlers cool, remove curlers and finger comb hair into place.

Voila! Three Oscar-worthy hairstyles you can pull off at home! Tomorrow, I'll give you the cheat sheet for Oscar makeup!

My Quick Take on the Oscars

I love Oscar night, and this year the stars didn't disappoint me. A quick wrap-up of the beauty highlights, which I will examine in greater detail this week:
Red Lips: Love this classic, glamorous look, which showed up on everyone from Rachel Weizs to Nicole Kidman.
Updo's: This year's updo's were perfect. Not too fussy, too severe, or too messy. I especially love Cate Blanchett, Rachel Weizs, and Penelope Cruz.
Straight Sleek Hair: Stunning on Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Reese Witherspoon. And I love the way Jada pulled off on of spring's hair trends by pulling some hair back at the crown. Gorgeous!

Past Beauty Blunders

Looking back over some old pictures, I'm relieved to say that I feel like I look better than ever. I wouldn't dream of going back to the insecurities of my 20s. There are a lot of other things I'm glad I left behind. Here they are:
1. Too thick foundation. For some reason, most of my pictures from my 20s and before show me with a too-white face, washed out by the camera flash, an obvious line separating my face color from the natural color of my neck. Insecure about my blemishes (some real, some imagined), I caked on the makeup, only making the problem more obvious.
2. Big hair. My hair has always been twice the volume of my body. It's thick and long and very curly. In the 80s and 90s, it had entered into a whole new dimension of hugeness. My face seemed positively puny in comparison.
3. Too much lipstick. Too matte, too bright, and shades, like hot pink and bright orange, that were too wrong.

The list goes on and on... Have you made some beauty blunders in the past? If so, I'd love to hear them!

Nail Art and Other Misdemeanors

We were purchasing a new digital camera at Best Buy today when I couldn't help but notice the cashier's nails. First of all, they were extremely long, extending at least two inches past her fingertips. Second, they were painted in assorted pastels in a sort of swirly pattern, and adorned with crystals. Finally, and most disturbingly, was the fact that one of her nails was curled into a spiral shape, like rotini pasta. "How long did it take to have your nails done like that?" I asked, mouth open in a combination of horror and fascination. "Only about 45 minutes," she said. "I just had them cut way down. They used to be much longer. I can't do anything because they're so short." Oh. I had no response to that. "Those are short?" I finally said in disbelief. "My nails are never longer than this." I showed her my short nails polished in a sheer neutral color. She looked at them with something resembling pity before volunteering the name of her nail place. Miss Nails, as I've been referring to her all day, misunderstood my interest in her overwrought talons. I didn't covet her nails, but I was inspired by them. Her manicure broke virtually every one of my cardinal nail rules, and prompted me to invent a few others that had never occurred to me. Here they are:

1. Wear your nails short. One-quarter to (at most) 1/2 an inch of white nail tip should be showing. Anything longer is dated, unhygienic, and, potentially, dangerous-looking.

2. Limit manicures to one color. That means no French manicures, no day-glo swirls, no cute little beach scenes with palm trees swaying in the wind. In short, no nail art. The simpler the better.

3. Stick to classic colors, like pale nudes, wines, corals and reds. Avoid blue, black, gold or silver. A good rule of thumb: If the color doesn't exist as a lipstick, it doesn't belong on your nails.

4. Nails should be shaped in a squoval, which is a square with the sharp edges rounded off. They should not be shaped like daggers, or, need I mention it, spirals. Take a cue from the shape of your nail bed, where your nail meets your cuticle. If they're rounded, your nails can take on a more rounded shape; if they're square, then keep your nails slightly squared off.

5. Sparkling stones belong on your fingers, not on your nails. Avoid sequins, crystals, and, most importantly, dangling nail jewelry of any sort.

Beyond Banana Clips: The New Hair Accessories

No longer are hair accessories being relegated to preschool, or to the 80s garbage bin. Thankfully, designers have moved beyond scrunchies (ugh!) and banana clips (double ugh!) and come out with stunning, wait-list-worthy hair accessories for spring. My favorites are the oversized faux baubles at Marc Jacobs. With this kind of whimsy and style in a hair accessory, the only problem will be getting the rest of your look to measure up!

Doing my Own Nails

Today, I finally broke down and attempted to do my own nails for the first time in more than five years. I've always had them professionally done, but lately, between the three B's (blog, baby, and book), I haven't had time to schedule a single appointment. Something had to give. It wasn't going to be my facials or my waxing appointments, since those are physically impossible to give to yourself. So the manicures have to go, For now. So, faced with unkempt nails and scraggly cuticles, I took matters into my own hands. I dug up an emery board and went to work, and though my squovals are not nearly on par with those of my manicurist, Julie, they'll have to do. To care for my hands and cuticles, I've begun applying a rich hand cream (I alternate between a few, including Kanebo, Mary Kay Satin Hands, and H2O Plus Hand and Nail Cream) and a cuticle oil (usually Essie) every night before bed. Next up, I will tackle the hurdle of painting my nails, though I will probably start with something sheer and neutral. Don't want to bite off more than I can chew...

Anatomy of a Makeup Bag

Tonight, I've decide to reflect on the contents of my everyday makeup bag. Here it goes:
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #7: Gives me the most gorgeous glow.
Giella Custom Foundation: The perfect shade, and texture.
Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup in Medium Tan: Quick. Great for getting out the door in a hurry.
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil: The lightest non-powdery powder ever.
Fresh Supernova Mascara: Lengthens like crazy.
Stila Cruise to Cairo Blush Duo: Two great shades: a neutral and a pink. Too bad it was a limited edition.
NARS Blush in Crazed: A gorgeous red with golden flecks. Highly pigmented, so I have to apply sparingly.
Revlon R Pro Black Liquid Liner: Don't remember where I came across this one, but it works.
MAC Frost Lipstick in Sequin: My favorite shimmery pink-beige. Makes my lips look fuller.
MAC Pro Longwear Lipstick in Legendary: The best shimmery neutral, and it doesn't come off on the baby.
Bobbe Brown Ruby Stain Lipstick: A sheer, easy-to-wear red. Looks like you just ate strawberries.
MAC Viva Glam Lipstick (the original!): My dramatic, night-on-the-town red. An all time favorite.
Clinique Glosswears in Tender Heart: The prettiest pink gloss. It's sophisticated, not bubble-gummy.
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey: A sheer, wearable wine color.
NARS Lisptick in Catfight: An elegant, feminine pink.
Bloom Lip Tint: Shiny gloss with a hint of red color. Love this.
Benefit eyebrow kit: Comes with waxy eyebrow color, an applicator brush, and tiny tweezers. Perfect.

C'est tout! Now it's your turn! I'd love to hear what's in your makeup bag, and why!

Spray-On Perfection

I'm a little obsessed with perfect skin, and since I didn't come by it naturally, I've learned to fake it. I've been experimenting with foundation for the last 20 years, jumping on every new makeup trend that comes along. I've tried the longwearing and ultra-matte foundations of the 90s and the glow-enhancing and mineral-derived products of the past few years. But one type of foundation that I've only dabbled in is the spray-on, airbrush kind. I'm a huge fan of the concept. I love the idea of spraying away imperfections. It sounds so high-tech and almost goofproof. But so far the only one I've tried is Classified Cosmetics ERA Face, which I love. There is so much to like about it. The application is smooth and even, it conceals without looking heavy, and it's waterproof. And when I inexplicably found myself on stage in a bathing suit (don't ask), I used it to conceal stretchmarks and shaving nicks. Brilliant. But never one to let a product go by untested, I've decided I also need to see what else is out there, so next up I'm going to try Dior Airflash... Perfection is out there, somewhere. Isn't it?

Beauty Catalog Claims: Honest, or Overblown

Lately, it seems that every catalog, from Victoria's Secret to Soft Surroundings, is selling beauty. Clearly, they know what women want. But what I find most intriguing is the selection of beauty products sold by those eclectic catalogs that sell primarily anti-aging, health and wellness products. For years I've been eyeing the merchandise in Luminescence - intrigued but too cautious to take the plunge. And then a new catalog, A Time for Me, shows up at my door. Aside from a couple of pages of racy sensual aids, this catalog is almost exclusively devoted to health and beauty. Even though I'm not a gadget person, in general, when it comes to beauty I can't get enough, so I am intrigued by NuFace, which promises a face lift in 5 minutes, and an at-home light therapy system that promises results in just 4 days. As a beauty junkie, I am all too ready to hand over my credit card, but as a former beauty editor, I am forcing myself to take a step back and assess these claims. So I plan to do more research to discover the truth behind the hype. I'd love to hear from anyone who's tried these devices.
Also, why do these catalogs feature many of the same, relatively unknown brands? Some of the makeup and skincare lines seem to be catalog exclusives, and are rarely if ever covered in the beauty press. Why? Are they so amazing that the major cosmetic companies don't want them mentioned, or are they so substandard that they're not worth mentioning? I love that these products are marketed as problem-solvers, because I am always very results-oriented when I write about beauty, but I'm not sure how many of the claims are actually true. If they are, then these catalogs should be doing very well, because they carry products that claim to solve everything from acne to wrinkles, cellulite to body odor. Yes, body odor.
I will continue to explore some of these eclectic products and devices in upcoming blogs. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your feedback and experiences!

The Gloved One

Michael Jackson had the right idea. About gloves, anyway. His only mistake was not wearing them on both hands. I'm in the middle of a very busy weekend, with a houseful of guests (including my niece and nephew) and my baby, and tonight I looked down at my hands and noticed that I had little nicks all over them. I have no idea how I got them. They might have happened while bathing my baby, or loading massive quantities of groceries into the trunk of my car, or peeling dozens of pears to make her baby food, or opening cans of organic spaghetti-o's for my nephew. However they happened, I'm sick of them. I feel like my hands are becoming more battle-scarred and workworn every day. Then it occurred to me: Dishwashing gloves don't have to be reserved for dishwashing. I can wear them while chopping vegetables, wiping down the counters, even making dinner. Hopefully, if I shield my hands from the ravages of everyday life, I can stop cringing every time I look at them!

Wearing Your Hair Curly, Part II

Since I'm on my curly kick, I thought I'd continue with a few do's and dont's, most of which have something to do with avoiding the bane of all curly-haired women, frizz:

1. Do apply products to your hair when it's very wet. As soon as your hair starts to dry, the frizz starts to develop.

2. If you need to squeeze excess moisture out of your hair, do so with a microfiber towel, and not a regular terry cloth towel, which creates friction, and, in turn, frizz.

3. Touch your hair as little as possible, especially when it's wet. Once again, this leads to frizz.

4. Under no circumstances should you brush your hair. You guessed it. It leads to frizz...

Convenient Pampering

I saw a recent episode of Oprah on anti-aging, and there were these phenomenal women who looked unbelievable, and not just for their age. They all went on and on about inner peace and happiness, but that didn't interest me as much as the occasional beauty tip. One 70 year old woman, who looked at least half her age, said simply: "Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!" I've always been fairly diligent about slathering lotion on my body, but since my skin has been oily much of my life, I've often hesitated to do the same for my face. But now I'm in my 30s, and my formerly oily complexion has been replaced by combination skin that is starting to show signs of age. So, to kick off my new moisturizing routine, I've decided to plant lightweight, oil-free moisturizers for my face, and richer moisturizers for my body, all over the house. I've already placed pumps of hand lotion at every sink, but now I'm stashing baskets of moisturizer and other essential implements (tweezers, nail files, hand mirrors) in various rooms throughout the house, so that I can care for my skin when I have the time, and not just during my most hectic time, in the morning, or just before bed, when I'm wiped out. I'm sure my skin is going to thank me for it! As for anti-aging, I'll let you know in 30 or 40 years, when hopefully, I'll look like that amazing 70-year-old on Oprah!

How to Wear Your Hair Curly, Part I

I have a gorgeous girlfriend with silky, straight blonde hair, or so I thought. Tonight, I ran into her at a sushi place, and she confessed that her hair is actually very curly, but she doesn't know how to wear it that way. She asked me to give her a few tips. It occurred to me that there are probably thousands of girls out there just like her, who don't wear their hair curly because they don't know how. So I've made it my mission to show them. In the next few weeks, I'll outline a few different methods from famous curly stylists like Ouidad and Jessica of Jessicurl, but today, I'll start with my own super-speedy, nearly foolproof system, which is best for superthick, supercurly hair, not fine curly hair.
Step 1: After shampooing, apply a conditioner like Pantene Hydrating Curls or John Frieda Curl Around. Comb it through with a wide tooth comb, and then leave it in.
Step 2: Apply Aussie Three Minute Miracle, sparingly at the roots and more liberally along the length of the hair. Hair should be coated with conditioner. Comb it through to distribute it evenly.

That's it. It takes two minutes, and it almost guarantees good hair. A little extra time and work can make it great, but this is an option for those busy days when you want your curls to look defined, not frizzy, and you want to get out the door fast.

To take it from good to great:
Apply a little light gel, styling cream or shine product along the length of the hair for added definition and shine. Then, using a diffuser, dry your hair by placing it gently into the diffuser attachment, bringing it up towards your scalp, and holding it there. I usually do a count of 100 on either side. Protect your ears with a towel, or it will burn. You may need to take a break to give your scalp a rest from the heat. Do not blow your hair around with a diffuser or you will encourage frizz.

Drying Tip: Use one of those microfiber towels after the conditioner step to gently squeeze (don't rub!) the extra moisture out of your hair before continuing to style your hair.

Making Up on the Run

I consider myself a pro at doing my makeup in the car. It's an acquired skill, and one I've perfected over the years, although I have had my share of mishaps. It takes dexterity, the ability to multitask (it's a good thing men don't wear makeup!) and, of course, the right products. This is what you need:
1. Stick foundation or creme to powder foundation compacts are ideal because they're spillproof. You can stroke the color on as you're driving, and then blend it when you stop at a light. I've also attempted to apply mineral powder foundation while driving, which works, although it can get messy. Neutrogena's Mineral Sheers has the color in the brush, which would be ideal, except that it doesn't work all that well. Tonight, I attempted to apply my Bare Escentuals foundation while driving, but couldn't find my kabuki brush. I looked and looked, through three whole lights. Then, I made a sudden turn and my makeup bag (the Benefit bag with Luscious Lana on the top - love its retro style) slid onto the floor, upside down, its contents strewn everywhere. There the brush was, in the far corner on the passenger side, out of my reach. I should have brought my Colorescience is much more user friendly - ideal for making up on the run. It's got the color in the brush, but unlike the Neutrogena version, it works beautifully!
2. Blush is easy to apply in the car, especially if you have a lighted makeup mirror, so that you can see how much you apply.
3. Finish with mascara and lipstick. Keep it simple. If you want a little more eye makeup, keep it to one color swept over the entire lid. This isn't the time for anything elaborate!

Granny Panties and Cellulite

I just saw an episode of Rachael Ray with a doctor who wrote a book called The Cellulite Cure. Now I knew that 90% of women have cellulite, and that exercise can help prevent cellulite, but it can't cure it. But I didn't know that thin women have a worse problem with cellulite than overweight women, or that something you put on every day could be the culprit. The doctor claims that granny panties, or any panties with elastic around the leg, cut off your circulation, causing cellulite. So if you want to avoid cottage cheesey-thighs, wear a g-string. They're not just good for your thighs - they're good for your marriage!

Cold Days and Curly Hair

I had a bad hair day. A really bad hair day. So bad, even my mother noticed. She told me I need to spend more time on myself. But time is only part of the problem. The other problem is the cold. Since I don't dry my hair, I like to wash it in the morning so that it can air dry. It takes forever! But since it's been unusually cool in sunny Florida lately, I haven't wanted to wash it and go out with wet hair in the cold weather. And I can't wash it at night because I hate going to bed with dripping wet hair. It's like sleeping in a puddle. So that pretty much means I can't wash my hair. It's been three days. I was just waiting for someone to notice. I guess I'll finally wash it tomorrow. Maybe.