The Best Toners Ever

Here's my list of the best toners ever, so far! Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of three separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers
3) The Best According to The Beauty Bunch: These are the top picks of the beauty experts who appear in my book, also known as The Beauty Bunch. (You can learn more about this genius team of experts by clicking on the About the Book tab, and then clicking on "Who are the Beauty Insiders.").

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Yon-Ka Lotion PG Toner: This aromatic toning mist is designed for oily skin. It refreshes, soothes, and equalizes, and the amazing scent makes it perfect for a mid-day lift. $26
2. Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner: This clean, refreshing toner is alcohol-free and super-gentle—even on skin treated with Retin-A. One swipe removes impurities, leftover makeup, and flaky skin. $7
3. Chanel Lotion Tendre Soothing Toner: This very gentle toner removes makeup and cleanser residue while leaving skin calm, hydrated, and happy. $45
4. Enessa Rose Hydrosol: I love misting my face with this delicate, rose-petal-scented face tonic that leaves skin clean and calm. $25
5. Nivea Visage Alcohol Free Moisturizing Toner: This chamomile-and-aloe infused toner freshens, cleanses, and comforts skin without drying it out. $5.50 (approx.)
6. Pevonia Botanica Phyto-Aromatic Mist: This gentle, refreshing facial mist hydrates, soothes, refreshes—and helps makeup stay put. $25
7. Fresh Bergamot Anise Tonic Water: This cooling toner cleans, softens, and leaves skin with a healthy glow. And, as with most Fresh products, the scent is unbeatable. $28
8. Peter Thomas Roth Aloe Tonic Mist: This toner soothes and removes excess residue while whole-leaf aloe vera and vitamins A and E replenish the skin. $30
9. June Jacobs Cucumber Green Tea Toner: This delicious spritz has an addictive scent. One quick spray removes residue while soothing skin and protecting with antioxidants. $39
10. Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner: The pink label and vintage apothecary-style packaging make this adorably retro and low-tech, but it delivers as well as the most modern formula. This intensely rose-scented tonic is moisturizing, gentle, soothing, and packed with aloe vera and vitamin E. $9

The Popular Vote
1. Clinique
Details: Clarifying Lotion
Price: $10.50
2. Burt’s Bees
Details: Garden Tomato Toner
Price: $10
3. Chanel
Details: Lotion Tendre
Price: $35
4. Dickinson’s
Details: All Natural Witch Hazel
Price: $3 (approx.)
5. Kiehl’s
Details: Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner
Price: $9.50
6. Neutrogena
Details: Pore Refining Toner
Price: $7 (approx.)
7. Obagi
Details: Nu-Derm Toner
Price: $30 (approx.)
8. Paula’s Choice
Details: Final Touch Toner
Price: $15.95
9. Phytomer
Details: Rosee Visage Face Dew
Price: $25 (approx.)
10. ProActiv
Details: Revitalizing Toner
Price: $39.95 (as part of three-step acne treatment system)

What the Pros Chose:
Amanda Lacey Persian Rose Water, $70 (approx.): Julie Hewett
Enessa Neroli Hydrosol, $25: Michelle Ornstein
Sea Breeze Astringent, $4.49: Kathryn Alice
L’Oreal Pure Zone Pore Tightening Astringent, $6.50 (approx.): Wende Zomnir, who recommends it for oily, acne-prone skin only
Peter Thomas Roth toners, $30-35: Peter Thomas Roth
Peter Thomas Roth Oxygen Mist, $35: Danielle Browning, who likes it for its ability to kill surface bacteria
June Jacobs Pore Purifying Toner, $34: June Jacobs
Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner, $32: Meg Thompson
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming/Toning Agent, $17: Shauna Raisch
Catherine Atzen Tonic Lotion, $37: Vanessa Talabac
Cosmedix Benefit Balance, $37.50: Shan Albert, who says: “It’s an antioxidant toner with very high percentages of active ingredients such as cassia betaglycan (a plant collagen that calms the skin), shea butter, L-lactic acid (for softening and gentle exfoliation), heavy water (D2O, which is ten percent heavier than regular water, so it doesn’t evaporate as quickly, making it a true hydration agent), and vitamin C. Most traditional toners function as a pH restorer or for removing the last traces of debris from the skin. Benefit Balance does quite a bit more.”

Favorite Beauty Bargains

I love luxury. There's nothing like opening up a jar of an uber-expensive moisturizer to make you feel pampered and decadent. But occasionally, you just need something that does the job, without any hype and without a high price tag. I've found a few items that make my list:
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $8: This does the job of removing makeup and impurities, without drying or irritating skin.
Blistex Clear Advance SPF30, $2.19: This is designed for men, but it's perfect for women! It has a non-shiny finish, so you can use it as a base for lipstick. It tastes great and lasts a long time. Best of all, it has sunscreen!
Revlon Skinlights Instant Skin Brightener SPF15, $11: This is a great highlighting cream that's on par with the department store line, but at a much lower price!
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock, $10: I love this sunblock. It's got a lightweight, matte finish, great protection, and it's virtually undetectable on skin!
John Frieda Straight Ahead Style Activating Daily Shampoo and Conditioner, $6 each: Even though I wear my hair curly, I love this shampoo and conditioner for their ability to make hair silky, smooth, and frizz-free!
Rose Milk Skincare Lotion, $10: This old standby is back, and it really takes me back to my childhood. It's got a soft, rose scent that makes me feel nostalgic, and it does the job on dry skin.

Who me? Complain?

Today, I promised my husband that I would stop complaining about the way that I look, especially about my body. This may sound optimistic, and even noble, but I can't say I've been entirely motivated by a sunny new appreciation of my post-pregnancy shape. It's more that I realize that, as I age (which, God willing, is inevitable), things will only go downhill. I will take care of myself, sign up for every new treatment and slather on every new cream, and fight a valiant fight, but ultimately, I will get older. There will be more to dislike. There will be sagging skin, wrinkles, age spots... Okay, now I'm getting depressed again. The bottom line is that, like most women, I've always complained about my body. I complained about it when I was 20 and everything was perky. I complained about it when I was 30, working out regularly, and in the best shape of my life. I complained about it a couple of years ago, at 35, shortly before I got pregnant. And I'm still complaining. With all the wisdom of my 37 years, I can now look back and say: "Hey, I looked good." (Or, at least, better than now). What was I complaining about? I didn't have a c-section scar or any of the other indignities that accompany pregnancy and childbirth. So now I realize that, 10 or 20 years from now, I will be doing the same thing - looking back at my post-pregnancy, 37-year-old body - thinking "I looked good." So, why wait until the future to appreciate the way I look. Why not start now. Today. After all, I have a baby girl to raise, and I want her to have high self esteem.

So, from now on, no more complaining about my body, or for that matter, my skin or my hair.

I wonder what I'll talk about now...

Desperately Seeking Airbrushing

Today, I put on a bathing suit for the first time since I had Lola nearly 11 months ago. It was a humbling experience. Let's just say that things have not quite returned to their normal state, even though I've lost the weight. Sigh. So I have two options:
1. Work out until I look like one of the professional dancers on Dancing with the Stars. My husband is convinced I have that body type. LOVE him. I'm not about to tell him the Lasik isn't working. OR
2. Have some pictures taken of myself in a bathing suit, get them airbrushed, and then promptly forget they were touched up. Then, every time I look at the pictures I will believe I really look like that.
I like option 2. It's easier, and less sweaty. Plus, it lasts longer. If I did ever manage to get in great shape, my body would only stay that way as long as I kept working out. But I could hold on to those pictures forever, and, when I'm old, I can look back and say: "Look how hot I was in my 30s."
There are other options that don't involve exercise, like:
Endermologie: for cellulite
The Wellbox: Kind of like Endermologie, for home use
Leg makeup: Like Air Stocking or Benefit Flamingo Fancy (I love this mixed with a little of their golden lightning and used as body makeup) to hide bruises and stretch marks
Spray Tans: A tan makes everything look better, but since I dutifully avoid the sun, I can get one courtesy of a machine. Do you know they can spray on muscle tone?!? Who needs exercise?
Body wraps: Temporary, but potentially effective. Too bad the results disappear if you so much as take a sip of water. So I'll be gorgeous and dehydrated. I can live with that.

American Idol Beauty

My take on the looks of the female contestants, and their fearless female judge, this week:
Paula Abdul: Paula completely reinvents her hair every week, to the extent that it's almost unrecognizable. She must have the largest collection of faux hair this side of Dolly Parton. This week it was browner and sleeker, with sideswept bags and what appeared to be a fake ponytail. Not bad. Her outfit was also uncharacteristically sedate, with a puff sleeve black blouse. As usual, though, she piled on the jewelry.
The Contestants:
Lakisha Jones: Great dress. Love the colors and the print, especially with the boots. It just worked, and it flattered her figure. Her hair also looked amazing, but I'm not sure about the makeup. I liked the eyes, but I felt like she could use some more color on her cheeks, and I wasn't wild about the lip color, which was a glossy brown with some orange in it.
Gina Glocksen: Not sure about her hair again this week. It was very choppy and shaggy and there were tufts of it sticking up in the back, but that may be the look she's going for. I also did not like the orange swipes of eyeshadow, though the lipstick and blush were very pretty. I love that she stays true to her rocker girl image, and the bottom half of her outfit worked, with the fishnets, the mini and the fabulous boots. But I didn't get the top at all! It was too tight and ill-fitting, and it just didn't go with the rest of the rebel look she was going for.
Haley Scarnato: Love the great black minidress, the necklaces, and the amazing black stilettos. Her makeup was also beautiful, as always, with glowing rosy blush and sheer pink gloss, as well as the eye makeup. She used some white liner on the inner rims, and a bronzey glittery shadow that made her eyes sparkle. The one thing I didn't like was her hair. It was so 80s, and the front and the back had failed to communicate with each other. In the front, her bangs were straight, then from the crown backwards it was curled and poufy. Like two different hairstyles. Very strange!
Melinda Doolittle: Love her. Don't love the outfit. She is too busty to wear a crew neck top. A scoop neck or v-neck would have broken up the expanse of her fabric, and made her look more in proportion. Especially the fact that it was sleeveless - just the wrong style for her. I did like that it was belted, and the leggings showed off her legs. Also not sure about the eyeshadow, which was blue to match the Pucci-esque print on her tunic. But I did love the pretty berry cheeks and lips, and the cute flippy hairstyle.
Jordin Sparks: Loved her outfit! Loved the little red and grey checked hoodie, flippy gray skirt and matching tall boots. Really fresh and youthful and perfect for her. I also loved the great sleek ponytail and huge hoops. Her makeup was also lovely, with silvery grey eyeshadow and glossy red lips. Beautiful!

Dancing With the Stars: The Beauty Breakdown

The beauty breakdown this week:
The Host:
Samantha Harris: Flawless again. Her dress was just stunning. I love it when black is combined with the bold salmon color, and the dark belt accent is very trendy right now. I'm a little confused by her hair, which was long last week, and shorter this week. I finally figured out that it was swept back in to a very loose chignon at the nape of the neck. Really pretty and kind of different. I also loved her makeup. The one thing I didn't like was the necklace, which seemed too heavy for the dress. I picture it with something lacier and more delicate.
The Stars:
Leeza Gibbons: Okay, she's 50! It gives me something to look forward to! She looks so much better this week than last. The dress was more youthful and less flirtier and more youthful, and she has an amazing figure. Period. Not amazing just for her age. You couldn't see that last week. I also liked the hair, which was long and wavy and sexy. I could have done without those bangs, though, which made the hair seem a little 80s at the crown. Great makeup, with subtly smoky and shimmery eyes and rosy cheeks and lips.
Shandi Finnessey: Wow! She looked gorgeous! This week, she got the makeup right, and looked so much fresher and prettier than last week. The less makeup she wears, the prettier she looks. She looked best in the intro tape when she was rehearsing and seemed to be wearing almost no makeup. I loved her makeup this week. She had gorgeous smoky eyes, glowingly rosy cheeks, and mauvey lipstick. It was just beautiful. Her outfit is hard to comment on, because you wouldn't exactly see it on the street or at a cocktail party. But the yellow color was gorgeous with her skin tone, and her body looked amazing in it. Only negatives: The dark roots, which made her otherwise amazing hair look like it needed some work, and the huge yellow hoops, which were distracting. Not wise to wear huge earrings the same color as your outfit, in my opinion.
Laila Ali: Love the swingy skirt, and the gorgeous peachy-pink color, which looked beautiful with her skin. Her hair also looked amazing, straight and sleek with the beautiful headband. I loved the soft bronzey browns on her eyes and cheeks, and the sheer pink gloss. Really gorgeous.
Heather Mills: My husband said I was too hard on her this week, so I will try to judge just her look, and not the personality I think she has. The outfit totally worked with the dance, and showed off her figure, which is beautiful. I also loved her hair, which was softer and sexier than her style last week. The one thing I don't get: her insistence on matching her eye makeup to her outfit. I could have done without her green eyeshadow, but the red lipstick and rosy cheeks looked great.
Paulina Porizkova: Not sure about the dress, with the varying shades of blue and the slightly 80s style. She has such a gorgeous body, but her dresses haven't been showing it off. This looked a little frumpy on her. The flower on the back of her head was a little contrived. I think it would have been prettier on the side. And her makeup wasn't as fresh as some of the others. While I loved the red lipstick, which was dramatic and perfect with the retro hair, her cheeks and her eye makeup looked too brown and almost muddy.
The Dancers:
Cheryl Burke: Okay, was she wearing a mullet, or was that just my imagination? Not at all a fan of the hair! Or the outfit, though I guess it worked for the competition. It was so Vegas! I would never have worn large hoops with the mock-neck halter-style thing she had going on. Her makeup, however, was gorgeous, with glittery smoky eyes, glowing red cheeks and a light brick lipstick. Really beautiful!
Karina Smirnoff: Love her. She really seems to get what works with her body, and what makes her look sexy on stage, which is pretty much everything. Even though this dress was as over-the-top as the others, it really worked for her. It totally flattered her body, and the swingy skirt moved beautifully when she danced. I also loved her hair, with it's big bouncy curls. Again, it moved beautifully when she danced. It was just beautiful. I also loved the makeup, from the red lips, the glowing red cheeks, and the shimmery smoky eyes. Perfect!
Kym Johnson: Okay, again, what's with her hair? In the intro it looked like she had a bowl cut. Really strange! Her makeup, though, was soft and pretty, with a palette of neutrals on her eyes and lips, and very light sheer pink gloss. I also liked the way the dress moved with the dance, and it looked great on her body. The side ponytail with the red flower was actually kind of cute, in spite of the fact that she had that weird roll over the opposite ear. Overall, a pretty night for her.
Edyta Sliwinska: Okay, she is just stunning. I loved the green dress with the long satiny ombre skirt which moved so beautifully when she danced. The top, with the cutout sides, highlighted her body, which is incredible. I also loved her elegant updo and her beautiful makeup, with the bronzey skin, the grayish shimmery shadow, rosy cheeks and sheer coral lips.
Elena Grinenko: I'm really having a tough time commenting on the outfits this week, as so many of them are specifically for this type of dance. They seem a little tacky to my eyes, but the aesthetic isn't the same here as it is in, say, Vogue. Anyway, this dress was subtler than the others, and a little more elegant. Her hair looked pretty swept in that updo, but I didn't like the glitter that was sprayed all over it. The glitter on her eyes was also a little heavy, but if you can't wear dramatically glittery eyeshadow on a dance show, when can you wear it? But I still felt like her shimmery, glittery blueish-silver shadow was a bit heavy, especially combined with heavily bronzed skin, strong swipes of blush, highlighter on the cheekbones, and deep pink lipstick. A little too much, overall.
Julianne Hough: Again, she's adorable. Her makeup was gorgeous tonight. Not everyone can pull off the very sweet makeup that she can, but it worked. From the bubble gum pink glossy lipstick to the false eyelashes at the outer corners of her eyes. I also loved the pale shimmery shadow and the neutral blush, which brought everything down to earth. Her hair was gorgeous and elegant, if a little too mature for her. Her dress was a bit pageant-y for me, which is not exactly a good thing, but it did look gorgeous on her. The color was beautiful with her skin tone.

Cleansers

When I first started to write my book, Secrets of the Beauty Insiders, I wanted to feature a lot of information on the best products. The book eventually took a different direction, and expanded to feature a lot more information. Since my lists got cut, I decided to offer them here. Each category features three lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers
3) The Best According to The Beauty Bunch: These are the top picks of the beauty experts who appear in my book, also known as The Beauty Bunch. (You can learn more about this genius team of experts by clicking on the About the Book tab, and then clicking on "Who are the Beauty Insiders.").

So here's the first list, of the Best Cleansers out there. Check back every Sunday for a new list of top products!


The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Normal/Oily Skin: This is a staple in my medicine cabinet—even my husband uses it. It’s effective, easy on the skin, and leaves your face feeling soft and smooth. The only con: it’s not an excellent makeup remover. $7 (approx.)
2. Yon-Ka Gel Nettoyant: I love this refreshing yet gentle botanical face wash. It easily erases makeup and other impurities while leaving skin soft and clean. $35 (approx.)
3. Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser: This seriously effective, non-lathering cleanser comes in a hygienic pump bottle. The silky texture easily removes makeup and, with regular use, helps breakouts disappear and skin become more even-toned. $23.75
4. Ole Henriksen On-the-Go Exhilerating Cleanser: This fabulously fruity cleanser looks orange and smells, appropriately enough, like oranges. It cleans thoroughly without drying, rinses clean, and swiftly removes makeup. $18
5. Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment: This is an interesting texture for a cleanser—it’s a clay-based product that goes on more like a thin mask than the typically foamy face wash. Once on, it easily eliminates impurities and leaves skin refined, matte, and virtually poreless. Plus, it doubles as a mask and a spot treatment, making it a must for travel. $45
6. Komenuka Bijin Facial Clean Powder: This product is cleverly packaged: one plastic jar contains thirty small packets of cleanser, and each packet is good for three uses. That makes this very hygienic and convenient for travel: Just toss one in your bag and go. The granulated rice bran turns creamy when it touches water, and gently exfoliates, purifies, and protects with over one hundred antioxidants. $36
7. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser: In one step, this gentle cleanser with sage, chamomile, and carrot infusions whisks away dirt and makeup, leaving skin soft and balanced. $20
8. LORAC Skincare Oil Free Face Wash: Gentle yet thorough, this fragrance-free cleanser removes makeup without drying, rinses easily, and leaves no residue behind. $24
9. Chanel Purifying Cleansing Gel/Rinse Off: This refreshing, water-soluble cleanser cleans quickly and leaves skin with a smooth, matte finish. $35
10. Cellex-C Betaplex Gentle Foaming Cleanser: This invigorating, lemon-yellow, cucumber-scented cleansing gel lathers lightly and exfoliates with alpha and beta hydroxy acids. $29

The Popular Vote:
1. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Price: $7 (approx.)
2. Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser
Price: $6.50 (approx.)
3. Philosophy Purity Made Simple
Price: $20
4. Sage Facial Shampoo
Price: $17.50
5. Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar and Gentle Cleansing Wash (tie)
Price: $4-7 (approx.)
6. Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser
Price: $7 (approx.)
7. Kiehl’s Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser
Price: $10.50
8. Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash
Price: $7 (approx.)
9. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
Price: $24
10. L’Oreal Hydrafresh Foaming Face Wash
Price: $6 (approx.)

The Best According to The Beauty Bunch:
Enessa Lavender Cleanser, $26: Michelle Ornstein
Bior Sage Milk, $40: Julie Hewett
Body Bistro Pineapple + Lime Cleansing Wash, $25: Galit Strugano
Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel, Chamomile Cleansing Lotion, $30 each: Peter Thomas Roth
Peter Thomas Roth Sensitive Skin Cleansing Gel, $30: Danielle Browning
Eve Lom Cleanser, $80: Mala Elhassan
Haven Daily Cleansing Milk, $30: Gabrielle Ophals
Catherine Atzen AM-PM Cleansing Gel, $31: Vanessa Talabac
June Jacobs Pore Purifying Facial Bath, $51: June Jacobs
Avance Foaming Cleansing Gel, $22: Dee DeLuca-Mattos
Pevonia Botanica Phyto-Gel Cleanser, $32: Meg Thompson
Pevonia Botanica RS2 Rosacea Gentle Cleanser, $31: Shauna Raisch
Cetaphil, $7 (approx): Hara Glick
L’Oreal Pure Zone Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser, $6.50 (approx.): Wende Zomnir
The Vital Image Grime Fighter, $18: Linda Deslauriers
Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals X-Trap Daily Gentle Face Wash, $38: Shan Albert

Product Review: Radical Departure by Ava MD

Radical Departure is an interesting concept. Billed as an "accelerated" skincare system, it's a two-week program designed to be used as a pick-me-up every 3 months. It kind of gets your skin back into shape, like a trip to a destination spa can get your body back in shape. All skincare should be this easy, which is one of the things I love about it. It' s so simple! There are 4 products in the program:
Orange Calendula Wash: I love how fresh this smells, and that it's gentle and free of sulfates. It also does a good job of making skin feel clean without drying it out.
Anti-Oxidant Mist: This is the toner step. It's a light, refreshing mist that you spritz on after cleansing.
AHA+BHA Lotion: This is the daytime product. It contains AHA's to fight aging and BHA's to clear clogged pores. It almost has no scent, which is great for a treatment product. Fragrance would only irritate. It blends in easily and leaves skin feeling smooth and fresh. Not at all greasy, so you can go on to the next step right away, which should be sunscreen, of course! Here's what it says on the website: "Accelerated re-texturizing blend reduces look of fine lines and uneven pigment while helping maintain skin’s moisture barrier. "
Retinoid Serum: This is the evening product. This has a very slight medicinal scent, but like the lotion it blends easily and is pleasant to apply. It has silicone in it, which gives it a great silky texture, and it makes skin feel so smooth and soft. Again, from the website: "Powerful time-release micro-encapsulates encourage exfoliating cell turnover, firmness, and clarity."

All you need to add is a sunscreen and an eye cream and you're set. All the products are portable and easy and pleasant to apply, which makes taking them it easy to travel with them and to use them.

The Results: My skin really seems soft and smooth, with no dry patches. It also didn't make me break out, which was a concern. There were no clogged pores or little bumps or anything. Besides improving my skin texture, it really seemed to make my skin more even, and there is definitely a glow. I feel like I've needed less foundation, and my skin just looks healthy and fresh and youthful. Also, even though the two weeks ends tomorrow, I still have quite a bit of product left, so I am going to continue using it until it runs out. Another plus: It's so quick and easy, I am never tempted to skip over the routine. No matter what skincare program you use, the key to success is consistency, so the simpler it is, the more likely you are to stick with it and see results.

Price: $125; http://www.avamd.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=90000&Store_Code=avamd

Hair: How Long is too Long?

Today, I was eating dinner with my husband in our dining room when I caught a glimpse of myself in a side mirror. I noticed, as if I'd seen it for the first time, that my hair was long. Really long. Too long. I first made this observation a couple of weeks ago, when I had my headshot done. (It's the picture I use on this blog). When the photos came back, I took one look at my hair and knew it was too long. Now, I was reminded of it again.
I've always worn my hair long. It's very thick and curly, and it's just more manageable, not to mention prettier, to wear it longer. I've always considered myself a long-hair person, and, perhaps more importantly, my husband loves it. But there's a difference between gorgeous, movie-star long, and freaky-hasn't-seen-a-salon-since-1975 long. I think my current length is dangerously in the middle. A couple of more inches, and I my look goes from high-maintenance to hideously-neglected.
According to Linda Wells' book, Confessions of a Beauty Editor, anything past the breasts is "spooky". While I wouldn't say this is a hard and fast commandment, it's certainly a safe rule-of-thumb. I have my own ways of knowing if hair (including my own) is too long:
1. It looks flat, stringy, and ungroomed.
2. It looks like it's long because of neglect, not because it was intended to be that way.
3. You have to move your hair to avoid sitting on it.
4. You wear it straight and parted down the middle, and the ends are shaggy and uneven.
5. The only comment that people make about your hair is that it's long.
6. It draws your face down and makes you look tired.
7. It looks awful.

Pretty definitive, I think. The bottom line is that your hair should be getting attention for how gorgeous it is, not how long it is.

Product Review: John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze

A friend of mine in her early 30s prides herself on her virgin hair. She's never had it colored, permed, straightened or chemically altered in any way. But lately, she felt the need for a little lift. Nothing major. Just a little something... So she picked up a package of John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Luminous Color Glaze. (It also comes in versions for blondes and redheads). She has fallen in LOVE with this product. It gives her naturally brown hair a little more oomph, without the trouble and expense of salon visit. Most of all, it adds tons of shine and makes her hair super silky and soft. It was just the little boost that she needed. It's even supposed to cover some gray. It might not work for you if your hair is baby fine, but it can give normal to thick hair a little lift. Not bad for $9.99 and 3 extra minutes in the shower!

Dangerous Curves

Today, I spoke with an AP reporter about whether "curves" were in. By "curves", she was referring to plus sizes,. She cited Jennifer Hudson and America Ferrera as examples of the new popularity of curves. She wanted me to comment on how their recent popularity may mean that our society is becoming more accepting of plus-sized figures. Unfortunately, I can't draw the same conclusion, and in some ways, I don't want to.
I think we are a society that is struggling to find a balance between anorexia and obesity, and clearly both extremes are unhealthy. Every week, we hear of a new starlet that has entered rehab for an eating disorder, or who is photographed on the beach with her hipbones jutting out. Clearly, skinny is still in. At the other extreme, we also see a nation that is getting progressively fatter. For all our supposed obsession with being skinny, we are bigger than we've ever been. And now, there are organizations being formed that focus on "fat acceptance." But is accepting obesity any better than accepting an eating disorder? Both are unhealthy, both are extreme, and both can, and do, kill.
This may be controversial, but I don't think we can accept obesity, and it has nothing to do with aesthetics. Obesity is life-threatening, plain and simple, and our health care system is feeling the strain.
We need more America Ferrera's. She is not obese. She is not even plus-sized, at least not in my book. She is just a normal girl with a normal body, and she looks healthy and beautiful. Plus, she is an amazing talent. I hope we never see her starve herself to become superskinny, or gorge herself and become grossly obese, because she represents what is lacking in Hollywood, and in the country as a whole. She represents someone who has found a balance, who has healthy self-esteem, and who knows that she looks good, even if she's not a size 2.

American Idol Beauty

Here's the beauty breakdown of the female contestants this week:
Overall trends: Smoky eyes. Rosy cheeks and lips. And an excess of jewelry. The show's stylist was a little too generous, really piling on the accessories. Another trend that I saw tonight was matched sets of jewelry. Haven't seen that in a while. I wonder whether this trend is part of an overall fashion swing in that direction, or if it's unique to the show. I'm not sure what to make of it, but it seems a little boring and 80s to me.
Paula Abdul: I actually liked Paula's outfit this week, even though, as always, there was a lot going on. I liked the velvet jacket, the sheer print shirt, and the fabulous necklace, though she could have lost the earrings. Her hair also looked good, and not as big or bouffant-y as usual. Even her makeup was subtler than usual.
The Contestants:
Gina Glocksen: Okay, I know she's punky and rocker-ish and everything, and I guess her hair worked with that look, but I thought it was a little too black, and the red streaks didn't work for me. Way too Goth, particularly with the black outfit. More Goth than rock. But once I found out that she sang "Paint it Black" I got it. I totally got it. The look worked, from the spiky hair to the shimmery top to the skinny pants. Also loved her smoky eye makeup, especially in contrast to the soft pink lips, although the lips had faded by the end of the performance.
Melinda Doolittle: Love her. I loved the hair cut and how sleek and shiny it was, though it could have used a little more movement. But it's definitely heading in the right direction. I also loved the pretty makeup, with the sparkly eyeshadow and soft pink cheeks and lips. She looked really lovely. What I didn't like was the outfit. It's something you could have worn to the mall. It wasn't special at all. Just jeans and a rather ordinary tunic top. Again, she piled on the jewelry, like the other contestants.
Jordin Sparks: Gorgeous and all grown-up! Her hair was sleek and glossy, and even though I missed the curls, this was a refreshing change. Her makeup was also beautiful: I loved the glossy rosy lips and the rosy cheeks, and the subtle, slightly smoky eyes. Her dress was also very pretty, if not spectacular. Again, though, I felt she wore mall-ish jewelry. It looked like the jewelry came on a cardboard card in a matched set from Claire's. She needed to lose one of the three pieces. Overall, though, she was gorgeous. Love her.
Haley Scarnato: Loved her hair, with the sideswept bangs and the fun ponytail. I also thought her makeup was gorgeous, with the soft pink blush, glossy pink lipstick and the subtly shimmery eyeshadow. Also loved the outfit on her. She has great legs. One comment my husband made, that I didn't notice until he pointed it out: Those huge, heavy earrings pulled her earlobes down, making them look a little stretched out. Overall, though, she looked amazing!
LaKisha Jones: Great green dress. It really flaunted her curves and flattered her figure, and the color was gorgeous with her complexion. I also loved the sophisticated makeup, with the metallic silvery shadow on the brow, the slightly smoky eyeliner, the glowing red blush, and the glossy neutral lips. The dripping-with-diamonds effect was dramatic, if a little obvious. She really laid it on thick, with the earrings, the hair clip, the necklace, the bracelets... But can you really go wrong with diamonds? Especially $1 million dollars worth? Hated the long nails with the French manicure. Cheesy! Please don't let that come back! I also hated her hair, which was a little too greasy looking. For direction on how to wear curls, she should turn to Oprah, whose stylist does it beautifully. Her curls are always full and never creasy or overly tight. LaKisha's hair just didn't work.
Stephanie Edwards: I liked her choice of dress this week. The blue strapless was a fresh, sexy pick - and much more youthful than last week. I also loved her decision to wear boots. I've been seeing a lot of eyeshadow matched to the dress lately - it's definitely a trend. With her skintone, she can pull off the blue shadow, especially since it was paired with a subtle, burnished cheek and lip. I also loved her hair. She seems to have added a red color glaze, and the style was simple and sophisticated. She also wore long dangly earrings, in a series of hoops that fell from her ears, along with a matching necklace. I could have done with one or the other. Not both.

Dancing With the Stars: The Beauty Breakdown

Here's my take on the looks that the ladies sported this week. I will not comment on the dancing, since I am not even remotely qualified to do so:
The Host:
Samantha Harris: Amazing dress! Love the shade of blue with her complexion. Her hair was also gorgeous, with the long dark waves and the slightly retro center part. Even though the metallic blue eyeshadow may have been a little heavy-handed, it worked because she has the skin tone to pull it off, and the rest of the makeup was really subtle.
The Stars
Leeza Gibbons: Not fond of the ballroom-esque dress, but maybe I just don't get it. Ballroom dancing, pageants, and figure skating all have the same glitz-is-good aesthetic that is just lost on me. And I would hardly call my style subtle. Anyway, it was just blah, but with sparkles. The updo was elegant and worked with the whole mood of the dance, even though I thought the chignon should have been higher on the back of her head. The way it was, it looked a little dowdy. I liked her soft makeup, though, including the white rimmed eyes that just sparkled, and the soft pink cheeks and lips. Very pretty.
Shandi Finnessey: To start, she looked like a pageant girl. Not bad, necessarily, but not great either. The hair and dress, I think, were intended to look 80s, and she achieved that. Her hair was curled and puffed and definitely had an 80s vibe, but it wasn't over the top and hideous. Her dress was also bright and flashy and tres 80s. I loved her makeup, with the brown smoky eyes and the glamorous red lips. Which proves, in reference to my earlier blog on Red Lips for Everyone, that everyone can wear red lipstick. It looked gorgeous on her. She has such a beautiful face, anyway, and a great smile.
Laila Ali: First of all, she's gorgeous. I never noticed that before. Her skin is amazing, and her features are just beautiful. I thought her hair looked lovely, with the beautiful waves and the pretty style. I thought her makeup was the prettiest of all the stars. Her eyes were just slightly smoky, and I loved the gorgeous glowing blush and the sheer nude gloss. She just glowed. Great smile, perfect teeth, just perfect. Also loved the earrings, and the dress left me breathless. It was amazing on her! Perfect color, perfect amount of sparkle, and it really flattered her figure. The downside? She should have worn some Spanx under her dress, to smooth out the tummy bulge. And I hated the long nails with the French manicure. Cheesy! Finally, her voice. She looks so ladylike until she opens her mouth, and then she sounds like a man. What a shame!
Heather Mills: Is it just me, or does she always look stuck up or pissed off or something? I really don't see what Sir Paul ever saw in her. I guess it's admirable about the prosthetic leg and all, but... Sorry, I've digressed. Her dress looked like something Cinderella would wear at the Magic Kingdom. And that's not a compliment. It was really Barbie-ish and costumey. I also didn't like the curly updo, though I know that it was intended to be a retro look so I will cut her some slack on it. I liked the pink blush and the sheer pink lips, but I would have liked to see a little more drama with the eye makeup. The yellow shadow didn't work for me. And what's up with doing pink and yellow makeup with a pink and yellow dress? That's just wrong. The pink alone would have been enough.
Paulina Porizkova: Love her! I was such a fan of hers, way back. I always thought she was the prettiest of the models. Obviously, the woman has aged well! Loved the gorgeous gown, with its vibrant shades of pink and orange. And she looked elegant, with her retro updo, deep red-orange lips and warm blush. She was blinking in a distracting way, though, which made me think that something was up with her eye makeup. Her eyeshadow looked okay, but the mascara seemed a little spiky. Overall, a nice look, but it didn't blow me away.
The Dancers:
Cheryl Burke: Love the makeup! Great sexy smoky eyes, glowing cheeks and soft sheer lips. Not sure about her shag, though. I'm especially not crazy about the way she brushes it forward, towards her face. I also found the skimpy Vegas-style costume distracting. Of course, if I had her body, I probably wouldn't wear anything.
Karina Smirnoff: How hot is this woman? She is just so gorgeous. Like Cheryl, her skin just glows, and her body is amazing. But she also has the prettiest features and the most gorgeous hair. I couldn't believe it when he pulled off her wig! What a klutz. Hated the earrings. I thought the metallic silver shadow, especially in the corner of the eyes, made her sparkle. Her skin looked amazing, as always. Loved the glowing cheeks and soft pink lips. Overall, fabulous makeup, though it's hard to make her look bad. I think she overdid it on the cleavage though. You could see the makeup that she used to shade the area between the breasts, which is a pretty standard technique, but it's should never be obvious. She looked almost aggressively sexy, and she doesn't need to try that hard because she's already there.
Kym Johnson: She makes questionable hair and makeup choices. In the intro, she had this strange 70s shag in one scene and hideous purple eyeshadow in another. Fortunately, she looked great when she was dancing. Her hair really worked for the disco number. It was very Paris-Hilton-goes-to-the-70s. Big and blonde. Too much glitter on the decolletage, but again, it went with the whole disco vibe. Her bubblegum pink lips and cheeks and sparkly shadow also worked with the look. Finally, is it just me, or was she naked?
Edyta Sliwinska: Her body is ridiculous, but I should stop saying that, because all of these dancers have amazing figures. I thought the overall pink look was fun. I am biased towards curly hair, and I thought hers looked great. Loved the hibiscus flower in the hair. The pink makeup was soft and pretty.
Elena Grinenko: Her skin was just radiant. Her bronzey blush looked a little heavy, and I think the makeup overall was heavy-handed. Too much blush, with bright lips, and dramatic eyeshadow, made it look a bit much.
Julianne Hough: Hello, Barbie. Seriously, she's adorable. She looks like a young Meg Ryan. The less makeup she wears, the prettier she looks. With her youth, she doesn't need a lot to look great. Was she going for an 80s look to go with the music? If so, I don't think she did it, but she looked great. The hair was fluffy and blonde and fun. I loved the soft, pretty makeup, with the sheer gloss, soft blush and slightly sparkly eyes. Very youthful and pretty. I think she may have been wearing false eyelashes, and if so, it worked because her eyes looked pretty.

Beauty Bash Discussion: Hyperpigmentation and Melasma

One of our beauty bashers complained of pill-induced melasma. For those of you who don't know, melasma, also known as pregnancy mask, is a patch of brown, hyperpigmented skin that can cover anywhere from a little to most of your face. Since it's triggered by hormones (pregnancy or the pill) the only way to really cure it is to stop it's trigger. In other words, you have to stop the pill or give birth.
But there are ways to treat melasma. Like other forms of hyperpigmentation, it can be treated with skin lightening creams. The most effective ingredient to look for in these creams is hydroquinone. Creams with up to a 2% hydroquinone are available over the counter. Stronger concentrations, like the EpiQuin Micro with 4% hydroquinone that I just got from my dermatologist, are only available from a doctor.
The other way to treat hyperpigmentation of any kind is by laser treatments. My dermatologist recommends the Pixel laser, which is unique in that it is virtually painless and requires no downtime. I start treatments in a couple of weeks, so I'll keep you posted about the results.
The catch? (There always is one). With any hyperpigmentation treatment, even a little sunshine can send you right back to where you started. The only way to keep the brown away is to stay completely out of the sun. Apply SPF45 liberally and often. Wear a wide-brimmed hat with a sunblock built into the fabric, and UV protecting sunglasses. Walk on the shady side of the street. The tiniest bit of sun can undo all of your hard work, so don't let it!

Beauty Bash Discussion: Red Lipstick for Everyone

I love red lipstick. For me, it was a rite of passage, and I've been wearing it since my teens. Until I married a man who hates red lipstick. My husband likes makeup that looks natural, and apparently, red lipstick doesn't make the cut. So, reluctantly, I limit it to girly events and special occasions. It's a real shame because I know that nothing flatters my complexion like the perfect shade of red.
With the exception of me and my sister, the other girls at the Beauty Bash shy away from red lipstick, so I challenged them to try it for a few days. Once the initial shock of seeing themselves differently wears off, they will either love it or hate it. I recommended using a fingertip to apply a sheer wash of red color on lip-balmed lips. Or mixing it with a neutral. Or applying it and wiping it off, then coating with a clear balm or gloss, like a stain.
Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks that red lipsick is transformative. Beauty Insider Julie Hewett, whose insightful tips and tricks to wearing red lipstick appear in my book, Secrets of the Beauty Insiders, launched her namesake line with a range of red lipsticks. Hewett is the makeup artist behind such movies as American Beauty, Spiderman, Ocean's 11 and Ocean's 12. She claims that there's a color to suit every woman. For the red-lipstick-shy, she recommends starting with more subtle options, like a sheer red or a red gloss. She also says that it's crucial to find the right shade. Here are her tips, using shades from her own line:
A red with brown undertones, like Coco Noir, looks good on almost anyone
Red with blue undertones, or true reds, like Rouge Noir and Femme Noir, look great on women with cooler skin tones. Rouge Noir is a classic movie star red, while Femme Noir looks great on very fair skin with blue undertones.
"Warm eggplanty reds" like Sin Noir work well on Latin women and African Americans - women with warmer skin tones
Belle Noir looks good on tanned blondes with olive skin or brunettes with fair olive skin.

For the Beauty Bash, we were sent a selection of red "lip paints" from another red-centric line, Maria B. Like Hewett's, this line offers a red for everyone. It must be the most extensive line of red lipsticks ever, with over 30 shades. The lipstick also doubles as a lip stain and a cheek color. We are currently testing several of the shades, from Disco to Black Cherry. Is there really a red for every girl? I think so, but the verdict is still out. Stay tuned for the Red Lipstick Report!

Beauty Bash Discussion: Stinky Self-Tanners

Jenn H. asked why those new daily self-tanners, which combine a self-tanner with a moisturizer, give off a strange, and not exactly pleasant, odor. She wondered whether she could find an odor-free self-tanner. Unfortunately, the answer is no, because the odor does not come from the product itself. It is the result of the chemical reaction that takes place between your skin and the self-tanner. The same reaction that gives you that amazing tan and glow is giving off that annoying odor. One site, sunless.com, claims that Au Courant’s sunless tanner is virtually odor-free, while Nivea’s is the stinkiest. The site also recommends showering with a scented shower gel and a nylon scrubby to get rid of the scent. You can also use a lotion with a strong scent to mask the smell, or a scented body spray. One site recommended melon or cucumber. I don’t have a lot of experience with self-tanner, so I can’t say, but I plan on trying some this spring to give me a little extra color and glow, so I will let you know if I come up with any other solutions to the stink factor. If you have any great ideas, please let me know!

Beauty Bash Discussion: Glowing Skin

When Nelly asked whether products that claim to make skin (on the face or body) glow really work, I couldn’t give her a definitive answer. That is because it really depends on the product. Some of them do, and some of them don’t. There are two ways a product can give you a glow:
Cosmetically, by adding highlighting cream or powder to the cream to make skin shimmery and glowy, or by treating your skin with ingredients proven to increase the skin’s glow factor.
The main category of these treatment ingredients is alphahydroxy acids, which slough off the dead skin cells on the surface that can make skin appear dull. Another category of glow-boosters is antixoidants, such as green tea, vitamin C, and pomegranate. All help skin retain its glow by revving up circulation and protecting it from the assault of free radicals. Of course, simply applying moisturizer can help your skin to glow, because we all know that dry skin looks dull and ashy.
Nelly had another question: Are more expensive products always better, in this category, or any other. The answer is no. Well-formulated products can be found in every price range. It’s more important to look at the ingredient list than the price tag. A good product will have its active, star ingredients among the first five on the list, before the preservatives. If they’re too far down, you’re not getting what you’re paying for.
I'd love to hear if you've found a truly outstanding, glow-enhancing product for face or body.

Beauty Bash Discussion: Nails

I’m not a big nail person. For one, I’m completely inept at doing my nails (see my earlier blog, Doing My Own Nails) and have been getting professional manicures and pedicures for most of my adult life. Life with Lola (my 10 month old baby girl) has changed all that. These days, my nails are showing signs of neglect, and I’ve been forced to take matters into my own hands. I just don’t have time to schedule a manicure! Another reason that I’m not a nail person is that I wear mine relatively short, no more than about a quarter inch past the nail bed. They are also naturally strong and healthy, so I’ve never had to worry about growing them out. It’s a non-issue. But not everyone has such an easy relationship with their nails. One of my girlfriends asked for advice about treating weak nails that refuse to grow. I gave her a tip from my book, Secrets of the Beauty Insiders, which was given to me by Skyy Hadley, a celeb manicurist. She recommends a coat of Trind Moisturizing Nail Balsam (a Dutch product that’s available online), followed by a coat of Nailtiques #2, followed by two coats of Zoya nail polish, and finished with a final coat of Nailtiques. She claims that nail hardeners make nails too hard, leaving them brittle and breakable, but a protein nail product, like Trind, actually strengthens nails to make them healthy and long. She also claims this manicure lasts forever—seven to ten days! My sister, Nelly, who is obsessed with her nails (I’ve NEVER seen her without a manicure. She does them herself, and they’re flawless) said she recommends a product called Mystic Nails, which she uses as a base and topcoat. She applies an additional coat daily, and said it really seems to make her nails stronger and less prone to breakage. Plus, it makes her nail polish last. She should know. When someone commented that applying a coat every day was too much work, Nelly, who has three little girls three years old and under, andwho barely has time to eat, says that she keeps it in the car, quickly applies a coat at a red light, and then lets the air conditioning dry her nails. (We both claim to have invented this tip. Pointing the air conditioning vents at your nails while driving is the quickest way to dry a manicure). Another problem that came up is nail polish allergies. Jen I. mentioned that she and her sisster are both able to wear toenail polish but not fingernail polish. When she paints her fingernails, her skin gets red and irritated wherever she touches it. After doing some research on this, I think I can safely say that Jen is probably only able to paint her toenails because her feet come in contact with less of her skin than her hands do. Her skin is actually what is allergic to the ingredients in nail polish (the most common allergens are formaldehyde and toluene), so it shouldn’t matter whether it’s the skin on her feet or her hands. But since her hands are often in contact with her face and her neck, she will notice the allergy there, whereas she can tolerate it on her feet. I recommended trying a formaldehyde-free nail polish, like those from health food store brands like Honeybee Gardens and Sante. Zoya nail polishes, mentioned above, are also free of formaldehyde and toluene. These gentler nail enamels are a great bet for anyone with sensitive skin and nail polish allergies, as well as for pregnant women.

American Idol Beauty

Here's my take on the beauty and style of the female American Idol contestants this week.
Stephanie: She finally got her hair right. It looked sleek and sexy swept to the side this week - a vast improvement over last week's overly punky 'do. Other pluses: the makeup, with the great smoky eyes and sheer berry-colored lips. I also loved the earrings and the shoes. I wanted to like the dress, but something about it fell short. The print was great, but the overall look was a little matronly. She should have worn something that showed off her great figure a little bit more.
Lakisha: Love the sleek hair and the sparkly hoops, and I liked her makeup. She went a bit rosier on the cheeks and the lips this time, with a sheer pink gloss and a bright pink cheek color, which I loved. Also loved the smoky eye, which was done using what appeared to be shades of purple rather than the usual blacks and grays. Very flattering. Not sure about the long slinky white gown. I can't make up my mind about it, which is rare, because as you can tell, I'm pretty opinionated. It was a risky choice, that's for sure.
Haley: Love the cute babydoll dress on her, and her hair looked beautiful. Her makeup was gorgeous. I loved the use of color, from the metallic greenish-gray eyeshadow to the coral lipstick and blush. Beautiful and flattering. It made her already gorgeous skin glow even more. Only negative point: her eyebrows looked too severe and painted on, which is aging. But she was much more interesting this week, both performance-wise (though I'm no music critic) and style-wise.
Jordin: Her hair looked great, in a not-trying-too-hard kind of way. I also loved the sheer rosy gloss and pink cheeks, which were beautiful and age-appropriate. The sparkly eye shadow/eye gloss brought out the sparkle in her eyes. Not crazy about the dress, though. It seemd a little ordinary. I also didn't like the pair of necklaces. They looked like something you'd pick up at the mall.
Melinda: Great sophisticated gray dress and high high heels. Her hair also looked good, though I think she could use a more updated style. It's a little mature for her, even though she seems like an old soul. I loved the shimmery gold-flecked eyeshadow, glowing wine colored blush and sheer berry lips.
Gina: Same hair, which is essentially an update of the Joan Jett 'do. Her makeup seemed softer this week, with pretty pinks on her cheeks and lips and a softer smoky eye. Nice, but not memorable.

Beauty Bash Discussion: Laser Hair Removal

As I mentioned earlier, Nancy and Kari both have experience with laser hair removal. Kari had it done a few years ago, and Nancy is currently undergoing treatment. Both are thrilled with the results. Kari even had a solution to one of the only downsides: the pain, which we’ve heard is substantial. Apparently, her office has just brought in a new device that freezes the area to be treated, thereby numbing it and dramatically reducing the pain. Brilliant! I’m just waiting until after the conception/birth of baby number two, and then I’m signing up.
One unusual question did come up. Someone mentioned that she has a friend who had laser hair removal under her arms, and now, whenever she works out and sweats, the smell that she emits is a strange burning smell, not body odor at all, and not treatable or preventable with antiperspirant or deodorant. She says it is so annoying to her that she wishes she’d never done it. In my opinion, this seems to be a fluke, and maybe her particular body chemistry didn’t respond well to treatment, as in all of my research I haven’t been able to find anyone else who mentioned having this issue.
I checked the Mayo Clinic website, and the possible risks they mentioned included hyper-and hypopigmentation, scarring, and blistering. They did not mention a permanent change in body odor. Has this happened to you or anyone you know? If so, I’d love to hear about it.
With the exception of the dude, God bless him, at yoni.com, who claims that armpit hair is a turn on, most men and women in Western cultures find superfluous hair a nuisance, and are eager to get rid of it. So here’s what you need to know.
Laser hair removal works by detecting the pigment in the hair, more or less. Not a scientific explanation, but essentially, if you have dark hair and light skin you are an ideal candidate, because the laser will target the darkness of the hair and zap it. However it also works on darker skin types, like me and my cousin Nancy. If you have a tan, you must wait for it to fade.
During treatment, you can expect some pain, which can be minimized with a freezing treatment like the one described above, or a topical anesthetic, and a strong burning odor. Afterwards, avoid the sun, poking at the treated skin, or removing any leftover hair from the treated area.
And, as with any treatment, find a reputable practitioner. Get references, if at all possible, and come armed with a list of questions. Good luck!

The Beauty Bash

Okay, Friday night was the night of my big beauty party, and we had a great, girly time. There were 7 of us in all. Here's a description of everyone who showed up:
Nelly: 32 years old, mother of three little girls. Complaints: spider veins. Wants: glowing skin. Obsessed with: her nails. Testing: Strivectin Stretch mark cream, Lumedia Facial Brightener, Sexy Hair Concepts Pumpkin Potion Leave in Conditioner with Ginger Root.
Nancy: 30 years old. Artist, eyebrow expert. Nancy did henna tattoos on us, and her artistry was amazing. Complaints: Problem skin, getting rid of hair, hyperpigmentation. Testing: MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peel, Sexy Hair Concepts Pumpkin Potion Leave in Conditioner with Ginger Root, Japonesque slant tip tweezers, Blue No. 26 Luminescence Anti-Spot Creme.
Anne: 27 years old. Struggles with finding ways to care for her skin while maintaining her low maintenance approach. Complaints: varicose veins. Testing: Purist Naturals facial scrub and gingko cream.
Jenn I.: 32 years old. Sensitive fair skin. Shoulder-length straight hair. Testing: Sexy Hair Concepts Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner, Youngblood Lip Gloss in Brilliance, Maria B. Lip Paint in Disco, Healthy Sexy Hair Pumpkin Whipped Souffle, Luscious Nail Polish in Zuma, Dr. Hauschka skincare kit for normal/dry/sensitive skin
Jenn H: 29. Fair, freckled skin and reddish-brown hair. Testing: Lumedia Facial Brightener,
Skin Milk Body Scrub, Luscious Cosmetics Social Butterfly Eye Velvets in Malibu, Maria B Lip Paint in XOXO, Luscious Cosmetics Lip Polish in St. Tropez, Peter Thomas Roth Conditioning Tonic, Comodynes Facial Peeling Towelette, StriVectin-SD Stretch Mark Cream
Kari: 41. Fair skin and dark hair. Micropigmentation specialist. Beauty concerns: Wrinkles. Testing: Strivectin-HS Hydro Thermal Deep Wrinkle Serum.
When we weren't testing products or submitting to Nancy's artistry, we just hung out and ate and talked beauty. Here are the issues the partiers brought up:
Laser hair removal: Two attendees, Nancy and Kari, have already had laser hair removal treatments, and both are big fans. We threw tons of questions at them.
Nails: How to treat problem (weak) nails, and how to address nail polish allergies.
Glowing skin: What ingredients to look for in a face or body product to guarantee glowing skin.
Daily self-tanning moisturizers: How to avoid the telltale odor.
Melasma: Caused by pregnancy or the birth control pill, it's a brownish mask that can make the complexion appear muddy. Short of changing your birth control, is there anything you can do about it.

I will address each of these problems individually and in detail this week, so check back daily!

American Idol Beauty

Okay, so here's my take, which I will do weekly from now on, on the looks of the American Idol contestants:
Jordin Sparks: Love her. She's so energetic and positive and cute. Great smile, and gorgeous natural makeup. Love the brighter, glossy shade of lipstick, and her curls were perfect: shiny and not at all frizzy.
Sabrina Sloan: My husband says that, from a distance, she could be my double. I'm flattered, as I think she's gorgeous. Tonight was no exception. Her makeup was flawless, and she literally glowed. Great metallic eyeshadow, which was subtle enough but made her eyes sparkle. Not sure about the hair. I also have very curly hair, and my husband loves it when I wear the curls super-tight, like Sabrina does, but I prefer to wear them slightly looser, and not so kinky. More like Jordin. Curls can sometimes be hard to pull off on camera. In this case, I thought they looked slightly frizzy.
Antonella Barba: She's gorgeous, obviously. Her hair is so shiny and pretty and perfectly frames her face. Great makeup too: sexy smoky eyes and glossy neutral lips. I loved it, and it suited her perfectly.
Gina Glocksen: I think Gina looked like a true rock star tonight. The hair, the makeup, and most of all, the attitude were a perfect throwback to true rock chicks like Joan Jett and Pat Benatar. She looked cool!
Stephanie Edwards: Great makeup, and I liked the dress, though it could have been shorter. My comment is about her hair. I think it's a little too severe. I like the short cut, but it could, and should, be softer and more feminine, in my opinion.
Lakisha Jones: Great dress and shoes, though I could have done without the necklace. I loved her hair. It looked super-sleek and shiny. The makeup was also gorgeous.
Haley Scarnato: Loved the pulled back hair and the soft, pretty makeup, but the outfit was a little boring.
Melinda Doolittle: Amazing. Great makeup, and an incredible performance. Her hair looks terrific, but I don't know that it's right for her. She could find a more flattering hairstyle, because she has an almost nonexistent neck. If she wore her hair shorter, it would frame her face better and elongate her neck.
Sanjaya Malakar: The hair was gorgeous, although I prefer it when he wears it wavy. Oh, wait - I forgot. I'm only commenting on the girls...

The Undereye Circle Dilemma

I got a frantic call from a girlfriend today. She was sick and tired of trying eye cream after eye cream, after being repeatedly told by salespeople that this one was "the best", and finding nothing that diminished her undereye circles. Sadly, undereye circles are one of the trickiest beauty problems to combat, and creams can, at best, simply downplay them. There are two causes of undereye circles: 1) thin bluish veins under the eye area show through the thin skin, making the area appear shadowed or 2) the skin itself is hyperpigmented, or darker than the skin around it. In the first scenario, the only remedy is a good concealer. For the second, a product containing gentle skinlightening agents can help. Hydroquinone is the best, and by far the most effective, so I recommend seeing a dermatologist to get the real deal. Hydroquinone is also pretty potent, so it's best used under a dermatologist's supervision. You don't want the reverse problem - hypopigmentation - in which the skin actually loses too much pigment and is lighter than the skin around it. The new anti-darkness eye creams may help in extreme cases, but nothing works for everyone. More on these in subsequent blogs!

Oscar Beauty, Part III

Want to capture the glowingly gorgeous makeup looks of the Oscars? They're easier to pull off than you think, even without a big-name makeup artist.

Penelope's Look: Penelope's gorgeous glow came from a judicious use of bronzer, and an overall neutral palette. Begin by smoothing skin with a dewy-matte foundation. Eliminate shine with a very light dusting of powder, like Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil. Then, use a light-colored bronzer, like Cargo's, and apply sparingly where the sun hits, on the bridge of your nose, the apples of the cheeks, the temples. Finish with some smudgy brown eyeliner, a couple of generous coats of mascara, and a great mauve-pink lipstick, like Nars Catfight.

Gwyneth/Nicole: Gwyneth and Nicole sported similar looks: sleek straight blonde hair, neutral face, red lipstick. To keep this look fresh and current, start with a dewy-matte foundation (again, key to spring makeup looks. Greasy-dewy is out. Matte-dewy is in). Dust on a very light powder, a neutral beige pink blush, minimal brown eyeliner, and a couple of coats of mascara. Finish with a flawless application of red lipstick, applied with a lip brush. Try Vincent Longo Rejuvenating Lipstick in Carnelian Red Whisper or Paul & Joe Lipstick in Tomate Cerise 35. To seal the lip line, and make it crisp, apply a neutral lipliner, like Julie Hewett Omit, around the edges of the lips. Red lipstick looks freshest and most current on an otherwise neutral, almost unmade-up face.