The Curly Hair Prescription

Women with curly hair seem to have a silent sorority. They check out each other's locks and trade product secrets and styling tricks like others trade stock tips. So I thought I would divulge the secrets behind getting a great, everyday look with my hair. My hair (due to a recent haircut) is now about chest-length, very curly but not really kinky, and very thick. The texture is a maddening combination of coarse and fine. (I know it sounds impossible, but it's true). For quick, easy styling, which I do usually every other day or every third day, here's my strategy:
Shampoo hair. Never pile on head to avoid tangles and frizz.
Condition with Ouidad Curl Quenching Conditioner. Leave in a few minutes, and then rinse out most of it, leaving just a little in.
Condition again with Pantene Hydrating Curls, which I use as a leave-in. Apply a substantial amount, enough to coat hair. Comb through after a couple of minutes. This is a great detangler.
Apply Hask Pure Shine serum, or the serum of your choice. (All serum is essentially the same, so I always buy the cheapest one), especially on length of hair.
Apply Aussie 3-Minute Miracle, especially over lenght of hair. Great for hold and frizz control.
APply Ouidad Climate Control Gel sparingly, mostly from middle of hair down, for shine and more hold.

I do all of this while still in the bathtub or shower, as it can get kind of messy. I know it seems like a lot of steps and a lot of products, which it is, but it takes less than five minutes to do the whole routine from the Pantene on. Then I just let my hair air-dry, and try to touch it as little as possible during the process, which isn't all that easy since it can take my hair 24 hours or more to dry!

If you have similar hair, give my tried and tested routine a shot and let me know if it works for you! And if you have your own go-to routine for curly hair, I'd love to hear about it!

I've seen the light!

Okay, it happened. Finally. I got my hair cut. And I mean really cut. My almost waist length hair (which was just too, too long) now hits just above the chest. At first, I was traumatized. I fretted. I pouted. I yelled at my husband. But I quickly came around. The morning after the haircut, I felt like a new woman. My hair was shinier, bouncier, and infinitely healthier. It had movement. It had style. And best of all, it didn't weigh down my face.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, my hair was my one huge beauty blind spot. I knew it, but I was afraid to address it. I guess I didn't really know that I had options. A few years ago, my hair was a lot thicker, but now, due to a few cuts at Ouidad and maybe some hormonal changes, it's not as bushy or as unmanageable as it used to be. Which means I no longer need the length to weigh it down and keep it manageable. My fear that a shorter cut would lead to the curly-girl's worst fear - pyramid-head - was unfounded. Now I have a flattering haircut that looks much more sophisticated, is more flattering, and is easier to manage.
Let this be a lesson to anyone who is afraid of change. Don't do what I did for the last few years, and hold on to something that no longer flatters you or fits your lifestyle because you're too afraid to make a change. Weigh your options carefully, and then, when you're ready to take the plunge, go for it and don't look back. You won't regret it!

Does Everybody Need to Be Bronzed?

I've seen two magazine articles in the last few weeks criticizing Kirsten Dunst's body. One implied that she was too skinny; the other, too pale. But Dunst is one of the few actresses defying the faux, spray-on tan trend. Her skin is beautifully, delicately, naturally pale, and she embraces it.She doesn't give in to the pressure to be totally tanned. I respect that. Fair is as beautiful as golden brown, and certainly much healthier (if the tan comes from the sun). I think more actresses, and women in general, need to defy the current obsession with orange skin and celebrate their alabaster complexions. They should take cover under large, floppy hats, walk on the shady side of the street, and audition for period films where a pristine pale complexion is an asset. And most of all - they should celebrate being uniquely fair in a sea of self-tanned starlets. Different can be beautiful.

The Best Concealers Ever

This category covers the very best concealers available, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. MAC Select (“NW25”): This sheer, lightweight concealer virtually disappears into the skin, taking minor imperfections along with it. Great for the foundation-phobe, it can cover larger areas while remaining undetectable. $13
2. Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Powder/Concealer (“3 Carats”): This compact contains pressed powder and an amazing matching concealer for on-the-go perfection. Use the little brush to apply the creamy concealer, which effortlessly erases blemishes and other boo-boos. $29.50
3. Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Foundation (“574”): Though this is actually a foundation, it’s so creamy and full-coverage it doubles as a great concealer, particularly over larger areas. And the powder finish lets you skip a step. $24
4. TIGI Bed Head Fat Free Foundation (“#2” or “#3”): This foundation comes in a stick form, making it a handy concealer as well. The coverage is lightweight and natural, yet it conceals everything—a rare find! $20
5. Amazing Concealer (“Medium”): Heavy duty, but still easy to use, this is said to cover more than any other concealer. All I know is that the concentrated formula works wonders to hide blemishes, scars, and other imperfections. $40
6. Alison Raffaele True Concealer (“Skintone 4”): This serious concealer goes on lightly, but covers absolutely everything. A flick of the convenient wand banishes breakouts. $22.50
7. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (“SC2”): Two shades of this legendary concealer come in every pot—one to match the skin’s color and one to match the skin’s undertones. You get customized color each time you apply it, and coverage for everything from blemishes to undereye circles. $28
8. Three Custom Color Specialists Professional Concealer Palette: This is the Rolls Royce of concealers. If you can’t find a match in this ten-shade palette, you have my deepest sympathies. The versatile selection of colors lets you alter your shade slightly according to season and usage. $58
9. Paula Dorf Total Camouflage (“Sun/Earth”): This small pot features two shades of concealer for easy customization. The formula is creamy and not drying, making it ideal for undereye circles. $20
10. Covermark (“Neutral Beige”): This is the only patented cosmetic on the market, and there’s a good reason for this. It provides the most opaque, complete, waterproof coverage available, while remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin. Save this for major imperfections, like birthmarks and scars. $22

The Popular Vote
1. Almay Amazing Lasting Hypo-Allergenic Concealer SPF 6 in “Fair”, $7 (approx.)
2. Becca Compact Concealer in “Banana”, $33
3. MAC Select Cover-Up in “NC30”, $13
4. MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 in “NC20” and “NW15” (tie), $13
5. Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, $42
6. Prescriptives Camouflage Cream in “Yellow/Orange Light”, $17.50
7. Cle de Peau Concealer in “Ivory”, $69
8. Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in “1” and “2”, $20
9. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in “Ivory”, $22
10. Cover Girl Fresh Complexion Oil-Control Makeup in “Classic Ivory”, $7 (approx.)

Natural Beauty Products, Part II

I'm one day late (sorry!), but as promised, here's the plus side of the natural beauty phenomenon, as I see it.
1. There are so many strange diseases and resistant bugs floating around these days, and no one knows the cause of many of them. Everything from adult acne (a fairly recent phenomenon) to cancer can be linked to lifestyle/environment, but the glitch is that no one can seem to pinpoint exactly what is causing some of these stubborn new problems. That's why I think keeping things as simple as possible can't hurt. Who knows how the chemicals we are using affect us, ultimately? That doesn't mean that I'm about to give up some of my beauty standbys because they're not all natural, but it does mean that I'm going to be more aware of what I am putting in and on my body. It also means that I will follow the advice of Dr. Dennis Gross of MD Skincare, one of the experts in my book, who pointed out that paring down the number of products you use by choosing multipurpose products (an all-in-one anti-aging cream, for example) would minimize your exposure to preservatives and other chemicals that, while not inherently harmful, are certainly better used in moderation.
2. Natural feels good. The aromatherapy benefits found in essential oils is only one benefit of using products made with some natural ingredients. Some people just like to know what they are putting on their faces, and they want most of the ingredients in their skincare to be recognizable and pronouncable.

So, if after hearing both of my sides to the story, you're eager to try some natural skincare lines yourself, keep in mind that some companies are more committed to natural skincare and the environment than others. In the February issue, WWD Beauty Biz published a list of a few dozen companies that are truly green (i.e. not only are their products organic, but they run their businesses in an eco-friendly manner). Here are a few, and where to buy them:
Aromafloria: CVS, Douglas Cosmetics, Ulta
Dr. Hauschka: Whole Foods
California Baby: Target
Erbaviva: ABC Carpet, Giggle, Studio at Fred Segal
Jurlique: Jurlique stores
Jo Wood ORganics: Bergdorf Goodman, select Neiman's
It's All Good: Select Wal-Mart stores, www.noahsnaturals.com
Naturopathica: naturopathica.com
Nature's Gate: Select CVS, Whole Foods, Wild Oats
Neals's Yard Remedies: www.nyrusa.com
Organic Bath Co.: Duan Reade, Walgreens, Whole Foods
Pharmacopia: Whole Foods
Red Flower: Barneys New York, Red Flower

Natural Skincare: Both Sides of the Story

I wouldn't call myself an outdoorsy, nature girl, but I do make an effort. I recycle. I buy organic, when I can. I shop at the health food store for more nutritious alternatives to daily staples, especially for my baby. But when it comes to natural skincare, I am smart enough to know that there are two sides to the story, and I'm not going to get caught up by the hype. America is going green in droves, and for the most part, this is a good thing. But when that extends to skincare, there's a lot of misinformation.

Natural Skincare Myths:
1. Natural is better for your skin. The truth: Not necessarily. While you may prefer the sound of natural ingredients (lavender extract certainly sounds more poetic than mineral oil, for example) and the idea of using natural ingredients on your face, the reality is that your skin doesn't know the difference between natural ingredients and so-called unnatural ones. Your skin only knows what an ingredient does for it; it doesn't care where it came from. The appeal of naturally-derived ingredients has led cosmetic companies to pepper skincare products with all kinds of exotic sounding plants, whether or not their is any substantial research supporting their efficacy. In other words, it doesn't matter whether they work - just as long as it looks good on the label.
2. Natural is better for the environment. The truth: Again, not necessarily. The amount of energy expended in harvesting and processing natural ingredients is considerable, and can outweigh the potential environmental benefits of using natural ingredients.
3. Natural is natural. The truth: Huh, you ask? Isn't that obvious. Not really. My biggest problem with the natural product hype is that many of the so-called natural ingredients aren't really all that natural. At least, they're not natural by the time they find their way into a skincare product, because of the amount of processing that has gone into them.
4. If a product says it's natural, it is. The truth: Not even close. Many companies add a smattering of natural-sounding ingredients at the end of an ingredient list, in minute amounts, as mere window dressing, yet if you look at the advertising or on the front of the package, these ingredients are highlighted. This is nothing but blatant hype. Many of these ingredients are nothing more than fragrance extracts, which aren't at all beneficial to skin and can be irritating. Finally, there are very few cosmetic companies really committed to "natural" skincare. (For a list of these, see tomorrow's blog). If you study the ingredient list of products from most of the companies that claim to be natural, you'll find that they are contain as many preservatives, chemicals, and other synthetic ingredients as more mainstream companies.

Whew! Now that I got that off my chest, it's time to move on to what can be right about natural skincare, what to look for, and the companies that are truly committed to making natural products. But for that, you'll have to check back again and read tomorrow's blog.

How Many Products Are In Your Tub/Shower?

Last night, while soaking in my bathtub, I noticed, as if seeing it for the first time, the array of products around my bathtub. Since I had nothing else to do, I counted. 35. 35 products around my tub alone. Let me state for the record that I had recently pared down my bathtub collection. Usually, there are many, many more. My assortment included 7 bath/shower products, 5 conditioners, 2 shampoos, face and body scrubs, hair treatments, body masks. My eclectic mix of products includes Benefit Bathina Shaving Cream, Mary Kay Satin Hands Set (all 4 tubes), Valerie Beverly Hills Fairy Tale Shampoo (never opened - I think the bottle is cute), John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze, Lollia Relaxing Bubble Bath (never opened - see Valerie Shampoo), Skin Spa Pineapple Cornmeal Facial Scrub, and Bliss Hot Salt Scrub.The strangest thing in my bathtub: A small library of parenting books and magazines (Cookie, Child, Attachment Parenting by Dr. Sears, Lessons from a Supermom, and Hello, My Name is Mommy). The most useless? An empty glass jar of Fracas bath salts that I keep meaning to throw out.What oddities lurk in your bathtub?

The Best Inexpensive Skincare Products

Who says you have to spend a lot of money to get great skin. The products on this list do the same job (and often, a better one) as some of the more expensive specialty products, and they won't cut into your shoe budget.

Oily Skin
Alpha Hydrox Extra Strength AHA Oil-Free Formula, 10% AHA Facial Treatment: Great exfoliant. Evens out skin tone.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF30: I tell anyone who will listen about this sunscreen, which really does leave a dry finish on the skin. If you think this is too heavy, then nothing will please you, because it is one of the lightest products I've found. Plus, it contains antioxidants to further prevent sun damage.

Zapzyt 10% Benzoyl Peroxide: If you need a powerful disinfectant, this one does the job without a lot of extra, irritating ingredients.

Any Skin Type
Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Targeted Skin Lightener: Combines glycolic acid with hydroquinone to fade brown spots.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Normal to Oily Skin: Even though this says its for normal to oily skin, it can be used by anyone, and it's better at removing makeup than the original while still remaining really gentle.

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, Fragrance-Free: I love this entire line, and this product is a favorite because it's gentle, has a gorgeous texture, and has a laundry list of sophisticated skincare ingredients.

Normal to Dry Skin
Dove Essential Nutrients Night Cream: This moisturizer feels really expensive, is packed with great anti-aging ingredients, and is less than $7!

Neutrogena Visibly Firm Lift Serum Active Copper: Love this product! It has a really silky texture and goes on beautifully, and it's packed with antioxidants and other skin-loving ingredients.

The Best Tinted Moisturizers Ever

This category covers the very best tinted moisturizers available, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity

The Beauty Insider’s Picks
1. Hard Candy Hint Tint (“Sugar Cookie”): This may look like a fun product, but it’s seriously amazing. It’s a very sheer tinted moisturizer that subtly evens out skin tone while protecting with a broad spectrum SPF 15. When I want easy, everyday coverage, I use it alone. Mixed with my foundation, it gives a glow that’s garnered compliments from friends. $16.50
2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (“Fawn”): This sheer, lightweight moisturizer always ends up on the best product lists, and with good reason. It gives skin a natural, no-makeup glow while evening things out and protecting with broad spectrum sunscreen. $38
3. Cover Girl CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer (“Medium to Dark”): This sheer gel formula hydrates and evens out skintone while protecting from the sun, and the price is unbeatable. $7.50
4. Yves Saint Laurent Teint de Jour Tinted Matt Moisturizer (“Golden Beige #2”): This light-textured moisturizer doubles as an everyday foundation, giving soft, glowing coverage without any shine. $38
5. Peter Thomas Roth Max Tinted Protective Day Cream SPF 30 (“Tan”) This ultra-gentle, nongreasy, tinted moisturizer is soothing enough to use on post-treatment skin. Plus, it evens out skin tone and protects with an SPF 30. $40
6. Becca Luminous Skin Color SPF 20+ (“Tan”): This product is sheer, but not so sheer that it’s pointless. It evens out skin tone, protects the skin from the sun, and looks amazingly natural. $38
7. M.D. Formulations Total Protector Color 30 (“Medium Tint”): This is an effective sunscreen (no need to double up on products) that also happens to be lightweight and slightly tinted, making it perfect for quick, casual days. $24
8. Merle Norman Luxiva Sheer Defense Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 (“Medium”): This provides more coverage than the typical tinted moisturizer—closer to a foundation. The texture is amazing—and the finish is not greasy or dry, just dewy and perfect. $31
9. Linda Cantello Hint Tinted Moisturizer (“Shade 2”): This product has it all: SPF 15, a light, natural, slightly matte finish, and a texture that virtually disappears into skin and wears beautifully. $34
10. M.D. Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross All in One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 (“Medium”): This gel-textured product does triple duty as a sheer foundation, a skin-loving moisturizer, and a sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection. $36

The Popular Vote
1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in “Nude”, $38
2. MAC Select Tint SPF 15 in “NC40”, $22.50
3. Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Tint in “Level 1” and “Level 2” (tie), $32.50
4. Sonia Kashuk Hydro-Tint SPF 15 in “Light”, $12 (approx.)
5. Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer in “Light”, $36
6. Becca Luminous Skin Color SPF 20 in “Cashmere”, $38
7. Origins Nude and Improved Bare-face Makeup with SPF 15 Sunscreen in “Almost Angel”, $16.50
8. Clinique Almost Makeup SPF 15 in “Light”, $17.50
9. Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in “Light”, $28
10. Cover Girl Smoothers All-Day Hydrating Makeup in “Fair”, $7.50 (approx.)

A Weighty Issue

A few days ago, some girlfriends and I had a long discussion about weight. None of us are obese, or even overweight, but most of us have had our share of body issues, from full-fledged eating disorders to occasional thoughts about thick thighs. Even though I've spent my entire life underweight, I haven't been free from body image issues, ranging from wanting a bigger butt (or, frankly, any butt) to wishing I were a little taller.
Rarely am I one to blame the media. After all, who wants to look at pictures of out-of-shape ordinary people in Victoria's Secret or the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue? We all like looking at pictures of beautiful, youthful, glowing models and celebrities. As long as we accept that those images are fantasy, and not reality, we can look at them, daydream a little, and move on. But sometimes the media can be blatantly irresponsible, as was the case with the cover of a current celeb mag (I think it was US Weekly) which features "best" and "worst" celebrity bathing suit pictures on the cover. One their worst list: a thin but perhaps slightly untoned Kirsten Dunst and a tanned and toned Kate Hudson, a mother of two, who had a very small flap of loose skin on her lower abdomen. The woman has two kids, and she looks amazing!!! The danger, and the not-so-subtle message this magazine is sending, is that every woman will start to feel inadequate and unworthy of being seen in a bathing suit. It's more than irresponsible; it's cruel.

Ho-Hum Spa Treatments

Maybe I'm a masochist, or maybe I just have a high pain tolerance, but when I get a facial or a massage, I want it to do something. I'm not just there for a little relaxation. On our recent cruise, my husband and I signed up for a couple's massage, but since I was not yet 12 weeks pregnant, they were unable to give me a massage, which I desperately wanted and needed. (I'm going Thursday instead, while my mom watches Lola, for my first prenatal massage of this pregnancy!).
So instead, I had to settle for a lackluster facial and a ho-hum manicure. Now normally I would have jumped at the chance to have a facial and a manicure. Who wouldn't? But it wasn't a real facial or a real manicure, in my opinion. The very sweet esthetician used some amazing Elemis products, but it was one of those facials where you lie around a lot with stuff on your face. There was no massage, no extractions, no studying my face under the bright light. It wasn't all that productive. When I left, I just looked like I'd washed my face really well. It didn't really accomplish anything.
The manicure was the same way. It was performed while I was still reclined, during the facial, and it was a quick shaping and a couple of coats of Essie "It's Delicate," which barely made it to the end of the three-day cruise. What a disappointment. My first professional manicure in months (sigh - I remember when I had a weekly standing appointment, but that was life before Lola) and it was totally useless. My cuticles didn't even look any better.
And it wasn't as if these haphazard treatments were cheap. I paid almost $300 for the 75 minute treatment. If anything, I left frustrated and a little more stressed.
No wonder I need a massage.
What's your opinion on spa treatments? Do you go for relaxation or for results?

Product Review: Maria B. Lip Paints

My Beauty Bashers (close girlfriends who get together for a beauty party every couple of months or so) tested some Maria B. Lip Paint, and here's the scoop.

Maria B. is a hip new makeup line founded by Mina Trujillo, who strongly believes (as I do!) that every woman can and should wear red lipstick; it just has to be the right shade. There are 30 red Lip Paints in this line, so there is definitely a color for everyone, and they have fun, flirtatious names like Love Scandal or Schmoozer. The first two reviews are from me and my sister, who are both devoted red-lipstick fans. The second two are from Jen and Anne, both of whom are red-lipstick-shy.

Me: I'm a big fan of the classic red lip. I think the perfect shade can accentuate a woman's beauty like nothing else, and it's such an elegant yet dramatic look. I love the intense pigment and the texture, which is semimatte and longlasting. Normally, I prefer lipstick in a tube, but with red lipstick, there are really only two ways to apply it: with your finger, as a stain, for a modern lip, or with a lip brush, to get a precise, classic look. And with these little pots, you can easily do both.
Nelly: Love the shade but needs a lip brush. It's hard to apply with fingers.
Jen I: Not too sure on this one. I did wear it very faint with gloss over top. It really is “in” and I did get a compliment with my typical jeans and a t-shirt!
Anne: It was very easy to apply. I prefer to use my finger. Not sure how long it lasts, but I think it felt like it would stain and last all day. No taste, smell was not good or bad, and the shade was nice, although a little bold for me.

The Best Foundations Ever

This category covers the very best foundations available, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Paula Dorf Moisture Foundation Oil Free (“Sand”): This translucent, water-based foundation lets your skin show through while still, amazingly, providing great coverage. $36
2. Makeup For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup (custom shade): This product was the secret behind the flawless skin of the Baywatch cast. It’s a water-based gel that is super light and waterproof, leaving skin uniform, flawless, and no-makeup natural. I turned to this foundation for my wedding. $37
3. Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Powder and Too Faced Blenders (“3 Carat”): I am never without one of these ultraportable products. When I need more coverage, Blenders is an easy-to-use foundation stick with a different shade on either end. It gives a powder finish and even, natural coverage in a hurry. Absolutely Flawless is an adorable compact that contains a concealer and a matching wet/dry foundation that I use for a polished, everyday look. Absolutely Flawless: $29.50; Blenders: $27.50
4. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (“#7”): This is my number one foundation. It provides even, flawless coverage that is virtually undetectable, and, true to its name, it makes your complexion glow. When I’m going for a more bronzed look, I mix it with the Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer until I get the desired effect. $52.50
5. Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Foundation (“574”): This portable compact holds a full-coverage cream foundation with a satiny-powder finish that leaves skin flawlessly matte yet very natural. $24
6. TIGI Bed Head Fat Free Foundation Stick (“#3”): This weightless, oil-free foundation is packed with vitamins and green tea extracts to care for your skin. It achieves a rare thing for a foundation: complete coverage that never looks or feels heavy. $20
7. MAC Studio Tech (“NC30”): This refreshingly creamy, buildable compact foundation is a blend of water, powder, and moisturizers. It glides on easily, covers as much or as little as you want it to, and leaves a soft, semi-matte powder finish behind. $26
8. Body & Soul Beauty Makeup (“#6”): This long-lasting, semi-matte formula gives complete coverage from morning to night. The texture is richer than many modern foundations, but the finish is natural and never heavy. $35
9. Vincent Longo Water Canvas Cream-to-Powder Foundation (“Natural Tan”): This innovative product was the first of its kind. It’s so sheer and light, it looks like naturally flawless skin. Plus, it’s moisturizing but oil-free and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for all skin types. $52.50
10. Classified Cosmetics ERA Face Spray On Foundation (“Y7”): This is the first patented, aerosol, oil-free foundation, and it’s amazing. You close your eyes and spray it on, and it leaves behind a flawless, professional, virtually undetectable finish. It’s a multipurpose water-resistant wonder that works as a concealer, foundation, lash builder and lip primer. No powder necessary. You can even use it on your body. $55

The Popular Vote
1. MAC Studio Fix, $23.50
2. Jane Stay Calm Liquid Makeup in “Naturally”, $4 (approx.)
3. Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation in “Ivory”, $58
4. MAC Studio Tech in “NC30”, $26
5. Prescriptives Virtual Skin Super-Natural Finish Foundation in “Real Cream”, $32.50
6. Cover Girl Aquasmooth Makeup in “Ivory”, $7 (approx.)
7. Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation in “Blush Ivory”, $38
8. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in “#2” and “#4” (tie), $52.50
9. Giorgio Armani Matte Silk Foundation in “#5.5”, $52.50
10. L’Oreal Quick Stick Instant Foundation in “Nude Beige” and “Soft Ivory” (tie), $10 (approx.)

Product Review: Fresh Rice Formula Body Oil

I'm obsessed with this product. Here's why:
1. I love body oils because I think they are so luxurious and moisturizing, but most are greasy, which is fine if you have time to loll about naked, waiting for it to sink in. This one absorbs almost instantly and leaves no greasy residue, so it doesn't stain your clothes.
2. It's such a decadent product to use. It's so rich and so gorgeous going on, that it makes moisturizing your body seem spa-like.
3. It's packed with good stuff, like rice grain and oils like grapeseed, borage. jojoba, arnica, passionflower, and camellia, so there are tons of skin-loving moisturizers and antioxidants here.
4. The scent is amazing. When I don't feel like a strongly scented body product, this is the one I reach for, because the rare peach extract that gives this product its fragrance is so subtle and fruity and warm all at the same time. It's incredible.

The only con? It's $48 for a relatively small, though lovely, bottle (about 3.4 oz.). It's a splurge, but definitely worth it!

Dramatic Hair Makeovers

When I discussed beauty blind spots a couple of days ago, I was finally forced to face my own beauty issue - my hair. My hair has always been my trademark, and I still get compliments on it nearly every time I go out. It has been more or less the same, with small updates, for almost the last 20 years. That's because there's not much I can do with it. When you have very thick, very curly hair, your options are limited, so I've always been paranoid about having it cut or having anything new done to it. Now, though, I am ready for a change. A real, major change. I am so tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the same thing day after day, and even when my hair looks its best, I'm still not happy with it.

So it's not my hair that has changed. It's me. I'm just over it. So here are my options:
1. Dye my hair a drastically different color. Pros: I would look dramatically different. Cons: With my coloring, I would look ridiculous as a blonde and a redhead, and it wouldn't address the central cause of my dissatisfaction, which is my hair style/texture.

2. Cut my hair short. With my hair type, I have to wear it quite long, at least to bra-strap level, or very short, the way Halle Berry used to. The in-between lengths are dangerous, and often result in pyramid-head. Pro: I would look dramatically different, and it would be liberating, in a sense. Con: I would hate it (I've always been a long-hair person) and so would my husband.

3. Perm my hair to change the curl pattern. Pro: This could give me the looser, bouncier curls that I crave, curls that are more reflective and have more shine. Con: Would it be enough of a change, and would my hair be a lot drier and frizzier?

4. Thermal Reconditioning: I've had this idea in the back of my head for a long time, but I've never seriously considered it, until now. Pro: My hair would be sleek, shiny and dramatically different. Con: It's permanent, and I'm not sure how it would look with my face shape.

So that's where I am right now. I discussed this at length with my husband (who gave even better advice than a girlfriend!) and he suggested I start with a few blowouts and live with it to see how I feel about the straight hair, so I think I'm going to take his advice and see how it goes.

Any other ideas? I'm open.

New Uses for Old Products

I think every woman has them hidden away somewhere: the products that never made the cut. The conditioner that made your hair limp. The anti-aging cream that made you break out. Well, there's no need to toss out expensive products. Just do what they don all the time on decorating shows, and "repurpose" them. Here are a few ideas:

Hair conditioner makes a great shaving lotion. (This also saves room in your bag on trips!)
Shampoo makes a fabulous lingerie wash.
Anti-aging creams that are too rich or greasy for your face can work beautifully on your decollete, your bust, and even the backs of your hands.
Sunscreen too greasy or too white? Use it as a hand cream!
Foundation too dark. Use it for contouring or as a liquid bronzer. (This trick works best at night - and takes a little skill and lots of blending). You can also use it as body makeup, since your body tends to be darker than your face.

Have you put an old product to new use? Let me know!

Beauty Blind Spots

This past weekend we went on a cruise, a Disney cruise full of families. It seems an unlikely place to make some observations about women and their attitudes towards beauty, but that's exactly what I did.

This is what I discovered: Sometimes, we don't see the forest for the trees. For example, one very sweet woman we met on the ship and saw fairly frequently could best be described as plain. Her long stringy black hair was peppered with gray and pulled back off her face, she was very overweight, and her skin was in poor shape. She wore shapeless dresses and not an ounce of makeup or jewelry. She seemed the type of woman who made absolutely no attempt at vanity. However, she wore long acrylic French-manicured nails. Much as I hate long, acrylic French-manicured nails, they revealed something about her. Somewhere deep inside, she did care. Here was this low maintenance woman with a fairly high maintenance manicure. And I wondered, of all the things she could have done for herself to enhance her appearance, she chose her nails. Not that nails aren't that important, but they would have been at the bottom of a long list of beauty advice that I would have given her.

I think we all have Beauty Blind Spots - things about ourselves that we don't see that others do. Whether we take meticulous care of our skin but let our nails get raggedy, or spend hours on our hair but wear dated makeup.

We could all stand a critical look in the mirror every six months or so, if not more often. What are your beauty blind spots? I'd love to hear!

The Best Eye Makeup Removers Ever

This category covers the very best products for removing makeup, particularly eye makeup. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Lancome Effacil: I first discovered this eye makeup remover as a teenager, and have sworn by it ever since. It feels like water and is just as gentle, and one swipe immediately eliminates makeup without leaving any residue. $21
2. Darphin Aromatic Eye Makeup Remover: I love to take this fragrant eye makeup remover with me on trips, because it doubles as a soothing eye compress. The amazing scent comes from the combination of cornflower, chamomile, rose, and linden blossom, which soothe, calm, and depuff while eradicating any traces of makeup. $50
3. Sebastian Trucco Tender Trio: This multipurpose, oil-and-water product is an eye makeup remover, a lip stain remover, and a lip and lash conditioner, making it perfect for fans of longwearing makeup. $16 (approx.)
4. Andrea Eye Q’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads: These non-greasy, perfectly portable eye makeup remover pads dispense a gentle, oil-free makeup remover in a convenient, and economical, way. $3.69
5. Swab Plus Eye Makeup Remover Swabs: I keep these in my makeup bag at all times, because they are so portable and so helpful. Individual swabs are filled with a gentle, aloe-vera-and-vitamin-E-infused makeup remover that flows into the cotton tip once the seal is broken. These handy swabs are ideal for removing mascara from lashes and for eliminating makeup mistakes. $1.95/12 pack
6. Ole Henriksen Purifying Eye Makeup Remover Pads: Softening botanical extracts and vitamins remove even budgeproof makeup and leave skin soft and refreshed, not greasy. $18
7. Guerlain Issima Blue Voyage Ready to Go Cleanser: You get three portable plastic bottles, each containing a week’s supply of a makeup remover that is as clean and gentle as water. Toss one in your travel bag to remove makeup from face and eyes while simultaneously toning the skin. $92
8. Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent: I love that this non-oily makeup remover rinses clean away, so that there’s no rubbing or scrubbing. $14.50
9. Benefit Not On My Pillow Dreamy Liquid Makeup Remover: This chamomile-infused formula is soothing, and instantly eradicates a face full of makeup. $18
10. Almay Hypoallergenic Eye Makeup Remover Gel, Non-Oily: This simple, affordable formula is oil-free and non-irritating, leaving skin fresh and clean. $4.90

The Popular Vote
1. Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover, $21
2. Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover, $15.50
3. Almay Hypoallergenic Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $3.50 (approx.)
4. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, $24
5. L’Oreal Refreshing Eye Makeup Remover Oil-Free, $5.49 (approx.)
6. Lancome Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $21
7. Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, $14
8. Nivea Visage Eye Makeup Remover, $6 (approx.)
9. Origins Well Off Fast and Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $12.50
10. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $6