Post by Michelle
I totally have spring fever! Today, I wore cute little cuffed jeans with ballet flats and no socks, tomorrow I’m breaking out my new wide legged linen pants and this weekend I’m going to use my favorite spring yellow Marc Jacobs bag! I’m also rebelling against dark nail polish and painting my nails pink! I’ve long held the theory that my skin is to pale to look right with pink nail polish, but in honor of upcoming spring, I’m making the leap! I really like Lancome Nail Polish. (Probably because it’s the brand I used to watch my mother paint her nails with when I was little.) Pink Crystalline is a great, shimmery pink color that’s fun without being a too over the top. For an interesting twist try getting a French manicure with pink tips and a white base instead of the other way around. It’s a unique take on an old standard. So check it out and cross your fingers that it doesn’t snow in my hood this weekend (Hey, it’s Boston, you never know…) $15 at Lancome-usa.com
March 2007 Archives
Post by Michelle
So, we all know how I feel about the craziness that is BORBA water. (For those of you just tuning in – I kinda think the whole thing is a sham!) Now Coca-Coal is creating a skin-clearing beauty drink of their own! They’ve partnered with L’Oreal to make a tea based drink called Lumae that will “help woman care for their skin.” I don’t buy it. You mean to tell me that the same company who’s products my mother told me would “rot my teeth out,” is now making a product that will clear up the pimples caused by their soda? Healthy is trendy these days and no one wants to be behind that curve. I say to Coke, embrace your sugary, fizzy goodness!! When I’m having a bad day, (or a really good piece of pizza) I’ll reach for a Diet Coke before anything else, but when I’m trying to take care of my skin? I’ll stick to good ol’ h2o, thanks. Story source: Fashionista.com
Picture from wikipedia.org
Unless Angelina Jolie is reading this, chances are you want fuller lips. My lips are ok but I wouldn't turn down a chance at juicy sexier lips - that's why I've tried almost every lip plumper out there. Most don't do a thing but I have found these 3 products to be somewhat effective, in varying degrees and methods.
The most talked about plumper is the Lip Fusion. It sounds really invasive but it makes sense. It has micro-sized collagen and hyaluronic acid that are actually small enough to osmosize (yes, I made up this word) into your lips. There is a slight numbing sensation when you first apply it but is not at all uncomfortable. It seems to work better when used very often, the XL is meant as a treatment to be used at overnight daily. It does give the appearance of puffier lips and does not swell and redden.
I love this cuticle oil pen, I carry it in my make up bag so I can apply it on my cuticles when they get dry throughout the day. It makes my nails look well groomed instantly and my cuticles stay nice and soft so they don't peel or crack. It's also an instant manicure for those who don't have time to apply a fresh coat of polish before a hot date! The brush tip makes it very convenient to use and it stays mess free because you control how much oil to dispense. Try at your own risk, it's highly addictive, I told my friend Jenn about it and she started using it several times a day because she loved how pretty her nails looked!
$4.89 at Target but you can find it at most drugstores and beauty supply.
My grandmother, very Chinese and very superstitious, always told me if I wasted food I was destined to be hungry for a lifetime. To this day I clean my plate because visions of becoming homeless and hungry loom in the back of my mind at all times (thank god for the fast metabolism I was blessed with because I've miraculously managed to stay a size double 0 despite eating like a linebacker) So when I discovered that Alpha Hydroxy acids are made from citrus acids, I realized I could eat grapefruits, oranges, or lemons and use them as beauty products! I should get double karma points right? I remember the first time I did this, I ate an entire grapefruit standing at the sink while massaging it into my face at the same time. I must have looked like a total psycho with grapefruit pulp dripping down my face, neck and arms but I didn't care, I was racking up lots of good karma for being so thrifty! My husband walked in on me and doubled over with laughter and when I explained my theory of being frugal he suggested I stop buying Hermes birkins instead of slathering citrus all over my face. (He obviously does not understand the laws of karma, buying Hermes birkins IS being frugal because I'll use them for a lifetime. How long did that paddington last in my closet?) Anyway, it didn't hurt much and I didn't scar myself although it did sting a bit when the pulp got stuck in my eyes but after I rinsed it off, my skin felt really smooth! You can do this with oranges but it's not as acidic so it doesn't work as well and lemons are kind of scary cuz it burns and may blind you so grapefruit is the ideal. Try it the next time you crave vitamin C!
Another home remedy I love is using egg white to massage my face. I used to keep beaten egg whites in a bowl (1 egg white will last a few days) in the fridge at all times because my son was only allowed egg yolks until 12 months old and I couldn't eat all of the egg whites left over. Every night after I cleansed my skin, I'd walk in the kitchen and start my routine. I'd massage for at least 5 minutes and then let the egg white dry and harden before washing it off. I swear it makes skin softer than a baby's bum, it's also a great tightening mask before going out at night. I don't have much time to experiment with home remedies with my new found career as an online publisher and a mother of a two year old so let me know your favorite at home beauty remedies! Email me or leave in comments :) We will pick our top five favorites and share them with our readers in next Friday's edition of Beauty Secrets of the Fabulous.
So, there’s not that many times in the year that a girl can rock green eyeshadow and get away with it. In honor of St. Patty’s Day this weekend I’ve decided that I’m going to wear green eyeshadow and there’s nothing anyone can say to stop me! Urban Decay makes a great eyeshadow. They’re reasonably priced and come in a million different colors (so if, on a whim, you decide you HAVE to have green eyeshadow for your St. Patrick’s Day party, it’s a no-guilt buy.) I’ll be wearing Vert on Saturday. It’s a shimmery, bright green shadow that’s sure to make my brown eyes pop. I’ll admit, bright green makeup isn’t always functional for day-to-day use, but oh well, sometimes you just have to have a little fun! Happy St. Patty’s Day everyone!!! $16 at Sephora Urban Decay Eye Shadow Vert
Sekkisei Sekisho Mask
I got this mask last week in New York and it has become my latest obsession. Who knew the way to snow white and gorgeous skin is with a gooey black mask? I love any kind of peeling mask, especially one that dries evenly and peels off without crumbling cuz it feels so good to peel off old skin to make way for baby soft skin! The rep from Sekkisei told me it helps increase clarity and radiance to your skin by removing dirt and impurities to enhance translucency. I like it cuz it's chock full of Asian herbs and gentle enough for most skin types although you should consult with your cosmetic sales rep before purchasing. In case you're wondering, the color is from nano black powder which aids in absorption of all the herbal extracts in the mask.
I put it on over the weekend causing my two year old to shout "Mama, something on your face! You have ouchie?" Which then caused my husband to come out of his ESPN coma to see what the fuss was about. After 6 years of marriage nothing surprises him much, (he's watched me massage my face with everything from half eaten grapefruit to raw egg whites but that's another story I'll tell you about later) but this definitely took him by surprise. He shook his head, told our son his mama was nuts and took him to the golf course. So I suggest you hide in the bathroom when you use the mask (I have a friend who does this- her husband has never witnessed any of her beauty routines!) or wait until the house is all clear cuz it is kind of scary looking. Sekkisei is from one of the oldest Japanese skincare lines, Kose. $28 at Beauty.com
For more info check www.kose-usa.com
This beauty secret is something I only share with close friends because it is a little embarrassing. Basically what I am suggesting is that you use nipple cream on your feet. So you see how this is not something you shout out across the table at a dinner party. But yes, you heard correctly. Lanolin, an oil extracted from wool, is used for breastfeeding mothers to relieve cracked sore nipples. Your feet, although slightly less sensitive, also loves the thick oil and will soak it all up giving you soft moist baby feet that your honey won't mind kissing and massaging. The process is simple, slather on a thick layer before bedtime and put on socks to keep it all in ( I use spa socks that are easier to get once my feet are oily but gym socks work just as well). You will be blown away by how great your feet look after just one night but do this every night and you will be obsessing over your perfect feet. Of course, still get your pedicures because this does nothing for your toe nails. Start now and by summer you will be able to wear your favorite strappy sandal or flip flop. Get it at Drugstore.com for $9.49. I am so sure you will be amazed that I am putting this to the test. If you would like to try this for a week and write a review based on your experience, email me and I will send a tube out to you. The first 3 to respond will be chosen.
Update: Thanks to everyone who emailed me about trying this! I already have my 3 reviewers and will post them in a couple of weeks.
Photo from good fortune tea
Post by Michelle
We all know the health benefits of drinking a lot of water. That’s been well documented and we’ve talked about it here a few times. I love water as much as the next gal, but sometimes it gets old and you want something with a little flavor in it. I recommend trying to work some green tea into your everyday routine. Green tea has been a long time staple in my diet. It’s rich in anti-oxidants and contains ECGC, which has been proven to attack cancerous cells. Green tea is a miracle elixir of sorts and has been used in Asia for hundreds of years to promote health and help cure ailments and its benefits are beginning to be appreciated by Western society. Multiple studies are beginning to prove that consuming green tea in the early stages of cancer can actually have a positive effect on the cancer. Setting aside those studies, green tea is good. And it’s good for you. So whether you pick up a hot cup to warm yourself from the chill outside or choose the chilled kind for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up, you’ll be doing your body good!
I love the color pink! I’ll admit it. I’m the girliest of the girly-girls. My glasses are pink, my bag is pink and my cell phone is pink. Its fun, it’s feminine and with my pale skin and jet black hair, I can pull it off better than almost any color. When I saw the promo pictures for the Barbie Loves MAC collection, even I was a little overloaded. Everything was so bright pink that I wondered if the collection was going to make for anything other than really cool advertisements. To be completely honest with you I sort of ignored the whole campaign until I heard it was selling out left and right. Then my interest was piqued and I had to see what all the fuss was about. My super-secret spies scored me some Barbie loves MAC Lipglass and I have to say, I’m hooked!! MAC’s lipglass has always been a decent product. Fairly cheap and a decent quality, it’s been a secret of mine since high school. The Malibu Barbie shade is awesome! It’s a shiny pink gloss that’s bright enough to be fun and subdued enough to wear everyday. Act fast if you want it, its limited edition and even though rumors are saying MAC ordered a second shipment of these colors, I promise they’ll fly off the shelf as soon as they’re stocked. Some shades available at www.maccosmetics.com
