Recently in Beauty Secrets of the Fabulous Category

Admittedly, as a fashion and style writer, I don't often get the chance to interview beauty experts. But when I heard that Scott "Body Bling" Barnes was releasing About Face - Amazing Transformations Using the Secrets of the Top Celebrity Makeup Artist, a new book 240-page coffee table book featuring 20 dramatic makeovers, I was immediately drawn to check it out. After all, this is the makeup guru--artist's artist is more accurate--that was responsible for Jennifer Lopez's stunning looks in the movie "Maid in Manhattan" and music video "Jenny From the Block," two of my all-time favorite on-screen productions. In advance of the book's official debut next week, when longtime clients Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Mariska Hargitay will host a party in Barnes's honor in New York City, I chatted with the beauty expert on a bevy of topics. Herewith, his thoughts:

-What's your personal makeup resolution for 2010?

"Honestly, I've been really getting into more fantasy stuff. I've always had a love for that but at this point in my career I feel like I can break into it a little bit more, which is fun. I've gotten a lot of people calling me for [work on] videos!"

Guest blog by Celebrity Nutrionist and Beauty Expert, Kimberly Snyder

1. Celery. The organic potassium in celery is an important electrolyte that helps facilitate cellular cleansing. An easy and inexpensive way to maintain ongoing detoxification and our ideal fluid levels! Snack on celery sticks, add to salads, or put into my Green Smoothie. My simple recipe is available online at www.kimberlysnyder.net.

2. Figs. An excellent blood purifier. Since blood transports nutrients to cells throughout the body and face, the cleaner the blood the more beautiful the skin. The tiny seeds in figs are not only packed with nutrients, they help draw out and dissolve waste, mucus, and toxins from the intestinal tract. Raw and dried figs both give these great benefits.

3. Açai. Greatly popularized in 2009, Acai's importance continues into this new year. Açai is loaded with beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, including Omega 3 fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, key vitamins and fiber. The Omega 3 fatty acids found in Açai maintain the structure and fluidity of cell membranes, facilitating the inflow of nutrients and the outflow of waste products, promoting youthful, smooth and radiant skin by keeping skin cells hydrated and strong. Acai can be purchased frozen in health stores and made into smoothies.

Guest blog by Celebrity Nutrionist and Beauty Expert, Kimberly Snyder

Feeling bloated is near the top of the list of ways to make us feel our most unattractive. Even if our hair looks awesome and we finally perfected our makeup with a killer smokey eye, or even if we scored that insanely hot party dress on sale (that we were astounded to have found in our size!), none of that seems to matter if we feel FAT and huge around our bellies. Bloat: The horrible feeling of ever tightening pants, the panic that any second the seams around the mid section of our dress might burst, feeling we weigh 90 pounds more than we do... Bloat is the last thing we want to be dealing with during the stress of the holidays.

Neck and hands used to be the tell tale signs of aging no matter how flawless the face but thankfully we have many products and procedures to tend to those areas now.  So that just leaves the... elbows!?!?  Who woulda thought they'd be such tattle tales of our age?  Sagging, aging elbows show rings (like a tree!) and must not be neglected! 

I'm staring at Posh and I am actually frightened for her and her entire family.  She is literally disappearing before our eyes, raise your hand if you think Posh is too skinny.  Yup, I knew all of you would agree.  I'm even thinking the saggy elbows are due to emaciation, not age.  No matter, one must not neglect the elbows.  Here are a few tips to keep the skin there taut and supple:

1. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!  See how her elbow looks really dry?  A good chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid would do the trick.  Unlike the face, the elbows are not sensitive and can stand higher percentage of acid.  (Try biting someone's elbow, I swear they won't feel a thing!)  If you lack the resources to buy glycolic acid-- cut a lemon in half, rub on to elbows, leave the juice and rind on there for 5 minutes, rinse.  I don't recommend physically scrubbing the elbows too hard as you'll just pull at the skin.  The acids are best in this case.

2. Moisturize!  Again, people forget to moisturize the elbows.  If yours are as dry as your heels, I'd turn to my trusty solution for extreme dry skin-- AQUAPHOR!  Eye cream is good too if you can afford to buy box loads of La Mer eyecream to rub on your elbows like Kimora Lee Simmons does. Get Aquaphor $5.99 here

3. Sunscreen!  Yes, the elbows suffer from sun damage everytime you drive, walk outside or play tennis.  We put sunscreen all over our face and body but most of us neglect to protect our elbows!

There that should do it.  Take a photo of your elbows, follow my instructions above and see if you notice a difference in a month.  

Cami-Rolls' brand new double-layered camisoles designed to offer women maximum tummy-taming coverage. The hidden inner layer, made of stretchy spandex material, tucks into bottoms slimming and smoothing the spare tire while the outer layer camouflages any unsightly rolls, without the risk of riding up. Cami-Rolls are unique because they don't look like typical shapewear: they look like an ordinary camisole.  I just got a white one and have been wearing it with my hip hugging jeans, even if you're thin the low riders always squeeze up a muffin top but with these camisoles, everything is nice and flat :)  I'm waiting for the black tops to arrive.  Such a great basic to have in the closet!  $36 size XS-L Get the Cami-Roll here!

What's more annoying? Dark circles under the eyes or crow's feet wrinkles at the corners of the eyes? I say both but it's a tricky balance to take care of at the same time. Women make the mistake of putting concealer on the entire under eye area, which is great for the circles but will only make the outer wrinkles/ lines more pronounced.

The solution? Use concealer only on the inner half under the eyes and use an illuminating product on the outer half under the eyes. I swear by Bobbi Brown's creamy concealer (it is the one product I need daily, even if I don't use foundation!), it is moisturizing to boot so you can reapply often throughout the day. With 14 shades, you are sure find one that is perfect for you!

For the illuminating cream, I like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - Illuminating Natural Radiance.  Dab on the outer half of under eye and even on the temple, you'll glow and no one will notice the crow's feet :) 

I was zapping my favorite make up sponges from Laura Mercier ($15 for pack of 4) in the microwave the other day and thought it'd be fun to find out how often you guys clean or replace your sponges. I'll go first. I change my sponges every two weeks but wash it with anti bacterial soap every other day. When it's still soaking wet, I put it in the microwave in a bowl for a minute to zap any left over bacteria. This has really worked for me and of course I can not be absolutely sure that it's bacteria free but at least it feels clean on the skin and I rarely break out. What about you? How often do you clean or replace your make up sponges?

I was walking through my favorite playground, Neiman Marcus cosmetics department, a few months ago and was offered what appeared to be a mini cocktail. Never one to refuse the hospitality of NM, I took a glass. What I thought was a fruity cocktail, however, turned out to be a vitamin drink called "Glowelle". I gagged, mostly from surprise, but it tasted bitter and really awful! I almost threw the drink back at the sales associate but remembered my manners in time to say, "thank you" before running away from her. I can't even describe the taste but just imagine eating the most bitter yet strangely sweet drink made of perfume.

A couple of weeks later, I purchased a surprise box at the Children's Advocacy gala and guess what was in it?!?!  A 7 day supply of the aforementioned "Glowelle" (left, $40 and it comes with a chic travel case). Great, just what I needed but hey, the money would go to the care of abused kids so I didn't complain. I think the Glowelle box sat in my pantry for almost a month before I decided to drink it. I was feeling sluggish from a lot of traveling and didn't want to take my pre-natal vitamins anymore (giant horse pills that made me gag plus my kid is almost 5, not exactly pre-natal). I literally grimaced as I held my nose and drank the goopy and thick concoction (they come in single serving packets to put in 8 ounces of water) and was surprised that it tasted much better than I remembered. Turns out the sample I tasted was Pomegranate Lychee (don't get that!) and the one I bought at charity auction was Raspberry Jasmine (highly recommended!). I mean it's still no chocolate milkshake from Dairy Queen but at least I don't gag when I drink it. 

I decided to do a 30 day "Glowelle" challenge ($112) in order to test its glowing skin claims and to report to you of course (it's not just about me!).  I have diligently taken it every single day and just finished the last pack.  I feel fantastic and my skin looks, well glow-y and weirdly smooth.  Seriously though, the biggest difference for me is how I am sleeping and how alert I am during the day.  I don't know if it's the green tea extracts but I get a lot done each day and am full of boundless energy.  The other day I actually slept 12 hours and woke up looking like I was 18 years old.  The ingredients are full of antioxidants and vitamins that help your body purge the daily toxins you ingest.  I actually crave it now and wish I could keep taking this but my next test is to go without it for 30 days to compare how I feel and look.  I love the little packets you can take on the go-- only 50 calories and you can mix straight into a bottle of water if you're traveling.  The ready made liquid bottles are more expensive and are 100 calories.  If you were like me and got turned off by the taste, I suggest you try it again in another flavor.  The results are really worth it.  Get Glowelle here-- (again, get the Raspberry Jasmine-- trust me on this).

Jump to see me after 30 days of Glowelle!

What I'm about to share with you may put me out of business but the true secret to my glowing skin, shiny hair and tough nails is a spoonful a day of the 'secret' oil I've been taking for years-- "Essential Women" Organic Oil from Barleans. Okay, so my creams and serums have a lot to do with it, too, but I swear this oil makes a huge difference! I went 6 months without taking it as an experiment and my skin was noticeably less supple (at least to me) and my 'monthly' cramps were unbearable!  You'd have to talk to my hubby about my mood swings but when I told him about stopping the oil as an experiment he offered to buy me a case of it.  I started taking the oil again 4 months ago and am happy to report all is well in my body again (I still have raggy moods, hello it's not a miracle oil.)

"Essential Women" is derived from seeds of botanical flowers such as evening primrose and flax, as well as special plant phytonutirents that not only make women beautiful, but help balance our hormones and make us sane (or I should say less insane) during PMS, menopause and other female issues.

I'm telling you, got get yourself a bottle immediately-- or the soft gel if you are traveling. I prefer the oil cuz I hate swallowing pills and only take it on trips. I mix a spoonful of the oil each morning into my yogurt or soy milk and don't even taste it!   Don't worry, there is no fishy taste that so many other omega oils have. The Essential Woman is the first product of it's kind to combine a full compliment of therapeutically beneficial nutrients targeted for the special and changing needs of a woman. 8 oz bottle is $18.95 and lasts about a month if taken daily. 12 oz bottle is $27.37. 60ct bottle of gel caps is $14.95 and 120 count bottle is $28.47. Buy "Essential Women" oil here.

Special tip: during that time of the month, double the dosage to two spoonfuls a day, I rarely get cramps or any kind of bloating!

Suggested Use: One tablespoon daily. May be taken straight, mixed with yogurt or cottage cheese, in oatmeal or as an ingredient in salad dressings, protein drinks or blended beverages.

I am starting an intense regime as I slowly push my way to the "4th" floor of life. I discovered IS skincare a couple of weeks ago and started using its C Eye Advanced Serum, Eye Complex and Super Serum Advance ($130) for pigmentation issues.  All I have to say is OH MY GOD.  Why have I not heard of this before?  After requesting the press package I was shocked to find that it has been featured in almost every magazine available on a list of celebs that reads like Vanity Fair's Oscar party (actually this is the line celebs turn to for last minute firming, brightening and moisturizing before red carpet events!).  Another noteworthy fact is that IS works with Washington Cancer Institute in Washington DC-- they have developed innovative products that address the unique skincare concerns of cancer patients.  Many of these formulas not only help create vibrant and healthy skin, they also address important issues such as acne, chafing, uneven complexion, burns and scar tissue. 

I started the IS skincare line on a night when I had a bit too much fun with the girls.  I got home, used all three products plus a sample packet of the Youth Complex ($135) and woke up with the most amazing skin (my headache was the only reminder of the bottle of wine the night before).  Intrigued, I spent a few minutes massaging each product to see how it performed (since I could not remember how I applied it the night before)-- my skin absorbed all products immediately-- especially the serums, with no residue nor greasiness.  I love the eye serum and cream but the most amazing product was the Youth Complex (on my list to get since my sample lasted 2 days)-- the results were noticeable right away.  My skin looked tighter, smoother and brighter!  Not sure if this is permanent, will report back in a couple of months.  I'm now obsessively going through all the pamphlets to see what else I need to try.  There are two masks that I must try, the Resurfacing and Rejuvenating.  Will review when I get them.

Check out the line here and find out where to buy at a doctor's office or spa near you-- this is pharmaceutical grade stuff, you won't find it at Sephora.  Check a location near you here.

Or Call 818-638-8758 for more information.  You will not believe the results!  It's amazing and for the ultimate Beauty Snob!!!