As the Emmy Awards fast approach us we are all on the hunt to replicate that gorgeous glow found amongst all the starlets. To achieve that perfect glow Makeup Junkie has been on a hunt for a product which provides radiance and glow minus the greasy looking shine which some products end up giving off. Look no more, I have found just the product to make you look your personal best whether it’s for a wedding occasion or a night on the town. Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick Compacts give the right amount of glow and can work as a multi purpose product ranging from bronzer to eye shadow shades. The Shimmer Brick Compacts come in five versatile shades of Bronze, Beige, Pink, Rose and Apricot. The most universally flattering shade, also the winner of In Style Weddings 2008, would be the Apricot; however the other shades are great add-ons once you become completely obsessed with this product. The great thing about this product is that it looks totally natural and doesn’t look as though powder is sitting on your skin. This product really gives the illusion that you are glowing from within. So next time you see starlets with that perfect glow rest assured that you too can look as glamorous and polished!Beauty Review : Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact
As the Emmy Awards fast approach us we are all on the hunt to replicate that gorgeous glow found amongst all the starlets. To achieve that perfect glow Makeup Junkie has been on a hunt for a product which provides radiance and glow minus the greasy looking shine which some products end up giving off. Look no more, I have found just the product to make you look your personal best whether it’s for a wedding occasion or a night on the town. Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick Compacts give the right amount of glow and can work as a multi purpose product ranging from bronzer to eye shadow shades. The Shimmer Brick Compacts come in five versatile shades of Bronze, Beige, Pink, Rose and Apricot. The most universally flattering shade, also the winner of In Style Weddings 2008, would be the Apricot; however the other shades are great add-ons once you become completely obsessed with this product. The great thing about this product is that it looks totally natural and doesn’t look as though powder is sitting on your skin. This product really gives the illusion that you are glowing from within. So next time you see starlets with that perfect glow rest assured that you too can look as glamorous and polished!
Fall Beauty Trends:Tarte, Let's Play in Gray
Gray is definitely an "it" colour this fall. Whether you're wearing it, accessorizing with it, painting it on your nails or accentuating your features, gray is it. 
Let’s focus on the gray shadows - you can begin your day by sweeping the light gray on the entire lid, line the eyes and you’re good to go. Whether you’re heading out for drinks after work, that hot date or a nite out with the ladies, a little charcoal gray in the crease will create a sexy smokey eye. Add as much or as little as you like, these colours have great intensity. Not only does this palette come with 10 shadows, it also comes with a double ended pencil liner and a double ended brush.
Finish the look with some lip colour, like Tarte's Limited Edition Lip Couture, also a purple, quilted box (I'm a sucker for cute packaging!) with 4 lipsticks and a universal lip liner. These colours are flattering on all skin tones, I especially love the red with a hint of orange and the nude.
Now all we need are some comfy, gray sweaters, stylish boots and trendy jackets - Fall here we come!
I used to think gray was such a dull colour, but if worn correctly it can be very flattering. Check out this new palette by Tarte, the Eye Couture Day-To-Night Eye Palette ($60)- so chic. The lush purple, quilted packaging screams luxe princess and the shadows are the perfect combo to take you straight from day to night.
Let’s focus on the gray shadows - you can begin your day by sweeping the light gray on the entire lid, line the eyes and you’re good to go. Whether you’re heading out for drinks after work, that hot date or a nite out with the ladies, a little charcoal gray in the crease will create a sexy smokey eye. Add as much or as little as you like, these colours have great intensity. Not only does this palette come with 10 shadows, it also comes with a double ended pencil liner and a double ended brush.
Now all we need are some comfy, gray sweaters, stylish boots and trendy jackets - Fall here we come!
Shear Genius: Finally! The Finale!
Shear Genius wrapped up this week and not a minute too soon. I was all gung-ho to watch SG when it started, but I soon got fatigued by the whole thing. Anyhoo....here' my final recap of the SG finale.
Since this was the big, big show, there was no need (or time) for a short cut challenge. Instead Rene Fris (hi, hi!) explained (in a way only Rene can!) the final challenge. Each remaining contestant got a lock of hair in either blonde, brown, or red, and they were told they would be telling the story of one woman's life at four different points along the way. They were to create a story for this woman that tells who she is at 18, 30, 45, and 60. They would have four different models and would need to create hairstyles for all four models in just three hours.
Charlie, Dee and Nicole had the entire night to figure out their storylines. I must say, its a good thing these three are stylists and not writers, because their character stories were a bit, well, thin.
Dee's story centered around a "rock star." At 18, she was trying to make it (I think--I didn't totally get what the 18 year old was supposed to be), at 30 she had released her first album, at 45? I can't remember what she was...a washed up one-hit wonder? Getting ready for her gig as clip-show commentator on Vh1? At 60, she was a grandmother who went by Mama Red. Ok...if you say so.
Charlie's equally lame story dealt with a movie star. At 18, she was transitioning from a child star to a full-blown actress, I think that at 30 she had won an Academy Award or Golden Globe or something, at 45 she was sort of resurrecting her career by starring in a Hitchcockian film, and at 60 she went on to direct her first film. I may have that mixed up, but does it even matter?
Oh, I almost forgot Nicole's storyline. Hers was about an 18 year old who didn't have a lot of money but was the "it" girl at school, at 30 she was working but fell in love, at 45 she "had more money" and a pack of kids, and at 60 she was a grandmother and proud of herself for being a good breeder. A teary Nicole admitted to an equally teary Jaclyn that her character was based on her mother. Aw! Trying to get sympathy points to cover the lack of creativity. How sweet.
I didn't think that any of the four sets of final haircuts was "shear genius." Dee's 18 year old's hair was sloppy looking and had extra strings of hair falling into the model's face. The judges loved it, but I am not entirely sure I would want styling advice from Kim Vo and his inflated lips. The rest of Dee's looks were blah but passable. Charlie did a few up-dos that made his models look like they were coming from a set from a 1950s movie. They were dated, not retro. And according to Vo, the 18 year old had a "hair burrito." That sounds entirely unappetizing. That leaves Nicole who's average, story-less characters had average, wow-less hair.
In a not so surprising move, Nicole was sent packing. Then the Shear Genius Angel announced that Crazy-Eyed Dee was the winner of Shear Genius. It was Charlie's title to lose and he officially lost it. I guess his boyfriend won't be getting a new nose after all!
So that's it. Dee's the Shear Genius winner, whatever that means. I say: Meh. Yawn. SG went out with a fizzle. Oh well...
Makeup Obsession: Liquid Liner
Every woman loves the look of a well defined, crisp liquid liner a la Angelina Jolie. Getting that perfect look however can be somewhat frustrating with the vast liquid liners out there promising the perfect line which only disappoint due to their awful tip applicators. One liquid liner that rises to the challenge would be Lancôme’s Artliner. It is much thinner than most applicators and makes for easy application even amongst the novices. This incredibly precise felt tip applicator is perfect for achieving that Fall liner look which nicely complements the season’s very berry lip. Artliner comes in five beautiful colours to match your desired look. Don’t be afraid to pair liquid liner with false lashes this fall for sultry evening eyes. Catwalks near and far oozed with sexiness and no better way to get that look then with false lashes! For lashes we turn nowhere but MAC. The perfect accessory to your liner look would be either the MAC # 3 lashes or the #7’s. For the more cat eye look opt for the #36 lashes or the #20 half lashes. Be sure to use the Duo Adhesive sold at MAC because that is by far the best lash glue on the market. This surgical adhesive stands up to tears and leaves lashes intact all night.
Beauty Product of the Week: 3-Minute Mask
What is it? Frederic Fekkai's Technician Color Care 3-Minute Mask is "An intense and instant treatment designed to deeply nourish and protect color-treated hair. The luscious creamy formula helps extend the life of color treatments and maintain healthy, shiny hair. The triple-color protection complex helps protect hair from UV rays and color from fading, while it helps keep color looking radiant and lustrous. It is the perfect solution for just-colored hair that delivers a vibrant, silky feel without the wait." Available at Sephora, Ulta, etc. for $35.00.
What did you think? I've only tried one Frederic Fekkai product in the past and was thoroughly disappointed with it. Add to that my strange apprehension when it comes to spending a ton of money on hair products, and you'll understand why I was guarded when it came to plunking down the cash for this product. But I did....and I was not disappointed!
I use the mask in the shower after washing my hair. It feels very thick and combs through easily (in fact, I just run my fingers through my hair to apply it...there's no need to break out an actual comb!), and when it rinses out, my wet hair smells good and feels slick.
After blow drying, my hair looks amazing. It has more shine than I could hope for, and it even makes my blonde hair look even blonder. I haven't had my hair highlighted in a while, but after using this mask, my blonde stands out and it looks like I had some fancy salon treatment done.
The final verdict? Even though this is a spendy item, I think it's worth it. If you want to treat yourself and treat your hair to something special, pick up this mask! Who knows...maybe it will ultimately save you money because you can extend the life of your dye job by making your hair look amazing with this 3-minute mask. I was convinced I would hate this product, and am pleasantly surprised by the results I got with it. Try it!
Makeup Junkie Needs More Writers!
To keep the content fresh and new and to keep up with the demands of our busy lives, Makeup Junkie is looking for more writers! If you're a Makeup Junkie and love to write click here for details!
Hottest Short Hair Styles
Celebrities everywhere are going with short hair styles. This trend has been happening gradually over the last year.
These short hair cuts feature long layers, side swept bangs, fringe and choppy bangs, short layers and bobs-where the hair in the back is slightly shorter than the hair in the front.
If you think you want to cut your hair in one of these trendy short styles, you should first consider trying on the short style using hairstyle imaging software. This is a very important step, especially if you have never had short hair before.
I remember back when everyone wanted the Dorothy Hamil short wedge hair style. I went and got that exact hair cut and I totally hated it. I had always had long hair and the short hair just didn't feel or look right to me.
You can avoid this sort of disaster by trying it on first. Here are a few hairstyles demos to try out.
If you need some examples of short hair , see Hair Resources Top Picks for Hottest Short Hair Styles
Beauty Review: Fresh Breath and Glossy Shine with CoverGirl Amazemint Lipgloss
Glosses aren't just for giving your lips some luscious shine anymore. Formulations have sure come a long way. Who knew one day you could achieve both shiny lips and fresh breath from a single gloss? CoverGirl Wetslicks Amazemint Lipgloss has teamed up with Crest to create 13 beautiful shades that contain Crest Peppermint Oil. You receive minty breath, dazzling shine, and soft non-sticky lips. There are also some shades that contain a blue tint for a brighter smile.
Left to Right:
Happy Hour contains a blue tint but goes on clear with shimmer and gives you a whiter smile. It's a great colour to swipe on for a natural finish or over top of your favourite lipstick.
Merry Berry is a pretty berry pink that mimics your natural lip colour.
Red Riot is a gloss I love to swipe on when I need a dash of colour. Want to wear red anytime of the day? Then try this one. It goes on very sheer red on the lips. Colour doesn't last too long though so don't expect anything long-lasting but your lips will love the balm-like texture.
Bottom line, glosses that make your breath fresh may seem a little gimmicky and just another trend. But I say why not? A little fresh breath and a brighter smile never hurt anyone. :)
Have you tried Amazemint Lipgloss? Love it? Hate it?
www.covergirl.ca
Weird Beauty Advice
We've all done some strange things in the name of beauty. I've used olive oil to remove makeup, poured beer through my hair, and put toothpaste on a zit.
According to Cosmopolitan magazine, here are some crazy beauty tips that actually work:
- Buff with Baking Soda: If you find yourself streaking (not glowing) after applying self-tanner, put some baking soda on a loofah, and scrub away the stripes.
- Powder Your Roots: If your hairline starts to look greasy, dig up a big, fluffy makeup brush, and dip it into a pot of loose powder. Tap it once on the back of your hand to remove the excess, then dust it over your roots. It mops up oil and blends into your strands, so no one will know you didn't shower.
- Soften Your Bod with Avocado: Take a ripe avocado, remove the pit and skin, and mash it up in a bowl. Slather it all over your body, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Your skin will be so soft — avocado is a natural moisturizer.
- Boost Body Lotion with Baby Oil: If you're craving shiny legs that aren't greasy, blend a drop of baby oil into your normal body lotion for extra luster.
- Freeze Your Eyeliner: If the tip of your eyeliner pencil crumbles and smears on your lids, store the liner in the freezer for 15 minutes before use so the tip is firm and goes across your skin smoothly.
- Press a Tea Bag on Splotches: If your skin is sensitive or just looking irritated and puffy for some reason, steep a bag of green tea for a minute or two, let it cool down, and dab it over your face. The antioxidants in the tea take down inflammation.
- Amp Shine with Vinegar: Mix one part vinegar with four parts carbonated water, and soak dry hair. Leave on for 15 minutes before you shampoo to lock in shine and combat dullness.
- Make an Egg-White Mask: To revive tired, dull skin without hitting the spa table, try this: Crack open an egg in a bowl, separate the yolk, and use the egg whites to make a face mask. The proteins help to heal and restore skin's moisture. Leave it on for five minutes, then rinse off.
- Customize Your Body Lotion: Instead of shelling out for an expensive perfumed body product, you can make your own by pouring a few drops of fragrance into any scent-free lotion. Rub it on — the scent will last for hours.
- Super-Glue a Nail: Instead of tearing off your nail when it breaks, put a tiny dab of Super Glue over the split, and paint a generous layer of your favorite nail polish shade over it. Go for an opaque option (like red, purple, or coral) to camouflage and seal the crack.
Beauty Review: Lise Watier Couler Folle Summer Shades
Just because Fall is approaching doesn't mean we have to stop all the Summer fun! Lise Watier has added 2 new shades to the line's popular Couler Folle Loose Powder Eyeshadows! Rich in colour, these loose shadows create a shimmering effect that can both be worn on its own for a natural finish or with the Metamorfix Liquid Transformer for more glamour and intensity.
Couler Folle Folie Aqua ($18 CAD): This pretty aqua green is the newest addition to the regular line! On its own, it applies a soft shimmery aqua but mixed with the Metamorfix Liquid Transformer the colour is more vibrant and the eyes sparkle! If applying all across the eye is too much for you, use the angled brush and apply it as a liner with a neutral shadow for a hint of colour and sparkle. Drop a bit of the liquid transformer onto the lid of the shadow, then dip the eyeliner brush into the liquid.
Couler Folle Folie Ciel ($18 CAD Limited Edition): This icy blue shade is a limited edition shade so get it while it lasts! Have some fun with colour and go tropical by mixing Ciel and Aqua together like in the picture above. Don't through away your blues just yet! You'll be seeing more of this colour and other shades of blue return for Fall!
Folie D'Amour and Folie de Bronze ($18 CAD): I also got to try d'amour which is the rosy pink shade and de bronze which I LOVE! I love mixing it with the Metamorfix Liquid Transformer because the shimmer and colour is so luxe.
Have you tried these lovelies? Love it? Hate it?
www.lisewatier.com
Drugstore Heros
I am currently giving away some St. Ives products, and many of you have commented on your fondness for St. Ives' signature product, Apricot Scrub.
All this got me thinking about drugstore products that have taken on cult status, and I'm going to need your help with this post.
In thinking about my favorite drugstore products, I came up with a short list:
- Maybelline's Great Lash mascara
- Olay's daily moisturizer
- Noxzema deep cleansing cream
But now I want to hear from you...what are YOUR favorite drugstore beauty products? Please leave me a comment and let me know. I'll use your comments to review some of your favorites here on my blog. And who knows...maybe I'll have a drugstore giveaway soon. But I need your feedback on this one...I fear I have gotten out of touch with some of the treasures that can be found outside of a Sephora!
Beauty News: Makeup Junkie On ChickChat TV and More!
Many good things to report for Makeup Junkie! First, ChickChat TV has uploaded the episode featuring yours truly on ChickAdvisor.com's newly revamped site! The site's new look is tres chic and just fantastic! Congrats to the Chick Advisor team - I know how hard all of you worked on it! Be sure to check it out - you'll love it!
Secondly, Chick Advisor has added a new Video section where you can view all of the new ChickChat TV episodes and last season's Where'd You Get That?. I'm truly excited to share with you my episode called "Makeup Artist Secrets". My episode was actually filmed at my house - that's Ali and I standing in front of my house lol. Now you can see what I've been working on all summer! I hope you enjoy it and I'd love to hear any feedback!
Thirdly, Makeup Junkie is listed in On Makeup Magazine's Summer 2008 issue on pg. 86 featuring 52 beauty bloggers! It's so fantastic to be listed among such talented bloggers! A huge thank you to Michael DeVellis and The Powder Group team for this great opportunity!
To view my episode "Makeup Artist Secrets" click here.
To view all ChickChat TV episodes click here.
Daily Total Beauty Bytes
 See reviews | Best Liners for Your Lips
Not too hard or soft, these lip liners appealed to TotalBeauty.com editors and members for a variety of really good reasons. Find out if you should upgrade the pencil you have at home or add another color to your collection. (Did we miss your favorite? Write a review to bump up its status!) ...More |
For everyday, I rarely apply a lip liner. But for shoots or going out at night I like using lip liners to bump up the lip colour and for more definition. One of my biggest beauty peeves is seeing dark liner paired with a lighter lipstick!! Eeek! Always try to match the lip liner with the lipstick or wear a neutral colour. And blend!! My favourite liners to use are from M.A.C. and Three Custom Color Specialists! What's your favourite?
Autumn Beauty
Autumn is almost here! The unofficial end of summer, Labor Day, is just days away and school is starting soon. This is my favorite time of the year. It's like a second "New Year's," a time to make changes and to start fresh.
If you go to your favorite place to buy books and magazines, you'll no doubt notice that the September issues of Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Lucky, Allure, etc. are all massive. They're loaded with advertisements and articles about the coming season. It's my philosophy that true fashion only happens in fall and winter.
So now that the fall season is just about here, I have been slowly getting new products to update my look. Here's what I'm picking up now to get ready for my fall look
- Shine busters. Like many of you, I have combination skin. As the day goes on, my T-zone and chin get greasier than other parts of my face, and that oil build up means shine and foundation slippage. The way to stop it? Shine blockers like Philosophy's Never Let Them See You Shine, Sephora's Anti-Shine Primer, or Smashbox's Photo Finish.
- Gray eyeshadow. I have used shadows in the brown family for years. This fall, I am going to shake things up and use black eyeliner and gray eyeshadow. Try NARS Eye Duo in Pandora or Paris or one of Sephora's many eyeshadow palettes.
- Darker lips. Bye bye summertime shine, hello autumn seduction! Lips are going to be dark this year. I'm loving NARS Lipstick in Flair and Smashbox's Lovely Wicked. Yum!
- Clean brushes! I am terrible about cleaning out my makeup brushes. Even though I know I need to clean them regularly, I often forget. Time to bust out my Sephora brush cleaner and get to work....and you should do the same!
Are you making any plans to change your look for the new season? If so, let me know what you're planning on doing.
Beauty Feature: Anastasia Knows Brows
Audrey Hepburn knew the power of the brow and how the right shape could instantly transform your face. Anastasia Soare, celebrity brow guru and founder of her famed brow collection, also knows the power of the brow and how it can instantly polish your look and make you look younger.
Are your brows apart of your overall look or just an after-thought? I've come to learn after many years of over-plucking that I need my brows! I was looking back on old photos and my brows were scary - thin and rounded. Not a good shape especially since I have a round face. Thanks to Anastasia's brow line, all us over-tweezers can finally stop agonizing and achieve the perfect brow!
All About Brows Kit ($75 USD, also sold separately): This kit has everything you need to help you find the perfect brow shape for your face. The chic little case includes Brow Gel, Tweezers, Brow Powder Duo, four Brow Stencils, Duo Angle/Spooley Brush, and an Eye Lights Matte highlighting pencil. Select the stencil that best matches the shape of your brows. Fill in the stencil with the Brow Powder Duo using the Duo Angle/Spooley brush and tweeze the stray hairs outside of the stencil. I like to use the Spooley side to blend the powder into brow for a natural finish. Set your brows using the Brow Gel brushing the upward to hold the shape all day. Highlight the brow bone with the Eye Lights pencil for lift and definition. Easy right? Who says you can't have celebrity worthy brows?
Go Brow - Universal Brow Pencil ($21 USD): This double-ended brow pencil and highlighter duo is perfect especially if you're on-the-go. Lately, this is all I have been using on my brows along with the clear Brow Gel. The medium-brown shade is meant to be universally flattering. So far so good but I've haven't tried it on anyone with deep dark skin yet. The pencil glides on smoothly and filling in the brows is quick and easy. The highlighter definitely lifts the eyes but if you have medium-dark skin be sure to blend it in really well. I think a light peach shade would be better for us darker skinned women. Also, make sure the brow bone is well moisturized. It tends to emphasize dry skin. My biggest issue with the pencil is that it doesn't sharpen well with other sharpeners. I don't know if the texture is too soft or if my Sephora sharpener doesn't sharpen well. The tip never really sharpens and I sometimes have to shave the sides of the pencil manually. I'm going to pick up the Anastasia sharpener and see if that makes a difference. Other a than that, I think it's great when you're in a pinch!
Tweezers Anonymous ($55 USD, also sold separately): Over-tweezers no longer have to hide because this kit has everything you need to get your brows back in shape (literally) and better than ever before! The Brow Enhancing Serum, a gel-based formula is designed to help condition, repair and make those brows grow. Seriously, it works. I was trying out this new hair removal razor tool near my brows and accidentally shaved a few hairs off where my brows start. I've been applying this over my brows for the last few weeks and my they are almost back to normal. The Brow Filler is a spring loaded powder tipped sponge duo for eyebrows that accommodates Blondes on one end and Brunettes on the other. You can also mix the powders together for a customized colour. Brow Stix is for the stencil-challenged. These handy stencils stick onto your skin - just peel off the back, position over your brows, and fill in. You won't have to worry about holding them steady in place. I've tried to save it after and reuse it but it doesn't stick as good as the first time.
Perfect Brow Pencil ($22 USD): If brow powders and angled brushes seem too complicated, Anastasia's brow pencils are wonderful for achieving a natural brow shape. The pencil has the perfect texture - not too soft, not too hard. Overly soft pencils can make your brows appear too strong and hard pencils take longer to fill in because the colour is barely noticeable. Just apply in short hair-like strokes in the same direction your hair grows. Use the spooley side to blend the colour in with your brows for a natural finish.
Don't be afraid to fill those brows in or to let them grow. Put the tweezers down (unless you have a uni-brow goin' on)! lol Many clients I've worked on resisted a little brow filling but realized after seeing themselves in photos what a huge difference brows make. You don't have to fill in the entire brow - just where the hair is sparse or where the shape is a little off. Thin brows or brows that are too penciled in can age you and really throw off the balance of your face shape. If you're not sure where your brows should start and where they should end, then stencils are a great guideline. Well-groomed brows should be the first step before applying your makeup. A strong brow calls for less makeup and vice versa. Brows are your friends so don't over-pluck and make them disappear!
Have you tried Anastasia brow products? Love it? Hate it?
www.anastasia.net and www.sephora.com
Celebrity Hair - Rihanna Hair - Fall 2008
Celebrity Haircuts presents Rihanna Hair - Fall 2008
Rihanna, one of hip hop’s sexiest females, has truly made short hair sexy again. While most stars would shy away from making a drastic cut, Rihanna has embraced short styles and looked gorgeous while doing it. Her previously long and wavy locks are now cropped short and straight. Rihanna first made a change back in 2007, when she adopted an edgy bob-like cut similar to the one Victoria Beckham has been sporting.
Rihanna's Short Pixie Haircut
© Janet Mayer / PR Photos
Then, at the 2008 NRJ Music Awards, she was seen sporting her shortest look yet. With the back razored short and the front creating long bangs across her face, the singer found a way to make even the most daring cut look chic and elegant.
Rihanna's Fringe Hair
© Chris Hatcher / PR Photos
On anyone else this look might have looked masculine, but Rihanna pulls it off with grace and style. What exactly is the key to Rihanna’s dramatic change? Her stylist attributes her look to great products. To make her wavy locks transform into a sleek crop requires a high-end straightening iron and quality relaxing balm.
Rihanna's Short Hair
© Chris Hatcher / PR Photos
The end result is well worth the work, though, and few could argue that Rihanna looks anything less than dazzling with her short ‘do.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
I've made some changes to the appearance of Kiss and Makeup! I got a little bored with the red and gray. We'll see how long the new colors last. Love it? Hate it? Let me know!
Don't Forget to Enter!
I'm giving away some St. Ives products! Click here for all the details. Be sure to enter by Sunday, August 31st. Two winners will be announced on Labor Day. Good luck!
Tattoo You
As you all know, my name is Lydia. There is an old song called Lydia the Tattooed Lady by Groucho Marx. And though I don't have any tattoos right now, I am going to get one soon...thus I will live up to my name and become Lydia the Tattooed Lady.
I've been doing a lot of research about getting a tat. I know which tattoo parlor in Seattle to go to and I also know that I'll need to take some steps to let my tat heal properly and to keep it looking good. Thankfully, I'll have After Inked to help me out. What is After Inked? It is a unique, convenient and natural tattoo aftercare lotion specially developed to make the tattoo healing process as easy and comfortable as possible. The patented formula also helps restore color to existing pieces, keeping all tattoos moisturized, vibrant and protected for life.
If you have any advice for a tattoo virgin, please leave me a comment. I will not lie and say I'm not nervous about getting a tattoo...I'm not one for pain...but I've thought about it long and hard and I'm ready! I'm sure I'll be blogging more about my whole tattoo process, but I'd love to hear your experiences. Ok...more on After Inked:
Thinking about getting a tattoo? The decisions you make beforehand will determine your satisfaction with the results for years to come. Artist and design are important considerations, but what you do after you’re inked is even more important!
That’s why inventor Bob Norburn along with Andrea and Bill Gerber, developed After Inked, a patented skincare treatment that naturally and safely protects a tattoo and significantly reduces healing time. Their revolutionary new formula is creating a lot of “buzz” in the tattoo community and it’s making the decision “to ink or not to ink” much easier for many people.
“More and more mainstream people are choosing to wear an outward symbol of their innermost individuality on their body”, said Briana Brumer, who joined the After Inked team as a partner. She’s witnessed amazing results with After Inked firsthand. “It’s a product that supports in the healing and also restores the original look of an existing tattoo in seconds”, She added. Briana can truthfully attest that there’s nothing like it on the market today.
If performed by an unskilled tattooist or cared for improperly, a tattoo can become a badge of embarrassment forever. So before the needle touches your skin, it’s very important to get educated about the products available to help take care of your life illustration.
Before developing After Inked, the Gerbers did a lot of research of their own and they discovered that many aftercare products in the market that do claim to be ‘all natural’ and beneficial are neither. “That’s when we decided we were going to offer a premium quality product that is safe and effective”, Bill said.
To further prove their commitment to using only the safest and most effective ingredients, the couple signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics which requires them to practice transparency and fully disclose all of the ingredients in After Inked. “We don’t claim to be all natural but we are proud to be 98% natural using only high quality safe ingredients”, Andrea said.
Andrea explained why they deliberately chose to use synthetic beeswax rather than animal-derived beeswax in After Inked. “There are many vegans in the tattoo industry and we wanted to produce the best possible product and respect the lifestyle of our customers. We also joined PETA—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, as we do not test on animals”, she said.
The After Inked team truly believes education is the best way to protect their business and consumers. That’s why they support the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, an organization that encourages health and safety through continued education of tattoo artists and their apprentices.
The After Inked Web Site contains photographs documenting the healing process, along with dozens of testimonials from people who have experienced phenomenal results. While the Gerbers are pleased with consumer response, they are more excited that the biggest fans of their product were once their biggest skeptics.
The tattoo industry is a tight-knit and guarded community. Outsiders and their products don’t easily infiltrate it. But After Inked is endorsed—and used—by some of the most respected tattoo artists in the most reputable studios in the world. For After Inked, that’s the best endorsement imaginable.
Twig Sparks, a professional tattoo artist with over 20 years of experience designing art, says that his enthusiastic use of After Inked borders on addiction. “I really really like it. I use it as much as I can. I try to get all of my clients to use it”, He said.
Over the years, Twig has seen many bogus skincare products come and go. As a self-professed cynic, he was thrilled to discover that After Inked actually works. While working at Hart & Huntington in Las Vegas, home of the reality TV show “Inked” on A&E Network, he immediately began sharing After Inked with his clients and everyone who has used it has been completely impressed.
“It’s great for all skin types and it doesn’t clog the pores”, said Twig. “To heal properly, the skin needs to breathe and many products suffocate the skin. This goes on clean and almost disappears after a couple of rubs and it heals with no skin trauma.”
That’s important because Twig designs a lot of custom tattoos that require multiple sessions to complete. As he pointed out, “I do a lot of big pieces and the wait time between sessions is generally 14 days”. He added, “After Inked helps the tattoo to heal in half the time so people come back five to seven days later to finish their work.”
A true artist, Twig considers the human body the finest canvas he can illustrate on. “It’s something that’s living and breathing,” He said. “My tattoos are my masterpieces and “After Inked really helps preserve the integrity of my work for life.”
Ultimately, a tattoo is a very individual decision. It’s all about what you decide to put on your body—before and after getting inked. For better or worse—it’s a relationship that will last forever and After Inked helps guarantee the love affair won’t fade overtime by protecting your investment.
So whether you just got fresh ink, or you have an existing piece that you want to continue to protect and keep fresh, check out After Inked at www.AfterInked.com.
Get the Winning Look
Here are tips on getting the winning look from this week's Shear Genius!
Avant-garde hairstyles are great for photo shoots and the runway, but don’t always translate to everyday. For a more wearable look that’s still edgy, try a tousled approach with a few fun accessories.
- Shampoo and condition with products that help to boost volume. Try Nexxus Nexxus Diametress Shampoo and Nexxus Sublime Volume Conditioner.
- To hold and maintain curl, apply Nexxus Alluring Curls to wet hair. Wrap different sized sections of hair around Velcro rollers to create a unique texture.
- Apply heat with a blow-dryer until hair is dry. Allow locks to cool and remove rollers.
- Use a curling iron randomly all over head to add in a few defined curls.
- Take various sized sections of hair and pin on top of head with bobbi pins. Don’t worry if your updo is not “perfect.” The beauty in this look actually comes from the quirky mistakes.
- Go back through hair and pull out few tendrils for added softness and dimension.
- Spray with a light hold hair spray, like Nexxus Comb Thru, to help maintain the structure of the style.
- Insert a flirty accessory, like a fresh flower, and your look is complete.
Shear Genius: Are We There Yet?
Ok, maybe it's just me, but I am getting Shear Genius fatigue. And after this week's episode, I officially don't care who wins. Just hand Charlie the title, the check, and let's move on.
Here's a recap of the latest episode....not an enthusiastic recap, but a recap nonetheless.
SHORT CUT CHALLENGE
The remaining four stylists had to work on twins. Identical twins with the exact same hairstyle. The goal was to make each twin unique, to have each twin stand out as an individual. Wow. As I sit here writing this, I have almost no memory of the short cut challenge! I know I watched it, but I'm completely blanking on the details. I have no memory of what Charlie did. I think crazy-eyed Dee gave her twins purple hair--one had purple highlights, one had purple underneath. Meh. Her styles had no chance of winning. Daniel had blondes to work with--he made one blonder than the other. Nicole made one of her twins blonde and the other twin a brunette. Apparently I was not blown away by anyone's work, but Nicole won the challenge with her rather obvious solution to the challenge. And with her win, she won immunity and was guaranteed a spot in the final three.
I had a huge problem with the whole immunity thing. The stakes are too high at this level of the competition, and to give someone immunity from a short cut challenge? That seemed a bit much. Why even bother having Nicole compete in the elimination challenge? Grrr!
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE
Ah, it was the photo shoot episode. The stylists had to work with a moody photographer to make a model look amazing for a fabricated photo shoot. Dee gave her model a really bad haircut, complete with too short bangs and lifeless strips of color. Charlie made romantic hair that easily turned into ratted out "avant guard" hair with a few strokes of the comb. Nicole? Who cares...she was immune so I'm not even going to bother talking about her. And Daniel made a few missteps by adding a red braid to his model and by making his hair too structured in the back.
Now here comes the really bad part: Daniel lost the challenge and was sent home to Dallas with his Aqua Net. Naturally Charlie won. I was surprised. I thought for sure crazy-eyed Dee would be going home. The judges described her model as having a "village idiot" look because of the super short bangs.
So now it's all down to Nicole, Dee, and Charlie. It seems that Shear Genius is just handing the prize to Charlie. If he can't beat Nicole and Dee, I'll be shocked. But at this point, I am just looking forward to the whole thing being over with!
Daily Total Beauty Bytes
 See reviews | Top 23 "As Seen on TV" Skin Products
Admit it: On nights you can't sleep you may stay up watching infomercials or checking out what Suzanne Somers is hawking on the Home Shopping Network. After an hour or so, those products all start to sound pretty great. But which ones are really worth picking up the phone for? TotalBeauty.com readers bravely ordered and found out. Check out their favorite "as seen on TV" skin care products. ...More |
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Beauty Product of the Week: Brow Pen
What is it? Anastasia's new Brow Pen, "is a long-wearing, soft-tipped brow pen. It glides on easily, clinging to both skin and hair, for a lush and natural look. Use it as a base to increase your current brow makeup's staying power or to fill in sparse areas for a fuller look. It dries quickly, lasts all day, and its water-based formula is easily removed with soap and water." Hitting the markets now (or soon!) in a universal shade for $21.00.
What did you think? Being blonde, I am always a little nervous about how brow pencils and other brow products will look with my fair complexion. That said, I--like most people--have some spotty areas in my eyebrows that require a bit of filling.
The Brow Pen lightly filled in the spaces in my brows, making them look fuller and much better. Anastasia Brow Pen did not give me an overdone look. My brows looked very natural after using the Brow Pen.
Here's a trick I've found when using this product: to make it look it's best, apply the Brow Pen while standing back a bit from a mirror. If you are too close to the mirror, you may end up overfilling certain areas which could give you look that is too dark.
Unlike some other products I've used, the Brow Pen does not slip or smudge and it feels so light that you'll forget you even have it on.
Final verdict? I love this product and have added it to my daily beauty routine! If you can only afford to buy one Anastasia product, this should be the one. It's so easy to use and the results are subtle yet so dynamic. Your brows will look fuller and more shapely without noticeable lines you sometimes get from brow pencils. And the universal brow color means you don't have to worry about picking the right--or wrong--shade. Perfect!
Get to Know St. Ives (GIVEAWAY!)
When I think of the St. Ives brand, I immediately think of their Apricot Scrub...a product I haven't used since high school. And I guess I haven't paid much attention to St. Ives since then either.
But let me tell you: St. Ives has changed! They now carry all sorts of great products, including the St. Ives Element line. Element products look much higher end than I remember the Apricot Scrub being. They combine ingredients like olives, salt, and minerals to create microderm creams, lotions, and other exciting products.
I've also been using a few of St. Ives' new body polishes: Smoothing Mineral Therapy, Moisturizing Oatmeal and Shea Butter, and Renewing Collagen Elastin. Each exfoliating body polish smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling smoother, softer, and much more touchable. They make me look forward to stepping into the shower each morning!
After buffing away my uneven, dry patches, I finish my morning shower routine with St. Ives' clinically proven Cellulite Shield, an advanced body moisturizer that has been proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite in two weeks. Who couldn't use this product, especially during swimsuit season?
The Cellulite Shield program consists of a Gel Creme, a formula specifically designed to combat targeted problem areas. Enriched with menthol and caffeine, you can actually feel this powerful, stimulating formula hydrate your skin as it combats cellulite head on. Following the Gel Creme application, I'm also trying out the Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer for a complete cellulite-fighting regime. The shea butter moisturizes as the MicroSmooth Complex continues to combat cellulite for long lasting, visible improvements. Skin is left toned, smooth and visibly more contoured without dimples or bumps. So far I've noticed my skin surface feels more even and much less dry.
The best thing about St. Ives is that their products won't break the bank and they're available at drugstores. The Cellulite Gel Creme costs $6.99; the Body Moisturizer is only $4.99.
These products are all just now hitting store shelves, but I want you to try them out for yourself. I'm offering a St. Ives giveaway! Two random winners will be selected on Labor Day (September 1st). One winner will get St. Ives Renewing In-Shower exfoliating Body Polish and another winner will get St. Ives Cellulite Shield Gel Creme. To enter, leave a comment on this entry...be sure I have a way to get a hold of you if you win. You have until Sunday, August 31st to enter. Good luck!
Beauty Review: Cover Girl TruBlend Minerals
Let me begin by saying that I have become a blush/bronzer girl. I cannot leave the house
without it on. Especially on the days when my skin is looking bland, blush/bronzer is the quickest, most effective way of looking fresh, glowy and ready to go.
CG’s TruBlend Blushes and Bronzers are loose powders that are made from natural minerals. They come with a puff, but I definitely recommend using a brush for accurate application. I love the texture of mineral makeup, it’s so soft and goes on silky-smooth.
The CG TruBlend Blush comes in 2 shades: Pure Romance which is light pink and Shimmering Sands which is more on the coral side.
The CG TruBlend Bronzer also comes in 2 shades: Golden Sunrise which is brownish-gold and the Natural Bronze which is copper-gold. Both look fabulous on any skin type.
The one frustration I have with loose powders is the mess they make. No matter how careful I try to be, it somehow ends up all over the place. I’m just waiting for the day when cosmetic companies design a more efficient container, then I’ll be all over the loose powders. (Tip: instead of peeling the sticker that covers the holes on loose power packages, use a pin to poke just a few holes, this will help eliminate some of the mess).
But regardless, the CG TruBlend powders are gorgeous - with just the right amount of shimmer and colour, I was able to achieve the perfect sun kissed, health-looking glow without looking overdone. Guess I’ll just have to suck it up!
Have you tried any of CG TruBlend products?
www.covergirl.ca
Celebrity Hair - Fall 2008 Blonde Celebrity Hairstyles
Celebrity Haircuts presents Fall 2008 Blonde Hairstyles
This time some nice blonde hair ideas for fall 2008. Medium length hairstyles will be trendy this fall. Enjoy the photos!
Anya Monzikova - Fall 2008 Hairstyle Idea
© Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos
Jaime Pressly - Fall 2008 Hairstyle Idea
© Tina Gill / PR Photos
Paris Hilton - Fall 2008 Hairstyle Idea
© PRN / PR Photos
Katherine Heigl - Fall 2008 Hairstyle Idea
© Tina Gill / PR Photos
Kristin Cavallari - Fall 2008 Hairstyle Idea
© David Gabber / PR Photos
Julianne Hough - Fall 2008 Hairstyle Idea
© Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos
Accent Your Eyes
Yesterday I gave you some pointers on how to achieve the much sought after smoky eye. Staying on the theme of eye makeup 101, today I'll give you pointers on what shades of shadow to buy in order to enhance your eyes.
FOR BROWN EYES
For a classic look: try the neutrals: browns, beiges, khaki (including khaki green), bronze, copper, and champagne. Try neutrals with a hint of apricot or pink for added color.
For a more fun look: try out bolder greens, vivid tangerines, and deep blues.
FOR GREEN EYES For a classic look: brown (a universally flattering color!), plums, purples, apricots, any color in the khaki family, and even green shades, especially forest green.
For a more fun look: play off your greens by wearing lime or light green. Or go with bright purple or shimmery gold.
FOR BLUE EYES
For a classic look: browns (yet again!), grays (even black if you're daring), violet, purple, even deep blue (bluer than your natural shade) all look great.
For a more fun look: be daring with turquoise, fuchsia, or silver
A good rule of thumb when selecting an eyeshadow is this: to enhance your eyes, pick a shade that is opposite that color. This will bring out your eyes, making them really pop.
Many cosmetics companies (notably Almay) have palettes especially designed to enhance, compliment, or contrast your eye color.
No matter what, be sure to apply your shadow properly so that it looks it's best. Find a color combination you like and embrace your signature look. The best thing to do is try out many shades of shadow to find what you like best. To do this without breaking the bank, look out for deals on gift packs. They often contain a wide-array of eyeshadow colors for very little money. Sure, these are not the best quality shadows on the market, but they'll give you a chance to try out all sorts of colors.
Celebrity Hair - Latest Rihanna's Hair
Latest Rihanna's Hair
Rihanna is featured in the September 08 Issue of the Essence fashion Magazine and she looks amazing. One word is enough “Wow”!!
Amazing Rihanna Hair
Smoky Eye 101
The smoky eye is one of the most dominant trends for eyes. It's been around forever and only seems to gain popularity each season. It can be dramatic, it can be classic, it can be fun, and it is almost always sexy.
Once you master the basic techniques of applying the smoky eye look, try playing around with different colors to make a look all your own.
Here's how to do a classic, sultry smoky eye.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Concealer and loose face powder
- Eye primer (optional)
- Black or dark brown eyeliner pencil
- Two shades of eyeshadow, one lighter, one darker but both in the same color family (for a classic look, stay with neutral shades)
- Eyeshadow brushes
- Q-tip or sponge-tipped brush
- Eyelash curler
- Mascara
- Use the concealer lightly around your eyes to cover up any dark circles or discoloration. Apply, but don't blend in, loose powder under you eyes. This excess powder will help catch any shadow that falls off during application.
- If you feel it necessary, apply an eyelid primer. A primer is not necessary, but may help avoid creases and slippage throughout your wear.
- Apply eyeliner to the upper and lower eye area. Smudge the pencil into your lash line on your top lid. For your lower lid, smudge the pencil so it makes a thick, soft hint of color around the lower, outer part of your eye. Smudging is essential to the smoky eye, so work on your technique! Try using a Q-tip or sponge-tipped applicator to control the smudge.
- Apply your lighter color over you lip. Be sure to sweep the lighter color up to your brow bone, under your eyebrow arch. This is your base color, and you can even sweep it down the corner of your eyelid, slightly down the side of your nose and under your eye (optional).
- Now it's time for the drama: applying the darker color. With an eyeshadow brush, sweep your darker color from your lash line to the crease in your eyelid. Be sure to blend the color into your eyeliner, working in an upward direction. Also make sure to stop at the crease--don't go too far up to the brow bone! You want that area highlighted!
- If any of the dark powder falls on to your cheek, use the loose powder to quickly sweep it away.
- Before you touch your mascara, take some time to review your work. Is the color even on both eyes? Do you need to do any clean up? Are your brow bones highlighted to your liking? Make any adjustments now!
- Curl your upper lashes and apply the mascara of your choice.
- Viola! You have lovely smoky eyes! You rock.
- The smoky eye can be a lot of look, so be sure to pair it with a nude lip. You want the rest of your face to be as neutral as possible. Try an apricot shade of blush and a neutral lip color.
- For a fun look, try a colored eyeliner or mascara (blue mascara will really make your look pop!).
- Be sure to keep your brows neat and under control. Sparse or sloppy brows will destroy this look.
You can use whatever you like, but here are my faves for getting this look:
- Brushes: Sephora's All Over Color Brush and Sephora's Smudge Brush
- Eyeshadow: NARS Duo Eye Shadow in either Paris or Portobello
- Mascara: Lorac's Lotsa Lash or Maybelline's Great Lash (of course!)
- To fix mistakes: Revlon Eye Makeup Eraser Pen
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