Beauty Blog » Beauty Tips & Secrets

Beauty tips from the SUPER VIXENS! Read how Eartha Kitt, Sharon Stone, Rita Hayworth and other screen goddesses have stayed beautiful through the years.

(Source: Jack & Jill blog)

Apparently when things are bad and the economy dips we turn to lipstick and lipgloss to lift our spirits! Lipstick is a good indicator of how the economy is doing, and the two are inversely related. What that means for you slow folk is when the economy dips, sales of lipstick and lipgloss go up!

Hmmm, well I found that interesting! So if you’re feeling glum go out there with your bright red lipstick and smile girls…

(Source: Beautynomics)

YouTube - Watch 

Oh-My-Garsh!! I couldn’t believe Robin Thicke looks like Jesus as he rides his bike and jumps over stuff! Ha! Oh well, I still love his music and him. But talk about successful celebrity makeovers…

Meanwhile in the land of Smarter Beauty:

Woo-HOo!! Just got my STIMULUS TAX REFUND… now the more important question, what to spend it on? I am hankering for some new gold makeup, any suggestions?

(Read full post at: Tax Stimulus Refund - Time to spend $600)

How to keep dyed red hair from fading!? - I feebly try to maintain my freshly dyed mahogany locks. To be honest, I am losing the battle. Please HELP ME!

(Finish reading full post: Keep Red Hair from the Dreaded Fade Factor)

Editor’s Note:

Time keeps tickin’ girls, another Smarter Beauty week has come and gone, yet I haven’t aged a day!

Just wanted to say thanks for reading and commenting and sending me great ideas!

Happy Friday!
Michelle

Well this is me, with freshly cut bangs and I dyed my once black hair RED! You can’t tell to much about the color here but trust me it’s red or at least it use to be. Which is why I pose the question, how does one sustain the vibrant salon fresh red hue when you are not naturally a red head?

I was actually trying to refrain from showering my tresses for fear of the veritable blood bath that would appear on my towel after every shower. Shoot, the color would even leave slight smear stains on my pillows! Problem is I think the rich mahogany color does wonders for my pale skin. Brings out what little color I have in my cheeks! But lordy, the maintenance is proving impossible. It’s only week 2 and I already feel that the hair color has morphed into a reddish brown at the roots.

Does any of this stuff work?

Anyone try the Redken Color Extend Hair Care line? Does it help?

Other tips people have told me are:

- Stay out of the SUN! Apparently the sun warps the color of any dye job and strips the color faster. Well I do this anyway because of my fair skin, but one of my favorite parts of dying my hair a different shade is seeing it glow in sunlight, so I find this news dis-heartening. Who wants to hide in the dark with freshly dyed hair?

- Upgrade your water! Additives (such as chlorine) that make tap water safe can also strip dye. Try new shower heads designed to remove color-dulling agents. Try iWater Shower Purification System ($50) or Jonathan Beauty Water Shower Purification System ($95, Sephora).

- Shampoo Less and Condition More! Apparently shampooing hair strips the color faster and leaves your cuticles open, thus making the strands rougher and less shiny. The conditioner locks in color by sealing the cuticles and making your locks shinier. Shiny hair reflects color better. The only probably I have with this advice is I have very fine hair and if I skip shampooing my hair gets greasy really fast. But I shall try my best to modify my showering regime to test out this theory.

Well wish me luck, and please if you have heard of a product or a method that helps maintain red hair color by all means SHARE!

My friend Eileen has a history of breast cancer that runs in her family and she recently found out that the face wash she has been using contains “propylparaben” aka “parabens” which unbeknownst to me is a carcinogen that is still commonly used in a wealth of beauty products, including face washes and underarm deodorants!

Apparently it is linked to Breast Cancer, especially if your already genetically predisposed to breast cancer in your family, like Eileen! Which is why she was so concerned. She’s not ordinarily the type to jump on the paranoia wagon.

Well it got me thinking ladies, what else are we exposed to and is there really “Cosmetic Safety” laws or is it all about the all mighty DOLLAR and profit margins. Beauty is a multi-billion dollar business after all, and whenever that much money is involved, well…

I say we take care of ourselves, because you know those money makers could care less.

Few ingredients have been assessed for long-term health impacts, but those that have—and are known or suspected to be toxic—are still allowed in cosmetics. Eight of the most problematic are:

1. MERCURY
Often listed as thimerosal on ingredient labels, mercury is a possible human carcinogen, and a human reproductive or developmental toxin.
Found in some eye drops, ointments and mascaras.
2. PLACENTA
Placenta produces progesterone, estrogen and other hormones that can interfere with the body’s normal hormone functions and can lead to serious health problems—like breast cancer—when used in cosmetics. Sometimes used in hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners.
3. LEAD ACETATE
This compound of lead is a known human reproductive and developmental toxin. Prohibited from use in cosmetics in the European Union. Found in some hair dyes and cleansers.
5. PETROCHEMICALS
These byproducts of crude oil (appearing on labels as petrolatum, mineral (oil and paraffin) may contain known or suspected human carcinogens as well as harmful breakdown products or impurities from manufacturing processes (such as 1,4-Dioxane), which are not listed on ingredient labels. Found in some hair relaxers, shampoos, anti-aging creams, mascaras, perfumes, foundations, lipsticks and lip balms.
6. PHTHALATES
These plasticizing chemicals are probable human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. Two phthalates often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have been banned in the European Union. Found in some nail polishes, fragrances and hair sprays.often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have been banned in the European Union. Found in some nail polishes, fragrances and hair sprays.
7. HYDROQUINONE
A possible carcinogen and probable neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, hydroquinone can also cause a skin disease called ochronosis, which leaves irreversible black-blue lesions on skin. Found in some skin lightening products and moisturizers.
8. NANOPARTICLES
Extremely tiny particles which are largely untested and unlabeled in personal care products, capable of being absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Found in some eye shadows, bronzers, sunscreens and lotions.

So I don’t want you guys to become paranoid beauty shoppers but it is quite alarming to discover so many ingredients that are known carcinogens that are still allowed in beauty products. Especially since they seem to be in products that are in habitual items, that are used often like deodorant, face wash, hair dyes etc.

RED ALERT! - This is particularly alarming - two of the highest concerned cosmetics are marketed to African American women! Bad enough that products like skin lightening and hair straightening promote the Anglo-Saxon version of beauty on our Nubian sisters but turns out they are also ripe with carcinogens. Skin Deep report shows that some hair relaxers and skin lighteners contain ingredients such as hydroquinone, placenta and petroleum byproducts that are linked to cancer, reproductive and hormonal problems, and some of them sensitize the skin, which means that dangerous ingredients are more likely to penetrate into the body. Yet another reason to follow your own path of beauty, whether you continue down the Beyonce route or if you decide to go Erykah Badu.

Well here is what we can do to start…

1. Tell the Major Cosmetic Companies that we care what is in our beauty products and we want SAFE ingredients:

Get involved and read the full article from: Breast Cancer Fund “10 Ugly Truths Behind the Myth of Cosmetic Safety”

Well first of all, if my abdomen, hips, thighs and bikini area looked like this ladies I would consider just walking around in a thong! Yep, that’s right, it would just be me…in my white thong prancing around the office, going to church, hitting the supermaket.. Ha!

Well back to my pale blubbery reality. It’s warming up, we are in the midst of Spring and on the cusp of SUMMER! So… time to get the ol’ bikini region funderwear friendly.

I started shaving my zone sophomore year in high school, prior to that I use to let my garden grow wild and free. Well like every other novice the only advice I had to go on was my friends. Who told me to just use a regular shaving razor and soap. Ugh!

Horrible advice, this may work for some ladies but all it got me was razor burn and stubbies. Yeck! I guess my skin was super sensitive and I don’t know if it is just me but the hair would grow back within 2 days and be really short and harsh. I really didn’t like the outcome.

My solution was to start getting waxed at my local nail salon. Which in high school became an expensive and let’s face it semi-humiliating experience. At sixteen you are pretty self conscious of your stuff, when in hindsight it was probably the prettiest it will ever be, go figure. As it were I tried some home remedies;

I tried Nad’s Hair removal kit thanks to the infomercial. Let me be the first to tell you that stuff is utterly bogus. Here is the lowdown:

• It’s messy, it’s sticky, it sucks!
• It doesn’t work and I nearly scalded myself when I applied the gel.
• Plus when left unattended the stuff morphs into this crystallized science project.
• Don’t get it!

I finally settled on Nair’s Bikini Cream and have been using it for years. What I like about it is it’s very easy to use, it leaves your area silky smooth and I swear through the years that the growth has dwindled. I have been trying to convince my best friend to use it instead of shaving, and on her last trip to Cancun she finally did and she loves it too. It’s just my personal recommendation. All you do is apply it to the desired growth, leave it on for about 5 minutes (recommended is three, I do five) and wipe hair off with a hand towel. Leaves your skin really smooth and stubble free, plus in my experience it does not grow back as quickly. Price - $5.95

Well that’s my recommendation, what do you gals use? Sharing is caring, let’s all help each other!

Spring outfits call for Spring hairstyles, but that doesn’t mean you have to chop all your hair off. Sure as the weather warms up long hair tends to become a nuisance, but love and care was used to grow your locks, don’t just chop them off because the weather is warming.

In Spring & Summer I find the best hairstyles tend to be the ones that get your hair off your neck and face. Low fuss, no muss trends are my favorite.

Here are my top picks for quick and fashionable fixes this Spring 2008:

1. HEADBANDS

Headbands are back in a BIG way. Things to keep in mind, the smaller your head and features are the bigger and bolder you can go with styles, width and color of headband. If you have a big dome and big face, best to keep the headband smaller and solid tones. This will help keep your features in appropriate proportion.

2. PONYTAILS (Low & Half Pony ONLY)

Half Pony - The style seems to be teased and sort of pompadoured in the front. Or you could just smooth locks into a half pony. I hate when people make it sound like rocket science, if you don’t know how to pull your hair into a half pony you should run, because I think I hear your short bus leaving the station.

Low Pony - Just pull your hair back into a low, casual ponytail. Top off the look with a pair of your favorite aviators. Classic Spring/Summer look!

3. BRAIDS (they’re baaaacck!)

Formal Wear Braiding…

Simpson Sisters Braiding …

Cool Springtime Braids …

I think this is more of an artwork. I know girls who can whip their hair into an awesome french braid in mere moments. I unfortunately am all thumbs when it comes to braiding, I do however admire women who can pull off the look as I feel it is both laid back and hyper cool, very bohemian chic!

4. THE LOW BUN

Low buns are simple, messy and fast! Pretend like your making a low ponytail but instead of pulling the hair all the way threw the elastic band, loop half of your hair and leave the lengthier bits popping out in disarray. Takes literally two seconds and can be dressed up or down depending on where you are headed.

Michelle Williams showcases a beautiful low bun!

Hope this inspires your Spring hairstyles!

Introducing ground breaking technology, straight from France, that promises to freeze the aging process!

Created by Dr. Jean-Pierre Talmadge T’sow a former body builder who discovered that injecting his muscles before a competition with a mixture of purified water from the French Alps and the harvested DNA from unborn sheep embryos, literally froze and smoothed out his bulging muscles. Not only did it smooth out protruding muscles but he discovered that he could not move his arms and legs at the injection site. As the years passed, the rest of his body began to naturally age and wither, however the muscle groups that were injected with Le’ Facial Frozen remained smooth and Rubenesque.

Like all great discoveries, Le’ Facial Frozen was un-covered by pure happenstance. Dr. T’sow immediately began injecting his magic serum into his face and after 115 years, he does not look a day over 30!

Le’ Facial Frozen’s celebrity clientèle includes:

Paris Hilton

Nicole Kidman

Amanda Lepore

Note: Possible side effects include nausea, frozen expressions, diminished IQ and eventual loss of all facial movement.

To purchase Le’ Facial Frozen, click here.

Now that the weather is heating up, seems like my pores are starting to open up as well. One of the unfortunate side effects of warming weather, I was staring at my nose the other day and saw dreaded black heads forming from dirt or clogged pores.

I decided to purchase one of those blackhead tools that my mom keeps trying to use on me! She’s pretty strange like that, she likes to squeeze things out of family member’s pores. This is the same lady who enjoys tweezing my dad’s toes. Yes, yes I know, my gene pool is ripe with insanity.

Well suffice to say, the stainless steel Tweezerman tool is excellent. Truly a must have for any girl. All I did was wash my face with warm water, soaked a face towel in hot water and left it on my face until it cooled down to open my pores. I took the tool and pressed firmly but gently where I saw a blackhead and watched it ooze out.

Works better than those expensive Biore strips, since you can focus on the really juicy blackheads.

To purchase the Stainless Steel Tweezerman Blackhead Tool, click here.  

I have never had nice feet. Never. They are dry, nasty things with curled toes and heels so dry they could sand wood. I am not kidding. I use to be so phobic about it that I would wear socks to bed, even in the summer so that I wouldn’t run the risk of scraping my gnarly feet against my partners legs.

To add to my misery I was born and raised in California, the land of perpetual flip flops! Us die hard Californians don’t necessarily restrict our “sandal” wearing to the seasons of Spring and Summer, nay for a real Californian “flip flops” can be worn through just about any season and to almost every event. You can imagine my horror then as my peers sported their dainty feet with flower painted toes and I had man feet with hard core calluses and dry cracked heels! It’s a small wonder I survived puberty, is all I am saying.

Through the years I have spent a small fortune buying every foot cream and special softening sock known to man trying to remedy my chappy feet. To no avail, if anything the condition just got progressively worse through the years and the skin just got thicker and thicker.

I bought pumices of assorted styles and substances ( lava rock, salt, special stones, blah blah blah) I would scrub and scrub, the skin would flake off and like evil magic reappear thicker and drier than before. I seriously gave up, and just wrote it off as my burden to carry through this life and resigned myself not to every date anyone with a foot fetish because they would probably throw up at the site of my feet.

Finally, I found the holy grail of dry cracked feet! A diabetic chum of mine told me about Flexitol Heel Balm which was recommended to him by his podiatrist. He has worst feet then mine, but his are due to side effects of diabetes.

(click on image to purchase)

I am not going to pump it up for you. Simply said it works, if you really do have nasty feet it’s the solution you have been searching for AT LAST!

• It’s cheap! Suggested price: $7.39 Now: $5.99 at drugstore.com!
• I’ve seen it sold at Target, too!

Simply apply twice daily, morning and night. I think in the beginning, you should apply after you shower, and you scrub the excess dry skin from your heels with a callus remover of some sort:

Then apply Flexitol Heel Balm liberally to the affected areas. You will begin to see results within a few days. Quite awesome, after my feet started getting better I started just applying the balm to my dry heels when I had the time. Regardless I swear by it now and it saved my sandal wearing life!

I am sure it will work for you as well, let me know how your progress goes. This really is an issue that is near and dear to my heart!

Ahhh, so I have finally decided to give this whole “mineral” make-up thing a try! Anything that is supposedly good for your skin, while concealing your blemishes and providing a healthy natural sheen is worth giving a shot. I will cross my fingers that the products live up to the hype.

So I scoured the web and according to Beauty Polls consumers raved primarily about Bare Escentuals (Bare Minerals), followed by a small cult following for Everyday Minerals.

Well after reading all the rave reviews for Bare Escentuals I went to my local Sephora and bought a starter kit. The tarantula eyed sales rep assured me it was the best, and that for only $60 dollars I was getting a $181 dollar value kit.

Click on image to check out Kits at Sephora.com!

So I went home and tore into my little kit. I immediately bypassed the instructional video (Who has time for that? Plus I regard myself as a makeup Svengali - ha!) What follows is what I liked and dis-liked about the Bare Minerals makeup.

HITS

• the bare vitamins serum they include in the kit, to prep your skin pre-application was light, scentless and absorbed readily into my skin without leaving any yucky heavy coating
• Believe me, I was skeptical, however the powder did manage to mask my facial flaws (I mainly suffer from red/pink zones and the occasional crop of 1-2 big zits during certain times of the month). It was not heavy or cakey and I was complimented at work that my skin looked specially “glowy” that day!
• Attention Gym Fans! - you can wear it to the gym! Does not streak, or sweat off or have that “oh my god, why is she wearing so much makeup to the gym vibe”… but enough coverage to entice the cute gym chaps.

MISSES

• It’s messy! - I guess I was just not use to it. Being a lifetime foundation and pressed powder user. Plus I tend to wear black, alot! The first time I used bare escentuals I made the mistake of wearing my shirt first and I got tiny specs of powder all over it. First time, last time situation.
• Also, initially I felt that it dried my skin. Another humbling moment for yours truly, I should have watched the instructional video because I have come to find out that a “little” goes a long way. In my skepticism, I was using too much and it started settling in my wrinkles and drying my skin. Now I use just a sprinkle and blend with the brush so I get a nice soft result.
• The “tan” or “bronzer” powder was too dark for me, I am really fair and I felt I looked like an Oompa Lumpa. But you guys may not have that problem.

So does it work? Answer, YES!

It was slow going at first, trying to change my habits and get use to my new facial cosmetic regime. But I will say that I do get complimented on my skin tone when I use it, and I have not had any additional break-outs or skin irritations.

During my research there are some who swear that EverydayMinerals is better, that it’s more pure and does not cause any irritation or itching. Well I did not experience those symptoms with Bare Minerals but if you want to give EverydayMinerals a shot, the company sends free samples!

EverydayMinerals starter kit costs $75.00, click here or the image to go to EverydayMinerals.com!

To shop for Bare Escentuals Makeup & Cosmetics, click here.

I woke up this morning and found my lips chapped and peeling, suffice to say not my sexiest moment. Being a supreme bonehead I took a pair of tweezers from my make-up bag and began peeling the dead skin off my lips, now their bleeding! Just grreat.

Culprits of my current dilemma:

• I have been on a matte dark red lipstick stint, (about a week and counting…matte lipsticks dry the lips)
• The fluctuations in weather is doing a number on my hair and skin. Dry, dry, dry…
• When I experience any sort of flaw on my face, I pick at it. Ugh! Thus the bleeding.
• I lost my mandatory stick of Burt’s Bees Lip Balm and have been too busy to buy a new one. (again, my fault..)

So yeah, my bloody lips are all my fault. But here’s how you can save yourself from the same hassle. I looked up what seems to be the Top 3 Best Chapsticks according to YOU!

1. Satin Lips by Mary Kay

Satin Lips, Lip Mask contains miniature buffing beads that gently exfoliate dead surface skin cells that cause lips to appear dull and lifeless. Anyhow, it seems to come highly recommended for chapped, dry lips. I personally have never tried it, but now I am more than a little curious myself.

Price - $9.50

(click on image or link to purchase)

2. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

This natural lip balm moisturizes lips with ingredients like ultra-emollient lanolin, coconut oil and sunflower oil, and seals in hydration with beeswax. This is my personal choice and my fan favorite. I live for this stuff. Leaves your lips smooth and leaves a little peppermint tingle. Take your pick of an old-fashioned yellow tin or a recycled plastic tube. It’s their most popular product and for good reason.

Price - $3.00

(click on image or link to purchase)

3. Moisture Therapy, Intensive Lip Treatment by Avon

Glide on this emollient-rich formula to help protect lips from chapping and dryness, with the added benefit of SPF 15 to protect lips from the sun’s harmful rays. Here’s a direct quote from a fan:

“Moisture Therapy from AVON–cheap cheap cheap but the best I’ve found. No scents or flavors ,doesn’t sting, just moisturizes and stays on. Both in stick form for convenience and a potted ointment. ” - Unknown

Price - was $1.49 on sale $.79 cents!

(click on image or link to purchase)

Wow! This I ordered right now, read the comments and for 79 cents, I’m giving it a try. - Michelle