Let me just dive in, this is how it happened…

I have two cosmetic cases, one big luggage one circa 90’s that I picked up from Melrose and a travel sized Shu Uemura red carrier case. One day as I was bored I decided to peruse the contents of the big silver luggage one and it was a veritable graveyard of make-up faces of the past. I kid you not, I still had old Revlon brown eyeliners in there that I use to use for my eyebrows, eyes and as LINER for my chola lips! Holy Poop!

I also had assorted M.A.C. lipsticks (that smelled wretched) and fermented compacts from Estee Lauder that formed this fossilized crusty cover on the top (I assume from the old sponges and oil that was left to ferment on the surface of the makeup). Super gross to say the least…

Well obviously this stuff was way past it’s prime, but the question was posed: When should you chuck your makeup?

Answer:

- Is your mascara clumpy? Is your foundation thickening? It is difficult to know when to get rid of cosmetics because most don’t have an expiration date, and of course I understand it is hard to chuck expensive cosmetics but not doing so can actually be dangerous for your health because bacteria could literally be growing full force in your old makeup containers. Which can cause you pink eye or peri-oral dermatitis that might irritate the skin and cause little red bumps that look like acne. Yuck!

- Experts say you should go by when you first opened the makeup. Eye make-ups and liquid foundations last the least amount of time and should be tossed out after just three months.

- Powders and foundations opened more than a year ago can also cause problems and should be chucked.

- Makeup applicators should be replaced regularly as well, it is suggested that you re-fresh these supplies once a week.

- You should NOT share lipsticks, lip balms and lip glosses! They might have a strain of the herpes virus and give you cold sores. (Yeck!)

- Lastly if makeup looks old or changes texture is it a good idea to throw it out. Experts even advise to smell your makeup, an unusual odor usually means that it contains bacteria.

Eeks! Well I hope that helps ladies, truth is I was never this diligent about keeping my makeup supplies fresh. I usually purchase a few “fad” makeup items and stick to my “every day” face makeup daily. Time goes by so quickly by the time I return to the fad products they are already yucky. Talk about a waste of money. Poop! 

But I would rather chuck my old makeup then get some funky eye infection or skin rash. I hope this information helps you, it helped me.  - Michelle

Blah, blah… that’s fine and dandy. What I really wanted to bring up was how “beat” JLo is looking? Right? Turns out she is not one of those chicks that can get preggos, bounce back and look smashing, seems to me those twins sucked the beauty juice out of her.

(Source of image and topic: CelebrityBrands.net)

Came across this image of Donatella Versace hocking her perfume from Blogdorf Goodman. Two questions sprung to mind:

1. Anyone smell this stuff? Is it nice?
2. I imagine it smells like tanning beds and peroxide? Ha!

While in the land of Smarter Beauty Blogs:

Tip for people brave enough to let mall make-up artists paint on your face, make-up application on paper does not always translate well on human faces! 

Our first post from the lovely guest beauty blogger Andie Smith, she embarks on her Mission for Perfect Hair!

Karley enlightens all of us about the pitfalls and perks of GLYCONUTRIENTS complex. (Try saying that word 3x fast)

I admit it: Whenever I hear the word “glyconutrients” I cringe. Four years ago, my dad was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and given 3 months to live. He lived 3 months, passing away at 56. When you have Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, you have less than a 1% chance of surviving a year. With this diagnosis came a lady from a multi-level marketing scam which has been featured on 20/20 before for preying upon terminally ill people. I can still hear here today: “If you take as many of our glyconutrients as you can afford to buy, your cancer will most likely be cured!”

When I hear about glyconutrients, I usually picture that woman in my dad’s foyer.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago when I was looking for CoffeeBerry supplements to see what effect they would have on my skin. CoffeeBerry has had lots of press lately, and rightfully so. It is an anti-oxidant powerhouse, and has been touted as one of the most promising ingredients in years in the war against sagging skin. If the hype about this whole fruit of the coffee plant is true, then green tea and other well-respected antioxidants are going to have to start hanging their heads in shame.

I am new to the Smarter beauty blog, so you don’t quite know me yet. I am a former makeup artist and aesthetician turned full-time Mom to 2 wild little boys, as well as a small business owner. I am very interested in the connection of the mind, body and spirit. I do Pilates and Yoga. I practice the healing art of Reiki and in 2005 completed my Master/Teacher training. I also am a certified aromatherapist and like to incorporate a holistic approach to all areas of my life to balance things out. I take wonderful care of my skin and try to treat my body with just as much respect.

I firmily believe that whether you use skin care from a drugstore or from a high end boutique, you need to start treating it from the inside out. For starters, I drink NOW Certified Organic Aloe Vera Juice daily. Not only do I believe it is an immune booster, but I believe it soothes and brightens my skin. I drink one cup a day and have for 3 years. I also take vitamin C, D, and calcium in addition to my multi-vitamin. I had been pondering adding CoffeeBerry supplements to my nutritional support regimen and came across NOW Foods Glyconutrient Complex . It is billed as an immune booster. It blends CoffeeBerry with Glyconutrients and its potential for my skin was enough to make me place an order.

You might ask what exactly a Glyconutrient? Glyconutirents are plant-derived nutrients which are thought to nourish cells. They are made of 8 essential sugars: mannose, glucose, fucrose, xylose, galatose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-aceytlneraminic acid and N-aceytlgalactosamine. Scientists say that most people are deprived of these nutrients.

With a reputable brand like NOW offering this supplement with such a high concentration of CoffeeBerry, I knew I wanted to try it. NOW doesn’t mention any relationship between their supplements and skin benefits, but I thought with the CoffeeBerry that it might have potential. It’s been about 6 weeks of daily use (1 tablet) now. Has this had an affect on my skin? For starters, I think so. Like I said, I already treat my skin very, very well. I cleanse, freshen, moisturize, use a serum, wear paraben-free sunscreen daily, eat well and don’t smoke, That’s helpful! I am sleep-deprived, though. Between my business and my boys, I sleep no more than 6 hours a night and I am almost always tired.

My skin feels wonderful and it looks great. One thing I have noticed may just be a fluke. Since I am always tired and have red eyes from being tired, I often need to reach for the eyedrops. Not now. My eyes are bright and white. My skin looks fantastic. No ruddiness, no irritation. The results are not dramatic at all in terms of my skin, but I believe the supplement has had an effect.

The biggest difference is in how I feel. I get horrible colds this time of year. When I got one recently, it went away very quickly, which never happens. I feel more energized and awake. I just feel healthier and stronger in general.

I spent $12 and change on this supplement and it will last 3 months. $4 a month to feel better and have small skin improvements is so well worth it! I bought mine at Lucky Vitamin for $12.47 . I’d love to hear if anyone else has tried this blend with any positive effects on the skin. Let me know if you have!

If you would like to shop for discount Nutrition Supplements, click here.

From the third grade to about senior year of high school I was known for my gorgeously long, but persistently coarse tresses. Passing a comb through it was impossible, and getting it wet was a nightmare. It was a few after I had started chemically treating it to get it to behave, and the damage? Catastrophic! I’m now 21 years old, with shoulder length hair that I’m growing back out and I’m devoting my time to finding the perfect aid to my un-tameable mane. Plus ,I will do it without spending more than 20 dollars on a hair product and without having to resort to chemical processing (i.e. perms, or other various salon torture tactics). I know I’m brave, wish me luck!

Contestant number 1- Biosilk Therapy (about$16 bucks for 5.4 oz)

Since this is only week one and I don’t want to overkill, I’m just using Biosilk by itself. There are a ton of products on the market that swear hair repair is their middle name and Biosilk Therapy is one of them. But don’t be so quick to judge because this product delivers. I had shiny soft locks all week after one application. It feels like silk thread all over, which never happened even with chemical processing. I only have to apply it twice a week and it smells amazing. I’ve applied it once while dry and once wet. Semi dry hair is the best for this product. I recommend waiting 10 minutes (or longer for thicker hair) before applying so it won’t make your hair feel like hay.

The Verdict!

Final verdict, I like it! I give it 4 out of 5 stars, my only dislikes (if I can even call it that ) is that it does make it a tad more difficult to get my hair to dry as quickly as it used to and it makes my hair a bit hard if I apply while wet. The stuff truly did smooth me out tough. I can straighten and curl with no frizzes, and my hair feels much stronger, the split ends still survived though. Ah well, I guess my search continues but this is a good start!

Interested in shopping for discount haircare products, click here.

I don’t know if I mentioned but I was actually out sick for the past week which is why the posts are somewhat threadbare, it is a long gruesome story that involves wisdom teeth, tweezers, chills, fevers, night sweats, kidneys and needles!

Anyhow so I am finally, finally feeling better and I went to the mall with my sister yesterday. After being in and out of the hospital all of last week and being well pretty much gruesome looking for the majority of the month, I felt the need to purchase “girly” items. Things to make me feel more like a girl again and not so much like a pin cushioned ghoul!

So I bought some new underwear from Victoria’s Secret, and I bought my favorite perfume, and I inevitably ended up at the M.A.C. counter to buy some face paint supplies (aka cosmetics)!

So here’s my beef, at the counter the “make-up” artists had a series of displayed pieces of paper with assorted make-up scenarios artfully colored in. Now I am all for them practicing their color palette on paper, my issue is when they try to apply the same format on my face!

Granted I am pretty much the color of paper, but I tell you what, your make up idea may have come to beautiful fruition on the paper but it’s a whole other ballgame on my face folks. I was feeling generous so I let the girl color in my face, but when I finally took a gander at a reflective surface I looked like a buffoon!

I guess my point is, don’t let fledgling make-up artists who can color between the lines on paper apply makeup to your face in reality, the outcome can be disastrous!

Hmmm, Paris Hilton is debuting a new scent called “Fairy Dust”…

“The ad campaign will feature Hilton as a fairy, and will debut later in the year. Neil Katz of Parlux Fragrances (the company that holds the Paris Hilton fragrance license) noted that “Everybody hates Paris, but she is on the front page” ( Source: Now Smell This Blog)

I wonder if the scent smells like stupidity, with a sprinkle of slut?

In the realm of Smarter Beauty Blogging:

Limited Edition Collectible Perfume Compacts from Estee Lauder

Learn how to give yourself the Perfect at Home French Manicure

Finally the perfect mascara - Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara

I have been searching for the perfect mascara since I was old enough to wear it.

I have found so many “nearly perfect if…” mascaras, tried about 3 dozen completely dreadful mascaras and have just plugged along with some good ones. My short list of “good” mascaras over the years has been Yves St. Laurent Faux Cils, Lancome Intencils, Maybelline Full N’ Soft and L’Oreal Voluminous. While good, they all have ingredients I choose to avoid.

Finding a paraben-free, phthalate-free and palm oil free mascara is HARD. Most “natural” mascaras, including L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Mascara, still contain palm oil derivatives. If you’re an animal lover like I am, then you’ll want to skip palm oil in your products because the palm oil trade is singlehandedly responsible for probable extinction of the orangutan population within the next decade.

At a recent trip to Sephora , I came across Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara. It has everything I was looking for (or not looking for) on its ingredients list: no parabens, no phthalates, no mineral oil, no palm oil derivatives! With all of those requirements met on just the package, was it possible that this be a match made in cosmetics heaven?

I’ve been using Lash Hugger for about 3 weeks now. I am in love. I think it was love at first sight. It’s everything I have searched for in a mascara. It really adds volume to my lashes. I have naturally long lashes, but they are pretty light and fine. Lash Hugger lengthens without looking artificial. I do my makeup by 6am. I don’t take it off until 10 or 11pm. This lasts all day without flaking. It doesn’t smudge. My eyes are very sensitive and can water easily. I also have allergies. This normally causes my mascara to get into my eyes when that happens and then my eyes get red and burn. Zero, zip, nada redness. This truly is mascara perfection.

I should also mention that this eco-friendly mascara comes in a recycled aluminum tube as well.

If Tarte ever discontinues this $18 gem, I am going to be lost without it. It is a truly phenomenal product. I honestly thought I’d have to keep settling for decent mascaras. Now I have found “the one.”

Check out the Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara, click here. 

If you are still searching for your favorite mascara, click here!  

                                                    

We all can save a buck or two right now so I thought I’d show you a quick and easy way to give yourself the perfect French manicure at home vs. running off to the nearest salon every two weeks and spending about 25-30 bucks (or more) each visit. That’s about a half a tank of gas these days, ladies! 

Step 1: After your nails are filed and buffed to shiny perfection, find your favorite white nail polish.  We have a great selection at Smarter.com, but I personally like and have used L’Oreal Pro Manicure Nail Polish:  $2.99 on sale.

Step 2: Grab at least five regular sized Band-Aids.  The best ones to get would be the Waterproof Band-Aids because they are not porous.  These below are $3.79 on sale.  If you don’t use the Band-Aid brand bandages, you will probably save a buck or two more.  As long as the bandages have a curve shape at both ends like typical Band-Aids do.

Step 3:  Cut off the ends of both sides of all five bandages and place them at the base of your five finger nails on one hand exactly where you would like your French tips. 

Step 4:  Paint your white tips and wait for them to dry.  Once they are dry you can take off the bandages and…voilà perfect French tips!  Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on your other hand.

Step 5:  Follow up with the clear topcoat nail polish of your choosing.  If you want a little color you can use clear pink base coat nail polish.  Or, use clear nail polish with a bit of sparkle for a more fun look.

                                        CoverGirl Queen Collection Shine Topcoat: $2.97 on sale

You can totally do the same for a perfect French pedicure!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for manicure sets.
                                        Shop for nail files.
                                        Shop through all nail polish.

Image Source

Browsing the Neiman Marcus site, I found these beautiful collectible compacts that open up to a solid perfume. Estee Lauder has been releasing one-of-a kind collectible compacts since 1967. There’s even a book about it.  A gold castle? Ribbons? Russian dolls? A fish grabbing a clear crystal? Luxe and lovely, I say. They’re old school and they belong on someone’s vanity. Namely, mine!

Limited edition collectibles open up to reveal a solid perfume. Comes in its own velvet pouch.

White Linen Passementerie Bow

Pure White Linen Fantasy Fish

Exclusive Cathedral Square Compact. Each dome is different with 10 golden spires.

Russian Nesting Dolls

 

We Love Beauty named Hayden Panettiere’s bob the August Look of the Month!  Do you agree?  Speaking of Hayden, I can’t wait for the season premiere of Heros on Monday night!

Some of you may be wondering: “Where the heck is Michelle!?”  She got her wisdom teeth pulled this week and will be back with more beauty tips and tools on Monday.

This week on Smarter Beauty:

We featured a great invention by Baggallini - curling iron covers!  Find one in your favorite color.

Take advantage of 30% off Revlon hair appliances at Drugstore.com.