Beauty Blog

Personally I am a big fan of crimson lips! Not every girl can pull them off, but it’s the one thing I have always managed to pull off, ever since high school. It’s what I do when I want to feel strong and beautiful. The look takes more than a little moxy to pull off, especially if you have fairly plump lips like me, but when done correctly the look is classic.

Don’t go too dark lest you cross the line into Chola-ville and be sure to blend, blend, blend if you use a lipliner. I think strong lips should be paired with polished hair to look super sleek.

Example, let’s critique the cougars featured above:

Courtney Cox - the beach hair and oily skin, cancel out the power of red lips. She would have been better served with gloss or a nude lip here.

Madonna - Cougar hotness. She has always been one of my fave “Crimson lipped Divas”

Jennifer Lopez - Not digging it, her color and heavy eye makeup don’t mesh with the deep shade of red. She looks better sporting her signature nude lip look.

(Photos are sourced from Beauty Snob Blog )

In the land of Smarter Beauty Blogs!

• Smarter BeautyWriter Jeanie Kwak shares her beauty tips on How to Get Rid of Dark Circles! 
• Want to know how to keep your Face Fresh while toning up your body? Check out the post “Botox Injection Parties?! Read more at InnerRewards.com” 
• WARNING! - The following is the stuff of nightmares - Check out “EYEBALL TATTOOS” 

Came across this awesome article the other day “Reflections on Injections: Dermal Cosmetic Enhancers” by Katie Kazmir and simply had to share!

I have been meaning to discuss this topic with everyone. Have you ever noticed that the more weight you lose the more haggard your face tends to look? Particularly as you age, like sure you finally got the six pack of your dreams but now the youthful glow has left your face, your eyes hollow out a bit and your sunken cheeks bring on an “anemic” vibe.

I will give you a prime example - Cameron Diaz!

Do you guys remember how she looked when she first hit the scene?

See how her face was plumper then? Her body was not as toned as it is now but the latent baby fat in her face kept her fresh and youthful looking. Now there is no denying her toned physique but the loss of fat from her face truly ages her. In her quest to hang on to youth and health in her body, the adverse effect has literally sucked the youth from her face.

The current beauty remedy to this cruel joke of nature is - Botox and “New Generation” dermal fillers. Here is a quick snippet from Katie Kazimir’s article:

“Before cosmetic enhancers such as Restylane and Juvéderm, the unfortunate truth was that keeping your aging body in top physical condition often sacrificed the soft contours of your face. The result was often a tired, aged, and haggard appearance. The options to reverse this process were few: undergo costly, risky cosmetic surgery, or ease up on the fitness and gain the weight needed to plump up the face.

With the recent advent of Botox and “new generation” dermal fillers, it’s easier and less expensive to maintain a youthful, fresh, rested appearance. Today there are many options to the simple “lift and tighten” face-lift approach. The latest three-dimensional approach to reshaping the face focuses on filling in, plumping up, and contouring.” (Source: InnerRewards.com)

She offers key factors to consider before you take the needle. Things like costs, types and professional administration. “The success of the procedure is dependent on the execution. Steer clear of individuals who offer to host “injection parties”… ”

Who in their right mind would willingly attend an INJECTION party? That my friends is the stuff of my nightmares, I envision a macabre needle fest, like a scene out of a Tarantino film!

Mind you as father time continues to tick away I am not opposed to little “touch ups” along the way so finish reading “Reflections on Injections” at InnerRewards.com to learn more.

I like this site - InnerRewards.com. It’s a nifty social networking community for women. You can find “original” content and watch videos about top spas and wellness destinations. You can rate your favorite places and read/post and discuss with fellow ladies. I find that the best information and the most honest is from fellow “trial and error” beauty junkies like myself.
I have bookmarked the site, you should do the same! - Michelle

Are you a sweaty girl? Do you avoid overheated clubs and parties or make fashion fabric/style choices accordingly? Now you can put an end to pit stains with BOTOX injections, an FDA-approved treatment for excessive underarm sweating that might be covered by your health insurance.

To spread the word, Project Runway designer Kara Saun is a spokesperson for a public health campaign called Project Sweat Free . Recently, I was invited to a press briefing where I met Kara, watched NYC dermatologist Doris Day inject botox into a woman’s armpits (she said it was painless) and heard first-hand stories about how these Botox treatments dramatically improved their quality of life.

However if you’re looking for less invasive options, policewomen, models, nurses and others in stressful professions often find long lasting sweat-stoppage with an old standby: Mitchum Solid Antiperspirant. For more severe sweating, Dr. Day recommends CertainDri , an OTC antiperspirant that offers 72 Hour Protection, or Drysol, a prescription antiperspirant you wear at night and wash off in the morning.

Some dermatologist are using Botox injections “off label” to treat excessively sweaty hands and/or feet. Sounds strange? Not if you consider that moist palms make for a socially offensive handshake and damp sweaty feet lead to seriously offensive foot/shoe odor and related skin problems.
Well, Botox certainly seems to be a sweat-stopping breakthrough for perpetual perspirers … when conventional treatments aren’t effective. But NYC dermatologist Deborah Sarnoff cautions that if your problem is more body odor than sweat related, even Botox won’t solve it. The pro says to up your hygiene efforts (if your skin and clothing are bacteria free they won’t be so odor-breeding).

To do: keep your underarms fuzz-free, shower daily with antibacterial soap, apply antiperspirant after showering and wear only freshly laundered bras and clothing. If you’re prone to smelling stinky, wearing a seemingly spotless garment that hasn’t been laundered is likely to stimulate bacterial growth that leads to smelly pits. If some clothing retains odor despite laundering, pre-soak the pits with laundry stain remover; when in doubt, toss the garment out.
Are there any awesome sweat solutions you’d like to share with us? If so we’d love to hear about them.