Annual Tips For Cooling Off

It's so hot, I'm sweating in my dreams. Literally. I can't escape this heat wave even in my sleep. I want to stick my body into a refrigerator and not come out until the sun goes down. But, alas, if it were snowing I'd be complaining too so, I guess when it comes to the weather, the weather really can never win.

Every year I post a very informative (if I may say so myself) piece on how you can cool off despite the rising temps. I think it's about that time - and temperature - to revisit such a post (click here for last year's).

So, here it is. My tips on how to stay cool and look cool too:

1 - Use peppermint everything - shampoo & conditioner + body wash & lotion! Peppermint offers and instant "cooling" effect. Try Avalon Organics Peppermint Hand & Body Lotion just before bed. It'll cool you off long enough to get you into that REM state.

2 - Refrigerate your creams! - Eye and face creams can be refrigerated for an added shock of cool. It'll also stimulate the blood cells (especially great to wake up tired eyes).

3 - Hydrate - this goes without saying, but drink gallons of water! While water may bore your palette, try coconut water, the trendsetters water of the moment. Zico just launched a Chocolate Coconut water, for those who yearn for a richer kick.

4 -  Stop oil! Use a face mask at least once a week in summer months to alleviate sebum production. Try a mask that contains clay or sulfur, like Peter Thomas Roth Sulfur Cooling Mask, a wonderful combination of eucalyptus, sulfur and clay that exfoliates and unclogs pores.

5 - One of my favorite tips from last year, soak hands and feet in a bath of ice water -- literally, add ice (and your favorite summer fragrant oil). If you cool down hands and feet, the rest of the body will follow suit.

BONUS - Wet a washcloth with super cold water (and some ice cubes) and apply a few dots of, again, your favorite summer fragrant oil. Wring out the washcloth and apply to back of neck and face. Try soothing lavender oil or tea tree to clean out pores.

Do you have a great cooling off tip? 

We'd love to know! 

Leave it in the comment section below, along with your name and email... if we LOVE IT, we'll post it and send YOU a thank-you gift!

July 4th Beauty Goodies

It's finally here: July 4th. Parties, bbq's, bonfires, and fireworks! Basically, it's an entire weekend devoted to debauchery.

So, it's sweltering hot, your two drinks deep and you've got another 9 hours of party time to go. The last thing you want to be worrying about is frizzy hair and blotchy skin.

Here are some tips for enjoying the long days (and fun-filled nights) while still maintaining your goddess status:

1 - Wear Sunscreen. That's a given. But needed to remind you. July 4th will come and go, but sun damage and wrinkles will last a life time... Pick one of my natural sunscreen recs by clicking here.

2 - Try a braid or loose bun to keep hair in place and off of your face. It's hot out there, no need to have a long, billowing mane of hair to make you hotter. Plus, braids are super trendy and always spice up a look.

3 - Stain those lips and cheeks. I've been saying it all spring and summer. Stains are the way to go when outside for hours on end. They don't melt, stay in place, and give a natural, no-makeup effect. Some favorites: CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain, Benefit Benetint, Josie Maran Magic Marker.

4 - Nails and toes should be manicured and painted with a bright color that doesn't interfere with your clothing! I always go for red. It works with every outfit. Essie A-List is my go-to. Trendy colors are fun, but they can clash with your ensemble... take note!

5 - Waterproof mascara is a must. Anything else will flake or smear in the heat.

6 - Your skin is bound to get sweaty. Don't stress about it. Carry around blotting papers and deal with it! Shiseido makes high-end, oil control blotters that won't ruin your makeup.

7 - Primer is key. I know, I'm repeating myself, but better safe than shiny. Use a primer prior to makeup application. It'll keep the goods on your face longer and help to reduce the shine factor. I'm really loving NARS 'Pro-Prime Oil Free Pore Refining Primer. A need-to-own product for every beauty arsenal.

Have a very happy and safe Fourth of July...

Dree Hemingway on DIY Healthy Hair Tips

Just in time for summer's prime beach weekend - July 4th - super sexy model, Dree Hemingway, offers up her exclusive Do-It-Yourself tip for keeping hair healthy while still enjoying optimal outdoor time. 

“I put olive oil and sunscreen in my hair when I’m at the beach. It saves my ends from getting damaged and ends up saving me from expensive treatments when I return to reality," says  Dree.

While swimming and sun are enjoyable recreational activities, the sun and saltwater can take a huge toll on hair and skin. UV rays can damage the hair shaft, cause split ends and oxidize color-treated hair, while salt water immediately dries out those luscious locks by depleting their natural oils and making them appear lifeless and dull. And all of this damage can cost you unnecessary amounts of money in salon treatments and specialty products needed to repair the harm.

You can avoid the salon trips and protect your hair from the harsh effects of sun damage, including oxidation and breakage, by applying sunscreen to your strands prior to exposure. Olive oil is a natural and inexpensive moisturizer that penetrates the hair, restoring shine, luster and hydration lost from extended exposure to sun and salt water.

While both sunscreen and olive oil will help maintain the health and sheen of your tresses, there’s nothing like a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun’s rays entirely off of your hair and face. 

Obsessed with the traditional Panama straw hat. $79.00 Fashionably sun aware.

5 Tips To Traveling Light

I just returned from a weekend away (in the Hamptons which is driving distance from NYC) and my friends made fun of me for my massive amount of toiletries. I tried to explain that there are certain items I simply cannot leave home without and those take up room. Period.

A) A blow dryer. I use it to blow out my bangs (especially in humid weather - it's a must).

B) A curling iron (I didn't use it, but I like to have the option, for a night out on the town).

C) My makeup bag (this is always packed and ready to go for those last minute travel moments. It's filled to the brim with shadows, blushes, tinted moisturizers, foundation, highlighters, etc. I like choices. - I have doubles of everything). The only product not in my makeup bag are my lippies - I keep an array of colors and textures (matte, gloss, stick, stain, etc.) in my purse.

D) Then there's my hair serum and Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Spray which I just posted about (click here for the recap) - my summer haircare must-haves. I can't live without them and I haven't found them in travel size so I have to bring the full size. It's just the way it goes.

As for the rest of my beauty regimen, I do think you can make due with less. At the very least, less amounts of the goods...

Here are my 5 tips to traveling light (in light of the heavy packing):

1) Pick up travel size of your favorite full size products whenever possible. For example, buy a full size cream, ask for a a travel size too. Every major brand makes sample sizes! They are great for travel.

2) Minis are marvelous. Sephora has an entire section of your favorite products in mini versions. When you're standing in line, waiting to buy your goods, everything in the little acrylic buckets around you are minis. They have mini dry shampoo, mini lotions, mini face washes... etc.

3) Any drugstore in America carries travel-size of the necessities - from shampoo and conditioner to toothpaste and even lotion. So, it may not be high-quality, but you can find some decent ones like Johnson & Johnson Baby Lotion (which I happen to love) and Living Proof makes a sulfate-free Shampoo...


4) My all-time favorite travel companion: Dickinson's Cleansing Astringent Towelettes. They come in a box of 20 and are individually wrapped. You can take as many or as few as you want and throw them into your travel kit. They are fabulous as a toner or to freshen up between washes, especially during the humid summer months. And they are so affordable at $4.99!

5) Keep your travel bag of travel products packed at all times! This is such a great trick of the trade. This way, you can throw additional items into it, but you'll always have the essentials ready to go at a moment's notice. After all, you never know when that special someone is going to call and whisk you away on a romantic rendevous.

EXTRA! ALWAYS KEEP A TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE IN YOUR TRAVEL BAG! Don't expect the place you're going to have these essentials. And fresh breathe is, quite possibly, THE MOST important part of travel.

5 Tips For Making Your Lips Larger

Plump me up, please! And hold the needles. I want larger lips and I DON'T want to have to go under the knife (or needle) to get them.

Well, this post is for you. Here's 5 great tips to plump that pucker au naturel....

1. Remember to exfoliate your lips - you can use a toothbrush and some vaseline or try something a little more sophisticated like Sara Happ's The Lip Scrub ($24.00). Tastes like molasses as it scrubs lips to make them soft and flake-free.

2. Use a flesh-colored liner to outline lips before filling in with gloss or lipstick - don't extend the line all the way to the outer corners of lips, allow the line to look like it goes on forever, making it darker in the middle will bring fullness to your pucker.

3. Use a highlighter on your cupid's bow - model Jessica Stam taught me this trick and I love it! It really does open up the width of your lips. Try Jouer's Champagne highlighter. **Christina (owner of Jouer) Tip: "Apply on the center of bottom lip before applying lipstick or lipgloss to give lips a fuller pout."

4. Stay away from matte lippies. Always end your lipstick routine with a touch of super shine gloss. Something that plumps your lips is perfect. Try the oldie but goodie: Duwop's Lip Venom ($17.00). It feels like a sting but really plumps that pucker.

5. Hydrate your lip area with moisturizer! Even mid-day, carry around Aquaphor and dab around your mouth for hydration and shine.

Beach-Chic Beauty Tips 2010

A girl's gotta enjoy the sun and sand. It's summer, afterall, and there are few greater pleasures in life than lounging pool or beachside with your drink -- and mate -- of choice.

Here is my list of must-haves for beach-chic beauty 2010:

FACE:

Per-fekt Beauty Skin Perfection Gel - A hybrid between a primer, tinted moisturizer and foundation all in a gel formulation makes this product sweat and water-resistant while giving skin flawless, sheer and even coverage. Helps to reduce redness and pore size while perfectly suitable for all skin types -- and quite handy for beach and swim. Oil Free. Fragrance-free. Paraben-free. Comes in 4 hues plus a clear.  TIP - For a more bronzed look, try one shade darker than your natural skin tone. PRICE: $57.50

EYES:

Dior DiorShow Waterproof Mascara - The iconic mascara goes waterproof. Eyes don't need much in the summer -- especially at the beach or pool -- but a few coats of mascara always makes the lashes giddy. TRY brown instead of black - not as dramatic or intense yet still adds color, volume and length. PRICE: $22.95

LIPS:

Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain - There are very few things as convenient as gliding on a pen to your lips. Now you can add color, in stain format so it last all day even through heat and humidity with Josie's newest product. With 6 rosy hues to choose from, a pop of color adds character to your pout -- and lasts longer than a gloss or lipstick. BONUSE: dab on cheeks and blend in a circular motion for a flush of color to face. PRICE: $19.00

How To: Leighton Meester's MTV Face

If you read this site on the daily, then you know my affinity for the Gossip Girls, Leighton Meester in particular.

luxaholics.com interviewed Cris Colbeck, one of Leighton's key makeup artists, who dishes on how to get her sexxxy MTV Movie Award Look (which I loved!).

What do you think?
Are you loving or hating the look?

Eco-Friendly Money Savers!

Rachel Hayes (not to be confused with Rachel Ray) of Dailymakeover.com has just compiled a fabulous list of ways to cut costs while still remaining eco-friendly! Money is tight, but that doesn't mean we should forget about the environment!

• 1. Save water by turning it off while you are waiting for your hair conditioner or mask to sink in. This could also be a great time to do a body scrub because the water won't rinse it immediately off your body. Saves money on the water bill!
• 2. Use sea salts to exfoliate. They're inexpensive and natural. Synthetic beads may not be biodegradable and are not the kind of fish food we want our marine life consuming.
• 3. Use bar hand soap instead of liquid hand soap. Not only does it last longer (which saves money), but it also has a smaller carbon footprint because there is less packaging and plastic.
• 4. Whip up your own beauty treatments instead of buying prepackaged ones. No need to buy expensive treatments - use what's in the house! Olive oil makes a great all around moisturizer – rub it on cuticles while you’re cooking! It’s also great for dry ends of hair.
• 5. Don't be over-served! Making your products last as long as possible will reduce your overall consumption of packaging, materials, and the carbon footprint that comes along with it. Use only a dime-size of shampoo, a quarter size of conditioner, a pea size of face cream, and a shot-glass size of body lotion. And this way, you consolidate what you already have (which you would have chucked in the trash out and spent cash to buy more).

Have an eco-friendly, money saving tip? Let us know!

The Dirty (and Clean) on Dry Shampoos

I have an oily scalp - blame it on genetics, my skin is oily too (at least I won't be getting wrinkles anytime soon) - thus, I'm forced to wash my hair every day or every other. And as any great colorist or stylist will tell you, the worst thing you can do to your hair (besides jumping into a vat of chlorine - or using a flat iron or curling iron every single day) is shampoo it on a daily basis. Why? Because your hair needs to nurture its natural oils and because shampooing leads to stripping the hair (especially bad for us "faux colored" folks).

So, what's a girl to do when her hair is secreting enough oil to fill the tank of an SUV (yes, I'm obviously exaggerating!)... DRY SHAMPOO!

Dry Shampoo is the most genius product since the invention of hand lotion!
What dry shampoo does: Cleans hair without the use of water, absorbs excess oils, makes the hair smell puuurty, adds volume!

Who should use it: Everyone can use dry shampoo!
While it's great for people with oily scalps, it's also great for people who:
a) don't feel like getting their head all wet and lathered
b) don't have time, say, after the gym before returning to the office
c) don't want to wash their hair in between weekly or bi-weekly salon styling/ blowout visits (but hair is looking and smelling a bit dirty)
d) want to add volume to their roots (like for a special event, night out on the town, date with that certain someone).

I literally live for my dry shampoo - and I stock up big time! Those bottles go quickly in the house of Sarah Howard... but since my love affair with dry shampoo, I don't have to wash my hair as much, giving it time to breathe and helping my color to last longer. Not to mention, everyone knows that day-old hair looks a thousand times better!

**Beauty Banter Tip** If you run out of your dry shampoo - or don't feel like shelling out the cash for a bottle, you can always use BABY POWDER! All you do is pour baby powder onto the palm of your hands, pat them together to ensure that excess powder doesn't pollute your mane, and rub your hands into the roots and scalp (motion as if you were lathering your head with shampoo!). Yes, this even works on darker-colored hair - but make sure that you don't use too much or you'll end up looking like you're going grey. AND, be sure to rub the powder into the scalp fully and completely, allowing it to effectively soak up excess oils (thus you won't be left with specks of white that could be misinterpreted as dandruff!). An added bonus: your hair will smell like the bum of a baby - clean, refreshed and free of oil and ciggies (if you smoke - which you shouldn't! But sadly, I do)! It's a win-win.

Tons of companies are jumping on the dry shampoo wagon - while some are in spray cans, others come in pour-out nozzles. And even others come colored - made specifically for blondes, brunettes and redheads!

Check back tomorrow for Beauty Banter's Dry Shampoo Picks and Pans!

GET NICOLE RICHIE'S HIPPY-CHIC CURLS!

In a recent magazine interview, Nicole Richie gushed about her favorite stylist tip: How to make curls with a flat iron.

Nicole sporting the do glammed up...

...And more casual.

My interest was immediately piqued. I raced over to The Andy Lecompte Salon where I asked my hair stylist guru, Jen Atkin, to explain (and do it on my mane, of course!).

Now, I'm sharing my new found knowledge with all of you!

Jen calls this look hippy chic, like what you see on Nicole Richie or Blake Lively (cool with me - I dig both of their styles). The curls are much more natural and effortless looking, not so volumized and oversized (or even tight and bouncy).

First, you'll need a flat iron - 1 inch works the best. Jen suggest the Chi by Global Beauty. It's ceramic so it doesn't snag or severely damage the hair.

Next, split hair in half from the nape of your neck and separate into sections.

Grab big, long vertical chunks and, with the flat iron, start half-way down the shaft of your hair and curl the hair AROUND the iron and BACK away from your neck (Not to Self: this look does not, and is not meant to, create volume - so don't even attempt curling from the roots!).

Continue with the rest of the sections.

It's literally THAT easy - and it only took about 7 minutes to do my entire head (and I have long, thick hair!).

So, when pinched for time - or if you're feeling adventurous and want to try a new do - perform the flat iron curl on your mane!

Let us know how it goes!!!

How To Maintain Hair Color... Tips From A Pro

George Papanikolas of the Andy Lecompte Salon, and our new favorite baliage colorist (that's George on the left!), dishes **exclusively** for Beauty Banter on how to keep colored hair lasting longer (so that you're not spending so much time (and money) in the salon)!

Here are George's tips, tricks and product suggestions:

- WAIT 2 DAYS to wash your hair so that the color can set in.

- Use shampoo specific for color-treated hair. George's Pick: Joico's re:nu Age Defying Shampoo and Conditioner. "I love this shampoo because it gently cleanses the hair, while restoring softness
and manageability. Strengthens hair, leaving it significantly more resistant to breakage. Prolongs the longevity and vibrancy of color-treated hair," says George.
Remember, the more you wash your hair, the quicker it oxidizes (turns orange, red and brassy... NASTY!) So, try using a dry shampoo in between washes to clean hair without the harsh effects of a real shampoo, absorb excess oil and add volume (check back tomorrow for Dry Shampoo tips and benefits!).

- Avoid volumizing shampoos and conditioners as they tend to strip the color because of the ingredients that allow them to give you added volume (they are meant to be more clarifying, thus they are a very heavy, deep clean).

- Keep color hair healthy by using weekly treatments. " I recommend Joico's K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. It leaves the hair shiny, strong and in a healthy, manageable state. The results are immediate. There is a difference in strength, texture and appearance," explains George. "I follow this with Joico's K-Pak Intense Hydrator which replenishes moisture and lipids to overly dry, damaged hair, rendering it manageable, soft, shiny and hydrated."



- People who get a single process (straight up hair color) can use color depositing shampoos (the ones that add color - a NO NO for highlighted hair!). Use every other time you shampoo or dilute it with your normal everyday shampoo because too much of it can turn ends purple.

- If you must be in the sun, wear a hat!!! And try to stay out of the pool. If you are an avid swimmer, you may need a colored gloss in between a full head of color to freshen it up and give hair that nice shine and lustre.

- If you're receiving a single process (full color - no highlights), you should return to the salon every 4 to 6 weeks (or when your roots have grown a half-an-inch).
For highlights and baliage, maintenance it's every 10 to 12 weeks.

- And, lastly, just as a FYI - red color fades the fastest, blonde stays the longest (although you'll need to touch-up roots more often, especially if you have naturally dark hair and roots).

Thanks to George for all of his fabulous, A-list hair-care secrets!!!

A Girl's Guide To.... Stains

To Stain or not to Stain, that is the question...

Well, professionals in the biz have long been buzzing about the versatility of stains... so, I decided to do some personal research. When and why should we wear a stain? How do we properly apply it? And, of course, the million dollar question, do stains actually last all day long as promised???

Here's what I've learned:

• Stains are great when you want a hint of color, you don't want to constantly reapply, or it's hot and muggy outside and you're worried that you're make-up will sweat off.
• Stains are easy and convenient as one stain can be used on lips, cheeks AND eyes.
• Stains can be applied in various ways but most common (and quick) is with your clean fingertips.
• You control the color spectrum with stains. Thus, if you want more color, you can layer it on a bit heavier. Less, you just add a pinch.
• Stains are very au natural - the no-make-up, make-up look. They're liquid and/ or cream so they don't cake!

And here's what some of our favorite professional make-up artists had to say about stains:

• Tarte's Makeup Artist, Jasen Kaplan, gives these instructions on how to apply their infamous Tarte stains: "It's so simple to use Tarte's cheek stains—just smile, so you can see the apples of your cheeks. Then using your fingers, a sponge or directly from the bottle blend cheek stain in an upward and circular motion. The formula is buildable, so you can create a soft look or layer more for a dramatic look. It's totally up to you as to how you apply our cheek stain. There are many ways to wear it—you can wear it alone, over or under foundation, with or without powder blush. It creates a glow from within, unlike a powder blush that sits on the surface and looks like make-up."
• Lancôme's National Makeup Artist Robert Cook says, “Cream blush tends to have a richer texture and more pigment. The rich pigment glides on easily and looks fresh and modern while staying true to color on natural skin. Lancôme’s Color Design Cream Blush can also be applied to the lips because it’s a high pigment formula. For best results, use a foundation brush when applying this formula to the lips.”
• Laura Mercier's Global Makeup Artist Barbie Laurino says that "lip stains are a great product to get that ' just-kissed' look. Apply it with a finger by pressing the stain onto the lips. This technique creates a less defined look than the typical lipstick and lipliner. Laura Mercier's Lip Stain gives a polished but effortless look with colour that lasts hours longer without drying out those lips!"
• Petra Strand, the Founder/Creative Director of Pixi Beauty says that "Stains are an amazing way to achieve a long lasting, sheer colour... Apply with a nylon brush and "paint" on to the area you are using, the best places to wear them are: the apples of the cheeks and the lips. and then rub gently with the finger tips to get a smooth, even application of colour. Use on top of moisturizer or your "base" and under powder for the most professional "look." If you want to re-apply during the course of the day but you have applied powder earlier- just buff the powder down slightly and then re apply the powder sheerly over the top. For someone that wants literally the sheerest application of colour, you can put the colour onto the fingertips 1st and then blend into the skin & lips, this gives the most exquisite soft, transparent effect. For lips, the stain will give you hours of longlasting "just bitten colour" but it looks fabulous when you add a slick of gloss or balm, just for that sexy sheen."
• Celebrity Makeup Artist Sole Alberti gives us her professional tips and favorite stains too: "For the past 10 years, I have tried every stain out there. My all time favorite is "Pinch Your Cheeks" in raspberry by Origins. They make two other colors, but this color I found works on everybody and stays on the longest. I have used this liquid gel on my cheeks and lips every day for the past 10 years. I apply it with my pointer finger and work it into my skin/lips in a circular motion as fast as possible so that it does not appear blotchy. The color really sinks into the skin/lips which is why it has great staying power. Another one that comes close is "Benetint" by Benefit in liquid form. The packaging on this is great because it looks like a nail polish and comes with a brush for an easy application. Tarte also makes "Flush" which works great if you need a quick little glow. However, I find that gels don't have as much staying power as liquids. If you really want a deep stain, I found a stain at Image Exclusives in Los Angeles ( a specialty store for makeup artists and hairdressers) by BioTouch in Red that really does the trick. It will stay on all day, through the night and even the next morning. In actuality, it is used to create a blood effect for vampires in films. Use a very small amount on a Q-TIP to apply it so that your fingers are not permanently stained for days. For everyday use, Origins definitely takes the cake for stains."
• Smashbox's (of O-Glow fame) Makeup Genius, Lori Taylor says that "Lip stains are great for women that don't want to re-apply lip color. It's perfect for brides for long wearing kissable proof lips. Stains are also perfect for ladies that want just a very non-makeup or natural look that is very fresh. Most stains a best applied with fingers a they tend to dry down quicker so finger application gives more control. PRO TIP: to create your own lip stain you can apply blush or eye shadow to the lip with finger tips and follow with clear gloss."
• Sarah Wolfe, co-key make-up artist on ABC Family's hit show, Greek, explains that stains are great for red carpet and special events. "I love using Benetint or Revlon roll on lip stain to give the lips a rosy/ red natural look and then I apply a sheer gloss over the lips to give them shine. Even if the gloss starts to disappear you will still have a really pretty natural looking stained lip that tends to stay on longer. To apply to the lip I start by dabbing on the center of the bottom lip and then blot lips together, adding a little more to rosebuds of lips with finger. When using a cheek stain I use all the shades from Tarte. The shade "flush" is my favorite giving you a look like you just got done working out and have that heathly rosy glow. You can apply directly to the cheek, a dab to the apples of the cheeks and then blend upwards with "clean fingertips" or a foundation brush."
• MAC's Senior Makeup Artist Keri Blair explains that "A stain can be a great way to add depth of color to your lips without the commitment or maintenance of lipstick. Usually a stain gives the appearance of a just bitten lip; perhaps you’ve been making out with your other half. Or like a berry stain as if you have been drinking red wine or eating a grape Popsicle. There are two ways to achieve this, in September MAC will be offering See Thru Lip Colour called Not So Shy. Just start your application in the center of your lips and press your lips together. The product is formulated to create the perfect sheer yet intense wash of color for your kisser. Or you can create your own stain by applying a deep matte or creamy lipstick to your lips (try MAC Lipstick in Media or Dark Side) and blotting off the excess or you can use your finger to press a sheer amount of the color onto your lips. It’s best not to obsess about a perfect edge. The theme of stain is just that – concentrated in the center pout of the lips with the edges tapered out. Pair this with minimal makeup on the rest of the face."
  

And there you have it! So much information, so many fabulous tips and products!!!

Here are a few of our favorite stains:

(click image to enlarge)

Top Row, Frow Left: Benefit's Benetint for lips and cheeks, The Balm's Stainiac, Nars lip gloss and stain in Turkish Delight
Bottom Rom, From Left: Tart's Flush, Smashbox O-Glow for cheeks, Stila's Cherry Crush lip and cheek stain

10 TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN

We've all heard about the plethora of products that offer the promise of a flawless face.  Some of them work, most of them don't.  A lot of it is trial and error... figuring out what regimine is right for YOUR skin.

But there are some standard practices that really do help to give you a healthy complexion.

Here are my favorite ten to remember, cherish, and use!

1 - Vitamins are vital!  Fish Oil has been proven to help in the maintenance of healthy skin and hair.  I love the Pharmax Fish Oil with Essential Oil of Orange - it's a liquid but it doesn't leave any fishy after taste. It works to give you a glowing complexion from the inside, out.  

2 - Don't overwash... and don't overdry!  Too much washing or drying out of the face only leads to your oil glands actually producing more oil to compensate.  Wash twice a day, at the most! And make sure to use a gentle, non-irritating cleanser that is anti-bacterial - to eradicate bacterias that fill your pores.  Cetaphil's antibacterial gentle cleansing bar is a great choice (and an inexpensive one!)

3 - Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock!!! Even if you love a nice tan, you MUST use sunblock EVERY DAY!!! The number one cause of wrinkles is sun exposure!!!  And your sunblock should fight against UVA and UVB rays (click HERE for some great sunblock options!)

4 - Change your pillowcases every third night!  It seems arduous but the truth is, dirt, bacteria and oils from your hair seep into the pillowcases thus seeping into your skin while you sleep. It's vital to allow your face a clean, fresh fabric from which to relax and unwind.

5 - Wash your hands before going to bed!  Again, clean hands help to keep unwanted dirt and bacterias AWAY from your face.  You should really wash your hands consistently throughout the day but also before bed time.  You know how they say germs are transferred from your hands to your mouth... thus, spreading virus' and infection?  Well, the same is true with hands to face... spreading dirt and bacteria!

6 - Eye cream must be made a part of your daily regime!  Even if you have oily skin, it's imperative that you hydrate your eyes.  The skin around your eyes is a lot more tender and delicate, thus it needs special care.  Eye cream should be dabbed - not rubbed - from the outer corner, inwards... twice a day! Click HERE for some fantastic eye cream choices!

7 - Don't pick!!! This is the hardest rule for me to follow, so I'm gonna add an addendum -  If you must pick (like when that white head has taken over your entire chin...), steam your face first.  And please, I beg you, wrap your fingers in toilet paper so that you don't transfer the dirt and bacteria from your fingers to your face/ pimple.  Also, make sure to only press lightly... when you try and force the puss out, you're actually spreading it around and infecting it!

8 - Drink as much water as you can possibly handle!!! This seems like common knowledge, but the truth is, we don't drink as much water as we should.  Water flushes out all the yuckiness inside of our bodies and it promotes health, bottom line!  If you find that you're not a water-lover, try adding a flavor to your water.  I suggest Crystal Light on the go packs... they come in 10 flavors, they're low in calories and they can be added to ANY size water bottle as easily as ripping the packet open and pouring it into the bottle!

9 - Even if you're oily, you MUST moisturize!  A common misperception is that oily skin doesn't need extra hydration.... NOT TRUE!  All skin needs hydration because hydrating your skin actually balances out the oiliness.  Obviously, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should choose an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizer.  Something that is light and non greasy.  There are thousands of moisturizers on the market... try them ALL until you find the one that suits your specific skin.  But don't skip this step!!!

10 - NEVER rub, ALWAYS pat!  This is true when applying creams and medicines, and when drying your face after washing.  Rubbing your skin stretches it, causing lines and wrinkles.  It also "rubs" the bacterias everywhere, infecting not only the problem areas, but the entire face. However, patting your skin - be it with a moisturizer or a wash cloth - is gentle and non abrasive to your face.  It also allows the face to truly soak up the moisturizer, medicine, and/or face wash so that you experience the full effects of said products!  When you rub, you rub off a majority of the benefits of these products as well!!!

Have a great skin tip?  We want to know it! Leave us a comment in the box below!

Travel Tips For Gorgeous Skin

I've been on five planes in the past eleven days and FINALLY I'm home (back in L.A.). Flying isn't exactly the best for your skin... or your health. Not only is it terribly dehydrating, it's also dirty and the recycled air in the cabin of the plane actually recycles the germs and bacteria. YUCK.

So here are my radiant skin travel tips:

• ALWAYS use a MAJOR moisturizer prior to boarding the plane (and keep the moisturizer in your purse for periodic retouches). I like my new Weleda Wild Rose Cream - it's great for normal to oil skin (like moi) - very soothing and hydrating, and it's completely free of synthetic fragrances, colors, preservatives and raw materials, thus I'm feeding my skin exactly what I would feed my body - health and love! (And for those inquiring minds, this cream is very similiar to the Jurlique's Balancing Day Cream (which includes rose and is ideal for maintaining balance) yet half the price!)

• Slather a soothing eye cream on your eyes prior to flight. I like MAC's new Moisturelush Eye Cream. It helps to reduce puffiness (an effect of flying) and balances the skin's moisture levels.

• NEVER wear make-up on a flight. Not even concealer. Make-up only clogs pours, especially with unnatural, recycled air!
  

• ALWAYS stick at Q-tip dip of Neosporin up your nose prior to boarding. This is a trick that I learned ages ago and it really works - Neosporin is an antibiotic - it fights the germs from recycled air and protects your nasal pasages, plain and simple.

• Continuously load your lips with tons of lip ointment. My pick: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Protectant - it lasts for hours and truly hydrates (apparently, now it comes in a stick with SPF as well.... gotta try that asap!)

• To ward off bacteria that can cause acne, take an antiseptic stick on the plane. I use Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick with Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil (it's only $9.00 and lasts forever!). Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that leaves the skin clean and blemish free. I apply this constantly throughout my flight!

• ALWAYS carry a heavy-duty hand cream. As I just posted, Frilly Lilly is my new fave! When I fly, I am constantly washing my hands so that I keep the germs at bay, and well, soap dehydrates even more, thus I apply hand cream on an hourly basis (at least)!

• Before the flight, try a cuticle oil or cream to moisturize and hydrate your nails. Flying can cause weak and brittle nails as well. Frilly Lilly also makes an outstanding Cuticle Oil - a drop on each nail, massage into the nail bed and you're good to go (***bonus*** it smells fresh and delicious!)
• During the flight, constantly spray some sort of tonic or mist onto your face. This also aids in keeping skin hydrated. I adore the Pangea Organics Argentinian Tangerine & Thyme Facial Toner. Thyme is a natural antiseptic to ward off bacteria while tangerine heals, detox's and calms. It's all natural and incredibly soothing. I use it before, during and after the flight. And sometimes, I spray it on a cotton pad and wipe it on my face to get off the excess oil and grime.
  

• Load up on Vitamin C prior to flight. Try EMERGEN-C (I love the Raspberry flavor) and/ or AIRBOURNE. I take both. And drink TONS OF WATER. Fluids keep the insides hydrated!
  

• And the final tip, when you return home, use a moisture-intensive, vitamin-induced mask to replenish your skin! My pick: Mario Bedescu Enzyme Revitalizing Mask. Vitamin's A & E are antioxidants while Alpha Hydrox aids in refreshing tired and dull skin!
  

Have any special flying tips? Let us know! Leave a comment below!