Forbes for the Ladies

As I was getting my daily dose of morning gossip from NY Post's Page Six, I was excited to learn that Forbes is coming out with a magazine specifically geared to the ladies in the business world called ForbesWoman.

The first issue, set to hit newsstands next week, highlights an interview with NYC stylist, Sarah Shirley, who has styled models for publications such as People and Harper's Bazaar and also works with Jamie Lynn Silger. Shirley discusses the appropiate ways of primping for the office. Check it out.

Don't Sweat It

There's nothing worse than some of the stenches you may come across as the temperature continues to rise and the humidity keeps increasing to the point where you have a full blown fro. Stay dry and lightly scented this summer with Degree's Fine Fragrance Collection of deodorants with matching body mists that are scented just enough to keep you smelling fresh. And the best part is that you won't have to second guess whether or not that putrid stench is coming from you.

Degree partnered with Anne Gottlieb, who has been the "nose" behind many fine fragrances such as Calvin Klein Obsession, Covet from Sarah Jessica Parker and 212 by Carolina Herrera to create this new collection. "It's important to wear as many products as possible that carry a particular scent," Gottlieb states. Layering the same scent will make it last longer, because as one layer begins to fade the other will outlast it.

Each of the three available scents include top, middle and bottom notes just like your favorite perfume, but because they're body mists they're pleasant enough to wear in the heat and without coming off too strong.

• Sexy Intrigue - jasmine, rose and hints of vanilla
• Delicious Bliss - apple, peach and raspberries with hints of hyacinth and magnolia
• Classic Romance - rose and peony with hints of citrus and bergamot

Degree Fine Fragrance Deodorants and Body Mists retail for $3.79 each at drugstores. Click here to receive coupon for a dollar off. Talk about a deal!

O.M.G. Salon Moments

Have you ever seen the Sex and the City episode called "The Caste System?"  It's the one where Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda are getting pedicures together and think their pedicurists are talking about them in another language.  I've often thought that, but it never really bothered me.  Well, this weekend when I was getting my weekly mani/pedi with one of my girlfriends a few beyond wrong things happened.  So much for salon etiquette! 

First, as I was enjoying my extra ten minute foot massage during my pedi, I realized that the woman next to me had incredibly long toe nails that went way past the skin of her toes.  I'm talking at least an inch past!  Other people in the salon noticed too and we were all exchanging glances with wide eyes.  I know it's just beginning to be sandal weather, but who lets their toe nails grow to that extent?  How did this woman even wear shoes?

Then, in the middle of the salon in front of the window looking out to 3rd Ave. a very overweight, older woman was plopped face down into one of those massage chairs with her shirt over her head.  Yes, her shirt was up and her bra was her only form of coverage.  She was all lathered up, glistening in oil and was being groped and massaged right there for all to see for a good ten minutes. Once again, looks of horror were being exchanged from the manicure stations to the pedicure chairs.

As we were drying another customer summed up our experience by saying to my friend and I, "I'm glad I ate before coming to get my nails done." 

Beach House Hostess Gift

Four more weeks until Memorial Day Weekend!  If you're heading to a friends shore house for a weekend this summer you may want to consider gifting her with these adorable popsicle shaped soaps.  Made by Jelly Pong Pong, they're loaded with oils and glycerin to cleanse and moisturize the skin, but they're so pretty I'd suggest just leaving them out on display.

Available in eight different flavors, Jelly Pong Pong Soap Popsicles are $12 each and can be found on Beauty.com.  

OOPS! She Did It Again!

During Britney Spears' last concert one of her dancers accidentally pulled a whole track of her extensions out of her head during a stunt!  Poor Brit!  I still think she's outrageous.

Check out the You Tube video here.  The damage happens at about 16 seconds into the video.  It's a MUST see!

Have you ever had a mortifying public beauty mishap?

Contour Like A Pro

Achieve a modelesque look like the one seen on the left from the the fall '09 Bottega Veneta fashion show by sculpting your face like a pro. Makeup artist, Daniel Martin, who regulary works with models for covers and spreads in Lucky and Rolling Stone gave me some tips on how to get the look.

After applying your normal base makeup, choose a cream blush or foundation two to three shades darker than your normal skintone for contouring. Don't use a powder because it can get blochy and isn't as easy to blend. Start with your cheekbones.

"Just like the old school saying, suck in your face like a fish," comments Martin. Follow the underneath hollow area with your contouring cream and make sure you blend it in upward. Then, use your normal blush on the apples of your cheeks, above where you just contoured and blend it back into your hair line.

You can also contour your eyes to make them appear deeper. Use a small dollop of your cream or darker foundation and press it right underneath the hollow area of your brow bone. Depending on the shape of your eyes, you may just want to contour them from the middle to the outter corners.

GWP's Worth Considering

With Mother's Day right around the corner a trip to the cosmetic counter of your favorite department store might not be such a bad idea. After all, mom could use some new spring colors to brighten up her makeup bag or a lighter skin care regimen to go with the season. And let's be honest, you can use another excuse to explore, test and splurge on everything new and pretty that this overwhelming section has to offer.

Well, spend on your mom (she deserves it!), but you'll be able to escape the madness of all of the tempting packaging that surrounds you without spending a dime on yourself thanks to this year's fabulous Gifts with Purchases (GWP) that many companies are offering. They're so good you'll still leave with something new feeling fulfilled and not guilty.

Here's a list of some killer GWP's you can keep for yourself:

Estee Lauder (only at Bloomingdales)

Spend: $39.50

GWP: Two chic matching cosmetic bags with six pieces of makeup

Spend: $75

GWP: All of the above plus an over sized tote

YSL

Spend: $75

GWP: Four piece cosmetic set in a fuchsia cosmetic bag

Laura Mercier (only at Bloomingdales)

Spend: $85

GWP: Five piece set mixed with makeup and skin care with a pink cosmetic bag

Sisley

Spend: $150

GWP: Seven piece skin care set with a cosmetic case

Spend: $350

GWP: Ten piece skin care set with a cosmetic case

Clinique

Spend: Just have a consultation an purchase anything recommended

GWP: Three piece lash set

Borghese (photo above)

Spend: $45

GWP: Five piece make up mixed with skin care set in an adorable cosmetic bag

Prescriptives

Spend: $65

GWP: Five piece make up mixed with skin care set in a purple cosmetic bag

Spend: $125

GWP: All of the above plus a full size liquid powder

Giorgio Armani

Spend: $150

GWP: Three piece essentials kit in a satin pouch

Bliss

Spend: $45

GWP: Three travel sized spa products in a zippered Bliss bag

Start thinking about mom soon because these GWP's are only available while supplies last.

A Five Star Breakfast with Self

This morning I was fortunate enough to find myself surrounded by some of the beauty industry's leading ladies at Le Bernardin for the annual Self Healthy Beauty Awards Breakfast. Editor in Chief, Lucy Danziger, spoke about who the Self reader is and and what it means to win a Self readers'-picks beauty award.

"Our readers like to take control of what they can and we encourage them to make every day a five star day," Danziger proudly stated. This struck me because not only can I relate as a Self reader, but she was completely on point.

If we look to the right types of media, celebrities, and other types of influences and inspirations, we can all have five star days everyday. We make our own choices about what we eat, how often we exercise, what we wear, how we do our hair and makeup and present ourselves to the world. All of these things combined can make a huge difference in how we feel on the inside and look on the outside.

To see all of this year's Self Health Beauty Award Winners pick up the May issue and have a five star day. Visit Lucy Danziger's new blog here.

Lashing Out

Are you satisfied with your mascara or do you often find yourself testing and tossing new ones as often as you update your Facebook status?  Well it's time to say sienora to your fringe frustrations by choosing the right wand for the look you're trying to achieve.  Here are some helpful hints. If you want to...

• Thicken - Grab a wand that has very close bristles or longer bristles in the middle than on the outer edges.  Two great picks: Blinc Kiss Me Mascara, $24 and Khiel's Marvelous Mineral Mascara, $16.50
• Lengthen - Who doesn't want a stiff one?  The stiffer the better so each lash can be stretched outward with every stroke.  Try: Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Washable Mascara, $7.49
• Define - Grab a wand that comes with a comb for easy separation or use one with a pointy brush. The smaller bristles at the tip allow for more precise coating on the inner and outer lashes. I highly recommend: Rimmel London Lash Maxx Mascara, $7.29
  
• Curl - Use a brush with a curve and apply pressure to lashes when stroking upward.  Check out: Lancome Definicils Pro High Definition Curved Brush Mascara, $24

Since most mascaras are multi-taskers you can definitely expect more out of one, however to maximize your batters try layering one type on top of another.  I like using one coat of Clinique High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara,$14, underneath MAC Zoom Lash, $12.   

Kim Kardashian tweeted this pic of her scorched face on her Twitter profile.  Looks like someone forgot her SPF and fell asleep wearing her super huge, superstar sunglasses.  

Lucky for her Clinique came out with a Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder, $32.50, that immediately soothes irritation and calms the skin hiding redness. Someone get the girl some powder!

Ladies, don't forget to wear your SPF daily!

More Than Beauty Staples

We all have our beauty staples that we can rely on to give us a look we feel comfortable in and likewise we all have a "type" of man that we tend to feel comfortable dating for many reasons. Straying from our typical beauty staples and experimenting with seasonal beauty trends is a must-do for any trendy chick, but trying to keep an open mind and experimenting by dating outside of our "type" is extremely courageous.

For example, this spring you might want to try swapping out your regular lipstick for a bright coral shade as seen on the runways of Karen Walker and Alice Temperly.  A great pick: Chanel AQUALUMIyRE Sheer Color Lipshine SPF 15 in Tangerine Dream,$28.50.  Simple enough.

However, if you're in the dating scene, would you consider dating someone who's obsessed with argyle sweaters when your "type" doesn't even know what the word argyle means?  In life, we're faced with many choices and yes, it's always good to broaden our horizons across all boards, but how far are you willing to go?

Conclusion: Guys are like beauty products, you can try on lots of different types.  If the look fits, wear it until it goes out of season or it becomes a staple.  If that new shade of lipstick isn't complimenting your pout, chuck it.  For me, I always seem to return to my staples, in beauty, in men and in life. 

Sexy Bangs

Since the beginning of my college years I've had the same look. Long, straight hair with sweeping side bangs. Yes, I've definitely had my fun experimenting with color, but overall I've had the same hairstyle forever. It was time... beyond time, I needed change.

Knowing exactly what I was seeking I found photos of Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian from when they had them... bangs... and printed them out. Not just any type of bangs, sexy bangs. Next I laid all of my trust into stylist, Jeff Chastain at Ted Gibson, my fave salon in NYC.

Half petrified, but mostly excited I sat in the chair and showed my photos. He understood what I wanted immediately and I surrendered side bangs to him feeling completely comfortable. Don't you love it when a stylists just gets it? He chopped at various angles to create texture and kept them right at lash length. Transformed!

Jeff left me with a great bang styling tip:

First rough dry your bangs as much as possible. Then, gather them and place a small round brush on top of them at your part and wrap your bangs around the brush so they're lifted away from your forehead. Shoot them with your hair drier and pull the brush to the left or the right a little bit depending on which way your hair falls. This will give your bangs a little lift off of your forehead and enable them to lay nicely onto your face. Never blowdry them straight down onto your face.

Jessica Alba's New Do'

Spotted this weekend out and about in LA, Jessica Alba lightened her locks yet again. Reports say the look is for her new thriller, "The Killer Inside Me," which Alba costars with Kate Hudson and Casey Affleck.  The film is set to release sometime in 2010.  

Got Sexy Legs? Barbados Here You Come!

In celebration of their new Spray On Hair Removal Cream, Veet launched a "Spray On Your Summer Smooth" campaign in which you can show off your sexy legs for a chance to win a trip for two to Barbados.

It's simple, just upload a pic of your gorgeous gams, write a sentence explaining why their your best assets and tell your friends to vote for you. Prizes will be given out during each round of the contest.

Visit http://www.veet.us/legs to enter and to view your competitors. Round one ends June 10th and round two of voting ends July 1st. I suggest using Veet Spray On Hair Removal Cream, $8.59, before taking your pic to ensure your legs are photo shoot ready. Good luck.

Celebrate Earth Month

With the arrival of April showers also comes earth awareness. There are many ways throughout the year you can pay attention to making your surroundings a little bit greener, but I can't think of a better place to start than in your own cosmetic bag. Check out these green finds that give back:

Kiehl's partnered with Erykah Badu in creating their latest, limited edition Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion, $55. It's loaded with Vitamin E and moisturizing oils that absorb quickly into your skin and leave it silky smooth. 100% of the proceeds up to $100,000 will support waterkeeper alliance.

Amazon Beauty Rahua Organic Leave In Treatment, $28, is made with rain forest grown symbiotic ingredients and used weekly, quickly rebuilds dry, damaged hair. The company's mission is to preserve the Amazon rain forest (which produces over 20% of the world's oxygen) and help indigenous Amazonian tribes survive.

This year, Cargo is taking earth month to a whole new level. Their PlantLove Botanical Lipstick, $20, tube is made completely out of corn and the outer packaging is made of flower paper, which consists of real flower seeds that you can plant. They're also donating $2 from every sale to the St. Judes Pediatrics Research Hospital.

For other fab green finds pick up the May issue of Elle magazine to see their 2009 Green Star Awards.

Taste Just Like Candy

Lollipops, jelly beans and beauty products... oh my!  My fave candy store in NYC, Dylan's Candy Bar launched a bath and body line so now you can satisfy your skin and your sweet tooth.  

The collection consists of scrumptious shower gels, practically edible body lotions, creamy body butters and mouth watering lip savers.  The Chocolate Cupcake Candy Butter Cream, $22, sounds and smells like something I'd order from a bakery, only this one comes without the calories!  

Even though you may not be able to indulge in the sweets at Dylan's, you can still check out their yummy beauty products at Sephora.

Right Now Nail Color

Lately during my Saturday morning mani/pedi rituals, I've been finding myself staring blankly at the wall of polishes, tempted by the new summer collections from Essie and OPI and bored by my norm of trendy darks with a tint of purple. In between seasons is the hardest time for nail color, and one of the many difficult beauty decisions a girl has to make.  

If you're finding yourself in the same position, here are some recommendations that may help you next time you're face to face with the big wall of color.  You can never go wrong any time of year with a classic red.  This time around I went with Essie A-Lister.  You can also try going lighter and getting a simple base color such as Deborah Lippman Sarah Jessica Parker.  For a cleaner look with just a tint of color, Essie Pink Glove is a great option.

What's you're go to nail color?

Trim, Shave and Shape

Lucky for my fellow New Jersians, the government didn't end up putting a ban on the Brazilian. Wax on ladies, wax on. (Check out my previous post on this horrific issue here). For those of you who may be deathly afraid of an intimate waxing session or just prefer alternate methods of shall I say, 'staying sexy below the belt,' you have to check this out.

It's the Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle, $10.99, which has a four blade razor on one end and a battery operated waterproof bikini trimmer on the other. Genius! The trimmer allows for different levels of closeness too. Check out this video featuring me! (haha) and Mary of NonSociety chatting about the razor at the Robert Verdi Suite during fashion week.

Get it here.

Miley Rocks Out with Extensions

Lucky me, well maybe not really... 5:30am my alarm went off and I got ready to rock out VIP style at a Miley Cyrus concert that was being filmed live for this morning's Good Morning America segment. I found myself with two of my coworkers, (one who's so sickly obsessed with Miley she even has a pen that sings her songs), practically slammed up against the stage front and center surround by hundreds of screaming children and tweens.

The girl was gorgeous. A true rockstar with glowing skin, perfect teeth (or should I say veneers), trendy, dark polished nails, little make up that accentuated her eyes and long, layered hair that she flipped around as she performed. Extensions done right. I have a new found respect.

DIY Facial Mask

If you're finding your skin's a bit dried out from the harsh winter weather, join the club.  Restore it just in time for spring by using ingredients from your very own kitchen.  Here's what you'll need:

1/4 mashed ripe avocado

1/2 mashed ripe banana

2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (non-low fat)

1 teaspoon of wheat germ oil

Mix all of the ingredients together and apply evenly to your face. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.  Pat dry and moisturize.

While it may not sound like a tasty smoothie, the Avocado-Banana Masque is a sweet skin savior!  

Poppin' and Lockin' with Clearasil

This morning I attended one of the most exciting events I've ever gone to. Michelle Tractenberg hosted Clearasil's Pimple Blocker Battle, in celebration of the launch of their Ultra Pimple Blocker Pen, $9.99. Five teenage dance crews competed at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square to become Clearasil's first ever dance crew. (Think America's Best Dance Crew teenage style). I've posted about this upcoming competition before, but didn't expect it to be so big.

I got to meet all of the celebrity judges which included Drew Lachey, Alyson Stoner (the white chick who's in all of the Missy Elliot videos, she rocks) and choreographer to the stars, GEO. Hundreds of people watched as the crews gave it their all for the $10,000 prize pack that was up for grabs.

Two were chosen off the bat to move onto the final round, but it took an intense freestyle battle between the remaining three crews to determine their fate. I've never seen anyone bring it harder than a crew from Boston called "Spot Stompers." The judges agreed and they joined the "Ultra Cru" and "CompleXion" in the finals.

Now it's up to you. Check out the videos of the crews performances from today's event online here between April 9th and May 9th to vote for the crew that you think deserves the title!

Watch Those Expiration Dates

Just like skim milk, your over-used and abused Visa card and your gym membership, beauty products expire. Most brands have been clearly labeling their products with expiration dates right on the packaging.

Cargo stepped it up a notched with their latest lip gloss that incorporates Timestrip technology. It's a tiny strip that's embedded in the cap of the lip gloss and automatically keeps track of how long it's been open. After nine months, the window displaying the strip turns red and alerts you that it's time to toss it. Cargo blue_ray High Definition Gloss is available here for $24.

Just an FYI: You should replace your mascaras and liquid liners every three to four months and foundations every two years.

Kinky Beauty

The trend of vibrating beauty products is becoming increasingly popular. I believe it started in the personal care market and remember when toothbrushes began to vibrate, promising a just-left-the-dentist clean.

The latest must-have vibes on the market now are mascaras. Estee Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara, $32, and Lancome Oscillation, $34, have stepped up their wands with battery operated brushes that help to better separate lashes and avoid clumping.

To provide a "sensual shaving experience," (you can interpret that how ever you'd like), the Gillette Venus Vibrance Soothing Vibrations Razor, $12.23, is battery operated and the vibrations are said to minimize nicks and cuts and help with exfoliation. Many brands are also making vibrating face massagers for deeper cleans. I've been using the Neutrogena Wave, $15.99.

To my surprise, I also found a vibrating straightening iron, Hair Tools Pink Vibe Straightener, about $150. The vibrations keep your hair from getting stuck and allow for an easier glide while straightening.

They're all vibrators you can add to your daily routine and you wouldn't be embarrassed to brag about! I can't wait to see what they come out with next.

Investigation: Benefit Face Powders

I heard about Benefit's new face powder, CORALista, and being that I've been a fan of the brands older face powder, Dallas, I decided to head to the Benefit cosmetic counter at Bloomingdale's to check it out.

The sales rep was wearing it on her cheeks and it popped beautifully against her olive complexion.  She offered to put it on for me, but I'm always afraid of those testers so I decided to pass.  I did however swipe it across the back of my hand to see how it would look on my skin tone and it was a pinky-coral with pretty sheen. Bought it.

The conclusion: CORALista is a great spring/summer buy, but my fave, Dallas, is wearable all year long.

Benefit CORALista, $28 is available here.

Sikest Nails Ever

I met this awesome chick named Lucia who was rocking the best mani/pedi ever. I was shocked when I caught a glimpse of her metallic leopard print fingertips! Then when she showed me that her toes were coated in silver metallic too. I had to ask questions.

The answer: Minx Nails. She got them done by Beyonce's manicurist, Lisa Logan, who hooked her up with Minx for her "Single Ladies" video. She's also been B's regular manicurist for the past four years. I got the scoop from Lisa...

Minx are flexible polymers that are heated up by a 250 watt lamp and applied directly onto your nails (natural or tips) like stickers. They're presized, pressed, heated and rubbed on, then filed down with a glass file to fit the size and shape of your nail. The average cost is $50 per set and as long as you take care of them they can last longer than regular polish. (Beyonce's lasted about two weeks). I think they're perfect for a special occasion and can't wait to get them done.

"Adding fun to your manicure should come first and foremost," commented Logan. In case you're not into leopard print like Lucia and I, they have multiple designs to choose from to fit every personality. Click here to find out where you can get Minxed by you.

*If you're in the New York area and would like to get hooked up by manicurist to the stars, Miss Lisa Logan herself, comment below and I'll make it happen.