Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and those of us holding the mascara wand.

After two decades of covering the beauty industry, I've come to learn what makes it so alluring. Finding the perfect shade of makeup to match your skin tone, adding a swipe of eyeliner to give your tired eyes a lift, discovering an innovative new product line, or indulging in a totally luxurious spa treatment. My experiences have been documented in magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide. I've tested newly formulated products in the lab, explored hair removal options, shopped for lipstick, added shine to my hair and succumbed to massage marathons--all in the name of beauty. I've written press releases, hosted makeover events and co-authored a Do-It-Yourself Beauty book (Alloy). On this blog, I write about products and services that I come across every day as well as those that have been provided by publicists or the companies that make them. Either way, I write what I think. I hope to share some of my insights--and bring you the latest, greatest beauty news right here. Join me in the quest to find all things pretty.


Friday, April 16, 2010

breakthrough beauty: eco-friendly makeup brushes




prettyisprettydoes
gives you
an exclusive preview
of FOX TV's Good Day Dallas
Breakthrough Beauty feature...
as reported by Susan Redstone

Talk about a beauty breakthrough. NVEY ECO, a pure organic makeup line, is set to launch its new Eco Friendly Makeup Brush Range, incorporating the First Certified Compostable makeup brush handle. The Makeup Brush handles are made of a corn resin that is certified as “OK Compost”, which is a guarantee of compostability of the brush handles only in an industrial composting plant. The Eco-Friendly Makeup Brush handles don't leave traces of toxins, and the Cruelty Free hairs are made of fine and soft synthetic fibers. So you'll feel like you're doing the Earth some good while helping yourself look your best. There are plenty of options to choose from. Try the Powder Brush ($54), the Blush Brush ($45), the Concealer Brush ($26), the Foundation Brush ($45), the Eyeliner Brush ($26), the Lip Liner Brush ($26), the Small Eyeshadow Brush ($26), the Large Eyeshadow Brush ($28) or the Brow Comb/Brush ($22). They're all available on www.econveybeauty.com and will launch on www.macys.com in June.

breakthrough beauty: turn back time

prettyisprettydoes
gives you
an exclusive preview
of FOX TV's Good Day Dallas
Breakthrough Beauty feature...
as reported by Susan Redstone

An apple a day is supposed to keep the doctor away...but now it also sends wrinkles, fine lines and slacking skin packing. I don't know about you but I can't wait till August to try the newest innovations from emerginC--
Protocell Protective Moisturizer ($90) and Eye Cream ($65) featuring a revolutionary anti-aging apple stem-cell technology. The p
lant stem-cells in the products have been carefully extracted from a rare type of organic Swiss apple that is highly powerful at preserving skin's youthfulness and vitality. But it's not just the pulp of the apple that's used--
Protocell and Protocell Eye are also infused with the seeds, peel, and oil from French cider apples harvested in Normandy and Brittany. Studies prove that extracts taken from these particular apples help promote anti-aging, firmness, environmental protection, and are calming to the skin.
Protocell is also made with Aqua Cacteen, an ultra refined elixir from the prickly pear Opuntia Cactus, a cactus rich known for its vitamins, minerals and antioxidants designed to super-hydrate, protect and soothe.
Argan Oil from South Morocco is another primary ingredient of the products. It helps preserve cell integrity, nourishes dry and damaged skin, regenerates and accelerates the healing of stretch marks, and regulates the production of oily skin. So this summer, turn back the hands of time with these great new finds. Look for both products on www.emergenC.com and at top salons near you.

breakthrough beauty: get a slim stomach for summer

prettyisprettydoes
gives you
an exclusive preview
of FOX TV's Good Day Dallas
Breakthrough Beauty feature...
as reported by Susan Redstone

Time was when you'd gain a few pounds...then eat salads for a few days and lose it again. No longer. Once you hit 30, there's a greater chance of accumulating fat around your waistline that refuses to budge. Whether it's because of past pregnancies, menopause or excess weight, abdominal bulges and bumpy skin may be becoming all too familiar. Sure, exercising and eating right can help but a new topical treatment makes the process a little smoother. Lierac Paris introduces Morpho-Slim Stomach and Waist Resculpting Firming Concentrate ($55). It contains anti-cellulite and firming action, synthesizes collagen and promises other great perks. Just apply once or twice daily for a minimum of 28 days and watch your stomach appear flatter, your skin become firmer and your unsightly bumps on thighs and buttocks look smoother. What's more, it dries quickly for immediate dressing and has a pretty floral scent. How does it work? Active caffeine empties the fat cells and brown algae extract triggers tightening. As the number of fat-storing cells decreases, your waist appears re-contoured and refined. I'm only on day two but I am determined to be diligent and will keep you posted on the outcome. Hopefully, I'll see results in time for summer. Available next month at select European Skincare Centers at CVS/pharmacy, Duane Reade and Longs Drugs,
www.beauty.com, www.cvs.com and

breakthrough beauty: age eraser

prettyisprettydoes
gives you
an exclusive preview
of FOX TV's Good Day Dallas
Breakthrough Beauty feature...
as reported by Susan Redstone


I loved being 17. High school parties, boyfriends, never-ending summers...and great looking skin. Fast-forward a few years (ok, maybe more than a few) and I wish I could turn back the hands of time just a bit. Well, enough to erase some fine lines, crow's feet, age spots and other telltale signs of growing older. Seems like Maybelline New York has been reading my mind. The company's newly debuted Instant Age Rewind Collection, featuring The Eraser Treatment Makeup ($12.99), changes the concept of anti-aging for good. The Eraser is clinically proven to provide immediate results that reduce the signs of aging skin – going beyond covering and actually erasing. The micro-corrector sponge applicator gets into all of your skin's nooks and crannies, allowing coverage to reach fine lines and wrinkles so they can ultimately be erased. An advanced treatment formula provides perfecting coverage, instantly evening out skin tone, while blurring away imperfections and age spots for a more youthful, radiant finish. It contains the highly touted anti-aging ingredient, Goji berry, which features one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants ever, plus 19 amino acids, hundreds of times more Vitamin C per ounce than oranges, and four polysaccharides, which stimulate collagen production and help tighten and firm skin at the micro level. And they even remembered the sunscreen! SPF 18 protects skin from future damage so skin looks smoother and more radiant even without makeup. Just twist the product up into the sponge (just a small amount on the sponge will do) and apply to your skin. It's comfortable to wear and really blends in well. To find one of the 12 shades that suits your skin color (I like creamy natural), go to www.maybelline.com, then head to your local drug store to purchase.




breakthrough beauty: mega moisture


prettyisprettydoes
gives you
an exclusive preview
of FOX TV's Good Day Dallas
Breakthrough Beauty feature...
as reported by Susan Redstone


You need it in the winter, you need it in the summer--you can never be too moisturized in my book. That's why I always look for the most ultimately moisturizing products. Vaseline Sheer Infusion (6.8 oz., $6.25; and 13.5 oz. pump, $8.99) delivers with twice the moisturization of other leading everyday body lotions, thanks to a unique delivery system called Stratys-3 that works deep below the surface, penetrating three layers of your skin. The result: long-lasting, silky skin you'll want to show off. Use it twice daily--as part of your AM and PM routines--and you'll be totally touchable in no time. Look for Sheer Infusion at food, drug and mass retailers nationwide. For more info, go to www.vaseline.com.

breakthrough beauty: the big brush-off

prettyisprettydoes
gives you
an exclusive preview
of FOX TV's Good Day Dallas
Breakthrough Beauty feature...
as reported by Susan Redstone


Washing my face with my favorite cleanser--and my bare hands--doesn't always give me the deep clean I need. But Garnier has come up with a new and improved way to come clean. Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew The Brusher Gel Cleanser ($6.99) comes with a built-in scrubbing brush that lets you go beyond regular manual cleansing. At first, I have to admit, I was hesitant to try it. I spend enough time each day scrubbing baby bottles with a bottle brush and the thought of using a similar tactic to clean my skin just wasn't that appealing. But in the name of beauty, I indulged. Turns out it's a pretty cool concept. You squeeze the gel into the brush then twist the bottle closed. What looks like rubber bristles are actually soft and flexible and feel soothing on your skin as you scrub away dead skin cells on your face in circular motions. The non-drying formula, which exfoliates skin to deeply eliminate impurities and promote cell renewal, is packed with good-for-you ingredients. It contains Vitamin B5 for moisture, Vitamin E to detox skin, and Green Leaf Extract to sooth and refresh. The result is clean, radiant skin instantly. Look for The Brusher Gel-Cleanser at mass market retailers nationwide or click on www.garnier.com for more info.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

expert advice: keep your hair frizz-free with these tips from Yves Durif


In less than two months, we'll see the start of summer and the onset the most frustrating hair season. Sun, humidity, sea-air, wind and humidity all contribute to an abundance of frizz. There are plenty of frizz serums out there but how do you know which to choose? Yves Durif, of the Carlyle, shares his tips for keeping hair frizz-free.

Prettyisprettydoes: What are the biggest mistakes women make when trying to de-frizz their hair?
Yves Durif: "They do not use a nozzle on their hair dryer to concentrate the airflow, they do not dry their hair completely or they use an incorrect product for their hair type. If you visit ProfoundBeauty.com, every woman can find their own personalized routine and select the products that are right for their specific hair concern."

PIPD: What can you do to avoid the frizz in the first place?
YD: "Using a defrizzing product like Profound Beauty Linear Serum or Hush Time-Out treatment before blow drying will help to eliminate frizz once the hair is dry. After blow drying you may want to add a finishing product like Profound Beauty's Design Paste to keep hair free of frizz throughout the day."

PIPD: What should you look for in a de-frizzing product to know that it will work?
YD: "You always want to look for a product that has conditioning elements in it. All products for eliminating frizz might not work on all hair types. Different hair textures need different products, for example the coarser the hair the stronger defrizzing agent the product should have. Again, log on to ProfoundBeauty.com to fill out your unique hair profile to find out what products are best suited for your hair type."

For more info on frizz control, log onto
www.profoundbeauty.com. Stock up on these frizz-fighting products from Profound Beauty and you'll be set for summer.

Monday, April 12, 2010

treat your haircut right


No one ever looks as good when they style their own hair as they did when they walked out of the salon. HerCut is the first hair care line designed to cater to the needs of your individCheck Spellingual hair cut.

Created to address the five major hair styles—the bob, the pixie, the shag, the blunt cut and long layers—HerCut employs “catalysts” that work on a molecular level to ensure that hair conforms to your cut, picking up where your stylist leaves off. The catalysts are customized to meet the specific needs of every cut (i.e., weighted, forward motion for bobs and controlled separation for shags) to maximize every style regardless of hair type.

Honestly, when I first heard about HerCut, it sounded like a bit of a marketing ploy. But I tried it anyway. First, I shampooed with the Dry Hair Shampoo ($22), designed for straight to wavy, normal to dry hair--which is me to a T! It smelled a bit soapy but left my hair squeaky clean. Next, I conditioned with the Medium Conditioner ($22), for medium-textured, single processed hair (again, my description exactly!). It improves elasticity and adds moisture (not to mention a silky feel!) while protecting your color.

But the real unique element to the HerCut formula is the catalyst. I tried the catalyst for Long Layers ($28), designed to keep my long layers full and give them a cascading feel from roots to ends. It has a Spring Polymer Technology that creates flexible connections between layers to give hair body and bounce.

I wouldn't have believed this for a minute if I hadn't seen it for myself. I dabbed a drop into my towel-dried hair and let it dry naturally, only to watch healthy, waves and lustrous layers magically appear. The style even held up nicely after I blew my hair dry, but I could have walked out without a stitch of styling and my hair would have looked great.

Don't take my word--see for yourself! Choose the HerCut products that are right for you at www.sephora.com.