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.


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

behind the scenes and backstage...to over-the-counter

by Susan Redstone
as seen on Fox 4 Good Day Dallas


Bombarded with beauty items? Ever wonder which are the best and which are a 'bust' ? As seen on FOX 4 Good Day Dallas Today, we'll show a group used regularly in professional situations like behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week, on celebrities or at awards shows. They're used by professionals in the business of pushing the boundaries of beautiful. Here, how you use them and get them and why you would want to:


1. Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 -- Kelly Osbourne is a fan, used backstage at Erin Featherson's 2010 Fall Fashion Show.

3 in 1 Protects/hydrates/moisturazies -- with Naturally derived silicones made from sand, velvety, smoothes out pores, gives tinted coverage.

$48 at www.beauty.com or www.miracleskintransformer.com


2. "The Falsies" Mascara by Volum' Expresss from Maybelline New York --used at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Exclusive spoon-shaped brush which supersizes lashes, with a stem wand which cups and fans out lashes. Comes in washable and waterproof shades. The largest mascara launch in the past 5 years!

$7.77 at mass retailers.


3. NEW Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller-- used on GARNIER hair shoots to combat the signs of aging!

Garnier’s exclusive Pro-Retinol from Nature formula with a targeted massaging roller to effectively – yet gently – help smooth crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eye area. Skin feels smoother and firmer

instantly. After four weeks, crow’s feet and fine lines are visibly reduced. With continued use: wrinkles and crow’s feet are reduced by an average of 30%; skin around the eye feels firmer.

$14.99, at mass market retailers


4. Kiss 100 Full Cover Nails -- used on Katy Perry and Rhianna at MTV Video Music Awards 2010

Great neutral base, you can add polish, or a custom design. Professionals are using these as a canvas to start unique one-off nail designs $4.79 at Walgreens and Walmart and

Kiss Premium Eyelashes with Application Strings --used on models at ODD MOLLY Fall 2011 Fashion Show NY Fashion Week

Patent pending 'strings' for perfect positioning!

$3.99 Walmart, Walgreens, CVS


5. ESSIE 'French Affair' spring collection -- inspired by Runway shows that took inspiration from 1960's French glamour, chanelling Brigitte Bardot

Clean, bright but Opaque pastels -- with a French flavor! 6 great named shades, like Coat Azure, Sand Tropez, French Affair

$8 at nail salons or retailers


6. PRIMERS -- the best of the backstage helpers!

Emergin C -- Red Carpet Primer $42 at www.emerginc.com (% proceeds go to Global Gifting - to help Tsunami victims)

Napoloen Perdis -- Auto Pilot pre-foundation primer $39 from celeb make up artist at Dillards and Ulta

Laura Mercier --Foundation primer $30 at www.lauramercier.com or www.barneys.com

Stila --One Step brightening serum (pre-primer) $36, Victoria Beckham's makeup artist is a fan

Urban Decay -- Eyeshadow Primer Potion $18 at Sephora, Ulta, Macy's

Skinceuticals -- pre-primer CE Ferulic $135 at www.skinceuticals.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

go for the glo


Making the transition from winter to spring makeup can be daunting. You don't want to lighten up right away--you need to erase the dull, dreary look of the colder season before exposing yourself. GloMinerals has the answers with some pretty cool new products.

For your face: GloFinishing Powder absorbs excess oil in your skin. The coverage is long lasting making it the perfect product to carry around if touch ups are needed. The minerals applied to the powder leave your skin smooth and silky rather than giving you a matted, course texture. I love the texture and the way the product easily absorbs into my skin.

For skin discolorations: The Camouflage Kit allows you to hide the blemishes, scars and redness. The quad is created with four key colors that camouflage unflattering color tones on the face. Yellow conceals mild redness, dark spots and bruises, mint conceals redness and lavender can be used on dark circles around the eyes. Neutral targets minor acne, under-eye circles and general imperfections. The yellow and neutral shades worked wonders on my under-eye circles (a miracle in fact!) and the mint hid a blemish I'd been trying to cover for the past week with no luck.

For your skin: Illuminating Tint a sheer, light-reflecting formula that visually smooths the appearance of fine lines and illuminates skin tones creating a healthy, luminous glow. Who doesn't need this product? It smooths evenly over skin and erases signs of years past. And the glow? I guess that's where the brand gets its name from...

For your lips: GloGloss in Nude is the perfect finishing touch to complete the barely there look that ruled the runways for spring. Less is always more and by using this particular shade your lips will pop without the use of bold tones. The must-have accessory for a day in the urban jungle or an afternoon at the beach.

Go to www.glominerals.com for more info.