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.


Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Back to the Gym in Style




'Tis the season...to get back to the gym and make that New Year's resolution happen. But who says you can't look great doing so?

Edward Tricomi, of Warren-Tricomi Salons shared a really fun tip for maintaining your blowout after a workout: Cut up a pair of black, opaque stockings and turn them into a make-shift headband and then use the remaining pieces to tie your hair into a ponytail. The material doesn’t leave indentation marks and absorbs perspiration at the hairline. 

If you are getting into a daily gym grind and are washing your hair daily, “You need to be using a color protecting shampoo and conditioner to maintain you color or highlights. Between the daily washes and sun exposure from being outdoors more, your hair will look washed out quickly without the proper hair care system.” – Joel Warren of Warren-Tricomi Salons

Use theTouchBack Plus System which deposits a bit of color back into you hair and delivers high shine. Lumene’s Sensitive Touch Gentle Cleansing Wipes another gym bag must-have to remove make-up before a workout and cool down afterward. 

TouchBack Plus Shampoo & Conditioner $29.95 each at Ulta stores and Ulta.com
Lumene Sensitive Touch Cleansing Wipes $6.99 at CVS stores and CVS.com


Monday, December 31, 2012

Diet Tips for a Healthier 2013



Only one more day till the start of that famous New Year's resolution: the inevitable diet! Here are some expert tips for taking the weight off and keeping it off...

Beverly Hills, Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Michael Feiz notes that most diets fail because they often require a dramatic change in lifestyle which for many people is difficult maintain. The following 10 Best Diet Tips For 2013 will make a difference and are very easy for anybody to incorporate in their lifestyle.  Dr. Feiz also notes that in addition to exercise and a healthy diet the most successful diet technique is to make many small simple changes in behavior until they become established as a habit.
  1. Eat a meal, before going out, never shop for food or leave home hungry.
  2. Schedule specific times for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a goal of reducing or stopping snacks in between.
  3. Cook your own meals and reduce the portion size of bread, pasta, potatoes and rice.
  4. Don't eat processed packaged food that has the word Fructose, Sugar or an ingredient you wouldn't normally keep in your kitchen such as a chemical with numbers in the ingredients.
  5. Don't eat food that is delivered through your car window.
  6. Drink sparkling water instead of sodas and eat carob chips, nuts and fruit instead of candy.
  7. Eat from small plates.
  8. Eat slowly using a small child's size spoon, knife, fork or chopsticks.
  9. Wait 20 minutes before having a second helping.
  10. If you need to snack between meals, make sure you keep a healthy snack with you.
Dr. Feiz notes "Obesity is a very serious problem that is at an epidemic level in the USA, people who do not struggle with obesity usually do not understand the many complex issues that obese people struggle with.
Patients that come to see me for weight loss surgeries that potentially may save their lives and reverse significant health issues caused by this condition, have often endured many years of discrimination because of their weight and are making a dramatic and brave decision to change their life".