Let’s Hear it for the Boy!

05Oct09

and maybe he don’t dress fine
but i don’t really mind
‘cuz every time he pulls me near
I just wanna cheer -Deniece Williams

I have a friend who owns “veteren” underwear. When he was a small town high school football star, his mom bought him Fruit of the Looms in bulk. They were his lucky skivvies, and when they become threadbare, he retired them to a “rag” drawer. My friend hasn’t tossed out a pair of tighty whities in 16 years. You might call him a Stubborn Minimalist, a guy who once used one detergent (in his case, Lava soap) for everything: personal, household, automotive… But a few Christmases ago, I presented said friend with a heavenly smelling bottle of cologne: The Art of Shaving Eau de Toilette in Sandalwood $70. Suddenly, Mr. Minimalist had two products! He enjoyed the ritual of putting on his new signature scent in the mornings or before a date. He ventured into a local apothecary on his own one day, and walked out with a bagful of Art of Shaving products. He has since become one of the better-groomed, and nicer-smelling fellas in my life.

Whether you’re like my friend Mr. M, or a fussy ablution authority, the following suggestions aim to inspire an effortless regimen.

In the Shower
Most of the guys I know have a bar of soap, and a bottle of shampoo in their showers. I know a few who keep their toothbrushes and toothpaste in there, and fewer still who shave in the shower (great idea, though). Bar of soap I like a big, triple-milled, scrubby soap like this sage scented bar from Pre de Provence $5.69. Local Austin readers can find it at Central Market. These soaps are oversized, super-exfoliating, and smell absolutely delicious. There’s no washcloth needed, as the scrubby bits should be rubbed directly into your skin. If you’re a $.99 bar soap guy, consider that this dense French bar will last you 6-8 weeks with daily use. Some nice liquid alternatives are Kiehl’s Liquid Body Cleansers $15.50, if you like a variety of scents, 365 Everyday Value Shower Gel in Citrus Grapefruit $2.99, or Dr. Bronner’s Magical Soap in Peppermint $5.99, which cleans everything from the hair on your head, to your dog/car/floors/teeth! Shampoo My hands-down, undefeated favorite shampoo for guys is Kevin Murphy Luxury Wash about $25, available at Sabia. Please don’t balk at the price tag gentlemen, this cedar-smelling bottle of lathery yumminess will last ages. You only need about a dime-sized amount for short hair, a nickel-sized for longer hair. Also, if your hair is in good condition and “virgin” (not chemically processed), you can skip the conditioner. If your scalp is oily, however, or if you fight flakes, you’ll want a more theraputic product like Aveda Scalp Benefits shampoo $13, which soothes itching with softening babassu nut oil.
Toothbrush & Toothpaste I have three favorite toothpastes. If you have sensitive teeth or are whitening your teeth with bleaching trays or whitestrips (by the way, Boys, do this), try Sensodyne IsoActive $7.99 to minimize tooth pain. For a saccharine-free, daily-use toothpaste, you can’t beat Tom’s of Main Peppermint paste $4.99, and I love the unique flavor and stylish packaging of Marvis Aquatic Mint toothpaste $10.50, also available at Sabia. While choosing a toothbrush is a very personal thing, my friend and future dentist Suzanne will tell you to buy one with ultra soft bristles. Follow your brushing with an alchohol-free mouthrinse, as the ones with alcohol can cause dry mouth (= bad breath). I like Crest ProHealth Enamel Shield.
Shaving While, I’m no expert on face-shaving, I have picked up a few tips around the dermatology office. For one thing, if your facial hair is curly, or you are prone to ingrown hairs, do not use multi-blade razors. The closer you shave kinky hair, the more likely it is to spring back below the surface of your skin and curl back in on itself. Embrace that manly scruff, I suppose! I also highly suggest starting your shave routine with a pre-treatment like The Art of Shaving Pre Shave Oil $11. Massage this into a dry face, and follow with shave cream or a frothy shave soap. If you prefer fewer products, try AESOP Moroccan Neroli Shaving Oil $32.50 instead. You’ll get a much closer, smoother shave with an oil than you will with a supermarket foam, and these products smell so good! A final tip: install a fogless shaving mirror in your shower. The shower’s steam will soften your beard, you’ll have ample rinsing water, and you might also save time.

Final Steps, or what I like to call the Fluff ‘n Fold
Once out of the shower, many guys make the two biggest grooming mistakes of all: too much cologne, and too much hair product! Start out by lightly moisturizing your skin with an oil free product containing SPF. This step will keep you looking younger by smoothing fine lines, and filtering out harmful UV rays. I love Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 $26.50. Scent I’d like to suggest cologne (eau de toilette) over aftershave, for two reasons: the scent is lighter, and the alcohol in traditional aftershaves is murder on your skin. Once you are dressed, mist one to two sprays of your scent into the air about one foot above your head. As the mist falls, stand under it. Now put the bottle down and step away until after your next shower. I promise, fellas, that’s all you will need. You’ll smell subtly sexy and clean, not desperate. My current favorite men’s colognes are YSL L’Homme $55, and Givenchy Play $71, but I’m also partial to the aforementioned Art of Shaving Sandalwood, and Kiehl’s Original Musk $38.50. Hair Styling For casual, tousled hair with a little bit of texture and shine, towel or blowdry your hair first to get all of the water out. Next, take a tiny dab of styling cream like Kevin Murphy Easy Rider $25, available at Sabia, and emulsify it in your palms (rub the product together until it looks clear and glossy). Now rake the warmed product through your hair and finger style, adding more product if necessary. Special Jon Gosselin Advisory: Absolutely do not apply gel of any kind to wet hair, and air-dry.

Perhaps the nicest result of thoughtful grooming is the way even two or three products layer to create an inexorable scent that’s thoroughly tempting. Finish up by chucking that 5 year old bottle of AXE, balling up those veteran underpants and drying off your mirror, so you can take a look at your handsome self.

Filed under: Beauty Products, beauty tips, grooming, men, skin care   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: 365 Everyday, Aesop, Art of Shaving, Aveda, AXE, Crest, Dr. Bronner's, Elta MD, grooming, hairstyling, Jon Gosselin, Kevin Murphy, Kiehl's Musk, Marvis, men, Pre de Provence, ritual, Sabia, scent, Sensodyne IsoActive, shaving, skin care, Tom's of Maine, underwear

Red Light District

26Aug09

Wouldn’t it be fab if you could test out sanitized samples of potential beauty buys in a private stall with natural lighting, and a basin for washing up afterword? Sounds like this little street I once saw in Amsterdam. So if you’re seeing red, lets get to talking about some foolproof ways to wear red hot lips.

There is a red lip color for everyone. This bears repeating: there is a red lip color for everyone! Red lips can convey good health, strength and sophistication, playfulness, or firey sex appeal. A sheer red balm or gloss like Lip Fusion Color Shine $38 in “Ripe” makes my best girlfriend Sara look pretty and polished. It’s the only makeup she wears. A rich matte red like TRUE pure lip color $24 in “Muse” gives my petite friend Elizabeth a powerful, high-fashion look. The right reds flatter women of all skin tones and age groups. Here’s an easy rule of thumb: swipe a little of the color onto the back of your hand and check for pinkness or an orange tone. Now, if you turn your wrist up and look at the veins along your inner arm, they’ll appear mostly blue or purple (cool skin tone) or mostly green (warm skin tone). If you have cool skin, choose pinky reds, also called “blue” reds by makeup artists. If you have warm skin, stick to orange-red or brown-based lip colors. There are also neutral reds that stay true to the color they appear in the tube, and all of us can wear them, but they are few and far between. You’ll want to be aware of the whiteness of your teeth, as a very blue (cool) red will emphasize yellow tones. Pick up a box of Crest Premium Plus Whitestrips $32 and a tube of Jemma Kidd Classic Couture Lip Color $16 in “Siren” for a sultry combination at a great price.

There are a lot of popular rules about red lipstick, most of which I feel are total hooey. For example, “Never wear red lipstick during the daytime,” or, “Emphasize your eyes or your lips, but never both.” I wholeheartedly disagree with both statements. Red lips look clean and youthful against clear, glowing skin and nothing says “cheerful” to me like great skin and a happy smile in broad daylight! And while a very precise, light-colored eye makeup application looks fresh with red lipcolor, a smoky, heavily lined eye with a sheer berry gloss can be dead sexy.

I do subscribe to the age-old advice that if you try on a lipcolor in a department store, you should wear it around for a few hours outdoors before you buy it. The fluorescent lights in said stores dull bright colors, and add unnatural greenish tones (the real reason your Makeover Specialist is wearing orange foundation!). If you buy your products in a discount or drug store, ask about their return policy. Many such stores will take back an undesired shade and exchange the item or even give you a full refund. Save your receipts!

While there’s no harm in projecting a little hooker-chic from time to time, remember there are several ways to make reds work for you, without making you look like you’re… ahem, working, wink wink.

Filed under: Beauty Products, Lipstick, beauty tips   |  1 Comment
Tags: beauty, beauty tips, cosmetics, Crest Whitestrips, Jemma Kidd, lipcolor, LipFusion, lipgloss, Lipstick, makeup, red, Red Light District, TRUE

The Girl from Ipanema

15Jul09

Well, ladies, it’s Summertime and if you’re living in the Southern half of the United States, you might be the hottest you’ve ever been in July. Why not improve your air conditioning and moxie in about 30 minutes at your local spa or waxing studio?
It’s time for a little girl talk, about that enigmatic bikini wax: The Brazilian! Maravilha!

Why Wax?
Most of us prefer some hair-removal method in our bikini region. Whether we’re trying to look groomed in a modest swimsuit, or muito sexy for our sweetheart, there are several options. I personally prefer laser hair removal, or for girls on a tighter budget, waxing. Waxing will leave your skin completely bare and smooth for 3-6 weeks and regular treatments will make your regrowth finer in time. You’ll avoid razor burn, stinky chemicals, and blunt stubble.

Why a Brazilian?
Brazil has given us Jesus Luz, Giselle Bundchen, and the world’s tiniest swimwear… ’nuff said. A Brazilian wax keeps you cooler, and looks impossibly chic. I wax and laser women for a living, and at least 90% of my clients are taking it all off. The remaining 10% are working up to it. “All of it?” you say? Mmm hmm. That’s a Brazilian, Baby.

What if I want to leave a little up top or in the middle?
Well, first I’d like to know why? Because if you wanted to shave your head, but were feeling conservative, you wouldn’t choose a mohawk instead, right? And if you’re concerned about looking “prepubescent” keep in mind that the Brazilian has become so commonplace that you’d need a magnifying glass to find a single hair among most women under 30, Hollywood starlets, New York fashionistas, or the pervasive Playmate population. Mores have changed.

So what should I expect from a Brazilian Wax? Won’t that hurt a lot?
Waxing, in general, smarts. The great thing about the Brazilian is that a proper waxing is done with a type of wax called “hard wax.” Hard wax is applied to cleansed and powdered skin and pulls off in a quick motion (which stings), without first sticking to the skin. If you have ever had your eyebrows waxed, you’ve most likely experienced “strip wax,” so-called because the waxer lays a strip of muslin or paper over the soft wax and then pulls the whole mess off. It’s stickier and takes a light layer of skin cells with it. While strip wax is great for tiny areas on the face, hard wax makes for a much more tolerable Brazilian.

You should make sure your hair will be about the length of an eyelash on your appointment day. You can achieve this by using a trimmer with a guard, or shaving completely about 3 weeks beforehand. You’ll schedule your follow-up waxes every time your hair reaches this all-important length. Fully-grown shrubbery is a nightmare to wax, and will lead to undue pain and bruising. The day before your Brazilian, exfoliate with a microdermabrasion scrub like Khiel’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion. This will fluff up your hair follicles and remove and dead skin cells that could cause ingrown hairs. About 30 minutes prior to your appointment, pop 400-600 mg of ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). This will help dull any discomfort and prevent redness and swelling. When you arrive at the spa, your aesthetician will probably ask you to fill out a brief questionnaire about your health history. Then you’ll be given a spa wrap to change into. I usually offer a hand towel to drape with because you will need to remove your undies. Personally, I cover all of your private areas except the few square inches I’m working on. A good aesthetician will work quickly, and about the pain… Let’s look at this logically: ladies are built to push babies through their nether region. In all honesty, waxing your innermost, undermost bikini area is less painful than waxing the areas adjacent to your hips and tummy. If your wax is unbearably painful, causes bruises, bleeding, or short broken hairs, change providers por favor. After your treatment, a wax-removal product is used to whisk away any bits of wax that have been left behind. I like Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Body Oil for this. You can keep some at home in case you find yourself needing a more thorough cleanup. Arnica prevents bruising, and once you’ve oiled up the area, any remaining wax will come right off in the shower. In my experience, a proper waxing with hard wax and a quick hand leaves you only slightly red. This effect calms within an hour. If you have an extreme reaction to your treatment, try a little over the counter cortisone cream for a night or two.

Finally, a word about modesty. I will never ask you to climb into an embarrassing body position to complete your treatment. If you keep up with your yoga or pilates, or are generally fit, I’ll be able to access all of your hair with a few bends of your knees. If you don’t feel comfortable with the way your waxer conducts your treatment, don’t give up on Brazil! Express your concerns at the time of the treatment (humor usually helps diffuse any tension) or tell the spa manager that you’d like to try a different aesthetician next time.

The bottom line, hee hee, is that a Brazilian wax is nothing to be afraid of. At $35-$75 a pop, it’s a good investment during the blazing hot swimwear season. Afterword, you’ll feel dishy, groomed, and muito quente… Blame it on the Bossa Nova!

Austin readers can see me for a Brazilian wax at Sabia. $60.

Filed under: beauty tips   |  4 Comments
Tags: bikini, Brazil, Brazilian, depilatory, grooming, shaving, swimwear, waxing

skinny dipping

01Jul09

In these lean economic times, the most common question I get is, “What’s the least I can do to keep my skin looking good?” Since “least” is a subjective term lets split up into groups, shall we? Group One: The Bettys you are the true minimalists who can’t or won’t spend much time or money on your skin. The good news for you gals is that your complexion is about 50% determined by your genetics. The less-good news is that you’ve got to take responsibility for the other 50%! Group Two: The Veronicas You are invested in looking good, and you’ll treat yourself to the occasional must-have potion, but you’re too savvy to waste time and pennies on fluff. I hear you sisters loud and clear (I’m definitely a Veronica)! Finally Group Three: The Katy Keenes Like your illustrated inspiration, you’re the “Queen of Glamour.” You’ll spare no expense and you are my favorite customer!

Whatever is in your pocketbook, one fact applies to all of us: our skin loooves consistency. If you follow a regimen morning and night your face will reflect your TLC. No matter how tired you are, where you’re laying your head that night, or who might happen to see you without your makeup, fierce girls take care of themselves and everyone can tell!

So, here is a basic recession-regimen for each of you, contingent upon a bit of extra scrimping. When the economy turns around, however, I hope to see at least one more item in each of your powder rooms!

Bettys

1. Cleanse your skin every morning for at least 2 minutes. Use nice warm water, and a foamy cleanser if you’re not too sensitive. For dry or irritated skin, try a creamy cleanser with natuural exfoliating acids.
foamy SkinCeuticals Simply Clean $29
creamy SkinCeuticals Cleansing Cream $29
drugstore option Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser $6.59

2. Apply an antioxidant. Antioxidants are combinations of vitamins that keep environmental stressors from damaging your healthy skin cells. When nasties called “free radicals” stick to your healthy skin cells, they damage them. When the newly-damaged cells replicate, you end up with wrinkles and brown spots. Popular antioxidants include Vitamin C, coffeeberry and idebenone (which is synthetic). An affordable antioxidant is Remergent Antioxidant Refoliator $55. It’s a little rich, so if you have oily skin try this tip: purchase an antioxidant moisturizer with SPF like Revale Day Cream $99. The price tag may seem steep at first, but it’s got your antioxidant + SPF in one! Cleanse, rub some on and go!

3. Apply moisturizer with SPF every single day, whether you plan to be outside or not. Here’s a tip: all sunscreen lotions are moisturizing, so there is no need to apply a separate face cream. I like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 $29.50.
drugstore option Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 45 $12.99.

4. At nighttime (EVERY nighttime. Some of you are default-Bettys because you’re still in college. If you don’t want a severe case of party face in the morning, wash up before bed!), cleanse your face for a full two minutes. You can use most cleansers right over eye makeup. There’s no need for a second eye makeup remover.

5. Apply a retinoid. These are vitamin-A derived microexfoliants that cause a bit of peeling at first. A retinoid will cause your skin cells to turnover rapidly, minimizing acne, brown spots, large pores and fine lines. Long-term use of a retinoid will also stimulate collagen production. Collagen supports your skin, keeping it firm. I like SkinCeuticals Retinol .05% $50.
drugstore option RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream $21.49.

Total products: 3-4
Total price: $115+ for a three-month supply
Post-recession add-on: Clarisonic facial cleansing brush (see Veronica’s regimen)

Veronicas

1. Like Bettys, you’ll need a good cleanser. Foamy for most skin types, Creamy for dry and sensitive skin. A cleanser with mild exfoliating acids (like glycolic or alpha hydroxy) are best. Try Betty’s SkinCeuticals Simply Clean or Gentle Cleanser. If you’re a Veronica, though, you’ll love the deep-cleaning power of the Clarisonic facial cleansing brush $195. Run your Clarisonic for two cycles. For more on Clarisonic, read He Loves me, He Loves me Not.

2. Nope, step two isn’t toner. Toners came about in the eighties when women cleansed with residue-depositing cold cream. Most toners were alcohol based and stripped your skin dry. Today’s toners promise to “restore your skin’s Ph balance,” however I feel that a proper cleanser shouldn’t knock your Ph out of whack in the first place. If it does, your skin is made to self-correct anyway. Step two is the same as Betty’s: antioxidant serum! A Veronica likes the best, and might be willing to spend a little more. I love SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF serum $150.

3. Apply your sunscreen next. Try The aforementioned Kiehl’s, or splurge on Jurlique Age Defying Day Cream SPF 15 $45.

4. Wash up at night, running your Clarisonic for two consecutive cycles.

5. Apply a retinoid, like SkinCeuticals Retinol .1% $56.

Total products: 5 (including your Clarisonic)
Total price: $309 for a three to six-month supply + your Clarisonic $195
Post-recession add-on: growth factor serum (see Katy Keene’s regimen)

Katy Keenes

1. Lucky for you, Hotstuff, a good cleanser is a good cleanser. You don’t need anything fancier than the ones I recommend to Bettys and Veronicas. You’ll definitely want a Clarisonic, though. Spruce it up with a Delicate replaceable brush head $25.

2. Apply your serum. The ultimate serum is SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum $237, which combines antioxidants with a growth factor solution. This not only protects your face from free-radical damage, it is proven to regenerate new, healthy skin.

3. Apply a plumping serum like SkinMedica Hydrating Complex $76 in Winter, or if you live in a dry climate. This hyaloronic acid product will attract water to your parched skin cells.

4. Moisturize with an SPF, like the one by Jurlique.

5. At night, fire up that Clarisonic for another two cycles.

6. If you’re using a simple antioxidant serum in the morning, you’ll need a growth factor serum at night. Try NeoCutis BioGel $145. This heavenly formula spreads easily and was designed by doctors for wound healing. If you’re using TNS Essential Serum in the morning, you can skip this step.

7. Apply your retinol. If you want something with a little extra umph, ask your dermatologist for a prescription for Tazorac, Retin-A Micro, or Differin. If you are over age 25, your insurance probably will not cover these medicines. Expect to pay $150 to $200 for a six month supply.

Total products: 7-8 (including your Clarisonic)
Total price: $700 for a three to six-month supply + your Clarisonic $195
Post-recession add-on: eye cream, prescription hydroquinone for lightening brown spots

There you have it. SkinCeuticals, Clarisonic, Kiehl’s, & Jurlique products can be ordered from Sabia.

SkinMedica, NeoCutis, Remergent & Revale products can be ordered from iDerma.

Neutrogena products are found in most drugstores, or online at drugstore.com.

Filed under: beauty tips, skin care   |  1 Comment
Tags: antioxidant, beauty, Clarisonic, Differin, drugstore.com, growth-factor, iDerma, Jurlique, Kiehl's, NeoCutis, Neutrogena, recession, Remergent, Retin-A Micro, retinoid, Revale, Sabia, skin care, SkinCeuticals, SkinMedica, SPF, Tazorac

Betty Davisize

03May09

Can you please give some tips on how to blend eyeshadow properly? I have never been able to master this and it’s glaringly apparent now that I’ve turned forty! -Susan, Arizona

Well-blended eyeshadow requires proper tools and products more than skill. Of course any MAC-girl worth her glitter will tell you otherwise, so let me rephrase: well blended simple, natural-looking, everyday eyeshadow requires… you get it.

Tools: I suggest three to five tools for a great eyemakeup application.
1. a fluffy “all over” color brush made from sable, goat, or squirrel hair. If you’re using cream shadows, you’ll need a synthetic brush instead, but this here’s Eyeshadow 101.
try: Smashbox Blending Brush 03, $32

2. a similarly fluffy, tapered “crease” brush for creating contour and blending
try: Laura Mercier eye crease brush, $29

3. a flat, narrow “highlighter” brush for applying a brightening color under the brow bone
try: Dior Medium Eyeshadow Brush, $25

4. a tiny, stiff, synthetic brush for applying cream, gel, or powder eyeliner (unless you prefer pencils)
try: Smashbox Arced Eyeliner Brush 21, $20

5. an eyelash curler (optional, but highly recommended)
try: Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler, $20

a note about brushes: If you’re not already a brush enthusiast, the tools I’m recommending might seem steep. Bear in mind that a quality makeup brush will last for life, as long as you properly wash it no less than monthly. Case in point, I have used my professional brushes for about 13 years now, and I shampoo them thoroughly after every client. That’s a lot of washing! My brushes have probably been used many times more than you will use yours in your lifetime, and they’re still in great shape. So go ahead and invest in the good ones. You’ll look prettier for it!

and Products: this can be as simple as buying a kit, or go for individual pots of shadows if you’re feeling adventurous!

The best shadows are finely-milled and highly pigmented. If you opt for shimmery colors, make sure the flecks aren’t chunky. That is a sign that they are NOT finely-milled. Some great-quality eyeshadow brands are: Trish McEvoy, Dior, and Makeup Forever. Smashbox and MAC offer an enormous array of color choices, but those brands are geared toward performers who need dry formulas that will withstand hot stage, TV, and film lights. Therefore, they don’t always blend easily. Make sure to test your shadows out in the store first (on the back of your hand, of course).

You’ll need three eyeshadows max, a creamy base, an eyeliner, and mascara. Here’s what to do:

1. Apply a cream shadow base or concealer to your entire eyelid, from lashline to brow. This is a very important step that will create longevity and depth of color. Use your ring finger to gently pat this product into your skin until it is well-blended. If you use too much, you can easily wipe it off and try again.

2. Pick up a medium shadow color with your large all-over color brush (#1 above) and tap the excess off (don’t blow, ladies, it’s germy). “Scrub” the color into the cream base with light pressure. Use a circular motion, and cover the entire area. If you have chosen a color close to your skin tone, this will look very natural.

3. Pick up a deeper shadow color with your crease brush (#2). Tap off the excess, and sweep the color into the crease of your eyelid, back and forth like a windshield wiper. Do this about ten times to ensure complete blending. Then dust the brush off on a tissue and buff it over the whole lid area to further blend your two colors.

4. Pick up your lightest shade, best if a little shimmery, with the smallest shadow brush (#3). Tap off the excess, and then apply this color under the arch of your eyebrow, blending downward. Again, dust the remaining shadow off onto a tissue and use the brush to re-blend the color.

5. Apply your eyeliner to the upper lids only (Eyeshadow 101, Ladies). This will be very easy if you are using the recommended “arc” brush. Now apply BLACK mascara, regardless of your hair color, to your upper lashes only.

That’s it! Apply a little concealer under the eyes, and you should look simple and polished. Once you master the basics, try experimenting with brighter colors, but be warned that this technique will not achieve smoky eyes. We’ll cover that in Eyeshadow 102! x o

Filed under: beauty tips   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: beauty tools, eye shadow, Laura Mercier, MAC, makeup, mascara, NARS, Smashbox, Trish McEvoy

he loves me, he loves me not

17Mar09

I’d like to bring your attention to some pricey items that have garnered buzz among beauty editors and your girlfriends alike. I’ll start with the one I adore most:

Clarisonic Pro $225 iderma.com
This motorized cleansing brush from the creators of the Sonicare toothbrush will change your life. It is a solidly constructed handpiece on a universal charging stand, with a soft replaceable brush head that oscillates 300 times per second. Aw yeah.
The first time you use your Clarisonic, you skin will feel soft and clean, period. But after two weeks of twice-daily use, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. The device removes 60% more grime with only water (but by all means use it with your favorite nonabrasive cleanser) than manual cleansing alone. It also stimulates collagen production and gets you more mileage out of your face products. You’ll need less of that overpriced serum when your surface layers are smooth and fresh! Your Clarisonic is fully waterproof, so take it into the shower and promise me you’ll only run the preprogrammed cycle once. Okay, you can run it twice if you’re wearing makeup. Overuse will agitate the little capillaries around your nose. verdict: he loves me.

Latisse about $120, by prescription only
I’ll keep you updated on my Latisse progress. At the moment, I’m 5 weeks into my first bottle of this new solution for treating hypotrichosis (skimpy eyelashes caused by disease, medical treatment, or bad luck). You’ll need to see your doctor for a prescription. You don’t need to have a medical condition to obtain one, but your insurance company will not pick up the tab no matter what your diagnosis. Apply the potion nightly and then sit pretty, it’s a slow process. So far I’ve noticed definite lengthening, but no increased volume. I’ve also been applying the excess to my eyebrows, rendered anorexic in the 90s, and today my aesthetician (what, you think a fancy girl like me does her own eyebrows?) commented on their fullness. Allergan (the same fairy godmother who brings us Botox) states it takes several months to achieve your final result. verdict: he’s certainly flirting!

DiorShow Blackout mascara $24 at sephora.com
I want to love my DiorShow Blackout mascara. It’s the Louboutin platform to my everyday pink and green Converse. The problem is that Louboutins don’t support my high arches, and Diorshow Blackout is too much mascara for my narrow almond eyelids. I can’t get that plush brush into my lashbed without ending up with the Eyes of Tammy Faye (rest her sweet soul). If Dior would take a cue from Chanel and make this cult-favorite with a 29 spire applicator brush, I’d buy every tube in the store. And yes, they’re called “spires.” verdict: he loves me not. sniffle.

A final word about budget beauty… the items herein are indulgences, sometimes bestowed upon us as gifts, sometimes purchased with hard-earned paychecks. If you have been considering an “investment item,” feel free to request my feedback. In my line of work I am fortunate to be able to try many of these products for little or nothing. And if you are a lucky girl who can buy one of each without batting an eyelash, I’ll see you in my spa this Friday for the works!

xo

Filed under: Beauty Products   |  9 Comments
Tags: 29 spire brush, budget, Chanel, Clarisonic, DiorShow Blackout, hypotrichosis, indulgence, Latisse, mascara, oscillating, Sonicare, Tammy Faye

mineral makeup: a primer

16Mar09

Suzanne in Austin, TX had a great question:
Can you give me some advice on Mineral Makeups? I’ve recently heard about a brand of mineral makeup here in Austin that claims to be made for the Texas humidity and athletes. Is this possible for mineral makeup? Can I wear makeup while I’m working up a sweat competing in an athletic event and still look good?

If you have wondered why your dermatologist is suddenly trying to sell you makeup, you’re not alone. I can assure you, however, that it’s not a clever ploy to supplement dropping Botox sales… mineral makeup has a place in medical skin care and it’s right on your sweet face!

Micronized minerals (“powdered dirt” for the uninitiated) create a lovely finish on your skin that both absorbs and reflects light. If you have ever had “white face/tan body” syndrome in a photograph, you’ll appreciate this! The reason derms are on the bandwagon, however, is that mineral makeup is by nature anti-inflammatory and has an SPF of approximately 25. The tiny particles are also non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog your pores. Therefore, if you’re acne prone or have rosacea, you’ll especially love these formulas. Also, any acne patient out there who has ever tried in vain to blend an oil-free tinted moisturizer over a benzoyl peroxide gel will love mineral because the “powder” won’t ball up (those little pills of goo are formed when the silicone in your oil-free makeup resists the BP in your acne gel- ew!).

There are no less than a zillion brands of mineral makeup on the market now, and there is no FDA regulation on how much “mineral” they must contain. The best brands have relatively few ingredients. My favorite, Susan Posnik, contains only 9. You can buy it at iderma.com. Stay away from brands containing mica (too glittery) or talc (a cheap filler that has been linked to lung cancer).

You’ll need to apply your mineral makeup in a particular way: buff it on in small circles, building coverage as desired. Imagine you’re polishing little rocks (because you are)! Use a fluffy squirrel brush like the True Brush, available at sabia.com.

As far as marathon makeup goes, your mineral foundation should need very little touching up. If you sweat heavily, any makeup will be mussed. However, mineral is a great option for this summer’s outdoor happy hours and music fests! Layer it with a lightweight SPF like Elta Daily SPF 40 for extra protection from the sun! Elta products are sold at iderma.com.

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lacquer lover

15Mar09

Cheapie nail salons are like candy shops for us grown-up girls, with their rainbow rows of polish, indulgent massaging chairs, and soft-serve atmosphere… but be wise! Your salon should autoclave its instruments after every use. You’ll know they’ve done their part if they open a little sterile pouch of tools at the beginning of your mani/pedi.

The best polishes are free of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene and formalehyde (harsh chemicals that have been linked to birth defects). Don’t worry, Chickpeas… O.P.I. polishes make the cut! I’m currently in love with “Overexposed in South Beach” from O.P.I.’s Spring/Summer collection. My sister Shoshi swears by a vegan polish called Sparitual. She gets her nails done at an Aveda spa in Newfoundland, but you can check out the brand at sparitual.com.

If you frequently wear dark polish colors, your nails might start to yellow. If you notice peeling, splitting, or texture changes give your dermatologist a call… you might have picked up a fungus from a naughty nail salon or your gym! If they’re nice and smooth, though, it’s just a little staining. Buff it out with a block buffer if it bugs you.

xo

coming soon Hey Big Spender (my unbiased reviews of some bank-breaking beauty buys, scouts honor!).

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Tags: mani/pedi, manicure, O.P.I., Overexposed in South Beach, pedicure, salon tipping, SpaRitual

welcome

15Mar09

Hello Darlings!   It seems that some of you find my profusion of beauty banter useful.  So welcome to my new blog where I hope to supply you with tips cheeky and chic, and sometimes even cheap. And speaking of cheap, there will be no uncomely references to the economy here. You will simply have to trust that I won’t steer you into poverty. I solemnly swear on a stack of W magazines that I will not recommend any big-ticket items unless I have utter faith in them. Shall we get started?

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