"Avon calling!"
OK, so most of don't have the neighborhood Avon lady knocking on our doors anymore, but that doesn't mean we should forget about this brand. Avon makes a ton of products, everything from shampoo to instant pedicure strips (no joke).
So what's actually worth ordering? I'm so glad you (or I, whatever) asked. TotalBeauty.com readers shared with me which Avon products are worth re-ordering -- and which you should most definitely pass on. Click here to check them out.
Want more buying guides? Check these out:
I have (what I think is) a revolutionary new idea regarding women's ages. It's not uncommon for us to fib about our age, especially as that real number starts to creep up. I don't think there's much harm in it, I just think we're doing ourselves a disservice.
Say, for example, I'm 39. And maybe through using some of these wrinkle-zapping serums I could pass for 35. Now, I could tell people I'm 35 and they would probably believe me, but some might think I look a little old for 35, and maybe I could use one of these skin treatments.
But, what if instead I told people I was 40? They'd believe me, (because what crazy woman is going to say she's older than she is?) and they'd think I look amazing for my age. Brilliant, no? It's like an instant face-lift, you immediately look younger if you just say that you're older.
What do you think of my new plan? Crazy or genius?
• Is your makeup making you look old? Find out here.
• And get tips to take 10 years off your face with makeup here.
There were some great looks at Sunday's BET awards,( we loved Beyonce's natural look) but one style really caught my eye. Singer Cassie was still proudly sporting the half-shaved head she debuted on Twitter last month.
Usually I wouldn't think twice about an edgy (and bizarre) look like this, but could it be that partly-shaved locks are becoming a trend in Hollywood?
After Cassie, TV Personality Lala Vazquez took the razor to her head. Then, last week, Carmen Electra revealed a newly buzzed patch of hair above her right ear.
Now maybe these stars are just looking for some photo-ops, or maybe they found that removing some hair is a nice way to cool down this summer, but I personally don't hope to see this trend catch on.
Instead, if you are dying to make a change, go with a mini makeover rather than something so drastic.
Or, find out if you can rock a short hairstyle, and chop it all off. I adore the pixie cut!
I can't wait to see if more celebs follow this half-trimmed trend!
Rachel McAdams
We loved her in "Mean Girls," we loved her in "The Notebook," heck, we just love her all the time! Rachel is always fresh-faced and beautiful and has been known to rock some funky hairstyles in the past which we say Brava for! Check out her and other celebrities experiments with color here.
Kim Cattrall
While she was actually born in England, she claims Canada as her home which is good enough for us. This always fabulous lady is best known for playing "Samantha" on everyone's favorite show "Sex & The City." In her life on and off the screen she always plays up her blonde bombshell persona and looks amazing doing it. Want to channel your inner sex goddess? Get sexy waves like Kims.
Evangeline Lilly
Lastly this lovely brunette may be famous for being "Lost" on the hit ABC drama but she sure isn't lost when it comes to how to look fierce. When not filming she always looks radiant on the red carpet! Copy Evangeline's hairstyle with these simple steps.
These beautities just make a girl wanna move to Canada . . . It must be something in the water.
It's certainly no secret that I live for a good bargain (I think my love for amazing drugstore products and makeup under $5 has made that pretty clear). What I love even more than a bargain -- free stuff! That's why I'm spreadin' the love and sharing the best deals and freebies I've found this week. Enjoy!
You could win a trip to Los Angeles and a hair makeover with a celeb stylist (runners up can win free makeup from e.l.f.). Click here for the details.
Win a years worth of Shu Uemura Art of Hair Products (worth $1680!). The sweepstakes ends June 30, so enter quick!
Nordstrom is doing a pre-sale for their Anniversary Beauty Event. You can get exclusive products from over 100 brands (Chanel, Nars, Kiehl's, Bobbi Brown, the list goes on …). These will sell out quickly so if you've got your eye on something, take advantage of the pre-sale. Get more details here.
Yes, Shu Uemura makes more than those iconic eyelash curlers. Right now they're giving away their classic black compact when you buy a customized palette (good thing black goes with everything!). Find out more here.
• Curious about those free e.l.f. products? Check out unbiased reader reviews here.
• You don't need to wait for a sale to buy these awesome shampoos -- they're cheap year-round.
• Sale or no, these life-changing products are worth their weight in gold.
Most of us have done it -- slipped into a tanning bed for prom in high school or before the summer season to get a jumpstart on the sun. We all may love the convenience and want to avoid orange fake tans like these celebs, but let's face it: tans fade, and the serious consequences of using these beds can last forever.
Germany has recently passed a law banning anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds! We all know UV ray exposure can cause skin cancer, but did you know that tanning is especially dangerous for younger skin (under 35 years old)?
That doesn't mean you have a free pass if you are older! You all should know by now that sun damage equals ugly skin. Aside from skin cancer, (which is reason enough to keep me far away!) tanning gives you dark sun spots and wrinkles.
When is the United States going to step up and follow suit? What do you all think of this law? Under 18 or not, we all should pretend this serious beauty blunder is illegal.
• Remember, the sun is just as dangerous! Find a great sunscreen, and use it!
• It is possible to get safely bronzed without the orange glow -- these celebs did it.
• Pick one of our top rated self tanners from this list and try it out!
• Need some help? Check out this how-to video.
I know, I know, you've heard it before: If you want to look your best you need to drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep, use the right products, etc. But for those of us who live in the real world (of occasional bar hopping and/or pulling all-nighters for work), getting those eight hours of shuteye just isn't always possible.
Luckily, you don't have to stumble around looking as tired as you feel. With these makeup and skin care tips, you'll look awake and refreshed … which may confuse people when you doze off during your morning meeting (don't say I didn't warn you).
• With the tips above your face will look great, so don't let a rat's nest of hair give you away. Try one of these five-minute styles for a quick fix.
• Insomnia making you look awful? Try one of these relaxing recipes for a good night's sleep.
• Think you look bad in the morning? Wait until you see these celebrities without makeup.
Hold on to your hats, I've got a shocking revelation for you: You really don't need to spend much money to get a quality shampoo. There are reasons to buy the fancy salon shampoos (and if you are going to fork over the cash, try one of these), but the bottom line is, you can get healthy and clean hair with products found at your local supermarket.
Don't believe me? Check out these top drugstore shampoos. TotalBeauty.com readers love them as much for their price as for the way their hair feels when using them.
• No matter how good a shampoo is, most of us still need a quality conditioner. Find the perfect one here.
• Got bad hair no matter what shampoo you use? This may be to blame.
• Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, reach for that blow dryer without using one of these first.
The 2009 BET Awards were packed with music and entertainment celebs, and it was very much a celebration of the life and musical achievements of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
Host Jamie Foxx -- rocking a red "Thriller"-era leather jacket -- opened the show with a respectable rendition of "Beat It" and even closed out the number with a decent Moonwalk!
Well done to Mr. Foxx and all who threw together such an amazing tribute in just a few days.
Musical goddess Beyonce performed and brought home several awards -- and topped our list for best hair and makeup. She embraced her curls and opted for a fresh-faced glow with simple, gold-hued shadow.
Want soft curls and beachy texture like Beyonce? Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray is top-rated by TotalBeauty.com users!
Love Beyonce's makeup? So do we! Click here for a how-to video on achieving her diva look!
Want to see more Awards-season beauty trends? Check out our favorite celebrity looks from this year's Oscars!
Even if you normally don't wear any makeup -- or if you can't leave the house without "putting your face on," I'm sure you have a few tricks up your sleeve to glam up your look. (And if not, then check out these tips immediately!)
We asked TotalBeauty.com readers for their fool-proof tricks to getting glam, here's what they had to say:
"I like to try different looks but I have two staple looks I always do for getting glammed up: either smoky eyes (bronze or charcoal grey) with nude lips or shimmery shadow, black liquid liner winged out, false lashes, and a bright glossy or matte lip." -- makeupjunkie13
Don't be afraid of liquid liner, this how-to video shows how easy it can be.
"I wear makeup all the time so I'm sure people don't really see much difference when I 'glam up.' I do tend to go all out on the lips though and I'm more likely to use glitter as well." -- Bianca_S
"I glam up by switching from a sheer foundation to a foundation with a bit more coverage and lip gloss to lipstick. Not a very big glam difference. If I am going to a black tie affair, I will have false lashes put on, but that's about the only difference." -- girlwomanbeautybrainsblog
Need a new foundation? Check out these reader-approved beauties.
"I use a great red lipstick and false eyelashes to glam up. That's about the only real change because I wear makeup everyday." -- kgraulty
"I'm also a fan of smoky eyes -- I like to do them in colors, instead of black or grey -- I like purples, greens, blues and browns -- accompanied by a nude lip or a glossy peach or pink lip. Or, I go for classic glam -- black liquid liner and bright red lips." -- Lifeofaladybug
Find out how to wear every eyeshadow color in the rainbow here.
Now it's your turn, how do you "glam up"?
