Editor's Blog
Beauty Products I've Been Going Steady With
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/29/2010 at 5:42pm
I get beauty product ADD with all the bazillion choices out there. I'll try something for a week (or a day), then skip to something else, and another and so on It's probably because as a beauty editor, I come across so many misses like the 16 worst makeup products, but as of late, I do have some new faves that have been holding my interest. And I thought I would share them with you since I always love to hear of others' finds:

I have bigger pores on my cheeks and this nifty product fills them in so that they disappear leaving a smooth finish.

This serves as a moisturizer, but it's not a cream, so it leaves a velvety finish, which makes it double as a primer.

Powder sunscreens are a life-changing alternative. This one actually provides sun protection and evens out my skin tone, but doesn't feel at all greasy or oily like lotions can.

This scratches my itch for exfoliation and leaves my skin feeling moisturized post-shower so that I don't have to apply moisturizer (great, since I get so lazy about doing that). Major plus: It smells like vacation + dessert.

Don't knock drugstore makeup 'til you try it -- this fat, lip crayon serves as both a liner and a lipstick for me and is very creamy so you don't really need balm or gloss or anything. And the shade "Cougar" is a dreamy, poppy coral color that I pretty much wear everyday (for now at least ).

OK, OK, I might be the last person on the planet to have tried this shade, but wow, it's def worth all the hype. I have it on my toes now and it's an edgy, refreshing change from my go-to peachy, pink color.
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Natural Beauty from "The Hill"?
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/29/2010 at 10:10am

*Photo: TheHill.com
Breaking Political Beauty News: "The Hill," (not to be confused with the drama-ridden hills of Hollywood "The Hills"), if you're not aware, is the congressional daily newspaper in Washington D.C. that discusses important political business and lobbying, has decided to become the city's leading authority in natural beauty ... huh? Yup.
Sorta like "People" magazine's "Most Beautiful" list ("sorta" being my operative slang word), "The Hill" has come out with their own list of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in Washington D.C., -- just in case you care about the random beautiful people that call the nation's Capitol home. (See who we think has the best hair on the Hill.)
So who made the list? From political interns and staffers to State Representatives and Senators, this pretty committee shockingly includes people not working in public affairs (gasp!), but don't worry, they made the inner-beauty list by being vegans, animal lovers or Billy Joel fanatics.
While the list was made up of men and women, Democrats and Republicans (the top two are Republican women), there wasn't one Obama in sight. I personally want to know why a White House tour guide made the list when the first lady got left out --despite being praised from sea-to-shining-sea for her beauty and style since Barack's swearing in (see Michelle Obama's inaugural beauty secrets here).
Check out who made "The Hill' s 50 Most Beautiful People" list and tell me, do you want your local paper rounding up the prettiest of your city?
Underwhelmed by the male talent on "The Hill's" list? See which U.S. cities we think have the hottest men.
And is it just me, or does a city that creates its own "most beautiful" list sound like it should end up on this list of the vainest cities in America?
Want in on a little beauty discount secret? See how to get great deals and offers on beauty products here.
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Eat Your Way To a Younger-Looking Face With These Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/27/2010 at 4:44pm

My mom's words, "eat something green or orange" still resonate in my head when I open the fridge to make myself lunch. She used to say that to me on the regular -- especially when I was a malnourished college student enjoying carb orgies and beer, and not enough fruits and veggies. But the older I get, I feel more and more drawn to her adage. I've noticed that what I eat really does affect my looks (find out if your diet is making you look old) and that even the best anti-aging creams alone can't fight aging (see the 6 most overly-hyped products).
Case in point, I recently chatted with nutritionist, Joy Bauer (who I totally want to be when I grow up, BTW), and she enlightened me by sharing the vitamins that'll actually make you look younger. Incidentally, there are lots of green and orange things on her list.
Anti-aging benefits: Despite Vitamin C's notoriety for boosting our immune systems, what you might not know is that it's also involved in collagen production and helps protect skin cells from sun damage, says Bauer.
Where it's found: Bell peppers (any color), broccoli, strawberries, guava and citrus fruits like pineapples, lemons, limes, oranges, etc.
Not into foods rich in Vitamin C? Check out the top 10 facial firming creams that might contain the star ingredient.
Anti-aging benefits: Vitamin E acts as a cell membrane protectant -- it guards what comes in and what goes out of the skin. When combined with Vitamin C, it protects against UV damage.
Where it's found: Wheat germ (can be added to protein shakes, oatmeal, bread crumbs, muffins, yogurt), nuts and seeds (like sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds) and avocados
Double your anti-aging pleasure by trying one of the 16 top-rated eye creams -- some of which contain Vitamin E.
Anti-aging benefits: Beta-carotene is crucial for skin health, says Bauer. It converts to Vitamin A, which is critically responsible for cell repair and growth.
Where it's found: (Hint: Orange and deep green produce) carrots, pumpkins, cantaloupe, Swiss chard, spinach, kale
See how many servings you need to get the youth-inducing boost.
Anti-aging benefits: While "fat" is typically a four-letter word in the dieting world, Omega-3 is a good fat. Healthy fats keep the skin lubricated, help maintain the integrity of the cell membrane, which keeps toxins out of the skin and may even help protect against sun damage, says Bauer.
Where it's found: Ground flax seeds, walnuts, low contaminate fatty fish (such as Wild Salmon, Atlantic Mackerel and sardines) and edamame
Anti-aging benefits: Studies have shown that polyphenols exhibit anti-cancer properties and may reduce the risk of sun-related cancers.
Where it's found: Green tea
See if your eye cream is a rip-off, then maybe drink another cup of tea.
See the rest of the anti-aging vitamins, plus get the recipe for her Beauty Blend.
Wanna test your anti-aging knowledge? Take this quiz to separate the aging facts from fiction.
Get skin care secrets on how to take years off your face and body.
Check out this total body anti-aging guide.
Want in on a little beauty discount secret? See how to get great deals and offers on beauty products here.
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Makeup Toting "Mad Men" Barbies Debut After Premier
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/26/2010 at 5:15pm

*Photo: BarbieCollector.com
If it was socially acceptable for me to play with Barbies at my age, I would, no doubt. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It is however acceptable for me to collect Barbies, as long as I keep them on a shelf and don't secretly comb their hair at night or parade them around in their dream house. So needless to say I was elated to hear that following the world premier of "Mad Men" last night, Mattel launched (available today) the "Mad Men" Barbie Collection consisting of the four most popular characters: Don Draper, Betty Draper, Roger Sterling and Joan Holloway.
The "Mad Men" Collection is available at BarbieCollector.com for a whopping $74.95 -- obviously not the perfect present for little Susie's fifth birthday. While the dolls don't come toting their signature highballs or cigarettes, they do come with what I believe to be way more impressive accessories. The lovely Betty Draper, the "quintessential All American Girl" as Mattel calls her, comes with her favorite shade of coral lipstick (perfect for a summer debut as coral lipstick is one of the 11 best makeup looks for this season), a comb and a gold compact engraved with a "B" for Betty. Everyone's favorite redhead, Joan Holloway, sports classic red lipstick to complement her fiery strands (find out if the real-life Holloway, Christina Hendricks' crimson color is the real deal here).
So will you shelve your embarrassment for loving Barbie over 30 and pick up these retro-chic "Mad Men" dolls?
Not a fan of coral or red lipstick? Take this quiz to find out which lipstick hue is perfect for your skin tone.
While Draper's classic French twist always looks dashing, not all retro styles are worth bringing back. See the best and worst of retro celebrity hairstyles.
Want in on a little beauty discount secret? See how to get great deals and exclusive offers on beauty products here.
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New Skin Care Product That'll Give You Feet as Soft as a Baby's Tush
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/23/2010 at 7:03pm

As we all know, summer is both a blessing and a curse for feet. We all rejoice when sandal season comes around and then grumble at the cracked heels and calluses that come with baring our soles (sounds dramatic, but having nasty, crusty feet can be that dramatic). Between my love of flip-flops and days of padding around barefoot on hardwood floors, my foot files and creams just can't keep up.
You can only imagine how excited I was to discover the Baby Foot booth while reporting live from Cosmoprof North America. Which is why, without further ado, I'll say that Baby Foot Easy Pack, $19.95 is my pick for "best in show" in the nail-related category. Each pack contains a pair of plastic gel-lined slipper socks that effectively moisturizes and exfoliates dead skin cells. Now we've all seen moisturizing slipper socks, but what makes Baby Foot different is the exfoliation aspect. You wear the slippers for two hours (a long time, but a perfect excuse to rent a chick flick and get in some quality "me" time -- whatever that is) and in two to seven days, the excess skin starts to peel off (a tad gross, I admit) -- revealing baby smooth feet. The layers of dead skin shed naturally thanks to a high concentration of lactic, glycolic and citric acids.
The only caveat to using Baby Foot is that you have to refrain from wearing heels or doing excessive exercise for a week after use, but with the results it claims to provide, I say that's a small price to pay. I'm ready to say adios to dry, cracked skin and hola to silky, soft heels, so I'm going to give it a go. Now I just need to get my hockey-playing boyfriend to slip on the magic booties. And I thought my feet were a mess ...
by Michelle Mismas, All Lacquered Up
Celebrity Hairstyles Poll: Can You Spot the Real Redhead?
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/23/2010 at 4:50pm

In recent beauty news, a so-called redhead confessed that she's actually a blonde (hint: she's one of the three women pictured). It got me thinking, how many other red-haired stars don't have, ahem, matching carpet and curtains?
Do you know who the only true redhead in this trio is? Is it "Mad Men's" Christina Hendricks (A) (Season 4 premiers in T minus two days ), "Sex and the City's" Cynthia Nixon (B) (see the "girls'" best and worst looks here), or starlet-turned-jailbird Lindsay Lohan (C)?
Not a real redhead either? Pick up one of the best color-protecting shampoos to keep your scarlet hue from fading.
Want in on a little beauty discount secret? See how to get great deals and exclusive offers on beauty products here.
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Makeovers for the Homeless? Yup!
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/22/2010 at 6:12pm

I for one love a good makeover. I'm not just talking makeup or hair makeovers either (though they are my faves, sorry can't lie), but makeovers that involve the soul -- changing oneself physically or mentally in order to feel better or raise one's self confidence -- you just can't beat that. Makeovers often get flack for being superficial, but the truth is, that when used effectively and in the right mindset, changing up your makeup or hairstyle can actually be liberating. How? You are choosing to take time for yourself, to enhance your inner beauty and make yourself shine a little brighter -- literally and metaphorically.
So what happens when you have a population of women who have forgotten their importance? How do you make women who, to many, are invisible or have been cast out of everyday society due to their circumstances, feel as though they still matter? You show them -- through action, and a little bit of blush and hairspray, that they too deserve to feel good about themselves. This is what the Glamour Project is doing. The non-profit, founded by Kara Fox and Evvy Shapero, is "dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged women through kindness, compassion and photography!" They go into homeless shelters around the Los Angeles area and give makeovers to women who have suffered great loss, often from neglect or abuse, and take glamour shots of them in order to remind these women they can "reclaim their confidence, beauty and sense of hope."
The Glamour Project reminds us that "being homeless is a circumstance not an identity," and that with "a more glamorous identity comes the beginning of a new belief in oneself and in lifes possibilities!"
Visit the GlamourProject.org to see pictures of the makeovers and to learn how you can get involved in their beautiful project.
Check out this list of other charities working to make the world a more beautiful place.
Also see how moms can get a quick makeover to boost their spirits.
And see how even celebrities get a boost of confidence by way of dramatic hair makeovers.
Want in on a little beauty discount secret? See how to get great deals and offers on beauty products here.
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Get Demi Lovato's Award Show Look with Her Skin and Makeup Tips
- Posted by Total Beauty on 07/21/2010 at 6:05pm

The VH1 2010 Do Something! Awards on Monday night exceeded my expectations. Unlike most award shows that acknowledge artists for their singing, dancing, acting and whatnot -- this one honored celebs and real people alike from Snoop Dogg to Joe Shmoe from Ohio for making a difference (see the 23 charities we love).
While doing good is important and all (learn how to give back), I couldn't help but notice the hair, makeup and skin of all the celebs I saw at the event. There were some hits and misses as always (see these scary celeb makeup looks), but teen sensation Demi Lovato's glossy lips and glowing skin caught my eye. We briefly met and I asked what skin care products she uses and found out a few of her makeup tricks.
Demi's Skin Care Routine
Demi washes her face with Clean & Clear Morning Burst Surge Energizing Power Cleanser, $15.99, which is chock full of Vitamin C and Ginseng. Then, she follows it with Clean & Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisturizer, $7.99 to help minimize pores and imperfections (see some other winning drugstore buys).
Demi's Makeup Look
1. For a rosy glow like Demi's, mix a bit of moisturizer with a cream blush and apply to the apples of your cheeks. The moisturizer loosens the blush, making it blend-able, which yields a more natural, flushed look.
2. To keep brows in place, spray a clean mascara wand with a lil' hairspray and comb through brows (Demi is blessed with brows that have a great natural shape, BTW). If you have some areas that are sparse, use a brow filler in a shade that matches your brow -- careful not to go too dark or draw outside the lines.
3. Demi wears toned down eyeshadow that creates a soft smoky eye to go along with her playful, pink lipstick (makeup rule of thumb: only go dramatic on one feature at a time). To keep lipstick on all night, she applies one coat of lipstick, blots on a tissue and then reapplies.
Wanna look hot in the heat? Check out the 11 best makeup looks for summer.
Get more makeup tips and see more celebrity makeup looks.
Want in on a little beauty discount secret? See how to get great deals and offers on beauty products here.
Keep up with the latest in beauty -- follow us on Twitter, add us on YouTube and friend us on Facebook.
Light-Up Tweezers -- A High-Tech Makeup Gadget Must-Have
- Posted by Kristen on 07/20/2010 at 10:07pm

I have found that the best lighting for tweezing brows happens to be in the car -- no joke. Without fail each morning as I sit in Los Angeles traffic, I flip open my visor mirror and -- bam -- I see each and every stray hair that I somehow missed, or more like, never saw. You really need quality light to pluck brows -- ask any pro.
Which is why on this third day of reporting live from Cosmoprof North America, my "best in show" beauty product pick of the day are the La-Tweez Pro Illuminating Tweezers, $24. These are the Porsche of tweezers. Not only do they have a super sharp, precise, stainless steel design (with handy triangle cutouts along the sides for improved grip), but these babies light up. With one touch of the very snazzy Swarovski crystal button, on pops a very bright LED light that helps you see each and every hair -- even my fine blonde ones. And the light has auto shut-off to boot.
They pretty much thought of everything in designing this beauty tool -- maybe next year's edition will have an auto-pluck button, here's hoping. Until then, make sure you avoid the most common eyebrow tweezing mistakes by following these expert tips, courtesy of brow guru Kristie Streicher.
Genius Body Product Alert: A Quick-Fix Solution to Tacky Tan Lines
- Posted by Kristen on 07/20/2010 at 1:25pm

Today we're reporting live from Cosmoprof North America, a trade show for beauty manufacturers and distributors, and one that would make any beauty junkie squeal with delight -- we're talking miles of flat irons, nail polish and anti-aging skin care lotions and potions.
We're here to scope out the latest technologies and beauty product innovations to see what hot-off-the-conveyor-belt products shouldn't be missed. So, for the next five days we're going to debut a "best in show" product. First up: Solerra Tanee Tan Line Corrector, $5.99.
This genius tiny tube of self-tanner has a sponge tip applicator that makes it super cinchy to hide dreaded tan lines. You squeeze the little lip balm-sized tube and the sponge becomes saturated in self-tanner. You then apply the tanner to your lines, blend slightly and let dry. Hours later your tan lines will look less obvious.
Quite nifty, and at such an affordable price point, you should have a tube stashed in your bathroom, so when those emergency tan lines appear -- and you have to be photographed in that strapless -- you'll be covered -- literally.

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