VB's Beauty Picks of the Week: Color Me Good - My Beauty Picks of the Week: Color Me Good - My Top French Finds for Color Treated Hair

I’ve been dying my hair since I was 12, and I just did the math…..So in my 17 years of hair color experience, I’ve come to realize the importance of using hair care products that help preserve and optimize your color, especially if a lot of time, money, and energy go into the process. So this week’s picks are products from my own personal hair care routine that will make your hair, well, fabulously French.


1. Kerastase Bain Miroir

I’m very picky when it comes to the way a shampoo feels before, during, and after a wash. The first time I used Kerastase’s Bain Miroir, I noticed it had a very low lather, so I was feeling a bit skeptical about its cleaning powers, which only fueled the fear the $32 I spent on shampoo was not going to live up to its monetary value, that this “colour-treated hair" shampoo would be too gentle, leaving me with supposedly clean hair, and down 32 bucks. My worries were soon dispelled, for after it was rinsed, I was left with very soft, lightweight, clean feeling hair that had seemed to take on a life of its own. I don’t know what they do there in their labs in Paris, but they’ve somehow managed to put that je ne sais quoi into a bottle of shampoo, casting a magical spell on one’s hair. Enchantée.

REVIEW:
Price: $32 for 8.5 oz.
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: Select Kerastase Salons, Fred Segal Beauty, kerastase-usa.com


2. Kerastase Chroma Reflect Masque

The stylist from the Kerastase salon I purchased this product from recommended I use the Chroma Reflect Masque in place of Kerastase’s Chroma Reflect Milk, (the conditioner marketed to be sold with the Bain Miroir). All I have to say is that this conditioner is amazing; where other conditioners leave my hair in desperate need of a detangler, I experience no such thing with the Chroma Reflect Masque. My hair comes out perfectly conditioned, I’m able to easily run my fingers through it, and it dries much faster, and looks its absolute best; shiny, bouncy, vibrant, and healthy as compared to when I use other shampoo/conditioner combos. And the shine, the shine from this product is absolutely incredible – with it my highlights pick up and reflect the light in such unique way it’s like having a million tiny prisms in your hair, and the beauty of it is that it does all this in a natural sort of way. Gotta love science!

REVIEW:
Price: $58 for 6.8 oz.
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: Select Kerastase Salons, Fred Segal Beauty, kerastase-usa.com



3. Phyto Huile D’ales – Pre-shampoo Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment

When I use Phyto’s Huile D’Ales I feel like I’m treating my hair to a day at the spa. It’s like giving your hair and scalp an aromatherapy session, since the treatment contains essential oils of sage, rosemary, juniper berries and lemon, which rinse out clean, leaving no oily residue as one might think. Using this product also gives me the opportunity for the occasional nerd out I like to have, as the junior scientist in me enjoys the preparation process of this treatment, since you have to break off the ends of the glass vial containing the formula in order to empty its contents into the enclosed spray bottle, which is then used to apply the oil to the hair. I use the treatment about every 3 weeks to revive my hair’s texture and color, and either the day of or before my color, as it helps the dye adhere to the hair shaft. *I soak the spray bottle in hot water before it’s application, so it’s like a traditional hot oil treatment.

REVIEW:
Price: $28 for (5) 0.33 oz. ampoules
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: Sephora, sephora.com, drugstore.com

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tip of the Week: Brazaar Bazaar Part I – Get Fitted

October isn’t over yet, so neither is my latest obsession with things breast related. The focus of this and next week’s postings are bras, which we all know at times can be a woman’s best friend, and own worst enemy, as I’m sure every lady out there has had one of those days when for some reason or another you’ve worn that bra from hell; the kind that pinches, pulls, or sorta digs into your skin, and is basically so uncomfortable it ruins your day. So this week’s tip will help you to avoid such misery by showing you how to fit oneself in the correct size bra.

How to Fit a Bra - Only Takes 2 Minutes and Can be Life Altering!!

1. Band Measurement: Measure under your bust, without a bra, using a cloth tape measure. Gently pull the tape measure around your rib cage. Add 3 to the number to get the band measurement.

Example: If your measurement is 31″, add 3″ for a band size of 34”.

2. Bust Measurement: Measure around the fullest part of your bust. Do not pull the tape measure too tight.

Example: Your bust at the fullest part is 36″.

3. Cup Size = Bust Measurement - Band Measurement:
Cup Size Conversion: 0” = AA, 1” = A, 2″ = B, 3″ = C, 4″ = D, 5″ = DD,
6″ = DDD

Example: 36″ – 34″ = 2″. Your cup size is B and your bra size is 34B.


*If the band size comes out to an uneven number, try the next size up. Or if you are having difficulty finding a comfortable fit, then if you go up in cup size come down in band size or if you go up in band size come down in cup size. For example, if you are wearing a 34B, but it is a little too snug around the band, then you would move up to a 36A.

And if you find you do not fit the commonly sold bra sizes in most retail stores, Playtex now has their Thank Goodness It Fits and Half Sizes Too lines to accommodate. These can be found at Mervyn’s, Sears, Kohl’s, Macy’s or at walmart.com.

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Picks of the Week: Bosom Buddies. Love Them.

I have a soft spot for things neglected, things that might not quite get the attention they deserve; and as we near the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I’ve come to realize there has been a significant shift in my own consciousness, and that October has really just become breast awareness month, and that is why this week’s picks are products that will keep your bosom buddies pampered.


1. Lancôme’s Exfoliance Clarte - Clarifying Exfoliating Gel

Last week’s tips included exfoliation as one of the breast care methods. One of my favorite exfoliating masks is Lancôme’s Exfoliance Clarte, a gel mask composed of pineapple and papaya extracts and very fine granules to remove dead skin cells. What I like most about this mask is that it clarifies without stripping the skin’s natural oils, a quality that many exfoliating products lack. It’s very gentle and hydrating, and works especially well on the face, neck, and bust.

REVIEW:
Price: $23 for 3.4 oz. tube
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Good
Where to buy: Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora



2. Palmer’s Massage Cream for Stretch Marks

Palmer’s Massage Cream for Stretch Marks is great for anyone who is trying to prevent them, or would like existing ones to fade a bit (expecting mothers, people that diet, pubescent girls, women whose bodies are adjusting after childbirth). The cream contains vitamin E and cocoa butter; moisturizers that reduce stretch mark scarring; lanolin to firm, and collagen and elastin to aid in retaining the skin’s elasticity. It’s clinically and dermatologist tested, so safe for expecting and nursing mothers. Its initial fragrance is a bit potent; however this fades after a few minutes, but most importantly, it works and leaves you with firmer softer skin.

REVIEW:
Price: $5.79 4.4oz. tube
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: Drugstores



3. Urban Decay Flavored Body Powder in Marshmallow

I’ve been a fan of Urban Decay’s edible shimmer powders for years now. They are incredibly fun and whimsical, perfect for enhancing décolleté, legs, shoulders, etc. and can essentially be used anywhere on the body. Hell, I’ve even seen people dust cakes with it. My recent favorite is Marshmallow, since it has a light creamy shimmer, and tastes decadently like, well like marshmallows. Delish.

REVIEW:
Price: $26 for .63 oz.
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: Sephora, urbandecay.com

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tips of the Week: I Must, I Must, I Must Get to Know My Bust. How to Become Breast Friends Forever.

It’s extremely important for all women to be educated, and informed about the risks of breast cancer, a hereditary and socio-economic disease, so serious that 1 in 8 women will develop it during their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. So with this alarming statistic, this week’s tips are to help women take preventative measures in caring for their breasts, so that they indeed may become B.F.F.

1. Get to know your breasts. Meaning, give yourself monthly breast examinations so you can become familiar with your breast tissue. As you become educated about this part of your body, it will be easier to detect any abnormal feeling lumps. ALWAYS consult a doctor as soon as possible if you think you may have found a questionable lump or questionable changes in skin texture. The following link has illustrated step by step instructions on how to perform this kind of monthly breast self-exam.

2. Get a professional’s opinion. Get a breast exam from your doctor every two years if you are under 40, women over 40 once a year. Get your first mammogram after 35, annual mammograms after 40.

3. Eat a balanced diet, exercise, and if you smoke, quit!

4. The skin on your chest is just as important and as sensitive as the skin on your face. So please, moisturize, exfoliate, and protect outdoors. Use sunscreen and cover your chest!!

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Picks of the Week: Hell Yeah. Pink Ladies Rule! Picks to Get You Thinking Pink.

Why do Pink Ladies rule you ask? They look cool, yes, but not quite the right answer. They act cool, yes, getting warmer. The answer: They think cool, and thinking cool in October involves recognizing the month as being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So this week’s picks are from a few of my favorite cosmetic brands that are supporting the cause.


1. Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne

I love Jo Malone Fragrances. So you can only imagine my excitement when I found out Jo Malone is participating in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Red Roses is perfect for anyone who loves the smell of fresh cut roses, and is great worn alone or layered with a multitude of Jo Malone Scents. My personal favorite combination, which I call, Guns N’ Roses, is Red Roses worn with Black Vetyver Café. Sweet and sensual, dark, and a bit wild; so Rock ‘n’ Roll.

REVIEW:
Cost: $50.00/ 1oz.
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: BCRF Promo jomalone.com
Donation Type: $14,000 Breast Cancer Research Foundation



2. DuWop Purse Your Lips

The Purse your Lips Promo is cool cause you get a mini tube of pink shimmer Lip Venom in a cute pink metallic wristlet, and a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Cosmetic Executive Women’s Cancer and Career Foundation, which is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women in the workforce with Cancer.

I’ve been a fan of DuWop’s Lip Venom for years now, as it was one of the first lip plumper type products to hit the market. When I take it out with me, I tell people, “Yeah, it makes your lips bigger and kinda hurts, but like a good pain.” And every time, like clockwork, they ask to try it, and we all stand around pursing our shiny pink, and tingling lips.

REVIEW:
Cost: $24
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: CEW Promo sephora.com
Donation Type: Undisclosed amount - Cosmetic Executive Women’s Cancer and Career Foundation



3. Bumble and Bumble Classic Hairspray

I’m actually very quite impressed with Bumble and Bumble’s $1 contribution from every 10 oz. can sold during their Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotion. Moveable hold is the best way to describe Bumble and Bumble’s Classic Hairspray, which is definitely worth the investment, and a must have for classic curls, and holiday updos.

REVIEW:
Cost: $19.99
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: BCRF Promo 1.888.7BUMBLE or participating salons in your area
Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Picks of the Week: B.O. Hell No….Tough Love. Deodorants that Work.

This week’s beauty picks are centered on the unglamorous and very practical world of underarm deodorants. I feel a deodorant definitely has to cater to the needs of the wearer, which can vary from occasion to occasion. So I decided for this week’s picks I’d go ahead and select and review my favorite deodorants for the following circumstances, since sweating is for sissies.


1. Secret Platinum Soft Solid Unscented Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant

I use Secret Platinum Soft Solid Unscented during those times when sweating is just not acceptable. Those times include instances when I’m wearing certain clothing that can absolutely have no evidence of sweat marks (i.e. vintage silk anything or anything expensive). Even the most avid sweaters I know swear by this deodorant. Personally I like the unscented kind as it doesn’t interfere with my fragrance selection for the day, and I find the soft solid to be the more effective than the clear gels. The trick is let it fully dry and be absorbed into your skin (7-10 minutes) before putting on your clothes, so you don’t get those annoying little chalky marks on the edges of your tops, which constantly happened to me before I wised up. You know this deodorant is working cause you can feel a dry film on your underarms for a couple days after one application, which slightly worries me sometimes, and which leads me to pick number two.

REVIEW:
Price: $4.50
Value: Good.
Accessibility: Great!
Where to buy: Drugstores
Type: Anti-perspirant /Deodorant
Contains Aluminum: Yes


2. Trader Joe’s Cotton Unscented Deodorant

Aluminum in deodorant is rumored to cause Alzheimer’s disease and contribute to breast cancer. Now scientifically, they have never proven deodorants containing aluminum to be this dangerous, but I think any product that stops your body from its natural process (sweating) probably isn’t that good for you, plus if you think about it, you’re swiping it right over your lymph nodes daily. Anyhow, on those days when I still need anti-sweat protection; I use trader Joe’s Cotton Unscented Deodorant, which cleverly uses cotton fibers to absorb moisture. Glides on smoothly like any regular deodorant. Clear. Good for about 6 hours.

REVIEW:
Price: $2.99
Value: Great!
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to buy: Trader Joe’s
Type: Deodorant
Contains Aluminum: No



3. Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick Unscented

Then I have those days when I am just kickin it, but still need a little something to not feel uncomfortable. These are the days when I opt for Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick. The packaging is marked unscented, but I find it has a very pleasant homeopathic smell to it, and is apparently scented with coriander, whose fragrance is light enough to not disturb the chemistry of that day’s perfume pick. Good for about 5 hours.

REVIEW:
Price: $4.39
Value: Good.
Accessibility: Great!
Where to buy: Drugstores, Trader Joe’s, Health Food Stores
Type: Deodorant
Contains Aluminum: No

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Picks of the Week: Convenient Truths. You’ll Want Them.

This week’s picks all share one thing in common: convenience. In today’s world we’re inundated by a variety of timesuckers, (forms of mass media, traffic, energy vampires, just to name a few), and I find no matter how much I plan ahead, it seems there is simply never enough time. So this week’s beauty picks will help you save real time, so you can allocate it to hopefully, my favorite time; which is playtime, then dinner of course!!



1. Almay Smart Shade Makeup

DESCRIPTION: It kinda scares me how chemists can invent something that does this, but nevertheless, I feel the technology involved is brilliant. How innovative is it to create a foundation that matches itself to you skin tone? “One foundation under God…”

WHY I LIKE IT: This foundation is great for those days when you don’t have time to blend, blend, blend, and works so well that you can put it on without a mirror. It’s perfect for that midday touch-up, or for those days when you need to be somewhere looking presentable, but only have five minutes to work it out.

REVIEW:
Price: $13.50
Value: Good.
Accessibility: Great!
Where to buy: Drugstores



2. Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer

DESCRIPTION: I’m always working with my hands, so my nails can get pretty tore back looking. Ideally, I try to manicure them weekly, but sometimes it doesn’t quite work out that way, so in these instances, I have Neutrogena’s Instant Nail Enhancer to thank.

WHY I LIKE IT: It’s the ultimate quick fix. I like it because it dries extremely fast (like 30 seconds) and gives you a nice, subtle sheen, without having that toxic acetone smell that most nail products have.

REVIEW:
Price: $7.89
Value: Good.
Accessibility: Great!
Where to buy: Drugstores




3. Fat Girl Slim by Bliss

DESCRIPTION: This cream touts caffeine as its active ingredient, responsible for the toning and firming of the skin, decreasing the overall appearance of cellulite. I believe the results are even more effective if you apply right before working out, and then wear some tight layers around those areas to increase the absorption of the product.

WHY I LIKE IT: Exercise and I are definitely not the best of friends, and I have to admit, my eating habits aren’t the best, though not the worst, but using this cream makes me feel like I lost three pounds, and I don’t know about you all, but I’m very happy feeling this way.

REVIEW:
Cost: $30.00 6oz.
Value: Moderate.
Accessibility: Moderate.
Where to buy: Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus.

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tip of the Week: R.I.P. Sad Eyes a.k.a. D.I.Y. Eye Depuffer

I love the idea of all natural beauty products and remedies, but I don’t always love their au naturel results. However, I was very impressed with the effectiveness of this week’s tip, a recommendation from Horst Rechelbacher, the founder of Aveda, which is an all natural, totally vegan, and 100% biodegradable way to soothe, tired, puffy eyes. Tried and tested, enhanced and loved by yours truly.


What you need to buy: A potato.

Instructions: Take a potato, cut into slices, and apply to the eyes for 3-10 minutes. Dab off excess and follow with your normal cleansing routine.

**I’ve found if you refrigerate the potato prior to its application, this will produce a very relaxing cooling sensation for your eyes that will also contribute to reducing any swelling.

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Pick of the Week: Eyes of the Beholder – Get it.

My friend Amy always has the most impeccably lined eyes. I find her eyeliner to be powerfully intriguing, as in certain instances, the light is reflected off her eyeliner, causing a slight shine, and looking like her eyes are lined with a streak of patent leather, which creates a very dramatic effect jointed with an air of mystery. The guilty product: L’Oreal’s Carbon Black Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner. Welcome to this week’s pick.

This product turns eyeliner application into an effortless feat with its felt tip, making it very similar to drawing on your eyelid with a marker, which is so much easier than struggling with the hard to control eyeliner brushes of some of the other liquid liners out there. It’s also formulated for all-day wear, as evidenced in this photo, taken after 12 hours of its initial application. And apparently the band the Faint, wears it too due to her recommendation to another enamored admirer.



REVIEW:
Cost: $7.99
Value: Great!
Accessibility: Great!
Where to buy: Drugstores
Waterproof Formula: No, but Water-Resistant.

VB's Beauty Pick of the Week: Smooth Operator – Get Your New B.F.W.B. a.k.a. Best Friend with Benefits

Whether you wax, shave, and/or pluck, there is always the susceptibility of falling victim to razor bumps and burn, and the most dreadful skin ailment of them all: ingrown hairs. This week’s pick, Zero Bumps by Sally Hansen, is one which practically eliminates all the aforementioned related to hair removal, and was recommended by my friend Liz, whose enthusiasm was so great, that I had no other choice than to try this product out for myself. I used to be a fan of Tend Skin, which I considered be one of those “investment” products, since it is on the pricier side ($20/ 8oz.), but was not a fan of its vinegary smell and inconsistent results. Once I used the Zero Bumps, I was converted and Tend Skin was a fleeting memory of my beauty’s past.


This product is great cause it comes in disposable pre-moistened pads (remember Oxy pads) and has a very light, inoffensive vanilla fragrance. We’ve found it can be used anyplace one is prone to getting ingrown hairs and razor bumps and burn, and even have one male friend who uses them on his face and neck. The product also contains a topical analgesic or topical painkiller, which prevents irritation and itching. These pads are life-altering, no joke, in so much that I guarantee they will become your New Best Friend with Benefits, who will always treat you right. And that’s on the real.

REVIEW:
Price: $8 for 65 pads
Accessibility: Good (Most Drugstores, Longs)
Value: Good

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tip of the Week: Taking Footsies Back - Instant Toe Job. Get it!

My addiction to pretty shoes sometimes gets me into a bind, and quite literally, for a shoe is like a corset for the foot, altering its natural state by molding its bones into the shape of your habitual footwear. And thank goodness the age old custom of foot binding lapsed with the last century, though the implementation of waist training is still very alive in certain sects, but I digress, and I promise this is going somewhere…So this week’s tip is how to affordably get your feet back on track.

Some months ago, when the buzz about Yoga Toes was still very quite rampant, I thought I should try them for myself, since I have bad feet. Costing an average of $45 plus shipping and handling (Amazon.com, yogapro.com), Yoga Toes claim to do everything from relieving bunions, hammer toes, p-toes, (try to visualize these shapes), you get the gist. The instructions say to wet them before slipping them over and in between the toes, and to wear them as long as you can stand, but I’ve noticed the toe separating/stretching for 30 minutes a night makes a pretty significant improvement in the appearance of your toes, reducing p-toes for me and improving their overall posture, and state of relaxation.


After some experimentation, I realized about the same amount of stretching occurs when you use good old drug store pedicure toe separators, and the same relaxing effect is also experienced when using the separators on fingers as well, which is good for those, like myself that spend a lot of time on the computer. The best part is that these generally only cost about $2.00 and can be purchased at drug and beauty supply stores. The benefit here of course is you get the yoga toe workout without having to spend what it would literally cost for a couple real life yoga sessions…And I do have to admit, Downward Dog looks even better with good looking feet.


Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tip of the Week: Pimpin’ It - How to Treat a Blemish Right.

I recently experienced a french fry attack and ended up with a monstrosity of a pimple. It had planted itself quite visibly upon my forehead, and it was one of those painful kind, the kind that makes its presence so conspicuous that you would swear it was a parasitic twin. A victim of impulse control issues, I’m not very adept at waiting out blemishes like a good girl should. So what did I do? I performed surgery. So this week’s tip is how to pop a pimple proper.


1. Draw the pimple towards the center. The easiest way to accomplish this is to take a very hot shower and let the steam from the shower, accompanied by a washcloth, bring the pimple to a head naturally. Or if you don’t have time for that, heat up a damp washcloth in the microwave for about 45 seconds, test temperature on your hand first, then apply to the afflicted area until you feel it rise to the surface.

2. Examine the area to find a place for the fluids to exit.

3. Once this has been identified, wrap tissue around clean fingers and push the pimple from both sides until most of the fluid is released and the area is flattened as much as possible.

4. Apply a drying lotion such as Mario Badescu’s (1 oz. $17 Nordstrom) or Bye Bye Blemish (1 oz. $8.99 Drugstore.com, most beauty supply stores) and vitamin E oil (will expedite healing process and help prevent scarring) twice daily until pimple is fully healed.








Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Picks of the Week: Beat the Heat …How to.

I’m not the type of girl that likes desert heat. In fact, the only dry heat this girl likes is the kind that comes from a sauna…….and speaking of which, I’m off to that sauna of a place, Las Vegas tomorrow. So this week’s picks are what I will be bringing with me to stay haute in Sin City.


1. Evian Brumisateur Mineral Water Sprays

DESCRIPTION: Evian packages their pH balanced water in mini cans that spray a fine mist, and although I personally don’t like the taste of Evian mineral water; I absolutely LOVE it for my skin and hair in unbearably hot weather. Use it anytime to tone, refresh, and rehydrate.

WHY I LIKE IT: It may look high maintenance when I go around dousing myself with baby cans of Evian, but for what it’s worth, it does the trick. These travel extremely well, and conveniently fit into practically any handbag.

REVIEW:
Price: $16.50 for (3) 1.7 oz. travel cans
Accessibility: Good (Sephora, Nordstrom, Drugstore.com)
Value: Good



2. Decleor Brume Fraiche Hydratante - Fresh Hydrating Mist for Face

DESCRIPTION: When I finally arrive back at my hotel room, I like to spritz my face with Decleor’s Fresh Hydrating Mist for Face. This I like since it combines uplifting essential oils (levendar, petitgrain) and essential waters (orage, kiwi, sweet clover) to refresh and rehydrate the skin.

WHY I LIKE IT: I always keep a bottle of this in my desk at work. Smells so good, that I give myself a spritz everyday around 3pm to kick me back into gear after lunch.

REVIEW:
Price: $20.50 for 5 oz.
Accessibility: Good (Amazon.com, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom)
Value: Fair



3. Clinique UV-Response Face SPF 50

DESCRIPTION: Everytime I go outside I use Clinque’s SPF 50 to protect my skin. It’s is a non-greasy, water-resistant, and oil-free cream formula that goes on easily, and is noticeably non-drying (I have dry skin) as compared to some other SPFs for the face.

WHY I LIKE IT: This SPF is so lightweight, absorbent, and easy to use that once I apply it, I totally forget that it’s there.

REVIEW:
Price: $15.50 for 1.7 oz.
Accessibility: Good (Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom)
Value: Good



4. Olay Body Touch of Sun, Daily Body Lotion Plus a Touch of Sunless Tanner

DESCRIPTION: Oil of Olay’s version of a gradual self-tanner in a lightweight, lightly scented (on the sweet side), all -over body lotion.

WHY I LIKE IT: I use self-tanner, and when I’m on track, I use gradual self-tanner. Now, I know that sensitive noses like mine don’t appreciate that horrible overpowering chemical/vitamin/mineral scent of most self tanners. She actually discovered this one, and I tested out recently, and I have to say I agree, it’s the most decent smelling gradual self-tanner I’ve used to date (more like burnt polyester, which actually smells good to me versus the nuclear powerplant smell of some of its contemporaries). It works well, doesn’t streak, and the best part is that it isn’t terribly expensive.

REVIEW:
Price: $8.50 for 6.7 oz.
Accessibility: Great (Walgeens, Walmart, Longs)
Value: Good

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tip of the Week – LL Good Shave…How to.

There is nothing more enticing than the feel of silky smooth shaven skin. A clean close shave feels so good to the touch. This is because in addition to the hair removal, you’re simultaneously removing a thin layer of skin as well, which essentially is the best kind of non-chemical exfoliating you can do for your skin. It’s a feeling you can only get from shaving, as waxing removes the hair by the roots, which doesn’t leave the skin nearly as smooth, though it’s always a good idea to wax, but that’s another blog…..I’m very much an undercover classic girl, and in many instances believe the old fashioned way is the best way to do things. So this week’s tip is how to get the perfect shave, a slight variation on the old fashioned way.


What you need to buy: Oil (Rosemary Infused Olive Oil, see tip from 3/18/07 blog) or comparable oil like Jojoba or even Baby Oil.

Glycerin soap or comparable high lather soap.


Shaving brush (like how the barber does it - $6.99 Walgreens to $329 Acqua Di Parma at Saks Fifth Avenue shown here) or other ways to lather, see below.

Instructions: Prior to shaving, apply enough oil to leave a lubricating film on the area being shaved. This provides lubrication for the razor. Next, take bar soap, glycerin recommended, but any bar soap will do, and your shaving brush and create a thick lather over the layer of oil (you can do this with your hands or a shower pouf if you don’t have a shaving brush, but the shaving brush will make the best lather). Continue to shave as you would normally. Opposite of hair growth for legs and bikini line, both directions for everywhere else. Follow with a moisturizer for women, (D.I.Y. Rosemary Infused Oilve Oil Recipe) aftershave for men.

I prefer this shaving method since it is natural and non-chemical, and eliminates the need to purchase shaving cream, which as you can see isn’t the basis for a great shave, and whose packaging containers are harmful to the environment anyway. It’s paying my respects to the shaving rituals of times past with the convenience of using today’s modern razor versus the straight razor of previous generations. So if you’re feeling nice, shave your man this way….If you’re feeling brave, let your man shave you.

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Pick of the Week – Get Your Bang for Your Buck at Sephora

I’m very loyal bordering on co-dependent when it comes to my make-up color selections, so there are times when I force myself to think outside of the box by buying a myriad of colors inside a box; or what we all know as make-up palettes.

DESCRIPTION: Now every cosmetic brand out there has one, if not a few, but my favorite of late is the Sephora Brand Summer Blockbuster Palette (a limited edition) that contains: 24 eyeshadows, 24 lip colors, three bronzers, one shimmer highlighting powder, and corresponding brushes all for only $36. Now the pigments in this palette are not particularly strong like you would find in a MAC product. They tend to be more on the sheer side, which is ideal for creating the perfect summer face; just a hint of color for day, dressing it up at night with brighter and darker sheer shades to create intensity.

WHY I LIKE IT: Since this palette holds so many color options, it is on the larger side; measuring 7 inches long, by 5 inches wide, by 7/8 inch in height, so it’s not the kind of palette you would want to take to the office on a daily basis (too heavy), but is the perfect travel companion due to its size and make-up color options (consolidates make-up compacts), and has a handy built in mirror as well.

Faves within are a sheer plum eyeshadow, (right side, second column, 4th down; great for a summer smokey eye, and a sheer true red lipstick (left side third column, 4th down), a very modern take on the classic. All the neutrals are extremely practical and can be used alone, or in combination with the other colors. I’ve been using the gold eyeshadow (left side, top of second column) as a highlighter (makes the eyes appear larger) by dabbing a bit in the innercorners of each eye. The bronzers and shimmer highlighter can be used together in the current fashion of bronzer on bottom, highlighter on top as in the way Benefit sells its 10 (see picks from July 8th).

What I like most about this make-up palette is its value. $36 for 52 units of quality make-up is incredible. That averages .69 per unit, and you can’t beat that.

REVIEW:
Price: $36 for 52 Make-up Color Choices
Accessibility: Fair (Sephora store, Sephora.com)
Value: Great!

*03.10.08 - This palette has since been discontinued at Sephora. However, they do currently offer two very similar palettes at $48 each.

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tip of the Week – Get Happy Hair a.k.a D.I.Y. Clarifying Hair Rinse

A person’s hairstyle generally reflects their mood and personality, and current life status. Good hair is coveted and copied. Interesting hair makes us think. Hair with body is undeniably sexy, and I know I feel my best when my hair feels good, and that is for me: shiny, healthy, and bouncy. Many hair care lines attempt to accomplish this by offering a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup, Neutrogena Anti Residue Formula Shampoo is one example for instance. Oftentimes, these shampoos are too drying and leave hair stripped of its natural oils, definitely not what you want for chemically treated hair such as my own. So this week’s tip is how to make your make your hair instantly happy by removing dulling product build-up and restoring hair’s natural pH balance with one simple and natural ingredient: Apple Cider Vinegar. Just add water.

What you need to buy: Bottle apple Cider Vinegar ($2.50 grocery store)

Instructions: Use prior to shampooing and conditioning on a day when you don’t mind getting or giving the occasional whiff of vinegar! P.S. - The natural acidic properties of the vinegar will cause a slight sting. Don’t worry, this just means it’s working, but be careful not to get the rinse in your eyes!!!

Mix ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 cup lukewarm water. Pour onto wet hair and let sit for 1 minute. Rinse, and follow with your usual shampooing/conditioning method.

When you hair is dry, it will feel noticeably lighter and will have more body and bounce to it.

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

VB's Beauty Tip of the Week: Slumber Party Solo a.k.a Insomniac’s BFF - D.I.Y. De-stress Body and Pressure Point Cream

I tend to be on the insomniac side – and I found this tip quite by accident….It was yet another night of tossing and turning accompanied by a suffocating restlessness that had me staring at the ceiling, staring at my alarm clock, and hoping and praying for an end to this vicious cycle, that the much anticipated sleep would set in. I tried desperately to ride out this episode of insomnia with different relaxation techniques, all of which having futile results. The minutes passed, then an hour, then two hours, and still I lay there, and overactive mind in an exhausted body, neither able to make the ultimate compromise with the other for the nighttime resignation. With my patience waning and my frustration growing tenfold with every failed attempt at the slumber, it came to mind that I should try to use the De-stress Lavender Pulse Point Cream I sometimes make to help me relax. I have the habit of getting carried away with things and before I knew it, I had slathered the cream over my entire body, and even before I could get back into bed, I felt knocked out, and was asleep within two minutes of applying the lotion. In the morning I was refreshed thanks to a good night’s sleep, and when I came to I realized why the cream had worked so well – and then it suddenly made perfect sense as to why Johnson an Johnson has lavender scented baby products out there, and why Europeans have been using it for centuries to calm the nerves. Anyhow, we’re all perpetual babies, so this week’s tip is how to make our not so baby nerves fall asleep.

What you need to buy:
Lavender Essential Oil (Health Food Stores, Puritan.com $12.95/ 1 oz.)
Unscented Body Lotion (drugstores $1.50)
Vanilla Extract

Instructions: Mix approximately 1 cup unscented body lotion with 10 drops lavender essential oil and 5 drops vanilla extract. Stir and keep in a sealable container.

To Use:

General use - For instant relaxation, dabs on pulse points (insides of wrists and temples), and take a deep breath.

To fall asleep – Rub on entire body, arms, legs, torso, feet, etc. before bedtime.

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!!

VB's Beauty Picks of the Week: Summer Luvin’ - My Top Three Summer Beauty Picks

I love that everything gets lighter and sheerer in the summer months; a definite throwback to youth, makes me even a bit giddy, and this includes my choices of beauty products as well. So here are my top three favorite beauty picks for this summer.



1. 10 by Benefit

DESCRIPTION: I’ve always thought chisel and glow is the way to go for summer, which is exactly what Benefit 10 does in one easy step. Its universal shade of bronzer paired with a light pink highlighter in a pressed powder form delivers instant cheekbones and glowing skin that is flattering on everyone.

WHY I LIKE IT: I was at the Benefit Store on Fillmore with a group of girls when the sales associate did a demonstration swooping the 10 across cheekbones, t-zones, temples, and even décolleté (remember ladies, pink on top to highlight, brown on bottom to sculpt), and sold 4 10s in all of about ten seconds cause it made every girl wearing it appear noticeably fresher and radiant.

REVIEW:
Price: $26 for .35 oz.
Accessibility: Good (Sephora, Macy’s, Benefit Store)
Value: Moderate


2. Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick - Tiger Eye #186

DESCRIPTION: #186 is by far my favorite lipstick color for summer. It is a frosted light bronze hue that is well pigmented with very fine tawny flecks of glitter, but not overly so. My mom recently gave me this lipstick as it was a Macy’s Estee Lauder gift with purchase, which is unfortunately a promotion that is no longer available. It's totally worth buying though, since the color is absolutely perfect for summer.

WHY I LIKE IT: It’s the kind of lipstick shade that looks good on everybody; a casual hint of sun kissed color for day and enough shine to play up at night with a smoky eye.

REVIEW:
Price: $22 per tube
Accessibility: Fair (Esteelauder.com, Macy’s)
Value: Moderate



3. Sunset Heat Eau de Toilette by Escada

DESCRIPTION: Typically people don’t associate fruity fragrances with being sexy, however Escada has succeeded in doing this with their limited edition of Sunset Heat. Sunset Heat is a fragrance with very fruity and fresh top notes (pineapple, mango, papaya citrus) with a sensual base of light sandalwood, resulting in a full-bodied fragrance that smells refreshing and sweet, yet much more complex than any single note type of fragrance you would get at say a Bath and Body Works.

WHY I LIKE IT: I like Sunset Heat because it is a deliciously curious scent. I was wearing it earlier this week when a male friend of mine told me, “don’t smell this good around me…” So apparently it does turn on the heat. Need I say more.

REVIEW:
Price: Retails for $50/ 1.6 oz., but on SALE right now at Nordstrom Rack for $29
Accessibility: Good (Sephora, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom)
Value: Good

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!!