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!