Truly Glam

The Perfect Low-Maintenance Nail Polish Color by Essie

2009-04-21T12:58:00.001-07:00

Irony! Tell me why, the most perfect, low-maintenance shade of sheer pink nail polish by Essie is called... get this... Hi-Maintenance. I just thought that was funny. Anyway, I don't know about you, but I hate getting bright colors on my fingernails only to have them chip in a few days. Because of this, sometimes I just opt for a clear shade. However, sometimes you want to feel a bit more fancy. If you can relate, this shade is for you.

It goes on quickly and flawlessly with two thin coats and makes you look like you just came from the nail salon.

This polish gets the Truly Beautiful stamp of approval! Make sure to try it. You'll thank me later.

Stay Truly Beautiful!

Tutorial: How to Wear Bright Lipgloss/Lipstick Featuring New MAC Collection

2009-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to wear a really bright, fun shade of lipgloss or lipstick, but have shied away for fear of looking like a clown?

Well, we have all been there, but rest assured that you have nothing to fear if you wear a bright lip the right way. The key to this look is focusing all of the attention on your lips by creating a clean face and very subtle eye. Less is more.

Follow the steps to create a similar look. This look features Red Devil lipgloss from MAC's new Brunette Blonde Redhead Collection.

Step 1: Create a flawless face by using concealer on your blemishes and under your eyes. I am sleep deprived, so I use a lot under my eyes sometimes! You might get away with less than I am using in this photo. Try MAC's Select Moisturecover Concealer for light, blendable coverage.

Step 2: Use your ring finger to blend the concealer into your skin. Use a gentle tapping motion until the concealer is no longer visible.

Step 3: Apply foundation if necessary. I use MAC Studio Fix Powder to set my concealer and give my face a matte finish.

Step 4: Apply your lipgloss at this point before you do your eye makeup. Why? This way you can judge whether or not you are putting on too much eyeshadow. This step will help you to almost always avoid what I will dub "clownface." I am using Red Devil from the MAC Brunette Blonde Redhead Collection here.

Step 5: Create a highlight on the inner corners of your eyes and on your eyelids. This will help to brighten your eye area and draw attention to it without the use of excessive shadow. I used Evening Aura from MAC's Neo Sci Fi Collection, which came out over the summer. I got the colors from Saks Off 5th for the cheap!

Step 6: Use a light brown color in your crease and apply a highlight shade to your browbones. I used Time & Space (again from Neo Sci Fi) in the crease and Ricepaper on my browbone.

Truly Glam Tip: MAC's Ricepaper is a staple highlight color. You need to own it (if it suits your complexion).

Step 7: Line your eyes and add mascara. I love liquid eyeliner for the classic, thin line. Try MAC's version in Boot Black. Keep your hand steady as you follow the outline of your eye and gently flick the eyeliner wand/brush outward at the corner to extend your eye visually.

For mascara, I used Cover Girl Lash Blast in Black.

Truly Glam Tip: Use white eyeliner on the bottom waterline to brighten your eyes and make you look fresh-faced.

Step 8: We can't forget the brows! Use a MAC 212 brush dipped in brow powder to accentuate your arches and give definition to your eye area.

Step 9: Use a contour brush to apply blush to your cheeks. Tap the brush lightly into your blush pan. You don't want the color to be too bright, in such close proximity to your lips. Try MAC Sunbasque for a bronzy glow.

The Final Look!

Check out how subtle the eyeshadow is.

This is the right way to wear a bold lip to avoid "clownface."

Stay Truly Glam and Truly Beautiful!

The Truly Glam Girl's Holiday Gift Guide: Drugstore-Brand Beauty Baskets

2008-11-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

For those pinching pennies this year, the thought of buying gifts for your friends and loved ones is a scary one. Never fear! You can still get your loved ones amazing gifts without going into debt - all it takes is a little bit of creativity. I just had a brilliant epiphany and I am definitely putting these together for some of the Truly Beautiful ladies on my shopping list... Holiday beauty baskets are a great idea! They are easy to make and allow you to personalize them for everybody and for every budget. All you need is a small basket (larger if you want to spend more to fill it), some cellophane wrap or tissue paper and a ribbon to tie it! Next, hit up your local Walgreen's. They have better sales. Often you can find makeup with the little orange tags for 50% off or more! Purchase whatever you feel your friend/loved one would love. For a natural beauty, try items by Neutrogena. For a glamour girl, try L'Oreal H.I.P. The sky is the limit with possibilities, but not the price tag.

Get Beyonce's New Natural Look

2008-11-27T13:35:00.000-08:00

Along with her new double CD, I Am...Sasha Fierce, Beyonce ditched the over-the-top makeup and extensions in favor of a more natural look. I think that this look makes her look much more youthful and allows her natural beauty to shine through. Sometimes less is more...

The key to this look is a flawless face. Achieve this by applying a light foundation or tinted moisturizer all over your face to even out your complexion.

Truly Glam Tip: After you apply foundation, see where you still have blemishes that need to be covered and apply concealer there. This way, you will avoid looking cakey.

Make sure to dab concealer under your eyes too, to cover any dark circles or those pesky bags.

Define your eyebrows by lightly accenting the arch and tail of your brow with a pencil. Try Maybelline Define-a-Brow Retractable Pencil. Then, use a light brow powder to fill in any gaps.

Apply a very subtle blush to the apple of your cheeks. NARS Orgasm will give you a perfect, light peachy glow.

Set your makeup with a light powder to keep you shine free all day, and then apply 2 coats of Covergirl Lash Exact mascara and Clinique Air Kiss lipgloss.

Voila! You are now ready to show the world that you don't need tons of makeup to look amazingly fierce!

The Truly Glam Girl's Holiday Gift Guide: LAVANILA, The Healthy Fragrance

2008-11-23T13:33:00.000-08:00

LAVANILA is the new, healthy fragrance and cosmetics line on the beauty block. Made with a mix of essential oils, goji berry, kakadu plum, olive leaf and other botanicals, these products nurture the skin without all of the chemicals that nobody can pronounce.

On top of it all, it smells great if you like warm, Oriental fragrance notes like I do. If you or your friends hate the smell of vanilla, avoid purchasing these products as gifts.

Sephora has the Vanilla Grapefruit fragrance in a gift set, along with the matching Body Butter for only $56. Not too shabby considering the fragrance alone usually retails for that price.

Truly Glam Tip: Fragrance gifts are best reserved for people you know very well, or if you know for a fact that someone has a signature scent they wear 24/7. Get a fragrance for your mom, aunt, sibling or best friend.

MAC Little Darlings Lipgloss Sets

2008-11-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

Little Darlings, the final release in MAC'S Holiday 2008 Collection, is now available online and at a counter near you. The gift sets feature 5 miniature products, including lipglass and lustreglass, pigments and eyeliners.

I have been eagerly anticipating this release because I have an obsession with lip products and you can't get a better variety of the best colors at any other time of year for only $29.50.

The Little Darlings lip set choices are:

Coral Lips featuring Underage, Ola Mango and Pink Grapefruit Lipglass, and Wonderstruck and Budding Lustreglass.

Pink Lips features Fleur Delight, Song and Dance, and Magnetique Lipglass, and Flashmode and Little Vi Lustreglass.

Neutral Lips features C-Thru, Mouthwatering, and Languish Lipglass, and Love Nectar and Beaux Lustreglass.

I reallllyyyy want 2 sets, but I feel like that might be overkill. I can't choose between Neutral or Coral.

Neutral lips can go with look you choose to put together, but there is nothing hotter than a coral lip, especially in the summer. Oh... decisions, decisions.

Check out some great Little Darlings swatches from Temptalia.com!

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Fabulous: Essie Nailpolish Set

2008-10-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

Even though it's only October, this cold weather makes December feel that much closer. Before you know it, it will be time to start thinking about Christmas shopping (or another holiday you may celebrate). Along with holiday cheer comes long lines, fighting over the hottest items and stress. To nip that before it begins, I will be doing the hunting for you to find the best gifts possible that are sure to wow the lucky recipients. Check out my first suggestion.

Essie Winter 2008 Mini 4-Pack Nail Polish Set

This set contains all you need to keep up with the dark, vampy nail color trends of the winter. Also, Essie is up there with O.P.I. in salon-quality polish. Your fab friend is sure to love this set. It includes:

"...Sexy Divide, an electric violet temptation; Bold & Beautiful Rich, a ruby garnet; It’s Genius, a violet quartz shimmer; and Rock Star Skinny, a glamorous crimson red."

Source

MAC Mini Beauty Spree

2008-10-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

The other day, I went meandering through Macy's and somehow ended up where I always do... the MAC counter. I usually don't buy department store makeup frequently, and when I do, it's usually just an eyeshadow or a lipgloss. However, this time I became jaded by the fact that I have a job now so I decided to go on a mini-spree. Now, this was my first and will be my last MAC spree. My bank account will thank me later.

Anyway, despite me going broke on this addicting habit, I decided to share my spree with you. This is called a "haul" across the online makeup community. People make YouTube videos dedicated to showing the world their latest makeup purchases, often from the latest collections. My "haul" isn't on any limited edition collections, but on some tried-and-true staples that every girl needs.

I got 2 eyeshadows in Sumptuous Olive and Woodwinked. Both have Veluxe Pearl finishes, which are soft and luxurious (very similar to the texture of NARS eyeshadows). Also, I decided to give Mineralize a try with a blush in Love Joy. Finally, to top of my makeup ensemble, I got Plushglass (my first one) in Big Kiss. Everything I got looks great in combination, so I'm very happy with my purchase. The colors are classic and wearable (I don't splurge on bright colors, only bronzes, coppers, golds, browns and other natural tones).

I swatched everything so you can see how they look. I applied the shadows and blush onto Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Left to Right: Mineralize Blush in Love Joy, Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadows in Woodwinked and Sumptuous Olive

I am wearing Plushglass in Big Kiss. This is said to have a plumping effect and it definitely works! My lips look bigger than normal here.

Well.. now I can say I did a haul post!

Regardless, I will have a look with these new colors posted soon!

Product Junkie: The Coolest Toothpaste EVER

2008-10-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day where I would be writing about....toothpaste! Yet, here I am. So, the other day.. well.. it was really about 2 a.m., I was in CVS browsing the aisles. I needed toothpaste, but I HAD to check out the makeup wall. It would be a sin not to. Anyway, after a while, I went to get the boring, old toothpaste I used before.

As I was walking to the front to pay for my items, I noticed a shiny display off to the side. Now, I'm one to be easily distracted by anything shiny or interesting, so of course I took a detour. On the display I found a new toothpaste line from Colgate called Max Fresh. It has tiny breath strips in it to give fresh breath that literally lasts for hours. But.. that's not what sold me.

The tube is clear! I think that's the most ingenious and cool, yet painfully obvious innovation I've seen in a long time. Don't you get frustrated trying to squeeze the life out of normal toothpaste tubes? At least with this, you can see that there is none left and judge when you need a new one. They have had those little toothpaste bottles, but I'm an old fashioned gal and prefer the normal squeezable tube. Way to bring toothpaste to the 21st century!

Bravo, Colgate.

Aly's Beauty Secrets: How to Organize Your Makeup Collection on the Cheap!

2008-10-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Building a collection of your favorite makeup is the easy part, but keeping it organized is where things start getting complicated.

If you're like me, you never throw anything away and still have makeup from high school (I know, I'm a pack-rat). If you have that problem, there are several solutions out there which don't require you breaking the bank or throwing out your old favorites or limited edition pieces.

Solution:

Purchase a cheap, yet high-quality train case. I really like the ones that Caboodles makes. I used to have the little plastic ones when I was a kid, but they actually make professional cases that look similar to those from MAC. You can get them as low as $19.99, but the large one above is $39.79 at Target.

Who Is Rihanna's Makeup Artist? Mylah Morales, That's Who!

2008-10-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago, Rihanna was spotted attending the 2008 Spirit of Life Award Dinner rocking a super-hot natural, yet glamorous makeup look.

I love-with-a-capital-L this look. It is understated, yet bold, with copper red and light brown eyes, a nude-pink lip and a coral-bronze cheek. When I saw this, I had to find out who Rihanna's makeup artist was stat.

Her name is Mylah Morales, and I must say that she is one of the most talented artists in the game. Check out her Myspace for pics of her work and more info about her.

The Best At-Home Facial by Clean & Clear Soft

2008-10-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

On a college student's budget (well, most budgets nowadays), maintaining yourself is THAT much more difficult. Between hair appointments, nails and eyebrow waxing, keeping up your image can be pricey. However, Clean & Clear Soft In-Shower Facial is making life just that much easier for all of us by bringing a professional facial feel to your shower.

"The In-Shower Facial treatment is applied to skin while steam produced by the hot water allows the ingredients to deep cleanse pores while infusing moisture into the skin. The SOFT In-Shower Facial is left on skin for one minute, then gently massaged into skin to exfoliate dead skin cells and extract impurities from pores. Skin is left feeling smooth and soft after just one minute. The SOFT In-Shower Facial features Glycolic Acid, an exfoliant that promotes gentle cell turnover, as well as clay, which draws the dirt and oil out..."

Source

I haven't used Clean & Clear products since I switched to Proactiv back in high school, but something about the attractive packaging and the promise of a great facial baited me in. Facials get pretty pricey. They can range from $60 to over $100 with extractions of blackheads. They also say that you should get them every month or two. Not practical.

I decided to give this product a try and I absolutely love it and recommend it. It might be slightly harsh for extremely sensitive skin, but if you only use it once a week or so, it shouldn't be too bad. It makes my skin feel deep cleaned and soft. This will definitely hold you over until you can afford the real thing.

NARS Holiday 2008

2008-10-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Since I purchased my first NARS product in the summer of 2007, I have become a junkie! I swear, if I had more disposable income, I would buy the whole lot of it. The quality of these products are unmatched. I especially love the silky-smooth texture of NARS eye shadows. I adored the Fall 2008 Collection and ended up buying Isolde, one of the duo eye shadows from the line.

As I expected, the NARS Holiday 2008 Collection is beautiful. It features shimmery metallics, alongside rich purples and peachy neutrals.

My favorites from Holiday 2008 are:

Peachy pink, with gold glitter.

Vibrant violet & pearlescent purple.

The shades of both products will work with most skin tones, especially the universally-flattering Orgasm blush.

The entire NARS Holiday 2008 Collection is available online now.

The Verdict: Clean & Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser

2008-09-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I went to Ulta the other day and I was meandering the aisles aimlessly as most beauty junkies like myself would. Then, this lady from the salon portion of the store came out of nowhere and starts trying to sell me her facial treatments. I was taken aback, but I decided to see what she was offering. It turns out they had this contraption which was basically a camera that gives extreme close-ups of your skin, so they can diagnose what is wrong and what products you might need. I was scared to see my skin zoomed times 1 million, but I figured, why not?

It wasn't that bad until the lady got the camera to my nose. She was like, "when was the last time you got a facial!" My blackheads were waving at her, I guess.

I got my first and only facial about a year ago. She sounded appalled when I told her. She said you are supposed to get them monthly. At that point, I knew that my solution would not be getting regular facials because they are $55 a pop. So... that brings me to the quest for a solution to blackheads!

I decided to try the Clean & Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser ($18). If it does what it promises, I'm sure we will all be happier women.

At first the device was a bit confusing to me, so here's how it works.

The little machine itself is cute and compact enough for travel, but it's a bit on the large side if you are trying to get rid of blackheads on your nose and in other smaller areas of your face.
First, you have to put in the battery, which comes with the machine. Then, you twist the cap shut. The cap is also the on-off switch.
Put on one of the blackhead removing sponge pads at the velcro-like end of the machine. These pads come with it, but you have to buy re-fills.
Wet the end of the sponge, until it starts to get foamy.
Finally, turn on the Blackhead Eraser and run it on your face in slow, circular motions. Focus it on areas that you want to target. For me, that would be my nose.

I think that this product is okay, but it doesn't really get you instant results. My face was smooth after I used this, but I could still see my blackheads clear as day. This is good for overall facial exfoliation, but if you have very sensitive skin, it could irritate your face.

If you are looking for a quick fix, this is not the product for you. Skip it.

Check out the New Fragrance from Bath and Body Works

2008-08-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

Bath and Body Works has long since been a favorite at-home-spa destination of women all over the world, and a go-to store when looking to buy somebody a nice gift on the cheap. Nowhere else can you find such a broad assortment of lotions, body washes and everything else you could possibly ever need in your favorite fragrances! Lately, I've been trying to tear myself away from Sweet Pea and Moonlight Path and try something fresh and new.

I was pleasantly surprised by my two new favorite B&BW scents! I decided to try Sensual Amber and Enchanted Orchid.
Sensual Amber is a lovely "oriental" and "woody" fragrance. The top notes are: Bergamot, Wild Berries and Succulent Plum. The mid-notes are: White Rose, Orange Flower, Lotus Petals and Iris. Finally, the base notes consist of Amber, Creamy Sandalwood, Vanilla, Patchouli, Praline and Musk Captive. Basically, it is an extremely seductive scent because it has such a deep, sexy base scent but fades into floral and fruity delight. Luckily, I recently received the entire collection as a gift! I was soooo overjoyed. I love this fragrance!
My other fave is Enchanted Orchid. I love all things floral and exotic and the orchid is one of my favorite flowers. Now, it has turned out to be one of my fave scents. You will love it too if you love subtle, floral and citrusy fragrances that aren't too overbearing. The fragrance top notes are: Pink Grapefruit, Wet Greens, Waterlily and Crisp Apple. The mid-notes are: Calypso Orchid, Fresh Gardenia, Delicate Iris and Violet Petals. The base notes include Vanilla Orchid, Heliotrope, Creamy Amber and Skin Musk. Like Sensual Amber, Enchanted Orchid has a deep base, but is softened up even more with an abundance of floral extracts and fragrances.

The moral of the story is... try something new and you may just be pleasantly surprised!

P.S. Speaking of new, B&BW is revealing its "sexiest fragrance ever," dubbed Black Amethyst. Sounds sexy, right? The name reminds me of Black Orchid by Tom Ford. Anyway, the new line drops into stores on September 3rd or you can order it online NOW at "BOGO 50% off." It is "a hypnotic scent inspired by chic, sensual and confident women."

Fragrance top notes: Bergamot Italian Oprur, Juicy Mandarin, Sparkling Tangerine, Zesty Orange, Waterfruits, Crisp Melon
Fragrance mid notes: Lily of the Valley, Magnolia Blossom, Sheer Gardenia, Tuberose, Freesia, Peony Petals, Camellia
Fragrance base notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Vanilla, Musk

The Verdict: Redken Extreme Anti-Snap

2008-08-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Have you finished washing, drying and ironing - basically full-on abusing- your hair to find that the bathroom floor is covered with broken ends? Yeah, it really sucks. It turns out that this kind of breakage is what keeps your hair from growing longer! However, there is hope yet!

Redken Extreme Anti-Snap is the solution to help stave off breakage. This product was recommended to me by a hair consultant at JCPenney salon, so I decided to give it a try. She said it was perfect for dry hair that has split or brittle ends.

Why It Works:

Helps fortify hair that's prone to breaking, splitting or snapping off

Gently smoothes the cuticle

Reduces friction from brushing and helps prevent further damage

Leaves hair healthy, shiny and resilient

Source

In my experience, I found that this was the perfect leave-in conditioner. I really liked that it was lightweight and didn't make my hair sticky. I hate when a product leaves my hair with residue, making it feel heavy. Anti-Snap was just the opposite. Also, I noticed significantly less breakage. My barometer was my bathroom floor and hairbrush.

I applied Anti-Snap after my normal shampoo and deep conditioner, then proceeded with the "abuse" of blow drying and ironing my hair. I noticed that my hair was softer and my ends were still intact! Also, I really like how Redken products smell. It leaves your hair with that clean, yet not overly fragranced smell.

When I finish my travel bottle, I will definitely be purchasing the full-size bottle. The verdict is... Get It!

The full size, 8.5 oz bottle is available at basically any salon that you go to. It ranges in price from $13.99 to $17.69 or so. It is kinda pricey, but it is worth your hair's health to purchase this product. A way to beat the system is to buy the travel size bottle, available at Ulta for $3.95. It is a non-committal way to see if you really like Anti-Snap before buying the big size. The travel size will last you a while if you use it once a week as a fortifying treatment.

Check out some more reviews at Epinions.

Ask Aly: Hair Conditioner Help!

2008-08-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

We received our first reader question today, from Lisa in Miami!

She asks:

Q: What hair conditioner do you recommend? I bought Pantene Pro V conditioner and I wasn't ecstatic about my results! It was such a waste of money. Can you help me find something that will help me maintain my look between visits to the hairdresser and keep the moisture locked in?

-Lisa, 21

A: Hey Lisa! Thanks for sending in your question. If you have dry hair, the summer can be hell on your strands. If you don't use a good conditioner, it will be extremely hard to maintain that moisturized, "just-in-from-the-salon" look.

For everyday or weekly use (depending on how frequently you wash your hair), the best conditioner to use is...Nexxus Humectress. It's slightly pricey at $24.99, but that is for the 33 ounce bottle, and trust me when I say it lasts FOREVER. This will make your hair so soft and easy to detangle. After you wash your hair, squeeze out the excess water and squeeze out 2 pumps of this amazing stuff. Make sure you comb the conditioner through your hair with a wide-tooth comb to prevent breakage. Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes while you shave your legs or something. Then, wash it out and voila -soft, salon-ish hair!

To keep your moisture game up, I also recommend that you try bi-weekly deep conditioner treatments.
I love Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pak, $1.29. You can grab it at any Walgreens, CVS, Wal Mart - basically anywhere! One pack is good for about 2-3 uses, depending on how much you use. Use this in place of your regular conditioner, every other week. Again, get rid of the excess water from your hair and apply this liberally. Comb through your hair and make sure there aren't any tangles. Once you do this, put on a shower cap or clear plastic cap to seal in the moisture. If you have a dryer that you can sit under, this is the time to use it. Sit under it for 20 minutes. If you don't have one, just leave the cap on for 45 minutes. Sometimes, I leave mine on for a couple of hours on my "cleaning Saturdays" while I take care of chores. When you wash this stuff out, you will be AMAZED at how silky your hair is.

I hope that this helps, Lisa. If you try these products, let us all know how it works out!

Look of the Week: Easy Bronze Eyeshadow

2008-08-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

I think that bronzes are some of the most versatile and fabulous eyeshadow colors. Also, they are among the easiest to apply because they blend together so well!

Today, I decided to put in a little effort and do a full eye look. Surprisingly, my entire face took about 10 minutes to do, but the results lasted all day! This look is a great option when you want to look really nice on the go, without overdoing it. Here's what you need, along with instructions on how to achieve this look.

Products
Face: MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer in NW30 & NARS Blush in Orgasm

Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brows in Bloom, in Brunette

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, MAC Eyeshadow in Romp, NARS The Multiple in South Beach, NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Isolde, Diorshow Blackout Mascara & MAC Eye Khol in Smolder

Get the Look

The first thing you need to do is create a base for your look. Start with your face and dot concealer lightly, where you need it. Blend it in well so you need minimal foundation. I used the concealer under my eyes to make me look more awake.

Prime your eyelids by using a small amount of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion or whichever primer you have. Blend this by dabbing it with your ring finger. A good primer makes a huge difference and keeps your eyes looking fresh all day - literally.

Fill in your brows with Anastasia Brows in Bloom or another brow powder/pencil. Everyone has different preferences. However, your brows frame your face and it's extremely important that they look decent. I'm growing my brows out to get them waxed again, so you can see how much difference a good brow kit makes because my brows look decent for the grown out stage (mine get extra unruly).

Dab on NARS The Multiple on your lids and browbone.
Take a small eyeshadow brush and use the NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Isolde. First, take the lighter color (light gold-ish bronze) and carefully place the shadow in the shape of a little oval, tracing the shape of your lid and leaving a space in the center. Make sure to get the light color into the inner corner of the eye as a highlight.

Next, use the darker color (classic bronze) of the duo to fill in the little "hole" on your eyelid. The shadow should be placed in the center of the lid.

Almost done! Now, you need to grab a brown shade for your crease. I used MAC Eyeshadow in Romp because it has a nice, satiny finish that complements the NARS shadows. Take a crease brush and carefully place the shadow in the outer edge of the crease. Be careful not to go to close to the center of the crease. This effect elongates the eye and helps to give you an almond, cat-eye look.

Blend! Be careful not to blend away all of the colors. Blend lightly where the colors meet, focusing on the crease. You can blend more or less depending on how natural you want the look to be.

Take the Eyeliner pencil and carefully line your lid, extremely close to the lashline in thin, short strokes for a natural look.

Apply two coats of Diorshow Blackout Mascara, and you're done!

The Final Look

Secrets to a Flawless Face

2008-07-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

An absolutely flawless face is something that women all over the world have sought after for centuries (who knows, maybe even longer). However, sometimes it seems like only a select few people out of the billions worldwide were destined for that natural, dewy glow.

Though we weren't all blessed with naturally perfect skin, and instead were destined to battle oil, acne and a myriad of other conditions, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

With so many great products on the market and homemade skin recipes, we can all have the perfect skin we desire.

Part one of the "Secrets to a Flawless Face" series focuses on getting rid of acne.

Acne was the bane of my existence for several years, during middle and high school. It still affects millions of people out there, some worse than others. Acne can seriously effect your self esteem and make you very self-conscious. Personally, I haaated my skin and the way I looked while I had problems with acne. It made me feel completely "unpretty," in the words of TLC. I didn't even fully understand the nature of the condition that was affecting me so much.

What exactly is that darn problem called "acne," you ask?

According to AcneNet, "acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring."

Healthy pores are happy pores!

Basically, the pores on your face and body can get blocked by sebum from the sebaceous glands(that darn oil!) when it mixes with dead skin cells, which can cause bacteria to grow and VOILA! Acne rears its ugly head. Therefore, contrary to what most of us believed, oil is not the direct cause of acne - bacteria is. Therefore, all of those products like Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash (and basically anything in the acne aisle that dries out the skin) is not going to permanently get rid of the issue. These products contain harsh chemicals such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and sulfur, which can irritate the skin if used too often.

Acne does not discriminate by age, gender or race and nearly 100% of people, ages 12-17 have some form of acne in their lives, be it blackheads to a full-on breakout. You are not alone.

So what can you do to get rid of acne, or preserve your clear skin right now?

Develop a skincare regimen and stick to it for at least a month. Skin rejuvenates itself every 28 days, so it will take at least that amount of time for you to see full results. I suggest

Proactiv Solution

because that's what worked for me. However, some people have bad reactions to it. For dry or mildly sensitive skin, I recommend a simple, gentle cleanser such as

Cetaphil

. If you have extremely sensitive skin that can't withstand trial and error, save yourself money and heartache and go straight to the dermatologist.

Don't touch your face! I know it's extremely tempting to see if that pimple is still there or not, or maybe you just have a nervous twitch. Regardless, keep the hands off. Tiny microbes are having a dance party on your hands as we speak! You don't want them to move take the party into your pores.

Drink lots of water and eat nutritious foods. Water will cleanse your system and your skin will thank you for it. Believe it or not, skin is an organ and it takes in all of the toxins from the air we are exposed to. 6-8 glasses of water per day will help to rid your skin of the harsh chemicals in the air. Also, nutritious foods such as carrots, berries and more will help to provide your skin with the nutrients and antioxidants it needs to replenish itself in top form.

Try alternative cures, such as Tea Tree Oil. This renowned multi-purpose solution has antibacterial properties and will help to break up the bacterial dance party on your face. I love the Tea Tree Oil from The Body Shop. It lasts forever and doesn't dry out the skin.

Try to skip heavy foundations and concealers for at least a month on your Flawless Face Plan. These products, even if it says that it's non-comedogenic (which means it won't cause acne), it will still seep into your pores. Also, piling makeup onto acne, in a vain attempt to cover it up, will only make it more noticeable. I know it's hard, but your skin will thank you for the break in a few short weeks.

Taking care of your skin is the first priority in achieving a flawless face that goes far beyond makeup. Try these tips and let me know how it goes! Also, what acne products have you tried - what worked and what didn't?

Bargain Beauty: Discount Beauty Finds at TJ MAXX

2008-07-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, this is just a great week for the young, broke and fabulous! First the fab, new makeup lines at Target, and now great finds at one of my favorite stores in the world, TJ MAXX!

I always knew that TJ MAXX was the best place to go if you want great, discounted department store fragrances, body lotions, and the like, but they have definitely expanded their repertoire. They now feature exclusive makeup and haircare products!

This caught me by surprise the other day - and a great surprise, at that!

As I was wandering the beauty aisles, looking at a random bottle of lotion, a small, silver box caught my eye. I literally did a double take! Lo and behold, that tiny box turned out to be Brows in Bloom by Anastasia Beverly Hills. In case you don't know, Anastasia is the eyebrow guru to all of the Hollywood celebs. She has a line of products that retail up to $65 dollars. I found Brows in Bloom, in Brunette, for......

$12.99!

That's basically a 50% off discount because it normally retails at stores like Sephora for $28.50. This was so perfect because I have been searching for the perfect brow kit for a while now, to no avail.

Brows in Bloom is a great alternative to poor quality, compact brow kits, like the previously reviewed dud that was the Milani Brow "Fix" Brow Kit. According to Sephora, Brows in Bloom is "a must-have grooming kit for keeping newly grown-out brows looking fabulous and fashionable." Basically, it's great for when you are in between waxing or doing your own home maintainance.

Brows in Bloom includes:

.07 oz Eyebrow Powder, .02 oz Wax Cream, .03 oz Highlighter Cream and a mini brush. It comes in 2 shades, blonde and brunette, with two shades of brow powder each so you can customize your perfect shade. With this kit, perfect looking brows are easy to achieve.

"Custom blend the two shades of Brow Powder using the angled brush, for a clean and precise application.

Apply the Cream Highlighter along the brow bone to lift and accentuate the eyes.

Apply Wax Cream to hold a perfect shape from day to night. "

Source

All in all, this kit is a winner.

More Fabulous Deals

TJ MAXX also features discounted Frederic Fekkai and Biosilk haircare products. I saw items such as Fekkai Glossing Shampoo for $14.99, which is a little cheaper compared to the normal price of $22 for an 8 ounce bottle. Also, they have the big bottle of Biosilk Silk Therapy (the holy grail for people with dry, processed hair such as myself) for $23 bucks. Way better than nearly $40, I'd say... and it lasts forever.

Make sure you get to TJ MAXX with a quickness because these items might not be there for long. Also, the problem with TJ MAXX is finding something more than once, so if you see these products or any others that you like - buy them right then. Don't wait! Brows in Bloom in patrticular is difficult to find because it's currently sold out on Sephora!

Happy bargain hunting!

Designer Beauty at a Target (Tar-jaay) Near You

2008-07-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

So, In case you didn't know that Target is the best.... Now you know. While you are browsing the mega-store for frozen food, toilet paper and dorm decor this August, don't forget to hit up the ever-expanding beauty aisle! Take that, Wal-Mart.

According to Nylon Magazine, Target is bringing 3 acclaimed international beauty brands to stores nationwide: Jemma Kidd, Pixi by Petra and my favorite, Napoleon Perdis! Now it is officially bourgie enough to be called Tar-Jaay for real.

I was wondering why Sephora and Saks decided to clear out Perdis' merchandise at 50%. I guess I didn't think too deeply about it because I didn't want to question my blessings. However, America is now going to be EXTRA blessed.

Napoleon must have realized where the big money is, nowadays. The key to it is... making the young, broke and fabulous ::waves:: feel like they are living the life and affording high-end products. You actually might end up spending enough on several of these low-priced products to have afforded one your higher-priced craves, but.... that's the fun of it all, right?

Here are some pictures of a few products that will be featured:

Napoleon Perdis

Pixi by Petra

Jemma Kidd

I am fully prepared to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn and head over to Target to pick up some of these products. I'm eagerly anticipating all Napoleon Perdis products, the Pixi by Petra eyeshadow palette and the Jemma Kidd bright liquid eyeliners.

Say it with me... Yaaayy for Tar-Jaaay!

NARS Fall 2008 Collections + Sephora Exclusive!

2008-07-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

NARS makeup is without a doubt one of the best lines in existence. If you think MAC is great and highly pigmented, wait until you try NARS! Founded in 1994 by Francois Nars, the cosmetic line has been a smash hit since its inception. With sleek, modern black packaging, unique color palette and names that will have you lusting (i.e. the cult classic "Orgasm," "Dolce Vita," "Torrid," etc.), I dare you to resist.

As amazing as these products are, the price tag is a hefty one. They are worth it, but everyone is definitely not able. However, there are some NARS products that a girl just needs to own. Some of these must-haves are in the latest NARS Fall 2008 Collection.

The NARS Fall 2008 Collection is described beautifully on the Sephora Web site:

Like the fall fashion shows that define the trends of the season, NARS presents their Fall 2008 Collection designed to complement the bold, solid hues, and ultra- feminine textures seen on the runways. Velvety eye shadows impart an alluring sheen in a range of rich chocolate and ginger hues, while lips enchant in sheer shades of coral, cherry, and mauve. This glowing palette of brilliant neutrals and shimmering tones is your ticket to the ultimate look of intrigue and sophistication this season.

The collection consists of the following products and colors:

I am a firm believer in spending the big bucks on staple colors that make you look sure-fire fab. You can save money by purchasing bright, trendy colors made by drugstore brands, such as L'Oreal H.I.P.

The colors to buy from the NARS Fall 2008 Collection are:

Isolde Duo Eyeshadow and Fez Single Eyeshadow.

Isolde contains "frosted ginger" and "shimmering copper" colors, and Fez is described as a luscious "velvety cocoa."

These eye shadows steal the show from everything else in the product line. The colors are beyond beautiful and they will be flattering to all skin tones. The lovely metallic-bronze and brown shades will also complement those fresh summer tans, ladies! The shades they used are not just trendy, either. You can get so much use out of fabulous, yet neutral shades such as these. Personally, I wear bronzes, golds and coppers year-round! You can see why I am totally enamored with these shades. I say, skip the other items in the line for now, but the Isolde Duo and Fez are a must!

They are available now on NARS Cosmetics and Sephora for $32 (eyeshadow duo) and $22 (eyeshadow single).

Exclusive Miami Sun Set Collection

As I was browsing Sephora, I came across a new addition to their product array. I must say, it is quite fab! And I'm not just saying this because I'm from Miami!!! I love bright colors and the exotic, tropical look so the NARS Miami Sun Set trio immediately caught my eye. It is brand new and available in a limited edition, exclusively on Sephora's Web site.

The trio includes NARS Duo Eye Shadow in Sundance, a Lip Lacquer in Capucine, and a Nail Polish in Dovima, all for $65, which is a deal for NARS. Sundance contains "warm golden" and "terracotta" colors, the Lip Lacquer in Capucine is a "sheer tangerine" and the Nail Polish is bright tomato red. I really like the colors, but again, NARS is sooo pricey!! I am going to recommend this set if you can afford it, but I'll sit and lust after it for the now.

I am so enthusiastic about this brand that I wish I could buy it all!

However, remember... splurge on colors that are sure-fire fab and will look good year-round. Save money by purchasing quality brights, such as H.I.P. Got it? Good.

The Verdict: Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit

2008-07-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

With the economy as bad as it is nowadays, sometimes it's hard to splurge on luxury makeup products that we really don't technically need. Yet, sometimes drugstore makeup just isn't the same no matter how hard you try to squint in the mirror.

I've made it one of the missions of TB to help you out by testing and narrowing down the best products of the drugstore bunch, and also by finding the products that you should splurge on. This way you save both time and money.

The first review is for Milani "Brow Fix" Brow Kit.

As you know from my previous post, I'm an eyebrow maniac! I love to keep my brows looking as fresh as possible at all times. I've always been curious about those "miracle" eyebrow kits, which can supposedly give you spectacular looking eyebrows, like the ones by the guru Anastasia, which can be up to $65! One day, as I was perusing the aisles of my local CVS, I spotted this kit by Milani. Now, I know Milani isn't the best drugstore brand, but this product seemed different. It has the same contents as the more expensive kits but in a tiny pocket-sized version. At only $6.95, it's perfect, right? Maybe not....

The small compact contains 6 items:
A straight edged, steel tweezer, slanted brow brush, brow bone sponge applicator, 1 brow bone highlighter and 2 brow powders (light & dark) to fill & shape brows.

The company describes the product as a "brow grooming-shaping kit that will help you create a perfect set of arches."

With these kinds of claims, I decided to give it a go and try this product. I tried using the tweezer that it comes with, only to find that it was of horrible quality! I had to try to pluck the same eyebrow hair several times - a tell-tale sign that you need a new tweezer. I tried the brow powder and highlighter and my eyebrows looked like Frida Kahlo's, which defeats the whole purpose of even buying such a product!

The powder did not blend well at all. It made me look like I needed a wax! Also, the highlighter didn't do it's job. I had to sigh in annoyance after using this product, because I have to take it right back from whence it came... CVS, here I come... again.

The only pro about the Milani Brow "Fix(?)" Kit is the small packaging. It fits in the palm of my hand and would be PERFECT for a beauty 911 kit, if only the product itself worked.

I will be trying out department store brow kits to see if those are worth the money. I'm willing to bet that they probably are because of the better quality ingredients and formulation.

The verdict for this product?

Skip it.

Aly Approved: The Best Drugstore Body Moisturizers

2008-07-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Dry skin sucks! Have you ever rushed out of the house only to find that you forgot to lotion up? I hate it when that happens (though, that's only second to the horror of forgetting deodorant)! Anyway, dry skin is the bane of human existence. Contrary to popular belief, dry skin or xerosis (yes, it is a medical condition!) is a year-round problem, not one only emerging in the cold, winter months.

Even in the summer, there is nothing worse than being itchy and looking down and seeing thirsty, dry skin cells shriveling up for lack of moisture. Okay, that was dramatic...but it's true!

Also, some lotions don't even work for people with extremely dry skin or common skin conditions such as eczema. There is nothing more frustrating than having a cabinet full of lotions that barely do the job - a true waste of space and money.

Let's banish parched skin and allow soft, beautiful skin to show through! Here are the absolute best body moisturizers and moisturizing techniques that will end your dry spell for good.

Johnson's Baby Oil Gel in Lavender, $4.29, is definitely not just for the little ones. This product will give you moisturized skin that lasts all day (and maybe even into the next!). After you shower, while water is still on your skin, apply a small amount of the gel to your body. Then towel off as normal, and voila! The water on your skin will seal the moisture from the gel into your skin cells.

Olay Quench, $9.99, is one of the best body lotions out there for the summertime. It is a very light formulation, but it packs a punch of moisture! Your skin will feel so smooth and luxurious after you apply this lotion. It is worth the price because you will definitely be trying to beat the last drop out of this bottle.

When you use Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion, $7.99, you will feel like you are being pampered like a queen in a spa. The aromatherapy in this lotion is the selling point. The scent is not overpowering, but it is enough to soothe the senses. Also, this lotion is very emollient and will keep your skin feeling VERY soft.

Okay, I know you were intrigued by the really cool commercial too. I admit that I was lured in to buy Vaseline Intensive Rescue because of the ingenious marketing campaign, but I was pleased to learn that this lotion is the best that Vaseline has to offer! It costs $7.89 for the large bottle, so it's perfect if you're on a budget. It goes on very smoothly and isn't too heavy at all! It's extreme moisturization and you really will feel a big difference in your skin.

If you follow this guide, you will be able to skip the junk on the drugstore shelves and zone in on the products that REALLY work, tried and tested by yours truly.

Beauty News: Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics

2008-07-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

In the year 2008, a time with so many wondrous medical advances, millions of people are still getting sick at alarming rates. It makes no sense, right?

We struggle to stay healthy by cutting back on junk food, try to get in at least some cardio (the gym is always packed), and you might even hold your breath when someone lights a cigarette near you. So why are you more likely than ever before to be at risk for diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more?

Researchers say that several illnesses might be caused by an increased use of chemicals in consumer products that we use EVERY DAY, such as cosmetics. Dun dun DUNNNN! It's scary to think that brushing your teeth can cause cancer!

Here are the top chemicals found in cosmetics and personal care products - and most importantly, how to avoid them!

According to "The Green Guide" and several other sources I researched, some of the top chemicals that we use several times per day are as follows:

Coal tar: Coal tar is a human carcinogen that is used as an active ingredient in several products such as toothpaste and mouthwash! Look out for the dyes FD&C Blue 1 and FD&C Green 3. These dyes have caused cancer when injected into lab animals.
Formaldehyde: Yes, this is the stuff they use to preserve those dissection frogs in high school. Remember how bad this stuff smelled? Well, formaldehyde is used as a preservative in nail polish, nail hardener, hair dyes, shampoo, soap, eyelash glue and more! Many companies try to play games and switch up the names of the chemicals. Formaldehyde is also known as quaternium 15, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea, among other aliases. This chemical results in respiratory irritation and even cancer in humans. Nail polish probably has the highest levels of this chemical. Little did you know that the nail salon was a potential death trap! I'm being dramatic, but to avoid the side effects of the chemical, paint your nails outside or in a well-ventilated area.
Petroleum: Yes, the stuff that goes in your car! Petroleum is a possible human carcinogen, which means that it may cause cancer. The use of petroleum distillates are banned in European cosmetics, but are used rampantly in American brands of mascara and more! Watch out for the terms "petroleum" or "parrafin" on ingredients list, especially in hair oils which tend to prominently include this ingredient.
Phthalates: Chemicals also known as dibuthylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), diethylphthalates (DEP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) are used in several products such as nail polish, perfumes and more! Exposure to phthalates is linked to hormone abnormalities.

Parabens: They are listed on your products as alkyl parahydroxy-benzoate, butyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and isobutylparabens. They are an extremely common preservative in lotions, scrubs and conditioners. They mimic estrogen and increase the risk of breast cancer!

I've only listed five major chemicals, and there are so many more. After reading about this, I decided to go on an investigation of a couple of the major cosmetics brands that we love.

MAC (owned by Estee Lauder): Reading this truly broke my heart to pieces, but MAC uses several toxic chemicals in their products! One of the most harmful chemicals they use in their eyeshadow is called BHT. It can cause "neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies/immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), and irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)." Also, MAC conducts animal testing and has not signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics!

L'Oreal: Basically, their cosmetics pose a low to moderate safety risk. However, all of their hair color brands were very very high risk. Be very careful when using these at-home hair dye formulas.

I am seriously disturbed! To avoid your exposure to potential risk, try to integrate some truly natural products into your beauty regimen (some products that claim to be "natural" contain just the same chemicals, but that's another post).

Here are some of the safest cosmetics brands, which do not conduct animal testing and do not include dangerous chemicals in their products.

Doing all of this research has proven to be very shocking. Even though one use of a product may not be immediately detrimental, exessive use over time can cause harmful effects. I'm not saying that you should stop using your favorite cosmetics. I will definitely be reading the ingredients list and buying more truly natural products, but I probably won't stop using MAC products. I know you probably won't either. Let's be real. However, we all need to be aware of exactly what we are ingesting and putting on our faces. That is the most important thing.

Here are some more resources on the safety of the cosmetics that we use every single day:

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Skin Deep - Chemicals in Cosmetics

Product Junkie: Neon-Bright Nails

2008-07-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season to wear bold, bright colors! All of the new summer nail polish collections from OPI, Essie, Chanel and more feature the latest trend - neon brights. Rihanna was the first celebrity to start wearing daring nail colors such as bright orange, green, blue, yellow and fuchsia. However, now the entire world is catching on.

The other day, I was browsing through my new favorite haunt - Ulta - and I stopped at the nail polish section. I needed sunglasses, those polishes were so bright! I love bright colors, but I just can't see myself with bright yellow nails...

I was, however, drawn to fuchsia and the other hot pink shades. Fuchsia nail polish looks great on all skin tones, and will still give you the look that's hot this summer.

These are some of my favorite shades of pink/fuchsia that I saw and tried on in the store. From left to right, they are: Essie, "Bachelorette Bash"; Essie, "Short Shorts"; OPI, "Dutch Tulips"; OPI, "La Paz-itively Hot"; OPI, "Fuschia Fever"; OPI, "I'm Indi-a Mood for Love"; and Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer in "Cherry Nice."

TIP: When you wear bright nail polish, make sure to wear a base coat and a topcoat to keep your manicure looking fresh. There is nothing worse than neon nail polish that's chipped up! There is definitely no hiding that...

What are your favorite nail polish shades?

Product Junkie: Beauty 911 Kit

2008-07-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! Take this time to have fun with your family and friends, relax or do whatever makes you happiest.

In a previous post, I mentioned the importance of looking presentable at all times. One of the easiest ways to do this is by always having a "Beauty 911 Kit" that you can transfer from your school bag to your handbag and more. Here are my picks for the essential products that can fit in every purse you own!

The "Beauty 911 Kit" gives you a sense of empowerment and versatility. Even if you decide to leave the house without makeup, if you get invited to dinner or have to run to a last-minute meeting, you can quickly give yourself a boost with these items, or similar products of your choosing.

Aly's Beauty Secrets: DIY Eyebrow Maintenance

2008-07-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

If you really know me, you know that after several awkward years in eyebrow hell, I emerged an eyebrow maniac. My name is Aly and I am addicted to maintaining my eyebrows at home to always keep them arched like I just walked out of the salon (or at least until I think they look decent). Plus, I'm "frugal", so saving $7 bucks every 2 weeks is a HUGE reason as well (Hey, that's a nice lunch or 1.5 gallons of gas)! The economy sucks right about now, so any little bit of savings will help your bank account, right?

Well, here are some of my tips on how to maintain your eyebrows at home and my general thoughts about this risky endeavor.

The last time I got my brows done professionally was in February. Since then, I have been maintaining them myself. They usually look okay when I keep up with them. Unfortunately, they don't have that freshly waxed look (I kinda miss that...), but they look okay enough for me not to go back to the salon for a few months.

DISCLAIMER: I do not advise home maintenance for people who are pluck-happy or who don't know when to stop. For those people, the results could be disastrous. Also, in general, please tweeze at your own risk. I have definitely messed up a couple of times, but in my case, the benefits outweigh the risk. If you don't trust yourself, don't try it. Anyway... I hope I didn't scare anyone away... I just want everyone to be careful because eyebrows frame your face and it sucks to mess them up!

My eyebrows, a few weeks ago.

1. Get your eyebrows arched by a salon professional who you trust. If you just moved to a new area or if you have never gotten your eyebrows waxed before, ask someone who has nice eyebrows where they get theirs done! The arch is the most important thing if you are going to be maintaining it for an extended time between waxes. You don't want to maintain something that doesn't look good to begin with. If they have been arched perfectly, they will correspond to the lines on the image below.

2. Get the proper tools! The most important tool that you will be working with is the pair of tweezers that you have. In the past, I have used brands such as Trim and some of the others that you will find at the drugstore. Those don't work! My brow addiction came on once I discovered Tweezerman mini tweezers. They get every single hair - even the tiny ones. You will also need a small pair of grooming scissors. You can get the ones with the rounded tips if you are scared of cutting yourself. You also need a brow brush/comb, brow gel or clear mascara and an eyebrow pencil in your shade.

3. After your trip to the salon, you can sit pretty for however long it takes for those tiny hairs to start growing back in. Zap them as soon as they come up! This is the key to at-home maintenance. Never ever let your eyebrows grow too much before plucking. The longer you wait, the higher the chances are that you will over-pluck in an effort to regain control of them. When plucking, take your time and only pluck one hair at a time. Make sure you are doing this in a clean mirror (not a magnifying one).

4. If your eyebrow hair is unruly, use your eyebrow brush/comb to brush the hairs down and then trim lightly. Never trim too much, or your brows will be bald! Some length is needed to cover the ends of your brows. Just barely trim the hairs along the shape of your arch. This trick will also keep your brows looking freshly done.

5. When you finish, lightly coat your brows with brow gel to keep them in check. There are tons of fancy products on the market to achieve this, such as brow wax, but I haven't tried them as yet, so I won't recommend them at this point.

6. If you have accidentally plucked that one hair that seemed to make all the difference (don't you hate that?), use an eyebrow pencil to fill in the bald spot. Use very light strokes to draw short, hair-like lines. This way, it looks very natural. Also use eyebrow pencils if you want to add some va-va-voom definition to your perfect arch. Again, use light, short strokes to accent underneath the arch, going down to the tail of your brow. Use the brow brush/comb to blend the color for an even more natural look. Brow powder is also another option, instead of a brow pencil. I like the one featured above, by Clinique.

These are my tips for maintaining your eyebrows at home. My way is definitely not the only way or the best way, so please share your knowledge of any other techniques or products. Also, again, please be careful when messing with your brows. Any type of plucking at home is always an at-your-own-risk thing.

Aly's Beauty Secrets: Summertime Foundation

2008-06-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to wear full coverage liquid foundation in the summer? Usually, by the end of the day, it ends up looking cakey or leaves you with a greasy face (Ew!). Also, most of the time, you end up looking waaay overdone. The summer is the one time of year to go easy on the makeup, let your pores breathe and allow natural radiance to shine through.

My old solution? I totally stopped wearing foundation, even when there were times that I wanted my skin to look more polished. I just made the sacrifice to avoid my face looking like a shiny lightbulb! I forgot where I heard about the trick of mixing liquid foundation with moisturizer, but one day I decided to give it a go. It was perfect! I am now addicted to this makeup trick because it lets me wear liquid foundation in a watered down version. Basically, a home-made tinted moisturizer. You get the same effect without all the issues. This trick solves most summer foundation dilemmas and you don't have to spend major cash on buying another product.

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

EXTRA: Mix your foundation with an SPF 15 or above moisturizer to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Product Junkie: Coral Craze

2008-06-26T18:17:00.000-07:00

Coral has been one of my favorite colors forever and I'm so elated to see that it is one of the hottest beauty trends for the summer. Coral was dubbed "Every woman's prettiest lip color" in the July issue of Glamour Magazine. I can assure you that it is. There are several different shades and textures out on the market - from glossy to matte. Wear it for a fun daytime look or a sassy night-on-the-town. No matter what, this shade will set you apart from the crowd.

Celebrities wearing the look:

Rihanna

Rachel Bilson

Here are some coral-toned beauty products that have the Truly Beautiful stamp of approval:

L'Oreal Pro Manicure Nail Polish in 'Salmon Sarong', $4.99, is a beautiful orange-y coral shade that is great for the summer. It is universally flattering on any skin tone. At $4.99, you can afford to take a risk on such a bright color!

MAC Lipstick (Amplified Creme) in 'Vegas Volt', $14, is described on maccosmetics.com as "full power coral." It definitely is! It is a high-charged shot of semi-matte coral pink for the lips. It goes on smoothly, and can be applied lightly for daytime or more intensely for a night-time look. It should be worn with very simple eye-makeup because the color is bright. This is not for the faint at heart or for shrinking daisies.

MAC Lipgelee in 'Glosspitality', $14, is one of my favorite lip glosses! This is my #1 pick for a summer lip gloss. MAC has Lipgelee available in several shades, so there is a one for everyone's taste. This color, a lovely peachy-coral, is a nice way to ease into the bright lip trend.

Other recommendations:

MAC Tinted Lipglass in Lychee Luxe is a "bright pinky-coral with golden shimmer"

MAC Lipstick in Ramblin' Rose (Frost) is a "floralesque, pinky-coral rose"

Bargain Beauty: Napoleon Perdis Makeup on SALE!

2008-06-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

You know when there is this one beauty product that you desperately want to try but it's waaaay beyond your budget? Well, you can stop living off of free samples (I do it too...) and buy the real thing!

The entire Napoleon Perdis make-up line is on clearance at Sephora! You might be wondering: 'Who the heck is Napoleon Perdis?' I did too, but it barely matters who he is because his products are so amazing.

"Napoleon Perdis, Australia's leading makeup artist, created his line of products back in 1993 to explore and experiment his way to new beauty heights. Today, he has a cult following that's as illustrious as his can't-live-without face and body collections. Perdis' line of simple yet luxurious makeup celebrates and empowers natural beauty, and allows you to easily turn the latest runway trends into your own reality. Epitomized by the brand's butterfly emblem, Perdis encourages women to experience a beauty metamorphosis." - Sephora.com

I reviewed his Lip Lacquer, which I find to be his best product, in a previous article. Normally retailing for $20, this lacquer is on sale for $10! 50% off. However, colors extremely limited. Sephora.com only has one shade left called 'Baby Lips' which is a pinkish-reddish-mauve color with a slight gold shimmer.

It looks like this against my skin tone, but I think it is universally flattering.

"Ultimate lip service. Create a chandelier shine for your lips. Conjure up the perfect pout with this lush lip nectar. Double beauty duty, drenching lips in a sparkling too-good-to-be-true shine, while providing real treatment benefits. Protects, conditions, and locks in moisture with an extensive blend of Avocado, Jojoba, Chamomile, and Hazelnut oils. Healing benefits come courtesy of Vitamin E and the exotic Kukui Nut to protect lips from sun, surf, and neglect. Size: 0.75 oz" - Sephora.com

Get the lip lacquer and some of his other products on the cheap while you still can, before they are discontinued in U.S. retailers! It's horrib of me to say this, but we are definitely benefiting from poor Napoleon's misfortune in this case.

Store Spotlight: The Ulta-mate Beauty Destination

2008-06-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, I might be late when it comes to reporting this AMAZING store, but it’s new to me so I’m excited.

Has anyone been inside Ulta Beauty?

I always saw it, but prejudged it as being a wannabe Sephora with products that were not quality. I was wrong, oh so very wrong. I had just gotten a new haircut and was looking for something to play up my layers and bangs, so I figured I’d check out the Ulta near the salon.

As soon as I walked in, my jaw dropped. Ulta is the ULTA-MATE beauty playground! I was like a kid in candy store! Well… I was like myself in a candy store….

Anyway, this store had everything in your local CVS or Walgreens times 10. They include the full product lines of brands such as L’Oreal H.I.P., Maybelline and more. You know how sometimes you can’t find the H.I.P. cream eyeliner color you want? That seems like it will never be a problem at Ulta.

That’s not all. Ulta has everything you could EVER think of possibly wanting. It’s a product junkie’s paradise. They have skincare, nailcare galore (Essie, OPI, Sally Hansen, etc.), hair products unlimited and so much more. They have a full salon within the store and include literally EVERY SINGLE hair product line that there is. They have everything from Redken to Joico to Ojon and so much more. I was literally overwhelmed!

As I continued to marvel at this place, I saw the holy grail of any store… the clearance section!

They had the best clearance deals I could have imagined. I found a great paddle brush for $1.99 (they usually go for about $7-$14), an OPI basecoat and topcoat set for $4.99 (Just one of those would sell for $8) and an abundance of other deals.

One of the great things that sets Ulta apart is that they sell small sample sizes of products for non-committal types like myself. You can buy a small bottle of a more expensive item for as little as $3.95 instead of shelling out $20 on the full size. Hell, you might be able to stretch the sample and never buy the full size (TIP for my fellow bargain shoppers).

Anyway, I could go on and on and ON about this store. The fact is, you need to see it for yourself.

The only Ulta I know of in Miami is in the Southland Mall, but I’m sure there are more.

Find your local Ulta store here.

P.S. Bring a male friend with you so you are not encouraged to go BANKRUPT. If you took me with you, we’d both go bankrupt, which is NOT advised.

I Said My Lipgloss is Poppin'...Bad Song, but Good Philosophy!

2007-12-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

Lip gloss is one of the most fun and versatile beauty products on the market. One switch of your lip color can take you from the chick next door to a sexy vamp in a second. It is an easy and inexpensive (sometimes) way to change your look and keep people guessing. Below are some of my favorite lip products that I wholeheartedly recommend to you, tested and approved by yours truly. Get glossy for the holidays!

Napoleon Perdis Lip Lacquer, $20
I was introduced to this brand by my cousin's wife when she gave me this gloss as a gift. I absolutely love it because it gives you hydrating shine that lasts for hours. I have gone out to the club, stuffed my face at restaurants and smooched in this amazing gloss and it stayed on the entire time. It is thick and luxurious without feeling extra sticky. I have Crystal Pink, but I'm sure the other colors will give you a nice, sheer sheen. You can wear this gloss alone for a natural look, or layered on top of a bolder color for extra fabulous lips. Get this on payday as a treat to yourself. It is worth the ridiculous (in my opinion) price.

MAC Tinted Lipglass, $14

This lip gloss is a true classic and a staple in many clutches across the world. It gives long-lasting shine and a really nice, bright pop of color. I have tried this gloss in Oh Baby and Lychee Luxe and recommend both for warm skin tones and tan to dark complexions.

MAC LipGelee, $14

This is one of my favorite lip glosses because it is perfect for all occasions, from school to parties. The texture is basically like jelly, as the name states. It is light, yet thick, and not sticky at all. It just gives a wonderful, sheer glossy look. It is for the girl who wants to look bright and sassy, yet natural. However, you might need to re-apply this before the end of the night if you want to maintain the shine. I have this gloss in Glosspitality, a shiny coral orange color for when I want to stand out, and Jellybabe, a subtle, sheer rosy pink color for a natural look.

Covergirl TruShine Lipstick, $6.49
I don't usually wear lipstick, but this one feels so light that I made an exception. Covergirl claims that this lipstick matches 97% of complexions and after wasting money on glosses that made me look like a clown, I thought that the concept of finding the perfect shade was great. I first bought the Cranberry Shine shade, which is a beautiful red. Covergirl was not lying because it was a perfect red for me. I also bought Bronzed Shine which is a nice dark bronze color. You can find the perfect color for any skin tone when you follow the color chart in the drugstore. It is a lipstick with the feel of the sheerest gloss. The colors I've tried are beautiful and bright. Find this product on sale, so you can maybe get 2 for the price of 1.

Maybelline Shine Seduction, $7.79
I was really bored one day and went to Wal-Mart to walk around (that's small college town life for ya). I was lured into the lip gloss aisle by a big sign that said "buy one get one free," so I went over and found this gloss. It promised extra shiny lips and it had a broad selection of colors choices. I know I was wrong for this, but I tried some of the colors on my hand and saw that they were indeed extra shiny and that the colors were really pretty. I ended up buying the color Magic Sunset, which is the perfect bronzed pink color. The texture is not sticky at all and feels very light. The bad thing is that it doesn't last very long, but it's cheap enough to keep re-applying it throughout the day.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, $6.99
This lip gloss is a classic because it comes in a variety of colors and gives a sheer, natural shine. The colors tend to fit most skin tones and look good for every occasion. I recommend this lip gloss for work or school. It is best for situations where you want to look natural and glowing and don't mind re-applying. It is not for a night out. Revlon is always on sale, so you can afford to get a few of the different colors. Cherries in the Glow is a nice, sheer red, Raisin Glaze is a pretty, sparkly bronze, Glossy Rose is a pretty, everyday pink and Shine City is a sparkling clear gloss that is good for layering with other colors.

I hope my lip gloss reviews are helpful for the next time you visit the drugstore or department store beauty counters. These are just the glosses that I have used personally and I know that I have definitely not tried them all (yet). Please feel free to share your favorite glosses as well as gloss horror stories in the comments section!