The Beauty Sleuth

Want lashes that look long, full and lush? You won’t have to go far, just grab a tube of Rimmel’s Sexy Curves volumizing mascara. Not only can you wriggle the product close-close-closer to the roots of each and every lash, but their wand, call the Voluptuous brush (so aptly named) will have you de-clumping and separating your lashes like a pro. Aside from creating a gorgeous lash line, the formula also has a curl activator to curl and hold for up to 12 hours. Another bonus? Your lashes will not cake or clump and will stay put all day long without a mascara smudge in sight. Sexy curves comes in both regular and waterproof for all those beach bunnies out there!.

Get it at: www.rimmellondon.com

So its time to pull out the sunblock again, but what is best and most effective? And with all the recent controversy regarding long term health risks from several key ingredients in sun protection, it’s no wonder there is confusion. But don’t fret, help is on the horizon. The Environmental Working Group (The mission of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. EWG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1993 by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles. In 2002, they founded the EWG Action Fund, an organization that advocates on Capitol Hill for health-protective and subsidy-shifting policies.) just released a new report on over 500 brands of sun protection available on the market today. The EWG has assessed the safety and efficacy of suncare, moisturizer and skin care containing SPF, and found only 20 that they could recommend, products that earned top marks for safety and efficacy, that are free of the red-flag ingredients oxybenzone and vitamin A, and that are not in a loose powder form that can be easily inhaled, raising concerns for inflammation and other kinds of tissue damage. Be safe, stay informed and protect yourself and your family but using only products that promote and protect your health.

You can learn more about the EWG and their mission at: www.ewg.org/

Here’s EWG’s top five winners in three categories: Body, moisturizing and makeup:

BODY CARE:
Alba Botanica Mineral Fragrance Free SPF 30
All Terrain Aquasport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Unscented Sensitive Skin/Children Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Badger Sunscreen, Lightly Scented Lavender, SPF 30+
COOLA MineralBaby Moisturizer Suncare, Unscented, SPF 45

FACIAL MOISTURIZERS:
Dermagenics Sun Savvy Solar Shield, SPF 20
Devita International Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer, SPF 30
EltaMD UV Lotion Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30+
Johnson & Johnson Johnson’s Baby Daily Face & Body Lotion, SPF 40
Marie Veronique Organics Moisturizing Face Screen, No Tint, SPF 30

MAKEUP/TINTS:
ColoreScience Colorescience Pro Sunforgettable Primer, SPF 30
CoverBlend by Exuviance Concealing Treatment Makeup, SPF 20
eau thermale Avene Avene Tinted Compact, SPF 50
Jane Iredale HE Bronzer for Men, SPF 18
Organic Wear Liquid Foundation, SPF 15

Video Credits: Directed by David McIntyre (www.davidmcintyre.com) Model: Anna V at Wilhelmina Models (www.wilhelmina.com) Makeup: Kelley Quan (www.kramerkramer.com) Manicure: Kavita Kaul for OPI (www.kavitakaul.com)

I wanted my model to look strong and in charge, so it was natural that many of my Go-to products came from Smashbox Cosmetics ::  Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, In Bloom Eye Shadow Palette, Soft Effects  Powder Eye liner, In Bloom Artificial Light Powder, Full Exposure Mascara, Halo Hydration Perfecting Bronzer, Brow Tech Trio, Double Take lip color in Amaretto, Photo Finish Lip Stick in Ledgendary

A Classic Hollywood-esque look was a natural fit for this story, and the products from Burberry Beauty gave me the right velvety textures to this ::  Sheer Foundation in Trench, No.1 & 4, Compact powder in Trench  No.1, Sheer Eye Shadow in Trench Porcelain, No. 2, Gold Trench , No. 4 and Taupe Brown, No. 7, Light Glow Natural Blush in Earthy Blush, No. 7, Effortless Mascara in Midnight Black, No. 1, Lip Definer Shaping Pencil in Brick Red No. 5 and ‘Lip Mist’ Natural Sheer Lipstick in Rosy Red, No. 5.

For me, BENEFIT Cosmentics evoke a sexy,  sassy, take-no-prisoners kind of gal so for this image I used Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow/ Liner in Butter Cream, Venetian Brown and Pretty Pewter,  BADgal  Pencil, Rush hour Instant makeup for lips and cheeks, Powder Blush in Dallas, to create this smoldering hot look.

TARTE cosmetics has some great eye shadow palettes that offer fantastic textures and shades that  will allow for a plethora of makeup looks. For this shot I used :: The Eraser 4 in 1 Natural Concealer in Golden Bisque, Neutral Eye Palette, TEN Eye Palette, Lip Surgence Lip Tint in Peaceful and Glisten, Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Flush, Celebutante Moisturizing Dry oil Spray

L’Occitane en Provence is encouraging you to “Make a Difference” and bring the peaceful relaxing scent of fresh lavender into your home. The “Grow Your Own Lavender” Gift Set which is currently being sold on usa.loccitane.com. for $35.00 and 100% of the profits from sales of this beautiful gift set will benefit Helen Keller International and their ChildSight® program. These limited-edition sets won’t be around for long and by purchasing one you are helping L’Occitane and Helen Keller International fight blindness worldwide! This planter comes ready to grow with soil and lavender seeds. Paired with soothing Lavender Hand Cream it is the perfect, peaceful gift. For this reason, I consider L’Occitane to be true Beauty Super Hero’s —For their support to this important cause and for spreading the word about the Helen Keller Foundation, ChildSight® program and the work they do to help those in need.

When it comes to indoor tanning, sometimes mother doesn’t know best. Results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) found that a large percentage of Caucasian teen girls and young women who use tanning beds reported that their mothers also use tanning beds. When asked if anyone in their immediate or extended families uses a tanning bed, indoor tanners were more than twice as likely to have a family member who used a tanning bed (65 percent) compared to their non-indoor tanning peers (28 percent). Specifically, indoor tanners were four times as likely (42 percent) to indicate that their moms use tanning beds than those respondents who were not indoor tanners (10 percent).

Studies show indoor tanning increases a person’s risk of melanoma by 75 percent. Melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than in males of the same age group. “Mothers who tan indoors are not only putting themselves at risk for skin cancer, but they also may be putting their daughters at risk,” said dermatologist Ellen S. Marmur, MD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. “The survey shows how influential mothers can be on their daughters’ behavior, and that is why it’s critical for mothers to set a good example by not tanning.”

The vast majority of indoor tanners also reported that their own use of tanning beds was not a secret in their families. When questioned as to whether their parents were aware of their use of tanning beds, 94 percent of indoor tanners indicated that their parents did know that they were using or have used a tanning bed. In addition, the survey indicated that a number of teens and young women feel pressured to be tan by their peers. For example, the survey found that those respondents who used tanning beds in the past year were nearly twice as likely to indicate feeling peer pressure to be tan (49 percent) compared to respondents who were not tanning bed users (28 percent). A vast majority of indoor tanners (96 percent) also reported having friends who tan indoors and/or outdoors. » Read the rest of this entry …

Recently, there’s been a lot of hubbub about loss of color, shine and vitality due to wear and tear from the likes of excessive shampooing and heat styling. It would appear that the hair care industry has been listening— Quite intently in fact, because now more than ever, there is a plethora of product all designed to preserve and promote the luster and rich tone of our precious locks. But how does one make sense of all the hair care jargon and just make the best choices for our hair?
One hair care specialist, Chaz Dean, decided to challenge the status quo by creating a signature hair and body care brand WEN by Chaz Dean. To understand fully— This was way before the idea for Sulfate-free haircare came about and Dean turned the industry on its head by creating a revolutionary new concept in shampoo and conditioning with his no-lather, creamy cleanser. This flew in the face of traditional hair care ideals of the time and as he says “ Getting my clients to stop using shampoo is fairly easy since being their hairstylist constitutes a certain amount of trust. It’s getting them to embrace the idea of cleansing without that lather of shampoo that is often the initial hurdle. We’re all psychologically predisposed to connecting lather with cleansing.” While there are a few who have jumped on the sulfate-free wagon many still contain some degree of Sulfates (aka sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate) which eventually degrades hair over time, especially if color-treated. Sulfates have also been attributed to promoting dull, lackluster hair, brittle texture and even flaky scalp. » Read the rest of this entry …

Carol’s Daughter Spokesbeauties Solange Knowles, Selita Ebanks and Cassie will be at Sephora 34th Street on May 24th to celebrate all that’s new from Carol’s Daughter. Select fans will get the opportunity to meet the strong, beautiful, influential new faces of the brand—women making waves in the worlds of beauty, music and modeling. Attendees will also discover the secret to the Spokesbeauties’ healthy, radiant hair: Carol’s Daughter’s new Monoi collection.
As Carol’s Daughter welcomes a new generation of ambassadors, the brand ushers in an era of beauty that offers universal benefits for the entire spectrum of colors and textures, encouraging every woman to embrace her unique beauty. “Monoi is a truly inclusive collection—it’s developed to benefit every hair type,” explains Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price. “So it’s fitting that the women representing the collection come from such varied backgrounds. I’m very excited to introduce these strong, beautiful women to our fans as shining examples of what beauty can be.”
Beginning at 9am on May 24th, the first 250 customers to make a Monoi Gift Set purchase at the Sephora 34th street location will receive wristbands enabling them to meet Solange, Selita and Cassie in person later that evening (consumers should bring their own cameras to get their photo taken with the Spokesbeauties; one photo per person). Walk-ins will also be welcome during the consumer portion of the event.

WHO: Carol’s Daughter Spokesbeauties Solange Knowles, Selita Ebanks, and Cassie

WHERE: Sephora 34th Street
130 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
Cross-Streets: On West 34th Street in between 7th Avenue & Broadway

WHEN: May 24th, 2011
9am: Monoi purchasing opportunity begins (you’ll receive your wristband allowing you to come back later that evening)
4pm: Wristband holders are allowed to start lining up to meet the Spokesbeauties
8pm: Wristband holders are welcomed into Sephora for a meet and greet with Solange Knowles, Selita Ebanks, and Cassie

For More on Carol’s Daughter products visit: www.carolsdaughter.com

Josie Maran for Josie Maran Cosmetics

If you are looking for an eco-friendly, yet sophisticated makeup brand, look no further than Josie Maran. With all the vegan-organic-eco brands out there, there are only a few that have the refined edge that Josie Maran cosmetics does. From the packaging to every ingredient in her namesake product, Josie puts care and attention to every detail. The key ingredient in this line’s is Argan oil, which is infused into every item in the collection. Argan oil, known for hydration, antioxidant properties and skin balancing capabilities, is Maran’s holy grail but she doesn’t stop there. This unique beauty oil is coupled with other high octane naturals like avocado, apricot, citrus oils and extracts to name a few, to round out a complete skin healthy, beauty treat.

All the products feel rich and super luxurious going on the skin, whether its skincare or color, everything just feels amazing. The Magic Marker lip and cheek stain, which is an industry fav, is wonderful. Unlike some stains which can feel tight once set on the skin, Josie’s never does. It can be worn ( Really! ) without lip balm or gloss over it and lips still look plump, not the teeniest bit dry. It comes in a nice array of colors from soft delicate shades to brights. I also love the Argan blend concealer. It feels really amazing on and because you get two shades you can mix the perfect color to match your skin. It never looks caky or dry and seems to hydrate the delicate eye area. With a touch of pressed powder natural to set, it will last until you take it off.

If you are into some color products that do double duty, the multi purpose Argan All Over Face Palette, aptly named, Sweet, is a must. Use a touch of the highlighter on the brow bone, and top of the cheeks to get that just came from the spa look— or add some of the gold or bronze or pink shades to the cheeks, lips and eyelids and you’ll look youthful, fresh and dewy. Even a little applied to the lips, gives a nice finishing touch to the face.

Being a big Argan oil fan myself, I love everything about this line and find the brand offers a broad collection of product that does what it says and with the clean, eco- friendly ingredients, you can feel good about putting it on your body.

For more Josie Maran Cosmetics, go to: www.josiemarancosmetics.com

Francois Nars, is not only the creator and man behind the namesake brand Nars Cosmetics, but a visionary and incredible image maker. He’s just released a new book titled ” Make up your mind, Express yourself ” that is more than just another make up how to book. Of course it’s a given that it has amazing imagery. After all, not only is M. Nars one of the premier makeup masters of our time, but he is also an accomplished photographer. But this book incorporates much more than just a collection of pretty pictures by which we are shown how to create his stellar make up looks.

For this book, you can also join an interactive community and create some looks of you own on a dedicated web site, www.makeupyourmind.com. It’s all in a game where you can have a chance to win one of 13 prizes, one of which is a trip for two to attend New York Fashion week, backstage passes and all. Nars encourages every woman (and some men too) to grab their makeup brushes and play. ” It’s only makeup afterall” says Nars, who encourages us to have fun with it—be a little playful. And in today’s oh-so -serious world, wouldn’t it be nice to allow ourselves to re-visit a bit of our inner child and enjoy a little painbox time? I know I will!.

You can buy the book here: http://www.narscosmetics.com

To Join the interactive community for a chance to win check out: http://www.makeupyourmind.com

Bio Supplements Hair Care :: What they are saying:
It’s all about the hair!  Keeping your hair healthy is the most important thing you can do to help you look and feel fabulous.  Get the shine, movement and softness you desire.  The Brazilian line, Bio Supplements, gets your hair updated for spring while repairing it from root to tip.  Hair can become dull, brittle and lifeless, especially post-Winter.  Once winter is over, with proper care, the hair follicles should start to become revitalized again.  You need hair care products that will reinvigorate your roots, leaving your strands stronger and healthier.  This unique High Gloss System is a special formula of Keratin, Pearl Proteins and Essential Vitamins that reinvigorates the hair cuticle, leaving hair glossy and gorgeous.  Bio Supplements has the right hair care active for you.

TBS Test drive results:
I tested Bio Supplements hair products which claim to revitalize dull, lifeless hair with Keretin, Pearl proteins and Essential vitamins. I was the perfect candidate as I had recently colored my hair and was in desperate need of a trim to my long locks. I didn’t need to be asked twice whether my tired, delicate locks would like a shot at brilliance and manageability!
Like all Bio Supplement products, each collection is paraben and salt free. What does this mean for your hair? Basically, if you color your hair, it will retain the color and shine longer and for those who don’t, it maintains your natural locks moisture and luster thus preventing it from becoming brittle and dry looking. This concise three step program comes in a variety of hair care solutions — Volume control, Ultra Straight, Orange Shine, Anti Residue and Mocha Cappucino, (formulated to re-hydrate for color treated hair) so something to suit every hair type. For my test drive, I chose the High Gloss system with the test period lasting about a month. I used the shampoo about three times a week and the conditioner more, sometimes daily. I definitely noticed that my hair was shinier and much easier to manage, especially the ends. In fact, I received several unsolicited comments on the sheen alone! » Read the rest of this entry …