I have incredibly dry skin and as winter creeps closer, I am always game for trying a new moisturizer. And since I have developed an even stronger sensitivity to smell lately, my usual Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lotion wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I needed a hardworking moisturizer that I couldn’t smell working.
The beautiful words “Fragrance Free” got me interested in Olay’s Advanced Healing Intensive Lotion. I’ve been using it for about a month now and I think I have found a new favorite.
The bottle recommends to use it after shower or bath, which works great for me since I keep my lotion in the shower to do just that. The best thing about this product is how it seems to immediately absorb into my skin. I don’t feel greasy in any way after using it. With other lotions, I have sometimes felt like I needed to allow time for it to absorb before getting dressed, so I would swan about in my robe…which left me with a very moisturized robe, instead of moisturized body. But with Olay’s Advanced Healing Lotion I feel like I apply and there is no wait time – it just starts working.
Dermagenics contacted us at Latest Beauty to see if we would be interested in trying out their new Ultra Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer. It is an all-in-one moisturizer that eliminates the need for a separate day cream, night cream, under-eye cream, serums, etc…you know, all of the cute little bottles we have lining our vanity. Um, eliminate clutter, extra expenses and have awesome skin to boot? Yes, please. I am interested in trying out your new product.
Already, I love that the product has no discernible fragrance. I have always been sensitive to fragrances but for some reason that sensitivity has been heightened lately, so fragrance is a make-or-break factor these days. And when I put a dab of it on my hand (because I’ve already moisturized my face today) it really made my hand feel silky and soft. There is a definite textural difference from the area where I smoothed on the Dermagenics and the area that was only moisturized by the hand lotion I had applied about 30 minutes before receiving the package from Dermagenics. We’re off to a good start, Dermagenics and I.
I’m looking forward to giving this product a whirl and will keep you posted on how my skin is feeling and looking over the next few weeks!
Eva Mendes is showing us all how it is done at the opening of the Rome Film Festival yesterday. There is something very refreshing about the natural look that she is sporting here and it just goes to show that sometimes the most simple of looks can be the most beautiful. Her hair is very loosely styled without any pins or curls or statements. Her makeup looks almost nonexistent. Maybe some highlighter around her eyes, a sweep of blush on her cheeks, a natural lip gloss. Her dress is feminine, well-tailored and ladylike, without the need to overexpose any of her curves. Her platforms are a neutral shade of caramel brown with small grommets for texture. The overall effect is a quiet confidence that is very appealing and one that I certainly plan on emulating.
I think the dress is one of the first ingredients to making this look so effortless. I think this one from Anthropologie might be a good place to start my project of emulation. Add in these platforms from Steve Madden and I think we are well on our way!
I’m not the type of girl that wears a lot of makeup. Okay, who am I kidding? Normally, I’m just too lazy to put on makeup. But when I do, my routine is fairly simple: Bare Minerals foundation, a swipe of dark brown or black mac eyeshadow for eyeliner, Maybelline’s Full ‘N Soft mascara, and a dab of Vaseline. And that’s it. It takes a total of 5 minutes.
But today, in particular, I want to discuss the mascara, because I think Maybelline’s Full ‘N Soft is probably the best mascara on the market. Believe me, I’ve strayed over the years and I’ve tried plenty of other mascaras, everything from the ones that claim to curl your lashes to the ones that claim to double the length and volume of your lashes–and a few in between. Most of them went clumpy and didn’t fulfill their promises.
However, the Full N’ Soft mascara has never let me down and I’ve been using this mascara since middle school! My lashes always look flawless and clump-free. It’s nothing fancy–it’s not going to make your lashes longer or more voluminous or curl your lashes. But it does the job for darker, thicker lashes. (I personally use the waterproof version in “very black.”)
The Simpson clan is no stranger to going under the knife. After all, Ashlee Simpson underwent a nose job while in the public eye. But did you know that Jessica Simpson has had her share of plastic surgery as well? The pop star has been famous for more than a decade now, but the changes to her face happened so gradually that you may have missed it. Consider this Jessica Simpson plastic surgery before/after shot: Her nose is narrower, her eyes wider and her lips fuller. While her features may have simply developed over time, it seems more likely that Jessica had a little surgical assistance along the way. A basic rhinoplasty procedure could help narrow and sculpt her nose, while injections are the most common solution for plumping one’s pout. It’s also possible that an eye-widening procedure was performed to give Jessica’s peepers a more perfect appearance. What do you think? Are the Jessica Simpson plastic surgery rumors true, or is it just another mean-spirited attempt to smear Jess in the press?
Are Jessica Simpson's full lips all natural or does she have her doctor to thank?
A lot has been said about Paris Hilton, but perhaps amid all of the sex scandals and drug charges, you missed out on one very obvious fact: Paris Hilton appears to have had plastic surgery! In fact, if you check out this Paris Hilton plastic surgery before and after, you’ll see that Ms. Hilton looks very different than she did when she was a teenager. While the shot on the left features a young, fresh-faced Paris sporting her natural nose, the picture on the right shows Paris as we see her today – and her nose couldn’t be more different. It’s clear that Paris has been under the knife for a rhinoplasty procedure, which would help narrow the bridge of her nose, giving it a more refined appearance and reshaping the cartilage at the tip. More defined cheekbones point to the possibility of cheek implants, and several different sources have speculated as to whether Ms. Hilton may have undergone breast implants as well. Of course, nothing’s shocking when it comes to the antics of this jetsetting heiress – but it’s still a bit of a surprise when you see just how obvious the change actually is. What do you think of Paris Hilton’s plastic surgery bombshell? Did you like her face better before or after her nose job?
Courtney Cox’s personal life has been a series of ups and downs lately. Her post-Friends series, Cougar Town, has been generating plenty of critical acclaim, and its ratings are on the rise. Yet Cox recently announced her separation from her husband of 11 years, David Arquette. (Although the two are separating, a divorce isn’t yet in the works, and sources say a reconciliation is a distinct possibility.) But Courtney Cox fans are probably still wondering one thing: Are the Courtney Cox plastic surgery rumors true or false? If you examine this Courtney Cox before and after shot, you’ll clearly see that the actress seems to have had some work done – particularly around her eyes and mouth. In the photo on the right, her smile lines have been minimized, her eyes look brighter, and her skin looks smoother as a whole. Procedures that could create these effects include Botox or other injectable fillers; facelifts; browlifts; eyelifts, and more. Of course, Courtney has never been one to shy away from talk of plastic surgery in interviews; in 2008, she described Botox as “fantastic and also horrible.” While she has clearly stated that she does not
consider plastic surgery to be out of the question, she has also said that “you have to use it sparingly” for the best results. What do you think? Has Courtney Cox’s plastic surgeon been using a sufficiently light touch on her famous face, or is she already starting to display the telltale signs of too much cosmetic alteration?
Has Courtney Cox had plastic surgery on her face to maintain her youthful appearance?
Beth Ditto may not be a household name just yet, but she’s already establishing herself as an icon in certain circles: The underground music scene, and the usually exclusive world of high fashion. In addition to fronting blues-punk-dance trio the Gossip, where she’s won fans for years with her considerable pipes and confrontational/celebratory stage presence, she is also a crusader for gay rights and fat acceptance. “Fat” is not a word Ditto shies away from; in fact, she owns it and makes no bones about what it’s like to be a size 28 fashion plate:
“I don’t understand all these women who say they feel betrayed by fashion. A piece of clothing can’t talk – it can’t tell you that you can’t have it – so really, you’re just telling yourself that. You make yourself the victim, because if you want clothes that bad, then make them yourself. You have to get creative if you’re fat.”
No matter what size you are, it’s hard not to feel inspired by Beth’s unapologetic, can-do attitude. She’s essentially telling women that they don’t have to commit themselves to “camouflaging” those extra pounds – they can flaunt them instead. And flaunt them she did at Paris Fashion Week last Saturday, when she opened and closed Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring/summer 2011 show in two of his rock’n'roll-inspired frocks, pictured above. She looks happy and confident, and at one point actually burst into song during her final walk, which ended with thunderous applause and an enthusiastic embrace from the legendary designer. Could this be the beginning of true size acceptance in the world of haute couture, or do you think Beth is just an exception to the size zero rule?
My older sister started adding botox and laser hair removal to her beauty regimen in her early 20s (she’s 26 now) and I always shuddered at the thought of injections and lasers, especially since my idea of makeup is putting on some eyeliner and swiping a bit of color on my lips. Typically, I’m too lazy to even put on makeup. But we’re only young for so long and beauty is fleeting, so it’s not that bad to be vain once in a while.
Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Ryan Bloch, President of Laser Cosmetica New York, and we asked him about several of the procedures he offers at his office.
Q: Can you first tell us a bit about Laser Cosmetica?
A: Laser Cosmetica was one of the first facilities to promote the concept of an exclusive focus on laser-based procedures and have grown to multiple locations in several cities, including New York, Miami, and Westchester. We’ve been around for almost nine years.
Q: What does the laser do?
A: It evens out skin tone and texture, and reduces pigmentation and wrinkles. To date, the results have been incredible.
Q: Is it possible to reduce cellulite?
A: Just about every woman thinks that they have cellulite. We use Accent radio frequency therapy to reduce cellulite. The device actually melts fat and helps people will lose weight.
Q: So, people have actually lost weight with these procedures?
A: Yes, our clients actually drop inches from their waist. We have achieved dramatic results for adults with many different body types. It works best with people who are in shape.
Q: Who would be an ideal candidate for skin tightening?
A: Skin tightening is particularly effective for the jowls and abdomen, as well as skin around the body. Some of the best candidates are people who have recently experienced massive weight reduction, women who are post pregnancy, and adults who want to counter the aging process. Skin tightening is restorative and brings your skin to previous pluck. You want your skin to snap back into place and that’s what this does.
Q: Is there a procedure that is particularly popular among middle-aged women?
A: I’d have to say wrinkle reduction using AffirmTM and our clients have seen dramatic improvements in their appearance thanks to this radical laser. Our wrinkle reduction laser is best laser that we own. (See more info here for wrinkle reduction procedures in their New York office)
Q: What about laser hair removal? Laser Cosmetica is well known for laser hair removal, but how safe is it, really?
A: Yes, we are among the most experienced providers of laser hair removal services in New York. We operate several lasers and can treat any type of skin. Lasers these days are safer than ever before and have greater effectiveness. The results have been great and one key feature is that there is no downtime.
Q: Do men come in for laser hair removal and other spa services?
A: Yes, men come in frequently. They make up approximately 30 percent of our clientele and the popularity of these services is growing with men.
(hmmm, quite interesting…)
So there you have it, ladies and gentleman. You are now more knowledgeable about laser cosmetic procedures. I’m particularly curious about reducing cellulite, but I know I can combat my cellulite with a clean diet and regular exercise! If you have any other pressing questions or comments, please leave them in our comments section, and we’ll try to respond promptly.
Are you familiar with the the Mexican celebration known as el Dia de los Muertos, a.k.a. the Day of the Dead? It’s a pretty big deal here in L.A. Basically, where Halloween is scary and spooky, Dia de los Muertos is happy and festive. People build altars and have picnics and processions in the cemetery to honor their deceased friends and relatives, and the iconography is colorful and fun, from calaveras face painting to sugar skulls. The aim is to remind people of their mortality while at the same time celebrating those who have passed on and demystifying death. It’s a fun alternative to Halloween, and one that is relatively underrated in mainstream American culture. That’s why I was so excited to see that, for their limited edition Halloween goodies this year, LUSH has focused on a Day of the Dead theme! Here’s what they have in store:
Calavera Ballistic Bath Bomb – A citrusy bath bomb full of lime oil and marigold petals, with colorful swirls of orange, pink and green.
Lady Catrina Soap – A sweet-scented soap with agave nectar and neroli oil, which comes from orange blossom flowers.
Calacas Shower Jelly – A wiggly, skull-shaped jelly with seaweed, aloe vera and lime oil.
What do you think of LUSH’s unconventional take on the season? Are you interested in any of these, or are you holding out for their Christmas goodies?
The way my skin feels and looks is always at the mercy of the changing seasons. Oily in the summer, and especially dry in the winter. No matter what, I’m constantly changing my routine, because sometimes, my daily dose of SPF and my trusty DDF Moisturizing Dew just isn’t going to cut it.
An amazing, yet little known, regimen for taking care of your skin, eliminating acne, and improving your skin as you age, is the medical facial. I had my first medical facial a couple of months ago at Rita’s Institute for Beautiful Skin located in sunny Santa Monica, and went in again recently. Both experiences were terrific, and I’m definitely going back in for a couple more trips to clean up my skin. Rita worked for Dr. Howard Murad for a number of years at the Murad Medical Group and Dr. Ava Shamban before opening up her own office. Her clientele includes A-list celebs, including model Marissa Miller. The medi-spa also has a loyal following…clients that move away make trips back to Los Angeles just to see Rita! See the Yelp reviews here and read for yourself!
One client writes, “There’s a real sense of clinical precision but with the luxury and ease of a spa.”
What is a Medical Facial?
Medical facials are designed by dermatologists and performed by estheticians. Most of the time, the products they use are only available in doctors’ offices, and not in regular spas.
The Process
I settled down under a warm comforter and Rita put lotion and heated gloves on my hands.
Rita first analyzes your skin before she does anything. Right away she could tell that I have a bad habit of picking at my skin. And I’ve promised to stop this terrible habit, but habits are hard to break! Then she explains to me the medical facial process and what exactly she’s going to do to my skin.
She begins the process by steaming my face for a few minutes to open up my pores.
Then she exfoliates the skin via chemical exfoliation, e.g. a glycolic acid peel.
Next comes the torturous part: the extractions. According to her website, “the core of her treatments involves a special technique she learned in Hungary where she precisely focuses on extraction angles which eliminates the formation of scars and red marks.” I must say that she is very thorough in her extractions.
After all the extractions, she puts some more stuff on my face, and then she zaps my skin with a wand, which gets rid of the bacteria. It feels a little weird.
After that she puts more stuff on my face, and I get pampered with a neck and shoulder massage.
Finally, she covers my face with dry ice to seal up my pores.
Voila! 55 minutes later, my skin has never felt cleaner. Rita sends me home with samples of SPF & facial cleanser for my skin.
Treatments start at $50. The European Cleansing Facial will set you back $170 and Rita’s Signature Treatment, $450.
October is here! And that means that you’re probably thinking about Halloween costumes, right? Well, with the economy still in a rather sorry state, you may not have substantial amounts of cash to invest in a costume – but you can still make an impression on October 31st. Why not take a cue from Ms. Tyra Banks herself, who made a splash at last night’s French Vogue 90th Anniversary Party in Paris? All you’ll need is fishnet stockings and some scissors!
First, let me preface this by saying that the event was, indeed, a costume party, so Tyra’s fishnet face wasn’t entirely out of place. Also, she is wearing a super lovely Roberto Cavalli gown paired with minimal makeup and accessories – elegant and understated, right? Well, from the neck down, at least. From the neck up, she is wearing…fishnets on her face. According to Tyra’s Twitter, the mask is “sum cheap FISHNET stockings I got n crazy store n Paris! I cut em up n made it y’all. N did my ow hair n makeup.” And lest you scoff, the old fishnet-on-the-head trick is actually startlingly similar to the fencing masks that Viktor & Rolf sent down the runway in 2008. So what do you think? Is this a viable last minute Halloween costume idea, or total red carpet abomination?
“Most of us weren’t blessed with perfect genes. But we’re bringing you the next best thing: perfect jeans.” – Paige Adams-Geller.
That is one of my favorite quotes from Paige Adams-Geller, the founder of Paige Premium Denim. Any girl that has ever gone jean shopping can attest that it’s probably one of the most self-esteem damaging experiences ever. We leave feeling too fat, or too skinny, or too tall, or too short. It’s hard to find a pair of jeans that fit perfectly!
Well, Paige Premium Denim is probably one of my favorite brands of jeans. I didn’t know that it was possible, but these jeans somehow make my legs longer and skinnier! (And who doesn’t want a pair of pants that make your butt & legs look better?) Isn’t that what every girl looks for in a pair of jeans? And Paige Adams-Geller knows her jeans. She spent decades working behind the scenes at 7 for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, and True Religion. I’m not a big fan of my True Religion jeans, but I love my Sevens and my Citizens of Humanity jeans. And I don’t like spending a lot of money on clothing. But for great fitting jeans, it’s totally worth it.
Celebrities that have been spotted in Paige jeans include: Jessica Alba, Rachel Bilson, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Cindy Crawford, and many many more!
I am one of the biggest advocates you will find of keeping skin healthy now so you don’t have to resort to surgery or needles later so you’ll look young. For me, that means washing my face every night, keeping my skin moisturized – face, neck and chest, – and wearing sunscreen, rain or shine. So a headline over at Yahoo definitely piqued my interest: 5 Surprising Ways You’re Ruining Your Skin. A few of the tips were not so surprising – getting enough rest and being a serious runner – were things I already knew about. But hearing about the dangers of tap water and steam rooms were interesting to learn about. But I would definitely add to the first tip about getting your prescriptions for your eyes up to date. The idea is that if you have to squint with your glasses or contacts, then you may be contributing to fine lines around your eyes. I would definitely add in the necessity for wearing sunglasses! Not only are you likely to squint less with shade for your eyes, but when you wear large frames like Jennifer Aniston’s in this picture, then you are protecting that delicate tissue around your eyes even further – if you have sunglasses with UV protection. You don’t have to get expensive sunglasses in order to have UV protection. Just make sure you read the description on the sunglasses carefully and always opt for 100% UV protection. It is better for your eyes, to help prevent cataracts, and it is better for your skin, to help prevent wrinkles.
After a brief flirtation with lip gloss, I’ve been moving back to my roots…in other words, lipstick. And while some ladies might prefer a shiny lipstick, I’ve always been a fan of matte. Unfortunately, matte lipstick isn’t always a pleasure to wear; it can be drying, settle into fine lines and generally feel heavy on the lips. That’s why I’m so happy to have found my official HG lip color: Revlon’s Matte Lipstick.
Basically, I love everything about this lipstick. First of all, it’s drugstore-cheap and easy to find. Even the packaging (one area in which drugstore brands often falter) is sophisticated and cool: A sleek black-and-silver tube with clear plastic on top so you can see the color inside. The lipstick has no discernible taste or smell, and once it’s on, it’s virtually weightless. It’s long-lasting and genuinely matte, and the colors are beautiful.
At the moment, I have three shades from this line: Nude Attitude (creamy beige), In the Red (true red) and Wine Not (burgundy). The only one that I have any issue with at all is Nude Attitude; it’s so light that it looks a little like I put concealer on my lips! Still haven’t really figured out how to make that one work for me, but it might look nice topped with a colored gloss or as part of an updated mod look with a strong eye. But In the Red and Wine Not are my go-to bold lip colors. In short, if you love matte lips, get thee to a drugstore and sample this line. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
What are your current lip obsessions? Share in a comment!
My best friend is getting married this weekend and I opted to do my own hair for the wedding. When I decided on that, I didn’t realize that all of the other bridesmaids would be getting their hair “done” at the salon and I would be the only one attempting to look “done” on my own. So now I’m in crisis mode, trying to find the best way to create an updo that is easy to recreate. I know I want to wear my hair up because the wedding is outside and I don’t want to have to battle the elements. It would probably be easiest just to straighten my hair and wear it down but since my hair is naturally wavy, chances are it would frizz up mighty quickly. I had decided on wearing a bun because of my new found friend, Goody Spin Pin, but adding a bit of pizazz will help everything look more polished. So I’m going to add in a braid. I found this great compilation picture of braided updos over at Hair.ph and I’m going to use it for inspiration:
By adding in a simple braid to garnish the sides of your hair, you can transform a normal bun to something red-carpet worthy. So here is how I’m going to create my hairstyle step-by-step:
Step 1: First I’m going to separate the portion of hair that I plan on braiding. It will start at my front part line and be about two inches thick. I will pin that atop my hair and save it for the end.
Step 2: Next I will use my 1″ curling iron and curl the rest of my hair in about 1 inch sections to give it body and depth, hairspraying each section as I go.
Step 3: Then I will lightly secure my curled hair with a hair tie just to keep it out of the way for a moment.
Step 4: Taking the portion-to-be-braided hair out of its pin, I will use the same curling iron as a straightener and smooth that section of hair.
Step 5: Now that the section is smoothed out, it is time to braid!
Step 6: Once the braiding is done, I will secure the braid with a small, clear hair tie.
Step 7: Gathering the curled hair I will gently wrap it into a low bun at the base of my neck and include the braided portion, hair tie and all, into that wrap.
Step 8: Using my spin pin, I will secure the bun making sure to also include the braid in the pin.
Step 9: Hairspray the heck out of the final style!
The hits just keep on coming from Sally Beauty Supply! Here’s another affordable gem that has really done wonders for my skin: Beyond Belief’s ABH (Alpha-Beta-Hydroxy) Intensive Repair Serum. For less than $10 ($7.99, to be exact, with a Sally Beauty Club Card) this serum helps fight breakouts, improves the tone and texture of my skin, and moisturizes without adding oiliness. And I’m not alone in my love: This serum has received almost unanimous raves from reviewers on both Sally’s website and the MakeupAlley boards. What more can I say? It’s tough on acne without drying out your skin (no more flakies!) and it really has reduced my need for concealer. (Reduced, not eliminated…but still!) I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a good way to moisturize your acne-prone skin. I’m planning to check out the rest of the Beyond Belief ABH line right away.
Few aspects of your personal appearance are quite as important as your hair. Case in point: The unique and unutterable agony of a bad hair day. For many women (and men!), the best way to battle a bad hair day and ensure a sleek, beautiful style is to invest in a high quality styling tool that will tame curls, vanquish frizzies, and generally leave you looking like a million bucks. Enter the humble flat iron. But with so many different kinds of flat irons available, how can you decide which one to pick? Some people swear by their GHD flat irons, while others are die-hard CHI advocates, and still others feel naked without their BaByliss. It can definitely be confusing, but if you find a flat iron you like that has the following qualities, you’re set:
Adjustable Settings. A flat iron with adjustable heat settings is a must-have. One size does not fit all when it comes to heat, and while you want the plates to be hot, you should also be able to lower the heat a little when necessary. The best strategy is to use the lowest possible setting that will still effectively straighten your hair. All of the best flat irons have this feature, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find.
Ceramic (or Tourmaline) Plates. A flat iron with metal plates may be super affordable, but it can also seriously damage your hair. In fact, metal plates can literally fry your locks, leading to breakage. Even if the damage isn’t that drastic, you’ll still be left with dry, frizzy, damaged hair – basically, the exact opposite of what you wanted when you bough a flat iron in the first place! Choosing an iron with ceramic or tourmaline-infused plates will give you a soft, shiny finish. But make sure the plates are 100% ceramic, not just metal coated with a ceramic finish. (Again, if the flat iron is made by a reputable manufacturer, this shouldn’t be a problem.)
Heats Up Fast. When you’re getting ready in the morning or primping for a big night out on the town, you don’t want to waste valuable minutes waiting for your flat iron to reach the correct temperature. A quality iron will reach optimal temperature in less than a minute, and will be able to sustain that temperature while you iron your hair, which makes everything fast and easy.
Long-term Durability. Finally, you want a flat iron that will last for years to come – especially if you spend several hundred dollars on it. Luckily, with most straighteners, you get what you pay for, so if you invest a little extra you can safely expect a high-performance flat iron . You should also find out whether your flat iron comes with a warranty; many do, and if your flat iron happens to break, you may be able to get it repaired or replaced at no additional cost.
As with any significant beauty purchase, a little research goes a long way toward ensuring that you’ll be able to enjoy decidedly fabulous hair days for many years to come. What kind of straightener do you prefer? Whether it’s a CHI or a GHD flat iron – or some other brand entirely – I want to know the styling tool you swear by! Tell me your thoughts in a comment.
Meagan’s recent post about nail polish storage (and how she has never actually finished a bottle of nail polish) reminded me that I still haven’t posted about one of my favorite new products: Polish thinner. The purpose of polish thinner is simple: It brings old polishes back from the dead. Whether your favorite polish is way too thick to apply, separated into different layers (even after you shake – ahem, roll - the bottle) or totally dried up, a few drops of thinner can fix what ails ya.
I grabbed a bottle of Orly Polish Thinner at Sally because one of my favorite polishes – OPI’s Mad as a Hatter, a delirious multicolored glitter – had become impossibly goopy and unmanageable; in short, it was a nightmare to apply. I’ve only used it a few times and I wasn’t about to toss it, so I knew polish thinner was my only hope.
Ordinarily, you only have to add a few drops of thinner to make your polish viable again. (After getting this stuff, I went on a veritable polish thinning spree, successfully rehabbing polishes I’ve held onto since high school with just two or three drops. Polish hoarders, you have been redeemed!) But Mad as a Hatter was a little more stubborn than that. I’m not sure how many drops I added – truthfully, I lost count. But hallelujah, my persistence paid off and I was actually able to paint my nails with the stuff again!
In short, don’t – I repeat, do NOT – throw out those old nail colors you adore. Invest a few bucks in some polish thinner first and see if you can’t bring them back to life. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised…
Yes, this picture of Jessica Biel is from awhile back. And, yes, I’m sure the fact that her undergarments were showing was some sort of brilliantly calculated designer choice. She looks lovely, why wouldn’t she want to show off her granny panties? Actually – it looks more like she is wearing some sort of control-top, Spanx-like underwear. You know, the kind that sucks in your tummy too. Stars! They’re just like us!
Here’s the thing: Sometimes we try on dresses in fitting rooms or even at home and we don’t realize the transparency of the dress until we are out in less forgiving lighting. Maybe that is what happened to Jessica. But even if she knew her dress was sheer that doesn’t mean that we all want to wear sheer dresses. In fact, I would argue that most of the dresses we wear these days could use a little help….hence the title of this post, Ode to the Slip.
I love wearing dresses and skirts. And these days I can really stock up on them because most of the dresses I get are from trendy, affordable stores – like Forever 21 or H&M or Old Navy. Which is great BUT there is a reason these garments are so wallet-friendly: Usually, they are cheaply made. I don’t buy a dress from one of these places and think it’s going to last forever. In fact, I usually buy dresses from there so I can embrace a current trend without investing too much money in a look that might be fleeting in the fickle world of fashion. But herein lies the problem: they are cheaply made and most likely don’t have the right lining.
Not to sound like a crotchety old lady….but I don’t want you to see my crotch. And I most certainly don’t want to see yours. And chances are, you don’t want me to either. Which is why I consider this to be a public service announcement:
INVEST IN A SLIP
Invest in a couple. Buy a few half-slips in a few different colors – nude, black, white. They are affordable at places like Target and if you want to get fancy you can pick one up at a lingerie store. It is kind of amazing what this thin piece of fabric can do to camouflage what’s under your thin piece of fabric dress. With so many of us embracing dress-wearing by buying them from affordable places, it makes sense to kick it old school and wear a slip. It is just a little tool that goes a long way.
I have incredibly dry skin and as winter creeps closer, I am always game for trying a new moisturizer. And since I have developed an even stronger sensitivity to smell lately, my usual Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lotion wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I needed a hardworking moisturizer that I couldn’t smell working.
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