You’re walking contradiction. You’re strong, powerful, tight, and lean — yet your muscular curves are feminine. You’re driven, tough, and motivated in the gym — yet you’re as humble as they come, and are always willing to lend support and guidance to anyone asking for it.

You take every trip to the gym — and every meal seriously. You’re proud of those callouses on your hands, they’re a testament to your hard work — but you take care of your skin, your hair… your body. You’re a woman, and you enjoy being one.

Sound familiar?

Shouldn’t your gym bag reflect this contradicting personality of yours? I know mine does!

Sure, you’ve got your straps, your gloves, your chalk and BCAAs… but after that kick-ass workout, after setting those new PRs… you’ll remain a woman. Why not be the most beautiful, feminine, confident woman you can be by taking care of some beauty basics?

Why not be hardcore AND sexy?

I’ve put together a list of items I found exceptionally helpful to have at the gym, and I’ve decided to share them with you. I’ve included links to whichever products I personally use, just to make it easy for you girls to know what I’m talking about.

Let’s dive right in!

• 1. Makeup Removing Facial Wipes

You know that makeup can cause breakouts, right? Well, so can leaving your face sweaty with all that nasty bacteria all over it after a workout! And if you train after work, with makeup on your face… this especially applies to you: Always, always remove your makeup thoroughly as soon as possible after training.

My personal favorites are the Klorane ones. They’re perfect for sensitive skin, and take every bit of makeup off, if you wear any.

• 2. Dry Shampoo

I don’t know about you, but my hair gets pretty grimy by the end of my workout. It’s sweaty, and just looks like a mess — which is a good thing, it means I worked hard, right? Sure, but that doesn’t mean I want to leave the gym looking like someone gave me a swirly!

I have two solutions to this problem. The first, is dry shampoo. All I do is grab my hair out of the pony tail, apply the spray to the roots, and blow dry it upside down, for 30 seconds. The second solution is…

• 3. Hair Styling Sheets

These are truly an amazing discovery. They seem to awaken whatever styling products I had in my hair prior to getting all sweaty and frizzy. They tame my hair, improve its health, and make it look — and smell absolutely amazing! I get the Ted Gibson Hairsheets. They’re tiny and super easy to use!

• 4. Tinted Moisturizer with SPF

You know how damaging those UV rays are, and I know you don’t want wrinkles — or skin cancer, for that matter. This means you should protect your skin at all times, even during those short walks from the gym to your car… and wherever else you’re going after the gym.

And while you’re applying SPF, why not even out your skin tone and accentuate that “after-heavy-squats” glow? I always use a tinted moisturizer with SPF, and my current favorite is The Balm’s BalmShelter SPF 18 Tinted Moisturizer.

• 5. Travel-Sized Gentle, Delicious-Smelling Body Wash

I always take a quick rinse after hitting the gym to avoid any breakouts on my body by delaying getting all that grime off. Besides, why be stinky when you can smell amazing walking (or limping — depending on whether it was leg day or not) out of the gym?!

My favorite body wash for the gym is LoLLIA’s shower gel. It smells incredible, and makes my skin feel amazing.

• 6. Deodorant

Pretty self-explanatory, right? Smell good all over! My pick at the moment is Dove’s Clinical Protection.

• 7. Portable Mouthwash Packets

I can honestly say that I have no idea what I did before I discovered these convenient little things! Sure, there are the travel-sized mouthwash bottles… but nothing works quite as well as the Supersmile Fluoride Mouthwash Packets.

This entire line has whitened my teeth dramatically since I started using it two months ago, and I’m sure that these little packets had something to do with it, too. They take up virtually no room in my gym bag, and all I have to do to use them, is add a bit of water, swirl it around to dissolve the powder, and rinse. Dispose of the packet, and be on your way with a fresh breath and clean, smooth teeth.

• 8. Body Spray

Another self-explanatory item. I’ve been loving The Body Shop‘s body sprays lately — can’t beat their sales, either!

• 9. Moisturizing Lip Gloss

So you probably won’t want to put on a ton of makeup at the gym — I sure don’t! But a bit of gloss can go a long way, especially when your lips are feeling a little chapped after all that heavy breathing you’ve been doing for an hour.

My gloss pick is Neutrogena’s MoistureGloss Lip Soother with SPF 20. I love it for how moisturizing and soothing it is to chapped lips, all while looking making me look polished without ANY effort.

Tinted moisturizer and a gloss are all you need to look hot!

• 10. Rich, Fast Absorbing Hand Cream in a Travel Size

Your palms are calloused for a reason! That skin on your palms is fragile, the least you can do is sooth it after lifting heavy weights for an hour straight!

My pick? Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream. I love its clean scent, how quickly it absorbs, and how soothing it feels.

Got gym bag beauty items you can’t live without? Share them with us, below!

Since publishing a few affordable cosmetics review articles, we’ve had a number of requests for high-end product reviews — especially when it comes to foundation. After all, many of us would pay just about any amount of money for flawless skin, and yet, that porcelain complexion is never a guarantee –  no matter how high the price tag!

And they can sure get high! A high end foundation can set you back as much as $185… and that doesn’t even mean you’ll love it!

So, if you’ve been considering blowing serious cash on something that claims to give you the most beautiful skin you’ve ever had while also healing it, protecting it from the sun, smoothing any fine lines, and eradicating all of your pores… read on, and make an educated decision.

The following are some of the more popular high end foundations that have been launched recently that some of my clients have been curious about. If you have questions about a particular brand or product, please let me know what it is in the comments section, and if I have any experience with it, I’ll be sure to give it a review.

Yves Saint Laurent Teint Resist Long Wear Foundation

YSL foundations have long been known for their high quality makeup, and this newcomer to their long list of foundations has caused quite a stir among makeup fans who like to look impeccable with minimal touch ups, no matter how much sweating they may do that day.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of long-lasting foundations out there, and most do live up to their “transfer-resistant” claims. The problem is, they don’t look nearly as good as their non-long wearing counterparts.

If this describes your experiences, you’re in for a pleasant surprise — YSL’s Teint Resist looks absolutely flawless on the skin. In fact, it completely vanishes, providing invisible coverage that manages to really perfect the complexion while staying very light-weight. It sets to a matte finish that’s still fresh, not powdery-looking.

It’s very easy to apply, as well — no sponge necessary, you can just use your fingers. If you have oily skin, you may appreciate the fact that this foundation isn’t likely to slide around the oily parts of your face the way they usually tend to do.

Keep in mind, this is a sheer coverage foundation. It won’t cover acne scars or serious discoloration… it’ll look a lot like a very good tinted moisturizer (with the added benefit of being long-lasting, something you’d never expect from a moisturizer).

Now, for the negative.

If you tend to break out easily, you’ll want to get a sample before spending the $55 on it, as it does contain silicones in it that may result in a reaction (though it is oil-free). If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to stay away from this product altogether, as it’ll end up making your skin feel even more dry as the day goes on.

So, if your skin is generally in a pretty good condition, and you’re looking for a product that will really make it look flawless — and keep it looking impeccable through the day, you may want to grab a sample in your shade and take it for a test drive.

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation

Many of us regular Armani makeup users expect wonders from this company, especially after its success with Skin Fabric foundation. This new formulation was created to go on smoothly, have a very light texture, and last for up to 16 hours — much like the YSL foundation reviewed above.

The Armani Silk foundation provides heavier coverage than the YSL, but still feels very light once on. It lives up to its “long lasting” claims and will definitely last for up to 14 hours. If your skin is on the drier side, you may prefer this foundation to YSL’s, as it isn’t drying in any way at all. On the flip side, if you’re oily at all, the Lasting Silk won’t provide any oil control, so you may not love it.

Additionally, it comes in an incredibly limited color range. Most of my friends have been unsuccessful in finding a shade that matches their skin perfectly, and if you’re spending $58 on a foundation, you expect it to work without having to blend it with other colors just to get it to match your skin.

The other thing you may want to consider, is the fact that while the UV the Armani Silk foundation contains is great for sun protection, it’ll tend to reflect any camera lights, so this is not a good choice for any time you plan on being photographed.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation

This one’s been around for quite some time and has a cult following — most women who try it end up becoming addicted it. Loving this foundation is dangerous when you consider the fact that it’s just about the most expensive makeup product I’ve come across, at $180.

Skin Caviar Foundation comes with a matching concealer right in the lid. Both products feel amazing going on — very smooth and silky, providing just the right amount of coverage, and making you look absolutely flawless. This is a buildable coverage product that’ll suit anyone looking for more coverage than the above two products would provide.
Now, it’s not all positive! While La Prairie recommends this foundation for all skin types, I’d stay away from it if you’re oily. It doesn’t do much to control oil, and while I don’t expect it to last all day (they don’t claim that it would), I really don’t like having to fuss over my makeup all day — especially when you remember how much you spent on this product.

If, however, you have normal or dryer skin types, you will adore this product. It’ll last you a good 6 months with daily use, so if you have the money to spend, I’d say give this a shot — just make sure you get a good color match at the La Prairie counter.

Cle de Peau Teint Naturel Satine Foundation

This is a cream foundation that’s a personal favorite. It comes in plenty of shades and is perfect for the olive girls who usually have a tough time finding a foundation match. La Prairie, for one, doesn’t have a range that expands into yellow-toned complexions. Cle de Peau solves that problem; I was able to find a perfect match, which rarely happens!

This foundation also seems to work well regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin. If you’re extremely dry and peeling, you probably won’t love any foundation as it’ll end up accentuating those peeling skin flakes… but if you’re generally smooth, this is a fantastic product that I highly recommend trying.

The finish you’ll get with Cle de Peau is on the dewy side. It isn’t matte at all, but it doesn’t look oily whatsoever. You need a pea-sized amount, as a little bit goes a very long way. It’s easy to apply, you can use a brush or your fingers, and it’s highly buildable, as well.

The only downside? At $118, it definitely doesn’t come cheap! I suggest getting a sample and seeing whether it’s worth it to you. Let me know what you decide!

Think I’ve left some great high-end products out of this review? Have something to ask or add? Post up below!

As you all know, here at Olicious Life, we do our best to bring you ladies all the things you desire. Many of you have been asking for affordable ways to look your very best, and it became my goal to hunt down the very best cosmetic products that would fit in any budget.

As I was searching for a brand I’d trust enough to recommend to all of you, I remembered one company in particular whose many products I sampled and loved. I’ve been using their glosses, eye shadows, liners, and brushes right alongside my much more expensive products for nearly a year now, and they really hold their own!

The brand I’m speaking of is E.L.F. Cosmetics. They’re a breakthrough company in my eyes, as they’ve figured out a way to bring high quality makeup at prices more affordable than even those of drugstore products!

Now, I know it’s hard to shop for new cosmetics blindly, so I’ve decided to write up an article to review some of my personal E.L.F. favorites to give you ladies a starting point. Let’s get to it.

Eyes

• Mineral Eyeshadow

Without a doubt, one of the “stars” of this line. This shadow comes in quite a few shades, really lasts, and works either wet or dry. For a daytime look, I like to dip a moistened liner brush into the darker shades and line my eyes with it, then use that same shade in the crease over a lighter color.

The ones I seem to use most often are Golden, Earthy, and Sweet over my entire lid, and Glamorous, Royal, and Seductive to line and contour. At only $3 a pop, you can experiment to your heart’s content!

• Eyeshadow Primer

Those of you with oily skin, living in humid climates, working in hot environments, or just liking to see your eye makeup still intact after a 10-hour day will appreciate this stuff as much as I do.

E.L.F. markets this product as a “Mineral Eyeshadow Primer” to go along with their mineral shadows, but I’ve used it with a variety of loose shadows, and it always works to prevent my eye makeup from creasing, flaking, and otherwise becoming a mess within a few short hours of application.

This product works the same way Urban Decay’s Primer Potion does, but for less than quarter of the price, at only $3!

• Liquid Eyeliner

If you’ve never used a liquid liner but like the sexy “cat eye” look for a night out, or even a subtly lined eye that lasts all day without smudging, you’ll love this liner! It comes with a harder tip than most I’ve tried, so it’s easy to control and apply right where you want it, creating the perfect line.

I also love the fact that it comes in so many colors. I’ve tried it in Plum, Coffee, and Black — and all worked really well for me. The best part is, you could collect all nine colors if you wanted to, as each is just a $1!

Falsies are perfect for a more dramatic look!

• Eye Makeup Honorable Mentions

E.L.F. false lashes are absolutely fantastic! They have a pretty wide selection of them at only a dollar each — and that includes the glue!

I’ve also tried their duo shadows, which I liked over the primer. They aren’t heavily pigmented, but are perfect for someone not after an overly dramatic look or simply inexperienced with makeup application.

Lips

• Hypershine Lip Gloss

This is one of my first E.L.F. purchases, and it’s one of my favorite! It’ll leave your lips very shiny, it’s moisturizing, and it comes in great shades — Fairy happens to be my favorite, it’s a pretty iridescent gloss that works on its own as well as it does over your favorite lipstick.

The best part? It’s only a buck!

• Plumping Lip Glaze

The tingly lip plumping effect of this stuff is comparable to Lip Venom, the biggest difference being its scent (this is minty where Lip Venom is cinnamon-flavored), and the price.

Lip Venom sells for $16. E.L.F.’s Lip Glaze is only a dollar! Not kidding, the same product, for just a $1!

Plumping Lip Glaze comes in a double-ended tube — one side contains a sheer color gloss, the other side’s clear. I have it in a nude tone called Champagne, and usually layer the clear gloss over the color.

Full lips -- for a dollar!

• Luscious Liquid Lipstick

For times when you want more visible color with good staying power while keeping your lips moisturized, E.L.F.’s liquid lipstick is the perfect choice. This isn’t a completely opaque lipstick, but it definitely isn’t as sheer as gloss.

I have this in Bark, a pink-nude, and Brownie Points, a darker brown-nude. Both create that “your lips but better” look, and smell amazing — think mint and vanilla. The best part? You can experiment with all the shades you want, as each is only… you guessed it, a dollar!

• Lip Makeup Honorable Mentions

Feather Proof Moisturizing Lip Liner is something I recommend checking out if you want to play with more opaque looks. It goes on smoothly, doesn’t dry out the lips, and has good staying power — all at being just a buck each.

The Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 is one of my niece’s favorites, as it provides a subtle bit of color while smelling amazing, comes in lots of great shades, and is still just a dollar per gloss — sunscreen and all!

Face

• All Over Cover Stick

If you’re in search of a concealer that won’t cost you an arm and a leg and still help you achieve flawless skin, then finding this is like finding a gold mine! You get a pretty good amount of this creamy corrective product for only a dollar.

It’s pretty heavily pigmented and will cover most flaws, my only gripe is that it doesn’t last all day for me — but that can be said for just about every other concealer I’ve used, including those that were 50 times the price!

• Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

If you use blush and bronzers, or if you’re just curious to experiment with them, this is a must-have! You get a full size blush and bronzer in a single compact, both for only $3.

When I first tried this product, I was actually expecting it to be a complete disappointment, as that’s my usual experience with drugstore brand blushes and bronzers. These colors and the quality of this makeup, however, really delivered — the colors themselves are nearly identical to Nars Deep Throat blush and Laguna bronzer, the combined cost of which would be $50!

Think I’m exaggerating? Watch the video below, and you’ll see what I mean.

• Brushes

Brushes are often key to getting your makeup to look just the way you want it, and good brushes are not cheap! Over the years, I’ve collected ones from just about every makeup brand out there — from Chanel and Dior, to cheaper drugstore alternatives that I’ve since retired to the back of my drawer.

A good brush can make a huge difference in your final look, so this isn’t an area I generally like to compromise. I decided to give E.L.F. brushes a shot after reading some positive reviews about them, and boy am I ever glad I did!

I started with the Studio Powder Brush, and loved it so much, that I wanted to see how their other ones compare. I’d since purchased the 11 Piece Brush Collection from the Studio line, and all have been nothing short of phenomenal.

I can honestly say that I use them as frequently as I do my other brushes, for which I paid 20 times as much! Each E.L.F. professional quality brush is only $3!

• Complexion Enhancers Honorable Mentions

In all honesty, I’m not through trying all of the face products just yet, though I must say, I’m yet to be disappointed with anything I’ve purchased from the Studio collection. Bronzers, blushes, and dusting powders have all been surprisingly high quality and very, very similar to much more expensive brands.

I highly recommend checking out the entire brand with an open mind. And hey, even if you really hate whatever it is you bought, what’s a buck for a little experimentation?!

Have fun shopping, guilt free, courtesy of E.L.F. Let me know what you end up trying!

All makeup by E.L.F.

Note: We were lucky enough to get E.L.F. Cosmetics to be one of our wonderful sponsors. To support this website, please shop E.L.F. through any of the links located in this article or in our forum, as this is the only way they’ll know you’re being directed from this website and keep supporting us. Thanks for helping us help you!

Lancome, Clinique, MAC, Nars, Yves Saint Laurent, MUFE, Becca, Estee Lauder, Vincent Longo, Christian Dior, Chanel, and the list goes on…

Ahh… designer makeup. We all want to be able to shop at Sephora and all those high-end department store beauty counters, but unfortunately, with today’s economy and salaries, that’s not always possible. Yet we all want to look good!

Well, you do have options! You can look beautiful without spending a fortune on your makeup, and I’m here to tell you how.

You see, I’ve been using Avon products for some time now, and have tried just about their entire line at this point. Some products have completely failed, while others have pleasantly surprised me by carrying out their promises while maintaining their affordability.

Knowing that you’re probably on the lookout for effective skin care and makeup that won’t leave you with an empty wallet, I figured I’d share what I’ve learned. So here I am, giving you the good, the bad, and the ugly on Avon Products.

The Basics: Moisturizers

My personal favorites are the Solutions Total Radiance A.M and P.M creams. Not only are these creams effective, but they’re also available for just $11.99 — for both. Plus, there’s currently a special that gives you the Solutions Plus Eye Gel for free!

The Total Radiance creams are full of vitamin E, which helps to minimize the scarring left behind by blemishes and the sun. The day cream also has SPF 15, and in this day and age of the depleted ozone layer, that’s definitely a plus! The night cream is meant for dry skin and contains Wild Pansy Extract for optimum hydration — the key to maintaining a smooth, wrinkle-free complexion.

Foundations

Every girl can use a bit of evening out, and who doesn’t want flawless skin?!

I’m partial to the Avon Mineral Foundation. It’s comparable to Bare Minerals Foundations, which sell for $25.00 for .3 ounces. Avon sells .20 oz of a very similar product for $11.00. That’s almost half the price! I don’t know about you, but I’m all for more product for less money.

Avon Mineral Foundation

These powders are talc, oil, and fragrance-free, and they seem to be the best thing for the acne scars on my forehead. They’re also so light on my face that I don’t feel like I am wearing a mask of makeup, and I don’t look cracked or creased by the end of the day.

Blush

Avon also makes a mineral blush that comes in many different tones and brings the same benefits as the mineral foundation does. It’s free of anything that’s damaging to the skin and doesn’t crack or crease the way some other, non-mineral products can.

Moving on to my favorite part of the makeup routine…

Eye Shadows and Liners

My personal favorites from the Avon eye makeup line are the Glimmer Sticks Liners and the 12 in 1 Eyeshadow Palette. Personally, I can’t handle liquid liners. I end up looking like cat woman after any and all attempts to use them, so I find these Self Sharpening Glimmersticks to be the perfect compromise between regular pencils and liquid liners.

Currently, my favorite colors are Emerald, Midnight Blue, and Smokey Grey. The run at only $6.00 a piece, and last for quite a while. They also have good staying power, so I’d recommend them for stage or photography use, too.

Glimmersticks

The 12 in 1 palette fits into any bag and is very versatile, since the colors range from dark blue and green with shimmers, to the more neutral tones like beige and brown. They all blend well together and work with any of the eyeliner colors I’m in the mood for that day. The 12 in 1 palette is $20.00, which is roughly just $1.66 a color!

Just a quick trick before we move on: Due to the powdery consistency of these shadows, I suggest using an eye shadow brush instead of the applicators that come in the package.

Mascara

I use Avon’s Supershock mascara in black, and a few of my co-workers have purchased The Superful and Astonishing Lengths Mascaras in black and brown.

We all love what they do for our lashes and would definitely recommend them, especially now that they’re on a special, at 2 for $7.99. Regularly, each one costs $8.99 — so you’re getting two for less than the price of one. Can’t beat that!

The Fails

There are a few items that I would not recommend, even though the price seems right. Avon shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and deodorants all fall in this category.

Pass!

I find that the hair products have a high alcohol content and make my hair feel like straw. Same thing goes for the body washes, which tend to be very drying. As for their deodorants, I just don’t feel like they’re strong enough for us. They don’t last through my work day; never mind the gym!

Get Gorgeous, Save Some Cash

I hope that my experiences help you all look like the smart, beautiful, and powerful women that you strive to be every day — all without breaking the bank. In the end, looking amazing and feeling your best add up to creating the confidence that everyone, regardless of her budget, should be able to attain.

For more information about the Avon products mentioned here, check out Avon.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Olicious Life beauty article library for everything from eye makeup tips to flawless skin ideas.

About Jenn

Jenn is an eighth grade English teacher in Florida, who grew up in the Northeast. She is a novice figure competitor, who currently holds a brown belt in Bruce Lee’s martial art of Jeet Kune Do. She strives to live her life for herself and no one else.

Being an esthetician, makeup artist, former assistant to a cosmetic surgeon, and a self-proclaimed “beauty junky” have all proven to be surprisingly helpful in my career as a fitness trainer and nutritionist. The majority of my clients have, at one point or another, asked for beauty tips that I’ve luckily been able to provide.

And while I do get skin care, makeup, and cosmetic treatment questions from people with varying fitness goals, no one has more beauty questions than the ladies from two specific groups of my clientele: Those getting married, and those preparing for photo shoots.

After answering countless questions asked by my brides and models in regards to everything from breakouts, enlarged pores, and ashy skin, to Botox and lip plumpers, and on to longest lasting foundations, waterproof concealers, and preventing mascara smudges, I’ve noticed quite a few trends.

Since so many of you have similar concerns, I’ve decided to compile these questions into a series of articles outlining the basics of what you need to know to look amazing on your special day.

Not blessed with naturally perfect lips? Fake 'em!

We all want full, sexy lips — even with minimal makeup, great skin and a perfect mouth can be enough to make for a spectacular look (yes, even on camera!). Whether you’re blessed with near-flawless lips or not, there are steps we can all take to perfect our pouts. Let’s take a look at a few of these now.

• How do I deal with dry lips? My chapped lips are always peeling, help!

No sweat here, just exfoliate your lips! You can use a sugar-based scrub, or even use your toothbrush in a pinch. To make your own sugar scrub, add a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to 1/4 teaspoon of vaseline, and scrub your lips in a circular motion.

Don’t feel like making a scrub? Just apply an emollient lotion (like vaseline) to your lips, run hot water over your toothbrush to warm it up and soften the bristles, and gently scrub your lips in a circular motion to take off all those flakes.

Once you’ve done that, apply your favorite balm (my pick: Nivea SOS or Q10 lip treatment), let absorb slightly, and begin applying your lip makeup.

• How can I make my thin lips look full and sexy?

You have a few options here, as well. If you’re looking for a long-lasting solution and aren’t afraid of needles, you can look into injectable lip fillers.

There are several different types, the most popular being Juvederm and Restylane (though there are many others, including Perlane, Hylaform, Sculptra, and so on). Lip fillers can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 dollars, depending on the type used, the amount needed, and your geographical location.

If you’d rather not go the injectables route, certain makeup techniques can have a similar effect!

The first thing you’ll want to do, is line right over the ridge of your lips and through your entire lip surface rather than just along the outline of your lips, inside the ridge. Over the pencil, you’ll apply the lipstick, and over your lipstick, add gloss — but not everywhere! You’ll want to place a bit of it strategically, right in the middle of your bottom lip.

Notice the color extending right over the ridge rather than inside the outline of the lips.

You’ll then want to add a slight bit of light-reflecting shimmery color to your cupid’s bow (over the top, center of your lips). A pale pink shadow will work well here. The reflecting light will result in your entire pout appearing much fuller and sexier than you ever thought possible — and all, needle-free!

• Should I match my lipstick color to my outfit or gown? How do I color match the right way?

Unless you’re doing an artsy shoot, you’ll want a lip color that’ll match your coloring, not your outfit. It’s never a good idea to match your outfit without paying any mind to your skin tone and hair color — you’re not trying to make your outfit look good; your goal is to make yourself look good!

Trendy colors are generally a no-no at weddings and other formal, heavily photographed events, because you don’t want to look through your photos twenty years from now and be embarrassed of the bright pink lipstick and bright blue eye shadow you wore. Neutral shades that deepen the natural hue of your lip color are the best bet here, and they’ll last longer with fewer touch ups, to boot!

• How do I make the “glossy lips” look last?

This is all about using the right product. There are thousands of lip glosses out there, my personal favorites all happen to be super long lasting ones. Be forewarned, many of the ones that have the ability to last through the day are also quite sticky.

There are different degrees of shine, as well. The more demure brides — or those of you after a more classic look — may opt for a less shiny and more subtle finish of a product like Fresh Sugar Lip Gloss or Lancome Juicy Tubes Smoothie gloss.

If you’re after the full on vinyl look that’ll last through the day, try Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect, Make Up For Ever Super Lip Gloss, Mac Lip Glass, or Yves Saint Laurent Gloss PUR.

• My naturally dark lips make it impossible for any lipstick to stay true to its color. Any ideas?

This one’s simple: Just cover your natural lip color!

Some makeup artists suggest using foundation over the lips, though I personally dislike the idea because it’s drying, never seems to blend well, and never lasts long on that skin. There are, however, many lipsticks that will completely conceal your lip color and will allow any lipstick applied over them to hold true to its shade. Some of my favorites for this are Scott Barnes Show Off, and MAC’s Myth.

Your other option is to use a product especially formulated for this, like MAC’s Lip Erase. You’ll want to apply this product over balm, let it absorb for a few minutes, and proceed with lipstick application. The result? Perfect lips, the exact color of your lippie.

• How do I keep my lipstick from bleeding? How about smudging?

If your lipstick tends to bleed, my best tip would be to stay away from creamy lipsticks and glosses, opting for matte ones, instead. If you dislike the matte mouth look, you can always use that as a base color, set with a translucent powder, and go over the top with a clear gloss.

Preventing lipstick from smudging is actually done in a similar way: Apply your lipstick over your pencil (applied over the entire lip, not just the outline!), allow to set for a minute, and set with a setting powder. Once set, apply another coat of the lip color, using a brush to make sure it goes on as thinly and perfectly as possible, and then blot lightly to get rid of any excess.

Set with gloss of choice, and you’re ready for your close up!

No bleeding lipstick here!

If you have any beauty-related questions, please post them below and I’ll include them in future articles.

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Being an esthetician, makeup artist, former assistant to a cosmetic surgeon, and a self-proclaimed “beauty junky” have all proven to be surprisingly helpful in my career as a fitness trainer and nutritionist. The majority of my clients have, at one point or another, asked for beauty tips that I’ve luckily been able to provide.

And while I do get skin care, makeup, and cosmetic treatment questions from people with varying fitness goals, no one has more beauty questions than the ladies from two specific groups of my clientele: Those getting married, and those preparing for photo shoots.

After answering countless questions asked by my brides and models in regards to everything from breakouts, enlarged pores, and ashy skin, to Botox and lip plumpers, and on to longest lasting foundations, waterproof concealers, and preventing mascara smudges, I’ve noticed quite a few trends.

Since so many of you have similar concerns, I’ve decided to compile these questions into a series of articles outlining the basics of what you need to know to look amazing on your special day.

Having a flawless complexion can make or break not only your photos, but also your confidence. In this edition of top beauty tips, we’ll talk about the skin. By the time you’re through this article, you’ll have a good understanding of how to choose and apply everything from your primer and foundation, to shimmer and blush — and even how to make your pores look all but invisible!

Let’s get to it!

• How do I deal with redness? What if I have rosacea?

If you’re naturally prone to getting flushed when nervous, hot, or exercising, you’re definitely likely to turn red on your big day — the nerves, the running around to get ready, it’s the perfect storm! There are a few ways to alleviate redness, and the common denominator here is to do your best to relax!

Once you’ve taken a few deep breaths to calm down, try the following: Pour 1/2 cup of whole milk into a shallow bowl, and put in the freezer for 5 minutes. Dip a cotton washcloth into the milk, and put it over your face as you lie down to relax. Keep it on for 10 minutes, and the redness should subside.

For the rosacea sufferers (or those with persistent flushing problems), there are creams that can help. My top recommendation is Avene Anti-Redness Rich Moisturizing Cream, but you may want to experiment to find what works best for you. And don’t forget, staying away from sodium and alcohol are a given here.

There are ways to tone down the redness with makeup, as well — all you’ll need is a green-based primer or powder. My pick is the Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer in Green.

• I tend to break out last minute! What can I do to get rid of a pimple fast?

The fastest natural, do-it-yourself way to get rid of a zit is by using 100% pure tea tree oil (apply it with a cotton swab, directly onto your breakout). Your other option is benzoyl peroxide. And the fastest option of all, is a cortisone injection — which will require a trip to your dermatologist (and a needle).

If you get a pimple on the day of your big event, you’ll most likely have to cover it with concealer, and just forget it’s there — chances are, it’s much smaller than you think it is, anyway. Besides, it’s much easier to photoshop a small zit out of a photo, than it is to change your frown into a happy expression. Don’t let a breakout ruin your day!

• My skin is dehydrated and ashy. What do I do if my dry skin flakes?

You’re really best off preventing your skin from ever flaking in the first place by using highly moisturizing creams and staying well hydrated on a regular basis. Oil-based cleansers are best for you, as they’re completely non-drying; look for squalene and hyaluronic acid in your skin care products, as both of these are great at bringing the much needed moisture into the skin.

Moisturizing masks are highly recommended for you, as well. You can purchase pre-made ones (my favorite for dry skin types is Pevonia’s Rejuvenating Dry Skin Mask), or make natural versions at home.

Here’s a recipe I like: Combine one egg yolk with 1/2 mashed avocado, 1 Tbsp honey, 1/2 mashed banana, and a few drops of whole milk. Apply to your face, and let sit for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water, and repeat. After washing off the second time, apply your moisturizer. Repeat at least once weekly.

If you still manage to have super dry, peeling skin on the morning of your shoot or big event, the best thing you can do is soften your skin by steaming it for a few minutes (you can stand over a faucet with hot water running), then exfoliate using a gentle scrub or a washcloth. Once you’ve done that, apply a moisturizing mask (the recipe above will work great!), and follow the procedure outlined in the previous paragraph.

• I love that “glowy” look J-Lo made famous, but I have naturally oily skin. How do I get glowing skin without shining?

Unless you’re doing an artistic shoot and deliberately going for the “shiny” look, any shimmery powders or even dewy foundation products should be off limits. You want full control over which spots of your face will be glowing or reflecting light, and the only way to achieve this is by precise placement of shimmer on your face.

Beautiful, glowing skin.

You’ll want to use matte products (yes, even if you usually dislike these!) as the base. Matte foundations, blush, bronzers, and powders. Any shimmer can look like grease if applied inappropriately or in too many spots at once.

Now that you’ve applied all of your makeup and are looking nice, matte, and flawless, grab a subtle highlighter in liquid or lotion formula (your selection is important; my personal favorites are MAC Gleam Coat and Halcyon by Illamasqua), and very lightly apply a small amount to the outside of your cheekbones, inner corner of your eyes, and the top of your nose bridge (make sure it’s ONLY the top of your nose bridge, not your entire nose!).

Go over with your matte powder, and you should have just enough glow without looking shiny.

• I’m pale and want to look tan, but without the damaging UV rays. Got ideas?

You could use a self tanner; the trick is finding one that won’t make you break out OR turn out orange, splotchy, streaky, or otherwise fake looking. Gradual tanners (like Jergens Natural Glow) are usually a pretty safe bet, but if you plan on using them, you’ll have to start at least a week or two before your big day, and experiment with the color to make sure it does, indeed, look natural on your skin.

The best tip I can give in this scenario, however, is to find a pro to do the job. Airbrushing salons are everywhere these days, and all you’d have to do is scrub well before heading in, wear loose-fitting clothes to your appointment, and not shower for 6-8 hours afterward. You’ll have a fabulous tan for your shoot, and it’ll be completely stress-free, to boot!

• I have huge pores and a rough complexion that’s visible with my everyday makeup, how do I make sure it looks smooth in my photos?

As in many other scenarios, you’re best off taking care of your skin year-round to keep your pores and skin texture as smooth and refined as possible. Some of us really are predisposed to enlarged pores, but keeping them clear will help them remain as small as physically possible. Consider using retinol-based creams and kaolin-based masks regularly to de-clog pores and avoid stretching them out.

Avoid pore-clogging products (look for “non-comedogenic” on everything you put on your face), and use gentle scrubs regularly, without overdoing it. Consider a Clarisonic brush; these are known for refining skin’s texture.

Having said all that, some of us really do find ourselves battling enlarged pores, just to find they’re still showing through our foundations; many liquid varieties actually pool in the pores, making them even more pronounced! What’s a girl to do?!

Simple: Find a good primer and a good, long-lasting, matte foundation. Many primers out there are completely ineffective, but I do have a few favorites, including Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel, Becca Line and Pore Corrector, and Illamasqua Matt Primer.

Yves Saint Laurent Matt Touch Foundation

As for foundations, I highly recommend getting a few samples of SPF-free and titanium dioxide-free formulas (either of those ingredients may result in a grey reflection in photos). My top photo shoot foundation recommendations are Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, Cinema Secrets foundations, ERA spray foundations, Christian Dior Full Mat, Yves Saint Laurent Matt Touch, and a few others. Just be sure to ask for samples first to ensure a proper color match and that the consistency works with your skin.

Just one other important tip while we’re talking foundations: Be sure to match your foundation to your neck or upper chest rather than your skin! It’s too easy to look like you’re wearing a mask when your face color doesn’t exactly match your neck and decollete! Apply your foundation to your neck and blend it out on your chest and possibly even shoulders, if they’ll be visible as well.

• How do I make my makeup stay put?

There are a few factors to consider here. Firstly, you’ll want to apply everything in layers. Use a cream blush right over your foundation, go over it with a powder blush, apply your contouring bronzer (and any highlighter, if using) over that, and go over everything with loose powder.

If you’re the type whose blush seems to evaporate no matter how many of layers of it you pile on, try a cheek stain. There are plenty of options out there, Tarte makes a great cheek stain in many shades, and Benefit recently came out with my new favorite stain product in a perfect pink color, called Posietint.

Once your makeup is fully applied (eyes and lips included), your best bet for the longest-lasting finish is to go over it all with a make-up setting spray such as Make Up For Ever’s Mist & Fix or MAC’s Fix+ spray. Once dried, you can apply another light coat of setting powder, and you should be good to go for hours!

That about covers it when it comes to big day skin. I’ll be back next week with more flawless wedding day and photo shoot makeup tips, including lips. Until then, stay beautiful, ladies!

I must admit, being an esthetician, makeup artist, former assistant to a cosmetic surgeon, and a self-proclaimed “beauty junky” have all proven to be surprisingly helpful in my career as a fitness trainer and nutritionist. The majority of my clients have, at one point or another, asked for beauty tips that I’ve luckily been able to provide.

Thank goodness for my everything "beauty" obsession!

And while I do get skin care, makeup, and cosmetic treatment questions from people with varying fitness goals, no one has more beauty questions than the ladies from two specific groups of my clientele: Those getting married, and those preparing for photo shoots.

After answering countless questions asked by my brides and models in regards to everything from breakouts, enlarged pores, and ashy skin, to Botox and lip plumpers, and on to longest lasting foundations, waterproof concealers, and preventing mascara smudges, I’ve noticed quite a few trends.

Since so many of you have similar concerns, I’ve decided to compile these questions into a series of articles outlining the basics of what you need to know to look amazing on your special day.

In this edition of the beauty must-knows, we’ll talk about eyes. Everything from taking care of fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles, to accentuating them in just the right way, and making your eye makeup last throughout that important day.

Let’s dive right in!

• What do I do if I get horrible under-eye bags on the morning of my big day?

Getting rid of under-eye bags is more difficult than preventing them, so if you’re prone to under-eye puffiness, I highly recommend a couple of different things. Firstly, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and are sleeping on your back, preferably propped up with a few pillows — you want your head to be as high as comfortably possible.

Secondly, make sure your skin care suits your concerns. There are hundreds of products that are marketed toward people with puffy eyes, but only a few of these work well. Some personal favorites are Fresh Lotus Eye Gel, Patricia Wexler’s De-Puff Eye Gel, and RevaleSkin Replenishing Eye Therapy Cream.

If all the stress leads to some pre-wedding day (or other important event) tears, you’ll most likely still have some puffiness to resolve. In this scenario, the best thing you can do is the following:

Grate a cucumber, drain its juice, and mix with 1/4 cup of strong black tea. Put in the freezer for a couple of minutes, mix well once again, dip two cotton pads into the liquid and place on your eyes. Rest, with your head elevated for 10 minutes (refreshing your cotton pads as necessary). All puffiness should at this point be relieved.

No puffiness here!

• How do I get rid of my dark circles?

Whether you’re genetically predisposed to dark under-eye circles, or are getting them as a result of the stress caused by your impending big day, this is one concern that’s a lot more common that you’d think!

Drinking plenty of water, getting your sleep, and staying out of the sun and away from alcohol are some of the things you can do to slightly improve the look of genetically thin under-eye skin (which is the primary culprit for this pesky condition). I highly advise you to do all of the above, as there are presently no solid cosmetic treatments that are guaranteed to improve your circles.

The multitudes of under-eye treatment creams claim to contain a huge variety of active ingredients that’ll do everything from mildly inflame the sensitive skin, hiding the highly visible veins beneath it (vitamins C and K are examples), to restricting circulation, thereby making those veins less visible once again.

Cosmetic procedures offered in this case generally consist of fillers — Restylane and Jevederm being most popular — but are only recommended if your under-eye area is “hollowed in” rather than puffy, as they will make it protrude slightly.

Under eye circles before a dermal filler procedure, and after.

For the rest of us, there are always concealers! There’s a great variety to choose from; a couple of my personal favorites are Vincent Longo Creme Concealer and Lancome Effacernes. The VL concealer will moisture dryer skins and has great staying power, and Effacernes is a waterproof concealer with great coverage — perfect for sentimental brides and beach shoots, alike!

Color selection is of utmost importance here; you want a concealer that matches your skin tone, not one that’s too light, as the under-eye area is already bluish, and the result will leave you with a grayish undertone. Don’t forget to blend well, all through both corners of your eye, not just underneath it!

• How do I make my deep-set eyes pop? How do I make my small eyes bigger?

Your eyes should stand out in your photos, even if you’d prefer to make your lips the center of attention. No matter how small or deep-set, there are makeup tricks that will make your eyes pop.

The best trick for making eyes appear bigger, is to use a highlighter in all the right spots. Your “highlighter” can either be a champagne, shimmery shadow, or a specialized highlighter made for this purpose (Tarte’s Rest Assured is a personal favorite). You’ll want to apply it to inner corners of the eye, and blend it right along your brows. Once that’s done, you can add dimension to your eyes with shadows and liners.

For events such as weddings, where you want a timeless look, you’ll want to stick with neutral shadows. Bronze and taupe tones work best for women with olive skin or darker complexions, and the lighter ladies are best off going with cooler tones like subtle blues, grays, and silvers. Select two shades of varying depths in the same color family, then use the lighter color to go over your entire lid beneath the brow bone, and the darker color to define the crease.

Line your eyes with a waterproof eye pencil (Urban Decay’s 24Hr is my pick), smudge lightly with a cotton swab, then go over that line with a thin, liner brush dipped in a shadow that’s the same color as the pencil, and blend.

Lastly, don’t forget your false lashes! They’ll add endless drama and lots of definition to any set of eyes.

Not blessed with naturally big eyes? Fake 'em!

• My oily skin always makes my shadow crease. How do I keep my eyeshadow from creasing?

The best way to achieve long-lasting, creaseless shadow, is by first applying a base onto which it can stick. Powder foundation can work well in a pinch (especially the mineral versions), but your best option here is to use an eye shadow base.

Many make up brands carry these in their respective lines, with some personal favorite being Urban Decay’s Primer Potion.

• I have wrinkles on the corners of my eyes when I smile. How do I get rid of these crows feet?

Just like lines on any other part of your face, you have a few different options here. Depending on how long you have to prepare for your event, thorough moisturizing of the skin and the use of tretinoin (aka Retin-A) may make quite a noticeable difference — but only if you have at least 6 months to go before your event.

Your shorter-term options include a few cosmetic treatments. Restylane is an option for those who have deeper lines, but the ladies with superficial cros feet that are only visible upon smiling will generally prefer either laser resurfacing or Botox. Both treatments are readily available at cosmetic surgery offices nationwide, and if you’re considering any of these procedures, I highly advise you to do your research!

Crows feet before botox, and after.

If a trip to the plastic surgeon isn’t on your “big day preparations” agenda, you have another option: Under-eye patches. Many cosmetic companies sell these, and yes, they really are physical patches. They’re generally unusually high in active ingredients, which means they do produce results — but these results are never permanent. Shiseido, Kanebo, Yves Saint Laurent, all have fantastic patch products, but my top recommendation for crow’s feet and puffiness is probably Chanel’s.

Apply these for the prescribed length of time on the morning of your big event, and your eye area should look impeccable for the rest of the day.

6. How do I prevent mascara smudges on my big day? What if my mascara runs when I cry?

It’s not always as simple as using waterproof mascara because oftentimes, waterproof mascaras will smudge even more so than the regular variations would — especially if you have oily skin or are in a humid climate. Makeup sealers will generally work better than a waterproof mascara would on its own, so I highly recommend using a good one, like Benefit She Laq.

Another quick tip for all the blushing brides out there: If you do cry, make sure you don’t wipe the tears right off your eyes. Let the tear roll down your cheek, and wipe it up then. No mascara, sealant or not, can withstand constant rubbing without starting to look like part of yesterday’s makeup.

No smudges in sight!

If you have other cosmetic care and makeup questions related to the eyes, please ask them in the comments section and I’ll include them in the next edition of this column.

Coming next week: Everything you need to know for flawless, glowing, perfect skin on camera.

I’d personally tried quite a few of the products mentioned by the ladies in this piece, and they’ve all been fantastic, so I know you’ll enjoy reading this as much as I did!

Here are a Few of Your Favorite Things

By Donna Kato
Mercury News
Posted: 01/27/2008 01:50:27 AM PST
Updated: 05/20/2009 04:39:34 PM PDT

Silicon Valley women love their beauty products.

They’re passionate about their mascara and brand-loyal to their skin-care line. They experiment with eye shadows and lip glosses and are just as likely to shop on drugstore aisles as they are the cosmetics counters of department stores.

A few weeks ago, I shared a list of my favorite beauty and grooming products with readers and asked for their own can’t-live-without-it list. Dozens of e-mails flooded my “in” box. Many of the notes had detailed descriptions of color, price and how the products were used.

The one item that was talked about with great intensity was mascara. It seems I’m not the only one hooked on its transformational nature. And almost everyone agreed: The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is the best beauty invention of the century.

The earnestness and enthusiasm of the responses made me smile. Lots of readers are as crazy about cosmetics as I am.

Surprisingly, there were more than a few products I wasn’t familiar with and others that I hadn’t thought to try. We might even give them a go in a future “The Bottom Line,” Style’s road-test feature.

For now, we’re spreading the wealth by sharing readers’ favorites with other readers. Here and online, 20 readers’ comments.

“I love St. Ives apricot face scrub, any Jo Malone fragrance – my favorite currently is White Jasmine and Mint cologne. Any Neutrogena moisturizers – especially ones that have SPF in them. In the summer, Healthy Defense with SPF 30 is perfect. Keratase Elasto Curl – great for gals with wavy hair.”

Margaret Hulgrave, Los Gatos

Kerastase Elasto Curl

“I’m with you on that Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I love that thing – it really gives my stubby Asian lashes a nice curl. My favorite mascara is Shiseido Lasting Lift Mascara, which keeps my eyelashes curled for pretty much the entire day. I also like L’Oreal Le Kohl eyeliner in black, which goes on smoothly and doesn’t smudge.

“For my skin, I really like L’Occitane Brightening Cleansing foam. It leaves my face feeling soft and smooth. I also like the L’Occitane Very Precious Eye Serum. After using it just a few weeks, it softened the wrinkles around my eyes and left that area feeling very hydrated.”

Khanh Nguyen, San Jose

“I have to say my FAVORITE, can’t-live-without product is L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara. It is the best! I have tried all sorts of mascaras, ranging from expensive to cheap, and this one is hands-downs my favorite. It goes on smooth, makes my lasher longer, fuller and separates them. I have blond eyelashes, and this mascara makes my eyes pop! (I use the brownish-black color.) Everyone should try it. Check it out, if you haven’t already.”

Shelley Lautenslager, San Jose

“My must-have product is Blinc Kiss Me Mascara. I have sensitive eyes, and allergy season always finds me a teary mess, but this mascara does not budge and doesn’t flake off or smudge at all. Other hypo-allergenic mascaras bug my eyes still; this mascara is the only one that didn’t bother me toward the end of the day. It takes some effort to get this product off by rubbing my eyes with a wet washcloth, but it’s a small price I’m willing to pay.”

Mercedes Roy, Sunnyvale

“BeneFit Hoola Bronzer: blends well and doesn’t give an obvious fake-and-bake look. Natural and good for medium Asian skin-tones. Maybelline Define-A-Lash mascara: I’ve tried expensive mascaras, and this one is THE BEST.

Glamour magazine has also picked it as one of the best mascaras out there – it lengthens and doesn’t clump, EVER! Shu Uemura eyelash curler: I’m totally with you on this one. Must be replaced after one year of usage! Urban Decay Eyeshadow: especially in Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, a glittery gold shade and also one of their top-selling shadows.

“Urban Decay eye-shadows have a dramatic edge but blend smoothly and easily. They last all night. Lorac Showstopper Palette: includes four eye-shadows and a blush, $35 and perfect for gift-giving without breaking the bank. Comes in cute black sparkly packaging with a rhinestone buckle. Lorac shadows, like Urban Decay and Nars, last all day. BeneFit Lip Plump: nude color gloss that works great under colored glosses. Helps lips appear fuller and more lush. Tingles, too!”

Kristen Sato, San Jose

“I have used La Prairie products for 30 years. My all-time favorite is Cellular Night Cream, Cellular Day Cream and the hand cream. Over the years I have tried less expensive brands, but always go back to the La Prairie as it goes on smoothly, vanishes into the skin – leaving a lovely glow – and does the job it is supposed to do: keeping the skin soft and smooth.

“I am a regular user of Cetaphil products, too. I use the lotion for washing my face in the shower and use the moisturizing cream for arms and legs. This is a wonderful product for dry, sensitive skin.”

Ida Wool, Los Gatos

“I used to be a Definicils (Lancôme mascara) groupie until I discovered Diorshow Unlimited from Dior. I’m afflicted by the same short, straight eyelashes that many Asian women have, and the Diorshow Unlimited gives my lashes a bit of curl, thanks to the curved applicator brush, as well as superb lengthening – all without any clumping! My husband and kids even say they notice a difference (they’re a pretty tough crowd.)”

Robin Lyons, San Jose

“My four sisters and I have been giving each other our favorite things at Christmas for a few years. Here are some of our favorite things:

“Tweezerman lash comb. You don’t realize how great this is until you get one! The best! Crystal nail file. It smooths the roughest feet! Eucerin Calming Creme. Put on after shower and it really hydrates dry skin. Gal Pal deodorant remover pads. Removes deodorant marks from shirts like magic!

Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser. Clinique eyeliner in #105 Chocolate Lustre. Bare Escentuals brow powder in pale/ash blonde. I have dark brown hair and a light complexion. This is the perfect shade. Benefit Ooh La Lift under-eye de-puffer.”

Jill Schlageter, Morgan Hill

“Here are my favorites: Benefit Eye Bright – this stuff is magic on my dark under-eye circles and the shadows between my eye and the bridge of my nose. Finally people have stopped asking me if I’m feeling well! Neutrogena Hand Cream – just a teeny bit moisturizes my dry hands and my ashy legs. Shu Uemura eyelash curler – I totally agree with you; it’s really the best one out there.”

Marcella Peek, Belmont

“Here are my must-haves: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer with SPF 15. I don’t know why I didn’t look at this brand sooner. This is the best primer I’ve ever tried, and sometimes I actually go out without my tinted moisturizer wearing just the primer.

“Smashbox Backdrop Cooling Tint color No 1. I’ve been using Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer for years, but took a chance and bought this a couple of months ago and have been pleasantly surprised. I think I may stay with this. It’s every bit as a good and is $10 less!

“Smashbox Brow Tech (taupe). Having over-zealously plucked and shaved (yes, shaved!) my brows in high school many moons ago, I am left with very skimpy brows that are now getting gray! I’ve tried many, many, many products, but this is the best by far. The color is perfectly neutral and sticks to the hairs all day long. I tend to rub my face, and my brows are intact at the end of the day. This is a winner!

Smashbox Brow Tech

Jo Malone Cologne (Lime Basil & Mandarin). I still love and wear Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey, but I find myself wearing this almost every day. It’s so easy and comfortable to wear and doesn’t scream, ‘Notice me!!!’ Laura Mercier Secret Concealer color No. 1. This is so creamy and glides on smoothly, and doesn’t settle or cake.

“Christian Dior Diorshow Mascara in black. 2007 must have been my year for making changes, because I’d been using Lancôme since high school. I love the shorter wand (great for those of us who must almost kiss the mirror to apply makeup) and fat brush. The other big plus, no flaking. Fresh Body Lotion (Sugar Lemon). Fresh IS fresh, and this lotion leaves me feeling smooth and pampered.

Carole Daniel, Union City

“My newest discovery is Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It comes in a purplish tube that looks like a genie’s bottle, and it makes your eye makeup last ALL DAY without touch-ups, even through workouts.

“My other favorite is Shu Uemura’s basic black mascara. I have stick-straight eyelashes, and this is the only mascara that is dry enough to not straighten my eyelashes after I’ve used a curler on them. It’s also nicely plumping and doesn’t flake.

Also, if you’re looking for non-fancy products that truly work, I swear by Cetaphil’s moisturizing cream (comes in a tub, available at drugstores – I buy two at a time at Costco). It’s super-thick and emollient, and I use it all over my body and on my feet. No more cracked heels!”

Stacy McMullen, Pleasanton

“I am really into skin-care products and pretty much obsessed with eye creams. I have used Shiseido, La Mer and La Prairie eye cream products. The one I found works best is Cle de Peau eye cream (serum pour les yeux). It is very moisturizing and lasts all day. I can see and feel the difference.

I found a new one when I traveled to Japan last month from a brand called Ginza. It is supposedly the top line from the same beauty product family and is only sold in Japan. I bought the eye cream but have not opened the package (still waiting to finish my current Cle de Peau eye cream).”

Joanna Liu, Los Altos

No room for undereye wrinkles or bags here!

“My favorite products: Shiseido sun protection liquid foundation – lightweight but with good coverage and SPF 42. Benefit Dallas blusher – on me, this is a beautiful neutral tone. Shiseido eyelash curler – I’ve used both this and the Shu Uemura one, but have found that the Shiseido one fits my eye shape better.

Origins’ A Perfect World line of skin care – I love everything I’ve tried (and I think I’ve tried it all). Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protection Stick in Plum – I love the color and the feel.”

Kathi Guerrant, Mountain View

“First of all, you need to get rid of the dead surface skin cells. Borghese Pelle Rinnovo Skin Renewal Polish is the best one I’ve come across. I’ve been using it twice a week for years. The polishing beads in this creamy, non-greasy formula are very small, almost sand-like, and do a very nice job of getting rid of the dead skin cells to reveal the new, soft skin underneath.

This not only feels wonderful, it makes my skin look wonderful, too. Have a little bit of breakout? No problem, polish it away! It even smooths out fine lines and wrinkles, softening them up so they are less noticeable. I also use this on my neck. You can find it at Bloomingdale’s for about $50.

“L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Transformance Skin Perfecting Solution. This lightweight foundation primer makes my foundation go on smoothly and evenly and provides the right amount of moisture throughout the day. Perfect! Long’s drugstore, about $20.

“Oil of Olay Regenerist Night Continuous Recovery Moisturizing Treatment. This night cream is non-greasy, and when I wake up in the morning, my skin is so soft and smooth – I feel like I am touching new skin every morning. I use this every night without fail! Long’s or Walgreen’s, about $20.

“Last but not least – the best beauty pick is staying out of the sun and no smoking!”

Toni Martinez, Sunnyvale

“My fave product is Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub. I use it daily in the shower. It exfoliates and keeps my skin bright. And besides, everyone enjoys a tropical feeling in the morning!”

Nancy Novak, Los Altos

“I am a forty-something with skin that needs saving. I have been transformed with Philosophy products. Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser can take off my strongest armor, including my mascara smear. It leaves my face clean and refreshed. You don’t need a toner is the claim.

I have very dry skin and have had problems with most heavy face creams, but Philosophy’s When Hope Is Not Enough Replenishing Cream works well in my daily routine. Although it is a heavy cream, my face loves it. Other heavy lotions/creams have caused irritation and redness. So I can’t live without these two products. I also use the Supernatural mineral face makeup.

Valerie Trovato, San Jose

“My favorite product is Lorac Front of the Line waterproof eyeliner. I originally just bought it for the applicator – like a felt-tip pen – which makes application so easy. The consistency of the actual eyeliner is great, too! It’s not too thick or too watery and the pigment is nice and dark.”

Rowena Wegner, San Jose

“Here are my favorites:

“1. Shu Uemura eyelash curler. This is the first curler that I used that didn’t pinch or bend my eyelashes in a weird way.

“2. Stila convertible eye color. I just tried this and really like it, even though I don’t spend a lot of time on eye makeup (usually just the eyelash curler and done.) This has liner, a firm sponge tip for blending and shadow on a soft sponge. I have it in teak, which can be dramatic or subtle.

“3. Balm Shelter tinted moisturizer. I had used Stila tinted moisturizer for years but read about this product in the Merc recently and decided to try it. It goes on really smooth, has good coverage and I like the higher SPF.

“4. Nars Blush and Bronzer duo in orgasm and laguna. Laguna is a bronzer, and orgasm is a pink, peachy color that looks good always! Sometimes I use the bronzer as eye shadow.

Nars Blush and Bronzer Duo in Orgasm and Laguna

“5. Sephora Professional Perfection makeup base. I don’t use primer or makeup base too often – I work at a high school! – but when I do, I really like this house brand from Sephora. It is very smooth and has a hint of illumination in it.

“6. Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation in 40 watts. I am a big fan of Stila products, and I’ve used this foundation for a number of years. My skin seems to break out with many brands of foundation, but not this one.”

Mary Connolly, Santa Clara

“My favorite lash liner is Laura Mercier eye liner in black ebony. You apply underneath the upper lashes, just along the line, with her flat liner brush. It really makes your eyes stand out, and the whites look whiter. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer is my foundation, and I love it. Sheer color that just evens out skin.

I also LOVE Clinique’s gloss in black honey. I’ve been wearing this color for about 25 years, when it was first out in a pot. Now it’s in tube form. Though very dark in the tube, it goes on to look very natural. I don’t know what I’ll do if they ever discontinue it. I always know I can apply it whether using a mirror or not. The foundation primer from Leeza Gibbons’ Sheer Cover line helps to keep makeup looking flawless.”

Kathy Shannon, San Jose

“I have several items that I’ve found to be fabulous products: Vincent Longo Water Canvas Base Primer and Water Canvas Creme-to-Powder Foundation. Also, Matrix Sleek Look Smoothing Serum (Step 4 in their four-step product line). It’s a perfect finish to any hairstyle, and you can seal the dry ends of your hair and make it look super-healthy.”

Maureen Wong, Mountain View

Share your beauty tips in the comments section below!

Custom Fitting Lashes: Make ‘em Natty!

You know it. You’ve always wanted to try them. You’ve drooled over the ones you’ve seen worn on mascara commercials (because they certainly can’t be real… who do they think they’re fooling, anyway?!).

But your nightmare is sweating them off, or even worse, looking like a perpetually shocked drag queen. No need to be intimidated by this wonderful beauty tool that, when used properly, can pack a punch and dress up any makeup style!

No need to be natural on this playing field: behold! Today, Fit Girl World is about to arm you with the must-know false-lash tricks and tips learned the hard way, now passed down to all of you wonderful fit girls!

This in-depth guide will open the door to faking it with the naughty, natty lash (you cheater, you!).

A Fit Girl’s Natty Lash Ingredients

• False eyelashes
• Tweezers
• Small scissors
• Eyelash curler
• Waterproof liquid eyeliner in black

The Ingredients

As a fit girl on a budget, I like to use E.L.F.’s lashes and eyeliner as they’re very affordable and versatile. Here, I’m using false lashes in dramatic (I really like the natural kind, too…… okay, okay, I’ll stop with the overused puns now), and the eyeliner in black, along with my favorite tools.

When taken care of properly, one pair of lashes has lasted me up to a month, but most likely it will start crimping in two to three weeks. When lashes start overlapping one another and clumps begin to fall you know to replace them.

Step 1: Detach from the tray.

You’ll need to gently pull off one eyelash strip by pulling the band (long lash side) with tweezers in an outward motion. Avoid pulling upwards as this might damage the lashes.

There might be some tacky adhesive on the lash band to help attach it to the tray. This is normal, but it’s bulky. You don’t want it. You want to remove the unnecessary glue by holding the band by the end of the lashes then pulling gently with your other thumb and finger at the glue.

Don’t pull by the lashes like I did here:

What Not to Do!

Step 3: Trim the band.

Now grab the freed lashes by the middle of the band near the root and hold as close as possible to your own lash line. The trick is to line them up on the outer ¾ or ½ edge of your eye; any longer and it starts to look too heavy instead of helping “open up” your eyes.

"Opening Up" Your Eyes

When you’re finished, it should be hard to distinguish where the falsies begin; your own lashes will start shorter then blend into the false ones. You can take off a few “clumps” of lashes by nipping them from the outer end then fit to your eye and repeat the process until you are satisfied.

Custom Fitting

Step 4: Camouflage the band.

The next step is to camouflage what a common telltale sign of false lashes – the band.

Most strips have gaps between the individual clumps of eyelashes attached to the clear or even white band. If your lash band is black, good for you! Skip this step.

If it’s not, grab your eyeliner and carefully “paint” the band, and try to avoid getting any on the lashes.

Masking the Band

People are going to be looking at you from all angles, so paint the outer edges, the part that you will glue, the top, the bottom, and most importantly, don’t forget about the front-on side that people will see most!

Spread the clumps apart to make sure you get every little space. You definitely don’t want strange white or clear spaces on your lash line.

This is what you want to hide.

Band

Step 5: Repeat.

Lay the lashes on the tray provided and repeat steps 2-4 with the other lash.

Lashes in the Tray

Step 6: Uncurl the lashes.

For proper blending with your own lashes and the falsies, the curl of the false eyelashes must be close to your own. Most store bought lashes come with a curl that borders on being obnoxious.

Because this creates a gap between your own lashes and the dramatic ones (creating two layers of eyelash – eek!) we need to “uncurl” the false ones. The way to do this is to curl them right side under.

"Uncurling" the Falsies

Detach and grab your lashes (making sure to do this when the eyeliner is dry) by the band, flip it, and curl it with your favorite eyelash curler starting from the root. Use very light pressure, repeating as many times as needed to make the curl a little more natural, moving out from the root and close to the tip.

Curl them starting from the root.

Then move outward; be careful!

Lashes are durable but delicate – if you use too much pressure, you will crimp them! You can even get them to have no curl at all then attach to your lash line and curl it to see what looks best, or leave a little curl – it is up to you.

Step 7: Customize the lashes.

More often than not the lashes will still be too long to pass as natural. You can forgo this step or trim very lightly if you want a more dramatic look (but I recommend keeping this for the stage!).

I like lashes that start shorter and fan out longer near the outer edge, so I will cut the individual strands of fibers accordingly. Holding the scissors at an angle, nip away as needed, checking by holding them up to your eye often. By holding it at an angle, it will be easier to give more variety to the lengths as opposed to a blunt and awkward line.

Don’t be scared – you can cut some really short ones and they will still look fabulous!

Customize them!

Here is my natty lash – this is how I like them.

My Natty Lash.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, ladies!

Let me know what some of your personal tips are in the comments section below!