Mission Skincare Accomplished!

SP-F it's hot outside! No matter how much SPF I seem to layer on, my shoulders keep getting pink. Luckily, the brainchild of ultra-endurance athlete Charlie Engle, who conceptualized Mission Skincare after finishing a 111-day run last year across the Sahara Desert, includes this preservative and paraben free after sun relief which is working wonders daily on my worn out little hiker's body.



The charity-friendly line, created in collaboration with Professional Basketball player Steve Nash, Gold Medal Skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, Professional Soccer player Mia Hamm, Gold Medal Snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, Gold Medal Swimmer Amanda Beard and Professional Basketball player Carmelo Anthony, also includes organic offerings like Amanda Beard's Organic Strawberry lip balm. My personal favorite is Gretchen Bleiler's Sweet Vanila Lip Balmer SPA 15. No one should go through summer with out at least one budget-earth-charity friendly item from Mission Skincare. Enjoy!

Beauty Fortuity: Liz Earle Susperskin Concentrate - Beauty in a Bottle.




From the gracious oracle of skincare, Liz Earle, comes a divine potion combing oils (almost) too numerous to name: Argan, Avocado, Chamomile, Hazelnut, Lavender, Neroli, and finally, Rosehip. Billed as an "aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils and a rich, restoring treat for all skin types, especially mature," I initially shelved this amber-colored oil because I am in fact only 28 and my skin doesn't yet require copious amounts of moisture. What I didn't realize until the arrival of pollen season is that this celestial concoction cures beauty ailments far beyond a simply dehydrated epidermis.

Several weeks ago I awoke with the bug eyes of a sixty year old booze hound, or just any plain old hound for that matter. Desperate for something to sooth my itchy, swollen, dry eyes and clear out of eye drops I half-blindly snatched the best smelling, soothing oil from my nightstand and stumbled to the spa-room (formerly the "bathroom.") In a moment of true beauty fortuity, the superskin concentrate soothed, lifted and calmed the area around my eyes. I now use it daily as I would an eye cream, and with fantastic results.


The oil had been stationed on my nightstand to perform the duty of aromatherapy sleeping and relaxation aid, which it did with equal parts skill and luxury. Try dabbing a very small bit on your pressure points to aid lymphatic draining and increase the over all glow of skin. The effects are miraculous and I wake up feeling and (hopefully) looking a little more like Grace Kelly and less like the 60 year old booze hound. I will never-ever be with out a vile of this Jane of all trades again. If the larger 1 oz bottle is out of your price range at $70, the .3 oz can easily last you up to a month and is a bit more reasonable at $34. Enjoy!

New Sebastian Professional Flaunt Collection



One of the launch items for Sebastian Professional's new Flaunt Collection is a gift box collaboration with designer, and the brand's own cover girl, Charlotte Ronson. The set includes includes this limited edition T-shirt by Charlotte, Sebastian Professional Trilliant Thermal Protection and Shimmer Complex, and Sebastian Professional Light Shampoo & Conditioner.

Is it me or is this tee flaunting Charlotte's ex-girlfriend in-law Lindsay Lohan? With an April break-up and a May launch date it seems like rather unfortunate timing for what maybe (?) the final Lohan-Ronson collaboration.

You can find salons carrying the limited edition box set, priced at $45, here. Below is the behind the scenes for Charlotte's campaign shoot.

Lauren Conrad on David Letterman

See in real life Lauren Conrad is funny, cute and charming. Her look is California perfect here and though she has the features to pull off any cut, she is admirably keeping her locks long despite the impish boycut thang of the moment. Also, I love a girl that speaks her mind, which she does. Still adore re-reading the post where I met her at Warren Tricomi on Melrose.

Makeup That's Down with Summer

One of the (many) things I love about living in the south is that summer comes early and stays late. Today it’s 90 degrees. Also, we southern girls know how to make our makeup work for us during the entire 6 month-long season.

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How to Avoid Makeup Meltdown

Pro tips on keeping a fresh face -- even in sweltering hot weather


How to Avoid Makeup Meltdown

Making makeup last all day-- especially in hot, muggy conditions-- doesn't have to be a high-maintenance hassle. Follow these tips from pro makeup artists Charlie Green and Molly Stern and your look, whether natural or dramatic, won't melt away.

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Curly Girl's Go-to's

Two months ago I had four inches removed the bottom portion of my tresses. I now have curly hair. From straight with lots of volume to curly is a remarkable feat achieved by ageing hormones and the loss of 5lbs of hair. I’m left with a whole new area of product to discover. Curly girls, here I come.

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The Best Products for Curly Hair

In a sea of styling aids, these 13 are tops


The Best Products for Curly Hair

Curly-haired ladies, the search is over. According to TotalBeauty.com editors and users, these products successfully tame, soften and sculpt curls to their finest, Botticelli-esque state. Read on to find out which conditioners and styling aids will finally get you to stop calling your hair "kinky," "frizzy" or (gasp!) "shapeless."

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TotalBeauty.com
Top Tips to Looking Sexy Over 40

Try the makeover tricks we used on TotalBeauty.com reader Kim to help spice up her dating life


Top Tips to Looking Sexy Over 40

New to the Internet dating scene at age 50, Kim turned to our makeover dream team for beauty tips to help in showing off her sexy, independent self. Follow their steps to see whether their advice worked, and how you can recreate her look on your next date.

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Anthony For Little Men Foaming Hair and Body Wash Supports Hope for Kai







To commemorate the birth of his twin sons, Anthony Sosnick, founder of Anthony Logistics for Men, created a two-in-one product designed for the next generation of grooming-savvy men, a gentle cleanser for both hair and body with a formula does not sting the eyes. Now, the sale of this product can help make a significant difference in the life of one special child. From now through the end of May, 100% of profits through the sale of the Anthony For Little Men Foaming Hair and Body Wash will be donated to the Hope for Kai fund.

Kai, not even 5 years old, was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. At the same time, his father was also diagnosed with a rare type of Lymphoma. The medical costs for Kai’s treatment are enormous and more than his family can manage. ALFM supports Kai Anderson in his journey to find a donor and receive necessary treatment to fight the disease.

Anthony For Little Men Foaming Hair and Body Wash is $12.00


Also if you are in New York PLEASE COME TO A BONE MARROW DONOR DRIVE
IN KAI'S HONOR
Hope For KaiBone Marrow Donor Drive at Montessori School

Saturday, May 2nd 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Montessori School of Manhattan53 Beach St.
(Between Hudson and Greenwich)
For more info call: (212) 334-0400

White-en While You Work: Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal



Recently, in the comfort of my own home, I fell in love with the Crest's new Whitestrips Advanced Seal. The whitening ingredients really, really stay put (despite my best efforts at tonguing the formula out from beneath the plastic strips.) True to Proctor and Gamble's claim, you can actually drink water or talk on the phone with the strips in place without feeling like you've mistakenly swallowed a toxic household cleaner (unlike early generations of at-home whiteners.)

But I perform lots of crazy rituals in the name of at-home spa-ing. In order to truly put the "Whitening on the go" suggestion from Crest to the test, I wore mine while out-and-about today. Though some may think I've developed a slight lisp, their presence was otherwise completely undetectable.

Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal truly allow you to go about your day without interruption, all while achieving your most beautiful, whiter smile. I'm happily devoting 30 multi-tasking minutes every day to my crest Whitestrips until they run out. Also they are on sale at CVS.com, and you can try them for free courtesy of Wal-Mart.

Beauty Budgeting with Anara Spa, Ulta, and Exhale Spa


Some say the Chinese symbol for "Crisis" is actually a combination of two characters meaning "danger" and "opportunity". Some say that's a load of ^&*$ invented by world-weary new age-ers to make themselves feel better and (in the process) slaughter mandarin chinese. You say po-tay-to. I say po-tah-to. Either way past the age of fifteen its pretty apparent to most that there is opportunity in all sorts of events that don't necessarily warrant public celebration or triumphant tweets. Today I bring you just three examples of how the recession crisis is working for you and two lessons in language.


Anara Spa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort is offering new “sampler” sizes of some of their world-renowned treatments. Honored by Condé Nast Traveler readers as having the best treatments in the United States, guests may now choose from a variety of treatments for less, creating their own “pupu platter” of spa treatments. (Pupu in Hawaii refers to small portions or appetizers - language lesson number two.)


“Often we see that people want to sample a number of different modalities to make for a more complete spa experience, but might not have the time or means to make it happen”, stated Shea. “With add-on options and mini-sessions, guests are able to receive a richer experience.”
With either a half, full or extended treatment a choice of enhancements may be added for a fraction of the cost of the full treatment. A half-session lomilomi massage focuses massage to relieve tension in specific areas, inducing an overall sense of relaxation. A 25-minute tropical organic body polish exfoliates and smoothes the skin while a coconut scalp massage and volcanic pumice foot massage may be added to create a state of sheer relaxation and bliss. “People love being able to have a number of treatments with minimal time and financial outlay,” declares Shea.


Exhale Spa recieved the SPOT's seal of approval last month when we visited their Central Park South outpost. This latest deal from the masters of Core Fusion will afford you an A+ in your beauty budgeting class.

For $150/month, with a 1 year commitment, exhale spa is offering this spa membership, which includes
· One complimentary therapy per month from select spa menu of services
· $50 monthly spending credit
· 20% off all spa therapies
· 10% of exhale retail purchases
· Initial gift of five mind body classes for you or a friend
And for a limited-time only, if you sign up for this annual spa package before May 31, 2009, you will also receive:
Additional 15% discount on retail purchases for initial 12 months (total discount of 25%)
One complimentary manicure per month for initial 12 months (value of $360)
One complimentary guest room at The Omphoy Ocean Resort Palm Beach (while supplies last)


Finally, on the first Tuesday of every month, bring your college student ID to any ULTA location and receive 20% off your entire retail purchase and Salon service. This is very good news. When the recession first introduced itself as real piece of business in my life my first thought was, I hpe this doesn't mean my favorite nascent beauty revolutionary provider Ulta doesn't fold. Sad, but true.

TotalBeauty.com
Celebrity Updo Pics

17 new ways to wear your long hair up


Celebrity Updo Pics

Updos are always in, whether they're sleek and polished or purposefully messy. Get inspired with new ways to twist, pin and pony by the adorable updos on these celebs.

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Kiehl's, Kennedys, Clean Water, AND Kelly Slater: Happy Earth Day, Indeed.



This spring, chose from one of four commemorative label, larger-sized Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotions (16 oz.) (each with Limited Edition Label Art), and Kiehl's will donate 100% of Net Proceeds to benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance. The lotion is made with fairly-traded, organic, Moroccan Argan Oil and Argan Leaf Extract, and the bottles are made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled packaging. The designs are inspired by Adrian Grenier, Erykah Badu, Kelly Slater, and three Parsons Students. But honestly when you show me this much of Kelly Slater (Photo Credit: Terry Richardson) I slip into a non-verbal state of bliss. I'll let Mr. Kennedy take it from here.
“We are delighted about this partnership with Kiehl’s as they have long supported Waterkeeper Alliance,” said Robert Kennedy Jr., Chairman, Waterkeeper Alliance. “In fact Kiehl’s was with us in the fledgling years of the Hudson Riverkeeper in New York in the early 1980s and has supported us along the journey. We are delighted to welcome Adrian, Kelly, Erykah and Parsons into the Waterkeeper Alliance family and look forward to continued outreach endeavors together in the future. With $100,000, the amount that Kiehl’s has set out to raise through the sale of this limited edition product, Waterkeeper Alliance will provide critical professional training to nearly 200 Waterkeeper Alliance organizations and develop climate change and post-carbon transition strategies at this year’s Annual Conference." Ok girls, let's do our part. The Limited Edition bottles will be available in Kiehl’s free-standing stores and Kiehls.com on April 20th, in time for Earth Day 2009. Each is $55.

Happy Mother's Self-Care (with Hot Hair) Day: H2Pro 300 Special Edition Ceramic Styling Iron


Being a successful beauty blogger has its benefits. For instance this morning I got a call from Paris to be interviewed by an international beauty industry magazine. Trust me, that never used to happen. My most favorite part though, is helping women believe they are worth the time and effort it takes to care for themselves.


For whatever reason my mama was always the "dove soap and go" kind of woman. Slowly but surely I've introduced her to the basics of self care. I took her to her first facial (at the lovely Spa Physiog), first mani pedi (at the equally lovely About Faces), introduced her to SPF, moisturizers, and so forth. Still, thick, even main-like hair runs the family and without the right tools its completely unmanageable. This Easter I gave her the H2pro 300 Special Edition Flat Iron. For the first time in 50 some years (sorry ma) she says she likes her hair, even maybe, loves it. Basically, H2Pro has done for our familial self-esteem what years of good therapy and self-help couldn't do. (So the $160 price tag is a bargain.) Readers, if your mom needs a little help in the self-care department, this flat iron may just be the perfect Mother's Day gift.


Heating up to 450°F in a matter of seconds, the 300 Special Edition, transforms hair with much more power, shine, and frizz free styling, while removing bacteria and pollutants from the hair. It also features a professional length, swivel cord and the ceramic plates that deliver the unique combination of Nano Ti + Nano TiO + Nano Ag Technologies. Enjoy!

Love, from Madison Wisconsin


Girls, I've been taking a trip down memory lane lately and catching up with some old college friends. Madison, WI is home to my alma mater and also to the world's best beauty store, The Soap Opera. This adorable "Love" soap (on sale for mother's day) is made with organic aloe vera juice, Moroccan incense, and patchouli extract fragrance. Enjoy!

Hot Pink Redux RAVE: Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor


A modern take on the Hot-Pink of my adolescent years, it took a formula this smooth and rich and a pigment this precise to take the sting (9 was an awkward year) out the 80's for this 1980-born beauty junkie. Instant glamour. Fun color (Rose Rage). LOVING the new launches from Max Factor.

Beauty's Product RAVE: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper



With short fat rubber bristles Max Factor's new 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper is somewhat of an unknown quantity in the quickly gentrifying neighborhood of novelty mascaras. While these bells and whistles draw you in, the desirable results of the formula itself are what will convert you.

First, I took a three hour nap is this with no smudging, smearing, or flaking. Its thick wet pigment never leaves lashes hard or claw-like. The formula is wet and moisturizing (possibly the reason for distinguishing it as a lash plumper rather than a simple mascara.) The results resemble those of fake lashes more than the usual mascara. I for one, am in love. Still, one request to Max Factor: develop a wand that makes "2000 calories" and "plump" sexy for the body as well as the lashes.

Congratulations to Mrs. Dustin Hoffman!

In honor of Lisa Hoffman's FiFi Award Nomination, she is kindly handing out free samples the nominated fragrances, Madagascar Orchid and Japanese Agarwood! Enjoy!


TotalBeauty.com
Top 20 Earth-Friendly Beauty Products

The hottest skin care, makeup and hair care on every green chick's list


Top 20 Earth-Friendly Beauty Products

What's the hot trend in beauty? Going green. But don't break out the emerald eyeshadow just yet, we mean green as in environmentally friendly. New to the green scene? Use TotalBeauty.com readers' unbiased ratings to help you know what products to try first.

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No. 20: 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream, $19

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7*


No. 20: 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream, $19

Why it's great: Readers say it's "very moisturizing and soothing" and they can feel their "eyes tightening"...

No. 19: Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer, $28

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8*


No. 19: Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer, $28

Why it's great: The certified organic white grape and pomegranate juice in this moisturizer "help balance out... oily skin"...

No. 18: DHC Olive Virgin Oil, $44.80

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8*


No. 18: DHC Olive Virgin Oil, $44.80

Why it's great: "It seriously softens and... feels great after flying." They also say even oily skin can use it at night...

Want to see what's #1? Click here!

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Stretch Mark & Cellulite Repair

Finally, the truth on which promising products will actually help -- and which are just money-wasting hype


Many of us are genetically destined to get stretch marks and cellulite. (Yeah, thanks, we know!) But thanks to expert help from two of the country's most famous rock star-level skin gurus and 200,000 unbiased beauty product reviews from TotalBeauty.com readers, you can effectively prevent and minimize the appearance of these bummer issues. Get the real scoop here.

Get the facts

Beauty's Product RAVE: L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Powder SPF 20


Girls! It's been a long long time since I fell this hard for a product. Using Sephora's Kabuki Brush, I layered L'Oreal's new Infallible Never Fail Powder over top of La Mer's The Fluid SPF 30. Today, I am not only impenetrable by the sun's harmful rays but my skin looks perfect! With an SPF 20 rating, a $15 price tag, and a smooth, velvety touch for even the most sensitive of skin types, this powder is truly infallible!

Like Infallible liquid makeup, Infallible Never Fail Powder incorporates L’Oréal’s makeup technology for beautiful, long-wear coverage, in a powder form. The formula with high-resistant pigments stand up to all-day activity and wears for 16 hours while ultra-fine powders form a breathable fabric of stay-put coverage that feels light and velvety.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Powder was launched in February 2009 and is available at
lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers nationwide.

TotalBeauty.com
The Best and Worst MAC Cosmetics Products

Your shopping guide to this cult-fave makeup brand


The Best and Worst MAC Cosmetics Products

Before you buy your next eyeshadow or makeup brush -- check out these unbiased reader reviews. They reveal that of all (and there are thousands) of the MAC products available, the brushes top every makeup-lovers list. But not all MAC products are perfect -- so be sure to steer clear of the ones on our readers' do-not-buy lists.

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The Worst: No. 4: MAC Green Gel Cleanser, $19.50

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 6.0*


The Worst: No. 4: MAC Green Gel Cleanser, $19.50

What you said: "It doesn't [have a] rich lather and it doesn't leave my skin feeling fresh. I guess it's ok for..."

No. 3: MAC Prep + Prime Eye, $16

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 5.7*


No. 3: MAC Prep + Prime Eye, $16

What you said: "I figured since MAC has such great eyeshadows, they'd obviously have a great primer for them... WRONG!..."

The Best: No. 15: MAC Eye Shadow, $14.50

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.4*


The Best: No. 15: MAC Eye Shadow, $14.50

What you said: "THE best eyeshadow I have ever used. I will never switch to another brand when it comes to..."

Want to see the rest of the list? Click here!

TotalBeauty.com
Quiz: How Sun Smart Are You?

Get a perfect score and you'll be on your way to a skin cancer-free life


Quiz: How Sun Smart Are You?

Sure, you may dutifully apply your SPF 30 when heading to the beach each summer... but how protected is your skin on a daily basis? Here, we test your sun knowledge to see how much you really know about sunscreen and sun safety.

Take the quiz

The New Limited Edition Fragrance from Jean Paul Gaultier: “Ma Dame”

Jean Paul Gaultier's new scent, Ma Dame, expands on his classic bustier bottles (pictured below) with an inverted print of the female form embossed into brushed glass.


An orange zest top note and a hint of grenadine at the center with an added touch of raspberry and pink grapefruit are the perfect combination for a burst of summer freshness. Ma Dame is available at Nordstrom and Macy’s.