If you’re in the Chicago area Aug. 18th, don’t miss out on this fabulous bridal beauty event I’m doing. You’ll get hooked up with my best beauty secrets, free eyebrow shaping, product giveaways, delicious food, cocktails and more. Details below. RSVP by Aug. 16th. Hope to see you there!
When it’s so freaking hot your face could melt a popsicle, it’s time to switch up your skincare. Every summer I swap out my face cream with a gel texture; it’s light, absorbs right in and doesn’t leave me looking like a grease-ball. My favorite this season is Amorepacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra Gel, and I’m giving two people the chance to win this piece of luxury!
Considering the crazy amount of above 90-degree days we’ve already had, I appreciate that this oil-free formula feels cooling when applied. As for ingredients, it’s built for botanists. Bamboo sap strengthens cells, red ginseng increases circulation, green tea extract provides antioxidant protection and Matsutake mushroom hydrates.
To enter to win this moisturizer, comment on the post, follow me on twitter (twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl) and RT this message.
If you were to catch me on any given day, my hair would likely be in a bun. Oh, the many reasons why I love to wear a bun…it’s comfortable, it’s a chic look that can be worn casual or fancy (I wore one for my wedding) and it’s the perfect solution for a bad hair day or if you want to skip a wash.
So when I got word about a new bun-making tool, the Goody Spin Pin (shown right; $5.99 at drugstores), I had to try it for myself. The last time a hair gadget caused this much chatter was when bumpits launched. If you’re at all familiar with bumpits, which were made so people could create big hairstyles like Snooki’s poof, you can understand why I may have gagged a little at the thought of another hair gizmo surfacing. 
Dare the Spin Pin enable Americans to get cheesier? Well, to start, I was impressed that it comes in two colors (brunette and blonde) and that the peeps at Goody claim these two corkscrew pins are as effective as 20 bobbi pins. To see what it’s all about, here’s a very homemade video I created with the help of my brother-in-law David (camera man) and nieces (on-camera models). The video may just be the cheesiest thing about this whole post! Enjoy.
The lucky ladies who will be receiving their own bottle of Gabby Reece’s favorite summer body moisturizer are Jill, Ella, Cathy, Nicole and Claudia. Congrats to the winners!
One of the biggest beauty issues my readers tell me they face during the summer is frizzy hair. I’ve tried to tackle this concern in many posts with a variety of products and techniques such as hair oil, mousse, how-to’s and even offered giveaways for a flat iron and a complete hair care regimen.
However, if you’re fed up with poof and want to eliminate it for good, another option is to trade in the D.I.Y. options for pro hair treatments like the Brazilian Blowout. This is the newest frizz-eliminating service on salon menus and it’s gaining a lot of celebrity attention. Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Richie, Halle Berry and Lindsay Lohan are just some of the stars doing it.
You may have heard of Japanese straightening, a chemical-based treatment that was all the rage years ago. Unlike Japanese straightening, which offers results that last up to six months but can damage hair or flatten it if in the wrong hands, the Brazilian Blowout uses proteins that smooth and protect each strand. Think of it as a condom for your hair. Whether that image grosses you out or not, you’ll be happy to know the formaldehyde-free process is totally healthy for your mane, protects locks from hot tools and there’s no downtime. The fact that you can jump in the pool immediately after the treatment is the main advantage to choosing the Brazilian Blowout over other popular protein-based hair treatments like a Keratin treatment, which prevents you from showering or using hair elastics for three days post service. I have to say, the Brazilian Blowout sounds a lot less intimidating than other Brazilian named beauty services I’ve tried, and all it takes is 90 minutes of your time to get shiny, frizz-free hair for up to three months.
Hundreds of people entered to win a tube of the $135 Kinerase SPF Moisturizer and 5 came out on top. Congrats to Julie, Diane, Julie, Michelle and Linda! I’ve met your requests so expect to receive your desired formula (cream or lotion) in the mail shortly. Thank you to everyone who participated and check back every week for more fabulous giveaways!
As The Beauty Girl, I never turn myself off. There’s no watching the minutes tick down (unless it’s waiting for my hubby to walk in the door) to some magical number like 5pm so I can return to freedom. My radar is up 24/7…when I’m with friends, walking down the street, shopping Whole Foods…you name it.
While a large chunk of my beauty expertise comes from my relationships with PR firms, experience testing products, interviewing derms, meeting makeup artists and so forth, I have to give credit for this post to my best friend Molly. She’s a foodie who cares about what goes on and in her body. Passionate about healthy living (if it weren’t for Molly I’d still be eating Skippy instead of the natural equivalent), Molly did some research and created a natural skincare regimen that’s become my new favorite way to cleanse my face. I discovered her secret when I stayed with her during a visit to my old stomping ground NYC, and it’s too good to not pass on.
Beauty Secret: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil! Washing up with a nickel-size amount of Rachael Ray’s beloved e.v.o.o. is a great chemical-free option to get soft, supple skin. If this sounds like a shocker, it shouldn’t be. Tons of beauty products from drugstore brands like Curel to luxe brands like Philip B contain this ingredient. The moisturizing benefits of olive oil make it perfect for dry skin, and it removes makeup as effectively as any makeup remover.
1. Rub the olive oil on dry skin in circular motions. Molly suggested I do that for a couple of minutes and I soon understood why. It felt like a relaxing face massage.
2. Rinse off with water. If you feel like you still have some residue on your skin (I didn’t but Molly did) follow with a tea tree oil-based face cleanser like Desert Essence. It will give your newly hydrated face that squeaky clean feeling.
The only thing that’s left to decide is where you’ll keep your all-purpose bottle of olive oil — kitchen or bathroom.
Need a convenient carryall for all your toiletries? Modella’s adorbs 4-piece cosmetic kit will keep you organized and contained. I love the oversize case for travel because I can throw in my bigger liquid items like shampoo, conditioner, cleanser, and eye makeup remover without worrying about accidental spillage. Plus, I don’t have to dig through the bag to get what I need, thanks to the clear plastic. The flowery train case is the perfect size for tube foundations, mascaras and makeup brushes. Eye shadows, blushes, lip glosses and the like fit right in the adorable polka dot cosmetic carrier. I use plurals because there’s no such thing as traveling with a single shadow. Wearing the same one 24/7 is boring. A wardrobe of shades (at least 3 shadows and 3 lip colors) is mandatory to get me through a getaway. Finally, the hot-pink clutch is all you need for an evening out. Pop in your tools for touchups along with your credit cards and cell and you’re set for the night. Or, use it as your mini makeup bag and throw it into a bigger purse to make access to your essentials a whole lot easier.
Modella has a ton of fun, summery styles that are similar to this collection. I’m giving 4 people the chance to win a cosmetic bag set like this one. To enter, comment on the post, follow me on twitter (twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl) and RT this message.
Bid to win an autographed gift box filled with Smashbox makeup valued at up to $300 and support Hollywood Arts, a charity that uses the arts to empower and educate homeless young adults in order to help them transition out of poverty and enjoy successful, self-sufficient lives. Stars like Amy Ryan, Gilles Marini and Ricki Lake put their signatures on the cosmetic collections, which you can check out at www.smashbox.com/Ebay-Auction.
The bidding starts Thursday, July 8th and ends July 10th at midnight, and all proceeds will go to the charity. Good luck!
Thanks to everyone who entered the lip gloss giveaway. Congrats to the winners: Kenny, Tina, Maureen, T.R., Pat, Linda, Mindee, Taryn, Amber and Crystal. Your requested shades will be landing on your doorsteps shortly!
