Intermix Fall Fashion & Beauty Event with The Beauty Girl

You’re Invited! If you’re in the Chicago area, join me at Intermix on Armitage August 25th to get the scoop on fall’s fashion and beauty trends. Details below! To learn more about The Beauty Girl parties and to book your own, click here. Intermix Fashion & Beauty Invite

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The Beauty Girl In The News: Top 15 Picks for Fall

Chicagonow.com recently wrote a story about yours truly. To find out what I’m crushing on for fall, click here.

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A Natural Face Wash — Olive Oil

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.

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Shaving Tips For Guys

Guys may think they can get by with a quick shave, but I’ve seen too many gents walking around with razor burn and unsymmetrical facial hair. Sometimes, we need to review the basics so I enlisted Anthony Sosnick, founder of the grooming line Anthony For Men, to offer his tips for a perfect shave. 1. Around the time that you chugged your first beer, you probably also learned that the most important key to a successful shave is shaving in the direction of the beard growth. “Usually the beard grows downward toward your neck and upwards from the base of your neck,” says Tony.

Anthony's current favorite is his new Action Foaming Face Wash ($22).

Anthony’s current favorite is his new Action Foaming Face Wash ($22).

2. To get a close shave, always wash your face with warm water to soften the hair before putting a razor to it and then apply a shaving cream to help the blades glide along the skin.

Anthony's pick for best razor -- Schick Quattro

Anthony’s pick for best razor — Schick Quattro

3. During the shave, use your free hand to keep your skin taut and as flat as possible and use short strokes starting at the side burns, cheeks and neck. “This helps to prevent nicks,” says Tony. Save your lip and chin for last so the cream can soften these heavier whiskers. And don’t forget to replace your razor after three or four uses. 4. Finish by rinsing your face with cool water and gently pat, don’t rub, your face dry. If you’re prone to razor burn, splash on an after shave balm to keep your fresh face soft and hydrated. the brazorNow that we’ve got your face covered, don’t forget to landscape your body. Bushy back hair won’t entice a woman to wrap her arms around you so be sure to clean up the area before your shirt comes off. I’ve recently come across a new tool specifically made for these notoriously hard-to-reach spots. It’s called The Brazor (shown left), and it’s made with a longer handle so you don’t have to contort yourself to reach your target. Would you try The Brazor? Yes. This looks like a good invention. (90%, 9 Votes) No. I can handle my back hair myself. (10%, 1 Votes)

This poll is now closed

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Trend To Try: Turquoise Eye Makeup

Nanette Lepore 2010 Spring Fashion Show

Nanette Lepore 2010 Spring Fashion Show

Second chances don’t come often. If you missed the turquoise boat last summer, get on board now. It’s a look that’s really never gone out of style (in 1810 Napoleon gave his second wife Marie Louise a crown of turquoise as a wedding gift). This season, the blue-green hue is back on the runways, shown as the standout bright adorning model’s lids.

Gucci 2009 Spring Fashion Show

Gucci 2009 Spring Fashion Show

“It’s a bold color that works with any skin tone, eye color and hair color. It can add a little flare to the most neutral makeup and is popular during summer because it’s a gorgeous accent to bronze skin.” says Jerrod Blandino, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Too Faced cosmetics. Nanette Lepore Spring 2010 Runway Show Turquise outfitDo wear turquoise as an accent color on your eyes or nails. Don’t match your makeup to your outfit. Hot Picks TooFacedEye Shadow Single-Neptune 1Too Faced Eye Shadow in Neptune. “This shade reminds me of a mermaid tail and can be applied as a liner or shadow,” says Blandino. Make Up For Ever Turquoise Eye ShadowMake Up For Ever Aqua Cream Shadow: The new smudge-proof, tear-proof and crease-proof formula comes in a gorgeous sea-blue with shimmery undertones that makes lids look like they’ve been swept up in a wave. Love it for beach days. Wet n Wild liquid Turquoise Eyeliner Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner: Drag this green-based turquoise along the upper lash line and wing it out to create a sexy cat eye. BG TIP: to form a cat eye, place a credit card at the outer corner of your eye at a 45-degree angle and draw the line along its edge. Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eye LinerMake Up For Ever Professional Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil: For a pop of color that won’t run, rim lower lash lines in this vibrant shade as seen at the Nanette Lepore runway show. Sally Hansen Turquoise Nail PolishSally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Calypso Blue: This perky polish adds personality to any getup be it black, neutral or a rainbow shade.

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The Beauty Girl Does A Baby Shower

Freebies I gifted all the guests at The Beauty Girl Baby Shower Party.

Freebies I gifted all the guests at The Beauty Girl Baby Shower Party.

I met a fantastic group of women at Chicago’s Hub 51, where they gathered to celebrate the upcoming arrival of their friend/co-worker’s baby. I heard through the grapevine that mom-to-be Kim is interested in natural beauty. So, during this Beauty Girl party, I shared my favorite natural beauty tips and products (Ava Anderson skincare) as well as loads of other secrets that the women ate up…along with a fabulously decorated cake.
A cute pic of all the shower-goers with guest-of-honor Kim front and center.

A cute pic of all the shower-goers with guest-of-honor Kim front and center.

If you’re a dedicated reader, you already know I love giveaways. For this event, I worked off the wellness theme and gifted all the guests a swag bag of my must-have products for summer. Everyone left with 1. A The Beauty Girl tank top to keep them cool on hot days 2. A gift certificate for a complimentary mind body class such as core fusion and yoga at Exhale Spa as well as 25% off a spa therapy. 3. A full-size bottle of Vaseline lotion, which comes in a variety of wonderful formulas, to keep skin soft, hydrated and looking great in summer dresses.
That's me with Kim, who is just weeks aways from welcoming her baby!

That’s me with Kim, who is just weeks aways from welcoming her baby!

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Bridal Makeup Beauty Tips

That's me on my wedding day

(That’s me on my wedding day)

Tis the seasons for the sacred “I Do.” Whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid, or guest whose summer calendar is clogged with save-the-dates, women all have the same goal in mind for this special event — to look picture-perfect. Between the flashes, gowns and aisles, a wedding night is like the Oscars, and you wouldn’t dare show up to that gala unprepared. I rode my own wedding wave a mere seven months ago when I got married. Being that makeup is my thing, there was no way in hell my face wasn’t going to last from my grand entrance to my night cap. With the help of Ethian Hugo, the incredibly talented makeup artist who has worked with taste makers such as Carolina Herrera, we created a classic bridal look that I loved. These are the tips and products he used to create my look that I can personally say kept me looking like a fresh-faced bride from the first pictures at 2pm to the last dance at 2am. Read More
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Best Body Products For Glowing Skin

Personal trainer Tracy Anderson, who gets Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow into shape, salthers this potion on her sizzling legs

Personal trainer Tracy Anderson, who gets Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow into shape, salthers this potion on her sizzling legs

Prtty Peaushun comes in 4 shades (Light, Medium, Dark & Deep Dark). I'm wearing Light.

Prtty Peaushun comes in 4 shades (Light, Medium, Dark & Deep Dark). I’m wearing Light.

You know when you flip through the pages of a magazine and you come across a steamy fragrance or underwear ad featuring a scantily clad model lying on the sand, their skin shimmering with a moist deliciousness that makes you want to lick it? Er, is that just me? I’m calling all brides, bridesmaids and every lady who plans on showing some skin this summer to listen up because these finds will give your bod a gorgeous glisten. NEWEST LOVE: Prtty Peaushun (pronounced potion) Skin Tight Body Lotion ($36). Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist Bethany Karlyn has been using this luminous formula on her clients for years (Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker and Pam Anderson are fans). Now it’s available to those of us who live outside the Hollywood circle! Made with 92% raw ingredients that include a combo of fruits and veggies such as soothing avocado oil, stimulating grapefruit wax and antioxidant green tea extract, the light-reflective formula with subtle golden undertones gives skin a sexy dew that we equate with Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. Speaking of SI, word on the street is that next year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model will be lubed up with Prtty Peaushun. One note of caution: the liquid formula does have an oil base so be sure to shake it up before applying and give it time to dry before dressing.ScottBarnes-Body-Bling_line_40 LONG-TIME FAVORITE: Scott Barnes Body Bling ($38). For years I’ve depended on the man who gave J. Lo her glow and rubbed this bronzer on my decollete, arms and legs before big events. I even brought it to the bridal suite during one of my friend’s weddings. The bridesmaids loved what it did for my fair skin so much, the Bling got passed around like candy. BG tip: dab a little bronzer in your cleavage to enhance what you’ve got. Note: allow the product to dry after application or else you could end up with smears on your party dress.

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The Beauty Girl Does A Bridal Shower – Top Beauty Tips

weetheart and a sample of Elizabeth Arden’s Pretty fragrance. I gifted each guest a The Beauty Girl cosmetic bag, an OPI nail polish in Sweetheart and a sample of Elizabeth Arden's Pretty fragrance.

I gifted each guest a The Beauty Girl cosmetic bag, an OPI nail polish in S

This weekend I had the pleasure of doing a Beauty Girl Party for beautiful bride Reesa and her friends and family at her bridal shower. Armed with my stash of beauty loot including cult products, my must haves and insider favorites, I shared my top makeup tips such as how to wear a red lip, beauty and fashion trends, and more. I couldn’t be at a bridal shower without revealing some tricks on how to get picture-perfect skin (remember your primer and self-tanning moisturizer or light-reflective body cream). In tune with my mantra, Beauty Shouldn’t Be A Bitch, I also talked about quick fixes like dry shampoos (Klorane and Jonathan hair powder), great drugstore beauty buys and savvy style buys.
Yours truly in my Target dress with the guest-of-honor Reesa.

Yours truly in my Target dress with the guest-of-honor Reesa.

To my surprise, I got the biggest reaction when I mentioned that I bought the dress I was wearing at Target. Here’s the proof! To give the $75 limited-edition Zac Posen for Target dress its exclamation point, I shortened the hemline and paired with tan flat cowboy-inspired boots I bought in a thrift store in NYC’s Lower East Side. Finally, I threw on a Current Elliot denim jacket to brave the windy day.Probably my favorite part of the event was when I got to hook everyone up with the fabulous giveaways. Being that the occasion was to celebrate a couple in love, I gave each guest a The Beauty Girl cosmetic bag, an OPI nail polish in one of their most popular bridal shades, Sweetheart, and a sample of Elizabeth Arden’s fragrance Pretty (see top picture).
Reesa with all her friends and fam

Reesa with all her friends and fam

I hit lots of other topics, too, so if there’s something I talked about that any of the guests are still wondering about, feel free to comment below or email me at info@thebeautygirl.com

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Real Beauty Reveals My Best-Kept Beauty Secret

Wanna know a secret?

RealBeauty.com went on the hunt for the best beauty secrets and picked mine as their favorite! Click here to find out what it is.

 

As a reward for spilling my bag o’ tricks, they sent me this gift o’ goodies. IMG_3457So far I’ve dressed my lashes with the shimmery Cover Girl Lash Blast Luxe mascara and gotten my legs silky smooth with the Venus Embrace razor. Two down, a lifetime of beauty products left to go.

P.S. Come back soon! I’ve got more secrets up my sleeve.

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