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)

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Father’s Day Package Giveaway Winners Announced

Congrats to Ellen, the grand-prize winner of the Vaseline Men’s giveaway. She’ll be receiving an autographed football by former Giants player Michael Strahan and three of Vaseline Men’s new lotions while the 3 runner-ups, Mary, Marsha and Diane, will have the chance to gift the men in their lives a care package containing all three lotions.

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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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Giveaway: Father’s Day Gifts (signed football & Vaseline lotions)

Here’s your shot to cross off one errand — buying dad his father’s day gift — off your to-do list.Vaseline Men LotionI’m offering 1 reader the chance to win the whole shebang including an autographed football by former Giants football star Michael Strahan and a care package filled with the latest men’s product launches from Vaseline Men. The lineup includes the Cooling Hydration Body Lotion, which has a touch of menthol that cools on contact, the Fast Absorbing Body & Face Lotion and the Extra Strength Body & Face Lotion that’s great for dry skin and rough patches.Plus, 3 runner-ups will win the entire Vaseline Men’s line mentioned above.To enter, comment on the post, follow me on twitter (twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl) and RT this message. Happy Dad’s Day!

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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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Giveaway + Get Jessica Biel’s Hair at MTV Movie Awards

17289121brigitte_bardot_HairJessica Biel had more than a good hair day at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. Her locks were shiny, bouncy, sexy and every other adjective we strive for when it comes to hair. Behind the mane creation was celeb hair god Mark Townsend, who says, “I was inspired by Brigitte Bardot (right), and I wanted Jessica’s hair to be cool, modern, and beautiful, just like her.”Dove Body & Lift Volumizing MousseStep 1: Mark added oomph by applying a bit of Dove Body & Lift Volumizing Mousse to her damp hair. “I absolutely love this mousse because it gives the hair body that I know will last all through the evening and I don’t have to worry about her hair falling flat before the awards show is over,” he says.Step 2 He blow dried her hair with a large round brush to encourage lift and movement,Step 3 “When all her hair was dry, I sprayed a flexible hairspray all over to give the hair hold, but still allow movement without becoming too stiff or sticky.”TUESDAY GIVEAWAY: 5 people will win the hairstylist’s favorite Dove Body & Lift Volumizing Mouuse. To enter, comment on the post, follow me on twitter (twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl) and RT this message. Wishing you a summer full of happy hair days!VanessaHudgensScarlettJohanssonAnnaKendrickNikkiReed

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Beauty Best Buy: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

Friday Night, June 47:05pm: Slip into my new Free People top and my second skin — my skinny J-brand jeans.7:10pm: Slick on hot pink lip gloss. Tonight’s is MAC LustreGlass Lip Gloss in Venetian.7:10pm and 30 seconds: Catch a glimpse of my obnoxiously peeling blue nail polish as I’m finishing my lips. Alarm! Alarm! The day got away from me, and now, in the 11th hour, I remember I forgot to get a mani. I have 10 minutes before my husband and I leave for a first date with another couple. Ah! My husband can rely on his solid handshake and eye contact to make a good first impression, but for a woman, nails are the x-factor that say it all. Chipped nails don’t exactly scream polished, put-together or stylish. My options are slim. I can either a) sit on my hands during our dinner, but that’s not going to fly being that I’m a hand talker and hungry or b) wiggle myself out of this beauty pinch pronto.
Shades from Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Collection

Shades from Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Collection

7:11: I remember a PR person recently sent me a sampling of shades from the new Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure collection. The new formula is supposed to take care of all 5 steps of a manicure in one bottle (base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, top coat). Hoping I’m not falling prey to a marketing gimmick that exploits every woman’s weakness –time savers — I bet on Sally and hope she comes to the rescue. After quickly removing the polish remnants, I whip out my Sally lacquer in the silvery hue Pedal to the Medal.
What I'm wearing now: Sally Hensen Pedal to the Medal

What I’m wearing now: Sally Hensen Pedal to the Medal

7:15: I’m not very experienced in DIY manicures and don’t have the steadiest hand, but the wide, flat brush made it so easy to apply the color to my entire nail bed in one swipe, and I never went outside the lines. All it took was two coats, and my nails are stunning in silver with 5 minutes to spare for drying time! I’m hooked on Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure! Thank you Sally for this time-saving manicure-in-a-bottle. My nails feel and look great, and this paint has definitely earned itself the title of my Product Of The Week.

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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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Giveaway: Gabby Reece’s Fave Body Lotion + Best Beauty Secrets

Ever wonder what natural beauty looks like? Check out my exclusive interview with pro volleyballer turned model turned mom Gabby Reece and steal some of her beauty secrets. Plus, 5 lucky people will win Gabby’s go-to summer body lotion, Vaseline Aloe Fresh. To enter this giveaway, comment below and tell me your must-have summer beauty essential, follow me on twitter (twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl) and RT this message.

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Winner of Flat Iron Giveaway Announced

This week was filled with giveaway updates! Congrats to Victoria, the winner of the $160 KQC X-Heat Tourmaline Ceramic 1-inch Flat Iron. Stay tuned for more great Tuesday Giveaways!

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