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Coming from a world surrounded by beauty, advertising , and first impressions it’s hard to keep up with all of the latest “in styles and trends.” What was “in” just a month ago is not necessarily “in” the following.  Things move fast in that world.  And when you’re a mother you just don’t have time or to be perfectly honest…ya  just don’t care.  But there’s the rub…If you’re out of the loop you could slowly become a fashion victim…not good.

Here are just a few thoughts on “how to stay updated” in the beauty & fashion world without making yourself insane…

Let’s start with Skin Care…Every girl or boy should have a big fat jar of Vaseline in their medicine cabinet.  It is ever so helpful for dry and irritated skin, removing make-up and so much more.  (I love to slather my feet with Vaseline just before bed.  If you slip a pair of cotton socks over your feet even better!) Witch Hazel is a must since it is a great astringent and helps to soothe irritated skin.  Many pharmaceutical products contain some form of it.  My Nana always had a bottle of witch hazel in her bathroom.  (a smell that to this day makes me smile:)  SPF of 20 or higher…don’t even think about leaving the house without this…

For beauty must haves a good Mascara is essential since it can make or break the way your eyes pop.  My fav is Max Factor’s 2000 Calorie. I get more compliments…and let me tell you…my naked lashes are nothing to write home about!  And I can’t live without my Beth Bender “Get in Line” Eye Stencil Kit. Another beauty tool that people stop me on the street about.  It takes 2 seconds to get the perfect eye liner.  I don’t leave my house without it…(it’s my other SPF, ha,ha…)  These are all under the category of Must Have…!

Now regarding Fashion… I hate to break it to you but that leather jacket hanging in the back of your closet gathering dust is not coming back in style…sorry…I know it’s hard to accept…but do yourself a favor…get rid of it.  Take a weekend to go through your closet…you’ll have a laugh…I promise!  When you are done you’ll feel 20 lbs. lighter.  The only clothes that will never go out of style ( at least for the next 20 years) are simple, classic items such as:  low to medium heeled black pumps, Levis or Lee jeans (or any brand that’s been around for years), a simple denim jacket, a solid colored skirt, flip flops, sneakers…(get the picture)

Come on…it will be fun…This is what I looked like before I cleared out my closet!

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Hey, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get your virginity back…Well, when it comes to your hair you actually can!  All it takes is a few pumps a week with this papa-free, silicone-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and mineral-oil free “Miracle in a Bottle by Belegenza.”

Over the years our hair gets so abused from the sun, hair processing treatments, styling tools, gels, etc., that we could use a little help…don’t ya think?  What’s so amazing about “Miracle in a Bottle” is that if used 1-2 times a week it will restore your damaged hair back to it’s original state…hence the premise “virgin like” condition.  It’s intense food-grade fusion penetrates the inner layers of your hair strand, resulting in strong, shiny, younger feeling hair.

Alan Eschenburg is the founder of Belegenza For Extraordinary Hair Care. He has been a hair stylist and colourist for over 25 years and after getting very ill from all of the toxins and chemicals in hair care products he set out to create his own unique line that will do nothing but make your hair “smile.”

See…:)

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It’s been such a long time since we’ve sent our BeautyStyleWatch spies out on the streets to catch celebrities whipping out their beth bender beauty products. Too long in fact, so we thought we’d let you in on what they can’t live without, and what keeps them looking ready for the camera even when they least expect it.

Giselle Bundchen seen here leaving Little Dom’s in Los Angeles. The mother-to-be was seen swiping her lips with Paris is Burning Lip Glaze before leaving only to get caught by the Paparazzi waiting outside. Giselle was one of the first celebrities to fall in love with the Original Get in Line Eyeliner Kit along with Kate Moss, and Stella McCartney.

Mischa Barton looking so gorgeous and so grown up. Seen here with Mohamed al-Fayed at the Harrods Summer Sale. My gosh I remember her when she was just starting her career and living in NYC. Our favorite little beauty spy and make-up artist Lala was there and saw Mischa in the ladies lounge touching up her eyes with Onyx Gel Liner. Also poking out of her make-up bag was the Get in Line Eyeliner Kit in BFF. Her dress isn’t too shabby either. I think I have to have that

Ashee Simpson at the “Power Of Leather Party” thrown by Axe Instinct and Rolling Stone Magazine in NYC. Check out those smoky eyes. Know how she got em? With the BFF Smoky Eyeliner Kit, and her Onyx Gel Eyeliner, That’s how. Her sister Jessica, a fan from the beginning keeps the original Get in Line Eyeliner kit in her makeup bag too.

Lilly Allen who is new to beth bender beauty loves her in  Get in Line Eyeliner Kit in BFF and can’t live without her Baby Blush and Lip Gloss in Beloved. Seen here dashing out of Nobu in London.

Just a taste, but a nice one at that. The one thing women will not live without celebrity or not, and even in this crazy economy are their beauty products. We know we can’t and I don’t know about you, but my lashes without mascara, and my eyes without eyeliner, let’s just say, “are not pretty mommy”. A little inside beauty joke for those who know me:-)

If you have been following my Pear/Pearl Fractional Journey you will know that it will be 3 weeks tomorrow that my face was treated with the Cutera Laser…one of the leading laser companies in the world. My face has been my livelihood over the years so it’s been my goal to preserve it.  I will try anything that promises me spectacular results!

But I gotta tell you after this treatment I wasn’t so sure…

After showing this photo to my BFF just the other day I could laugh about it!  In fact we both laughed so hard I peed my pants!!!  I looked like I had been in “The Wrestler” with Mickey Rourke and that’s not a compliment…I kept bugging the girls at Pure Indulgence Skin and my girls at Cutera. They promised me I would “get my beautiful face back,” and I would be thrilled with the end result.  Yeah…right…

But last night I went out to dinner with my good friend Susan ( who has seen me throughout my laser process) and the first thing she said to me was how much younger I looked and that she could see the difference that the laser treatment had made…See for yourself!  This photo was taken last night…

After 3 weeks it’s hard to believe it’s the same person…(The lips give it away…)  Okay, Cutera girls and Pure Indulgence girls, “You were right!”

Shiny, Happy Faces…

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image credit:  te-see

There are so many products out on the market today promising us gals that we will “not go down the aging road alone or without a decent fight!“  I gotta tell you I’m all for that…as you know I am a huge fan of defying gravity and that horrible undeniable aging process…

But listen to this!  Two very respected high profile companies have joined forces to further continue the battle of the sagging face…CoverGirl and Olay. The result is CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush the first-ever age-defying cream blush!!!  Not only will it sculpt and contour your cheekbones but this amazing new product will help to improve your skin texture since it contains Olay Regenerist Serum. This secret formula combines vitamins, skin conditioners, anti-oxidants to improve skin texture, and niacinamide (which has clinically shown skin improvement by strengthening the moisture barrier to help promote collagen generation and the anti-oxidants help protect the skin from free radicals).

This unique formula was specifically designed to highlight your cheekbones by adding creamy color that will evenly glide over your skin.  It’s lightweight formula feels so smooth on your face and allows you to easily blend the blush onto your cheekbones creating a more defining look.  Most importantly in contains SPF 22 and is dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, good for all skin types & oil free so no clogging pores!  Bottom line…”your color will look natural as if it’s coming from the inside out.”

See for yourself…(I’m wearing Plush Peach and just love it!!!)

It’s good to look natural…with CoverGirl

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image credit:  covergirl, te-see

When it comes to colorful eye makeup, overdoing it is an understatement, and can make the difference between looking like a circus clown, or getting it just right as in the case of Rachelle Lefevre seen here. To get this look it’s always best to layer the color so you get the perfect application.

Rachelle Fevere Gives Us Sultry Eyes

Our resident make-up artist and beauty expert Beth Bender suggests starting first by lining your eyes with a waterproof black pencil, her favorite is benefit’s BADgal eyeliner, followed by a bright blue pencil. Continue by sweeping your choice of a violet-blue matte or shimmer shadow over your lids. “Shimmer shadows are alot easier to work with and for first timers will be easier to blend if the color becomes too intense” say Beth. “I like to use my Big Sexy Eyes Kit because you can build the color and the shimmers are easier to apply.”

The Big Sexy Eyes Kit

Make sure to avoid getting too close to the brows, which can end up looking very theatrical and definitely not glamorous. To finish your red carpet look you can dust a little silver shadow on the inner corners of eyes and below the bottom lashline to brighten your eyes.

Beth’s Beauty Tip: “I like to use my fingers to apply the first layer of color, especially if it’s a shimmer and then go back and blend with a brush”.  Use a Q-tip with a drop of eye cream to clean up any eyeshadow that may have fallen, and before applying concealer. You can add a few individual lashes at the ends of each eye for added glamour.”

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The Big Day is right around the corner…Forever and ever, till death do you part, and on and on…Are you ready?  How’s the list coming along…are you checking off tasks as you go?  These are the final stages before you walk down the aisle as a single person.

We already discussed lip color, make-up.  Let’s talk about dresses.  Hope by now you have yours…if not you better get going.  Simple is always best because it’s timeless.  You won’t look back 10 years from now and say, “what was I thinking” or hear your daughter say, “Mommy, what’s with those big buttons and lace all over the place?”  Depending on your shape your choices will vary.  You want to stay away from the fitted look if you have an hour glass figure.  And if you are slender like myself then by all means avoid anything that overflows or has a full bodice.  You will look as if you are drowning.  If you are not 100% about what you want always ask a trusted friend to tag along or get the opinion of the gown specialist.  After all, that’s her job…

Here are a few of the latest styles you might want to consider:

(The A-Line Gown for more slender gals)

(The Full Bodice Gown for a more full figured gal/can also work for regular sized girls)

(This halter/v-neck has some lace on the top which emphasizes the breast area and then flows out at the waist.  Very nice for larger breasted gals who want some style and slimming in the hip area)

Again…stay true to your size and SIMPLE is always best!
Happy Wedding…

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image credit:  wedding channel

BeautyStyleWatch is happy to announce their newest contributor and expert in the area of color and styling. Lana Grand for those of you who don’t know, is a fabulous colorist who landed here almost a year ago from London, England. She has made her home here at the Prive salon in Los Angeles, where she is making a big splash creating gorgeous custom color everyday.

Lana got her training at some of Londons top salons, like the multi award winning Brooks & Brooks, and Daniel Hersheson at Harvey Nichols, also one of my favorite places for shopping in the UK. Lana has worked on a number of fashion projects from model searches and fashion shows, to consultations, and personal styling sessions. In addition to her very busy schedule she also teaches and give seminars on color and styling.

The Uber Talented Lana Grand

Her work has appeared  in numerous magazines, music videos, and on the runways.Lana’s creative flair and eye for the right color and style to make a model look sensational are unsurpassed. Her originality and natural ability to create beautiful hues for clients to complement their appearance and lifestyle makes her one of the most sought after hairdressers in the industry. We are lucky to have her as part of our team and look forward to you enjoying her amazing tips on keeping your locks looking fabulous.

Her first tip for BSW is on summer styles, and how to keep your hair looking its best. “With summer being just around the corner, be careful if your hair is blonde, especially in the California sun. Make sure to keep your eye on the tones, as the sun will, and can naturally turn hair to look brassy, or make it much lighter.”

“Blonde hair color has the tendency to become washed out, so make sure to add some extra low lights, warmer golden tones or just wash with a toner gloss to keep the color looking healthy, shiny and vibrant. You can even try sun brushing to deepen and richen the roots, and mid-length completely!”

Viva la Summer!!!

Sun Brushing is new to Prive Salon, but not new to the UK. They have been doing it for quite a while, and it is a fabulous technique for giving the hair a naturally sunkissed look. I had the pleasure of having Lana do my color and I just love it! Perfect for the summer too!

Do you dream of spending time away from the hustle and bustle and laying on the beach for a week to relax and work on your tan, (face excluded)? Well me too, but I never seem to have the time to sit for more than a minute

The good news for those of us who still desire that gorgeous glow, is that now it’s easier than ever. The secret to achieving that sun-kissed look without putting in the time is with MODEL Co’s BRONZE Airbrush Face and TAN AIRBRUSH IN A CAN.

MODEL co BRONZE Airbrush Face

It’s like having your own personal airbrushing system in the privacy of your own home. It goes on as a fine mist and leaves your skin smooth with a natural looking tan. The deep-golden pigment gives you an instant all over healthy glow, while the long lasting self-tanner works in just a few hours to give you a rich looking tan.

How Jennifer Aniston Gets Her Gorgeous Glow

The 360 degree nozzle provides a superfine application that allows you to create flawless, even coverage in only minutes. I of course have to try everything before writing about it cause that’s how I roll.  I was covering an event and decided to go with a sexy sunkissed glow using both the BRONZE Airbrush Face and TAN AIRBRUSH IN A CAN. When I was finished my skin was tan and the coverage was flawless as promised. Plus the best part, I could forgo the foundation and just add a touch of blush to the apple of my cheeks.

MODEL Co Tan Airbrush In A Can

As with all self tanners the best application is by exfoliating first to remove any dry and dead skin. It’s easiest to do in the shower and then go ahead and apply the self tanner.

You can purchase any of the MODEL co products at the official site for MODELco, as well as Sephora, Henri Bendel NY, and CVS Beauty 360.

Even though Father’s Day has come and gone there is always a time when you will need a great gift for that special man in your life…Whether it’s your father, brother, husband or son, something simple will do the trick!  Here are some gift items I recently gave my husband that he can’t live without:)

Ace Travel Gear has an Excursion Bag that is compact and spacious.  It features two divided compartments that will separate your guy’s grooming tools from his toiletries and has a mesh pocket to secure any loose items.  This bag also has a travel tough zipper and easy to clean ballistic nylon shell that will hold it’s shape and still compress in a suitcase if necessary.  It retails for $15.99

And another great gift for any guy who takes a razor to his scruffy face is a good Anti-Bump Shave Gel & Anti Bump Treatment by Black Opal. My husband loved these!!!  He’s always looking for a fabulous product to help him prevent razor burn and avoid break out bumps when he shaves.  Black Opal products are great for all skin types and ensure a problem free shave.  The Anti-Bump Shave Gel disinfects, soothes, heals, loosens hair, alleviates irritation, and regulates oil.  Active ingredients include:  myrrh, geranium, sage, allantoin, beta hydroxy acid, and bio-hydroxy complex. It retails for $5.95

The Anti-Bump Treatment when used properly can dramatically reduce razor bumps in as little as 5 to 7 shaves.  For better results you should use it after using the Black Opal Shave Gel.  The active ingredients are:  beta hydroxy acid and bio-hydroxy complex. This amazing item retails for $9.95

So, girls…hope this helped!  Sometimes it’s best to get practical gifts that you know your guy won’t return!

Peace…

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image credit:  ace & black opal