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This handsome hunk has some resume, including Miss Congeniality, Catwoman, Traffic, and his more famous role as Rey Curtis on the NBC television hit, “Law and Order.” And let’s not forget to mention a very extensive “girls I use to date,” list.  At one time, Benjamin Bratt was quite serious about the bender sister look-a-like,“Julia Roberts!”

Julia Roberts with Benjamin Bratt in 1999

After ending their infamous 4 year relationship in 2001, only 3 months after Julia’s Oscar win for “Erin Brokovich,” Bratt met up with now wife Talisa Soto.  Soto started out as a Calvin Klein model back in the early 80′s then landed a role as a James Bond Girl. They wed on April 13, 2002, and have 2 children.

Benjamin Bratt with wife Talisa Soto

Now they are co-starring in a new drama called La Mission. Benjamin’s older brother Peter wrote and directed this script about homosexuality in Latino neighborhoods.  It was shot in San Francisco’s Mission District and tells the story of a man who is impervious to change while living in one of the most advanced liberal cities in the world.  Benjamin told BSW that being in his old hood was great and a lot of their childhood friends did cameos in this film.  According to Bratt, “working with Talisa was amazing.  I just wish she played my wife, not someone else’s.” That’s probably why it was easy…LOL!

Benjamin and Peter Bratt at Sundance

Benjamin is one of five children, born in San Francisco to a sheet metal worker and an activist for a mom.  “She use to drag me, my brother and 3 sisters to protests.” Growing up with a tight family has only made Benjamin more aware “That Family Matters.”

If wearing colored eye liner gives you an ’80s flashback, and not a good one, it’s time for an update. The newer formulas are easier to apply, much smoother going on, and have a lot more pigment. And, if you ask a makeup artist they’ll tell you, adding a bright liner is one of the easiest ways to look stylish. (Like the look seen here from a spring 2010 show.)

“The least dramatic way to go into the trend,” says makeup artist Beth Bender, “is with a thin line of pencil along your upper lashes.” (you can extend the line up at the edges, or do a tight light along the lid).

For a stronger look for evening, apply the liner to the upper and lower lids, and then brush an eye shadow in the same shade over your eyelids, and underneath. Matte shadows can give a strong effect, but iridescent shades in darker hues such as deep blues, or plums can do the same. For a softer effect try a pale lavender, or a turquoise shimmer. All equally as beautiful.

To keep the focus on your eyes, keep your lips and cheeks on the soft side with colors in soft pinks, peach tones, and rose hues with a slight brown undertone. Cobalt and deep blue shades will make the whites of your eyes look even whiter, while purples such as violet, and eggplant are flattering on all eye colors and skin tones.

I have very sensitive skin which sometimes has an allergic reaction to specific pollutants or facial products.  These factors can cause red, blotchy, itchy patches over my entire face.  I feel like I’m under attack by aliens… Ugh!!!  Not pretty or comfy…especially for an ex model who made a living with her face.  (I tried taking a photo of my rash, but my skin is yellow based and the red is hard to capture…But believe me…it was red and blotchy!)

Andrea with a facial rash due to Prevage

Unfortunately, Andrea used Prevage and her face DID NOT like the ingredients.  I am still fighting a rash caused by ROC Brilliance, for over 2 weeks now.  Like Andrea, I used it and my face didn’t agree with it.  It does happen and as a beauty blogger, it’s the price we sometimes pay…this is what we at BSW call “The Ugly Side of Pretty.”

But fear not…All you gals with extra sensitive skin like ours, there is help out there.  My good friend, Aster Elliott, came up with a remedy to mend my rashy face…Aster’s Face Rash Recipe is:  1 tbsp. sweet almond oil mixed with 7 drops of lavender oil. Mix well and cover rash every 2 hours with these essential oils until your rash subsides.  Some people will heal in 1 day and some take longer…Do not put any other products on your face including SPF…Wear a big hat and sunglasses when you go out and try to avoid direct sunlight.  The heat tends to make a rash spread…:(

When washing your face make sure you use very gentle cleansers like PURPOSE by Johnson&Johnson. You can also use old remedies like Witch Hazel (a natural astringent) to gently cleanse you face.  And if you have to go out and look fabulous (which seems to be my agenda of late…) then use Oxygenetix to safely cover your rash.  This concealer is made specifically for medical issues and is breathable so it won’t bother your rash.

Here is a photo of me from an event last Thursday, wearing this amazing concealer…No one could even tell my face was red!

Te-see and Ella at Four Seasons Spa Event...My rash was covered perfectly with Oxygenetix!

Hope this helps…I searched all over the net trying to find remedies and none of them worked except for Aster’s.  And just to let you know, ROC got in touch with me to find out why I reacted to their product and were so nice!  They want to make sure that it doesn’t happen to some one else in the future.  I told them that it would help if they put a disclaimer on the front of the packaging saying “may cause a rash to sensitive skin.” If that was on the box, I would never have used it!  Oh, well…

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