Chemistry 101

Ever wondered what to do with your empty lip-gloss containers? Try the green thing (if it’s good enough for Al Gore, it’s good enough for us)! Recycle…
Here’s how to make your very own flavored lip-gloss…

Materials Needed:
Powdered Cocoa (or Juice) Mix
Petroleum Jelly
Small Container

Instructions: Put desired amount of petroleum jelly into a small glass bowl. Put it in a microwave for 30 seconds; take it out and stir. Continue doing this until the Vaseline is melted. Add the desired amount of cocoa powder (experiment!) and stir. Microwave for 30 more seconds and stir. Set it aside to cool.
Once it is cool enough to handle, spoon it into a small container (recycle old makeup containers or 35mm film containers, or look in stores that carry beads, crafts, or fishing tackle). Set it aside until the petroleum jelly gets firm, and then it is ready to use!
You can also use this recipe to make fruit lip-gloss by using powdered juice mix instead of cocoa.

Source

After all, isn’t doing it yourself so much more satisfying?

Chemistry 101

Ever wondered what to do with your empty lip-gloss containers? Try the green thing (if it’s good enough for Al Gore, it’s good enough for us)! Recycle…
Here’s how to make your very own flavored lip-gloss…

Materials Needed:
Powdered Cocoa (or Juice) Mix
Petroleum Jelly
Small Container

Instructions: Put desired amount of petroleum jelly into a small glass bowl. Put it in a microwave for 30 seconds; take it out and stir. Continue doing this until the Vaseline is melted. Add the desired amount of cocoa powder (experiment!) and stir. Microwave for 30 more seconds and stir. Set it aside to cool.
Once it is cool enough to handle, spoon it into a small container (recycle old makeup containers or 35mm film containers, or look in stores that carry beads, crafts, or fishing tackle). Set it aside until the petroleum jelly gets firm, and then it is ready to use!
You can also use this recipe to make fruit lip-gloss by using powdered juice mix instead of cocoa.

Source

After all, isn’t doing it yourself so much more satisfying?

Alice + Olivia Designer Bears All Things Beauty

My fabulous friend and designer extraordinaire, Stacey Bendet of fashion powerhouse Alice + Olivia, has kindly offered her definition of beauty… from the outside inward…

“I could tell you I swear by La Mer.
I could tell you I swear by Avene (an incredible French cold cream now sold at Duane Reade).
I could even tell you when it’s cold and dry I swear by good old Vaseline.
But the real skin secret is that the skin (everyone’s skin) is truly an exterior representation of our insides -what we eat, what we drink, what we breathe… and while the hedonists amongst the beauty blog readers might revolt, the best way to “get the glow” is by maintaining a healthy vitamin rich diet and a regular exercise (yoga!) routine.
When I was 15, I would get hives constantly. I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling like my skin was burning off. My parents sent me to dermatologist after dermatologist, we changed detergents, we changed lotions, shampoos, everything… Nothing worked. Until I was sent to an allergist who figured out that I was allergic to several foods such as eggs and tomatoes and soy. He suggested an extreme change in diet (um, yes, I did spend the first 15 years of my life thinking that rice krispie treats and fruit loops were dietary staples!) The diet consisted of plain, all natural foods without additives and obviously without the foods my body was treating as toxins.
Within a few weeks, my hives were gone, my skin was clear, and within a few months I realized that I no longer had headaches or stomach aches. The change in diet and attention to food made me realize, at a young age, how everything we ingest affects how we feel internally and how we look externally. It also made me hyper aware of how foods affected how I felt both physically and mentally. More than ten years later I still keep to a very organic and simple vegetarian diet. My friends will attest to the fact that I never break out, my skin is often described as glowing, and I rarely get sick.
Although I am not a follower of a raw food diet, there are some principles that really teach you how foods affect your cellular health and in effect, how they affect your skin and body. Most people spend their day eating and drinking what can be described as radicals and toxins. Examples are meats, coffee, alcohol, sugars… these are all things that are difficult for the body to break down and harmful to your body’s cells. Conversely, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and teas that are high in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and anti-oxidants helping to refuel, recharge, and refurbish. The body uses vitamins and minerals to nourish our organs, such as our hair, eyes and skin. Clear, glowing skin, strong nails and bright eyes are all signs of a healthy, well-nourished body. No matter how much cream you use or botox you do, at the end of the day, you need to pamper your insides just as you do your outside! A great book to read on all of this is EATING FOR BEAUTY by David Wolfe.”

QUICK TIPS ON WHAT TO EAT, DRINK AND DO FOR SUPER SKIN:

EAT
SUPERFOODS for the skin.
-GREENS (broccoli, spinach, seaweed, kale).
-BERRIES- berries are high in antioxidants that counteract free radicals that age the skin; blueberries are one of the most concentrated.
-SPROUTS & PAPAYA-some of the foods with the highest concentration of enzymes which help cellular growth and digestion.
**avoid foods heavy in fat and foods that are toxic to the body like meats and processed foods. Also, remember that overly cooked foods lose the majority of their nutritional value while raw or slightly cooked foods maintain a much higher concentration of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to refuel.
DRINK
-GREEN TEA-my favorite is genmaicha, it is great for you skin and your immune system.
-WATER
**Avoid coffee, soda, and diet drinks.

DO
EXERCISE-Yoga and sex are great for the glow.
FACIALS-Monthly basic facials, peels, etc… I like the SkinCareLab in NYC.
MOISTURIZE- La Mer and Avene are my favorites, but Vaseline really does wonders for super chapped skin.
WEAR SUNBLOCK-the sun is the WORST thing you can do to your skin. If you want to look like your Balenciaga bag at age 30, keep tanning. If not, I swear by Anthelios a French sun block, (30, 50, or 60!) It’s not greasy and it’ll save you many a wrinkle! Get your glow with a little bronzer.

TAKE VITAMINS!
MSM Beauty Crystals (sulfur based vitamin)
Vitamin E
Vitamin B
Vitamin C

Alice + Olivia Designer Bears All Things Beauty

My fabulous friend and designer extraordinaire, Stacey Bendet of fashion powerhouse Alice + Olivia, has kindly offered her definition of beauty… from the outside inward…

“I could tell you I swear by La Mer.
I could tell you I swear by Avene (an incredible French cold cream now sold at Duane Reade).
I could even tell you when it’s cold and dry I swear by good old Vaseline.
But the real skin secret is that the skin (everyone’s skin) is truly an exterior representation of our insides -what we eat, what we drink, what we breathe… and while the hedonists amongst the beauty blog readers might revolt, the best way to “get the glow” is by maintaining a healthy vitamin rich diet and a regular exercise (yoga!) routine.
When I was 15, I would get hives constantly. I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling like my skin was burning off. My parents sent me to dermatologist after dermatologist, we changed detergents, we changed lotions, shampoos, everything… Nothing worked. Until I was sent to an allergist who figured out that I was allergic to several foods such as eggs and tomatoes and soy. He suggested an extreme change in diet (um, yes, I did spend the first 15 years of my life thinking that rice krispie treats and fruit loops were dietary staples!) The diet consisted of plain, all natural foods without additives and obviously without the foods my body was treating as toxins.
Within a few weeks, my hives were gone, my skin was clear, and within a few months I realized that I no longer had headaches or stomach aches. The change in diet and attention to food made me realize, at a young age, how everything we ingest affects how we feel internally and how we look externally. It also made me hyper aware of how foods affected how I felt both physically and mentally. More than ten years later I still keep to a very organic and simple vegetarian diet. My friends will attest to the fact that I never break out, my skin is often described as glowing, and I rarely get sick.
Although I am not a follower of a raw food diet, there are some principles that really teach you how foods affect your cellular health and in effect, how they affect your skin and body. Most people spend their day eating and drinking what can be described as radicals and toxins. Examples are meats, coffee, alcohol, sugars… these are all things that are difficult for the body to break down and harmful to your body’s cells. Conversely, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and teas that are high in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and anti-oxidants helping to refuel, recharge, and refurbish. The body uses vitamins and minerals to nourish our organs, such as our hair, eyes and skin. Clear, glowing skin, strong nails and bright eyes are all signs of a healthy, well-nourished body. No matter how much cream you use or botox you do, at the end of the day, you need to pamper your insides just as you do your outside! A great book to read on all of this is EATING FOR BEAUTY by David Wolfe.”

QUICK TIPS ON WHAT TO EAT, DRINK AND DO FOR SUPER SKIN:

EAT
SUPERFOODS for the skin.
-GREENS (broccoli, spinach, seaweed, kale).
-BERRIES- berries are high in antioxidants that counteract free radicals that age the skin; blueberries are one of the most concentrated.
-SPROUTS & PAPAYA-some of the foods with the highest concentration of enzymes which help cellular growth and digestion.
**avoid foods heavy in fat and foods that are toxic to the body like meats and processed foods. Also, remember that overly cooked foods lose the majority of their nutritional value while raw or slightly cooked foods maintain a much higher concentration of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to refuel.
DRINK
-GREEN TEA-my favorite is genmaicha, it is great for you skin and your immune system.
-WATER
**Avoid coffee, soda, and diet drinks.

DO
EXERCISE-Yoga and sex are great for the glow.
FACIALS-Monthly basic facials, peels, etc… I like the SkinCareLab in NYC.
MOISTURIZE- La Mer and Avene are my favorites, but Vaseline really does wonders for super chapped skin.
WEAR SUNBLOCK-the sun is the WORST thing you can do to your skin. If you want to look like your Balenciaga bag at age 30, keep tanning. If not, I swear by Anthelios a French sun block, (30, 50, or 60!) It’s not greasy and it’ll save you many a wrinkle! Get your glow with a little bronzer.

TAKE VITAMINS!
MSM Beauty Crystals (sulfur based vitamin)
Vitamin E
Vitamin B
Vitamin C

Bijou’s Bag of Tricks…

Bijou’s Bag of Tricks…

The beautiful and bubbly starlet Bijou Phillips has been kind enough to give us a peak inside her personal make-up bag.
Whether filming a movie (BULLY, THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR, HAVOC), belting out lyrics to her new album or prancing the red carpet at a Hollywood fete, Bijou always radiates with a timeless glamour.
Here are the products that she swears by:

Lorac Sheer Wash lip and cheek tint in Sheer Luck “It’s a two in one,” says Bijou. “And it makes my lips look super sexy, yet natural.”
Stila Lip Glaze in Peach
Sephora Professionnel Flash Lip Plumper
Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara in Gotham (a.k.a. black) “It actually has ingredients that make your lashes grow,” she says.
Tilika Eyelash Lipocils – Bijou swears by this conditioning product saying that she puts it on at night so that her eyelashes grow. “It’s soooo amazing!”
Vincent Longo La Dolce Vita Lashes “These are for big nights! Like movie premieres and award shows. Fake lashes aren’t for every day.”
Mac Black Eye Pencil – “I have green eyes and if I line them with this black eyeliner, they really pop,” she explains.
Japonesque Electric Eyelash Curler
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil “It makes my skin soft and it smells like a magical retreat into heaven,” she coos.
And lastly, her trusty Tweezerman tweezers. “These are essential!”

Bijou’s Bag of Tricks…

Bijou’s Bag of Tricks…

The beautiful and bubbly starlet Bijou Phillips has been kind enough to give us a peak inside her personal make-up bag.
Whether filming a movie (BULLY, THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR, HAVOC), belting out lyrics to her new album or prancing the red carpet at a Hollywood fete, Bijou always radiates with a timeless glamour.
Here are the products that she swears by:

Lorac Sheer Wash lip and cheek tint in Sheer Luck “It’s a two in one,” says Bijou. “And it makes my lips look super sexy, yet natural.”
Stila Lip Glaze in Peach
Sephora Professionnel Flash Lip Plumper
Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara in Gotham (a.k.a. black) “It actually has ingredients that make your lashes grow,” she says.
Tilika Eyelash Lipocils – Bijou swears by this conditioning product saying that she puts it on at night so that her eyelashes grow. “It’s soooo amazing!”
Vincent Longo La Dolce Vita Lashes “These are for big nights! Like movie premieres and award shows. Fake lashes aren’t for every day.”
Mac Black Eye Pencil – “I have green eyes and if I line them with this black eyeliner, they really pop,” she explains.
Japonesque Electric Eyelash Curler
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil “It makes my skin soft and it smells like a magical retreat into heaven,” she coos.
And lastly, her trusty Tweezerman tweezers. “These are essential!”

Hair HORROR Stories….

We’ve all been there before…. Frightened and anxious as the swivled chair rotates around and we are faced with our reflection in the massive mirror. The hair dresser utters some inaudible, French (tres jolie!) and we are meant to coo in adoration. But sometimes, as rare as it may be, we are turned around in that chair only to discover that we don’t recognize the HAIR that’s gawking back at us! Welcome to victims of a hair trauma…
Here is a fantastic hair horror story shared by my hair-crazed friend, Jenny Cohen:
More or less in her own words –
“I went to Oscar Blondie to get my hair colored and when they washed the color off I could tell that it lacked a brightness. There was no definitive hair color (i.e. blonde, brunette, auburn, etc.) that I could categorize my new mane. It lacked everything. I looked insipid, ashy and sullen. It literally looked like a beige couch. Not only had my base been lifted to match my skintone exactly and provide no contrast, the highlights were ashy and beige. I told him that this wasn’t what I asked for and he said, “well beige is the new blonde.” I replied, “you’ll be hearing from my lawyer.” Meanwhile, crying and hiding my beige disaster, I came home and immediately jumped into the shower. I washed my hair nearly six times to try and strip the color – to the point that the cuticle was inflamed and my hair was puffy and my fingers were pruned. By the third day I actually took draino and poured it on my locks in an attempt to reverse the effects of the colorist. It worked to strip the color, but it also broke the rest of my hair to pieces.”

I’m sure that you all are wondering, with a psycho hair freak such as Jenny, what products does she actually trust to put on her beloved tressles.
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!!!
Jenny’s favorite hair products:
Kerastase Oleo-Relax Ultimate Controlling Elixer Serum – “This is the only oil product that doesn’t dull my color. It gives more texture to the color on the ends. It creates more of a golden sheen. Only apply on dry hair to the ends. Use less then a dime size,” cautions Jenny.
Kerastase Mini Travel Set #2 Shampoo and Conditioner for thick hair, Masqueintense – available at salon’s that carry the ENTIRE line, only. This is very hard to come by. Jenny says, “Make sure the label reads, ‘Made in Spain’ to ensure that the product is authentic.” “I only use the travel size products after a trip to Miami where my hair, texture and color looked more vibrant and healthy when using the travel set. I believe that the ingredients in the travel sized products is more potent then the larger, mass-produced sizes,” explains Jenny.
Frederic Fekkai Technician Shampoo for Dry, Damaged, Color-Treated Hair – “This is the only shampoo that I will alterante Kerastase with. It actually strips the hair, thus brightening it, because it is such a strong shampoo. With the avocado oil, it’s better for humidity because it weighs the hair down,” says Jenny.
Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative Conditioner – “I only use the product in the bottle, not in the jar because I don’t like the way the jar looks. I’m not experiemental with products because using a product that contains the wrong ingredients can ruin my hair. I use this conditioner once a month, only in California where the water is softer. It strengthens the hair, prevents breakage and brings the color back to its true state.”
Mason Pearson Child’s Sensitive Hair Brush – “I use this brush when I travel to detangle and distribute oils because it doesn’t contain any nylon brisstles. Nylon’s plastic so it breaks the hair if it’s not first detangled.”
Mason Pearson Junior Hair Brush – “I use this brush after the detangling brush to massage the scalp. And then I get into the shower and I wash my hair.”
EXTRA TIP:
Jenny swears by only washing her hair every three to four days. “Only have a professional blow it out,” she says. “If you do it yourself, you are bound to break the hair. This is one of the times when it’s imperative to ‘not try this at home.’”
P.S. “If you want some lift in your hair, brush it upside down with a round brush and bend the ends,” adds Jenny.
Tell us YOUR hair horror stories!

Hair HORROR Stories….

We’ve all been there before…. Frightened and anxious as the swivled chair rotates around and we are faced with our reflection in the massive mirror. The hair dresser utters some inaudible, French (tres jolie!) and we are meant to coo in adoration. But sometimes, as rare as it may be, we are turned around in that chair only to discover that we don’t recognize the HAIR that’s gawking back at us! Welcome to victims of a hair trauma…
Here is a fantastic hair horror story shared by my hair-crazed friend, Jenny Cohen:
More or less in her own words –
“I went to Oscar Blondie to get my hair colored and when they washed the color off I could tell that it lacked a brightness. There was no definitive hair color (i.e. blonde, brunette, auburn, etc.) that I could categorize my new mane. It lacked everything. I looked insipid, ashy and sullen. It literally looked like a beige couch. Not only had my base been lifted to match my skintone exactly and provide no contrast, the highlights were ashy and beige. I told him that this wasn’t what I asked for and he said, “well beige is the new blonde.” I replied, “you’ll be hearing from my lawyer.” Meanwhile, crying and hiding my beige disaster, I came home and immediately jumped into the shower. I washed my hair nearly six times to try and strip the color – to the point that the cuticle was inflamed and my hair was puffy and my fingers were pruned. By the third day I actually took draino and poured it on my locks in an attempt to reverse the effects of the colorist. It worked to strip the color, but it also broke the rest of my hair to pieces.”

I’m sure that you all are wondering, with a psycho hair freak such as Jenny, what products does she actually trust to put on her beloved tressles.
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!!!
Jenny’s favorite hair products:
Kerastase Oleo-Relax Ultimate Controlling Elixer Serum – “This is the only oil product that doesn’t dull my color. It gives more texture to the color on the ends. It creates more of a golden sheen. Only apply on dry hair to the ends. Use less then a dime size,” cautions Jenny.
Kerastase Mini Travel Set #2 Shampoo and Conditioner for thick hair, Masqueintense – available at salon’s that carry the ENTIRE line, only. This is very hard to come by. Jenny says, “Make sure the label reads, ‘Made in Spain’ to ensure that the product is authentic.” “I only use the travel size products after a trip to Miami where my hair, texture and color looked more vibrant and healthy when using the travel set. I believe that the ingredients in the travel sized products is more potent then the larger, mass-produced sizes,” explains Jenny.
Frederic Fekkai Technician Shampoo for Dry, Damaged, Color-Treated Hair – “This is the only shampoo that I will alterante Kerastase with. It actually strips the hair, thus brightening it, because it is such a strong shampoo. With the avocado oil, it’s better for humidity because it weighs the hair down,” says Jenny.
Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative Conditioner – “I only use the product in the bottle, not in the jar because I don’t like the way the jar looks. I’m not experiemental with products because using a product that contains the wrong ingredients can ruin my hair. I use this conditioner once a month, only in California where the water is softer. It strengthens the hair, prevents breakage and brings the color back to its true state.”
Mason Pearson Child’s Sensitive Hair Brush – “I use this brush when I travel to detangle and distribute oils because it doesn’t contain any nylon brisstles. Nylon’s plastic so it breaks the hair if it’s not first detangled.”
Mason Pearson Junior Hair Brush – “I use this brush after the detangling brush to massage the scalp. And then I get into the shower and I wash my hair.”
EXTRA TIP:
Jenny swears by only washing her hair every three to four days. “Only have a professional blow it out,” she says. “If you do it yourself, you are bound to break the hair. This is one of the times when it’s imperative to ‘not try this at home.’”
P.S. “If you want some lift in your hair, brush it upside down with a round brush and bend the ends,” adds Jenny.
Tell us YOUR hair horror stories!

$$$ MILLION dollar hair $$$

I often quip that I’ve spent close to a million dollars on my hair. But if you think about it, this isn’t such a far-fetched estimate. I do confess that I have pretty fabulous locks, but beauty doesn’t come without a price tag. Like every other self-proclaimed hair fanatic, my hair can actually be more high maintenance then me.
Case in point:

1: Sadly, the color is not au natural (shocker!). Thus, I am forced to visit my colorist every four to six weeks for a little color maintenance. Price tag – full head of highlights; $350.00

2: Although I don’t often blow dry my hair (I do prefer the au natural in this department), striving for the perfect curl can be rather pricey. So products become a daily routine. FAVORITES: Leonor Greyl Restructuring Shampoo for Permed and Curly Hair; Ojon Conditioning Shine Serum; Kerastase Masquintense for Dry and Fine Hair; John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves; Bio Ionic Smoothing Paddle Brush. Price tag – about $200.00/ month.

3: Achieving the layered effect helps to maintain those perfect ringlets. But layers cost money. Thus, I need to trim my hair at least once every other month. Price tag – $150.00

Share your high maintenance hair routine!!! Tell us what products work to create your perfect do!

$$$ MILLION dollar hair $$$

I often quip that I’ve spent close to a million dollars on my hair. But if you think about it, this isn’t such a far-fetched estimate. I do confess that I have pretty fabulous locks, but beauty doesn’t come without a price tag. Like every other self-proclaimed hair fanatic, my hair can actually be more high maintenance then me.
Case in point:

1: Sadly, the color is not au natural (shocker!). Thus, I am forced to visit my colorist every four to six weeks for a little color maintenance. Price tag – full head of highlights; $350.00

2: Although I don’t often blow dry my hair (I do prefer the au natural in this department), striving for the perfect curl can be rather pricey. So products become a daily routine. FAVORITES: Leonor Greyl Restructuring Shampoo for Permed and Curly Hair; Ojon Conditioning Shine Serum; Kerastase Masquintense for Dry and Fine Hair; John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves; Bio Ionic Smoothing Paddle Brush. Price tag – about $200.00/ month.

3: Achieving the layered effect helps to maintain those perfect ringlets. But layers cost money. Thus, I need to trim my hair at least once every other month. Price tag – $150.00

Share your high maintenance hair routine!!! Tell us what products work to create your perfect do!