Beauty is Within: Beauty and Fashion Blog

Giving Back Is Beautiful

2009-11-19T14:45:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is just around the corner, and I know how much fun and exciting it is to receive gifts. Have you got your holiday wish list down?

Well, although it is nice to receive, I think it's just as exciting to give back. Those of you who have been reading this blog for awhile know how much I appreciate those companies that use their business to not just make money, but to help others as well.

Recently I found out about a company called Break the Chain Apparel that works toward ending domestic violence, abuse and other social issues by producing Clothing with a Voice®. The clothing displays messages as "Make a Stand Against an Angry Hand" and "End Hunger Now".

Recently Break the Chain® Apparel (BTC) teamed up with Hannah’s Socks to bring new socks to shelters in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky.

BTC will now donate $3 (the approx. value of a pair of socks) for every t-shirt ordered from these three states until Dec. 31, 2009. If you are interested in participating in this program but live outside Ohio, Kentucky or Michigan send an email order to tammi@breakthechainapparel.com and $3 will be donated to Hannah’s Socks.

To find out more about BTC's projects and/or to order a t-shirt, visit: www.breakthechainapparel.com.

Follow BTC on Twitter: @btcapparel

What I've learned is that when you give back, you spread good vibes out into the world. When you come from a place of giving, you can't help but to feel good and look more beautiful ;)

Milani Nail Lacquer: Nails For the Fall and Holiday Seasons

2009-11-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

If it's not in your budget to change your wardrobe this fall and holiday seasons, at least go out and get some new nail polish colors! For me nail polish is not just something to cover up dirty fingernails (lol!), it is an accessory that tops off a look.

This fall and holiday season I'll be playing around with some of Milani's nail polish collection. I put on a few of the colors, but Wild Violet really caught my attention - of course. Some of you know how much I love purple...

Then for those fun nights on the town, there's Garnet Gems (left) and Ruby Jewels (right)...

Actually I think all these colors are timeless and can be worn no matter what season or year it is! And Milani's nail polish are budget-friendly (around $3-$4), so yes, you can be glamorous for less...

What are your favorite fall nail polish colors?

Beauty Quote: People Are Like Stained Glass Windows...

2009-11-13T22:46:00.000-08:00

"People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within." --Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Every now and then we need a reminder of what true beauty really is... It is true that when times are tough that you get to see someone's beauty shine - that is, if they do have that light within them.

Do you have light down deep inside you? Are you alive? What can you do today to spark that light?

Photo Credit: Dimitry B.

Don't Get Caught Wearing the Wrong Bra

2009-11-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

It was a Friday night and I was on my way home from spending the day downtown. A woman in her 20's boarded the trolley and all eyes turned to her. Hair was fabulous, nails were fabulous, and the heels were oh, so cute. Her yellow halter top and white short-shorts matched her yellow and white heels. It was a bangin' outfit, except....

She was wearing the WRONG bra!

Ladies, please do NOT wear a regular bra with a halter top!

I really wish I could have taken a picture of this "what not to do", but it would have seemed very obvious what I was doing. She was sitting right across from me.

Her halter top cut very low in the back, so you can see all of her bra in the back. And it wasn't cute. It was just plain wrong. I'm all for making fashion statements, but it just didn't look right.

What this woman needed was Bring It Up Breast Shapers. I love this product because I can wear tube tops or halter tops without messing around with a bra. I always see women fussing with their strapless bra when wearing a tube top. I've had the same issues myself.

I tried out the Bring It Up Breast Shapers while wearing a tube dress and I absolutely love it. I thought I was going to have issues with it sliding down from the sweat (it was a pretty warm day), but they actually stayed put. It's an adhesive nipple cover and breast lift all in one. You put it on, lift, and you're done. I would show a picture demonstrating how easy it is, but for obvious reasons, I won't. The picture to the left is from the Bring It Up website.

However, don't do what I did while in the car at a stoplight. I wanted to make sure the Breast Shapers were still in place, so I started touching my breasts. Well, I look over and there was a man staring at me!

Shop for Bring It Up products by visiting: http://www.bringitup.com/.

My Plan to Lose the Belly Fat

2009-11-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

I recently signed up with 24-Hour Fitness because I've been feeling unmotivated to exercise. Besides that, I've grown a few inches around the waist and my jeans were started to feel a little snug. I finally decided that the belly fat must go. I set a goal to have a healthier, more fit body.

I started to gain wait on my belly just recently and thought maybe I was pregnant...but no, I'm not pregnant. So I did some research and discovered that belly fat is brought about by various factors.

What Causes Belly Fat?

One factor that causes belly fat is cholesterol intake. Excess cholesterol is converted to fat and stored in the belly. Another reason you can gain weight around the belly is obviously excessive eating and not watching what you eat. Another way people gain belly fat is genetically related. There are people with a thyroid glad that malfunctions and causes the body metabolism to be below optimum.

How to Lose the Belly Fat

The best way that I know to lose belly fat is to exercise. I'm not big on diets and have no desire to go on one.

Since fat can be accumulated by the failure of the body metabolism to burn excess fat, exercising only makes sense for me.

I know that many people say they do not have time to exercise, but I've noticed that 20 sit-ups every morning can go a long way in getting fat belly down. When I'm at the gym I use all the different machines to work my abs, and sometimes when I'm watching TV I'll do crunches.

Besides exercise, I've been more conscious about what I eat. I eat just enough to be satisfied and not to be "full".

Another technique I'm going to use to lose the belly fat is saying positive affirmations. I believe that you can create a new reality and mindset for yourself through the Law of Attraction. I've used affirmations for my business with success, so why not use positive affirmations to lose weight?

Do you currently have a goal to lose belly fat? What tips or advice would you like to share?

Read more of my thoughts on exercise and health...

Photo Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

The Winner of the Sea Babe Jewelry Giveaway Is...

2009-11-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

...Eve! Congrats for winning the Sea Babe Fine Silver Ring Giveaway!

Apparently Eve loves clothes, makeup, and contests ;)

Eve left a comment sharing this jewelry tip:

"Don't wear a bold necklace and a bold earrings. That is too much. Also, you can put a ring on a chain and wear it as a necklace."

Stay tuned for more giveaways! I'll be having one next week for fun L'Oreal makeup ;) You can subscribe by RSS or via email in the right-hand column of this blog or follow @youarebeauty on Twitter.

YSL Parisienne Review: Part Sweet, Part Chic

2009-11-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

When it comes to perfumes and fragrances, I believe I've mentioned before that I prefer those that smell sweet and fruity. However, I must say that I've become more open to trying new scents as I realize that there are floral perfumes that are subtle and not overpowering - especially if those floral scents are combined with sweet scents.

Take, for instance, YSL's new scent, Parisienne. Be transported to the city of love and haute couture with this eau de parfume that oozes of romance and chic sophistication. Very feminine....Ultra sensual....

Check out the commercial for Parisienne featuring Kate Moss...

I was drawn to Parisienne because of the top notes of blackberry and cranberry. Add in the damask rose, violet, peony, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood and musk and you have an interesting mix.

By no means am I a perfume expert, but I haven't smelled anything like this in quite awhile. It definitely adds new meaning to sweet and floral. I love that after it dries on the skin, you're left with just a hint of the scent and you don't smell like you slept in a bed of roses. It's a tad bit musky which reminds me of Opium, my mom's favorite classic.

Have you tried out YSL's Parisienne? What do you think?

Sea Babe Jewelry Fine Silver Ring Giveaway

2009-10-26T16:02:00.000-07:00

What better way to start off the week than to have a fun giveaway!

As many of you long-time readers know, I have a thing for jewelry. I've always believed that accessories and jewelry can make or break an outfit. I can walk out of the house naked, but I definitely make sure I'm wearing my sterling silver peace ring!

So, I'm happy to do this giveaway from Sea Babe Jewelry's sterling silver jewelry collection. One lucky winner is going to win the "Twenty Dollar, Fine Silver Hammered and Forged Ring" pictured here to the right.

There are two ways you can win this ring:

1. Leave a comment and tell us your tip on how to wear jewelry. If you do leave a comment, make sure to email maria [at] beautyiswithin [dot] net so that I can contact you if you are the winner. Please put "BIW Jewelry Giveaway" in the subject line.

2. Tweet about this giveaway to your followers. Make sure to reference "@youarebeauty" so I can be alerted of your tweet.

Giveaway Rules:

You can enter once via comment and up to three times via Twitter.

Giveaway open to everyone around the world.

Giveaway ends on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:59 PST

Giveaway winner will be announced on this blog on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Kristin and David are the creators of the gorgeous Sea Babe Jewelry. This is what they say about their jewelry:

"...this shop appeals to those with a beachy, ethnic, multicultural style. Many women like to wear our jewelry as "everyday" jewelry, where they don't even take it off. I personally like to pile on a few Karma or Balance bracelets and wear them together. All the cute flower earrings go great with little dresses. They can "cutesy" up any outfit and bring a little bit of brightness to your day!"

When I asked Kristin about the inspiration behind her jewelry, she said, "I'm inspired by my surroundings, other cultures, and fashion in general. I like to make things that I myself would wear, so I can really stand behind my product. I am usually seen sporting my newest creation and people really respond well when they compliment something that you get to say you made yourself. I'm the type of person who gets a big creative push and I will do a bunch of creating all at once. This is when I get my best work done."

Click here to visit Sea Babe Jewelry's Etsy shop!

Flat Iron Review: Hana Professional

2009-10-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

If there's one beauty tool that you should invest in, it's a good, quality flat iron or curling iron. In the past I've made the mistake of buying a cheap-o flat iron and ended up really drying out my hair.

The Hana Professional flat iron is one that I'm currently using. It's a professional grade flat iron that makes me think that I'll never, ever go back to those regular cheap-o flat irons!

Hana uses ceramic plates for all their flat irons - which means frizz-free, shiny hair. The "Professional" model that I have comes with it's own carrying pouch for easy storage. It also comes in a tin case and has its own rubber mat so you can lay the iron down on.

What I like about this flat iron is that it's much lighter than the H2Pro flat iron that I reviewed last year. It's much easier to travel with because it is lighter. The Hana iron also glides down my hair very smoothly, plus I don't have to go over the same spot over and over.

The heat for Hana Professional is adjustable and ranges from 140 to 450 degrees. For my thick, course hair 450 degrees works perfectly.

Hana also offers an iron cleaner to get rid of build-up from hair styling products. I normally don't put any products on my hair, so I've yet to use this - although I do have it.

If you really love your hair, then it's time to make that investment. Your hair will love you back ;)

Shop for Hana flat irons at Misikko or enter to win a Hana Mini! (Giveaway ends October 31, 2009).

Beauty Is Within Is Now on Twitter!

2009-10-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Beauty Is Within is now officially on Twitter! I'll be tweeting about beauty and fashion news, product reviews, and having special giveaways once a week!

Click here to follow me on Twitter!

If you're looking for other beauty or fashion bloggers on Twitter, check out these links:

Beauty Bloggers Love Twitter: The Top Ten You Should Follow

Pieces of Life: Twitter Your Favorite Beauty Bloggers

30 Fashion Twitter Feeds You Shouldn't Be Without

Fashion Twitter Users at WeFollow

Get Gorgeous in Minutes

2009-10-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I don't like to spend a great deal of time in the morning getting "done up". The most time I'll spend in front of the mirror is 30 minutes. It's not that I don't care about the way I look, I just don't think you need to spend all that time in order to be gorgeous ;)

I thought I'd pass on these tips from Total Beauty on 11 ways to get gorgeous in minutes:

Top 11 Ways to Get Gorgeous in Minutes

Use these hairstyle and makeup tricks to shave precious time off your morning beauty routine

Who has an hour every morning to spend primping? Not us! Between jobs, kids, pets, workout routines, Facebook updates and significant others, there's never enough time to fit everything in. Here, we share expert tips for saving time on your hair and makeup routine -- now you won't have to sacrifice looking great for that daunting to-do list.

See tips

Photo Credit: Inessa Akhmedova

So Frustrated With the Fashion Industry

2009-10-16T23:36:00.000-07:00

Warning: Rant up ahead...

Over at Project Inner Beauty I talk about one reason why I dislike the fashion industry.

It's so frustrating that many designers and fashion magazines STILL think that the only way to sell clothes is to have skinny models wear them. What kind of blind world do they live in? Take a look around, people, not everyone is skinny!

If fashion houses like Ralph Lauren continue to alienate women like this, they're not going to survive much longer. Yes, the fashion industry's old business model is out of sytle. More and more women are spending their time online where there are a plethora of companies waiting to serve their needs. Women are tired of looking at fashion magazines that constantly bombard them with images of skinny women or women who have been photo-chopped to look skinny.

It's time for the fashion industry to evolve...

Ok, I'm off my soapbox for now ;)

Tips For Choosing a Flattering Swimsuit

2009-10-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Although the weather is starting to cool down here in San Diego, it's still swimsuit season! That's the beauty of living in year-round gorgeous weather ;) I used to dread shopping for a swimsuit and I realize that many of you, no matter what size you are, probably panics over picking out a swimsuit and worries that it will fit your figure well. Instead of worrying about your body and wishing you had another one, work with what you have!

Here are a few tips that will help ease the stress of finding the perfect swimsuit or bikini:

Tops

In my experience of shopping for swimsuits, I believe that you can never go wrong with a halter top. Halters are flattering on everyone from AA cups to DD cups and give you that little lift if you need it. Triangle tops look best on women with cup sizes B and lower. If you do have a larger cup size and want to wear a triangle top, try to find one with an underwire. An underwire, bra-style top would best suit those with narrow shoulders and larger cup sizes.

Women who are "well-endowed" should find a swimsuit that offers full support. Swimsuits that will flatter you are halter-tops or swimsuits that have molded under wire cups to keep everything in place. A swimsuit with the additional strap across the back, along the bust line, also provides additional support. If your the top part of your body is wider than your hips, you should choose a two-piece with a skort or shorts. This will help balance the top and bottom of your body.

Bottoms

The benefit of tie side bottoms is that you can adjust the ties so they do not cut into your waist. Brazilian-cut bottoms are nice for those that care to show off a flattering behind, but let me forewarn you - they ride up very easily. If you don't feel comfortable showing alot of skin, you may want to try a skirted bottom.

One Piece Swimsuits

When searching for one piece swimsuits, it's always good to stick with a solid color. Darker, single-block colors are more slimming, however there are patterns that can hide your figure too. If you do decide on a swimsuit that has prints, make sure the patterns are centered on the middle of your body. Also, avoid horizontal stripes or patterns unless you want to look wider than you are!

One thing to keep in mind when shopping for a new swimsuit is to know what works best for your features. Just because a swimsuit looks good on the hanger doesn't necessarily mean it will look good on you!

Photo Credit: Frank Kovalchek

Hairstyle Ideas and Tips From the Experts

2009-10-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

For some women everyday is a bad hair day. Well, I've been gathering up some ideas so that you can revive your hair. You can use these ideas whenever you feel the need to sass up your hair...or heck, if you have the time, implement these hairstyles everday!

Hairstyle Idea #1 - Texture With a Twist

This first idea comes from Diego Binetti's Spring 2010 runway show. Thomas Dunkin led the Sebastian Professional stylist design team, and they created a modern, textured twist on structured braids.

The Hair Look:

The asymmetrical pattern and haphazard positioning of the braids represents unique individualism and carefree youth. Here’s how to take this runway look to real life:

1) Apply Sebastian Professional Thickefy Foam to damp hair; blend evenly throughout

2) Blow hair out straight with a medium to large-sized round brush, spray hair with flexible hairspray for added texture; section hair, and set with large velcro rollers

3) Take out pins, apply Microweb Fiber to hair, focusing most of the distribution towards the top of the head for lift and malleable texture. Clip top half of hair aside.

4) French braid bottom half of hair starting behind left ear. Pull down top half of hair and pin pieces into french braid updo for playful positioning. Finish look with Shine Define for shiny finish and lasting hold.

How to Get the Look with Sebastian Professional:

Thomas Dunkin suggests prepping hair with a weightless thickener, flexible hairspray and soft texturizer to create moldable texture for hold that lasts without a product-laden look. Try:

Thickefy Foam – Weightless thickener for natural volume ($15.95)
Microweb Fiber – Elastic texturizer for malleable, touchable texture ($18.95)
Shine Define – The ultimate versatile hairspray ($15.95)

Hairstyle Idea #2 - Simple and Chic

Rose Byrne sported a simple and chic look at the Emmy's. Harry Josh, John Frieda International Creative Consultant, gave Rose an ultra-chic collar bone-length cut to accentuate her bone structure and play up her youth.

Harry began by applying John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Formula Hair Serum to Rose’s soaking wet hair to ensure her style remained frizz-free and polished throughout the night.

EXPERT HAIR TIP: “By infusing soaking wet hair with a dime-size portion of Frizz-Ease Serum, you can block frizz that is caused by humidity and fend off flyaways before they start, paving the way for smooth, flawless style,” said Harry.

Harry then applied Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation to Rose’s towel dried hair before blowing it out straight in sections using a FHI Heat Nano Weight Pro 1900 Turbo blow dyer and a round boar bristle brush. Starting with hair at the back of her head and working towards the crown, Harry emphasized a deep side part by pulling hair to the left as he dried.

EXPERT HAIR TIP: “It’s essential to begin blow drying from the roots when you’re wearing a side part,” Harry revealed. “Be sure to work hair in the direction of the part as you dry to ensure that the style stays in place.”

Harry finished by spritzing Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist evenly throughout Rose’s hair to amplify shine and flaunt her new color.

EXPERT HAIR TIP: “I wanted to be sure that Rose’s hair captured the light and appeared luminous when she was in front of the camera,” explained Harry. “100% Shine gave it a glossy finish that stayed all night.”

Hairstyle Ideas #3 & #4 - Edgy, Street Style

Metamorphosis: To change completely in form or nature. To transform, transition and evolve. AG Hair Cosmetics’ latest hair collection, Metamorphosis, demonstrates and depicts the stages of a client’s visit to a salon through the life of a butterfly. Created by AG’s Artistic Director Jami Symons, Metamorphosis represents fashion and style in constant motion with a selection of edgy and red carpet styles that are free flowing and carefree.

My favorite hairstyles from this collection are “The Firefly” and "The Monarch". The Firefly is short, textured and full of energy while The Monarch is a regal, majestic style that is incredibly versatile and mysterious.

Credits:
Hair: AG’s Artistic Director, Jami Symons; AG’s Artistic Team Leader, Jo-Anne Dicken; and, AG’s Artistic Team Member, Jaclyn Emmett
Photography: Waldy Martens
Makeup: Yasaman Morshedian

For other hairstyle ideas, check out this resource: www.latest-hairstyles.com/. Also check out this blog's archives for more hair tips.

Want a whole new look for free? Enter the Kronos Hair "Loathe Your Locks" contest. Visit: www.facebook.com/kronoshair. Contest ends October 23, 2009.

Two Colors You Can Count On Every Season

2009-10-06T00:42:00.000-07:00

There are two colors that I can always count on to be "in style": black and white.

Black and white brings back memories of high school when I would call up my friends to plan out what we were going to wear to school the next day. We always ended up choosing a black and white theme because it was just easy. I think we even started calling ourselves the "Mod Squad". I'm on the far left in the picture below...

In the October 2009 edition of InStyle magazine, I came across a spread featuring celebrities sporting black and white striped skirts. Rashida Jones, Heidi Klum, Kelly Ripa, and Rihanna were all wearing cute outfits, of course.

After seeing this picture in the magazine, I was inspired to create a couple pairs of beaded earrings - earrings I would wear with a black and white outfit.

These earrings and more handcrafted jewelry are available in my Etsy shop. I'll be adding more pieces every week!

Need a New Hairstyle This Fall?

2009-10-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

This past spring I chopped off my hair just for a change, and although I love that I can wake up and do my hair in five minutes, sometimes I do miss my long hair - especially now that the weather is starting to cool down. (By the way, I put on boots for the first time in awhile...yay!)

Yes, it's time for another change in the hair department. I did organize all my hair accessories, so hair clips and head bands have been my saving grace.

How about you? Ready for a change this fall? Check out these 13 head-turning hairstyles for fall...

13 Head-Turning Hairstyles for Fall

Be the chicest girl on the block with one of these cutting-edge 'dos

Are you tired of summer's beachy waves (or just putting your hair up in a pony to beat the heat)? Us too. Now that the weather is cooling off, it's time to embrace some new looks! Check out these 13 styles -- all of them are sure to get you noticed (and almost all of them are a snap to do). Find the one that's right for you now!

See hairstyles

And oh, stay tuned next week! I'll be sharing hair trends from the runways...

I'm Part of San Diego CityBeat's Fashion Brigade

2009-09-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Want to know what four fashionistas in San Diego think about upcoming trends and fashion in America's Finest City?

Check out "The fashion brigade" over at San Diego CityBeat. I was one of the four interviewed for the article ;)

Laura Shingles interviewed me and wrote the piece - her first for CityBeat. It brings to mind my first fashion feature for San Diego Magazine. I interviewed Laura Gambucci, who I named "The Style Doctor".

FYI: If you're thinking about becoming a fashion writer, I highly recommend starting a fashion blog. A blog gives you the opportunity to practice your writing skills. In case you missed the article the first time I shared it, here are my tips on how to start and promote a fashion blog.

The Cleansing Cloth Challenge: Pond's Vs Olay

2009-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm putting two of the leading wet cleansing cloths to the test...

It's Pond's vs. Olay...

Which one do I like better?

Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes

The first thing I noticed about Pond's towelettes is how good it smells. Mmmm! Then I noticed the pretty square design...Not that it really matters, but if you know me, you know how I'm all into aesthetics.

I like how it left my skin feeling squeaky clean and it did a pretty good job at removing all of my makeup, including my eyeliner and mascara. It's supposed to be safe for contact lens wearers, so that's definitely a plus for me.

Olay Daily Facials Express Wet Cleansing Cloths

Olay's cleansing cloths also did a pretty good job of removing makeup, however, it felt a little rough on my face. Also, it left a little bit of an oily residue - which is probably supposed to be some kind of moisturizer. I prefer the "squeaky clean" feeling ;)

The Man Test

I put the cleansing cloths through "the man" test and asked my fiance which one he preferred. He actually thought Olay felt better and softer on his face, but he loved the smell of Pond's.

FYI: These cleansing cloths are meant to be used without water. Great for travel!

First Thoughts: New York Fashion Week Spring 2010

2009-09-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

Summer is just about over and I'm looking forward to shopping for fall clothes. If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I love the fall season! However, I also look forward to checking out all the coverage of New York Fashion Week and all the spring 2010 trends that have hit the runways.

The other night I had some down time to watch some videos from the shows in New York. There used to be a time when I could sit for hours on end and read reviews of the shows, but client projects have left me with a very limited amount of time for fashion gazing lately.

From what I've seen so far, I noticed that some of the 80's inspiration that we've been seeing is still spilling over into spring 2010. Well, I got that from the Michael Kors show. Really, the men's style reminds me of Miami Vice! I like the architectural elements and simplicity of the women's collection. Check out the runway show...

Here's part 1 of Michael Kors Spring 2010...

One word that comes to mind when I think of spring 2010: Flowy. We'll also see alot of shimmery silver and prints are minimal - not like last spring when flower prints took over. Accessories will be big and bold again.

Here's a video from Chic.TV that features collections from Nicole Miller, Twinkle by Wenlan, and Monarchy...

One designer who has been on my fashion radar the past few years is Jason Wu. He's always produced these very edgy, over-the-top collections, but this season he suprised me with a very creative and sophisticated collection. Here's a clip from his spring collection...

Of course, this is just the beginning of the spring 2010 fashion coverage. There's still London and Paris fashion weeks coming up. I'll be sharing more thoughts in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Photo Credit: Coutorture

The Wonderbar: Beauty Product Review

2009-09-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

When it comes to washing my face, I'm a soap and water kind of gal. I don't have much patience when it comes to choosing a facial cleanser from the plethora of facial cleansers on the market. I know that regular soap and water dries out my face...and yet I can't seem to break this habit.

I'm all about keeping a simple beauty regimen. So, thank God for Wonderbar! I'm amazed at what this little bar can do for your skin.

After I first started using the Wonderbar, my skin got extremely dry. What I didn't know until later is that I was going through what is called a "Healing Crisis". This is a detox period where all the toxins from the skin are being flushed out.

After using Wonderbar on my skin for a couple weeks, I've experienced less breakouts. Yes, I still breakout and I'm 35-years-old! Actually, now that I think about it, I haven't had a breakout in quite awhile.

One 25 gm bar (which lasts about 6-8 weeks) sells for $40. Believe me, it's well worth it! It feels very soft and rich on the skin - maybe because it's made from clay with the essence of 700 herbs and plants. After using it I feel like I've just stepped out of the spa ;)

Visit the website for more information: http://wonderbarusa.com

5 Ways to a Healthier, More Beautiful You

2009-09-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

We're all looking for ways to become healthier and more beautiful, right? Even if we don't care to admit it, it's true. What woman do you know doesn't want to be beautiful and healthy?

I know women who spend thousands of dollars thinking that the money they spend is in direct proportion to how beautiful they'll look, when in fact, you don't need all that money to be more beautiful. Sure, it takes a little more discipline, focus, and you have to make more conscious decisions, but you don't need thousands of dollars.

In my own experience and in talking with other women, I've come up with the top five ways to become healthier and more beautiful:

1. Stop stressing! - Ok, this is much easier said than done, but think about it - does worrying over whatever it is that you're worrying about ever help the situation? Did you know that stress speeds up aging? One thing that I do to de-stress is to meditate on a regular basis.

2. Use healthy makeup - Do you know what you're putting on your face? Many beauty products these days have toxins that are doing more harm than good. Try using mineral-based makeup such as Bare Minerals or Sheer Cover. Mineral makeup is very light and contains no oils, perfumes, dyes, or talcs - all things that often irritate skin.

3. Excercise on a regular basis - Exercise not only keeps you fit, but it also helps you relax (refer to tip #1), and combats chronic disease. Check out more benefits of exercise. For me, exercise puts me in a better mood...which makes me smile...and smiling makes you look more beautiful!

When it comes to exercise, I usually do my workouts at home. Before I used the Ab Roller Plus and jogged around the neighborhood, but now I prefer exercise routines on DVD. I've been doing yoga, but now I want to mix it up. The FIRM Body Sculpting System looks like something I could do.

4. Work on improving your mind - Well, there is a reason why I've named this blog, "Beauty Is Within"...because beauty and health do start in your mind. It begins with having a good, positive attitude about life, and being happy with who you are and what you're doing - not trying to fit into an ideal that other people may impose on you.

5. Maintain a healthy diet - Eating the right foods helps keep you healthier in the long run. This is common knowledge, but it's something that requires discipline. Personally, I find it a challenge to stay away from McDonald's Big Mac and fries, but I'm learning to keep my fast-food eating to a minimum.

I've never tried diets such as the South Beach Diet or weight loss programs like Nutrisystem. If you've had any experience with these, I'd like to hear your story. I love to eat meat, rice, and potatoes, so going on a diet is out of the question. However, I do eat in moderation which keeps me fairly slim.

What tips do you have for becoming healthier and more beautiful?

Photo Credit: Mike Baird

Celebrate Lippmann Collection's 10th Anniversary!

2009-09-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

Nail polish to me is like paint to artists. I LOVE to paint my nails.

You may have read my past posts raving about the Lippmann Collection nail polishes. Well, this month the company is celebrating its 10th anniversary. To kick off the month, they are giving away a $50 gift certificate to every 10th customer who makes a purchase at www.lippmanncollection.com.

This special offer is only good TODAY, September 1st, so make sure to check it out!

Deborah Lippmann created a limited-edition collection of glitz and glamour shades to commemorate this special occasion. They're the perfect colors to start off the fall season...my favorite time of the year, by the way. The colors include:

Superstar: Show-stopping copper flecked fudge

Funky Chunky: Sequined sheer black

Ruby Red Slippers: Dorothy's shimmering ruby (A Lady Gaga favorite)

I'm excited to try out "Superstar"! I'll make sure to post my review of the collection soon...

Related Posts:

At-Home Manicure Freak

Beauty on a Budget: Beautiful Nails Without the Salon Price

The Aura of Inner Beauty

2009-08-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart." ~Kahlil Gibran e4rqmiyxha

I did a search for blog posts with the intention of sharing other people's thoughts about inner beauty...how they define it...what it means to them...and I came across this post, Inner Beauty: How Do You Define It written by Dinneen, a nutritionist blogger.

Lance from The Jungle of Life shared some thoughts that were pretty profound in the comments section. Here's a snippet of what he said:

"...when I think inner beauty in a woman – I think about light. I don’t know if it’s really a glow, or if it’s like a light bulb going off, as much as it’s a sense of light shining out. That light shining out, I believe very deeply comes from connecting with something deeper within us. And when we do, there’s something that just shines. Not a literal “shine”, so much as as an “at peace” shine..."

This is so true. When you're in the vicinity of someone who is in touch with her/his inner beauty, you can just feel the peace in the air. You just feel comfortable around this person. Their peaceful aura engulfs you.

By the way, Lance's blog is a great read for uplifting thoughts. I've been a fan for quite some time now ;)

When you become in touch with your true inner beauty, there's no pretentiousness. You're not worried about what other people think about you. You feel good about who you are and are not obsessed over what people expect you to be.

So, what are your thoughts on inner beauty? What does it mean to you?

Photo Credit: pranav

L'Oreal's Colour Riche Anti-Aging Serum Lipstick: What I'm Lovin' Right Now

2009-08-25T20:02:00.001-07:00

"Ahh...Now I can start my day," my friend says as she puts the cap on her red lipstick.

What is it about lipstick that makes women feel "put together"? Most of the time I wear lip gloss because I like how gloss just slides on my lips.

I do have lipstick that I wear when I'm in a sassy mood. The problem I have with most lipsticks, though, is that they don't go on smooth enough. I usually have to put on chapstick first before I can apply any lipstick.

I got to sample L'Oreal's new Colour Riche Anti-Aging Serum lipstick and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. It's creamy and has this inner core of conditioning including Omega 3 and Vitamin E. When I put on this lipstick, it just glides on.

My favorite color out of all the ones I sampled is "Compelling Coral", although I do like "Robust Raisin" as well. I've never been excited about lipstick before. Crap, am I going to turn into a lipstick junkie?!?

And speaking of lipstick, the September issue of Women's Health Magazine offers a guide to choosing the right lip shade for your skin tone. Follow these tips from celebrity make-up artist, Kimara Ahnert:

Figure out your skin’s undertones

Look at the veins in your wrists under natural light. If they appear bluish, you have cool undertones; If they’re more green, you’re warm.

Don’t test lip color on the back of your hand

Always test color on your fingertip. It more closely mimics the shade of your lips.

Pay close attention to your skin tone

Fair skin tones should avoid bright shades of pink and brown that can look too severe against light skin

Medium skin tones, stay away from nudes which can leave you looking washed out

Olive skin tones should steer clear of orange-reds and pinkish reds which will make your face look green

Dark skin tones should pass on anything remotely orange—it will bring out yellow undertones

Check out all the lip shade tips...

Beauty News: Giveaway, iPhone App, Fragrance Widget, and More

2009-08-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

My email inbox is full of beauty and fashion news to share with you. Here's some of the goodness I want to pass on...

If you're a fan of Aveda products, you can now join them on Facebook. Visit: http://www.facebook.com/Aveda

Women’s Health magazine has launched an iPhone application, “Women’s Health Workouts.” It's available at Apple’s App Store: www.itunes.com/appstore/

Origins' new "Leave it all behind" sweepstakes will grant one lucky winner a FREE luxurious getaway for two to gorgeous Los Cabos, Mexico. Click here to register by August 31, 2009.

What's your fragrance mood? I'm a "Cuddler" :) You can find out your mood by using the Bath and Body Works fragrance widget.

White Sands has launched a vegan hydrating shampoo & conditioner. Find out more or purchase by visiting http://www.whitesandsproducts.com or call 1-877-720-8477.

NARS has come out with "Larger than Life Mascaras" boasting formulas enriched with Vitamin E and Macadamia Nut Oil. Currently available in Black for $25.00 at Sephora and sephora.com.