June 26th, 2009 | Karen | Filed in: Beauty Tips, Drugstore Beauty Finds

It’s that time again, girls. Another Friday means another week for the history books, le sigh!
I don’t know what kind of mood you’re in today, but I’m NOT in the mood for stress. I feel like I need a casual Friday, something fluffy and light.
You might have a busy day ahead of you — life doesn’t seem to care when we say we need a break — but I hope these 21 drugstore beauty tips help you keep your morning light.
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June 21st, 2009 | Karen | Filed in: Beauty Tips, Drugstore Beauty Finds

Happy Sunday, ladies! I hope yours got off to a good start. Today is Father’s Day here in the States, and what better way to celebrate than with a post highlighting something dads often preach: fiscal responsibility.
Here are 21 more drugstore beauty tips to help keep that budget on track.
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June 14th, 2009 | Karen | Filed in: Beauty Tips, Drugstore Beauty Finds

The cosmetics industry calls it “trading down,” but most women call it common sense. The economy is prompting women to look more closely at budget alternatives to many of their favorite department store products.
Here’s a quick look at 21 budget beauty resources to help us save some scratch without having to sacrifice too much on quality.
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June 13th, 2009 | Karen | Filed in: Beauty Tips, News, Skin Care

Dr. Robert Rey, celebrity plastic surgeon and star of E! television’s Dr. 90210, was on hand at the Nordstrom Summer Trend Show in San Francisco this morning to talk about Sensual Solutions, his new line of 13 anti-aging skin care products for face and body (exclusive to Nordstrom).
I stole a few minutes of the handsome doctor’s time to talk about Sensual Solutions, plastic surgery and overall skin care and health.
“Aging today is a choice,” says Dr. Rey. By focussing on preventative measures, like wearing sunscreen, “You’ll age only if you want to…”
To keep breasts from sagging, the doctor suggests wearing a bra while you sleep. “At night… your breasts are falling into your armpit, which pulls at the ligaments and causes sagging.”

Dr. Rey calls his Sensual Solutions line “plastic surgery in a bottle.” He designed it for women looking for a non-surgical approach to anti-aging. All 13 products contain an anti-aging complex called AActive6-Exotics, a combination of compounds from the jungles of Brazil (Dr. Rey is Brazilian) and anti-aging ingredients from Western medicine.
A few of his favorites from the line?
When we first sat down to talk, Dr. Rey reached across the space between us and applied From Your Lips on my pucker. Within about 10 minutes my lips looked and felt noticeably bigger, with a color a few shades darker than usual (but still my natural tone).

Not all doctors who perform cosmetic procedures are plastic surgeons. Follow these tips to find a good one, and avoid someone who’s merely taken a weekend course:
Smoking destroys the skin, and Dr. Rey sees the evidence all the time in his medical practice. When two sisters or twins visit and one of them smokes, it only takes a second to guess which one’s the smoker.
Drinking water plumps the cells and flushes toxins from the body.

According to Dr. Rey, “It’s the number one cause of cellulite.”
It promotes mental and physical well being, and for those reasons and more, it’s a great anti-aging tool.
Stress is a major ager. Dr. Rey suggests daily meditation and regular exercise to keep stress under control.
“Your spirit matters. Go to church, go to temple, whatever you do — you’ve got to do something spiritual. Or, simply help out in your community. This builds inner beauty, and beauty really starts there.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
June 10th, 2009 | Karen | Filed in: Beauty Tips, Makeup Tips/How To

Vacation, all I ever wanted…
Every worker bee deserves a break from time to time — a few precious days away from the daily grind.
MBB reader Rhian heads on vacay in a few weeks (lucky girl!) and could use some help figuring out how to pack her makeup.
I’m taking a week-long vacation and wonder how the heck I’m gonna keep my makeup safe — especially the MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural! I know it’s so fragile, but it’s a complete must. I’m terrified it will crack and shatter.
Also, I want to take a 15 pan palette and a few blushes, but I’m not entirely sure how to pack them securely and save space. No traincases please.![]()
Rhian
Hi, Rhian. Where are you going on vacation? Can I stow away in your luggage?
Unfortunately, I’m the world’s *worst* packer when it comes to clothes and shoes (I bring everything but the kitchen sink), but when it comes to packing beauty products, I have a system that works pretty well for me.
The liquids in breakable bottles and small jars (like foundation) go into a large, clear plastic bag nestled securely (and cushioned by clothes) in the center of my check-in luggage. Sometimes I’ll even protect the bag in bubble wrap secured with extra large rubber bands. My powder products come with me in my carry-on bag.
If I’m not planning to check anything in, I’ll try to find small cream versions of my must-have liquid products (less likely to spill). If there are any liquid products I can’t live without, I’ll transfer them to small plastic travel bottles (the TSA rules allow up to 3-oz in size). I get mine from REI, like these 1-oz bottles for $1.20. And I’ll store the bottles in a quart-size plastic bag which I keep in my carry-on bag.
I *always* carry these on the plane, storing them in a slim, rectangular-shaped makeup bag like this silver Trina Turk bag from a Clinique GWP. The shape works well for travel and even fits into a standard school backpack.
If I’m extra worried about palettes breaking in my carry on, I’ll bubble wrap each one individually, securing it with rubber bands before popping it into my makeup bag.
Ladies, how do you pack your makeup for travel? Do you have any tips for Rhian?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen