OC Family - Moms. Kids. Life. - (Beauty Store Dropout)

Eye Creams That Work

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:13:00 GMT

Last week I posted my tips to prevent and get rid of dark circles. I mentioned concealers and eye creams, but didn't go into much detail. Well, someone suggested that I talk about the eye creams that actually work. Because there are plenty out there that don't.

The thing about skin care products is that what works for one person may not work for another. Some products that were highly recommended to me didn't work when I used them, while other products that people said were ineffective were amazing for me. So, I just want you to take my product recommendations with a grain of salt, because as the phrase goes, "Your results may vary." (Luckily, most of these products have a money-back guarantee.)

People love Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology
Under-Eye Brightening Cream because it shows results immediately. The secret is in the tiny iridescent particles. They reflect light, making your eyes instantly look brighter.

It doesn't just make your eyes look brighter, though. After a couple of weeks most people (myself included) noticed a significant difference in their eyes.

It also includes Wexler's signature Niacyl complex which strengthens and restores moisture to the skin. That means less wrinkles and younger firmer-looking eyes. With a 100% money-back guarantee, you can't go wrong here.

Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream is my all-time favorite eye cream. I've even mentioned it in a post before.

It lightens dark circles, reduces wrinkles, de-puffs under-eye bags, and protects fragile skin from free radicals. You can also use it around the lips to reduce and prevent wrinkles there as well.

The price is a little on the high side, but that little tube lasts a long time. It is not a product that offers a "quick fix" so it does take some time to see results. In my experience, the customers who were not satisfied were the ones who gave up after about a week.

Caudalie is really great about giving out samples, so check your local Sephora to see if they have any. I do stand behind this cream, but you can't like it if you don't try it. It's difficult to get past that price tag, (it took me a while) so a sample is a great way to test it out without any commitment.

MD Skincare Lift & Lighten Eye Cream is another product that has light diffusers. It uses Pearl Powder as a natural light reflector. And for long term, Licorice helps lighten dark circles.

If you're weary about putting chemicals near your eyes (and for good reason) it has no parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, or petrochemicals. And for less than $30, I would say it's well worth a try!

Have you ever used one of these products? I would love to hear someone else's experience. Have another product suggestion? Let me know!

Fighting Those Dark Circles

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:49:00 GMT

Last week my husband came up to me to tell me something and paused. He gave me a funny look and said, "Do you have a black eye?" I quickly went into the bathroom to check, thinking that it wouldn't be surprising if I did have one, with the toys that get flung at me on a daily basis. I looked in the mirror. No black eye. What was he talking about? I got a little closer...

Holy cow look at those circles under my eyes! (No, those aren't mine, but they're just as bad!)

I was a little embarrassed, because I know how to avoid and get rid of dark circles. But honestly, I'm not perfect and I don't always practice what I preach. But if they're so bad that my husband thinks I have a black eye, well then it's time to get back on track.

Here's what you can do daily to combat those dark circles and keep them from coming back.

Get plenty of sleep. Okay, this is a big duh, but it's one of the main reasons we get those dark circles. I am willing to bet that I'm not the only one who get less than 6 hours of sleep per night. It's hard when you have a million things to do every day, but if you're feeling tired, let the dishes wait until the morning.

Drink more water. What does water have to do with it? When you're dehydrated, one of the first places it shows is around your eyes. To remedy this, just make sure you drink at least 80 ounces of water per day.

Get a check up. You should try to see a general practitioner at least once a year to make sure everything is okay. Something as simple as seasonal allergies could be a main cause for the dark circles under your eyes.

Watch what you eat. Make sure your diet is balanced enough so that you're getting most of your vitamins, especially iron, from your food. (Those are always more effective than vitamins in pill-form.) Avoid as much salt as possible, as it can cause dehydration.

Take care of yourself. Try to avoid caffeine (dehydrates), smoking, excessive drinking (a cocktail or glass of wine once in a while is okay, I won't tell on you), and anything that would otherwise be harmful in the long run to your body. I know this is all easier said than done (and yes, I've been there) but honestly, all of these things do more than just cause dark circles under your eyes. If you have ever thought you might be even remotely interested in cutting down on one or all of these, this is just one among a very long list of reasons to do so.

Want a quick fix? Try one of these:

Cucumbers. Not only does a nice cold slice of cucumber feel great on the eyes, it also helps them look refreshed. The vitamins in cucumbers help to reduce puffiness, and add life back into tired eyes.

Warm tea bags. Look for tea that contains floral ingredients such as chamomile, lavender, rose, or marigold.

And of course, you can always hide them. A good concealer or under-eye cream that has light-reflecting particles will hide those dark circles until you can get rid of them for good.

Have any great remedies for dark circles? I'd love to hear them!

Four Tips for Glowing Skin

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:24:00 GMT

Summer is in full swing, and that means it getting hotter. We're putting away the jackets and jeans and pulling out our shorts and tanks. With all that skin showing, who wouldn't want it to be glowing and radiant? Here are a few tips for gorgeously-glowing summer skin.

Exfoliate. Every minute we lose up to 40,000 dead skin cells. Many of those cells just sit on the surface of our skin, giving it a dull appearance. A nice mesh sponge, brush or loofah are a great everyday way to exfoliate. You can also use a body scrub a few times a week, or look for a cleanser that contains Alpha Hydroxy acids if you don't like the roughness of a scrub.

Product Recommendation: Bliss Hot Salt Scrub for an amazing spa-at-home experience and great looking skin. $36 for 12oz.

Moisturize. I can never stress this enough, but moisturizing is so important for a variety of reasons. When your skin is dry it looks dull, ashy, and can even age you. Applying moisturizer all over the body after a shower will seal in moisture and keep your skin looking healthy and hydrated. For a great summer day-time look, try a lotion with a little added shimmer.

Product Recommendation: Mario Badescu Summer Shine Body Lotion gives you a great glowing sheen and a light non-greasy layer of moisture. $10 for 6oz.

Use sunscreen. Don't forget the sunscreen! Sure, tanned skin looks great, but burnt skin is not pretty, and quite painful. Contrary to popular belief, you can still get a little color while wearing sunscreen. Try using an SPF of at least 30, but make sure you reapply often, meaning every two hours for sunbathing, or every hour if you're swimming or sweating. And be generous! The average person should use at least a shot glass full of sunscreen for just their body.

Product Recommendation: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 gives you great sun-protection without feeling greasy. Also comes in SPF up to 100. $7.99 for 3oz.

Take your vitamins. You need to take care of your skin from inside as well. Every two weeks a new layer of skin surfaces on your body. Making sure you get your recommended daily amount of vitamins gives that new layer of skin a boost before it even reaches the surface. Pick a good multivitamin, as well as antioxidants and Omega-3's.

Product Recommendation: GNC WELLbeING be-WHOLESOME Health & Beauty Vitapak contains eight beneficial pills in one convenient packet. $49.99 for 30 packs.

Start with these four easy tips and you will be well on your way to gorgeous glowing summer skin!

Experience Mootopia

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:22:00 GMT

You’ve seen them on television: beautiful beings with perfect hair, muscles and teeth all because of milk. They call themselves Mootopians from the land of Mootopia and this summer, they’re coming to a California city near you.

The California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of GOT MILK? and its new campaign ‘Mootopia,’ will host experiential lounges throughout the summer where people from the Golden State can learn firsthand about the health and beauty benefits of milk.

On Saturday June 19th, they will be at the Huntington Beach Pier for the Surfing America USA Championships. Not only are they giving you an excuse to enjoy a perfect California day at the beach but they’ll also have activities for everyone in the family to enjoy, including hair and nail stations, an arm wrestling post to conduct strength competitions and a milk bar where visitors can enjoy smoothies as well as receive free t-shirts and other swag items courtesy of GOT MILK?

Sounds fun right? I think it will be a fun day. And well, I never need much of an excuse to visit Surf City USA. I absolutely love Huntington Beach.

I'm going to be there, and if you're planning on stopping by let me know so I can say hello!

Pelican Hill Giveaway Winner

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:47:00 GMT

I had to pick a winner for the amazing massage and lunch at the Spa at Pelican Hill. I wanted to be completely fair, so I sent a tweet out into Twitterland.

One of my lovely followers answered my desperate plea for help.

And so we have a winner! The winning comment was a Mrs. Nicole Beare Braymer, who said:

"Wow, this would be an amazing experience. Getting pampered would be such a wonderful change of pace. I have been sckrimping money for the last 4 years to have a spa day and still have not gotten close. Just to close my eyse and not have a care in the world would be such a treat. I hope I get the oppurtunity to go:)"

Nicole, I sincerely hope you enjoy your day at the Spa at Pelican Hill. I can personally guarantee that you will never want to leave!

The Milk Beauty Counter Comes to the OC

Mon, 24 May 2010 22:12:00 GMT

This past Friday I was invited to check out the Milk Beauty Counter at a local mall here in Orange County during it's opening day. The interactive and education Pop-Up Booth has already stopped in San Francisco and San Diego, and is hanging out in Orange County for two weeks. The purpose is simple. Educate passersby on the beauty benefits of having Milk as a part of your healthy diet.

More check-ins at Main Place Mall

We know that milk helps with strong teeth and nails, and healthy shiny hair. But did you know you could add milk to your daily beauty routine as well?

Try a Brewer's Yeast Face Mask to unclog pores and give your skin a rosy glow. Just mix together one Tablespoon of edible Brewer's Yeast and 2 teaspoons of lowfat/skim milk or water. Using your fingers, spread the mixture evenly over your face. Allow 20 minutes for drying, and then rinse off. As the mask dries it may tingle and your skin will feel tighter. If it stings beyond your comfort level, please rinse off immediately!

I would never post a recipe without trying it, and I have proof!

Excuse the lack of expression, it does tighten as it dries! However, I did not feel any stinging or burning. The verdict? While I'm not a fan of the smell of Brewer's Yeast, I tolerated it for the whole 20 minutes. When I washed the mask off, my skin felt so soft and had a rosy glow. I did make sure to follow it with a moisturizer so that my skin didn't dry out.

Or are you a little stressed out? How does a nice relaxing and skin-softening bath sound? (Granted you can steal a little time for one.)

Milk Bath Recipe:

Ingredients:

3 cups whole milk
1 capsule Vitamin E
1/3 cup almond meal
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup of oatmeal
gardenia petals

Directions:

Break open Vitamin E capsule and combine with dry ingredients. Place desired amount of mixture into a facecloth and tie to faucet, allowing warm water to run over the mixture. Pour milk under the running water as well, and finish by sprinkling the bath with gardenia petals. Get in and soak for as long as you can.

So next time you're ready to pour a glass of milk, remember all the other amazing things it can do! For more information, recipes, and fun games check out gotmilk.com

And remember, the Milk Beauty Counter will be here until June 3rd, so go and check it out!

Eating For Beauty

Mon, 17 May 2010 11:08:00 GMT

When you're trying to look your best, a lot of it has to do with the products that you are putting on your face, hair and body. But just as important, if not more, are the things that we put into our bodies. So here is a list of my top five Beauty Foods.

5. Dark Chocolate - Any list that begins with chocolate is a good one in my book. Dark chocolate is very rich, and I can only handle a few bites. A few bites of a 60% or more dark chocolate are full of nutrients and antioxidants which increase blood flow to the skin, boosting hydration and smoothness and also helping protect against damage from the sun.

4. Sweet Potatoes - One medium sweet potato contains about 14,000 micrograms of Beta Carotene. But why is Beta Carotene important? Beta Carotene is something that your body uses to make Vitamin A, which is great for smooth skin and protection against sun damage. And with the sun being the number one cause of aging, we could use all the protection we can get.

3. Blueberries - Known for their high-levels of antioxidants, blueberries are often called a "Superfood." Along with the anti-aging properties of their antioxidants, blueberries also offer some anti-inflammatory properties as well, which prevent long-term cell damage and premature aging.

2. Oysters - Growing up in the Florida Keys, raw oysters were not an uncommon food. While the suggestion may gross a lot of people out, these babies are worth a try. Oysters have the highest concentration of Zinc found in any food. Zinc can actually create collagen, which is what keeps skin plump, smooth, and wrinkle-free. It is also know for it's skin-renewal properties, meaning it can reverse some signs of aging.

1. Milk - We know that milk means strong bones, but did you know what else milk is good for? The proteins in milk contribute to healthy and shiny hair, and stronger nails and teeth.

Want to learn more about the benefits of milk?

If you're in the area, come by and check out the first-ever Milk Beauty Counter on May 21st, at 11:00 AM outside of Macy's in the Main Place Mall in Santa Ana. The “pop-up store” will provide an interactive experience where you can learn more about the benefits of the wonder tonic. Beauty consultants will be on hand to provide a booklet of tips to keep skin, hair and nails healthy. You can even relax at a lounge area while being served milk-based drinks and cookies and experience a virtual makeover.

If you plan on attending, let me know so I can say hi!

Cut Your Hair To Help The Gulf!

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:47:00 GMT

I bet you're wondering what an oil spill and your hair have to do with each other.

Well, by now I'm sure you've heard about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There are Coast Guards, work crews, Sierra Club members and hundreds of other volunteers out there working to both contain and clean up the oil.

Some of the efforts include burning the oil, skimming it off the surface of the water, corralling it to keep it from spreading, and the worst option; dumping chemicals onto it to dilute it. When something so detrimental happens to the environment, it's a wonder that the company would choose to clean it up with something that I believe is equally damaging.

Photo courtesy of discover magazine blog.

Still wondering what this has to do with a hair cut, right?

During the Exxon-Valdez spill, Phil McCory, a hair stylist in Huntsville, Alabama had a bit of an epiphany while watching news footage.

McCory thought, "if animal fur can trap and hold spilled oil, why can’t human hair?"

With that thinking, and a little back yard experimenting, he went on to invent the OttiMat.

"When I conducted my research, I realized that I had found a commercial use for what was, at present, a waste product. Millions of pounds of human hair is cut every day and tossed into landfills or dumped into oceans. Hair does not degrade well. In fact, some samples have been found are thousands of years old. Using it for bioremediation of oil spills would put it to work while simultaneously reducing the amount of waste in our landfills - a real win-win situation. Also, the oil saturated bundles can be burned as fuel and energy value of the petroleum they contain can be recovered", said McCory, Inventor.

Oil Spills happen more than you think, but are not always front page news. Last year over 2,600 oil spills occurred world wide. Matter of Trust is a non-profit organization who partnered with the creator of the OttiMat and turns this:

Photo courtesy of lahierophant on Flickr.

Into these:

Volunteers making booms from donated hair courtesy of Matter of Trust.

The finished booms are covered in a strong mesh and placed in the ocean to soak up the spilled oil.

Photo courtesy of Matter of Trust.

So, when you're getting your hair done this month, ask your salon if they donate their clippings to Matter of Trust. If they don't, then you can be the one to tell them about the organization. Not only will you be helping by donating your own hair, but also by helping get the word out to the salon so other people can donate theirs as well.

Spa Day Recap and Giveaway

Wed, 05 May 2010 14:55:00 GMT

Between the cooking and cleaning, the chauffeuring, the play dates and the diaper changes I don't leave much time for myself. Of course, I have my little tips and tricks to make myself look more presentable in just a few minutes, but all the concealer in the world can't hide it when you're just plain exhausted.

There are ways to help with that, as well. Go to sleep earlier (yeah right!), take a long relaxing bath (while the kids yell at you through the bathroom door?), or even ask hubby for a nice massage (too bad he starts snoozing as soon as his head hits the pillow!). Okay, so maybe not.

My solution? Hit the spa. I realize that it's not in everyone's budget, honestly it's not in mine. But every mom (and dad!) deserves to go at least once in a while. Start a change jar. Turn in your recycling. Have a yard sale. You could even ask for gift cards instead of presents for your birthday and holidays. However you do it, I promise it will be worth it.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a Mom's Day Out at the Spa at Pelican Hill with my fellow OC Family Mom Bloggers. It was a much needed dream come true. Well, mostly.

I pulled up to the front of the resort in my big red minivan, which currently makes a weird, but harmless, noise when I drive it. The handsome young valet walked up to my window, and I told him why I was there. I then walked around to open the side door to let Mason out. That is when several toys and some garbage came tumbling, very loudly, out onto the ground. I couldn't let that ruin my day of pampering! I quickly picked up the junk and threw it back into the car, grabbed Mason, and made a bee-line for the entrance. The valet chased me down to hand me my ticket stub. Oops! Okay, so I don't do this very often.

Thankfully, walking into the spa lobby was a much more peaceful experience. Beautiful flowers and soothing sounds from a gorgeous waterfall. I felt more relaxed already. Mason was entertained by the "Magic Waterfall" as I filled out all the necessary paperwork. I debriefed on how he was going to behave and of course what the repercussions would be if for some reason he didn't. He was introduced to Kyle, the wonderful woman who would be taking care of him, and also to the other kids he would be playing with all day long. Once everything was squared away we were both whisked away to our respective destinations.

First stop was the locker room to change into a soft, luxurious robe and spa slippers. Then the other moms and I got comfy in the Relaxation Room with soothing hot tea and all the yummy dried fruits we could eat. Soon, our masseuses came to meet us and walk us to the rooms where all the magic happens. And magic it was. In just 60 minutes I was transformed from a harried, stressed-out mom to a cool, calm, and collected woman with nothing on her mind. For at least a little while, anyway. We once again sat in the Relaxation Room, drinking a delicious cucumber mint and rosemary tonic and reveling in the massages that we hoped would never end.

Before eating lunch with the founder of Churm Media and the one responsible for OC Family, Steve Churm, and the wonderful Kim Porrazzo, we took a quick (emphasis on quick) dip in the huge jacuzzi, also known as the Acqua Colonnade. Thankfully I brought my own bathing suit, and I didn't have to subject my fellow dippers to seeing me in a disposable bathing suit. (Basically a water resistant paper bandeau and bottoms.)

I left feeling so refreshed and ready to take on anything. I went home and entertained the children, cleaned the house and cooked dinner like a champion. That night, I slept like a baby. The next day I felt just as wonderful, like I was running on a full tank. It's amazing what a little R&R can do for a person. If you haven't already, make it a point to visit a spa near you this year. You will be glad you did. And if Pelican Hill happens to be near you, you must check it out. For the price of one spa service you can lounge around all day in the Relaxation Room, the Acqua Colonnade, or the Steam Room, munch on yummy dried fruit, drink delicious tea and forget there are people at home waiting for you.

I am incredibly thankful for the wonderful day both myself and Mason had at the Pelican Hill Resort and Spa. I was surprised at first when I learned that 40 percent of their clientele are locals, but after my experience I can completely understand. I just wish I could afford to be a regular, too!

Win it!
Pelican Hill has generously offered one lucky winner an Amber Gold Massage and Spa Lunch.

How to Enter: Comment on this post. Be sure to leave an email address to be contacted should you win.

The fine print: Giveaway will run for 4 weeks and end on June 3rd, 2010 at 12:01AM. Winner will be contacted via email and have 48 hours to respond before another winner is picked. Winner must travel to Pelican Hill to redeem. Travel expenses are not included. Must be 18 or older.

Do your hair!

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:51:00 GMT

Being a busy mom it can sometimes be hard for me to have the time to "get ready" to go anywhere. Usually my getting ready involves a 5-minute shower before the kids wake up, brushing my hair and teeth and putting on whatever clean clothes I can find. Most days I am just too tired to get up earlier so that I can do my hair and put on makeup.

I had my hair cut, intending to make my daily routine even easier. Unfortunately for me, my hair was not in on the plan, and just letting it air dry and wearing it down wasn't working for me. I grabbed some bobby pins and went at it, determined to find something quick, easy, and cute. I'm not sure what the official name is, but I think "pinned-up side part" has a nice ring to it.

And it's super easy, too! On dry or damp hair, make a part on one side. Pull the front of the hair straight back and pin in place. If you're feeling a little edgy, give the hair a twist and then push it forward as your pinning it to give yourself a little side pomp.

Those who know me in person have probably seen this hairstyle many times, as it is really my go-to look. If I have a minute, I'll straighten my hair, but this style looks great with wavy or curly hair, too.

Add a pretty jeweled or flower barrette and you're ready to go!

Getting the Perfect Eyebrows

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:37:00 GMT

If eyes are the windows to the soul, eyebrows are the frames. Eyebrows are the first things I notice when I look at a face. Whenever I watch TV, I look at the eyebrows of the actresses, because I'm always curious at how others do theirs.

Growing up, I've had almost every style of eyebrow there is. From bushy to thin, and from super-arched to straight-as-an-arrow, I've been through it all. It took me a while to finally get a shape that I liked and that looked good on me.

How to get perfect eyebrows:

The first thing you need to figure out is the best eyebrow for your face shape. For a long or skinny face, a straight horizontal brow looks best. For square, heart, or diamond-shaped faces a round or curved brow is the best fit. A round face looks best with a high-arch, while an oval face looks best with a soft arch.

Now you need your tools. The two main tools for shaping your eyebrows are a good pair of slanted tweezers, and a mirror big enough that you can see your whole face. A few other things that come in handy are a brow brush, brow comb, eyebrow pencil, and small scissors.

Before you start plucking, it's best to trim your eyebrows. Take your brow brush or comb and brush your eyebrows upward. Using the scissors, trim the longest hairs. Now take your pencil and hold it vertically against the side of your nose. This is where your eyebrow should begin. Now hold the same pencil diagonally from the outside corner of your mouth, across the opposite nostril and outside corner of the eye, and this is where your eyebrow should end. To find where your arch should be, hold the pencil at your nostril, and hold it outward diagonally, lining it up with the iris of your eye.

These tips will really only help you if you're starting from scratch. If you've already done a bit too much, here's a few tips to help you correct any mistakes, or avoid them next time.

Over-plucked eyebrows can be filled in with a eye pencil. Color in the eyebrows and then smudge the line a little to make them appear thicker. Avoid plucking anything except between the eyes for a few weeks.

Sometimes the hair of your eyebrows can be a bit unruly, growing in many different directions. This can make it difficult to correctly shape them. In this case, you can brush the hair in the direction you want it to go, and then hold it in place with a clear brow mascara.

If you don't trust yourself, it is well worth the investment to go to a licensed Esthetician and get them done professionally. I won't lie, when mine get out of hand I go in and have someone else fix them for me. Then I just pluck the stray hairs each day and can maintain the shape for a long time.

The Importance of Moisturizing

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:06:00 GMT

Moisturize your skin. I can't say it enough. Not only your face, but your entire body. No matter your skin type or the season of the year, it's very important.

Why should I moisturize?

Think of it this way. In order to have a healthy body, we drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. This is necessary to keep you hydrated, which will in turn keep your organs functioning properly. Moisturizers work in a similar way. They keep your skin hydrated, which helps it to function properly.

When your skin gets dry, it cracks and peels and becomes more prone to damage from free radicals. I've mentioned free radicals before. They are nasty little guys, and they're one of the three main causes of aging. Just using a moisturizer, nothing fancy, helps keep free radicals off of your skin, therefore fighting the aging process.

But what do I care about aging? I'm only 24 years old. Truth is, the sooner you start the preventative measures, the better. But no matter how old you are, moisturizing is one easy step you can take to prevent wrinkles and keep your skin looking great.

What kind of moisturizer should I use?

More often than not, you're going to need to get a separate moisturizer for your face and body. Most body creams and lotions use oils that are too greasy and rich for the pores on your face. And most face lotions don't offer enough hydration for really dry areas such as your elbows and knees.

For the face: For oily/combination skin, I recommend finding a lotion with little to no oil in it. Yes, you should still moisturize oily skin, but you want something that is not going to add oil to your skin. An oil-free lotion will simply hydrate your skin with water-based ingredients, and help keep your natural oils at the level they should be at. For normal to dry skin, look for something that uses natural oils such as olive, almond, jojoba, or avocado oils. You should apply twice a day, once in the morning before makeup, and once at night after washing your face. An SPF of 15 or more is also important for a day cream, and I will get into more detail on that in another post.

For the body: There are countless types and brands of body creams and lotions to choose from. I personally prefer something on the natural side, again looking for oils from avocado, jojoba, or almond and other ingredients like honey, shea butter, or aloe. I like to stay away from things with artificial colors or fragrances, as that can often irritate the skin. The best time to apply is immediately after showering. The sooner you apply the lotion, the more moisture you will seal into your skin.

Can I use a face moisturizer around my eyes?

The skin around your eyes is some of the most thin and vulnerable skin on your entire body. A face cream, even though it is more gentle than a body cream, is still not gentle enough for the eye. It is extremely important to make sure that if you're moisturizing the eye area (which you should always do) that you're using something made especially for that purpose. Using anything else could result in irritation of the skin, and worse, your eyes themselves.

What are the best lotions to buy?

Well, because I haven't tried every single product out there, I can't honestly tell you which is the best one. I can however, tell you some of my favorites. Also, if you use the guidelines I set above, you will be able to find your own favorite.

My picks for the face:
Burt's Bees Facial Moisturizers have something for every skin type.
Natural Being Skin Care is another great line with products for both oil/normal skin and normal/dry skin.
The Caudalie brand of products, although a little more pricey, offers products that are specifically tailored to suit different skin care needs.

My picks for the body:
Burt's Bees makes the list again with their body moisturizers. There are many to choose from, and they all smell amazing.
I also love the Lay It On Thick cream from Bath and Body Works. I prefer the fragrance-free version, but the regular version has a light citrus scent that is actually very pleasant.

My picks for the eye:
My absolute favorite is the Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream from Caudalie. It really is the only eye cream you'll ever need, and well worth the price.
A new favorite is the Manuka Honey Eye Cream from Natural Being Skin Care. I've seen some great results with this one, and it's very afforable.

My all-time favorite:
I can't say enough how much I love the Skin MD Natural shielding lotion. It is the only lotion that I have ever been able to use on my body and my face. You can buy it with or without SPF. I like having one of each. SPF for day, and the regular version for at night.

Deal Alert!
I have a great discount code to share for my absolute favorite moisturizer, Skin MD Natural! If you enter the code NMM at checkout, you will receive 20% off your purchase. This awesome deal will expire on April 7th, 2010.

I hope you learned a little something about moisturizing, and please, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

How I Became a Beauty Blogger

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:47:00 GMT

I never went to the mall looking for a career, or even a full-time job. I was actually just looking for an outlet, something to get me out of the house and help me to be productive. When I was hired at, what will hereafter be referred to as "The Store," I was just a shy little associate.

At first my job consisted of helping customers find the specific products they were looking for, handing out shopping bags, and just general associate duties. But soon I became intrigued by the walls and walls of high-end skin care and hair care products, and the tables full of colorful and dramatic make-up.

In between customers, I began reading the pamphlets provided for customer education, and then turned to the product labels for more detailed information. I learned about all the different ingredients and what they offered. I learned about common concerns, and which products best fit them. I learned that make-up was so much more than some eye-liner and foundation quickly smeared on before running out the door. I took home samples (with permission, of course) and tried them myself so I could offer my personal testimonies.

Before I knew it, I was promoted! It became my job to teach customers the things I had taught myself. I loved helping people find what they needed among a host of products that was, at times, overwhelming even to me. I loved talking to the representatives from the different brands we carried, and learning even more about their products. But most of all, I loved it when my customers returned and told me how much that particular product or line had helped them.

After a few good years, I felt the need to concentrate on growing my family, and had to say goodbye to "The Store" and all of my wonderful customers, and co-workers. But after I left, I couldn't just give up my love for the beauty industry. I started sharing little tips I picked up and products I can't live without on my personal blog, hoping to help at least one person. I'm very excited to become a part of the OC Family Mom Blog family, and I hope you'll join me here where I'll share my tips and tricks, and introduce some local businessess that are well worth checking out.