Monthly Archives: July 2009

Achieve A Dark Tan

I’ve been hearing so much buzz about the St. Tropez self tanner lately that I had to seek it out and test it for myself. Being that it’s only sold online and in spas, I eagerly ventured out this weekend and found a spa that sold it in my area. I purchased the Bronzing Lotion, $40, and smothered my body in the thick, tinted formula before bed. Since my sheets are bright white, I covered myself with long sleeves and sweat pants so the color didn’t rub off.

After my shower the next morning I was surprisingly pleased by the even, rich tan I had. This is the color I’ve been seeking all summer long. I’m used to using Jergens Natural Glow on a daily basis and love it for a subtle tan, but St. Tropez took my summer glow to a whole different level. I am dark.  Being that I’m addicted to being tan, I plan on continuing to use Jergens every night to keep my tan fresh, but I’ll be indulging in St. Tropez about twice a week. I highly recommend trying it out.

Win an A-List Trip to NYC

Calling all sexy ladies who are looking to release their inner divas!  Get creative and enter the Huge Lips Skinny Hips online contest to win the most exhilrating trip of your life for you and your bestie to NYC.  Entering is simple and fun, and the grand prize is every girls dream (think being SJP and Samantha in Sex and The City for a weekend… only sexier). 

To enter, visit the Purple Lab website to learn about the inspiration behind each of the six super chic Huge Lips Skinny Hips shades, pick the one that identifies with your personality, upload your best pic and explain why that shade best represents you.  Once you’re done, share your entry with your friends.  The most votes wins! 

From Kitty Pole Dancer to Lychee Martini, there’s definitely a color to fit any fashionistas personality.  As I mentioned before, Red Sole is my favorite because I’m obsessed with the color red (hence the color palette for BeautySweetSpot) and the soles Christian Louboutins.  Check out my entry above and vote.

Several prizes will be awarded throughout the contest, but the weekend grand prize includes a tour behind all of the inspirations of Huge Lips Skinny Hips colors such as: private pole dancing lessons (Kitty Pole Dancer), lessons on how to make fab lychee martinis (Lychee Martini), a shopping spree for Kate Moss’ line at Top Shop (Worship Kate), runway walking lessons in Louboutins (Red Soles) and many more surprises! 

 

Make A Great First Impression

This morning I woke up in Philly prepared and excited to do a segment on NBC’s The 10! Show called “How to Make A Great Impression on A Job Interview.”  Currently, almost 10% of the US population is unemployed and being that I’ve been in the job market a few times throughout my career, let’s just say I’ve had tons of practice and learned a few great tips along the way.  

The host and I spoke about doing research, being on time, getting organized, and sending thank you notes. And of course, we also spoke about what to wear and what not to wear. As I was setting up the segment one of the NBC interns mentioned she loved the sun dress I was displaying as “what not to wear” and said she would absolutely wear it on an interview.  Even though many work environments may be casual, make sure you dress sophisticated and classic for your interview.  A chic, professional black dress or suit is appropiate.  The best advice I’ve ever gotten was to dress for the job you aspire to have in the future.  

Another great fashion tip I had was if you wear glasses, leave your fashion forward frames at home and opt for a pair of rimless styles like Silhouettes.  They’ll allow for better eye contact and less distraction.  Check out their website to try them on for yourself using the Virtual Mirror.  You can customize them up to 64 different ways to fit your face shape.  

Of course, I went to the segment prepared with my hair and makeup done, but always feel relieved when they have time to touch me up before I go on air. As Christina Zarvalas, the NBC makeup artist was layering on coats of blush and bronzer I confessed that even though I’m a beauty blogger and I can inform people on how to do their makeup, I could never do my own, nor do I ever really wear much.  Ironic, isn’t it?  

While sitting in the chair I also asked her how I could better do my own TV makeup and she told me for normal TV, the general rule is the more the better. When you feel like you’re wearing too much, chances are you still need more blush and lipstick to prevent you from looking washed out.  However if you were preparing to film on HD TV, it’s the complete opposite.  Instead, you would do your makeup so it pleases the eye.  Next time I do a segment I’m going to take her advice just in case there’s no time for touch ups.

Check out the segment and feel free to share any other great first impression tips you might have learned!

Trust Your AXE Instinct

I’ve always been a fan of AXE, so I was really excited when I received a package with their new scent inspired by leather called Instinct.  Let me tell you, it’s manly and it’s sexy. 

Raw-hide leather, spicy pink pepper and warm pepperwood are blended together to create this fresh, sensual sent.  Trust me, you’ll know when a man is wearing it as he walks by you on the street.  Follow your instinct and go get him girl!

Available in shower gel, deodorant stick, antiperspirant stick, and body/deodorant spray all for $4 at drugstores.  Check out the AXE facebook page for great deals and updates!

Snake Venom the New Botox

It may sound frightening, but it’s not so scary!  When snakes bite, they poison their prey through their fangs, which paralyzes them in the same way that Botox injections paralyze muscles.  One of the proteins found in the venom of an Asian Temple Viper snake was recently mimicked by a Swiss pharmaceutical company formulated into a compound called Syn-ake.

Studies have shown that by using moisturizers that include Syn-ake twice a day for four weeks can reduce fine lines and wrinkles by 52%.  Starlets, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hilary Swank have been known to use it.

To date, skin care companies such as Borba and Sonya Dakar have already begun using Syn-ake in some of their products to offer their customers a more affordable alternative to Botox.  However, being that the compound has such high expectations, the effectiveness of the chemical is still being debated.

What will they think of next?