Monthly Archives: December 2009

December 31st, 2009

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Two weeks ago I was introduced to a new gadget that promises to diminish 90% of blemishes within 24 hours called the Zeno Hot Spot. Skeptical of the claim I kept it out on my shelf until about a week later when a very unwelcomed pimple surfaced by my chin (thanks stress!).

With the simple tap of the tiny device, it quickly heat up to a tolerable warmth, which varies between 116.5 and 120 degrees, and I placed it directly on my pimple like the directions said for 2.5 minutes. It beeped every 30 seconds so I knew how much longer I had to go and beeped a few times in a row at the end so I knew my treatment was over.

I anxiously looked in the mirror and noticed the whole area around my pimple was red, waited four hours like the directions said and did it again. After four treatments in a 24 hour period, my zit was still there. Smaller in size? Hmmm… maybe, but nothing a little salicylic acid couldn’t take care of.

The Zeno Hot Spot retails for $39.99 at Walmart and comes with about 80 uses. The number of treatments you need per pimple depends on where you catch the pimple in it’s life cycle. My advice, stick with your favorite drying cream and skip out on the fancy gadget.

Men's Grooming

December 30th, 2009

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Jeannine Morris

Final Voting Days…

BeautySweetSpot’s 2009 Man of the Year will be announced on January 1st and his fate is in your hands! Bobby D. and John have been battling neck and neck with thousands of votes each. The polls cut off on midnight on New Years Eve, so as you’re popping bottles of champagne, someone is being crowned!

Besides the title, which is awesome enough, the Man of the Year will win a ton of AXE products. Click on the names below to see their full Man of the Week interviews.

Bobby D.

Stats: 26, single, can’t live with out baby powder for “the boys down there.”

Paul

Stats: 27, single, loves the compliments he receives on his cologne, some call the scent “heavenly.”

Josh

Stats: 25, taken, believes his Curve cologne helps him make a nice entrance into a room.

Tim

Stats: 27, single, avoids razor burn by using the Braun Series 7 self cleaning electric razor.

John

Stats: 29, single, invests in taking care of his skin with Fresh After-Shave Lotion.

Do you know a sexy, successful man who would make a great Man of the Week for 2010? Send me your nominations! Email BeautySweetSpot@gmail.com.

Beauty

December 29th, 2009

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Jeannine Morris

A Sincere Facial

Last week I experienced a facial at Soie Aroma Skin Care Salon in NYC, which opened just three months ago. Owned by esthetician Cecilia Wong, who worked for over ten years as a facialist, the space was very cozy and the experience was intimate.

“I wanted to create an atmosphere where I would be able to establish a personal relationship with all of my clients,” commented Wong.

Always a bit nervous about putting my skin into someone’s hands, I immediately gained trust in Wong because she genuinely took interest in my skin and customized a facial that would work for me. It was relaxing, yet effective, exactly what I needed. She used all natural products combined with LED light, oxygen, masks and of course did some extractions to whip my skin into shape.

I learned that the current products I’m using have too much AHA in them and are too harsh for my skin, so I’m scaling back on the usage. After consulting with Wong I am going to start weaning onto organic skin care products.

Tip: When switching up your skin care regimen start by rotating new products into your current routine. Begin by replacing your moisturizer, then two weeks later replace your face wash and so on. This will prevent your skin from having any sudden reactions and allow you to notice what really works.

Beauty

December 28th, 2009

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Jeannine Morris

Hollywood’s Most Dramatic Looks of 2009

As I was browsing Hollywood coverage on the Internet this weekend I came across an article on InStyle.com that I had to share. They covered the most dramatic celebrity hair transformations of the year.

Most of these looks have been covered on BeautySweetSpot as they happened, like Fergie going from blonde to brunette, but this gallery unveils it all. Ashlee Simpson deems herself the “Queen of Hair Color” this year starting off as a blonde bombshell, then dying her locks a striking shade of red and eventually going punk with jet-black strands.

The gallery also covered Halle Berry’s transformation into the pixie cut, Twilight star Ashlee Greene’s chopped tresses and Jada Pinkett Smith’s transformation from braids to long, straight extensions. Check out some of your other favorite celebs drastic transformations here.

Beauty

December 26th, 2009

by:

Jeannine Morris

Express Yourself: Let Your Individuality Shine

Remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaine bumped into an old high school friend, Sue Ellen Mischke (played by Brenda Strong), and gave her the nickname “the braless wonder” because she never wore a bra? And then Elaine decided to gift her a bra in hopes she’d start wearing one, but Sue Ellen decided to rock it alone with just an open blazer over it…

This made me start thinking of societal norms of what happens when people break boundaries. Sometimes it seems as though people are willing to go through a cookie cutter factory just to fit in with their peers. A good example of this is in a majority of reality TV shows where all the girls have caked on make up, sport the same hair style (the pouf?) and wear Ed Hardy inspired clothing… can I say MTV’s The Jersey Shore?

Of course a group of friends or coworkers may be inspired by the same people, designers, places and things, but how you pull yourself together each day should tell your story, who you are, making your style unique. The same can apply to your make up. Gwen Stefani’s signature look is the cat-like black eyeliner and red lips and Kim Kardashian’s smokey eyes and glossy lips are her beauty staples, but you can find ways within your own beauty routine to make them work for you by playing with colors and formulas. The options are endless.

As long as you’re confident with your unique fashion or beauty statement, who knows maybe you’ll start a trend sort of like the infamous Rachael haircut. I was always taught it’s not what you wear but how you wear it. It might not be accepted at first but then again when do any of the masterpieces get instant acceptance. Did you know that Picasso’s art wasn’t acknowledged until roughly 30 years later and now he is considered one of the first modern artist?

Now dish: How do you show off your personality?