Beauty Secrets of the Rockettes

Can you believe it's almost time to prepare for the holiday season?  I'm writing this from sunny California, where it's 80 degrees and I can't even begin to think about snow.  Last week however, I found myself in a kick line with the Rockettes at their rehearsal studio in Radio City Music Hall learning the moves to one of their Christmas Spectacular performances thanks to POND'S.  Ever wonder what it's like to be a Rockette?  How about some of their beauty secrets?  I got you covered.  Hint: They do their own makeup!

That's right, NYC's Radio City Rockettes do their own makeup for every performance.  I found that shocking, especially since their iconic red lips are always perfectly painted and smudge-proof, which is not an easy task for a performer.  Post performance, they remove their stage makeup with POND'S – specifically the Cold Cream Cleanser and Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes, because they remove makeup easily and moisturize at the same time leaving their skin soft and pampered.

Besides having great skin, Rockettes are known for having amazing legs! I spoke with Rockette, Sierra Ring to find out the secrets behind their gams.  Our interview went something like this:

Oliptical or Stairmaster

Wax or Shave

Lotion or Oil

Stockings or Bare Legs

Heels or Flats

Self tan or Sun tan

Shorts or Short Shorts

Red Pedi or Nude Pedi

Fun facts huh?  Want to see the Rockettes at Radio City this year?  Enter the POND'S + Rockettes NYC Holiday Getaway Sweepstakes for your chance to win tickets and join our Twitter chat on Monday, November 3rd using #PONDSperforms.  I'll leave you with this adorable video that'll make you want to start your own kick line.

*This post is sponsored by POND'S, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Halloween Makeup & Makeup Removal

Inspired?  I hope so!  Halloween is just around the corner and whether you have the makeup skills to pull off this look seen at last week's Makeup Forever event or not, using makeup to transform yourself into something creepy or cute (like these animal inspired makeup looks I posted earlier) is almost imperative on dress up night – at least for ladies like us.  However when your night of trick or treating is over, don't forget about your skin when it comes to halloween makeup removal.

Halloween is not the night to skip washing your face!  To prevent any unwanted creatures from popping up on your skin in the morning, make sure to use a cleanser that's known for removing makeup like Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser.  To really get into your pores rub it around in a circular motion and take it off with a warm washcloth to fully remove any goop.  Repeat if necessary and splash with cold water to seal your pores shut.  And not only does the Pond's cleanser dissolve all traces of makeup, but it also moisturizes for soft, radiant skin.

*This post is sponsored by Pond's, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Fall Skincare: Pond's Dry Skin Cream

Ready for fall?  I'm more excited about wearing fall clothes than I am about saying goodbye to the summer weather.  Here's where the NY vs. LA debate comes in, again. You're probably just starting to notice that your skin may be a bit dry post summer, and with the change in seasons, it's time to start thinking about switching your skincare regimen to formulas with thicker consistencies.  Unless of course, you live in LA. Everyone else, check this out.

In the summer we all tend to use lighter consistencies when it comes to our moisturizers thanks to the heat and humidity.  Now, keep up with the changes your skin is experiencing or is about to experience and try a heavier cream like POND’S Dry Skin Cream, which moisturizes deeply and even primes your skin for your makeup.

I recommend keeping your skincare regimen simple with a few products that are effective. The POND'S Dry Skin Cream is rich, but absorbs quickly and is good for all skin types – dry to normal and even sensitive skin.  I like to wear it at nighttime.  As the weather gets colder, I become a moisture addict!  You can find it  at drugstores or drugstore.com for under $10.

*This is a sponsored post by POND'S, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

How to Pack the Perfect Beach Bag

Do you ever read the US Weekly's "What's in (insert some random celebrity here) Bag" column?  Well, in case you were curious, here's a list of what makes it into my beach bag summer after summer. As a hoarder of bags in general, my go-to beach bag is a FEED bag. In case you're not familiar, educate yourself!  They're cute and purchases help fight world hunger.  So, here's how to pack a perfect beach bag according to moi.

I don't know about you, but I'm a Jersey Shore girl who also loves the Hamptons (I'll never pass up a weekend to get out there).  Most of my beach time is spent at Pt. Pleasant, NJ and I spend a week in Aruba with my family each summer, too.  No matter where I am though, my perfect beach bag must haves typically stay the same.  I'm sure yours aren't far from this, either.

SPF 30 with UVA/UVB protection - Use at least an SPF 15.  Anything higher than 30 is just marketing.  Trust me.

POND’S Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes - They're so refreshing!  I can always count on them to cleanse plus moisturize my face when I go from the beach to the tiki bar.  

iPhone - Obvi.  I try to use it only to take pictures and listen to music.  Unplugging is hard though, even on the beach.

Mags or steamy reads - Last summer I flew threw everything written by Gillian Flynn and of course caught up on all of the summer issues.  Any recs for this summer?  What do you do to pass the time on the beach?  I get antsy!

Chic sunnies - Again, obvi.

Sun hat - I love a good fedora or wide brim hat.   Look for a tightly woven straw hat to help protect you from the sun's rays.

Lip Treatment with SPF 15 - Don't forget to protect your lips.  Balms are so much more fun when they're tinted.

Comb - Having knotty, wind blown hair is not an option.  I like to brush out my hair when I get out of the ocean.  Bring a wide tooth comb to keep your hair from looking ratty. Remember, the goal is beach waves, not beach rat.

Water - Stay hydrated!

Ok, now tell me what I'm missing!  How do you pack the perfect beach bag?

Introducing Ponds Luminous Finish BB+, your new BFF

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to test out a product before anyone else. Anyone else.  Very special!  So what was it?  The new Ponds Luminous Finish BB+.  Let me tell you, it was love at first touch.  It's a super affordable BB cream with short and long term benefits: flawless skin in seconds and a more even skin tone in two weeks.  The video below says it all.  Check it out.  

*This is a sponsored post, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Gym Beauty: How to Go from Sweaty to Sexy

View more videos at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com.