Winter Woes: Not-So Perfect Fingernails

Out of the way, buster!  I'm the one in need of a manicure!

Every Winter, I seem to deal with two nail problems: 1) peeling, messed fingernails and 2) stained nails thanks to wearing dark nail polish.  So how can I beat these two problems?

PEELING NAILS
Cold, dry weather is a beast...and it seems to do extra damage to our lovely little fingernails.  Like dry skin, the best bet is to add as much moisture as possible.  Morning and night, slather on a rich hand moisturizer, making sure to massage it into your nails.  At night, go an extra  step and throw on a pair of gloves to help lock the moisture in.  That should soften up and revitalize both hands AND nails! 

If that doesn't work, make sure you're getting enough protein, calcium, and vitamins in your diet.  Take a multi-vitamin once a day to be certain you're getting everything your body needs.  Other things to consider: take care when doing the dishes.  Get some rubber gloves to help you out, and while you're at it: avoid exposure to harsh cleaning agents and extremes in temperature.  Sounds like gloves are going to be my hands' and nails' best friends!  Also, make the switch to nail polishes that do NOT contain nasty things like toluene, formaldehyde, or DBPs.


STAINED NAIL BEDS
Since mid-October, I've been painting my nails every Sunday...usually with a super dark color.  Now?  I've removed all my polish to give my nails a rest, and I see that my nail beds have a distictive yellow tint.  Nice.  Here's what to do:

• Before using a dark color, try a clear base coat.  This will help reduce the amount of color that leeches into your nails.
• Try rubbing lemon over the nails to remove the yellow tint.  This sounds painful since I have the horrible habit of picking at the skin around my nails--I have tons of little nicks and cuts and I can only imagine how wonderful lemon would feel in them.  Eek.
• Check out the steps outlined here.  The idea of peroxide makes sense....though sounds a little scary.  Still--it might just work.

Maybe I just need a really good paraffin treatment and a decent manicure!

Winter Woes: Dry Skin

Now that the holidays are over, we're headed into the bleaker period of Winter.  The days are shorter, nights darker.  The air outside is cold and biting, and inside too dry and static-y thanks to forced hot air.  It's a time when skin is dry, dry, dry.  Lips crack, cheeks turn red as they get whipped with icy winter winds, and let's not even get started on the condition of our feet and hands.  Winter's a tough time for our skin. 

If you're like me, right about now, your skin is thirsty and flaky.  So...what's a girl to do to beat the Winter woe of dry skin?  Here are a few tips to get your skin hydrated and glowing, so you can look and feel soft and beautiful under all those layers of clothes.

1. Start in the shower.  It pains me to say this, but those super long, hot showers I take every morning are not doing my skin any favors.  The ultra-hot water might feel great, but it's only speeding up the process of stripping away the oils from my skin.  Exposure to extremes (hot or cold) only aggravate things.  If I were smarter, I'd turn the heat down a bit to save myself from itchy, flaky dry skin.  But since I am a glutton (and because waking up is hard enough), I say damn it all!  I'm taking my hot, hot shower and opt instead for other skin saving measures.
2. Buff away the dead stuff.  While you're taking your tepid shower (and while I'm in the midst of a steamy spray), it's a good time to not only wash your skin, but to get rid of dead skin cells.  I use creamy, liquid-y soaps, not the bar stuff.  Try body washes from Dove (or others) that contain fair amounts of moisturizers and use a body buffer (those poofy things) to slough off skin cells.  Be gentle...there's no need to rub your skin raw.
3. Exfoliate when needed.  Every few days (once or twice a week, depending on your skin), you might want to try exfoliate your entire body. Exfoliating your entire body can help prevent body acne in many places below your neck, such as the chest, back and arms. It also might help you avoid ingrown hairs by preventing dead skin cells from plugging up follicles where you've shaved or waxed. And it can help even out skin tone and keep your skin hydrated and soft. Try using an exfoliating body scrub or bar, or opt for a salt-based scrub.  Like I said before, be gentle, though.  You don't want to trade flaky, dry skin for bloody, irritated skin!
4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  Now that you've started easing off the hot water, using gentle exfoliating methods, etc. your skin needs to drink up some moisture.  Take some time to try out different body lotions.  You may like gels, oils, or creams.  The key is to find what you like and to use it regularly.  I prefer cocoa butter based creams for my skin, and I use it every day.  This helps provide nutrients and moisture to your skin which will keep it soft and touchable.
5. Consider adding healthy fats to your diet.  I know, I know...it's the start of a new year and you're probably wanting to cut out fats from your diet.  Don't.  Essential fatty acids, like Omega-3s found in fish, are so good for your skin.  If you're really considering changing your diet, embrace a Mediterranean diet that incorporates healthy fats.  They're good for your skin...and they taste good.

There are my tips.  Now I ask you: what's your trick for keeping skin flake-free in the Winter?  Also: what's your biggest Winter beauty woe?

Winterize Your Skin!

Now that Halloween is officially over, it's time to think about what's just around the corner: the holiday season and cold, winter weather.  With winter comes dry skin and frizzy hair...fun, right?  Well, November is "National Healthy Skin Month" and it's a good time to start up a winter skin regiment. 

Here are some tips for getting your skin looking good as we head into the dark days of winter:

• Maintain year-round sun protection.  Just because you're not planning on hitting the beach doesn't mean that you should be skimping on the SPF.  The sun is out every day, all year long, and those UV-rays promote pre-mature aging at best, skin cancer at worst.  Find a product you like and apply it to all exposed skin every single day...no matter what!
• Moisturize more.  With the heat on, our inside air is very dry.  Going outside in the cold air and winter wind can lead to chapping.  Skin is starved for moisture, so be sure to moisturize in the morning, after your shower when your pores are open.
• Avoid super hot showers and baths.  This is impossible for me!  But hot showers do result in overly dry skin.  If you can turn the hot water back a bit, do it!  Your skin will be thankful.
• Exfoliate!  Using an exfoliating product regularly will slough off nasty dead skin cells.
• Add some fats to your diet.  Increasing omega-3s (found in fish like salmon) and flaxseed will help combat dryness from the inside out.
• Don't forget your hands, feet, and lips.  For hands and feet that are stubbornly dry, try applying moisturizer then a pair of gloves or socks before bed.  Lips should be exfoliated regularly...and try to find a lip balm that contains SPF.  You can get skin cancer on your lips, after all.

Those are my tips...if you have anything to add, be sure to leave a comment!

Beat the Winter Blahs

I've lived on the West Coast for 10 years now. When I first moved out here, I used to laugh at the locals who complained about the "cold" when it was 50 degrees out and felt it necessary to bundle up under layer after layer of heavy winter clothes as soon as September became a memory.

My how things have changed. In my 10 years here, I have found that I, too, am a weather wimp. And now that Daylight Saving Time has come to an end--and Halloween is just a haunting memory--I find myself dreading the winter and all that comes with it: cold weather, possible snow, dry skin, chapped lips, static-filled hair.

Well, the good folks over at Women's Health (and in their book Age Erasers for Women) have some tips for all of us as we get ready for upcoming (or already here!) winter weather. Here you go--be sure to add your thoughts by leaving a comment!

Skin

• Not only does dry skin cause a lackluster complexion, it also keeps hydrating lotion from keeping your skin moist. Get rid of excess dry skin with a body wash with exfoliant and also a gentle exfoliating face wash.
  
• Because dry skin causes fine lines to be more visible, make sure you’re using a thicker face lotion with firming benefits.
  

Makeup

• Winter is the time to forget the foundation which tends to settle into dry areas on skin giving your complexion a patchy look. Instead, camouflage dark circles with a light-diffusing concealer.
• The skin around your eyes is delicate and prone to dryness and windburn. Try using a sheer indigo blue or emerald eye shadow to downplay redness, and apply with a damp brush to help it stay put longer.
  

Hair

• Because the minerals in tap water and detergents in shampoo can cause your scalp to itch and flake, now is the time to skip the shampoo. Try a dry shampoo on your roots which will absorb the extra oil and you can comb out in the morning.
• Inflate your drab winter hair by adding volumizing mousse to your styling routine.
  

Body

• If you’ve been considering laser hair removal, now is the time to do it. Because your hair and skin will have more contrast as your summer glow is gone, the treatment will be more effective.
  
• During the holiday season, cosmetics counters are crammed full of gift sets that go on sale afterwards. This gives you the perfect excuse to find those fragrances you’ve been meaning to test.
  

Check out all the blah-beating beauty tips here

NARS for the Holidays

I know, I know: it's not even Halloween yet and already retailers seem to be pushing Christmas. It's obscene and maddening, but it's also terribly practical. With the recession still going and consumer confidence shaky, shoppers need to see what's out there in order to prioritize their spending (and to hone their holiday wish lists!).

If you're starting to think about gifts for the girls or if you're looking to add a little sparkle to your winter look, you must check out the NARS holiday 2009 collection. NARS cosmetics are very high quality--their shadows are well pigmented, their blushes legendary, and their lip products rock (I swear by their All Night Long lipgloss--I keep it at my desk at work and use it almost every day!).

Check out their Holiday 2009 collection...I bet you'll be able to find something you'll want to add to your holiday list:

This Holiday season, NARS wraps up the year and its 15th Anniversary with a color collection offering shades that are deep and bold with festive shimmer – ideal for designing a look that is both sophisticated and sultry.

“For the holidays, I think it’s a great time to feel beautiful and sexy…with a little bit of movie star attitude,” says François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics.

NARS SOFT TOUCH SHADOW PENCIL - $24 Sure to be a favorite for the holidays, the soft touch shadow pencil is a new addition to the NARS product line that offers a convenient delivery system and multi-purpose formula. Available in three playful shades: Goddess – A cool, divinely ethereal, glistening pink champagne that’s worthy of worship. Aigle Noir– A smoky, bold black infused with gold shimmer named for the dark, noble raptor that soars the Himalayas – graceful and rare. Skorpios– An irresistibly iridescent copper named for the alluring Greek isle of the famous and flamboyant.

NARS Duo Eyeshadow - $32 Brousse– Deep, subtly shimmering hues of eggplant and the darkest wood create an earthy, yet sophisticated palette Eurydice– Bordeaux with hints of iridescent blues and coal rich with metallic greens make for a modern holiday pairing Taiga– A surprising contrast of bright, yet intense hues in the sheerest of textures

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow - $21 This shimmering, spicy pine cream eyeshadow is named for the monsoon – natural and unpredictable

NARS Rouge Andalou Nail Polish - $16 Lasting and lustrous, like its namesake region – this classic, incandescent candy apple red nail hue is sultry, sexy and steeped in tradition

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - $24 Pop Life– Coat lips instantly with this bold, bright and modernly matte holly red hue that slips on with a velvety texture Toundra– This richly pigmented Barolo wine shade is creamy, long-lasting and matte for strong, seamless color

NARS Luxor Multiple - $37 An iridescent pink to be used on eyes, cheeks, lips and body for dynamic highlights and a perfect, glowing complexion

Disclosure: Press samples were provided.

Ask Lydia: Winter Foundation

Hi Lydia,

Good question for you. Winter Foundation. I usually wear 3W Voile from Aromaleigh and I noticed this morning that when I was putting on my foundation and it looks like I was apply a much darker shade. Got any tips on going lighter in the winter? ~Michelle

Hi Michelle! Thanks for your email.

In the cooler months, those of us with tans (i.e., not me since I only turn red and NEVER get a tan!) have to deal with our colors fading a bit. This can become a problem if you notice your foundation is looking a bit off.

Here are a couple of suggestions for lightening up your foundation. Readers, if you can think of any solutions I'm leaving out, please leave me a comment.

FOR LIQUID FOUNDATIONS
Try mixing a little moisturizer with your foundation. This way you'll be thinning out the liquid foundation and diluting the colors a bit. The moisturizer-foundation combo will save you time--it's like instant multitasking! Plus making the liquid foundation thinner will make application much faster and easier.

FOR MINERAL FOUNDATIONS
Try mixing your normal shade with mineral foundation that's one shade lighter. This will give you a custom-blend that might match better to your winter skin tone. Michelle, in your case, I'd try blending the 3W with a 2W.

CUSTOM BLENDS
One other thing you could do...if you have the money to do it....would be to get a custom-blended foundation from a higher end cosmetics company like Prescriptives. This way you can't go wrong! Just expect to pay a pretty penny to get custom-made makeup.

New for Your Nails

We're all trying to save money these days. One great way to save some coin is to do your own manicure and/or pedicure at home. But there's no need to suffer with lesser products. Splurge just a bit by buying a higher-quality nail color from OPI or Essie.

OPI is going for a touch of luxury this fall! They're introducing their Designer Series: 11 new shades of nail lacquer and top coat infused with diamond dust to give you a perfect finish. Sorry: I don't have a great photo of the new shades, but let me tell you that they have an amazing amount of shimmer and come in classic colors that will make your nails look great this fall/winter. Here are the names/color components for you to look for at your local Ulta, Trade Secret, etc.:

• DS Coronation: slivery platinum
  
• DS Opulence: mauve
  
• DS Reflection: ruby
  
• DS Limited: warm peach
  
• DS Treasure: golden coral
  
• DS Illuminate: burnished gold
  
• DS Classic: golden beige
  
• DS Jewel: cabaret
  
• DS Tapestry: deep rose
  
• DS Reserve: vintage pink
  
• DS Extravagance: magenta

If I were buying on of these lacquers, I'd pick either DS Tapestry or DS Jewel.

Essie's winter line is now out and it is full of all the rich hues we all love about winter. Again, I don't have a great photo of the new lacquers, but here are the names/colors to check out:

• Bold and Beautiful: ruby garnet
• Damsel in a Dress: deep currant
• It's Genius: shimmery violet-quartz
• Rock Star Skinny: crimson red
• Sexy Divide: purpley blue
• Shifting Power: molten gold

My faves from Essie: either It's Genius or Sexy Divide.

Purple Reign

Way back in the middle of August I predicted that purple would be hot, hot, hot this fall and winter. Judging from all the plums and purples out there, I think my beauty forecast was pretty darn accurate.

Purple is a funny color--you either love it or hate it. If you want to add a hint of the royal shade to your makeup wardrobe, here are some products to check out:

• Black Amethyst Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick by PurMinerals, $15: This sophisticated shade is supposed to look great on all skin tones. It's dark but not too flat and promised to give the wearer berry-stained lips. Pretty! Also available in a plumping lipgloss if that's more your thing.
  
• DiorShow Mascara in Plum, $24. Last year, with the launch of Bad Gal Blue by Benefit Cosmetics, blue mascara was everywhere. This year, change up your look with plum-tinted mascara. It will brighten your eyes and add just a hint of lush color.
  
• Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss from Smashbox, $18. Not for the faint of heart, this rich, bruised purple shade gives you a seductive shine. Embrace your darkside with this beauty!
• Purple By Night Vernis Please! Nail Lacquer by Givenchy, $15. This violet nail polish has a lot of depth, with sparkly hints of blue, mother of pearl, and pink. Plus the formula is chip resistant so your nails stay gorgeous.
• Violet Train Case by Sephora, $49. You'll never lose this shiny purple makeup box. Pack it with all your favorite products and you'll be organized and will look like a pro. Have I ever mentioned I love Sephora's makeup cases?
  

Yes, purple is a trend. A year or two from now, you may hate all the plums and violets, but for now...just enjoy it. Purple's quirky and romantic. Go ahead and embrace it!

Winterize Your Look

Halloween isn't even here yet and already it's getting chilly out there. Here in the Seattle area a cold front has pushed through. Temperatures have plummeted and there's even some snow in the mountains. Like it or not, winter weather is on its way.

The one thing I love about the cooler seasons is that makeup looks drastically change. Gone are the light pinks and sunshiney shades. In their place are the lush, deep, rich hues that conjure up romantic images...at least in my mind.

Here are a few looks to embrace this fall and winter, thanks to the editors at Harper's Bazaar:

UNDONE FRENCH TWIST

• Step one: Blow hair out straight. Add body by setting it in big Velcro rollers for 10 minutes, suggests Sebastian Professional stylist Thomas Dunkin.
• Step two: Pull hair back and twist it up into a loose twist.
• Step three: "Pull out a section in the front so that it frames your face, which is what makes this style fluid," instructs D.J. Riggs, artistic director of TIGI Linea. Spritz Nexxus 360° Volume Bodifying Finishing Mist ($9.99) for hold.

SMOLDERING EYES AND SLEEK HAIR

• Step one: Line top and bottom lash lines with a black liner like Stila Kajal Eye Pencil in Onyx ($14). "Or use liquid liner first, then soften it with a pencil," instructs Beauty.com celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow.
• Step two: Sweep gold powder shadow from lashes to brow bone. Apply to the inner corners as well for a more dramatic look. Try Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad in #13 ($75).
• Step three: Use a shadow brush to blend the liner with the shadow, which will deepen and smudge the color, suggests New York makeup artist Kimara Ahnert.
• Step four: Finish with black mascara. Try Estée Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara ($19.50).

PINK AND RED LIPS WITH ATTITUDE

• Step one: Even out skin tone with powder foundation.
• Step two: Line lips and fill them in with a lip pencil. "This will help the color last longer," says Turnbow. To get staying power with-out lip liner, use a long-wear lip color like L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour in Color of Hope ($11.99; $2 will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund).
• Step three: Apply lipstick. Try Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick in Watermelon ($14) or Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cha Cha Cherry ($7.99).

DARK, SHINY NAILS
Fashionable fingers will be drenched in shimmery polishes this season. The greenish silver at Chanel had a rock 'n' roll vibe, while the metallic mauve at Bill Blass was a more sophisticated take on the trend. Try Chanel Nail Colour in Kaléidoscope, $20, a sparkly sage shade.

AMAZING LASHES
Stacked lashes, seen at Versace, are an eye-opener. Buy falsies (or flashier versions, like Viktor & Rolf's) and cut them in half, advises Max Factor makeup artist Jake Bailey. "Apply to the outside of each eye so the longest lashes are closest to the temple," he says.

Product Review: Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover

Over the past few weeks I've been testing out a few skin care products from the Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover line. I wanted to really give these products a good test drive before giving you all a review. All the products mentioned below are available at CVS stores or at www.cvs.com if you're like me and don't have CVS in your area (sometimes I really miss the east coast!).

Redder than Rudolph?

Try skin effects Flawless Effects Redness Control Calming Gel Cleanser, a gentle daily cleanser that brightens skin and gently lifts away makeup and impurities without irritation. The formulation helps to visibly reduce skin redness, flushing and inflammation that come from harsh winter winds with a special blend of Arnica, Solomon’s Seal, Cypress and Malt with tonic action extracts. This product is formulated to be soap-free and fragrance-free for red, irritated skin and skin prone to rosacea. Price: $12.99 for 6.6 fl. oz.

My take: I've been using this cleanser every day. I really like how gentle it is on my skin. It doesn't dry my face out at all--sometimes my skin feels tight after I wash it, but not this cleanser. It dispenses easily and does a great job removing makeup and other yucky things that no doubt find their way to my face each day. There is basically no scent to this, which is nice. I don't have rosacea or skin that is especially prone to redness, so I can't say for sure if this would help out with such issues. The only thing I'd probably change about this product is the color. I don't like the fake blue tone to it, though I imagine that the color somehow helps provide redness relief.

Lips Lacking Luster?

Try skin effects Lip Effects Complete Lip Care System, a revolutionary 3-step regimen that exfoliates, repairs and moisturizes while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips. Step 1) Lip Smoothing Scrub, Step 2) Peptide Treatment Serum, and Step 3) Lip Balm SPF 15. Price: $19.99 for two 3.5 g tubes and one 3.5 g pen

My take: The lip scrub is easy to apply and does a nice job exfoliating. It leaves my lips smooth and not cracked like they can be in the winter. Both the treatment serum and the lip balm soothed and refreshed my lips, leaving them feeling moisturized and protected--not sticky, like some balms. My only problem with the balm and the serum was their design. They are like clicky pens...you have to click the top of the applicator to get the product to dispense. At first it took me awhile to "prime" both products, but once I did they were easy to use.

Little Time to Fix Those Little Lines?

Try skin effects Daily Quenching Mask, with Transdermal-24 technology (a patented compound that forms an invisible layer over skin keeping active ingredients in place for more than 24 hours). This intense mask infuses and seals in moisture, thoroughly rehydrating skin in just minutes for all day continuous treatment. In just five minutes, skin appears satin-soft, healthy-looking and radiant. Price: $19.99 for 1 oz. tube

My take: This mask is pretty cool! You can either put it on for five minutes and then wash it off, OR you can apply it and then wear it to bed, which is how I used it. It's very mild and full of moisture. It left my skin amazingly smooth in the morning, a feeling that carried over the rest of the day. I loved it! The only downside of this was the scent. It might just be me, but this has a slightly fishy smell that is somewhat off-putting. That said, it's still a very decent product, especially for the price.

Drier than a Martini?

Try skin effects Intensive Overnight Repair Cream, an intense hydrating cream that contains breakthrough peptide technology clinically-proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles while preventing new lines and wrinkles from forming. When used daily, this advanced regenerating formula will encourage collagen and elastin formation for skin that is smoother, firmer and younger-looking. Price: $19.99 for 1 oz. jar

My take: This product also gave me an amazing amount of moisture. It left my skin feeling smoother and softer--all good! I love using a special night cream, and this one did everything it said it would. My winter skin is usually dry and flaky, but this products left me moisturized but not greasy. Just what I wanted from a night cream.

Again, all these products are readily available at CVS. They have the right price and deliver a ton of winter relief. Perfect for this time of year!

Beautiful Head to Toe

The winter season is tough on us for oh-so many reasons. First, days are shorter and we deal with more hours of darkness. Add to that the holidays (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years) and all their stress. Toss in a hefty dose of bad weather, and BAM! The next thing you know, you have dry, flaky, itchy skin, and you can't wait for a new season to roll around.

Here are a few tips for caring for your skin--head to toe--so you can avoid the dreaded dry winter skin trap:

• For your entire body: try showering at night. You'll be less likely to use super hot water at night. When you shower in the morning, you're colder and more likely to turn the heat up a few notches. Hot water zaps your skin of its moisture and leaves behind dry, itchy skin. This tip is hard for me...I adore my morning shower and can't even think about changing to a nighttime cleaning. To keep your skin from drying out while maintaining a morning shower routine, try to use a moisturizing body wash instead of a bar soap. It also wouldn't hurt to use an exfoliating body scrub several times a week.
  
• For your feet/heels: In the morning and the evening, apply a lotion containing lactic acid and then try a rich foot cream. For a lactic acid lotion, try something like this and for a foot lotion, try this. You should see results in about 2 weeks. And, just because its winter and you're not wearing flip flops (I hope!) maintain your pedicure schedule. A little professional pampering will keep your feet soft and your nails looking cute!
  
• For your back: It is tough to reach your back and moisturize it properly. Yet, the back is prone to dry patches. What's a girl to do? Spritz on a dry oil spray--you'll be able to cover more surface space (and those hard to reach spaces), and your back will be scale free! Or, you could ask someone to lather you with moisturizer daily--but somehow I like the idea of being a bit more self sufficient and using the dry oil spray!
  
• For your arms: This may sound a bit funny, but those annoying bumps you get on your arms can be buffed away with an at home microdermabrasion kit (like Olay). This stuff works for your face, so it's sure to make your arms smooth and bump-free!
• For your hands: Steer clear of harsh antibacterial soaps and instead opt for good old fashioned soap and water. And don't use water that's too hot. Slather on your favorite and richest hand cream whenever you need a little extra pampering. You can also exfoliate your hands with any sort of exfoliating scrub you would use for your body or face.
  
• For your lips: Exfoliating your lips regularly will keep them chap-free. But you don't need to buy anything special to get the desired effect. Instead, just light run your toothbrush over your lips each morning and apply your favorite moisturizing lip balm. My current favorite balm obsession is Boots Mediterranean Grape, Olive, and Nectarine Lip Butter (available at CVS and Target).
• For your scalp: Here's an easy at-home tip for keeping your scalp flake free: massage it for five minutes with olive oil about once a week. If you're experiencing an itchy, flaky scalp, crush an aspirin and mix it in with your olive oil. This will both moisturize and exfoliate.

Now you have no excuses for scaly skin. Of course if you are suffering from eczema or other itchy skin conditions, you may want to consult a dermatologist for some relief.

It's Too Early For This!

Halloween just ended a few days ago. Election Day hasn't even passed yet, and already every retail store is pushing the holidays...hard. Coming back from my mini-vacation, my email inbox was filled with messages from beauty companies telling me what I need to buy this holiday season.

It just seems to early for all this! But I think I've caught on to how retailers push the holidays. It goes something like this:

• December 26th: Put all the holiday stuff on sale and start selling Valentine's Day crap
• February 15th: Discount V-day and push St. Patrick's Day and Easter
• Day after Easter: Half off peeps and the start of the Mother's Day/Father's Day/Graduation/4th of July Season
• July 5th: Goodbye Uncle Sam, hello Halloween! Oh, and Thanksgiving. Can't forget that!
• October 31st: Adios, pumpkins. Time to bust out the Christmas spirit. Ho, ho, ho.
  

Even though I'm totally not feeling it right now, I'm bound to be forced into the Holiday frenzy soon enough. And I'm sure I'll be telling you all about the amazing products, palettes, and limited edition gift ideas hitting the market just in time for the happiest time of the year.

But I just can't do it yet...I need to bask in the calmness of the pre-Thanksgiving down time. There's plenty of time to worry about what blush I need to buy and what mascara is "the one" to give this year. After all, nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a brand new lipstick.

What's your take? Do you think they're pushing the holiday cheer a little early this year or am I just being a Ba-Hum-Bug?