Quick Break!

Hi everyone!  I'm going to be taking this week off.  It's my 7th wedding anniversary, so my hubby and I are having a "stay-cation" and are taking the week off of work.  We're planning day trips all around the Seattle area and because of my time off, I won't have the time (or motivation!) to give you all daily updates.

I'll be back on Monday, November 1st with plenty of new content.  I have a lot to tell you about, including:

• Review of body cream (now that cooler weather is headed our way!)
• Review of new shampoo/conditioner line
• Review of fun, organic soaps (and--hopefully!--a giveaway)
• More news on fall/winter trends
• Holiday gift ideas (yes, the holidays really ARE here!)
• Another "Getting Healthy" update
• and much, much more...

In the meantime, if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi, you can reach me a number of ways:

• Email (asklydia@hotmail.com)
• Twitter (miss_lydia)
• or just leave me a comment!

Have a great week and a happy Halloween.  Oh, and if you're a reader in the US, don't forget to VOTE!  There's a lot at stake in this election and I hope that no matter how you vote, you cast your ballot.  Women have a strong voice in the world of politics and we need to be heard!

First Lady Fabulous

Yesterday was an incredible day. It was inspiring and emotional to watch the inauguration. I am feeling hopeful about the future now that President Obama is in charge. And how exciting that he's bringing a dynamic, young, energetic family to D.C. with him. It's going to be interesting to watch the Obama girls grow up, and I know we're all going to be looking to Michelle Obama and talking about her fashion choices. We have a First Lady with style back in the White House.

Today, I am going to give you some hints on how to get two Michelle Obama-inspired looks. Two suggested inaugural makeup looks, created by her longtime friend and makeup artist Ingrid Grimes-Myles, were inspired by chic and classic neutrals for daytime and high-society glam with deep, rich purples for evening. (Note: illustrations below courtesy of Stuart McKenzie/EyeCandy.co.uk)

Now you can recreate the elegant yet effortless look of Mrs. Obama by following these how-to makeup application tips from Ingrid and new product recommendations:

All suggested product available at Beauty 360, CVS/pharmacy’s new prestige beauty store. (www.beauty360.com).
10-minute Face for Day

Face:

1. Begin with a cream foundation for all over coverage, using concealer under the eye and where needed. Follow with a pressed powder.
2. Contour with a powder that is a shade and a half darker then your natural skin tone. Apply on the sides of nose, from the ear to below the cheek and around temples and forehead. Blend well.
3. Apply a blush in a raisin shade on the cheeks, then add bronzer where the sun would naturally tan the face.

• Keep your skin glowing with a healthy diet, exercise, a diligent skincare regimen and make sure to keep your brushes clean.
  
• Using a contour powder about one and a half shades darker than your skin can add definition and create a more polished look, especially for important events.
  

Eye:

1. Use a neutral shadow all over lid in a yellow or bisque shade. Then apply a coordinating earth tone, such as a nutmeg, in the crease and along the lower lid and blend.
   
2. Apply a soft brown liner at the lash line and bottom lid, keep it subtle. For more impact, add a black liner to the top lash line.
3. Finish with black mascara
   

• Brows are the workhorse of the face. Shape your brows so they start above the inner eye, arch at the end of the eye iris. Fill in with a pencil where needed.
  

Lips:

1. Line with a neutral, mahogany shade and fill in the whole lip, layering two-three colored pencils.
   
2. Add a coordinating lipstick or gloss on top for some sheen.
   

• Layering liners before lipstick helps make the color last all day.
  

Suggested Products

Skin Prep

• Cleanser: Ahava Cleansing Milk $24.00
  
• Moisturizer: Sampar Barely There Moisture Fluid $45.00
• Face Prep: Borba HD Light Effects Serum, $50
  
• Lip: Borba Cashmere Fiber Lip Kit $10.50
  

Face

• Primer: Laura Geller Spackle: Under Make-up Primer $23.00
  
• Foundation: Laura Geller Phenomenal Foundation in Deep $36.50
  
• Concealer: Laura Geller Crease-Less Concealer in Deep $23.50
  
• Pressed Powder: Paula Dorf Pressed Powder in Pecan $30.00
  
• Contour Powder: Mineral Essence Deep Dark with red to blue undertones (D3) $22.00
  
• Blush: Paula Dorf Cheek Color in Sweet Cheeks $20.00
  
• Bronzer: Laura Geller Bronze-N-Brighten in Regular $29.50
• POP Beauty Blush Cake in Natural in Nudes $18.00
  
• Mineral Essence Blush in Glamour or Elegance $16.00, $18.00
  

Eyes

• Neutral Shadow: Model Co. ColourBox Eye Shadow in Seychelles $20
  
• Earth Tone Shadow: Model Co. ColourBox Eye Shadow in Portofino $20
  
• Mineral Essence Blush in Glamour or Elegance, $16.00, $18.00
  
• Eye Liner: Laura Geller Eye Liner in Mocha $15.50
• Liquid Eye Liner: Bloom Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black $23.00
  
• Mascara: Fusion Beauty - Lash Fusion in Black $39.00
  

Brows

• Brows: Model Co. EyeBrowz Designer Brow Kit $38.00

Lips

• Lip Liner: Paula Dorf Lip Liner in Retro $19.00
  
• Lip Liner Base: Paula Dorf Lip Liner in Rendezvous & Poetry $19.00 each
  
• Lipstick: Laura Geller Lip in Coral Chiffon $15.50
  
• Lip Gloss: Model Co. Disco Lights in Wow Pink $24.00
  
• Marina Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Sandcastle or Manila Mango $22.00
  
• It Cosmetics Pencils Dual Ended for Lip in Attract and Energy $22.00
  
• BLOOM Lip Definer $15.00
  

After 5- Face for Evening

Repeat steps from 10-Minute Face
Face:

1. Add subtle shimmer on the brow bone
2. Pump up cheek color to complement your color of dress
   
3. Add bronzer above the cheek
   

• Try products that combine 7-8 shades in one pressed powder for a more natural blended look.
  

Eye:

1. Add shadow with a deeper pigment and more prominent color and blend into the crease and lid for more drama.
   
2. Apply a charcoal or dark navy shadow from the lash line up, from the inner eye out and blend over lid for a smoky look.
3. Apply a strip of lashes to the top lash line.
   
4. Line the top and bottom lid with a liquid eye liner to make them really pop.
   

• Lash strips are easier to apply then individual lashes.
  

Lip:

1. Add more gloss for high shine in the evening.
   

• When creating a smoky eye, keep the lip a more neutral tone, avoid bright colors.
  

Suggested Products

Face

• Shimmer: Model Co. Model Co -Luminosity Highlighting Serum $32.00
  
• Blush: Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Berry $29.50
  
• Bronzer: Model Co. Glow Summer Bronze $36.00
  

Eyes

• Eye Shadow: Mineral Essence in Merlot $15.00
  
• Eye Shadow (Lash Line): Paula Dorf Eye Color in Hussy $20.00
  
• Liquid Eye Liner: Bloom Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black
  
• Mascara: Paula Dorf Lash Color in Licorice $19.00
  

Lips

• Lipstick: Paula Dorf Color Sheer in Innocence $20.00
  
• Lip Gloss: Paula Dorf Lip Slides in Petal $20.00

Cosmo Winner

Congratulations to PikachuHater! You are the winner of my Cosmo's Sexiest Beauty Secrets book giveaway. Pikachu, please email me when you can so I can get your book out to you.

And, I must say: Congratulations to the USA! We finally have a President we can believe in! I told you democracy is a beautiful thing.

Democracy is a Beautiful Thing

If you haven't done so already: shut off your computer, take a few hours off of work or school and go VOTE! Showing up at the polls is the bare minimum you can do to be a participant in the democratic process.

I saw the sign above on a road while on vacation in Maine, and I personally love it and echo it's sentiments. I voted a few weeks ago and my vote was for change. No matter what your political beliefs make sure you vote today. Every voice needs to be heard.

I'll be back tomorrow with beauty products for the holidays. Til then, enjoy all the news updates this evening and let's hope that everything goes smoothly. We don't want a repeat of the Gore-Bush election debacle.

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day! It's the unofficial end of summer, but it's also an important day historically. I work for organized labor and my husband is part of a union--and because of my leftist politics, I have think Labor Day is a very important day. If you don't know why we get this day off click here for more.

Here's a quick beauty tip in honor of Labor Day: If you have done a lot of manual labor, whether it be gardening for hours on end, typing far too much, whatever...why not give your hands some special attention? If you have any micro-dermabrasion products at home, try using them on your hands! All that exfoliating action will leave your hands soft and glowing...ready for the start of fall.

Here are a few at-home micorderm products to try on your hands, your face, any place you want a little extra smoothness:

• Kiehl's Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion
• Olay's Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel System
• Lush's Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser

Your hands will thank you!

Hangover Helper

Happy New Year!

Many of us are going to be drinking plenty of champagne and other adult beverages tonight to celebrate the start of a new year. But that may mean that you wake up on the first day of 2008 with a raging hangover, feeling like you've been hit by a truck.

Here are a couple of hints to help you feel better if you've over imbibed:

• Before you go to bed drink several glasses of water. Alcohol dehydrates you, so it's important to rehydrate as much as possible. Even during a big night of drinking be sure to drink plenty of water. A good rule of thumb is to have one alcoholic beverage, then a big glass of water, then your next alcoholic drink. That way you're getting more water in your system which may mean you don't feel the negative effects of your night out the next morning.
• Be careful with pain killers. While you may want to take a Tylenol or Advil before you go to bed, you need to be careful with mixing such medicines with alcohol. It's best to avoid it if at all possible. Just feel the pain and deal with it. You can survive this!
• Take you B vitamins. B vitamins are the vitamin workhorse. Bs have been known to help regulate PMS and they can also help metabolize all the alcohol you consumed. Take a B complex vitamin before going to bed to help restore your energy.
• Eat fruit. Apples, bananas, lemons, and limes have all been used to help cure hangovers. Try making a milkshake with banana and honey to calm your stomach and restore potassium, electrolytes, and other essentials to your body.
• Use ginger or mint. Both are known to help ease nausea. Try ginger or mint tea if your tummy isn't feeling great.
• Get plenty of rest. If you're planning a huge night out, also plan for a long, slow morning in the next day. You need to sleep it off, so give yourself time.
• Don't drink coffee! While you may be dying for a caffeine jolt, drinking too much caffeine will only further dehydrate you. If you really need a coffee, water it down or opt for decaf.
• Try a folk remedy. Some say drinking pickle juice, eating sauerkraut, slurping down menudo, or eating a bowl of chicken soup can cure a hangover. Like most things, it's probably mind over matter, so if you think this could help, go for it. It can't hurt!
• Get your body moving. It may be the last thing you want to do, but get yourself moving. Just take a walk around the block--getting some fresh air may be just what you need.

I hope these tips help! As always, the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly in the first place. And of course, if you plan on drinking, don't you dare drive. It's just not worth it. Get a designated driver lined up before your big night. Call a cab if you don't have someone to drive you. Remember: the life you save may vote democratic!

Have a happy and healthy New Year. See you in 2008!

Twas the Night Before Black Friday...

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all my U.S. readers have a pleasant Turkey Day and enjoy spending time with their friends and family. There is much to be thankful for so be sure to take a moment to reflect on all the good things life has to offer. A positive attitude sure can make you more beautiful!

As soon as the Thanksgiving meal is woofed down, stores across the country will be opening at the crack of dawn, offering the deals of the season. Here in the Seattle area, a few malls are even opening up at midnight to get the holiday shopping season underway. How many of you are planning to brave the crowds to get some shopping done tomorrow, Black Friday? I've done it in the past, but I have no interest in losing a minute of my much needed beauty sleep to stand in line with thousands of people to buy stuff I probably don't need.

Now, for all of you who are planning a Black Friday shopping extravaganza, here are some tips to make your shopping experience more successful:

• Get plenty of rest. All that tryptophan and alcohol you consume on Thanksgiving may make you sleepy. If you're planning on getting up super early to shop, adjust your bedtime so you get as many hours of good, solid rest as possible.
• Dress comfortably. I always find malls and shops a bit over heated, so I often leave my coat in my car and dress in layers. Comfortable shoes are a must!
• Leave your purse at home. Yikes! I know how hard this one is, but when you're buying tons of stuff and you have to carry a lot of bags, the last thing you need is to lug around a purse full of junk as well. Try to limit yourself to the essentials: your credit card(s), ID, cash, keys, and maybe a lip gloss. If you're smart, you can fit all this in your pockets, making the purse unnecessary. Remember: Black Friday is about deal hunting, not looking beautiful.
• Plan your attack. Make a list before you leave with all the gifts you need to buy, how much you want to spend, and what stores you want to go to. Doing so will keep you focused, keep you from overspending, and will make sure you don't forget someone. Plus, you can skip stores you don't need to go to to avoid mindless buying.
• Be careful. Make sure you know where all your stuff is and be sure to keep receipts. Also, be sure to stash your purchases in the trunk of your car so they are not visible to any annoying car prowlers. Don't leave stuff scattered all over your car--you'll just be inviting someone to rip you off, and there's nothing fun about that.
• Be nice and have a little patience. Before you start screaming about a line or start to vent on a salesperson, stop and breath. A little kindness goes a long way--think of it as good karma. Besides, Santa is watching after all and you don't want to be on the Naughty List.

Now, have fun and shop well. Go stimulate our economy!

Oh, and on a final, somewhat political note, I ask all of you to please, please, please avoid spending money at Wal-Mart (what my mom refers to as Wicked Evil). They're anti-union, they don't pay their employees well, they're sexist, and are the epitome of everything wrong and Republican about this country. Don't believe me? Click here, here, and here, for more.

A Public Service Announcement

Hi everyone! Don't worry, I'll get back to a normal, fluffy beauty-related post later today...I just have a little safety reminder for you all.

I was in a fender bender this morning. Some girl slammed into the back of my car, denting my bumper, cracking my lights, throwing my tubes of lipstick all around the car. It wasn't pretty and I'm not thrilled about the whole thing. My poor little Beetle!

To make matters worse, the girl who hit me was on the phone when the accident happened. So, I just want to remind you all that when you're behind the wheel DRIVING is your #1 responsibility. Not talking on the phone, not eating, not doing your makeup. I know, I know--we've all multitasked while driving...I'm just asking you all to hang up, put down that cheeseburger, put your makeup on before you leave the house...and concentrate on the road and what's in front of you. As my family would joke, the life you save may vote democratic!

Lecture over...I'll be posting a Beauty Product of the Week later today. Woo-hoo.