Cosmetic Safety - When it's time to say goodbye

We all have a favorite lipstick or eyeshadow that is our "go to" product, and we've used it forever. Well, it's okay to use it forever as long as you are not keeping the same tube or tin around forever. Old makeup can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and this is especially harmful when your mascaras and eye products become the petri dish. How long should you use your favorite products and keep them around at the bottom of your bag anyway? Here are some guidelines:

Mascara: Change tubes every three months

Foundation: At least one new bottle/tube per year

Concealer: A year to 18 months and then toss it

Powder: This has a long life of about 18 months

Powder Blush/Bronzer: Same as above

Creme blush: One year to 18 months

Eye shadow or eye liner (powder): 18 months max

Liquid liner: Six months and it's time for a new one

Lipstick/gloss: One year to 18 months, or if it develops a bad odor or taste

Lip liner pencil: About one year and then replace

Nail polish: Around one year or when texture renders it unusable

Keep your makeup in a clean makeup bag and be sure to replace the caps tightly. Take a look once yearly. When you do your Spring cleaning of your home, take a look in your purse and makeup bag and see what needs to be replaced. If looks or smells a bit off, then don't put it on your face, eyes or lips!

Winter Boots - What to wear?

There are lots of choices out their for winter feet! The selection runs the gamut from boots to moccasins. The materials are anywhere from fur to patent leather. And get your bunion pads out because the pointy toe is back.

Mountain boots are definitely an option this winter, and they are coming in a variety of colors and lace patterns. They have wedged heels, flat heels and high heels. You can wear them tied, untied or somewhere in between. When you hit the mall, you will see some of the top designers offering a hiking boot style, so don't be afraid to try them on.

What about thigh high boots? They can be used to sex up an outfit as well as add a retro feel to your wardrobe. You can wear thigh high boots in a number of different way, including with jeans and a chunky sweater, or with a jacket and lacy skirt for a totally different look. As an added bonus, thigh high boots are great for giving the illusion of a longer leg.

If comfort is your "thing," take a look at some of the moccasin type shoes. These are extremely comfortable even when they are high heeled! If you want to be trendy and comfortable, these are a super cute option.

The really pointy toe pump is back this season. It can be found in a variety of textures and colors and can work with everything from tapered trousers to stirrup pants. Some designers are featuring a retro look with these pumps by adding bows and flat block heels. These can be nice options for work attire.

So as you head out for winter shoes and boots, you will see there is something out there for every taste. Whether you want to try the hiking boot look, high heeled moccasin or patent leather and pointy pump, they are all out there for the taking this season.

Get Buttered Up with Shea Butter

Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that contains properties very similar to those produced by our own sebaceous glands. Those who swear by it say it helps with everything from wrinkles to rashes. And it that wasn't enough, it also contains anti-bacterial properties, or wound healers, that are extremely beneficial.

Now, we are not talking about the products that say they contain shea butter, we are talking about 100% pure shea butter. Don't be fooled. Products can say they contain an ingredient even if it is just a tiny amount, and to get the amazing benefits of shea butter you want to make sure you are getting the 100% real deal.

Shea butter comes from the nut of the Shea trees found in Africa, and is a natural fat extracted from the nut of an African tree called Vitellaria Paradoxa. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion. The butter is also edible and used widely in food prep. Whenever anything is pure enough that it can be consumed as a food, you can feel good about putting it on your skin. The skin is the largest organ on our body, and what we put on the skin gets absorbed by the skin and into our bodies-the less chemicals the better.

As the winter moves in, the cold and dry air moves in too. The skin can no longer draw moisture from the air and can become dry, cracked and itchy. A great moisturizer can help relieve these symptoms and keep you feeling silky smooth throughout the cold and dry winter ahead.

Okay, so how do you select a good quality shea butter so that you can reap the benefits? Here are some tips for you:

* Look for the American Shea Butter Institute of Approval Seal

* What is the processing method? (Traditional extraction is the one you want)

* The color will vary from light gray to medium yellow. If it is white, it is not natural

* The scent will be natural and strong. This will fade over time.

* The texture should be smooth and soft (like butter)

* Look for 100% pure

The price of shea butter ranges from $5 for a large jar at beauty supply stores and online all the way to $39 or more for cosmetic brands, like L'Occitane, sold at Nordstrom's and other department stores.

Now, the next times someone tries to "butter you up," make sure it is with shea butter!

Winter Coats for 2011 - Bright and Bold!

This weekend, as we set the clocks back, it is time to think ahead about our winter coats and what will look good while keeping us toasty. Before you pull out the standard black or tweed wool coat AGAIN, let's see what other alternatives there are.

Winter 2011 coats are all about bold shades, dramatic prints and embellishments. These are not your mother's winter coats, girls! Interesting cuffs, creative stitching and metallic buttons are all in the mix this winter.

As for color, don't be shy about wearing a bright yellow, fuchsia or red wool this winter. If you choose one of these bold striking shades, you'll want the other elements of the coat to be a bit subdued in order for the focus to be on the color and line of the coat. Just like with everything else, moderation is the key.

Try wearing a coat with checks or other prints with a pair of jeans and boots. A nice scarf in a solid color is a great way to accent the patterned and printed coats.

If you really want to be a stand out on a bleak winter's day, try an embellished coat option. Look for a coat with ruffles, bell sleeves or a belted waist. A wool coat with a big bow in the back is not out of the question this year! Sounds fun, right?

Take a look in your department and specialty stores and see what catches your eye. The weather forecast may be dark and cold, but your fashion forecast is all about fun!

Eyebrow Grooming - Tweeze, Wax or What?

Keeping your eyebrows well groomed and well shaped goes a long way in making you look fabulous. Your eyebrows frame your eyes, and so you want them to look well taken care of and compliment the shape of your face. There are various techniques that you can use to do this, although some are more familiar to us than others. Here is some information on the three most common techniques:

Tweezing is great for plucking out a stray hair here and there as they grow in, and it is also very cost effective. Tweezers range in price from a few dollars to twenty dollars or more for a good pair. You simply grasp the stray hair and pluck it out. The small amount of discomfort only lasts a few seconds. Be very careful not to over pluck your eyebrows! The hair takes a few weeks to grow back, and that can seem like an eternity when you are walking around with a misshapen eyebrow or two. A good idea is to have a professional do an initial shaping of your brows, and then you can pluck the stray hairs that grow back in.

Eyebrow Threading was developed in India, but slowly became popular in America and other countries. What exactly is threading? I was wondering that same exact thing. Cotton thread is formed into a double strand so a hair or line of hairs can be grabbed and removed from the eyebrow. Removing a line of hairs with this method creates a very clean line. The hair will grow back in approximately four weeks or so. You want to look for someone highly skilled in this method, and this will help reduce any discomfort and redness you may experience. The price range for this method is sort of all over the place at between five and forty dollars.

Waxing is one of the most popular methods for grooming brows, and it can be done at home and in salons. The two methods of waxing are hard waxing and strip waxing. Hard waxing uses warm wax that is placed on the area, allowed to cool and removed by taking it off in the opposite direction, removing the unwanted hair with the wax. Strip waxing is done by placing a thin strip of wax on the area in the direction of the hair growth. A piece of cotton or paper is placed over the line of wax, and using a very quick movement the strip is pulled away in the opposite direction, taking the excess hair away with it. A very skilled technician should be used for waxing to avoid any burning of the skin and excessive discomfort. There are many kits available to do this at home, too. Salons charge anywhere from ten to twenty dollars for this service, and waxing is quite popular on other areas of the body as well.

You can decide which method is best for you by considering your budget and pain threshold. Technicians in a salon are very happy to sit with you and discuss the best shape for your eyebrows and explain the method they use in detail. Happy shaping to you!

Lipstick 101 - Matte? What's that?

Going to the local drugstore and picking up a tube of lipstick "ain't what it used to be," as the saying goes. There are a variety of lipstick formulas out there, as well as literally thousands of colors to satisfy everyone. Here are some basics to help you pick the right lipstick for you.

1. Matte: Matte lipstick is perhaps the most dramatic. These lipsticks provide dense rich color and are "flat" instead of shiny. As matte lipsticks can be a tad drying to the lips, it is best to apply a light moisturizer to your lips before applying the lipstick. Some matte formulas contain Vitamin E to help minimize drying of the lips. Matte lipsticks tend to look best on younger plump lips that are smooth and unlined.

2. Creme: Creme lipsticks are quite popular. The formula has a higher wax content than others. Although this servers to protect the lips, it can also leave lips feeling dry. Like matte lipsticks, creme lipsticks are also a bit "flat," and an application of clear lip gloss on top of the color can add some "oomph."

3. Pearls and frosts: Ah, yes. I remember them well! Frosts and pearls can make your lips stand out. They are shimmery and a bit funky. The light reflecting properties in these lipsticks make your lips glisten and sparkle. This formula, too, can benefit from a moisturizer applied as a base on your lips, as they tend to be heavy and drying. These shimmery potions may be best used in the evening, as they can appear somewhat harsh or over the top in the light of day.

4. Long-lasting, stay put and won't come off....ever: These lipsticks are designed to hold color on your lips for long periods of time, for an entire day in some cases, without transferring on to drinking glass, through smooching or anything else. The staying power in these lipsticks also has a drying effect. Look for the brands with built in moisturizers, or you can apply your own.

5. Gloss: If you want shine, you want a lip gloss. If you want to enhance smaller lips, you want lip gloss. The pigment is not as saturated in a gloss, and so many women use the gloss over their lip color. Applying a shimmery dot of gloss to the center of your lips, over your lipstick, is a great trick used to make lips appear larger.

The right lip formula is just as important as the right lip color. Think about the situation you will be wearing your lipstick in, and then choose the formula that will suit it best.

Contour Makeup: What it is and how to do it!

Do you want to accentuate your cheekbones, re-define your jawline or make your eyes pop? If you answered yes, but want to avoid "drastic measures," then you should learn makeup contouring techniques. When done correctly, contouring can change the look of a face dramatically. Likewise, when done incorrectly it can look like a hot mess!

Contouring is basically playing with light and shadows. Light accentuates a feature and tricks the eye into thinking something is "more there" than it really is. Dark tones can recess and create depth that really isn't there. Sounds great, right? So how exactly are these feats of wonder achieved?

Start with applying a neutral base foundation with a damp sponge. This will even your skin tone and cover any blemishes and small imperfections on your skin. Gently buff all over to remove any excess foundation. Now, you are ready to contour!

Using a darker toned foundation or blush, take a brush and apply to the areas that you want to appear deeper, under the cheekbones for example. Apply this darker tone slightly upwards and outwards. Make sure you are working in good light!

Likewise, you will lighten and highlight the areas that you want to stand out. Under the brow bone is a great place to highlight to accentuate your eyes. You can use a lighter foundation or light colored eye shadow to accentuate this area. Very important: Blend, blend and then blend again. You do not want lines of demarcation so that it looks like you have stripes of color anywhere on your face. This should look seamless! Another great place to accentuate with a lighter color is on the top of the cheekbone. You can get those high cheekbones with a lighter blush applied just right to the top of the cheekbones.

Contouring is extremely useful for minimizing the appearance of a large nose. Take a look in the mirror and notice how the part that extends the most is the part that is lighter in color. You would want to put your darker toned foundation on that area, and then dab the lighter color on the sides. This will minimize the natural contrast. Pretty cool, right?

Now, what about your lips? Is your pout not as full and sexy as you'd like it to be? Try this trick: take a lip liner that is just a bit darker than your lip shade and line your lips along the natural lip line. Then, fill in your lips with your lip color. You can also add a tough of gloss to the center of the lips to create light there. Poof! Your lips look instantly fuller.

Contouring is not easy, and it takes a lot of practice for it to look natural. Plump lips, high cheekbones and a smaller nose are just a brush stroke away!

Check out this video to see how it is done:

How to Apply Contour Makeup: How to Apply Professional Makeup | eHow.com