DIY: Smooth Lips for Fall

DIY: Smooth Lips for Fall

Autumn may be my favorite season--and not just because color abounds and warm coffee is that much more satisfying. Fall evokes bold change in the form of beautiful, vivid leaves. This makes it the perfect time to emulate nature's beauty on the lips. Many of my New York City makeup clients love to wear an edgy lip this time of year. Whether you're a nude lipstick kind of gal or someone who rocks red, red port on your pout, it's imperative to give your lips the TLC they so deserve for a lasting, wearable, smooth finish from morning till night.

Revel in soft lips with the following beauty tips:

Protect your pout.

We cleanse, tone, moisturize, and shield our skin from sun damage on a daily basis, so it can be easy to forget to keep our lips shielded from the sun too. One of the best ways to keep sun damage and chapped lips at bay is by using a lip balm with SPF during the day. One of my favorite products for soft lips and added protection is Maybelline's Baby Lips SPF 20.

Exfoliate flaky skin.

No one likes a flake... It can be tempting to pick dry skin on the lips leading to raw, irritated skin. Rather than pick at dry bits, I recommend exfoliating dead skin cells for a clean, polished look. I was recently sent REACH Complete Care brushes with triple angle bristle technology. Not only do these brushes make a great tool for exfoliating the lips, but the package of two allows one for lips and one for teeth to ensure a beautiful smile from inside and out.


Prepare your lips.

When it comes to makeup, it's all about the prep work. Laying down product over skin that hasn't been cared for will never lead to the best results. When beginning your makeup routine, use a nourishing lip balm first. Before applying liner or lipstick, blot off the excess. Voila! Smooth, satiny lips that are plump and ready to absorb product evenly and beautifully.

Follow Makeup Artist Sara Kosmyna on Instagram and Twitter @SaraKosmyna for photos, product recommendations, and more! Visit www.SaraKosmyna.com for even more.

What are some of your favorite ways to get a gorgeous pout?

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Mist Your Way to Moisturized with Fake Bake Oil Free Mistifier

Mist Your Way to Moisturized with Fake Bake Oil Free Mistifier

Light. Fragrant. Velvety.

Fall may be a few short summer sunsets away, but that doesn’t mean your skin won’t need nourishment under those pants and long sleeves. Recently, Fake Bake sent me a sample of their new Oil-Free Mistifier body spray moisturizer. This gentle and enriching spray moisturizer has been a great addition to my beauty arsenal, especially during quick mornings before a big makeup gig. I love that it comes out in an even and light mist that can be used daily. 

Gone are the days of globs of moisturizer smeared between fingers from a too-generous tube squeeze. Aloe, Ginger, Green Tea, and Vitamin E culminate to offer superbly soft, silky smooth skin. I can appreciate the gentle application, which can be customized to suit dry, oily, and in-between skin types. The bottle contains four ounces of product and is small enough to tote daily in a purse. For the ultimate user-friendly experience, be sure to hold the can at least eight inches away from your skin and spray in long even strokes. This product can be rubbed in with the hands, and those who wish to use it as a face moisturizer can apply it to the face with a sponge. 

Revel in your most beautiful skin through summer and into autumn with Fake Bake's Oil-Free Mistifier Moisturizer Body Spray, which retails for $10.99.

What's your favorite Fake Bake product?

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NAAT Treatment Repair Care with Acai Berry and Keratin Guest Blog

NAAT Treatment Repair Care with Acai Berry and Keratin Guest Blog

The Beauty Blunder Blog would like to welcome guest blogger, Lee Ann for sharing her hair transformation story and product recommendations!

For a long time, my naturally coarse and frizzy hair was severely abused from clip-in hair extensions. It’s no exaggeration that I wore my beloved clip-ins five days a week for a little over a year. It was a catch 22 at its finest: what transformed my hair to bombshell status was also slowly but surely destroying it. As time went on, my hair became so damaged that I thought it unsalvageable. 

I was desperate for a hair ‘savior’. Lo and behold, nuNAAT literally came to the rescue right on time. 

When I was just about to throw in the towel, reach for a buzzer and pull a Britney Spears (circa 2007), a girlfriend suggested I try the line to see what it could do for my hair. I’m a pamper junkie, so I nearly salivated when I first caught a glimpse of the mask and read the label. I couldn’t wait to saturate my poor, wretched strands with it and treat them to an "ooh ahh" moment. When I first opened each of the bottles and jars, a delicious fruity scent filled the air. Now I literally salivated.

Over a period of two weeks, I used the whole sha-bang: shampoo, conditioner, hair mask and leave-in treatment from the Treatment Repair Care with Acai Berry and Keratin. I can honestly testify that I went from hair-horrified to hair-happy. I was also excited to use products that contain protein-rich keratin and antioxidant-packed acai berry. My hair now looks and feels noticeably softer and touchable. The bonus is that it left my hair smelling intoxicatingly yummy.

Since then, I've put the clip-ins aside and felt much more confident wearing my natural hair!

What was your experience trying nuNAAT products in the past? Check out their videos on YouTube.

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Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Product Review

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Product Review

It's Thursday and down-pouring in New Jersey, but that won't stop me from sharing another one of my favorite beauty products! After all, what's better than a day where you can snuggle up at home and learn about gentle and effective products that work?

If I'm going to be completely honest with you, and I always am, I have to tell you that I'm one of the unfortunate ones when it comes to sweat--and if I'm nervous, God help the lady who's stuck sitting next to me.

Well, not anymore!

I found a great product from Naturally Fresh that's portable, lasts exceptionally long, and doesn't leave streaks or stains on my blouses. This gentle solid of natural Mineral Salts and Aloe Vera is activated by running the top under water for a second or simply spritzing it with water, just enough to make it slick. Then, it glides on smooth and keeps sweat and unattractive odors at bay. While I wear it, I feel confident, dry and protected.

After using it for awhile, I decided to buy a few of them and keep them in different places like my car, office desk, purse and bathroom. You see this product does help with sweat, but it doesn't help with forgetfulness. Convenient, affordable, and effective.

I can't get enough, so I give it 5 stars!!!!!


Follow Naturally Fresh on Facebook and Twitter @NatFreshDeoCrys for more information and updates.

What's YOUR secret to sweat-free confidence?

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'Brows That Wow' Giveaway

'Brows That Wow' Giveaway

My Glamazons,

I'm happy to share some exciting news with you! This week I announced that I'm doing my first *giveaway* on the new Brows That Wow page on Facebook. All you have to do is "Like" the page and you will be entered to win a fun package of brow and eye-area related products! A random winner will be selected once the page has 100 Likes..

Good luck!

xO Sara

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Zim's Max-Freeze for Pain Relief

Zim's Max-Freeze for Pain Relief

Pain free is the way to be. 

As a busy beauty writer and eyebrow artist, it's no surprise that my neck and upper back muscles are often tired and sore. When I was sent Zim's Max-Freeze Gel and Zim's Max-Freeze Roll On, I couldn't wait to give them a try. Both went on smoothly and left behind a cooling sensation that eased the tense feeling in my neck, shoulders and back. I would recommend the roll-on version for those who want an easier application without having to wash your hands, since you just roll it onto the necessary muscles and joints that need some cooling therapy and go about your day. The tube has to be applied by hand and then you must wash your hands thoroughly after. Both worked very well to soothe and cool, and they retail for just $9.99.

Natural ingredients:

• Menthol
• Aloe
• Arnica
• Vitamin E
• Tea Tree Oil

Follow Zim's on Facebook and Twitter.

Are you a cosmetologist who gets neck and back pain? Share your tips and tricks below.

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NeoCell Beauty Supplements for the Skin

NeoCell Beauty Supplements for the Skin

NeoCell Product Review and a Sneak Peak at My Beauty Supplements

Beauty lovers, pay attention!

In honor of being told that my skin looks “resurfaced and dewy” today (just imagine the big grin that gave me), I thought I’d share with you two of my latest beauty secrets in the form of supplements*.

Product Review:

NeoCell is a company whose products are sold at Whole Foods, GNC, The Vitamin Shoppe and others. Recently, I tried two items from their line: Hyaluronic Acid Capsules and Super Collagen Powder. 

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5 Beauty Routines That Can Make You Look Older

5 Beauty Routines That Can Make You Look Older

On the quest to being our most beautiful selves, we can sometimes get carried away with practices that do the reverse of what we want—actually make us look older. Here are five beauty mistakes to avoid or, at best, reconsider before taking the plunge to Beauty Blunder status. Sure, some of these tips may actually work for you, but remember to give them some thought first.

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The Breakfast of Beauty Champions

The Breakfast of Beauty Champions

Beauty begins on the inside. That’s what I tell myself every morning when I crawl out of bed, care for my skin and make a wholesome breakfast. If not for beauty, every day I would be very tempted to eat those sugary cereals with tiny marshmallows shaped like hearts and rainbows.

Personal food cravings aside, I know that along with eating healthy it’s also crucial to stay moisturized internally by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Keeping your skin hydrated, and feeding it nutritious foods, are two key factors in how great your complexion will look.

To coincide with your skincare regimen, be sure to incorporate into your diet a healthy portion of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins—all of which will help your natural beauty radiate from the inside out.

If your skin is in need of a beauty boost, try making my favorite omelet for breakfast:

(Proof of me in the kitchen.) 

Although, if your omelet looks like this Uzbek plov something has gone terribly wrong.

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Better Skin in 1 Month: The New Beauty Challenge

Better Skin in 1 Month: The New Beauty Challenge

2013 is almost here, and there’s no better time to get serious about skincare. You may be on the quest to find the fountain of youth, but—since there’s no magic cure—it may be wiser to spend your time making beneficial lifestyle changes that will protect your skin and prevent premature aging.

Even the most die-hard skincare junkies can use a lesson in the fundamentals of great skin, so pay attention to the following tips and incorporate them into your routine for beautiful skin. If you’re diligent about properly caring for your skin, there is no doubt that your complexion won’t be better off in a month.

1. Establish a skincare regimen.

Many skincare and makeup products are designed for specific complexion types. When you use appropriate products for your skin, your complexion will receive the proper levels of hydration, oil control and exfoliation to make it naturally beautiful and radiant. A thorough skincare regimen includes a cleanser, toner, exfoliant, eye cream and moisturizer.

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