Help Me Get Gorgeous In 5 Minutes

Welcome to the 5 minute face. Yes, you can apply makeup within five, tiny minutes and achieve a polished and pretty look. And all you need to have---are 5 beauty items. So stop screaming that you don't have even 5 minutes to waste. Help is on the way.

1. Foundation. Yes, we all need a little, unless your complexion is just about perfect. That means zero undereye circles, zero uneven pigment, zero zits, zero lines and wrinkles, etc. Our makeup legend friend, Sandy Linter, says that we all need some coverage for those reasons. And Sandy says that foundations usually offer some amount of SPF, so you are protecting your skin from the elements when you wear foundation, be it liquid, cream, powder, or mineral.
Try: Revlon ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex ($12.99) ColorStay comes in 12 shades and in Normal/Dry or Combination/Oily. Halle Berry is said to be a big fan of ColorStay Makeup. Okay, she is a spokesmodel for Revlon, but I believe her.

2. Eyeshadow. We could all benefit from a little color on the eyes, especially when it's classic and pretty. Go for a neutral shade and apply all over the lid.
Try: Nars Cream Single Eyeshadow in Paper Tiger (Toffee, $21). This is a nice, soft, brown-beige shade and complements most eye colors. A long-lasting cream to powder formula.

3. Mascara. Need we say more? Mascara is probably one of the more important beauty items to always include in your makeup plan on a daily basis. Why? Simply put, mascara opens up the eyes. You don't have to put on 30 coats. Just a couple and you will see the difference that long lashes and wide eyes can make.
Try: CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Blaster Mascara ($7.99) This mascara is a great lash-plumper and comes in 4 intensities: Black. Brown. Black Brown. Very Black.

4. Blush. Cheek color. According to Sandy Linter, it's THE most important cosmetic to use every day. "It shows off your bone structure and gives your face depth and warmth." Blush gives you a healthy glow. A sheer bronzer can also give you the same healthy look, but with more of a tan and can be swiped all over---forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. Bronzers come in a big variety of hues. But remember to keep it sheer and not too dark.
Try: N.Y.C. New York Color-Color Wheel Mosaic Powder in Pink Cheek Glow ($4.99). These mosaic wheels come in 6 pretty palettes and give brightness to underlying skintone. Each wheel contains 4 shades, but when you apply to your face, the 4 combine into one color hue. An amazing beauty item at a great price.

5. Lipstick/Gloss. The finishing touch. You don't need to waste time lining your lips. And if you can't be bothered with lipstick, a gloss is very quick to apply to your lips. Lip color comes in so many, many colors. You can go neutral, light, or stay in the pink family for a classic look.
Try: Prescriptives Rain Gloss in Watery Melon ( $18.50). A soft, sheer pink coral shade. Light and healthy, not a heavy gloss. Lips look 'dewy,' as the Prescriptives people say.

There, you're gorgeous in 5 minutes!

Carmindy And Sally Hansen Launch New Makeup Line

If you've ever watched 'What Not To Wear,' then you certainly know makeup artist Carmindy Bowyer. Carmindy has always emphasized that women need to highlight their natural beauty, instead of piling on gobs of makeup and/or not wearing cosmetics at all.

Carmindy is proud of the new Natural Beauty line she inspired under the Sally Hansen brand. It just hit store shelves in mid May at CVS and other department stores. And right now at www.Ulta.com, buy one and get the other Natural Beauty item at 50% off. Plus, use the Ulta.com 20% coupon at the website, and you get some super money-saving deals.

The Natural Beauty Makeup by Sally Hansen, is priced from $7.95 to $12.95, and features everything from lipsticks to blushers to eye shadow palettes, and foundations. And the cosmetics are made with skin-friendly ingredients, including mineral, natural extracts, and active botanicals such as--bamboo, soy, papaya, and mango.

Carmindy will be using beauty items from her new makeup line on 'What Not To Wear,' when she performs her magical makeovers. Women always look so healthy and attractive after sitting for a Carmindy makeup session.

Makeup With Elf---Cheap And Gorgeous

Okay, I had not even heard of e.l.f. cosmetics until about a year ago. I guess I just never paid attention to makeup that barely cost a buck. Well, e.l.f. (eyes, lips, and face) is a truly amazing makeup brand. And if you've never checked out e.l.f., then do so now. And be ready to save a bundle on makeup. Cosmetics are so expensive, it's nice when you can get cheap makeup and still look gorgeous.

ELF has come out with some luscious new shades and products. And they sell cheap but strong brushes, too. Imagine....an all-over face brush for just a buck. You can't beat it. Alright, some of their beauty items cost a bit more, but when you can pick up a great mineral foundation for just $5.00 with 4 skin tones to choose from, you're really on a beauty roll.

I'm in love with ELF's Vanilla Coconut Body Butter ($5.00, 7 oz). The aroma is delicious. And the body butter is made with all sorts of soft and smooth ingredients like---sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter and coconut milk. And there's an entire vanilla coconut line. A body lotion. A hand cream. A hand soap. And a bath gel. The sizes are generous.

I'm also intrigued by ELF's 3 in 1 Color ($1.00). It's a blusher, an eye shadow, and even a lipstick, all-in-one stick of color. The new shades include---Pink Lemonade. Persimmon. Lilac Petal. And Toasted.

You can find e.l.f cosmetics at Kmart Sears Essentials department stores and the BigKmart department stores. Or you can order online.

Learn all about ELF here: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/.

Why not give ELF a try. Cheap makeup can be a very good thing.

How To Look Pretty In 2 Minutes Flat

Forgive me for picking on lovely actress Jennifer Garner. I've heard such wonderful things about her and Academy Award winning husband Ben Affleck. They enjoy raising their active toddler, Violet, without nannies. They lead a normal life, bringing their daughter to a public park and not being afraid to get their hands dirty in raising a little one. They seem like such a real, down-to-earth family, never showing off their Hollywood pedigree.

Now that I've said that.....a little blush or lip tint can make all the difference in the world, Jennifer. When you're past the age of 30, a subtle dab of makeup makes you even prettier. You don't have to look red-carpet-ready, but you should make an effort.

You can look pretty in 2 minutes flat! And all you need are 4 simple beauty items to get a gorgeous, natural look. Tinted moisturizer. Undereye concealer. Cream blush. Lip tint.

1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude ($42.00). In Style Magazine rated this 'Best Tinted Moisturizer for 2008.' Sheer and lightweight with an SPF of 20. Instead of foundation, this is quicker to put on and you get a nice, healthy glowing complexion.

2. Max Factor Erace Concealer in Natural 213 ($5.03). Just a quick dab and you cleverly hide dark circles. Creamy and soft.

3. Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin ($7.09). This little pot of cream blush was voted 'Best Blush for 2007' by Teen Vogue Magazine. Satin-soft and air-whipped. It goes on smoothly and lasts for hours on the apples of your cheeks. Natural color with just a hint of shimmer.

4. Savannah Bee Company Beeswax Lip Tint in Peach ($5.75) Not only heals and protects lips, but also gives just a hint of tint. Brightens your smile. 100% all natural.

The above beauty items come in several shades. This is just an example of how to look pretty in 2 minutes flat.

The Diet For Big, Healthy Hair

Gwyneth Paltrow and Kathy Hilton share something in common. To begin with, they are both very attractive Hollywood women. And yes, both women are blonde. But what's very similar, is the beautiful head of hair they each own. And both credit their luscious locks to a healthy diet of vitamins and supplements.

Do these vitamins for the hair really work? That's been a question that has challenged many skin care professionals. Some say that supplements for the hair work wonders. And others say, the results are less than amazing.

Allow me to put a personal note on the issue. When I was a freshman in college, after having burned my dark hair with 'Sun In' lightener and other chemicals, I decided I wanted my long, healthy hair back. I can't recall the name of the hair vitamins I took, except that the tablets were big, yellow pills. But I took them faithfully each day, and within three months or so, my hair started growing and growing. I no longer take any vitamins for my hair, but after having interviewed Kathy Hilton recently, I might just start them up again.

I had asked Kathy Hilton about her favorite beauty secrets. She was more than gracious to give me several. On that list was Phyto Phytophanere Dietary Supplements ($50, 120 caplets). Kathy told me "They're great for the hair."

If you look at the ingredients of Vitamins A, B, C, and E, plus Omega 3 and Omega 6, the formula seems like an intelligent combination. Marie Claire Magazine has called Phyto Phytophanere a great diet for the hair.

The Phyto folks claim the supplements take about 4 months to see results. But little by little, hair becomes healthy and lustrous. Nails get stronger. Skin becomes more radiant. Lashes get longer. And the pills help prevent hair loss.

Visit: www.bloomingdales.com for more information on Phyto supplements.

Meantime, Gwyneth Paltrow (mom of two), says that when she first got pregnant, she began taking prenatal vitamins, and then discovered how healthy her hair became. And she still takes the prenatal vitamins today. Gwyneth told Harper's Bazaar in 2006, that the brand she believes in is New Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal ($44.95, 90 tablets).

"It doesn't matter if you are pregnant," Gwyneth told the magazine. "I swear to God. I have double-processed blond hair, and it's so long and not damaged. Those vitamins. They are the trick."

A number of women credit their big, beautiful crowning glory to prenatal vitamins. But if you are not pregnant, can these supplements harm you? The only really worry there, is that prenatal vitamins contain a good amount of iron. And too much iron for a woman who is not expecting, can mess up her body. So it's best to check with your doctor if you decide to follow the Gwyneth diet for healthy hair.

For more information, visit: http://www.newchapter.com/.

For A Smooth And Soft Booty

Nordstrom's is simply a gorgeous store to shop at. I could live in there. And if you don't have a Nordstrom's near you, you can visit their online store, because the best beauty products are just a fingertip away. http://www.nordstrom.com/.

What I love about Nordstrom's is their 'What's New' division under 'Beauty & Fragrances.' Here, you can get an exclusive peek at the newest beauty items just hitting store shelves. From waterproof mascara to shower elixirs and more, they've got you covered from head to toe in the most attractive way.

I'm highlighting two beauty products that aim to give you a smooth and soft booty. Yes, booty. And pretty 'booty-ful' items I might add.

The first one is by Trish McEvoy, a makeup artist legend in her own right.

Trish McEvoy #6 Mandarin & Ginger Lily Body Polish Sugar Scrub ($18, 2 oz). This is a travel size product and very convenient to stash in your purse or overnight bag. The aroma alone, is more than heavenly. And Trish has put out an entire line of Mandarin & Ginger Lily items, inlcuding a luscious body cream and bath and shower gels.

Use this in the shower and exfoliate away for a smoother tush and tummy and more. The sugar scrub is gentle and yet, lifts away dead skin cells. An invigorating shower experience.

The second new beauty booty booster is by the good folks at Bliss. Use this one after the McEvoy Sugar Scrub.

Bliss 'FatGirlSleep' ($38, 6 oz.). This one is the turbo-charged sister of the Bliss FatGirlSlim.

Designed to relax your body as you apply the cream and then turn in for a good night's sleep. Formulated with the Bliss 'slenderiZZZe' complex, FatGirlSleep releases 'dimple diminishers' throughout the night, along with the calming notes of lavender, working their magic for up to 6 hours.

You awaken with a smoother, softer booty. Let's face it---anything that zeroes in on booty dimples, is fine by me. So grab some zzzz's and slenderize your behind in the process.

Makeup Tips From Sex And The City's SJP

The fabulous four---Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon hit the London Red Carpet at Leicester Square Sunday evening for the world premiere of 'Sex And The City: The Movie.'

The NYC girls looked radiant and fashion-forward, as they greeted a huge throng of fans. The movie, which is a sequel to the mega-hit HBO television series, opens May 30th in the United States. New York City is planning a major celebration when the characters of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda come home to the city that launched the empowerment of 30-something-and-beyond single women everywhere.

Celebrity makeup artist Leslie Lopez always creates SJP's natural and pretty makeup. And Sunday night, Leslie did it again. We've got Sarah Jessica Parker's Sex and The City makeup tips. According to our friends-in-the-know, it was Christian Dior cosmetics all the way:

DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation ($60)
DiorShow Mascara in Black ($24)
Dior Ultra Gloss Reflect in Jersey Pink ($24.50)
DiorBronze Essential Bronzing Powder ($40)

You can check out Christian Dior makeup at fine department stores and at: http://www.sephora.com/.

Leslie Lopez also applies makeup to these famous actresses---Kate Hudson, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Catherine Zeta Jones.