Hitting The Beach? Play Safe And Cover Your Ink!

Dear Readers: We got destroyed by a nasty computer virus recently, and finally are getting all our stuff back together. Thanks for your patience! XOXO, J. Tania

Let's be honest.If you've got some great ink, then you want to keep it that way.

And if you worship the sun, be aware that those powerful rays CAN cause gradually fading of your precious tattoos. Oh yeah. The sun accelerates color loss.

 So, what's a sexy gal with her sexy tats to do?

Cover up! Coppertone has a wonderful product that does just that. It's called Tattoo Guard and it protects your ink from the strong UVA/UVB rays. This stuff will stop tattoo fading + blurring. It's a pretty genius product.

We found the Coppertone Tattoo Guard Stick for $5.99 at drugstore.com.

Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.  Reapply:  After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying or at least every 2 hours.

We think this is a good ink protector!

Liquid Keratin Equals Shiny, Sleek + Manageable Hair

Looking for perfect, red carpet-ready hair?

Maybe your locks lack luster. Maybe your strands are limp + dry. Or damaged by bleaching, dyeing, perming, straightening, flat-ironing, etc.

Your hair NEEDS help. And that's where a great LEAVE-IN treatment makes a huge difference.

You want to LOCK IN HYDRATION. Here's a super product to invest in, and we say 'invest,' because the price isn't cheap: Liquid Keratin Infused Deep Conditioning Oil ($29, at drugstore.com).

Liquid Keratin is a rich, daily leave-in treatment packed with nourishing argan + baobab oils for shiny, healthy locks. If you desire sleek stick-straight hair, this serum delivers!

It's so simple to use, too.  "Apply a few drops to towel dried hair and style as usual."

In independent clinical lab studies of Liquid Keratin, treated hair had 100% less frizz, 70% less curl and was 25% longer with results lasting as long as 6 weeks.

Kourtney Kardashian Showing Off Slim Figure In Chic Shorts Sets

Kourtney, we LOVE your black Prada bag, of course. But we are also heart-ing your super cute shorts sets, if that's the proper fashion verbage.

We think Kourtney Kardashian looks fab, especially being a mom-of-2 recently. Younger sister Kim ALWAYS gets the attention, but we think it's time the eldest K-sister got some compliments. The proportions of her shorts sets are just right and make her petite stature look slim and tall with legs a mile long.

The reality show star just tweeted a picture of bags + bags + bags of clothes she no longer wears. You can scoop them up because Kourtney promises the fashions will soon be up for sale on Ebay.

Will you try on the new chic shorts sets trend?

Is the 7-Minute Workout Really Worth The Time + Effort?

12 exercises--7 minutes.

It doesn't appear to be that difficult, but these are high intensity circuit training movements with only 30-seconds rest in between.

So, what does this brief but rigorous mini workout really do for your body?

It's all the exercise you need. That's if you believe the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal. According to them, all that's required is your own body weight, a chair and a wall, to help you get it done.

"There's  very good evidence" that high-intensity interval training provides many of the fitness benefits of prolonged endurance training but in much less time, said Chris Jordan to the NYTimes.com. He is the director of exercise physiology at the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Fla., and co-author of the new article.

Does this intensive workout help you lose weight?

Yes.

"The incorporated  resistance training contributes significantly to the amount of fat burned during a workout. When resistance training exercises using multiple large muscles are used with very little rest between sets, they can elicit aerobic and metabolic benefits."

Watch GMA's Claire Shipman try the 7-Minute Workout.

Could you complete this very intensive workout?

Long, Lush Lashes: Sometimes The Magic Is In The Wand

We've been using drug store mascara for years now, and frankly, we LOVE it!!

The mascara industry has come a long way to advance the look of long, lush lashes. There are special formulas that promise to deliver gorgeous lashes, and we think for the most part---the ingredients have improved.

What's even more fascinating are the newer mascara wands. And we happen to believe that the beauty magic often comes from the wand's construction. .
Look at Maybelline's Lots of Lashes Mascara ($5.49. Buy 1-Get 1 50% Off, at ULTA. We adore this pink, bendable wand.  "Maybelline's Great Lash Lots Of Lashes exclusive great little grabber brush lets you easily reach all of your lashes to multiply their impact. No clumps; no mess."

Revlon has debuted its new Lash Potion Mascara ($7.99, at Amazon). With this colorful tube of 'spell-binding volume,' you also get a cool, triple-groove fat wand that easily combs through for clump-free length. Try one of these inexpensive masacaras with the tricked-out magic wands.

 

You can really reach each, entire lash!

Ginnifer Goodwin's Perfect Pink Never Fail Go-To-Lipstick

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin is instantly recognized for her signature modern pixie cut. She says she's not afraid to take beauty chances. And we can believe her, because she recently punked up her brows + eyes with heavy black shadow for the recent Met Gala (BeautyTipToday-2013/5), and was the talk-of-the-town!

Ginnifer told the June issue of InStyle mag this:

"I consider my face exceptionally boring, so I experiment with hair and makeup. My philosophy is definitely go big or go home!"

And added...."I don't mind trying something and failing because I love looking different every day."

When it comes to lips and she needs a boost, Ginnifer turns to NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage:

"I could be having an off day, running to the airport or somewhere, but if I slap on this lipstick, all is well in the world."

Carthage ($32).

Great choice, Ginnifer, because Hot pink lipstick is really, well, HOT for 2013!!

Soak This In: The Konjac Sponge Rubs Away Bad Skin + Damage

This is a funny thing. We had never heard of the konjac sponge until yesterday, when we received ours in the mail. Yes, we've heard of the Buf-Puf cleansing sponge and have used one often.

Until now......

The Ashieda beauty company sent us a konjac sponge along with some other products from their line, which we will discuss at another time.

The skin care company prides itself on natural anti-aging, hydration, and skin renewal.

Now, when we first saw the sponge in the package, we laughed. What the heck was that hard, white Styrofoam-looking thing on a tiny string?!

Well, once you wet it in warm water, wring it out, then massage it all over your face + neck, you will know that Ashieda, a U.S.-based company, is on to a good thing.

The sponge is an all natural vegetable fiber from the Konjac  plant native to warm, tropical parts of Asia. The sponge is gentle even for babies and yet strong enough to deep-cleanse + exfoliate, tighten pores, encourage collagen production, naturally moisturize + protect the complexion.

You have to try this konjac sponge. It adds a healthy glow and sheen to your skin.

It's popular, and that's why it's temporarily sold out at Ashieda.

Don't worry. They will get more soon!

Meantime...check out their How To Video on the Konjac Sponge.

We give the konjac sponge 2 thumbs up!!