Top 20 Do's & Don'ts

Here are Glamour Magazine's Top 20 Do's & Don'ts in 2 words or less:

DO
1. Use SPF
2. Blend makeup
3. Exfoliate weekly
4. Trim regularly
5. Sleep Enough
6. Curl lashes
7. Experiment
8. Spritz lightly
9. Shape brows
10. Be confident

DON'T
1. Tan
2. Squeeze it
3. Clump lashes
4. Cover freckles
5. Share makeup
6. fight curls
7. Pick polish
8. Overbronze
9. Overpluck
10. Overanything

Have your own? Leave it in the comments!

Travel Break - My Travel Necessities

It takes 28 hours of travel time to get from Detroit MI to Hyderabad India. On the way back home from India I traveled alone, and surprisingly, I didn't get lost during any of my layovers.

Besides the on flight movies (I watched Bride Wars, and the first half of Vicky Christina Barcelona, also great) and The Other Boleyn Girl novel, here are the things that helped me survive my 28+ hours of traveling:

- Water! Once through security at every airport I made a point to buy a huge jug of water. Airplanes are very dry which requires us to drink more water to stay hydrated.

- TriDerma MD Advanced Skin Healing - My skin feels like sandpaper when traveling, especially from the increased use of antibacterial gel to ward off all of the germs. I made sure to pack TriDerma MD in my purse and used it on my hands after every antibacterial or hand wash. This Extreme Dryness PLUS lotion came in handy while in India. The dry heat took a toll on my skin, and after seeing how well it worked on my elbows, knees and feet during my visit in India, I made sure to put it in my purse for my journey home. At 2.2 ounces, this unscented lotion makes the cut for my carry on.

TriDerma MD is medical strength and contains genuine virgin organic aloe. It provides fast healing relief for very dry, chapped skin and helps soothe chafing, itching and burning.

- My latest favorite accessory, my pashmina – in India, it’s 115 degrees Fahrenheit, so one would think that short sleeves and shorts are common. India is a very conservative dressing country, for many different reasons, including religion, and I wanted to be respectful when out in the community. When wearing a tank top and short sleeves, I would bring along my baby blue pashmina, which I picked up at an outdoor market stall in Darjeeling for 150 rupees ($3 USD). I became obsessed. Who knew I would find a scarf useful in extreme dry heat. At night it was the perfect cover up, and I brought it into the office and out to restaurants to keep myself warm from the cold air condition.

These scarves are readily available for purchasing (not without bargaining of course) in every area of India. I bought about 30 total for female friends and family for souvenirs. They fold up nicely and it fit perfectly in my purse for the cold plane rides.

Scarves have been ‘in’ for awhile now, but a pashmina take it to the next level. Check out DreamSacks Bamboo Dreams “PashBu”, which is identical to some of the ones that I purchased in India. They can be worn as shawl (see pic on

right) and as a wrap and around the neck (see left pic) to help keep you warm and stylish. I have a black PashBu and it goes with pretty much all of my outfits. Made from 100% Viscose from Bamboo, this scarf is very soft and cozy.

Shopping Break - Bobbi Brown Summer Shopping Event

Bobbi Brown is having a special online Summer Shopping Event - take 25% off your favorite Bobbi Brown products! In addition, proceeds from each purchase will support Bobbi Brown Cosmetics $10,000 donation to Dress for Success - an organization that provides women with the tools and confidence they need to succeed. Also, free standard shipping on any order over $60. Event is from June 9th-11th.

Shopping Break - Stock up SPF at Clinique.com

Get a chic beach tote—FREE!—plus complimentary shipping with the purchase of 2 SPF or self-sun products. (No Offer code needed. While supplies last)


This includes any lip gloss with SPF, foundations with SPF, and any Clinique product that helps to protect skin from the sun in these summer months. This offer is exclusively for online orders. Offer ends June 15th...what are you waiting for? Be safe and stock up on SPF items and get a free tote too!

Giveaway Break - KISS Everlasting French Nail Kits

***Giveaway***

Get excited for this giveaway -- I will randomly select 5 entries to win a set of KISS Everlasting French Nail Kits for both hands and toes. I absolutely love these nails, read more about these time saving, flawless nails in my blog post earlier this week.

You can enter up to once a day. For extra entries, you can sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, or follow me on Twitter.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents. This contest will end on Friday, June 19th. I will randomly select 5 winners and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!

Total Beauty Break - Top Finds for $5 or Less

Top Makeup Finds for $5 or Less

Save money with almost-free beauty products from your favorite brands

If your budget's not what it used to be, your makeup doesn't have to suffer. Take comfort in these consumer- and editor-approved, quality finds -- all available either online or at your local drugstore. See makeup

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Frosted Couture -for winning my Twitter contest. Thank you for being a loyal follower! Your beauty prize pack will be in the mail shortly!

Do it Yourself Beauty for the new Economy

In this new economy, it’s time to get creative. If the wallet isn’t agreeing with everyday beauty budgets, scan the kitchen cabinets for ingredients to create fresh, homemade, and even organic beauty solutions.

For brilliant hair:
- To help mend split ends rub olive oil into the ends of hair. Leave in for 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual. The oil nourishes hair and adds moisture.

- To add brightness and a shiny gloss to hair, Julia March, owner and specialist at Julia March Skincare, recommends combining 2-3 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar with a cup of water. Use this mixture after shampooing, and be sure to rinse to avoid a lingering vinegar aroma!

- Done with that beer? Put it aside for the shower. After shampooing, rinse wet hair with a tepid beer for added volume and shine.

For a radiant face:
- For problem skin, March suggests letting the face absorb the vapors from a steaming pot of 3 tablespoons of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar combined with a quart of filtered water. Raw apple cider vinegar can also be used as a tonic for oily skin when mixed with distilled water at a 1:1 ratio (not steamed).

- To combat puffy eyes, apply used black teabags to the swollen area.

- If slightly sunburned, apply cucumber slices to the face. Dry skin will draw moisture from the slices, in addition to being nourished by the many vitamins in cucumbers.

- For hydration and a radiant glow, March recommends applying a facial mask of raw honey and plain, full fat yogurt for 15- 20 minutes. The fats in the dairy and honey will moisturize and nourish the skin.

For smooth skin:
- To exfoliate the body effectively and inexpensively, create a DIY body scrub with olive oil and sea salt. Pay special attention to rough areas like elbows, knees and feet. March notes that a few drops of lavender extract add a nice and soothing scent to this homemade concoction.

- All out of bath foam and in need of a luxurious bath? Adding a quart of full cream milk to bath water will help restore and calm skin’s lipids while milk proteins help maintain skin’s elasticity.

- For hard and white nails, spoil fingers with a lemon bath. Dip nails into one half of a lemon and turn them, squeezing out the juice. Let them soak for a minute.

For white teeth:
- As a cheap alternative to whitening teeth, mix a teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt with a small glass of water until mixture is paste-like. Brush teeth as usual and rinse well. It is proven that baking soda will help lighten stains, but be careful not to use too often. Once every two weeks should be enough, as baking soda can be abrasive and erode tooth enamel.

beautypress.com

Total Beauty Break - Best & Worst Highlights

Best and Worst Highlights for Your Hair Type

Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston should be your hair color inspiration, but Lindsay Lohan, not so much

Considering highlights or wondering what went wrong with yours? Let these celebrities guide you towards the best (and away from the worst) highlights for your hair type. See hairstyles

Freebie Break - Sonic's Free Float Night

Get a FREE root beer float Sonic's Free Float Night tonight when you pop in anywhere between 8 p.m. to midnight. Check the website for your nearest drive-in.