Sugar Pie, Honey Bun….Be One, Don’t Eat One

According to the USDA, Americans eat two times the maximum recommended limit of 40 grams of added sugar each day. So I enjoy a brownie sundae every now and then… what’s the problem? Well, as we all know, sugar can lead to weight gain. But it can also lead to metabolic disorder (a precursor to diabetes) and even to cancer.
If the white stuff is so bad, why do we still eat it? Two main reasons: sugar is stealth and sugar will hook you:

1. Sugar is sneaky.
Sure, you know you’re eating it when you’re chowing down on ice cream or cookies, but what about your sugar free pudding? It’s got 6 grams of sugar. A quarter cup of raisins? 29 grams of sugar. Heck! There’s even 11 grams of sugar in your spaghetti sauce. No need to become obsessed, but take a peek at some of your diet’s staples and see if you can find some less sugary alternatives.

2. Sugar is addictive
Researchers at Princeton University who studied binge eating and dependency in rats found that eating large amounts of sugar can induce changes in the brain similar to people who use illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin. After the rats’ sugar supply was taken away, they showed withdrawal symptoms similar to those seen in people who stop smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs. Scientists say not everyone is hard wired to be a sugar-holic, just like not everyone has the tendency to become an alcoholic or a drug addict.

So what’s a sugar junkie to do?
-Avoid sugar in the morning. Once you’ve had it, you’ll likely be craving more sweets all day. Start your day off with protein and veggies.
-Look for the code words… maltose, dextrose (glucose), fructose, fruit juice concentrate, corn sweetener, corn syrup, high-fructose, corn syrup, maple syrup, honey, malt syrup, and brown rice syrup…they all mean one thing, sugar!
-Fat-free and low-fat don’t=low sugar. Foods that are lower in fat often have higher amounts of sugar to compensate. Read the labels.

Bottom line: Cut down on sugar and keep your health sweet!

Beach Booty

The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and beach is beckoning. Still, it’s a bittersweet season. What’s the bitter? If you’re a woman, you don’t have to ask: busting out the bikini…and crossing your fingers that you still fit in it after all those cozy winter nights watching reruns of The Hills with our buddies Ben n’ Jerry. So you face your fears and look yourself in the mirror…not so bad! But many women forget that although you don’t see your backside in the mirror… the rest of the world does. To get a perfect booty like beach bunny Jessica Biel, you might need to sign your life away to the gym. But to fake a perfect Biel bum, all you need is a brush and some contouring and highlighting powders. Simply brush a waterproof contouring shade in a circle around the perimeter of each “cheek.” Then take a highlighting shade and fill in the circle! This bootylicious little trick will create the appearance of a perfectly sculpted bum in seconds. Go ahead beach babe, strut your stuff knowing you look hot…front and back.

When to go O!

The organic apples or the non-organics…That is the question! But what exactly does this incredibly popular (and uber healthy-sounding) buzzword actually mean?! Simply stated, organic products are grown or created without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. When it comes to animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, organic means they are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. Hmmm…sounds like organic is pretty darn good. But if you’ve compared organic and non-organic at the grocery store, you’ve noticed that organic is going to cost you. If your pocketbook doesn’t allow for a complete organic transformation, you should focus on going-O for certain products that have the highest content of pesticides, additives, and hormones. If you get your five daily servings of fruits and veggies from the 12 most contaminated produce items, you’ll end up consuming an average of TEN different pesticides a day. Ew!! To avoid chowing down on pesticides, go organic when it comes to these 12 most contaminated items:

-Apples
-Cherries
-Grapes
-Nectarines
-Peaches
-Pears
-Raspberries
-Strawberries
-Bell Peppers
-Celery
-Potatoes
-Spinach

Want to save a little green? No need to go organic for the following “safe” foods: Bananas, kiwi, mangos, papaya, and pineapples. Organic fruits and veggies typically cost 50% more than their generic versions, but when it comes to the dirty dozen list above…it’s well worth it!

Get cheeky, darling!

Ever see those supermodels with insanely high cheekbones and assume you would have to be scary waif skinny to get them? Think again! You can be a healthy, beautiful girl AND have supermodel cheekbones. All it takes is a little sculpting. Here’s how.
1.Take a contouring shade (like those found in My Sculpted Face), one to two shades darker than your skin tone, blend it along the line underneath your cheekbone. Not sure where that is? Make a “fish face” and fill the indented line in with your contouring powder.
2.Take your favorite blush and a blush brush. Dip the brush into your blush, then lightly touch it to the top of your hand to get off the excess. Pop the brush right on the apple of each cheek then blend. Blush belongs on the apple…nowhere else!
3.Using a fan brush, sweep highlighter along the top of your cheekbone and up around the outside corner of your eyes.
4.Work it. That’s right. You’ve got supermodel cheekbones so strut your stuff, girl!

Get out of your makeup rut…

How’d you do your makeup today? Look anything like it did yesterday? Mine is pretty much identical. If you’re anything like me, you have fallen into a makeup rut. And you can’t get up! But it’s time we mix it up. Yes, it takes a little more thought in the morning, but the results…oh so worth it! Need a little inspiration to draw out your inner beauty chameleon? Check out these pictures of Scarlett Johansson, a beauty whose look is constantly evolving:

Perfect Brush, Flawless Face

An artist can have the finest paints in the world… but without the proper brushes, her planned masterpiece will be more of a kindergartener’s finger painting than a Monet landscape. The same goes for your most precious canvas: your face. Experts agree that the proper tools are just as important as quality makeup when it comes to achieving your most beautiful face. That’s why It Cosmetics is introducing to you the Dual Concealer & Micro Concealer Brush. A tool that allows you to apply your concealer with precision and control….creating the most flawless portrait of you!

Here’s how:

1. Using your finger or a regular sized concealer brush to cover a zit will make it look cakey and may actually bring more attention to your blemish. Use the Micro-Concealer end to cover up a pimple. The precise coverage will hide your zit completely, but naturally.

2. Banish under eye circles by combining the forces of your concealer brush and your Bye Bye Under Eye concealer. The full concealer brush allows you to sweep on your concealer to fully cover your circles, while blending it so you appear natural and flawless.

3. Love using My Sculpted Face to contour? Make your contouring even more dramatic by using a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone along with the full concealer brush end. Sweep the light concealer along any area where you typically place highlighter. Cover with your foundation, finishing powder, and normal contouring. This will double the impact of your contouring!

4. Multi-task. The precision coverage that is possible with the Dual Concealer Brush allows you to forgo the concealer in a pinch and use your foundation as both an all over cover and a micro concealer. After applying foundation to your face, use your brush to layer foundation on over blemishes, age spots, and dark circles until you’ve achieved your desired coverage.

5. Age spots are no match for the Dual Concealer Brush. Based on the size of your age spot, you may want to use the micro or the regular end. After your foundation, use the brush to blend a tiny amount of concealer over your spot. You’ll look positively ageless, darling!

6. If you’re an on –the-go gal, rest assured that your dual-ended brush is your faithful companion. Thanks to one fully retractable end and a cap on the other end, you can take your brush around the globe…mess free!

7. Looking for a natural look? Forgo foundation altogether and use your brush to cover flaws with your favorite concealer. The brush allows for the ultimate in blending, making the most natural, flawless look possible.

8. Sick of your spider legs? The micro-concealer end of the brush is your best defense. Dip the tiny tip of the brush into your concealer and run it over your spider vein, blending as you go.

9. Think concealer brushes are just for concealer? Think again! Maximize your eye cream by applying it with the full end of the concealer brush. The brush will ensure maximum coverage and the gentle blending action will allow your cream to penetrate deep, stimulating your cells healing and regenerating processes.

10. Open up your eyes by using the micro-concealer end to dab your concealer in the inner corner of your eye. This area between your nose and inner eye tends to be dark. By covering it your eyes will look more awake and well-rested.

You’ve already got the perfect canvas, now grab your fabulous brush and your It Cosmetics makeup, and create your own masterpiece!

The One

When it comes to packing for a summer weekend getaway, most women find themselves wanting two things: 1. To bring enough products to look good and 2. To not pack their entire makeup cabinet. But where’s the happy medium? The secret lies in multi-tasking products. This summer’s all-in-one solution: Get Wet Waterproof Bronzer and Highlighter. Throw it in your handbag and look fabulous all weekend. Its uses are endless, but here are 10 to get you started.
1. Look sun kissed before you ever hit the beach by sweeping the bronzer in an “E” shape over your forehead, cheekbones, and chin.
2. Get glowin’ by brushing the shimmer highlighter above your cheekbones giving you an instantly dewy effect.
3. Forget brining an extra palette of eye shadows. Sweep the bronzer over lids for a neutral shadow that makes your eye color pop.
4. Look as well rested as your get away is making you feel. Placing a dot of highlighter in the inner corners of your eyes and sweeping a bit under the eye brow will open up your eyes.
5. Dip a brow brush in the bronzer and use it to fill in any sparse areas in your eye brows.
6. Contour your cheekbones by blending the bronzer into the line directly under your cheekbone.
7. Get the appearance of a straighter nose by running a thin, straight line of the shimmer highlighter down the center of your nose.
8. Sweep the highlighter over your collar bones and brush it in a circular motion on your shoulders to look instantly healthier and thinner.
9. Blend the bronzer underneath your chin to define your jaw line and reduce the appearance of a double chin.
10. Run a line of highlighter from your hip bone, down the center of your legs to create the appearance of longer, slimmer legs.

Now that you look beautiful, bronzed, and glowing, go ahead and swim, sweat, and play! Your gorgeous look is 100% waterproof and sweat-proof. Just use a makeup removing wipe, or cleanser and water to remove. The search is over…you’ve finally found “the one.”

Slim, Trim Arms...Instantly!

Nothing says “I work out,” like a pair of slim, toned arms and shoulders. They’re the sexiest accessory to every summer halter top, strapless dress, and bikini. But who really has the time (or the desire) to do pushups and bicep curls when there are so many barbecues, outdoor movies, and summer strolls to be had? Get the best of both worlds with this simple trick. Simply run a line of shimmer highlighter (make sure it’s waterproof!) in a straight vertical line, down the center of your arm. Start with a circle of highlighter on each of your shoulders and run the line down to your wrists. Light will reflect off the highlighted line, creating the illusion of a slimmer arm, along with a healthy dewy glow!

Pucker Up, Pretty Lips!

There’s nothing sexier on a summer night out then a pair of luscious red lips. But we’re the first to admit the red pouts that are so hot on the red carpet are not easy to pull off in the real world. Here are five red lipstick rules to follow for a perfect kisser.

1. Balance
If you’ve got red lips, they should be the focus of your face. This means color should be used sparingly on eyes and cheeks. Nothing worse than bright red lips, super pink cheeks, and colorful eyes. That’s clown-ish, not goddess-ish. Instead, work neutral browns, coppers, or even a little smoky gray on the eyes, and keep your blush subtle.

2. Lock it in
Red lipstick tends to bleed more than any other color, so take extra steps to keep it where it belongs….on your luscious lips! Start with a reversible lip liner around the perimeter of your lips. Then line just below your lips with a neutral liner (creating the illusion of a poutier lower lip.

3. Be Blue
Wear red lipstick and one thing is for certain…everyone you talk to will be focusing in on your mouth. Make sure your teeth look white by picking a blue based red. Unfortunately, many beautiful shades of red are orange based, emphasizing any yellow in your teeth. Choose a blue red, or top your favorite lipstick shade with It Smile Brightening Blue Gloss.

4. Mix it up
Bought a lipstick that’s too bright or too dark? Don’t throw it away. Use it to mix up your own perfect red. Choose shades that are in a palette and mix easily, or mash up a piece from your lipstick tube…use a lip brush to blend your ideal shade. You’ll be the Monet of lipstick!

5. Make it Stick
If you really want your red to stay in place all day, be sure to blot. After applying your first coat of lipstick, press your lips over a tissue and blot. Follow with a dusting of loose powder. Top off with another coat of lipstick. Your fabulous red won’t go anywhere!

So Long, Circles!

Are you a busy mom, worn out from chasing your little ones all day…never quite able to catch a full night’s sleep? Or perhaps a career gal: conquering the business world during the day, and busy being the belle of the ball at night? Wherever you’re at in life, the result of a too crazy schedule is the same: besides crabby moods and a desperate need for multiple doses of caramel frappuccinos…we’re usually plagued with under eye circles and bags. For others, these pesky dark circles are a daily reality, thanks to genes, allergies, or illness. Either way, under eye circles need to pack their bags and leave. Here’s how to give them the boot:

1. Food and water
Many cosmetic problems can be attributed to vitamin deficiencies. Dark circles and puffiness are often the result of a lack of vitamin K or inadequate antioxidants, as well as not enough B12. To get your fill, load up on plenty of fruits and veggies—especially cabbage, spinach, and other leafy greens. Adequate fluids improve circulation, even to your under eyes, so drink up!

2. Chill Circles.

Place cool, caffeinated tea bags, an ice cube wrapped in a cloth, or cucumber slices to your eyes. Tannin in tea bags has been shown to reduce swelling and discoloration. Cucumbers and ice can combat puffiness. Lie down in the morning and set your chiller of choice over your eyes (lids closed) for 10-15 minutes.

3. Reduce salt intake.

Since salt can cause the body to retain water, too much of it may be the culprit of under eye puffiness. It can also impair blood circulation, making blood vessels under the skin appear blue. Consider cutting out the extra salt in your diet and see if it affects your circles.

4. Cover them up!

There are many techniques you can use for reducing those awful circles, but reality is we almost ALL have discoloration or circles that won’t budge completely. Cover them up with a high coverage, moisturizing formula like Bye Bye Under Eye. Bye Bye is packed with Vitamin K, which is clinically proven to reduce discoloration under the skin, as well as Collagen and Vitamins A, C, and E which reduce under eye puffiness and strengthen delicate under eye skin.

5. Maybe it’s allergies.

Allergies can cause skin discoloration under the eyes. If they’re the root of your circles, you’ll need to treat the allergen to treat the circles. Talk to a dermatologist to figure out what you’re allergic to. People with allergies tend to be deficient in B6, folic acid, and B12 so taking a multivitamin may help.

6. Count Sheep.

What’s the best thing you can do to kick the circles to the curb? Rest up! Besides playing a large part in creating the circles themselves, lack of sleep makes skin paler (increasing appearance of dark under eyes). So turn off your computer, chop some cucumbers for your eyes, and get some zzz’s…you deserve it!

Lovely Lashes

The one staple of your beauty routine. The thing that wakes you up, makes you look most feminine, and tops off a perfect look. Mascara. Many of us won’t even leave the house without its eyelash extending powers. But why stop with mascara! In today’s beauty world there are several ways to take lashes from sparse to spectacular. Check out your options and bat those beautiful lashes!

False Eyelashes
Mascara can work wonders but if you want really dramatic lashes…fake it! Want a natural look? Get individual lashes which are easy to apply (just use tweezers, dot glue on the tips and set them in your lash line) or consider a half strip of lashes. If you’re going out or going to have your picture taken, go all out! Full lashes can be tricky if you’re a newbie, so be sure to practice once before your big day.

Lash Primer
You condition your hair everyday (or at least several times a week I hope!) but what about your lashes? We cover them in black sludge (a.k.a. mascara) everyday and wonder why they are sparse and less than fabulous. Treat your lashes to some deep conditioning and protection by sweeping on a nourishing lash primer before you apply your mascara. Really want to nourish them? Follow up your eye cream with lash primer before you go to sleep. Be sure your primer is chock full of amino acids and vitamins to stimulate lash growth.

Latisse
The FDA approved Latisse, an eyelash-thickening agent which was created for people with hypotrichosis (too few lashes) and contains bimatroprost, which is used in glaucoma treatments. Studies have shown it does significantly increase lash growth. The potential side effects include itchy eyes, eye redness, changes in skin color, and even a permanent darkening of the iris. Hmmmmm, longer lashes are tempting, but these possible side effects sound a little extreme!

Amped Up Mascara
Why just let your mascara darken your lashes when it could be growing and nourishing them too? Make sure your mascara is full of collagen, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and amino acids. Healthy lashes are beautiful lashes.

Sun (less) Goddess

We all know the ills of sunbathing and tanning beds: skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots, burns…you know the lecture by heart. But does that stop us from wanting to trade in our Anne Hathaway white skin for a little J. Lo glow? Not for a second! Whether you’re looking for a full body long lasting tan, or just a hint of bronze on the face and décolleté, we’ve got your sun-kissed look covered here:

-For an instantly bronzed look, sweep a matte bronzer (avoid shimmer bronzers which can accentuate double chins, large foreheads, and not-so-perfect noses) in an “E” shape along the hairline, into the cheeks, and over the jaw line. This technique creates the illusion that the sun has naturally hit you in all the right places.

-Orange….maybe you aren’t so bad! Orange is typically a word you want to run away from when it comes to your appearance, but we may have found the exception. Okay, so it’s more of a peach. Check out the Revolution Organics Beauty Balm in Sunkissed for a natural, peachy blushed look on your lips, cheeks, and eyes.

-You glow girl! Nothing says, “I’ve been kissed by the sun,” like a radiant glow. Sweep a shimmer highlighter above the cheekbones, on your collar bones, and on the tips of your shoulders for a glow that appears to come from within.

-Sun kiss your lips. Lips that have been slightly sunned have a hot pink hue. Mimic this look (minus the sun damage) with a raspberry-toned gloss. Already have some fine lines around the mouth from the sun? Get a bang for your buck with a product like My Youthful Smile, which has raspberry colored gloss on one end, and a wrinkle filling primer for smile lines on the other.

-A hint of all over color. For a subtle color change, try a gradual tanner like Nivea’s Sun Kissed Beautiful Legs moisturizer. Or, try mixing a bit of your favorite self tanner with your body lotion.

-“Yes I have been vacationing in the Bahamas thank you very much.” If you’ve got a wedding, reunion, or other big event you want to look perfectly bronzed for, consider getting an airbrush tan. After one too many streak disasters from the spray on booths (think the Friends episode where Ross gets one). An airbrush costs a little more than the booths…typically around $50. But with a professional preventing (or instantly fixing) any streaks, and a perfect tan that will last 5-10 days, it may just be worth it!

It Cosmetics LOVES Designer Tracy Reese

Just imagine Anne Hathaway strutting her stuff in a fabulous high fashion gown, getting to the end of the red carpet and flashing a sultry, although slightly coffee stained grin, for the paparazzi. Yeah right…never! Nothing makes a better fashion accessory than a vibrant white smile and plump, luscious lips. That’s why fashion designer Tracy Reese invited It Cosmetics to take part in her New York sample sale beginning on June 16th…Shoppers will receive a free goodie bag of full-sized makeup products like the It Cosmetics Signature Smile Brightening Gloss! In addition to a treasure filled gift bag, all spring clothes by Tracy Reese will be 60-80%. Get there early to make sure you get your goodie bag and the prime pickings from the Tracy Reese collection! Not a New Yorker? Not a problem. Tracy has stores all over the country: http://www.tracyreese.com/ and you can order your own lip plumping, teeth brightening lip gloss right here at itcosmetics.com.
Sample sale info: June 16-17, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., June 18, 2 a.m.-2 p.m. (250 W. 39th St. New York, NY)

Your Best Legs Ever

It’s summer and that means one thing: legs. Everywhere. In everything. Whether it’s your swimsuit, sundress, or running shorts, your legs must stop hibernating in your jeans and sweats and face the world. Sound a little scary? Don’t worry. We’ve got your back…or should we say we’ve got your thighs? Either way, follow these five steps and in no time, people will be asking if you’re the girl from the Nair commercial.

1. Scrub and Shave
Chances are you’ve let the skin on your legs go. After all no one (except an adoring boyfriend perhaps) has seen them all winter. Slough away dry skin and flakes to reveal the smooth, less-scaly skin underneath. I prefer Neutrogena’s Energizing Sugar Scrub. Simply rub the scrub in circular motions, from your thighs to your feet, during a warm shower. For extra exfoliation, apply using a loofah. Exfoliating before shaving makes for a smoother shave, as it gets rid of all the dead skin cells that clog up your razor. Once you’ve exfoliated, lather up your legs with a thick shaving cream and shave using a brand new razor.
2. Caffeinate
Whether you’ve got cellulite or just want to tighten up your tush and legs, it all comes down to caffeine. Caffeine tightens skin for the appearance of firmer, smoother legs instantly. Rub your legs with a tightening cream like My Firm Legs primer, that contains caffeine, collagen, and antioxidants once a day after your shower or bath.
3. Get em’ glowing
A little color on your legs can cover a multitude of flaws. But don’t you dare hit the beach without SPF or run to the tanning salon. For subtle, natural looking color, I love Nivea’s Sun Kissed Beautiful Legs Gradual Tan Moisturizer. It smells nice, goes on evenly, and BONUS includes ingredients which allow you to shave less often. For more dramatic color you can’t go wrong with St. Tropez’s line of sunless tanners or Clarins Self-Tanning Gel. Just remember to put lotion on your knees and around your ankles before and after applying the tanner.
4. Contour
Now that your legs are smooth, hair free, and have a subtle glow, it’s time to shape them to perfection. Hit the gym for 8 million lunges? Yeah right. The simplest way to make your legs look longer and leaner is to take a waterproof highlighter powder and run a straight line right up the center of your leg, from the ankle, up the shin, and all the way up your thigh. This will draw the eye to the long, center line creating that legs for days illusion. Really want to sculpt your legs? With body makeup the possibilities are endless: shape calves, slim thighs, or lift your booty in minutes.
5. Finishing Touches
Now that your limbs are lovely, make sure your shoe wardrobe only maximizes their smokin’ hot appearance. Consider investing in a pair of heels that match your skin tone. Nude heels blend with your legs to give the appearance that they are several inches longer. If you have short legs, avoid wearing shoes with ankle straps as they will cut your legs off making them look shorter.

Who where’s short shorts? Now you can. Get out there girl and show em’ some leg!

Are you ready to say Bye Bye to under eye circles and discoloration for good? Check out these ladies who said ‘yes I am!’

Working hand in hand with the leading plastic surgeons in Brazil, It Cosmetics introduces Bye Bye Under Eye, a full coverage, highly pigmented anti-aging concealer utilizing truly innovative technology and ingredients – giving women the power to finally say “bye bye” to those stubborn under-eye issues!

Bye Bye Under Eye offers a waterproof, yet moisturizing formula that will stay put no matter what. The truly innovative formula contains high concentrations of Vitamins K, A, C, E and Collagen - clinically proven to reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while strengthening the delicate skin of the under eye area.

More than just full coverage for under the eyes, the formula was developed, tested and is now used to conceal facial bruising and swelling on the face and body of surgery patients in the offices of some of the leading plastic surgeons in Brazil. For these patients highly pigment coverage is important – but more than that, they desire a moisturizing formula that won’t cling to fine lines and wrinkles and also contains skin loving and healing ingredients. Out of these needs and refinements, and after over a year of development to get it just right, Bye Bye Under Eye was born.

“This formula is so highly pigmented that just a little goes a long way. Simply use a small pea-sized amount and with your finger (or a concealer brush) gently pat under and around your eye,” says Jamie Kern, makeup expert and creator of It Cosmetics™. “Using your pinky finger, pat a bit of concealer into the small indents along each upper side of the nose, between your bridge and the inner corner of your eyes. The skin in this area thins as we age and appears more blue, like a dark under eye circle. Concealing this area as well will make you appear instantly healthier and more youthful.”

Additionally, the ultra-fine and creamy formula won’t cling to fine lines and wrinkles thereby not making them more visible as some concealers do. Bye Bye Under Eye is great for all skin tones and comes in four shades; light, neutral medium, tan and deep.

To Use: Apply to bare skin, underneath foundation. Set with powder if preferred. Remove with regular soap or makeup remover.

Neutral, Not Natural!

Ever see those girls on the beach who are gorgeous, bronzed, and glowing but seem to be wearing little to no makeup? I’m sure you know and envy these “natural” beauties as much as I do. How DO they do it! Are they born with this natural beauty? Yeah right… The trick to getting this “I woke up this gorgeous” look is in the neutrals, not the natural. Here’s how you get it:
Step 1: If you’re fair skinned, use a self tanner the night before you are going for this look. I prefer Clarins Self Tanning Instant gel for the body and their Liquid Bronze Self Tanning lotion for the face.
Step 2: Use foundation only if you need it. Try something with light coverage like Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. If you’re into mineral makeup (I think it looks gorgeous, but it breaks my skin out) swirl on a light layer. Use foundation sparingly…you want your skin to shine through. If your skin is next to flawless, try just using a tinted moisturizer like Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Enhancer.
Step 3: Conceal any imperfections: blemishes, undereye circles, etc. with a cream concealer. Set your foundation and concealer with a touch of translucent loose powder, using a fluffy powder brush.
Step 3: Use a brow powder to fill any sparse spots in your brows.
Step 4: Apply a bronze or copper shimmer eye shadow all over your lid. Any of the four colors that make up the bottom right corner of the Eyes of Seduction shadow palette will make your eye color pop! Now, apply the same shade along your lower lash line.
Step 5: Finish off your eye shadow with a tiny bit of a golden shimmer shadow in the inner corner of your eye and right below your eye brow.
Step 5: Curl your lashes, then add black mascara to the top and bottom lashes.
Step 6: Now, take a bronzer and sweep it in the shape of an “E” on both sides of your face: across your forehead, along your temple, under the cheekbone, and under the chin.
Step 7: Using an apricot shade of blush, pop the color directly to the apple of your cheeks.
Step 8: This step will give you the glow…Take a neutral highlighter and using a blush brush or a fan brush, sweep it over the top of your cheekbones and up around the outer corner of your eyes.
Step 8: Find a neutral pinky-beige lip color you love (make sure it’s blue based!) and cover your lips.
Step 9: Finally dab your favorite gloss in the center of your bottom lip. This will guarantee a sexy pouty lip!
Follow these steps and you’ll be an au natural beauty in no time!!

Clarisonic

We love the little spinning bristles and deep clean feeling we get from the Sonicare toothbrush, but have the makers of the dental care phenomenon translated their revolutionary brush to a skin care must have? I hope so!! I received The Clarisonic for Christmas this year and I am so excited to be putting it to the test. The Clarisonic Skin Care Brush uses sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean your skin in 60 seconds. They claim the micro-massage action cleans more than twice as effectively as manual cleansing and that you’ll notice a reduction in the appearance of pores, improved sin tone, and fewer fine lines. All this from a skin brush? I’m a little skeptical, but the before and after pictures on the website are pretty impressive. Let us know if you’ve tried the Clarisonic and if you’ve found it worth the $200 price tag. I’ll keep you updated on my Clarisonic adventure and if the claims are true, I’ll post a picture of some newly fabulously flawless skin in the next few weeks!

Hide n' Heal!

It’s the ultimate dilemma. You have a huge zit. You want to slather it in zip zapping cream and let it dry up, but you simply can’t face the world with this grotesque red bump. Yet you know your concealer will likely clog your pores and make your zit even worse. What’s a girl to do?! Grab the latest in makeup for acne prone skin. Brands like Physician’s Formula, Neutrogena, and Almay have come out with lines of skin clearing makeup. They contain salicylic acid, which works as an exfoliant, promoting the sloughing away of dead skin sells, keeping pores clear of cellular debris. Plus, most of these pimple-friendly cosmetics are oil free, perfect for oily-acne prone skin. So have your cake and eat it too…or in this case, heal your zit and still get to leave the house!

IT LOVES CANADA!!!

Hello Canada! This month It Cosmetics officially launched in Canada and we are so excited to call The Shopping Channel our Canadian home!

And ‘home’ it sure feels like already. The TSC team is fantastic. They are so passionate about bringing quality products to everyone and committed to their customers. We truly are honored to be a part of the TSC family!

We were introduced to the fantastic coffee from Tim Hortons (We had the coffee every morning and then the Iced Cappuccino Supreme every evening…yum!!!).

And to our surprise and delight, we were welcomed into Canada with open arms on the Steven and Chris Show!!! Their Beauty Expert Sandy Gold chose our Get Wet bronzer and her summer favorite! Thank you so much for such a kind honor!

Be sure to check out our It page on The Shopping Channel’s website and thanks so much again for such a warm welcome! It Loves Canada!!!