Are you that into HIM?

He’s just not that into you. If you’re a woman who is still part of the dating world, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve read the book. And seen the movie. And discussed it in depth with your girlfriends. You’ve had it drilled into your head that none of these are excuses for a man not asking you out:

-He doesn’t want to ruin the friendship.
-He’s intimidated by me.
-He just wants to take it slow.
-He gave me his number…maybe I’ll just call him!
-He forgot to remember me…maybe I should remind him?

We get it already! But let’s flip this little situation around. What if you’ve been dating your man for awhile and you’re wondering if YOUR that into HIM? Check out these five tell-tale signs that you’re “just not that into him.”
1. Spending time with him feels more like an obligation than something you do for enjoyment. You used to look forward to seeing him. Even if you lived together, you couldn’t wait to come home to him. But now, you’d rather be doing other things with your time. You resent your single gal pals for their freedom.
2. You frequently complain about him to your friends.

Your friends tell you that you either need to fix it or end it. Listen to your friends. They’ve seen you happy and if you’re miserable, they’ll be able to tell you when you may be justifying it to yourself.
3. You imagine yourself dating other men. You find yourself wondering what it would be like to be with someone else. You may have someone in particular in mind, or you may just wonder in general. What if you could do better? What if you are just settling? If you think you might be "settling" for him then you probably are. If you've been with your boyfriend for a long time or since a young age, you probably haven't had the opportunity to really explore what else is out there, and you might start wondering.

4. His quirks that once made him endearing to you are now just plain annoying. You thought it was cute on the first few dates, then it sort of got on your nerves, but now it annoys the heck out of you. Also, things that you never liked about him but you "tolerated" now seem more important, and you aren't overlooking them as much.

5. You think he’s trying too hard. His extravagant, romantic gifts annoy you. The dozen red roses most women would melt over make you just a bit nauseous.

If one or more of these signs sound familiar, flip the familiar "He's Just Not That Into You" phrase and ask yourself, "Am I really that into him?" If not...move on. You deserve it.

A bath time toast...

Think vino is just for drinking? Think again. Turns out wine is relaxing, whether you drink it…or bathe in it! Stars like Terri Hatcher swear by this beauty secret to keep their skin soft and radiant. How’s it work? Well, a substance called resveratrol can be extracted from grapes. It’s an antibiotic-like substance that protects the vines from fungus. When it comes to your skin, resveratrol not only keeps the skin surface firm, but it also improves elasticity. Even better, it stimulates cell multiplication, keeping skin young and rejuvenated. But don’t think you need to go out and spend a fortune on fine wine. Just save a glass from your bottle of dinner wine to add to your bathwater. When the dinner party’s over…light some candles, put on some soft music, and soak in the grapey goodness.

Let’s raise a toast…to the wine bath!

Keira Reveals her Busty Secret

Keira Knightley is notoriously flat-chested. No surprises here…the girl doesn’t have an ounce of body fat on her tiny frame! We give Keira props for staying out of Dr. 90210’s office. Yet in Pirates of the Carribean, her bosom is absolutely spilling over the top of her corset. Her secret? Miss Knightley confesses its all thanks to bosom makeup.

"And I loved it, completely loved it. Because it was the first time in my life I had big t**s, and I didn't even need surgery,” Knightley said.

While bust enhancement via makeup was a common practice in the history of cinematography, it has faded due to the celebrity breast implant craze that has swept over Hollywood.

"They painted my t**s on me for the films, which is extraordinary because it's kind of a dying art form - in the past, they used to have whole sections of the studios devoted to bosom make-up,” Knightley said.

Keira says makeup artists spent 45 minutes every morning before filming, taking her from completely flat to a busty babe. 45 minutes? Girl, we can do it in 5. It Cosmetics has packaged up this trick, that was once exclusive to stars like Keira, and made it simple and affordable to the everyday woman. The “My Beautiful Breasts” kit can give you larger breasts, enhanced cleavage, a breast lift, or if you’ve been “too” blessed, the kit can give you smaller breasts too. Don’t worry Keira, we’re Fed Exing you a kit today!

The Early Show's Skinniest Secrets

It Cosmetics loves the Early Show! Check out this segment that shows you easy tips and tricks to looking slimmer...no gyms or diets required. Our favorite Early Show tip? Smokin' Hot Legs of course...the kit that gives you less cellulite, more muscle definition, and longer, leaner legs!

Sweat Box

After I workout, the first thing I want to do is rinse off all the sweat. Pretty natural, right? I thought so, but lately I’ve been noticing that when some of the regulars at my gym get off the treadmill, they hit the sauna, not the showers. Since I couldn't fathom why anyone would want to get more sweaty post-workout, I decided to see what the hype over this hot box is all about. What happens to your body during a sauna is pretty simple: metabolism and pulse rates increase, blood vessels get more flexible, and circulation improves. Sauna junkies say they feel a psychological peace and physical rejuvenation. Others claim the sauna relieves symptoms of minor colds, revives muscles after a tough sweat fest, and clears up pesky pimples all by releasing toxins through your sweat. Saunas are supposed to leave you with heightened senses and a feeling of being very much alive.
Dr. Oz says that in an infrared sauna, you can burn as much as 700 calories in an hour without lifting a finger! To take a sauna, shower, enter the sauna...don't stay in for more than 15 minutes to start, cool down, and then shower again to rinse away the toxins your body has just released. All these benefits from relaxing in a warm box? I’ve talked myself into it. Definitely making a sauna stop after my next workout!

Get Fabulash!

Maybe she’s born with it…um, maybe not! Ever jealous over those ultra long lashes that models and stars flaunt? Chances are…they’re falsies. False eye lashes are no longer for the celebrity A-list. With a couple of practice rounds you too can have long, thick lashes for your night on the town. Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Set your falsies on your eyelid to get a preview. If you’re using a full strip, you may need to trim them to fit your eye, using tiny scissors.
Step 2: Apply a thin line of adhesive to the base of the false eyelash. White glue will dry clear. Wait 15-30 seconds to allow the adhesive to become tacky.
Step 3: Holding the lash hairs (away from the lashband and glue), apply the false lashes as close to the natural lash line as possible. Some people prefer to hold the lashes with a pair of tweezers as they apply.
Tip: Start at the outer corner of the eye and move inwards.
Step 4: Once the outside corner is down, work inward, pressing false lashes into the lashline until the entire band is in place.
Tip: Leave eyelid shut until the lash glue has dried. Wait approximately 1 minute if possible.
Step 5: Once you’re sure your lashes have completely dried, very gently use your eye lash curler and give your new lashes a small curl.
Tip: To help blend in your new lashes apply a small layer of black liquid liner to the base of your real and false eyelashes, as well as a coat of black mascara over the two lash layers.

If you’ve never applied false eyelashes, give yourself a couple of practice rounds before you try it out for a real event. We’d hate for you to be a gluey mess in public. For more believable (and easier to apply!) lashes, try applying a half strip to the outer corners of your lashes. Short on time? Apply several, single false eye lashes through out your lash line for a subtle addition to your own lashes.

Shape Up!

One of my favorite things about working at It Cosmetics is helping women to draw out their natural and unique beauty. Beauty comes in all shapes, ages, and sizes. It also comes in a range of face shapes. My Sculpted Face allows you to hide a double chin, create cheekbones, or narrow your nose, but it also allows you to perfectly define God’s masterpiece…your face!
Square: Square faces have a broader jaw line and forehead. To soften up the angularity of a square face, apply a matte contouring shade (1 to 2 shades darker than your skin tone) to all four corners of your face. Then, highlight the center of your forehead, on top of the cheekbones, and your chin, using a white matte or shimmer highlighter. Add a pop of blush to the apples of your cheeks and you’ve just softened up your square! Square-faced stars include Calista Flockheart and Demi Moore.
Round: The good news about a round face…they are typically associated with youth! You have a circle face if your measurements are the same for the length and width and your face has a circle look to it (think Kate Winslet and Drew Barrymore). The distance between the forehead and the chin is shorter, creating full cheeks. To define your cheek bones, brush your contouring shade directly underneath your cheek (to make it simple, make a fish face and contour along the line of definition you’ve created). Then place your highlighting powder above the cheekbone.
Heart: Heart shaped faces are wide at the forehead and narrow down to the chin…just like a heart! Famous sweetheart faces include Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Love Hewitt. To create a more proportional face, apply your contouring shade to the edge of the forehead, near your hair line, and along the temples.
Oval: The length of your face is longer than the width of your face, typically one and a half times longer. Your face is shaped like: Julia Roberts, Tyra Banks, or Jessica Alba. Because you have a perfectly proportioned face (lucky!) you don’t need any contouring, except to slim your nose, hide a double chin, or sculpt more defined cheekbones.

Whether you’re square, round, heart, or oval, embrace your shape…it’s beautiful on you.

Get Happy, Be Grateful!

Are you happy? We seem to be on a never-ending quest to attain happiness. Whether it’s finally saving up enough for those Jimmy Choos, dreaming about having a baby, or planning for a big vacation to Hawaii. Happiness always seems to be in the near future. But we at It Cosmetics have found what helps us most to be happy today is to remember what we’re grateful for. No, it’s not always easy to be Pollyanna, but keeping a gratitude list has been scientifically proven to increase happiness! Check out these results from a study of those who kept a “thankful for” list:

-Those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis ended up exercising more regularly, reporting fewer sicknesses, and feeling better about their lives as a whole.
-People who kept a gratitude list were also more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to others who wrote about hassles or neutral life events.
-Participants who kept gratitude lists were more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health-based).
-People who practiced daily gratitude were morel likely to have helped someone with a personal problem or to have given emotional support to another.

Moral of the study is: Count your blessings...it'll put a smile on your face!

Addicted to Beauty

I love beauty products. I love trying new ones, discussing old favorites, and swapping beauty tips with friends. But when does a passion for makeup and skincare go from an interest, to an obsession? The BBC’s new show, Super Botox Me, demonstrates this tipping point. Cameras follow 40-year-old Kate Spicer on her extreme quest for beauty. Watch as she tries everything from a bull semen hair treatment in London to a hefty dose of Botox, Restylane, Fraxel, and more in the U.S. The show premieres on March 26th, 9 p.m. ET on BBC America, but check out this preview: Ouch! A must-see for anyone considering going to painful extremes for the sake of beauty. Here at It Cosmetics we believe that beauty isn't pain!

Be Your Own Personal (face) Chef!

Bad economy affecting your beauty budget? Don’t despair. You may not be able to visit a luxe spa for your favorite facial, but you can certainly pamper your skin in the comfort of your own home. Whip up each of these easy and inexpensive mask mixtures in your kitchen, most with ingredients you have around the house.

Milk Me Beautiful-- Oily Acne Prone Skin
Milk of Magnesia absorbs impurities and disinfects even better than clay. Paula Begoun made this simple mask popular in her book, ‘The Beauty Bible.’

Ingredients:
-1 bottle Milk of Magnesia

Preparation:
Apply Milk of Magnesia to face.
After letting set for 10-15 minutes, wash with cool washcloth.

Honey Banana Beauty—Oily Skin
A soothing mask to reduce redness, tighten pores, and minimize shine.

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 tbsp. of honey
An orange or a lemon

Preparation:
Mix banana and honey, add several drops of fresh squeezed orange or lemon juice.
Apply to face for 15 minutes, then rinse with a steaming warm washcloth.

Indian Goddess Brightener—For Brighter Skin
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
1 cup of plain yogurt

Preparation:
Mix the turmeric and yogurt and spread on face. Leave for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off.

Dairy Soft—To Soften Dry Skin
Ingredients:
1 tsp. powdered milk
1 tbsp. runny honey
1 tsp. aloe vera gel
2 drops essential oil

Preparation:
Mix ingredients well, apply to face for 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Kitty Litter—For the Beauty Daredevil
I’ll admit this one scares me just a little bit. Cat litter? On your face? Beauty junkies swear by it; cat litter is made of the same ingredients as special clays found in $100 spa facials.
Ingredients:
1 bag cat litter (must be marked 100 percent natural clay)
Water
Drops of your favorite essential oil

Preparation:
Mix 2 tbsp. of cat litter with water and oil, apply mask to face, wash off after 15 minutes.

Multiply the ingredients in these masks and enjoy a Thrifty Beauty Girls Night In for under $10!

News Anchors...Makeup Tricks of the Trade

Imagine waking up at 2:30 in the morning and going to work. Sound awful? Maybe some of you do it already. Now, imagine waking up at 2:30 in the morning, going to work, and having to look absolutely flawless. And we mean camera ready flawless: the whole deal... hair, makeup, jewelry, nails done, suit on. Welcome to the life of TV news anchors! Fortunately these morning news personalities have an arsenal of makeup tricks up their suit sleeves, and since the Creator and CEO of It Cosmetics, Jamie Kern Lima, is a former morning anchor herself, we’ve got a few for you right here:

Good morning bright eyes!

Whose eyes really look awake (wait whose eyes even looks alive) at 2:30 am? Not many. But if you place a gold or pearl colored shimmer eye shadow in the corner of your eyes and below the eye brow (#1 and #2 in diagram), your eyes will instantly look like you’ve had a full night of sleep!

Wide awake!

Another great way to open up your sleepy eyes is to line the inner rim of your bottom lid (#5 in diagram) with white liner. The light reflects off the white line, making you look like you’ve slept like a baby for a full 8 hours! To finish off your fabulous eyes in a snap, use a neautral color all over the lid. Then, use a darker contour shade with lots of gold or copper flecks (#3), across the entire crease. Use the same color to line underneath your lower lash line (#4). A rich coppery or golden shade will bring out the flecks in your eyes, and are universally flattering on any eye color.

Bye bye double chin.
Now here’s an issue that no amount of beauty sleep is going to change…a double chin. Fortunately, news anchors know that the face shape they were born with isn’t the face shape they need to show the world. By placing contouring powders, one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone, underneath your chin (right over the “double” your trying to hide), you can turn your two chins into just one.

Coffee-Stain Busters!
Newsrooms are notorious for the insane amounts of coffee they go through. Since newsies work around the clock, coffee is a must. And, coffee stains are quick to follow. Try Go Smile’s Touch Up Mini On-The-Go Smile Refreshers. And follow the cardinal rule of smile conscious news anchors…ONLY wear blue based lip shades. Orange based shades make teeth appear even more yellow.

Whether you're a news anchor, a party gal, a career woman, or a busy mom, put these trips to use next time you need to fake your beauty sleep!

Sweet Thang

We all heard it during our teenage years… “Don’t eat too much chocolate or you’ll get pimples!” But did that really stop you from diving into the M& M bowl at your Friday night slumber party? Yeah right.
Post-slumber party years, the great debate has turned from the connection between acne and chocolate (unless you’re eating the WHOLE one pound bag of M&M’s don’t worry about this) to a possible link between sugar and wrinkles. Turns out, you are what you eat. Why? Blame it on a process called “glycation.” The more sugar you eat, the more glycation takes place and the more your skin’s collagen and elastin become dry and brittle. And that means…wrinkles and sagging.
It’s never too late to turn back the clock. Here are 5 quick tips to keep you sugar and wrinkle free!
1. Say “no” to Skittles.
It’s nearly impossible to cut out the sweet stuff entirely. After all, even whole grains and veggies turn into sugar when digested. But experts say to keep sugar to no more than 10% of your total calories, so for your average woman, that means slashing 160 sugary calories…you could do that by nixing one can of cola or six Hershey’s Kisses from your day.
2. Vitamin B1, B6, Be Beautiful!!
Supplement your diet with at least 1 mg of vitamins B1 and B6 a day. They prevent the wrinkle-forming glycation process from happening.
3. Run from sun.
Okay don’t run, just hide that pretty skin of yours. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF-30 sunscreen everyday.
4. Say I love you to antioxidants!
Meet your new best friends. These free-radical fighters keep sugar from destroying your skin. So load up on fruits, nuts, and veggies, especially cranberries, walnuts, and red bell peppers.
5. Protect your skin from sugar
Use skincare with topical antioxidants such as green tea and vitamins C and E. These are the best way to ensure nutrients reach the dermal layer of skin where collagen and elastin are located.

Pretty Pills

I am on a quest. An impossible quest for perfect skin. So it’s no wonder that when I was strolling through the grocery store last week and saw pills that claimed to clear up your zits, I did a double take. Nature’s Cure Two-Part Acne System. One part is your standard Benzoyl Peroxide, but part two is an internal homeopathic acne tablet. It claims to stimulate your body’s natural defenses to correct imbalances caused by diet, stress, and hormonal changes. The pills contain things like walnut, wild rosemary, and Echinacea. But can you really improve your skin from within? “There is a lot of important new research showing tremendous power of antioxidants in general, and in some specific nutrients in particular that can make an important difference in the way your skin looks and feels,” says nutritional supplement expert Mary Sullivan, RN, co-founder of Olympian Labs. So what vitamins can you take that will help your skin look its best?
Check out this list:
Vitamin B: The most important B vitamin is biotin, a nutrient that forms the basis of skin, nail, and hair cells. You can get plenty through diet alone if you include bananas, eggs, oatmeal, and rice.
Vitamin A: Necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissues, fruits and vegetables are full of this vitamin. Make sure you get enough or your complexion will get dry and flaky.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E: Crucial for preventing consequences of sun exposure. You can take supplements, but also focus on citrus fruits and veggies like peppers, broccoli, and leafy greens. For E, eat vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and olives. Stay with 400 international units if you choose to take a supplement.
Here's to clearer skin!

Pretty Girlhood Hair Grows Up

I say French braid. You think…third grade? Me too. Although I haven’t rocked the French braid since elementary school, Jennifer Aniston’s Oscar look made me want to bring it back to life. Follow these steps to get your own braided headband. Great for a glam night out or a keep the hair outta your face style for a busy day.

Step One
Tilt your head to one side, and brush all the hair back away from the ear you will be starting on. The ear you are starting on should be facing the ceiling, all the rest of the hair aiming down.
Step Two
Looking in the mirror and using a comb, draw a line from the top of starting ear, up across and over to the top of the finishing ear, combing all the hair forward from the line into your face. Brush the remaining hair in back of the line into a ponytail and secure it with a rubber band.
Step Three
Face your starting ear toward the ceiling again and comb the free hair from in front of the line across your scalp, making a smooth hair path where the headband is going to go.
Step Four
Use your fingers to section of the first strands right at the base of the front of your ear and braid tightly.
Step Five
Continue to add hair from the line and the forehead side of your head as you begin your French braid down across the headband section of your head. The hardest part will be keeping the braid flat and tight without getting a crick in your neck. It's sometimes best to not look in the mirror, but do it by feel.
Step Six
When you reach your other ear, finish the braid off with a regular braid, using a rubber band at the end. This will be a long extra piece of braid if you have long hair.
Step Seven
Let your ponytail loose from the back, and fluff your hair to its regular style. You will need a bobby pin to tuck the long piece of braid behind your ear and keep it hidden. You may also want to bobby pin any puffy pieces of your braid headband. Also, if you have bangs, use your comb to pull tiny bits of bang pieces out of your headband braid to give you some forehead coverage.

Ta da! It may take some practice, but now you’ve got an all-grown-up version of your favorite girlish’ look!

Designer Duds on a Shoestring Budget Part 2

Earlier this week we showed you a few great places to get your high end threads for a pretty price. But what about your handbags, jewelry, and watches? There’s no way you’re going to rock your designer accessories and maintain anything close to a budget. Or is there….(insert suspenseful music)….
Meet “Bag Borrow or Steal” the website that allows you to rent designer accessories. And if you fall in love, you have the option to buy it (but we’re talking saving money girls, so pretend that option doesn’t exist!)
Here’s how it works.
-If you choose to borrow a handbag, jewelry, or pair of sunglasses, just click on the item you love and select “borrow.”
-Your borrowed item will be shipped to you in like-new condition.
-Choose to rent the little slice of heaven for a week, month, or as long as you’d like.
-When you’re ready to return it, print out a pre-paid return label, re-box your item, and drop it off at any UPS drop-off location.
-The price is right. Coach bags, for example, start at $15/week. So if you need a bag for a first-date, special party, or just a little pick me up, and you’ve got a budget to stick to, consider borrowing, rather than buying!

Bachelor Blues

Jason. You can say that name out loud nearly anywhere in the nation and you’ll most likely hear at least twelve women (and maybe a few unashamed men) go off on that “Bachelor jerk.” Why? Well for those of you who haven’t been following (and I commend you for doing something more productive with your life than watching very unrealistic reality TV) Jason the most recent Bachelor proposed to Melissa and then on live TV, broke off his engagement with Melissa and told Molly she was the one. Really, Jason? I understand (sort of) him changing his mind about who he wants to spend his life with, but going on national television with your fiancé and dumping her? I don’t know. Maybe a little heads up, “Hey honey, I’m about to betray you live on TV.” Not to be a completely jaded Bachelor fan, but I’m not all that surprised it didn’t work out between Jason and Melissa. And who is going to be completely shocked if it doesn’t work out with Jason and Molly? Not me. Let’s review the Bachelor/Bachelorette history books:

Season 1: Alex and Amanda-Not together
Season 2: Aaron and Helene-Split
Season 3: Andrew and Jenn—He’s married. But not to Jenn.
Season 4: Bob and Estella—He’s married too! But not to Estella.
Season 5: Jesse and Jessica-Not so much.
Season 6: Byron and Mary—Together!
Season 7: Charlie and Sarah—Split up, but they’re dating again.
Season 8: Travis and Sarah—He dumped her.
Season 9:Prince Lorenzo and Jennifer—Their love ended.
Season 10: Andy and Tessa—Didn’t last.
Season 11: Brad and ???—Oh that’s right. Brad reject BOTH women at the finale.
Season 12: Matt and Shayne—Split.
Bachelorette
Season 1: Trista and Ryan-Married with baby! (picture on left)
Season 2: Meredith and Ian: Nope.
Season 3: Jen and Joe: Over.
So based on past Bachelor experience…Jason and Molly have about a 7% chance of getting married. Good luck! The Bahcelor…Is it a cheesy, overly romanticized show on which almost none of the relationships last past the “finals rose?” Maybe. Will I watch next season when Jillian Harris becomes the Bachelorette? You betcha!

Thrifty Beauty

Looking to recession-proof your beauty routine? It’s all about getting the biggest bang for your buck and finding fabulous multi-tasking products. So, you thrifty beauty…here are some pointers to help your beauty budget:

Know when to go drugstore, when to go prestige.
When it comes to your skincare, we feel your pain. You’ve fallen in love with a particular face wash and although it costs a quarter of your paycheck each month, it’s worth it. Except you can’t pay your rent. Well, you may want to consider a drugstore alternative. There are many face washes that have similar ingredients to those that sell for much more.
For example, if you usually use Dermalogica’s Skin Clearing Wash for $35. Consider giving Biore’s Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser for just $5. Dermalogica’s wash has .5% salicylic acid and Biore’s has 2.0% salicylic acid. They key when switching from uber spendy to uber cheap is making sure key ingredients match up. This could take some research, but it has the potential to save you a lot!

Choose multi-tasking products
Another great way to save money…find one product to do twice the work. This takes creativity! For example, consider using the shades from you’re My Sculpted Face palette as eye shadows and even eyebrow powders! One palette of colors, three uses. Another idea is to use your eye shadows as eyeliners. Just take a thin eyeliner brush, dip it in water, then in your favorite shadow color and then use to line those beautiful eyes of yours.

Make anything creamy!
Want to try out cream eye shadows and cream blushes, but don’t want to shell out the cash? Invest in an ivory cream mousse eye shadow, then blend it with any of your favorite eye shadows or blushes to turn them into creams. The best part is the cream allows you to easily mix two shades…so instead of buying violet eye shadow, you could combine the neutral cream shadow, blue shadow, and pink blush. Have fun Miss Beauty Chemist!

Every last drop
Lipstick can be used up to 2 years, so as long as it doesn’t smell or look funny, go for it! When you get to the very bottom of your lipstick container, don’t toss it out. Instead, scrape it into a container for later. Take a Q-tip, remove the cotton from the end and use the little stick to scrape the remaining lipstick and store up for later.

Don’t pump!
Make the most of your mascara by being careful to avoid pumping any air into the container when using it. Air will cause your mascara to flake and dry out sooner. While mascara needs to be replaced every 3-6 months, you may want to consider two eyelash building tools that will allow you to use and therefore buy less mascara: an eyelash curler and a lash primer. By building your lashes up pre-mascara, you’ll need less product to achieve your look!

Put a Ring on It

Marko Jaric (Minnesota Timberwolves guard) took Beyonce’s advice. He liked it so he put a ring on it. “It” being the beautiful Adriana Lima’s supermodel ring finger of course. The super hot Hollywood couple eloped on Valentine’s Day. Rumors are swirling that the pairs rush to say “I do” will quickly be followed by Adriana saying “I’m pregnant.” While Adriana’s rep is denying the rumors, Adriana is quoted as saying “There are rumors of me pregnant. I just cannot say…YET.” Congrats to the happy couple…we’ll be watching to see if those washboard abs will change into a cute little baby bump.

The Scoop on Foot Goop

Stick a white patch on the bottom of your foot before bed and through the night it will magically suck the toxins out of your body through the soles of your feet. Hmmmmmm……sound a little sketchy? It did to me too! But I’m the kind of gal fascinated with blackhead extractors, crazy colon cleanses, and ear wax candles, so anything that promises black goo being purged from my body is a must try! Asian foot patches, like the ones I bought called Kinoki, claim to “collect heavy metals, metabolic wastes, toxins, parasites, cellulite and more, giving you back your vitality and health.” My head knew this was just too good to be true, but I couldn’t resist. I bought the patches. And after using them I was thrilled! After all, I woke up every morning with a little patch full of black goo. A ha! It had worked! Then my logical self decided I better do some research before I started singing the praises of Chinese foot patches to everyone I know. Turns out, ignorance was bliss. 20/20 did an investigative report, taking used patches to a lab and testing them for the heavy metals, toxics, and parasites that the Kinoki makers claim their product removes. What’d they find? Nothing. No toxins, no impurities, just moisture from your feet. And to further prove they’re a scam, try dropping distilled water on the pads. Guess what happens. Yeah, they turn that disgusting gooey brown. So what’s the moral of the story? Well, first of all, don’t waste your 15 bucks on those foot patches. And, next time something sounds too good to be true, research before buying.

Diet Soda: Friend or Foe?

Watching your waist line? Chances are you’ve followed the advice of countless fitness and health magazines and switched from regular Coke to Diet. I know I have! So I am shocked, not to mention seriously annoyed, that researches continue to come up with more and more research showing that people who drink one or more soft drinks a day have a 31 percent greater risk of becoming obese! How can this be? It’s diet soda. Well, scientists aren’t sure, but they say one possibility is that since diet soda is sweet, you may develop a preference for sweet foods as well, which tend to be higher in calories. Also, on average, soda drinkers tend to eat more calories, consume more saturated fat, and exercise less. Another theory is that the substance that gives soda its caramel color promotes resistance to insulin, which is needed to process calories. Yikes! Unfortunately for many, including Victoria Beckham, Bill Clinton, and Elton John diet coke has become an addiction. Are you a diet soda junkie? Check out one woman’s blog on how she went from drinking 250 ounces of diet coke a day to 32. Maybe it will inspire you to quit your sweet little addiction!

Designer Duds on a Shoestring Budget

Bad economy affecting your plans for spring wardrobe expansion? We feel ya.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to shop like the Sex in the City gals, even if your paycheck is…well a little bit smaller.

Buffalo Exchange:
Buffalo Exchange is a trading post, vintage shop, and designer boutique all in one. You can bring in your new and gently used designer wear and they’ll buy it from you for cash, or store credit on the spot! Their inventory is constantly changing, so sometimes it’s a gold mine and other times, it’s just a used clothes store. Those phenomenal finds will be worth your time and shopping effort. Inventory includes designer wear, vintage, jeans, leather, basic, and one-of-a-kind accessories.
Click here to find a Buffalo Exchange near you.

Ebay:
Ebay isn’t just for books and beanie babies anymore! Search for “designer jeans” on Ebay and you’ll come up with 2,009 results. From True Religion to Rock n’ Republics, you’ll find a little bit of everything here. Be sure to check the seller’s rating so you know you are buying from a credible source. There are designer “fakes” occasionally, so really read about your purchase and the seller before you click bid. But if the bidding is right, you could walk away with a pair of designer jeans for less than $20!
Ebay

Honest Mall:
An online marketplace for designer fashions. Honest Mall has moderators that monitor each listing like a hawk! So you don’t have to worry about the fakes or impostors. Communication between buyers is made easy since Honest Mall has the feel of a discussion board or social networking site. You do have to pay a $10/year membership fee to become a member, but if you are serious about finding great deals on designer wear, it might be worth it.
Honest Mall

So don't let all the doom and gloom surrounding the economy kill the fashionista in you! Good luck and happy bargain shopping!!

Valentine's Day...Don't Be a Cliche!

It’s Valentine’s Day and chances you are pondering what to get your sweetie pie for the day of love. You run through the general standbys in your mind: A red velour covered box of chocolates. A teddy bear holding a heart. Or perhaps those red foil chocolate roses.
Don’t do it!!!
We know you’re more creative than Hallmark. Here are some ideas to get your romantic gift juices flowing:
1. The word love! One organization out of the UK allows you to adopt a word for one year . The highest bidder receives a personal dedication next to the word in a special edition of the Collins’ Dictionary and ‘ownership’ of the word for a year. Plus, proceeds go to a children’s charity. http://www.adoptaword.com/
2. For your hippie Valentine…forget the roses. Save the planet, give a tree! They’re bigger and they’ll last a lifetime longer than your standard pink and red flower bouquet. Sites like this one : http://www.arborday.org/Shopping/GiftTrees/GiftTrees.cfm make it easy to be green on this very red holiday.
3. Forget the boring chocolate. You’ll just feel guilty after eating it anyways. Instead, spring for a chocolate spa treatment! Perhaps a chocolate massage for two. Check it out: http://www.hersheypa.com/accommodations/the_spa_at_hotel_hershey/
4. A love story. No, not some trashy romance novel. A trashy romance novel personalized to include the names and characteristics of you and your darling! http://www.bookbyyou.com/romance/default.asp
5. There’s nothing sweeter than starting your Valentine’s Day off with breakfast in bed. But make it extra cute with a heart-shaped frying pan. http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/non-stick-heart-shaped-frying-pan
6. Finally, if you’re still not sure what you want to get your love dove, but you know it needs to be original, check out http://www.notmassproduced.com/, a website that sells handmade gifts by independent designers.
Single? Don’t forget to get yourself a special valentine!! You’re worth it. Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Lady Behind the Lips

We all know her for one of two main things: her absolutely incredible pout. And her equally incredible man. Okay so maybe we know her for her acting career and humanitarian works too, but what else is hiding behind the gorgeous face of the gal named Angelina?
Check out these interesting facts about the beauty icon:
1. Growing up, she wanted to be a mortician.
2. She is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency.
3. Jolie means pretty in French.
4. She is a natural blond.
5. Angelina was one of the first actresses to win three consecutive Golden Globes in 3 different categories.
6. She has had about 19 tattoos, although she has covered some up.
7. Jolie has made and topped countless sexiest, most beautiful, hottest hottie, etc. lists. Shocking, I know!
8. She has said that she saves 1/3 of her income, lives on 1/3 of her income, and donates 1/3 to charity.
9. Angelina has 3 adopted children and 3 biological children.
10. Angelina had a pet lizard named Vladimir growing up.

Want to get the look of Angie’s amazing lips?? Place a white line directly above your upper lip and use a neutral line to line directly below your lower lip. Try the Lip Plumping Pencil in “Attract” and “Energy.”

When the boxes lie...

Healthy buzzwords are swarming around supermarkets everywhere! Words like: low sugar, whole-grain, and calcium infused are now covering the boxes of what we used to consider our guilty pleasures. But don’t let the wording fool you. After all, is a Whole-Grain Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Pop-Tart a healthy pop-tart?! I think not! A pop-tart is a pop-tart. The whole grains do not cancel out the loads of vegetable oil and the seven types of sugar stuffed in the insides of that tasty little pastry. Dang it! But there are some healthy foods that claim to be healthy and actually follow through! Halleluiah! Check out this list of the best and worst “healthy” foods. Since figuring out what’s healthy and what’s not is more confusing than ever, be sure to read the nutrition panel on the side of each box next time you visit the nutritional battlefield we call the supermarket. Good luck and happy shopping!

Worst "Healthy" Pastry

Pop-Tarts Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon (2 pastries)
400 calories, 14 g fat (4 g saturated), 5 g fiber, 28 g sugars

Eat This Instead!
Sun-Maid Raisin English Muffins with Cinnamon

170 calories, 0.5 g fat (0 g saturated), 2 g fiber, 13 g sugars

Worst Frozen "Healthy" Entree
Healthy Choice Complete Selections Sweet & Sour Chicken (340 g)
430 calories, 9 g fat (1 g saturated), 600 mg sodium, 29 g sugars

Eat This Instead!
Kashi Southwest Style Chicken
240 calories, 5 g fat (0 g saturated), 680 mg sodium

Worst "Healthy" Yogurt
Yoplait 99% Fat Free Cherry Orchard
170 calories, 1.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 27 g sugars, 5 g protein
**There’s as much sugar in here as you’ll find in two scoops of Breyer’s All Natural Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.

Go Greek instead:
Oikos Organic Vanilla Greek Yogurt
110 calories, 0 g fat, 11 g sugars, 15 g protein

Worst "Healthy" Bread
Arnold Whole Grains Health Nut (2 slices, 86 g)
240 calories, g fat (0 g saturated), 4 g fiber

Eat This Instead!

Martin’s 100% Whole Wheat Potato Bread
(2 slices, 70 g), 140 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 8 g fiber

Worst "Healthy" Cereal

Quaker 100% Natural Granola, Oats, Honey & Raisins
420 calories, 12 g fat (7 g saturated), 6 g fiber, 30 g sugars
**For the record, granola, for all its reputation as a beacon of breakfast virtue, is one of the worst ways to start your day. Swap the Granola for Kashi GoLean every day this year and you’ll save 29 pounds!

Eat This Instead!

Kashi GOLEAN
(1 cup): 140 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 10 g fiber, 6 g sugar

Congrats Karina!

Whenever Karina Smirnoff steps on the stage of Dancing with the Stars she rocks our Abs in a Box, Smokin’ Hot Legs, and My Beautiful Breasts kits. But now, she’s rockin’ in a whole different way….as in a huge ROCK on her ring finger!! It’s a true Hollywood love story. The lucky guy? Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a professional dancer and fellow member of the Dancing with the Stars cast. Karina, we love you and are so honored to have you as a fan of It Cosmetics. Congratulations on your engagement!!!

An Ode to Makeup!

Oh, makeup, we do love thee! Whether it's just a little concealer to hide a blemish or some under eye circles, or a full face of makeup to glam up for a night out, makeup is a dear friend to most women. I love watching how a little makeup can play up a woman's features and a whole face of it can completely transform her any way she wants! A makeup-less face is a blank and beautiful canvas, but we admit to sometimes wishing we could just wake up our "most beautiful!" Like the celebrities do, right? Wrong! Check out these naked faces of some of our favorite celeb beauties (Kellie Pickler, Faith Hill, and Hilary Duff), along with their makeup transformations.

Beautiful Jessica!

I sing: “These Boots Are made for Walkin’” and what do you think of? If you’re a guy, it’s probably about how hot Jessica Simpson looked in that music video in her Daisy Dukes. If you’re a gal, it’s probably….well, how hot Jessica Simpson looked in those Daisy Dukes (AND what kind of torture she must have gone through to fit into those things)! But at a recent chili cook off performance in Florida, Jessica revealed a new, more bootylicious figure. And surprise, surprise, our body-obsessed media went wild. Hurtful “fat jokes” about Jessica’s minor weight gain have circulated the Internet. I think Jessica looks beautiful and healthy, and in my opinion, a whole lot better than she did with her ribs poking out. And hopefully she’s a little happier than she was when she looked so darn hungry. It’s sad that our world still finds it acceptable to criticize a woman’s weight. I just love what Pete Wentz, Ashlee Simpson’s husband, had to say about how all the body criticism towards his sister-in-law is affecting young fans. "It's bad for young women," Wentz added. "I see it affecting young girls who come to our shows, and that's a bummer." The Fall Out Boy bassist continued: "Real beauty is on the inside, man." We agree, Pete! Embrace your curves. Be yourself. We at It Cosmetics are committed to helping women be the most beautiful version of themselves. At any size.

Does Beauty Equal Pain?

How far would you go to put your “best face forward?” For some, the quest for beauty involves pain. Lots of pain. A nose job, face lift, a little botox here and there, what about a chin implant or cheek augmentation? Countless celebrities are suspected of having gone under the knife (Ashlee Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Tara Reid, Ashley Tisdale, really the list goes on and on and on).

The obsession with the perfect face is universal. Check out this uncomfortable-looking little torture chamber from Japan called a “face belt.”

You fit the donut around your head, pump in air, and squeeze your double chin and droopy cheeks inward and upward. Fun. Not.
We at It Cosmetics confess we have our own face insecurities…whether it’s wanting to disguise a double chin or contour our cheekbones. We are so excited that we have found a cheaper, less-painful alternative to the madness of plastic surgery (and face belts!). Meet your new best friend, “My Sculpted Face.” It’s complete with 6 contouring and highlighting shades and a face chart that shows you exactly where to apply each shade to sculpt your face to achieve a slimmer face, straighter nose, or whatever it is you want. So before accepting that silly and old-fashioned “beauty is pain” saying, consider the pain-free power of contouring and save your surgery money for something that involves more fun, and less bruising.

Miss America Swimsuit Secrets Revealed on Rachel Ray

There she is…..Miss America!!!!!! And what’s that she’s holding? An Abs in a Box kit! It Cosmetics was featured on the Rachel Ray Show this week where Miss America 1993 Leanza Cornett put our Abs in a Box kit to the test in the show’s human lab. The verdict? The beauty queen and the audience gave it two thumbs up! Body makeup secrets may not have been around (or maybe they were just a little more hush hush?) 16 years ago when the lovely Leanza competed, but now, from regular gals, to mom’s like Leanza, to celebrities and of course almost every pageant girl we’ve talked to uses it to get a leg up (a smokin’ hot leg of course) on the competition or just look a little better WITHOUT going under the knife. We can’t help but wonder if the newly crowned Miss America, Katie Stams, used body makeup contouring to help her achieve that picture perfect swimsuit body. Don’t worry, Katie, if you did, your secret is safe with us!!

Celeb Resolutions

We are approaching the end of the first month of the New Year…do you know where your New Year’s resolution is? Hopefully it’s not been thrown out the window yet, but if it has…don’t despair! You’re in good company. Only about 8% of New Year’s resolutions actually succeed.

Despite the less than optimistic success rate, celebrities are resolving along with the rest of us. Check out what some of your fave stars told Us Weekly they are working on for 2009:
KIM KARDASHIAN:

"Probably just to continue last year, which was to get in shape and stop eating sweets. I think I'm going to continue that because I broke it a little bit."

SPENCER PRATT :

"To stop eating pizza every day. I think my wife [Heidi Montag's] resolution will make that happen. She says she's going to cook."

CAMERON DIAZ:

"I have always had the same New Year resolutions: to stop smoking, to start wearing a bra and to stop shopping."

BRITNEY SPEARS:

"I would like to stop worrying so much because I worry all the time. And to learn how to be happier, just in general. And to stop biting my nails!" EVA LONGORIA PARKER "To give up meat."

FERGIE:

"It's always the same: to work out more and eat healthier. I'm trying to go organic, eat more raw."

ASHLEE SIMPSON :

"All my focus is on my son. Every day, being a better mom and learning with him. It's an incredible experience."

CARMEN ELECTRA :

"To have more fun! I was just with Jenny McCarthy not too long ago, and she said, 'Carmen, life is supposed to be fun.' And I remembered that, it stayed in my head. And that is my goal." JAMIE FOXX:

"I'm looking for the right woman. I need a magnifying glass! I'm trying to find that rare jewel." STEPHANIE PRATT:

"I'm making my boyfriend quit smoking. I'm lazy -- that's all I'm doing!"

JULIE BOWEN:

"To have a healthy baby. Last year, my New Year's resolution was to run the L.A. Marathon, and I got up to 18 miles in my training and I got injured so you know what, I'm putting it on the list for next year."

KANYE WEST:

"My resolution is to be as nice as possible to the press." JENNIFER MORRISON: "To learn Spanish faster. I started doing the Rosetta Stone program a year ago. I'm getting there, but I want to get a little more focused."

AISHA TYLER:

"To be happier! I'm a pretty happy person, but I try to be as happy as I can."

BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN:

"It seems to be to stop smoking every year. We'll see how it goes this time."

KATHY GRIFFIN:

"To eat more carbs!"

DAVID ARCHULETA: "I would like to learn more about the music and business that I have gotten into. I would like to get more involved in the writing side of music, and also I’m learning more things about performing and meeting a lot of new people that I can learn from."

We want to know...did YOU set a resolution this year? If so, are you still on the resolution bandwagon?

The It Lady's Look on Inaguration Day

Ever since Obama won the election, we have been debating over what the soon-to-be first lady will wear on Inauguration day. While we don’t know who designed her certain to be fabulous gown, we do know a very important piece of the puzzle…makeup! Mrs. O’s makeup artist, Ingrid Grimes-Myles, revealed to US Weekly what products she will be using to glam up the already gorgeous Michelle for the big day.
Grimes-Myles said she would choose "chic neutrals" for the daytime Inauguration ceremony, including:
It Cosmetics Lip Plumping Pencil in Attract and Energy
Model Co Colourbox Eye Shadow in Seychelles
Stendhal Mascara in Noir Black
POP Beauty Blush Cake in Natural in Nudes

For the evening ball, the executive makeup artist hinted that she will be going for “major glam, with deep, smoky plum-lined lids.” She will be using:

Mineral Essence Eye Shadow in Merlot
Bloom Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black
Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten in Berry
Paula Dorf Lip Color Sheer Tint in Innocence

We at It Cosmetics are truly honored that our lip pencil was selected by Mrs. Obama's makeup artist! For more information on sculpting YOUR perfect presidential pout, click here!

Makeup Tricks for Full Sexy Lips

Do you ever notice the plump, full lips of celebrities like Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears or Kim Kardashian and wish you could achieve a similar look? Here are a few tricks to get your lips seriously plumped up!

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Publish at Scribd or explore others: howto beauty

New Year's Resolution Update

We are approaching the close of the first month of the New Year…do you know where your New Year’s resolution is? Hopefully it’s not been thrown out the window yet, but if it has…don’t despair! You’re in good company. Only about 8% of New Year’s resolutions actually succeed. Despite the less than optimistic success rate, celebrities are resolving along with the rest of us. Check out what some of your fave stars told Us Weekly they are working on for 2009:

KIM KARDASHIAN:
"Probably just to continue last year, which was to get in shape and stop eating sweets. I think I'm going to continue that because I broke it a little bit."
SPENCER PRATT
"To stop eating pizza every day. I think my wife [Heidi Montag's] resolution will make that happen. She says she's going to cook."
CAMERON DIAZ:
"I have always had the same New Year resolutions: to stop smoking, to start wearing a bra and to stop shopping."
BRITNEY SPEARS:
"I would like to stop worrying so much because I worry all the time. And to learn how to be happier, just in general. And to stop biting my nails!"
EVA LONGORIA PARKER
"To give up meat."
FERGIE
"It's always the same: to work out more and eat healthier. I'm trying to go organic, eat more raw."
ASHLEE SIMPSON
"All my focus is on my son. Every day, being a better mom and learning with him. It's an incredible experience."
CARMEN ELECTRA
"To have more fun! I was just with Jenny McCarthy not too long ago, and she said, 'Carmen, life is supposed to be fun.' And I remembered that, it stayed in my head. And that is my goal."
JAMIE FOXX:
"I'm looking for the right woman. I need a magnifying glass! I'm trying to find that rare jewel."
STEPHANIE PRATT:
"I'm making my boyfriend quit smoking. I'm lazy -- that's all I'm doing!"
JULIE BOWEN:
"To have a healthy baby. Last year, my New Year's resolution was to run the L.A. Marathon, and I got up to 18 miles in my training and I got injured so you know what, I'm putting it on the list for next year."
KANYE WEST:
"My resolution is to be as nice as possible to the press."
JENNIFER MORRISON:
"To learn Spanish faster. I started doing the Rosetta Stone program a year ago. I'm getting there, but I want to get a little more focused."
AISHA TYLER:
"To be happier! I'm a pretty happy person, but I try to be as happy as I can."
BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN:
"It seems to be to stop smoking every year. We'll see how it goes this time."
KATHY GRIFFIN:
"To eat more carbs!"
DAVID ARCHULETA:
"I would like to learn more about the music and business that I have gotten into. I would like to get more involved in the writing side of music, and also I’m learning more things about performing and meeting a lot of new people that I can learn from."

We want to know...did YOU set a resolution this year? If so, are you still on the resolution bandwagon?

One True Beauty

One of the great parts about It Cosmetics being part of the HSN family is getting to meet the many other brand founders and experts that are there as well. We recently shared a visit date with the brand Carol’s Daughter where I got to meet the lovely founder Lisa Price. I don’t usually write about these experiences, but decided to share this with you simply because of how beautiful Lisa was/is. We all know how wonderful her products are, but to meet her behind the scenes and chat with her like two longtime friends was a gift. Within the first few seconds of talking I could feel her warm, welcoming spirit and the best way I can describe being around Lisa is ‘home.’ That same comfortable, joyous feeling you get when you are home, is the same vibe oozing from Lisa Price. Her products not only make us feel beautiful - Lisa is truly beautiful, inside and out!