Beauty editors are particularly choosy about what products they spend money on. After all they get a lot of freebies, however they do admit – why splurge on a pricey eyeliner when there’s a $1 one that does the trick?
image from totalbeauty
Something to consider especially since we tend to spend a lot of $$$ on products. If you are going to shell out the big bucks, do it on something that benefits your skin — like an ultra moisturizing lipstick or an anti-aging cream and/or serum. But trendy, wear-once-in-a-while colors & some other face/body/hair care products? Those are your cheap thrills. Here are some to consider from Allure “best of beauty”
These 15 products belie their rock-bottom price tags (all are $10 or less) beautifully. Available at most drugstores in the U.S.
MAKEUP
NYC New York Color Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer, $3.99. The Spanx of primers: It firms, evens, and is so lightweight you won’t even notice that you’re wearing it.
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder, $3.99. Swirled together, the ribbons create a rose-gold blush; used individually (wet or dry), they make lids glisten too.
WednWild Illuminating PowderNYC Bronzer
NYX Matte Bronzer, $9. Shimmer-free and available in five sun-kissed shades, the powder makes it easy for every woman to have a believable bronze. The extra-large pan means you can keep the charade going year-round.
Mark “just pinched” instant blush tint in Berry, $8.
mark just pinched
This cool raspberry sinks into skin for that proverbial glow, and doesn’t go MIA like so many cream blushes.
Rimmel eye palette
Rimmel London Glam’Eyes HD Quad Eye Shadow in Black Cab, $5.99. Blended together, the four shades strike the ideal balance of sparkle and soot for sexy smoky eyes. Use as liner too.
L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Mascara – A unique formula of panthenol and ceramide-R builds and thickens voluptuous lashes while conditioning them, so they remain supple and healthy. An exceptionally plush brush is designed to glide on just the right amount of mascara without clumping or flaking. Non-irritating, fragrance-free formula is safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers. Price: About $6 USD / $8 CDN. Overall: A great everyday mascara! Super black, holds a curl but just not as waterproof as expected.
vaseline cocoa butter lip
Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter. So rich and effective, a pot slightly bigger than a Tootsie Roll is all you need to keep lips, cuticles, and even elbows smooth this winter.
SKIN
Pond’s Luminous Clean Daily Exfoliating Cleanser. So many all-in-ones fail to do much of anything. This mix of kaolin, microbeads, and shea butter smooths and soothes as well as three separate products.
neutragena
Neutrogena Make Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes. These alcohol-free wipes erase the smudgy signs of a late night faster than it takes to chug a glass of water. Keep them on your bedside table.
Ambi Skincare Fade Cream. This hardworking cream plays offense (breaking up dark spots with 2 percent hydroquinone) and defense (protecting with
AMBI
sunscreen).
HAIR
aussie
Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Condition. Reforms the most overprocessed hair yet won’t overwhelm fine and frizzy types.
NAILS
maybelline nails
Maybelline New York Color Show Nail Lacquer (shown here in Keep Up the Flame). Mint green, canary yellow, silver-flecked navy—there are certain trendy polish shades you want to play with before committing. At this price, you easily can do both.
BODY
Jergens Crema Hydrating Coconut Milk. So deliciously tropical, we half expect this vitamin-E-enriched moisturizer to be packaged in a hollowed-out coconut.
St. Ives Naturally Smooth Hand Cream, $2.99. This heavy-duty hydrator absorbs in seconds, so it leaves our hands (and iPad screens) grease-free. And it has just the faintest floral-citrus fragrance.
Aveeno Active Naturals Hydrosport Sunblock Spray SPF 30.A beach-bag essential: The clear spray clings to even soaking wet skin while the potent broad-spectrum sun protection swims laps around similarly priced sunblocks.
Ahhh the cardigan – the perfect light cover up! I can never have enough cardigans.
Best Looks: From left to right, Michael Kors, No. 21, Alexander Wang, Pringle ofScotland and Burberry. Photo: Garance Doré
A great part of any womans wardrobe. The practicality and convenience a cardigan provides is endless. Long or short, buttoned or unbuttoned, belted or not, without a doubt, classic cardigans are always in style….but some of the newer collections feature large knits with decorative fur & unusual asymmetry – some have no buttons or zippers.
You can choose to belt them or close them with a large safety pin (some would) or large broach.
They’re work appropriate but cardigans can also look sexy on top of light layers and soft fabrics.
There’s a style for every body type. Which is your favorite?
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, plus 1 Tbsp. chopped, for serving
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
3 pounds large russet potatoes, cut lengthwise into wedges.
Preheatoven to 425 degrees. Put the olive oil, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, oregano and parsley in a food processor; add 1 tsp. salt, and pepper to taste. Puree until smooth.
Toss the potatoes with ½ cup of the prepared vinaigrette in a large bowl and spread in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet (reserve the remaining vinaigrette.) Roast the potatoes until tender and golden, turning occasionally, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Transfer the potatoes to a platter and drizzle with some of the remaining vinaigrette. Season with salt and garnish with the chopped parsley.
Serve with the remaining vinaigrette on the side.
* Bobby BIO:
Bobby Flay is always busy with his hit Food Network shows: Barbecue Addiction, Throwdown, Boy Meets Grill and Food Network Star.
Bobby discovered his culinary identity at the age of 17, working as a cook at the famed theatre district haunt Joe Allen’s. The job had been arranged by his father, who was a partner in the restaurant. After a short time, Joe Allen himself became so impressed by Bobby’s talents that he paid the young cook’s tuition to the French Culinary Institute.
Following his graduation in 1984, Bobby worked with restaurateur/owner Jonathan Waxman at Buds and Jams, where he first discovered the sweet heat of Southwestern ingredients. It was at these burgeoning restaurants that he met other icons of the era – Wolfgang Puck, Jeremiah Tower — whom he credits with spawning an entire generation of chefs. After Jams, Bobby debuted as Executive Chef at the East Village’s Miracle Grill, where he caught the attention of restaurateur Jerome Kretchmer. Kretchmer offered the 25-year-old the opportunity to create his own sensation at Mesa Grill, which opened in 1991.
Bobby brought his unique amalgam of innovative food and inviting hospitality to Las Vegas with the 2004 opening of Mesa Grill at the legendary CaesarsPalace. The city’s upbeat urban energy provides an ideal backdrop for Mesa Grill’s lively cuisine. In March 2007, Bobby brought Mesa Grill to The Cove Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas, and in July 2008, opened his first Bobby’s Burger Palace (BBP) in Long Island.
Fashion week may be over in Paris, but one of its highlights carries on through January 26, 2014. The Palais Galliera—a.k.a. the Museum of Fashion—re-opened its doors last Tuesday, after four years of dusty renovation. In between shows, crowds have been rushing to admire its successful facelift and the city’s first retrospective of the legendary couturier Azzedine Alaïa.
Azzedine Alaïa’s body-con designs defined the aesthetic of Paris in the 80’s
Olivier Saillard, the museum’s director and curator of the exhibit describes Alaïa as one of the last living designers who actually knows how to draw, sew, and model. He is a true artisan of over 30 years. The famous Azzedine technique, which is to sculpt the dresses directly on the models, aims to celebrate women’s bodies, accentuating their assets and hiding their flaws.
photo – Garance Doré
Alaïa, Palais Galliéra, 10 Avenue Pierre ler de Serbie, 75116, September 28, 2013 – January 26, 2014
“Forgive your enemies, just don’t forget their names” –John F. Kennedy
from pulp fiction
“What’s your name,’ Coraline asked the cat. ‘Look, I’m Coraline. Okay?”Cats don’t have names,’ it said.’No?’ said Coraline.’No,’ said the cat. ‘Now you people have names. That’s because you don’t know who you are. We know who we are, so we don’t need names.” ― Neil Gaiman, Coraline
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. – William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Tigers die and leave their skins; people die and leave their names – Japanese proverb.
Unprocessed and uncooked organic produce has earned status as the gold standard in health food, but when it comes to vegetables, less (cooking time) isn’t always more. In fact, several varieties actually pack a bigger nutritional punch once they’ve been heated up above 115 degrees.
Taken from an article written by Jessica Chia
Compared to their raw counterparts, cooked tomatoes deliver more lycopene, an antioxidant that can lower the risk of prostate cancer, heart disease, and lung cancer. Likewise, heated carrots deliver a bigger dose of beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A. Spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, and cabbage also supply maximum antioxidants and nutrients when cooked, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, author of *Read It Before You Eat It(this nationally recognized nutrition expert from New York tells shoppers exactly what should be going into their carts.)To lock in peak nutritional value, Taub-Dix recommends steaming vegetables to avoid overcooking, and adding flavor with fresh herbs and spices, rather than drowning them in rich sauces or fat-loaded batters. That means tempura is out and your easy, cheesy broccoli recipe was overdue for retirement, anyway.
Veggies that fare better fresh: beets’ brain-boosting folate, broccoli’s cancer-combating myrosinase, and red peppers’ immunity-improving vitamin C are all at their highest levels in their natural state. Other raw standouts include coconut, cacao, lettuce, cucumbers, nuts, and seeds.
Eating slices of plain beets or a handful of unsalted nuts not your style? Taub-Dix suggests tossing vegetables, fruit, nut milk, and nut butter in a blender for a nutritious, protein-rich, and surprisingly satisfying smoothie. Drizzling raw veggies with a little oil-based dressing is another way to add flavor without defeating your clean-eating efforts.
Here, Taub-Dix shares her favorite smoothie recipe, a trio of refreshing fruit, cholesterol-lowering kale, and heart-healthy chia seeds.
Fruit, Kale, and Chia Smoothie
½ banana
½ apple
½ mango
Handful of kale leaves
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 cup water
2 ice cubes
About the book:
There is a wealth of information on labels, but most people have no idea that products labeled “trans-fat free” can contain trans-fats or that “all natural” is a meaningless phrase. Readers can bring this handy guide to the supermarket to help them interpret labels like a pro. How much sodium is too much? Are all carbs the kiss of death? And what does “organic” really mean? Taub-Dix clears up the confusion by showing readers how to make sense of the labels and sidestep tricky marketing ploys. She walks them through a typical grocery store and points out the best food choices to make in every aisle.
Also, **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.
The question is: What is the meaning of a name and how does a name influence a person’s character?HAVE YOU EVER stopped to wonder why you have the name you have? Why did your parents choose your name and if you were to change it and pick one for yourself, what would it be?
Because aside from having a different surname through something like marriage, many people have decided to change their first names too.
I’ve thought about if from time to time knowing that I came thisclose to having a totally different first name – something slightly more glamorous sounding. Something I might have preferred if I was given the choice. So If that was the case, would my personality be totally different?
For instance, how often have you been given the name of someone you haven’t yet met and assumed a personality type to fit the specific name? For instance, a girl named ‘Paris’ sounds worldly & sophisticated while someone named ‘Tiffany’ appears to be spoiled. Just saying..
So just for fun I located a website that gives you your ‘apparent’ personality type when you type in your first name. Give it a try yourself and see if the truth comes out.
The Energy In Your Name and What it Means
The power of a name and its value has long been immortalized in prose, poetry, and religious ceremony. Everyone recognizes himself or herself by name.
Below is a brief analysis of my first name only:
– The name Debbie creates a dual nature in that you can be very generous and understanding, but you can also be so candid in your expression that you create misunderstanding.
– You struggle with the requirement to soften your expression with tact and diplomacy and to consider the feelings of others.
No sir, I did NOT feed that ground squirrel!
– Difficulty in accepting or admitting that you may have made a mistake causes you to appear to be stubborn and set in your ways.
– Thus, you have too often created the wrong impression, and friendships have suffered.
– This name does offer creative talent where there is the opportunity for ingenuity and originality.
– You have a tendency, at times, to have too many ideas on the go, and thus your efforts are scattered and many things do not reach completion.
– You are included to do to excess the things you like to do.
– You have very intense feelings and find it difficult to maintain stability and happiness.
– If you allowed it, temper and self-pity could be problems.
Before you go criticizing my good/bad points, go ahead and try it yourself with the link below:
GLAM up & Away at airports – with the benefit Pink Bus kiosk. If you can buy cupcakes and tacos on the go, why not satisfy your hunger for makeup!? That’s exactly what the company thought.
Have you ever been to the tiny Benefit flagship store in Mill Valley, California? It’s so cute, mostly pink, very inviting & attention grabbing (as most of their product line is) at the same time – I dare you to walk by without stopping in. Then you’ll come out with at least two products in your bag that you can’t wait to try on. They’re one of the most fun cosmetic lines out there with many excellent products. Let’s narrow a few down because Winter is almost upon us and our skin tends to get dull and dry. We need a pick me up in the complexion department. Granted, these 3 products do “almost” the same thing with a slight twist so you really don’t need all three – maybe just one or two. Okay all three!
Highlighting the “HALL OF FAME” Highlighters
watt’s up!
soft focus highlighter for face – Why we love it!
The soft focus highlighter turns “watt” ya got with a delicate champagne glow that’s gorgeous. With a cream-to-powder finish…it’s a switch on “wow” for all complexions. You’ll adore the smooth applicator & luminous sheen.
Who else loves it!
2011 Real Beauty Gold Star Award, Best Makeup Products from 2011
How to apply
Glide on cheek & brow bones…then sculpt with its soft glow blender for YOUR perfect gleam. Can be applied solo or over existing makeup.
high brow
a brow lifting pencil – Why we love it!
This soft brow highlighting pencil is your instant brow lift! Perfect for all skin tones, the linen-pink highlight hue adds a lifted look to the entire eye area. It’s never been easier to raise a brow…or two!
How to apply
Apply pencil under your brow following the arch. Lightly blend.
high beam
luminescent complexion enhancer – Why we love it!
This satiny pink liquid highlighter accents cheek & brow bones for a dewy, radiant glow. Use as a spot highlighter over makeup or wear under complexion products for subtle luminescence. It’s the “supermodel in a bottle!”
Who else loves it!
2012 TotalBeauty.com Awards, readers’ choice for best highlighter
How to apply
Dot and blend over makeup on to cheek and brow bones, or anywhere you want a glance to linger.
Available at Sephora & most major department stores.
*NEW – Glam Up & Away: with vintage pink bus beauty kiosks coming to airports across the U.S.
Whoever said you can’t get your Benefit faves on the go clearly had never met a woman in 2013! Taken from their blog:
Think back to your last 4-hour flight… you arrived at your destination wearing workout pants, hair in a messy bun, and skin feeling dry & lifeless. Let’s face it, you were more Page Six tragic than celebrity jet-setting status.
I’ve been feeling kind of blue lately – Cobalt to be specific. The shade creeps up from time to time and last year we started seeing more of this bright color.
Crazy for Cobalt: his season the intense blue made a statement on everything from cozy sweaters to swingy dresses. It seems to have edged out olive and rust as this fall’s most prominent hue.
How many shades of blue are there exactly? I don’t know but some editors seem to have a handle on it:
Meryl Streep to Anne Hathaway in “The Devil WearsPrada” – “You go to your closet and you select that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis. It’s actually cerulean. And you’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent wasn’t it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers.” …………………on and on she goes
With its cool undertones, cobalt complements everycomplexion from porcelain to dark chocolate.
Derek Lam
Best colors to pair cobalt with: neutrals like grey, black, white or a combo of either.
Always braise on low temperatures. The low temperature & slower cooking time helps to break down the tissues in the meat & makes tougher (and cheaper) cuts of meat turn out nice & tender.
after
The amount of ribs will depend on the number of people – figure ½ lb. per person.
before
Preheat your oven to 300°F.
·Pat the meat dry with paper towels. This will help you get a nice brown crust on the meat in the next step. Sprinkle with garlic salt, onion salt + pepper.
·Heat a small amount of oil in a heavy-bottomed oven-proof braising pan or Dutch oven over high heat. When the oil is very hot, add the meat. Brown the meat for a minute or two on all sides. Remove the meat from the pan and set it aside.
·Lower the heat to medium and add aromatic vegetables like chopped onions, leeks, carrots and celery. You could also add a few cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed. Sauté for a few minutes or until the vegetables start to soften.
·Deglaze the pan with a flavorful liquid, such as stock, broth or wine (you can even use beer). I used beef stock. Scrape off any roasty bits (called fond) from the bottom of the pan and bring the liquid to a simmer. This liquid will add flavor to the braise. *The long, slow, moist heat of braising is the best way to soften tough cuts of meat.
·Check the level of the braising liquid. The liquid should just barely cover the meat. You can now add other flavorings and seasonings, like whole peppercorns or bay leaves.
· Bring the braising liquid back to a simmer, then cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the 300°F oven.
·Braise for 1 to 5 hours, depending on the amount of ribs used. Figure about an hour per pound but check to make sure they’re tender.
· Remove the pan from the oven. Pour cooking liquid through a fine sieve set over a saucepan, discarding solids, and skim fat. If necessary, boil liquid to thicken it slightly, and spoon sauce over ribs. Or; to make a sauce or gravy from the braising liquid, first make a roux, then whisk some of the braising liquid (strain it first) into the roux until it thickens. Cook on low heat for a few minutes, then season.
Any remaining sauce would be great served over egg noodles.
Stock vs Broth – is there a difference?
Turns out that there is a slight but significant difference.
Stocks and broths both start off the same way: various kitchen scraps of vegetable, meat, and bone are slowly simmered to extract as much flavor as possible. For stock, it stops there — this is an unseasoned liquid that doesn’t taste all too great on its own, but makes a fantastic neutral base for soups, sauces, and other kitchen creations.
Broths, on the other hand, get some seasoning. We add salt, some other spices like black pepper, perhaps a splash of wine — all for the purpose of making this neutral stock taste delicious on its own. A more technical definition for broth would actually be “seasoned stock.” Now that the salt and other seasonings are added in, broth is tasty and satisfying.
NYC New York Color Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer, $3.99. The Spanx of primers: It firms, evens, and is so lightweight you won’t even notice that you’re wearing it.
panthenol and ceramide-R builds and thickens voluptuous lashes while conditioning them, so they remain supple and healthy. An exceptionally plush brush is designed to glide on just the right amount of mascara without clumping or flaking. Non-irritating, fragrance-free formula is safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers. Price: About $6 USD / $8 CDN. Overall: A great everyday mascara! Super black, holds a curl but just not as waterproof as expected.
St. Ives Naturally Smooth Hand Cream, $2.99. This heavy-duty hydrator absorbs in seconds, so it leaves our hands (and iPad screens) grease-free. And it has just the faintest floral-citrus fragrance.
A beach-bag essential: The clear spray clings to even soaking wet skin while the potent broad-spectrum sun protection swims laps around similarly priced sunblocks.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.