AnnaLou's Beauty Buzz

Christmas Break

2009-12-17T22:41:00.000-08:00

Just letting everyone know I'll be taking a short break from blogging during the holidays.

Will return in a couple weeks.

In the meantime, please check in with me on the Examiner/losangeles. I currently serve as the Los Angeles Beauty Examiner and will be updating regularly through the holidays.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

http://www.examiner.com/x-27280-LA-Beauty-Examiner

Eyebrow Shaping Tutorial

2009-12-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

Often times we overlook the fact that our eyebrows can help amplify our looks and overall appearance. Did you know that certain styles and shapes look better on certain people, based on hair color, thickness, and other facial features? Shaping your eyebrows can be a challenging task if you’ve never done it before, and in the recession it’s not always affordable to shuck out $20 to get them waxed and shaped at a salon.

Here are a few tips to consider in attempting the task at home.

1. Invest in a good pair of tweezers. I recommend Tweezerman tweezers because of the company’s free sharpening and replacement policy. You don’t even have to pay shipping!

2. Think about your facial features. Take a good long look in the mirror and examine your face, and how your eyebrows naturally grow. Generally, your natural growth pattern will be most appropriate for face but in need of some cleaning up and management. For example, if your eyebrows have a natural, significant arch but appear overgrown and even brushy, then it’s best to continue with your natural pattern.

3. To get the desired arch shape, take a straight edge or a ruler and line it up with the bottom side of your nose (right near the nostril) with the outermost part of your iris. Where the straight edge intersects with your eyebrow should be the peak of your arch, or highest point. Follow this rule for both eyebrows to obtain symmetry.

4. The width of your eyebrow should begin in correspondence to the innermost part of your eye. To determine the ending spot, use the straight edge and line up the outermost part of your nose with the outer part of your eye.

5. To determine the thickness of your eyebrows, consider the strength and sharpness of your facial features. If you have strong features, keep your eyebrows at a medium or full level. If you have soft, subtle features, go medium to thin.

Eyebrow shapes for Different Facial Types:

1. Round faces should consider arching eyebrows. This provides dynamic in your face.

2. Long, oval faces may consider a flatter, subtle arch style which will consolidate your features.

3. Angular shaped faces might consider curved, rounder eyebrows to soften your features.

If you don’t trust yourself to free-hand it, consider eyebrow stencils to aid in shaping. Most stencils come in a variety of arch shapes and styles and thickness levels to compliment your face.

Here is a step-by-step video by HowdiniGuru explaining the process.

And that's all there is to it!

Hope you enjoyed my mini eyebrow tutorial!
-AnnaLou

The Deep Dark Secrets of DIY Beauty

2009-12-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

Every Friday I spend my last hour of the day lying in bed watching 20/20, my favorite news show. Last week, as I was drifting to sleep I saw two segments of the show that I felt I absolutely must share with everyone. They include at-home cosmetic procedures gone wrong, and how tanning salons are lacking in their ethics when it comes to tanning addicts.

There are some frightening images of people now scarred for life, with blisters and facial deformities from at-home treatment of beauty chemicals bought online. Being a woman has certain pressures and expectations to stay young and flawless until you die. I beg you, don’t buy in. Never, ever buy any type of self-injecting chemicals online that claim to reduce your wrinkles or plump your lips. These procedures can have devastating results.

When it comes to tanning, limit the frequency and duration of your sessions. Many people fail to acknowledge that you CAN get cancer from a tanning salon if you abuse it. Not all establishments are looking out for you, despite government regulations. Your body is your responsibility. If you must tan, “fake bake” or use some type of protection.

To view the videos, visit www.abcnews.go.com/2020

Tanning Salons Downplay Health Risks

DIY Cosmetic Products: Women Turn to Web

Livestrong Dares to Be Healthy

2009-12-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

A Recommendation from your Beauty Blogger...

About six months ago I stumbled onto the Livestrong website, became a member, and started keeping a food journal. One of the major benefits of the Livestrong website is that you can find the calorie content in popular fast food and restaurant meals without having to search all over the web. You can search for things you’ve had to eat throughout the day, even finding specific brands that may have a slight variation in calorie content. In addition, at the end of the day, Livestrong’s Daily Plate service, free of charge, displays a pie chart with a breakdown of how much fat, carbohydrates, and protein you’ve consumed.

Here’s how it works.

When signing up, you are asked to enter your height and weight to determine your BMI. At that point, you enter in whether you’d like to maintain your current weight or lose weight, and at the desired rate. (For example, 2lbs a week) You are then assigned a daily caloric intake to lose the desired amount of weight at a safe and moderate rate, such as 1500 or 1300 calories a day.
You can even track how many calories you are burning for a huge variety of exercise routines including biking, walking (with different levels), running, dancing, and gardening. By recording the amount of physical activity you’ve done and the amount of food you’ve taken in, you are given a gross and net calorie count for the day.

In addition, the site provides a huge support system to help encourage you on your journey to healthier living. I highly recommend Livestrong. So go ahead, I dare you.

-AnnaLou

How Holiday Drinking Can Affect Your Health

2009-12-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

Today I heard a story from a close friend of mine. In catching up about our weekends this morning, she filled me in about a celebration she went to Saturday night. It consisted of the typical boozing, binging, and puking phenomena that seems to go hand-in-hand with parties. I grimaced at the thought and asked her if she had fun. Her response? A half smile, followed by a sigh.

I wonder if holiday parties and binge drinking are one in the same. Funny enough, in my daily news feed is a story titled "The Happy Hour Health Trap" by Paige Greenfield about women and their drinking habits, and why it's bad for your body.

Here are some stats from her article:

"In a survey in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 80 percent of women ages 21 to 40 reported that they drink—a significant increase over 10 years ago. "
"Nearly 63 percent of women ages 21 to 34 report binge drinking (defined as downing five or more alcoholic beverages on a single occasion), according to recent research from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health."
"...A watershed study published earlier this year in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that revealed even moderate drinking raises cancer risk by an alarming degree. Researchers followed more than a million women for an average of seven years and found that regularly having just one drink per day increased their chances of common forms of cancer including those of the breast, rectum, liver, esophagus, oral cavity and pharynx."
The "average mixed drink has 300 calories...three adds almost 1,000 calories to your daily caloric intake."

Take the time to read the full story "The Happy Hour Health Trap" by Paige Greenfield to learn more about how alcohol consumption can put your body at significant risk of disease and alcoholism.

When facing the inevitable holiday parties, drink responsibly and be healthy. While alcohol may be alluring and a "guarantee" for a good time, in the long run is it worth it?

-AnnaLou

Totally Weird Experiment Involving Garlic

2009-12-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Browsing around for some neat body facts, I read an article about an experiment involving garlic. According to the article, if you rub garlic on your foot, you can taste it in your mouth 15 minutes later. Weird right?

Apparently the experiment demonstrates the body's capability to act as a sponge, absorbing and circulating anything you put on your skin. While I'm not so sure I'd like to try this myself, it reaffirms the amazing bodies we have!

To read the article, visit Glamour online.

-AnnaLou

Holiday Party Perfect

2009-12-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

One of the fun things about winter is the weekly parties that co-workers, friends, and family seem to throw in lieu of the holiday season. It's an excuse to get out and do something, while looking adorable doing it. But, here's the problem. As much as we'd all like to spend two hours getting ready, doing our hair, makeup and style routine, there often isn't enough time. After all, we've got presents to buy!

So what's the busy beauty suppose to do come Friday night after a long afternoon of Christmas shopping? We need shortcuts that will make us look effortlessly gorgeous. And, once again, Allure comes in handy with their 5 minute makeup tips.

First, let's review some seasonal trends.

Purple is in. Period. Be it lavender, violet, plum or indigo. It's here and it's lovely and apparently belongs anywhere on your face and body. Enjoy.

Smokey eyes never seem to fade away these days. Giving that fanned out, dramatic look is always a hit at any social event. So, invest in liner.

Winter is all about big, romantic, sparkly eyes and a nude, neutral lip. Popular colors this season include gold, copper, silver, black, navy, and purple. Think earthy. Think drama.

Big hair. What is this, 1985? Volumized, teased, sexy hair is ultra popular right now. Granted, you don't want to look like a ragamuffin, but try a pomp or root lifter to avoid flat, dull, hair. Unique hair accessories are a must for party hair -- be it a jeweled barrette, a feathered clip, or silky headband.

This winter is about sultry with a hint of spice. Be careful not to go overboard and create a cabaret look, but a single pop in your outfit or makeup will make you shine.

Read Allure's article "5-minute Holiday Hair and Makeup Tricks" for instructions for creating your posh party persona.

-AnnaLou

Fighting the Turkey Day Flab--One Day at a Time

2009-11-30T12:29:00.000-08:00

It’s Monday morning. You get out of bed, look for some clothes. You grab your favorite pair of jeans and are about to zip up when uh-oh. You realize those pants are a little tighter than normal. It must have been Thanksgiving weekend. Fearfully, you head to the scale to see if you’ve tacked on a couple of pounds. Does this sound like your morning?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. While most people don’t feel their holiday weight gain until the end of the year, it seems like everyone I know is complaining about their tight Monday-after-Thanksgiving pants.

So, there are a couple of things to do in order to fit back into that holiday dress by Dec. 25. An article by Diana Kelly of Prevention gives a “3-Day Diet Recovery Plan” to help get your eating habits back on track. Sure, who doesn’t love a good feast every now and then, but let’s face it—by Monday morning it’s time to get back into your daily regimen.

Kelly stresses tips of keeping a positive mindset, tracking meals with a food log, and eating small portions often instead one or two humongous meals.

Fearing your gluttonous habits will bite back come the end of December, Kelly says “Remember why you’re there—to visit with family and friends! Stay engaged in conversation and you’re less apt to keep filling your plate.”

With focused eating comes delicious rewards—a slimmer waist and healthy lifestyle!
-AnnaLou

view the article here.

Black Friday Beauty Deals

2009-11-26T16:14:00.000-08:00

It’s here. You know what I’m talking about. Black Friday. The biggest shopping day of the year. You could camp out in front of your favorite stores, huddling in the cold, and then battle it out at the register with hundreds or thousands of hopefuls—or, there is the online option.

Typically we think of Black Friday deals in department stores or multimedia and appliance stores. But what about the beauty fanatic looking for the latest goods for her girlfriends this Christmas? Sephora’s got you covered. The popular beauty product haven is offering fantastic holiday sales, get this, before Friday!

Try the $104 valued mascara sampler offered at only $39 for the batty beauty fiend.

Or what about the “Tarte Crown Jewels Lipgloss Multi-gift set” for under $40, valued at $165.

For you deep thinkers, relishing in the warm, enlightening fragrances of bath and body products, perhaps the Philosophy Best of Sephora set will get you going offered at only $55, a $97 value.
These are just some of the 129 items currently going under the Holiday Gift sets, for her.

Beauty.com is also expected to have some oh-so-fabulous deals with 32 stocking stuffers under $25, pre-Black Friday sales event. Sales go live at midnight.

In addition to just straight beauty products, Victoria Secret is offering free shipping TODAY on all of their products sent in the U.S. If you’ve got a large order of sexy goodies ($175 or more) you’ll get a bonus of $30 to ravish on yourself!

To take a look at the best beauty bargains, visit Sephora, Beauty.com, and Victoria Secret.

Happy Shopping and a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
-AnnaLou

New Info on Mammogram Screenings

2009-11-23T18:46:00.000-08:00

Recently there has been much debate about the new mammogram guidelines. For those who don’t know the new recommendations, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is advising women not to undergo routine mammograms until the age of 50. Previous guidelines for screening began at age 40.

This release sparked great controversy as Dr. Bernadine Healy, a former director of the National Institutes of Health, is standing up in favor of former guidelines.

In an interview with “Fox News Sunday”, Healy said, "This will increase the number of women dying of breast cancer. Women in their 40s have a very aggressive kind of breast cancer. They tend to progress fast. And to not screen women in that age group is astounding to me, and it goes against the bulk of individuals who are actually caring for patients. You may save some money, Chris, but you're not going to save lives.”

The Associated Press writes that the new mammogram guidelines are causing debate in the political realm, with fears that governmental health care options would no longer fund screenings before the age of 50.

The American Cancer Society does not support the new recommendations, and advises a personal decision be made with your physician.

For more information on this story, visit:

-AnnaLou

Oh Honey, Honey!

2009-11-19T14:54:00.000-08:00

Honey may be tasty on cereal or in tea, but did you know it can be used as an anti-aging skin care product? Raw honey can do wonders for your hair and skin. Honey is made up of fructose, glucose, water, oil and an enzyme produced by bees that can serve to sooth your skin!
Honey has a lot of uses, including treatment for rashes, acne, sunburns and mild skin irritations.
Here are some common ways to bring a little sugar into your life:
Honey is often seen in moisturizers, creams and other beauty products because it has the ability to retain water. Look for moisturizers with honey in your local drug store for an all natural solution.
Adding a small amount of honey when washing and conditioning your hair will bring shine and silkiness to your normal results. Remember to use a very small, diluted amount as to not become sticky or oily.
Applying honey, milk, and leaves to your skin will give you a glowing finish. If you’re in the mood for a girls day at-home spa treatment give it a try. Equal parts of each substance for best result.
Honey can help sooth your throat, which is while you’ll see it in many cold and flu remedies.
Honey serves as an antioxidant, can fight against skin damage and sunburns, contributing to the anti-aging functions.
For more information about the wonders of honey, click here.
-AnnaLou

Holiday Hunger Pangs

2009-11-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

The holidays are just around the corner, and with that comes the imfamous end-of-the-year weight gain. Or, so we think. An article by RealAge addresses four myths about holiday pounds and the realities of how much we typically gain, and what we can do about it. Essentially, you want to remember that moderation is key, come festive parties and homestyle cookin'. And remember, just eating healthy isn't enough, limit your alcohol consumption and keep up with your routine...and then some to stay trim for 2010.

Check out "4 Ways to Eat Your Way Through the Holidays and Still Button Your Pants."

-AnnaLou

Talk About Beauty BUZZ!

2009-11-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

Lancome's Oscillation PowerFoundation
Vibrating Makeup Craze

What is with this vibrating makeup trend these days? First Maybelline releases their vibrating mascara and now Lancome comes out with their oscillating foundation. I feel confused and intrigued all at once.

Maybelline’s Pulse Perfection mascara has been getting some mixed reviews. Some girls are swearing by it, saying that it covers all and makes a huge difference. Others are irritated by the design, the tickle, and mediocre results. Essentially, the product is supposed to provide “clump-free definition, intense color, and shine” all while building the lash trifecta – volume, length and curl. To learn a bit more about this vibrating mascara along with application directions, visit Maybelline.

Lancome’s new product is its Oscillation PowerFoundation, a mineral wear that claims to leave your face looking polished and “pixel-precise.” The product is a 14 hour wear, SPF 21, safe for all foundation that comes in 12 different shades. According to the Lancome website, the applicator, which resembles your typical powder puff, has 7,000 micro-vibrations per minute, breaking down the mineral into an ultra-fine foundation that is easy to blend. The vibration gives a massaging quality, suggesting to “revitalize skin, making it smoother, softer and visibly healthier” at the end of the day. Lancome even posts some Q and A on their website, along with statistics of women who saw improvement after wearing the product for four weeks. You can view this information at Lancome Oscillation PowerFoundation.

Lancome may have something here. One of the biggest deciding factors in purchasing a new foundation is how naturally flawless can we look for the lowest possible price? Mineral wear has been a popular product in the last few years because of the great skin benefits as well as its natural finish. Adding oscillation may just bring mineral wear to the next level. While the product is a bit high-end at the moment, selling at $48 on the Lancome website, this new innovation may set the standard for other companies to follow.

Still, I can’t help but wonder how practical this really is, especially for the squirmy ones.

-AnnaLou

Foods to Fight the Flu

2009-11-11T22:20:00.000-08:00

This is the year of the flu. Everyone is scrambling, lining up at clinics and schools to boost their immune system and get protection against the latest flu. People that maintain a healthy diet are less likely to be effected by illness. Prevention provides eight specific foods that can help keep you happy and healthy this flu season.

1. Yogurt has active cultures, or healthy bacteria, which keep the intestinal tract free of disease-causing germs. It is recommended to have two six ounce servings daily.

2. Oats and barley have a type of fiber that helps boost immunity, quickly heals wounds, and can make your antibiotics work even better. Replace one of your three daily servings of whole grain to oats or barley to give your health that extra kick.

3. Garlic contains allicin, which fights both bacteria as well as infection. In one study, people who consumed more garlic were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold as opposed to those who did not. It’s good to consume two raw cloves a day and add crushed garlic to meals several times a week. Consider carrying breath mints too!

4. Fish is known for being high in omega-3 fats, which can reduce inflammation increase airflow when suffering from a cold or respiratory infections. Shellfish contains selenium, which helps white blood cells to clear flu viruses in the system. Try adding fish to your diet two times a week unless pregnant or in the process of conceiving.

5. Tea, specifically green tea and black tea, has an amino acid that can boost your immune system called L-theanine. It’s recommended to have several cups daily to really add an immunity boost.

6. Beef is rich with zinc, which can significantly help your immune system. Even those with a slight zinc deficiency can be much more at risk to catching a cold or the flu. If you’re vegetarian, try to take a supplement or other zinc rich foods such as some cereals, yogurt and milk. If not, a three ounce serving of lean beef covers 30 percent of your daily value of zinc.

7. Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving favorite, but they also protect your largest organ – your skin! Skin is one of your first defenses against germs, bacteria and viruses to enter your system. Sweet potatoes have vitamin A, which is great for strengthening your skin. A half-cup serving a day will do you for 40 percent of your daily value of vitamin A.

8. Mushrooms actively increase the production of white blood cells in the body, making your immune system even stronger. The three strongest mushrooms for fighting the flu are shiitake, maitake, and reishi. It’s recommended to consume at least one-fourth of an ounce to maximize your immunity benefits.

By altering your diet for only a few weeks of the year, you can save yourself a small fortune in doctor bills. These eight foods can really make a difference this cold and flu season, and if nothing else, they offer wonderful health benefits on top of it. Remember to take your vitamins, drink plenty of fluids and avoid contact with those who are sick.
-AnnaLou

8 Simple Mistakes and How to Fix 'Em

2009-11-10T18:10:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we get a little caught up in our regular morning routines. We do things a certain way and are happy with it. But, there are always ways to improve our habits. Here are eight simple mixtakes that can really make a difference in your morning routine.
1. Lots of girls like to over condition their hair, rubbing conditioner from scalp to ends. But, did you know that you'll more than likely be washing your hair more than you need to? Applying the conditioner starting about two to three inches down from the scalp can give your hair more volume and keep it shiny, not greasy.
2. Applying foundation before your moisturizer is fully absorbed can actually make your skin appear blotchy. Sometimes the moisturizer will thin out the foundation, smearing it unevenly. Othertimes, it will bind with it causing a thinker blend that is hard to spread. Try waiting 60 seconds until your moisturizer is fully absorbed before applying foundation for a smoother, flawless look.
3. When it comes to perfume, be careful not to spritz on top of your clothes, but apply directly to the skin. To heighten the scent, put a dab of your favorite fragrance on one of your pulse points (neck, wrists) and let it dry. Do not rub in with your fingers; that breaks down the molecular structure of the perfume causing it to wear off quickly.
4.Over-plucking your eyebrows. Eyebrows should be in proportion with your face. One of the reasons we tend to over do it is when we rely on a magnifying mirror. By using a mirror that displays your entire face, you'll be able to see the proportion and not go tweezer-happy.
5. Often times when applying sunscreen, make-up and moisturizer, we will forget to cover our necks. How many times have you seen the woman with tan foundation that cuts off at the chin? It looks ridiculous. And don't even think about going to the beach without applying suncreen to your neck! Let's not take red-neck literally, girls!
6.Moisturizer under the eyes will not reduce puffiness. If anything, you'll be making the problem worse. Part of the reason you may see puffiness under the eyes is because of a salty diet, which retains water and causes swelling. What is the sky ingredient in most moisturizers? Water! Ah hah! Try using a cold compress for a few seconds in the morning or an eye gel with caffeine.
7.Over cleaning in the shower. Yes, you can really be too clean. If you scrub so hair or overwash your hair you will get rid of natural oils that protect your skin! Try bathing with warm water and a loofa to clean softly.
8. Trying to power-zap your blemishes will only make things worse. Make sure to follow directions on acne medication. It may be temping to apply repeatedly to make sure the spot will be gone in the morning, but the acids used in most medications will only dry out your skin, making you irritated and itchy.

For more information, visit Real Simple.

-AnnaLou

Last Minute Mascara Sale

2009-11-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

Just a quick tip I saw today.

For today only, Nordstrom is offering a last minute sale on mascara. Buy 2 of the same brand, get one free. All brands are included in the sale in store. Participating brands online include: Chanel, Dior, Lancome, MAC, Trish McEvoy and Yves Saint Laurent.
To view a complete list of offerings online, visit Nordstorms.

-AnnaLou

Sephora Savings

2009-11-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

Sephora has some massive savings going on right now, it seems like an array of products are filling up the sales lists or weekly specials on the site. Here are a couple of my favorite steals for this week.

Benefit Lust Duster Trio for only $10
Three shimmery shades in Moon Doggie (mint green), Big Daddy (bronze), and GoGo Girl (pale pink). The product can be used on your eyes as an eye shadow, for a cheeky bronze or blush, or as a finishing touch for a night out. This set normally runs at $54, but through the end of this week (better hurry ladies) you can walk away with some hot items for only $10! The colors are pretty neutral and can be worn with just about anything. To check out the product, visit Sephora.
Free Skincare Samples
With any purchase, you can select a free skincare sample kit at the checkout by entering the code 123SKIN. Samples include anti-aging and firming skin products from Nude, Lancome, and Shiseido. Take a look at Sephora Skincare Samples.
Extra Goodies When You Buy a Select Fragrance
When you buy any of the select fragrances on the Sephora Fragrance page, you’ll receive some sort of extra goodie, ranging from lotions and handbags, to designer alarm clocks and jewelry! While perfume purchases can be a bit costly, these extra inscentives might influence where you make your next purchase. Also, bonus gifts can make a great stocking stuffer, with Christmas just around the corner.

To review all the current specials Sephora is offering, just head on over to the Sephora Promos page.
Happy Shopping!
-AnnaLou

Smooth Stomach Shortcuts

2009-11-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

We women love to complain about our bodies. If it isn't our butts, it's our breasts and if it isn't our breasts--it's our stomachs. Just about every woman I know is looking to flatten their tummies and get that smooth, sleek look but can't seem to find the right technique.

One of the major problems we face when looking to lose weight is reaching a plateau. We start an exercise routine, start eating healthy on a regular basis and lose a little bit of weight. Wonderful! Then, it stops. We plateau and need to kick things up a notch or else our flabby bellies will remain, or even grow.

For instance, this summer I took to walking and jogging the track near my house about five times a week. Everything started out great. I lost a few pounds but about a month in I had to increase my speed and distance in order to see results.

Alyssa Shaffer, a writer for Prevention, lists some basic tips to help with tummy tightening progress.

For instance, if you are a regular crunch-addict, try doing your regular routine on a ball instead of the floor. "To get more ab toning from this classic exercise, use a stability ball," Shaffer says. "Research from San Diego State University shows you'll activate nearly 40 percent more of your topmost abdominals (the rectus abdominis) and 47 percent more of your side abs (the obliques). Then add some moves that target your deeper belly muscles." If you actively practice stress management, try going to bed even earlier. In addition, three foods that help with weight loss include whole grains, nuts, and protein.

The important thing to remember is that a normal routine will only go so far in weight loss. Our bodies naturally built up a tolerance, and as muscle is built, more activity is required for it to grow. By adding onto your regular routine, eating foods specific to target fat, and getting more sleep, you are more likely to succeed.

To read Shaffer's full story for more techniques on beating belly fat, click here.

-AnnaLou

“Just Say No” to Diet Fads

2009-11-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

I went looking for some popular diet fads and trends that have been getting a lot of face time in the media. This includes master cleanse, laxatives, the Hollywood liquid diet, the cookie diet, and all kinds of fads constantly being shoved in our faces. Zen Gray says it best in ExerciseTV’s “The Skinny” when addressing fads.

Gray tells it how it is, and while her video may be a bit humorous, diet fads can cause some serious issues in your digestive system. Make sure you have a balanced diet, exercise regularly and take care of yourself!

If you want to check your BMI and learn the ideal ways to live better, visit www.mypyramid.gov and set up your own meal plans and exercise routines.
-AnnaLou

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

2009-10-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

As I’m sure you’re aware, Halloween is coming down to the wire! If you don’t have a costume yet, you may be in a frenzy to find one, let alone one that is flattering for your particular shape. Now, you can rush out to a local Halloween store, stand in line, dig through boxes and boxes of what’s left – or you can go the do-it-yourself route.

I went looking for some flirty do-it-yourself costumes that require little time, effort, and money.
First, try to incorporate your wardrobe into your costume. It’ll save you time spent looking for the main piece of the outfit, and a few bucks too. Use old prom dresses, funky accessories, and bright colors that seem showy or flashy. Typically you’ll already have something that’s flattering in your closet, just waiting to be worn again.

While a lot of people bag on the typical princess outfit, I say go for it! If you’re in a jam and don’t want to be the party pooper that didn’t dress up – do it. Grab the old Homecoming dress, throw on some jewelry and put your hair in an up-do. For the topper, make a crown and pin it to your hair. It’s super easy to find a piece of construction paper, cut it into the shape of a crown (zigzag it or make a point in the front), and paint it silver or gold. You can even attach it with bobby pins.

If royalty isn’t your thing but you still want to be glamorous, try masquerade! Same idea as with the princess, but ditch the crown and add a mask. Ta-da! Costume! Typically you can find cheap, sequined masks at any craft store or costume store for no more than $10. Target has a selection of “designer” masks that run at $29.99 if you want a more professional look, but Party City offers a much cheaper version of the same thing.

One of my absolute favorites is a costume a friend of mine donned a couple years ago. She took random items from her wardrobe, mismatching colors, socks, leggings, patterns, and make up to become a “fashion don’t.” This is really easy to do. Look for clashing patterns such as polka dots, stripes, plaid, and floral and just have fun. The more you feel like you got dressed in the dark, the better the costume will be. Maybe curl a portion of your hair, braid another, and straighten the rest to really put the icing on the cake. Mix your make up too! Try hot pink lips with bright blue eye shadow and bronzer. Go crazy.

Hopefully these last minute tips have got you thinking and eased your mind. If you really want to have a store-bought costume, I recommend trying thrift stores before your typical Halloween supplier. And, if worst comes to worst, grab a sheet and make a toga or ghost costume. As long as you have fun with your costume, Halloween will be a hit!

-Anna Lou

How to Be a Halloween Heartthrob

2009-10-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

Seeing as Halloween is just a hop, skip, and a jump away it’s time to think about the final touches of your sexy, sweet, or oh-so-fabulous costume ideas. The right makeup can make or break your Halloween costume. As I found out last year, proper makeup can be the difference between being cute panda bear costume or a black-eyed nobody.

Halloween is the one day of the year to be someone else -- to glam it up or freak it out. Just be noticed! MSN and Glamour are giving you six tips to stand out and rock it come Saturday, recommending black lips, feathered lashes, and extravagant wigs to turn some heads.

Take a look, read the how-tos and run down to Party City and Sephora for a costume to remember.
Visit 6 Tricks to Try on Halloween.

Happy experimenting!
-AnnaLou

Is Your Lipgloss Cool? Is Your Lipgloss Poppin’?

2009-10-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Does it give back to breast cancer research? Nah, didn’t think so. But, Clinique’s does!

Clinique put out this really adorable lipgloss keychain that has not only two charms, but three Mini Long Last Glosswear products in Air Kiss, Kissy Fit, and Whisper (all a variation of pink). While the keychain will cost you $19 more than half of the proceeds from “Great Lips, Great Cause” will go towards The Breast Cancer Research Foundation! That’s $10 for each keychain sold in October.

Customers have been giving the item high ratings, saying the colors go with just about any outfit. Only trouble is the formula is a bit sticky, but a lot of high-end make up will give you the same results for a long lasting product.

So, if you're running low on shimmery pinks or neverfailing neutrals, visit www.sephora.com and search Great Lips, Great Cause for more information.

Kisses!

-AnnaLou

Get a Whiff of This!

2009-10-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

Allure’s Best of Beauty Results Are In!

Allure recently released 189 winning products for the 2009 Best of Beauty list, highlighting eyes, lips, skin, hair and more.

The first thing I looked at was scent. Recently I had been researching what the most popular fragrance on the market was, aside from Chanel No. 5, because we all know that classic will never fade, and found some pretty interesting results. One of the best selling fragrances this year is Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely, a scent marketed to women of all ages for its floral yet youthful, and elegant aroma. But, Allure didn’t seem to think so.

Best of Beauty Scents include:

Calvin Klein Euphoria

Chanel Cristalle

Estee Lauder Pleasures

Gucci by Gucci

Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle Noir Epices

Guerlain Idylle

Jeanne Lavin by Lanvin

Marc Jacobs Lola

Yet no mention of the third best selling fragrance on Amazon, SJP’s Lovely? The two top selling fragrances on Amazon include Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue and Davidoff Cool Water for men (which my beau wears I might add), neither of which appear on Allure’s list.

To see the full Best of Beauty Scent list, along with prices and more, visit Allure.
To see the Amazon top sellers, visit Amazon Best Selling Beauty Products.

-AnnaLou

Empowering "Heroes for Hope"

2009-10-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

In continuing with Breast Cancer Awareness month, FUZE Beverages is sponsoring the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation with their "Heroes for Hope" campaign and Empower drinks, specifically designed to encourage research. The drinks include Empower Pomegranate Acai Berry donned in pink, and Empower Wild Goji Berry in pretty purple. For each bottle, FUZE will donate $0.10 to the research of breast cancer, which may not seem like much but adds up quickly. FUZE has already donated $650,000 to the fight against breast cancer this year, and are committed to continue to raise more.

On the plus side, FUZE calls themselves “healthy infuzions” and containing only 10 calories per serving and all natural ingredients, they’re not out of line in doing so! So, feel free to drink the juice of empowerment, containing 100 percent daily value of vitamin C per serving.

Besides, we could all use a vitamin boost this time of year anyway!
Stay healthy and empowered.

For more information about other companies sponsoring Susan G. Komen for the Cure, visit http://ww5.komen.org/CorporatePartners.aspx

For more about FUZE and their Empower products, visit www.drinkfuze.com

-AnnaLou

Oatmeal, it's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

2009-10-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, it seems oatmeal products are popping up everywhere you look, surely to be a hot product this Christmas season at Bath and Body Works or department store counters. While some of these products can be somewhat costly, there are some major skin benefits to them. Specifically, oatmeal serves as a natural and effective way to treat irregular skin (oily or dry), razor burns and rashes, acne, sunburns, and more. But, if you’d like to do something a bit thrifty and give yourself an in-home facial, here’s a little recipe for making an oatmeal mask.

You’ll first want to cook some oatmeal, following package directions. Remember, don’t use your favorite maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal, but the good old fashion, plain oatmeal that you use to make cookies with. Then let it cool down a bit.

Next you’ll want to fluff one egg white with a fork in a separate bowl, then add to the oatmeal concoction, folding it into the mixture until smooth and easy to spread. Then add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture, which helps remove excess oils from your skin and potentially even your skin tone.

Feel free to experiment with other ingredients when making an oatmeal mask, like yogurt and banana which are common in dry skin recipes, and olive oil which can help with wrinkles.

Once you’ve mixed everything together, smooth the oatmeal mask on your face, allowing thicker amounts in problem areas. Let it dry completely and rinse with cool to room-temperature water.

Ta-da! In-home spa treatment, just like that!
-AnnaLou

For a list of a few common recipes, click here.

"And My Teeth Aren't Teeth, but Pearls"

2009-10-16T16:13:00.001-07:00

I enjoy being a girl!

Today we'll be covering some quick ways to get whiter teeth at home, because one of the most eye-catching features a young woman can have is a pearly white smile. This time the editors of Good Housekeeping are giving us some quick tips to stay not only fresh and healthy, but beautiful too.

First, they suggest the first thing to look for in a whitener is peroxide which will wash away enamel stains, but remind us not to overdo it. Even so, look for high concentrations of peroxide in trendy teeth whitening kits, like Crest Whitestrips, which really do work impressively fast! I used them recently for about six days and had people commenting immediately on my white smile.

The editors of GH also recommend Colgate Total Advanced Whitening because it offers a preventative quality in addition to bleaching.

But aside from products made specifically to whiten teeth, what can be done routinely?

For one, you can eat crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots and celery, which help clean your teeth while you eat, putting meaning behind the “apple a day keeps the doctor way” cliché.

Also, try chewing sugar-free gum after eating, which can absorb new stains on the go.

In addition, swishing water in your mouth directly after eating can serve to prevent stains, almost like a makeshift mouth wash!

To read up on all the quick tips, visit "Whiten Your Teeth at Home"

And remember to smile!
-AnnaLou

Estee Lauder Pink Ladies

2009-10-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

More and more cosmetic companies are supporting the fight against breast cancer, and Estee Lauder is one of them with their “World Pink” campaign. Right now you can purchase some perfect pink products from the “Pink Ribbon Collection” at Estee Lauder. They have two lip kits, including lipstick, gloss and liner in a bold and subtle pink color. Having worn Estee Lauder’s gloss (in one of the select colors, mind you!) for some time now, I can tell you that it’s a worthwhile purchase. Besides, what gal doesn't love a new lip gloss? They’re also including a gold ribbon designed compact and pink ribbon pin in the collection that will contribute to the funding of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Products range from $12.50 - $55.

EL isn’t just out to sell, sell, sell through their campaign; on their website is information for donating directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as well as lifestyle tips in the quest against breast cancer. Where a lot of companies seek to take advantage of any opportunity they can get, Estee Lauder looks like a genuine candidate interested in the health of womankind.

To view the “World Pink” campaign, visit: http://www.esteelauder.com/pinkribbon/

“Wear a Pink Ribbon. Make a Difference.”

-AnnaLou

City of Hopefuls

2009-10-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for a way to feel great, stay active and maybe support a wonderful cause while you’re at it, then let me tell you about City of Hope!

City of Hope is hosting their annual “Walk for Hope” breast cancer walk on October 25 for Los Angeles County. “Walk for Hope” is a national breast cancer walk series that raises millions in support of breast cancer research, education, and treatment programs through City of Hope, in Duarte.

Participants have the option to walk either a full 5K or a shorter 2K route that winds through the City of Hope campus. Need I really remind you of the benefits of walking? Or of heart conditioning? Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:00 a.m.

You’ll want to register soon, as in before Oct. 23 soon, because after that the standard fee to participate goes up to $40 for adults and $30 for children. All registration prior to that is $25 for adults and $15 for children.

This is a fantastic way to make a difference on a local scale with the whole family or a close group of friends. And, Bonus! You get to pick team names! How cute is that?

To view the registration form, click here and to learn more about the walk itself, visit http://nationalevents.cityofhope.org/

-AnnaLou

Get Felt Up!

2009-10-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

That’s right ladies, believe it or not I’m telling you to get to second base--with yourself. All jokes aside, with Breast Cancer Awareness month upon us it’s important to properly examine yourself on a regular basis. Typically you can find this information at your doctor’s office or a clinic, but be careful of what you find online.

I found a great site called feelyourboobies.com, cute right? Well, they are, stickers and all, but are sort of vague on the facts. www.feelyourboobies.com says you can perform a breast exam whenever you want, wherever, etc. But, this isn’t entirely true, aside from breaking social norms.

Looking for a more credible site, I went to http://ww5.komen.org/ and found a video that gives you a step-by-step process of what needs to be done. But, I figure we want some text, not just a video, and eHow provides a process that mirrors the Komen video!

A proper self breast exam is done lying down, not standing up. So, a good idea would be to lie on your bed.
For your right breast, place your right arm behind your head and use your three middle fingers on your left hand to apply pressure. There are three sweeps, light, medium and firm pressure. Make sure you examine the entire breast including up, down, side to side and nipple. (Also, the best time to perform a BSE, breast self-exam, is at the end of your period when your breasts are the least tender.)
Move your breast around in an up and down motion from your underarm to your collarbone. You want to make sure you check for lumps or irregularities all around your chest, not just your actual breast. Then repeat the routine on your left.
Next, take a gander! Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips to get a good look at yourself. You want to look for any changes in appearance like redness, dimpling, size, shape, contour, puckering, anything that seems weird.
The last step is to examine your underarms, and this can be done standing or sitting. Raise your arm slightly and continue checking in the same sweeping motions as before.

If you have any concerns or questions, call your doctor and have further screening done.

To view the video, visit: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/InteractiveTools.html
To read the article on eHow, visit: http://www.ehow.com/how_4878400_give-yourself-breast-exam.html

Remember girls, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little touchy feely on yourself when your health is at stake.
-AnnaLou

Convert to Yogurt!

2009-10-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

Yogurt has so many wonderful benefits, including helping to fight breast cancer with Yoplait’s “Save Lids to Save Lives” campaign that has gone on for years. It’s pretty simple. Buy Yoplait yogurt with the pink lids, save them, and send them in. For each lid, Yoplait makes a contribution to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Simple right? But maybe you’re wondering how yogurt is beneficial to you.
Your body needs a healthy dose of good bacteria for you digestive tract, and most yogurts are made with these “good bacteria” or probiotics. And if you’ve got a healthy digestive system, you’ll feel and look better!
WebMD gives 5 major benefits of having yogurt in your diet:

Yogurt can help to prevent Osteoporosis. What’s that? Osteoporosis is the loss or thinning of bone and bone tissue over time. So just as Mama said milk gives you strong bones, yogurt does too. What you need to look for in yogurt when concerned with bone health, look for vitamin D.

Yogurt may reduce the risk of high blood pressure. WebMD cites a study that was done by Dr. Alvaro Alonso that linked dairy consumption and high blood pressure, finding that consuming two to three servings of low-fat dairy reduced the risk by 50 percent! That’s pretty huge!

Yogurt helps your gut. Active cultures in yogurt can help digestive problems including lactose intolerance, constipation, diarrhea, IBS and more. It can also enhance digestive flow and enhance your immune system.

Yogurt can help your vagina! I know, this one shocked me too. But! Apparently, eating yogurt helps to prevent getting yeast infections, also known as “candida.”

Yogurt can curb your hunger. While yogurt is not the lowest calorie snack, it’s a healthy one, and will leave you fuller and more satisfied than a lot of other snacks. It is also shown that women who have a recommended allowance of healthy dairy lose more weight, and that’s always a benefit!

So, next time you’re out shopping, grab a few yogurts. Not only will you feel better physically, but you’ll be aiding in the research of breast cancer.

If you want to learn more about the Yoplait campaign visit: http://www.yoplait.com/slsl/#/how-to
For the full article on WebMD, visit: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-yogurt

So, this October you may want to convert to yogurt!
-AnnaLou

Myth Busters - Breast Cancer Edition

2009-10-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today I found this really great article on common myths about the causes of breast cancer. I was really impressed by the information, so instead of summing it up for you I’m just going to link you to the article.

“Will You Get Breast Cancer?” by Hallie Levine

It’s a quick read, giving a lot of facts about common myths about breast cancer, telling us which are valid and which can be ignored. I highly recommend all women read it because it is important for us to be informed on what is potentially hazardous to our health.
Be safe. Be informed.
-AnnaLou

A Smashing Contribution

2009-10-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

It’s October, you know what that means, and if you don’t I’ll tell you. Breast Cancer Awareness month! You may have noticed more of your peers donned in pink or ribbons popping up on trees, cars and telephone poles, and that’s because we want to support our sisters facing the trauma of breast cancer.

There are a lot of ways you can help to support your fellow woman, and Smashbox Cosmetics is offering a new lipstick in the “Fashion for the Cure” campaign, a stunning “babydoll pink.” The limited-edition photo finish lipstick gives back 40 percent of the proceeds to benefit the Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards, and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world.

Not only will you look great in pretty pink, but you will help to fight against a disease that contributes to 400,000 deaths annually worldwide!

Every bit helps, ladies, and for the rest of October, I’ll be looking for ways to contribute to the cause.

Smashbox is offering free shipping on any order. You can find the product at Smashbox for the Cure.

-AnnaLou

Nailed Down!

2009-09-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

The other day, I got a compliment on my long nails. I was asked where I got them done, and how much it cost. Typical, right?

Well, little did they know my nails are natural, and I don’t go to nail salons either.

I’ve always been one of the lucky ones that can grow exceptionally long, pretty nails without too much effort. In high school, I made the mistake of getting acrylics for prom, and I vowed never to do it again. Why? My nails were a wreck for months afterwards, and I didn’t get a single compliment. And besides, every girl wants long, natural nails if they can get ‘em.

For those of you that have trouble growing your nails, let me ask you, do you take a daily vitamin? Do you have a balanced diet?

www.VitaminsDiary.com gives a pretty complete overview of what it takes to grow healthy nails:

Vitamins for Nails
Vitamin A is essential for nail growth.
Vitamin B2 promotes healthy nails.
Vitamin C boosts overall health, and deficiency is associated with deformed nails.
Biotin strengthens keratin, the protein from which nails are formed.

Minerals for Nails
Calcium helps make nails strong.
Iron deficiency can cause nail problems.
Magnesium reduces scalp flaking.
Zinc is crucial for nail growth.

Herbs and other nutrients for nails
Omega-3 oils contain essential fatty acids vital for nail health.
Omega-6 oils strengthen nails.
Acidophilus fights fungal infections that affect nails.
Garlic improves blood flow to the nail beds.
Ginkgo biloba improves circulation, thereby increasing the amount of nutrients the nails receive

Foods to choose for healthy nails
Yeast extract, salmon, mackerel and sardines, nuts and seeds, whole grains, green, leafy vegetables, fresh or dried fruit, chicken, eggs, seaweed.

Foods to avoid
Animal fats stimulate the production of free radicals which deplete general health, reflected in the condition of your nails.

With information like this, you’ll nail it!
-AnnaLou

5 Don'ts for Great Skin

2009-09-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

Friends here are five simple rules, well, sort of simple, for maintaining great skin. Unfortunately, they are 5 Don’ts. Meaning, if you want great skin, you’ll need to make some sacrifices. Oh the burdens of beauty!

Don’t go out without protection! Ladies, you must protect your skin from the sun. If you are a frequent tanner, cut it out! Go fake-bake! You’ll thank me later, when you don’t have sun spots, or a ton of suspicious freckles popping up in your 40s that are potentially cancerous. It’s a good idea to wear SPF 30 or above, which can be found in a lot of moisturizers these days.

Don’t smoke! I feel like this is a given, we’ve all seen the girl with premature wrinkles, and a fading complexion, puffing away on a cancer stick. Do we remember her for her great skin? No. More like gray skin.

Don’t drink! Drinking alcoholic beverages dehydrates you. And when you’re dehydrated, well, your skin looks a lot older. Also, it can rupture little veins and make you look blotchy or flushed. So knock it off, girls! Or at least limit consumption.

Don’t be a sugar junkie! Yes, I know. Not only can you not tan, smoke, or drink; now you can’t have sugar. Am I a downer today or what? Well, again – moderation is key. Sugar affects your skins collagen, meaning you are likely to have a saggy smile. That youthful glow will disappear over time. Suggestion? Fruit. Natural sugars always win over Ho-Hos.

Don’t forget water! You must, must, must drink 8-10 glasses of water a day for beautiful skin. Drinking a lot of water will hydrate your skin from the inside out, leaving you feeling great at the same time. Also, try a moisturizer that works for you, and be mindful of allergies.

And that’s all there is to it!
-AnnaLou

Information provided by http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/5-things-that-can-ruin-your-skin-a-friendly-reminder-516679/

Ten Minute Marathon

2009-09-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

Who needs a gym membership when you’ve got a ten minute marathon at your fingertips?

A lot of fitness coaches or trainers will tell you that you need to have your heart rate up for 20 minutes to really reap the benefits of a workout, and I agree with this. Usually workouts below 20 minutes just don’t cut it, you might feel exhausted in a short amount of time, but the longer you’re active the better. Granted, a lot of us don’t have a lot of time to be running around for 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour. So, here’s a bit of info I found, just searching in Google for a quick workout to do at home that I thought was a pretty good suggestion.

http://living.apartments.com/health-fitness/easy-exercises-home-workout/

Here’s two of the routines:

Quick Cardio Blast: Burn up to 150 calories

Minutes one to two: High-intensity cardio, jump rope or run up and down stairs.

Minutes three to four: Do as many push-ups as you can.

Minutes five and six: Jump rope or run stairs again.

Minutes seven and eight: Do squats by standing with your back against a wall and squatting as low as you can. Focus on form rather than speed.

Minutes nine and ten: Back to the high-intensity cardio, but this time give it your all. Try to get in ten more jumps or stairs in the same amount of time.

Tone and Strengthen

Do each of these exercises for about one minute. The goal is to move continuously for the entire series.

Squats against a wall: Stand with your back against wall and squat down as far as you can.
Push-ups: Focus on form, not quantity. Knee push-ups are perfectly fine until you have the strength for military style.

Walking lunges with a front kick: Step forward with one leg and lunge until your knee is above your front foot. Stand and kick up, lower your leg and repeat with the other side.

Squats/Chest squeeze: Hold a weighted object and pull it in towards your chest as you lift up.

Dead lifts: Stand with a weighted object in your hands and bend forward until your back is parallel to the floor. Keep your back lifted the entire time. For an extra challenge, stand on one leg and alternate.

Shoulder raises: Keeping your arms straight, lift the weight to the front of your body and hold. Lower slowly and repeat.

Side raises: Stand with your upper torso parallel to the floor. Raise your arms to your sides with your thumbs pointing up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold.

Triceps Dip: Support yourself on a couch or sturdy chair with both hands behind you, facing away from the chair. Bend your knees and lower yourself using only your arms. Lift and repeat.

Wide-leg squat: Stand with your legs spread open past your shoulders and squat as low as you can.

Crunch: Lie on the floor and do a set of traditional crunches, with your arms behind your head and your knees bent. Lift up your upper torso, squeeze in your abs, lower slowly and repeat.

There is one more routine listed in the article, so if you’re interested give it a click. I definitely recommend trying this routine out, as well as trying to double the time if possible. Also, the writer mentions focusing on form more than how many you can do. In toning, quality always outweighs quantity.

Happy sweating!
-AnnaLou

Super Fruit–Activate!

2009-09-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

Acai berry. It seems like everyone knows what acai is these days. They know how to pronounce it (ah-sah-ee) and they “know” it’s the “Wonder Fruit of the Amazon.” Well, supposedly.
Granted, it has anti-oxidants, and is put in what seems about every fad dietary supplement on the market lately, but is it really a super fruit? I dug around a little bit about it, just because I’m not really one to follow the hype on weight loss tricks or whatever, and found that a lot of the acai claims are merely that. Claims.

So, let’s review, clear the air about this ah-sah-ee fad.

Anti-oxidants are all the craze. And I mean, people really have this impression that all they need are these wonderful anti-oxidants and they’ll magically be healthy. Let me take a clip from WebMD, our online doctor.

“Some studies show that acai fruit pulp has a very high antioxidant capacity with even more antioxidant content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry. Studies are ongoing, though, and the jury is still out.
“People eat acai berries to address various health conditions. But so far, acai berries have no known health benefit that’s any different than that of other similar fruits.”

So, unfortunately, our berry has proven nothing yet. We’ve all seen the ads for acai weight loss pills and powders, and WebMD addresses this too.

“Scientists are learning more about the functional power of superfoods, such as the acai berry. Although acai is touted in some weight loss products, few studies have tested the benefit of acai in promoting weight loss.
“For now, plenty of research supports eating a diet rich in antioxidants. There’s no doubt that berries and other fruits are a key part of any healthy diet promoting weight loss. The jury’s still out on whether there is something special about acai’s ability to shed excess pounds.”

So folks, I’m going to give it to you plain and simple. A healthy diet, rich with fruits and veggies, promotes weight loss, not this specific little berry that came out of Brazil. While there are some studies done that say acai can do wonderful things, there are no confirmed miracles as of yet. So for now, acai is just another fruit you might want to consider adding to your diet, but just remember your old friends apple and banana. They’re good for you too.
-AnnaLou

You can read more about the acai berry on WebMD, search acai and any of the results will give you the scoop. Here are a couple I recommend:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/acai-berries-and-acai-berry-juice-what-are-the-health-benefits
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/acai-weight-loss-wonder-fruit

Maybe She's Born with It. Then Again, Maybe Not...

2009-09-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara was voted the best drug store mascara? Shocker! No, really, shocker! An article on MSN Lifestyle gave a rundown of “24 Best Beauty Buys” (or the “Glammy” picks from Glamour) and Maybelline came out pretty well. I’ll admit, when I run out of mascara, I’m probably like the rest of you and just head down to a local drug store or supermarket and pick up an old favorite, and I’ll admit it’s usually Maybelline – but this surprised me! Let me explain. I personally love Maybelline’s waterproof XXL, you know, the one with the double edge – coat on the white conditioner and slick on the black to give you “oversized” lashes, and this surprised me. I’ve used the New York Great Lash, and yeah, it does the job alright, but I’ve yet to find a better, cheap mascara than Maybelline’s XXL. I’ve even tried the Stiletto mascara from them, and even that doesn’t compare. So if you happen to be like me, blessed with stubby eyelashes that think curling up would be a luxury, I recommend Maybelline’s XXL. It costs about the same and works 10 times better in my opinion.
To take a gander at the rest of the list, click here. You’d be surprised what us gals voted for top foundation and blush too!
-AnnaLou

Goodness Gracious Green Tea!

2009-09-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

I’ve heard time and time again that green tea is the wonder drink that leads to a healthy lifestyle, but never quite knew why. Personally, I’ve always disliked the taste of tea and couldn’t bring myself to drink it unless sweetened and masked by some sort of fruit juice. I got a bit curious as to what the wonders of green tea really are, and found the “Seven Reasons to Drink Green Tea” on Yahoo!food.

Here’s the list in a nutshell:

1. Green Tea can cut your risk of cancer. Studies have shown that people who drink green tea on a regular basis can reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon and/or prostate cancer.
2. Green tea helps your skin! Green tea is a natural antiseptic that can relieve itching and swelling of the skin, such as a bug bite, scrape or sunburns.
3. Green tea also protects your skin. When applied directly to the skin, green tea helps block sun-triggered cancer – apparently this is why green tea is often found in sunscreen.
4. Green tea can regulate your blood pressure. Those that consume half a-cup-a day are nearly 50 percent less likely to end up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Go figure!
5. Green tea may protect your memory. Older adults who consume two cups of green tea a day are half as likely to suffer from cognitive problems. The high level of antioxidants found in green tea helps to battle Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
6. Green tea will make you younger? Well, 10 ounces daily will hinder your body from absorbing fat and cholesterol. So, speaking from an internal standpoint, sure!
7. Green tea will make you thinner! Green tea can speed up your calorie-burning process and can potentially lead to a slimmer, sleeker body. This is why we constantly hear that green tea promotes weight loss.

All in all, green tea offers some pretty impressive health benefits that outweigh an aversion to the taste. Even though I may not care for green tea too much, I know I’m a bit more inclined to drink it now that I know what’s good for me.

-AnnaLou

To view the actual article, visit http://food.yahoo.com/blog/beautyeats/26529/7-reasons-to-drink-green-tea

Tone It Up A Bit!

2009-09-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here’s a neat little article I found on eHow that gives you some directions on how to find what colors should look best on you based on your skin tone and hair combination. Ultimately you’ll be placed into one of four “seasons” that help you determine your best color palette for when you go shopping! Granted, these things are never 100 percent accurate, but never the less, give it a try and see if it matches what you think are your colors. In the end, it’s probably best to go with your gut. I would probably best fit as a “summer” myself, but I love how I look in bright, bold colors, similar to what a “winter” might wear.
Determine Your Skin Tone
Decide which season most accurately describes your complexion. People - and skin tones - can be divided into "seasons," depending on their skin tone.
--"Winter" complexions have blue or pink undertones. Skin can be pale white, yellowish-olive, or dark. Winter people are generally brunettes, with deeply colored eyes. Many Asians and African Americans fall into this category.
-- "Summer" complexions, like winter complexions, have blue or pink undertones. Skin is pale and pink. Summers are often natural blondes or brunettes with pale eyes.
--“Autumn” complexions have golden undertones. Many redheads and brunettes with golden brown eyes fall into this category.
-- “Spring” complexions have golden undertones and are usually creamy white or peach. Spring people generally have straw-colored or strawberry red hair, freckles, rosy cheeks, and blue or green eyes.
Choose Clothes to Flatter Your Skin Tone
--"Winter": Winters should wear colors that are sharp, stark and clear. White, black, navy blue, red and shocking pink all go well with winter complexions. For lighter colors, wear icy tones rather than pastels. Avoid subdued tones like beige, orange and gold.
--"Summer": Summers should choose pastels and soft neutrals with rose and blue undertones. Lavender, plum, rose-brown and soft blue suit summers well while black and orange do not.
--"Autumn": Autumns should select colors with golden undertones, like camel, beige, orange, gold and dark brown. Avoid colors with blue tones, like navy.
--"Spring": Springs can wear warm colors like camel, peach, golden yellow and golden brown. Avoid dark, dull colors.
-AnnaLou
To view the entire article on the eHow website, click here.

Here Comes The Bride...

2009-09-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I attended a close friend’s wedding which happened to be Star Wars themed and a little out there, but totally appropriate for them. This is the first wedding I’ve been to where I’ve been relatively close in age to the couple, and I was pretty confused as to how I should present myself. As I stood before my closet and looked at the few dressy-but-not-too-dressy dresses I had collected over the years, I faced the dilemma of not only what to wear (though heaven knows that took a good hour of trial and error), but how to do my hair and make up for the ceremony.
Well, only having a short amount of time, I did a quick search for fast hairstyles and came across an article that offered up some solutions. The best look I could find for my particular style was this awesome volumized look I found at Glamour.

Photo: Kenneth Willardt

By Stephanie Huszar
Fake hot-roller waves in 25 minutes
You’ll save: About 35 minutes (a blowout and full head of curlers can take a good hour).
Meticulously curling every last strand isn’t the only way to transform flat hair into lush waves. “Forget the hair underneath—just pay attention to the parts that show,” says backstage pro Kevin Ryan. Blow-dry while combing hair with your fingers, pull bottom layers into a ponytail to get them out of the way and blow out just the top and front sections with a round brush. While hair is still warm, wrap two-inch chunks of hair around large Velcro rollers—five should do it (remember, you only care about the top). Mist with hairspray (try Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Firm Finishing Spray, $15, paulmitchell.com for salons). Hang for 10 minutes—do your makeup!—and remove rollers. Voilá: voluptuous waves. Watch out, Gisele!
Dress, Jill Stuart

While my hair didn’t come out quite so goddess like (of course, I substituted a hot curling iron for rollers) it was a hit at the reception.
-AnnaLou

Wham! Bam! Ka-Pow!!

2009-09-10T13:50:00.000-07:00

They say when you’re under a lot of stress, which most of us college gals are, you are more likely to break out. Speaking from my own personal experience, I’m inclined to believe that statement, true or not. Either way, acne is a problem for many of us, unless you’re fortunate enough to be born with beautiful, flawless skin that requires little to no taming every morning (yeah right!). Well, upon browsing around this afternoon, I saw that Benefit Cosmetics has a cute little product called Ka-Pow! that will not only remove your acne while you sleep, but make you feel like Wonder Woman. How cute, right? Even if it isn't the best product on the market for acne, it totally wins for cute factor. Ka-Pow! uses salicylic acid, found in most acne medications, to “zap” away blemishes under the dark cover of night. Just think of Ka-Pow as your secret weapon against the villains of acne.

-AnnaLou
To learn more, visit www.benefitcosmetics.com and search Ka-Pow!

Got A Case of Whip-Lash?

2009-09-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

MAC is introducing a line of lashes from Christina Smith which will give us gals a dramatic (to say the lease) and sophisticated look for fall. While fake lashes aren’t really my style, I must admit the look of this particular collection intrigues me. As many of us know, MAC was essentially designed for stage make up, so I’m not too surprised when I see outlandish or progressive styles from them. When visiting the company site, you can see a full collection of what’s available, from simplistic, to wispy or feathery lashes. I’m not sure how appropriate the collection is for everyday use, but each set is perfect for a night on the town, trip to the club or if you’re feeling rather posh. ;)

-AnnaLou
To cure your case of whip-lash, or lack thereof, visit the MAC website.
http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/collection.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT1769

Work It Out!

2009-09-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

It’s Labor Day, you know what that means! It’s your day off to work it out. I went browsing for some quick exercise routines you can do throughout the day that are both easy and effective and came across “The Couch Potato Workout” on MSN. It’s pretty simple, utilizing household furniture to tone up a bit. The routine includes: couch push ups, side crunches, armchair dips and stands, and scissors, all of which to be done during commercial breaks. So yes, it’s Labor Day! Let’s celebrate and be fit!

-AnnaLou

The Couch Potato Workout