Showing posts with label Redbook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Redbook. Show all posts

Redbook Magazine's Must-Have Beauty Products for 2010


Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss, $6

Redbook unveils their MVP beauty picks for 2010. 

For their 7th annual beauty awards, Redbook is celebrating the senses! Beauty isn't just about looks — it's a fiesta for all the senses, from delightful scents and yummy tastes to cool textures and exciting sounds. So for their seventh annual beauty awards, Redbook is celebrating the senses by highlighting the best new products that appeal to the taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing. See any of your faves?

Up in the image at top, Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Glosses satisfies any candy craving with their line of 18 tasty glosses. Each sheer shade has its own flavor, like Glamorous Guava or Crazy for Caramel.



Bloom Aromatherapy Lip Balm, $10
Can't resist a fruit smoothie, which is why you'll find yourself addicted to these fruit-flavored, pout-smoothing lip balms (shown here in Lime). Each tastes — and smells — like the real deal.
 
Urban Rituelle Creamy Vegetable Soap in Peach Blossom, $6
This cutesy soap, scented with peach, honey, and sweet pea, looks so pretty and chic, you can't wait to use it.
 
Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani, $30
It's the LBD of lipsticks: It looks sleek and chic and always wears well. And this one's designer, too. Each of the creamy bullets are embossed with the Armani logo.
 
Tarte Natural Gel Lip Stains, $24
The crayons of our childhood weren't nearly as fun as these Crayola-like lip stains. The bright and glossy sticks (six shades in all) have a cushy gel formula that looks as pretty on your lips as it does in the packaging.

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel CreamLiners, $11
Not just for brown-eyed girls but also the hazel, green, and blue gals out there too with these stackable liners customized into three shades for every eye color.
 
Redken Velvet Gelatine 07 Cushioning Blow-Dry Gel, $17
Redbook, you and me both on this one! This jelly-textured styler liquifies when it touches your hair. And after a blow-dry, it leaves strands bouncy and shiny. I love this hair product!
 
Mally Beauty Liquid Light Eyecolor, $35
Like magic, this eyeshadow starts off as a powder, transforms into a cool liquid, then morphs back into a sheer powder that stays put on your lids. Genius!
 
L'Oréal Paris True Match Roller Perfecting Roll-On Makeup, $15
Ok, so this one you'll find on a number of "Top Beauty Items for 2010" lists. If you've ever painted a wall, you know that the paint goes on much more smoothly and evenly when applied with a roller rather than with a brush. Same goes for foundation: This mini-roller applicator glides over your skin for a seamless finish and looks entirely natural — not painted on, say Redbook.
 
Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Advanced Anti-Aging Body Wash, $8
Also getting rave reviews on a number of enviable beauty lists, this new anti-ager from Olay. "Ooh, smooshy," Redbook's editors said as they piled this rich body wash onto their skin. "Wow, soft and smooth," were also thrown around in describing the antiaging benefits after using it for a month.
 
Farmhouse Fresh Whoopie Crème, $30
One whiff of this vanilla, cake-batter-scented whipped cream and you'll want to dig in with a spoon. But if you think it smells delicious in the jar, wait until you slather the rich cream, made with shea and cocoa butters, onto your skin. Scrumptious!
 
Jo Malone Vitamin E Body Balm, $75
Ever had trouble taking your vitamins? Not now. You just can't get enough of this antioxidant-rich cream and its subtle, sweet scent.
 
By Lauren Luke My Sultry Blues, $33
Hey gorgeous eyes! (well, she does have gorgeous eyes, check her out on twitter too, @panacea81) Don't let the everywoman style and the working-class British accent fool you: Lauren Luke is a pro! She chatters charmingly through her YouTube video, expertly applying the contents of her smoky blue palette and teaching her many followers along the way. You must check it out!
 
MAC Artists in Action, free on maccosmetics.com
The experts at MAC Cosmetics have created an online video series with instructions that make even the toughest makeup feats — like applying false lashes — easy to do. Click on Artistry, then Artists in Action to find this treasure trove of how-to's.
 
There's more on the Redbook Must-Haves List, so be sure to click on over and have a look for yourself.
 
source: Redbook (authors: Cheryl Kramer Kaye & Krista Bennett Demaio)

, |

The Five Best Haircuts of All Time


"The Pixie"


You're longing for a new hairstyle, but nothing too extreme. The solution: Choose from these five guaranteed-to-flatter cuts — the bob, the shag, the pixie, long hair plus bangs, or long layers. You simply can't go wrong with any of them. Redbook magazine got five busy moms to test-drive them, with help from their beauty dream team: New York City hairstylist Sean James Decuers, colorist Rita Hazan, and makeup artist Mally Roncal. Pick your favorite look, then take it to your hairstylist — stat.

- photo at top
Shannon Jenest: Before
"I have always been hesitant to cut my hair," says Shannon Jenest, 32, a public relations executive and mom of a 3-year-old son. "I thought long hair was more feminine. But my new short crop makes me feel alive, and to me, that's really sexy." Shannon warmed up to her new, coppery-red hair a bit more gradually: "I have a pretty classic style, which can translate as boring. This hair is anything but," she says.

The Pixie


Shannon Jenest: After
Gamine and gorgeous, yet classic — this cut takes guts. The payoff is how well it shows off your features.
Cut and color: Long, asymmetrical bangs and choppy layers throughout give this pixie its chic look.
As for the bold color: "Shannon was strawberry blond as a kid, so I knew she could pull off red hair beautifully," says Hazan.
Is it for you? It's the most flattering with delicate facial features and wavy hair, says Decuers.
Styling tips: Boost the texture by dabbing pomade on the ends with your fingertips. Try Citre Shine Shine Miracle Highly Polished Glossing Pomade ($4, drugstores).
Key makeup move: This cut spotlights skin. "Shannon's is dry, accentuating fine lines," says Roncal. Her strategy: Use creamy, moisturizing makeup. Try Mally Beauty Pro Natural Lip & Cheek Rouge in Peach ($20, mallybeauty.com).




Audrey MacKenzie: Before
Audrey MacKenzie, 36, the owner of a dog-walking business and mom to a newborn son, stepped into the salon looking gorgeous — just with too much hair. "The length detracted from her beautiful features," says Decuers, who chopped off a full 10 inches. The verdict? "My husband kept staring at me," says Audrey, "and when I asked what he was looking at, he'd just say, 'I'm checking out my new wife!'"

The Bob


Audrey MacKenzie: After
This popular cut has as many famous fans as interpretations: Try it sleek, wavy, or choppy — the way Audrey wears it here.
Cut and color: This version is slightly longer in front, which keeps it from looking too boxy. Bold highlights play up the chunky texture.
Is it for you? Swingy layers flatter all face shapes, from round to oval or square, says Decuers. This shorter length can also plump up fine hair by taking away some weight.
Styling tips: "Use a thickening spray on damp strands to give it more movement," says Decuers. A good choice: Charles Worthington Dream Hair Exquisite Body Thickening Spray ($9, drugstores).
Key makeup move: Roncal filled in Audrey's over-plucked brows with a blond brow pencil. "Too-thin brows can make you look washed out — especially if you're fair-haired," she says. Try Mary Kay Brow Definer Pencil in Classic Blonde ($10, marykay.com).




Ellie Schantz: Before
"I've had long hair since college," says Ellie Schantz, a meal-center manager and mother of two girls, ages 15 and 11. With her 45th birthday just days away, she came to the salon excited about a new look. Says Decuers: "When Ellie walked in, I could tell she had great energy. Now her cut matches her personality." Ellie's biggest post-makeover surprise? "I can actually get my hair to look like this 'after' photo," she says.

The Shag


Ellie Schantz: After
"Layers with an edge" is how Decuers describes this style, first made famous by Jane Fonda (in Klute) and Pat Benatar.
Cut and color: This 2009 version features longer layers than Fonda's close-cropped one, plus face-framing, angled bangs. Hazan chose a chocolate-brown vegetable dye to gently cover Ellie's grays and boost shine.
Is it for you? A shag works best on straight hair or loose waves. The layers can look poodle-y with curly hair — you'll have to blow it straight to make the cut work.
Styling tips: To maximize shine, blow-dry hair, then flatiron it (this smooths the cuticle). Finish with a smoothing serum. Try Sebastian Liquid Gloss Defrizz Polishing Drops ($17, sebastianprofessional.com for salons).
Key makeup move: Roncal used a single shadow (in plum) on Ellie's lids to draw attention away from her undereye puffiness. "Using just one color makes lids look more even," says Roncal. Try Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Gossip ($19, Macy's).



Jill Hyman: Before
Jill Hyman, 41, admits that the last time she had a different hairstyle, her daughter and son, now 11 and 9, weren't born. Yet her new cut is winning raves with family — and some virtual strangers as well. "The people who know me all say I look younger," she says. "But I thought it was funny when the mailman who delivers to the knitting store where I work part-time and the cashier at the local supermarket commented as well."

Long Hair with Bangs


Jill Hyman: After
Sure, they're cute on kids, but a little fringe can make grown-ups look youthful, too, by concealing a broad forehead and fine lines.
Cut and color: Decuers cut a wide swath of bangs just past the outer corners of Jill's eyes, then used a razor to place layers in her all-one-length hair. Hazan added caramel highlights, even to the bangs, to give her brown more depth.
Is it for you? Yes, if you want a dramatic change without lopping off too much length. Bangs need trimming every three weeks, so ask your stylist how to do it yourself, or if he offers free touch-ups.
Styling tips: Curl bangs under slightly with a paddle brush. "They look prettier if not blown stick straight," says Decuers.
Key makeup move: "Shiny lips play up a more youthful cut," says Roncal. Try Milani Buzz Worthy Lip Gloss in Bee Gone ($5.49, Walgreens).



Cheryl Chutter: Before
Cheryl Chutter, 41, is a single mom whose friends sometimes nag her about keeping up her appearance, like covering her grays. "I was always the glamour girl in my family," Cheryl says, "but ever since I gave birth to my son over two years ago, I've gotten a little lax about taking care of myself." She's betting this new look will also boost her confidence in job interviews, since she was recently laid off from her position as a jeweler. "I feel renewed," says Cheryl. "My friends and family are thrilled as well, particularly about the change in my emotional state of mind."

Long Layers


Cheryl Chutter: After
Every decade has its list of layered-hair beauties, from Raquel Welch to Jennifer Aniston. And yes, this cut's as sexy as ever. But the real reason it endures may be more practical: Long layers are versatile and require little fussing to look amazing.
Cut and color: The newest interpretations are more polished, less bed head-y. "The layers should be chunky instead of wispy," says Decuers, who gave Cheryl the cut. Subtle highlights (like honey and caramel, shown here) add dimension and shine. "They brighten up Cheryl's features so she looks younger," says Hazan.
Is it for you? Try long layers if you're bored with all-one-length locks or you'd like a little more movement in your hair. Skip them if your hair is fine or pin straight; without natural body, this cut can look flat and lifeless.
Styling tips: After blow-drying hair straight, spray it with a fine-mist hairspray, then run your fingers through the ends to separate them. Try Sunsilk Hold Me Forever Flexible Hold Hairspray ($3.69, drugstores).
Key makeup move: Cheryl's a natural beauty who wanted to go for a little more drama. Roncal lined her top and bottom lids with black pencil, staying as close to the lash line as possible. "I call this sandwiching your lashes with black; it makes them seem more lush," she says. Paired with nude shadow and a neutral-peachy gloss, all of Cheryl's delicate features suddenly come alive. Try Merle Norman Age Defying Eyeliner in Black Onyx ($14, merlenorman.com).



source: Redbook

, , , , , |

Good Mood Food

foods that improve mood

Turns out food fuels more than just your body; it feeds your mind too!


The June issue of Redbook Magazine features an article all about these mood foods, and I just couldn't wait to share it with my friends at work. I bring in articles every once in a while in hopes that someone other than me may find some goodness in them. Side note - my "real" job is as a director for mental health programs so you have to understand, we here in my little office enjoy learning about all things having to do with the mind. This time, though, something must have really hit, as I came to work the next morning to a kitchen stocked with all the foods we'd talked about the morning before. So I thought, "Hmmm, why not share the goodness with my beauty angels too?" - so I will.


According to Judith Wurtman, PhD, former Massachusettes Institute of technology research scientist and coauthor of The Serotonin Power Diet, "What you eat can affect your mood and how well your brain works". Here's your guide to creating your own personal feel-good menu.


FIND CALM
- less stress

oatmeal - a special carb; can have you grinning like you've popped a Valium. "When you eat a carbohydrate, your body sends an amino acid called tryptophan (also in turkey) into the brain to trigger the manufacture of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel tranquil and better able to cope," says Wurtman. Without carbs, your brain actually cannot produce serotonin, which may be why some dieters tend to get angry, tense, depressed after as little as two weeks of dieting. Wurtman suggests eating carbs that are rich in fiber (oatmeal, whole-wheat pasta, beans) so your body absorbs them slowly and the serotonin flows steadily.

pistachios - a handful is all you need to tame stress; they contain antioxidants, fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are all linked to lowering blood pressure in studies.

milk - got milk? (sorry - couldn't help it) "Whey, the protein in milk, has been shown to decrease anxiety and frustration," says Susan Kleiner, PhD, author of The Good Mood Diet; calcium in dairy has also been shown to calm muscles and help keep blood pressure in check; warm drinks are said to naturally soothe and digest faster than cold ones, so there may be something to that warm milk at night theory after all.

avocado - not only satisfying with its thick, creamy texture, but also high in monounsaturated fat and potassium, both of which help to lower blood pressure; monounsaturated fat also helps keep receptors in the brain sensitive to mood-boosting serotonin; Redbook recommends 1/2 an avocado a day so feel free to eat up.

wine - Kleiner says indulging in a drink or two with your dinner offers disease-fighting antioxidants and "acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant; it initally relaxes us and lowers blood pressure". Just don't overindulge. Too much depresseing of the CNS can leave you feeling - um, depressed.

GET SHARP

- thinking, mental strength

whole grain toast - feeds your inner Einstein; whole grains are digested slowly, boosting blood sugar and giving your brain a steady supply of glucose - its favorite fuel. Packaged and refined goodies, cookies, bread, etc provide glucose but "also break down much more rapidly leaving you with that spike then crash feeling, which leads to impaired brain functions such as poorer judgment, memory and analytical abilities," says Ewan McNay, PhD, Asst Professor of Neuroendocrinology at Yale School of Medicine. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have noted that eating whole grains at breakfast can keep blood sugar stable for up to 10 hours - improving alertness, concentration and memory.

turkey - protein makes you a lean, mean thinking machine. Tukey contains tyrosine, an amino acid that helps your brain produce the neurotransmitter dopamine and norepinephrine. Wurtman offers that activating those chemicals assists your brain to work faster and be more effective at handling complex mental problems; animal proteins such as milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, poultry and lean meats pack the smartest punch because they also contain the other seven essential amino acids the body needs for good health (unlike vegetable proteins like beans and tofu).

coffee - my best friend in the morning; researchers from Innsbruck Medical University in Austria found that 100 mg of caffeine (about two cups of coffee) improved subjects' reaction times and working memory (what you'd use to recall a phone number you'd just found in a phone book for instance). Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and acts on brain chemicals in a way that improves memory, attention and concentration; it can actually raise your score on an IQ test. it may also give your workout a boost; of course moderation is key (can make you feel jittery) and personal limits vary.

eggs - no more egg-whites only! Egg yolks are rich in choline, a fat-like B-complex vitamin, and in chemical compunds called phospholipids - both of which are linked to recall. "Choline and phospholipids have been shown to enhance memory in college-age men," says Kleiner. (Think about it: who boozes it up more than college-age men - so that's saying a lot - no hate, no hate, college-age friends o' mine). So, if you don't have to worry about high cholesterol, then it's okay to eat your eggs. (one a day is what they recommended)

REV UP
- energize

water - really? yes! It is estimated that between one and two-thirds of the population is dehydrated by two to four cups of water at any given time. Since we need water for every function in the body - like converting food into energy - even a minor shortage can negatively affect us. "With just a 1% to 2% loss of body weight in fluid, you'll feel fatigued, you might get a headache, and you won't think clearly or remember as much," says Kleiner, who authored a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association on the importance of hydration. The remedy: Get five to six (8-oz) cups of agua a day, and eat lots of fruit and vegetables, which are naturally water-packed.

pineapple - like all carbohydrates, pineapple breaks down quickly into sugar to give you an energy boost. But unlike simple carbs such as plain bagels or white rice, pineapples pack enough fiber -- nearly 10 percent of your daily value (DV) -- and other nutrients to slow down its digestion and prevent the dreaded post-carb crash. What's more, pineapple is a great source of the mineral manganese and the B-vitamin thiamin, both of which help your body convert calories into energy. Just one cup of pineapple gives you 128% of the DV for manganese.

almonds - this little nut is turning out to be quite the gem; I've seen article after article on the benefits to health from eating almonds. Consider them energy pellets. Not only do almonds contain healthy fat and lots of fiber but they're also packed with magnesium, which helps to convert carbs, protein, and fat into energy. Hey, that was all I needed to know to be sold - convert fat to energy - I'm all there, baby! A 1/4 cup of almonds provides 25% of the 320 mg women need daily.

BLISS OUT
- happiness

chocolate - oh well, now there's a surprise - not! Yes, the euphoria you feel when you eat it is real. Chocolate has a mild temporary stimulating effect owing to the emotional response it evokes (think velvety mouth-feel, decadent aroma, and all the good memories attached to it) as well as the bit of caffeine it has. Add to that its sugar content, which triggers the feel-good hormone serotonin, and the fat and phenylethylamine it contains, which lead to endorphin release, and it's no wonder experts say this sweet treat leads to "ultimate brain happiness." And just a square or so of dark chocolate a day can boost your health too, lowering both your blood pressure and your risk of stroke.

walnuts - Turn to these nuts when you're feeling blue. The secret is in their high content of omega-3 essential fatty acids. In one study, people with lower levels of omega-3 in their blood were more likely to report symptoms of depression and a more negative outlook, whereas people with higher levels tended to be more agreeable. Meanwhile, an animal study at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, showed that omega-3 fatty acids and uridine -- two substances that occur naturally in many foods, including walnuts and fish -- may boost communication among neurons in key areas of the brain. The bottom line: Effects of omega-3s and uridine "were indistinguishable from standard antidepressant medications," says study author William Carlezon, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Harvard Medical School. Just a 1/4 cup of walnuts gives you nearly 95% of the DV of omega-3s. (You know, as a scientist in the field of mental health, I cringe when I read these kinds of things as folks should not bolt from their medications after reading these articles - speak with your doctors please before doing anything of the sort; but I do have to accept that some of what we're finding in these areas is really at the least - though provoking - and at the most - perhaps valid.)

spinach - so veggies aren't necessarily the first thing you crave when you're in a funk. Stick with this: Spinach is rich in folate (or vitamin B9), which helps maintain normal levels of mood-boosting serotonin. A study in the Journal of Nutrition showed that people who consumed the least folate were a whopping 67% more likely to suffer from depression than those who took in the most. Spinach is one of the best sources of folate there is, with 262 micrograms per cup. The recommended dietary allowance of folate is 400 micrograms daily, so add other folate-rich foods like asparagus, broccoli, and beans to your diet too.

source: Redbook

, , |