Once a week, we will be giving you the hottest beauty products and services to keep you looking as good as your clothes. You’re welcome in advance.
First product: Guerlain Midnight Secret
Late night, early morning refresher. Stay up as late as you want, and your skin will never tell. This late night recovery treatment detoxifies, hydrates, repairs and stimulates, with a potent cocktail of ingredients.
I swear by it.
xx,
RyGuy
As we all know, there is no quick fix for losing weight (well, at least not one that doesn’t involve scalpels and lasers). However, there are things they may aid in your battle with the bulge. One of these little tricks is an old South American tradition that is as easy as switching from coffee to tea.
South Americans are known for being fit and sexy. One reason for this, other than genetics, could be attributed to a daily ritual involving drinking a tea made from a species of holly called yerba mate. The leaves are collected, dried, steeped in hot water and then sipped from a dried gourd through a bombilla (fancy straw).
So what is all the fuss about? Well, yerba mate gives you energy like coffee and other caffeinated drinks, but without the jittery feelings and a more sustained effect. Researchers have also found that yerba mate is rich in antioxidants, vitamins (including A, C, E, and B’s), and minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc) as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and yes– what you’ve been waiting for– a thermogenic (burns fat). Additional benefits include mental clarity as well as acting as a mood enhancer.
While people still drink yerba mate the traditional way (a la gourd and bombilla) you can also purchase tea bags for easy brewing. Like other teas, it can be sweetened with sugar or honey (I prefer mine with a little lemon). So if you’re willing to give up your morning coffee, I really can’t see the downside. It’s cheaper than Starbucks.
xx,
WhyDid
This morning I was lucky enough to be asked to volunteer my face for a makeup class that Linda Mason was teaching at her workshop in Soho. I remembered that many, many moons ago, Ms. Mason was the makeup artist for a runway show that I was in. That particular show was a bit “abstract” (read- I had plants in my hair and a yellow triangle on my eye), so I wasn’t exactly sure what I had gotten myself into, but was very pleasantly surprised.
Today, the students were learning about “bridal makeup.” Linda wanted me to tell them what kind of bride I would like to be. Ha! This has got to be a sick joke. I have no idea what type of bride I would like to be. So, I guess that made me the “indecisive bride.” Anyway, Linda did a demonstration for the students on my face where she played with different styles. My right eye was a soft, romantic bride while the left was more glamourous and sexy. She filled in my lips with pink and then red. She added shadow and tweaked liner. She was able to create several different looks with just little changes to my makeup. Each one was more stunning than the next. This woman is clearly a genius, I decided.
The students then took a break and my face was cleaned off. When they got back, the students got a chance to recreate the looks. A young lady taking her first makeup course was in charge of my next look. I was not facing a mirror, so I had no idea what she was doing. I snuck a glance or two and saw that she was using shades of blue and coral, and I’m not going to lie, I got a little bit nervous. I figured I was about to be “80’s bride.” However, when she was finished, I was amazed. She did a wonderful job and I left Linda’s workshop looking like a supermodel.
Chatting with Linda, you would never realize that she has quite the resume. She’s charming and sweet, but don’t be fooled. She’s painted the faces of models, actresses, and celebrities (Charlize Theron, Naomi Campbell, Joan Jett, Sarah Ferguson to name a few).
If you are a bride who knows what kind of bride she’d like to be, you are an aspiring makeup artist, or you just love makeup, you need to get down to The Art of Beauty. I know that when(if) the big day comes for me, I will most definitely entrust my face to Linda Mason.
The Art of Beauty -Linda Mason
26 Grand Street
212-625-0490
www.lindamason.com
Oh it’s about that time of year again. You know, the warm weather we have been wishing for but then curse it when it gets here. “It’s too hot.” “This humidity is killing me!” You know what I’m talking about.
On a positive note, it’s time to bust out the sundresses, strappy sandals, and shades. While you overhaul your closet, tucking your sweaters away and positioning your short shorts front and center, it’s also time to tuck your flat iron away. Stick straight hair for the summer is just too fussy, not to mention that it is a completely futile effort.
It’s time for sexy, wild wavy beach hair. How do you get this Gisele hair without looking like Amy Winehouse you ask? A few simple tricks will get you on your way to looking like a mermaid who just found her legs and crawled out of the ocean to meet her Prince Eric.
After you wash your hair, apply a salt spray/wave spray to damp hair. There are several different options out there. I like Bumble and Bumble South Surf Spray andFrederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves. Then wrap hair in a loose bun and pin in place. Allow your hair to dry in and unpin when hair is mostly dry. This will create loose waves. Touch up any wonky strands with a large curling iron. Make sure to leave the ends out because you don’t want it to look like pageant hair. Mist with hair spray and tousle with your fingers. Voila! You are a sexy sea maiden.
Some will suggest creating this entire look with a curling iron, but I don’t believe it stays as well and it is also causing unnecessary damage to your hair (not what it needs during the humid summer months). If you have super straight or fine hair that just will not curl, I suggest using a wave iron like this one. I warn you though, use it sparingly in order to avoid looking like a crimped poodle. Not even close to hot.
xx,
WhyDid
As I’ve found a new found love for the gym (it’s an elevator ride away, plus… I’ve got a lot of free time on my hands these days), I’ve also discovered a little something that will aid in your fight against cellulite. It’s not a magical potion or cream- it’s been proven that the best way to rid yourself of cottage cheese is good old fashioned exercise.
Remember Fit Flops? Well, Reebok has come up with a sneaker that uses the same type of technology, which means that while you’re working out, you’re doing double duty (for your booty)! The Reebok Easy Tone uses little “pods” built into the bottom of the shoe to create “instability” which forces your body to be working even when you aren’t working it. It targets three areas (the areas that all of us worry about) your glutes, your hamstrings, and your calves. Bonus- they’re cute too!
xx,
WhyDid
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