Calling all BGND readers!!

Hey BGND folks!!

So today my blog post is going to be a little different....instead of me blabbing on about my new favorite product or practice, I have a request for you.

I would like to know YOUR favorite products! Once again, my brilliant friend Beth gave me an idea....

I am going to start doing a "make-up bag" recurring blog...but not my make-up bag...your make-up bags! I would love to know what the products are that you can't live without and which ones are your new favorite discoveries. Then I can share all of your fabulous and hard earned beauty knowledge with my readers. Because, let's be honest....we ALL have been playing around with products and make-up for years..not just me! So I would love to know what you think!

Email me your make-up bag contents at beautygirlnextdoor@gmail.com.

And if you, like Beth, have any great blog ideas- let me know- I love the input!!

Keep looking fabulous,

BGND

And so the lion fell in love with the lamb...

Last week Quantum of Solace, this week Twilight. Yup, it's movie madness over here in BGND land. Well, I thought this week's movie du jour was the perfect springboard for the newest trend that I have been 50% scratching my head at/50% itching with curiosity to try.

What trend you ask? Why the oh so glam (oh not so glam?) and vampire trendy black lipstick. Yup...black lipstick is not just for Halloween anymore. If you have not noticed, it has been ALL over the runways and in the magazines this fall. I have not seen many big stars out and about rocking the dark hue but you know it is just a matter of time before Gwen Stefani works it and then a succession of trend loving but not as cool starlets will try the look (Yes - you Miley Cyrus and Paris Hilton!)

Well, as I said, I am not totally sold...but for those of you brave of heart (and maybe for those of you who just want to look Alice Cullen-ish at Twilight this weekend- hehe)...here are a few tips to make the black lipstick thing work for you.

1) Do not go halfway there - go all the way. If you are going to work this lipstick, you must own it...otherwise you will just get stares.

2) Match the rest of your make-up accordingly. Don't go too sparse or you will actually look un-dead and don't go too heavy or you will look like the Elvira. You want to have even skin tone, some color to your cheeks and a present but not too smokey neutral eye look.

3) Layer it over something else to get a dark look without being too severe. My favorite for this is a deep awesome red lip color. That way the black is still present and bold but not in a costume way. Another option is to don a nude lipstick, top with black and then dab some shimmery gloss in the center of your bottom lip. Think Ziggy Stardust and glam rock.

4) Don't go out and get the premiere gold standard Yves Saint Laurent version straight out of the gate (besides it has been hard to find and in some instances sold out for months). Buy an affordable lipstick or lip gloss first and get your feet wet. Then when you love the look, go get the main attraction by YSL. Or even better? Buy a Wet n' Wild black eyeliner, line and fill those lips then swipe some clear gloss. Cheap and Chic!

5) Just try it! I am sure some of you scoffed at the black nails 3 seasons ago and now it is just an everyday color mixed in with the thousands of bottles at your nail salon....who knows...black lipstick could be the same! Maybe someday it will even be the free color you get in your Clinique gift with purchase...okay maybe not....

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND

Product of the week - November 20th, 2008

I think most of you BGND readers know that I am kind of obsessed with blush. I own a lot of it. It seems to be the product that I always end up buying even when I don't need it and there are many unopened containers in my make-up case at home...you know what I am talking about you girls who always buy lipstick or eyeshadow- I know you are out there!

Well, today as I was getting ready I was reminded once again why I LOVE this week's product of the week. It is my go-to powder blush and for a gal who loves blush, that is saying something!

Covergirl TruBlend Minerals Blush - $6.56 (Drugstores and online nationwide)
(shown below in True Romance - my shade of choice)

This blush is the only one I have found out there that gives you the same gentle flush of color that a gel blush can provide. It goes on smoothly, looks amazingly natural and is made of minerals - great for the skin. It does not streak or have that dreaded stripe-like blush look. It simply looks like you have a lovely color to your cheeks with just the tiniest bit of sheen. Genius!

I actually found this blush off of a cover look in a magazine. I believe it was an old issue of Allure that had Rihanna on the cover and I loved her look so much I actually read the make-up credits page and went out and bought this blush. I could not believe it was only $7 and it is a HUGE container. I was also astounded that not only did this blush look great alone, it layered well with other colors or with gel blushes if you wanted more intense color. Plus, something that can look good on a pale freckly gal and Rihanna? I am sold. And I think you will be too! Go check it out!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

Serum Schmearum....

Well it is official. What is the one thing I get asked about most since I have started this blog?

Serum!

Is it necessary? Will it help fine lines? Wrinkles? Age spots?

The answers - yes, yes, yes and let me think...YES. Serum is your friend. If you are not already using a serum - you should be. It is the first thing that should go onto your freshly washed skin at night before your night cream. It will give your face all the fantastic miracle workers it needs and will help your night time cream work even better than it does alone.

A good serum is the first step in your anti-aging arsenal. It locks in moisture and deposits the anti-agers and smoothers that you need to actually make a difference. Most good serums will have some of the following..Retinol, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Peptides and moisturizers. However, like most facial products, serum are not one size fits all. I myself have tried many many serums and will bounce back and forth between a few different options. However, below is my current list of faves. These serums are either accepted industry wide as the best of the best or serums I have personally tried and enjoyed. (In no particular order...)

1) Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Serum - $19.99 (drugstores and online nationwide)

Pro - Chock full of the ingredients that you are looking for and at a reasonable price. Con- I have found the scent of this serum odd- almost like maple syrup. Strange but true.

2) Clinique Repairwear Deep Wrinkle Concentrate - $55 (Clinique counters and clinique.com)

Pro - One of the best out there for deep wrinkles, prompts major collagen production. Con - could be too strong for some younger skin.

3) Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment - $155 (Online at beauty.com and elizabetharden.com, also at select department stores)

Pro - The gold standard. Created in conjunction with the company responsible for Botox. Con- expensive and perhaps too intense for some.

4) Kinerase Pro+Therapy Advanced Repair Serum - $132 (Sephora and various online retailers)

Pro - Great for those that need the help but have sensitive skin. Con- Expensive and hard to find.

5) Prescriptives Super Line Preventer Extreme - $48-$76 (Prescriptives.com and department stores nationwide)

Pro- Intensely moisturizing yet gentle. Con - Can be hard to find since it is so popular. One time went to 4 different Prescriptive counters before I found it...but then again- is that a con?

6) Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew Serum - $21.99 (Cvs.com and Target and CVS stores nationwide)

Pro- the miracle from across the pond. A best-seller in Britain for years. Con - Soothing but might be too light on the good stuff for those who need serious help. Also, a small amount for the $.

So there you have it readers. One note- many people can stand serum both morning and night but for some that may be too much and cause a bad reaction. If that is the case, apply once at night. Also, if you are someone with mature skin who needs more help - go with #2, #3 or #4. If you are someone new to serum or just looking for something to moisturize and give you vitamins - go with #1, #5 or #6.

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Travel season! Yup, the long airport lines...the many many hours in the car..they are all before us. Well, today I was thinking about all the new fees that the airlines have been imposing (those baggage fees are NOT fun!) and it got me pondering ways to cut back on the amount that we all travel with.

And lo and behold, as they have done many times before, Sephora has come through with a great answer to the packing dilemma we all face.

Right now Sephora.com exclusively has some amazing holiday palettes which are not only full of beautiful shades and wondrous products from some of BGND's favorite lines, but with the code SHIPFREE25 all of the palettes will ship free of charge!! (This code is good if you spend $25 or more.) There are collections from Stila, Bare Escentuals, Too Faced, Tarte and Smashbox among others. AMAZING.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?categoryId=C17625&view=all&cm_mmc=email+ret-_-news1+20081114+palettes-_-bi+hol08std-_-palettes&dicid=366750:14502686684:5757118

New fun colors, awesome products and free shipping. Plus a way to make room for all those presents in your luggage!!

Keep looking fabulous,

BGND

Beauty Girl, Beauty Girl Next Door

Here in the household of BGND - James Bond is a BIG deal. Framed posters adorn our walls, Bond soundtracks fill the air and both members of the BGND household stayed up way too late last night watching the delicious Daniel Craig on Jimmy Kimmel (hilarious!)...So today, in celebration of the release of Bond 22 aka Quantum of Solace, at the suggestion of my good friend Beth (great idea!) I am doing a James Bond themed post.....

I have decided that what better way to honor the legacy of James Bond in BGND fashion then to discuss my favorite Bond girls and the killer looks that they have rocked over the years. There have been many Bond girls as you know (there are 22 movies and counting after all) and while they all are great in their own way, there are some that are more stylish and glamorous than others. So here are my personal top 5 Bond girls, chosen not by their acting or story lines but by their classic looks that you can emulate when you are looking for a little glamorous inspiration for a night out on the the town.

1) Honey Ryder (as portrayed by Ursula Andress in Dr. No)

You really can't have any list of Bond girls without listing the original. Not only did she set the standard for all Bond girls to come, but her classic beachy look can still be rocked today.

To achieve:
- bronzer
- striking eyes (black liner and a bit of smoke)
-neutral cheeks and lips (Smashbox lipstick in Elegant is my go-to choice for this...http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P159000&categoryId=B70)
- hair should be tousled although need not be wet like this shot....a good beachy spray will achieve fullness and a windblown look (Bumble and Bumble surf spray is a good choice)

2) Solitaire ( as portrayed by Jane Seymour in Live and Let Die)

If you have never seen LALD, you are missing out on Jane Seymour in her first starring role at the young age of 22! She plays a Tarot Card reader and her look is simple and elegant. Great for a night out look for those who want drama but aren't into heavy makeup.

To achieve:
- either a professional blow out or a blow out at home (utilize a straightening serum or cream - John Freida serum is a great affordable option for all hair types)
- grey palate of shadow for the eyes with black or grey eyeliner
- light pink lipstick with sheen (Clinique's Bamboo Pink- available as lipstick or lip gloss - is a great choice for the lips here - http://www.clinique.com/templates/products/sp_shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4903&PRODUCT_ID=PROD743)

3)Paris Carver (as portrayed by Teri Hatcher in Tomorrow Never Dies)

Before she moved to Wisteria Lane, Teri Hatcher was indeed a Bond girl. And even though this movie is more than 10 years old, her looks holds up well. A great bob, dewy skin and great make-up- that never dies (hehe).

To achieve:
- volume spray for your bob (I like Cat Walk Root Boost)
- skin highlight (Benefit High Beam is one of my all time faves - http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000FBNYRU/sr=1-12/qid=1226689957/ref=sr_1_12/187-5945004-1288429?ie=UTF8&n=164983011&bcBrand=core)
- thick lashes (L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara is great for super dark and thick lashes)

4) Jinx (as portrayed by Halle Berry in Die Another Day)

Oscar winner Halle Berry is the newer version of Ursella Andress's beach babe in this 20th anniversary Bond movie. She looks fabulous and is an alternate beachy look for those who do not have blond hair and blue eyes.

To achieve:
- bronzing lotion to give you the sun-kissed color and the sheen (Clinique's Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator is great)
- bronze and gold shadow palette to smoke the eyes in a non-traditional way
- clear or gently tinted lip gloss (L'Oreal Color Juice Lip Gloss would work well here - http://www.lorealparis.ca/en/cosmetics/index_colourjuice.asp)

5) Camille (as portrayed by Olga Kurylenko in Quantum of Solace)

Definitely a Bond girl for 2008. She is beautiful but natural, and looks good in rags or in couture.

To achieve:
- a great blow dry lotion to seal but give body ( I love Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow-Dry lotion - http://www.redken.com/products/styling/mild-control/satinwear-02)
- primer to smooth out lines but look natural (the classic Smashbox Photo Finish Primer works for all)
- great mascara and neutral lipstick

So there you have it BGND readers! Go out there and see Quantum of Solace this weekend and if you are looking for a new make-up or hair look, remember all the great bond girls who have come before! (For a full list - www.bondmovies.com/girls)

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Product of the Week - November 13th, 2008

As most of you BGND readers know, I am a fan of Dove soap. I think it works fabulously , it is affordable and it is kind to the environment. However, I know there are some of you out there who prefer a body wash and are always looking for the next great one to try. So today's POTW is to all of you shower poof loving BGND folk....a fabulous body wash to soothe your sad winter skin.

Olay Body Wash plus Creme Ribbons - $4- $6 (Drugstores and online nationwide)

Now even though I have switched to the Dove, this lovely body wash still tempts me every time I walk down the skin care aisle at Target. It is creamy, smells fantastic and is truly moisturizing. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a rich, smooth body wash that feels luxuriant. The only downside is that this body wash can be pricey but for all of the elements you get, I think it is worth it. You will use less lotion after your shower and be relaxed while you are showering. I love it!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

More harm than good...

So here in LA you will see many many things that women try to do to look younger...the most obvious of course being plastic surgery. You will see some good plastic surgery but plenty of bad when you are walking in Beverly Hills. But even if you don't live in LA, you know bad plastic surgery when you see it. It is almost like a bad face lift is screaming at you "I am trying WAY to hard! I know my skin is all stretched and weird but it has technically gotten rid of my wrinkles! Just don't look at my neck because that will give EVERYTHING away!"

Well as sad as it is too see all that money spent unsuccessfully, there are many things that the average gal does to try to make herself look younger that are not as drastic as plastic surgery but can make you look bad and years older than you are. Yesterday I was in a casting office and I saw woman after woman, beautiful to be sure but many doing the worst things they could- techniques and habits that are sabotaging their look. So today, I present you with the cardinal sins of skin care "age" - avoid these habits at all costs- they do nothing but add years to that beautiful face of yours.

1) Using too much "base" makeup

We all wake up some mornings, look in the mirror and say - "where the heck did that wrinkle/line/spot come from?" And then we reach for the concealer, the foundation, the thick tinted cream and try to cover it up. Well next time - stop yourself. If I see one thing over and over again, it is too much make-up sinking into fine lines and swollen pores making them look worse. You all know what I am talking about, the pretty woman who has piled on foundation trying to make her skin look better only to look like she has bad skin but is trying to cover it up with cake.

The solution?

- use a primer...it will fill in any fine lines and make them appear less than they are...then whatever foundation or powder you apply will not sink into your imperfections but mask them as intended

- use the least amount of "base" you can....take care of your skin and you won't have to mask it with heavy foundations....try to do what you can so you aren't layering things over and over on your face...if you can, go with powder or minerals. If you need more? Work your way up...try tinted moisturizer, if that doesn't work, thin foundation and so on...

2) Neglecting moisture

Just like foundations will sink into fine lines and make them worse, if your skin is dehydrated- everything will show. Imagine your skin in the morning after a bad night of drinking - tired, saggy and full of lines. The same thing will happen if you do not moisturize properly and if you do not drink enough water. Whenever people start to drink the amount of water that everyone says you should their skin improves.

So?

- use a moisturizer that has sunscreen and is intense enough for your skin

- drink your 8 glasses of water a day (at least)

- if you still are having dryness, cut back on caffeine- limit coffee and soda and see the improvement

3) The wrong colors

Ever notice how whenever a star has a bad red carpet look there is always something off about the colors on their skin? When Charlize Theron won her Oscar - her dress was killer but her skin was orange and she looked OLD. Other good examples of this - your elderly neighbor with the bright coral lipstick or the current look that Jenny is rocking on Gossip Girl (hers isn't bad but makes her look 5-8 years older than her 15 years)....You have to be careful about what colors you are using...If you want to look younger, don't go overboard and go fresh. Saturated rich lip and eyeliner colors can be awesome but they are meant for special occasions and to achieve a certain look. Be aware that heavy and bright colors can add years.

So cut out these habits and go forth with fresh young faces!

Keep looking fabulous.

BGND

P.S. I think Renee Z looks fabulous in that photo....

Put your online shopping addiction to some good..

It is the holiday season folks and we are all going to be avoiding long lines at all costs in favor of some good old fashioned-in your pajamas- online shopping. Oh who are we kidding, we love online shopping all year long especially for our beauty products! Well thanks to REAL SIMPLE magazine I have some good news for all of us BGND gals. Whenever you shop online, instead of feeling guilty that you spent another $75 online at Sephora, you can feel great that your money is at least partially going to charity. How you ask?

Well in this month's REAL SIMPLE they mention the fabulous site - http://www.goodshop.com/. Goodshop.com will automatically donate a percentage of your total purchase to the charity of your choice. AMAZING.

You simply go to their website before your shopping binge and pick your favorite charity and then from the goodshop.com website you can link to many many sites- including Sephora, Drugstore.com, Target.com, Walmart.com and many many more!

So yay for guilt free online shopping at Sehpora and all your other favorites....

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND

Oh Johnson's we heart you...

So today I just want to give a shout out to Johnson's Baby Products. My little niece is having her first birthday party tomorrow and it got me thinking about babies and all the amazingness that comes with the little ones. Then I realized (sadly my thoughts are always BGND related) that the first products we all used were most likely good old Johnson's baby. And yet somewhere in the passage of time, as we got older and were seduced by fancy packaging, bigger price tags and trendy names...we left our original product line in the dust.

Well I am here today to tell you it is time to return (if you have not done so already.) There is a reason that Johnson's Baby is SO successful. They know what they are doing and they have been doing it well on THE most gentle, soft, sensitive skin out there for years. And all those products that our parents so lovingly used on us years ago are all still around, effective and in many ways just as good for our adult skin.

Body dry and itchy?

Johnson's Baby Lotion will do the trick!

Have severe dry skin?

Don't forget about the wonders of Johnson's Baby Oil and Baby Oil Gel.

Want a clean and simple shampoo?

Johnson's Baby Shampoo is the original!

Have super fine hair but still need conditioner?

Johnson's No More Tangles is a friend indeed.

This list is of course just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many powders, lotions, gels, creams etc to try that it is really like a whole new product line waiting out there to be discovered. Plus you know that they will all be hypo-allergenic and of the gentlest nature since they are designed for the newest of skin. Johnson's has even added a naturals line- how can you resist?

Just remember to replace whatever you steal a product from your baby's lotions basket!

Keep looking fabulous,

BGND

Product of the week - November 6th, 2008

Well the election is over, there is a new man soon to be in office but sadly the economy isn't turning around anytime soon. We all still have to pinch a penny here and there, especially with the holidays coming up. And since it can feel majorly guilty to splurge on cosmetics at a time like this, today's POTW is a economy staple that works for all.

Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Cafe au Lait - $3.94 (Drugstores and online nationwide)




This eyeshadow trio is the BOMB. It is three fantastic colors that work on ALL skin tones. You heard me right. These colors will work for everyone. They are shimmery but not too sparkly and they can be applied lightly for day or layered for a dramatic night time look. This shadow literally can be your natural and neutral daytime look and your smokey, shimmery and sexy night time eye. And all of that for $4!!! This is a steal, it is the one eyeshadow that I buy over and over again and use the whole palate till it is gone.

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Bed Time Blues

Dear BGND,

Whew! The election is finally over and I stayed up WAAY too late watching all the results coming in. Well, when I got up off the couch to wash my face and go to bed I once again lamented my late-night routine confusion! I never know exactly what I should be doing when it comes to my skin care before bed. What order should I apply things? Is serum really necessary? Do I use one eye cream in the morning and a different one at night? HELP! When I crawl into bed I want to drift off into blissful sleep, not toss and turn because I am not quite sure if I did things correctly!

Tired in Tennessee

Dear Tired in Tennessee,

Fear not my friend. Your night time routine should be something you look forward to, not something you cringe away from because you are lost and confused amongst row after row of product and cleanser. The best way to think of your night time routine is that you are getting (hopefully) a blissful 7-8 hours of uninterrupted time for your skin to breathe, recoup and absorb whatever you want it to. Think about the morning...you wash and prep your face and then bam! The minute you step outside the house you are faced with so many things trying to destroy all your hard work, from pesky weather and UVA/UVB rays to the nasty things that float around in our air that we don't even know about- and they all land on and in your pores! Well the lovely night holds no such barriers to skin success. What you put on your skin sinks in for hours and when you wake up you are infinitely better than when you hit the sack if you have done things correctly. So Tired in Tennessee, here is my step by step breakdown of what your nighttime skin care routine should be.

1) Remove Eye makeup

The skin around your eyes is the most delicate on the face and the easiest to wrinkle/show signs of age, so it is all the more important to take good care of it. The first step to that is to use a proper eye makeup remover that will gently cleanse the eye area and get you ready for your facial cleanser. Do not rely on your facial cleanser to clean the eye area. Nine times out of ten, your facial cleanser is NOT appropriate for your eye skin and you will do damage trying to wrestle eye makeup off with the wrong product (or even worse, you will go to bed with residual eye makeup on and that will do nothing but clog and damage your pores and delicate eye area).

2)Cleanse

This is of course very personal to your skin type. The one thing that is true for all is that you should use your "serious" cleanser at night. This is the time to use the heavy duty cleanser that is right for you, whether that be something to fight acne or to even skin tone. Either way, those good ingredients will continue to work all night long. Many people in fact do not need more than a gently cream cleanse in the am, so this is their one and only true deep clean.

3) Serum/Concentrate

This is the most skipped step and in BGND's humble opinion, one of the most vital. Serum is your one true chance to get all the active ingredients you want directly onto fresh skin when they will work their best and for their longest. There are many, many serums out there so you have plenty of chance to find exactly the anti-agers you want and what will work best for your skin. But whatever you do, go out and find a serum you like and stick with it. It will help with fine wrinkles, it will seal moisture in and it WILL make a difference in the health and glow of your skin.

4) Eye cream

Just like serum, there are many many eye creams out there and there is one that will work for you. It should go on after serum and before your moisturizer.

5) Night Cream

Don't think that the lotion you use during the day is the one you should use at night. Like I have said many times during this post...nighttime is your chance to get the heavy lifting done. Pick your serious arsenal and make it work for you. This includes an anti-aging, moisturizing night cream that will work for you while you rest.

Well Tired in Tennessee, hopefully this breakdown helps you.

Remove Eye makeup

Cleanse

Apply Serum (include neck and upper chest area)

Eye Cream

Night Cream (include neck and upper chest area)

5 steps and you are done!

No more restless nights for you and rock that new skin!!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

Vote your way to moisture!

Happy election day BGND readers! Hopefully you have all gone out there and done your civic duty (whether your blood runs blue or red). I have a feeling that some of you had to stand outside waiting in line or even more likely, walk a bit to your polling place? And I bet the weather at your polling place was one of three options depending on what part of the country you live in. 1)Cold and blustery, 2) cold and clear or 3) dry and clear. Now, just like that "I Voted" sticker is displaying your patriotic spirit, your skin is showing the effect of today's election and the weather you faced to cast your ballot. So in this post, I am finally going to address the TON of mail that I have received about the effects of winter weather on our poor faces. (I recently addressed dry skin on the body (see the post from 10/30/08) but today, the face is front and center.)

We all know winter skin is different from summer skin. And often times it seems like as soon as we get one skin care routine down pat, the seasons change and we are faced with a whole mess of new skin irritations to deal with. To clear up some of the confusion and help you survive the gray months, the following is my list of winter skin MUSTS...things that will not only help your skin during the dry and/or cold winter, but will allow you to come out ready to rock some glowing skin come spring.

1) Exfoliation is not just for summer

Just because your skin is dry and patchy, maybe even irritated, it does not mean you should stop exfoliating. Now, don't go crazy with super harsh scrubs because they can make things worse but use a creamy scrub that will allow for the cell turnover you need during this time of the year but won't cause any more redness than you already have thanks to the elements. If you don't exfoliate, all those sad, dull, dry skin cells will just sit on the surface of your face, making things worse than they already are.

2) Winter is not another term for "no sunscreen months"

NOPE. Don't even think it. Ever gotten burned on an overcast day? You always need sun protection and just because the sun isn't beating down doesn't mean those pesky UVA and UVB rays aren't sneaking through.

3) Winter clothes, winter moisturizer?

One common winter mistake is that people switch to a winter cream but do not go with the right one. I have seen 25 year old girls buying cream designed for mature skin just because they want something super thick and hydrating. You have to make sure that what you are using is right for your unique set of problems, and not just something that looks heavy duty. Always make sure it still has the ingredients you need but doesn't conflict with anything else you may be doing. So if for instance you are someone with dry winter skin that is noticeable flaky or irritated, look at what you have been using in the summer months - see what the ingredients are and they try to find a creamy or richer version of that. This will usually do the trick. You will be moisturized but not missing or conflicting with any of your other regimen steps. A good example of this kind of "step-up" would be the Clinique moisturizers. They offer many that come in different moisturizing strengths..so if you are someone who generally uses their Oily skin level, drop to the more hydrating combination skin level and see if that extra surge of moisture does the trick. It usually will and you will still be getting all the good things you need into your skin.

(A side note on this, if you are not using a serum- please start. It truly is the first step in getting nutrients into your skin and sealing in moisture. A good serum can make more difference than any different or new moisturizer could. That may be all the switch or winter upgrade you need. More on this in tomorrow's blog post.)

So all, whether or not your candidate wins today - at least your skin will look winning!

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND

Learning from the best...

Just like anything else in life, sometimes inspiration is hard to come by. No matter how hard we try, no matter how long we sit and brainstorm, sometimes the creative bug is just hiding for the day. For BGND, this causes a problem- what to do/what to write...Some days I have blogs for days, so many ideas bumping around in my head that I write 5-6 blog entries in one afternoon. And then sometimes.....crickets.

So today, a slow Monday, left me in the creative doldrums. As a result, I decided to look outside of myself and see what information was out there to inspire me. I wanted to talk about fall makeup colors but was having a hard time picking one favorite to write about.

Well, in my researching I found this fabulous article on www.ivillage.com.

http://beauty.ivillage.com/makeup/makeuptrends/0,,82mw8f1v,00.html

This entry is exactly what I was looking for today.....Not only did the people at ivillage lead me to the fall makeup information I was looking for, they provided the top 6 looks for fall from some industry leaders including Bobbi Brown, Stila and M.A.C. among others.

And the cherry on the sundae? A lovely 4 minute make-up video.....a quick easy time saver that will make your skin fab.

So enjoy what ivillage brought to me today. I know it inspired me to some new makeup ideas for fall and I hope it will do the same for you!

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND