This month:

  • Enjoy The Sun Safely And Naturally With J?sön ®
  • Big Girl Cosmetics ~ Turning a Gift From Oprah Into A Dream Business!
  • Get that Sexy Summer Confidence with Mama Mio!
  • Healthy Looking Skin in Seven Days with Normaderm Triple-Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion
  • Fun and Fabulous Anklets For Summer!
  • DIY Hair Coloring ~ How to Avoid the “Uh Oh” Factor
  • Elizabeth Mott LLC’s Lash Card ~ Disposable Mascara Shield Helps Prevent Clumping And Smudging
  • Shrink to Fit, the Super Cellulite Blaster!
  • Burt’s Bees Celebrates Natural Beauty

Enjoy the Sun Safely and Naturally with J?SÖN ®

By Lynn N. Capri

jason-copyNow you can safely fall in love with the sun again with NEW J?SÖN® Sunbrellas Sun Care collection.  J?SÖN offers broader spectrum UVA/UVB protection and some of the highest sun protection factors in the natural sunscreen category.

Each new J?SÖN formula is specifically designed for individual skincare needs and each contains natural antioxidants to help fight sun-related free radical damage. And, because J?SÖN is always focused the safety of its products, all the new and improved formulas deliver superior protection without relying on risky chemicals common in conventional sunscreens ~ avobenzone, oxybenzone and paraben preservatives.  Additionally, there is no animal testing in the development of J?SÖN products.

J?SÖN Naturals Sunbrella Sun Care Line Includes:

Sport Natural Sunblock SPF 45: Ideal for the active individual, whether on a golf course, tennis court or in the water. This non-greasy, oil-free, water and sweat resistant formula is ideal for hours of activity. With broad spectrum, long-lasting UVA/UVB protection, this formula helps prevent premature aging due to prolonged sun exposure and uses nature’s antioxidant, Açaí Extract to help protect skin against sun-induced, damaging free radicals.

Family Natural Sunblock SPF 45: This non-greasy, tear-free, water-resistant formula provides the broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection necessary for the whole family. Enriched with moisturizing Vitamin E, Shea Butter and antioxidant Green Tea Extract, it nurtures skin and helps protect from harmful free radical damage caused by the sun’s ultra-violet rays.

Facial Natural Sunblock SPF 20: This ultra sheer, hypoallergenic, oil-free formula absorbs easily and is ideal for everyday use. Enriched with specially selected antioxidants, such as Grape Seed and Green Tea Extract, it helps protect skin from premature aging. This lightweight, non-comedogenic formula will not clog pores. Completely translucent and never chalky, it’s recommended even under makeup because it won’t change the shade of your favorite foundation.

Mineral Based Natural Sunblock SPF 30: This fragrance free, physical sunblock is ideal to protect very sensitive skin from sun damage. A blend of Chamomile and Marigold (Calendula) Extracts help to calm and soothe skin. It is safe for use on babies over six months and sensitive adults.

Lip Balm SPF 25: This lip balm not only helps soothe and prevent chapping but creates a barrier between tender lips and damaging solar rays. Pure, natural Sunflower Oil offers moisture all day long. Great for kids too.

J?SÖN also offers an assortment of cooling gels to soothe sunburns and other skin irritations.  Extracts of Aloe, Witch Vera, and Tea Tree help to relieve skin of irritation such as itchiness, burns, rash, and minor cuts, moisturizing as they heal.

Find out more about these products and view the entire product line at www.jason-natural.com.  J?SÖN products are sold on the site as well as in health and natural food stores around the country.

BIG GIRL COSMETICS

TURNING A GIFT FROM OPRAH INTO A DREAM BUSINESS!

By Steph Moore

big-girl-cosmetics3-copyThanks to an impromptu gift from Oprah Winfrey, Big Girl Cosmetics was able to open its doors.

Kiley Russell, creative director of Big Girl Cosmetics, was a member of the “Oprah” show audience for that still-memorable episode when everyone received a brand new Pontiac G6. For many in the audience the car itself was a dream come true, but for Russell it was a means to achieving another dream; she took the profits from the sale of the car and launched her own line of saucy, sexy cosmetics as well as the Big Girl Makeup Bar and Spa.

Big Girl Cosmetics offers hip color palettes designed specially to take women of color from daytime professional to evening goddess. From foundations imbued with natural moisturizers to sinful lip glosses, Big Girl Cosmetics offers superior skin care products and makeup to bring out a woman’s inner beauty and indulge her stylish whims.

Don’t just sit at home on a Saturday night. Unleash that inner diva and embolden those lips with the Diva Gloss. Wear a sheen of transparent brilliance or a little pixie dust shimmer during the work day, then break out the racier shades for a night on the town. Long lasting non-stick shine never looked so sexy or felt so good.

Inspired by Oprah, Big Girl Cosmetics has released the Halo Gloss. Unlike the Diva Gloss, this one is all about embracing the Angel inside. Do a good deed for your lips by brushing on a touch of (almost) innocent shine that will keep them silky smooth all day long.

This year, Big Girl Cosmetics expanded by introducing a new line of loose 100% mineral powders that can be used as eyeshadow, lip gloss, eyeliner, blush, and even nail polish! There are 12 rich shades currently available that can be worn as is or mixed with others to create a whole new look.

Big Girl Cosmetics has been feeling the love lately, and was a Fashion Group International Rising Star Award Finalist. All their products are available online at www.biggirlcosmetics.com, so check them out today!

GET THAT SEXY SUMMER CONFIDENCE WITH MAMA MIO!

By Elise French

get-some-summer-confidence-copySummer’s on its way and we all know what that means; beaches, bikinis and baring our bods. Yikes! It can be a scary thought. Thankfully, Mama Mio offers a hand in achieving bikini confidence with the below tips and products that tackle cellulite and lift, firm and tone:

#1: Apply Mama Mio Shrink To Fit ($56): This cellulite blasting solution is packed with the most effective cellulite busters, circulation stimulators and anti-oxidants, all included at very, very high levels to ensure we have made the best anti-cellulite cream we possibly could. A true multi-tasker, Shrink To Fit delivers smooth, ‘orange peel-free’ legs – leaving you ready for a stroll down the beach sans sarong.

#2: Vigorous massage, focusing on those stubborn dimply areas will improve circulation while reducing the appearance of cellulite.

#3: Light, upward massage strokes stimulate lymphatic drainage by helping the blood flow towards the heart and help eliminate the build-up of body toxins.

#4: Dry brushing exfoliates and helps encourages the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, keeping it firm, fresh, youthful and orange-peel free!

#5: Exercise de-bloats and stimulates endorphins to help put a smile on your face and spring in your step.

Before you reach for that cover-up, you might also want to check out:

  • Boob Tube ($45): This crinkle-fighting formula promotes firmer, fitter, glowing, dewy, youthful skin from the neck down, a must when preparing for a revealing bathing suit. CoQ10 helps defy gravity while Omega 3, 6 and 9 keep your neck and décolleté looking firm and plump. Milk Thistle, Evening Primrose Oil and Sweet Almond Oil maintain moisture for healthy, brilliant skin.
  • Get Waisted ($56): Formulated with clinically tested waist-whittling actives, Get Waisted is rich in amino acids and algae extracts proven to stimulate the body’s production of beta-endorphins, increasing lypolysis (the breakdown of fat) to help flush out fat, eliminate puffiness and give a more defined, tighter appearance. A must have for that teeny-weeny bikini!

At the very heart of the Mama Mio brand is one passionate mission: to help women feel more confident in their skin.  Check out their Summer Confidence Challenge at www.mamamio.com/us/confidence and be part of the movement to raise confidence nationwide!

HEALTHY LOOKING SKIN IN SEVEN DAYS

WITH NORMADERM TRIPLE-ACTION ANTI-ACNE HYDRATING LOTION

pix-normaderm-triple-copy3

By Hillary Stone

An overwhelming 76% of women ages 20-29 suffer from acne-related imperfections, and half of them have oily skin. However, the daily use of most acne products can dry skin out. To address the needs of these consumers, Normaderm, the #1 acne brand in Europe for providing solutions for acne-prone and oily skin types, introduces a new generation of skin care with Normaderm Triple-Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion. This cutting edge formulation offers 3-in-1 benefits:

  • Clears acne
  • Mattifies
  • Hydrates

It combines Salicylic Acid, Lipo Hydroxy Acid (LHA) and Glycolic Acid, all powerful micro-exfoliators to clear skin from blemishes and blackheads and tighten pores. Its unique formula is oil-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic, providing long-lasting 24-hour hydration while mattifying skin. The result is a lotion with demonstrated efficacy on breakouts, blackheads, clogged pores and shine, which delivers healthier-looking skin in just one week.

This innovative product achieves this triple effect with a unique combination of three acids frequently used in professional dermatology ~ Salicylic Acid (1%), LHA (0.3%) and Glycolic Acid (1%) ~ to administer a peeling-like effect on 100% of the epidermis. This time-released action enhances the benefits of Salicylic Acid, which is often the only active ingredient in many acne treatments. LHA, a derivative of Salicylic Acid and one of Normaderm Triple-Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion’s cornerstone ingredients, is heralded for encouraging cellular regeneration and exfoliation, which unclogs pores and helps reverse signs of sun damage to improve overall complexion. This safe and efficacious molecule allows for greater penetration for more targeted results. Normaderm Triple-Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion is gentle enough for sensitive skin and is allergy-tested.

Normaderm Triple-Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion ($22.50, 1.7 fl. oz.) is a light and comfortable lotion that clarifies skin and provides an instant matte effect and long-lasting hydration. In a clinical test on 73 women, the following results were reported after using Normaderm Triple-Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion:

  • A 20% decrease in pimples after just one week; a 64 percent decrease after four weeks
  • 14% fewer blackheads in two weeks; 42 % fewer in four weeks
  • Significant reduction of pore size after two weeks of use

Normaderm Triple-Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion is available at select CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens and Duane Reade stores and is sold online at www.vichyusa.com.

FUN AND FABULOUS ANKLETS FOR SUMMER!

By Hillary Stone

Summer is here! The sun is out and the beach is hot, so shed your winter clothes and pile on fun, flirty anklets from Amy Peters’ Studio.

Anklets are available in the Small Charms and Treasures collections ~ Small Charms feature motivational mantras to inspire you a little bit each day and Treasures feature pewter word and shape charms that can be mixed and matched to create a message and style that’s uniquely you.

For those hoping to have the summer they will never forget, pair a “Wish” or “Dream” charm with a star shape charm from the Treasures collection. Feel the sand between your toes with a “Make waves” Small Charm and Treasures heart charm. Make matching “Friends Forever” anklets for you and your BFF so you can be together no matter where your summer adventures take you.

Small charm anklets are available for $40. Charms are also available individually for $35 so they can be added to another anklet. Treasures chains and charms are available individually for $2.50 each.

Visit www.AmyPetersStudio.com to create your anklet today!

DIY HAIR COLORING

HOW TO AVOID THE “UH OH” FACTOR

By Emily Osgood

On my last trip to St. Cyr for a haircut and highlights, I had a conversation with my stylist about how to improve my home dye jobs.  Anyone who has colored her (or his, I guess, in this day and age!) own hair before knows that it can be messy, difficult, and even scary.  While the safer option is always to have a professional color your hair, it can get expensive ~ plus there’s sometimes a month or two wait ’til your stylist can “squeeze you in.”  So save yourself some money and time by doing it at home; the average box of hair color only costs around $8 and you can do it whenever you want ~ and it takes less than an hour.  Here are some simple things you can do to make sure there are no “Uh oh!” moments during the process or once you rinse out the dye and take that first look in the mirror.

St. Cyr stylist Yona recommends not making a drastic color change at home.  Slightly lightening or darkening your color is fine, “…but don’t make any major changes, like going from blond to dark brown at home.”  That much of a color change is not going to have the desired results without professional application.  Also, selecting your color is important.  If you are nervous about DIY-ing it, choose semi-permanent, as these dyes wash out in 6-8 weeks.

Always remember to wear the gloves that come in the box, even if they feel strange.  I have personally spent two days with purple hands, as the red dye I was using stubbornly stayed on my skin.  Another way to prevent skin staining is to rub moisturizer around your hairline, ears, and the nape of your neck.  The idea is that the moisturizer will prevent the dye from contacting the skin, and staining won’t occur in the first place.

Applying the color can be difficult to do alone, but beauty-tips.net recommends pinning up long hair when applying the color to the ends so they will be easier to reach.  If your hair is very short, they also recommend applying the dye with a toothbrush, as it will give you more accuracy.  After all the color is on, run a wide-tooth comb through your hair to make sure all the color is evenly distributed.

When rinsing the color out, make sure the water runs clear and that there is not any dye left, as it may stain your clothes or pillows.  Apply deep conditioner and allow it to sit on your strands for at least 15 minutes.  This ensures that your fresh new color looks silky smooth and not dry and brittle.

And, if worse comes to worse, you can almost always fix any color problems at home, but you have to act fast before the color has time to set.  Don’t get upset if the color of the dye is not the color you want your hair to be, it almost never is. Never color your hair the day you are attending an event; give yourself a few days in between.  That way, you won’t rush into a choice of colors, and you’ll have time to correct any mistakes.  After washing out the color, if you are not happy with the results, you can immediately wash with clarifying shampoo.

For more at home dyeing tips, please visit beauty-tips.net.

ELIZABETH MOTT LLC’S LASH CARD

DISPOSABLE MASCARA SHIELD HELPS PREVENT CLUMPING AND SMUDGING

By Lynn N. Capri

Elizabeth Mott LLC announced the launch of its first product ~ the Lash Card®, a disposable mascara shield ~ that is based on the Do-It-Yourself (“DIY”) makeup artist trick of using a cut-out business card to help prevent mascara smudging and clumping and maximize eyelash volume. The Lash Card offers the convenience of pre-cut and individually wrapped cards (10 per pack) that women can use when they apply and re-apply their mascara.  The Lash Cards are disposable and meant for single use, which is important for good makeup hygiene.

“I read about the DIY mascara business card trick, however, I found cutting a business card inconvenient, and who wants to put a dirty business card on your eye?” said Alice Kim, President of Elizabeth Mott LLC and inventor of the Lash Card . “So I experimented with different shapes until I found the right one that not only covered my eyelids when applying mascara, but also was slim enough to get into the corners of my eyes.  When my friends and colleagues saw me using the Lash Card, they asked me to make it for them too, and a product was born.”

Some of the biggest complaints from mascara users have been smudging and clumping. Lash Card, with its patent pending design, addresses these mascara gripes, and is ideal for:

o Preventing smudges on your eyelid

o Separating lashes

o Layering mascara

o Hard-to-reach lashes

o Blending false eyelashes

o Re-application

The Lash Card retails online for $5.99 per pack with a free shipping promotion, and is available at

www.LashCard.com.

Watch how to use the Lash Card on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/lashcard.

SHRINK TO FIT, THE SUPER CELLULITE BLASTER!

By Elise French

Cold weather is dwindling (halleluiah!) and jackets, boots and scarves are being replaced with shorts, flip flops and fedoras. But less clothing means more skin, and more skin calls for more confidence. Have no fear! Mama Mio is here with their ultra-potent cellulite blaster, Shrink To Fit ($56; www.mamamio.com)

This unique formula is packed with the most effective dimple destroyers, circulation stimulators and antioxidants, all included at very, very high levels to ensure the best anti-cellulite cream on the market. A true multi-tasker, Shrink to Fit delivers smooth, “orange peel-free” legs wrapped in soft, toned nourished skin to ensure total warm-weather confidence.

And while you’re looking good…you can feel even better! From now through August of 2011, Mama Mio will donate $1.00 for each Shrink To Fit sold at mamamio.com to Look Good…Feel Better®, a unique charity that helps women cope with and manage the visible side effects of cancer treatment.

BURT’S BEES CELEBRATES NATURAL BEAUTY

By Lynn N. Capri

Burt’s Bees is celebrating natural beauties and honoring their favorite pollinator, the bee, through their Lips Go Bloom tab on the Burt’s Bees® Facebook page. When you share a “virtual bloom” with a natural beauty in your life through June 3, 2011, Burt’s Bees will make a $1 contribution to the Pollinator Partnership, up to $25,000. Help Burt’s Bees populate cyberspace with 25,000 virtual blooms for bees, while helping dedicate vital research towards the health and wellness of bees. While exploring the Lips Go Bloom Tab, don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a trip for two to The New York Botanical Garden, courtesy of Burt’s Bees.

Inspired by the fresh beauty of spring flowers, Burt’s Bees® Tinted Lip Balms provide a burst of hydration and a hint of sheer color in six chic, wearable shades and a sweet natural flavor. Each 100% natural balm cares for your lips with a blend of soft flower waxes, moisture-rich Shea Butter and Vitamin E, leaving lips feeling smooth, healthy and hydrated.  The shade range is designed to give every woman a perfect neutral, pink and red ~ one from each of the shade families.

Burt’s Bees® Tinted Lip Balms ($7.00) are certified by the Natural Products Association and are available in six flower-inspired shades:

  • Hibiscus
  • Honeysuckle
  • Pink Blossom
  • Red Dahlia
  • Rose
  • Tiger Lily

Visit the Burt’s Bees® Shade Advisor at lipshadeadvisor.burtsbees.com to find your perfect match.  Just select your skin tone, desired coverage, and shade family preference, to discover the ideal Burt’s Bees® lip product for you.

Burt’s Bees® Tinted Lip Balms are available at national retailers, including Target, Walmart, Rite Aid, CVS, and Whole Foods, and at www.burtsbees.com.