Look Your Sun Kissed Best (**Warning: Skin Cancer Not Included)

Mystic tan booths are a day of the past my friend. Say "Good-bye!" to orange hands, a ring around your head from the shower cap, and the green light that never quite turns on in the booth until you're just about to call for help. Say "Hello!" to a gorgeous sun kissed glow without the drama. Today I will rate my favorite faux tans, based on price, convenience and most natural appearance. Before we get started, let's take a little trip down memory lane with Ross's spray-tan experience from Friends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqSc1f0NlpA

Faux Spray Reviews

1. Airbrush Tan: An airbrush tan is by far the best and most natural looking faux tan you can get! The only downfall to them is that they can be on the more expensive side compared to at home tanning sprays. I save these tans for my special occasions, such as vacations or special events. You can get a beautiful airbrush tan at many tanning salons for about $35.00 per tan. They usually vary on price depending on the number of tans you purchase at any one time. Don't be afraid to bargain with your tanning salon associate, as the price it actually costs per tan is well under the cost they charge. A couple of tanning salons I love in Los Angeles and Ventura County are:
Insatiable Sun (Encino & Woodland Hills) http://www.istanning.com/
Tan LA (Thousand Oaks & Agoura) http://www.tanla.la/

2. Bliss -A Tan For All Seasons: This is my new FAVORITE at-home tanning spray. This product can be found at Sephora, on-line at http://www.blissworld.com/, and select Nordstrom's stores. The cost is $36.00 for a 4.4 oz tin bottle. It has a 360 degree spray nozzle to reach those hard to reach areas, like your back and tush. My favorite part about this product is that it smells like grapefruit. Most tanning sprays have an odd odor for the first several hours, Bliss' product smells blissful. The most innovative feature about this product is that it won't leave you orange. While most tanning sprays come out brown or orange in color, Bliss'- A Tan For All Seasons sprays on purple. That's right, purple!! The R&D team at Bliss discovered that purple is the furthest color from orange on the color wheel, leaving your skin a beautiful bronzed look once it dries. Don't worry, you don't look like a grape when you first spray it on, as you rub it in for a natural bronzed glow.

3. Body Drench - Quick Tan: This is a great bang for your buck, with the darkest bronzed effect you can get. The bottle can be purchased at participating tanning salons, like the one's mentioned above for about $30.00 for a 6 0z bottle. I also found this product on Amazon.com at a fraction of the price. The best feature about this product is that it goes on bronzed right away, so I will often spray my chest and arms if I'm in a hurry for a quick glow. It comes out dark, like you've been in the Carri bean for days. The scent is also fun, as it comes out like a caramel apple; just don't lick your self in public.

4. L'oreal Sublime Glow Spray: This is the best mass market product available at your local drug stores. A 4.2 oz can will cost about $11.99. It's affordable and convenient. The tan is an amazing bronzed look with an easy to apply 360 degree spray top. The only down side, is that it flies off the shelves, so you'll often be left begging it for it drug-store to drug-store like a tanning spray addict. When you do find it, buy several cans at one time. The smell is less than desirable and it can often leave you with orange streaks. Once you learn to apply properly, this is the BEST bang for your buck!

5. L'oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion: I love to mix this product in with my daily lotion and apply it in the morning. I don't have to worry about streaks or making sure my tan is perfectly even. This gives me a subtle tan to build upon day after day. L'oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion can also be found at local drug stores for about $11.99 for a 6.7 fluid oz bottle.

Faux Tanning How-To:

1. Always shower and exfoliate with a non-oil based body exfoliator. A dry brush works best.
2. Do not shave your legs before you tan! Your legs will never pick up the color you're looking for once you've shaved.
3. Wait 6-8 hours before showering once you have applied your faux tan.
4. Wash your hands after every application.
5. Moisturize twice daily with a water based lotion.

I hope you've enjoyed today's blog. Go get your tan on and grab a Pina Colada, so you can enjoy your island get-away while you stay cool and skin-cancer free!

Until next time, stay cool, but look HOT!!

Ciao Bella,
Farrah
xoxo...

Learn your ABCDs

With the summer months upon us we are all subject to the danger of the sun. Living in Southern California, I know all too well the importance of protecting myself from skin cancer and melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) . We are exposed more often than we think to the damage that UVA and UVB rays can cause. Maybe you're one of those people who thinks that skin cancer or melanoma will never happen to you (maybe you're right), but wrinkles and skin damage due to the sun WILL happen. You'll be crinkled up and ugly before you know it. Especially on those parts we don't think about like our decollete (the delicate skin on our chest) and hands.

We rarely think about the ways in which we are constantly exposed to the sun. How many of you even consider wearing sunscreen on your hands? You can always tell the true age of a woman by her hands. Our hands are exposed to the sun everyday, especially while we're sitting in traffic. It's never okay to skip your SPF. Even going for a brisk walk when it isn't hot out yet or it's over cast isn't reason to skip your SPF. While your exposed to the sun for longer amounts of time, you should double up on protection with a BIG hat and SPF.

Speaking of SPF, how many of us are actually using the correct sunscreen that is indeed protecting us from those dangerous rays? I'll wait here while you grab your SPF, assuming you have some in your house....doo dah, doo dah. Did you get it yet? I'll keep waiting...doo, dah, doo, dah. Don't worry, I've got all day to help save lives and wrinkles.

Your SPF must contain one of these three ingredients in order to protect you from the harmful affects of UVA rays, the rays responsible for causing Melanoma,the ingredients are: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and Parsol (avobenzone). If one of these three ingredients are not in your SPF, then you are not protected. I'll wait while you throw it out now. A great mass market brand that you can find at your local drug store is, Neutragena Chemical Free Sunblocker. For my face, I love Clinique City Block with a bronzed tint to it; that's what I use on hikes, walks, and all day activities, such as the zoo.

Now that we've discussed what to use, let me tell you a little more about the dangers of the sun.

Each year there are nearly a million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed. In the 1950's and 1960's melanoma was rare, but today we are seeing a rise in this deadly disease. Women between the ages of 25-35, who are blonds or redheads, with fair skin tones are more at risk for melanoma. (Berg; The New Beauty Basics; 101)

While I spat about statistics to you from a book, I should also tell you that I have a dear friend who had to have over 100 stitches across her entire face in order to remove a VERY small piece of melanoma. Because this piece had gone undetected and was close to her eye, they had to carefully remove this without losing her eye. Once she recovered from that surgery, she had to go in for plastic surgery, as she had been left with a large scar across the middle of her beautiful face. While plastic surgery could remove her external scars, the emotional scars she is left with will remain with her forever.

As I mentioned, this lovely friend had waited far too long to have this "sore" on her face looked at. Had she been checked sooner, it could have been a much easier procedure. The melanoma on her face looked much like a small scab that wouldn't heal. She had it for months. This is why it is important for YOU to learn about the ABCDs of melanoma.

(A) Asymmetry: Melanomas are asymmetrical and odd-shaped. One half is often marked different than the other half. Normal moles are mostly round.

(B) Border: Normal moles have smooth edges. Melanomas are jagged, irregular, or scalloped shaped.

(C) Color: Normal moles are brown. Black, blue, pink, or multi-colored are signs of abnormality.

(D) Diameter: Get a mole checked if it larger than a quarter of an inch.

If you have any other abnormal growth or sores that won't heal, it is best to be checked by a dermatologist. Please don't freak about this article! The majority of you reading this are fine, but be aware of your body and its changes. If you are one of the few that I mentioned who are more likely to be a candidate for melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) then get a full body check by your dermatologist once a year.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's review of the best and most affordable tanning sprays. Just because I don't want you to get skin cancer, doesn't mean I don't want you to still look HOT!!!

Ciao

xoxo...

Light Up Your Life With Highlights

I consider this a very important message today! Listen carefully ladies; if you do not own a highlighter pencil, it is imperative that you pick one up today! Run, don't walk to your nearest, CVS pharmacy, Sephora, or department store for this must have item. If you do not know what a highlighter is, let me explain.
A highlighter pencil usually comes in a cream or off-white color, either matte or shimmery. The majority of make-up lines carry it, including: MAC, Anastasia, and Bobby Brown. This pencil should be used everyday, as a part of your "five minute face". Your five minute face includes, cleansing, moisturizing, foundation, blush/bronzer/, concealer, filling in your browns, mascara, and highlighting.
You use the highlighter under the arches of your brows, inside corner of your eyes, and inside your lower lid. Adding this simple adjustment to your face everyday, will make your eyes pop out, make you look younger and more vibrant.
This blog was inspired by a middle-aged woman I saw at Sephora today. She was offered a FREE highlighting pencil as a part of her "beauty rewards" points. She wasn't sure what to do with it and the beauty advisor briefly explained what it was for. I was mortified when the woman said, "Oh, I don't need anything like that." I wanted to shake her! This key make-up piece should be in every woman's tool box.
The moral of the story, aside from using a highlighter; is don't be afraid to try something new. Make-up can be scary when you're new to it. If you ask questions of the ladies at the counter or email me your concerns, I assure you we will work through it and be much more beautiful in the end.

Ciao,
Farrah
xoxo...

The Beauty of Letting Go

I am a self-identified perfectionist and by nature it is difficult for me to give up control and let life unfold in the way that it is meant to. Many of us struggle with "letting go" every day. We find it difficult to give up creative control of a project, let others do their own lives according to their own will, and worst of all, it's most difficult to allow difficult times to unfold as they may.

We are facing the most challenging financial times of our lives and many people are in fear of what tomorrow will bring. We often try to ease our fears and anxieties by using outside solutions. We often reach for food, purchase a new pair of shoes we may not need, or we react hastily to someone in traffic. None of these solutions make us look or feel more beautiful. In fact, it's quite the contrary; when we find ourselves reacting hastily to challenges that are out of our control, we look angry, uptight, and unapproachable.

The solution to the struggles we face today are in "letting go" and learning from the lessons we have been given today. The reality is that we may not be able to live the lap of luxury we once lived. We may be in fear about losing our homes, car, and/or many luxuries that once seemed like a necessity. The beauty of life is not found in things, but rather the beauty of life is found in our friends, our family, and our times shared with one another.

You may not be able to afford a movie, a Starbucks coffee, or a nice dinner out. But, I've found more beauty in reading a book at the library, making my own coffee, and cooking dinner with my fiance and family.

We become more beautiful inside and out, when we can "let go" of our expectations of the world and adjust ourselves to the world that is. The problems we face today are more complex than ever, but the solutions are simple. I find great beauty in letting go.

Beautiful thought for today: "God grand me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Ciao,

Farrah

xoxo...

Good Morning Sleepy Head!

Good morning ladies! I'm sure we've all had those nights when we simply can't get our 8-9 hours of beauty sleep in; deadlines need to be met, babies need to be fed, or margaritas were calling our names late last night. No matter what your reason is for a less than average night of rest, I have a few simple solutions to help you look and feel more awake with these simple tips:

1. 
   LOOK more awake with a cream highlighter below the arches of your brows and inside the lower lids of your eyes. This highlighter will make your eyes appear whiter, diminishing the redness associated with little sleep.


2. BLUE mascara will also help to brighten your eyes and reduce the appearance of redness. I like to use my black mascara first and then put a second coat on using the blue mascara.
   


3. Drink a minimum of 10 glasses of water today.


4. 
   Resist the temptation for diet soda, energy drinks, or other sugary sodas. They will only give you a boost first, then make you feel worse. Not to mention, too much of these caffinated drinks will elevate your adrenaline hormones, thus throwing off your endocrine system. If you must drink caffeine, have your morning cup of Joe/Starbucks and green tea throughout the day.
   


5. Fight the urge for sugary snacks and high starchy foods, like chips.
   Stay energized with a balanced diet full of a protein, complex carbs, good fat (like Avocado, almonds, or olive oil), and fruits/veggies.
   


6. TLC: Treat yourself with some extra tender love and care today. Women are so busy taking care of others, that we often put our own well-being last. Do something special for yourself today: take a bath with candles, meditate for 15 minutes, or take a yoga class. If you can't fit those thing in today, be sure to take extreme care for yourself today, by forgiving yourself for not being perfect!

Big Hugs,

Farrah

xoxo...

Questions and Comments

Should you have any beauty related questions or comments, please become a member of my website. Once you join, you can post comments and/or questions. If I don't know the answer right away, I will research it and get back to you. Thanks for your support!

Farrah
xoxo...

Bonjour!

Welcome everyone to my first official blog post! Let me start out by saying, that I am just a normal girl, living one day at a time. I do not believe that I was born with some innate beauty quality with perfect skin and flawless features. In fact, a little secret between you and I....lean a little closer, so everyone doesn't hear; I actually fell asleep with my make-up on last night. Shhh, please don't tell my esthetician.

My job on this blog is to tell you ALL of my tips and secrets, so that you can always feel beautiful, even when you've gotten little sleep, you're feeling bitchy due to that time of the month, or you're skin is between seasonal changes.

So, let's start today about faking good skin care even when you've fallen asleep with your make-up on.

1. Get up off your tush and go to the bathroom sink!

2. Grab your favorite cleanser: I like to use one with salicylic acid on mornings like today, because it helps soak up that excess oil lurking from the night before. I'm currently using Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser because it's a specialty brand ,but it's fairly inexpensive compared to similar brands. This bottle was $15.50 and will last me about 6-8 months; you can find it at local beauty stores, such as Planet Beauty.

3. CLEANSE: You must wash your face for a minimum of 2 minutes in order to get all of the make-up off from the day before. I am going to wash twice today for a total of 4 minutes. I have very oily skin.

4. EXFOLIATE: This is the key, when you didn't wash the night before. Many women don't exfoliate and it's a must! This is the key to unlocking your true beauty, especially during the hot summer months when sweat makes your dead skin stick to your face, making you look dull, dry, and tired. Today, I'm using an the "Appleseed Brightening Exfoliant" by Fresh. The alpha-hydroxy-acid helps to penetrate the deeper part of your skin, your dermis.

5. Spray or swab on a light layer of toner and your favorite moisturiser. Do not forget to moisturize even if you have oily skin.

6. SPF: Don't forget your SPF!! If you already have it in your moisturiser or make-up, you're probably fine. If you'll be in the sun all day find a higher level of protection and wear a cute floppy hat.

7. Apply a light layer of foundation or minerals, bronzer, a little blush for color, and you're simply looking more beautiful already!

I will post more on skin care basics on another day. Tune in for more...

Thought of the day: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Farrah

xoxo...