When to visit a dermatologist

When you've spent a fortune on drugstore brands and your skin ain't cleaning up- go pro. Call in a dermatologist for relief. I did. Now I am asking myself why I waited so long?

Kohl's Beauty is Cool

Want department store cosmetics at drugstore prices? Shop Kohl's where you can find American Beauty, Flirt!, Good Skin and Grassroots. I loved the wide assortment of lip glosses and how neat the counters were. Beauty at a Bargain. What's better than that?

From One Jersey Girl To Another

Tan in a Can? Yeah, this Jersey Girl was skeptical too, but this bronzer and self-tanner is wonderful. At first you get a hint of a bronze glow, but the tan deepens over time. No orange tint. No icky smell. This self-tanner will give you a natural, albeit faux glow. Spray from at least 12 inches from face and remember, Bronze Infusion does not contain sunscreen, which means if you're going outside, put some on. www.jerseygirltan.com


Top Shelf Recommendation: Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreen. Worth every penny. Won't smudge, melt or sting.

Pore Me Over and Tip Me Out

Here's the DEAL. When cute blond chicks want help concealing what they describe as larger than normal pores, I say it's time to find Neutrogena products. You can follow my instructions: if you need to clean up blackheads, pick up the blackhead eliminating toner. If you want to refine pores, get the pore refining toner. You can consider toner that has a salicylic base as an exfoliant. GREAT FOR THE SUMMER when skin screams for help and therapy is just too expensive.

Top Shelf Recommendation: Jo Malone Lip balm. Keep those lips moist, baby.

Back To Biolage

I remember when Biolage (Matrix) first came out and it was all the rage. The other day I had to buy it. I just had to rekindle the smell and the way the conditioning balm softened my hair. Ever think about stuff like that? It's nice to switch products and to bring back the love. Plus, when you factor in the sun, chlorine and sweat, an extra dose of conditioner can make all the difference. I don't condition every day, but I'm upping my use of conditioner as my hair grows.

Top Shelf Recommendation: Carmex for those pesky dry lips that seem to surface during summer.

Cetaphil Rocks My Boat

Lots of people recommend Cetaphil for cleansing the face. I've used it and it's a calming, soothing cleanser. You can use it on the face or body. It's soap-free. But did you know the company makes a cleanser for normal to oily skin. Now truth be told, my skin is probably more combination than oily, you know, dry in some areas, breaks out in others. But when the weather changes my skin tends to freak out a bit. I've been trying Cetaphil for Oily Skin and I really like here. Here's why: it's not drying. In other words, no flakes. And it doesn't make my face feel tight. Plus, it's really not that expensive when you consider what dermatologists charge you for their products. So, go ahead. Try it. And don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Top Shelf Recommedation: Philosophy's Amazing Grace perfume. Smell pretty and get addcited. Buy it at Sephora or Sephora.com.

You caught me!

So, yesterday I went to the mall with my friend Jaimi. We were headed to an outdoor shopping mall but the traffic was nasty-looking, so we headed in the other direction. Smart move. While my favorite store Sephora didn't have the exact lipgloss I was searching for Saturday, I did end up buying a new lipstick that I think will be perfect for summer. Can I blame Sephora for being low on stock on a lip gloss called Orgasm? Probably not. Not only is the lipgloss supposedly the perfect color for everyone (sheer nude-peach with slight shimmer), it also has a name that makes you want to scream. Really. So my friend Gabby asked me, if when I hit SouthPark, whether or not I bought make-up. What a question. Does Gwyneth Paltrow wear Chanel (she's got a major Chanel diaper bag - or so says VH1) ? I mean, really. Anyway, I'm looking forward to using my new Dior Addict lipstick. I'll have to let you know if I get any compliments.

Top Shelf Recommendation: Bliss' Steep Clean. I am seriously addicted to this product that helps cleanse the skin and loosen dirt from pores. Seriously, I have many products that I use a few times and forget about. But this is one product that I really like. It's a light exfoliant and it smells fresh. Never gritty and won't leave residue on your face. Nor will it turn your face red or splotchy or blotchy. Too bad it's so pricey. www.blissworld.com

Glow Baby Glow!

When you want some color, but could do without a "mystic" (spray-on)tan, try Bobbi Brown's All Over Bronzing Gel. Bobbi's bronzing gel will give you a healthy glow that will make people take notice. Another benefit? Bobbi's All Over Bronzing Gel has an SPF 15. One word of caution. This is a bronzer, not a self-tanner. So apply generously, and expect to see color right away. You may want to try a little bit on the back of your wrist to see how the color blends. www.bobbibrown.com

Top Shelf Recommendation: Remember how I mentioned a fabby new toothpase in my last post? I don't even know if this stuff is new or old, but it does taste yummy. It's Marvis, Paradise Fruit Mint. Even the tube is pink. (Got to love pink) Don't worry the toothpaste is white. For my Charlotte readers you can buy this at Bamboo Apothecary at Philips Place.

Gettin' Published

Check out my first professional beauty article. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/charlotte/living/style/11458515.htm

I guess I am officially a beauty writer now. And speaking of beauty ... I'm really enjoying my new toothpaste. I'll fill you in tomorrow.

La Mer for La Mom

My mom swears by La Mer. She says it's the only cream that doesn't make her itch or twitch, or something like that. Anyway, I recently received a sample of their hand cream. Apparently, Slimdi (aka my mom) knows what she's talking about. Not only did the cream soften my hands, it smells divine. All during the movie "Fever Pitch" (love Drew! love Jimmy!) I kept sniffing my hands. Definitely better than having hands smell like buttered popcorn. Anyway, I've got many more products to tell you about but my radio work calls. Play ball! Oh yeah, someone emailed me and asked me about Du Wop's Lip Venom. I've used it. Who knows if it can really plump my pout ... but it sure awakens the senses. Very strong cinnamon flavor. You may want to try this out before pulling out the Visa, Amex, Discover etc.

Top Shelf Recommendation: Coppertone's new continuous spray "sport" sunscreen (waterproof, no spills!) Available at CVS, Target, Eckerd. Just remember, it only works if you apply it before you lay out, not two hours after gettin burnt.