The Importance of Makeup

As if it wasn't hard enough trying to get our frizzy hair smooth in the morning or trying to fit into that snug dress, women also incessantly have to fuss over their foundation, lipstick, blush & mascara and try not to look like BoBo the clown in the process. Makeup is such an essential part of women's lives all over the world. Roman philosopher Platus once wrote "a woman without paint is like food without salt." And believe me, being in the beauty industry, i have seen my fair share of bland women. Like a designer purse or modern cell phone, few brave fem-bots leave home without it on. And ladies, don't deny it. We all revel in delight when we see these perfect, beautiful celebrities caught in public without any trace of makeup on. It's impossible to believe. THEY have zits, puffy eyes and wrinkles? It makes us feel better about ourselves and them seem flawed & ordinary. My fascination with makeup began at the age of 16. Liquid eyeliner was one of the most important items in my personal beauty arsenal. I would rarely leave home without it on and, 19 years later, still use it religiously. But please don't think my look is like cleopatra stuck in the late 80's. My makeup application has evolved greatly since then and I'm not so embarrassed to go to the grocery store or the mall without a full face of war paint on. A little mascara and a dab of blush really does wonders. Most men, of course, prefer a natural woman or so they say. Realistically, the words "natural beauty" seems sort of like an oxymoron. Nevertheless, makeup has been an important, integral part of humankind for centuries. Today, it is so scientifically advanced that it can do everything from smoothing or changing your complexion to enhancing the color of your eyes and hair. Ancient Egyptians created the world's first cosmetics using ingredients suchas lead and copper. Throughout the centuries, women used various items to enhance their beauty. For example, they would use burnt matches to darken their eyes, berries to stain their lips or urine to fade their freckles. Some even drank Ox blood in some misguided attempt to improve their complexions. Women throughout history put their health at risk with many of their homemade cosmetics. During the 18th century, for example, a rise of medical complications appeared. Tooth decay, adverse skin conditions and poisoning were often caused by dangerous makeup. In some cultures, women used arsenic, lead, mercury and even leeches to give themselves the pale appearance deemed to be beautiful in that era.It was not proper for a "lady" to work in the sun so she should, therefore, look translucent. It became fashionable to look like you were suffering from tuburculosis. The pale skin, flushed cheeks and luminous eyes of the illness was frequently imitated with white lead and rouge. To make their eyes brights, some women ate small amounts of arsenic or washed their eye with orange or lemon juice. In the 19th century, "natural makeup" became fashionable. Victorian propriety denounced excessive makeup as the mark of a loose woman. Above all, cheek and lip rouge were considered scandalous. Beauty books of the era suggested women bite their lips and pinch their cheeks vigorously before entering a room. To get more info on the history of makeup, go to www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/guide or www.fashion-ear.com/makeup/guide.



Thankfully, we have come along way from the days of using toxic and deadly mixtures to enhance our looks. Today's multibillion dollary cosmetic industry must meet strict government regulations about what it cannot include in products and must follow safe manufacturing guidleines. Lucky for us, the most serious injury from using cosmetics is usually only an irritation or a rash. That is, unless you do look like BoBo The Clown. Then you might get kicked in the shin by a scared 7 year old.

Why Women Stay Single

Why Women Stay Single | Funny Jokes at JibJab

The Female Den

Did you know that according to the 2008 National Census, 54% of unmarried single Americans are women?  Single women today have access to the same resources as men thus giving them money, social status and power. Yet these kitties, cats and cougars are still out on the prowl looking everywhere for Mr. Right. Hunting at bars, grocery stores, the gym or at work. Unfortunately, the dating pool doesn't always seem that promising.  It's full of men who claim to be overachievers yet their biggest accomplishment at the end of the day is actually showing up to work on time.  Ideally, most women do want the American Dream. Man + House + 2.5 kids + 2.5 pets + 2.5 cars. These ladies, however, are tired of waiting for Mr. Perfect to come along and complete their lives. In 2007, single women snapped up 1 of every 5 homes sold. That's roughly about 1.5 million, just in case you were counting. Setting up the perfect den for a single woman is no easy feat. These homes should appeal to all the five senses - SEE, SMELL, HEAR, TASTE & TOUCH. These, my pretties, just might help you catch your prey.

SEE

The appearance of your home says a lot about you. Women leave their dens every morning, hair & makeup perfect with a fabulous new outfit, locking their doors to a dirty little secret. They are slobs. So busy being "Miss Business" that they have forgotten the importance of home-sweet-home. Some single women's pad rival that of any single man. Piles of dirty dishes in the sink, remnants of an overcooked Lean Cuisine splashed all over the microwave and mounds of dirty clothes all over the bed and scattered on the floor. Picking up immediately after yourself is the first and most important step to keeping up a healthy home appearance. Too much clutter in one place can be very distracting. Keep your place simple and organized. This not only applies to the inside of your cabinets and drawers but to your choice in furniture and decor as well. If you need extra help, i recommend putting down this month's "Cosmopolitan" and picking up a copy of the book, "Houseworks: Cut The Clutter, Speed Your Cleaning and Calm the Chaos" by Cynthia Towley Ewer. Quick, easy help for all you dirty little vixens!

SMELL

Fragrance makes us feel good. Women wear tantalizing perfume and use fruity smelling lotions and shampoo which serve as aphrodisiacs to the opposite sex. The same thing applies to the smell of your space. It leaves an impression on people when they walk into your home and are immediately greeted with scented splendor. Candles have become an important part of our everyday lives adding warmth, style and mood to every room. Decorate your space with beautiful candles and light them regularly. Not just to cover the smell of the burned chicken casserole you tried to make Wednesday night. I retail a line of "Luminary Candles" at my salon which, in my opinion, are the best smelling, longest lasting candles in the market. And, believe me, i have tried many. With scents like Poppyseed, Tabacco Cognac, Tomato Vine and Bamboo Blossom, these 100% soy candles are a sure hit! Another option to sweeten your space are "Wallflowers" from Bath & Body Works. These pluggable home scents last 6 to 8 weeks, come in multiple fragrances and are a safer option that having a candle lit all day.  My favorite is Warm Vanilla Sugar and at a price of 2 for $20, I always have one plugged in the entry to my home. 

 

HEAR

Ludwig Van Beethoven said, "Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life." I couldn't agree more. It can definitely be passionate, powerful or playful. On that note, whoever said, "Silence is golden" obviously didn't have a new fancy new Ipod with hundreds of song choices. Music immediately sets the mood of a home. Believe it or not, men are impressed by women who have unique taste in music. Whether you're cooking, getting ready to go out or just relaxing & having a few drinks with friends, music has the power to heighten whatever emotion you are feeling at the moment. And girls, please don't play the same Madonna CD over and over again! Update your music with new songs regularly or do what i do. My dish network system offers 24 hour continuous Sirius Music which i absolutely love! My favorite channel is 6035 which features lounge style smooth electronica music. It is so addicting!

TASTE

Let's face it. Most modern day single women will never be Martha Stewart. Although they may not cook often, women will always have gal pals, family and male friends over on the weekends. Throw away those old To Go boxes and try keeping food in your fridge and pantry that is fresh and healthy. Although men love women who can cook, they definitely appreciate the ones who try just as much. There is something about cooking and eating that creates intimacy. Like your mother always said, "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Foods like bagels, fresh fruit, milk, deli meats, canned vegetables, jams, assorted spices and eggs are just a few things that should always be stocked for a quick snack or early morning breakfast. I have a friend who loves peanut butter so much that he actually got irritated when HE finished off a complete tub of it at my place and i didn't replenish it with a new one immediately! Ladies, go to www.wikihow.com/Stock-a-Kitchen-Pantry for more tips on maintaining a kitchen prepared for anything. Just please try to look sexier than the woman pictured above when you are showcasing your own refrigerated items at home.

TOUCH

While the other four senses are located in specific parts of the body, the sense of touch is all over.  I remember watching an episode of "Oprah" (all you males reading can roll your eyes now) in which she was telling the audience that the first thing she wanted when she started making money was high quality, SOFT towels. Women should all want this! Keeping your home full of soft bath and linen items will impress house guests and visitors alike and leave them "ooohing" and "ahhhing" for days. There is nothing more delicious than slipping in between soft, comfortable sheets. It will definitely leave a lasting impression on that "special guy" and have him begging for more. Comphy Company manufacturer sheets that are unbelievable.  People ask me "What is the thread count?" The answer is that there is no thread count. It's a micro-fiber blend! But even after washing and wear, the sheets keep giving! So stock up on fine items like this for your homes, ladies and be ready to pounce at any moment!

Sex Up Your Hairdo

Ladies, it is time for Hair Intervention. Yes I'm talking to you. Your hairdo has gotten boring and stale like crusty old bread. Your friends and family have stopped complimenting and noticing you. Put away the kleenex and stop feeling sorry for yourself. It's time for change. I'm not saying you go and do something crazy like cut off all your hair or color it bright red. I'm just simply suggesting you change up your hairdo every once in awhile to feel more playful and sexy. You do, after all, change your purse, shoes and jewelry everyday to match your outfits so why not your hair? The four fabulous hairdos below are my favorite! I hope that my own personal synopsis on them inspires you to try something new and fabulous with your hair.....tomorrow.

The Pretty Ponytail

At one time, a ponytail just might have been considered the red-headed step-child of hairdos. To some, ponytails seem boring and blase. To others, they are simple, easy and completed in 6 seconds flat. Try to beat that, David Blane! Historically in the Western world, the ponytail has always been considered a very informal hairstyle for grown, sophisticated women. On grown men, however, it is just considered, well, cheesy. Unless you are David Beckham and that is a whole different story. I regularly put my daughter's hair in ponytails because it is quick and generally stays put even after a full active day at school. The classic ponytail is the staple hairstyle for stay at home moms and workout fanatics. These busy people don't have time to incessantly fuss over their follicles. I love the look of a ponytail. It embodies the perfect balance between youth and sexiness. Whether it's worn on the side, with wispy bangs, curled on the ends, simply slicked back, or bumped up with volume on top, ponytails are so versatile and a wonderful choice for that casual daytime look or that tantalizing evening adventure.

The Bodacious Bun

We all love little old ladies and their stereotypical silver, blue or purplish buns. It is an easy style for them. Typically, many elderly women do not wash their hair but once a week, so tying up their locks in a secure bun helps to keep it clean and out of their face while knitting. I'm of course being a bit stereotypical and sarcastic especially considering how many of our grandmothers have greatly transformed themselves in the last few years. Nevertheless, the modern bun has made a triumphant comeback. In my opinion, the sexiest and most creative buns are the ones that are worn low and loosely. Depending on your face shape, they can look good with either a middle or deep side-part. Just like the ponytail, a flirty bun can also be worn off center and adorned with fresh flowers especially for a special occasion such as a wedding or summertime soiree. When getting this style done at your salon, make sure to take a picture to show your stylist exactly what you want. Otherwise, you just might end up looking like the cafeteria lunch lady. Minus the hair net and sloppy joes.

The Beautiful Bump

I'm from Texas and we all know how much country gals love them some big hair. Unfortunately, we see the bad version of the Bump everywhere. In malls, in grocery stores and at work. Especially if you work at the local DMV. I call it "skyscraper hair". Too high with a triple coat of the finest AquaNet spray. If done properly, the Bump is actually a very flattering and beautiful hairstyle. It can be done with your hair completely up or half down as well. Wearing bangs with a Bump definitely softens the style, while wearing all your hair away from your face gives it a more dramatic look. Just a little backcombing, a few bobby pins and a light glossing of good hairspray goes a long way in achieving this sexy look. Throw on some cool hoops along with some smoky eye makeup and people will be thinking you resemble a sex siren from the sixties!

Goddess Braids

The thought of Heidi braids generally takes our minds to specific places. We either imagine Dorothy from Wizard of Oz with her wicker basket and red shoes or a hippie from the 70's wearing bell bottoms giving the peace sign. Regardless, this new hairdo has shown it's face, mainly in Hollywood. Young starletts like, Hayden Panettiere, Mary-Kate Olson, and Kirsten Dunst have appeared out and about sporting this stylish new look. Braids are creative way of utilizing your own hair as an accessory and work on nearly every hair type. Simply take a 1 inch section of your hair and pin behind the opposite ear. Pull out some bangs and put it in a ponytail for an extra chic look. Your hair should be moderately long to pull off this look so all you gals with short bobs and pixies will have to just have to sit back and enjoy this look from afar.

The Foot Chronicles

My days are pretty ordinary. I get up at 7 a.m., shower, take my kids to school, go to work, pick up my kids, go home, eat, go to sleep. Repeat. I'm on my feet for most of the day and wearing uncomfortable shoes no less. So after a few weeks of this monontanous schedule, my tired

eyeballs eventually roll down to my hooves and i am shocked at what i see. Two sad, neglected

pair of hurt feet. And when i say "hurt" i mean both physically and mentally. (Side note: This is not actually picture of my feet just in case you were wondering and maybe threw up a little bit in your mouth at the site of it). My feet, like i mentioned earlier are upset at me. How could i let this happen to them? They are reliable, responsible and take me from point A to point B effortlessly. Not to mention they suck it up when i stuff them into ridiculously uncomfortable shoes day after day.  My good friends Christy and Laura and I once joked that we thought the cleanliness of a woman's foot was a direct reflection of the cleanliness of other "private" parts of her body.  We got a good laugh out of that statement, and quickly changed our minds when we looked down and saw our own neglected, chipped, ashy feet.

So the three self-proclaimed beauty goddesses of the world all packed up our things and decided to go for pedicures at a local nail salon. When the nail tech handed me the menu, i felt like i was ordering at a fancy restaurant. Way too many choices. Rose-Petal pedicures. Strawberry Margharita pedicures. Cooling Cucumber pedicures and so on and so forth. All i really wanted was for someone to get the crud out of my toenails and massage my bloated feet. The pedicure i chose used real fruit pieces which i actually found to be a bit wasteful. I didn't think that wrapping pieces of strawberries and slices of lime with cellophane around my calves served any purpose. I probably would have rather been eating it off a plate especially since i had not eaten lunch yet. My girlfriends agreed. Nevertheless, we left relatively satisfied with our new moisturized, polished feet. So at this point, you might be asking yourself why I am telling you my tale of insignificant turmoil. Well, it's simple. There are plenty of ways of making your feet look perfect in between the costly weekly trips to the nail salon.

Good foot requires life long maintenance.  Here are some facts about feet that i found interesting:

- The largest feet in the world belong to a man by the name of Matthew McGory whose feet are a whopping 28 1/2 (U.S. size). His bunions must definitely be the size of large golf balls.

- The average person steps 10,000 steps a day. During a lifetime that means almost 115,000 miles! It's a wonder we can't lose weight with numbers like that.

- 25% bones in the human body are located in our feet. And can you imagine that 25% is supporting the rest of the 75% of bones we have!

- Feet contain 250,000 seat glands and excrete as much as half a pint of moisture everyday. That is the main reason why they can smell so funky.

There are a few things you can do at home to maintain proper foot care in between those costly trips to the nail salon.  The first thing to do is SOAK.  Not only does it feel good on our feet to soak them in warm water, but it loosens up dead skin as well. BUFF- Invest in a foot file that wont completely wear your skin to the bones.  Concentrate on the heals and balls of you feet and on any bunions you may have.  MOISTURIZE - Everyday!  Invest in a good lotion that doesn't dry out immediately.  Also, purchase cuticle oil.  It only takes a few drops around your nails to make them immediately look healthy.  But here is a warning for all you obsessive ladies and men both who use cuticle nippers on their feet regularly.  The chance of you snipping yourself is high plus the more you cut off, the MORE grows back. CHANGE SHOES REGULARLY - Just because your 6 inch Christian Lacroix black stillettos go with all your outfits doesn't mean you have to wear them everyday to show off.  Throw on a pair of flip flops or ballerina flats once in awhile.

The great philosopher Socrates once said, "When our feet hurt, we hurt all over." Just ask the ladies all over the world who own pairs of Manola Blahniks. So love your tootsies and take great care of them!

Love and The Alpha Female

Alpha females. You know who you are. Oprah Winfrey. Anna Wintour. Madonna. Martha Stewart. Jennifer Lopez. To name a few. It is their greatest asset and greatest downfall. These ambitious, high achiever women never take "no" for an answer. They have everything they could dream of....success, fame, money, respect and independence. But what about true love? Are they lacking in that department? Too some, they're pushy, cold, bossy and unemotional. Or maybe they just havent found the right man to compliment them and their lifestyle. Can an Alpha female find happiness with a male who is not as successful and ambitious. Oprah seems to have found happiness with her beau, Stedman, but the same cannot be said about other Hollywood women. Both Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez didn't hip-hop off into the sunset with their unknown dancer husbands. And actresses like Reese Witherspoon, Hillary Swank and Jennifer Garner's relationships ended in divorce when their careers overshadowed that of their husbands. But I'm not just going to focus on Hollywood. What about the rest of us ambitious, career-driven women in the world. Is there hope for us in finding and maintaining love?

The following are excerpts from an article written by Ana Pasternak which i found interesting.

It is titled "Why an Alpha female should never marry a Gamma male."

At first glance it's easy to see the attraction between these two types. The taut, controlled, go-getting female finds a charming, flexible chap who seems to be everything she is not: relaxed, nurturing and fun. So far, so promising. He can help her uncoil and bring romance and much-needed tenderness into her brittle life, while she can provide a lifestyle which is initially thrilling for its full-throttle dynamism. The rot sets in when the haze of love burns off and lurking resentment on both sides surges to the surface. In this situation, woman want men to pull their weight, mainly financially, and isn't afraid to let him know it. He, in turn, feels emasculated and seeks to undermine her. Relationship terrorism is not, as some glossy women's magazines have suggested, exclusively a male preserve. Both partners are equally guilty in this power struggle which will eventually destroy any chances of a fulfilling, lasting union.

So why don't Alpha females choose Alpha males? One explanation is that these successful women are too needy in emotional terms and think that an Alpha male will not have time for them. The big failure of Alpha women is that they starve themselves of real attention and nurturing so they don't really know what they want in the relationship department. If they are not careful, they end up choosing feminine, caring man to take up the slack. This works in the honeymoon period but afterwards the problem is that each is trying to change the other rather than enjoy each other's differences.

So what do you ladies think? Can successful, driven woman balance career and love in their busy lives with men who are not as ambitious?

"Wig Out!" Hair Extentsions....The Good, the Bad and Just Plain Ugly

Ladies, do you ever watch a celebrity t.v. show or pick up a juicy gossip magazine and wonder how it is that every female in Hollywood seems to have the most ravishing, longest, luscious locks? It doesn't seem fair to be so rich, beautiful AND have great hair genes! Us everyday gals are on a continuous mission to find our hair miracles in a bottle. You know what I'm talking about. Brand A will thicken your hair. Brand B will help your hair grow. Brand C will smooth the cuticle and Brand D....,well, this one will help you attract the perfect man! The solution is quick and simple - Hair Extensions. Well, the actual process of getting hair extensions isn't really that quick (can take up to 6 hours) or simple (its important to find an expert technician or else you too will be buzzing your weave off like Britney), nor is it cheap (costs run anywhere between $800 - $3,000). Nevertheless,

i decided to give them a try. It was going to be my 34th birthday

and i decided i wanted to look fabulous. I chose to go with Great Lengths hair extensions which is one of the many lines that manufacters them with 100% natural human hair. Once the black 20 inch extensions were securely bonded in, i couldn't help but feel like i resembled Cousin It. Or worse. Like that creepy, wet creature lady crawling out of the well in the movie,The Ring. However, once it was cut and styled i will admit, i felt, well how do put this....fabulous, sexy and younger!

THE GOOD

1. Storybook Rapunzel will magically come to life before your eyes.You will get instant length and thickness. It will make you want to throw your hair out of your second story office window in hopes of snagging your very own Prince Charming!
2. Hair comes in a variety of natural colors. Expert technicians can even mix and match extensions to give you new brilliant highlights.

3. It would take years to get that length! Okay, so sitting still 4 to 5 hours isn't the most ideal situation especially if you have A.D.D. or urinary incontinence, but lets face it, it's worth it.

4. Your friends will be completely jealous that you look like a diva. Even their husbands and boyfriends will notice something "different" about you! You just might land that great job, get invited to the newest hottest party, or feel like a porn star in bed. Well, okay that might be stretch but a girl can dream can't she?

THE BAD

1. Too much hair too soon for some. You will definitely have to get used to your bountiful locks. Be prepared to use more shampoo and more conditioner. Drying and styling time will increase as well. Ladies, you might actually get a bicep and tricep workout blow drying your hair out.

2. Be prepared to pull out the Advil. The first few days might be uncomfortable especially at night. Your scalp might be a little sore in spots or itchy at times. No real worries though. This feeling passes relatively quickly.

3. Throw away your old bristle brushes and plastic combs! You will need a special extensions brush to help comb your hair. Anything else will pull your hair out at the scalp. They recommend brushing your hair thoroughly twice a day.

4. Don't play with your hair! This may pull extensions out so all you gals who are constantly twirling their hair in their fingers will have to find another vice. Try shopping. It will take your hands off of your hair and onto your pocketbook.

THE UGLY

1. Extensions must be conditioned and combed regularly otherwise your hair will quickly turn into a bird's nest. Huge knots and tangles will appear quickly and, with the recent bouts of Bird Flu in the last few years, you may not want any feathered creatures looking for a new place to lay their eggs.

2. If extensions are placed improperly, the bonds will show. And once they grow out, they will show as well unless maintained on a regular basis. This may make it difficult if you want to put your hair in a basic ponytail for a gym workout or a sophisticated updo for a wedding.

3. If you decided to remove extensions, your natural hair will be weaker at the ends and will likely need to be cut. I about almost fell out of the chair when my stylist told me i would need to have 4 to 5 inches snipped. I struggled with that decision for a few days then decided to take them out anyways. Although my hair is shorter now, it is much easier to maintain. Do i miss my hair extensions? Yes. Would i do it again in the future? Possibly. Would i recommend other women try it? Definitely!