Are You A Cuticle Cutie? How Does Your Mani/Pedi Look?

Cuticle cutie?

No, not yet. In fact, we are usually in hang nail h-ll. We get hang nails at our thumbs, and we are always trying to tear the skin ourselves, and we end up making it a lot worse.

A hang nail is "a small, torn piece of skin near a fingernail or toenail." And that would point to the cuticle.

But our cuticles are improving. That's because we are now conditioning them. In the past, we never bothered applying oil or cream treatments for the cuticles, but at the moment, we are hooked.

Yes, these cuticle conditioners DO work. But you need patience and a little TLC. And since we are mani/pedi-challenged, we are learning quite a few things about healthy nails.

Tennis Star Serena Williams is nail-obsessed, and we can bet her cuticles are perfect:

...."No one likes getting their nails done more than I do," she says. "As a matter of fact I go every four days to get a manicure and every seven days for a pedicure. So, I had a brilliant idea to get certified to be a nail tech."

You don't have to be manicure-crazy to achieve healthy nails, but you DO have to have healthy cuticles to make it all work. And we have 2 cult cuticle conditioning favorites that deliver results:

1. Solar Oil Conditioner by Creative Nail Design ($7.59, at drugstore.com). Made with Vitamin E, sweet almond and jojoba oils. Solar Oil is able to penetrate deeply to soften dry cuticles and promote the growth of strong, flexible nails.

Simply brush on this oil daily. We like to do this at bedtime to let the

oil dry completely, and work through sleeping hours.

2. Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme by Burt's Bees ($5.99, at drugstore.com. This stuff is amazing, too, in a cream base. It, too, includes sweet almond oil, Vitamin E. Toss in some lemon oil and cocoa butter, and your nails will be in heaven.

Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme is easy to apply, too. Just massage in and around nails nightly to heal dry cuticles and cracked fingertips.

With hot, summer days fast approaching, it's a good time to get your nails in shape, and that means a set of healthy cuticles, from your fingertips down to your toenails.

We promise to continue this simple, nightly nail routine, and if you have almost given up on your unattractive cuticles, give one of these conditioning nail treatments a try.

How To Fake A Fabulous Safe Tan With Bronzer

This Tuesday, June 21, marks the first day of summer. And for many of you, the beginning of your tanning routine.

We are not here to judge. We don't want to scold anyone for heading to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. BUT------

There really is NO safe tan, except in the form of sunless tanning. And that means bronzer for your face, and tanning spray for your body. And yes, you CAN fake a fabulous tan with bronzer.

Your face can glow and look like you spent a day lying by the sand and sea. All you have to do is pick the right bronzer and delicately apply it, so it results in a natural, sun-kissed way.

Choose a bronzerthat is one or two shades darker than your skin. If you have an oily complexion, then stay with a powder bronzer. Dry complexions would be wise to select a cream bronzer. And remember: Don't go bronzer-wild all over your face.

Try Maybelline's DreamMousse Bronzer ($7.29, at drugstores)> It's so light and glides on beautifully!

Celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes, a fave of Jennifer Lopez, is the king of bronzer. Here are his tips, the best we've seen on applying a fake tan for the face:

"Make sure that you don’t use a bronzer like you would be using a loose powder. You shouldn’t be applying bronzer all over your face. You should actually use bronzer on parts of your face that the sun would kiss naturally and you should make sure that the centre of your face is lighter than the outer parts of your face.".

Use bronzer sparingly, says Scott:

"In general, I try to abide by a less-is-more mentality: You can always layer more on but it’s harder to take it off. It’s really all in the approach, though. I always see women applying powders and bronzers starting next to their nose. But the trick is to work from the outside of the face inward, rather than the other way around. This creates a halo effect and leaves a diamond shape of light in the center so your face appears a little more open. This will hide double chins and give you a visible bone structure so you don’t wind up looking old. Also, use a bronzing brush to blend allover rather than applying product directly to problem areas like crow’s feet and laugh lines. And don’t forget to do your neck and décolletage."

Great tips! And Scott Barnes sells his own popular makeup line of bronzers for face and body.

'Face' It: Palmer's Isn't Just For Stretch Marks Anymore

Okay, we'll be honest.....we adore cocoa butter. And when it comes to the king of the heavenly-smelling body butters, well, Palmer's has stood the test of time. And for many a pregnant woman, it's Palmer's to the stretch mark rescue.

But, now there's a new Palmer's in town:
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Facial Care Line. And the great news----everything is $15 or less at drugstores!

Smart folks at Palmer's, and it's about time. Who doesn't love an anti-aging cleanser, night cream, facial scrub, eye cream, and day lotion?! Who knew crushed cocoa beans make for an excellent exfoliating scrub?

The Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Night Renewal Cream ($15), on its own, feels so good. And it's formulated with cocoa and shea butters, retinol peptides, and evening primrose to firm and tighten skin.

If you are a cocoa butter fan, it's time to look beyond your beautiful belly, and to your face and neck. This new Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Facial Care Line is kind to sensitive skin, and won't put a dent in your pocketbook.

We think this a worthy skin care line to try.

How To Get Huma Abedin's Classy Sophisticated Style

Not a shiny, raven strand of hair out of place. Not a hint of puffy, red eyes from crying.

Instead, we see the striking Huma Abedin, the wife of fallen Congressman Anthony Weiner in control, doing her job as trusted aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

And she's going about her business with her flair for fashion and polished makeup palette of a defined eye, perfect brow, and bold red lip. That's her signature beauty look.

Of course, the exotic Pakistani/Indian Huma always has a gorgeous big designer handbag with her, too. Plus some very nice accessories---over-sized sunglasses, ornate chandeliers and/or pearls. And her hair is long andglossy, usually worn straight and parted-in-the-middle, or pulled back away from her face in a sleek ponytail or elegant updo.

Huma Abedin married Anthony Weiner a year ago. The model-slender 35-year-old wore a stunning Oscar de la Renta wedding gown, from one of her favorite designers.

These days, the very private Huma has been forced into the spotlight. But she hasn't said a word yet, about her Congressman husband's sexting scandal, and most people don't believe she will make any public comment. The couple had recently announced that Huma was pregnant.

We will be watching this quiet woman, and how she continues to handle her husband's recent resignation from Congress. We also look forward to seeing how stylish Huma chooses her maternity wear.

Orange Too Bold? Try Peach Lipstick For Hot Summer Trend

Just because orange lips are IN for summer, doesn't mean you HAVE to wear the shade. Tangerine isbold and sassy, but not for everyone.

But, there is peach, and that, too, is the other hot 2011, spring/summer trend for kissable lips.

Yes, you CAN wear peach lipstick/gloss and look good, without your lips first entering a room.

Peach is soft and warm, and makes your skin glow. And celebrities like Emma Stone and Leighton Meester have been on the red carpet wearing peach lips.

We've rounded up a few of our fave peach lipsticks and glosses to give you that sexy, summer look:

1. Cover Girl Queen Collection Lip Color in South Beach Sand ($7.49, at drugstores).
2. Burt's Bees Super Glossy Natural Lip Gloss in Juicy Peach ($6.99, at drugstores).
3. Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Peach Sorbet ($5.99, at drugstores).

You Don't Use An Eyelash Curler? It Goes Hand In Hand With Mascara

A lot of women wear mascara, every day. And we are assuming that those who adorn their lashes, also use an eyelash curler, right?

Not so fast.

We were shocked when we saw the results of a recent survey in InStyle magazine that asked this question:

DO YOU USE AN EYELASH CURLER?

37% Never
36% Always
27% On special occasions

Doesn't this surprise anyone? Wouldn't you have expected the stats to be, maybe, 80% who always curl?!

Does that also mean, that the 36% who always use an eyelash curler, also always wear mascara? Or do the two beauty items have little to do with each other?

Wouldn't it make sense to you, that if you were going to wear mascara, that you would curl your lashes first?

Ladies, you NEED to curl your lashes. Period.

What does an eyelash curler do? Any professional makeup artist will tell you, that curling your lashes opens up the eyes. Your eyes will look bigger. Stubborn lashes will look more even. And short, wimpy lashes will take on thickness and appear longer.

There are many eyelash curlers out there. Plastic, metal, mini curlers, heated curlers, etc. You might have to buy several before you hit the perfect eyelash curler. Plastic ones break much quicker and easier than the metal pairs, with their scissor-like motion. Heated curlers cost more.

And if you've never used an eyelash curler, don't be afraid. It's not hard. This beauty tool is an odd-looking item, but it does great things for your lashes and really widens your eyes. In fact, if you hate wearing mascara, and absolutely refuse to, at least curl your lashes. You will see the difference. You will even look more awake.

What you want to do, is position the eyelash curler around your eyelashes. The upper lashes must be between the edges of the curler.

Then, carefully squeeze the edges of the eyelash curler together and hold for about 10 seconds.

Now gently release the curler from the lashes. Repeat again if you want extra curly lashes, or if you have stubborn straight lashes. Always make sure that the curler is fully open before removing it.

Then apply a few coats of mascara.

Here's a great eyelash curler to try:
Shu Uemura ($19.00, here). A big favorite among pros and women everywhere. Delivers the perfect curl. Metal curler.

Can Blueberry Supplement From CVS Really Improve Eyesight?

We just happened to stumble upon this one, and since good health is a thing of beauty, we thought we'd do some research.

Blueberries and better eyesight.

Do the two go hand-in-hand?

Possibly so.

A popular supplement from Sweden called, Blue Berry Eyebright ($29.95, 60 tablets), claims that just 2 tablets a day, "Helps protect and stregthen the vision. Helps increase macular pigmentation in the eyes."

The daily dosage of 2 tablets can be compared to eating a cup of fresh blueberries a day. Also included in the supplements is calendula flower extract, containing lutein and grapeseeds extracts.

Blue Berry Eyebright has been around Scandanavia for almost 10 years, and now it's being introduced to the US, exclusively at CVS drugstores.


We're not saying you'll be able to toss away your glasses or contacts anytime soon, but within 2-3 months, you will see changes, and your eyesight will strengthen.

The supplements are safe, and according to what we have learned, Blue Berry Eyebright does NOT interfere with medicine and poses no side effects. But please check with your doctor and let him or her know what you are planning to add to your vitamin regimen.

We think this is pretty exciting health news for your eyes!

To learn more about Blue Berry Eyebright, please visit newnordicusa.com