Total Byouty Blog

We've Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 12:36:00 -0400

Our Blog has a new home! Please refer to the B.YOUneek blog: http://www.byouneek.com/apps/blog on our official site for updated posts on beauty, fashion, fitness, wellness and pageantry! See you there!

P.S. Don't forget to bookmark & subscribe to our new blog! http://www.byouneek.com/apps/blog

Introducing... ONE TIP AT A TIME!

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:09:00 -0400

We've launched a new youtube video series to bring you one beauty, fashion, fitness, or wellness tip weekly. Become a better version of you one tip at a time with B.Youneek!

**Check out our at- home- facial

Spring Fashion 2011 for Less

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Fri, 1 Apr 2011 20:21:00 -0400

Click to Play

Liana Baratta of B.youneek Total Image Consulting styles her sister Graziella in Spring 2011 trends for less than designer prices...WAY LESS!

Celebrate Women and Shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 8 Mar 2011 23:06:00 -0500

In celebration of International Women's Week, B.Youneek is offering a 10% Discount our most popular products and services!

READ ON..

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Celebrate-Women---That-s-your-code---.html?soid=1101931438633&aid=IDuf3_YkzIE

G-Blog: Bikini Plan Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 8 Mar 2011 22:35:00 -0500

~from Graziella's Blog

G-Blog: Bikini Plan Part 2: "Click to Play Continuation of Bikini Plan Part 1: healthy eating tips, diet plan and more exercises to a..."

G-Blog: Bikini Plan Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 8 Mar 2011 22:34:00 -0500

Get Ready for Bikini Season Part 1!

~ from Graziella's Blog

G-Blog: Bikini Plan Part 1: "Click to Play Graziella shares diet and fitness tips to get you ready for bikini season!"

A great way to GIVE, RECEIVE, and END the weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:45:00 -0400

Hey everyone, Liana here, your chief stylist at B.Youneek!

I just wanted to share with all of you a super fun event I went to two weekends ago that B.Youneek was a part of that supported helping children who battle cancer, called the Francesco Loccisano Foundation for pediatric cancer chinese auction. The event was hosted by Natalie Licini, founder of Chaata.com (an online community for moms), and PR by Lisa Ajiello founder of Eyeprmedia.com. The event was at the Excelsior Grand in Staten Island NY and doors opened to a flood of people, excited to be involved with raffles, a 50/50, great food, amazing music, and great company, all brought together for a good cause! Music was provided by DJ Graphic George of Graphicgeorge.com and photography provided by Wai Ng by weddingflair.com. I must say I had a really fun time at this event! There were some really cool prizes that people won; Massages, gift baskets, spiritual healing sessions, a B.YOUneek styling package, professional photography pictures, celebrity chef dinner, actor chairs from the movie American Gangster (pretty cool) and even a one week paid vacation to Florida and much more! There were so many amazing prizes, everyone went home with something, including me! I definitely recommend everyone to get involved with charity events like this, ultimately your money goes toward a good cause, and you get to have fun and meet cool people along the way! Seriously, what a better way to end my weekend! I can't wait for the next charity event! For those of you who want to be a part of something like this, check out Chaata.com for more info and the francesco loccisano foundation to make a donation http://www.frankiesmission.org Check out the pics from the event, hope you like!

The beautiful Excelsior Grand

People bidding

OMG Denzel Washington and Cuba Gooding Jr actually sat in these chairs! Luck winner!

All the helpers of the event minus a few...and me! I'm in the middle with my blue dress!

Fall Fashion Trends 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:44:00 -0400

Fall 2010 is almost here, and you may be wondering what to wear for the new season! Have no fear because B.YOUneek is here! With 10 sure fire ways to spruce up your wardrobe and be up to date with the latest trends!

1. 1) Camel colored trenches- This season, a camel colored trench is the way to go!

1. 2) Conservative is the NEW sexy!

So
3) Socks with heels- Yes, you can mix beauty with comfort!
-
4) Leather- Wear it often!

5 ) Crimsons- Get your red on!
4
6) Slouchy pants-

7) Booties-

8) Chunky necklines-

7
9) Thigh High Boots

10) Shorts

Fall Beauty Trends 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Wed, 8 Sep 2010 19:42:00 -0400

*Pictured from left to right is the bun trend (side- swept, evening chic hair), an all- American classic makeup look combining red lip trend, strong brows and all- over shadow, and half- moon nails.

Top 6 Fall beauty trends for 2010:

Red lips
Strong, defined brows
Lady Gaga-esque eye shadow looks inspired by the 80's
Buns- in your hair that is :)
One color, all- over eye shadow (on the entire lid)
Oval half- moon nails. Think 1940's!

Get the All- American Look:

Define eyebrows with an eyebrow brush and powder rather than pencil for a natural look (I suggest Brow Express by Anastasia). Apply peach puff eye shadow all over lids to brow bone. Next line your upper and lower lids with the brown liner and smudge with an eyeliner brush for a soft look. Apply 2 coats of blackest black mascara on upper lashes, and one gentle coat on lower lashes. Apply bronzer to achieve a natural glow all over face and then a sweep of blush just to apples of cheeks. Lastly, finish with red lipstick applied with a brush to achieve a flawless application. If it smudges, remove stains with eye makeup remover and a dab of foundation around the lips for definition.

Products: Red lipstick by Mac in Viva Glam

Eyeliner by Stila in Tigers Eye

Anastasia Brow Express eyebrow kit in Brunette

Mascara by Tarte- Lights, Camera Lashes! in black

Eyeshadow in Peach Puff by Bare Minerals

Bronzer by Too Faced in Sun Bunny

Dallas Blush by Benefit

Foundation by Origins in Beach

Expert Blonding: Do Not Try This at Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:06:00 -0400

It was that time again... the time to raise the color bar a few shades lighter. There was only one man for the job, one man I trusted: John O of Antonio Prieto Salon in New York City. Born a natural brunette, I've always experimented with my hair color. In 8th grade I sprayed the infamous Sun-In to lighten my locks to a penny- copper color I was never really satisfied with. In high school, I played with different brands of do- it- yourself highlighting kits which gave me countless shades of auburn and strawberry brown. It wasn't until Junior year of high school that I went to a professional to lighten my locks to a achieve those golden hues I had longed for. Expert blonding is hard to come by. Really hard. I mean, even pros don't always get it right. But, I have to say I'm a lucky gal to have found John O at the Antonio Prieto Salon in New York City who has taken my hair color to a whole new level. Poor John spent practically the entire day on my mass of hair, but the end result is spectacular! I have incredible dimension, color and light framing my face... and it all looks super- natural! I went in and was like "yeah so I want lighter hair like this Victoria Secret model I saw, but I don't have her picture, but I'll try to describe it..." and POOF... the perfect shade of blonde for me! You won't get results like this from a bottle people. When it comes to dramatically changing your hair color, it's best to seek out the pros, especially with blonding! Not everyone knows hot to get a perfect hue of blonde for your unique coloring. The same goes with the perfect cut, but I'll save that story for another post ;) If you're in New York, go to John O at the Antonio Prieto Salon, and tell him I sent you.

Super Saver Manicure

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:36:00 -0400

I actually hate getting manicures. It's pretty time consuming and quite boring at the same time.. that combination for me alone, is enough to keep me away from my local nail salon. But then there's the price to consider while also taking into consideration that your manicure will probably chip in a day or two....PLUS bacteria laden tools- YUCK (unless you bring your own)! I prefer to give myself a 15 minute manicure at home and save a few bucks while I'm at it! After you get into the hang of it, upkeep is about 10 minutes flat!

Tools:

Orange Stick
Nail clipper
3-Way Nail File (the kind that has 3 different textures to shape the nail)
Base Coat
Quick Drying Top Coat (my absolute fave is Poshe)
Nail polish
OR get quick drying nail polish with a built- in topcoat like I used here. *pictured below

Remove any old polish with nail polish remover, clip and file nails to desired length and shape. Square is the easiest to do and maintain. The roughest texture of the filer is best to trim down the size of the nail, while the finer textures are good to shape edges. Next, apply your favorite hand cream to hands and use an orange stick to push back cuticles gently. With a cotton pad, remove cream residue from nails with nail polish remover. Apply one coat of base coat, one coat quick dry nail polish (or 2 coats of regular), and one coat of top coat if you applied regular polish. That's it!

*Sally Hansen Insta- Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Mint Sprint #28

This product is great deal because you get polish and topcoat in one, and you only need 1 coat. Plus, the brush is a flat rectangle, mimicking the shape of the nail bed, making application super- easy.

Have beauty questions? Email me.

Gia: The 20/20 Interview (original)

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:36:00 -0400

Gia Carangi Interview with 20/20 during her prime years. This gives you a tiny insight on how ferocious the Fashion and beauty industries can really be.

Mom Makeover with B.Youneek

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:49:00 -0400

Click to Play

New mom Roxanne from Staten Island, NY gets a makeover with the Baratta sisters of B.Youneek.

To Tan or Not to Tan

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:43:00 -0400

To tan or not to tan! That IS the question!

Hey ladies, I just wanted to bring up a question that’s been in my mind these past few weeks with this beautiful weather that we’ve been having here on the east coast! Do I tan in the sun? Do I fake and bake at a tanning salon? Do I use smelly self tanner? What do I do?

If you want that sun kissed glow this summer but are not sure what to do, here’s what I suggest!

With all the sun bathing articles, and skin cancer articles that I have read, I have come up with a solution that will make everyone happy, and keep your skin safe and beautiful!

1. Sit in the sun for no more than 15 minutes a day!

A little sun IS good for your skin because it provides the best source of vitamin D for your body, which help boost your immune system, and help you fight off free radicals. However, too much sun can cause, sun damage, ugly sun spots on the skin, make you age quicker, and God forbid, cause skin cancer! So, what I suggest is balance!

15 minutes of sun everyday IS good for your skin, but after that I would lather on a sun block of SPF 30 to give your skin a good amount of protection! I also recommend applying a lotion of aloe vera and vitamin C, which will soothe your skin, and again, fight free radicals which damage skin!

2. Apply Aloe vera, vitamin c lotion and Spf 30 everyday after tanning for 15 minutes if you plan to be outdoors at all (that includes walking to the grocery store!).

*If you want an extra glow, I suggest adding a routine of Organic self-tanner! Look for one that is free of parabens and has sun block protection that way you get two for one, kill two birds with one stone! But we like birds here at B.Youneek, so we don’t suggest killing anything. We’re just saying.

Anyway, once you get in your 15 minutes of sun, and your organic self tanner, you’ll be glowing! You can also add a good mineral bronzer to help you along the way until you achieve the look you want!

3. A mineral bronzer is a great add- on to apply color exactly where you need it, until you achieve the color you want!

4. Drink plenty of water, the more hydrated your skin is, the easier for it to heal itself, and the better it looks!

That’s it! Four easy steps! Remember, it’s not worth spending hours in the sun, because in the long run, you may look like a leather handbag, and you don’t want that! Put in the extra work, protect your skin, love it, feed it, and feel beautiful! Until next time kiddies!

Your fashion expert,

Liana of B.Youneek

Dress like Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw for under $350

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Sun, 6 Jun 2010 17:53:00 -0400

Liana Baratta, B.Youneek's fashion expert styled Graziella as Carrie Bradshaw for under $350.
Here's the style breakdown:

Olive jumpsuit from Bebe- $109.00
Aviator Sunglasses from Bebe- $51.88 (on sale- orig. $98.00)
Hilary Stilettos- $159
Gold necklace is vintage piece (courtesy of the Baratta mom!)- $0
Brown Flinstones bracelet- $6.99 Charlotte Russe
Gold bracelet from Graziella's jewelry box- $0
White leather handbag from Liana's closet- $0

$326.87 was the original total, but we had some great coupons from Bebe and only spent $295.32 for the whole look!

You can totally recreate Carrie's or any other Sex and the City character's style by shopping intelligently and mixing some signature pieces with already owned or borrowed items for the perfect look!

Need a style makeover? Let B.Youneek help you reinvent yourself!

Mom Makeover & Spring Fashion 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:32:00 -0400

Check out this super- chic mommy boutique, our mom makeover contest, and Spring Fashion Trends for 2010!

Warm Winter Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 19:23:00 -0500

Original Post by The Baratta Sisters at 1/11/2010 11:32 PM

The Bikini Bootcamp

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 19:19:00 -0500

Posted by The Baratta Sisters at 8/22/2009 1:37 AM
Categories: fitness,wellness,health,beauty

The Bikini Bootcamp is almost here! The workout was created by me (Graziella) to target typical problem areas for women while getting an intense full- body workout that will get you into bikini shape fast! Check out the promo, and stay tuned for its release shortly.

Get special offers & stay up to date with B.Youneek & Graziella news here:

For Email Marketing you can trust

Spring Summer 2009 fashion trends inspired by CHANGE!

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 19:16:00 -0500

Posted by The Baratta Sisters at 4/4/2009 2:56 PM

This season is inspired by what we think is CHANGE! We have a new president, new season, new hope, new goals therefore we need new fashion!

We feel that Jaja Gabour would be proud this season's fashion colors because a lot of the "IT" colors are tropical! The more color the better, there is no rule against it, you can literally go wild and we’ll show you why! We'll also show you that this season is all about change because what we are used to calling our staple pieces aka basics, are not basic at ALL!

1. 1. Get ready for change number one! Mix and match patterns! Don’t be afraid to experiment, just make sure the colors match or are complementary to each other! Most importantly when applying this trend, do what feels comfortable for you! If it's not you, don't do it!

22 2. Neutral colors like black, grey, brown, and white are not your basics at all this season! You will find them either metallic, sheer, shiny, or embellished! Do pair them with matte colors, or matte jewelry for a cool look. Playing around with different textures and fabrics can be fun!

3. Chunky jewelry! The bigger the better, heck even supersize it! From necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, statement jewelry is hot hot hot this season! Last season, we took our jewelry to dress up an outfit, this season we're CHANGING the idea and adding to outfits that don't really need dressing up! Colorful outfit? Add a huge necklace, or earrings! Experiment, and do what feels right!

4. Oversized Prints! Again supersize it! When doing the casual tee, or casual dress, an oversize print is the way to go! It's a good tweak for those of us who love the mod look! Here are our faves!

5. For all you girly girls out there it's time to stop and smell the roses, because the flowers are OUT! Um, by OUT, we mean IN! Ehem, heehee! Whether its spring or summer, the floral prints will be popping up everywhere! Don't be shy to wear a colorful floral print dress, skirt, shirt, or even pants! We personally recommend keeping the florals in your wardrobe and your jewelry, keep the handbags solid! This season again, its safe to mix up your floral prints, and if you're a little more conservative, pair it up with some solid pieces!

6. Spring is a perfect season to show off your feminine side! When we think feminine, we think delicate, gentle, beautiful. What kind of outfit depicts feminine you ask? An outfit made with FLOWY FABRICS of course! Gone with the wind? Why not, let your outfits feel like your in a meadow, or that you're running on a beach into the arms of your love! OH how romantic! Flowy fabrics are key for evening wear this season, so if you're going on a hot romantic date, or off to a wedding or a sexy cruise, go for the moveable, easy breezy, and comfortable fabrics! You'll look sexy, feminine, and be comfortable! We love that!

7. Thanks to the Advocates of CHANGE, President Obama and his beautiful wife Michelle have started the political movement of hope, and bringing back some good 'ol patriotism that this country needs! Speaking of bringing some good things back, Michelle inspired us all to bring back the ONE SHOULDER look when she wore her sexy little number to the inaugural ball! Thanks to our first lady, we can take out our one shouldered tops and dresses that we have tucked away, and enjoy them again, and maybe buy a few new ones along the way! We picked these 3 looks to show you that even though the concept sounds black and white, there are some very different pieces out there to choose from!

8. Relaxed fit pant! Finally, we can relax and say goodbye to the skinny pant! Well, maybe not, some of us are a little attached to our skinny pants, they'll be around a little longer before we completely say goodbye! For now, we have a new crew of pants rolling in. With this crew are the new HAREM pants! Whether, they're cropped, high waisted, or long, this pant adds some more CHANGE to your wardrobe. Be careful with the harems if you're hippy, this might not be the style for you. If you are that girl, go for a relaxed straighter pant. Here are a few favorite looks...

9. A girl can never have enough shoes! Some questions to ask yourself when shopping for shoes this season are: Is it a detailed shoe? Is it drama? Is it made with fabric? Is it colorful? Is it jeweled and intricate? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then you've got yourself a spring/summer 2009 shoe! That's right! Shoes are all about the intricate detail! No more basic pump, no more one colored boot, no more practical and cute! It's crazy time, because our shoes will be dancing, and our feet might be hurting, but these shoes are HOT HOT HOT! Pick up a pair of these sizzling shoes, and your set! Seriously!

10. Last but not least, we would like to leave you with the season's "IT" color which is lemon! If lemon is not for you, don't fret, there's an abundant of "IT" colors to choose from! Remember Jaja Gabour and the chikita banana girl, to pick you juicy colors like peach, raspberry, grapefruit, and lime! Enjoy!

Permanent Weightloss

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:38:00 -0500

Original Post by The Baratta Sisters at 1/21/2009 1:15 PM
Categories: uncategorized

We've all heard of the countless fad diets that are out there for "quick and easy" weight loss, including miracle pills, supplements and foods. Yo yo and crash-dieting are quite hazardous to health because they usually involve food and supplements with very few nutrients to sustain the body properly. Additionally, losing weight very quickly leaves behind sagging skin and may tax your immune system leaving it vulnerable to even quicker weight gain afterward. Nothing is a "miracle" answer to instant long-lasting weight loss, but the good news is that weight loss does not have to be complicated and tricky. We've got some solid guidelines for you to follow to get you on the road to a healthier, leaner You forever!

Weight loss Guidlines:
1) Choose WHOLE FOODS, that means whole fruits & veggies, whole grains & legumes, fresh meat, fish & dairy the way they came from nature, with nothing added. (This does NOT include processed foods that have been dehydrated, are in syrup or sauce, have preservatives, etc.)

2) READ FOOD LABELS- You should never trust a product just by the label. Don't buy anything that contains ingredients you cannot pronounce, they are almost always chemicals!

3) Do NOT use Diet food products. Go ahead, read the labels...9 times out of 10, these so- called "diet foods" contain more chemicals and preservatives than they do actual food! If you're going to have butter, have a pat of the real thing.

4) Ditch the soda! There is nothing good about soda whatsoever. Diet soda is even worse. This goes back to reading the food labels partIf you have an immense craving for it, try home-brewed iced tea with real unbleached sugar instead.

5) Buy only wildcaught fish (No farm-raised fish) and meat & poultry produced without growth hormones and antibiotics. In many countries the practice of additivies to any meat is illegal or unheard of. Look for packages that specifically state "Not produced with growth hormones and antibiotics." If you don't see that label, it means that it is.

6) The majority of your diet should consist of vegetables and fruits, next are whole grains& legumes, after that fish, dairy/lean meats/poultry.

7) You can have your burgers and cake! Allow room in your diet for a cheat meal every now and then, but only for the taste of it....don't eat cheat meals to sustain your appetite. They are to be thought of astreats, and eaten in moderation.

8) Include extra virgin olive oil, and extra virgin coconut oil in your cooking and seasoning. These oils provide many benefits

9) Discover a variety of herbs and spices to add to your foods to make them aromatic and exciting to eat.

10) Stear clear of emotional eating, and only eat when you are hungry, not as a distraction. Replace emotional eating with something else like calling a friend, reading a book, or watching a movie.

11) Drink more pure spring or filtered water. Have one full glass in the morning to start your day and get your digestive system going.
Bring a bottle of water with you wherever you go, and drink that in place of sodas and juices for hydration.

12) Keep salt and sugar intake to a minimum

13) Stay active! Find activities that you enjoy and incorporate them into your lifestyle. This does not mean yolu have to do intense workouts, but get at least 30- 45 minutes of moderate activity 4 or more times a week.

14) De-stress on a regular basis. Stress can cause a host of ailments including weight gain! Find your own method of healthy de-stressing such as yoga, reading, meditating, dancing, talking, whatever floats your boat!

These ladies followed our guidelines with great success! Read more about their stories.

Incorporate these guidelines into a lifestyle change, and you will never do another fad diet again!

*These statements have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

How to Use Essential Oils

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:24:00 -0500

Posted by The Baratta Sisters at 12/12/2008 3:51 PM

Essential oils are extremely versatile when used in beauty and wellness. In the time of cold weather and colds, essential oils really come in handy. We B.Youneek girls favor the natural approach to beauty and ailments such as the common cold. Here are a number of ways we like to use essential oils.

1) Add eucalyptus to a humidifier or a cloth napkin to gently sniff its invigorating vapors to open up sinuses. *Beware not to use too close to mucus membranes as it is quite potent.

2) Gently massage Rosemary oil on forehead, cheekbones, and brow bones to increase circulation and open up nasal & sinus passages.

3) Lemon oil can be used in a vaporizer, bath to help lessen nausea and invigorate the senses.

4) Jojoba oil is a great hair conditioner for dry hair, but must be used sparingly or you will end up with greasy hair!

5) We also love Jojoba oil as an inexpensive makeup remover. Just dab a bit on a cotton pad, and wipe away even stubborn water-proof eye makeup.

6) Mix calming Lavender oil with Jojoba oil for a relaxing massage.

7) Lavender oil can also be used for restless sleepers and headaches by applying a bit to one's pillow before going to bed. The calming aroma can aide a restful sleep.

8) Tea Tree oil is one of our favorites: used as an anti-acne treatment, as an antiseptic for cuts, burns, blisters, athlete's foot, and ringworm. *Beware not to use too close to mucus membranes, as it is quite potent.

The possibilities with essential oils are endless and we hope you've enjoyed this little intro!

To get started with aromatherapy- we recommend this book that also comes in a starter- kit with some basic essential oils and a mixing vile.

*These statements are not approved by the FDA and are not intended to cure, treat or prevent any disease or ailment. Please check for allergies before attempting to utilize essential oils.

The Quickie At- Home Spa Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:22:00 -0500

Posted by The Baratta Sisters at 10/13/2008 3:56 PM

One of my favorite pastimes is to get spa treatments :-D Who doesn't like to get pampered from head to toe and emerge a fresher, smoother version of yourself? The trouble is, we can't all afford the cost nor the time involved to get regular spa treatments. That's why I got creative and developed my own quickie spa treatment that anyone can do right from their humble home bathroom!

Here's what you need:

A bathtub where you will be left undisturbed for 1 hour
4-5 scented candles
Your favorite bubble bath
A pair of exfoliating gloves
1/2 cup Epsom Salt
Your favorite facial skincare products including a mask. Suggestions
A body-firming cream
A comfy robe and towel
Green tea or herbal tea of choice

Here's what you do:

Fill your bathtub with very warm water (temperature to your liking) and add your bubble bath plus 1/2 cup of epsom salt.
While the tub is filling up, light your candles and place strategically to light your whole bathroom. *Make sure none of the candles are in spot where you won't knock them over, heaven-forbid!
Follow step 1 of the at-home facial from our blog
Emerge yourself into the bathtub for 15 minutes and relax!!
Using your exfoliating gloves, scrub from head to toe, concentrating on the drier areas of your skin such as elbows, knees, ankles, and lower legs.
Once done scrubbing, your face has already absorbed some good moisture and steam from the bath, and you're ready to follow step 2 of the at-home facial. *Apply the mask while still in the tub and relax for 10 more minutes.
For natural firming, rinse your body & face in cool water after your warm bath, and apply a body firming cream. Our favorite is Nivea Goodbye Cellulite!
Put on your comfy robe and finish with step 3 of the at-home facial
Lastly, brew yourself a cup of antioxidant rich green tea or white tea, and sip a cup while relaxing to your favorite music and a book.

Enjoy!

Let us know what you thought, and send your comments!
Visit us at the B.YOUNEEK NETWORK!

A La Coco Chanel

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:10:00 -0500

Posted by The Baratta Sisters at 9/17/2008 1:08 PM

The classic "Chanel look" never goes out of style...I think this is because its timeless pieces are so well- crafted with an elegant simplicity that can never be replaced by the "trend of the hour." You can still see the classic themes in the Fall 2008 Chanel fashion show. Lots of black, romantic, well- tailored garments, layering and a never- ending classiness.

Purchasing a Chanel- anything is certainly an investment that not all are able to indulge in; which brings me to my next thought...Inspired by the Lifetime movie Coco Chanel I saw this weekend, I decided to research some affordable alternatives to the famous Chanel look.
View Full- Size Image

Take a look at the Chanel website, check out their styles and compare to some more affordable brands like I did. You're bound to find some similar items that won't break the bank account! You shouldn't have to be a millionaire to look fabulously classy and chic. The smart girls know how to shop, and keep some money in their wallet for brunch too!

Happy Shopping!
~Graziella

The At- Home- Facial

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:57:00 -0500

Posted by The Baratta Sisters at 7/7/2008 3:29 PM
Categories: Facial, Beauty, skincare

Facials are an excellent way to keep your skin clear, smooth and healthy, but they are quite expensive. Most salons recommend getting a facial monthly, but that can burn a big hole on your wallet, especially at the price range of at least $60 to $200 a month! A great way to save money, and still have great skin is to extend the results of your professional facial buy doing an "at- home facial" 2x a month or more if you have problematic skin.

Here is your B.Youneek At Home Facial
1) Cleanse & Exfoliate: Use a gentle cleanser that does not contain Sodium Laurel Sulfate (a toxic ingredient found in many soaps that will actually dry & aggravate skin). My favorites are any natural milled bar soaps that even last longer than liquid soaps. Try Tea Tree Oil Soap for oily/combo skin, or almond soap for dry/normal. After washing the face, mix some sea salt & jojoba oil in a small bowl & massage into skin in a circular motion. This will rid you of any dead skin & smooth the surface to reveal newer, smoother skin below.

2) Steam & Mask: Take a small washcloth and wet with very warm water & press against skin. Repeat this process with new water about 4- 5 times. Next, apply a face mask appropriate for your skin type, or make your own. I suggest a clay- based mask for oily to combination skin such as Alba Deep Sea Facial Mask. Dry to normal skin, mix & 6 oz. of yogurt, 2 tbls honey & 2 tbls of wheat germ, & 1 tsp olive oil to make your mask. Leave on & relax for 15 minutes, and rinse.

Remember to leave extractions to the pros, unless you have some blemishes that are obviously ready to be "released." Be sure to always extract these with clean hands and tissues, and leave the difficult ones for the pros. Some cystic- pimples can actually get worse by squeezing, sending the clogged matter back into the skin even deeper.

3) Tone & Moisturize: After rinsing off the mask, use a toner appropriate for your skin type. Oily- combination skin should use a toner with a small amount of alcohol in it to remove oil & clean pores deeper since oily skin is more prone to breakouts. Some of my favorites are Clinique #2 or #3 Lotion, orMario Badescu's Special Cucumber Lotion (from the Mario Badescu NYC Salon). Swipe appropriate lotion across the skin to refine & remove excess mask products, and then apply your moisturizer.  Those with acne- prone skin, apply tea tree oil (naturally dries acne) to blemishes before applying a light moisturizer.

Great moisturizers contain all- natural ingredients & DO NOT contain propelyne glycol, parabans, or mineral oil. Check labels!  Some I like: Alba Sea Moss Moisturizer and Burts Bees Radiance Day Creamand Burts Bees Ageless Eye Cream.

Skin Product Lines I Like:

Alba Botanica
Aubry Organics
Burts Bees
Philosophy (Make Up- Optional Skin package is great)

*Always check ingredient labels for parabans, mineral oil, propelyne glycol and sodium laurel sulfate- all toxic ingredients you want to stay away from.
With this at- home facial routine done twice a month, you should be able to extend the results of your professional facial, and even improve your skin! All it takes is a few extra minutes of your time, time that you deserve to give to yourself

Basic Beauty is Best

noreply@blogger.com (Graziella and Liana Baratta) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:52:00 -0500

Original Post by The Baratta Sisters at 5/29/2008 5:57 PM

In our opinion, the best beauty secrets and regimens are always the most basic and natural. Making educated decisions is key, as is doing your homework. We did ours, and we'd like to share our insights!

1) Have a "Routine" that you follow every single day. In order to see results in your beauty routine, you need to have consistency. That means, have a simple plan for yourself that you follow daily with your skin care, fitness routine and daily diet. This is not a "temporary program," this will be your way of life. Just because this will become a daily effort, doesn't mean it has to be a strenuous one...just as it takes time to form any habit, good or bad, it will take time to adjust to and eventually it will be something that is a part of your life. Having a "routine" is one of the best basic secrets to long- term beauty.

2) B.Youneek believes that "natural" in every aspect of beauty, is best because it's what nature intended. While today's technology in the beauty & fitness industries is quite impressive, it's not always affordable, healthy or natural. Having a facelift may erase wrinkles for a few years, but do you really want to look like a wax statue with no facial expressions and spend a small fortune to boot? There are natural, inexpensive and non- invasive alternatives to fighting wrinkles, cellulite, fat, acne, etc... There is a natural alternative to every single conventional beauty service out there, you just need to find it. Do your homework! B.Youneek is working on something very exciting for you on natural beauty alternatives, so stay tuned!

3) Take some time to unwind. Yet another very basic, but very important ingredient to staying beautiful all- round. Stress creates wrinkles, contributes to weight gain, moodiness, unwillingness to stick to your "routine" and can create disease in some extreme cases. Take a moment for yourself every day, and make this a part of your routine, even if it's only 15 minutes. C'mon, you can afford that! One of our favorite ways to unwind is to meditate for just a few minutes to be grateful for what we have and visualize our goals. It's a great way to relax and bring positive energy to your day.

We know it's hard in today's world to make time for yourself, but if you don't do it...no one else will. Respect, love and accept yourself first before anyone else. We hope you've enjoyed this article, and we wish you a beautiful, blessed day!

Graziella and Liana
B.Youneek Total Image Development