WELCOME TO THE GLAM LOUNGE

One of the hottest spa trends right now is chocolate facials. Yep, a facial using chocolate.

2011-01-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

But is it worth grinding down your left over chocolate? Maybe

Chocolate has several ingredients which can potentially affect your skin. Cocoa beans, of which chocolate is made, are high in antioxidant phenolic phytochemicals (polyphenols), including flavonoids, procyanidin, and resveratrol. In fact, they are present at such high concentrations that cocoa actually has higher antioxidant potential than other heavy weight antioxidants such as green tea or red wine. Not all chocolate is high in flavonoids, however. For example, white chocolate has no flavonoids while dark, high-cocoa-content chocolate has much higher flavonoids than does milk chocolate.

Chocolate also contains fats such as cocoa butter or shea butter. Both of these are used routinely as topical moisturizers and as anti-inflammatory agents. Shea butter can also used as a skin softener.

Most studies of the health benefits of chocolate have looked at anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects of eating it, not the benefit of applying to your skin. I did however find one study* which showed that topical application of cocoa plant extracts containing polyphenols and xanthine derivitives prevented wrinkles from forming in mice who were exposed to ultraviolet light. If nothing else, it would be a delicious, relaxing treatment. That is, if you can keep yourself from licking it off.

How do you make your own homemade chocolate facial mask

Courtesy of Food Blogga
1/3 cup dark cocoa
3 tbs heavy cream
1/4 cup honey
2 tbs pureed or powdered oatmeal
Mix all the ingredients together and apply. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse off with warm water using a gentle circular method to exfoliate.

MMMM What's that incredible smell...Oh It's my armpits

2010-08-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Vanilla Coconut scent is so luxurious ...

It's really important to use a natural deodorant...I have tried so many and they have all failed miserably - particularly in the hot summer months. This one goes on like a regular deodorant (it glides smoothly on - not tacky feeling) and has a wonderful fresh scent that really lasts through out the day!

clinical-strength deodorant that is 100% natural, safe, and effective and formulated WITHOUT: Parabens- Sulfates- Synthetic Dyes- Petro-Chemicals- Phthalates (dangerous chemicals found in most antiperspirant & deodorant that compromise your health)

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant uses beta-glucan technology to effectively fight odor while soothing, conditioning, and strengthening the skin. It goes on clean, with no sticky wetness, and delivers long-lasting safe results

I highly recommend this! THIS IS THE ONE LADIES! $18 http://www.lavanila.com/

5 Best After Tan Moisturizers

2010-08-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

After sunbathing its important to moisturize your skin properly with a replenishing moisturizer

to moisturize, diminish the appearance of existing wrinkles and help prevent the formation of future wrinkles, as well as to help shorten the healing time from sun damage and even sun burns.

Product Reviews
B. Kamins Chemist Maple Body Lotion
A warmly scented, therapeutic body lotion infused with honey, soy, and proprietary Bio-Maple compound renowned for its moisturizing and anti aging properties. Absorbs quickly and pampers body from head to toe with rich shea butter, leaving skin velvety soft and supple. The perfect after tan indulgence. 8.5 oz $32 Sephora.com

Clarins Sunshine Fragrance Moisturizing Body Lotion This shimmering lotion adorns the body with the scent, the radiance, and the pampered feel of the sun. It combines a wonderful uplifting fragrance with extraordinary skincare benefits to help your senses soar and leave your body feeling radiant. Re hydrates, soothes and provides comfort after to much sun 8.8 oz $40 clarins.com

Kiehls Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion
Improves skin's texture and tone restores Softness and tonicity made with Argan Leaf Extract
indigenous to Morocco’s Atlas Mountain Region, this fairly-traded, organic Argan Leaf Extract is derived from the Argan Tree and contains natural polyphenols that have been shown to have antioxidant properties and further care for skin 6.8 oz $35 Kiehls.com

Burt's Bee's Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey & Shea Butter Body Butter Sweet, creamy therapy for rough skin Natural mango and shea butters team up with honey and aloe to provide deep therapy for restoring and protecting seriously dry skin on rough areas like your knees and elbows. The Shea Butter is a natural fat obtained from the fruit of the karite tree and is a valuable, nourishing addition to moisturizers for the reduction of wrinkles and to improve the elasticity of the skin and protect it against environmental aging. 6.6 oz $13 burtsbees.com

Super-Sized Lemon+Sage Body Butter Maximum Moisture Cream by Bliss
The original body butter formula delivers long-lasting moisture for gleaming (never greasy) skin. Formulated for professional massages, it will leave even the scaliest sort feeling seriously soft. Ingredients include vitamins A and E to deeply nourish skin, coconut oil to soften, and sodium hyaluronate to lock in moisture. WITHOUT Parabens too! 14 oz $49 sephora.com

Blemish free bikini

2010-06-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Bikini Line Soother milk of magnesia

No matter how carefully its done,removing hair follicles from the bikini line can injure hair follicles and lower their resistance to bacteria. This commonly results in folliculitis,a skin infection marked by a series of itchy red pustules.

The Rx;
Soak a cotton ball in unflavored milk of magnesia and dab liberally onto clean skin allow to dry.

Repeat twice daily. Magnesium hydroxide (the active ingredient in this antacid) draws out pus,sooths redness and disinfects skin giving you a blemish free bikini line in as little as one week.

Summer makeup bag essentials

2010-06-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Ready To Hit The Beach... Vacations all lined up... Summer makeup trends for 2010 that are not only affordable, but will last you all summer long and even transition into fall.

The Glam Lounge has the industry picks for your cosmetic bag

Begin with bronzer using a fluffy brush, applying to forehead, temples, cheekbones, ears and throat. Caribbean In A Compact - Sun Bunny by Toofaced $28 http://www.toofaced.com/

Give the eyes definition by applying water proof mascara to the upper lashes, fanning the lashes outward. Définicils Waterproof High Definition Mascara $24.50 http://www.lancome-usa/

add a light lip gloss for highlight and dimension to the lips.Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster SPF 15 Lip Glosses $25 http://www.trishmcevoy.com/

To complete the look and add a hint of shine to the skin, apply clear gloss to the cheekbones with the heels of your palms. M.A.C Clear Lip Glass http://www.maccosmetics.com/

With other essentials like sunscreen, hair brush, leave-in hair conditioner,oversized sunglasses and a magazine you will be looking and feeling fabulous!

Time to hit the beach, baby!

Free radiance on the go deluxe gift set with purchase and free shipping from Philosophy

2010-06-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

Free Radiance on the go deluxe gift set from Philosophy with any purchase of $75 or more and free shipping. Enter promo code results at checkout. Offer valid thru 06/06/10 while supplies last.

Celebrate the Summer with Good Energy

2010-06-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Philosophy Good Energy high-foaming shower gel and bubble bath

you need this product if...
you want to start every day with good energy
you love a rich, foaming lather
you want a gentle formula for everyday use
you want to support a good cause

This shower gel is a perfect sent for summer aromatic,delicious orange cassis,creamy and it suds very well, not to mention how clean and soft you'll feel after using it!

And you will put good energy into the world—100% of philosophy's net proceeds will be donated to Young Women's Leadership Network helping inner-city low-income girls in grades 6-12

http://www.ywlnetwork.org/

Homemade Lemon Facial Toner for Oily Skin

2010-05-28T00:27:00.000-07:00

Lemon is used in beauty treatments as an astringent and cleanser

Here is a great way to combat oily skin...and save some money too

Combine 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 cup distilled water and 2/3 cup witch hazel. Pour the mixture into a clean bottle with a lid. Shake well. Apply the toner with a cotton pad. Store in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.

Soothing soaks to calm the mind and relieve aching muscles

2010-03-31T09:57:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that a soothing soak calms the mind and relieves stress. A quick dip also offers physical benefits,add bath products containing Rosemary or
Eucalyptus may be particularly helpful! Strenuous work can cause microscopic tears in the muscles that cause stiffness and aches. A warm bath with Rosemary and Eucalyptus oil can increase circulation and decrease inflammation. Try a 15 to 20 minute soak to ease stress and improve movement.

Dr. Hauschka Rosemary Bath $33 http://www.drhauschka.com/

Burt's Bee's Therapeutic Bath Crystals http://www.iloveburt.com/

Bath by Bettijo Eucalyptus Mint Tub Tea $24 http://www.bathbybettijo.com/

totalbeauty.com just announced their first ever beauty Awards!

2010-03-05T14:35:00.000-08:00

www.totalbeauty.com/awards

Exciting news from totalbeauty.com they just announced their first ever beauty Awards! totalbeauty.com Awards will give readers the opportunity to vote for their favorite beauty products in dozens of categories like Hair,Make-up ,Skin and body products! Tested, scrutinized and awarded ahhhhhhhh!!!! Making it easier for beauty junkies like you and me to make better more informed purchases!

Voting ends March 31st so visit www.totalbeauty.com/awards

Lemon benefits

2010-03-05T07:34:00.000-08:00

Homemade Lemon Facial Toner for Oily Skin
Lemon is used in beauty treatments as an astringent and cleanser
Here is a great way to combat oily skin...and save some money too
Combine

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 cup distilled water and 2/3 cup witch hazel. Pour the mixture into a clean bottle with a lid. Shake well.

Apply the toner with a cotton pad. Store in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.

~Lemon and water both have clarifying actions in your body. Both lemon and water help flush out toxins in your system. Although lemons are acidic, they are alkalizing in your body.

Lemon water is truly beneficial in any beauty care regimen.Start your day drinking a glass lemon water first thing every morning!

Lemons are also very good at clarifying your hair to remove hair product build up. For those with dark hair, use lemon juice to add golden and red highlights to your hair. For those with blonde hair, use lemon to lighten your blonde color. Squeeze the juice from 1/2 lemon into your hair and sit out in the sun for an hour.

Rescue Masks for dry, damaged hair

2010-02-26T08:06:00.000-08:00

Split ends? Hair remedies to battle frizzy hair.

Less expensive options: Here are some quick home remedies
Mix one egg with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it for 30 minutes then wash thoroughly

If you have fine hair this can weight it down so instead try adding a teaspoon of light oil, like avocado, to your regular conditioner twice a week.

Put the blow-dryer away! At least for awhile and towel dry. After a few days you will see a big difference

More drastic option and honesty usually the best option!!!!

Get a haircut Dry hair can be repaired with conditioning treatments, but remember split ends need to be cut off. Take off as much of the damaged hair as possible,Brittle hair can spread up the shaft of your hair.

Good quality Retail hair treatments can be quite expensive

The Glam Lounge has tested several Intensive Hair Masks

These are my absolute favorites
Kerastase Masquintense $53, fredsegalbeauty.com
PHYTO Phytokarite $ 36 sephora.com

Personal fav (not a mask but a kick Ass product I certainly can't live with-out)Rene Furterer Fioravanti No-Rinse De-tangling Spray $22 sephora.com

Dior Spring Lip Color collection

2010-02-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

This spring 2010 think richness, shine, and bold

Dior Addict Lip-color has a new and improved formula that offers weightless beauty and light texture. The price is absolutely worth it $26

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P231023&categoryId
The Glam Lounge spring 2010 picks

Pink Bustier 863 (soft pink sheen)

Beige Dandy 319 (iridescent pinky beige)

The creamy, long wearing, moisturizing lip-color is very deep and smooth when applied without giving you that caked appearance to your lips.

NARS Cosmetics create the makeup looks for presenter Christina Aguilera and winner Julianna Margulies

2010-01-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

NARS Cosmetics Celebrity Makeup Artist Kristofer Buckle used NARS to create the makeup looks for presenter Christina Aguilera and winner Julianna Margulies at the 67th Golden Globes

Get the look
http://www.narscosmetics.com/artist_look2.aspx

Q: I am a Brazilian-waxing virgin and want to know what to expect. Don't spare the gory details, please!

2010-01-13T18:53:00.000-08:00

by Self Magazine
Q: I am a Brazilian-waxing virgin and want to know what to expect. Don't spare the gory details, please!

A: To be brutally honest, I'd say it's a 7 out of 10 on the pain scale, but if you pop an Advil before, you'll reduce the ouch. (And avoid going right before or during your period, when your body is more sensitive.) When you arrive, your specialist will ask you to drop trou; then, after trimming longer hairs, she'll either use a hard wax (a thicker goo to peel off) or a soft wax (a thinner type taken off with strips) to remove hair from your groin and butt. If you have a choice, opt for hard wax, which is less painful but works as well. Don't be embarrassed if she asks you to lift a leg to get to hard-to-reach areas. (Estheticians have seen it all!) The best distraction? Listen to music—it will be over before you know it.

Smoky eyes is a perfect holiday look for your New Years Eve Party

2009-12-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

L'Oreal Paris USA Smoky eyes is a perfect holiday look for your New Years Eve Party. Check out this how-to makeup tutorial! Wishing you all a beautiful holiday! xo

Sprinkle away the pounds with Sensa: Diet Product Review

2009-12-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

After living on the Mediterranean for the past year,I definitely came back healthier (cholesterol was lower) eating all that hummus and olive oil ...Yum! The problem was all the delicious Pita bread!!! I gained 15 pounds living the good life over there !!!!! GRRRRRRR! So you can imagine how excited I was to be asked to review/try a new innovative Diet product called Sensa
http://start.trysensa.com/

So far I have lost 3 lbs ! Just in 1 week and I have changed nothing...I have noticed a big difference in my appetite ! I am not as hungry!I really feel this working...I plan to start dieting and exercising...And now that I have this I think it will be a breeze to stick with any diet : ) I am sooooo excited

Sensa is an additive that is sprinkled on your food in order to induce feelings of fullness so that you can take control over what you eat and lose weight. It was created around the scientific principle that our sense of taste and smell are inextricably linked to our satiety. There is no taste or yucky feeling from the spinkles.

By sprinkling Sensa onto your food, the Sensa Tastants travel through your nose to nerve receptors. Your nerve receptors stimulate areas in the brain that are involved in satiety and trigger the release of hormones that suppress hunger and appetite. Sensa Tastants come in two flavors: salty and sweet. They are sprinkled on the foods you eat so that you will start to reduce your cravings and lose weight. Sensa Tastants are sodium-free, sugar-free, and calorie-free and they do not alter the taste of your food.
In one clinical study, the average weight loss was 30 pounds while using Sensa for six months.

Exclusive for the The Glam Lounge Readers receive 15% off your total order by using The promotional code RXL7 http://start.trysensa.com/

SPRINKLE your way to a smaller size

Luscious Holiday Lips...Get the perfect red lips with Clinique's Holiday Collection

2009-12-03T19:43:00.000-08:00

For A bright glamorous Red try Clinique's Red Red Red $14

http://www.clinique.com/product/CATEGORY4903/PROD743/Makeup/Lipsticks/index.tmpl

Time to SPARKLE... The Holiday Season is here... I want to offer up a few really simple and fun ideas for the perfect, pretty, party pout! Great looking lips can be just the sparkle you need for your party!Give some of these ideas a try:

Begin with a lip exfoliant. This will remove any dry, flaky, dead skin and give your lips a fresh, smooth look.

Choose a lip liner that coordinates with your chosen lip color. They really must be close to matching, if you want a nice, professional look. After you line your lips, blend the liner in so you don’t have a harsh line.

Apply lip color. Remember, light colors generally make your lips look larger, while dark colors make them look smaller.

Think about red. It’s sexy, cheerful and bright! (hopefully just like your holidays) Keep in mind that there are all kinds of “red.” From cool, blue-based red all the way to a bright, light, warm, orangy red. Keep your skin tone in mind here and remember that if chosen correctly, everyone can wear some type of red.

Add a sealant and then gloss. This will help you maintain your color longer. The more moisture the lipstick has the easier it will come off. A sealer will dry your lipstick out a bit, but help it stay, and the lip gloss will add a bit of shine and dazzle to your holiday kisser!

So many times we spend time looking for a great outfit for a holiday party that we forget to pay attention to the little finishing touches, like a new makeup look

How to look ten years younger

2009-12-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

A Topical Retinoid A fabulous way to start to take years off your face naturally is with a topical retinoid. A topical retinoid is a natural and concentrated form of vitamin A that makes skin more radiant and smoothes lines. Dermatologists recommend using one on a daily basis. A great one to try is Roc’ s Retinol Correxion Night Cream. You can find this one at most any drugstore and it was proven in a clinical trial to take 10 years off your face in just 3 months. (Based on the diminished appearance of wrinkles.)

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Alpha-lipoic acid is a great antioxidant that goes beyond what the regulars like vitamin C and E are able to do. It is known for it’s anti-aging benefits and has been recommended by Dr. Oz on the Oprah show. You can find this supplement at most any drug store.

White Tea This kind of tea has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants, which slow down the aging process. I have found even organic white tea at the dollar store, and just a cup or two per day will really do the trick.

Resveratrol Resveratrol supplements are a natural and concentrated form of the potent antioxidants found in red wine. In order to get the age-defying benefits from red wine, you would have to drink a massive and unhealthy amount. The supplements are concentrated, so have the benefits you need without the unhealthy side. Dr. Oz recently recommended Resveratrol supplements on the Oprah show to live longer and take years off of your appearance.

Home Olive Oil Facial Massages Olive oil facial massages will take years off your face by lifting the skin and stimulating collagen production, for a plumped result. This is the same technique used at the spa when they give a facial. Olive oil also contains beneficial nutrients that skin takes very well to. To give yourself this massage, pour enough olive oil to cover the face. With both hands, use your index and middle fingers to massage the skin upwards on your face and neck. Do this for 10 minutes and repeat weekly. You can vary the amount of olive oil and the amount of time to suit your needs if you like. You’ll love the results.

Frownies Frownies are a natural brown paper adhesive that take years off your face by training the skin to erase lines & wrinkles. They have been a celebrity secret for decades. The Frownies story and their results have been featured in Good Housekeeping and O Magazine. The before and after photos with just 30 days time (seen at frownies.com) are really mind boggling. Try a few or all of these steps and you’ll take years off (:

Product Review : Caress Evenly Grogeous

2009-12-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Extravagant and luxurious with out spending the Big Bucks

I am in love with the smell... The YUMMY Burnt Brown Sugar scent - is more caramely with a hint of pumkin pie

This dreamy body wash leaves you clean,smooth and hydrated ...Lived up to it's promises for smoother and more even-toned skin using it's special mix of exfoliators and soothing ingredients, like Burnt Sugar and Karite Butter (more popularly known in the West as Shea Butter)

The Beauty Bar is nice if you prefer a bar ,i foud it to be just as exfoliating ...Both are great drug store finds

Body Wash available in 18 oz. $4.49 and 12 oz. $3.50 bottles. Beauty Bar $2.99

http://www.drugstore.com/

Lancôme Friends & Family Offer ...Whoo Hoo!

2009-11-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

Totalbeauty.com Gives great advice on expert eyebrows...

2009-11-20T18:51:00.000-08:00

One of the best "How to Quick Tips" I have seen
http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/p-eyebrow-mistakes?cid=1697

The Eyebrow Mistakes You're Making
Learn how to fix them with these expert tricks
Average user rating: -
Rate this story
Share

Previous
1 of 11
Next
Eyebrows can make or break your entire look, according to practically every makeup artist and brow expert we've ever talked to. They can make your eyes look droopy when they're not, or make you look angry when, in fact, you're not. This is why it's essential to be very cautious when grooming your own brows. There is a very fine line between a perfectly shaped brow and an overly tweezed brow. If you think about it, your brows (even when big and bushy) have very little real estate on your face. One or two plucks too many can leave you with a pretty scary shape. Here, we share the common mistakes most women make when it comes to grooming their own eyebrows. If you're guilty of any of them, don't freak out (hey, even celebrities slip up in the eyebrow department, as proven in these celebrity photos). With the help of brow guru Kristie Streicher, who operates out of the Warren Tricomi Salon in New York City and Los Angeles, you can work to correct them in no time. Or if you're too nervous to take matters into your own hands, see a brow expert who can help you assess what you need to do in order to get the most flattering brow shape for you. Then you can simply maintain the shape they help you create at home, with these tips.

Product Review:NEW VASELINE® SHEER INFUSION™ WITH STRATYS-3™

2009-11-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

This time of year my skin gets unbearably dry...especially now that I am back in Arizona. Finding a lotion that actually moisturizes and is affordable isn't an easy task...NEW VASELINE® SHEER INFUSION™ WITH STRATYS-3™ works ...and it is an amazing $7.99
No other leading lotion delivers this kind of moisturization! A breakthrough multi-layer moisture complex with avec/Stratys 3 (learn more about this technology http://www.vaselinesheerinfusion.com/ ) gives deep hydration with a surprisingly light, silky after-feel. It goes on smoothly not greasy. I find I don't have to reapply , All three scents are Divine! I am crazy about Mineral Renewal...

Botanical Blend (soothing skin benefits)
hints of Fiji apple and Chinese mandarin,
water lily and stephanotis flowers and
Baltic amber and musk

Mineral Renewal (for when your skin feels tired and depleted)
blend of crisp pear, fresh bergamot,
and the floralcy of apple blossom and
white peony with a hint of ginger essence

Vitamin Burst (containing vitamins B5 and E, for those whose skin needs
a boost)
Ferngully scent includes blend of sparkling citrus
and red currant berries,
pear and rhubarb, and enlivening flowers and spices

http://www.vaselinesheerinfusion.com/

Vaseline really is keeping skin beautiful

A Glamorous Way to Track Your Health

2009-11-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

Don't Act Like Debbie Downer
Studies show that glass-half-empty types don't live as long as those who look on the bright side.

When pessimists put a more positive spin on the calamities in their lives, they have less stress and better health. A classic UCLA study found that law students who began their first semester optimistic about the experience had more helper T cells mid semester, which can amplify the immune response, and more powerful natural killer cells, than students who had a more pessimistic perspective. One reason could be that optimists take better care of themselves. It could also be due to less stress-related damage to the immune system, such as killer cells that suddenly become pacifists.

What to do: Personality is tough to change, look for reasons—however small—to feel lucky every day. Sounds hokey, but try striking up a dinner table conversation with your family where you all share a couple of good things that happened every day.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Parisienne Fragrance

2009-11-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

Romance, Elegance, and Sophistication -Just like Paris

Parisienne is Edgy and crisp... Blends of beautiful floral notes . I picked out the cranberry and violet right away,but what stands out the most is the rose .Parisienne lingers for hours with just a spray(or two) Comes in a sophisticated crystal cut bottle ,pretty pink color and a stunning YSL label on black leather.

It has currently moved into the number one spot on my Vanity(I absolutely love it )can't live without it kinda love!!! I have been wearing it night and day ... My man seems to like it too ;)

Ooh La La !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Notes for Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne:
Top: cranberry, blackberry
Heart: Damask rose, violet, peony
Base: patchouli,musk, sandalwood
1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray $ 39
1.6 oz Eau de Parfum Spray $65
3 oz Eau de Parfum Spray $85

http://www.yslbeautyus.com/womens-fragrance-parisienne-fragrance/c36_115_116/p461/new-parisienne-eau-de-parfum-spray/product_info.html