I often wonder what percentage of women goes to the salon for their mani/pedi vs. those that do it at home. Since I fall mostly in the latter category, I still want mine to last as long as the ones I’ve gotten in the salon. And what’s their secret to the longevity? The prep! So the last time I went I observed and observed and came to a few conclusions.

So I have to ask ... 

What Makes for a Good Mani/Pedi?

A few things seem to make a mani/pedi last and skipping just one in the process can make all the difference in it lasting a few extra days.

1. Don’t soak your nails after taking off polish. It can diminish nail polish adhesion.

2. Apply a nail dehydrator the nail bed like this CUCCIO Dehydrator ($8 @ hbbeautybar.com). It will remove any traces of any product left on nails to help the polish adhere better.

3. A good base coat – this is so key! A base coat will also prevent nails from turning yellow, especially if you are wearing a dark color.

4. Make sure you keep nail beds and hands moisturized while wearing polish. For cuticles, I apply CUCCIO Conditioning Butter Stick in my favorite scent they make, Milk & Honey ($7 @ amazon.com) and for hands I slather on FRESH Brown Sugar Hand Cream ($18.50/2.5oz @ fresh.com). Afterward, if my hands aren’t too slippery, I gently push back my cuticles with a cuticle pusher like the one shown in the picture that you can find on amazon. The curved end makes it super easy to push cuticles back. 

5. And when I’m doing a pedi, I follow the above, however, I do give my tootsies a good sugar scrub down with Moisturizing Body Truffles ($3.75/1oz @ bonblissity.com) from the BON BLISS line. I know, it says “body” in the name but these are the perfect size to use on both feet and you can really target certain areas of the feet. And these smell so amazing! This Sweet Satsuma smells of mandarin orange.

Do you have any suggestions for getting the best at-home mani/pedi?

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

I like to think that I’m aging well as I'm often mistaken for being a lot younger than I really am. I attribute it to mostly good Mediterranean jeans! While the skin on my face looks good with minimal wrinkles, I have noticed that I’m starting to get a chicken neck that no filler or Botox can fix, unfortunately.

So just short of some kind of tightening procedure, which I can’t afford and don’t want to do anyway, I look to what beauty products are out there to help firm the area up.

Enter ReVIVE SKINCARE’s Fermitif Neck Renewal Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($150/2.5oz @ saksfifthavenue.com). Like the whole line, this one is powered by Renewal Epidermal Science (RES) Techonology, which is a selection of bio-engineered ingredients that include patented and Nobel Prize winning technology to help regenerate the appearance of youthful skin. It helps the skin’s turnover and from my naked eyes, seems to firm up the area nicely. I was pretty surprised! They also recommend this be used in the décolletage area, so I’ve been doing that too.

Even though this is not the permanent answer to the issue, it does seem to nicely mask the issue, and it costs a lot less.

Do you have this problem with your neck? 

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes

Now that summer has wound down, so have the vacations. But we still want to go on those getaways, if only for a weekend but how many times have you forgotten something?

Here are some essentials you should pack before hitting the road next time:

Makeup Bag - SEPHORA COLLECTION The High Roller ($48 @ sephora.com) – this one had velcro’d in see-through makeup bags inside that you can store all your weekend items. Unroll it and hang it from the door with its built-in hanger to see all your items at one time.

Hair Volumizer - TAYA Amazon White Clay & Acacia Collagen Hair Plumper ($24/8oz @ tayabeauty.com) – no matter where I travel, I seem to bring my flat hair with me but this one seem to keep the case of the permanent flatsies at bay. The combo of a mousse and hairspray in one helps give hair volume and hold.

Nude Lippie - HOURGLASS COSMETICS Femme Nude Lip Stylo in Nude No. 5 ($30 @ violetgrey.com) – I love a lip balm when I’m traveling but I also need a little color or rather polish to my look, so what better way then with a nude lippie?

Sun Protection for Hair - L’OREAL Everpure UV Protect Spray in Rosemary Mint ($8.99/8.5oz @ amazon.com and drugstores nationwide) – since going full on red, as in redhead, I am super protective from keep it true as long as possible. The sun can wreak havoc on hair color, so do yourself a favor, if you’re not wearing a hat, spray on this protective “hat” of sunscreen. You spend good money on your hair color so shouldn’t you make it last?

Sun Protection for Skin - COPPERTONE Faces Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 ($9.89/2oz @ target.com) – no matter what time of year it is, You. Need. Sunscreen! Sometimes sunscreens can sting but this one is formulated for sensitive skins and doesn’t leave a white hue behind.

Deodorant/Antiperspirant - CERTAIN DRI Antiperspirant Roll-On for Excessive Perspiration ($6.29/1.2oz @ walgreens.com) – I’ve tried sooooo many out there and at the end of the day, this seems to be the only one that works and works consistently.

Cheek Color - NARS Multiple in Portofino ($39 @ sephora.com) – I find that a medium coral on cheeks looks swell any time of year and is unexpected in the fall to winter months. And it makes me look wide awake than I may be feeling.  

Face Mist - NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES White Tea Facial Mist ($19/1.52oz @ nyrorganic.com) - to soothe skin with the possible climate changes. No matter what time of year, I like to have a face mist on hand and this contains 92% organic ingredients. 

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

I’m really feeling this pencil and eye shadow quad together. The colors are just so now!

VOTRE VU Palette Play Eye Shadow Quad Palette in Violette ($42 @ votrevu.com) – loving this quad with four very wearable colors: Chiffon (beige), Raw Silk (light mauve), Moiré (purple), Black Velvet (black). Wear them individually or all together or … with DOLCE & GABBANA The Kohl Pencil Intense Kohl Eye Crayon in Dahlia #5 ($30 @ dolcegabbana.com) – this medium purple has a nice metallic finish to it that nicely highlights any of the Votre Vu colors in the quad. 

Click after the pic to see more pictures and swatches!

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We’ve all read about the best multi-taskers there are out there when it comes to beauty but most of the lists I’ve seen list products that maybe take care of two or three things, not truly multi. So here are some that really are MULTI!!

1. PUREOLOGY Colour Fanatic ($24/6.7oz @ ulta.com) – where do I start?? This 100% Vegan product protects against heat, environmental damage and color fading, controls frizz and is a great leave-in conditioner, among other things; 21 things specifically.

2. TARTE BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen ($34/1oz @ ulta.com, amazon.com) – it’s a face primer, so it makes your foundation or tinted moisturizer last longer; it’s tinted so ixnay what I said previously! No extra color needed (comes in 4 shades). This one includes anti-aging ingredients in the formula; has UVA/UVB blocker of SPF 30. No pitiful 15 here, baby, and it’s quite moisturizing.

3. JOSIE MARAN Argan Balm ($42/4.6oz @ qvc.com) – I adore a balm because of their multi-tasking-ness (yes, that’s a new word!). And this one is no exception and it is heavy in the argan oil. Use it on cuticles, to defrizz hair, dry spots on the skin, lips and I even use it on my heels before I go to bed. 

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

There’s only one other time I’ve come across a product in the beauty category that is made in Indonesia in the 12+ years of running this site. Since I’ve been there and my father went every year for about 25 years, I get excited when I happen upon one.

Each VOLCANICA candle is hand-crafted in the city of Ubud by local artisans. You can see their beautiful work in the designs they create and carve with their hands using a blend of beeswax and palm wax and lead-free cotton wicks. 

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After running this feature on Smashbox’s new eye liners and seeing all the makeup sharpeners I owned, it got me thinking. What makes for a good one? As in, what makes for a good makeup pencil sharpener or what makes for a good anything really? After trying and playing with products for the past 12+ years, I think I have a bit of expertise when it comes to specific topics and what makes for a good something.

So I decided to start a new on-going feature called …

and in these features I will discuss what I think makes for a good product or way of doing something beauty-related.

This first one will investigate what I think makes for a good makeup sharpener, so let’s get to it!!

What Makes for a Good Makeup Sharpener?

Like the ones shown in this picture I took of the ones I own, they all fill a purpose. Since there is no set size for any pencil for lips or eyes, you will probably find yourself having to own quite a few different ones.

If you are just going to invest in one or two of them, here is what you should look for in a good one. I like a duo sharpener like this one from Pixi Beauty I recently featured. Also, since I don’t have a trashcan next to my makeup table, a case that surrounds the sharpener to catch the shavings is also convenient. And with all the ones I’ve tried, that small pokey thing to poke color and shavings away from the blade is totally underrated. Believe it or not, only some include this pokey thing.

Here are some good ones that can get you by.

Clockwise:

• URBAN DECAY Grindhouse Double Barrel Sharpener ($10 @ ulta.com)
• JAPONESQUE Dual Sharpener ($10.99 @ amazon.com)
• SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Dual Antibacterial Sharpener ($4 @ sephora.com)
• ULTA Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($2.50 @ ulta.com) 

But if you really want the best of the best, I’ve tried a bunch and these ones below are the best as they meet the key criteria:

1. Should be able to sharpen two different sizes; so make it a duo, please.
2. Should have a blade-cleaning pick with it. This is so useful!
3. Should be encased to catch the pencil shavings.

Clockwise:

• KEVYN AUCOIN The Precision Pencil Sharpener ($8 @ barneys.com)
• TWEEZERMAN Deluxe Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($4 @ amazon.com)
• MALLY BEAUTY Dual Sharpener ($12.50 @ ulta.com)
• ELF Dual Pencil Sharpener ($1 @ eyeslipsface.com)
• DuWOP Beauty Blade, Antibacterial Dual Eye and Lip Pencil Sharpener ($11 @ dermstore.com)

So do you have a favorite makeup pencil sharpener? Let me know in the comments!

Just because it’s October doesn’t mean I’m getting all pumpkin-y on you … yet. Still have quite a few more weeks before I dive into that.

From L to R clockwise:

VIKTOR & ROLF Flowerbomb Cream ($90/6.7oz @ nordstrom.com) – layer, layer, layer! It helps your scent last longer and anything with the word Flowerbomb on it gets my immediate attention. And the glass jar? Nice!  

MARK ‘Snowdrop Flower’ Hand It Over Super Moisturize Hand Cream ($4/1.5oz @ avon.com) – I’m becoming a fan of mark’s body products! This seasonal one is getting me in the mood for the upcoming season with its wintry mix of florals, chilled fruit and warmth of amber. Big recommendation!

PHILOSOPHY Amazing Grace Satin-Finish Body Oil Mist ($26/5.8oz @ sephora.com) – if you’re a fan of their Amazing Grace scents, pick up this body oil mist version for quick skin hydration just out of the shower while it’s still warm in the room.

NATURALLY BARE 'Noir' Body Balm ($45/6oz @ naturally-bare.com) – just wow! This balm contains major emollients like shea and capucau butters as well as vitamin E, aloe and argan and borage oils. So not only is the formula thick the scent is too. So much so that you can use this as your perfume. Think strong base notes like vanilla and sandalwood.

ESSENCE OF BEAUTY ‘Secret Woods’ Body Mist ($6.99/8oz, $2.99/2oz @ cvs.com or CVS stores nationwide) – on days when you feel like taking a break from your signature scent, this floriental is a nice alternative and it won’t break the bank. 

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

Little known fact – did you know I almost went to dental school after high school? I worked in a dentist office as an assistant for about 1 year my junior year in the afternoons after school would let out for the day. Assisting the dentist with fillings, extractions (yup, gross, I know) and the like, I really considered it but senior year hit and I just kept thinking about how long the schooling was for it and at that point, I was so done with going to school, but to this day I still think about it.

That’s why mouth health and new anything having to do with teeth is always fascinating to me. Take this new COLGATE Slim Soft Toothbrush ($3.99 @ amazon.com). Like the name states, it’s slim in width so I feel like I get a more precise brushing in certain areas like in the back, where I think everyone has issues when it comes to cleaning there properly.

The other benefit is that it is super soft. I’ve been told by my dentist that I am a hard brusher so glad to hear this may help with that issue.

Don’t forget, you are supposed to change out your toothbrush every 3 months depending on wear so consider this your reminder! 

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

Inspired by Shiseido Artistic Director Dick Page’s travels around the globe, SHISEIDO just came out with some new Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trios ($33 @ macys.com). Just gazing at these colors, I can only imagine where Mr. Page even went! The amazon with the deep, rich greens? Or the Orient with the golds and coppers? The world truly is his oyster.

I have to admit, it was hard to delve into these two eye shadow trios because they look nice just in the compact (yup, I’m filing this post under my on-going feature of Product As Art that are too pretty to touch) but I’m glad I did. They apply so smoothly and blend really well and so worth the price tag.

Each color has a satiny finish and includes Micromatic Color Pigments, which reflect light, giving a bolder look. And the shadows also contain their signature moisturizing agent, Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE, but as I’ve stated before on my site, I’m not sure an ingredient like this in such a low amount can make a difference in a product.

So let’s take a closer look at each trio!

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