6,000 years in the making. Makeup has been around a lot longer than, well I thought anyway. Looks like the Medical Insurance & Loreal got together to have some fun. Who benefits? Us!

Via: Medical Insurance Blog

Plans are underway for the “local neighborhood” mighty pharmacy chain CVS to get into the high-end cosmetics business. I’ve strolled through the cosmetics aisle in many a CVS and have picked up everything from the latest Revlon offering to nail files to Chapstick but never did I think they’d get into the real cosmo space. CVS confirms they are going to open stores on the West and East coasts adjacent to existing CVS’s that carry 32+/- lines of high-end cosmetics & some fragrances. The stores (at least 2 confirmed) will be called “Beauty 360″. Of course they decline at this time to say which brands. So what do you think? Are they in the market to take some market share from ULTA & Sephora? It’s no wonder our friends at our most trusted brands are limiting distribution and opening their own boutiques and charging list prices. Soon you’ll be able to get Hard Candy, Benefit and MAC at the corner deli!

I’m exaggerating of course but there may be a silver lining here. More availability of product, better prices and store-exclusive freebies. This may not be a bad idea after all. CVS does have some serious buying power. I’m dying to know who the 32 are! Any inside info you want to share? Post a comment & tell us!

What to do on those days where you know you are going to be in front of the camera – a lot. You know what I mean like weddings, graduations, parties, etc. Dread them? Don’t. Just some up-front prep and you’ll be glowing like a model. Actually these tips and tricks are from various model resources, photographers and my husband. He is camera crazy and always throwing tips around so I figured I’d compile a few to share.

A few days before the event is really when you need to start thinking about looking your best. Of course following a routine is the best advice to look your best all the time. I know crunch time before a special day is always hectic though.

First rule of looking great on film – digital or otherwise – is moisturize. If you read this blog regularly you know that you should be doing this regularly! If not at least do it a week in advance – daily or more if necessary. I would even go as far as treating yourself to a facial or spa day to jump start your commitment to healthy skin and a clear complexion. Keep it up too. Your skin will thank you in the future. While you are there you should get a mani/pedi (manicure and pedicure). A French or neutral treatment is best. You don’t want your nail color to clash or stand out. Close ups of hands and even feet in the warmer months are popular now. One of my clients even had her bridal party wear flip-flops and has photos of them in the sand.

What gets caught on the camera isn’t always that obvious to the naked eye. So make sure you look for the more or less subtle cues. Got roots or regrowth? Get that color touched up. Photos can make your roots look 10 times worse than they really are. Especially high contrast photos like black and whites. Apply a smooth base when doing your makeup too especially if you are going to be indoors. The only part of your face that we want to look shiny is your lips so bring along your lipstick and a clear gloss to cover. And while your on the mouth take a look at your pearly whites and make sure they are just that. If not try whitening toothpastes, pre-rinses and strips that entire week. They will definitely help and the day before use the strawberry trick. Also depending on what you are wearing, watch for unwanted lines and creases from panties and layered clothing.

Most importantly, don’t try those new products or anyone else’s the days before the event. Irritations and allergic reactions are known to happen! If you happen to get a breakout or worse – that highly noticeable pimple right on your nose leave it alone and let your makeup do its job. The redder it gets, the more concealer needed. The more makeup you are wearing, the more likely you are going to need to reapply at some point.

So get plenty of rest the night before. Avoid as much alcohol, cigarettes and other nasties you may indulge in the night before (I’ve been to plenty of pre-parties I needed to recover from) and give your body a break. Wake up a little earlier and plan on some prep time to pamper yourself. You’ll feel great and look even better.

I’m so proud to be part of an industry where so many of us love what we do. I’d like to give a shout out to my new friends at The Beauty Blog Network. Elke, founder and Chief Beauty Guru picked MissTrendyGirl to be the 100th member of this prestigious group of beauty bloggers. Since switching over to the blog format so many great things have happened to MissTrendyGirl since we started back in 2005. Including getting to know so many other beauty junkies, professionals and clients who have the same passion and love as us. Thank you Elke and thank you all for reading and please check out the great content and super blogs over at The Beauty Blog Network.

I do love watching American Idol for the entertainment of it all but that’s not my favorite part. I love to watch the hair and makeup change from season to season. The makeup artists this season are incredible! From outrageous to minimalist – each and every look is gorgeous.The camera is always close up so there is no room for error. You can see every color and the placement of it perfectly so it is a great way to get some new application ideas. The trend seems to be glitz and glamour for the shadow, light on the eyeliner and very heavy on the lashes. The lips are light, frosty and shimmery. I will mention nothing about the hairstyles this season or should I say lack there of. You know what mom always said,”if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. So, even if your not an idol fan, watch an episode or two of the women’s competition and see if you are an “artist” fan too.

So many clients and friends are seemingly stuck with the same makeup coloring they’ve used since college. Even worse, high school. Afraid to experiment or just complacent it doesn’t matter. What does matter is the reaction I get when I tell them. “I just don’t know what’s a good product for me” or “I don’t know what looks good on me” or my favorite “I have no choice because of my skin and hair”. What?! Hello girls there are thousands of choices out there and it’s easier than you think to narrow it down.

It’s all about color and what works best with your not-so-unique combination of skin tone and hair. Cosmetic companies have palettes of colors suited for any and all skin tones and hair combos. They’ve spent countless years and dollars developing these so why not take advantage of their work? Haven’t you ever walked through a department store or up to a makeup counter at a boutique and glanced at the sea of eyeshadow pods sitting there waiting to be handled? That’s why they are there. Hold them up to your face. Rub some on your hand and eyes. Don’t be afraid to try different shades in the store before you buy. How about a friends collection of makeup? Not that I advocate sharing certain items but just between us girls my sister’s favorite hobby is losing herself in my collection when she visits. Funny, I always have room for more when she leaves.

Before you set out, you do have to know what works best for you. So how do you do that? Well experimentation is key but even holding a powder or pod up to your face can help. Look at the makeup itself and see if your eye catches the same coloring or tones as in your hair or eyes or skin. If so that’s generally a complimenting color you can try. Your taste dictates your preferred level of striking-ness by how much contrast there is between the makeup color and your own colors.

Warmer hues like brick reds and oranges, even corals tend to work best on brunettes with darker coloring. Cool pastels like blues and purples work for blondes. Redheads love the greens and easily get away with them without being to funky. Glitters and gold or silver metallics can work for everyone as long as it’s in moderation.

Don’t be afraid to try some new colors and brands. Go bold, go light just don’t go it alone if you’re unsure. Those glam gals and guys behind the counters (or me if you want to do it via email) are well trained and have knowledge about color, applying it and knowing when to stop. Ask! They won’t bite and if they do, well there’s always another counter to spend your cash at. Believe me.

At the end of 2006 air travel became a bit easier for those of us who like to travel (carry-on) with what we refer to as the essentials. Not necessarily what our friends at the TSA or our favorite airlines (if there is such a thing) agree with. I know it’s been well over a year since the change but I still get requests to go over what is safe to bring on board with you while traveling by air. So if you are planning on taking a trip this year, here’s the scoop on the mini makeup needs. You can still pack your suitcase full of sprays, makeup, gels and other goodies larger than 3 oz. but not that I recommend that either.

Check out the TSA’s site here for the latest on what you can and can’t bring in the cabin.
Basically the rules are as follows:

The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.

All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.

All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.

Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

In the meantime if you need to play it safe and you want to be absolutely sure, this is your one stop shop: Airplane Approved Beauty. Sephora’s laid out in easy fashion the prefect shopping area for jet setters and the like. You’d be surprised how many items you may need to buy in a travel safe size.

I’m getting flooded with excellent deals lately. I’ve stocked up right after the New Year but it seems retail isn’t doing too well lately in the beauty category. Take advantage of these hot offers while the getting is good! Some of these are too good to pass up and some I’ve never seen before. Enjoy!

Greatskin.com $40 OFF storewide (min purchase of $250) and Free Shipping! Coupon Code: V40

drugstore.com new Customers Receive $5 off $30 or $10 off $50 on your first non-prescription order!

Dermadoctor – 10% off skin care orders over $100! Checkout code: 100LINK Expires: 3-31-08

Shop your favorite brands and get a free beauty gift with your $100 Nordstrom beauty purchase.

Sephora – Get this gorgeous metallic clutch for FREE when you spend $25 or more. Just enter METALLIC at checkout.

The Body Shop – Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off All Hair Care Products. Shop Now>

Beauty.com Free Deluxe Sample of LORAC Mocktail Flavored Lip Gloss when you buy any two LORAC products. While supplies last.

Save 30-60% on winter styles at the eLUXURY FINAL DESIGNER CLEARANCE! Featuring top designer brands, like Fendi, Versace, Marc Jacobs, and more. Shop now for the best selection!

It’s true that many of the products we adore and use daily contain toxins you would never think of ingesting or otherwise using near or on your body. But little do we know unless we read every label and all the fine print about what we are actually putting on our faces. Especially the face; eyelids and lips- very sensitive and thin layers of skin susceptible to even the slightest amounts of unsafe ingredients.

I just went through my bags and found a few lipsticks that contain lead. The same dangerous neurotoxin that causes concentration and memory problems, behavioral issues with children and even miscarriages in women. Lead builds up in the body overtime with repeated use or exposure. You’ve read the warnings about the toys produced in China that contain lead paint. I know I’ve heard a few horror stories about young ones eating Mommy’s lipsticks too. So why risk any additional exposure? In a recent report of the 33 tested, 20 lipsticks had measurable lead levels according to www.safecosmetics.org. My point is why use a product with unsafe ingredients when you don’t have to. There are literally hundreds of alternatives in every great makeup store. Look for the ones that make you look good and make sense.

Let’s not be alarmed though because I share this as informative only. More and more of my clients are becoming wisely health conscious and ask for safe cosmetics with more natural ingredients that aren’t tested on animals. Fact is there hasn’t been one reported case of lead poisoning due to lipstick use in hundreds of years. Furthermore contracting cancer is not one of the effects of long exposure to lead.

Many reputable companies including M•A•C have statements about their ingredients or how to read their labels.
Our products contain ingredients of the highest quality. The levels of concentration of all ingredients in our products are safe for consumer use.
I use M•A•C lipstick and haven’t come across a box that has lead listed yet – of the ones I use. I haven’t a clue about more than half of the ingredients there but I do know for the most part lipstick is mainly waxes, oils and colors.

So look for some safe alternatives and it wouldn’t hurt to glance at a few ingredient labels on your cosmetics once in a while. You’ll become more comfortable and familiar with what’s going on your face. If you have a favorite “must-have” lipstick or other product you just can’t do without then there is a trade-off should it contain any ingredient you’re not comfortable with.

Look for MAC Lipstick