If you read my Crib Notes column, you already know that I’ve been thinking about resolutions for the New Year this week. ‘Tis the season, after all, to reflect on the year gone by and look ahead to all the potential 2012 holds for us. Particularly if you’re into self-improvement...  So, as the New Year arrives this weekend, get rid of that same old boring resolution to lose weight or save money, and instead pledge to take better care of your body, just as it is. Let’s make a promise to treat our skin and hair properly this year and not take for granted that it’ll still look the same in a …

It’s embarrassing to admit, but when the cold winter air moves in, my scalp starts itching. No one ever wants to admit they have a dry, itchy scalp (or heaven forbid, dandruff!) but it’s really no different than how our arms and legs react to the cold weather. With depleted moisture in the air, and bad winter habits like frequent hot showers, we’re all at risk to get dry skin just about anywhere… including underneath our hair. Still, those flakes on your shoulder are not very attractive at all. I mean, who wants to ruin a nice, black party dress with a little dandruff? But sometimes, it’s not…

I always love to find a nice new nail polish or fun beauty-related treat in my stocking on Christmas morning. If you’re in the market for some affordable holiday surprises that make great stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts, or hostess presents, going with the beauty-theme is usually a pretty safe bet! Luckily for all you shoppers out there, we have plenty of great places to patrol for great deals on itty bitty beauty gifts … all under $15! Sally Beauty Supply, Woburn Will start with this great place to find salon-quality beauty gear, right in the Woburn Mall! Sally Beauty Supply carries …

We’re going to talk about a delicate topic today… whether or not you should match your makeup to your outfit. While most women will tell you such matching is a big fashion faux-pas, there are ways to make this coordination work wonders for you. Of course, don’t be one of those women who match to the point of excess; the "matchy-matchy" look is definitely a no-no. Still, a well-planned look from head to toe is noteworthy. StyleList.com cites Michelle Obama's frequent matching successes as an inspiration for other women who want a complete--but fashionable--look from head to toe. Color Families…

Believe it or not, a good beauty and skin care routine isn't just about the products. A handful of easy to find beauty tools can save you much frustration and trouble as you apply and use those products. Think about what's in your bathroom cabinet and your makeup bag. Do you have everything you need amongst your beauty arsenal? If not, add these must-have tools to make good beauty habits even better. A Pencil Sharpener This universal beauty tool can last the lifetime of many a cosmetic pencil.  You’ll need one because an eyeliner or lip liner pencil is only accurate if you keep the tip sharp…

This week, I’ve been battling the cold bug that everyone else has already had, has now, or is coming down with. The stuffy nose, dry heat in my home, and colder temperatures outside are culminating in one unpleasant side effect: chapped lips. It already feels like everything is getting dry, from my fingers to my toes, so adding chapped lips to the mix is just one more problem I don’t want to have this winter. Still, I live in Massachusetts and am staring winter in the face, so relief isn’t something I’ll find soon. Not unless I take some steps to get my lips repaired and hydrated. Our …

Want to draw some attention this holiday season? A great makeup look can bring class and style to your holiday attire, but it doesn’t have to be over-the-top to get you compliments. In fact, prepping your holiday makeup look can be as easy as darkening up daytime colors for a more dramatic effect. If you're brave and want something more festive, the spirit of the holiday season allows freedom of cosmetic expression and might even involve some glitter. Try these tips for a way to stay current and still look fabulous for all those holiday parties and festivities this season. Keep It Balanced …

A few years ago, I left the world of retail cosmetics and, thus, my discount on name brand products behind me. Suddenly, I had to pay full price for all my makeup and skin care products… yikes. I had to step back and reassess the situation.  Did I really need to spend $20 on mascara? I’d love to keep doing it, just to keep using the products I’d come to love, but my wallet said no. It was time for me to try shopping around for alternatives. Less expensive alternatives. After all, paying for a brand name does not always equal superior quality.  Lesser known brands offer very similar products …

There’s no use resisting it anymore. It’s getting pretty cold outside here in Massachusetts and winter is just around the corner. Halloween’s over, we’re staring Thanksgiving in the face, and soon Santa’s headed to the mall for some photos. But you’ll want to add something unexpected to your to-do list this winter: caring for your hair. See, the harsh winter months can leave your hair dry, dull, brittle, or frizzy. You may suffer from split ends, faded color treatments, or lifeless locks. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent damage to your hair and take extra care throughout …

You work long hours and don’t get enough sleep. You’ve been partying too hard in Salem for Halloween and can’t quite recover. Or you’ve been fighting your fall allergies and can’t make your eyes stop watering. Whatever the cause, your lifestyle and the New England shift of seasons could have your eyes puffy, tired, and red right about now. I’m tired just thinking about it. Puffy eyes can happen to the best of us for a wide range of reasons. As the most sensitive part of the human face, your eyes and the area around them are also the most vulnerable. Underlying the Eyes With only have the …

As I’ve mentioned before, my years spent “working on the front lines” of the skin care industry have taught me much of what I know. Among these lessons, I’ve become enlightened about the common skin care assumptions women (and men) are holding onto. When it comes to good skin care, the most important thing to have is a thorough understanding of what skin needs to stay happy and, thus, healthy. Unfortunately, I've heard many things that are ... well, disheartening. The so-called "facts" that the average woman picks up and spews out are more often than not myths. As a salesperson, I always …

As the season changes from summer to fall, it's important to prepare for the effects of cooler temperatures on our skin, especially if you happen to live in New England. When winter arrives, the weather conditions can prove even more irritating to our skin--freezing temperatures, gusting winds and dry air. To prevent common skin problems during the next few months, you can adopt a solid skincare routine with these easy tips. Not only will your skin stay beautiful and soft, it will also stay healthy. Daily & Weekly Care Cleansing your skin is important year-round, but in cooler months, use …

When you think about taking care of your skin, do you immediately reach for the moisturizer? The fancy serums or scrubs? Do you drop hundreds of dollars every month at the beauty counter? If this sounds familiar, I commend you for having your heart in the right place. But skin care starts within the body, not outside of it. If you don’t have the healthy habits that make skin healthy on the inside, you’re wasting your time and your money on those expensive products. Truthfully, there are a few things you could be doing for your general and overall health that can have big pay-backs for your …

The experience can be intimidating. You walk in, just browsing, and immediately become the target of a salesperson with an agenda. Suddenly, your wallet is the victim, paying for things you didn’t know you needed (and probably don’t). At least, that’s what everyone thinks about cosmetic counters, isn’t it? The truth is, the vast majority of salespeople behind those specialty counters really do want to help you. They don’t want to sell you something you’re just going to return in a week; they’d rather answer your questions and offer suggestions for products you actually need.  Of course, they’…

It’s a touchy subject for some moms. And yet for others, stretch marks are a badge of honor. After all, pregnancy is a beautiful thing… it just leaves your skin a little, well, tired looking. If you’re collecting stretch marks because you love them, skip this week’s column. See you next Wednesday. Still reading? Here’s what you need to know about the how and why of the average stretch mark. Simply put, stretch marks form because the skin is forced to stretch very quickly, causing the skin cells to “break.” Think of them like runs in your panty hose. Like any other type of skin injury, a …

When I think of “overnight breakouts,” I always remember that scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the heroine wakes up on the morning of her nuptials with a giant zit on her lip. The cure? Cover-up. Lots and lots of cover-up.  Her husband, on the other hand, cures a similar problem with Windex. Hmmm…. We’ve all been there. A pimple catches you off guard on an important day. A swarm of eruptions overtakes half your face, severely hindering your photogenic abilities. You reach for makeup and cover-up, skin-drying acne creams, or whatever home remedy your mother swears will zap it quickly.  …

There’s something that could be missing from your skin care routine. You cleanse, rinse, and moisturize daily, even twice a day if you’re really good, but it’s not enough. Underneath all that dirt and oil you’re daily routine takes care of, we’ve all got a dirty secret. The average woman has 30 layers of dead skin cells on her face. Now, before you panic, some of those layers are good to have. Basically, they provide a cushion between the harsh realities of the world (i.e. pollution and UV rays) and the new, as-yet-undeveloped skin cells underneath. It's all part of our skin's natural …

I won’t keep you in the dark any longer… Yes, eating healthy DOES give you healthy skin. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in food can benefit the skin just like any other organ in the body.  When you’re eating healthy, you get healthy and this shows outwardly through a clear complexion, luxurious locks, and strong fingernails.  Sure, you can add all the topical vitamin-rich treatments you want to your skin, hair and nails, but “you are what you eat” when it comes to looking good. Feeling good about that? Awesome! Not feeling so good about that? Put down the Cheetohs and pay …

As the weather begins to cool and your back-to-school shopping is underway, you might’ve been too busy to think about your own look this fall. Take a stroll through the mall and you’ll notice that retailers are advertising fall clothing, accessories, and makeup must-haves in every window. While some trends are going to pass us by in the blink of a three-month period, never to return, there are some good old standbys to stock into your makeup bag for this fall and many beyond.  When you do finally get a moment to treat yourself to a new look for the fall, stick to these colors for a timely …

One of the greatest beauty tools mankind has ever invented is already sitting in your bathroom. Don’t believe me? Take a peek in that medicine cabinet or under the sink and find your box of cotton swabs. They don’t even have to be Q-Tips brand, any old swabs will do. Twirl one between your fingers and admire the sleek but practical design. Doesn’t look like much, right? But it is. Whether it’s generic or brand-name, the cotton swab you’re holding is the most versatile tool in a woman’s beauty arsenal. There are literally dozens of things you can do with these little guys.  Self-care, baby …