Dera Enochson, Tanning Expert and creator of the Xen-Tan self-tanning collection, shares her tips on creating the perfect, natural looking self-tan -

• Gently exfoliate the face by using a scrub or even a cleanser and a washcloth to slough off dead skin cells
• Apply face tanner in a circular motion to skin on face and throat. Daily self tan works best on the throat area if you have trouble with self tan blotching.
• For blending self tanner into your hairline, apply self tan lotion onto fingertips and use an up and down motion to feather into hairline
• For instant bronzing or contorting the cheek bones, add a little extra tanner to cheek area for additional color

Tips for body: (Remember, a good tan is like your favorite dark pants…it makes you appear slimmer!)

• Exfoliate first. Yes it makes your skin more smooth, but most importantly, it also makes your tan last longer. Self-tanners are absorbed by more drier skin, so make sure you focus on the extra dry areas such as knees and elbows
• Apply to clean dry skin and always work from the bottom up, remembering to wash hands with soap and water in between applications. Use a circular motion to blend. If you are looking for instant color, self tan with Xen-Tan’s Deep Bronze that also gives you a natural color guide so you won’t miss spots
• Don’t forget your back! Take a long flat folded strip of saran wrap. Dot some self tan lotion in the middle. While holding the ends, smooth over areas on your back that are out of reach
• If you are afraid you applied too much self-tan to your wrists or back of hands, just rub a little moisturizer to those areas and blend with arms

Tips for Swimming:

• If you want your skin to be tanned and beach ready, apply self tan at least one hour before you leave (preferably the night before). Then apply your sun block as soon as you get to the beach. Give your self tan time to develop before you jump in the water
• Self tan does tend to fade the longer you swim. Keep dips in the pool or ocean to fifteen minutes or less. Use your towel to gently pat dry instead of rubbing to preserve your tan. You can even apply a daily tanner after swimming to keep your self tan from fading

Flabby buns or tummy?

• To give the illusion of toned buns or abs or any troubled areas for that matter, add a little extra tanner to add depth where you feel you need it
• To fake a fuller bust line, apply more self tanner in your cleavage area to give the illusion of depth

For sandal ready feet:

• Use a light amount of self tanner and blend carefully. Also blend some of your regular body moisturizer around the edges of toes and ankles to prevent dark spots
• If you are afraid you applied too much self-tan to ankles and tops of feet, just apply a little moisturizer to those areas and blend with legs

Any Mistakes?

• If you forget to wash your hands, the best thing to do is put a little dishwashing liquid is a bowl of warm water and soak hands for 20 minutes. Dry hands and use rubbing alcohol with cotton balls to see if you can get any excess off. Then use a scrub.
• If you missed a spot, use a self tan with dark instant color like Xen-Tan’s Dark Lotion to fill in. The instant color will disguise the spot and the tan will develop within three hours
• Always remember to apply SPF every day – self tanning products do not take the place of sun protection

Image: Xen-Tan

Post from: eBeautyDaily

But who wants to slather on tropical scented sunscreen before they put on their snow boots? Not me! So, I put together the following winter SPF fixes for the three areas that are most exposed during the winter months – face, hands and lips.

Here are some winterizing ways to get your SPF during the cold winter months, in the three areas that are most exposed – FACE, HAND & LIP:

The RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 is clinically shown to visibly reduce the appearance of expression lines and deep wrinkles after 8 weeks of use. The lightweight, oil-free formula contains the latest sunscreen technology from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company that is specifically engineered to deliver very broad and photostable UVA and UVB protection with an SPF 30. Daily use of the protective moisturizer will help prevent premature aging. $19.99 for a 1.0 fl oz tube at drugstores nationwide.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30 – 2 Oz – shields skin six layers deep from the sun’s skin aging UVA rays and provides effective, long-lasting protection from UVA/UVB rays that can cause up to 90% of the signs of premature aging. Your hands can give away your age, so get superior anti-aging protection for your skin with the first and only SPF 30 hand cream to contain Helioplex™ advanced sunscreen technology.

Clinically shown to improve overall age impression of hands in just 4 weeks. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® Age Shield Hand Cream improves what ages the look of hands most – roughness, age spots and fine lines.

The AVEENO Essential MoistureTM Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 is a unique lip conditioner that provides long-lasting moisturization to condition and protect dry, chapped lips. This new lip conditioner is enriched with natural oatmeal, long known to soothe skin, and a skin protectant to help protect and prevent dry, chapped lips. And, its exclusive blend of natural skin conditioners, including jojoba oil and shea butter, leaves lips feeling moisturized long after applying. This convenient stick form is hypoallergenic, ideal for everyday use and glides on easily with no waxy feel. And, it will shield lips from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Post from: eBeautyDaily

In Mall Cop, Kevin James gets a thorough tanning on top of his uniform and in Bride Wars?

Let’s just say that Anne Hathaway takes tanning a little too far.

Mystic Tan creator, Ricky Croft, is happy to go over the top on the big screen, but when it comes to real life (as opposed to reel life), he has all the info you’ll need to ensure a worry-free glow that will get you compliments. That way, brides … and mall cops! … can rest assured that the only thing that’s orange will be a honeymoon Mai Tai.

Perfect Glow Tips from Ricky Croft, Mystic Tan’s Creator:

* Be sure to apply a petroleum based product to cuticles and nail beds to avoid discoloration and a ruined manicure.
* Shave the night before. Exfoliate in the shower prior to use—but don’t apply lotion: skin must be clean!
* Use sparingly around rough and dry areas such as knees, elbows and ankles as these areas tend to darken more quickly and will be particularly unsightly against a white wedding gown!
* BUILD a tan in the weeks prior to a big event. Assess color after a few applications and once desired hue is achieved, maintain tone for the days leading up to the big day with follow-up sprays! This method lends itself to a less drastic, more even glow.

Image: Mystic Tan

Post from: eBeautyDaily

However, my job (woe is me!) is taking me to both southern California and South Beach during the month of January – and despite my exclamations otherwise, pale is NOT the new tan. I must be prepared.

Or at least be able to fake it well.

Whether you are looking for a healthy “Hawaiian” glow all year long or just searching for an ideal solution for fast getaway, Booty Butter Tanning Lotion by Bikini Kitchen is an option you may want to consider.

Booty Butter Tanning Lotion is a browning lotion (no innovation there!), but it contains 100% all-natural ingredients from the islands of Hawaii which combine to accelerate the tanning process while keeping the skin moisturized. The lotion glides on golden brown and goes to work. It also works fast – use it right, and we’re talking a noticeable difference in your tan in about an hour.

Ingredients include:

· Kona coffee extract accelerates the tanning process and gives the butter its mocha fragrance. The extract comes from the Kona coffee plant which is renowned for its ability to mend broken skin, soothe irritation and revitalize cells.

· Kukui Nut Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, and Aloe Vera moisturize the skin.

· Antioxidant Vitamins A, E & C. Vitamin A helps to form new blood vessels which give the skin an attractive rosy glow. Vitamin C fends against damage caused by the sun. Vitamin E protects the epidermis from early stages of ultraviolet light damage and reduces the severity of sunburn.

· Bug-repellent quality keeps insects away. (Bug-phobes like me relish this.)

Please not: This is for tanning purposes only, and does not include UVA or UVB protection. You should probably, if you do use this, use it in conjunction with an SPF. (Nothing sexy about a burn.)

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Nothing we can do about that now, but we can prevent further damage by using sunscreen every day and by applying nutrients.

The only problem for us is that after we shower and dry and preen, we really are in no state of mind to apply some industrial grade products.

This is why we love Bethesda Sunscreen Soap. You apply it when you wash in the shower…and  you have just fed your skin with nutrients and given it an SFP 10 shield.

Not bad for just a simple shower.

Also not bad: I have two bars of Bethesda to give away! To win, tell me about the worst sun damage you’ve ever received! Deadline is Jan 15.

Photo credit: Bethesda Skincare

Post from: eBeautyDaily

I have found the niftiest thing that I can’t wait to try – soap with a sunscreen.  Bethesda Skincare has come up with Sunscreen Soap – a soap that is chock full of good-for-you stuff, plus leaves behind a thin layer of at least SPF 10 sunscreen.  This is a brilliant idea.  Especially brilliant for the men in my life who would never consider rubbing a lotion on their skin to protect it.  What is it with men and lotion anyway?  Wait – don’t answer that.

ANYWAY, the company story is very interesting – Bethesda Skincare came about from a desire to create healing products, and started as an in home operation 20 years ago.  There are quite a few products they offer, and more to come.  The site design is lovely (no flash-  hooray!), and easy to navigate, and the products are really nice looking and innovative.  I hope you will spend a little time there and see what it’s all about.  There is more to love there than Sunscreen Soap, although, that’s absolutely enough to bring me in!  Be sure and check out the Melanie policy as well – they will send a free bar of Sunscreen Soap to anyone suffering with cancer.  Good stuff.   

The soap sells for a reasonable $8, and here is the ingredient list:

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Other Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Sodium Cocoate, Water, Glycerin, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Juice, Chlorophyllin, Multi Vitamin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Commiphora Gileadensis (Balm of Gilead), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Chloride, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena Extract, Pentasodium Pentetate.

Get it here.

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Did you all see the New York Times article at the end of the week last week about – well – the bridezilla’s from hell?  I don’t know any nicer way to put it, really.  Mercy, is really all I have to say.  If its not bad enough that your bestest friend is making you buy an ugly, expensive dress that you will never wear again, apparently brides all over are demanding that their bridesmaids, mothers, mothers-in-law have botox.  And matching spray tans.  And boob jobs for crying out loud. 

I thank my childhood best friend, Jill Watson, for having the most beautiful bridesmaid dress that I was able to cut off and had one amazing dress.  And thank her for not caring that I was not perfect (but I did look good way back then…ha!). Man, do I wish I was still that skinny.  

What do you guys think – is this acceptable???  Please tell me it is not.

Post from: eBeautyDaily

This is a guest post from my friend Charu Suri, from ButterflyDiary.com.  Thanks Charu!

There’s little doubt that self-tanners tend to be scrutinized with a particularly powerful magnifying glass.

“Will I end up looking like Charlize Theron when she won her Oscar?”

“How do you know it doesn’t streak?”

“It might have worked for you, but it probably won’t for me.”

We make excuses and send guinea pigs to do the testing before plunking down the coin to buy the product ourselves, and in the end we opt for that monthly tanning booth session.

But fans of Mystic Tan will know that the company is the real deal when it comes to sunless tanning. Now, devotees will be excited to find a real Tanning for Dummies kit at Sephora. The “error proof” Perfect Tan System is as simple as counting sheep and the results are both painless and remarkable.

Ricky Croft, one of the developers of Mystic Tan and the brainchild behind the new line, has made tanning perfect in four easy tubes that look as gorge as Blake Lively.

• First, exfoliate with the new Exfoliating Wash that preps your skin for the excitement that is about to follow.
• Then apply the Sunless Conditioning Complex that contains a patented NutraMist deep hydrating delivery system that guarantees evenness of color distribution.
• Then spray the Sunless Tanning FACE & BODY. Yes, the spray works wonders and is much better than a lotion. Who would have thought?
• Top off with Enhancing Moisturizer that seals the deal and blends the under-applied areas naturally.

These four products are available in a lovely Holiday Kit at Sephora. A fifth product (and my particular favorite) is the Face Shimmer that makes your face glow subtly (a little dab electrifies a long way). The Perfect Tan products are a “Best of Sephora 2008” Nominee.

For more information, visit www.spraymystic.com

Image: © 2008 Charu Suri (used with permission)

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Image: CEW 

The 2008 CEW Beauty Awards winners are:

BATH & BODY

Body Treatment – Mass – Olay Thermal Pedicure (love this!)

Body Treatment – Prestige – Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins ™ The Way of the Bath™ Matcha Tea Body Scrub

Scented Bath and Body – Mass -JOHNSONS® Softoil™ Melt Away Stress Massaging Moisturizer (love this whole line)

Scented Bath and Body – Prestige – Tom Ford Beauty Black Orchid Finishing Oil Spray (man, do I love Black Orchid)

FACIAL SKINCARE

Acne Treatment -Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy (MUST try this)

Anti-Aging – Mass – Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Anti-Aging – Prestige – Shiseido Cosmetics (America) Ltd. Bio-Performance Intensive Skin Corrective Program

Cleanser and Scrub – Mass – Dove SkinVitalizer

Cleanser and Scrub – Prestige – philosophy The Microdelivery Micro-massage Exfoliating Wash

Eye Treatment – Mass – Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti-Aging Triple Response System

Eye Treatment – Prestige – Estée Lauder Future Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Eye Creme

Moisturizer – Mass – L’Oreal Paris Revitalift UV Daily Moisturizing Cream with Mexoryl SX

Moisturizer – Prestige – Estée Lauder Hydra Bright Skin-Tone Perfecting Moisturizer

HAIR CARE & COLORING

Hair Care and Coloring Product – Mass – Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray

Hair Care and Coloring Product – Prestige – Frederic Fekkai Coiff Contrôle  Ironless Straightening Balm

MAKEUP

Eye Product – Mass -CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara (amazing mascara)

Eye Product – Prestige – Dior DiorShow Blackout Mascara (not a huge fan, flakes on me)

Face Product – Mass – Almay Smart Shade® Blush and Bronzer

Face Product – Prestige – Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Makeup SPF 15

Lip Product – Mass – L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour

Lip Product – Prestige – YSL Beaute Lip Twins

MEN’S SKINCARE

Men’s Grooming – Clinique Skin Supplies for Men M Cover

SCENT

Men’s Scent – Bond No. 9 New York Andy Warhol Silver Factory

Women’s Scent – Prestige – Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy Marc Jacobs

SUN

Sun Product – Mass – Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 70

Sun Product – Prestige – Estée Lauder Multi-Protection Sun Towelettes for Body SPF 15

INDIE BEAUTY AWARD

bettybeauty, inc (tie)

Clark’s Botanicals (tie)

So, this demonstrates that I have not tried every beauty product out there (despite what my husband thinks)  nd there are gobs of things I still need to try – do you have any favorites that won?  Give a girl some direction here, mmm-kay?

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Entry 1:  Moe, who has lots of BIG stuff in her beauty bag!

Entry 2:  Sarah F., who is obviously a fan of the classic Great Lash, and I see a Watkins goodie in there too that I need to try.

Entry 3:  Racquel, who I can see is a MAC girl too! 

Entry 4: Kate, who has sent along 2 pictures – one of her bag contents and the other of her drawer.  I feel your pain, Kate.   And I LOVE Jergens natural glow too!

Entry 5:  Ines, who has a super cute bag, and sent along the list of goodies in it: 

Stila convertible color and bronzing powder
Mac black eyeliner and Studio Fix powder
Benefit Benetint and Bad Gal mascara
Du Wop Revolotion tinted moisturizer
The Body Shop Body Butter
Laura Mercier lipstick palette
Shiseido eyelash curler

Entry 6:  Apple, with her gorgeous apple colored beauty bag:

Entry 7:  Theresa, who is WAY more organized than me.  There is my favorite tub of Cetaphil cream!

Entry 8:  Bunny, who is a discerning minimalist – she doesn’t have much in there, but what she has is gooooooooood!

Entry 9:  Hazel, who is another minimalist, but obviously a fan of Sephora AND has a super cute beauty bag!

Entry 10:  Ann, who has mystified me with that beautiful green lacy tube of mascara – what is that??

Entry 11:  Marcela, who has another cute bag, with ALL the essentials!  She sent a list of contents too:

Nivea cream, 60ml tin
Toothbrush (for travel, got to keep the teeth beautiful too!!!)
Nivea labello essential lip care lip balm
Irix (I think it’s a brand from Argentina) eye drops
Pony tail elastic
Bandaids
And now the makeup (finally!!!)
Clinique gentle light pressed powder
MAC eye shadow in Charred
MAC eye shadow in Gleam
MAC lip glass in Nico
Clinique High Impact Mascara (4g sample)
LACA (again, Argentine brand) concealer + blemish treatment
Bloom mini lip gloss/ cheek colour duo in Cutie Pie/ Who, Me?
Natura (Brazilian brand this time!!!) eye liner in Black

Entry 12:  Stephanie, who is a girl after my own heart.  Not much room left for anything else!  I hope if you win, you will get a new eyeliner – it is just about that time!

Entry 13:  Jaine, who has another gorgeous rosy bag, and appears to love her Smashbox – me too! 

Entry 14:  Sarah V., who gets in just under the wire with a great lot of goodies -including that super great Cover Girl mascara – Lash Blast!

I have a 15th entry in the comments from Elizabeth, but I cannot find her photo to save my life – I fear it went into the depths of my spam box.  Elizabeth, if you want to resend it, I will be thrilled to post it, and will include you in the drawing.

So the time comes to pick a winner.  I enter the information in the random number generator at Math Goodies – and *voila* – Entry 11, Marcela is the winner!

Marcela – if you will email me your mailing address, I will pass it on to Harper Collins and they will get your book and your goodies right out to you!

Thanks so much for entering you all – I just love sneaking a peek into your lives and into your beauty bags!!!  I do hope you all will pick up a copy of the Sephora book – it is truly awesome.  You can get it at Amazon, or any of your local bookstores, or the great and wonderful, Sephora!

Images of beauty bags:  used with permission from the contestants

Random number generator image:  From MathGoodies.com

Post from: eBeautyDaily