CHECK OUT MY APPEARANCE ON MICHELLE PHAN'S MAKEOVER SHOW SIMPLY BELLA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3QrhA7GzoM

HOW TO GET THICK BROWS

We all weren't born with Jennifer Connelly's eyebrows. Or maybe you were, but after getting a little tweeze-happy in the nineties you were be left with thin brows. I get a lot of clients asking me how to make their brows fuller. There are so many products on the market right now to get you the brows you have always dreamed of, and if not, there is always makeup. I have had people tell me that they got their eyebrows to grow by using household products such as olive oil, vaseline, and castor oil. I have also seen the great effects of revitabrow and latisse. It is best to do the research yourself and try out a few products and find what is right for you. If all else fails, I recommend trying the combination of a waxy brow pencil combined with brow powder. The pencil will stick to the skin and the powder will set it while giving it a more natural look. Just fill in the gaps with the pencil and use an angled brush to apply the powder. When you are done, use a spooly and brush out the excess powder and set it with  some brow gel. Also, it is important to not tweeze in your hair line in between brow appointments. Leave the shaping to the professionals.

BROWS AT STUDIO 68

Brows at Studio 68 inside the West Hollywood Salon Republic is officially open! My sister Megan and I are very excited to have opened a studio completely dedicated to creating beautiful brows. We are open Tuesday-Saturday to take care of all you brow needs. I am also offering makeup application and makeup lessons upon request. Appointments can be made by booking online through our website, www.gibbonsbrows.com. You can also reach us at (323) 989-BROW. 

BROW PENCIL

I am always searching for different ways to fill in my brows. I use pencil, powder and sometimes both depending on my mood. I recently found a great brow pencil. It is just the right shade for my eyebrows and it's reasonably priced too. It's called Vanitymark by Brett Freedman, a Los Angeles based brow artist. It comes in different colors that match a variety of skin tones. You can buy it online for $16.

HOW TO FILL IN YOUR BROWS WITH POWDER

GLITTER AND BOOTIES

My current obsession are these amazing suede and glitter booties by Matt Bernson. They are $218 and come in charcoal, black, and sand. These are a must for fall! I don't think I can wait that long to wear them though.

GOT2B DRY SHAMPOO

I read a review in a beauty magazine about this dry shampoo and I decided I had to try it. Not too long after I was browsing through the beauty section at Bed Bath and Beyond and there it was. I knew I had to get it. I was surprised to see that it was so affordable. I always feel a little frustrated when I spend more than $20 on a dry shampoo only to go through it in a few weeks. Got2b is less than $6. It has a nice smell and rivals some of the other top label dry shampoos. I highly recommend this one. It even made my hair look nice on the 3rd day!

LANCOME LA LAQUE FEVER IN ELECTRIC PINK

I bought the La Laque Fever lip gloss in Electric Pink a few weeks ago and I can't get enough of this color. I had been on a hunt for a vibrant pink and this is the perfect shade. The La Laque line promises to last up to 8 hours. I am not sure if it has lasted that long on me but it does hold for a long time. La Laque Fever offers many different shades. Another one of my favorites it Iridescent. Iridescent has a lot of shine and looks great over neutral and pink lipsticks. The technology is such that it offers the shine of a lip gloss but the feel of lipstick. I highly recommend checking out these glosses, especially if you hate reapplying throughout the day. They are available at Bloomingdales and anywhere else that carries Lancome for $26.50.

DR. DENNIS GROSS ALPHA BETA FACE PEEL

I tried a sample of the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel a month ago and I knew I had to buy the product. I noticed a considerable difference in the texture and over all color of my skin. I decided to do some research about the AB face peel online and I found endless raving reviews. I took this as a sign to spend the $75 at Sephora and start my 30 day peel ASAP. I am at week 1 and loving it. The product claims to helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, clear imperfections, eliminate excess oils, minimize pores, calm redness and irritation, and brighten your overall complexion. It is good for all skin types and is recommended for either evening or morning use. Make sure to avoid as much sun exposure as possible and use a high SPF to prevent sunburning. The product contains alpha-hydroxy acid which can cause skin and sun sensitivity. I am starting week two and liking what I see so far. I can't wait to see the difference by the end of the month!

YSL TEINT RESIST FOUNDATION

I got a sample of this oil-free foundation about a couple months ago. I used it on and off for a while. I tested it out during the day and at night. I really started to notice that it held up well whether it be a night out with the girls or working all day in the salon. Depending on how much you use or which type of application, you can achieve medium to full coverage. It has a nice texture that goes on smoothly and dries with a semi-powdery finish. It is water resistant which helps keep the oil/shine I usually get at the end of the day down to a minimum. It is recommended for normal to oily skin types. Using a primer before hand definitely gives it a better look. I wouldn't suggest it for someone who has dry skin because it might look too caked on. I am really glad I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a full size of the YSL Teint resist because I am extremely happy with the results. A 1oz bottle of this foundation is available at Sephora for $55.00.

MY FAVORITE SUNSCREEN

I know adding one more step to your morning regimen is never exciting, but sunscreen is one step I am not willing to forgo. I have tried SO many different facial sunscreens but usually found that they left my skin greasy or weren't strong enough. I also try to use as many natural skincare products as possible, although I don't always succeed. One day at Wholefoods I came across this great product. It's called Mineral Sportblock by Nature's Gate. I was looking for a natural daily sunscreen that was fragrance-free that contained Zinc Oxide. It is light weight and has UVA/UVB protection. You have to make sure to blend it in very well otherwise the Zinc will leave a white layer on your skin. It is great because it lasts for a long time, so that means less re-applications. It has never irritated my eyes or skin like other sunscreens and never feels heavy under my makeup.

Nature's Gate - Mineral Sportblock Suntan Lotion Fragrance Free SPF 20 - 4 oz. (118 mL) Available at Wholefoods or online at Luckyvitamin.com for $6.00

LAST MINUTE BEAUTY GIFTS......

I normally wouldn't recommend saving your Christmas shopping for Christmas Eve but if you need to brave the malls on this crazy day, here are some great ideas for him and her. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

For her~

1. Noel Vanilla Bean spray and lotion
$10-$12 available at Bath and Body Works
2. Beauty Flash Balm(for brightening and tightening) by Clarins
$45 available at Nordstroms
3. Fracas Perfume by Robert Piguet
$45 available at Sephora
4. Bare Minerals Shimmer and Shine Collection(for eyes, cheeks and lips)
$54 Available at Sephora
5. Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System(professional quality skincare brush)
$149 available at Sephora

For Him~

1. Grey Vetiver Cologne by Tom Ford
$85 available at Sephora
2. The perfect shaving kit by Anthony
$50 available at Sephora
3. Sonicare Flexcare UV Toothbrush
On sale, was $215 now $169.99 available at Bloomingdales
4. Braun Silk Epil Shaver
On sale, was $190, now $149.99 available at Bloomingdales
5. Jack Black Performance Ready Set(contains lotions, SPF creams, lip balm, and hair and body cleansers)
$32 available at Bloomingdales

DEBORAH LIPPMANN NAIL POLISH

I recently purchased a few Deborah Lippmann nail polishes from the 2010 Holiday collection. I am like a little kid when it comes to sparkles. I may be at the age when you are supposed to give it up, but I just can't resist! I tried out the gold color tonight called Boom Boom Pow. You definitely have to apply a few coats but the results are great! It looks fantastic on its own but can also be worn over a solid colored polish. She offers an array of colors and they are all fun and unique. They are great for Holiday parties and make great presents. They are available at Nordstroms and go for around $20.oo each.

LILASH 2 MONTH UPDATE

Here is a picture of my lashes and how they currently look. I can't believe how much they have grown in the last 2 months! I don't even need to curl my lashes anymore. They have gotten so much longer especially in the past couple weeks. I can still see some shorter ones that need to catch up but I am really excited with the results. I put a picture of my lashes below so you can see how they looked prior to using the serum. It is a picture from February 2010 and wow were my brows thinner! My one complaint is that I have encountered a new problem that I have never experienced before. Now that my lashes are so long, the mascara rubs off on my upper lids. The result is that I now get black smudges bellow my eyebrows. But I have to say, I will definitely put up with it to have my long lashes. I will never go without LiLash now that I know the results. On a separate note, I have the YSL Mascara Volume Effet on in the picture above. I went back to my tried and true mascara after my Makeup Forever Smoky Lash mysteriously disappeared. I am bummed and will probably buy another one after I finish my YSL.

LAURA MERCIER MINERAL ILLUMINATING POWDER

I love this Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder! I bought it a few weeks ago and I am really enjoying it. It is a loose mineral powder that provides sheer coverage. It gives your skin an instant glow with a radiant shimmer rather than an overdone sparkly look. You can use it all over your skin or just as a highlighter on your cheeks, brow bone, or decollate. I like to use it over my Laura Mercier tinted foundation. Either way it makes your skin look luminescent. Make sure to check and see how it looks in the natural light because it's easy to go overboard. Nighttime application can definitely be more forgiving. It is available in 2 colors. "Candlelight" for a rose nude radiance and "Starlight" for a golden nude radiance. It's available at Sephora for $32.oo for 0.34oz. I applied a bit of the Starlight on my hand so you can get an idea of effect.

MAKEUP FOREVER SMOKY LASH MASCARA

I have been dying to try Makeup Forever's Smoky Lash Mascara after hearing rave reviews. I finally got it today and thought I would post a before and after of my lashes with and without the mascara. Also, you can get an idea of how my lashes look without anything on them. The product claims to add volume, length and curl. I am pretty happy with it. It does a good job at separating and looks very dark. You can find MF Smoky Lash at Sephora for $22.00.

BEFORE


AFTER

LILASH 1 MONTH UPDATE

So....it's been about a month since I started using Lilash and I am beginning to notice some changes. My lashes are getting a bit fuller and longer. Just when I was about ready to give up due to the slow start, something happened. I washed my makeup off as I do every night and I saw something that I usually don't notice, my lashes! They are usually straight and barely noticeable without the help of mascara or a curler. So sadly enough, noticing anything at all is impressive. The full effect of the serum is supposed to happen by the 6th week. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
*The one con I have noticed is that my eyes get a bit irritated and red. I can handle it if the results continue to improve. I can always use eye drops!

LiLASH

There is nothing more appealing to me than long lashes. I have always had puny sad lashes that have needed the assistance of lash curlers and mascara to make them look somewhat decent. I have owned a Shu Uemura lash curler ever since I was in junior high and I am pretty sure I have used it almost every day since. When I first heard of lash growth serums I was a little skeptical of the results and possible side effects. However, the temptation lingered until I purchased my first tube of LiLash a couple weeks ago. I had heard about it from a few people and I decided I could no longer wait to have a set of amazingly full lashes. I was on the internet researching LiLash and I noticed they were selling it on Amazon.com for $60.00. The price usually runs for about $140.00. What a score?!? That means I saved $80.00! It was a deal to good to resist. I started it about a week ago but I am supposed to see the results in 4-6 weeks. I checked out some of my concerns online and the company says if you follow instructions there should be no problems. Instead of applying it directly to your lashes you apply it as if your were putting on liquid liner. So now I wait patiently for the lashes I have always dreamed of. I will give an update in a month. Hopefully by then I can throw out my false eyelashes and go o'naturale.

MAKEUP AND GO!

Makeup and Go! is a walk in studio that has professional makeup artists that help make ladies look their best for any occasion. They also have a blow out salon located next door called Bubble Blow Dry to complete your look. This makeup studio aims to provide their services to the time-pressed and beauty obsessed at affordable rates. They offer different types of makeup applications such as airbrush, lash, makeup lessons, and body art via airbrush. I have yet to try Makeup and Go! but it seems like a fun place to go with my girlfriends for a special event. They are located in Brentwood at 13038 San Vicente Blvd. They are open 7 days a week and take walk ins.

GLO-REDNESS RELIEF POWDER

Even though we are experiencing some June gloom in July summer is here. This is the time of the year we travel, go to the beach, barbecue, go swimming and basically partake in any and every activity you can do alfresco. Something people may not necessarily know is that you can still get sunburned on cloudy days. I always put on sunscreen if I know my skin is going to be exposed to the sun. There are those occasions however where I forget to reapply. I discovered the perfect solution for covering and healing redness that happens when mishaps occur with my sunblock. It's called gloRedness by Glominerals. This powder reduces redness while soothing the skin with ingredients that include honeysuckle, zinc oxide, licorice and caffeine. Glominerals products are talc-free, non-comedogenic and free of perfumes and chemical dyes. Their cosmetic line boasts an advanced combination of antioxidant complex of Vitamins A, C, and E and green tea extract, they provide UV protection and help to defend against free radical damage. They have a wide range of products that include under eye concealer, hydrating mist, lip gloss, shadows, powders, brushes, lengthening mascara and much more. It is always nice to discover cosmetic companies that care about my skin as much as I do.




GloRedness Relief Powder-Available online at www.gloskincare.com for $25.00
This product is ideal for even the most sensitive skin, including conditions such as rosacea, sunburn, acne-flareups, and after advanced chemical and microderm treatments.