Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara

This Sephora-exclusive new product perfectly curls and separates lashes. It has a high-tech, patented round sphere at the tip of the precision wand that reaches every lash and adapts to all eye shapes. Find it only at Sephora for $27.

Sephora Summer Safari Pocket Brush Set

This wallet-size brush set includes five high-quality brushes for all your beauty needs. The brushes (including a powder brush, an eyeliner brush, an eyeshadow brush, a concealer brush, and a lip brush) come in an adorable faux-alligator-skin case available in four different colors. At $20, you’d be crazy NOT to pick up this little number! Perfect for travel or everyday toting! Available at Sephora now.

LORAC Hollywood Heat Set

Get a California glow with LORAC’s latest gift set, which includes a Bronze Bombshell Eye Shadow Trio, a mini Hot & Spicy Blush/Bronzer Duo, a travel-size TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer, and a mini Mocktail Flavored Lip Gloss in Tropical Dream. At $35, this summer set is a steal! Find it exclusively at Sephora.

Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Velvet Touch Primer

This new mattifying primer from Philosophy promises to dramatically reduce oil production, leaving you with a smooth canvas for your makeup. Touted as an alternative to blotting papers, the primer contains a powerful anti-irritant cocktail that enhances skin exfoliating and trans-epidermal water loss. Sounds good to me! And at $20 (much less than Smashbox’s Photofinish Primer), its definitely worth a try! Find it at Sephora for $20.

Bliss Lover Handler

Does the idea of getting into your bikini this summer fill you with horror? Well this is the product for you. The unique formula contains an extended 8 hour caffeine release and mint oil to help increase circulation. The product should be applied to the stomach area once or twice a day and apparently clinical studies showed that over 50 per cent of women reported an improvement in tone and contour. The best thing about it? - It gets working in just two weeks, so there’s no time to ‘waist’(!) girls. The product retails at $36 and can be found at Sephora.

Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel

There is no greater beauty frustration than having bad skin. What’s worse - even after beating acne we’re left with scars and discoloration to remind us of our struggle. Well, no more! Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel promises to fade those scars and improve skin’s clarity by exfoliating skin cells and brightening it with the number one brightening agent, Hydroquinone. Purchase wherever Murad is found (including Sephora) for $58.

Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse Foaming Cleanser & Toner in One To Go

This two-in-one facial product is perfect for traveling - when you’re skin is especially dry and irritable. Its a non-stripping face wash with witch hazel, a natural toner. It promises to remove makeup, cleanse and tone skin all in one easy step, without any irritation! In clinical trials, participants saw a 94% reduction in oiliness and an 85% reduction in sebum immediately after use, with zero irritation to the skin or eyes. Best of all, its only $10 and airplane friendly (under 4 oz.). Purchase at Sephora.

Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube

There’s a buzz surrounding Too Faced’s new Tanning Bed in a Tube, and for good reason. Its a gradual self tanner that promises no streaks or orange tints - just a gorgeous beachy glow. TBiaT imparts an instant bronze glow while it develops your perfect tan - so you don’t have to wait! It retails at Sephora for $22.50.

Anastasia’s Tweezers Anonymous

For the over-plucker, this kit is sure to get your brows back in shape. The kit features a compilation of Anastasia’s best products, including Brow Enhancing Serum (”a gel-based formula designed to help condition, repair, and restore over-plucked and undernourished brows” - Sephora), Brow Stix three-piece stencil set, Duo Brow Wand (”a new powder featuring a dual-sided applicator with Brunette and Ash Blonde Brow Powders”), and a Mini Duo Brush. The set retails at Sephora for $55.

Medi-morphosis Self Adjusting Exfoliator To Go

A Sephora exclusive,this little tube contains a highly effective exfoliator with special stop-action crystals that adjust to individual needs and pinpoint areas requiring more attention. Its perfect for all skin types as it automatically eliminates the potential for overdoing the exfoliation process (shuts off when uniform smoothness, brightness, and luminosity are achieved). It promises to accelerate the release of cellular debris, roughness, dullness, and skin damage (without the risk of irritation, redness, and sensitivity), help erase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, help fade pigmentation and age spots, perfect skin’s appearance, and refine pores. Best of all, its only $12.50 at Sephora.

Max Factor Erace Secret Cover-Up

Style.com says that this concealer comes in a “user-friendly matte cream formula (just stroke on and blend with a fingertip)” that expertly conceals under-eye circles and blemishes. Best of all, its only $4.75 at drugstores!

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Red Lipstick in RD165

Touted as complexion-flattering, these new moisture-rich lipsticks are made up of hybrid pigments “un-replicated by others” to give women of every skintone a red that works for her. Finally! With a ceramide shield to keep your lips moisturized and comfortable, this new lipstick promises to be a spring must-have! For shade choices, go to shuuemura-usa.com. Available at Sephora or shuuemura-usa.com. $23

Ted Gibson Brazen Brown Shampoo

Those who color their hair know that keeping color vibrant can take frequent touch-ups. Enter Ted Gibson’s color-depositing shampoos. They are “intensely moisturizing” and contain temporary hair color to prevent fading and keep your locks looking vibrant! These color saving shampoos also contain jojoba extract and silk protein infusion to keep hair protected from harmful environmental damage. Purchase at Sephora.com or tedgibsonbeauty.com. 10 fl oz: $36.00

Named one of the sexist film stars in history, Brigitte Bardot is a true style icon. The french-born beauty has a distinctive image and makeup-style which is sought after by many modern celebrities. Her look is fairly simple to emulate, here at Beauty or Bust we have decided to have a go for ourselves, so here is the definitive guide to re-creating the look.

STEP 2: Apply a light color to entire eye, try MAC Samoa Silk.

STEP 4: Use a dark eyeshadow (MAC Black Tied is a great color) on the lids of the eyes and smudge into the eyeliner to create a smoky, smouldering look.

STEP 6: Its fine to leave brows natural, as long as they are well-groomed. Put some clear gel or Vaseline through them to make sure they stay in place.

Across both sides of the pond we have a bunch of make-over shows which tell us how to make the best of our looks - I’m thinking of shows like Ten Years Younger and What Not to Wear. What I love most about these programmes is the make-up lessons they give. I decided I was going to do a little research and find out about how to get my very own make-up masterclass.

Firstly, if you go into a department store such as Macy’s they will often give you a mini make-over and provide you with a mirror throughout so you can see exactly how to apply all the products. My sister and I used to take advantage of this at the MAC store! Even in smaller shops, such as Body Shop, they provide a make-over service if you just ask (and obviously take an interest in their products). But if you want to get a make-up masterclass from your sitting room, then You Tube has a bunch of short videos which you can browse through, such as Ruby Hammer’s on the go-make up tips, check out the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NyXVHuBW3U.

However, if you want more detailed advice and guidance you may want to think about purchasing a video or DVD. Check out Alexis Vogel Makeup Instruction Videos which are sold exclusively on Makeup Connection. You can also check out make-up websites which offer online tutorials such as Barry M. They have brilliant guides to all the latest looks that you can achieve with their products. Also, remember that if you have any questions most websites now feature the ability to have a live chat or ask an expert, so make sure you take advantage of this - they may take a while getting back to you though, so be patient!

Let me start with a little disclaimer - I LOVE Dior. Its a timeless, luxurious brand that can make you feel like royalty…instantly! However, they’ve really got to stop mixing jewelry and makeup. Case in point, the pendants shown below. They’re either too clunky, too ugly, or just plain impractical. Makeup is meant to showcase your face, not your wardrobe! So keep it simple ladies - lose the tacky pendant and purchase some real jewelry.

Zooey Deschanel is known for her piercing blue eyes and vintage/quirky style. Here she is arriving at Letterman’s studio to promote The Happening. Here are a few tips to help you copy her simple, glamour girl look.

Step 1: Apply a primer to the face to even out your skin tone and fill in pores. This will help your foundation glide on and stay on all day. Try Smashbox’s cult favorite, Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

Step 2: Next apply a full coverage oil-free foundation to achieve a flawless, matte look. If you use a powder, use a brush instead of a puff to evenly distribute the powder. If you use a cream or liquid foundation, follow up with powder to set your look. Those with dry skin, try Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation SPF 30. Oily skin (non acne-prone) girls should try MAC’s Studio Fix powder foundation.

Step 3: Fill in brows with a pencil to define and accentuate the eyes. Avoid using a very dark pencil as it will look too harsh. Try Anastasia’s Go Brow - Universal Brow Pencil or Kevyn Aucoin’s The Precision Brow Pencil.

Step 4: Next, apply an eyeshadow primer to the entire lid to help eye makeup last. This will also prevent creasing. Try Urban Decay’s best-selling Primer Potion.

Step 5: Once your primer has dried, apply a champagne-colored eyeshadow to the entire lid, up to the brow. This will accentuate the eyes and give you a wide-eyed, doe appearance. Try Urban Decay’s eyeshadow in Midnight Cowboy or Clinique’s Colour Surge Eye Shadow Velvet in Buttermilk.

Step 6: Next, use black cream or liquid eyeliner right at the lash line (top only). Do not wing out as it will look too dramatic (the deep, red lip is drama enough!). Try Smashbox’s Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner.

Step 7: Curl your lashes, then apply a very black mascara to the top lashes only. Comb through and apply a second layer. Try L’Oreal’s Lash Out Mascara, a drugstore steal!

Step 8: To give your cheeks a youthful glow, apply a gel blush and blend with your fingers. Gel blushes are long-lasting and moisturizing, giving the skin a dewy appearance. Try Tarte’s cult classic Cheek Stain in Natural Beauty and blend, blend, blend!

Step 9: Next, line and fill in the lips with a natural tone lip pencil to provide a base for your lipstick. I recommend Kevyn Aucoin’s The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil.

Step 10: Finally, apply a long-lasting vibrant lipstick in red to finish off the Old Hollywood look. I recommend Sephora Brand Maniac Mat Long-Wearing Matte Lipstick. Using a lip brush will give you a more precise look.

So ladies, I just celebrated my 26th Birthday in Vegas (see Viva Las Vegas post) and I’m back in the Big Apple. The weather is thundering and raining and i need to work out how to preserve my  summer glow. I managed to loose 60 bucks in about five minutes on the black jack tables, but I’m determined not to loose my current golden tan, expensive pedicure and miraculously blemish-free skin.

I spent every day in the sun wearing factor 15, even when it looked like my skin was growing immune (and already had good color). I also used a tanning oil which helps achieve a darker glow. Obviously you need to keep sunglasses on, but I like very big shades (some might say ludicrously big shades) to protect the very delicate eye area because, remember girls, this is the area which will wrinkle first.

So what’s the plan of action now I’m home and feeling all down in the dumps? Firstly, moisturising is the key, i am presently using a heavy body moisturiser as well as taking cooler showers, so as not to dry out my skin and very gentle exfoliation. I am also planning to continue my fake tanning ritual. Every second day, I will carry out the tanning process (remember ladies pay attention to heels and areas of the body which can be easily forgotten). I also got my pedicure jazzed up with a discreet-looking nail stamp. I visited the Las Vegas Outlet mall to buy myself a new leather bag (i spilt a daiquiri on it at some Las Vegas bar..whoops!) and a lady tested out these new, super easy nail designs on my pedicure. For more info check out the Nail Dolly website. I am also planning on keeping in the sun as much a possible so that the constant exfoliation and sunlight will help keep my skin as blemish free as it currently is.

What’s going to be harder for me though ladies, is maintaining a positive outlook now my vacation is over.. and going back to work sucks….

Please comment below and let me know your vacation beauty secrets….

There’s nothing more glamorous than a smoky eye and a nude lip. For long-lasting, “my lips but better” color, I rely on a few drugstore staples.

Rimmel, one of London’s most popular brands, offers a great range of high-quality products at affordable prices. One of my faves is their 1,000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner Pencil. Its dry enough to last hours but creamy enough to fill in lips with ease. For a great nude lip, line and fill in your lips with 1,000 Kisses in Wild Clover. Retails at your local drugstore for $2.99.

New York Color (aka N.Y.C.) is a great alternative to Wet ‘n Wild. They offer very inexpensive cosmetics in a wide range of shades and finishes. Although I wouldn’t recommend using their foundation or face products, I have to say their lip and nail products are great (and SUPER inexpensive). For a pretty nude lip, layer N.Y.C.’s Ultra Last LipWear in Rose Gold over Rimmel’s 1,000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner Pencil in Wild Clover. N.Y.C.’s Ultra Last LipWear retails for $1.99 at your local drugstore. (Note: The lipstick pictured is not Rose Gold).

New York Magazine, my guide to all things New York, suggested visiting NYC Looking Good for a cheap, decent haircut. A wash and a cut runs at $19.99 (a professional blow dry is an additional $19.99). As I only needed a trim (and am on a serious budget!), I thought I’d give it a try. Anyway, I went last Friday and left with a completely different haircut - an ugly haircut. It was longer in the back (very Joan Jett) and layered to all hell. I called and complained and was told to come in by the manager(?), who would fix it. Well, to fix it, she had to take off A LOT of length. I wasn’t happy, but at least the style was nice. But when I got home, I noticed that the right side was obviously longer than the left side! Geez louise. This isn’t rocket science! Scared to lose the rest of my hair, I decided to even it out myself. Much better. Still, I thought I should warn you girls, don’t go here! Find someone you trust and shell out the big bucks. Its worth it - its your hair. NYC Looking Good, 416 3rd Ave (between 29th St & 30th St), (212) 685-9475

On the other hand, its just hair. Although I’m sad my hair is short again, I’ll get over it. Thankfully, hair grows back.

Thoughts?

Hello again! A couple of months ago I posted my beauty goals - things I intend to do to help me look my best! So how have I done?

• I told myself I would “restore my hair to its formerly luxurious condition.” Well, that hasn’t happened yet, but its hard! I have been trying to take better care of it, and have virtually eliminated heat styling, so I’m on the right track!
• I promised to “get my oily t-zone under control.” After trying desperately, I don’t think there’s a solution for this one. However, I found that using the right products (like alcohol-free toner) and blotting my face in the afternoons helps to reduce the appearance of oily skin.
• I pledged to “fight those pesky acne scars and discolorations plaguing my face.” Although I still have some pockmarks and discoloration, I’ve been taking very good care of my skin. I think dermabrasion may be the only way to truly get rid of acne scars. That’ll have to wait.
• I promised to “give the skin on my body as much attention as I give the skin on my face.” I have to say, I’ve been pretty good about this one! I’ve been using a body brush to improve circulation and remove toxins, and have been moisturizing as needed. In the shower, I’ve been using Neutrogena’s Body Clear Body Scrub to deal with any bacne I may have. So far so good!
• I vowed to “put an end to over-plucking” and I have! To keep myself from tweezing hairs within my browline, I fill in my brows with a pencil first, then pluck stray hairs. Works like a charm!

How are you doing with your beauty goals?

Celebrities have the money and resources to look great everyday. That’s one of the reasons we envy them! If you were paid to look fabulous, you’d look fabulous! But sometimes even celebrities falter. One huge beauty blunder is wearing too much makeup. Too much makeup makes people look old, trashy, and a little tranny-ish (no offense trannies!). Case in point - Christina Aguilera.

Christina went from being a fresh-faced beauty to a Marilyn Monroe wannabe. But even Marilyn didn’t wear this much makeup! Everyone knows, if you’re going to wear a strong color on your lips, you have to keep the eyes simple (and vice-versa). This girl is 27 years old….she shouldn’t be trying so hard!

Ladies, I hope these pictures remind you to lay off the heavy makeup! Makeup is supposed to play up your beauty, not disguise it!

These hot new products promise to be beauty lifesavers - saving you time and money and eliminating your beauty blunders!

Lavilin - This hypoallergenic, single application deodorant promises to eliminate perspiration odor for up to 7 days.

Where to find it: Purchase Lavilin at microbalanced.com for $15!

Eye Majic - These revolutionary press-on shadows promise to give you beautiful eye makeup in just seconds! Each pad includes three complementary shades for a beautiful look.

Where to find it: Purchase on Eye Majic’s website. Prices start at $10.

FitFlops - These magic sandals are clinically proven to help tone your legs and thighs as you walk with their built-in muscle-toning technology.

Where to find it: Go to the FitFlop website to find a retailer near you. Prices and styles vary.

Dry Shampoo - Several haircare companies have come out with their own versions of this beauty innovation, including Bumble & Bumble, Ojon, and Oscar Blandi.

Where to find it: Find Bumble & Bumble products at select salons (and at CVS). Find Ojon and Oscar Blandi products at Sephora.

Tip: If you’re a light blond, you can use baby powder to absorb excess oil and add volume to flat hair. Brunettes can mix a little bronzer with baby powder to perfect their ‘do!

PeterThomasRoth Instant Mineral SPF 30 - This talc-free, transparent mineral powder comes in a convenient brush applicator and protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays with SPF 30. Finally, a sunscreen perfect for sweaty, acne-prone skin!

Where to find it: Find this beauty wonder at Sephora for $30.

Spinlash - This revolutionary new beauty tool rotates your favorite mascara 360 degrees to remove clumps while it separates, coats, lengthens, and volumizes your lashes.

Where to find it: Find it at your local Duane Reade drugstore, or online at Spinlash’s website for $14.95.

She is known in Hollywood for being totally gorgeous with her high cheekbones and big pouty lips, but even being as beautiful as Scarlett Johansson you need to work at it. Here at Beauty or Bust we have come up with some tips to pull of her look

Step 1: Start with Benefit’s Dr Feelgood, applied all over the face to give it a smooth base. Then apply a full coverage foundation such as Boots 17 Skin Perfecting Balancing Foundation. Use a sponge to make sure you get even coverage and blend well. Underneath the eye use a concealer to brighten up the whole area and make you look fresh, such as Benefit Erase Paste.

Step 2: With an oval-shaped fluff brush, apply a golden-pinkish shimmer powder eye shadow to the entire eyelid. Try MAC eye color in Honey Lust. Pay attention the the inner corners of the eye and smudge a small amount underneath the lashes (at the inner corner) Just one swipe should be sufficient, because you only want a light covering.

Step 3: Next, dip the same fluff brush you used for the golden shadow into a pinkish-brown shimmer powder shadow. MAC Expensive Pink is a good shade Apply it only to the outer third of the eyelid ‑- not the entire lid. Apply a brown color to the far outer corners of the eye to provide depth, such as MAC Sable

Step 4: The next step is the trickiest, as you’re going to line the entire inner circumference of the upper and lower eye rims. Use a clean, sharpened black pencil like L’Oreal’s Eye Pencil in Ebony.

Step 5: Using a cotton swab dipped into your brown powder shadow, smudge a line directly under your lower eyes.

Step 6: Mascara’s next. Because this look is about big lashes, use a voluminous formula such as L’Oreal Telescopic.

Step 7: With a slanted brush apply the dark brown shade (you used on your eyes) to the eyebrows to create a full, dark, face framing look. Remember to stay away from black pencils on the eyebrows as they can look unnatural.

Step 8: With a rounded blush brush, apply a rose-petal pink to the apples of the cheeks. Benefit Dandelion is a great color. Next, with a translucent-nude-colored loose powder (like Shu Uemura Loose Powder in Colorless) and a velvet puff, blend over the foundation in the same direction you applied it. This will diffuse it, giving a look of muted color to your cheeks.

Step 9: Using the same nude-translucent powder and a full-headed powder brush, sweep powder lightly over your entire face. This will add a soft matte polish to the skin.

Step 10: Finish with a light pinkish color to lips, such as Benefit’s Posietint lip stain

Hi guys,

Just wanted to let you know why I was MIA last week. I had surgery on my ear to repair my severely perforated eardrum and was feeling miserable. Bless my boyfriend’s heart for taking care of me - I was NOT a pretty sight! I won’t say too much, but there was headgear involved. Luckily for me (and you), Steph took the reins and took care of dear old Bob (that’s what we like to call Beauty or Bust for short). Anyway, I’m back now and ready to get posting! Expect a slew of new reviews and posts to distract you from your work! Its ok - that’s what we’re here for.

It’s almost here….my favorite time of the year - Summer! That magical time when we shed our extra layers of clothing and show some skin! If you live in a particularly warm (or humid!) area, like NYC, you know how inconvenient trying to maintain your winter/spring style can be. So change it up! Below are a few tips to help you find your summer style. Go on, girl!

Tip 1: Wear sunblock!

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays should be number 1 on your priority list. To speed up your get-ready time, use a moisturizer or foundation that includes SPF. But remember, if you’re planning on spending more than 30 minutes in the sun, you’ll need a sunblock with more SPF than your moisturizer provides. Look for one that is non-comedogenic and oil-free to keep your skin clear.

Tip 2: If possible, stop blow-drying your hair.

There’s nothing like sweating while you’re getting ready. In the summer, who wants to blow hot air on herself? So don’t. Instead play up the natural texture of your hair. If your hair doesn’t look great on its own, pick up a few products that’ll tame it, or switch things up with a headband or ponytail. If you’re feeling bold, go for a shorter cut. Short hair can be sassy and feminine, and best of all, low-maintenance.

Tip 3: Minimize your makeup.

Every woman wants to look her best. But heavy makeup in the summertime doesn’t flatter anyone. So instead of using a heavy foundation, switch to a tinted moisturizer or a powder foundation that’ll absorb that extra oil (and sweat!) you’re doomed to get while out and about. To make your peepers pop, use waterproof mascara. Colored waterproof mascara is particularly fun in the summer as it lets you show off your playful side without wearing too much makeup. Throw on a bright blush or bronzer and a little lipgloss and you’re good to go!

Tip 4: Exfoliate girlfriend!

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably looking forward to getting some color this summer. But nothing ruins a good tan (real or fake) more than splotchy skin. So get exfoliating! Do a scrub down every few days to keep your skin smooth and tan-ready. (Hint: You can make your own scrub using sugar, olive oil, and any scent you like. It’s extremely inexpensive and just as effective as expensive commercial scrubs).

Tip 5: Stop ignoring your feet!

We know you can’t wait to get into those cute sandals or open-toed heels, but not so fast! Before you show off your new shoes you’ll need to pretty-up your feet. Use a pumice stone in the shower to soften your heels and slough away dead skin. Clip your toenails regularly and use a cooling foot scrub to brighten dark spots. Paint your nails any color you like, but beware - dark colors show chips and peeling MUCH faster than light ones (and light colors make you look more tanned!).

Tip 6: Lighten up!

Ever thought about dying your hair lighter? The summer really is the best time to do it. Sunlight naturally highlights your hair anyway, and light colors around the face will make your skintone look warmer and more sunkissed. If your naturally dark, try experimenting with warm colors like gold and copper. If your lighter you can go for more ashy tones. If you want an inexpensive way to highlight your hair without visiting a salon, try a plastic cap, where you pull the hair through in strands. I have highlighted my hair this way before and find it the easiest, most foolproof way. To keep color fresh and as blonde as possible try putting lemon juice through your hair before you go out in the sun - just avoid the swimming pool as the nasty chemicals can react with the acid in the lemon!

Tip 7: Try Waxing.

Shaving is ok for some parts of our body, i.e, our legs, but in summer we will be showing all sorts of areas we don’t normally - so lets get them in order ladies! The best places for waxing is the bikini line, top lip (the hair will show up much more in strong sunlight), chin and any sensitive areas. I recommend going to a salon, especially for the first time. Home kits are difficult and messy. And even the hairiest people will be left fuzz free for around two weeks (if you have fine hair it can be up to 6 weeks). Waxing is also a great way to avoid razor bumps on sensitive areas like the bikini line (which can be uncomfortable and unsightly). Ladies, the pain is worth it, and after one trip to the salon, you will be converted!

Tip 8: Don’t show TOO much skin.

In the summertime, its hard to fight the urge to strip down, but please do! Remember that your workplace expects a certain level of decency. Also, wearing too little draws the kind of attention you REALLY don’t want. So keep your clothing light and modest. If you’re showing a little cleavage, try not to show too much leg. And as always, work it girl!

I just found out that I am going to Las Vegas in three weeks and I’m super excited. My on-off boyfriend has organised it as a surprise and although we are on an ‘official break’, I’m still looking forward to it like you wouldn’t believe! But now I need to figure out all the things I need to prepare for my vacation….

Hair - I recommend to all you ladies who get highlights to make sure you wait for at least two weeks from coloring to going on holiday. The harsh chemicals in swimming pools can react with hair and cause it to turn funny colors. Also another tip which i have learnt (in my poor student days) is to ask for partial highlights instead of a half head and then just guide the hairdresser, only asking for the very top section to be colored - this will work out a lot cheaper.

Skin - I have already been in the sun this summer mainly due to this fantastic NYC weather right now! I have started to exfoliate with a skin buffer which is great as it increases circulation and gets rid of dead skin cells. A few days prior to the trip I will be lathering up in fake tan to make sure i look suitably sun-kissed in the desert heat! I have also been massaging Bio Oil into any scars, marks or stretchmarks to help them fade (they will look better once my skin is exposed to the sun anyway)

Nails - Right now I have really gross bitten-down nails and am saving up for a manicure, but until i do i am going to get my nails healthy by coating them in clear polish and massaging a little jojoba oil into the cuticles. To make toes soft and sexy, massage a heavy moisturiser into them after work every night and slip some thick socks over them. In the morning they will be super soft!

Body - I am already planning my waxing fix at my local day spa. I always opt for a brazialian as it looks tidy, but not too drastic (you know what i mean ladies!) and because they take pratically all of it off you dont have to worry about stray hairs . I normally wait until i get to my destination until i shave my legs, etc, but this time I cant wait to try Lush Razorantium Shaving Cream - so look out for a review on this site soon!

Just three weeks to go -I’m counting the days!!

Steph xoxo

Some items in your beauty regimen should really be department store-quality, such as foundation, powder, and eyeshadow. But others can easily be found at your local drugstore, and cost you up to 10 times less than department store prices. Luckily for you, we’re here to fill you in on how to get the best bang for your buck - however many you have!

* Every girl needs a great black eyeliner pencil and a natural lip tone pencil in her beauty arsenal. Here are a couple of our favorites for any beauty budget!

If you have the dough to spend: Get MAC’s Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved ($13.50) and Kevyn Aucoin’s Flesh Tone Lip Pencil ($24)

If you’re a budget beauty babe: Get Wet n Wild’s Kohl Eye Liner Pencil in Black Black ($.99) and Creme Lip Liner in Brandy Wine (#666 - a cult favorite of makeup artists) ($.99)

Hailed as the ‘moisture drink’ that your skin needs, my mum has been using the popular lotion for many years. Apparently it is suitable for dry to combination skin-types and since my skin is a mixture of everything right now, I decided to check out what all the fuss was about. It is also part of the Clinique three step programme, so I wanted to try it (before committing to all three steps) At first, I was impressed by the way it glides on my skin, and doesn’t react with my very sensitive complexion. The product is oil free and so I was hoping it would get to work on my oily areas, making me appear less shiny. Instead, I found the product didn’t give me enough moisture on my dry spots and left my oily spots, well, oily. I just didn’t think it had the balance right. I think it may work fine on normal skin, but anyone like me, whose skin is more erratic and needs more help, I would give it a miss. One good thing is that because it is developed by dermatologists, it is not going to aggravate your skin. I have to say though ladies, I think its overrated.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is available in Macy’s Bloomingdale’s and Sephora, priced at $11.50 for a 1.7 oz tube.

Steph xoxx

I am not normally swayed by fancy offers or store cards with a couple of cool gimmicks, but the Body Shop’s Love Your Body card is something different! My roommate, who is a card member back in the UK, went into a store here in New York, armed with just her card and the fact that it is her birthday month. She came back laden with free goodies! Here are details..

Membership Benefits (USA)

• 10% off all qualifying purchases from The Body Shop
• A birthday gift when you come in during your birthday month (retail value up to $10)
• Exclusive email updates on what’s happening in shops
• Special offers by e-mail and direct mail
• Special Savings during “Customer Appreciation days”
• Rewards with fourth and eighth qualifying purchase
• Earn your fourth point, and choose a free product valued at up to $15
• Earn your eighth point, and choose a free product valued at up to $25 and a free membership renewal

Membership Benefits (UK)

• 10% off all your purchases for one year.
• Online access to special Love Your Body events.
• A Birthday gift. Simply call into a store during your Birthday month to collect a gift up to £5 retail value.
• Rewards on your 4th qualifying purchase, choose a free gift worth up to £5 retail value.
• Rewards on your 8th qualifying purchase, choose a free gift worth up to £10 retail value.
• Exclusive cardholder offers, product updates and invitations.

Hey kiddies! I just celebrated my 25th birthday last week with a long weekend in Florida with my fabulous boyfriend. I couldn’t wait to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. I love the beach - the sand, the water, the sun! But I’m a pale girl so of course, I loaded up on sunscreen (okay, okay, I applied it about an hour too late, but better late than never, right?). On vacation, I have a few rules - keep makeup minimal, don’t blow dry your hair, and moisturize your skin. The last thing you want to worry about at the beach is running mascara. My lovely friend, and fellow Beauty or Buster, Steph bought me the perfect beach reading material - Fast Beauty: 1,000 Quick Fixes, by Rona Berg. Inside are tons of useful tips and quick fixes to many beauty blunders. Even for someone already obsessed with beauty, I learned a few new tips I was excited to try.

The book is broken up into different parts that really make sense for the modern girl, like Hormonal Hangups, The Outside World, and Smart Products. I love that it doesn’t only discuss makeup, but instead tells you how to cope when its “that time of the month,” or when you’ve got a monster zit and no potent potion in sight. Since we stayed at a condo with a fully-equipped kitchen, I decided to put my MacGiver skills to use on our leftovers to try out a few of Rona’s tips. To soothe and moisturize my sun-kissed skin, I used the honey I bought for my sore throat as a face mask. Honey is anti-inflammatory and helps the skin retain moisture - an ideal after-sun treat! Next, I mixed honey with our remaining coffee grinds to create an invigorating body scrub. Coffee’s texture makes it ideal for smoothing rough spots, and its caffeine is known for its firming abilities (even with cellulite, yay!). And last but not least (and much to my boyfriend’s disgust), I applied a mayonnaise hair mask. My hair was fried and dried from the sun and saltwater, and needed a pick-me-up…big time! I left it on for about 15 minutes while I watched tv and rinsed it out in the shower, followed by shampoo and conditioner. Even my boyfriend was a believer. My hair was soft, my skin smooth and silky. Nobody wants to return from vacation with fried hair and parched skin - its not a good look! Instead, why not baby you’re body with some soothing home remedies (and use up that food!).

P.S. I wanted to get a little color, so in the mornings, I used my liquid mineral foundation with SPF 18 as sunscreen, and touched up throughout the day at the beach with my powder mineral foundation with SPF 15. I got a little color but no burn! And, because I was using mineral makeup, no breakouts! Whoo hoo!

Some items in your beauty regimen should really be department store-quality, such as foundation, powder, and eyeshadow. But others can easily be found at your local drugstore, and cost you up to 10 times less than department store prices. Luckily for you, we’re here to fill you in on how to get the best bang for your buck - however many you have!

If you have the dough to spend: Get Urban Decay’s Brow Beater ($14) OR their Brow Box ($29)

If you’re a budget beauty babe: Get N.Y.C.’s Browblender Brow & Liner Pencil ($4.99) OR their Browser Brush-on Brow Powder with Grooming Wax and Tweezers ($3.99)