Get Gorgeous Skin From the Inside Out With Our Top 10 Skin-Saving Super-Foods

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According to experts, eating the right foods is just as important, if not more important for your skin's health than using the proper skin care products.  So... Without further ado, here’s our list of the best complexion-perfecting foods (and drinks) to start eating (and drinking :) NOW!

1. Citrus Fruits

These tangy treats are high in Vitamin C, which is not only an antioxidant but is essential in keeping collagen strong and resilient.  This helps to prevent skin sagging and wrinkles.  So, whether you make lemonade, squeeze some fresh lime on your salad or eat an orange every day, make sure to pack in those skin-saving citrus fruits!

2. Dark Leafy Greens

Greens like spinach, kale and watercress (among others) are packed with Vitamin A (as well as C and E), which supports cell turnover.  More efficient cell turnover means less rough, flaky skin for you!

3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This multitasking oil can be used on salads, bread and for cooking, as well.  Olives (and their cold-pressed, extra virgin oil) are high in antioxidants and are wonderful lubricants.  Eating 1-2 spoonfuls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil a day helps protect cells from free radicals, which can mean younger, fresher-looking skin.  It can also be used topically as a moisturizer or salve on dry, irritated skin.

4. Almonds

These delicately-flavored super nuts have a myriad of different health benefits, and are, not surprisingly, great for your skin, too!  Almonds are a wonderful source of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that combats cell degeneration.

5. Mangoes

Like dark leafy greens, mangoes are a great source of Vitamin A.

6. Avocados

In addition to being delicious, avocados are packed with skin-supporting ingredients, including Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.  They help combat swelling and puffiness, as well as redness and irritation.

7. Water

What part of your body couldn’t benefit from getting 8 glasses a day?  Among other things, proper hydration helps to flush toxins from your system, as well as supporting kidney function.  This aids in minimizing sallow, lackluster complexions.

8. Green Tea
Filled with antioxidants, this wonder-drink protects cell membranes and soothes inflammation.

9. Salmon (and other cold water fish)
Salmon is rich in Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, which strengthen cell membranes helping to keep harmful elements out and moisture in, resulting in plumper, younger-looking skin.  If you don’t eat fish, Canola Oil, Flaxseed and Walnuts are good substitutes.

10. Berries
These super foods are the highest in antioxidants and are essential to good overall health, as well as beautiful skin.  They help protect cells from damage and disintegration.

The good news is, most of these foods are readily available and taste great, so get yourself to the grocery store and start eating your way to gorgeous skin!

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Scott Barnes Glamour-to-Go!

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From esteemed makeup artist-to-the-stars and creator of the best-selling body bronzer, Body Bling, Scott Barnes Glamour To-Go is a go-anywhere, do-anything palette for those of us who like to have all our "pretty" in one place.

AND IT'S ON SALE FOR ONLY $32.00!!!

Scott Barnes Glamour To-Go contains all the color you need to get ready in minutes!  This makes a great travel item and is available in two fabulous color palettes.  Both feature beautiful, flattering shades sure to make you look like a star. And the color palettes are...

GORGEOUS shades are neutral nudes, beiges and browns for women who like subtle colors.

STUNNING shades are pinks and smoky browns for women who like a pink palette for lips and cheeks and smoky eye shadows.

Nothing could possibly be any more convenient than these go-anywhere palettes from Scott Barnes.  Both sets contain 4 eye shadows, 4 lip glosses, 2 blushes and 4 brushes. Size measures 4"L X 2"H X 5"W with pleather travel case.

NOW, ONLY $32!!!

Clean Up Your Act: Our Expert Guide to Choosing the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type

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Choosing the right cleanser can be a daunting task.  There are so many cleansers out there, it truly boggles the mind!  It is, however, important to your skin’s health that you choose an appropriate cleanser for your skin type.  Because different cleansers have different functions, using the wrong one can actually do the opposite of what you want it to do.  You could over-dry  delicate facial skin, further irritate sensitive skin, or worse, cause a breakout on oily, acne-prone skin!


To take the guess-work out of choosing the perfect cleanser for your skin, here are our expert cleanser recommendations - organized by skin type.

For Dry Skin:

Dry skin is characterized by tightness, flakiness and dehydration.  It is important when choosing a cleanser for dry skin, to pick one that does not strip the skin of its natural moisture.  Two cleansers that work well for dry skin and do not disturb the delicate lipid barrier are:

Murad Moisture Rich Cleanser - This rich non-foaming lotion removes makeup and cleanses without irritation.  Chamomile and white ginger soothe dry or sensitive skin and help prevent moisture loss. Proline, an amino acid, is a building block for healthy skin.  Sodium PCA provides hydration to the skin.  Cucumber extract soothes dehydrated skin.

Sara St. James Botanicals Cream Cleanser - This mild cream cleanser features a unique blend of emollients and conditioners that draw impurities deep from within pores without stripping moisture from skin.  Formulated for Normal to Dry Skin, this cleanser can be used with or without water- just rinse or tissue off.

For Normal/Combination Skin:

If you have “normal” skin, you’re one of the lucky few! Combination skin can be harder to treat because two conditions may exist simultaneously. The best picks for normal/combo skin types are those that gently cleanse and balance the skin.

Jean-Michelle Gelee Equilibrant Balancing Cleansing Gel - An essential element in any skin care regimen, this cleansing gel removes makeup and pore-clogging oils without over-drying your skin.

Arabella Stuart Delicate Cleansing Gel - This delightfully-scented facial cleanser is formulated to refresh and balance your skin as it deep cleans.  Removes makeup residue without harshness or drying.

For Oily/Acne-Prone Skin:

Oily and acne-prone skins need a cleanser that thoroughly cleans the skin and helps to draw out impurities.  Cleansers for this skin type should deep clean pores and remove excess oil.

Sara St. James Botanicals Clay Cleanser - This clay cleanser for oily skin cleans pores deeply with a gentle lather that rinses away skin impurities.  Bentonite Clay absorbs toxins and oil, while Glycerin conditions and moisturizes.  A touch of Eucalyptus Oil tightens pores and leaves skin with a delightfully tingly finish.

Princess Livia Gentle Cleansing Gel with Bee Pollen - Princess Livia Gentle Cleansing Gel with Bee Pollen contains a blend of Aloe and Chamomile to soothe and refresh your skin, and Bee Pollen to protect the skin against premature aging.  This gentle cleanser dissolves dirt, removes excess oil and unclogs your pores.

For Sensitive Skin:

Murad Soothing Gel Cleanser - This patented gel reduces irritation and redness by washing away impurities as it conditions skin to alleviate tightness, stinging and sensitivity.  Goji Berry Extract provides antioxidant protection.  Moisture-rich beads soften rough, dry skin.

Diandra Pure & Simple Facial Cleansing Lotion - Specially formulated to rid your skin of dirt and impurities without robbing it of the important moisture it needs, this soothing cleansing lotion features Vitamins E and A to calm your skin.

Thorough cleansing is the cornerstone to any good skin care regimen - Time to stop using "one-size-fits-all" cleansers and start treating our skin like the unique entity that it is!

Find these fabulous cleansers and more skin care solutions at Cosmetique.com. 

Remember, selecting the perfect cleansing routine for your skin type is easy... With a little help from your friendly skin care experts at Cosmetique!

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes

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For my "Pick" this week, I've chosen a high-intensity, wrinkle-reducing eye treatment from Murad that delivers fabulous results!

Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer For Eyes, specifically formulated for the delicate eye area, reduces the appearance of crow's feet, improves skin firmness and illuminates the eye area for a more youthful appearance.  This breakthrough formula features Murad's latest revolutionary anti-aging technology, Durian Cell Reform™ which enhances the penetration of active anti-aging ingredients.  UGL Complex increases collagen synthesis.  Hyaluronic microspheres increase intercellular water providing long lasting hydration and Retinyl Palmitate increases cell proliferation to improve skin texture and tone.

Murad's reports show that these clinically-proven ingredients can reduce the appearance of fine lines by 33% in 4 weeks, increase skin firmness by 55% in just 12 weeks, and reduce the appearance of crow's feet and skin sagging by 40% after just 10 minutes!

That's all just a fancy way of saying - THIS.  STUFF.  WORKS.  If you want to stop worrying about your crow's feet and start seeing younger-looking eyes, look no further.  This treatment provides a comprehensive solution to signs of aging around the eyes.

Find this "little miracle" and other great beauty solutions at Cosmetique.com! 

Fabulous Products.  Fabulous Prices.  That's the Beauty of It.

Summer Hair Care: 8 Totally Tubular Tips for Taming Troubled Tresses

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Photo Courtesy of Thelasttangle.com

Oh, summer...  How do I love thee? 


Let me count the ways...  I love your sunny days, and I love your long, warm evenings.  I love your water sports, and I love your outdoor festivals.  I love your barbeques and I love your garden parties.... What I do NOT love, is what you do to my hair!


Dry and frizzy, sun-damaged and waterlogged, my hair barely makes it through my favorite season.  Between the chlorine, the sun, and the humidity, it's a constant battle just to keep myself from looking like a modern-day Medusa!


Summer is THE toughest season for your tresses, so it's a good idea to take some extra precautions to protect those delicate locks during these steamy months. I've put together a list of 8 simple things you can do to take care of your hair this summer...  


And, here they are!

1. Keep chemical treatments to a minimum. 
Most chemical treatments have a drying and/or damaging effect on the hair.  This includes chemical straightening, hair color, bleaching, relaxing etc.  If you can forgo the chemical treatments for the summer, do it.  If you cannot (I cannot), attempt to do them with less frequency.  The more space you can put between those chemical treatments, the better!  I know it's hard when those roots are staring you down, but try:)

2. Wash hair less often.
Washing hair too frequently strips it of its natural oils leaving it dry and vulnerable to damage.  Try washing it every other day, if possible.  If you like, in between washings, you can rinse it in the shower and apply conditioner only.  This gives dry hair a moisture boost.

3. Use heated styling tools as little as possible. 
If you're a blow dryin', flat-ironin' fool like some people I know (ME!), give it a rest over the summer. Try to air-dry hair whenever possible.  If this gives you styling problems, try a cute braid or a bun and call it a day!  If you must blow dry, high heat is actually best as it minimizes the amount of time your hair is exposed to high temps.

4. Get VERY regular trims. 
My hairdresser tells me I should be getting a trim every 4-6 weeks!  Say goodbye to frizzy unmanageable split ends by picking up this one habit.  As hard as it is, this simple step removes damaged, sunburned, frizzy ends, leaving you with much healthier hair.  If you can at least stick to this schedule over the summer, you should be in pretty good shape.

5. Wear a hat or scarf if you're going to be outside for an extended period of time. 
The best way to protect your hair from the sun is to cover it up completely.  Find a stylish hat or scarf and make it part of your outdoor uniform.  Added benefit?  This also protects your scalp from sunburn.

6. Get deep conditioning treatments. Most hair salons offer intensive conditioning treatments that are left on the hair for at least ten minutes.  Typically, they will cover your head in plastic wrap and apply heat to encourage deeper penetration.  However they do it, these treatments provide crucial moisture and conditioning to lackluster locks.

7. Minimize frizz with a stylish braid, bun or knot. 
These looks are super fashionable right now and work wonders at banishing frizz.  If you style hair while it's still damp you get two hairstyles in one!  Leave hair up all day, then later, take it down and shake it out for beautiful, tousled waves.

8. Wet hair thoroughly before going into chlorinated or salt water. 
This prevents hair from soaking up as much of the damaging elements when you swim.  When hair is dry and you jump into that pool, your parched hair is immediately waterlogged with the offending elements.  As you may know, too much chlorine can cause green hair.  It's happened to me ladies, too much chlorine will actually turn your hair green!  You should also rinse hair thoroughly with fresh water after swimming.

Yes, summer is a glorious season filled with long lazy days, and warm, fun-filled nights.  Don't let this otherwise fabulous time of year wreck your hair!  Follow my 8 Rules of Summer Hair Care and enjoy the rest of your summer with gorgeous, healthy locks you'll love!


Getting gorgeous hair (even in the summer!) is easy... With a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

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If you're a die-hard eyeshadow gal, and you don't use a primer, it's time to start! This potent potion makes all the difference in the world in both the application, and the wear of your eye makeup. You won't believe how much easier your eyeshadow is to blend after you applying this wonder-stuff!  It is especially useful during the warm summer months when makeup meltdowns seem inevitable...  


Too Faced Shadow Insurance is, without-a-doubt, your full-coverage insurance policy against all fading, creasing, melting, blurring, oil-slicked and hard-to-blend eyeshadow accidents. This silicone-based eyeshadow primer transforms any eyeshadow into a perfectly-blendable, color-drenched, intensified version of itself - then locks it down perfectly until you take it off. The skin soothing formula evens out tone on your lids and smoothes lines while it secures a barrier between the oils of your skin and your makeup - so no shadow catastrophes will ever happen again.


If you have a dramatic eye look you want to try, or just have trouble getting your everyday makeup to stay put, Too Faced Shadow Insurance will change your life! No more midday shadow touch-ups, no more removing makeup from fine lines on your lunch break, this stuff will keep your shadow where you put it all day and all night long!  


What could be better than that?

Get this eyeshadow miracle and more best-beauty-buys at Cosmetique.com!

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Energie Vitale Creme Luminesse

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If you’ve ever been to a spa, you know the wonderful sense of relaxation you feel as you receive one luxurious beauty treatment after another. The soft music, wonderful scents, and intensive treatments all serve to make the experience even more enjoyable. As you exfoliate, hydrate and buff away your worries, you begin to feel renewed… rejuvenated.

The Energie Vitale Swiss Skin Care Line was developed with this type of spa experience in mind. Each product from this luxurious line is infused with a refreshing scent, beautiful texture, and effective ingredients, to give you the ultimate spa-like experience and the ultimate results in your own home!

With its rich, silky texture, delicate scent and potent cocktail of active ingredients, this beauty cream delivers a wonderfully relaxing, invigorating daily treatment for your skin. Once you try it you’ll be hooked!  This miracle-in-a-jar helps brighten and even out skin tone, while working to visibly repair environmentally damaged skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. 

It hydrates with Sodium Hyaluronate, Sea Algae, and Saccharide Isomerate, all highly effective skin conditioners that provide long-lasting moisture. Ceramides help eliminate roughness and restore skin for a smoother complexion, as Vitamin A, C, and E liposomes illuminate. Salicylic Acid gently exfoliates skin over time to improve radiance and clarity, while powerful antioxidants, CoQ10 and White Tea Extract work to deliver continuous protection from free-radicals. 

Energie Vitale Crème Luminesse helps improve skin’s firmness and promotes a more youthful, radiant complexion…and the results only get better over time!

Bring the Swiss spa experience into your home and treat yourself to a little bit of luxury every day. Watch in awe as you moisturize your way to a radiant new you...  


With a little help from your very young friends at Cosmetique!