A Young Beauty's Secrets and Dreams

Katie juggles college, a job, and her dreams. She attends both college and makeup school, sells cosmetics for a local makeup artist (Avon-style), and works whenever she can with established makeup artists in her area. Like most of us, Katie is trying to juggle her real world responsiblities while pursuing her dreams. Her best advice is to try to make money doing small side jobs within the industry you want to be in. She believes that if you are trying to make money on the side in a totally different industry than the one you desire to be in, you will be too disconnected and distracted from your dream job. As she pulled out all her makeup, a quantity and varitey that could rival any small makeup store, she revealed to me her secrets and tips.

What's your beauty secret?

I'm a firm believer in 'you are what you eat'. You can use the best and most expensive products and learn every trick of the trade, but it's most important to have a great basis to put the makeup on. I eat healthy and drink tons of water. It's the most simple but most effective.

What's your best makeup trick or technique?

Definitely contouring. Every girl I know wants high checkbones and eyes that pop. By using concealor and bronzer, you can create different shadows on the face to make it look like you have higher checkbones and a smaller nose. If anyone is interested in contouring, I suggest you get a makeup book or take a class, because the technique is somewhat complicated.

If you could only choose one makeup product to use on your face, what would it be?

A cream blush. You can use it on your lips for color and your cheeks. It gives a very fresh-faced look.

Who is your favorite makeup artist and why?
Alexis Vogul. I used to stay up late at night wh
en I was younger just to watch her informercials. I love the bombshell look, and she could turn even the plainest jane into a sexpot.

If we peeked into your makeup kit, what would we find?

For eyes and lips, I use only MAC makeup. It was originally designed to be used as theatrical makeup, so it's very long-lasting and gives an intense look. For foundations and concealors, I use Clinque and Lancome. Both lines have foundations and concealors that are very light weight and don't make the skin look cakey. I also have a great moistuizer and foundation primer. I carry mulitple mascaras. That's another great trick- to use two different mascaras when doing your makeup, because it will make the lashes look longer and thicker.

What's the last beauty item you purchased?

Nars body bronzer. It was a little too shimmery, but it didn't make me look orange like Snooki.

In your opinion, what's the biggest makeup mistake women make?

There's two. You have to choose between either dark eyes or dark lips. If a woman does both her eyes and lips dark, it's either too intense, or she just looks like a clown. The other big mistake is using a foundation that doesn't match your skin color. Some women go too light and some go too dark. Also, even when you find the perfect shade for you, remember to blend from the jaw to neck.

And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Eat This, Not That ; Drink This, Not That : Beauty Edition

Eat this : Alaskan wild salmon


Not that: Atlantic farm-raised salmon


Atlantic farm-raised salmon lacks almost all the benefits that someone should expect to get from eating salmon. The farmers raise the fish in very poor enivornmental conditions. Farmed- raised fish are also fed growth hormones and antibiotics dangerous to our health. Wild salmon is a much better choice, although it is more expensive. Supermarkets label the fish 'wild' or 'farm-raised', but you can also tell by the color. Wild will be a much darker pink, and the farm-raised will be a much lighter pink.

Celebs who love wild salmon: Cheryl Crow, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston ( I guess the two like a lot of the same things)









Drink this: Green or White Tea

 

Not that: Coffee
 

Everyone needs a daily boost in the morning, but tea provides you with many health and beauty benefits that coffee doesn't. Green and white teas contain a large amount of antioxidants that will improve skin, hair, teeth, and nails. Coffee doesn't have these same health benefits, and if consumed excessively, it can actually harm you. Coffee messes with your digestive system and irritates your stomach. It also doesn't allow your body to absorb all the nutrients from the food you are taking in.


Celebs who love green tea: Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson







Eat this: Guacamole made with spirulina algae or with avocado
 

Not that: Frito Lay dip and chips
 

Skip all the fat in normal chips and dips, and instead choose a dip that will leave you healthier and more glowing. Guacomole, made me avocados, contains the same health and beauty benefits as salmon. The Omega 3's in avocados will lower cholesterol, improve brain function, and help to detox the body of toxins. Guacomole does have a high fat content, but it is the healthy fat that your body needs. For a less fattening guacomole, use spirulina algae instead. It has the same benefits, with less fat.

Celebs who love guacomole : Jessica Simpson and supermodel Rebecca Romijin











Drink this: Red Wine
 
Not that: Cosmopolitan
 


When out on the town, get a beauty boost instead of a sugar rush. Red wine has numerous health benefits and contains a large amount of antioxidants. A sugary drink like a cosmopolitan will leave you feeling and looking like hell the next morning. The alcohol will leave you puffy, and all the sugar may make your skin break out. Not to mention the possible weight gain from making this one of your regular drinks.

Celebs who love red wine : Terri Hatcher






Eat this: Grapes
 
Not that: Melons
 

Grapes offer the same antioxidants found in red wine, and melons are very high in sugar and offer very little nutritional value. Grab grapes on the go, instead of laboring over cutting a melon and removing seeds.

Celebs who love fruit (as a main part of their diet) : Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Love Hewitt

How To Get An Instant Face Lift in 3 Days! (No Surgery Needed)

By eating certain foods rich in antioxidants and Omega 3's, you can avoid the painful cuts to your face and wallet needed for a surgicial face lift. This three-day diet will improve skin's firmness, reduce puffiness, and increase definition on your face. It will also improve acne and give skin an effortless glow. This diet is for women and men, both young and old. Many have called this diet "a face lift on a plate." Because this diet consists of all healthy foods, you may lose some weight as an added bonus. You really can't go wrong with these food combinations, and it is only for a short period of time ensuring you don't get bored or overwhelmed by the food choices and length of time. It is important to note that this diet should only be followed for the perscribed three days, and that it should be followed as closely to the list below for the best results. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
PERRICONE 3-DAY DIET   
Upon waking
8 to 12 ounces spring water
Breakfast
3 egg whites and 1 whole egg and/or a 4- to 6-ounce piece of broiled salmon
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (not instant)
4 oz cantaloupe + 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)
Lunch
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon or tuna packed in spring water
2 cups romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
4 oz cantaloupe + 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)
Snack
2 ounces low-salt, sliced chicken breast
4 raw, unsalted hazelnuts
1 green apple
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)
Dinner
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon
2 cups romaine (not iceberg) lettuce
1 tablespoon olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice as a salad dressing
1 cup steamed asparagus, broccoli, or spinach dressed with a little olive oil
4 oz cantaloupe + 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired) 

Before Going to Bed
2 ounces low-fat low-salt turkey or chicken breast
1/2 pear or green apple
3 or 4 almonds or olives
8 to 12 ounces of spring water    

For further information on Dr.Perricone's theories or for an extended 28-day version of this diet, see his book "The Perricone Perscription" (http://www.amazon.com/Perricone-Prescription-Nicholas/dp/0060188790)

Elizabeth's Secret: Vaseline

I remember always seeing a jar of vaseline in my grandmother's medicine cabinet, so for that reason, I've always associated this sticky substance with the elderly. Little did I know, one of the world's most beautiful women, Elizabeth Taylor, was using it to keep her lips and skin plump. With the craze over full pillow -like lips in Hollywood, many starlets have used injections only to leave them looking like a fish. Applying vaseline to your lips throughout the day is like filling your dehydrated body with water. Your lips absorb the moisture and become more hydrated and plump. Elizabeth also applied the vaseline to her face and body each night for the same hydrating effects. Skin will appear more plump and glowing in the morning. However, it will plump whatever areas you apply it to, so avoid putting vaseline under eyes. If you do, the skin under your eyes will look swollen and puffy in the morning. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Rain, Rain Go Away....Because Now I'll Have a Bad Hair Day (Hair Solutions in this Crazy City Weather)

As NYC crews worry about cleaning up New York boroughs from the recent violent storms that wreaked havoc on NYC, the superficial part of us can't help but wonder how we could clean up our own appearance on days like this. Our biggest concern: our hair. So just in case you find yourself stuck in one of these hair-raising storms without an umbrella in hand, be prepared. The best waterproof hairstyles are of course a bun, ponytail, or braid. If you braid your hair tight enough, no water will be able to penetrate it. On humid days, avoid using any mousse or wax products, because these products react strongly to the humidity. By using a deep and proper conditioner the night before, it will place a protective layer on your hair for the next rainy day. So watch the forecast for tomorrow! If you see it is going to rain, avoid doing your hair in a style that is unnatural to its shape. Curling straight hair or straightening curly hair will never hold. Anti-frizz and anti-static products are always good to use on your hair even when it's not humid, because rain deprives our hair of the moisture it needs. These products will help to restore the moisture. These tips were provided by a number of different celebrity hair stylists. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Angelina's Secret: Sex

Lust makes you lean, according to this full lipped stunning star. Angelina Jolie once said the secret to her lean physique was a lot of sex with then husband Billy Bob Thorton. Sex not only makes you leaner and more glowing it also has many health benefits. These include a stronger heart, improved immune system, and a decrease in depression. The only disadvantage to this "secret" is taking the time out of our busy schedules, and o yea finding a man. And now you know and knowing is half the battle. ( For more information on this secret- pick up the book "The Ultimate Sex Diet") http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Sex-Diet-Super-Works/dp/193311150X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288017995&sr=1-1

Sophia's Secret: Olive Oil

Sophia Loren, a classic volumptuous Italian beauty said, " I owe everything I have to spaghetti." This was true to some extent, Sophia ate mostly foods within the Mediterrean diet. Her biggest beauty secret: olive oil. Sophia made sure to get two tablespoons of olive oil within her diet each day. Olive oil is an essential fat to keep in your diet. When she would eat her pasta almost daily, she wouldn't use cream or meat sauces, but rather fresh vegetables and olive oil. She also would use olive oil as a moisturizer for her skin and add it to her bathes to bathe in. One of the world's greatest beauties' secrets is right down one of the aisles in your supermarket. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.