Temple of Glam

Instant Karma got me. I was happily walking in a rather congested part of Manhattan and found myself face-to-face (or bony-shoulder-to-bony shoulder) with another woman.

No, let me clarify. She body checked me like it was nobody's business. And THEN she stood there glaring at me, with her Williams-Sonoma shopping bag, as if to say, "bring it, chump."

I was stunned until I remembered bragging about body checking a massive dude who bogarted the train car door last month.

Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into my building; I received an ego-soothing package of Bare Escentuals goodies, including two new skin care items. Stoked.

You see, since I'm a new Bare Minerals convert, I rapped with National Bare Escentuals Makeup Artist, Renee Lynn Smith about tips and tricks for giving good face. In fact, she needs to be canonized for patiently tolerating my constant, "dewy skin, dewy skin" chanting.

So, she sent over every product she used and ones she thought I'd like. She even included a replacement for my newest "perfect red" lip color since I realized I'm allergic to it.

In true Roman Catholic fashion and in light of my recent instant-karmic episode, I decided to not test fate and step away from the histamine-flavored lipstick or at least save it for the days I do good works.

Did I ever tell you about my sleep-away camp experience--when one of my fellow campers went on a cabin-wide stabbing spree? Yeah, a little girl was teased by a countless number of kids and one day she snapped. She stole a metal spoon from the cafeteria and bent its head each day until it broke off.

That night, she stabbed some of her cabin tormentors. I simultaneously tell the story as a funny anecdote about not effing with the wrong person and as a cautionary chronicle of bullying.  I also feel compelled to tell the story because I still can't believe I experienced it.

Did a ten year old really make a shank out of a spoon? Yes, though far from being a prison, an "OZ"-like incident happened at a sweet little camp in Connecticut. And let me be honest. Maybe my fascination with gritty shows like HBO's "OZ" also leads me to hold on to the prison-yard tale from my youth.

Or maybe it's because I'm going to ask you this *wink wink*: Are you in beauty prison?

Beauty prison is a place where we all at one point reside. We wear the same lip color, hairstyle, nail polish color, etc. But we don't just do it because we love it and it's "our thing". No, I'm not talking about "signature" colors or styles. I'm talking about doing certain things because you're afraid to try something new.

For instance, I love a nude lip; it's my thing. But when I found myself clinging to it, I realized I had to shake it up with my current reddish-brown shade.

So on this hump day I ask you, "Are you in beauty prison?". If so, I believe it's time for a prison break.

Image courtesy of: bellasugar.com.au

Q. Dear Breezy, I am a Presciptives fan. I have been a fan of theirs since high school as they were the only thing that I could wear that would not cause my face to break out in a mad frenzy. I stocked up the end of last year when I found out they were closing all of the counters. I think this week I am going to start on my quest to find a replacement as I am running low. :(

I am very sad about this. If the Temple of Glam has any recommendations I am open. I figured I would start with the Estee Lauder counter since that is who they were owned by. I have Origins on my list as well as Bare Minerals (which I tried but I think I ordered the wrong color from QVC so I am not happy with them thus far).

A. Dear Prescriptives Princess,

I completely feel your pain. Despite knowing the lifespan of makeup, I have a Prescriptives mascara that I refuse to throw away even though it's gone, gone, gone.

That said, I am a HUGE fan of Bare Minerals after seeing them in action at a Spa Week party. I'd definitely say you should give it a try. Send me a pic of your face without makeup on and I'll check to see if I can get it to someone who works with them. It's all about the tone you use. I'm a "warm dark". Mind you, I was ready to go with "dark". Just a slight change in tone and it was right!

If you're open to a liquid/cream, I'd also suggest checking out Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer:  It's good for every day and you can build the coverage. I like it because it goes on easily so if you're applying it on the fly, you don't have to worry as much about blending as you do with regular foundation.  I use the regular one because I have normal to dry skin. It's a lot more forgiving because it's so light. Meaning you can be off a little and it will still match your skin.

Image courtesy of Estee Lauder

When I got a call after 6 pm for a job interview with a well-known makeup company the next day, I immediately thought about my hair.  I knew I missed the cut-off for my salon, and didn't want to chance being late for the interview dilly-dallying during a morning salon appointment.

So I whipped out the magnetic rollers I bought last year and never used.  The stylists make it look so easy, I thought I could do it too.  Two rollers in and I understood my DIY skills had a limit. This was best left to the professionals.

Not to be discouraged, I decided to wear my hair pulled straight back with a side part for a touch of drama.  I abandoned my dream of having my bangs lay perfectly at my brow after having accomplished an at-home blow-out.  I tackled what I knew I could manage, like making sure my hair was freshly washed, conditioned and shiny.  Isn't that what counts?

So instead of face-framing bangs, I channeled my inner Jody Watley and Liya Kibede, both rock a fresh yet sophisticated face. Lesson learned - keep it simple.

Image courtesy of xolondon.blogspot.com

Posted by Shanna Sabio

Fellas, fellas, fellas. I knew I had to post this video when my baby brother asked me about razor bumps and my only response was "Um, don't shave against the grain?" and had no clue what that actually meant. I then directed him to Bump Patrol.

So of course when I saw this video featuring a celebrity dermatologist and a master barber, I had to share the signature technique to keep your cheeks smooth. Let me know what you think!

Hey Hair Diary,

This week I went to my salon to get my relaxer touched up, and the most horrifying thing happened.  My regular hairdresser was not there!  Not to be deterred, I decided to try another hairdresser there and while touching up my relaxer she did a BIG NO-NO.  She applied relaxer to my already relaxed ends!!! I was horrified.

You and I know that you should not reapply relaxer to already-relaxed portions of the hair because it thins it, leading to breakage.  You know how fine my hair is already, so of course I asked her rinse it off, and when I left, I promptly sought a remedy.

Luckily I found L'Oreal Hair Fixer.  It's a bit like a science experiment (which being the nerd that I am, I love).  You drop a tablet in the mixer bottle supplied, add the solution, and shake.  Apply it to your hair and the effects accumulate over time, strengthening your hair.

I bought three boxes; one can never be too safe...

-Posted by: Shanna S.

Maybe you noticed this month's Glam Girl. I think she's from July '09. I brought her back because she represents two major summer essentials: the turban (the sole path to humidity-proof hair) and the summer dress. I truly realized the significance of the summer dress when I pulled my dress out of the dryer and it was like 5-inches shorter than it was when I put it in.

Now, I am not afraid of a short dress, but geez, I need a certain percentage of work-appropriate/bend-down-and-pick-up-something-appropriate dresses and skirts. But then I remembered the dress was an awkward length from the very beginning (I bought it online). And now, it's kinda' perfect. By God, I'm a designer!

If you were following my shenanigans last night on Twitter, you know that I ran home, took the quickest shower ever, and changed into my fete gear. And then I flew out of my spot headed to the Kitty Bradshaw blogger event celebrating her two-year anniversary. As I speedily headed to the 'tay (as in "par-tay"), I so should have brought my Wen Almond Mint Replenishing Mist ($32). It's normally quite refreshing, but now that I keep it in my fridge, it really would have come in handy as I willed the traffic away and said a couple thousand novenas. But seriously folks, the scent is just enough to notice , but not overpowering. I mean, have you BEEN on public transportation or a vent-less elevator in the summer? There are enough smells up in there!

It energizes the skin and adds volume to hair that maybe missed a wash. I mean, not that I'd ever need that...stop judging me!

Here's a pic from last night's party courtesy of Chandra Is Great. Dig the action shot?

I hear my friend Cathy's voice when I apply blush or highlighter. Every morning I'd walk into our office, turn to tell her something, and she'd look at my face and chant, "blend...blend...blennnnnd." She'd even reach out to do it for me sometimes--possibly out of frustration or pity of my streaky morning commute.

When I left the company, I also left my blending cheerleader's daily encouragement. Since I don't have her to reach out and wipe away misplaced colors, I took a tip from Allure. No blending in the world can hide mismatched foundation! Wanna know if you're wearing the right shade? Simply place a a streak on your cheek and wait 10 minutes. If after 10 minutes, you can still see it, you're wearing the wrong shade. Boom...for real.

The Breezy Synopsis:
If you're in a department store, try a few shades and step outside in natural light. Artificial light is sorta like those tricky fitting room mirrors, strategically placed to make you look flawless.

I honestly love-love-love LA. Between you and me, it's kinda outranking NYC these days. The temperature is damn-near-perfect, the folks are super nice, California chic, and they have blindingly white chompers. Everything I adore. In fact, the only thing I am less-than-stoked about is LA's gnarly, arid air.

I'm consistently unprepared for ashen shoulders, knees, and toes (knees and toes). During my recent visit, I was armed with a lotion, which in most climates is a viable contender. Well that west coast air ravaged my skin and left it pleading for mercy (and moisture).

Next time, I'll bring Vaseline Intensive Care Revitalizing Gel ($7.49). Nothing can beat its skin-soothing and sweet-smelling properties. So watch out TSA, I'll be packing the big guns. Not literally...c'mon I'm kidding. Seriously I can't handle another strip search...

I drink about 85 gallons of water a day. No lie. I got myself a little work station (er, my iPhone) set up in the bathroom. Why would I shelf a potential social life? Well, I've read that drinking a lot of H2O can prevent dry, cracked, lips. And my lips peel in the summer so you can imagine what dem things are doing right now!

So last night I found myself watching "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and exfoliating my lips (read: rubbing the dry skin off till I drew blood). And then I remembered I just got Laura Geller Lip Strip ($19). I put Larry and Leon (my new favorite comedic couple - sorry Jeff) on pause and (literally) ran to get the all-natural sugar scrub.

Well I wasn't expecting much, but after 30 seconds (ok fine, I kept it on for 45), the sweetly minted scrub made my lips super duper soft and flake free. I spun around to test them out on someone and yeah...just me and the TV. So I took it old school and aimed for the ol' forearm. It was hot.

In much prettier news...Our (First Ever) Glam-Away Winner is: Cindy Aiton!!!
Cindy, please email me your mailing address and let me know if you want the John Frieda or Aveeno products. Congratulations!!!