I’m taking Valentine’s day as a day to take care of ME! I’m sleeping in, getting a manicure (no red, a funky blue sparkle), grabbing a great book (the Gift by James Patterson or Hunger Games trilogy if you haven’t read it), having a massage and then dancing with 7-16 yr. olds (of course bringing brownies & beauty bags with lipgloss for the girls) at the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank.

That’s what I call a day filled with LOVE!
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So what are you doing for Valentine’s Day?  What do you do to spread LOVE the rest of the year?

Spread LOVE

Why just on Feb 14?

See a movie:the Vow or the Artist

Grab a book: Be the Miracle by Regina Brett or Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John Kennedy by Mimi Alford

Play a great game: www.aok.tv (acts of kindness)

Grab a great playlist, hula hoop or jog outside, drink water and buy yourself something pretty.

Or just simply, write someone a handwritten THANK YOU note..

Whatever it is for you.. Spread LOVE.. it is the truest beauty of them all!

“LOVE never fails.. The greatest of all these is LOVE. “

Who doesn’t? I had forgotten until a few weeks ago, how fun it is to be a model for a day. Flawless face, great hair and the best fitting outfits.. Not to mention perfect lighting.. Every day, sign me up!

Look at JUDY GARLAND (above).. this is one of the most beautiful scenes I have seen her in.  Gorgeous hair, perfect lips, beautiful make-up and look at the lighting on her face = FLAWLESS!

Personally, I am in the process of developing a new fashion trend, a pop-out light reflector that goes on all women’s clothes, to reflect this type of light on the face daily (still working out the kinks – like eating with a huge disc petruding from your chest?! hmmm)

I’ve had actors say to me, “Michelle can I just put you in my medicine cabinet and pull you out every morning to make me up?!”  Well I want one too!  LOL

To look model ready every day for the normal beauty is over kill.  But here are a few tips to get you, “Camera Ready & Flawless” for all your holiday festivities!

BLING!

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1.  When being photographed, wear a full-coverage foundation (not necessarily heavy, just with alot of pigment) to cover imperfections.

2.  Go with a brighter lip or dramatic eyes (add a few lashes) NOT both.

3.  Add some sparkle to your accessories (glitter shoes, nails, jewelry or a scarf.)

4.  Set your hair day before or in am.. then finish the style after your hair is relaxed and it will hold longer.

5.  Try the GEL polishes.  I do a colored french tip with a natural sparkle color on top.  As the polish wears, you don’t notice the growth and you can get an extra week out of the manicure!

6.  Choose an outfit you are comfortable in.  You look good when you feel good. You know what outfits fit you the best and what colors are the most flattering on you. (Check out magazines for latest styles and go try a few on.)

7.  Always find your light.  If you are in a room try to have light shining on your not behind you (unless you want to show off your hair) especially for photos, face the light and SMILE.

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camera ready... finished

This is me at the end of my shooting day on camera.

I had false eyelashes on.. my foundation was airbrushed OVER creme foundation.. I had been touched up with powder, lips and under eyes for 4 hours..  and my hair was styled twice throughout the day.

If you had someone following you around all day..  touching you up, fussing with your clothes, tucking and fluffing your hair – YES, it would be FUN and you would look FLAWLESS..

Any day you chose, YOUcan look YOUR most radiant, perfect beauty – just by following your instincts.  Remember:  If you are having a GOOD hair day, ALWAYS take a picture!

“The BEST accessory anyone can wear, is ALWAYS a SMILE!”

My fav Coconut Oil

This is the time of year my dog sheds likes a banshee, my BFF develops her dry cough for the season, and my lips get chapped if I wear no lipstick.

Must be SEPT or OCT. The season changes and no matter where you live it is DRY! Skin, Hair & Nails need TLC!

Have you heard of the ayurvedic treatments? The use of oils to cleanse, hydrate and sooth body, mind & spirit?

I have been dying to try the shirodhara treatment where warm oil is poured over your hair & forehead.  I think it would be so relaxing and moisturizing for my curls!

Oil Treatment

I tell all my friends and clients, (even my dog) to try eating oils and topically incorporating them into their daily routine for the Fall & Winter seasons.

I change my facials and begin adding serums and layering oils under the masks during treatment.

Even when I train for the “Look Good Feel Better” Program once a month at local hospital with cancer patients, I suggest

coconut for everything dry.. dry scalp, dry cuticles, dry hands, legs & face.. it works wonderfully!  The end result in using oil is smooth “baby bottom” hydrated skin!

A few people I run into with oily skin say NO WAY! And it is common for others to be afraid the oil will break them out.. Meet my friendly skin oils = Non-comedogenic. (Will NOT clog pores)

These are my favorites and easy enough to find in any health food stores.. Layer these on CLEAN skin and if you need more moisture apply cream ON TOP.

Coconut Oil – the jar looks like mayonnaise.  This is a solid food product.  Put a dab into your palms and as soon as it warms it turns into a liquid.

Vitamin E – pop the capsule and squeeze. Easiest way to apply.

Avocado Oil – this is a recent favorite I have found in a new line from EPICUREN.  You can always mash one and apply like a mask.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Jojoba – these are the best for skin.. they are very healing, moisturizing and regenerative to skin & hair damage.

So make some of your own concoctions of your own and let me know what you find.

You WILL be surprised at how soft, healed and hydrated the right oils will leave your skin!

“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.”

Exfoliation

Anti-Aging, Teens, Acne, Pigmentation concerns?

What you need is regular EXFOLIATION!

A minimum of ONCE a week is suggested.. but not EVERY day.. Your skin will tell you, just listen.

Especially as the weather changes, so does our skin.

There are TWO main types of exfoliation..

Mechanical:
TOPICAL
Examples are any product with beads or a gritty texture that is manually wiped or buffed onto your face.
Microdermabrasion (alternative version  I recommend  is a “SILK PEEL” micro infused with hydration = less irritation) and facial brushes like are the mechanical versions.
These products and machines slough (“SLUFF”) off the dry dead skin on your face allowing the newer, fresher skin to appear.
Result: Smoother, polished skin

Chemical:
ENZYMES
These are found naturally in pumpkin (sensitive skin) and pineapple (normal to tougher skin). The enzyme ingredients are placed in a product that is wiped onto the face and allowed to sit for 5-15min depending on skin tolerance.  Adding steam professionally in a treatment or during a shower increased the intensity of treatment. The enzymes act as little PAC men munching and eating dead dry skin off the face and out of pores.
Result: Cleaner, brighter, softer skin

AHA & BHA
These are commonly referred to as “peels”. The come in varying degrees of severity and some can only be performed by a medical professional.
These exfoliators are stronger strengths and go deeper into the skin then a topical application.
Salicylic acid & glycollic acids are most common in milder peels and can be found in safe home care treatments.
Result: Smoother, less pigment, tighter skin

Whichever you choose, professional or home care the important choice is EXFOLIATE.  As you start doing this on a regular basis you will begin to see a change in your skin.  Scars may soften.. Pigment may lighten, or deepen (until the pigment is exfoliated to its base it may get bigger before it gets smaller).. Skin will soften.. Brighten, Tighten & Lighten.. SO wear SUNSCREEN to protect your newly found skin prevent aging & further damage!

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-butt red lipstick.”    Gwyneth Paltrow quotes

My Grama always said, if there is something you LOVE, never throw it out.. It will come back in style! I have lived to see this come true.

So much of what we call beauty these days is not only physical beauty but encompasses the body, mind & spirit. This is also the trend for spas, exercise clubs and healthcare facilities.

body, mind & spirit

Here are my TOP beauty trends of the summer; they are all HOT!

1. Being active (body), liking who you are (mind), and doing something you love (spirit).

2. Using the natural tone of your skin & hair for the season (body), trying something new (mind), taking a moment each day to be quiet (spirit).

3. Getting beauty sleep (body), reading a book (mind), walking barefoot in the grass (spirit).

4. Doing something for someone else (body), saying thank you daily (mind), forgiving someone from the past (spirit).

5. Wearing something colorful (body), getting involved with a charity (mind), enjoying the season (spirit).

PRODUCT HOT PICKS:
: Burt Bees new lip tints (loving Rose)
: OPI shattered polish (you know I love it)
: Bare Esscentuals Buxom lip glosses
: Neutrogena dry touch SPF
: Laura Mercier silk creme foundations & tinted moisturizers
: Urban Decays naked eyeshadow palette (beautiful)
: Bye Bye Blemish (you’ll love me for this)

Left Foot with Base Color, Right with "Shattered" Top Coat

(Shown in pix: OPI Koala Berry base on left topped with OPI Silver Glitter Shatter to finish)

This trend followed me across the country. Every place I go, people notice my “shattered” toes and I start to see new “shattered” nails EVERYWHERE… Cool!

What it is:
The newest trend in nail designs and polishes. It all started with the Katy Perry line from OPI.

How it works:
First you apply a base coat and follow with any nail color of your choice.
Wait for first coat to dry completely.
To intensify color follow with second coat, remembering more coats make for longer dry times.
Apply a generous coat of shatter or crackle polish on top. (I have even seen it applied sideways)
As polish begins to dry, you will see the color separate and go matte.
Wait for color to dry and immediately follow with a top coat to seal.
The top coat will bring back the shine to the entire treatment on the nail.
***only use ONE coat of shatter or crackle for effect

Why it’s cool:
Besides being original & unique it is long lasting. Since each application is uniquely cracked, you can’t tell if you get a chip or start growing out. You can easily get a pedicure to last 4 weeks (depending on how fast your nails grow) and 2 weeks from a manicure.

What to buy:
Start with a solid base. Any regular nail polish color. I like either Black on the bottom or a really BRIGHT color, depending on what you want on top.
OPI has a great version of the top coat which is “Shattered”.
China Glaze had a version called “Crackle”.

Then just have FUN!  A great SUMMER 2011 Trend!

(For more color ideas.. just Google pix.. crazy cracked nails is what you’ll find!)

TINTED MOISTURIZER by Merle Norman

Great extra sun protection and seamlessly blends color into my face.
* RE-Apply on your way to grab a bite and your face isn’t burnt, it’s sun-kissed

O GLOSS by Smashbox

Gloss & unique pink tint.  Natural botanicals blend into skin to create your own pink shade of lipgloss.
* Once gloss wears off, tint stays

SPF WIPES by Dermalogica

Because I always miss a spot!
Disposable & easy to carry.
* RE-Apply later in the day & always after getting out of the water

CRACKLE POLISH by China Glaze

I love the fun variety of colors on my toes. My pedicures with cracked polish have lasted for three (3) weeks or more and definitely attract attention.
* I definitely recommend a bright color on top not bottom. It really looks cracked in contrast over a lighter/darker color.

OCEAN WAVES by John Frieda

Salt Spray gives you the beach tousled look for easy styling.
* No fuss way for hair at the beach (not just for blondes) spray, scrunch & GO

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You may also want to try a LASH TINT (dyes your lashes for up to a month!)
* Go Black then it looks like you have fabulous mascara on without any running. (won’t dry out your lashes like waterproof mascara)

Remember your reader or a good BOOK (I’m loving beachy stories)
* Two great picks: The Island by Elin Hilderbrand & One Summer by David Baldacci

And I NEVER leave without my floppy HAT, oversized/moviestar SHADES and bottle of H2O!

Not only have I fallen in LOVE with the scents, the views & the music, I have found a few of my new favorite things: lilikoi ANYTHING (passionfruit), dolphins & sea turtles, tropical flowers & orchids and donkey balls (chocolate covered macadamia nuts!

So I will try to bring Hawaii to YOU!
Entering my treatment room, you will be greeted by melodic Hawaiian music. Your treatment will begin with a foot soak and a Hawaiian candle that is lit while you silently make a WISH..
The facial will begin with a few deep breaths of my favorite tropical oils while the steam lightly mists your skin.
Cleansing, exfoliating & a massage follow with an abundance of vitamin filled fruit products.
A green tea mask is applied while your scalp is lightly massaged to release stress & tension.
An oxygen splash of vitamins A, C & E is lightly airbrushed over your skin and sealed in with a hydrating moisturizer & lip balm.
To finish the service, your choice of oil is rolled over your pulse points, another silent WISH of GRATITUDE is made as YOU blow out the candle and sip your choice of tea.
Ahhhhhh. Paradise just for YOU! Aloha!

Last year the girls placed in the TOP TEN out of 800 National Submissions in a National Talent Contest.

This year, they WON! They are flying to New Orleans all expenses paid mid May to perform, “All That Jazz” number. (Happy dance, happy dance & Smiles!)
Their big Charity Event for the Club is on Saturday, May 7th 2011. I wanted to donate a basket for the event and I decided besides the BASIC Gift Certificate, I would give it a theme.

So these are a few of my favorite things! I hope you enjoy the list as much as the winner!

1. Spa Gift Certificate for a Full Set of Lash Extensions & a Blow-out with a Custom Feather Extension

2. A Plush, Cuddly Robe, who doesn’t need one?

3. A Favorite Book: “Saving Cee Cee Honeycut” by Beth Hoffman, my pick of the YEAR!

4. Handmade Bookmark from Megs Marks, perfect for anything not on the NOOK/KINDLE.

5. My favorite line of Homemade Soaps from Lather Soap Co., these are so yummy, original & suddzy.

6. A Scentsy Warmer and wickless melting wax, my spa always smells so good!

7. A Spring Scarf, a perfect accessory for a cool evening.

8. Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara, nothing better!

9. Epicuren lip balm, my lips love this EVERY nite.

10. China Glaze Nail Polish, my fav – this brand lasts!

11. Tip Essentials makeup removers, great for those m/u oops or cleaning.

12.  Margarita Bloom’s Cabana Boy roll on Parfume – I wear it every DAY!

13. CD: Sting’s Symphonicites, ahhhhhhhhh!