Health, much like beauty and fashion, experiences trends. What’s the new super fruit? Sugar vs fat? Quinoa or Lentils? Fish oil or Flax Seed? Um, Atkins anyone? I’m most certainly not a health expert but I like to stay on top of the latest news, especially since health (i.e. diet and exercise) are major contributors to glowing skin. (I’m vain, I know. I work at a beauty company, what do you expect?).

Currently, one of the hottest topics in the health sphere is gluten.  If you asked someone a few years ago if they tried to avoid gluten, they’re answer would have been “glu-what?”.  However, now there is an entire aisle in most grocery stores devoted to keeping the g-word out of our diets. So what exactly is gluten and why are people avoiding it like it’s the new carb?

Simply put, gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Most recently, many people are attributing gluten to their tummy trouble and even weight gain. Researchers believe that there might be more than 3 million Americans with Celiac Disease, an immune response disorder that damages the small intestine and can cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and even headaches, skin rashes and neurological problems. Millions more that suffer from some form of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.  Regardless of the stomach pains, bloats and even rashes, it seems that cutting back on gluten laden foods such as pizza and bagels couldn’t be that bad right? Several people, including some in our office, swear that a diet low in gluten has done wonders not only for their stomach but for their skin as well. There are even several up and coming skin care companies, such as MyChelle Dermaceuticals, boasting gluten free products!  If banning gluten was good enough for Oprah’s detox and Chelsea Clinton’s wedding cake, there must be something to it, right?

Not so fast… some experts believe that there is a backlash to the gluten free uprising.  Gluten free does not equate to calorie free, sugar free or fat free. Without gluten to bind food together, manufacturers turn towards fats and sugar to add flavor and substance.

So should we all ban the g-word for our pantries? Unless you have been diagnosed with Celiac or have a seriously gluten intolerance, in my very uneducated opinion giving gluten the cold shoulder is not entirely necessary. However, anything that minimizes the chip eating and maximizes the veggie consumption sounds alright to me!

I’ve been a makeup artist for three years now. I’ve done photo shoots, runway shows, proms, engagement parties and bridal showers… you name it, I’ve done it! But two weeks ago, I took a huge task for the first time. I did make up for a good friend and sorority sister’s wedding. Of course, this meant a lot to me. I was so honored that she asked me to do her makeup on such an important day in her life. But the pressure was on! There were also 8 bridesmaids PLUS the bride’s mother. Here are some things I learned during the process. These tips should come in handy for brides-to-be and fellow makeup artists.

Determine your wedding day style
Bring pictures of your dress, colors, veil and jewelry. Talk about your personality and things that will reflect you.

Make a mini scrapbook or collage
We all think we are great at explaining what we want or the look we are going for. It is easiest to keep everybody on the same page with visuals. Not just one, but many pictures, examples and colors. As you look through magazines, rip out anything that you like. In your mini scrapbook or collage, be sure to include fashion trends and specific makeup looks.

Be open to suggestions
Janine and I talked about what she liked and then I also gave her some ideas of what I thought best complemented her facial features.


Do a trial run (Wedding/bridal makeup consultation)
This is so important! It gives both the artist and the bride an idea of what everything will look like. Remember, pictures aren’t as good as the final outcome. This test run will make your wedding day makeup application go a lot smoother.

Get in the habit of taking care of your skin AHEAD of time
This is critical time to be gentle on your skin; you want it to be flawless on your wedding day. You should start working on your skin care regimen 6 months before your wedding day if possible. Make sure to moisturize and exfoliate, and don’t fall asleep at night with your makeup on.
Bring a good friend:
I say a good friend because you need to bring someone who has your best interest at heart, knows you and what you like. A second opinion doesn’t hurt and it also helps alleviate some of the stress.

BE early:
Give yourself plenty of time! You do not want to be rushing on such an important day.

image: prphotos.com

1. Condition, condition, condition! Dramatic lipstick on chapped, flaky lips is not appealing. To keep your lips in tip-top shape, be sure to manually exfoliate, using either a simple wash cloth or a toothbrush. Do this every other day or so, and follow up with a hydrating lip balm.

2. Don’t forget your brows. Why? Because a powerful punch of color on your mouth needs some balancing. Forget about the bleached out brows that ruled the runways and editorial spreads in recent months—what looks good on models and in print isn’t always the best thing for real life. A nicely shaped, subtly defined brow is necessary for pulling off a dramatic lip in real life.

3. Blot. A matte lip is especially on-trend right now, and you can get it by blotting with a tissue, applying several coats of the color you choose. While you’re at it, put your index finger in your mouth (like you’re drinking out of a straw) and slowly pull it out. This will prevent the lipstick from getting on your teeth.

4. Start with lipliner. And fill your lips all the way in. This will not only give you a beautifully defined lip—it will give the lipstick additional staying power.

5. Keep the rest of your makeup simple. Dramatic lips look silly with too much eye makeup. Some neutral shadow and subtle eyeliner—topped off with a couple coats of mascara, of course!—should be perfect.

Denim blue nails are a major must for fall!

We’re constantly discussing beauty products in our office: the latest and greatest, the hottest trends and the newest ingredients. Right now, though, it’s all about fall nail polish colors! There are so many fun colors coming out for fall—think denim blues, shiny golds and rich reds. Much to the excitement of every girl in our office, DermStore just received the entire Essie collection, as well as the super coveted Butter London line.

Having heard the buzz surrounding Butter London, I was especially eager to try it out. I tend to pick bolder colors when selecting nail polishes. However, after assessing my current cuticle situation, I decided something a little more subtle would be a better choice. I selected “All Hail the Queen,” a shimmery beige that the brand describes as “holographic.” The gorgeous shade is a perfect hybrid of muted and glitter, making my nails look elegant without drawing attention to the fact I’m in dire need of a professional manicure. The glitter specks keep it fresh and not to matronly. The best thing about Butter London? It dries unbelievably fast and doesn’t clump! Three coats and 20 minutes later, I was carelessly fixing my hair with not so much as a smudge!

Below are a few of my coworkers’ favorite fall nail polish colors.

Liz, Editor of DermStore, loves all Chanel nail polish, but this season she’s obsessed with Chanel’s Peridot (more affectionately known to us as “Subdued Beatle”)-”I love this color because it’s out of my comfort zone. It allows me to wear something flashy without being in-your-face about it … and it fuses class with trend the way only Chanel can.”

Beth, Social Media Manager- “I love Turquoise from Pop Beauty. Some people tend to go darker for this season, but I adore this fun color for fall. It adds an awesome pop of color to every outfit!”

Devon, Brand Manager- “My favorite color every fall is a deep red. Reds are always so classic and sophisticated but the richer hues of fall add an edgier feel than the bight reds of spring. Right now, I am wearing Barielle’s  Glammed out Garnet.”

Sara, Copywriter- “My go-to color for fall is by Power Clutch by Essie. It’s a subdued khaki green that will give your fall wardrobe a touch of offbeat color.”

Here’s a small list of simple beauty mistakes you must avoid. There are plenty of skin care dont’s you need to be mindful of, but these little mistakes can make a huge difference in your appearance!

1. Sleeping in your makeup

Had a great night out with the girls and one too many cosmos? You get home and all you want to do is go to sleep, so you wake up the next morning with lipstick smeared on your pillow and a faded smokey eye from the night before. Leaving makeup on your face overnight traps in dirt from the day and clogs pores. We need to wash our faces every night to prepare for the next day and keep a healthy glow. To make cleansing a little easier, use Yes To Cucumbers- Natural Glow Facial Towlettes. These towelettes are biodegradable and gently remove makeup. Quick and easy!

2. Over exfoliating

We read about it everywhere. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Exfoliating is great! Exfoliating IS great. Your skin needs extra help getting rid of dead skin cells, but don’t overdo it! Too much exfoliating can lead to irritation and inflammation plus exacerbate acne.

3. Skimping on sleep!

We all are familiar with the phrase “Get your beauty sleep.” What you may not know is that your skin actually repairs itself at night; it cannot continue this process if you’re not giving it the quality time it needs. Get some Zzzs for your sanity, and remember you skin needs it too.

4. Hanging on to old beauty products

It is very easy for bacteria to build up over time, especially if you frequently apply your makeup with your finger or sponges. Change your foundation every 6 months and your mascaras and eyeliner every 3 months.

Working at a beauty company and spending some time with Dr. Magovern, the awesome and oh-so-knowledgeable dermatologist, has actually started to catch up with me.  I’m a slow learner (or maybe just lazy and stubborn?) when it comes to my beauty care, maintenance and routine.  I’ve made gradual improvements over the years; no more tanning beds, I now wear moisturizer with SPF and I even try to eat antioxidants! Although, I must give myself a pat on the back because I just reached a new milestone- exfoliants! I’ve always known about physical exfoliants, which contain ingredients like sugar or salt and actually scrub off the top layer of dead skin, but I just learned about chemical exfoliation. (I know, I know, I’m a little behind.)

Dr. Magovern recently explained to me the importance of incorporating an exfoliator that uses chemicals, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, and suggested adding one to my current bare-bones regimen. She assured me that, if used properly and in conjunction with sunscreen, my complexion would appear brighter. After doing some research on DermStore, I settled on DDF Skincare Brightening Cleanser. The reviews were extremely positive, 15 reviews with an average of 5 out of 5 stars, so I was sold!

Since I had never used a chemical exfoliator, I started gradually by using it once every other day. It did sting slightly at first but after about a week my skin adjusted to the cleanser. I began using it once a day, at night, and have since noticed some serious improvements in my complexion. I’ve even been getting some compliments on my skin! Not only does my skin seem brighter and clearer—I have even noticed that my blackheads seem to be disappearing. I’m hooked on this now and highly recommend it to anyone interested in a chemical exfoliator! Now I just need to remember to be extra cautious and diligent when it comes to sun protection since the chemicals increase sensitivity to sun… another big skin care step I am about to tackle!