Drinking Water is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your skin’s collagen. Our skin loses water nearly every minute of the day. Since the body is composed of mostly water, it only makes sense that we should have to drink lots of water to replenish the skin.

People with any skin type can have dehydrated skin, which often looks sallow, worn, dry, and wrinkled, none of which are desirable descriptions. Drinking plenty of water will help to keep skin’s collagen intact and when people are properly hydrated their skin will show it!

Most people will find that after drinking enough water their skin takes on a more youthful, healthy look. The good news is, in order to cure dehydration all you need is your kitchen sink.  Drink, Drink, Drink! Don’t wait until you are thirsty rather drink before you get thirsty. Drinking your water is the cheapest, quickest way to look better!

Here are some things you can do to make sure you are getting enough water each day:

Carry a water bottle

Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day and refill it when it is getting low. Not only will this encourage you to drink more water, but it will be easier to monitor how much you are actually drinking throughout the day. 

Monitor your intake

Really monitor your intake of water on a daily basis to make sure that you are getting enough. Follow the water bottle suggestion above and be sure to count how much you are drinking and refilling each day. On the average, a person should drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day.

Add drinking two glasses of water to your daily skincare regimen

Drink, cleanse, moisturize, etc. Then drink again! Do this morning and night and you can add 4 glasses of water to your day!

Make a bet with a co-worker to see who can drink more water in the course of a day

Two of my co-workers often ask each other how much water the other has had and if one of them has had a higher number of bottles, then the other is off to the kitchen to refill and catch up! This is a great way to encourage each other and to motivate yourself. 

Water Every Hour

If you work an 8-hour day, have one glass every hour on the hour. When the work day is done your quota has been met.

Already dehydrated? Try this:

If you are already suffering from dehydration, try drinking a gallon of water a day for one week. You should notice an immediate improvement in not only your skin, but your overall mood.

Experiment with your look

Now is a great time to introduce a new look you’ve wanted to explore. Perhaps it is a subtle change, like finding a new fragrance as your signature scent, or trying a new hair-do/style/color.  Trying new beauty products can help spruce up your routine as well. There are so many great new products that can help simplify your beauty routine and enhance the look you are working to create.

You’re sexy and you know it

Treat your body right this year and remember what goes inside shows on the outside. Make sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, this will give your skin a healthy glow. Eat healthy foods, take a multi-vitamin every day and exercise at least 3-4 times per week for 30 minutes each time. All of these things will help improve your circulation/overall health and the benefits will show in your beautiful skin. Lastly, be confident, walk with good posture and smile, these things are so easy to do and extremely beneficial.

Don’t skimp on skin care

Your skin can make or break your look and overall confidence. Work hard on doing things that will benefit your skin, leaving it radiant and youthful.  Exfoliate your skin at least 1-2 times a week, moisturize daily and include an SPF for protection. Spoil yourself with a face mask once a week. This not only helps with relaxation, it’s like giving your skin a present! You will be relaxed, refreshed and your skin will be radiant. 

 Quit nasty habits

It’s never too late to stop a bad habit. Smoking, biting your nails, pulling eyelashes, over excessively twirling your hair these are all things that you should file in the past with 2011. Try finding something new and healthy to substitute this act. Perhaps it’s chewing gum, or going to yoga or doing something different with your hair. Small changes in your routine can make a big difference.  

What are some of your beauty resolutions for 2012?

Bioelements Pumice Peel

This pumice peel helps even and brighten my skin tone. It promotes a healthy complexion without irritating my sensitive skin. These tiny pumice stones work hard to give you a polished look.

Glitz Blitz Black Blitz

I’m all about a hot dramatic makeup look. Glitz blitz not only gives me drama but sparkle too! I use it when I want a fun look for a night out on the town, or apply it lightly for daytime wear. Either way, I heart this eyeliner.

Nailtique Nail Protein & Color Lacquer

Nailtiques makes it so much easier to keep up with my nail trends. This nail protein and color lacquer not only keep my nails strong and polished it also gives me hot fall flair with amazing vibrant color.

These are just a few of my favs but all this season’s picks are amazing must-haves. Make sure to check out all of your options! And don’t forget to tell your friends! For every friend that joins BeautyFix you will receive a $10 credit. It doesn’t get much better than this!

People Magazine just released their annual Peoples Most Beautiful issue and the star grabbing the top honor is none other than Jenny from the Block. Mrs. Jennifer Lopez, aka JLo, graces the cover and divulges her beauty secrets, philosophies and woes to the magazine.

Claiming that beauty is not something that always comes easy, J Lo freely admits that outer beauty is part of her job and something that she has to work at to achieve- from her intense sweat sessions, to diets and a strict beauty routine. “I don’t want anybody thinking it’s easy. It does take time and it’s hard work. HDTV wide-screen is nobody’s friend,” claims Mrs. Marc Anthony.

As we all know, it takes the help of skilled stylist and great product to maintain those gorgeous looks. Some of the former Fly Girl’s favorite products include SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense, a powerful broad-spectrum moisturizing sunscreen, and Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream.  Says the star: “I love that Rose Cream by Dr. Hauschka. I buy it at Whole Foods!”

Although, even someone as genetically blessed as JLo realizes that outer beauty is only skin deep:

“The physical would fade, but it was always was something that was born from the inside out. You can have a person with perfect features and if they are not a nice person or a loving person or a person with a big heart they just don’t seem as beautiful as someone else with features that are not as perfect.”

As clichéd as it might be, it’s comforting to hear such revelations from the reigning Peoples Most Beautiful Person.

Dermalogica receives tons of love and rave reviews from the press, celebrities, blogs and my coworkers. I’ve tried a few of the Dermalogica products before and really enjoyed them (the makeup remover is the best!) but hadn’t had the pleasure of trying the Special Cleansing Gel until a few weeks ago. And an obsession is born.

The Special Cleansing Gel is so mild and effective at the same time, removing impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance. It lathers quickly, removes the majority of my makeup and doesn’t irritate my skin at all- on the contrary, my skin actually seems refreshed after I use it due to the anti-inflammatory balm mint. It’s a face wash that can be used twice a day with no problem or fear of drying out and it is light enough that there is no residue or greasy feeling. Plus, I haven’t had one zit!

The only downside? My boyfriend has also decided he is obsessed with it. My supply is quickly diminishing.

2 Months Before the Red Carpet

• Chemical Peels-  A medium-strength chemical peel, such as a  TCA peel, can produce pretty dramatic results. These procedures can renew collagen and elastin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and reduce large pores, soften acne scars, and combat hyperpigmentation, evening the skin tone. However, the actual peeling of the skin can last a couple weeks. Celebrities have these procedures performed at least a month before their big event.

2 Weeks Before the Red Carpet

• Injectable Fillers- Celebrities often turn to fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and sculptra to treat deep lines and wrinkles. The various options of fillers now available to the public provide patients with several options when it comes to texture and desired results. Depending on the type of filler, the results can last as little as 2-6 months or as long as 1-2 years. It is generally recommended that treatments should be performed about two week before a major event.

5-7 Days Before the Red Carpet

• Botox- Botox treatments are one of the most commonly used and accepted cosmetic dermatology procedures on the market. While the list of celebrities with botox (and denying it) is never ending, many star such as Jennie Garth, Lori Loughlin, Vanessa Williams and Jenny McCarthy have come clean about receiving Botox treatments. Since the FDA approved the procedure in 2002, there has been a continual demand for the product. In fact, when used correctly and in moderation Botox treatments are a great preventative measure. Recovery time is minimal, but it is recommended Botox 5-7 days before an event just in case there is a reaction or bruising.

• Microdermabrasion- Microdermabrasion is great to have done a few days before a red carpet appearance. It makes skin look and feel smoother almost immediately and the results can last for several weeks after the treatment. There are even a few DYI kits that let you perform microdermabrasion treatments at home, I suggest the kit from Personal Microderm.

48 Hours Before the Red Carpet

• Facials- Celebrities are known to indulge in extravagant facial before big events, including Mila Kunis’ recent $7,000 Golden Globes facial utilizing rubies and diamonds. While the scientific evidence is inconclusive when it comes to using exotic stones, facials are renowned for relaxing and rejuvenating client’s right before events. Facials are great because they are specifically designed and targeted to each person’s skin concerns. Facials include extractions, cleansings and appropriate masks, which revives the dull skin and is a great quick pick-me-up.

As we all know, along with the New Year comes  New Year resolutions. There are the ever popular lose weight, save money, stop smoking, try new things and to learn a different language. However, working at a beauty company, my coworkers have a few more specific goals for 2011 and as you can guess they are all beauty and health related.  When polled, the members of my office listed everything from styling their hair every morning to running a half marathon to eating more antioxidants to performing weekly at home manicures (ok, that last one is mine, and sad to say, 5 days in and I have already failed…chips galore).  Not surprisingly, statistics show that around 90% of New Year resolutions fail. While New Year resolutions can be tough, here are a few tips to attain your beauty and health goals for 2011.

One of my co-workers vowed to blow-dry her hair every day, not to haphazardly apply her makeup in the car and to not pick at her nails. If your resolutions mirror hers and revolve around a more put together appearance, try incorporating one new element at a time.  Grand beauty ideas are fantastic but even just the smallest tweak to your beauty ritual can make your confidence soar. Get a great blow out in the beginning of the week, try a manicure with shellac nail polish (they last for weeks and don’t chip!), or set aside an extra 5 minutes for your makeup and indulge in a new eye shadow palette (I adore Becca Cosmetics palette).

A handful of other coworkers made resolutions along the lines of a healthy detox, working out and living a booze free 2011. In fact, one of them boldly declared that she “will only eat fruits and vegetables, workout an hour every day and not drink alcohol at all!” While this is an extremely commendable new year resolution, experts insist that making extreme goals and absolute resolutions (think words like always, never and every day) is just another way to set yourself up for failure.

While incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet is amazing (think of all the antioxidants you will get!) it’s not very likely that someone that ate cheeseburgers twice a week will be able to solely exist off the fruit of the land (literally speaking).  If a healthy lifestyle is your resolution this year, try setting attainable and manageable health goals. Challenge yourself to eat 8-12 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, drink more water, attempt Meatless Mondays (its only one day, not forever, you can do it!) and hold off on the booze until a well deserved weekend cocktail. Instead of working out for one hour, seven days a week and loosing 10 lbs in 10 days, try a non-weight related goal. Aim for 5 hours of cardio a week (that way if you miss a day or two, there are still five or six days left to make up for it) or train for a race. You won’t be worried about the number on the scale, just the accomplishment of reaching your goal.

Moral of the story? When it comes to new year resolutions, moderation is key. Cheers to 2011!

Flickr user limonlucikolata

flickr user chicagophotoshop

2010 was a pretty beautiful year, literally speaking. Aside from a few missteps and casualties (Bump-its anyone? Jersey Shore-esque tans? Anything from the Taylor Momsen makeup bag?), this past year has ushered in some gorgeous new looks and brought relevance to retro trends as well. Below is a list of some of the best beauty trends 2010 had to offer.

• Ombre Hair- Good news for those who despise the monthly trips to the salon for touch-ups! Perfectly maintained hair is out and ombre hair is in!  Celebs like Nicole Richie and Rachel Bilson started bucking the beauty rule of root maintenance this summer.
• Retro hair- Think beehives, a la Scarlet Johanson, and Veronica Lake waves made popular by beauties such as Megan Fox and Angelina Jolie.
• Cat eye makeup and winged eyeliner- A favorite of everyone from Lauren Conrad to the make up artists at fashion week, this easy-to-achieve look dominated the beauty pages in 2010.  With a steady hand and an easy-to-use liquid eyeliner (I prefer Hourglass Cosmetics Calligraphy Liquid Eyeliner) anyone can perfect this subtle, yet sexy come-hither look. Again, please remember, you are going for subtle, not Little J!
• Pixie cuts- For the past couple months, stars have been chopping off their long locks one-by-one to reveal a gamine and gorgeous, yet classic do. Celebrities such as Michelle Williams, Ginnifer Goodwin, Carey Mulligan, Emma Watson, Elisha Cuthbert and Rihanna have all made the cut, literally. Beware though; this hair trend is not for everyone.
• Braids- The braided hair style is my personal favorite look from this year. The mixture of simplicity and versatility, mixed with my laziness and unruly mane, has turned the braid into my go-to hair style.

The worst? There were some doozies! The aforementioned Bump Its, Oompa-Loompa tans, raccoon eye makeup, also snuggies, neon makeup and scraggly extensions (again, bad year for Taylor Momsen) … but the absolute worst beauty trend of 2010? Vajazzling!

Flickr user Jacklyn DL

As you might be able to tell from some of my other blog posts, I’m not exactly the biggest of beauty junkies. Don’t get me wrong, I do like makeup and feeling feminine but I simply detest spending time, energy and money on pampering. My makeup bag is pretty bare, not because I don’t need that much makeup, but because I have found my no-fail products that work double and sometimes triple duty- cutting down on clutter, cost and time. The MVP of my makeup bag? Eye shadow! There are so many different uses for eye shadow that with a few different shades and pigments, you could practically toss half of your beauty product arsenal! Read on to learn about them.

1. Eyeliner- Eye shadow is a great substitute for actual eyeliner, plus there is a far greater selection of shades! Simply wet an angled or pointed brush, dip into your eye shadow and voila—custom eyeliner!
2. Eyebrow pencil- Very similar to the previous tip, applying eyeliner, eye shadow may also be used as a great eyebrow pencil.
3. Blush- Red and pink eye shadows are not the most popular shades, but if you happen to have a color that suites your skin tone (perhaps it came in an eye shadow palette with various colors) it can be a great blush.
4. Lip gloss- Making lip gloss with eye shadow can be really fun and produce great results! Start with Vaseline on the back of your hand and start mixing in different shades of eye shadow until you create the perfect color
5. Nail Polish- This use of eye shadow was news to me and I have yet to try it. However, one of my cosmetically gifted coworkers told me about this little trick and swears that it works wonderfully! Simply mix your favorite color of loose eye shadow with clear nail polish to create your desired shade. Try a vampy burgundy or purple, one of this winter’s hottest trends!

Emma Watson's Pixie Cut flickr user skoykkahwin

Forget the Rachel, say goodbye to Posh’s angled bob and peace out to Blake Lively’s tousled tresses. There is a new style on the block and it is taking Hollywood by storm. Meet The Pixie- the IT 2010 hairstyle. For the past couple months, stars have been chopping off their long locks one-by-one to reveal a gamine and gorgeous, yet classic, do. Celebrities such as Michelle Williams, Ginnifer Goodwin, Carey Mulligan, Emma Watson, Elisha Cuthbert, Rihanna, Katie Holmes and Hayden Panettiere have all made the cut, literally. The most recent addition to the ever growing list of short haired beauties is Ashlee Simpson Wentz, whose husband debuted the pixie haircut via twitter. So you think you want to jump on the pixie bandwagon? I got some advice about the 2010 hairstyle trend from Shear Genius contestant and stylist to the stars Janine Jarman—read on and learn how to make this fun look work for you.

Beautyfix: Let’s talk pixie cuts.

Janine Jarman: It makes me so happy to see short hair on girls! To me, short hair looks so feminine—it makes the face and eyes really stand out.

Beautyfix: Are different variations better for different face shapes?

JJ: Yes, there are hundreds of charts online of face shape and hair cuts that are designed to make your face shape look as close to an oval as possible. That’s the ultimate goal, so if you have a square jaw you want to have layers cut down into the jaw and round it out. If you have a heart shaped face, same thing—you want longer layers and a side bang cut down and over so that it makes oval.

Beautyfix: How often do pixie haircuts need to be trimmed to maintain the shape?

JJ: Every four weeks. Short hair cuts need to be cut a lot more often than long hair cuts.

Beautyfix: Any tips on how to gracefully grow out a pixie cut?

JJ: Hair accessories are the best way to grow out any hair-do. Once it gets to chin length and lower, get extensions if it’s that torturous for you.