Beauty Unwrapped

Most of us can admit—and some of us are in denial—that we have beauty cabinets filled beyond capacity with bottles of elixirs, gels, cosmetics and other assorted concoctions, which help us put our best face (and body) forward. But what exactly is it about this stuff that keeps our bathrooms looking like it’s a new location for a Sephora’s as well as keep us beautiful on a daily basis. Well today BN editors, beauty experts and friends will share what keeps their beauty cabinets over stocked with must have, can’t live without products and routines that keep them fabulous from head to toe. After reading this, you will want to run out and add some or all of these items to your beauty arsenal.

Jorie Janae, Make-up Department Head on Boston Legal, “Use a lip care product like Blistex Medicated Lip Balm or Blistex Lip Ointment, before applying lipstick. This helps color go on more evenly for a smoother look. If your lips are prone to dryness or flaking, apply Blistex Lip Ointment liberally and leave on for five minutes. Then remove the excess before applying color.”

Sharon Gomes Thomas, Metro Pets Editor, “I can’t live without Neutrogena’s Clear Pore Treatment. Not only is it great for preventing the occasional breakout, it is a must-have for keeping face shine at bay. I put a little on my nose in the morning, and I never have to do a powder touch-up all day, even in the summer. Also, I have about 40 lipsticks, lip gloss and pencils, but I always end up using the same ones, just one or two. My favorite lip pencil is one that I got from a 99 cent store in Tokyo! It’s probably made with really bad toxins and dyes, but I simply can’t part with it.”

Emily Fritchey, President of Sunshine Botanicals, “For an incredible restoration treatment for the body-mix together olive oil, royal jelly and corn meal to create an amazing body scrub that will feed and nourish the skin while polishing to a silky smoothness.”

Jasmin Guleria, Health and Fitness Editor, “I used to try different uber expensive facial washes-and would always end up with breakouts-then I started using plain old Dove soap- and it cleared up and brightened my skin. I swear by it now!”

Ashunta Sherriff, Alicia Keys’ Personal Stylist and Make-Up Artist has a few tips: “To keep feet smooth all year round, I apply Bag Balm Salve, and then cover my feet with heavy socks. This is a salve for horse shoes, which has been around for nearly 100 years, and works wonders on human soles, keeping skin super smooth. It cuts down on pedicures too.”

“I make a great exfoliator with honey, raw brown sugar and Vitamin E oil. I mix ½ cup of honey, ¼ cup of brown raw sugar and drop 10-15 drops of Vitamin E oil and mix together. Then apply it where needed. It can be used on lips to exfoliate lips. If used warm it can also double as a natural hair removal. Just apply it let it dry and peel off. Skin is left soft and supple.”
“Whenever I got a skin blemish my mother would apply tea tree oil and Rose Hip oil from the health food store directly on the spot. The next day my pimple was gone. This doesn’t work for acne but for occasional breakouts.”

Bonnie Kim Taylor, Metro Mama/Baby Editor, “My mother told me to stand over a pot of boiling water with a towel over my head to let the steam open and clear out my pores & to add some lemon juice to the water. After 10 minutes of ‘steam cleaning’ she told me to splash my face with cold water to close the pores. I never had problem skin as a teenager or adult & I think her routine is the reason.” Also, “I can’t live without Santa Maria Novella Talc. It makes clothes, drawers, wrist, necks and hats smell incredible.”

Kayla Fioravanti, R.A., Chief formulator, Registered Aromatherapist & Founder of Essential Labs, “Here is a beauty secret that I learned from my midwife! Slice raw potatoes and put them on your eye lids to reduce puffiness. And from there I discovered the wonders of a mashed potato foot soak. My feet were swollen fro pregnancy and I thought why not. I purchased a box of dehydrated mashed potatoes and followed the recipe. I then indulged my feet in one of the best soaks I ever experienced…and that is saying a lot since I work in the beauty industry!

Michelyn Camen, Editorial Director/Fragrance Editor, “I have naturally full lips but not a lot of definition. I use Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme just at the vermillion line (Cupid’s bow) and my lips don’t need lip liner. When I don’t have time to put on makeup, I ‘pop’ my eyes, by lining the inner rims with Smashbox’s Jet Set Waterproof Eyeliner in Black and I’m out the door!!!

Dina Fierro, Editorial Director/Beauty Editor, “From handbags to clothing, shoes to makeup, I’m an indie brand addict. Yet, inexplicably, one of my favorite fragrances remains Body by Victoria.”

Kristen Rounds, Account Executive, Barnett Ellman LLC “I have adopted the unique technique of using olive oil as a regular beauty regiment. When I am cooking, I wash my hands non-stop, and in turn my hands dry out quickly. I just pour a small amount of olive oil in my hands and use as a moisturizer. Also in the winter when my scalp is dry from the weather, I warm some olive oil up and then massage it into my hair for about five minutes and then shower. I even have my fiancé in on using olive oil. He has really thick curly hair and he uses all types of products all of which leave him looking like he has a severe case of dandruff at the end of the day. I suggested that he use a little of the olive oil to help him tame his hair. It worked perfectly it de-puffed his hair and kept it nice and shiny all day long.”

Candice Sabatini, Skin Care Editor, “I can’t go to bed unless I’m wearing lip balm. Without it, my lips feel naked and I can’t fall asleep. For years I only used Ami Lab, which is from France and I buy in Paris. Never found one here that I liked as much. Recently I found a new brand—from the U.S.—called Ceci Cela that I really love. It feels as good as the Ami Lab and the almond flavor is divine!”

Stephanie Silberstein, Spa Editor, “Ever since my roommate told me about this quick fix, I can’t seem to leave the house without brushing Cover Girl Clear Mascara lightly over my eyebrows. It’s a lifesaver those few days before getting my eyebrows threaded.”

Treina Fabre, Non-Profit Associate Director, “I insist on having my makeup custom blended by Prescriptives - I have custom blended foundation, loose powder, bronzer, and under eye concealer. I almost got custom blended lip gloss, but restrained myself since the bill was already creeping up on $200.

“I’ll tell you the one super cheap thing I use everyday faithfully! Aloe vera gel with Vitamin A, C, E. I put it on after I wash my face, morning and night, and before I put on moisturizer and/or makeup. It’s great! It cost all of buck for a huge tube of the stuff. Helps even out my skin tone and keeps me looking young (Good genes help with that, too). I also use aloe vera gel to twist my hair. Multiple uses for a product does a happy gal make!”

Jan Lee, City Pulse Editor, “I use Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser every morning and night. I’ve found it works the best (even better than the Proactiv cleanser). And sometimes I pretend I am one of the girls in the commercials. I wash my face with a splash of water and then give “that look” to myself in the mirror.”