Cures for Chapped Lips

Although Spring has made an appearance, it's still so dry that I can't go anywhere without obsessively re-applying my Burt's Bees lip balm. I hate to knock Burt's, but it's just not working. Thanks to this post on Jezebel, Your Lips are Dry and Disgusting. Let's Fix That., I learned some tried and true remedies to prevent and cure chapped lips once and for all:

1. Don't make out with Adam Levine. Check. (Unfortunately)
2. Cover your lips in duck or goose fat. Whoever recommended that sounds like a quack. 
3. Go with good old Vaseline to lock in moisture. I love budget-friendly beauty options.
4. Raid the kitchen cabinets and try olive oil. Hmm, can I pair with a tomato mozzarella salad?
5. And my favorite, "Don't lick your lips, no matter what LL Cool J says." A rule to live by.

But, they missed the BEST cure of all: Aquaphor. I discovered this soothing secret in college to protect my lips from brutal Wisconsin winters. It also added a really fabulous sheen to my lips as I braved the walks to class wearing a wool face mask. Not my best look. It was about survival, gals.

It's time to go back to this beauty stand-by. Who's with me?

How do you combat chapped lips?

Having a "Grownup" Moment

Do you ever have a moment when you think, "Holy crap. I'm a grownup." Even though you know you're a grownup, sometimes little things, like a particular purchase, action, or experience makes you really feel it. Using a salad spinner. Buying organic cage-free brown eggs at Whole Foods. Saying, "Let's talk offline" while on a conference call. Making a dining room centerpiece out of seasonal gourds. I don't have kids yet, but I imagine changing a "poopie" diaper can have the same effect.

Today's "grownup moment" is sponsored by Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream:

I was shopping around in the makeup department at Saks with my friend Courtney, when it hit me: I desperately needed eye cream. And not just the kind that hydrates or reduces puffiness. The kind that prevents - ugh - wrinkles. Was I really ready to venture into the anti-aging beauty world? I suddenly longed to be a teenager shopping for "Twilight Woods" Bath and Body Works fragrance mist.

Wah. (That's me, lightly whining.)

Before I could totally freak myself out, the makeup lady gently dabbed my eye area with a cooling concentrate of essential oils and botanicals. I was instantly calmed, and then instantly handed over my credit card.

I decided to consider the purchase an essential part of a healthy skincare routine. And to counter balance the grownup-ness of needing eye cream, I will treat myself to a hot chocolate with marshmallows and listen to Justin Bieber.

What makes you feel like a grown-up? Also, what eye cream do you use? I'll report back on how my "midnight recovery" goes. 

A Box of Beauty Surprises

Ever since I was a little girl, I was always fascinated by makeup. I would watch in awe as my mom applied mascara. I was obsessed with my aunts' long 80s nails and shimmery pink lip glosses. And over at grandma Rita's (after watching The Price is Right), I would sit for hours at her oh-so-glamorous vanity table, layering lipstick upon lipstick and dabbing my cheeks with her hot pink "rouge". There was also an unfortunate episode in which I smeared Vaseline all over my face because I wanted to look "shiny."

Perhaps this Halloween "look" is what steered me in the wrong direction...

Regardless, I got my act together by middle school and always kept my makeup simple. But sometimes simple can get boring. Enter Birchbox -- for just 10 bucks, members receive a box filled with  4-5 luxury brand beauty samples each month. From makeup to skincare, fragrance to hair care, you can test out new products before shelling out big bucks on the big sizes. Thanks to a tip from my co-worker Emily, I just ordered my very first Birchbox -- so excited for the beauty surprises that await!

Hair Dryer How-to

I had to share this email I received from my friend Courtney:

I just got a new hairdryer, and for some reason I am reading the instructions (boredom probably), and the warnings are really weird. Some I thought you might appreciate:

"Never use while sleeping"

"Do not use where aerosol products are being used" (Isn't that like every salon in America?)

"Do not direct heat towards eyes"

In case you've been drying your hair while sound asleep or aiming the heat directly at your face, Courtney and I wanted to warn you gals against these dangerous beauty behaviors. 

If you so choose to tame your frizz while awake, try this fab round brush.

The Best Round Brush

My round brush broke in half last week. Any woman who likes her hair frizz-free knows how traumatic that can be, especially when faced with hot, humid110 degree weather. So, rather than go with the "I just stuck my finger in a socket look", I beelined it to the nearest salon (Axis for my DC friends) to combat my hair emergency. Even though I bought the first brush I could find, I'm in love. I don't care if I sound like an infomercial. It smooths, it straightens, and it adds volume to my roots. If you're in the market, pick one up:


Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Mega 65

Mix Up Your Mani

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with super bright or pale pastel nail polish. Just keep nails short and square shaped to avoid looking like an extra on the set of Working Girl. According to my go-to beauty sources (my friends), these pretty polishes are hands down the best of the season.

Pretty in Pink
OPI Dutch Tulips

Fresh & Fabulous
Essie Mint Candy Apple

Orange You Glad it's Summer?
Essie Vermillionaire









Feeling Blue?
Essie Lapis of Luxury









Rock Your Red
Essie Dramatic Drachmas
(I just tried this - the perfect summer red!)




What  are your favorite summer colors?

Must-have Makeup Minis

If you've ever had to hand over your favorite lip gloss to a very unsympathetic airport security agent (doesn't he understand that Dior does not come cheap?) ... fret no more. Luckily, good things come in small packages, especially when it comes to great beauty buys. From eye makeup essentials to dry skin saviors, check out the slideshow I put together for Shape.com on fabulous minis that help you look your best while you're on the go.

What are you travel essentials? 

A Bunch of Crazy Brides

From the makeup artist pulling a no-show to contracting a raging case of Mad Cow, even the sanest bride can succumb to fear-induced insanity as her big day approaches. Luckily (for me and my family) I was too busy with last minute things to diagnose myself with Swine Flu before I said 'I do'. But sometimes soon-to-be-wed ladies can't keep those crazy what-ifs from creeping in...

Mother Nature’s Wrath
I'm pretty sure Weather.com gets more hits from obsessive brides than business travelers. Who’s to say a Tsunami won’t wipe out Cleveland? It’s not that off base to worry about Miami being struck by a blizzard in July. Why wouldn’t a 4% chance of light showers turn into a violent tornado, wreaking havoc on your cocktail hour? The dudes from Storm Chasers must be on-hand to track down your centerpieces ... and find grandma.

Beauty & Fashion Catastrophes
You can picture it now: a ginormous zit smack in between your eyes, large enough to have its own place setting. What if the romantic hair style you envision ends up more beehive than bun? While you’ve sworn off carbs since June, you’re totally going to have a fat day. Or worse – you’re the sweaty bride! Pit stains on Vera Wang? The horror!

At Work Beauty Crises Averted!

We've all had those "O-M-G I can't believe this is happening to me at the office!" moments. From coffee stains to stocking snafus, the key is to be well-equipped with an emergency kit to combat any fashion or beauty crisis with a quick fix. I can’t help you avoid walking around with spinach in your teeth, but I can certainly help you be prepared to get it out…

Click here for my full article on Shape.com, and read on for a few go-tos.