I’ve been on a bit of a vacation — not much blogging, so I’m taking an easy way out today. A contest!  As a matter of fact,  look for a contest a week from Blinging Beauty.  Also look for a new format — that’s what I have been working on.  It’s going to be gorgeous.

I have some extra Laura Geller Makeup and I’m giving it away.  One thing to note about Laura Geller — she has the most gorgeous baked blushes on the planet. I’m not kidding.  I recently ran out of my Sunswept blush and it’s on my to-get- list.  Why is so great?  READ THIS!

So, here’s what you have to do to win:

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InStyle has it. CEW has it. Self has it. Now Blinging Beauty has it.  My very own hand-picked list of winners — the Best of Blinging Beauty 2010.  A list of the best of the best of products that I have used and abused over the past year. I’m not going to recreate the wheel, but I will simply add to it.

Best in Foundation 2010

1. Best Liquid Foundation – Smashbox High Definition Health FX Foundation $38

Jam-packed with anti-aging ingredients, firms, moisturizes, contains an SPF 15 and has an sweet range of colors.

2.  Best Budget Liquid Foundation — L’Oréal True Match $10.95

Fabulous coverage, SPF 17, wide array of colors and oil free.

3.  Best Liquid Mineral Foundation– IMAN Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup $15

Seamless finish, bronze and gold micro pearls for luminescence, vitamins and antioxidants.

4.  Best Pressed Mineral Foundation — Glominerals glo Pressed Base $39

Full-coverage, semi-matte finish, and colors that include the deepest brown. No crazy shine!

5. Best Organic Foundation – Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Luminous Foundation $38

Antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, 70% organic ingredients, luminous finish, mineral infused, balances oil production…

6.  Best Tinted Moisturizer – Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer $42

The grand dame of all tinted moisturizers and in available in oil-free and luminizing formulas.  Flawless coverage, moisturizer and SPF 20.

7. Best Primer – Laura Geller Spackle $25

The price is right, it retexturizes skin skin while diminishing imperfections and is in a pre-measured air pump. Also available in bronze, which is ideal for brown skins.

All my best in beauty picks all deserve a whopping 5 Blings!

Check back tomorrow for the best in concealers.

Okay, I’m not below bribery, but I’m also pretty generous. I have been cleaning out all my makeup and I stumbled upon some uber nice Laura Geller swag.  I have extras!  So this is the deal:

1.  Refer a friend to follow my blog on  Facebook or Google.

2.  Leave a comment telling me who you referred — name, social security number, first born.  JK!  Just their user name or email is fine. You may comment as many times as you like, but each comment much contain a different referral.

3.  You must live in the continental U.S.

4.  I will randomly pick 2 winners to win one of the following sets each with a value of about $50.

5.  Contest will run through 12/31/09.

6. I will contact the winners via email the first week in January 2010 and publish the winners on the site as well.

Here the goods:

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So it’s Saturday night, you have a hot date or reservations at the best new restaurant in town or major concert tickets AND you have a cold. I’m not talking H1N1, just your plain old sniffles, got the blahs kind of a cold. Sexy is just not in your game plan. Cowgirl up sister. You can do this. Don’t let Mr. Right, or superb sushi or Maxwell pass you by.

Or…

It’s Monday and you have a major presentation at work. You just can’t miss and you have to look like you are the most together woman on the planet. So suck on some zinc, pop some vitamin c, put on your hottest power suit and fiercest pumps and follow quick tips for faking looking like you are feeling 100%.

I was fighting a cold last week and I looked bad. Not bad as in good, bad is in awful, yuck, get some sleep, hate me because I’m not beautiful. After taking time off work, I had to face the music and get back to the grind. But I still looked like walking dead. Well, being the makeup artist that I am, I pulled a few tricks out of my hat (or should I say makeup kit?) that woke me up and made me look like I was among the living.

Here are a few quick tips to get your SEXY BACK!

1. De-Puff. Get rid of teary, puffy, generally puffy eyes with an eye gel. My favorite is from the men’s aisle, but I love it and it works. Nickel Eye Contour Lift.

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Snapfire Image

So you partied a bit too much over the weekend. Or maybe your sick child kept you up all night. Whatever the case, your face is proof positive that you had a hard night. No worries. Save face with these simple fixes for face fatigue. Remember, fake it till you make it – to bed tonight that is.

1. Dull, lackluster skin.

Whether it’s from too much alcohol or from sheer exhaustion, nothing says night of the living dead like a complexion without life. Don’t cover up with a heavy foundation. Instead infuse life to your skin with a tinted moisturizer. Triple duty products that provide color (check), moisture (check) and SPF (check) you will have instant glow. You can even find tinted moisturizer with illumination.

Brands that work:

• Almay
• Laura Mercier
• Stila

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A couple summers ago, I was renting a car for work, and the agent looked at my license and said “Happy birthday!” I replied, “Oh, thanks, it’s just another day.” Then he looked at me, and looked at the license and said, “Wow, I guess 50 must be the new 30.” Yes, he said 30. Now, I’m sure he was exaggerating a bit, but I’ll say it, I’m 52, but I don’t look a day over 40. Ok, 45. I know a huge factor in my youthful appearance my age defying looks are my genes. My granny is 97 and I don’t think she has a wrinkle. My mom died at 68 with skin that didn’t look older than 50. So I have a slight advantage. But, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve:

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When MAC Studio Fix hit the market in the ’80’s, I nearly lost my mind. No pores, no imperfections– as a matter of fact, no skin was even showing.   I loved that perfectly finished face.  I emulated my makeup muse Sade daily — pony tail, matte face, dark brows and red lips.  Needless to say, I ditched that look in the 90’s, and  dove head long in to the dewy, luminous look.  (I’m old — I need to make up for estrogen loss!)

Matte Today is fresh not dry. Skin actually shows, but minus the shine.  A touch of color give your matte face life and vibrancy.  Leave your shimmer and shine for the club and the sparkle and glitter for the kids.  Try a new take on matte makeup.  Check out these steps for the hottest look in Matte.

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I live in the San Francisco Bay Area — Oakland to be exact.  I guess we are just spoiled when it comes to weather.  Recently our temperatures have reached nearly 100° and the complaint level is has too.  For us, anything over 75° is unbearable.  So like any respectable woman, I found myself at the air-conditioned mall.  But in the meantime — getting from house to car, waiting for car to cool off, car to store– my face felt like it was going to melt off.  And I didn’t have a stitch of makeup on.  That got me to thinking; if I go out tonight, I need melt-proof makeup.  So with that in mind, here are my top 5 picks for long-wearing, water-resistant makeup that should glam you up and keep your looking hot throughout the night.  Pool side, at the club or accepting your Oscar, there is always an occasion for wearing water-resistant makeup.

Halle Berry March 24, 2002 Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

1.  FACE

Cover FX Skin Tint FS

It’s summer, let your skin show.  I am always preaching double duty products, in particular tinted moisturizer.  I am happy to add another tinted moisturizer to my must-have list.  Cover FX Skin Tint FX Moisturizing Treatment & Tint SPF 30 — A light, silky tinted moisturizer with SPF 30. $42

What it is formulated to do:
Achieve a healthy and natural looking sunkissed glow with SkinTint FX - Treatment & Tinted Moisturizer. Enhance your natural skintone with warm shades that are highlighted with pearlized minerals.
The oil-free, paraben-free, and water resistant formula was designed to be long wearing and moisturizing to the skin. SkinTint FX - Treatment & Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 contains skin repairing ingredients and anti-aging skin firming and anti-wrinkle technology.

Benetint

2. CHEEKS

 Try a cheek tint to give for a natural looking blush that has holding power.  Benetint is hands down the best cheek stain on the market.  It’s been around for years and continues to rack up acclaim.  Be sure to use after appplying your moisturizer,  as the product is a but hard to manipulate until you are accustomed to the consistency.  The good news is that you acheive a very sexy natural flush.  For added glow, top with a bit of bronzer.  I love Cargo water-proof bronzer.  Both products retail for $28.

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Is your face a grease slick? By mid-morning do you feel like you have just sprayed a can of PAM on your face?  Fear not!  5 simple steps based on your skin care can keep oil in control.  Ladies if you are reading these tips, they are perfect for the guy in your life as well.

Ole Henricksen Aloe Vera Cleanser

1.  Cleanse

Oft times oily skins over-compensate in the cleansing category by stripping their skin.  In search of that “squeaky-clean” feel, the skin is left with no natural moisture on the surface, causing the sebaceous glands (oil producers) to step into overtime.  Avoid that catch 22 by using a cleanser that cleans without stripping.  I love Ole Henricksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser. $30 for 12 long-lasting ounces.

This powerful cleanser goes to work on excessively oily skin with breakout problems.  Fabulously invigorating with  foaming action and loaded with aloe vera, chamomile and vitamins.  Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser proves that you can have ultra-clean skin without stripping and dehydrating. Oily skin will become addicted to this cleanser.

Bliss Steep Clean Mattifying Toner Pads

2.  Treatment

Bliss is well known for their smart products that treat skin problems with efficacious  ingredients.  Blissworld Steep Clean Mattifying Toner Pads are the perfect  mattifying, moisturizing toner pads for oily and combination skin.  Besides the “feel good” factor, these pads decongest pores and reduce inflammation, gently exfoliate to prevent breakouts, hydrate the skin to restore moisture balance and control oil where needed without drying.  With salicylic acid, smartsponge technology (self activating oil-control spheres), and dead cell digesting enzymes. Steep Clean Mattifying Toner Pads are the ideal touch-up post work out, so throw a jar in your gym bag.  Give your guy a jar to keep in his desk drawer for mid-day touch-ups as well.  $38 for 50 pads.

Clinique Pore Minimizer

3.  Control

Keep oil at bay all day with a spot treatment for your oily areas. Clinique Pore Minimizer T-Zone Shine Control is the answer.   This multi-tasking oil-free gel controls oil and shine all day. Mattes the T-zone area, minimizes the look of pores. Leaves a velvety-soft natural finish, under or over makeup. For maximum oil-controlling benefits, apply before makeup.  Apply throughout the day over makeup to help prevent oil breakthrough.  Priced at only $14.50 you can afford to keep one in your purse, one in your desk and give one to a friend!

Murad Energizing Pomegranate Mositurizer SPF 15

4.  Hydrate

A common misconception is that oily skin does not need moisture because it’s oily.  Not true.  It doesn’t need added oil, but moisture is a necessity.  In fact, well-nourished skin needs a  proper balance of water and oil.  I am such a fan of products that have multi-benefits, and Murad Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15 is a lightweight, oil-free, hydrator that diffuses excess oil while delivering potent, broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection. Contains Murad’s powerful Energizing Pomegranate Complex with artemia to stimulate healthy cell function and pomegranate antioxidants to guard against environmental damage so skin stays healthy.

Prescriptives Virtual Matte SPF 15 Oil Free Foundation

5.  Makeup

Choose either a light-weight oil-free liquid or a powder that has oil control properties.  Prescriptives has both options in a wide range of colors.  Virtual Matte Oil-Control Makeup SPF 15 offers medium to full coverage.  Oil-control complex with bontanical extracts absorbs surface shine and when used daily, actually helps reduce oil production over time.  Natural exfoliants smooth skin while anti-oxidants and SPF 15 protect from enviromental damage.  1 oz $32.50.  If you need to powder over your foundation, try Prescriptives Virtual Matte Oil-Conotrol Pressed Powder. $28  Only apply sparingly in the T-Zone or oily areas of your face.  Do not make the mistake of adding more powder as the day goes on. That  one mistake that makes your skin look like you just stepped out of the Sahara.  Instead for touch-up, try oil blotting sheets or a super sheer oil absorbing translucent powder like Laura Geller Matte Maker.  Matte Maker looks scary becuse it’s pure white, but it goes on translucent and sheer.  Apply as often as needed throughout the day for break-out oil control.  Best application is with a fan brush.

Hope these tips help you cut the fat oil!

Blinging Beauty Blogger!

I commonly get mistaken for being at least a decade younger than I am.  I’m 52, but don’t look it.  I’m sure that I need to thank my parents for the DNA, because they both look(ed) younger than their years.   Those that know I am in the beauty business ask what I use, advice, tips and I’m more than willing to spill the beans.  I can’t shut-up about cosmetics and beauty stuff.  With regard to my skin care routine, it’s pretty simple.  I do the basics — cleanse, moisturize, use SPF,  diligently use eye cream and I diligently EXFOLIATE.  I’m an exfoliating junkie.  A day without scrubbing is like a day without sunshine for me.

So what is exfoliation?  It is the chemical or mechanical removal of dead or non-functioning skin cells. This process also aids in improving circulation through stimulating blood flow. Chemical exfoliants include Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s) and Retinol.  Mechanical exfoliants are ones that have crushed or powdered nuts or seeds, jojoba seeds, or polyethelene (man-made) beads, to name a few.

As we age, our natural desquamation (skin shedding) cycle slows down.  When skin cells shed, it signals lower cell to start making new ones.  That’s why it is so important to exfoliate as we age.  Have you ever seen someone with dry, flaky skin?  Well, all the mosturizer in the world won’t help until they get rid of that dry stuff.  So exfoliation is key.

I use both manual and chemical exfoliants.  Here are my favorites.  My top 5 exfoliators:

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

1.  Exfoliating Cleanser   Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 6.75 oz $35

Exfoliates dull, dry, uneven texture.  Leaves skin smooth and hydrated.  Smoothes texture while cleansing impurities with a trio of gentle exfoliating acids. Salicylic, Lactic and Glycolic Acids provide clarity, brightness and improve cell-turnover by dissolving dead skin cell buildup. Jojoba beads further polish and smooth skin

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Pads

2. Chemical Exfoliant   Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads   60 Pads $45
What it is:
A daily hydroxy acid and peptide facial peel. 

Convenient and easy to use, these peel pads are formulated with alpha, beta, and gamma hydroxy acids (which act as exfoliators) and amino acids (the building blocks of peptides). The result: tighter pores, clear skin and disappearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Leaves skin soft, smooth, firm and revitalized.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub with Salicylic Acid

3.  Budget Exfoliant St. Ives Apricot Scrub for Oily or Acne Prone Skin 6 oz $3.99

Blemish and Blackhead Control

Oily/Acne Prone

Oil Free

2% Salicylic Acid

Gently exfoliates to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells that can clog pores.

Brown Sugar Fig Salt Scrub

4.  Body Exfoliant  Jones and Rose Brown Sugar Fig Salt Scrub $28

Skin nourishing olive, soy, and almonds oils combine to deliver silky, smooth moisture to soften and nourish rough spots. moisturizes while mineral rich sea salts gently smooths and softens rough spots. No need to use lotion afterwards.

Laura Geller Lip Strip

5.  Lip Exfoliant  Laura Geller Lip Strip Cooling Sugar Scrub 1 oz $16

 Lip Strip gently buffs dry lips to renewed smoothness. Historically, sugar is one of the safest natural exfoliants and humectants, and because the skin of the lips is so delicate, pure organic sugar from Brazil was chosen to use as the base of this scrub. In addition, peppermint and spearmint oils were added for a beautiful, refreshing sensation.

 Try these exfoliators and you too can be a smooth operator!