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Self Tanner 101: Rules and Tricks for a Perfect Application

It occurred to me during my trial and tribulations through endless self tanner products that so much of your experience comes down to the application.

So while I always recommend following the directions with any given product your trying, here are some general application tricks for a flawless (and longer lasting) finish:

Always apply products to freshly cleansed skin –as in it’s best right out of the shower (otherwise you’re asking for an uneven application and streaks!).

Do a patch test 24-48 hour in advance – See how you like it before you put it all over your skin. Better safe then sorry!

Wax at least 24 hrs in advance, shave at least 12 hrs in advance – It’s not advised to apply self-tanner on red or irritated skin.

Avoid deodorant, perfume, or essential oils during application – it can interfere with your self-tanner!

Apply a body lotion to dry areas such as knees, elbow, and heels – that will help keep the tan consistent.

Use disposable gloves and wash your hands between

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6 Self-Tanner Products To Have On Your Radar

The key to a natural looking fake tan is technique and great products. I’ve been playing the “I was at the beach” card for the past few months, although I confess my tan is pretty much always fake. And you know what? I’m proud of it! I took what Dermalogica’s Director of Global Education, Annet King said at her Skincare Boot Camp about the damages of UV rays to heart. Although the fact that the sun causes skincare damage and premature aging is nothing new to most of us. And yet it’s still so easy to neglect wearing sunblock because we love being tan.

Tanning beds aren’t any better for you, and many don’t want the expense or inconvenience of relying on a salon for a spray tan–although if you do, I recommend B.Bronz professional spray tanning services (I got an amazing non-streaky, instant golden tan from them). The best alternative if you want the color are self-tanners. After many, many, many months of trying over 20 different products (no joke this story has been a long time coming –I’ve been very tan recently); here are my must-haves and tips for a healthy, natural looking tan.

Beautisol Face Self-Tanner

 1. Use a good well-tested face specific self-tanner – As in avoid body tanners on your face! Beautisol is the first brand to create a skin type specific self tanner. There’s a ‘Normal-Dry-Sensitive’ and ‘Normal-Oily-Problematic’ ($26) version. It’s safe for sensitive skin while addressing and preventing breakouts and uneven skintone. It’s dynamite, as is every product I’ve used from this brand. Not to mention that website is an amazing resource for all things tan and filled with great tips and techniques to make you an application expert.

Fake Bake Flawless Self-tan + Mitt

2. A great all over tan product and professional mitt– I’m all about the Fake Bake Flawless Self-tan Liquid and Professional Mitt set ($24). You spray the product onto the mitt then apply it all over your body for an even, lightweight, golden tan that quickly absorbs and dries onto skin. It’s low maintenance, easy to apply and the mitt is AMAZING. I actually need to contact the brand to try to buy a pack of 20 (I need a lifetime supply). Whenever any of my other tan products are uneven (especially the sprays), I use the mitt to even it out. It works better then any towel I’ve used –and don’t even entertain using your hand to smooth out an uneven application (can we say streakfest?).

Spray Tan: DEX, B.Bronz, Sally Hansen

3. Have a good spray tan on hand – I use DEX Body Glow Sunless Tanner ($34) for a dark ‘I’ve been at the beach all day’ tan although you have to really shake this product and apply in a shower tub or over plastic or it can get messy since it’s such a large aerosol bottle! It’s especially amazing on my legs to get that deep bronze I love. I also use B.Bronze Tanning Mist ($24) for a more lightweight, even tan that comes in two shades light/medium and medium/dark. The nozzle is smaller then the Dex one, so it’s easier to apply on the fly if I just want a healthy glow– especially on my arms. And while I’d categorize Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs ($14) closer to a leg concealer or foundation, this product is amazing for covering spider veins, beauty marks or any other imperfections we’d prefer to keep hidden when

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Making Scents with Sue Phillips

Our hosts! Sue Phillips and Charu

What’s a dinner party without bergamot, lavender and saffron? Well those we’re just some of the ingredients that lined the table at my good friend, and talented travel/beauty writer Charu from ButterflyDiary.com‘s recent event. The main course? Fragrance. Custom fragrance to be exact –or perhaps that would qualify as the dessert. Before creating a signature scent, my fellow guests and I (including legendary astrologer, Susan Miller! freak out) went on a fragrance journey.

And who better to guide us through the expedition then renowned fragrance expert and perfumer, Sue Phillips, founder of Scenterprises. We began with a multiple choice quiz –what types of fabrics we like, our favorite season, which film icons we most admire… the usual stuff one could use to forecast our fragrance preferences (huh?). Mine pegged me as someone into fresh scents and floral/citrus notes (so true! Isn’t that what I’m always telling all of you!?!?). I do love me a simple, clean, fresh fragrance!  What’s better then the crisp smell in the air after a rainstorm? Or the smell of pine through the forest, gardenias in the summer or anything lavender?

We then discussed composition. Fragrances are constructed by three types of notes, TOP (the first impact note that comes of out the initial spritz and quickly dissipates), MIDDLE (also referred to as the hard note and lasts 2-3 hours) and BASE (which lingers the longest ranging 3-5 hours). Placed on blotter strips (which are used as a neutral way to evaluate scents), the group proceeded to smell a variety of

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Five Nail Tricks Every Girl Should Know

Ahem…everyone should know!

1. Roll, don’t shake – Shaking a bottle of nail polish can result in bubbles. Instead, roll it (the bottle should be upright) between your hands; fingers to palm, back and forth.

2. Vitamins can help– If your nails are dry or brittle, break open a capsule of vitamin E oil and massage it into your nails (I like to do it at night before I go to bed).

3. Matches to the rescue – If you’re out in public and you chip a nail, use the strike strip to file your nail.

4. Wear a base coat – It’s an easy step to overlook when you’re in a rush to do your nails, but failure to do so can cause the polish to seep into your nail bed and dye your fingernails (especially darker shades). Plus they act like a primer for nail polish and offer a more uniform and longer lasting application.

5. File nails in one direction – filing back and forth can damage and split your nails.

Have any tricks of your own? Leave a comment and share them:)


Betsey Johnson’s New Fragrance “Too Too”

By Elizabeth Borenstein

Betsey Johnson holding her signature Too Too Fragrance

Betsey Johnson’s newest fragrance, Too Too, pays homage to her dancer roots. The adorable bottle wearing a bustier, tutu, and fishnets holds an interesting concoction. Using fruity and floral notes, including mandarins, ginger, bulgarian rose and patchouli, the scent registers as pleasantly sweet.

Performance by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy

To celebrate the introduction of Too Too the designer hosted a delicious brunch at MILK Studios complete with pink iced cupcakes. The real treat was singing Happy Birthday to the ridiculously fit and stunning Betsey Johnson. She then promptly upstaged performances by Stephen Petronio Company and dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy when she jumped into the air and did the splits. We should all be that flexible on our 69th birthday!

Too Too, launching October 2011, will be sold exclusively at Sephora.

Disclaimer: Pretty Connected was invited to this event by a company representative

Intelligent Nutrients Launches Lip Delivery Antioxidant Glass

Intelligent Nutrients, the certified organic health and beauty brand created by Aveda founder, Horst Rechelbacker is gearing up to launch their first USDA Certified Organic Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss! Phew that’s a mouthful! A mouthful of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, oils and butters formulated to battle free radicals, oxidative stress and help fight pre-mature aging while delivering moisture and shine.

Available in two shades Clear Frosting (clear sheen) and Purple Maize (light purple tint), I’ve trying the latter and it smells like chocolate raspberry cake! It’s clean tube packaging, has a brush application at the tip. It’s lightweight and delivers a soft purple sheen.

Intelligent Nutrients Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss will be available on August at Barneys New York and ABC Home

Disclaimer: A complimentary advance samples of this product was given to Pretty Connected by a company representative. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review. See my About/Disclosure tab for more information.

Mom Approved: Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs

Last month, my mom came to visit me and in true Lara form, I loaded her suitcase with products suitable for her hair type and anti-aging products. As the pickiest beauty person I know (and most honest), her guidelines we’re to report back with anything exceptional. I got two very enthusiastic thumbs up for Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs ($52) and the below review:

I’ve had a few microdermabrasions, with very promising effects to my skin.  As with many anti-aging products and procedures, they don’t last and the process needs to be repeated on some kind of regular schedule that works for your skin type.  That said, Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs, are the next best thing, whether you use them on a regular basis or in between appointments.

After using them for a week, my skin was smooth; and there was a visible reduction of fine lines and a radiant glow (much like when I leave my Microdermabrasion appointments)!  The Bromelains concentrated pineapple enzymes increasing

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MAC Announces Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin as the new spokespersons for VIVA GLAM

THE M·A·C AIDS FUND announced Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin today as its newest spokespersons for the 2012 VIVA GLAM campaign launching in February 2012.  The two are currently on set in Miami shooting the campaign visuals with renowned photographer David La Chappelle (I LOVE HIM!). I can’t wait for them to be released!

To date the fund has raised $224 Million exclusively through the sale of its VIVA GLAM lip products donating 100% of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS.

Proactiv Refining Mask

You’ve all seen the commercials for Proactiv and have probably been on the system at one point or another. My days of teenage hormones and all over breakout are over (knock on wood), but I do get the occasional pimple on my face and back which is not cool. After hearing a lot of positive feedback about the Proactiv Refining Mask, I decided to give it a try. It’s formulated with a 6% concentration of antibacterial sulfur to heal and prevent acne and vitamin-enriched omegas to keep skin balanced and toned.

Since I don’t consistently breakout, I prefer to use it as a spot treatment on existing acne rather than using it regularly as a preventative. I apply the thick, white, mask to damp, cleansed spots; leave it on for 10-15 minutes, and then wash it off. It instantly reduced the redness dramatically and soothed any swelling. I can feel it working but it’s not the least bit uncomfortable on my skin. It’s slightly drying but has never made me peel. It also works well as a t-zone treatment and when applied overnight to clear up acne (but let it fully dry or put a towel on your pillowcase).

Proactiv Refining Mask (3.5 oz/$19.95, 2.5 oz/$14.95), available on www.proactiv.com

Disclaimer: A complimentary samples of this product was given to Pretty Connected by a company representative. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review. See my About/Disclosure tab for more information.

Websites, openings and promos to check out…

Welcome YouBeauty.com, a new interactive beauty website developed by Dr. Mehmot Oz and Dr. Michael Roizento arm women with proven tools that use science to measure and improve inner and outer beauty.  It offers specialized quizzes on everything from nutrition, relationships, to skincare, forums, and content from celebrity hair and makeup experts and tackles questions like ‘what’s the perfect haircut for your face shape’? Check them out!

Andean Collection will expand beyond jewelry with the introduction of their Antisana line which includes hats, scarves, and belts.

Swarovski Nirvana ring

Swarovski is celebrating their iconic Nirvana Ring with a sweepstakes. Enter to win one HERE (or don’t better chance for me!). It’s kind of the most amazing ring!

French Connection is giving away a $1,000 shopping spree to their store + round trip fare and hotel from August 2-3 to NYC and VIP access to Christina Perri’s “lovestrong” summer tour. Enter for your chance HERE.

Mary J. Blige is introducing her new fragrance, My List Blossom exclusively on HSN on 8/13. To celebrate, Carol’s Daughter is running a sweepstakes and giving one lucky fan and a friend an all inclusive trip to meet Mary J. Blige at the HSN premiere and a $250 gift certificate to Carol’s Daughter. For details and the enter click HERE

The NEW Kiehl's spa!

Kiehl’s finally launched their first spa! Located at 64th Street and Lexington Ave in NYC, they’ve taken their downtown charm to the UES. The full services spa includes facials, massages, face, body and hair treatments as well as men’s grooming services.

L’OCCITANE will open its first boutique in NYC’s Meatpacking District on 48 Ninth Avenue (at 14th St.) and will be hosting a consumer event at 6:30pm on July 28th complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a small reception. The first 100 customers to make a purchase will receive an exclusive Meatpacking set featuring the brands most iconic products.

Brut (you know that men’s line in the green bottle?) launched BNN, a part sport/humor/fratty  video series on their Facebook page, hosted

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