Author: BethonBeauty

Tried & True: Ren Facial Moisturizer

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I am officially moving a face moisturizer I first tried back in the beginning of 2011…to ‘tried & true’ status. This was the original post:

http://wp.me/p1kq6s-A

I was initially drawn to this line because it is paraben free. This is a great moisturizer – I have dry, sensitive skin, that is break out prone in certain areas. This moisturizer keeps my skin hydrated without being too greasy. It’s a great base for make up. The bottle lasts 3-4 months which helps offset the cost, which is ~$50. I realized this was a tried & true when I switched to a different moisturizer for a period of time and found that my skin broke out almost immediately. When I switched back, my skin went back to normal. This is good stuff especially for crazy combination skin!

Cellulite…I hate you

/ BethonBeauty / 3 Comments

They say it’s hereditary…that women are more prone to it than men. That even if you’re thin, you can still have it. Cellulite, I hate it. I first noticed it on myself my first year out of college. I was wearing a pair of A&F mini shorts and saw the back of my upper thigh in a mirror. I cried, I called my Mom…she suggested I drink more water, flush my system. Since then, it’s been a bit of an obsession. How do I get rid of it? Or, at the very least, minimize it?

Here are some shorter and longer term treatments that I have learned:

 Shorter term (my usual route)

  • Spray tan – it can make you look pounds thinner, and it can mask skin imperfections
  • Exfoliation and massaging skin (this is my #1 treatment lately!) – I exfoliate the backs of my legs and bum in the shower every day. I also use a brush to massage the backs of my legs, to get the circulation going. I got this tip from my girl from amodelrecommends.com! In a weeks’ time I’ve noticed a difference. Maybe it is all in my mind, but my legs look smoother. This is the type of brush, you don’t need this exact one, just needs the bristles, they have many different brands at your local drug store: http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Therapeutics-Ergo-Form-Reaching-Brush/dp/B000NCYZXI/ref=acc_glance_bt_ai_ps_t2_t_1
  • Anti-cellulite cream – the caffeine in these creams helps temporarily plump the skin. I use daily – but especially before wearing shorts or a bathing suit. Before trying these creams I thought it was all a joke. But, I have seen some nice results…nothing ground breaking, but it makes me keep rubbing it on! My new favorite is: http://www.mariobadescu.com/botanical-firming-lotion. It is a thick cream but it absorbs quickly. I’ve had good luck with this line so I’m trying this cream
  • Drink water, drink tea…flush the system!
  • When wearing a tight dress, or if you’re nervous about random bumps/bulges under certain clothing/material– throw on some Spanx and smooth it all out immediately

 Longer term

Look at Sophie Monk (photo courtesy of skinnyvscurvy.com)…even this slender hottie has some cellulite. Maybe I’m evil for finding this pic…but it shows that even hot, skinny hollywood can’t avoid this annoying imperfection. we’re all human!

http://www.amodelrecommends.com/

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I love this girls’ blog! I found it the other day when googling ‘cellulite treatments.’ She’s amazing…I love the set up of her blog, I could only wish to have this bad ass type of site someday!

http://www.amodelrecommends.com/

Beth’s Top Cupcakes 2011

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I realized, I haven’t posted my favorite cupcake places. I’ll keep this short and sweet, pardon the pun.  Below are my top cupcake shops…by region! I won’t go into too much details as to why I love these places…just believe me, they have all have a variety of cupcakes, and they are all DELICIOUS. Many shops did not make the cut.

 

 

 

 

BOSTON METRO  

  • Lulu’s Bake Shoppe in the North End, my old and beloved neighborhood!: http://luluboston.com/
    • Adorable, mom-&-pop-type shop, with creative flavors of cupcakes such as salted chocolate caramel. Lulu’s focuses more on taste than decorative cupcakes. This is my all-time fave cupcake spot. My most recent favorite cupcake = cookie dough
  • Sweet on Newbury St. and in Downtown Crossing: http://www.sweetcupcakes.com/
    • I can spot one of these cupcakes from afar, with their signature super-swirl of frosting. I love the red velvet…and the minis (the top pic was taken at he originl Sweet on Comm. Ave.)

NORTH SHORE, MA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW YORK/LA

  • Crumbs: http://www.crumbs.com/
    • Devastated they haven’t made it to Boston, yet. But this shop makes yummy cupcakes with super generous candy toppings

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE

  • Binny’s Bites: http://binnysbites.com/
    • This girl can bake anything…she can go above and beyond cupcakes. But, I have to say, she’s on the top of my cupcake list. She made me these deliciously fudgy, super cupcakes for my 26th birthday…the top was cake, as well as the bottom. It was drizzled in this light sugary frosting with chunky sugar crystals…just look – beautiful & delicious:

Gel manicure…where it’s at

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I had to try it. So I forked over $25 for the gel manicure at my local salon. Shout out ‘Mimosa Nails’ in Dorchester: http://www.yelp.com/biz/nails-and-spa-dorchester. The employees here are always friendly. I rarely wait and they’re usually pretty busy. They offer patrons free soda or bottled water…and have a ton of polish colors. They also offer waxing, which I haven’t tried.

It weirds me out that the nail technicians need to be certified (or maybe it is trained?) before they can apply a gel manicure…and I did read somewhere about the risks. But, so far, I haven’t noticed any weird side effects. Until then, I think it’s a great manicure and worth the extra costs, mainly because it lasts that much longer than a regular manicure. On average, the gel manicure lasts me 2 weeks without chipping. While a regular manicure lasts maybe 3 days. I am always itching my scalp, so I think my nails chip easier than the average persons.

Axxium is the OPI shellac brand http://www.opi.com/

I love how the manicure lasts and how shiny my nails look. Also, once it is dry (which takes less time than a traditional manicure) it is DRY…and you don’t have to worry about smudging your nails when you reach into your purse for your wallet. I leave the salon and I am done. My favorite color right now is Hayley by the OPI brand. Here is a pic…my hands were kind of dirty from self tanner, but you’ll get the gist of the corally color. I tried a pinky/light color and it came out practically clear, which was a bummer for me. 

One caveat: they suggest you do not chip the polish off yourself. You can soak your nails in polish remover to remove slowly, or go back to the salon and they’ll do it for you. I have chipped mine off myself, because I am a picker…it’s not a good idea, because sometimes you peel a layer of the nail off with it!

An article on gel manicures, if you’re interested: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/fashion/22Skin.html