First, the Metallic Shadow Duos are not only budget friendly they are packed with pigment power for an ultimate color pay-off. Typically I find a lot of drugstore makeup brands have very little pigment therefore you have to pack on the product for the color to show up. The L’Oreal HIP line has combined a winning combination of value and product. These duo packs have even taken the guesswork out of color theory by pairing up colors that are complimentary in each shadow compact. They come in five shade pairings: Gilded, Magnetic, Gunmetal, Platinum, and Sculpted and retail for just $7.00 for each set!

The HIP High Intensity Pigments Jelly Balms are equally as nice with a beautiful sheer color pay-off and a soft, dewy finish. My brides love these because this product leaves their lips conditioned and moist, they are simple to apply alone or over a lipstick shade and, most importantly, they are kissable too! The Balms are available in six sheer shades: Luscious, Savory, Succulent, Plush, Ripe, and Delectable and retail for just $9.00 each. L’Oreal, thank you for making a budget-friendly product with unbeatable quality – any makeup artist’s dream! To check out these and other L’Oreal products, visit www.lorealparis.com.

Fitness Myth #1: A 20 Minute Walk Will Change Your Body Shape:

One common misconception is that walking 20 minutes a day 5 to 6 days a week is all you need to do to “be in shape.” This is definitely true if you want to lead a longer, healthier life. Your heart, lungs, muscles, and joints will be healthier. You, however, will not lose large amounts of weight, tone muscles, and make them look “better.” In order to change your body shape, a much more intensive plan will have to be instituted. This plan should incorporate dietary changes, weight lifting, and more intense cardiovascular training. All of these activities will be needed to make substantive changes in body composition.

Fitness Myth #2: Weightlifting Raises Resting Metabolism:

Another common misconception is that if you lift weights and add muscle mass you will lose weight when sitting due to a higher metabolism. Scientific studies of muscle metabolism have conclusively shown that skeletal muscle burns about 13 calories per kilogram of body weight over a 24 hour period. If a man weighs 70 Kg (154 Lbs), has about 28 Kg of skeletal muscle will burn about 22% of the calories his body uses through the day. Adding 4 pounds of muscle bulk thru weightlifting, during a high intensity 6 month lifting program, would result in burning 24 more calories per day. One bite of an Oreo cookie contains about 24 calories.
This does not mean that weight training should be avoided. Weight training will result in higher lean body mass. This translates into more efficient fat metabolism for energy. Cellular membranes are more permeable to glucose, reducing the need for excess insulin in the blood.

Fitness Myth #3: Specific Exercises Will Cause Spot Reduction:

Many exercise devices are marketed to spot reduce or spot tone a specific body part. The idea is that by using their device you will be able to tone the inner thighs, for example. This is simply not true. Muscles utilize blood glucose, cellular energy stores, and blood fat for energy. Fat is not pulled from the area it is stored in to serve as energy in its own “neighborhood.” Once blood glucose levels are low, a hormonal reaction is triggered to metabolize stored fat for conversion to glucose for energy. Fat deposits are tapped in multiple places around the body, not adjacent to the body part requiring the need for energy. The amount of toning is based on one’s genetic predisposition for muscle growth and fat storage. We can not change how our body is programmed to add muscle and store fat.

Fitness Myth #4: Lifting Heavy Weight Will Add Bulk:

Adults, both male and female, may or may not become “bulky” when lifting heavy weight. Conversely, women are often told to lift light weights with high repetitions to avoid “bulk.” These both are determined by our genetics, not our lifting routine. Women are less likely than men to add tremendous bulk when lifting weights. High levels of specific hormones are necessary for muscles to add large amounts of bulk. The genetics of each individual determine who can add bulk and who can not. An extension of this is that “muscle bulk” will make you heavier, slower and lose quickness. All of these have been proven scientifically untrue.

Fitness Myth #5: Prepackaged, Processed “Diet” Foods Are Best for Weight Loss:

Weight loss is only accomplished when you burn more calories than you consume. That is, you have to exercise more to accommodate for the typical American high fat, fast food based diet. Caloric restriction should not be the “diet” of choice. A proper diet be composed of a balance of fruits and vegetables, whole grain derived foods, limited fat consumption, limited sugar consumption, and limited alcohol consumption. A well balanced diet will help to keep cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar low.
Foods should be freshly prepared; prepackaged foods tend to have been leached of essential vitamins and minerals. Avoid fried foods, high fat foods (cheaper cuts of red meats, processed sausages, and fast food hamburgers). A general rule of thumb is that the cheaper the meat, the higher the fat content. Fat is cheap, that’s why a fast food hamburger can be sold at such a low cost.

About Stacy Berman

Stacy Berman is a certified fitness trainer and founder of Stacy’s Boot Camp. Berman initially began her career as a lifeguard, and then moved on to one-on-one fitness training. Berman became a trainer at the New York Sports Club in 1999 and in 2002 was named their top female trainer. Berman was named master trainer in 2003 and in 2005 left NYSC to devote herself to Stacy’s Boot Camp full-time.
Berman graduated from Hunter College with a degree in health education and psychology and her personal training certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). She is also a certified nutritional specialist through Dr. Jane Pentz, of Lifestyle Management Associates and is a NASM certified sports fitness specialist.

For more information on Stacy’s Boot Camp, including registration details and full schedule, visit www.stacysbootcamp.com.

“I love Redken products,” said Latin Grammy nominated Puerto Rican singer Ednita Nazario. “I heard the Intense Renewal Mask was great!.”

Other artists were already avid users of other products and couldn’t wait to try out the new addition. “I love the products, and I use the Extreme line and Smooth Down Butter Treat,” says Puerto Rican actress, Giselle Blondet. “I’ve never tried the Real Control shampoo and conditioner, but would love to try them.” Emily Estefan, daughter of Gloria Estefan, mentioned it would be a great line for her mom to use since her hair sometimes becomes unmanageable in the hot and humid weather of Miami.

The exclusive talent gift lounge was visited by press and celebrities attending the Latin GRAMMY® Awards rehearsals as well as the actual show on November 13th. Amor gave personal consultations to everyone that passed by and even provided touch-ups for others. Each attendee also received the opportunity to visit the ultra-exclusive Warren Tricomi Los Angeles salon, owned by Amor, in West Hollywood for a blow-dry or Real Control service.

However, my jealousy wore off a little when Paul returned with some product samples. The first product I tried was 3LAB WW Eye Cream.

3LAB, a brand that claims to be harnessing “the advanced science of perfecting your skin,” and the makers of “h” serum, has developed WW Eye Cream to battle UV damage, smooth wrinkles, erase bags under the eyes, suppress melanin production in the delicate eye area, and improve skin tone and texture.

I couldn’t wait to see how 3LAB’s WW Eye Cream would work for me, but before trying it though, I had to do some research. I’ve read a lot of reviews about 3LAB WW Eye Cream. Is there really one product that works to firm your skin, stimulate circulation, and even skin tone?

3LAB was developed by a renowned dermatologist and two chemists with cutting-edge science on their side. WW Eye Cream contains 3LAB’s patented Nano-Claire GY, as well as Niacinamide and Portulaca Extract.

Nano-Claire GY, is a proprietary formula that 3LAB describes as a “bio-engineered growth hormone material” which reduces the signs of wrinkles in aging skin at the cellular level.

The next ingredient, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), “inhibits melanin production and combats UV damage and dark circles.” Combats UV damage and dark circles? Did they make this just for me?

Lastly, “Portulaca Extract, a powerful anti-inflammatory, helps to erase under eye bags and improve skin texture.” With my late nights at grad school, the thought of reducing under eye puffiness sounds like magic!

Now, if you’ve been reading, you may also know that I have very sensitive skin and a lot of allergies. I first look for strong perfumes, because this is a sure sign it will aggravate my skin. WW Eye Cream passes the sniff test (I don’t think there’s any odor whatsoever).

Also, keep in mind that trying new products may require a patch test, especially if you know your skin is sensitive. My doctor has me test in an inconspicuous spot. Check with yours before trying it in any area where your skin may be sensitive. After it passed the sniff test, I went for the patch test. No offensive odors and no allergic reactions.

This is by far the most luxurious and well, creamiest, eye cream I have ever used. I dabbed it on in small dabs around my eyes. I could hardly believe how smoothly it went over my skin. I tried it the first time before bed, and the next morning when I was getting ready, I used it again. In just days, I already see an improvement in my dark circles, and under eye puffiness. My eyes truly look brighter and younger.

With results this good, I am stretching my sample size for as long as I can!

3LAB products can be purchased online at eCosmeticWorld.com, or in stores and online at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys.

As Target’s partnership with Isaac Mizrahi draws to a close, fear not, budget-conscious fashionistas! Thankfully, Target is still devoted to keeping us looking good in a “economic downturn,” and has announced their launch of Designer Collaborations.

Designer Collaborations is a different product segment than Target’s Go International lines, which has featured designs from up and coming designers like Proenza Schouler, Luella Bartley, and Behnaz Sarafpour (to name a few of my favorites). Designer Collaborations will be featuring wallet-friendly fashion from established designers, kicking off in March 2009 with a new line from Alexander McQueen. The line will be based on Alexander McQueen’s McQ line and called McQ Alexander McQueen for Target.

 

The collection will feature trends and staple pieces including skinny jeans (yum!), lightweight sweaters, bubbles dresses, slim skirts (my favorite), and cuffed shorts. It will also include outerwear such as a coated cotton poplin black trench, gray denim cropped studded jacket, and a tuxedo blazer. Some other buzz-worthy items will be swimwear and cotton voile print scarves.

The color palette will consist of basic neutrals like black, white, gray and tan offset with punches of bright pink and cobalt blue. There’s also said to be a lot of rock and roll in this line, with studs and mesh punking up more traditional threads like a chambray shirtdress.

Is it too early to start camping outside of Target?

We’re lucky enough to live in a country where we can participate in our government. So, no matter who you are supporting, get out there and vote! I am going right after I depart my office in 3…2…1…!

Our right to vote is a beautiful and precious thing!

Available at TheLimited.com and JCrew.com

“Dreams can be storehouses of creativity and may in fact be the well from which imagination springs. Dreams were a great source of inspiration for the development of our fragrance,” said Ottavia Piergiovanni, Executive Director of Global Marketing, Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries. “We’re excited about the opportunity to gain an inside perspective on the aspirations of real women and to make some of those dreams come true.”

In addition to the grand prize winner, Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries will award five runner-up prizes, one most viral entry prize, and weekly sweepstakes prizes. as well as choose the grand prize entry, the most viral entry from the top 100, and the runners-up from the top 100 highest scoring.

Brickfish social media campaigns enable brands and agencies to launch online marketing campaigns that get consumers engaged in a meaningful brand dialogue. Consumers create exciting, personalized brand-focused user-generated content (UGC) and then virally share the campaign and their content with their vast social networks via email, blogs, instant messaging and hundreds of social networks. Campaign participants interact with the brand campaign in a variety of ways that include creating, reviewing, sharing, voting upon, and watching brand-relevant content. This powerful viral marketing vehicle generates extensive brand awareness, engagement, reach and results - from lead generation to sales.

“The ‘Share Your Dreams with Tommy Hilfiger’ campaign is a phenomenal way for the brand to reach fragrance fashion fans through the power of social media,” said Brian Dunn, CEO of Brickfish. “Because the campaign was created to reflect the inspiration of the fragrance, we are confident that the brand message will reach consumers loud and clear across the Internet.”

The “Share Your Dreams with Tommy Hilfiger” campaign ends November 13. For complete campaign rules and details, visit http://www.brickfish.com/dreaming.

For more information about Brickfish, visit www.brickfish.com/company.