BEAUTY SECRETS / ADVICE

Growing up I would sit backstage in my Mom’s dressing room and watch wide eyed as she transformed from sweatpants clad Mommy to GLITTERING SUPERSTAR DIVA. I was mesmerized as she painted on the makeup, applied the long fake lashes, brushed on the bright red nail polish and fluffed the magnificent mane of hair. As she slipped into the sparkling beaded gown and the matching designer stiletto heels, she became my own life-size doll.

Growing up the daughter of a FASHION ICON, one can’t help but be drawn to the world of FASHION and BEAUTY.

I was awkward and shy growing up (I hid behind my huge, tortoise rimmed glasses, frizzy braids, baggy clothes and sneakers), but when no one was around my inner BEAUTY emerged. When the backstage dressing room was empty, I would mount the vanity table and paint my own lips and cheeks and nails. I would drape myself in the gowns of beads and sparkles and shuffled around in stiletto heels. Posing in the mirror, I was a FABULOUS DIVA (though to everyone else I was just a little girl playing dress up).

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more confident and comfortable in my own skin. I think that everyone has within them a GLITTERING SUPERSTAR DIVA. It just takes a mix of beauty and fashion secrets, confidence to know and believe you are FABULOUS!

Here are some BEAUTY tips and secrets I’ve learned through the years (I’m still listening and learning everyday) from my mom, older sisters, friends and even websites (I love beautyblabber.com). Get FABULOUS people and discover your inner BEAUTY!!!

HAIR –
My hair has always been one of my biggest stress points. I wish it would curl into a cascade of ringlets like my sister Tracee’s, but instead it always knotted into a frizzy mess. My hair has always been long, so I never could seem to keep it under control. A couple of years ago, I got the Yuko hair straightening. I miss my curls and frizz now and then, but the ease of having straight hair has made my life a million times less stressful (and saved me a ton of grey hairs). My advice is to love the hair you were given and if you don’t love it FIX IT! Try not to use too much color, chemicals or heat and ALWAYS condition (I love Kerastase, but a cheaper FABULOUS option is Sunsilk Hydra TLC)!

FACE -
I’ve been blessed with pretty clear skin (thank heavens) and I always wash my face in the morning and before I go to bed (ok… almost always! Unless I’m too tired to! Haha)! I just discovered this cheap eye makeup remover by Almay which is awesome to wick away the smokey eye from a night on the town (so you don’t wake up in the morning looking like a raccoon). If I break out, I try not to pick at my zits because it will scar (Don’t pick at your pimples!) and every couple months I treat myself to a facial by Terri Lawton, the woman who works miracles on many Hollywood hotties including Demi Moore (If only I would look like Demi when I’m her age)!

I love to wear makeup, particularly eye makeup! I have big eyes, so why not play it up! My makeup advice is: Don’t over do it! If you wear a smokey eye, go light on the rest of the make up (natural is FABULOUS)! If you wear red lipstick (which is so sexy!), keep it natural everywhere else. Wear lip-gloss always or chapstick! Chapped lips are NOT FABULOUS! I just learned how to put on fake eyelashes! I buy them for $3 at CVS and rock them when I go out on the town. Fake eyelashes are FABULOUS for sure!

BODY –
Clean is good. I love a good long soak in a tub or a steamy hot shower. I think bar soap is gross, so I always use a yummy smelling shower gel! I moisturize like a crazy lady (I hate being ashy or so dry I feel itchy). I think Aveno is amazing and not too expensive. I always have clean-shaven legs and arm pits. You never know when the man of your dreams might run his hand over your thigh (prickly is not cute)! Hairy armpits are stinky and stinky is NOT FABULOUS! I wax (my nether regions), but I think that is a personal preference. Some people like to go bush whacking ☺ Ha! Ha! I would love to try laser hair removal, but it’s so expensive. My advice: always be clean and moisturized!

TEETH –
Dental hygiene is so important. Not only so you don’t have stank breath, but because when you smile as BIG as I do, your teeth are the first thing people see. Brush those teeth twice a day (at least), floss more than I do (I should take my own advice. I usually floss once a month!) and visit the dentist regularly. I get my teeth cleaned every six months (which is luckily covered under my insurance). I’ve had 2 root canals when I was younger (OUCH) and I don’t want any more!

NAILS–
Manicures and pedicures are so cheap here in LA that I usually get one every 2 weeks. I feel clean, sexy and put together with a nice French Mani / Pedi. In between my manicures, I play with colored nail polish. Red is hot for a night out. Black is sleek and sexy. Light colors or white are fun in the summer. Sometimes, I feel WILD and paint each nail a different color or alternate two colors.

FRAGRANCE –
Being clean is the best fragrance, but I always like to jazz things up with a little perfume. My mom gives us Joe Malone candles and perfume for Christmas. I LOVE the rose and vintage gardenia! Right now, I mostly wear Gucci Rush, but I have to say I also like Paris Hilton’s fragrance (shoot me!) and Britney’s ain’t bad either! Smelling sweet and fresh is always a better option than musty and sweaty!

COSMETIC SURGERY –
I am not opposed to fixing your flaws if it would make you more happy and confident, but it is NOT for me. I think our differences and uniqueness is what makes us beautiful and special. There are days I hate the bump on my nose or wish my chest would fill out my top better, but at the end of the day I am happy with me! Concerning Cosmetic surgery, my advice is to put A LOT of thought into it before hand, chose a reputable doctor and DON’T OVER DO IT! Maybe a little botox for me in my future, but for right now I’m all good!

Discover your inner BEAUTY people and flaunt it!