Say No to Cracked Cuticles!

As a second grade teacher, I have germy children wanting to touch me all day long. They want to hold my hands, give me hugs, and just basically be all over me ALL THE TIME. Lucky for them, I don't mind it so much and I know they need all the love and affection they can get, BUT, I really HATE the thought of getting sick. I go through Lysol wipes and antibacterial gel like it's my job. Lately with the swine flu craze, I've doubled up on pumping the Purell and washing my hands. Unfortunately, this has made my nails and cuticles look a hot mess until I found my Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.

This little tin of lemony heaven has saved the skin on my hands and around my nails from flaking off from all the washing and scrubbing. With a little rub around my nail bed, my nails look healthier and shinier and my cuticles look moisturized. It leaves a silky smooth (not greasy) feel and it has a great fresh lemon scent. I have even used it on my elbows, heels, and a little dry spot on my chin... works like a charm! The cute tin is small enough to carry in your purse or pocket; trust me, you'll want to bring it everywhere once you try it. The price is $6 on the Burt's Bees website, but you can probably find it cheaper in other stores.

Flawless Canvas

I've never worn foundation. I always felt like was heavy and unnatural, like someone painted on your face. I've noticed that blending into the jawbone is a common problem and especially in pictures, the face is a completely different color than the rest of the skin. But, foundation does provide a "clean canvas" for applying makeup. Enter Philosophy's The Present Clear Makeup.

This product gives you a perfect complexion without the pain of applying foundation. It goes on clear! The silicone binds with your skin, creating a smooth surface and giving your skin an airbrush effect. Not only does it make your skin look awesome, but it helps makeup stay on longer as well as reduces oiliness. You can apply it before or after moisturizer or you could use it alone as an oil-free moisturizer. It's lightweight, easy to apply, and totally worth $25.

One downside: No SPF... but just throw some on before hand!

Bat Them Lashes!

I think it's a crime to leave my house without at least one coat of mascara. Nothing fixes a hangover/no sleep/"I hate my life" face better than some long, dark, full lashes. I currently have about 6 tubes of different brands in my makeup drawer and I alternate which one I wear depending on the look I want to get. Here are some of my faves:

Christian Dior - DiorShow Spectacular Volume Intense Black Khol
By far the most dramatic mascara I've ever tried. One wand swipe of this stuff and you've got serious sex kitten eyes. I use it for nights out and every time I do a smokey eye because it's intense enough to define your eyelashes from the dark shadow and liner. But at $24 a tube and a teacher's salary... I try to save it for special occasions, lol.

Maybelline New York - Intense XXL Volume & Length Microfiber Mascara
This is 2nd runner up... This mascara can give me pretty dramatic dark lashes but needs more than one coat. First you apply the microfiber basecoat (the white end) and then the topcoat (black). One problem is if you don't coat every lash, you can see the white basecoat. Also, it seems you get less mascara because it's a double end tube. But for girls on a budget, you can still get a thick, dark effect for about $7.

Cover Girl - Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Mascara
This mascara is so much fun! Based on your eye color, different metallic specks make your eyes look brighter. It has one of those no-clump rubber brushes so it's easy to define and seperate lashes. I bought the "Black Pearl" for brown eyes and the "Black Ruby" for green eyes (hey, a girl can dream...). A tube goes for average price of $6-$7.

Benefit San Francisco - A Little Bit BADgal Lash Mascara
This is perfect for a mascara addict (I swear people, it's a heathly addiction, not a Tammy Faye Bakker kind, yikes!) It's a miniature version of Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara with the same oversized brush. You can literally fit it in that tiny little pocket in your jeans... what else is that for anyway?! Shove this lil tube in there and your lashes will never be dull again! $9, only at Sephora.

Maybelline New York - Define-a-Lash Waterproof Lengthening Mascara
My everyday, all-natural, girl next-door mascara. It gives my lashes enough color, length, and seperation to help me look more awake and not overdone. This really does lengthen and the superthin rubber wand keeps it from clumping. It lasts all day and it's not a pain in the butt to remove like most waterproof mascaras. Average price of $6-$7.

There are tons of different types of mascaras with special brushes, colors, formulas for volume, length and definition to fulfill any girl's desire. Grab a tube, swipe some on, and go bat them lashes!

I am living proof to Living Proof

I have spent a great portion of my life trying to keep my curly hair pin straight. Styling creams, shampoos, hot-oil treatments, flat irons, chemicals, you name it, I've tried it. But no matter how straight I get my hair... the second humidity perks a bit (rainy days, foggy showers, sweaty dance floors, steamy sex), the kink instantly returns. Getting bangs was probably the worse idea ever because of this frizz problem, but I am determined to find a way to get it straight without permanently damaging my natural curl, 'cuz not gonna lie, I kind of like it from time to time.

Well I think I finally got it! Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair is probably the most amazing thing I have purchased since my CHI. A quarter size glob of this stuff and my hair was salon straight with little effort of my round brush and 2389348 watt blow dryer. Of course I had to ensure it's validity against humidity so I conducted several tests including: a muggy day, a naughty encounter, and a hot shower. My hair remained Asian straight! I LOVE this stuff!!

LivingProof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream can be found at Sephora. They come in 2oz and 4oz contairs for $14 and $24. You won't regret it!