Collagen: Slather it On or Gulp it Down?

American women (like you and me) have some beauty rituals we swear by like applying self tanner or bronzer for that faux glow, putting cool cucumbers on our eyes to reduce puffiness or applying the latest cream that promises to make us look ten years younger, right? Well one beauty ritual in the far east includes sticking a straw in your beauty product... and drinking it in!
Asian women have long been known to have beautiful skin that never seems to grow old and wrinkled with age. But could their beauty secret be held in a bottle? It's still up for debate (by scientists and doctors alike) but collagen drinks are all the rage in Asia... and they make some pretty alluring claims. They promise to up the collagen levels in your blood to help rebuild the elastic-like proteins that keep your skin looking youthful. Sound too good to be true? Many western doctors dispel those claims and site many Asian women's rituals like avoiding the sun (one of the biggest factors of collagen break-down) as the reason their skin looks to youthful. While more credible studies need to be performed to decide what the real benefits are, dermatologists recommend applying hydrolyzed collagen instead in the form of creams and cosmetics to your skin. And it's your lucky day... our Bye Bye Under Eye concealer along with several of our products are packed full of the beauty protein. So while scientists are still debating the "gulping down" part, how about you slather it on instead... that sounds like a beautiful idea!

Bye Bye Tacky Tattoo!

Now you see it... now you don't! If you've ever decided to get a spur of the moment tattoo and later seriously regretted your icky ink you're not alone (you'd be shocked to know who's hiding embarrassing body art in Hollywood). Now, there are several things you can do to try to permanently get rid of the tacky tattoo... but invasive surgery or laser removal can be seriously expensive. A single treatment at one of the best tattoo removal centers in the Big Apple will set you back hundreds of dollars (um, ya...we said single treatment). So unless your long lost relative just left you an inheritance or you have thousands of dollars to spare we have a much better idea! And get this... it should already be in your make-up bag! Yep... you heard us right. You can use our Bye Bye Under Eye concealer to cover up any unsightly ink... and it works like a charm! First, start with clean, dry skin. Do not apply any moisturizers before applying the Bye Bye Under Eye or else it won't adhere properly to your skin. Start by dabbing a little bit of product directly on the tattoo (if you're tan you may need to order a darker color for your body). Using our Mini Buffer Brush lightly blend the concealer adding more if you need extra coverage until the product blends into your skin. Next, seal the (very hidden) deal with a bit of translucent power like our Bye Bye Pores. Wow, it's like magic! Your not-so-cool body art is gone for now and will not re-appear until you are ready! We'll understand if you want to rename our product Bye Bye Tacky Tattoo.

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Skip (the made-up look) and Go Naked!

With the fall comes sweater shopping, chilly nights and going naked? Ya, you read that right! One of the hottest make-up trends this fall is naked, not an ounce of make-up used (lie!), glowy skin. If you've ever looked in the mirror right after rolling out of bed you realize this look isn't literally about heading out the door make-up free (because that can be scary, we know!). As with anything... there's a little effort behind the look.

To get this "I roll out of bed looking this refreshed every day look" start with a sheer tinted moisturizer. If you have any blemishes cover them up with a concealer like Bye Bye Under Eye that will never get caky and will help correct any discoloration your skin has over time. Next, line your lower lash line with a bronzy shadow (check out the shades in Eyes of Seduction Shadow Palette that come with the perfect liner brush) and follow with one coat of mascara. To finish the look, brush a golden bronzer under your cheek bones for a sun-kissed glow and use a highlighter one shade lighter than your skin on your brow and cheek bones. By following these steps you'll have a beautiful, glowy look that brings out your natural beauty. Ok... ready, set, go naked!

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

If you've ever hung out with a Debby Downer you know it's about as much fun as eating soggy toast. You know the "downer" mood: cranky, annoyed and frustrated paired with a "bitter beer face". Sometimes life can be frustrating... but there is hope for Debby (or you) to see the glass half-full! And it is as easy as flashing a smile!

Flash those pearly whites!

Even when you don't feel like showing off your chompers, the simple act of smiling can make you feel better. Facial feedback is a technical term for messages that are sent to your brain to tell you you're filled with glee. And, if you're smiling, you may seem happy to others and they, in turn, will smile back at you. Looking better will also make you feel better. So, if it's your not-so-pearly-whites that are keeping you from smiling try a blue tinted lip gloss that will counteract the yellow in your teeth for an instant white appearance. Try It Cosmetics Smile-Brightening Collagen Plumping Gloss and notice the difference instantly.

Work up a sweat, girl!

According to Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness", exercise lifts depression just as well as medication. She says four months of working out has been found to be just as effective at treating depression as four months of taking the anti-depressant medication Zoloft. So put on your dancing shoes and start shaking your booty!

Pay it forward!

Feed a stranger's parking meter, hold open a door, or pay for the person's morning java behind you in line. By doing three random acts of kindness one day a week, you'll think you put rose color glasses on! Can you feel the love already? Now come on! Get happy!

Become a "Pretty Little Liar"!

The ABC Family hit show "Pretty Little Liars" is packed full of serious high school drama, juicy gossip and red-hot fresh faced actors. So much drama, in fact, that it is the most viewed cable show by girls and women alike. And fan favorite Lucy Hale, who plays Aria, is one of the shows many reasons to watch. She has just enough girl-next-door appeal to make you like her... but add in her sexy hair, perfect make-up and to-die-for outfits and you've got a bombshell in the making. Recently, Lucy showed up to the Teen Choice Awards and was literally radiating beauty. It looked as if her make-up took hours to apply (Shh... it's our secret) but her look is astonishingly easy to re-create. First, use a eyeshadow primer like Bye Bye Lid Lines from lash line to brow bone. This will keep your shadow in place long after the party is over. Next, use a bronze shade all over your eye lid. There are several to choose from in the Eyes of Seduction Shadow Palette that will compliment any skin tone. Follow the bronze shadow with a highlight color a few shades lighter than your skin on your brow bone and in between your nose and eyelid. This will make your eyes "pop"! Finish your eyes with a dark brown eye liner on the upper and lower lash lines (smudge, smudge for a smoky look). For Lucy's overall polished look, brush some bronzer below your cheek bones and coat your lips with a clear or nude gloss. A good one to try is Smile-Brightening Collagen Plumping Gloss that goes on clear, gives your lips vavavoom and makes your teeth look whiter!

Give Your Digits Some Love Already!

A manicure might be one of life's most fabulous little treats. You get massaged, groomed and polished and leave the salon feeling just a little bit better than when you walked in! But all of us know there's not always time to sneak off for some digit-intervention. Thank goodness for our little product called Nail Love . It is seriously jam packed with goodness! It is a super cute pen that comes with a brush tip applicator so your hands don't get messy and a cuticle tool cap to gently push back your cuticles. The pen sells for less than the cost of a mani and is full of Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Vitamins A, C, E and Pro-Vitamin B5 and Jojoba Seed Oil which is really great stuff. Jojoba Seed Oil is super easily absorbed into your skin and actually discourages some bacterial and fungus from growing. The healing Eucalyptus Leaf Oil can help repair any hang nails or tiny tears around your nails and tons of vitamins deliver exactly what your nails need: Some LOVE! Before you know it your nails will be long and strong, your cuticles will be healthy and your hands will look perfectly kept. So come on! What are you waiting for? Give your digits some love already!