Heal a Zit in a Zap!

If you've ever had a break-out the size of Mount Kilimanjaro on your face you know how tempting it can be to launch a major attack against the unwelcome intruder. But before you break out heavy machinery to start drilling into your skin take a deep breath... and follow these simple steps to clear skin.

First, resist the urge to squeeze your pimple into submission... even if you have to tie your hands behind your back! Pinching a blemish will only cause the area to swell, delay healing and could leave you with a permanent reminder of the unfortunate eruption. So hands off, girl! Second, as soon as your blemish emerges... become an ice queen! Holding an ice cube to your face will help reduce swelling in the area and will cut-down recovery time. Follow with a medicated face wash and spot treat the area with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or sulfur until the blemish heals. Finally, hide your "new addition" with a concealer like our Bye Bye Under Eye that will not make your pimple worse and will not clog your pores. You can apply it using your finger or a clean concealer brush and blend it until your pimple disappears from sight. You may want to finish by applying a powder like our Bye Bye Pores to seal your concealer in place! Now take a peek in the mirror! You're probably feeling better already. And by the end of the week your skin will be looking radiant and clear!

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.

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!

Mama Skin Drama

Ahhh...you're pregnant, about to experience one of lifes biggest blessings and to top it off, you're skin is "glowing" right??? Unfortunately for many of us, our belly isnt the only bump we get from baby! That's right, pregnancy can severely affect a new mommy's skin. Increased hormone levels, weight gain and sleepless nights can add up so some serious skin issues. But don't fear, some TLC for your skin is here! Here are a few of the most popular pesky pregnancy pop-ups and how to solve them!

Acne
While you're pregnant your body produces extra progesterone that signals your glands to secrete more oil. That extra oil can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Try using an all natural cleanser that contains the natural ingredient sulfer and is free of harsh chemicals until you have delivered your baby and are done breast feeding. Also, to conceal your blemishes, use a non-comedogenic concealer with calming ingredients such as our Bye Bye Under Eye.

Dark Spots

Skin discoloration happens when elevated hormone levels trigger pigment producing cells resulting in a condition called Melasma. Celeb mommy Brooke Burke has openly admitted to having patchy areas of discoloration on her face and says she combats the problem by using a broad spectrum SPF. Dermatologists recommend staying out of the sun, wearing large hats and always applying sunscreen during and after pregnancy to avoid darkening the areas.

Puffy Eyes
Sporting a baby bump or taking care of the new little one can lead to exhaustion and poor circulation (hello cankles and puffy eyes). But don't fear, cucumbers and concealer are here. Cucumbers are natural diuretics that help beat under-eye bloat. Just slice a cool cuke and put them on your eyes. Follow with a concealer that works overtime to reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while strengthening the delicate skin around your eye. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye does just that plus packs vitamins A, C and E to nurture tired skin.

There are ways to look good and feel good about yourself even if all of the attention seems to be on your new little one. Just make sure to talk to your ob-gyn before using any new products if you're a new mommy.