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My CBS Segment

2009-11-26T14:00:13Z

Besides doing a segment live from the red carpet for E! during the Emmys, the CBS segment I did on Tuesday was the most exciting yet. Finding out about it very last minute, I was pretty nervous, but loved the topic so we had a lot of fun filming.

I discussed how to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into at-home skin care recipes by using two of the most festive foods of the season: pumpkin and cranberries. Believe it or not, both ingredients will improve your skins tone and texture with repeated use!

My friend Michelle and I arrived early at DEX New York Studios, to start whipping up the concoctions I'd be discussing. After shoving cranberries and oatmeal into a blender and mixing some pumpkin puree we were set to go.

The producer and film crew arrived right on time. I've never done a taped segment before so it was a great experience and a lot less pressure. After discussing the skin care recipes, I gave affordable alternatives for those who don't have time to create face masks and exfoliants out of scratch (or for those who just want to eat all of their left overs). Here are some great products you can use to get the same benefits: Zia Natural Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask, Peter Lamas Pumpkin Spice Polish, Jason Natural Cranberry Hand and Body Lotion and Alba Botanica Hawaiian Green Tea Eye Gel.

You can watch the segment here and CBS News put an article up about it that includes all of the at-home skin care recipes. Let me know if you try any!

Man of the Week

2009-11-25T14:00:00Z

Ladies, meet Joel, aka Soul Joel, a very well known 29-year-old standup comedian from Staten Island, NY. He's also a radio personality on The Comedy Point and the co-founder of Soul Joel Productions. Who doesn't like a guy that'll make them laugh? Check out his live radio show here and laugh away.

What’s in your medicine cabinet?

Crest Toothpaste, Neutrogena Clean Pore, Fx Spiking Glue

What product can’t you live without and why?

Some sort of hair gel! Wow, I never thought I'd say that. I guess living on Staten Island has taken over my decision process, but my hair doesn't feel the same if I don't have gel in it.

How would you describe your grooming habits?

Well my 2 sisters, call me the 3rd sister because they both feel they are more masculine then I am. Can we start this interview over?

I'm 50% Italian, which means if I let my eye brows go natural, they would become one. I get them waxed, there I said it.

Have you ever gotten a manicure or pedicure? Why or why not?

I haven't, but a guy that works in my mom works with had gotten a pedicure once and raved about it. So I'm not ruling it out either one, as a possibility for the future

If you could have one night with any celebrity who would it be and why? More importantly, what would you do?

This is a tough question, since you said ANY celebrity, my first thought is what female would I choose? But then you asked and what would you do, so I'm going with Diddy. Or whatever he's calling himself this week.

I would to just shadow him in a day in the life of what he does. I pride myself on being someone who has created my own opportunities in the entertainment industry, just like he did coming up. I used the money I made from my former day job in pharmaceutical sales to start Soul Joel Productions. I think spending some time with Diddy would be both inspirational and insightful.

What’s the first thing you notice about a woman?

Whether she has a nice smile or not.

Do you prefer a woman au naturel or all made up?

I have a two part answer here. I like a girl that can be pretty either way. If she is just as pretty when she wakes up with no make up, as when she went to sleep, than that's a keeper.

No one is perfect first thing in the morning, but I don't want a girl to be a completely different person when she is all done up. Does that make sense?

How about down there?

Completely bare, landing strip, neatly groomed but not natural that’s for sure. I want whatever the girl likes, as long as it's not overgrown. And we're talking about on a girl, right? Just making sure, I've never shaved a landing strip on myself.

When it comes to a woman’s beauty what’s your sweet spot?

Her smile and eyes. I pride myself on being able to light up a room and bring smiles people's faces. There is no better feeling in the world to me. When a girl smiles, if she can do the same, it says a lot about her. Some of the best communication at times, can be unspoken.

If she smiles at you and you are making eye contact, you can connect on another level without having said 1 word.

Tried and True

2009-11-24T14:00:29Z

I've tried lots of different products to fill in my light, sparse brows. From pencils that fill in gaps to gels that darken my hairs, I was never picky as long as they looked like they were there, until I discovered something different, Talika Eyebrow Extender. Now, there's no turning back.

When I was first introduced to the product I didn't believe it's claims. It actually extends your eyebrows and creates hair, well kind of. It's a gel that contains microscopic fibers that actually cling onto your eyebrows giving them a fuller and thicker appearance. I comes in several different shades to match your hair color.

I use dark brown and swipe it over each brow when I'm doing my makeup and and it really does boost my brows for the night. As soon as I wash my face they're back to normal.

You can get the Talika Eyebrow Extender for $35 here.

Mr. Beckham's New Look

2009-11-23T14:00:14Z

It seems that one of People's sexiest men alive, David Beckham, is pulling a Rihanna! The soccer stud was recently spotted court side at a LA Lakers game cheering the team on with an edgy new lock look. The mohawk-like cut goes down the back of his head in the same style as the front. As shocked as I was to see the new 'do, I still have one word to describe him: gorgeous.

You're How Old?

2009-11-22T19:27:26Z

Out at a bar the other night I over heard a group of guys commenting on how "hot" their cocktail waitress was, but found myself stunned when I heard one of them say, "Yea, but did you look at her neck? She's old." And he continued to fill his friends in on his secret, which was to look at a woman's neck and not just her face to identify her true age. Let's just say I was thoroughly impressed.

It's true. Most women pay so much attention to their faces that they tend to neglect other areas of their body that show their age or make them appear even older. Trust me ladies, three areas not to be ignored are your neck, chest and hands. Here are some suggestions on how to keep them looking young:

Neck

Signs of aging tend to appear quickly on the neck because the skin is very thin with little sebaceous oil glands and natural moisture. Look at your neck like an extension of your face and bring your moisturizers down into it. You can also try 3Lab Perfect Neck Cream, which is a super hydrating, firming cream that helps fight the signs of aging.

Chest

Like your neck, the skin on your chest is super thin and very susceptible to sun damage. PCA makes professional products that you can use at home that work wonders on hyperpigmentation. Their Phaze 13 Pigmentation Gel contains hydroquinone, which lightens sun spots over time. I used it twice a day on my face and chest. To aid in firmness, try Sampar Lift Me Up Bust Cream. It contains wheat proteins, horse chestnut extracts and vitamins that'll restore the fine lines. Take this one down from your upper chest into your bust for an added lift where it counts!

Hands

The skin on the back of your hands is so delicate because there's no fat underneath it, which is the reason why you can see your veins right through them. Since on average, Americans wash their hands about 8 times per day, you can start protecting them with your hand wash. I like Nature's Gate Pomegranate Sunflower Velvet Moisture Liquid Soap because it's super moisturizing and has antioxidants in it to aid in anti-aging protection. You should also use a moisturizer with antioxidants and skin brightening ingredients in it. A great one, Hands Perfection Complete Day Cream. Once a week, give them a little facial and treat them to a mask like Zia Natural Skincare Oceanic Clay Rejuvenating Mask.

My BetterCT Segment

2009-11-21T03:42:26Z

This past Wednesday I traveled up to Hartford, CT to discuss the benefits of botanicals in beauty products on BetterCT. My contributer, Michelle, came along for support and we started our morning at 5:30 am each with a cup of black hazel nut coffee. As we pulled up to the studio, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised by the massive modernized building that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere (much different from NYC).

Before I knew it I was in front of the cameras and ready to roll. I found myself educating a small live audience of older women who were intrigued by the products that laid before them along with all of CT. In case you don't know, botanicals such as plant and flower extracts and oils are widely used in beauty products to help fight against aging, acne and other skin conditions and some are also very moisturizing.

I featured some of the latest products on the market including different botanicals that target different skin care needs. The picks: Decleor Hydra Floral Collection, KohGenDo Macro Vintage Stretch Eye Sheets, Philosophy the Supernatural Lit from Within Cream Blush, Ahava Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Body Wash, Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Shampoo and Conditioner and Leonor Greyl Masque de Jasmin.

Click here to out the segment.

Korres Give Away Winners

2009-11-20T04:12:36Z

Congratulations to BeautySweetSpot readers Elena, Michelle and Quinn for winning the Korres Travel Sets from LockandMane.com! The ladies all shared their favorite hair product and reasons why they love them. Since I haven't tried these products, I did some research to see what they're all about. Here's the scoop:

Aveda Damage Ready Intensive Restructuring Treatment, $26, is made up of a cocktail of natural, moisturizing ingredients including jojoba oil that penetrates into the hair shaft and seals in moisture. Used once a week, it claims to strengthen dry and damaged hair from within.

Korres Yucca Soft Shine Wax, $17.50, offers flexible styling with moderate hold. Yucca extract, the main ingredient, allows for elasticity.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, $55, a twenty minute treatment for dry and damaged hair that's loaded with Ojon oil, a beauty secret of the Tawira Indian tribe. It promises to improve the condition in just one use.

Keep checking back to participate in more giveaways!

A New Bandwagon Men Should Jump Off

2009-11-19T14:00:43Z

I don't know if it's NYC or if it has something to do with the economy, but through living the life of a single socialista I find myself asking the question... What happened to dinner?

I feel like it was a sudden change, like OMG dare I say, the elimination of parabens from beauty products? Whether educated on the subject or not, we all know by now that parabens are harmful to our health and to make sure the packaging clearly reads "paraben free."

All of a sudden dating has turned from dinner after dinner and getting to know each other over great meals and endless conversation to a casual glass of chardonnay, then a few vodka sodas, maybe some blurry nights with... what's his name again?

Just as the beauty industry jumped on the "green" bandwagon, it seems single men or as someone once called them, "man-boys," are jumping on this one. Is the economy to blame? Some men say so, but others claim it's too easy to get what they want without dinner. Ladies, you may want to think before downing that next glass of chardonnay.

Man of the Week

2009-11-18T05:46:00Z

Allow me to introduce you to up and coming music sensation, Josh Cocktail, well, Josh, 24, from Boca Raton, Fl. He may not appear to be well groomed, but he swears he shampoos and conditions regularly even though it sometimes ends up in a big mat in the back of his head. Hmm... Dig the rock star style? Read on and check out some of his songs on his YouTube channel.

What’s in your medicine cabinet?

colgate whitening toothpaste, one of those pocket beared trimmers that i rarely use, qtips, that molding wax for my friends that need to product there hair, big tub of cetaphil lotion, baby powder? dont ask

What product can’t you live without and why?

Ipods a must i need my music - im not gonna lie i listen to my own music all throughout the day but amos lee helps me decide on what im going to do at some points. im addicted to my blackberry but id like to think i dont need it as much as i do. cigarettes are a must and i cant function without my starbucks. grooming products i could take them or leave them- theres nothing specific that i cant live without, ill just use what i have.

How would you describe your grooming habits?

well, i brush my hair sometimes but usually only after it gets tangled into a big mat in the back of my head. i shampoo and condition regularly, i like to keep my hair healthy and like coming out of the shower smelling sweet. theres nothing like the smell of clean wet hair in your face. im not specific on what kind of cologne i wear, i mostly will just grab whats available (girls or guys). when my beard gets out of control i like to use that Schick bikini trimmer for chicks to cut it down a bit

Have you ever gotten a manicure or pedicure? Why or why not?

never, ive had people try to get me to go but its just not in my agenda. wouldnt be opposed to it tho. i keep my nails clean tho and definitely appreciate a nice mani pedi combo on a girl

If you could have one night with any celebrity who would it be and why? More importantly, what would you do?

Real talk, blaire from gossip girl just does it for me, ill watch that show just for her. Id sit her down at starbucks, order two lattes, have long conversations about life and music and sing her songs till she fell in love with me

What’s the first thing you notice about a woman?

teeth, always. something about a smile that can just draw me in to a girl....you can tell so much from a smile

Do you prefer a woman au naturel or all made up?

natural, no make up, sweatpants, american apparel v necks, headbands..i dig it

How about down there?

Do your thing, whatever makes you comfortable, just keep it groomed

When it comes to a woman’s beauty what’s your sweet spot?

"when you smile it makes me smile" i think i fall for a smile sometimes before i fall for the rest of a girl.

Korres Give Away

2009-11-16T14:00:20Z

I don't normally shop for my beauty products online because I feel I need the in store experience of smudging colors on my hand, smelling hairsprays and feeling a product before I purchase it to make sure I'm going to like it. To me, experiencing the color, texture, scent, and application can make or break a purchase. However, I recently discovered a website strictly devoted to selling luxury hair care that I have to share, Lock and Mane.

I appreciate it because it carries brands that you can never find in one place such as Lenor Greyl, Oscar Blandi, Klorane, Mason Pearson, Jennifer Behr, Hot Tools, T3 and Philip B. From styling products, to stylish hair accessories, hot tools and treatments, Lock and Mane has it all. These types of luxe products carry the credibility of normally being suggested by top stylists, which is why I like it. Sometimes, you can also find significant discounts on top-noch brands.

To celebrate Lock and Mane's new partnership with Korres, three lucky BeautySweetSpot readers will win a Korres Travel Kit valued at $40. The kit contains mini versions of the brands Aloe and Soapwort Shampoo, Achiellea Conditioner, Basil Lemon Showergel, Vanilla Cinnamon Showergel and Vanilla Cinnamon Body Milk.

All you have to do is comment below by telling me what your all-time favorite hair product is and why you love it.