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Winter chill got you chapped? Try this easy-to-make peppermint lip balm recipe

Brrrr! Cold weather means chapped lips. Whether you’re looking to make your gifts at home this year or just want to try out an easy, new holiday-friendly lip balm recipe, we’ve got you covered.

Ingredients:

8 Drops peppermint oil
2 Tbsp carrier oil (such as almond oil—this dilutes the peppermint oil from a burn to a tingle)
1 Tbsp beeswax pellets
Glass dropper
Glass jar
Containers (hit up a department store for sample jars or order your own)
Optional: lipstick shavings for a hint of tint

Directions:

Put the two tablespoons carrier oil and one tablespoon beeswax in a glass jar and close the lid. Heat the jar in a pot with water on medium-high heat until wax is melted. Remove jar from pot and stir mixture. Add peppermint oil with a dropper (not too much or it’ll burn your lips—we recommend starting with eight drops and adding more if necessary). If you’d like your balm to be tinted, stir in your lipstick shavings until your desired color is achieved. Then immediately pour the mixture into your containers. Let stand for two hours until hard.

3 Ways to Detox Your Skin After the Holidays

Holidays have come and gone. The sequined dress is at the dry cleaners. The poofy slippers are on the feet. And, if you’re not passed out on the sofa clicking through reruns of Madmen, wondering how they party so hard and still look so chic, chances are you’re looking in the mirror thinking, sheesh! What in the heck just happened to my skin?

Fun times, unfortunately, can have their price. But with a little effort, you can look as cute as Megan Draper does after a bender. Or at least, almost. Here’s how to get back your pre-holiday glow.

Holiday Skin Symptom: Puffy Eyes From Partying

DR. AVA'S PRESCRIPTION:

1. Get back on your sleep schedule. Safeguard your rest, and learn how to say no!
2. Use an eye cream! Try a formula preferably with caffeine and/or Vitamin K, AHA’s, Vitamin C to reduce dark circles and puffiness. Keep the eye cream in the fridge to further bring down the poof.
3. Sleep on your back. This prevents fluid collection in the face and under your eyes.
4. Try some DIY remedies. There are the tried and true—cucumbers and tea bags—but here’s a few additional eye-savers to try for quick relief: ground ginger and honey, aloe, moist coffee grounds, turmeric and honey, avocado slices, and/or pineapple slices.

Holiday Skin Symptom: Dry Skin From Bubbly and Bad Weather

DR. AVA'S PRESCRIPTION:

1. Switch to a sparkling cider—at least for awhile! Alcohol can trigger rosacea. The diuretic promotes skin dryness and it causes capillaries to dilate and flow more closely to the skin's surface, leading to redness and flushing.
2. Watch how you wash. Wash with warm, not hot, water to keep skin from drying out; avoid cleansers with harsh detergents (natural oil and glycerin soaps are good choices).
3. Seal in moisture. Choose a moisture-rich cream that contains emollients like ceramides to boost the skin’s natural barrier and seal moisture in (shea butter, olive oil and almond oil are other effective natural emollients). Reapply often.
4. Sleep with a humidifier. You may not be able to avoid the extremes of dry outdoor cold and indoor heating during the day. But using a humidifier at night can give skin a break.
5. Look for products with redness-reducing ingredients. Search for licorice extract, white tea extract, sea whip extract, turmeric, green tea, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, rose extract, cucumber and ginger. Want to DIY your own face mask? Mix licorice powder with aloe vera gel, leave on for 10 to 20 minutes, and remove with lukewarm water.

Holiday Skin Symptom: Face Looks Like a Fruitcake

DR. AVA'S PRESCRIPTION:

1. Reduce stress and calm skin through exercise. Exercise breaks the inflammation cycle in the body, calming and cooling your system. It also reduces production of DHT and DHEA, the hormones responsible in part for acne.
2. Eat a healthy diet. Take the time to prepare or at least purchase fresh food with whole grains, a variety of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, and lean protein options.
3. Follow a regular skin care regimen. Keeping skin clean, exfoliated, hydrated, and protected is incredibly important when dealing with acne.
4. Visit your friendly neighborhood dermatologist. Your doctor and you can develop a multi-modal approach that can lead to real short-term relief as well as permanent results.

The Top 10 Beauty Headlines of 2012

2012 saw an avalanche of new textures and innovations, from velvet and caviar nails to celebrity collaborations we never saw coming. Classics were brought back alongside looks we thought we’d long forgotten. These were the beauty headlines that caught our eye this year.

1. Mega Celebrity Collaborations!

2012 saw the usual celebrity/beauty brand romances, but these three took the cake: Jennifer Aniston for Living Proof (seriously, who doesn’t envy that woman’s hair?!), Karl Lagerfield for Shu Uemura (whose aesthetic and penchant for black, white, and red suited the Japanese company perfectly), and Beth Ditto for MAC (a brightly colored, eclectic collection worthy of her rockstar status).

2. '90s Goth Revival

Apparently we aren’t the only ones with a secret fetish for The Craft. Fall 2012 ushered in the return of vampy lipstick in shades of black cherry, burgundy, and wine. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics released a black-plum shade called Black Dahlia Lip Tar that became wildly popular. Paired with dark nails (we love Laura Mercier’s not-quite-black nail polish in Noir Glace) and a smokey eye, the look was pure theater.

3. The Arrival of CC Creams

Last year we saw BB cream fever as foundation 2.0 made its way to the U.S. from Asia. Part skincare, part sunscreen, part foundation, BB creams promised multiple benefits in one product. The end of 2012 heralded the next generation: CC creams. These promised to fulfill the same benefits with even more color correction and ease of use. Chanel’s version became wildly popular in Asia, and Olay launched the first American CC cream in November. We can’t wait to see what comes next!

4. Nuts for Nail Art

Nail art was without a doubt the biggest beauty craze of 2012. No longer a nail salon-exclusive means of expression, the rise of Pinterest and Instagram ushered in a new DIY culture. Inspiration could be found anywhere—the holidays, caviar, even...zombies! Plus, with the new at-home gel kits by Sally Hansen and Sephora, a salon-ready, durable manicure is easier than ever to recreate yourself.

5. Stars Make the Cut

Miley Cyrus made a splash earlier this year when she chopped off her long locks in favor of a punk-inspired cut. The internet was highly divided on her bold decision, with many fans loving the edgy new ‘do, and others wondering why on earth she’d go so short. And Anne Hathaway’s hair has also been a hot topic of conversation since the star chopped her locks on-camera for her role in the epic musical adaptation of Les Miserables (the male hairstylist making the cut was dressed as a woman for the scene). She’s now sporting an adorable Rosemary’s Baby pixie the ever-missed Vidal Sassoon would approve of.

6. Fragrance in the Spotlight

Lady Gaga’s Fame was hotly anticipated this August, and fans were not disappointed. The inky black liquid sprays clear on the skin, and the scent is—like the iconic singer—edgy, lush, and a little weird. The packaging describes the fragrance as containing "tears of belladonna, crushed heart of tiger orchidea with a black veil of incense, pulverized apricot and the combinative essences of saffron and honey drops." Brad Pitt’s Chanel No. 5 commercial has made quite the splash: Saturday Night Live even parodied its bizarre spoken-word black-and-white format. The backlash hasn’t soiled the almost-century-old fragrance, however; and it certainly won’t be easy to forget.

7. Cat Eye Gets Widespread

The cat eye is a perennial classic, but never before has it been so popular. No longer just for pinups, special occasions, or retro chicks, this eye-widening trick is a piece of cake with a little bit of practice. Try it in bold, bright colors for a fresh, modern take!

8. Velvet/Caviar Finishes

The nail craze ecstatically embraced the 3D finishes of velvet and caviar, but lips and eyes followed suit. The velvet finish of lips wasn’t a swatch of fabric, but rather a demi-matte finish that feels soft and plush on lips. For a more high-fashion look, caviar lips and eyes to match the caviar tips look positively candy-sprinkled.

9. The Rise of Pantone

Graphic design artists have long used the Pantone Matching System as a universal color language, but the beauty world is just catching on to its benefits. Humanæ, a project created by artist Angela Dass, captures a range of human skin tones and translates them into alpha-numeric Pantone numbers. And in July, Sephora launched Sephora + Pantone Universe Color IQ foundation matching in select stores, which uses a handheld tool to decipher your ideal foundation match according to the Pantone system.

10. Sugar Skulls on Halloween

Sugar skulls are a Mexican Dia de los Muertos tradition. In 2012 Halloween revelers of various cultural backgrounds went all out with sugar skull makeup this October; and it’s no wonder—the look is striking, gorgeous, and, since it’s just makeup, an affordable and easy DIY costume.

A Smokey Eye Tutorial Fit for New Year's Eve!

The dress is on, the heels are strapped, and all you're missing on New Year's Eve is a flawless smokey eye. Never fear! We've got an easy how-to using all of your Too Faced favorites below. Grab a mirror, brush up on your blending skills, and let's go!

WHAT WE USED

• • Too Faced Romantic Eye Collection
• • Too Faced Waterproof Eye Liner in Black Orchid
• • Too Faced Waterproof Eye Liner in Perfect Black
• • Too Faced Size Queen Mascara
• • Too Faced Brow Envy Kit
• • Too Faced Perfect Lips Liner in Perfect Spice
• • Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream in Spice Spice Baby

STEP 1

Apply Too Faced Romantic Eye Collection shadow in I Do all over the lids as a base.

STEP 2

Smudge Too Faced Waterproof Eye Liner in Black Orchid across the lid and blend using a small, flat brush.

STEP 3

Buff Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette shadow in First Dance over the liner and diffuse in the crease.

STEP 4

Highlight the brow bone of the eye using Too Faced Romantic Eye Collection shadow in Bouquet Toss.

STEP 5

Line the lower lash line thickly with Too Faced Waterproof Eye Liner in Black Orchid

STEP 6

Smudge and diffuse the lower lash line using Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette shadow in First Dance.

STEP 7

Highlight your inner corner using Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette shadow in Honeymoon.

STEP 8

Finish the eyes with two coats of Too Faced Size Queen Mascara.

AND YOU'RE FINISHED!

Complete the makeup with a creamy nude lip! We used Too Faced Perfect Lips Liner in Perfect Spice and Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream in Spice Spice Baby. Now you're ready to party the night away. Happy New Year!

HBO’s "Girls" Inspires Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Set

“I think I could be the voice of my generation. Or … a voice. Of a generation.” Hannah Horvath won my heart with her contradictory mix of unearned audacity and guilelessness in HBO’s Girls, a collaboration with Judd Apatow that debuted in April of this year to mixed reviews. Some hailed the complicated television series as a funny, realistic look into a subset of privileged, overeducated, clever twenty-somethings—a younger, edgier, more introspective Sex and the City for a new generation. Others decried the lack of diversity in the cast and quickly grew weary of Hannah’s penchant for navel-gazing.

But I have to argue in favor of the show. I know these girls. I’ve met these girls. I’ve been these girls, and I’d go so far as to say that most of us have a little Jessa, a little Marnie, a little Shoshanna in our personalities, for better or worse. Deborah Lippmann, famed celebrity manicurist and frequent collaborator with Hollywood personalities, has given fans of the show the opportunity to try on each personality for themselves: Lippmann will debut a four-piece Girls-inspired collection this January. Each polish is inspired by a different Girl: Hannah is a hapless hunter green, a weird smokey green that show creator Lena Dunham has “been wearing […] like it’s going out of style.” The color is offbeat and interesting, just like Hannah. Next is Marnie, Hannah’s best friend’s prim and proper pink shade. Like its namesake, the light pink is polished, classic, and safe. Shoshanna, a pastel virtuous violet, is perfect for the would-be ingénue of the show; an inexperienced pop-culture enthusiast who immediately describes her own personality in terms of the Sex and the City character archetypes. Finally, Jessa is a bohemian burgundy; a sexy, earthy red that echoes Jessa’s carefree yet sophisticated sense of style.
“Deborah Lippmann’s colors are irreverent and classy and I’ve always coveted them—and stolen them from my mother—so who better to embody the Girls‘ spirit in polish form?” said Dunham of the collaboration.
I’m planning on sporting Hannah and Jessa, which is fitting as those are the two characters I identify with most (to my dismay, occasionally). What about you? Does your favorite shade correspond with your Girls alter ego?

Deborah Lippmann Girls Limited Edition Nail Lacquer Set, $45 each, available January 15 at lippmanncollection.com

Pumping up on your plumping knowlege

Show only before

 

What exactly makes lip plumpers work to “plump?” We carry a tube of this wonder-working gloss or serum in our makeup kits as a pick-me-up solution for lips that need a little volume. Some of us are even quite devoted to the stuff. We’ll get compliments throughout the day on our Kardashian-esque kissers, never daring to reveal our secrets of lip amplitude. But how much do we really know about lip plumpers, anyway? Are our Lip Injections, Venoms, and Inflations really okay to be using every day? We turned to cosmetic chemist Nick Morante to get the skinny on our favorite plumping products.

Many plumping potions actually work by irritating the lips.

Certain products such as DuWop Lip Venom use ingredients like cinnamon oil that will intentionally irritate the lips,” Morante explains, “and make them swell which gives an appearance of plumping.” Though that may sound a bit harsh for a beauty product, Morante insists the irritation is mild and safe.

Bypass the burn with a milder option.

Morante also tells us that many other popular lip plumpers use an array of ingredients to achieve a What exactly makes lip plumpers work to “plump?” We carry a tube of this wonder-working gloss or serum in our makeup kits as a pick-me-up solution for lips that need a little volume. Some of us are even quite devoted to the stuff. We’ll get compliments throughout the day on our Kardashian-esque kissers, never daring to reveal our secrets of lip amplitude. But how much do we really know about lip plumpers, anyway? Are our Lip Injections, Venoms, and Inflations really okay to be using every day? We turned to cosmetic chemist Nick Morante to get the skinny on our favorite plumping products.

Many plumping potions actually work by irritating the lips.

Certain products such as DuWop Lip Venom use ingredients like cinnamon oil that will intentionally irritate the lips,” Morante explains, “and make them swell which gives an appearance of plumping.” Though that may sound a bit harsh for a beauty product, Morante insists the irritation is mild and safe.

Bypass the burn with a milder option.

Morante also tells us that many other popular lip plumpers use an array of ingredients to achieve a vasodilation effect—or a widening of the blood vessels. Vasodilation occurs when the smooth muscle cells within the blood vessel walls relax and expand. According to him, plumpers that work via vasodilation, “increase the blood circulation in lips, and make them look fuller with the appearance of being plumper.”

Natural ingredients can yield surprising results.

Though this all sounds awfully scientific, we’re relieved to hear that the real secret behind many of our favorite plumping products and boosting balms are things we have on hand in the kitchen. Spicy extracts such as cinnamon, menthol, and even hot pepper (commonly labeled as capsaicin), are added to plumping formulas to stimulate blood flow for a swollen look that lasts. Caffeine is another popular ingredient along with niacin—a B vitamin that has vasodilation properties. If your lip plumper tingles or even burns when applied, one of these familiar formulas might be to blame.

The idea behind lip plumpers is nothing new.

Many plumpers on the market rely on ingredients that cause blood to essentially rush to the lips. It turns out, labs have developed this idea to be used for other parts of the body as well. Giggle all you want, but if it wasn’t for a Viagra commercial, Too Faced creator Jerrod Blandino wouldn’t have been inspired to create his celebrated gloss Lip Injection. They don’t share the same ingredients list, but they certainly both result in, er...plumping.

Take an inward approach to plumping with an innovative pick.

“Another plumping option are products containing ingredients like collagen and hyaluronic acid—a cell-boosting molecule,” explains Morante, “[they] serve as biological additives that promote cell growth and rejuvenation, giving the appearance of plumper, fatter, fuller looking lips over time, while working to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles.” Miracle Skin Transformer’s Advanced Peptide Lip Treatment uses a tripeptide blend to boost, plump, and hydrate with hyaluronic acid spheres. But vegans be warned, products containing these ingredients typically derive them from animals. Best-seller Lip Fusion contains collagen derived from fish, while a tube of Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker XL Extreme Plump Collagen Lip Shine contains atelocollagen extracted from calf skin.

The glossy formula is a plumping shortcut.

Even the most basic lip gloss on the market will give your pucker a plumped-up look thanks to its thick shiny nature. Though many plumping glosses do double what your regular Bonne Bell is capable of, the goopy gloss is there to make the finished effect look extra spectacular.

Plump all you want, damage-free.

The idea of burning your lips with chili extract, jolting them with caffeine, or boosting their appearance with animal extractives may have you fearing for your face, but worry not. “There are many other things that people use on or around their lips that can cause much more irritation and discomfort,” explains Morante, “even eating and drinking! The levels of the ingredients in question are low and considered safe when used at these concentrations.” And, he explains, since all ingredients are tested for safety, they are safe to use as directed and considered ‘non-irritating’. We’re relieved to hear that our one-swipe lip plumpers are easy and carefree.