One of the long standing and particularly informative beauty blogs is The Beauty Brains. Now the authors of that site have a paperback book: Can You Get Hooked On Lip Balm. Aside from the title question of is lip balm addictive? (link is to my previous exploration of that topic on Girl Gloss), the book answers all sorts of interesting beauty questions dealing with hair care, skin care, makeup, the beauty industry, and perilous products.

Here is a random sampling of topics and questions answered by the book:

• Do Curling Shampoos Really Work?
• Is Baby Shampoo Good For Adult Hair?
• Can Skin Creams Cause Cancer?
• Do Dryer Sheets Cause Acne?
• Top Five Causes of Darkened Armpits
• Do Lip Plumpers Really Work?
• Five Ways to Ruin Your Fingernails
• Can Perfume Make You Thinner?
• How Salon Brands Get Away With Lying to You
• The Perils of Parabens

Can You Get Hooked On Lip Balm? is a relatively quick read, but it is packed with information. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t imagine anyone reading this and not learning something interesting that they did not know—or even a whole lot of new information. At $14.30, it is a pretty good deal too.

Buy Can You  Get Hooked On Lip Balm?

Disclosure: This review is based on a book provided to me by a representative of the authors/publisher.

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Do it Yourself (DIY) beauty has been a popular topic here on Beauty and Fashion Tech and on Girl Gloss. People seem to be looking for DIY beauty recipes and skin care recipes, so I went looking for more. Below are two Ebooks and a selection of regular books that cover the topic. Something I particularly like about ebooks is that they tend to come with various bonus items, and these are no different. The ebooks featured below both are currently running some specials with bonus items and/or sale pricing.  I also like ebooks for recipes because you can choose to print the single page for any given recipe instead of needing to juggle a book in the kitchen.  If anyone gives recipes from these books a try, come back and leave a comment about how they worked!

Naturally Skinsational Rejuvinating Skin Care Recipes is a popular beauty ebook that was featured on the Fox Boston morning program. The sales page has video from the show. The ebook features skin care recipes that focus on common organic ingredients. The book also comes with a bonus eguide “How to Start Your Own Natural Skin Care Routine” with a special chapter featuring DIY natural treatments for skin conditions such as dry skin, acne and rosacea. Also included are a set of DIY skin care recipe cards.

Here is the chapter outline:

• Introduction: Saving Face ~ Naturally
• Skin Essentials
• Getting Started
• Facial Mask Natural Recipes
• Facial Scrub Natural Recipes
• Facial Toner Natural Recipes
• Facial Steam Natural Recipes
• Facial Mists for Skin Spritzing
• Rejuvenating Moisturizer Recipes
• Anti-Aging Facial Wraps
• Under Eye Treatments
• Special Occasion Recipes
• Natural Skin Care Ingredient Glossary
• Resources
• References

At $19.99 for the ebook and the bonus items, the package is a pretty good deal for those who want to get into do it yourself skin care.

Another good ebook option, and one that I personally liked quite a bit, is Leon’s Anti-Aging Beauty Secrets. Bonuses with this ebook are a set of facial exercises and yoga for wrinkle prevention, and two bonus ebooks: Nine Superfoods for Acne and Weight Loss, and Get Rid of Moles, Warts, and Skin Tags Naturally. The package is normally $36, but is on sale right now for $27.   I previously reviewed the Anti Aging Beauty Secrets ebook (link is to previous review). Here is a bit from that review:

“The diet chapter contains some great information and chart of antioxidant foods that I found quite handy. There is also neat list of various ethnic anti-aging foods. But what really shines are the multitude of recipes in this book. There is a section on Ayervedic recipes and then additional chapters covering cleansers, toners, masks, exfoliators, serums and more. There is even a recipe for lip balm and a chapter dedicated to an eyebrow and eyelash booster.”

Between these two ebooks, one could have all the DIY beauty recipes ever needed. But if you want more, or are lookingfor standard paper books. Here are some additional options that you might want to look at on Amazon.com:

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Awhile back I got this crazy idea of running the Chicago Marathon.  I ran a marathon around 18 years ago and said I would never do it again, so I don’t know what got into me other than perhaps a desire to make my butt smaller (and achy in the process).

I signed up for a training class, but I also decided to take a look at a few training guides. In the process, I stumbled upon a wonderful book that is not so much a standard training guide as it is a funny and motivational read.  The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On with Your Training, by Dawn Dais, is for those who really are nonrunners, or perhaps reluctant runners, who are training for their first marathon. In this guide, the author shares her experiences running a marathon with a sarcastic wit that is a joy to read.

The book provides plenty of basic training advice, but it isn’t your standard guide, and it really probably shouldn’t stand alone as your only training guide. Read it instead for the more real world, this is how your body is going to ache but keep going anyway, type of advice. Also read it for some laughs and to know that there is someone else out there who really knows how you feel after you have dragged your butt out of bed at 6am on a Saturday for an 18 mile run. I just recently came across the website for the book, which also provides some information about the book and author.

For an excellent companion guide, that really is a full training program and guide, check out The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer, which is based on a very successful university course for first time marathoners. That one is a more standard guide that won’t leave you laughing, but it will give you plenty of useful information.

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Paula Begoun, known for the book Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, has a great article up on her website: Recession Proof Beauty, The Best Inexpensive Products. This week for Mascara Monday, I thought I would feature her picks. Here they are:

Best Inexpensive Regular Mascaras

NYC (New York Color) Curling Mascara ($2.99)

Rimmel Volume Flash Instant Thickening Mascara ($6.29)

Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara ($5.99)

Best Inexpensive Waterproof Mascaras

Maybelline New York Define-A-Lash Lengthening Mascara Waterproof ($5.99) (pictured)

Jane Max Lash² Waterproof ($4.99)

Cover Girl Professional Waterproof Mascara ($4.99)

Of these, I have only tried Jane Max Lash and Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash. I was happy with both. Each also makes a similar version that is not waterproof.

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Congrats to Kandice, comment number 19, on winning this contest! An email is on the way to you!

Everyone could use a bit of stress control, so Beauty and Fashion Tech is happy to hold a reader giveaway for the items described below:

A Confidence Inspiring Book: Neutrogena spokesperson and former Miss USA, Susie Castillo, recently published Confidence is Queen: The Four Keys to Ultimate Beauty Through Positive Thinking. In the book, Casillo writes about her experiences growing up and shares the lessons she has learned about positive thinking.  I flipped through it and it looks like a pretty good motivational read. It also is getting good reviews on Amazon.com.

Products from the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Line: This line aims to help you gain confidence by making acne one less stress.  The items in this giveaway are:

· Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment: A water-based acne treatment, with an ultra light formula that it is absorbed quickly and without a greasy residue,  while also absorbing excess surface oil. The treatment contains MicroClear™ to boost the delivery of 2% salicylic acid to reach the source of acne. The treatment is infused with a cucumber scent.

· Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub: This scrub softens skin, while microbeads massage and exfoliate. Containing the new MicroClear™ technology, it dissolves oil to reduce shine and utilizes 2% salicylic acid to fight breakouts. It is scented with green tea and cucumber.

· Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner: This multi-tasking toner is formulated with MicroClear™ technology and has a cucumber scent.

To enter, leave a comment before the beginning of Thursday, September 11 (midnight between Wed. and Thur.), stating why you would like to read Susie Castillo’s book and/or why you would like to try any of the items from the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne stress Control line. You must answer one of those questions in order to be entered. Just saying “hi” won’t cut it! One entry per household please. Duplicate entries will be disqualified. On September 11, I will randomly select a winner, who will be notified here and by email. Failure to respond within 7 days will result in the prize being redrawn.

Promotional/spam comments entries will be deleted per the comment policy. Please don’t use your website as your user name or include promotional or commercial links in the text, it violates the comment policy.

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Daniel Yarosh, Ph.D. is a thirty-year veteran of the beauty business who comes from the development end of the industry. Among his accomplishments are the invention of new ingredients for brands such as Estee Lauder, L’Oreal, and Shiseido. Now he has an excellent book out, The New Science of Perfect Skin: Understanding Skin Care Myths and Miracles For Radiant Skin at Any Age, along with an accompanying skin care line, Remergent, from his laboratory, AGI Dermatics.

I will cover the Remergent line in a few weeks. For now, I want to focus on what I think is one of the best beauty books to come along in a great while—at least as far as skin care and anti-aging is concerned. The book provides a thorough and accurate overview of everything a person needs to know about skin, from protecting it, to treating its problems.

From the get go, Yaraosh tells it like it is, with early chapters on “Cutting Through the Hype,” and a glossary of product ingredients. He then painstakingly breaks down cosmetic products into chapters with explanations of what to avoid and why, and what to focus on for the best results. Each chapter includes specific product recommendations by brand across various levels of cost. Yarosh also provides a wealth of information on skin cancer and sun care, along with antioxidants and wrinkle treatments, including descriptions of various lasers and injections. The book also contains skin care regimes for men and children. Throughout the book, Yarosh does a nice job of recommending products that will do double duty by addressing multiple skin conditions at once—something I am quite a fan of.

Overall, The New Science of Perfect Skin is a book with a great deal of information, written for the everyday consumer. Wonderfully informative, to the point, and easy to read, it is a book that you can pick up, understand, and learn from without any specific scientific background. If you do have some background, you will find it to be a well informed and handy reference tool.

I recommend The New Science of Perfect Skin for any person who is concerned about skin care and who seeks to separate the products that have the most chance of success from those that are unlikely to work. Isn’t that most of us?

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A fellow Splendicity beauty writer has come out with a really great e-book full of all natural anti-aging secrets and recipes. Leon’s Anti-Aging Beauty Secrets by Leon Rao is full of information, from suggestions for an anti-aging diet, to recipes for various skin care serums and lotions.

The diet chapter contains some great information and chart of antioxidant foods that I found quite handy. There is also neat list of various ethnic anti-aging foods. But what really shines are the multitude of recipes in this book. There is a section on Ayervedic recipes and then additional chapters coving cleansers, toners, masks, exfoliators, serums and more. There is even a recipe for lip balm and a chapter dedicated to an eyebrow and eyelash booster.

Throughout the book, Leon explains the purpose of the ingredients and provide clear direction for each recipe. For the do-it-yourself makeup and skin care fanatic, this book is a must have.

The e-book is 60 pages in color pdf format and is now available for $15—a great price for the wealth of information provided. Visit the purchase page to view chapter summaries and order.

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It has been about 5 weeks since I finished the six week Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise plan. So here is my promised update.

I spent plenty of time cheating lately by having wine or beer with dinner and going out to eat a bit more. But I otherwise eat fairly well and according to the plan. I also lost 2 more pounds over the past 5 weeks, while my measurements stayed about the same.

I still do the exercise plan a couple of times each week, but have replaced it on other days with a more traditional weight program at the gym, dance class, yoga, and some intervals on the cross trainer. I like the program in the book, but I also like to have a bit more variation and I enjoy the gym. So I do the book program on days when I need to be at home or don’t feel up to going to the gym.

Overall, a month or so out, I still feel that the Ten Year’s Thinner program is a good choice. It provides a nice guide and solid program to jump start weight loss and leave the dieter with a solid foundation when the six weeks are finished. So I give it a big thumbs up!

Jump to: PreDiet Writeup

Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Three Recap
Week Four Recap
Week Five Recap
Week Six Recap

Comparison shop for diet books and plans

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I now have week six of the Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise plan done, which marks the end of the formal program laid out by the book. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I get to return my old ways. But it will mark the end of my weekly updates. I will post back in a month with a final follow up.

I had a pretty good final week. Despite a bit of cheating by having wine with dinner a few times, I lost 2 more pounds and found that I have also gone down a full clothing size. I did not have any measurable changes in inches this week. Here are the totals:

Total weight lost in week six: 2 pounds

Total weight lost through six weeks: 12 pounds

Total inches off so far: Thigh 1 3/4, Hips 1 1/2, Stomach 2 3/4, Arm 1/2, Chest 4.

The six week experience has been good. I still feel that the Ten Year’s Thinner program is a good choice for both weight loss and general fitness. The diet is effective and builds good eating habits, while also being fairly flexible once the initial few weeks are finished.

The exercise program is a great alternative for those who do not, or cannot, go to a gym. It also is easily adaptable for varying levels of fitness. However, those who are already fairly fit may find themselves adding extra exercises or cardio time to the program. I have settled into adding a couple of interval training cardio sessions and a heavier weight routine at the gym each week. I also add several gluteal and thigh exercises to the end of the home program.

I will post something again in four weeks to report on the longer term effects of the program.

Jump to:

PreDiet Writeup
Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Three Recap
Week Four Recap
Week Five Recap
One Month After the End Review

Comparison shop for diet books and plans

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I have now finished week five of the Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise book, by Dr. Christine Lydon, M.D. I have one week formally left to go.

This week essentially saw no changes. No gain, no loss, either in weight or size. I found that interesting because while I did cheat with Easter dinner, I wasn’t terrible about it–I kept portion sizes low, especially on the high glycemic items. I also felt that the week went particularly well in terms of exercise and I feel stronger despite the lack of any results this week.

Total weight lost through five weeks: 10 pounds (most lost generally in the first 2 weeks)

Total inches off so far: Thigh 1 3/4, Hips 1 1/2, Stomach 2 3/4, Arm 1/2, Chest 4 (losses were generally spread across the weeks).

The diet now allows grains and high glycemic vegetables in limited amounts and allows a bit of dark chocolate. I found that I adore Planter Nutrition Energy Mix, which has Almonds, Honey Roasted Sesame Sticks, Peanuts, Walnuts, Pecans & Dark Chocolate Covered Soynuts. That would not be compliant with the first 4 weeks, but I think is OK now. The calories are slightly higher with it than other nut mixes, although not horribly so. If other chocolate is not added, it does not add any more calories than a person would get following the diet and adding chocolate separately. I still am eating a more standard nut mix for some snacks as well.

I also found a decent eating out option. Outback Steakhouse has a chopped ahi tuna salad that is terrific. It is a basic chopped lettuce salad with chunks of cucumber, and it comes with a light wasabi vinaigrette. Thin slices of rare ahi tuna are laid across the top. The salad does include crunchy tortilla strips, so ask for those to be left off in weeks 1-4. It also is a rather large salad, so consider saving half. The hardest part about eating at Outback for me was not eating the bread. Somehow I managed to stop myself. My husband, however, ate the entire loaf and then asked for a second!

Next week will mark the end of the 6 week program and will be my last weekly update. However, I will likely update again one month after that.

Jump to:

PreDiet Writeup
Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Three Recap
Week Four Recap
Week Six Recap
One Month After the End Review

Comparison shop for diet books and plans

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