Lingering in a Hot Shower
When it’s ten below outside, it’s tempting to turn your morning shower into a half-hour steam-a-thon. But after about 15 minutes, all that heat begins to compromise your skin’s lipid layer, a complex of fatty acids that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat as much as you can—or at least shorten your shower time.

Wearing the Wrong Lip Balm
The most important thing is to use a balm that is viscous, not waxy, so the ingredients penetrate fissures. Stay away from anything with lanolin and, since fragrance is the number-one skin allergen, avoid anything that’s heavily scented or tastes like your favorite candy.

Neglecting Your Hands
One more reason to wear gloves: Forgetting to do so “can lead to painfully cracked fingertips and peeling nails.” Other hand tips: Since antibacterial hand soaps can be drying, use a mild, creamy one instead, rinse well with lukewarm water, and reapply hand cream every time. Once a week, rub cuticle oil into and around nails to keep them hydrated.

Having Rough Feet
Neglecting your feet all winter just makes it more difficult to whip them into shape for spring. As maintenance, get a pedicure at least every six weeks—or even better, follow this foot-softening routine once a week: Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 15 minutes, then buff the soles with a foot file. To soften and help seal cracks, slick on an ointment, then wear cotton socks while you sleep.

Having Hat Head
To prevent a hat from messing up your hair, “make sure hair is totally dry first—if it’s even slightly damp, it will dry flattened-out under the hat.” Prevent dents in long hair by gathering it into a loop and tucking it under the cap. To maintain volume in hair that’s shoulder-length or longer, part it on the opposite side from where you normally do, then flip it back after you take the hat off. And for short hair, as soon as you remove your hat, put a little styling cream or even just water on your fingers, and run them over and under the roots to rough them up. SEE THE REST HERE!

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My mother always told me: “Your face is your prize.” Regardless of how correct she actually was, I watched her spend hundreds of dollars on face products every month. Cleanser, Serum, Moisturizer – at about $30 to $70 a pop – were part of my vocabulary very early on.

So, imagine my dismay when I was old enough to understand that I have overwhelmingly dry skin! And so began my quest – reading product labels, obsessively looking for keywords like “moisturizing” and “nourishing.” Getting excited by bright packaging on products and learning (too late) that it didn’t work on my skin. When I skimped on price, I wasn’t happy with the results – and when I splurged, I couldn’t keep the expensive habit going (a girl’s gotta eat!).

Enter Specific Beauty and their Specific Beauty Regimen. I jumped at the opportunity to try their products for a few reasons:
1. Nice, simple packaging. They weren’t trying to bamboozle me with bright pictures or a weird looking bottle.
2. Their tag line: “For Multi-Hued Skin Tones” – That’s all me! Not to mention many of my fellow women of color who struggle to achieve clear skin and find products to keep it that way.
3. I saw SPF on the label. They want to keep me moisturized AND protected from the Sun? Let’s dance.

The Specific Beauty Regimen begins with their Daily Gentle Cleanser. I loved that their cleanser left my skin feeling clean without gunk or residue. I’ve encountered cleansers that left my skin with a weird film of something. I was pleasantly surprised when that wasn’t the case with Specific Beauty. Bonus: It’s gentle enough to be used twice a day!

Next up in the Regimen is the Skin Brightening Serum. My face felt rewarded before even getting to the official moisturizer! It goes on smooth and it’s very silky. Specific Beauty recommends Morning usage: “In the morning the Skin Brightening Serum is applied as a spot therapy. This skin treatment utilizes licorice root extract, retinol, and ginger root extract to target dark spots and uneven skin tone.” That roughly translates to: Yeah, this stuff is GOOD.

After applying the Skin Brightening Serum, I was ready for the Daily Hydrating Lotion SPF 30. Like I said, SPF equals ‘Awesome’. But that’s not all – this is probably one of the most hydrating face lotions I’ve ever tried. My face felt hydrated all day and wasn’t at all greasy nor heavy. This was definitely my favorite part of the regimen.

Oh, you say you do your beauty regimen at night so you don’t need SPF? You’ll be happy to know that Specific Beauty has a ‘Night Treatment Complex’ for your beauty rest. This formula feels a tad heavier than the daytime lotion which makes perfect sense; thicker lotion means that no matter how much I rolled my face around my pillow and bed, I woke up with moisturized, nourished skin. Which, last time I checked, is a very good thing.

After being on the Specific Beauty Regimen for a week, I noticed a vast improvement in my skin. My face looked brighter and problem areas that usually flaked from dryness were not only in tact, but actually looking radiant. For a grand total of $70 – you’re getting major bang for your buck. If you don’t want to buy the entire set, individual items are sold at reasonable prices starting at $8.99 for the Daily Gentle Cleanser.

Specific Beauty gained a new customer with me, and I recommend it to any woman looking to hydrate and even-out her skin tone. Hell, I’m about to call my mom and tell her the real prize is finding products that work well for your skin AND keeping your wallet happy.

Check out the rest of their products at SpecificBeautfy.com

10 Best Products For Your Skin (Even Though They’re $10)

JET SET BEAUTY: Tika Sumpter On The Set Of “Gossip Girl”

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Freeman Feeling Beautiful Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Facial Scrub

This scrub uses lemon extract and grapefruit extract, which are both high in skin-brightening Vitamin C, to naturally resurface skin. Plus, its refreshing grapefruit scent is a great pick-me-up. $3.99, available at Freeman Beauty.

Specific Beauty Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths

One side of the wipe contains textured bead to exfoliate, while the other side is smooth for cleansing and makeup removal. $6.99, available at Specific Beauty.

Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask

Besides the always-purifying mud, this mask also contains orange to help tone the skin, bergamot for its antiseptic benefits, and sea salt to aid in banishing impurities for a clear, smooth, and balanced complexion. $5.99, available at Ulta.

Yes to Tomatoes Roller Ball Spot Stick

This super-easy roller ball is a quick fix for renegade zits, thanks to a formula that includes blemish-shrinking Salicylic acid and tea tree oil, and redness-reducing Symrise, ginger root, and lycopene (thanks, tomatoes!). $9.99, available at Yes to Carrots. GET THE REST HERE!

How To Treat Dark Spots

7 Bad Skin Mistakes That Add Years

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YOU DON’T PROTECT EVERY INCH
Make sure to rub two teaspoon-size blobs of SPF 30 all over your face, neck, hands, and chest—but don’t forget other oft-skipped spots: “In my practice, I’m seeing an epidemic of skin cancer along the hairline, the jawline, and the ears,” says dermatologist Dennis Gross.

YOU USE PRODUCTS AT THE WRONG TIME
Get the most out of your skin-boosters by tweaking your schedule: Use antioxidants in the morning to protect your skin throughout the day, and exfoliants (like glycolic acid lotions) and collagen boosters (like retinoids) at night to shed and rebuild cells.

YOU FOLLOW SKIN-CARE TRENDS
There are so many new, shiny toys on the skin-care market that it’s easy to get swept up in the hype—but it’s best to go with what you know (or, at least, what’s been clinically proven). What’s tried and true? Alpha hydroxy acids, retinoids, and peptides are great for fine lines and wrinkles. Salicylic acid works for acne, green tea calms redness, and vitamin K helps with dark undereye circles. READ THE REST HERE!

How To Wear Eyeliner & Still Keep Your Face Au Naturale

Easy Ways To Find Out Your Skin Type

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Jillian Dempsey is a makeup artist and the global creative director for Avon.

COLOR TEST
To find the shade that flatters your skin tone, gently pinch your cheeks and match the blush to the color you get. You can also try one that’s half a shade darker than your favorite neutral lipstick. If you have acne or a ruddy complexion, choose a tawnier shade, so the blush doesn’t call attention to the redness. Either way, shimmery blush almost never looks natural.

To learn more steps to applying blush including adding cream, fanning yourself, smiling, and “building,” head over to Allure.

Check out other Beauty Tips Of The Day:

How To Apply Liquid Eyeliner

How To Apply Perfume

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So here’s how to stay cool & fight the shine!

Gel for a while
“Stop using the heavier cream cleansers that you benefit from in winter. Instead, switch to a gel to help control and absorb oil.” We like Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser.

Do the math
“Leave your cleanser on twice as long before rinsing and then use half as much moisturizer as you typically do. The same product will work totally differently.”

Can’t touch this
It may seem counterintuitive, but tackling shine by overexfoliating only worsens the problem. “When you aggressively strip the skin of oil, the skin acts as if it’s under attack, which often can yield even more oil.”

Protect yourself
As if you need yet another reason to wear sunscreen: “Oil is actually something your skin produces to help heal injuries, so sun exposure is only going to make you produce more oil.”

Meet matte
Use a powder that contains clay. It functions almost like a sponge, soaking up any oil, without adding bulk to your skin. A good one: Tarte Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder.

Celebrity Makeup Artist AJ Crimson Shares His Beauty Secrets

Face The Facts About Facials

Top 10 Zit-Zapping Tips From Beauty Experts

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How To (And Why You Should) Protect Your Skin From The Sun

1. It’s Not Just About the SPF Level.
“Once you go higher than SPF 50, there’s not much difference,” says NYC derm Robert J. Friedman, M.D. For the best protection, look for SPF 30 sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone or Mexoryl.

2. You Need More Than You Think.
One bottle of sunscreen for vacation may not be enough. “It takes one ounce to cover the body, and if you’re in the sun for six hours, you need to reapply twice,” says Scottsdale, Arizona, derm Jennifer Linder, M.D.

3. “Waterproof” Sunscreen Really Isn’t.
Updated labels will refer to SPF as water-resistant, which protects for up to 40 minutes, or very water resistant, for up to 80 minutes. Reapply accordingly.

4. Heads Need Sun Protection Too.
“The scalp is a common location for skin cancer,” says Dr. Linder. Use a hair sun protector—it’s less greasy than a lotion.

5. We Can Do Better.
Sad but true: “Thirty-five percent of women still aren’t wearing sunscreen at all,” says Dr. Friedman. Don’t let that be you!

How To Treat Dark Spots

Do Black Women Really Need Sunscreen?

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De-Clog:

The daily interactions that our faces have with the world leave behind dirt and chemicals on our skin.  Cleansing pores de-clogs our face and prevents breakouts. Less breakouts means less skin irritation, allowing one to feel confident without a face full of makeup.

Clear LED Light Illumination:

When analyzing skin in regular light, there’s a lot to miss.  LED Light Illumination pinpoints problems by zooming in on the skin at a different level.  This allows people to start treating problem areas before they become visible to the naked eye.

Peeling:

The removal of dead skin reveals your face’s natural glow.  Not only do you feel cleaner, but your face looks better.  Exfoliating prevents the appearance of wrinkles while making your skin soft to the touch. Getting rid of dead skin prevents build-up, leading to a brighter face in the future.

Getting facials regularly slows down the aging process and helps you love the skin you’re in.  Dermatologists are coming up with new technology to further improve skin condition.  For specific tips from esthetician and nutritionist Deborah Coffey, GO HERE

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1. De-Stress

Stress can cause your skin to go haywire in so many ways. From break-outs to flaking can all be attributed to elevated stress levels in your daily life. Try taking yoga classes or meditation to help manage your stress.

2. Drink Water

You’ve heard a thousand times before and we’re going to say it again, you need to drink more water! Drinking water is proven to keep skin hydrated and bright.

3. Take Vitamins
If you’re not already taking a daily vitamin, Vitamins A & E are essential for healthy skin.

4. Use Ultra-Hydrating Daily Cleansers

Choose a daily cleanser that is rich in vitamins and minerals to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant. Try one like AMBI’s Black Soap with Shea Butter. It will wash away surface impurities leaving your skin nourished, soft and smooth.

5. Exfoliate

Regular exfoliation is key to brightening your complexion! Here’s a guide on how to exfoliate your skin the right way!

More Beauty Tips From AMBI:
4 Tips For Cleansing Your Skin The AMBI Way

How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin On Your Face

How To Exfoliate Your Face

Some question the validity of facials, so to answer those naysayers, facials improve and rejuvenate your skin through deep cleansing, exfoliation, facial massage and through the use of masks and other treatment products to manage skin conditions. Moreover, facials slow down premature aging (through stimulating the growth of collagen), alleviates dry, sensitive, combination & oily skin conditions, helps to clear up minor acne and softens the appearance of wrinkles and lines and may involve extractions if you have white and/or blackheads. So with that said, what are you waiting for? At the other end of your pessimism lies a squeaky clean, extremely soft and brighter complexion.

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Now that you’re a convert, note the difference between a medi-spa and day spas where facials are on the menu before you make your first appointment. The former is geared primarily towards relaxation, while the latter does more clinical, corrective skin treatments. Medi-spas integrate surgical treatments with esthetic treatments like laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, botox and chemical peels. In a perfect world, you’d have the choice of both types of services in the same setting.

How often should you have a facial? That really depends on the health of your skin. If you have minor acne (no pustules or cysts) then once every week or two should suffice until it’s cleared up. If you have a lot of blackheads and whiteheads, you can still go to the spa with the same frequency until you can manage the at-home portion of the maintenance program. But generally speaking, you should aim at having a facial every four to six weeks and a little more often if your dead skin doesn’t slough off as quickly as it once did when you were twenty something.

The mark of any good facial is to feel relaxed and leave the spa with healthy-looking skin. If, during your facial your esthetician uses too much pressure while applying product or for any other part of the service, speak up and they’ll adjust the pressure. There’s nothing worse than paying to suffer in silence.

Click here to see what’s new in skin care products.

Hue Knew It? I did.

Don’t miss out on your weekly beauty fix and product giveaways. Subscribe at hueknewit.com!

9 Beauty Fixes You Have In Your Kitchen Cabinet

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How To Choose Make-Up Brushes

5 New Ways To Wear Your Hair During The Winter Season

Lingering in a Hot Shower
When it’s ten below outside, it’s tempting to turn your morning shower into a half-hour steam-a-thon. But after about 15 minutes, all that heat begins to compromise your skin’s lipid layer, a complex of fatty acids that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat as much as you can—or at least shorten your shower time.

Wearing the Wrong Lip Balm
The most important thing is to use a balm that is viscous, not waxy, so the ingredients penetrate fissures. Stay away from anything with lanolin and, since fragrance is the number-one skin allergen, avoid anything that’s heavily scented or tastes like your favorite candy.

Neglecting Your Hands
One more reason to wear gloves: Forgetting to do so “can lead to painfully cracked fingertips and peeling nails.” Other hand tips: Since antibacterial hand soaps can be drying, use a mild, creamy one instead, rinse well with lukewarm water, and reapply hand cream every time. Once a week, rub cuticle oil into and around nails to keep them hydrated.

Having Rough Feet
Neglecting your feet all winter just makes it more difficult to whip them into shape for spring. As maintenance, get a pedicure at least every six weeks—or even better, follow this foot-softening routine once a week: Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 15 minutes, then buff the soles with a foot file. To soften and help seal cracks, slick on an ointment, then wear cotton socks while you sleep.

Having Hat Head
To prevent a hat from messing up your hair, “make sure hair is totally dry first—if it’s even slightly damp, it will dry flattened-out under the hat.” Prevent dents in long hair by gathering it into a loop and tucking it under the cap. To maintain volume in hair that’s shoulder-length or longer, part it on the opposite side from where you normally do, then flip it back after you take the hat off. And for short hair, as soon as you remove your hat, put a little styling cream or even just water on your fingers, and run them over and under the roots to rough them up. SEE THE REST HERE!

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Ask Dr. Elena L. Jones a question about skincare

Dr. Elena L. Jones is here to answer your questions regarding skin care and scent. You can go to the Proud and Pretty page to ask Dr. Jones a beauty question. You can also submit your most blissful moments for a chance to win a prize! Click here!

Philosophy’s “Amazing Grace,” sexy new body-layering collection on QVC – perfect for yourself or as a gift!

Hey Cupcakes!

Today’s Abiola’s Kiss & Tell News.

GODDESS FAB ALERT! Be ready for the most intimate of encounters. Keep your lover engaged or attract a new flame. These are the well-deserved powers we give to fragrance. Clearly, I am a perfume lover, and my scent wardrobe is a key part of my personal game.

You can imagine how excited I was when Philosophy sent me their Amazing Grace scent-layering gift set. I receive many products to review and love freebies, but I only share my honest opinions with you. Although, I received these products as a free gift, this Philosophy Grace scent is so romantic and feminine that I found and ordered the Amazing Grace scented candle so that my home would also smell like Grace. Perfect for hot dates or dates of one. Sexy, sexy, sexy!!

I also had a guy who was a chocolaholic so I also own Philosophy Chocolate 3-In-1 Ultra Rich Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash – highly recommended.

*****I give it 5 Yummy Abiola Kisses.

HOW TO BUY: To learn more or to get a first glimpse of the products watch QVC Dec 5 at 7am, 3pm, and 10pm.

You can also shop online at HERE.

What do you think?

Subscribe, comment, hit me up on Twitter @AbiolaTV, AbiolaTV.com, Facebook and see you in NYC monthly at Abiola’s Kiss & Tell LIVE at Madame X. Buy my novel Dare by Abiola Abrams wherever you buy books.

xo,

Abiola

Here’s the official stuff:

This holiday season, QVC wants to know what’s your philosophy? For skin care shoppers, philosophy believes the right fragrance changes the way you smell and feel. This non-prescription, cutting-edge line of skin care, fragrance, bath and body products, and color cosmetics is available now in department stores across America and on QVC. This winter, invest in a new philosophy of beauty with this unique line of products formulated to fit your lifestyle.

Tilane Jones here, just stopping by from UrbanBeautyCollective.com. We had such a great response to our Iman interview I thought I would bring you more from the infamous international supermogul, Iman.

Our last tip was about great products from the HSN site where Iman has her GLOBAL CHIC accessories line. This time I thought I would hit you with Iman’s best beauty tip, “Good cleansing is the first step to great skin. Don’t use soap!” Wait, don’t use soap? So how should we get our face clean Iman? “A product like my Gentle Foaming Cleanser removes dirt and makeup without stripping your skin.”

Ok we got it. But is that all we need to do? She continues to say, “My most important tip is sun protection! No matter what your complexion is, you need to prevent skin damage. My All Day and Oil Free Moisture Complexes both have an SPF 15.” Now this is advice that we have all heard over and over again. With the environment the way it is, we should all really try to protect our selves from what we can’t see like the suns rays and free radicals. “I always say that the skin you take care of in your teens, and 20′s is the skin you will inherit in your 30′s, 40′s and beyond.” Words of wisdom from this fabulous looking 54 year old.

And we agree! So here are a few more products that we found that will help you baby and protect your skin:
Murad: Vitalic Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15. This lightweight moisturizer infuses skin with hydration and energy. It helps to stimulate and shield skin by infusing energy and providing oil-free, essential hydration.

RX for Brown Skin: Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15. This non-greasy formula deeply hydrates skin, without leaving any unsightly white residue behind.

Refresh Skincare: Green Tea Oil Free Sunscreen. Broad spectrum sun protection with SPF-30 that contains Parsol 1789 for UVA protection. It contains powerful vitamin and green tea polyphenol antioxidants for anti-aging benefits. Designed for daily use under makeup.

Click here to read more of the Iman interview.

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ursula Stephens and Wouri Vice, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…
Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

With the end of summer approaching it’s time to take advantage of the last bits of warm weather left. Keeping your skin smooth and soft is a must and exfoliating will still have you looking fresh. Here’s a guide from SheKnows.com on the best way to shave off those dead skin cells:

Items you need for exfoliation:

• Exfoliating cleanser
• Loofah, body brush or exfoliating gloves
• Pumice stone
• Body lotion

How to exfoliate:

1. Before stepping into the shower, brush your dry skin with your loofah, body brush or exfoliating gloves. This will help remove the loose skin and prepare your skin for the exfoliating process. Begin with the soles of your feet, working your way up your body.

2. Get into the shower and wet your body from head to toe. Don’t exfoliate your skin if you are sunburned or have any open cuts or wounds.

3. Use a pumice stone on your feet to eliminate rough spots and calluses. If your feet are extremely rough, soak them in a basin of warm water mixed with a cup of milk for 30 minutes before getting into the shower.

Exfoliating Legs

4. Apply your exfoliating cleanser to your loofah or gloves. Begin scrubbing your body in a circular motion starting with the bottoms of your feet and working your way up. When you reach the bikini area, don’t scrub too hard because the skin is very sensitive.

5. Use a body brush to exfoliate your back and other hard-to-reach places.

6. Be gentle on your face, particularly around your eyes and mouth. Use an exfoliating product especially formulated for the face, which is gentler than products designed to be used on the body.

7. Don’t forget about your hands. You want them to look and feel soft and smooth too!

8. Rinse your body with lukewarm water, follow by the coldest water you can stand. Apply a shower gel to soften your skin, if you’d like.

9. After stepping out of the shower, apply a moisturizing body lotion all over. Body lotions and facial moisturizers containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids are ideal choices because these acids continue to remove dead skin cells.

10. Use body moisturizer once a day. Exfoliation is drying to the skin, so you must keep your skin hydrated.
Exfoliating products

To get more tips and find a list of great exfoliating products click here for the full article!

Click here for recipes for homemade skincare!