Capsule Jewelry Wardrobe

Just as having certain staples in your clothing wardrobe can simplify your dressing experience, have a capsule jewelry wardrobe can make accessorizing in the mornings a breeze. Here are Redbook's "jewelry necessities".

1. A Statement Necklace: Dress up any outfit in 30 seconds! Shop my fave, the Torsade!
2. A Statement Ring: By far the easiest way to add a pop of color to any outfit! Try a Cushion Cut Cocktail Ring
3. Hoop Earrings: Simple, classic, never out of style. These Crystal Pave Hoop Earrings are bound to become your go to earrings!
4. Stud Earrings: Perfect for your day to day look, these will take you from running errands to a night on the town! I just can't get enough of these Round Emerald Stud Earrings!
5. A Cuff: Bold enough to make a statement, classic enough for your work week. Fall in love with the Deco Cascade Adjustable Brass Cuff.
6. A Long Layering Necklace: The Deco Luxe Long Pendant Necklace is a bold and beautiful choice!
7. A Short Necklace: Add a pretty, feminine touch to your every day wear. Try the Pave Initial Disc Charm Pendant for a touch of personalization.

Shop all these styles and more at www.chloeandisabel.com/boutique/sarahvanbenschoten

Clear Skin

Hey Everybody! Hope you all had a great 4th of July! I know I had lots of fun.

I recently purchased a bottle of acneadvance from my local health food store. I'm always on the lookout for things that will reduce breakouts, and this caught my eye. Now, it says on the box that it helps balance hormones, and I know that most of my acne is hormone related (which means it's really hard to get rid of with topical treatments). Since I'm all for natural remedies, I bought a bottle. I'm about a month in, and I'm amazed. I've been able to cut back on my harsh topical treatments, plus it's helped clear up some of my scarring too.

That being said, I've seen mixed reviews about it online. My thoughts are that this will help if your acne is due to a vitamin deficiency, or a hormone imbalance. If it's more an issue of oily skin, or clogged pores, there may be a topical treatment that gives better results. But for under $20 it's always worth a try, the only way to find what works for you is to experiment.

One Makeup Look Guys LOVE!

Cosmopolitan Magazine recently reported that a study done at MIT showed that men are most attracted to a woman when her eyes are the darkest area on her face. So much for natural beauty, huh? Actually this look works best when the rest of your face is nude and glowing. So, in the spirit of attracting as many guys as possible, I'm posting Sephora's How-To video on getting a perfect smokey eye.

How to Fake Airbrushed Makeup

Ok. Since yesterday I wished for an airbrush to apply my foundation, I thought today I'd blog about how to fake it.

-Use a stipple brush (like MAC 187) and use it one of two ways:

Dab the tip into some liquid foundation, and use a stippling effect over the whole face. Stippling is simply a tapping motion (rather than brushing or rubbing) lightly do this across the entire face until the foundation has blended in, and the desired coverage is achieved.

or:

Use your finger to dot liquid foundation onto the face in key areas, the forehead, cheeks, chin; then use the stippling brush in a swirling motion across the face to blend in the foundation.

Finish off by using a very large powder brush and sweeping your powder across the face in small circular motions.

On The Bathroom Counter

It's that time again, where I just randomly rave about things that I currently have in my bathroom. Enjoy!

St. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer-
I know, I know. It sounds too good to be true. Just moisturize your body like you always have and your cellulite will just melt away. But, being the beauty junkie that I am, I had to try it. I'm not claiming that it's the miracle product, but it does work. It firms and smooths, plus it actually does a pretty decent job of moisturizing. I may have to go back and try their targeted treatment as well, St. Ives Cellulite Shield Gel Creme.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub-
While I'm on a St. Ives tangent, I can't neglect to mention the Apricot Scrub. Some people think this is too harsh, but it really depends on how hard you scrub. I use this every morning to remove the dead skin cells before I put on my makeup. I'm pretty sure this would make it into the list of things I'd need with me on a remote island.

Neutrogena Light Night Cream-
I love everything by Neutrogena. Their products are gentle and don't clog pores. This night cream is light, and not greasy or heavy at all. Plus it's non-comedogenic. It also does the job of an intense moisturizer, so I wake up in the morning with soft, smooth skin.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer-
I'm pretty sure this is the greatest invention ever. It evens out skin tone, and adds a bit of color, without the hassle (or the streaking) of other self-tanners. It's so easy to use, and keeps me glowing even in the dead of winter.

Nioxin-
My hair is pretty weak to begin with (my brother got the lovely think hair), and then I go and abuse it practically every day. Needless to say, more hair ends up in my brush, and all over the bathroom than is actually on my head. I started using the whole Nioxin system a few weeks back, and I've already noticed fewer hairs are falling out. And every hair saved means my hair is just that much thicker. I'm excited to see how my hair improves in the next few months.

Sleepless Beauty

Whether you have to wake up ridiculously early to catch a flight, or you simply had too much fun the night before, losing sleep can take it's toll on your looks. Here are a few ways to maximize the few precious hours of beauty sleep you do get.

When the Alarm Clock Goes Off Too Early:

- Prepare, Prepare, Prepare the night before. Pick out an outfit, lay out any beauty items you might need, set out a healthy breakfast.

- Fixing your hair the night before will cut down on your morning routine. Wash your hair, and scrunch it a bit before sleeping on it. In the morning add some texturizing spray and leave it down in beach waves, or put it up in a messy bun. If you absolutely need straight, shiny locks, invest in a satin pillow which will minimize mussed hair as you sleep.

- Focus on a simple makeup look with glowing skin. Moisturize well (the night before and in the morning) and use a firming serum. Add some shimmery white to the inside corners of your eyes, and curl your lashes to seem more awake.

- If you have time, do a Sun Salutation (yoga) or a few jumping jacks. Even 5 minutes of exercise will get your blood flowing, helping you both look, and feel more awake.

For When You're Out Until The Wee Hours of the Morning:

- Drink tons of water. Staying hydrated all through the night will keep your skin hydrated, which will help you look rested in the morning.

- Slather on that moisturizer. If you do nothing else before you fall into bed (hopefully you wash off your makeup too), do this. Dry, tired skin (and eyes) are the biggest give away of the night before.

- Don't cake on makeup trying to hide the dark circles. It will simply collect in any fine lines, and make you look even more tired (not to mention older). Go with light, shimmery colors to brighten your face.

- If you have time in the morning put on a moisturizing or firming mask for as long as possible.

- If your hair still looks somewhat decent from the night before, work with that, rather than starting all over.

- And if all else fails, do what the celebrities do, and reach for a giant pair of dark glasses.

Tips for the Perfect Blow Out

I know most of us wish we could have super shiny, sleek locks like Jennifer Aniston is famous for sporting. Here are some pro tips that can help you get a red carpet blow out at home.

You Should Know: That even professional stylists feel they get a better blow out when someone else does their hair. This is partially because there are better angles when your standing over someone, rather than holding your own arms above your head. Also, stylists blow out several styles a day, and they've often been styling for years. Of course that's going to produce better results than you may be capable of at home. Don't let it get you down, use these tips and do your best!

Wring It Out: Trying to dry dripping wet hair will not only be time consuming, but your results will be less than perfect. Towel dry hair first, and if you have time, let it air dry for a few minutes as well. (I usually moisturize my face, and pick out an outfit during this time)

A Downward Flow: For the shiniest of tresses the air should flow down the hair shaft, smoothing the cuticle. This means holding the hair dryer high above your head and keeping it aimed down. Some stylists recommend bending over and blowing upside-down, but this tends to ruffle the hair. If you truly want the smoothest hair, stay upright and use a brush to get volume.

Speaking Of Brushes: Depending on the style you want, you'll need to choose the proper brush. A paddle brush is the standard for straight styles, while a round brush will give you volume and texture. If your hair is prone to frizz, don't use your fingers. (However, this is a great technique for a little natural texture)

Divide And Conquer: Clip your hair into separate sections. The more unruly your hair is (or the straighter you want it), the smaller those sections should be. Be careful when clipping already dried hair though, you don't want to create kinks in your smooth 'do. You will want to start drying at the back of your head and work forward (unless you have a particularly difficult area, then start there). Dry your roots first, and then move on to the ends. In fact, the ends may be almost dry by the time your done with your roots.

Perfect Product Placement: When prepping your locks for a blow out, you should take into consideration your hair's texture. Thin or fine hair does best with a light mousse that won't weigh hair down, while thick or curly hair needs a stronger gel or wax that will tame the unruly locks. Also consider using a finishing product, like a smoothing serum or straightening balm. The amount of product you use will again depend on your hair's texture.

Celebrity Makeup

Stylist to the stars Valerie Sarnelle dishes on how she makes up the stars for a night on the town. Looking like a celebrity has never been this simple!

Quick Beauty Tips

Let's be honest. Who really has the time to dedicate to all the beauty duties we really should do every day? Part of the reason models and movie stars look so gorgeous all the time, (besides access to premiere stylists) is that it's part of their job description to set aside time to care for themselves. So where does that leave the rest of us? Here are a few quick tips for the fashionistas on the go.

Moisturize: Ideally you should have a morning and an evening moisturizer. The AM moisturizer should be light, have a bit of shimmer, and an SPF to protect you through the day. Put it on after you wash your face, and let it absorb a few minutes before applying makeup. Moisturized skin will not only look better, but it helps your foundation spread evenly and not look cakey. If you're really in a rush, try a tinted moisturizer to combine 2 steps in one. The PM moisturizer should be a bit heavier, and this is where you can add an extra benefit (such as anti-aging, or deep moisturizing)

Brighten: Use light shimmery colors on the face. Dust the cheeks with an illuminating powder, or at least a soft, shimmery pink. Use very light, sheer colors on the lids. Line the insides of the eyes with a white pencil. However you can add illumination to your face will help you look younger and more awake. A word of advice though, I said shimmer, not glitter. Big glitter flakes on your face can either make you look like a teeny-bopper, or a club-bunny. Not a good idea for a day at the office.

Brows: Make sure you've plucked any stray hairs. Put a little hairspray on your finger, and run it over the brow. This will insure that your brows will stay in place all day. Lightly fill in any bare spots. Brows frame the face, and can often make or break a look.

Lashes: Curl your lashes. It may seem like a superfluous step, but it can really open up the eye. Also take a little extra time and add a second coat. Even if you don't do anything else to your face, a set of glamorous lashes can be very sexy.

Lips: Buy a colored Chapstick. That's right, go back to Jr. High, and buy the cute bubblegum LipSmackers. It will help moisturize your lips, and add just a tiny hint of color. (I really like the Dr. Pepper one!) Plus they taste good!

Get a Great Summer Manicure

Our hands take so much abuse throughout the day. They are constantly bombarded with harsh chemicals, and we use them pretty much all day long. And yet, our hands are often one of the first things people notice about us. So it makes sense that we should spend some time taking care of our hands.

- Keep your hands moisturized. Use hand cream, which is thicker and more creamy.

- Don't forget your hands when putting on sunscreen.

- Treat your hands like you do your face, use an exfoliator occasionally, and if you feel your hands are looking old, use the same anti-aging serum you do on your face.

- Keep your nails clean and filed, nothing looks worse than uncared for nails.

- Use a basecoat when using dark or bright colored polish. Not only does this help your polish last longer, but it will prevent your nails from becoming discolored.

- If you have weak or brittle nails, use a strengthening formula occasionally to keep them looking nice. I like Sally Hansen's Complete Care 4-in-1 Treatment, but there are plenty of other great options out there.

And finally, here's a great little video on how to get cute square nails, from one of my favorite sites Pursebuzz.

Square Nails in 4 Weeks

Finding Your Perfect Pair of Jeans

With the possible exception of bathing suit shopping, I can think of nothing a woman hates more than trying to find a pair of jeans. Dozens of stores, and hundreds of pairs later she has achieved nothing more than lowering her self-esteem. I used to sell denim, and helped many women find their perfect pair of jeans. Here are my hints and secrets for buying jeans.

-Know your size before you go: Measure your waist and inseam. This helps provide a great starting point, and helps the sales people find some options for you. Plus there's nothing worse than thinking you're a certain size, and not being able to squeeze into that pair at all. There's plenty of variation between brands, but at least you'll be starting in the right area.

-Find the best cut for your body type: This will further narrow the selection of jeans you try.

Bootcut: Probably one of the most universally flattering cuts. The slight flare helps to balance out hips and thighs.

Flare: Similar to bootcut, but beware of really large bell-bottoms, as these can add weight and width to your legs.

Wide Leg: Loosely cut through the whole leg. Tend to have a "trouser" feel. Again avoid very wide cuts, as these can add weight, rather than hiding it.

Boyfriend: A really trendy cut right now, slightly looser fitting. This cut can be very forgiving, but avoid getting a really baggy pair, as these can make you look "frumpy".

Straight Leg: Avoid if you have larger hips or thighs. This can be a good option for someone who's a little narrower, but can't quite pull off the tapered skinny jean. Look for a pair that's a little looser in the knee area.

Skinny Jeans: Probably the most dangerous of all jeans. These will make your hips and thighs look larger, so you need to have practically none to begin with. As the name suggests, these are for skinny people. That being said, if you're tall and skinny these look fabulous and can make your legs look even smaller.

High Waist: This has come more and more into style in the last few years. Pairs well with a wider leg. Avoid tapered high waisted jeans (these are the infamous "mom jeans"). A higher rise can hit you at the narrowest part of the waist, making you look slimmer. And they can cinch in a "pooch", no "muffin tops" here.

Mid-Rise: The most popular rise in jeans. This is what you'll often find on a pair of bootcuts. It's the best of both worlds because it offers a little tummy-tucking, while still looking younger and more modern than the high waist.

Low-Rise: Better for the younger and more slim of the jean buyers. Try sitting in these when trying them on to make sure nothing will hang out. Also make sure the waist isn't too tight, or you will end up with a "muffin top". You also need to make sure to have low-rise underwear, so that nothing will show.

-Wash: Knowing what wash is most flattering is almost as important as the cut.

Dark Wash: The nicest of the washes, if you are planning to wear jeans to the office or in the evening, select a darker wash. Also, like black, darker tends to be more slimming.

Medium Wash: The most popular wash, probably will find the largest selection in this category. More casual than a dark wash, but still dark enough to be slimming.

Light Wash: Tends to go in and out of vogue more than patent leather. Still, there always seems to be a selection available in stores. Watch out for "mom jeans" in this wash. A very casual jean, like a boyfriend cut, can be very cute in a lighter wash.

Trendy Washes: These have fading, whiskering, splatters, you name it. Beware of faded jeans that have a significantly lighter center of the leg, and darker on the outsides. These create a visual effect that can make your leg (especially the thigh) look much larger. Whiskers can draw unwanted attention to the crotch area. Still, that being said, don't be afraid to try on a trendy wash. Tastefully, and carefully done, they can look young and fresh.

If you happen to find that perfect pair of jeans in a wash you don't care for, remember you can always dye them. It's very simple to find an easy-to-use denim dye.

-Other Random Tips:

Buy your jeans how you want them to fit. Jeans tend to stretch rather than shrink, especially if they have any elastene in them at all. If you're not sure, take them home and wear them around the house, with the tags on, for 30-45 minutes. If they still haven't stretched as well as you'd like them too, return them.

If you're not sure if a jean will fit, but don't want to try it on (only to find out you weren't even close), make a fist and put your elbow in one hip of the jeans, and your fist into the other, so that your arm spans the waistband. This is approximately how wide your hips are. If you can't fit your arm in, they're too tight, and if it's loose, they'll be to big. Remember, this is how it will fit your hips, your waist (if they're higher waisted jeans) is smaller.

If a jean fits perfectly everywhere, but is small in one area (say, the hips) you can wash the jeans, and before drying them pull on the area you want stretched out.

Remember, denim tailoring (especially hemming) is fairly inexpensive, and easy to find.

Wash your jeans inside-out to preserve the color, especially in darker washs. If your really concerned about the color, wash them by themselves in cold water with about a cup of vinigar the first time. (Wash them again in regular water to get rid of the smell.)

Denim is made to be worn, and it's very sturdy. It can go quite a little while without washing. If you're really in love with the way your denim has stretched, and don't want to shrink it back up, let it air dry instead of putting it in the dryer.

Salespeople can be your biggest asset. At stores that specialize in denim, they go through quite a bit of training about how thier jeans fit. Don't be afriad to ask for help, often they'll know exactly which pairs to recommend.

Men's Shoes

Oh shoes. It seems like women are obsessed with them, and men just can't understand it. So today is shoe day for men. First, the basic styles every man should own.

The Loafer: This doesn't have to mean the preppy "penny loafer". It's simply a slip on leather shoe, comfortable and casual. Goes with jeans and khakis.

The Oxford: Timeless dress shoe (this one is pictured above). Goes business or formal. If you only buy one dress shoe, this is it.

The Cap-Toe Oxford (brogues): Similar to oxfords, but have a seam with tiny perforations "capping" the toe. Slightly more casual and "dandy".

The Wing Tip: Another popular dress shoe. This classic swings from business, to slightly casual, and can be worn with a suit or sportcoat.

Casual Shoes: Whether canvas or leather these are where you can most reflect your style, and the current trends. They should be comfortable, and go well with your jeans, whether you're wearing a t-shirt or a jacket. A nice pair of leather sandals is also essential for summer months.


On Shoe Shopping:
Guys, it's ok to splurge a little on your shoes, especially work shoes. Men's shoes styles don't change as frequently as women's, and chances are you wouldn't buy more even if they did. So invest in a quality pair of nice leather shoes that can last you a long time. Look for leather soles, which will last the longest, and check the leather to make sure it's firm, yet supple. Look for even stitching and a rich color. And most importantly, make sure they fit well and are comfortable.

On Shoe Care:
Don't wear the same shoe every day. Not only will people notice and think you only own one pair of shoes, it can wear out the shoe faster. It also helps your feet recover if you give them a 24-hr "break".
Don't just smash your heel into the shoe in your rush to get them on. This will wear out the heel of the shoe in a hurry. Take an extra minute, if you have to, use a shoe horn.
Loosen up the shoe before taking it off, and use your hands. If you use your toe to force the shoe off the other foot you're just wearing out your shoes that much faster.
Leave your shoes untied to put them away, this will let the shoe relax, and keep the laces intact longer.
Use a shoe tree, or at the very least a shelf.

Men- How to Look Your Best

When he's not running around threatening people with knives that come out of his hands, Hugh Jackman is arguably one of the most stylish men in Hollywood. Here are a few styling tips that will help you look your best when you leave the house. Courtesy of AskMen.com (probably one of the best men's websites out there)

-Take A Shower: Being clean is a huge step towards looking better. Taking one in the morning will help you avoid bedhead, and shower gel can keep you smelling fresh if you don't care to wear cologne.

-Groom Your Hair: Basically make sure your hair is clean and somewhat styled. Check body and facial hair to avoid out-of-control growth or crazy rebel hairs.

-Wash Your Hands: I understand. Men like to do dirty things, and as a result end up with paint and dirt and grease all over their hands. But there is nothing that's a bigger turn off than a guy with filthy hands. Please, if your going on a date or an interview, make an effort to clean them up.

-Lip Balm: You don't have to use it excessively, but trust me, this one's important.

-Dress Well: Just make sure your clothes aren't wrinkled, smelly, or stained.

-Check the Mirror: As you go through the day, look at yourself in the mirror occasionally. Make sure you haven't spilled on your clothes, there's nothing in your teeth, etc. You may also want to check your smell. Better to catch these things before people can judge you for them.

America's Next Top Model Makeup

You probably recognize him from "America's Next Top Model", Mr. Jay. Now Jay Manuel has his own show, and he's dishing out all the style tips of the stars. If you want to learn how to look like a star, this is the show to watch. Some tips I've picked up so far:

-Use bronzer to get a glow. Dust on your cheekbones, around your temples and hairline. Also use it as a base for your eye shadow, brush on your eyelids, and line your eyes with it. It looks a little odd at first, but once you layer your shadow on top, it will really pop your eyes.

- When putting on your foundation, start in the center of your face and work out. This will give you the most natural finish. (I also like to wet my sponge a bit to keep my foundation from getting too cakey.)

- Don't fill in the entire brow, just any areas that are thin or need shaping. This helps keep the brow from becoming too dark or fake looking.

- Use a light, sheer eyeshadow under brow and on the inner corners of the eye. This opens and brightens the eye. Then take a soft neutral tone and sweep over the entire lid, and smudge under the eye for that movie star smolder for the daytime. Lightly rim the eye with a dark brown or black liner on the bottom, then blink a few times so it "bleeds" to the top lid. Then add a light layer of mascara to complete the look.

Beauty Tips

Here are a bunch of random things that just couldn't quite justify an entire blog, but I thought were very useful.

-The new mascara brushes: I am totally in love with these, helps reduce clumping and makes lashes fuller. Try LashBlast by Covergirl (also liking the luxe version which has a bit of shimmer)

- Baby oil: I live in a very dry climate, so my skin dries out fast. I combat this by using baby oil as a moisturizer right when I get out of the shower, I don't even dry off first. Just use a bit so your skin doesn't stay really oily. Plus it's super cheap!

- Tresseme Curl Activator Spray: Love this! Helps my curls stay all day. I recommend it to anyone who loves curly hair, but has trouble keeping them in.

- Shine boosters: These are kind of like a clear hair dye. It seals the cuticles and makes your hair look as shiny as it does after you dye it, but it doesn't change the color.

- Coffee grounds: Ok. This one is gonna sound a little weird. Used coffee grounds can help fight cellulite. The best is to rub them on, let them sit for a while, then wash them off. If I'm in a hurry I'll just rub them on in the shower. It makes a mess, so be prepared for that. Also, you have to stick with it (it's not instant magic, try it for a week or so and see if you notice a difference). I heard about this one from an ex-model. Something about the combination of exfoliation and the caffiene is supposed to make your cellulite less noticable.