Stock up on these reader-approved curly hair products to have a good hair day every day |
We took it upon ourselves to sift through legions of reviews on conditioners and styling aids to find out which ones Total Beauty readers deem worthy of their precious curls. |
TotalBeauty.com rating: 8.0 |
 "The effect is moisture and subtle shine. After too many days of heat styling, I rely on this infusion of avocado oil to rehab some damage." |
TotalBeauty.com rating: 8.0 |
 "The bamboo proteins in this spray work some sort of voodoo magic to make curls into perfectly shaped … spirals." |
TotalBeauty.com rating: 8.0 |
 This "is excellent at coaxing curls out of slightly wavy hair while leaving strands soft, not crunchy…" |
Curly Hair
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I hope everyone wore green, set out leprechaun traps, ate corned beef and cabbage, and got to enjoy being Irish for the day! We had a great day at our house and started some new traditions. We had a leprechaun visit us and cause some messes such as spilled milk, toilet paper down the hall, and crackers left all over the counter with a note in cheese that said, " Ha ha!". Lucky the Leprechaun left us a note with golden coins as a treasure hunt and left the kids a hefty treasure. What fun we had! Green cupcakes and homemade Irish soda bread for desert (Mom made it from my Grandma Vani's recipe).
Looking forward to next year!
Looking forward to next year!
Red Lipstick is It!
Do you ever feel like the red lipstick is wearing you instead of the other way around? Check out these tips on how you, too, can look fabulous with red lips |
 This is a TotalBeauty.com lip makeup article Do you just love red lips (a la Anne Hathaway at the Oscars) but worry you can't pull them off? You totally can. You just have to follow these tips to get it right. |
Great Facebook Contests
One of my favorite things about Facebook is all the contests and supporting my favorite brands. Here are some contests that might interest you!
Conair “Sneak Peek” Sweepstakes
Want fabulous hair? During the month of March, Conair is offering a “Sneak Peek” giveaway for a chance to win a choice of three new Conair hair styling tools. One winner each Friday! Give your hair some love with Conair and “LIKE” the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/conairhair) for more details!
scünci "Bendini Blitz" Daily Giveaway
Just “Bend and Snap!” Starting March 7 - March 25, 2011, each day, one lucky Facebook fan will have the chance to win scünci’s newest hair accessory -- the Bendini Clip! Add a touch of sparkle to any hairstyle with a Bendini clip! Show your hair some love and “LIKE” the scünci Facebook page (www.facebook.com/scuncihair) for more details!
Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant" Sweepstakes
Certain Dri wants to send you to the big leagues! From March 1, 2011- May 23, 2011, enter the Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant” Sweepstakes for a chance to win our MLB All-Star baseball game prize package! One random winner will win a trip for two to the 2011 MLB All-Star game and the Homerun Derby (travel accommodations included) in Phoenix, Arizona along with a supply of Certain Dri connect with Certain Dri on Facebook (www.facebook.com/certaindri), for more details!
At Last Naturals "Get Lucky" Sweepstakes
Test your luck this month and enter for chance to win the At Last Naturals, “Get Lucky” Sweepstakes! Each week during the month of March one lucky winner will be randomly selected to win the At Last Naturals gift set including a $50 Soft Surroundings gift card, the entire line of At Last Naturals and more! Connect with At Last Naturals on Facebook (www.facebook.com/atlastnaturals) for more details....we’re sure you’ll “LIKE” what you see!
Plus, from March 4 - March 31, 2011 At Last Naturals is offering a 20% discount. Visit http://www.atlastnaturals.com and enter the code: LUCKY20.
Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies "Moving & Grooving" Facebook Sweepstakes
Now through March 25, 2011, each week one Facebook fan (oops, we mean "liker") will be randomly picked to win 8 bottles of Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies. And that’s not all! At the end of each month (February and March) one lucky winner gets the "Moving and Grooving" gift set, including 4-months worth of Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies and fun games for the kids!So get movin’ and connect with Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fibergummies) for more details!
"Catch the Wave" OCEAN Giveaway
Cold and flu season is upon us, and one of the best ways to fight back is with regular nasal irrigation! So, to help you in the fight, we’re giving away one random entrant per week a free OCEAN nasal care prize pack! Whether you’re suffering from sinus issues, or just looking to prevent illness with regular nasal irrigation, OCEAN nasal care products can help (available at Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart and drugstore.com). So, "LIKE" OCEAN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/oceannasalcare) to “Catch The Wave” and get more details!
What NOT to buy for your skin
Readers say these anti-aging products did nothing that they claimed to do |
To help save you from getting hurt by these products that don't deliver, we're here to share a list of the anti-aging goods our readers have tried, tested and rejected. |
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6 |
 "I was completely disgusted by the smell. I don't know what this is 'supposed' to do for your skin, but the smell makes me not care." |
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6 |
 "I tried using this once and had to stop, [because it made my] face start to itch and feel dry." |
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6 |
 "After applying it twice a day for over a month" one reader didn't see "changes under my eyes" or "any lightening at all." |
Bruce Grayson's Red Carpet Trend Report
Oscars Makeup Department Head and Olay Celebrity Makeup Artist Bruce Grayson spent Sunday evening making sure all the stars looked their best before hitting the stage at the event of the year. As promised, he's now raising the curtain on the backstage trends, some of his favorite looks and do-it-yourself tips.
Q&As from Bruce Grayson
What's the one product (or type of product) you think women should never leave home without?
One area you really want to take care of is underneath the eyes and I love products with multiple benefits for this. One product that I love is Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush - it packs a really great 1, 2 punch. It firms skin underneath the eyes as well as reduces fine lines; it has tinted coverage which conceals dark circles really, really well-a major concern when you're walking the red carpet. I also love it because it's not greasy so you can wear it underneath makeup.
How were the makeup trends different from past Oscars?
We saw a really great dichotomy of different makeup looks. We saw some great smoky eyes which I thought were brilliant. Mila Kunis looked absolutely gorgeous with her smoky eyes. Then we saw some hard lines with dramatic shimmery shadows. Anne Hathaway did this very well against a bold lip. The common thread running through the night was that all of the makeup was on great, great skin, which means taking care of dark circles underneath the eyes and concealing them.
What was your favorite Oscars look and why?
My favorite look was Gwyneth Paltrow. She just had really beautiful polished bronze eyes against a nude pink lip. It was really simplistic, but it looked great. She was very natural with the hair parted down the middle - it was gorgeous.
What are the steps to get Anne Hathaway's eye makeup look?
Anne Hathaway had a great dark liner and then she used a shimmer glitter right across it which was really dynamic. She also had beautiful, gorgeous lashes and a red bold lip. It's everything we talk about - refined eyebrows against gorgeous, perfect skin. How to achieve this look:
Step 1: You want to start with a great skincare. Use Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing to cover under eye bags with a tinted concealer that's not going to be too heavy.
Step 2: Next is to use a beautiful lipstick that's moisturizing and helps to conditions the lips. COVERGIRL Lip Perfection has enough moisture in it to change the texture of your lips in just 7 days. It also has a fantastic color palette and it guides on smooth with no flaking or feathering.
What are the steps to get Scarlett Johanson's berry lips?
First apply a little lip balm and then go over it with the COVERGIRL Lip Perfection. To achieve the best color, you just want to press it on rather than use a brush. Press it on with the actual bullet because the payout on the product is so good.
What are the steps to get Michelle Williams' dewy skin?
Dewy skin is all about hydration. I recommend Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Serum. Add a layer before applying makeup and you can even mix in a little with your foundation. This product creates a guaranteed dewy look. Also make sure you strategically use powder - too much powder can destroy a foundation quicker than you can say makeup.
Any favorites from the night?
Sandra Bullock had gorgeous skin with a dewy finish. She used a beautiful sheer champagne with just enough shimmer that when she closed her eyes you saw that glimmer of light. However, it was that bold red lipstick that really sold the makeup. To achieve this look try COVERGIRL Lip Perfection. It is not only has great color, but it's also very as a lot of moisturizing and with red lipstick you really want to make sure that it doesn't flake or feather.
Cate Blanchett looked amazing with that gorgeous lavender chiffon dress. She blew me away. Her makeup also looked gorgeous with a shimmery and slightly smoky lilac shadow with a soft pink lips. But it was all against this gorgeous skin - no bags underneath her eyes, no dark circles. Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush is a great product because it's so subtle and it conditions the skin so well that it might be the only thing you need.
Here is a video of Bruce Grayson:
Neosporin Lip Health Giveaway Winners
The winners of the Neosporin Lip Health giveaway are Jennifer Grieco, Carol DeLillo, Jessica, Cnetproducer, Leslie Waters, and Charlotte Di Maria. Email me at moodymaria@live.com with your mailing address. The first three to write me have their choice of the day or night formula. The last three responses will get which one remains.
Congratulations!
Thank you to Neosporin for sponsoring this awesome contest! http://www.neolips.com/
Heart Healthy Foods
See how these foods affect your beauty from the inside out |
 This is a TotalBeauty.com health and beauty article To get the full scoop on precisely which beauty bonuses we can expect from eating the top 8 heart healthy foods (February is heart health month, FYI), we talked to three experts in the field. Find out what they had to say … |
Got Wrinkles?
Short of building your own time machine, these anti-aging technologies are the newest innovations in fighting those stubborn lines |
When meeting a certain age (which shall remain numberless), time becomes the enemy. But, that doesn't mean you can't fight back. To help you in your war, we're here to share the latest anti-aging innovations. |
The A-list actress traded in her usual straight hair for some voluminous waves. Do you like it? |
 This is a TotalBeauty.com celebrity hairstyles article New mommy Nicole was sporting a trendy "voluminous blow out" -- meaning that her hair was lifted at the roots and locked into place. Prefer it over her sleeker look at last year's "Nine" premiere? |
DC Cupcakes Returning for Season 2 - 2/25
Cupcakes are becoming so popular and over at Moody Maria, I am a huge fan of the TLC's DC Cupcakes.
Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis are two sisters on a mission –to create and serve the world’s best cupcakes at their Washington, DC bake shop. With their Mommy by their sides and their staff at the ready, they rise to every occasion, whether it’s building a wearable cupcake wedding dress for DC Fashion Week, baking 10,000 cupcakes for our troops overseas, or catering a cupcake birthday party for two gorillas at the zoo, season two will be full of surprises. Each half‐hour episode goes beyond the frosting to capture the behind‐the‐scenes drama in their fast paced, family‐owned bakery. No challenge is too big and no order is too tall for these madcap cupcake makers that bake over 10,000 cupcakes a day.
Be sure to tune in on Friday, February 25 at 10/9cPM, to watch the Season Two Premiere of DC Cupcakeson TLC!
Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis are two sisters on a mission –to create and serve the world’s best cupcakes at their Washington, DC bake shop. With their Mommy by their sides and their staff at the ready, they rise to every occasion, whether it’s building a wearable cupcake wedding dress for DC Fashion Week, baking 10,000 cupcakes for our troops overseas, or catering a cupcake birthday party for two gorillas at the zoo, season two will be full of surprises. Each half‐hour episode goes beyond the frosting to capture the behind‐the‐scenes drama in their fast paced, family‐owned bakery. No challenge is too big and no order is too tall for these madcap cupcake makers that bake over 10,000 cupcakes a day.
This is what I would order- A cupcake for Moody!
Be sure to tune in on Friday, February 25 at 10/9cPM, to watch the Season Two Premiere of DC Cupcakeson TLC!
Neosporin Lip Health Giveaway
Did you know that you can have healthier lips in just 3 days? That's right! Once you start using Neosporin, you should if you are like others in clinical studies*.
Good luck!
*Clinical Study claims on http://www.neolips.com/
**Disclaimer: Samples provided to me by Neosporin for testing purposes and Reader Contest.
I started using Neosporin back in February of last year. You can read my review here. I have continued to keep the Overnight Renewal Therapy next to my bed and have even purchased it as gifts for my sister and friends. I just love it! My favorite part is that it is not minty and just very healing.
The Daily Hydration Therapy is equally as great but with SPF 20 protection. This is so important to me as I had someone close to me have skin cancer removed from their lips. It really brings the message home that SPF is necessary for everyone!
Would you like to win Neosporin Lip Health products? I have 3 of each so I will have 6 winners in my giveaway! To enter, please leave a comment with your name and email. To win an additional chance, "like" my facebook page and leave me a comment. Contest ends 2/28/11 at 11:59PST, US Residents only. 6 random winners will be chosen and the first 3 to respond to their win can choose Overnight Renewal Therapy or Daily Hydration Therapy. The last 3 will get the remaining prize. Trust me, both are great!
Good luck!
*Clinical Study claims on http://www.neolips.com/
**Disclaimer: Samples provided to me by Neosporin for testing purposes and Reader Contest.
You only have until Monday!
Don't know of what to get him this year? These thoughtful gifts for your guy will make both of you smile |
 This is a TotalBeauty.com men's skin care products article Since the odds are that you're probably not going to get what you want for Valentine's Day (maybe I'm projecting here but, 22 times bitten, twice shy), why not hedge them a little by gifting your guy with something that you know you'll love too? |
Aveeno Smart Essentials Scrub Review
If this scrub had a facebook page, I would "like" it. It's awesome, easy to use in the shower, and makes my skin feel great. I got mine at CVS.
Noncomedogenic, Hypoallergenic, Oil-Free, and Soap-Free
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