I have an obsession with all things lips: lip buffer, lip gloss, lipstick, lip balm, Ms. Lippy…  This obsession has resulted in me trying just about any kind of product I can get my hands (or should I say my lips) on.

After spending money on a lot of products that don’t live up to their promise, I can attest that the following four are definitely some of the best products on the market. If you know what’s good for you (and your kisser), get thee to the mall and stock up on these ASAP:

Lip Buffer: C.O. Bigelow’s Soothing Lip Buffer,  made with aloe extract and coco butter, will make your lips perfectly soft and smooth. If you apply the lip buffer onto your lips and take a warm wash cloth and rub the buffer in, you will not only exfoliate your lips, but you will rub in its relaxing peppermint extract. For $4.99 you can pick up a tube that will last you months and months. Although you can buy C.O. Bigelow products through their website, Bath & Body Works also carries them.

Lip Gloss: Nothing gets better than Yves Saint Laurent’s Golden Shimmering Gloss. This YSL lip gloss stays on for hours, and it actually protects the lips with natural oils instead of drying them out like most glosses do. Each tube of lip gloss has real 24-carat-gold flecks (baller!), which cause extra shine and luster on your lips. Although this lip gloss is expensive – $30 a tube – the quality and 31 different shades make it 100% worth every last cent.  Read More »

There are famous scenes from movies depicting it. There are Facebook bumper stickers dedicated to it. There are songs that shout the praises of it. There are how to articles and, hell, it even has search results on Wikipedia. Yet for the entirety of my life, the closest I’d come to Sex on the Beach was double fisting them on Friday nights. This had to change.

With the advent of summer upon us, I decided it was high time I was no longer a sex on the beach virgin. I grabbed my manfriend (chuckle chuckle, Carrie Bradshaw) and headed to the shore.

It was a perfect night for just being at the beach, let alone hooking up. Full moon, light breeze and crashing waves. Very romance novel. So boyfriend and I wandered along the beach until we found a secluded(ish) spot.

When we got there, however, I found that I could have done with some good advice before embarking on this adventure. So for all you beach bunny virgins out there contemplating some sea-side action, here is what I wish my experienced girlfriends had told me:

Bring a Flashlight: Luckily for us, the moon was enormous and lit our way pretty well. I happen to be completely blind in the smallest amount of darkness, though, and was petrified of stepping on baby sea turtles. If it’s even semi-cloudy out, a small light should help you navigate. Read More »

Ugh. The weekend is so close we can taste it (it=beer). Unfortunately, though, it is still a full day away and as much as you want to love your summer internship, filing/making Starbucks runs for 8 hours a day for no pay makes everyone grumpyThursdays suck.

Well, we have some news to brighten your day! Bliss, makers of some of the best beauty products on earth, is having a massive blowout sale. Like 80% off, massive. That is cheap enough that even an unpaid intern can partake. And it isn’t just the crappy stuff no one wants that is on sale (like those half yearly shenanigans over at Victoria’s Secret).

They have my all-time favorite exfoliation set on super sale, not to mention some amazing relaxation products and some really cute accessories! Read More »

Unless you’re an Eskimo, you probably don’t enjoy getting tossed around by those blistering cold winds. Whew, do you feel the tightening, arid effects of the chilly weather on your skin ’ dry patches on your face, chapped lips and flaky hands and feet.

No matter how much you lather on the moisturizer, your precious epidermis simply won’t return to its supple state. Well, have no fear; we have some wonderful tips on how to get glowing all winter long:

Shorten Shower Time

Healthy skin has a protective surface layer called the stratum corneum, and as the temperature drops this natural barrier becomes vulnerable to damage. Although there’s nothing quite like a long shower, lingering in hot water will drain essential moisture and leave the skin drier and more susceptible to irritation.

Adios Astringents

For those especially chilly months, skip the application of anything containing alpha-hydroxy acid or alcohol. They strip the skin of natural oils that are necessary in maintaining moisture.

Happy Humidity

Having a humidifier in your bedroom will help prevent your skin from drying out. Moisture in the air soothes dry lips and chapped skin.

Rapid Repairs

Since less blood flows to the skin when you’re cold, it’s a little malnourished. So you need to give it extra lovin’ with products that contain amino-peptides, which work to renew the skin’s outer layer. We recommend Olay Regenerist. (regenerist.com) Read More »