The Beauty Girl

To Botox or Not To Botox...

That is the question. And I get asked it a lot. There's no right answer except what's best for you. If you're going to get it, here's my one piece of advice: go to a dermatologist known for giving natural-looking results. The goal isn't to make you look 10 years younger. It's to make you look instantly refreshed in a way that your anti-aging moisturizer can't. You should still look your age, and you should still be able to move your eyebrows. The below "before" and "after" are untouched photos taken of my friend (she's letting me use these images of her sans makeup, so I promised I wouldn't say her name), a thirty-something who got Botox for her first time to minimize the appearance of her crows feet (crinkles around the eyes). Can you see the difference? Would you try Botox?

Tags skin, Botox, Dermatologist

Not Another Greasy Hair Serum

I understand why some women (especially those on the oilier side) treat a hair serum like the devil. Unless the eenciest bit is applied, and applied evenly, bad things can happen. Not this time around. Here are a couple of new serums that have something wonderful in common -- Argan oil.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime ($54)  This souped-up serum smells lovely and contains a blend of conditioning and anti-oxidant rich ingredients including Maize, Pracaxi, Camellia, and Argan oils. What's this mean for your hair? No more frizz and lots of fullness and softness.

Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil ($21.50)

I'm all for multi-tasking products, and this utlra lightweight serum, which also contains the hair softening ingredient Argan Oil, can be used 6 ways! 1. as a heat protector pre-blow dry 2. as a shine booster 3. as a softening treatment. 4. as a pre-shampoo moisturizer 5. as a smoothing serum post-blow dry 6. as an overnight conditioner.

Tags Hair Serum, Argan Oil, kerastase elixir ultime, Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil, smoothing hair products

3 Legit, Inexpensive Exfoliators

Skin has a way of taking on reptilian qualities this time of year. In order to allow your creams and serums to fully penetrate your skin, exfoliation is key. The Beauty Girl and I are both maj fans of ExfoliKate (check out her interview with Somerville!), but the stuff can cost you close to $90. Here are three great exfoliators, at lower price points, that I’m digging right now:

Queen Helene Gentle Oatmeal 'n Honey Natural Facial Scrub ($5) Cheap, gentle and light enough for everyday use: it’s the Cetaphil of exfoliators. It’s esthetician approved and the creamy formula sloughs off dead skin cells lickety-split.

Biore SkinPreservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator ($14) A quick 30-60 second massage of the alumina crystals, the same type used in professional microdermabrasion, clears all traces of sallowness. It’s also infused with ceramides and antioxidants that amp up its anti-aging benefits. My makeup is going on smoother.

philosophy the microdelivery micro-massage exfoliating wash ($8-$58) Virtually fragrance free with eensie weensie particles, it’s far from irritating. Again, a 30-60 massage reveals a refreshed, glowy complexion. I’ve found that the scrubbing action works up a satisfying, light froth. Use it at night to clear pores of a day’s worth of grime and prep skin for the rest of your nighttime routine.

(Posted by Cody)

Tags Philosophy, face scrub, exfoliators, Biore, ExfoliKate, Queen Helene Gentle Oatmeal 'n Honey Natural Facial Scrub, Biore SkinPreservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator, philosophy the microdelivery micro-massage exfoliating wash, budget beauty buys

At Home No-Chip Mani

Tags nails, manicure, how to, Nutra Nail No-Chip Gel

Long Live Luscious Lashes with Hourglass Lash Lacquer

Pardon me for getting carried away with the alliteration in the headline (I'm a writer!), but this lash tool more than meets the eye (I couldn't resist).

Tags review, mascara, lashes, Hourglass Cosmetics, lash lacquer

Hot Winter Skin Saviors

In the dead of the snowy, bitter winter, my skin is sometimes nothing short of, well, dead. I wish I could snap my finger and be transported to my favorite spa—a girl can dream. In the meantime, I’ve found some products that not only save parched skin, but also bring home some spa coziness.

My typically wind-burned cheeks have stayed comfortable with a skincare line called Vitaphenol. The cleanser and daily moisturizer contain Coenzyme Q10, antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E. The cleanser takes off makeup without stripping skin and the moisturizer has a nice, light, fast-absorbing consistency. I love that the products are anti-aging and moisturizing without being heavy duty, gloppy creams.

Flaky, scaly limbs are not to be ignored. Fiery, itchy legs have actually kept me awake in the middle of the night and the only cure is more Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil. Made with hazelnut oil and rosemary, geranium and mint extracts, it’s kind of like a spa in a jar. I coat myself in the stuff while I’m still damp from the shower and I pat the excess onto my face—keeps me dewy!

Only thing better than a fab body oil: a warm body oil in candle form. The Earthly Body 3-in-1 Massage Candle is made with massage oil rather than wax. You light the wick, enjoy it as a candle for about twenty mintues or so, and then you can pour the warm oil onto your skin and use it as a moisturizer. How cool is that! I’ve been using the “Skinny Dip” scent, which is vanilla-y and musky, but there are several other scents to choose from (might I say a fabulous holiday gift?).

(Posted by Cody)

Tags clarins, moisturizer, body oil, winter skincare, Dry Skin Remedies, massage candle, DIY spa, Vitaphenol, Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil, Earthly Body

A Standout Shadow Palette

Finding a great makeup palette is like winning a whole new wardrobe. Urban Decay’s Naked Palette ($48) allows you to reinvent yourself a million times over. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating but you get the point. Sunlight and moonlight, bold and neutral, cool tones and warm tones, fall to spring, it covers all the bases. It’s universally flattering with gorgeous mattes, shimmers and metallics.

The twelve different shades have kept me busy mixing and matching. It seems dauntingly large, but the palette is actually very easy to navigate—you really can’t mess it up. The colors are intended to give a “naked” look, but I’ve come up with some pretty glam creations.

Here are a few of my go-to combos:

1. Everyday pretty: define crease and lower lash line with “Naked” and then apply a coat of “Sidecar” to the middle of the lid. The shimmer in “Sidecar” adds a beautiful, creamy brightness to eyes. It looks put together, yet low-key.

2. Rich and bold (left eye): cover entire lid with “Toasted” and define crease with “Hustle,” sweeping it just slightly beyond outer corners. Then, define upper and lower lash line with “Darkhorse.” The purple undertones bring out my green eyes and it’s a more done-up look without looking totally evening.

3. Midnight glam (right eye): From inner to outer corner, lash line to crease, cover entire lid with “Gunmetal.” Then, apply “Creep” to outer corners and sweep it upward just past the crease. Use the excess on the brush to define the crease. Finish with black liner on upper and lower lash lines.

The lightest shade, “Virgin,” is a great highlighter for any look. And, if you don't feel like mixing and matching, that's totally fine. Each shadow looks beautiful on its own -- especially “Half Baked,” which makes a statement and brightens eyes instantly. An extra bonus: the 12 colors also come with a high-quality brush and Urban Decay’s cult-favorite eye shadow primer.

(posted by TBG intern Cody)

Tags makeup, Urban Decay, Eye shadow, urban decay naked palette, makeup deal

A Serum Worth Every Penny

It's rare I buy the same product twice.

However, my newfound relationship with Lancôme’s Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate has changed my ways. Falling victim to great PR and advertising, I picked up a bottle on a whim. It works by "boosting the activity of genes and stimulating the production of youth proteins." Who cares what the heck that means—it works!

My skin tends to be dry and flaky, so I’m all about brighteners. After just two days of using Genifique, my skin made major strides. I wear tinted moisturizer or a sheer foundation daily to even out and warm my skintone, and I’ve been skipping that all together. I apply the clear, smooth serum at night, and I wake up with the glowiest, dewiest skin of my adult life. My complexion is more uniform, youthful and fresh looking. It’s been a long time since I’ve found a product that truly makes a difference in my skin. It’s not drugstore cheap (the smallest bottle is $58), but it has proven to be worth every penny. Now, if only Lancôme would sell this in bulk. (posted by Cody)

Tags skin, Lancome Genifique, anti-aging skin care, face serum, Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, Lancome Skin Care

My Simple DIY Body Scrub Recipe

P.S. This video was filmed just days before my little man Rex was born.

Tags Spa, skin, olive oil, body scrub, diy beauty, BG Tips