-- my nephew's first haiku

So I may have already mentioned I have the greatest neice & nephews. My nephew Michael, who just turned 12 a little over a week ago, sent me this story about his experience writing a haiku in class. I loved it! I made a blog for him to log future stories and then added the haiku one:

http://meekamo.blogspot.com

Pop by and take a look.

I'm still fighting the darned cold. It's getting old now.

-- because a picture is worth 1,000 words

Me, today. Except substitute bathrobe for professional attire. And the box of tissues for a roll of toilet paper. (Classy.)

I normally hate being the plague-bearer at work spreading disease but was co-teaching a class today. The only excuse for missing it would have had to involve an ambulance. And so here I am.

I Love Lucy!

Founder Lucy Baldock-Sacchi is originally from London and has been working as a celebrity and beauty makeup artist for over 15 years. Her clients include Claudia Shiffer, Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Elle McPherson and Kylie Minogue to name just a few and she has worked for some of the most influential magazines of our time – Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Vanity Fair.



Lucy began Lucy B. Cosmetics when she discovered a gap in the market between color cosmetics and organic ingredient resources found in Australia. Today, Lucy B. Cosmetics is the only color range in the world to have infused the natural Australian Flower Essences within their products.

Lucy’s vision is to balance image and style with heart and soul and when you use this product line, you will grasp that same perspective! Lucy was kind enough to send In My Professional Opinion many wonderful products to play with and boy, did we put them to the test!

Here is a list of the our must-haves:

Fresh Juice Lip Glosses – while this product is the ultimate in bee stung lips, it is the color and staying power that captured our seal of approval! We fell head over heals in lust with Coconut Kiss, Tinkerbell and Tigerlily! These super-shiny glosses are a big hit amongst celebrities so make sure to pre-order Tinkerbell and Beatnik online today! These gloss colors are sure to fly off the shelves when they are released this Spring!



Tinted Lip Balms – these balms are the bomb! Formulated with Vitamin E and a delicious watermelon scent, these little cuties will certainly uplift your spirit! We especially loved Nudie, Pink Bikini and Ruby Red! Great for travel and should be used in conjunction with Lucy B’s Lemonade Organic Lip Balm.



Frangipani Bronzing Shimmer Oil – all we can say is, “hello summer!” This is the most amazing bronzing, shimmer oil that gives even your winter tanned-less skin a kiss from the sun! Infused with organic coconut, jojoba and sunflower oils and with Lucy B’s signature confidence enhancing Australian Flower Essences, you are going to feel and smell like you are on a beach holiday! Great winter pick-me-up!



Eye Silk Eye Shadows – Lucy B. was kind enough to give us a sneak peek at a new collection they will be releasing soon and you are going to want every single color of these amazing crème eye shadows – we can’t stop wearing Sea Shell, Rock Pool and Bronze! As with most crème shadows, prep your lid with an eyelid primer prior to use and your shadow will last all day and long past happy hour! This product is great as eyeliner or used as a powder eye shadow base and you can mix the colors together to create a very sexy look!

Coming soon from Lucy B. Cosmetics is a line of Lip and Eye Pencils and Cheeky Rouge, which we hope to feature on a future blog post here at In My Professional Opinion!

Lucy B. Cosmetics are available at Anthropologie, QVC, Planet Blue and at the following online stores:

www.lucybcosmetics.com
www.simplyvain.com
www.apothia.com
www.beautyhabit.com

TIPS AND TRIX:

Crème shadows are a big must have for this Pro and they are part of my 5 Minute Face almost every morning – used as an overall color from lid to brow, they provide just the “right” amount of color and shimmer to open up the eye so you will look like you got 8 hours of sleep even if you didn't!

STAY TUNED:

Tune in next time when In My Professional Opinion will be reviewing eyeliner! You won't to miss this post because we have some very interesting products to tell you about!

-- the elephant seal is a sight to behold.

The knives in my throat have ceded to the elephant seal transformation taking place on my face. My current nose is too small to transport the rising river of mucus within and so my face, my friends, is turning into THIS.It's very attractive. I feel totally hot sitting here slackjawed blowing my nose loudly like a bellowing elephant seal in heat.

And what do elephant seals in heat sound like?

A great undulating belch.

I learned this while reading a story about elephant seals and how Lady Clairol helped students bleach the fur for identification purposes:

"We used to have contests at night to see who could most realistically imitate the normal and special mating calls of sea lions and elephant seals. The best way to perform the mating roar of a bull elephant seal was to drink 3-6 cans of beer real fast (any carbonated beverage would do though) and then urp up all the C02 in one long belch, modulated by the larynx. Dorm Seven sounded really strange at night during the elephant seal mating season."

From Winds of Change.net

Look, people change at night. They become all kinds of things: werewolves, vampires, zombies, alcoholics... (same difference). I just prefer the elephant seal.

-- my new nightlight watch

Dear Timex,

Thank you for making a watch that can light up any hour of the night so I can see how little sleep I am actually getting. You have no idea how much I love this feature. I went to Macy's tonight to see if they carried you and they didn't, wtf? I stormed out in a huff. Faithful me will only buy a watch if it works in the dark. No one seems to do this but you. (At least in my price range.) You rock!

Sincerely,
me

Score! $17 from Sears; found and purchased in 10 minutes.

Of course the fast shopping time was partially due to the knives I swallowed this morning that have been stuck in my throat all day, rasping at it and making it more and more raw by the moment.

Yes, I am sick, but at least I'll know what time it is when I'm tossing all night.

Note to self: two-year warranty,
the countdown begins today.

Green Room!

Giving good “face” is not just about makeup. The number one problem I have as a professional makeup artist is “sins of the skin” and boy, have I seen some major issues in my career.

Skincare is a very personal choice – oily, dry, combination and then we have to deal with crow’s feet, fine lines, Rosacea and breakouts. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then our faces are the window treatments and there is nothing like bad Levelors to taint the view!

Good skincare helps cosmetics work and look their best. My sister has pretty sensitive skin, still gets the occasional pimple at 35, is starting to get a few small wrinkles and of course, being a California girl; she has skin that has seen its fair share of sun.

Recently, I noticed that my sister’s skin is looking amazing and I had to know what she was using on her face. She told me she discovered a great skincare line so naturally I asked her to write a review about it for the blog and here is what she said...

At one of my favorite local spas, I discovered the Jurlique skincare line from Australia. Since 1985, Jurlique has been a biodynamic skincare company. They grow all their ingredients and base formulas on the natural properties found in many plants. Their vision: beauty is defined by sustainable connections – to oneself, to the community, and to the earth. Jurlique farms are dedicated to biodynamic and organic farming which observes the natural cycles in the earth and growth of plants, harvesting during times of maximum living energy and efficacy. And I believe you can feel this “living energy” in the products, from the moment they touch your skin and throughout the day.

My first experience was with the Rosewater Balancing Mist. Sprayed on my face at the end of a massage, the mist has an invigorating scent and the mixture of rose and marshmallow calmed my skin.

My esthetician recommended a complete regimen: cleanser, toner and lotion. The three products complement and complete each other providing a balance and healthiness to my complexion.

I begin with the Balancing Foaming Cleanser ($45). The primary ingredients are calendula, daisy and peppermint. This cleanser is gentle but unlike many other “natural” products, my skin truly feels clean, impurities removed. Essential oils from grapefruit, lemon, lemon myrtle, and peppermint hydrate your skin without leaving it feeling greasy.



A spritz of the Rosewater Balancing Mist ($23) is my next step. While my face is still slightly damp, I apply a very small amount of the Sun Lotion SPF 30+ ($69). The combination of toner and lotion smoothes over the skin, hydrating the skin and leaving it protected and ready for primer. Sunscreen is an absolute must and I insist on it in my moisturizer as well as my foundation. Sunscreen not only prevents skin cancer but also minimizes the occurrence of skin damage and discoloration.




Jurlique’s product line is extensive and includes a variety of cleansers, exfoliators, masks, toning mists, moisturizers, age-preventers, body, sun protection, hair, specialty products and a line of skincare for the baby.

According to their site, Jurlique is one of the first and only companies with products containing natural preservative systems, and are working towards development of a natural emulsifying system. Chemical preservatives and emulsifiers can be harsh on individuals who have sensitive skin.

Their biodynamic products do not contain Parabens, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Synthetic Emulsifiers, Artificial Colors or Fragrances. Jurlique is available online at http://www.jurlique.com.au and in fine spas nationwide.

TIPS AND TRIX:

Good skincare doesn't have to be expensive! There are many great drugstore brands out there like Oil of Olay ProX, Avene and you can always stick with the tried and true, Cetaphil Cleanser and Eucerin Face Lotion!

STAY TUNED:

Up next on In My Professional Opinion...we Love Lucy!!!! Lucy B. that is and if you haven't had the pleasure of trying this product line, you will want to run to QVC, Planet Blue, Anthropologie or Fred Segal to check it out!

Isla Fisher To Breastfeed For Life

Isla Fisher will breastfeed her daughter until she goes to university.

The 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' actress has joked she will only stop nursing Olive - her 15-month-old daughter with fiance Sacha Baron Cohen - when she leaves home.

The 33-year-old star laughed: I'm always hungry

She said: "I am still breastfeeding. I'm only going to stop when Olive goes to university!"

Isla insists she lost most of her post baby weight within four months by breastfeeding and also by working with a personal trainer.

Despite her slim figure, the Australian beauty revealed being a mother has given her a healthy appetite and she loves indulging in sweet treats.

The 33-year-old star laughed: "I'm always hungry. I'll look at the dessert menu - I eat dessert. I'm terrible. I tried my best to lose weight, but breastfeeding helps.

"So to all those men out there, if you want to lose weight, get breastfeeding!"

Isla recently revealed she feels "sexier" since giving birth to her daughter.She said: "I definitely feel sexier after having Olive because even though everything's going south and essentially ruined, I feel like I'm a real women now. I'm a mum. I love being a mum, just love it."

-- how important is eating really?

Right now I'm sitting here in a hotel room listening to the soft rythmic sounds of springs creaking on one side, dogs bugling in misery on the other and trying to digest all the apartments we've seen today. Yes, the Drury Inn is pet-friendly. And yes, it sounds eerily like "The Dreary Inn" -- I made endless jokes about it until we arrived and I saw how swank it was. If you visit Flagstaff, you MUST stay here.

Here's an apartment we liked. But of course we love it. It's CLEAN. And decorated by someone with a huge wad of cash and no requirement to actually taylor the furnishings to its inhabitants. No computer desk, no tv, no cd tower, no drying dishes.

apartment hunting

How come apartment models are never decorated to suit the way people actually live?

Small rattan tables flanked the bed; barely sufficient surfaces to set down your tea, let alone store vibrators*, heel exfoliating cream and toenail clippers. (*of course the back massaging kind.) And not a single bookshelf. If you live there, you must not read. Ever.

The woman showing us around was beautiful, sweet and impenetrable. A cross between a nursery school teacher and a tobacco company spokesperson, her words were slow and deliberate, carefully rehearsed and eloquently enunciated, the way you might address a scared 4-year old (only we were scared 40 year olds). Not a single expression passed over her face, her pleasant manner a cloak concealing any hint of an actual personality. She was our apartment avatar. But she did her job.

Ok so I've been mentioning agonizing decisions facing us. Here's a snapshot of the last few days.

We flew out Thursday from Maryland and landed in Phoenix where I saw this piece of art in the airport. It wins my award for Longest Most Obscure Title Ever award.

Longest Most Obscure Title Ever: Paris Journal (Linking and Fusing) No.5 "7 avril 1993, mercredi, Palais Royal (Daniel Buren's sculpture, daffodils, quiche and steamed endive)." By Linda Foss Asakawa.

I swear I am not kidding. See?

Proof of longest most obscure title ever

I am adding this to my "This is Art??" web collection.

Then we drove from Phoenix to Flagstaff, elevation 7,000 feet. This is not the hot Arizona most people know. Winters are cold and summers beautiful, not sweltering.

About to get off at the exit.

Ate dinner at a great Thai place where everything on the menu sounded like it should be in my spam folder. You know those spam emails that aim to thwart filters by including random non sequiturs? "Goong Tod Lard Prik," "Goong Pad Num Prik Pao" is perfect. It could almost sound like my 7th grade nemesis muttering sweet nothings under his breath before throwing all my books off my desk in one final act of love.

I got hot & sour soup which I spent 5 minutes ordering like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. "Does it have any veggies besides mushrooms? Can I add veggies? How about more mushrooms? And shrimp, but no chicken or pork please. And can you make it not that spicy?" (YES I know I am a spice wimp.) It arrived, flaming, in this fancy bowl:
We explored downtown Flagstaff a bit. I was envious that there was so much art & culture in a town with roughly the same population as my own bland city back home.

Dan, soon to be hammered with life-altering decisions.

We explored Flagstaff some more, but not nearly as much as we'd like. This week we will have to decide what to do. Stay or go? There's that whole money thing that we have to figure out, mundane things like how will we eat and stuff. I just can't seem to cut bodily needs out of the budget like I wish!

-- video of a 2-yr old smoking

Nothing like starting young! Video from current.com.

-- sorry I've dropped off the earth

I'm forever feeling guilty about dropping off the face of the earth so I will just point you to a fellow blogger who so eloquently described this state.

That is me. Been composing letters in my head, just not getting them out. The perils of a complicated life...

-- maybe a wee bit ambivalent

So I'm in Arizona now, here with Dan to investigate possibly relocating.

I dreamt this morning that we were driving on a road right in the middle of the ocean in a camper, whipped by terrible gusts on both sides and perilously close to tipping over into the water. The waves were coming fast and furious on both sides but the sky was a beautiful clear blue.

We eked along slowly and carefully with much trepidation but we were so far along there was no turning back. I couldn't see our destination or even where we'd started, the road stretched into infinity.

Then the scene changed and we were no longer in the trailer but instead out, unprotected and walking along the narrow road, increasingly being swept into the water by waves. I was carrying my dog, trying to keep his head above water. The ocean intensified and sometimes waves would sweep over both our heads. I realized he was thirsty, surrounded by water but unable to drink. I offered him clean water and then woke up.

Yeah, I might be a bit ambivalent.

Brush Off!

In the magical world of professional makeup artistry a great artist possess three very important attributes that make them stand out from the crowd - Attitude, Knowledge and...Makeup Brushes.

Professionals invest in quality over quantity and brushes are no exception. Like a writer needs a great pen, a ballet dancer needs the right toe shoes, a photographer needs the best camera, a makeup artist needs amazing brushes! Brushes can enhance an artist’s skill level and they can be a BIG investment, but one that with proper care, can last 20 years!

To look your best everyday whether you are a professional or a novice, investing in good brushes should be a top priority. Let’s start with the basics…

Makeup brushes are divided into three parts: Hair, Ferrule and Handle. Doesn’t sound that complicated right? Well, did you know that there are approximately 13 types of Natural Hair makeup brushes? Badger, Squirrel, Squirrel Mix/Blends, Pony, Raccoon, Ox, Goat, Sable, Kolinksy Sable, Red Sable, Weasel and Pahmi. There are Synthetic brushes – Taklon and Nylon. All these hair types can affect the overall value of the makeup brush hence also their prices.

Confused? Then keep reading!

Natural hair = soft makeup brushes and are mostly manufactured for the larger brushes in an arsenal, such as a Powder, Blush, Contour, Blending, or large Eye Shadow brush. Those types of brushes usually are made from Squirrel, Pony or Goat. Smaller brushes, such as Lip, small Eye Shadow and Eyeliner brushes are also made of natural hair most likely different types of Sables or Pahmi hair.

Natural hair brushes hold or trap the powder cosmetic they pick up so, when you press the brush to your face, you release the powder more effectively with little to no fall out (or in laymen’s terms – the cosmetic goes where you want it to and not where you don’t! Capisce?).

Synthetic brushes are Nylon or Taklon and are not “absorbent” or will not “trap” powder cosmetic to the bristles. They are best used as Concealer, Foundation or creme product applicators. If you have a brush made of synthetic bristles and you are using it for powder products, you probably get “fall out.”

The ferrule of the makeup brush is the metal “tube” designed to hold the glued hair in place and they are usually made of brass, copper or aluminum alloy. Brass is the strongest of the three. Higher end brush lines can also have nickel-plated ferrules for appearance and corrosion resistances.

Today, brush handles can range from acrylics to fancy metals. Most professional artists prefer wood handles for both durability and control.

Now that you have had quite the education on makeup brushes, here is a list of brush lines I use both personally and professionally:

Ve's Favorite Brushes – one of the most renowned makeup artists in the motion picture industry is Ve Neill! She has created the characters for some of the most iconic movies of our time and is a three-time Oscar winner! Now you can own the same brushes Ve uses when she is making up Johnny Depp, Uma Thurman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Edward Norton, Keira Knightly, Robin Williams or Julia Roberts.



Tricia Sawyer Beauty's Foundation and Powder Brushes – hands down these two brushes should be a “must have” in every woman’s arsenal! TSB’s Foundation Brush is made of taklon with a rounded tip, which allows for better blending over the natural curves of the face. TSB’s Powder Brush is made of a natural blend of Squirrel and Pony hair with a wood handle. Designed to buff your powder into your skin when setting your makeup.




adesign Brushes– Shana King’s professional career as a makeup artist includes such national credits as Smirnoff, Cadillac and Cirque Du Soleil and she has created high-profile brand campaigns in the fashion and entertainment industries. She was also the regional manager of over 35 salons for Aveda. She designed this brush line to improve the function and skill of makeup application for both the professional and consumer.



I also use brushes from MAC, Sephora (silver handle pro line), Japonesque and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of Sonia Kashuk's line for Target.

TIPS AND TRIX:
Taking good care of your makeup brushes is easy and takes very little time. I recommend using Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner for quick disinfecting. Pour a little brush cleaner on an old, clean towel and wipe the brush gently back and fourth over the towel or pour the brush cleaner into a metal or glass bowl and soak the brush hairs into the cleaner. Gently stroke the brush over a clean towel to remove excess cleaner and place on the side of your bathroom counter to dry. Do not stand your brushes up (or put them back into your brush holder – dry them flat first – or the cleaner will drip down into the ferrule and cause the glue to disintegrate and the hairs will shed or fall out). I also recommend cleaning your brushes with a gentle shampoo (baby shampoo works great), after all – it is made of natural hair (but please don’t use conditioner).

TIME FOR A LITTLE Q&A:

Stacy H. wants to know:
Why do my brush bristles fall out?

Pro suggests:
It’s actually called “shedding” and it happens to brushes sometimes, but if your brush tends to shed all the time, it is time to get a new brush. Here is how you can “test” a brush to see if it is prone to shedding or loosing it’s bristles before you purchase it: Step 1) Run fingers through the hair. Step 2) gently sweep the brush on the back of your hand. Expect a few strands to fall out. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 – if you notice more strands on the back of your hand, pass on the brush and test a different brand.

Kim A. wants to know:
Can dirty brushes cause breakouts?

Pro suggests:
The answer to that question is a big YES!!!! Dirty brushes are full of bacteria and are unhealthy for the skin. They can cause breakouts and rashes because oil, bacteria and makeup build up on the brush. You must clean your brushes regularly to ensure they stay in tip-top condition! My friend Karen, who writes the Makeup and Beauty Blog, suggests using Wet Ones for quick and easy cleaning if you don’t have time to properly shampoo your brushes. Good tip Karen!!!

Christine C. wants to know:
I have under $75 to spend, which brushes would you recommend I purchase?

Pro suggests:
The most important brushes to have in your bag would be the following: Foundation, Powder, Blush, Large Eye Shadow, Small Eye Shadow, Blender, Eyeliner, and Lip. You could also start with a “travel” brush kit and look for the type that have “dual” ended brushes (more bang for your buck because it is like getting two brushes for the price of one).

STAY TUNED:
In My Professional Opinion will be posting a product review featuring the skin care line Jurlique. As always, if you have a comment, suggestion or beauty question, click on the Ask The Pro button on our side bar and send us an email today!

-- galavanting around DC (well, a little)

Today Kellygo and I went to a forum in DC for the day:

It was on Social Media in Government:

It was awesome! We took tons of notes.

I only had a little caffeine:
And practiced looking like a complete dork trying to take pictures of these glasses:

And now I am pretending I am not really leaving for the airport at 5am tomorrow and that I really don't need to be packing instead of posting...

-- happy birthday to my beautiful sis!

There she is on the left with her daughter. Known to fill rooms with sunshine, she's one of the most thoughtful people I've ever met. Happy birthday sis!! Now go get some sleep! lol

-- short update

Tomorrow Kellygo and I are heading to a conference in DC on Social Networking (like Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Fun! (Except for the waking-before-dawn part.)

Then Thursday Dan and I fly to Arizona to explore the possibility of relocating and how I can go gray even faster than I already am.

Hoping to get caught up on email & blogs, I want to see what you're all up to but life's conspired against me the past couple of weeks. I haven't forgotten though....

Naomi’s naked pic sparks debate on caesarean birth

Aussie actress Naomi Watts has sparked a debate about the rigours of caesarean birth after she was photographed standing naked on a Californian balcony.

The photos, which appeared on the popular gossip website Perez Hilton, showed Watts baring not only her breasts but also a still swollen lower abdomen with a vivid caesarean scar, as she stood on a balcony with her dressing gown hanging open, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Watts, 40, gave birth to her second son, Samuel Kai, just eight weeks ago, and she was seen shooting her latest film Mother and Child in Marina del Rey.

To date, the actress has not revealed why she preferred the birthing method, keeping her and partner Liev Schreiber's decision to themselves and not wading into the heated debate over “to push or not to push”.

-- how low would I stoop?

There's a piece of chocolate on display in a cutesy valentine's theme in the cafeteria. I seriously considered defacing entire setup by eating it. You can trust me with your life savings but not your last Hershey bar. (sent from my phone.)

Disappearing Act!

Makeup artists have been compared to magicians mostly because we seem to be able to make things disappear! Those dark circles, pimples, scars, crows’ feet, wrinkles and other sins of the skin and face are no match for the skilled artist.

While nothing should replace a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, hydration and practicing good skin care routines (which means removing every speck of makeup before you go to bed), there are a few tricks you can learn to minimize a skin issue from a makeup artist.

The very first thing I would tell you if you were my client is to invest in a really great concealer. All kidding aside, concealer is your BFF (best friend forever) and your first lesson is in understanding the difference between concealer and foundation.

Concealers work like undercover spies secretly correcting skin issues when placed in specific areas of the face, such as under eyes, around nasal labial folds or used as coverage for pimples or scars. Foundation's main job is to even out skin tone and is used all over the face and neck area. Concealers are thicker in consistency than a foundation and the best formulations are creamy with high pigmentation.

Now let’s talk color theory as it applies to makeup. Dark under-eye circles are blue in color as a general rule. On a color wheel orange cuts blue which means that in the world of concealers, you would want to look for a product that is like a salmon color. Using a concealer that is too yellow in tone can cause those raccoon eyes and accentuate the problem instead of hiding it.



If you are trying to cover a pimple or broken capillaries find a concealer that is close to the exact shade as your foundation. If you try to use a correcting concealer in a green color (because green cuts red on the color wheel) then make sure that you receive one-on-one instruction from a makeup professional, otherwise stick to my first suggestion and make sure the concealer is not too light because you will draw too much attention to your skin issue.

Here are a few of the concealers I carry in my professional kit and use personally everyday:

Eve Pearl’s Salmon Concealer – perfect salmon colored, under-eye concealer with a non-greasy texture, which glides on smooth and blends flawlessly. Available at www.evepearl.com. $42.00



Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer – moisture-rich formulation designed specifically for under and around the eye area to conceal discolorations. Good viscosity and easy to blend. Available at your local Sephora, department store or online at www.lauramercier.com. $22.00



Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage – used for dark circles and minor imperfections, this is a unique two-shade system, one to match your skin’s depth of color and one to match your skin’s undertone. Custom-blend to your own perfect shade with high level of pigmentation. Available at your local Sephora, department store or online at www.lauramercier.com. $28.00



Benefit Cosmetic’s Erase Paste – brightening camouflage for eyes and face. This innovative formula instantly brightens and camouflages all in one. So if you are interested in minimizing those fine lines and you need coverage for skin irritations, this is a great product for you! Available at your local Sephora, department store, or online at www.benefitcosmetics.com.$26.00



TIPS AND TRIX:
Sometimes your foundation is all you need to cover a little sleep deprivation, all night party dehydration or chocolate-binge pimple, but if your skin is in need of more coverage apply concealer after foundation, this method also insures you are not putting on too much concealer. Try dabbing on the concealer with your ring finger instead of a brush or sponge. Warming up the concealer naturally with your fingertips will help blend the product quicker and smoother. Don’t rub the product under your eye, unless you want you that product to settle into those fine lines! Yuck!

TIME FOR A LITTLE Q&A:

Nancy S. wants to know:
I suffer from Rosacea, can a concealer cover my problem?

Pro suggests:
Rosacea can be concealed, but it depends on the severity of the condition. If the Rosacea is mild then by all means try a concealer, but you may want to try a correcting concealer like I mention above, with a green tint and you will want to consult with a makeup professional on proper application. If the case is more severe and is all over the face, I recommend consulting with your dermatologist who may be able to suggest a better approach or treatment to calm the sensitivity and minimize some of the redness.

STAY TUNED:
In My Professional Opinion’s next post will be titled “Getting the Brush Over” and we will be reviewing many different cosmetic brush lines from high-end to on the cheap! If you have a question or comment pertaining to makeup brushes, we would love to hear from you! Click on the button Ask the Pro and send us an email today!

-- to Bubbie

I'll just point you to Dan's eulogy to his grandmother...

Heidi Klum bares all for GQ magazine

German model Heidi Klum has posed naked for the March issue of men’’s magazine GQ in Germany.

Klum, 36, stripped naked as she posed for celebrity photographer Rankin, who took the candid shots.

The supermodel revealed that her husband is thrilled with the revealing cover shots showing her sexy looks.

My husband has seen the photos. I think its good to be sexy for your partner, Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

-- head is spinning

Too much to think about. I have no time to write properly so I will steal JeepGirl's meme (From MamaKat's writing assignment) and just list everything:

Top Ten Things on blogrollandroll's Mind:

1. Funeral Friday for Dan's grandmother, leaving tomorrow night to drive back up to Philly.

2. A good friend's baby nephew died. I wrote about her sister dying way too young at 31 and now the little baby boy she fought so hard to save has succumbed to the complications that surrounded him since birth. My poor friend is numb with grief. How could one even process this much senseless tragedy in such a short time.

My heart aches.

3. Dan has a possible job prospect in AZ, we're planning to fly out next week to investigate.

4. Holy crap, relocation??

5. My internet connection just went down, is it even worth losing precious sleep to write this list anymore?

6. Am thirsty as hell. Too bad I'm not going to do anything about it.

7. We're getting new carpeting at work which requires my entire cubicle to be packed, including work I'm doing RIGHT NOW. So I am furiously trying to get stuff off my desk so I don't have to pack unfinished business (and what if they lose it??).

The timing of this is super extra bad as I have seminars to take and a class to co-teach next week, and I can't be sitting on a bare floor with not even a single pen at my disposal. Ok I'm being dramatic -- I'll at least have a pen. But I don't even know if I'll have a computer while this is going down.

8. No wonder my neck is always sore. I really shouldn't be sitting like this, neck resting on chest, while I write. What the hell is wrong with me.

9. I'm overdue for an oil change and I can hear that the car needs it.

10. Little progress on my Lincoln book (in honor of his birthday) because I put it down to read engaging mommy blogger book ("Sleep is for the weak!"), but now neither are getting read because of meager housework, travel prep, Arizona research and half-assed blogging.

11. BONUS! Because I adore you, I'll include one more gratuitous whine.

If you know me and have commented, emailed, twittered, facebooked, Hi-5ed, Tagged, messaged, pinged or sent lovely condolences about item 1 without an equally thoughtful response, know that I am thinking of you and will respond as soon as I pick the pieces of my head back up and glue them all together.

12. ANOTHER bonus! Score! (That's how much I love y'all.)

If this list is truthful and I really am supposed to list what was on my mind today, then I should mention this.

I went jogging today (for the first time ever, basically, since 6th-grade soccer practice) and noticed my ass hurt afterwards. Not in a "wow, that was a great workout" muscular kind of sore, but in a "wow, I forgot my sports bra" kind of way.

And I realized that I have a triple D ass.

Center Stage!

Maureen Kelly founded tarte™ cosmetics out of her one-bedroom apartment in New York City back in 1999. She was earning her masters degree in psychology from Columbia University when she became frustrated by the lack of healthy cosmetic product. A beauty junkie at heart, she had a hard time finding products that “worked” and lived up to their claims.

She also recognized a deficiency in consumer-and green-friendly products so she began to research what it would take to manufacture a cosmetic line. Kelly admits, “I am not a makeup artist,” but she has built tarte into one of the most influential cosmetic lines available to consumers and professionals.

I fell in love with tarte years ago when I happened to wander into Sephora and my eye caught sight of the now iconic tarte Cheek Stain. I couldn’t help myself! I had to have it! It made me feel happy just holding it in my hand and when I tested the color; I knew this was something I must have for both my professional kit and my personal makeup bag!

What also impressed me about Maureen and the tarte cosmetic line is that their products are an all-natural blend of vitamins, minerals and natural fruit and plant extracts. This line is 100% free of parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrances. tarte cosmetics come in cases and compacts that aren’t just pretty on the outside; they help reduce green house emissions! Really! tarte’s components are made of recyclable material and can be re-used or re-purposed. Now that is genius!

Here is a list of some of my all-time favorites from tarte:

Emphaseyes High Definition Eye Pencil – a very slim pencil perfect for lining your upper lash line and on the inner rim. Creamy, longwearing and doesn’t irritate sensitive eyes. This product is available in Black, Chocolate, Green and Plum. If you ask me – one in every color is a necessity!



Cheek Stain – this product is my first tarte love – long-lasting, buildable color that won’t streak. I apply with my fingertips or sponge right to the apples! It gives your skin a very natural glow – like your grandma just pinched your cheeks! This product comes in a variety of colors, but here is what I carry in my kit: Flush (sheer berry red) Tickled (sheer peach/red – this also looks great on the lips) Blissful (warm peach/pink) Bronze Goddess (sheer bronze with shimmer – I have used this on several photo shoots as highlight on cheeks and eyes).



Celebutante Moisturizing Dry Oil Spray – now this product was recently stolen from me by one of my actresses!!! It is a great dry oil shimmer that you can spray on your arms, legs or chest area and it gives your skin an amazing glow – plus it is naturally scented with coconut oil! If you want a pick-me-up this winter or if your skin feels dull and dry, this is one product you will want to order by the gallon!



Emphaseyes for Brows – now hang on ladies because this product is gonna knock you off your stilettos! It is a super-slim, waterproof (yes! I said waterproof) brow pencil that lasts all day! The tip is four times narrower than traditional brow pencils, which will give you the impression of fine brow hair. I can’t live without this product and it is only sold exclusively at QVC!



Are you getting married soon? Need a great idea for a gift for the bride, bridal party or guests? Well your search is over because the geniuses at tarte came up with an incredible idea - Custom Lip Glosses! Log on to tarte’s website and press the custom glosses button at the top of the page and read their offer. You can personalize these glosses with the bride and groom's name! So awesome for engagement parties, bridal showers or wedding favors!

If you haven’t tried tarte cosmetics, you should do yourself a favor and rush down to your local Sephora, order from QVC or from tarte’s website immediately! Your skin and the environment will thank you for it!

Trix of the Trade:
tarte’s Emphaseyes will help you achieve a finished smoky eye! Prior to applying eye shadow, smudge Emphaseyes along your lash line and along the outer and inner rim of the lower lash line. Apply shadow, blend and viola! You are smokin! Don’t forget that these tarte pencils come in a variety of colors so you can play with a smoky eye look using shadow colors other than your traditional black and grey. Try purples, greens and browns for a very sexy, modern, right off the runway effect!

Magic Wand!

In the world of makeup artistry as well as in the “real” world, there is an ongoing quest for the perfect mascara!

You can shadow, line, shape, highlight and contour those gorgeous eyes of yours, but until that final swipe of the magic wand from that little tube of glamorous elixir, your look is considered “unfinished” – and that’s a fact!

There are tons of mascaras available to the consumer with formulations that claim to lengthen, curl, extend, and thicken and others that won’t smear, flake, smudge or clump! As a bonus, cosmetic companies also provide us with a variety of “magic wands” to choose from (so many that even Harry Potter would be confused). They come in all shapes, widths and lengths. Curled, fat, hourglass, stubby or thin, these wands will grip, coat, plump, adhere and add volume to your lashes!

Now, with so many choices, which formula and wand is right for you? It is a very personal choice based on personal results, but here is a little information from the Pro to help guide you on your search.

Thickening Mascara – a thick formula designed to make lashes appear fuller. If you feel your lashes are thin or you have sparse lashes then you may find this type of formulation beneficial. These mascaras usually come with a fatter, longer, straight wand.

Lengthening Mascara - thinner formula that will help make lashes longer, but in a way that looks more natural. These mascaras usually come with a thinner, standard width and length wand.

Curling Mascara - lightweight formula that is fused with a technology that curls lashes eliminating the need of an eyelash curler. This mascara usually comes with a curled wand.

Waterproof Mascara - formulated with a technology that will resist water and is great for those who tend to have oily eye areas, find themselves in climates that are extremely humid or for a special occasion, however you will need a special type of eye makeup remover. These mascaras come with a variety of wands depending on the cosmetic company’s claim.

My personal choice is Dior Show Mascara Blackout. It is a lengthening formula with a big, fat, long wand, which gives me amazing results with just one coat of mascara. Dior’s campaign promises “show girl” lashes and/or “the look of false lashes” and for me, this claim rings true. At $24.00 retail, this mascara isn’t cheap, but because of the results on both my clientele and myself I have brand loyalty.



I am also a huge fan of Lancôme’s Definicils-High Definition Mascara. This product gave my lashes great shape and separation with one coat. It has a slimmer, longer brush than Dior Show and it is my back up mascara! Plus Lancôme makes this formulation in Navy, brown or deep brown colors.



Unfortunately, our country is in a recession and I felt it necessary to be a budget-conscious professional so I started to test other mascaras (around 40 or so) and have discovered that there are two drug store brands out there that are on the cheap, but are very chic!

Covergirl’s Lash Blast Mascara - gave my lashes instant volume and fullness as well as length. A great bang for your buck, it comes in an original or waterproof formula with a big, fat, wand!



Max Factor’s 2000 Calorie Mascara - lives up to it’s name and gave my lashes length and separation. This mascara comes with a straight, fat wand or a curved wand depending on your personal preference. Choose the straight wand if you are focusing on lengthy lashes.



TRIX OF THE TRADE:

Mascara should last up to 6 months as a rule however, if your mascara smells funny, chuck it! Eye area is very sensitive to bacteria and old mascara can cause major irritation! Don’t pump that wand ever! Pumping your mascara wand into the tube adds air into the container and will make your mascara dry out faster.

TIME FOR A LITTLE Q & A:

Katie P. wants to know:
I’d love to read your opinion on cake mascara vs. tube mascara.

Pro says:
Great question Katie! I use cake mascara by Le Femme (sold at Cinema Secrets in Burbank, California) when I apply false lashes. I dampen a fan brush with a little bit of Evian Water and sweep the brush back and forth across the mascara. Dab the brush on the back of my hand to remove the excess and apply. The reason cake works best is because the formula and brush doesn’t “pull” the false lashes off of the rim of the lash line and makes adhering the false lash to the real lash easier. It is great to use cake mascara for everyday and the formula is the same as lengthening mascara, but most find it intimidating based on the application. We are programmed to use the wand/tube combination!

Andrea T. wants to know:
Can you recommend mascara for contact lens wearers?

Pro says:
Another fantastic question! While I don’t wear contact lenses, I know plenty of people who do and even a mere flake of mascara is enough to ruin a contact lens and cause the eyes to turn red and irritated! Check out mascaras from the following cosmetic lines: Almay, Covergirl, Lancôme or Clinique (they all claim to be safe for contact lenses). Stay away from lash lengthening mascaras because they tend to have tiny fibers that can get into the eyes.