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  • The 4 Best Foods for Runners

    March 12th, 2010

    Love to run? Then check out these must-eat foods for runners (they’re on my list!) …

    0224-sweet-potatoes_vg.jpg


    Health.com’s Jenny Hadfield
    , a certified personal trainer, shares her top picks for foods for runners (to learn more about the magazine’s “A Girl’s Gotta Move Running Club” click here):

    1. Almonds. They’re portable, which is great, but they’re also high in the antioxidant vitamin E, which helps prevent achy muscles.

    2. Oranges. Running can damage muscles, and oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient that helps them heal.

    3. Sweet potatoes. This yummy veggie is high in energy-giving carbs and beta carotene, plus minerals like potassium and magnesium, which runners lose through sweating.

    4. Tuna. To keep muscles working optimally and to support rebuilding of muscles, runners should aim for about 60 to 90 grams of protein per day. (That’s more than non-runners need.) And, tuna is an easy source of protein–a 4 ounces provides about half of your daily protein requirements.

    Compliments of Glamour.com

    10 Things Your Man Never Needs to Know

    March 11th, 2010

    Oh ladies, didn’t anyone ever teach you that honesty may be a good policy, but sometimes it’s all about discretion? Here, the ten things you might want to keep mum about with your man (and by “might” we mean “most definitely”).

    number of sex partners
    1. The number of guys you slept with
    food poisoning
    2. What happened that time you got food poisoning
    sex move
    3. Where you learned your signature sex move
    missing ex
    4. That no matter how happy you are, you still pine for your ex—especially sexually
    mustache
    5. Mustache bleaching (not to mention what happens when your bikini waxer takes a long vacay)
    snooping
    6. That every once in a while you snoop around his e-mail, call log and/or browser history—just to see what he really thinks of you
    best sex
    7. Your best sex—unless, of course, it was with him
    braces
    8. That “Braceface” was the nicest of the nicknames you had in elementary school
    hot guy friend
    9. Just how hot you think his friend is. Nothing good can come of his worrying that you’re seeing his best bud’s face in bed and not his.
    couple kissing
    10. That you once hooked up with your best guy friend
    Compliments of Glamour.com

    Got a Date? Let’s Look at One of the Most Romantic Makeup Looks EVER, Shall We?

    March 10th, 2010

    marchesa

    The Marchesa show is always one of my favorite backstage beauty stops during Fashion Week, and the recent presentation definitely didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t stop oohing and aahing at the pure gorgeousness that I saw there. And once I was able to pick my jaw up off the floor, I learned some amazing makeup tricks. Here’s the lowdown:

    To create that amazing shimmery eye makeup look, beauty pro Talia Shobrook used a product called Magic, a Le Metier de Beaute goodie that turns any powder (blush, foundation, shadow) into a creamy sheen product. You mix it in with the powder and then apply with a brush. Amazing!

    She also used drugstore rhinestones (they’re plastic, not crystal), applying two to the inner corners of the models’ eyes using eyelash glue. Shobrook then lined top and bottom lashes in a big V, starting from the inner eye out to about pupil length using Le Metier De Beaute’s Blue Steal True Color Shadow. The crystal add-ons might be a bit much for a date, but that shadow color is pretty gorge, isn’t it?

    Shobrook’s third trick is one that you can use anytime—even if you’re just getting a pizza with your guy: She applied a pretty pink blush under (not over) the foundation so it looked like a natural rosy glow. How easy is that? —Andrea Pomerantz Lustig

    Compliments of Glamour.com

    A Hairstyle For Days When You Feel Like Giving Up: The Braided Pony

    March 9th, 2010

    It’s pretty safe to say that braids are to this beauty blog what weather is to the rest of the world: We like to talk about it–All. Of. The. Time. Recently we’ve chatted about big braids, grown-up braids, weekend braids–you know the drill. But before you get burned out on braided hairstyles, consider this crazy-easy, crazy-cute ‘do:

    0222_prettybraid_bd.jpg

    If this picture looks like some strange, stalker-ish iPhone photo, that’s because it is. I took it last week, while I was waiting for the Ralph Lauren show to start. I was too shy–and too far away–to ask this cute show go-er about her ‘do, but it seems pretty straightforward: It looks like she pulled the front half of her hair back, teased and fluffed the center section a bit to get some volume, then braided the center and side sections two or three times then swooped the bottom half of her hair up and gathered all of the sections into a thick, kicky ponytail. I especially love the fact that the braided texture in the back glams the whole thing up a little, so her less-than-perfect ends look exactly right.

    Not bad, right? My hair is so thick that I might need to jab a few bobby pins in there to keep things in place but other than that it’s pretty stress-free–an attribute I really like in my hairstyles. You like? Have you tried something like this before? Think you would?

    Compliments of Glamour.com

    The Hottest Butt in the World (According to One Contest), and Some New Butt-Toning Advice

    March 6th, 2010

    Today’s fitness news? It’s about your bottom. Let’s talk fit rear-ends and oh my goodness, have you seen this crazy “Best Bottom in the World” contest?

    0303-butt-1_vg.jpg

    Apparently “Boom Boom” has the distinction of being American Apparel’s current top-rated bottom. Their, sort of crazy, contest is looking for the “Best Bottom in the World.” (Funny, and maybe a clever marketing stunt, yes, but it also bugs me the way contests like this dissect women’s bodies–you know? Sorry, just irks me!)

    Speaking of bottoms, have you noticed that butt-blasting fitness and “get back into your skinny jeans” fitness programs are everywhere? (Sort of makes me think I need to pay more attention to my rear-end!) One way to trim your tush? Sign up for Body by Glamour, of course! WebMD also took a look at butt fitness recently (yes, butt fitness), and shared some pointers on improving your rump. Here’s what they had to say:

    *Lunges and squats are good resistance exercises (done with or without weights) for toning the lower body.

    *The real skinny on looking great in skinny jeans, he says, is to include cardio exercises that work your lower extremities (like running or cycling) to burn calories and tone muscles overall. Try for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise three to five times a week.

    *If you incorporate cycling or spinning, don’t mash heavy gears. That can build more muscle than you might want and even harm your knees, he says.

    *Don’t overdo running steps and hills, as they may build muscle and may not be the best for getting you into those skinny jeans (although they’re great for overall fitness).

    *Ellipticals and steppers can target the glutes, but as with lunges and squats, it’s important to use correct technique.

    Compliments of Glamour.com

    One-Minute Hairstyles

    March 4th, 2010

    Hair ideas you can pull off in 60 seconds or less. Here they are:

    First, there’s the diagonal mini-part as seen on Julia Roberts:
    0313-julia-roberts-hair_bd-2.jpg

    Then you’ve got side twists, like you see here on Rachel McAdams:
    0712-rachel-mcadams-hair_bd.jpg

    Then there’s the wrapped-up ponytail:

    And, finally, a nice way to spice up any style. The Natalie Portman front twist:
    0317-natalie-portman_bd.jpg

    The center mini-part (seen here on Penelope Cruz):
    0730-penelope-cruz-hair_bd.jpg
    The key is to part your hair for two or three inches and then brush the rest back, creating lift at the crown.

    Now, Diane Kruger’s hair here took much longer to pull off than a minute, but you can incorporate her hairpin look in a lot less time than that:
    0428-diane-kruger_bd.jpg
    It’s just a matter of tucking in hairpins until you get a shape you like.

    And finally, we have the top-pinned look, a go-to for me for bad hair days and to get my bangs out of my face:
    1210-pinned-up-hair_bd.jpg

    Compliments of Glamour.com

    Spring Fling

    March 3rd, 2010

    Lilac, soft green, powder pink, and more—the colors for spring are lively and flattering, meaning you need very little other makeup. It’s the best of both worlds: Stylish and easy.

    Fair Skin

    Fair Skin Lilac Lips: Cover Girl TruShine Lipstick in Lilac Shine (1) and Maybelline New York Superstay Lipcolor in Blossom (2).
    Blood Orange Lips: Sisley Lipstick in Sheer Coral (3) and Avon Celestial Spring Big Color Glossy Lip Pencil in Glossy Sunset (4).

    Deep Rose Gloss: Almay Pure Blends Lipgloss in Fig (5) and Giorgio Armani Lip Shimmer in 21 (6).

    Pastel Pink Shadow: Maybelline New York ExpertWear Eye Shadow in Seashell (7) and Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Quad in Moonlit Violet (8).

    Pear Green Shadow: Rimmel Colour Rush Trio Eye Shadow in Tempting (9) and Clinique Fresh Bloom Eye Shadow in Apple Blossom (10).

    Plum Eyes: Jane Iredale Liquid Eye Liner in Pinot Noir (11) and Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Eyeshadow Single in Passion (12).

    Bright Pink Blush: Mark Flip for It in Tokyo (13) and Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Blushing Berry (14).

    Bronze Eyeliner: Too Faced Metallic Eye Liner in Bronze Bombshell (15) and Black Radiance Starry Eyes Shadow Stick in Rich Gold (16).

    Medium Skin

    Medium Skin

    Blood Orange Lips: Shiseido Makeup Perfect Rouge Lipstick in OR 418 (3) and Huge Lips Skinny Hips Lip Plumper in Love Your Thighs (4).

    Deep Rose Gloss: Lorac Couture Shine in Couture (5) and Laura Mercier Lip Plumper in Rose Flush (6).

    Pastel Pink Shadow: Nars Eye Shadow in Baby Girl (7) and Max Factor Vivid Impact Eyeshadow Duo in Peach Basket (8).

    Pear Green Shadow: Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow Palette in Utopia (9) and Sephora Colorful Mono eye shadow in Pearl No. 03 (10).

    Plum Eyes: Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Magic Night (11) and Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner in Plum Drop (12).

    Bright Pink Blush: Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color in Icy Petal (13) and The Body Shop Blush in Roseflower (14).

    Bronze Eyeliner: Lancôme Long Lasting EyeLiner in Bronze (15) and Almay Intense i-Color Eyeliner in Brown Topaz (16).

    Dark Skin

    Blood Orange Lips: Black Opal Vitamin-Rich Lipstick in Tropica (3) and Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in A-Go-Go (4).

    Deep Rose Gloss: Revlon Crème Gloss in Raisin’ the Roof (5) and Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Burgundy (6).

    Pastel Pink Shadow: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Flying Down To… (7) and Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow in Parisian Lights (8).

    Pear Green Shadow: The Body Shop Golden Meadow #44 Eye Color (9) and Prescriptives Eyeshadow in Green Tea (10).

    Plum Eyes: L’Oréal Paris HIP High Intensity Pigments Kohl Eyeliner in Burgundy Kohl (11) and Jemma Kidd Make Up School Crème Duo in Bronzitè (12).

    Bright Pink Blush: Lancôme Delicate Powder Blush in Shimmer Pink Pool (13) and Givenchy Prisme Again! Powder Blush Quartet in Red Passion (14).

    Bronze Eyeliner: Wet n Wild Kohl Eyeliner in Bronzed/Bronze (15) and M.A.C. Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Bountiful Brown (16).

    Compliments of Allure.com

    Fix-Anything Makeup Tricks

    February 26th, 2010

    Even the hottest A-listers have flaws: not-so-small noses, monster zits, thin lips, you name it. Who makes it all less noticeable? Their makeup artists, of course. The most talented of their kind spill their secrets, so you can fake perfection too.

    Bigger, Sexier Eyes

    First, reach for liner. Skip black — like an LBD, it narrows your shape — and use a colored one to define your top lash line, says celebrity makeup artist Carmindy. (Blues and greens not your thing? Reach for slate, which looks awesome on everyone.) Now, swipe a shimmery white shadow onto your inner corners in a sideways V shape to catch light, which widens eyes. Finally, make your eyelash curler your BFF. Crimping the top lash line angles hairs so tips are closer to your brows, expanding the entire eye area. Immediately lock in the curve with two coats of lengthening mascara.

    Plush, Pillowy Lips

    Grab a colorless lip balm with shimmer, and apply it to the skin just above your cupid’s bow — the area below your nose and between the peaks of your top lip. Adding light to that area creates the illusion of larger lips, explains Carmindy. Then apply a moisturizing lipstick. Hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, bind pout-plumping water to your mouth. Make sure it has a high-shine finish; matte versions don’t reflect light. Finish with a swipe of the shimmery balm on the center of your bottom lip.

    Perfect-Looking Skin

    Using a concealer brush, apply cover-up to any pimples, making short, quick motions, like you’re spackling. Why a brush? The tapered bristles can get into the crevices of a blemish better than your fingers can, says Mally Roncal, celeb makeup artist in NYC. Be sure your concealer is made with zit-zapping salicylic acid; two separate formulas (zit cream and cover-up) layered won’t stick to skin. Set everything in place with a skin-tone matching powder.

    Killer Cheekbones

    To make round cheeks look more chiseled, you’ll need a highlighting powder and a bronzer that’s two shades darker than your skin tone. (Get both in a multicolor palette, like the one at left.) Make a fish face, and dust the bronzer on the hollows of your cheeks. Smile, then brush the highlighter from the apples of your cheeks to your temples. “The contrasting tones define and shape cheekbones,” says Los Angeles makeup artist Joanna Schlip.

    Uniform Brows

    If you’ve tried filling in a brow scar without much luck, check this out. “The skin on a scar is smoother and has fewer pores, so pencils and fine powders just don’t adhere,” says Carmindy. Tinted waxes or creams are a better-sticking option. Choose one in a shade that matches your brows, and make short, light strokes in the direction of hair growth. Finish by blending color through the entire brow (not just the bald spot) for an even, believable shape.

    A Tinier Forehead

    Bangs will instantly fill the gap between your brows and hairline. But if you’d rather not make the cut, reach for a matte bronzer (shimmer will spotlight the area’s size) and a big powder brush. “Bronzer creates a shadow, helping a too-large area appear smaller,” says Schlip. Swirl bristles into the bronzer, and tap off any excess to keep the shade light and natural. Sweep the brush along your hairline from temple to temple several times then in circles to blend.

    A Slimmer Nose

    Shrink a larger or wider nose with this two-pronged attack: Apply your usual foundation to your nose, then swipe a streak of highlighter down the center of its bridge and back up in a straight line. “The paler color sandwiched between the foundation-coated skin will make the sides of your nose appear darker and slimmer in seconds,” says Carmindy. Set with translucent powder, which won’t darken the illusion.

    Compliments of Cosmopolitan.com

    The Feel-Happier-Instantly Trick! It’s Free, Easy and You Can Do It Right Now (I Dare You!)

    February 25th, 2010

    Need a little mood boost right now? You’ve probably forgotten about this tried-and-true thing that will perk you up in an instant. I did until someone reminded me about it. Hint: It’s kind of funny and will totally make you giggle (even if you’re having the day from you-know-where)…

    0107-skipping_vg.jpg

    She looks like she might be feeling sad. Maybe she should puts some pants on and try this trick!

    The trick to beat the blues?

    Skipping!

    You know, skipping–the thing you did when you were 8 years old, the thing that happiness experts say unleashes pure, unadulterated joy no matter what your circumstances. I know, I know, it’s so cheeseball, but I dare you to try it today. I just did this morning, and I as nuts-o as this sounds (I’m painfully aware of the cheese-factor here), it was instant glee.

    Here’s what yoga guru and Santa Monica, California-based wellness expert Jonathan Troen says: “You remember skipping from when you were a kid,” he says. “Now, I understand it’s sometimes difficult to do at work when other people are around, but it is virtually impossible to be sad while your skipping. Get up from the computer and try this one–instant happiness.”

    $5 Prettifying Beauty Tricks

    February 24th, 2010

    Get glam for less with these beauty bargains. Try one (or all—for this price, why not?)!

    comb

    Bring a comb in the shower to get shiny hair.

    Get silkier strands, fast—and for just $2! “After applying conditioner, run through hair with a wide-tooth comb to work it from root to end. Continue combing as you rinse to prevent buildup,” says Yusef, Rihanna’s go-to hair pro during Paris Fashion Week. Hang this one from Jilbere de Paris in your shower for easy access.

    mascara on hair

    Use mascara—on your hair!

    Clear mascara—like Sephora’s fab $10 version—is a makeup artist and hairstylist favorite. Celebrity stylist David Babaii, who tames the tresses of Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson, uses it to define the ends of curls and smooth frizzies along the hairline.

    clear mascara

    …or use it to add a little gloss to your lashes.

    TLC’s What Not To Wear makeup pro Carmindy reveals her trick to shiny lashes in her upcoming book Crazy Busy Beautiful: Beauty Secrets for Getting Gorgeous Fast: Use a lash curler and hold that curve with an invisible top coat—it’s like hair gel for your lashes! We like this cult favorite in clear: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara.

    concealer brush

    Get posh-looking skin for pennies.

    Having trouble finding the perfect concealer shade? NYC makeup artist Ana Marie suggests mixing your liquid foundation with loose translucent powder for better coverage. For spot-on application, try this concealer brush from Eco Tools. It’s just $4, and it’s made from earth-friendly materials and cruelty-free bristles. Save your wallet and the planet!

    goody

    DIY your hair accessory.

    Everyone from Eva Mendes to January Jones is showing up on the red carpet in fancy headgear these days. Those jewel-encrusted headbands can be pretty expensive, but we’ve got a DIY version that won’t cost you more than a few bucks. Buy a black stretchy headband (we like Goody’s Colour Collection Stay Put Hold Headbands, $4) and scour the flea market, vintage stores or your grandmother’s jewelry box for a sparkly broach. Pin it to the side, slip it on and—voilá—instant paparazzi-worthy hair in less than five minutes.

    qtips

    Keep your face flawless—and germ-free—by using these tiny multitaskers.

    Love those cute lip-balm tins (like this one from On10, $3.50) but hate the idea of using germy fingers on your mouth? Problem solved with this purse pack from Q-Tips, $2—and at less than a penny per swab, you won’t feel bad ditching one every time you apply. Save this this pretty vanity pack from Q-Tips for your bathroom, $4, for 285 touch-ups of all kinds! Use one side to smudge dark shadow over your liner for a soft, smoky finish and the other end dabbed in makeup remover to clean up the fallen bits.

    nail polish

    Get in on the celeb nail craze—without spending insane amounts of money.

    Obsessed with the Minx nails the celebs are rocking but don’t love the price tag? Try painting your nails with a metallic polish to mimic that shiny, chrome finish, and use this ultra-skinny brush from NYX Ink Nail Art, $3, to trick out your fingertips and toes. You’ll be looking just as foxy as Hollywood high rollers for a quarter of the price.

    elf

    Update your eye wardrobe.

    This eye makeup kit may very well be the bargain of the century—five pieces for five dollars. With spring runways like Michael Kors and Christian Dior filled with pretty purple eyes, you’ll be on trend this season with Elf’s Get the Look Purple Perfect Set. It comes with all the makeup and tools you need to get this amethyst-inspired look—minus the haute couture price tag. Trés chic and cheap!

    eyeliner

    Try a double-duty eyeliner.

    Feeling blue one day and perky purple the next? Get ‘em both with these Eye for an Eye double-ended liner pencils from Hard Candy, $5. Cash in on this colorful trend and express yourself—no matter what your state of mind. We’re pretty sure this price would put any beauty junkie in a good mood.

    shave

    Shop in the men’s (beauty) department.

    If you’re not into overly floral scents, C.O. Bigelow’s Premium Shave Cream does the job—for guys and girls—with cooling eucalyptus oil. This $5 beauty buy is made in Italy and loved by Italian barbers, but you can snag the European favorite right here in the USA. The only downside is that this tube may not last long—your boyfriend will definitely be borrowing this one. The good news: At this price, you can afford to replenish your supply.

    Compliments of Glamour.com