Free The Nipple (After Your Workout)

Free The Nipple (After Your Workout) by theposhlist featuring sports bras

V Day Gift Guide

V Day Gift Guide by theposhlist showing what to wear with a sheer bikini

CBW Trunk Show

CBW Trunk Show by theposhlist featuring tops

A Lesson On Loneliness

As someone who makes her living utilizing social media, I am well versed in it's many advantages.  I am also keenly aware of the disadvantages we face as a society - more importantly as individuals - as we continue to choose this method of communication over person to person contact. Sending a text is not the same as a making a phone call. Posting a comment does not convey your thoughts as genuinely as having a conversation. If we ever want to truly connect, taking the easy route won't get us there - we need to take the time.

In this video, which has ever so discretely been circling around the web, Shimi Cohen helps to explain what he refers to as 'The Innovation of Loneliness".  Take a moment to watch - the next five minutes could change everything.

How to Look Like “The Girl Next Door”: 5 Simple Steps to Achieving Ultimate, All “Natural” Sex Appeal

We can’t help but love (and hate) the girl next door.  She’s perfect.  She has that whole naturally gorgeous thing going for her – bright eyes, glowing skin - an effortless beauty that is oh, SO sexy…. Okay. Reality check. Nine out of ten of those “naturally” gorgeous women are faking it.  The fact is it usually takes a lot of effort to look as if you are making no effort at all.  Lucky for you, we’ve developed an easy 5-step plan for achieving this sexy look in record time.

{Pictured Above: Kate Upton, Photo Courtesy of Google Images}

STEP 1 – Exfoliate

The KEY to a flawless face is flawless skin and the key to flawless skin is exfoliation.  While there are many great exfoliating cleansers on the market, nothing can beat the smoothing effects of an electronic facial brush.  Yes, the newer, less expensive versions work just as well as the original.  First, splash skin with warm water, then spread a nickel-sized amount of facial cleanser from hairline to collarbone with your fingertips. After setting the speed of the facial brush to a gentle scrub move it slowly across your face and neck (focusing on problem areas like the corners of the nose and mouth) for about 2 minutes (note: if the bristles feel abrasive, lower the speed). Finally, rinse with cool water and wipe face with a wet washcloth to ensure a smooth clean finish.  

STEP 2 – Protect & Moisturize

Once your skin is clean and dry it is imperative to apply an ample amount of sunscreen and moisturizer (even if your skin is oily!).  There are many lotions on the market that include an SPF, but most do not provide enough protection form UVA and UVB rays (SPF 30 or more is recommended for basic, everyday sun exposure).  As such, separate products are often your best bet.  Apply a non-greasy sunscreen first - waiting at least 5 minutes to let everything sink in - then apply your moisturizer. 

STEP 3 – Conceal

If you know how to use your concealer, you will never need to wear a full face of foundation ever again.  The secret is to begin covering imperfections BEFORE your lotion has completely set in – while skin is still moist.  Make sure that the product you are using is full-coverage and as close to your natural skin color as possible.  For best results, use your ring finger to dab small amounts of concealer onto problem areas, pressing into the skin with a quick tapping motion.  Continue to layer and blend until the desired coverage has been achieved.

STEP 4 – Accentuate The Positive

Using a bronzing powder that is no more than shade and a half darker than your natural skin tone, lightly dust bronzer across your hairline, jaw line and just below your cheek bones - as well as over any areas that you covered with concealer.  If your cheeks are naturally rosy, skip the blush.  If not, look for a hue that mimics your own when flesh when flushed and apply only to the apples of your cheeks.  Finally, using your fingers again, dab a highlighting cream onto the inner corners of your eyelids, beneath the arch of your eyebrows, along your cheekbones and just above the bow of your upper lip – making sure to blend well.

STEP 5 – The Finishing Touch

By now you have successfully managed to create the perfect “no make-up” palate, but even the most minimalistic of women are known to swipe on a some mascara and pucker up to bit of lip balm before leaving the house. To complete your girl next door look, cover your eyelids in a neutral shimmering shadow.  Coat your lashes (top only) with a dual purpose mascara and perfect your pout with a tinted balm

Get The Look With These Products:

Olay Professional ProX Facial Brush, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen, Make-Up Forever Full Cover Concealer, Nars Blush in Orgasm, Nars Illuminator in Copacabana, MAC All That Glitter’s Eye Shadow, L’Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara and Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

The Face of Beauty

(Photo Courtesy of Google Images}

People Magazine recently named Gwyneth Paltrow “The Worlds Most Beautiful Woman” in an issue dated April 4, 2013.   Given the massive amount of backlash the magazine received for having made this assessment, it is safe to assume the old adage still stands: Beauty is (indeed) in the eye of the beholder.  That being said, there are other factors which, standing apart from personal preference, play a significant role in how we as a society define beauty.  These factors are known as trends.

In much the same way as the fashion industry, the beauty industry is a revolving door of trends - constantly changing and imposing upon our perception of what is beautiful.  Every decade brings about new a new challenge that we either revolt against (think 1960’s hippie chic and free love) or find opportunity in (the working women and power suits of the 1980’s), resulting in an inevitable shift in how we, as women, wish to be perceived. The women we idolize as having successfully lived-up to the challenge by portraying themselves in a manner that is congruent to the current shift in trends become the new faces of beauty...at least for a given decade.

Over the past five decades, beauty trends have come and gone and, on occasion, have come back again.  With every transition, the image we hold in our heads of the ideal woman has been tweaked and the woman we long to look more like changes.  The following women represent this evolution of beauty.

Farrah Fawcett – 1970’s

{Photo Courtesy of Google Images}

There was an effortlessness that accompanied the beauty of the 70s – at least during daylight hours.  Still reeling from the hippie phase of the late 60’s, a slender frame accentuated with slight curves and a sun-kissed glow was the sought after look.  Farrah perfected it all.

Michelle Pfieffer – 1980’s

{Photo Courtesy of Google Images} 

The women of the 80’s wanted it all.  It was no longer enough to be slim, women needed to be toned as well. Strong, natural brows accompanied by shocking make up shades and overdone hair were common place, but the women that could remove it all and still demand our attention stood out above the crowd.  Insert, Michelle Pfiefer.

Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss – 1990’s

{Photos Courtesy of Google Images} 

The 90’s were the decade of the super model.  Cindy Crawford, a gorgeous brunette with a strong, athletic and curvy build represented what most women (and men) perceived at the time as absolute perfection.  However, there was also another beauty trend on the rise.  The desire to be fit was slowly being replaced with a desire to be extremely thin.  Kate Moss, a waifish blonde beauty was a pioneer of this dangerous beauty ideal.

Angelina Jolie – 2000’s

{Photo Courtesy of Google Images} 

The beginning of a new era pushed everything to the limits.  Long legs, thin arms, impossibly slight frames and voluptuous breasts were all equally coveted.  However, the reality was that apart from a select few such as Angelina Jolie, the majority of women could never attain such a radical perception of beauty without pricey enhancements.  Hence, this decade also saw a large rise in the number of women opting for cosmetic surgery.

Beyoncé – Today

{Photo Courtesy of Google Images} 

While most women today still would prefer a smaller waistline, there seems to be a much greater emphasis on the importance of overall health in terms of beauty.  Such may be why People chose Gwyneth Paltrow as this year’s Most Beautiful.  Here new book “It’s All Good” boasts about the benefits of a lifestyle that excludes itself from anything which may be considered harmful to ones body – meat, sugar, sun – you name it, its out! However, a more agreeable selection would likely be last year’s chart topper, Beyoncé. Her incredibly toned physic, noticeable curves, glowing skin and seemingly well-rounded lifestyle are without question the new face of beauty.*

*This article was featured in the July 2013 issue of Bello Mag and may also be viewed here: http://issuu.com/outnext/docs/bello48/125?e=1159494/3878518

Wear Sunscreen

“If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.” –Mary Schmich

It has been over ten years since Baz Luhrmann put Mary Schmich’s Chicago Tribune article to music in 1999.  Appropriately titled, “Wear Sunscreen”, the hit record dispensed numerous life lessons over a nearly eight minute track.  However, it emphasized that this particular tip was the only one to be scientifically proven as beneficial.

{Pictured Above: OYE Spring/Summer 2013 Collection, Photo Courtesy of nounaryustyle.com}

Today, the importance of sunscreen is common knowledge.  The endless benefits to sun protection have been proven time and again by countless studies and continued research since the implementation of the SPF system 35 years ago.  We are not only aware of the immediate skin burning effects caused by UVB rays, but are also privy to the long term effects of UVA rays - which breakdown collagen and contribute to skin’s aging.

While the wealth of information available regarding sun damage is no doubt helpful, the multitude of products on the market today claiming to combat, repair and prevent such damage is rather daunting. How do you know which product is right for you?

When choosing a sunscreen, the first thing you should look for is a label that reads “broad spectrum”.  Thanks to new rules adapted by the FDA just this year, any sunscreen including this description MUST protect equally against UVA and UVB rays.

Next, make note of the SPF.  The American Academy of Dermatology recommends daily use of SPF 30 (SPF 50 is recommended to those who spend a majority of their day outdoors). Try Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch in SPF 70 for the best all around protection or Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Spray in SPF 35 for easy application. 

Finally, think carefully about the specific needs of your skin.  If you do not use the same lotion on your face as you do your body, it is likely that you will not want to use the same sunscreen on both areas as well.  When selecting a sunscreen for the face, look for a product that can provide dual care. 

If your skin is oily or prone to breakouts, avoid labels that include pore-clogging elements such as mineral oil, paraffin and petroleum – opting instead for ones that read “non-comedogenic” and “oil-free” such as Peter Thomas Roth Uber Dry Sunscreen in SPF 30.

Those with dry or sensitive skin should consider hydrating ingredients such as oat protein, sodium hyaluronate, and omega 3’s, as well as products containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (which reflect rays rather than absorbing them) like that of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid in SPF 50.

Lastly, if your main concern is aging skin (lines, wrinkles, etc.), make antioxidants your new best friend! Formulas containing vitamin E, vitamin C, caffeine and niacin will be your best bet. Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Sunscreen in SPF 70 is a great option.

Whichever product you choose, remember that in order to provide adequate protection, it must be applied generously and then reapplied throughout the course of the day -especially if you are sweating, swimming or simply spending more time in the sun than usual.*

*This article was featured in the June 2013 issue of Bello Mag and can also be viewed here: http://issuu.com/outnext/docs/bellomag47/121?e=1159494/3210811

Sources:

Becker, Katie. Generation SPF. WMagazine. May 2013. Conde Nast. Web. 12 May 2013.

Benoist, Claire. Your Sunscreen Protection Guide. Self. Conde Nast. Web. 12 May 2013.

Siddons, Sarah. Should I Use a Different Sunscreen on My Face. Discovery Health. Discovery Communications. Web. 12 May 2013.

Wadyka, Sally. What to Look for in a Sunscreen. Real Simple. Time Inc. Lifestyle Group. Web. 12 May 2013.