Instantly remove self-tanner streaks and buildup with just a little water!

We know you depend on us to tell you about the latest and greatest in beauty, but let’s face it… That lipstick isn’t going to matter much if you’re not around to try it. One in eight women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime, so this is something we all need to take seriously. Since our mom had breast cancer at a very young age, we’ve been getting mammograms since we were about 25—and we’re super-diligent about our screenings, which include mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs. But last week when we went for our annual exam with our breast surgeon, we took a new genetic test called BREVAGen, and once the results come back, our screening approach may change.

This test is different than standard BRCA gene testing (we did that, too—negative, PHEW) in that it assesses your lifetime risk of developing breast cancer based on more than your DNA alone. In addition to the cheek swab that is used to identify genetic markers that can indicate increased risk, it also takes other factors into account, such as your age when you first got your period and had your first child. Based on all of this information, your doctor can create a personalized plan that ensures you are screened appropriately. We’re all for any test that can help keep us healthy—and you should be, too!

Know your lifetime risk of breast cancer

May 6, 2013

Let’s all collectively admit that we’re not so good about staying on top of cosmetic expiration dates. We definitely peek at the ones printed on our jars and bottles from time to time, but that’s not enough because you’re supposed to chuck something a certain amount of time after opening it, and this can be 3, 6, 12 or 18 months depending on the product and its packaging. We’ve seen stickers that you can adhere to your bottle, but honestly, we can’t be bothered—so when our friend told us about the Beauty Alert! app for our iPhone, we downloaded it immediately.

Essentially all you have to do is enter the type of cosmetic product, its name, the brand and the color (since so many of us stock up on multiple shades) and the date you first use it. Then just like that, the app notifies you when something expires… From there, you decide whether you want to restock or move on. P.S. It comes in handy when you’re out shopping, in case you can’t remember the name of your favorite shade.

Is it time to toss that mascara?

There’s an app for that.

May 10, 2013

We found ourselves whipped into a frenzy a few weeks ago upon receiving a press release about Josie Maran’s new Argan Self-Tanning Body Wash. But our beauty conniption wasn’t because of this totally new way to go for the glow—it was because this product was only available for one day on QVC. Should we stay up until midnight? Should we set the alarm early? (After getting shut out of Target’s Missoni collection, this is now how we think.) Ultimately, we ordered it when we woke up in the morning, and we are forever grateful that we did.

This self-tanner IN A BODY WASH was perhaps the easiest faux tanning experience we’ve ever had. (Even better than having someone spray it on by hand because then you still have to let it dry.) After shampooing, conditioning and shaving, we pumped it on the long-handled pouf (one pump per body part) and started rubbing it on. After giving it 30 seconds to absorb, we moved on to the next body part. Truth be told, we were a little nervous in the midst of application, because it comes out dark and it did look a little streaky, but in just a few minutes we had even color from head to toe. And the color didn’t stick around in the shower either.

Nothing beats stepping out of the shower a few shades darker, and the slight self-tanner smell over the following few hours let us know that it was continuing to work. The color lasted about 3 days (we would have liked it to be longer) but the ease of application has us going back for more. We’re sorry to report that it’s no longer available—but when it comes back (and we’re sure it will), we’ll definitely let you know because you won’t want to miss out on this one!

Self-tanning body wash changed our life

May 16, 2013