Time for a (Quick) Deep Cleaning... Neutrogena and Your Best Face to the Rescue

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, things are just a little bit... lackluster? Like your styling products are weighing your hair down more than usual, your skin isn't as glowy as it should be after that moisturizer or your pores are about to be filled to capacity? I have definitely been feeling like that lately. I'm sure the fact that I'm now about 6 1/2 weeks away from delivery (and hence, seem to need help even getting up from the sofa), doesn't really help the whole "not feeling quite like myself" situation.

Even though today was a work day, and hence I was a bit pushed for time in the shower, I decided to take matters a step further than usual and spend a whopping 2 extra minutes in the shower today and the difference was well worth the time. Read on to see what I did.

Good Skin's EXTEN-10, A New Way to Fight Aging? At Kohl's?

Every now and then a company comes up with a novel way to approach aging of the skin, which is both good and bad. Good because new novel approaches can lead to big break throughs, but also bad because sometimes they may not have the evidence to back up their claims and consumers spend money on something that is worthless.

In this case, I'm not sure that there is enough information in the literature to claim (yet) that Sirtuin proteins are a good way to prevent aging of the skin. However, this new product from Good Skin Labs contains enough other anti-aging ingredients that I feel it's worth checking out even before more info comes out about increasing Sirtuins, and then you can be cutting edge and know that you're using ingredients that have more evidence behind them.

Liquid Metals by Nicole

This new collection from OPI's Nicole brand won't be out until January 2011, but I'm already coveting all of it. Which shade will you try first?

• Miss Independent: Violet
• The Next CEO: A metallic gold
• Rich in Spirit: Silvery blue-green
• It Starts with Me: A metallic champagne

Available January 2011 at ULTA, Walmart, Target, Sears, Harmon, HEB and Wegmans
Nicole by OPI

Natalie Portman as the Black Swan: Insight into the Look

Since reading an article in the NY Times about the Black Swan in October, I admit to being really excited about the film coming out. Natalie Portman (and the film in general) has generated a huge amount of Oscar buzz, and if I didn't think that sitting in a movie theater would kill my 7 1/2 months pregnant back I would be first in line to see it! In the meantime, I think I'll settle for On Demand or Netflix.

Regardless of when I'll be able to see the movie, I did get an email from MAC with Black Swan Makeup Department Head Margie Durand and Makeup Designer Judy Chin. I don't usually just cut and paste items like this, but I found the entire process for creating Natalie's look fascinating.

Read on to find out more!

Yuko's KokoroG: The Cure for Split Ends

I've mentioned it a few times in passing on the blog in the last few months, but my hair seems to be having extra issues this fall. The change from summer to winter and back again is typically a bit hard for me, my hair gets dry, static prone and frizzy. Even worse, I can develop sudden split ends overnight. I'll go for a trim and be fine for a week or so, and then suddenly the one morning... they are everywhere. No amount of conditioning or other treatments prevents this, it is just a fall thing with my hair. My goal is usually to minimize the overall breakage I experience during this time by minimizing heat exposure, increasing hydration and getting another trim to get rid of the split ends again.

This year the split ends have persisted despite multiple trims, a dramatic decrease in heat exposure and many amazing new super hydrating hair masks. But, then a new shampoo/conditioner duo came my way. Can I just say Oh Em Gee?

Dr. Paul Friedman's Beautiful Skin Revealed

I'm really into new skin care and beauty books lately, and this is a pretty amazing one. Dr. Friedman is a cosmetic dermatologist, and I love his easy, straight forward way of explaining things. He talks about everything in cosmetic dermatology, from acne to stretch marks, a brief explanation about why things happen, and then he briefly describes the things that can be done to help. He tells you what types of lasers will help, which topical ingredients, how much things cost and even mentions expected recovery time and experience.

I don't think that this is a book for those that are trying to do things at home on their own. So, if you have acne and are looking for some help, I don't think this book has enough info for you. Rather, this is the book to turn to if you are considering a little freshening up, have a port wine stain or something similar, and you're thinking of visiting a cosmetic dermatologist for something a bit more invasive than just another lotion. Thinking about lasering those acne scars? Want to get rid of those ugly leg veins? Info is presented on different treatment options and their pros and cons. This is a great place to start reading before you go to the doctor. In addition, there is a nice section at the back about products and what to look for (similar in complexity to what I usually offer on this blog).

Approachable and matter of fact, this book feels more like reading a well informed magazine than an intense medical book.

Dr. Friedman
Beautiful Skin Revealed at Amazon

Nicki Minaj and MAC's Pink Friday

Nicki Minaj is a hip hop artist from Trinidad, and she is a huge MAC fan. Her trademark lippie has long been Pink Nouveau, but in celebration of her highly anticipated debut album she has collaborated with MAC to create this new pink. Pink Friday is "a bright, creamy pink satin formula."

It will be available for purchase only on 4 Fridays: November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 17, 2010
Only available while supplies last and only on MAC's website. Will you be checking it out? I'm strongly considering ordering a tube, it looks like it would be great for spring.

MAC