I usually offer you lovely ladies up a bevy of tried and true tips and tricks on how to look positively beautiful and in my new book, Crazy Busy Beautiful, I continue to do just that. But what should you do when nasty things that are not so beautiful pop up unexpectedly? In my new book I also share secrets on how to hide or deal with these unsightly situations we all get from time to time.

One problem some of have from time to time is the dreaded hangover. A happy hour with girlfriends that turned into an all-nighter can happen and when it does, you wake up exhausted, dehydrated, red-eyed and feeling no-so-fresh. There is a few easy steps to look well rested and sobered up in a flash. As soon as you wake up start chugging water to re-hydrate and end the puffiness. Next, step into a cold shower to wake up the system and then when your out apply my Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Luminizing Face Primer to give your skin back it’s lost radiance. Now highlight the eyes with a little white shimmer on the inner corners and under the brows then sweep of navy blue mascara and your eyes will look wide-awake. A pop of pink on the apples of the cheeks and a slick of pink on your lips will erase any look of late night antics.

Creepy cold sores happen to many of us and usually at the worst times possible! The right way to conceal an outbreak is to use disposable sponges and Q-tips to lightly cover the spot with foundation, concealer and a light hint of powder then toss the tools so you won’t spread the infection.

Now I know many of you are good girls and not out there getting hickies but for the bad girls club there are a few tricks to rid yourself of the evidence. After receiving this badge of badness try rolling a lipstick tube over the area. This will dissipate the blood under the skin allowing it to vanish quicker. Another tip is to stick a metal spoon in the freezer and then lay the cold utensil on the bruise to calm it down. Try my Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Fast Fix Concealers to hide the mark when turtle neck sweaters are out of the question.

Many women ask me how to get that all-over glow when it comes to their complexion. Good skin care and the right makeup are a really good start, but to get truly amazing skin the secret begins from within. It is all about taking internal antioxidants and living a healthy lifestyle like getting plenty of rest, oxygen and exercise too.

I am addicted to my daily dose of Glowelle, an age defying anti-oxidant drink mix that I have been using for 3 weeks and I swear I won’t ever stop. This easy powder antioxidant packet easily mixes in your water bottle for a full daily dose of skin beautifying vitamins for glowing gorgeous skin. I work out 6 days a week so I also like to put it into my protein shakes in the morning for a boost of energy that makes me look good, too.

The ingredients in Glowelle that make skin so beautiful are the most powerful age fighters out there. Green tea, grape seed, vitamins A,C and E are just a few of the potent nutrients in Glowelle that promote flawless glowing skin and it was developed by Dr. Susan Beck a scientist and nutritionist who really knows her stuff. Available in Natural Pomigranite Lychee and Natural Rasberry Jasmine flavors these tasty packets are yummy and easy to travel with. Just throw one in your bag and you are good to go for the day. Before I started Glowelle I was scheduled to get a facial from the dry winter air dulling my skin but by week three, I had canceled my appointment because my skin looked incredible. No joke!

Glowelle is sold at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide or visit www.glowelle.com and take the 30-day challenge today and see how fabulous you look in a month. You will definitely be surprised.

We all love to be pampered but sometimes the idea of making more appointments, traveling through the snow to get there and then waiting in a room full of women is not so appealing. Also, it seems that all the treatments are starting to feel the same.

Now you can get incredible and different spa treatments in the comfort of your own home. Whether you are hosting a girl’s spa weekend with all your friends for a birthday or simply being indulgent yourself, you never need to leave the house to get a relaxing and beautiful experience. Many message therapists, facialists, waxers and spray tanners will come to you now with a small extra fee charged for lugging along their goods. It’s all about finding someone special and then passing on their information to your girls to feel like you are in a secret beauty club.

One such fantastic woman is in Miami and her name is Gita Devi so spread the word. She will come to your home or hotel room and does not only work in fabulous skincare but she turns it into an event. She creates an entire atmosphere to your exact liking whether it is a rock’n'roll all girl’s weekend or an individual peaceful Zen escape.

Her treatments are unique in that they are fully interactive and tailored especially towards you. Some of her famous facials include the Natural Fruit Facial, the Dark Chocolate Cocoon or the Reiki Energy Healing Session. She creates a full sensory experience for her clients including dressing up to the particular theme you desire, choosing a playlist of music that fits the mood, designing unique treatments that give you utter relaxation and transport you to the very place you are imagining. Whatever your idea she will bring you a show and you will never look or feel better.

You can e-mail Gita at gitans2005@aim.com.

Each and every night you need to care for your skin and treat it with love and affection. I don’t care if you’re tipsy, sick or just plain exhausted. There is no excuse to avoid the nightly beauty ritual of washing your face and treating it with the right products to ensure long-term beauty.

Here is a sample of what I do every night to keep my skin in tip-top shape. First thing I do is I wash my face with a good cleanser that will really remove all the makeup and grime from the day. I normally use Cetaphil for Normal to Oily Skin even though I have really dry skin because it really cuts through makeup and does not leave a filmy residue on my skin. I am also totally loving the Alba Botanica Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel. It leaves my skin feeling squeaky-clean and the all the healthy nutrients from the algae is awesome for the complexion. If you wear waterproof eyeliners or mascaras like I do sometimes, use a Q-tip dipped into a makeup remover to remove any excess makeup. The Rodial A-List Cleanser literally melts off my stubborn makeup but is super gentle and leaves it feeling soft.

After the cleansing I like to spritz my face with a little Rosewater for a fresh feeling. Stay away from any toners containing alcohol as they will just dry out your skin. Next I apply SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex to boost my collagen production and fight aging and sun damage.

After that seeps in I tap on my favorite Crème De La Mer to hydrate my super parched skin. This is so rich it doubles as an eye cream so I apply it around my eyes as well and finish off with a moisturizing lip balm. Two of my current favorites are Fresh Sugar Lip Balm and Nude Lips Balm.

If I am not too tired I like to slather on Korres Guava Body Butter moisturizer before bed so I smell sweet and stay soft. Every morning when I wake up I feel that my skin is happy and healthy and the 8 hours of rejuvination was maximized.

Promise me that you will make a nightly beauty ritual your habit and look good forever!

Okay, we are all in the same boat at the moment: Bloated, tired, dehydrated and a little rough after all the holiday madness. Now is the time to detox our bodies so we feel better and our skin, hair and nails will look better as well. We can all get an early jumpstart on this so by New Years Eve we will look smashing!

The first thing to do is to start drinking tons of water. Flush out all the bad stuff by drinking at least 8 glasses of water during the day. Drink about 4 ounces of pure unsweetened cranberry juice from the health food store each day to clean out that liver. All this fluid will help re-hydrate you and clean your system.

Get back on your healthy eating regime and daily exercise right away so you can erase the evidence of the holiday feast fest. Now it’s supplement time. If you are like me the healthy diet went out the window this week and the amount of sugar and carbohydrates ingested is starting to show with dull puffy skin. Start each morning with a few good anti oxidant and pretty skin supporting vitamins like grape seed extract, omega 3′s, vitamin C and coenzyme Q10. These are skin’s little helpers and can get you on the fast track to radiance.

Now scrub away the sin in the shower with a good cleanser and a handful of white sugar. When I was home for the holidays I discovered a great cleanser in a local health food store by Alba called Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel. This kept my skin squeaky clean and did not leave a residue. The sugar will buff away any dry skin you may have leaving your face nice and smooth.

Deep condition your hair to keep it silky and shiny and diminish the dryness from the dryer and irons you may have over used for all of those holiday parties. After the shower, moisturizer your face, body, hands and feet with a rich cream to keep it supple. Make an appointment to get a mani/pedi asap so you will feel sparkly and new again.

Now by New Years Eve, you will feel amazing and be able to face 2010 beautifully!

Every year, I get together with a few friends to go on an all-girls deep fishing trip in the Dry Tortugas. It is a great way to relax, fish, have some fun and share beauty secrets. Just because you are on vacation does not give you an excuse to lay around like a manatee scarfing up all you can eat and never applying lip gloss. Beauty needs to be approached from all sides and at all times, even on holiday.

The four of us who attend this trip each year live active lifestyles and we include a healthy diet and plenty of exercise into our daily routines. When we get together, it is a great way for all of us to share our favorite tips, as each one of us is an expert in our own respective areas.

My friend Eden is a great chef so when it comes to eating healthy she shows us how we can improve our dietary ways. When she caught a Spanish mackerel she instantly had it made into a sashimi with ponzu sauce that was nutritious and delicious and, as we all know, fish is a skin-friendly food.

Stacy is our fitness fanatic so she brought sets of bands and bungees for us to work out with every morning while we were out at sea keeping us bikini ready even after a few pina coladas.

Monique is our resident fisherwoman, so she taught us how to reel ‘em in with ease and how to identify each fish we caught.

I, of course, kept everyone covered head to toe in sunscreen and gave personalized makeup lessons for each of the ladies to keep them glowing and gorgeous. This will also ensure you look great in your vacation photos! When you keep up your beauty routine even while you are away, you will feel better about yourself. The new things you learned can even be incorporated into your life back home.

Girlfriends are the most precious beauty tool you have so let’s all help each other stay gorgeous!

They say beauty starts from within and I tend to agree, especially when it comes to the age-fighting properties of ingested antioxidants. By eating well and applying cosmetics enriched with antioxidants, we encourage our skin from both sides to stay line-free, firm and fabulous. That’s why I infused my entire line of Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy with such ingredients as pomegranate, vitamin A and E and aloe.

I always love a quick fix, and really with our crazy busy lives who doesn’t? So I will share with you my little beauty secret about what I like to call my crack packets. I call them this because I can never get enough and covet them like an addict. They are called EBoost and are little packets of antioxidant powders that you throw into your water bottle throughout the day and guzzle on the go. They are totally natural and give you energy, immunity, focus and contain powerful antioxidants like grapeseed, green tea and vitamin c, that will help keep your skin radiant.

We may not always eat perfectly and many of us don’t like taking handfuls of horse pills every morning, so this effervescent bubbly goodness is a surefire way to get the goods easily. I find drinking a few of these a day even helps curb my appetite. Taking care of your yourself and being happy is the best beauty advice I can give, so to start your healthy addiction visit eboost.com.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

One thing I openly admit is that I can be impatient, especially when it comes to taking my makeup off. I am religious about the process but I like it to wash off it a flash so I can begin my nightly face cream ritual, which is a soothing process for me.

I know I may be weird, but I’m a beauty product dork and going through my steps of serums and creams at night makes me happy, the taking off the makeup part, not so much. That is why I am singing to the mountaintops about the new Rodial A-List Cleanser.

This stuff melts off makeup in an instant; it’s kind of crazy actually how well it works. I was really blown away the first time I used it. You simply massage on a pump of this slippery gel-like formula and then wipe it away with a damp warm muslin cloth, cotton square or washcloth. I tried it washing it off with just water and it worked perfectly that way, too.

I have a magnifying mirror that I always look into after testing a new cleanser and almost always there is residue left behind. When I use this cleanser, not a speck was left on my skin. It was magically clean. Another bonus is that it contains Pomegranate Ellagic Tannin, which boasts natural anti-aging, firming and collagen boosting properties, so your skin is cleansed and infused with good stuff at the same time.

Rodial A-List Cleanser also helps fade age spots and hyperpigmentation, which has been the bane of my existence for years. So for me, this stuff is totally worth the sticker shock of $59. A great way to make this product last and get more bang for your buck is to cleanse your face with your normal cleaner and just use a hint of this special sauce to erase stubborn eye makeup. You can find it at spacenk.com.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

On my recent trip to Sweden, I was lucky enough to discover two skincare companies that I absolutely fell in love with. When I travel, I like to search out the local beauty products to see what other amazing and innovative goodies I can find.

The first company I found out about is called Bjork and Berries. The website alone is a glimpse into a heavenly virtual world that you never want to leave. I have not seen a website so beautiful in all my life and it is worth the visit at www.bjorkandberries.se just to be transported even for a moment to the lush forests, meadows and lakes of mystical Scandinavia.

I adore the 100% natural Honey Vanilla Body Butter that makes skin super supple and is filled with good-for-the-skin antioxidants. The Cloudberry Jasmine Shower Cream envelopes your body in lovely romantic fragrance and rich vitamin C. Lastly, the Winter Spice Candle will evoke memories of the holidays with a combination of scents like cinnamon, spruce, clove and orange peel.

The second company is called Estelle and Thild and is a chic Ecorganic skincare line that uses organic and natural ingredients.

My top picks are the Neroli Eye Balm containing black elder to counteract puffiness and castana extract to promote blood flow and the yummy smelling Neroli and Bergamot shampoo and conditioners. My hair was soft and smelled lovely.

You just get a clean healthy feeling from using these natural products and you will know that the Swedes got it right combing beauty with nature!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

I just returned from a fabulous trip to Stockholm, Sweden for a beauty and wellness event hosted by the fitness wear brand Casall. I was a guest speaker and was excited to share my philosophy about enhancing your natural beauty with these women as well as learn about how they look and feel so incredibly beautiful.

I absolutely love traveling the world and meeting inspiring women from different cultures to learn about their view on beauty. Every woman I met was gorgeous! Their healthy attitude towards their bodies and their skin is impressive and we had a great time sharing beauty secrets. The Swedes are very much into natural ingredients with regard to what they eat as well as what they put on their faces. Botanicals and antioxidants were on the top of their list for skin care and a rational and well-balanced take on food helps them keep in shape. They eat clean (but never starve themselves) and get plenty of exercise.

These lovely ladies don’t overdo it with makeup but opt for a simple polished look of luminous skin with an emphasis on eyes. Very trend-forward, they love their eyeliner and keep cheeks and lips pink and fresh looking. The two main makeup companies they adore are Face Stockholm, which is also available in the states, and Make Up Store, which is their equivalent of our MAC and where they go to get fun eye shadows and fab false lashes.

I brought goodie bags of my Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Luminizing Face Primers and Mystical Mauve Natural Shine Lipglosses, which were snatched up by every Swedish gal at the event and they simply loved the products.

Seems we are on the same wavelength when it comes to natural beauty.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

One of my favorite looks this fall is the universal ethereal look that works on all women and really transcends seasons. This style of makeup can really hold its own against the stronger heavier trends we are seeing.

Think warm golds and bambi brown eye shadows on the eyes, and soft glowing peaches and pinks cheeks and lips. Think cream formulas to keep skin dewy and hydrated. A great way to get the skin radiant and ready for this angelic look is to start off with an oxygen treatment like the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energy Mask. This will get skin pink and perfect and after moisturizer, apply just a wisp of foundation.

Sweep on a shimmering light brown hue of cream shadow like Benefit Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow/Liner in Busy Signal across the lid and under the lower lashes and then finish with Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Natural Highlighter in Gold Luster which is a pale warm gold shade across the brow bone and on the inner corner of the eyes and on top of the cheekbones. Line the upper lash line with chocolate brown pencil and a healthy dose of brown/black mascara.

Swirl on a peachy pink cream blush like Kevyn Aucoin Beauty The Creamy Moist Glow in Nuelle to the apples of the cheeks and dust a light translucent loose powder over the skin to set. Last apply a sheer lip gloss in a light pinky peach shade like Milani Glitzy Glamour Gloss in Lady Like. This subtle look will be a soft and romantic alternative to the rocker eyes or bold lips of the moment.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

I am often asked what my own personal splurge/save beauty products are, what is really worth the extra money and what is just not. I find that for the most part, women can find everything they need at the drugstore, but a few hot items are definitely worth the ticket price.

To start off I always save when it comes to cleansing the skin. I have used Cetaphil Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin for years. My fabulous dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton started me on this cleanser and even though I have dry skin, this formula really cuts through makeup and dirt to keep my face squeaky clean.

My splurge skincare product is Crème De La Mer. Yes, I know this is really a splurge but it is the only cream that hydrates my dry skin and I can use it as an eye cream, so it becomes a 2-in-1 product. So in a way, I am stretching my dollar. Or at least, I like to tell myself that with around a $130 price tag.

I do splurge on my sunscreen as SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 is just the best and really blocks and protects me from sun damage. I love it because makeup can easily blend right over top of it. Many sunscreens don’t mix well with other cosmetics but this one even seems to give you an extra glow. When it comes to makeup, almost my entire routine consists of my drugstore brand Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy that can be found at drugstores like CVS. I developed this entire line so the quality is top shelf and the colors and textures are the best and truly fabulous. Everything is designed to my exact specifications and is so inexpensive it is amazing. The only thing I splurge on is the new cool tube technology mascara called Blinc Kiss Me Mascara available at Sephora. This stuff is awesome as it never smudges or runs, but washes off super easily with my Cetaphil.

My body lotion is custom made by me and is a combination of splurge and save products. I buy a big inexpensive jug of Eucerin lotion from the drugstore and then add a few drops of expensive perfumed oil I bought in Bora Bora and a squeeze of liquid shimmer from Make Up For Ever. I shake it all up and smell yummy, my skin glows and I stay moisturized.

When it comes to brushes I splurge on real hair brushes from Body and Soul Cosmetics. You want to buy real hair for eye shadow brushes, blush brushes and powder brushes and these are totally beautiful! I then save on synthetic brushes from the drugstore like Essence Of Beauty or EcoTools that are good for lips, brows and concealer. There is absolutely no need to blow your money on everything when you can get high quality at your corner drugstore.

That said, pamper yourself with a specialty product you just can’t live without. It is all about the balance.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

When the weather gets colder and there is a chill in the air your skin may become dry and dull. You can easily moisturize and luminize your complexion into flawless shape and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune or a trip to an expensive facialist. There are a few easy steps that are really inexpensive to ensure glowing dewy skin.

The first step is to create a smooth surface. A good facial scrub will help slough off dry skin, built up sebum and rough patches but there is no need to purchase a pricey exfoliant. Just lather up your face in your shower and use a handful of regular old white sugar to scrub in circular motions on your face. Your skin will be buffed and polished to a gorgeous shine. When you get out of the shower apply an inexpensive vitamin C serum you can purchase at your local health food store. This will help boost collagen and eliminate free radicals that cause skin to look dull and tarnished.

Next, apply a moisturizer that is rich enough to hydrate your skin. The best way to tell if your skin is getting the moisture it deserves is to apply it and wait about 5 minutes. If your skin feels tight, it is not moist enough so look for a heavier cream.

Now for the restoration of radiance! Apply about one pump of Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Luminizing Face Primer on the skin. This luscious serum will make the skin feel silky and the light reflecting particles will keep it glowing.

Now sweep on a liquid foundation to even out your skin tone. Liquid foundation is better in the fall and winter months because it is more hydrating. While the skin is still moist, apply a cream blush like Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Sheerest Cream Blush to the apples of the cheeks. The cream blush blends well into drier skin looking natural and alive and giving the skin a little boost. Finally, use a loose powder very sparingly. If you powder your skin too much it will look chalky and intensify dryness. Only slightly sweep it along the t-zone so the rest of your skin will take on a natural dewiness.

Your skin will look glowing and gorgeous even during the most brutal weather.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Me before my treatment.

I grew up in sunny southern California where there was a surf team in high school, weekend beach parties at the Huntington Beach Pier and lots and lots of suntan oil. Being tan was a way of life and the only ads my mother had seen for sun care were the ones with the Coppertone baby and the puppy pulling down her swimsuit to reveal a bad burn. Ouch!

If I only knew then what I know now there would have been a lot more umbrellas, hats and zinc oxide in my life. Over the years all that time spent in the sun seemed to creep up on me in the form of brown sunspots and melasma on the sides of my face and my chest.

I stopped tanning about 13 years ago and became a sunscreen fanatic, but the damage was already done and there are definitely days when I wish I could erase the history of those sunscreen-free days. After a skin cancer scare on my chest this year that turned out to be just a result of old sun damage, I decided to do something about it. I talked in length with my dermatologist, the amazing Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton in New York, on the treatments that were available to combat my existing sun damage before it became worse. She told me all about the C02 Laser Peel and the amazing way it cleared up the damaged skin and rejuvenated the surrounding tissue, allowing for a healthy clear complexion. I had read a bit about it in magazines and was interested in how it really worked and it’s quite fascinating. Crazy cool modern technology!

Getting the laser applied to my skin. Aren’t my goggles hot?

She explained to me that instead of one solid heavy-duty laser that zaps all the skin at once, the CO2 is done in a fractional grid of tiny pinpoint light beams that penetrate the skin in a pattern. It produces thousands of columns called microthermal treatment zones. This method protects the skin from enduring too much damage all at once because you have a large reservoir of healthy normal skin surrounding these zones, allowing you to heal very fast and have minimal side effects. The result is bye bye brown spots and hello pink baby skin. That said, the downtime is about 5 days and you must really be religious about sun protection going forward so the damage does not return.

I decided to go for it and wanted to share with you my C02 experience. When I arrived at her office on the day of the procedure, I was given a cocktail of Valium and painkillers and my face and chest were coated with numbing cream. Once that had set in and I was feeling mighty fine, I laid on a table and was given some not-so-chic eye protection. When the laser began I felt a hot sensation and actually smelled a little smoke, which was really freaky (I think that’s why they gave me the Valium)!

My skin the day after treatment. Ouch!

After the laser was completed, my face and chest were wrapped in wet gauze and I felt like a mummy. My skin was very hot like I had a really bad sunburn (ironic I know) and I became a bit woozy so they aimed a fan at my face and spritzed me with water to cool me off. After about 20 minutes the hot sensation subsided so she coated me with Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment and sent me home with care instructions.

The next morning I woke up feeling and looking like beef carpaccio with a flaky crust. An appetizing image I know, but that is exactly what it’s like and it does feel a little claustrophobic. It’s like a tight concrete mask was poured on your face overnight. I craved cold foods like mint chocolate chip ice cream and I washed a few times a day with gentle cleanser and sometimes mixed in a little vinegar to help cut through the thick Aquaphor ointment. After you pat your skin dry you have to slather the greasy Aquaphor back on, which feels heavy but is soothing and eliminates the tight feeling.

As the days went by, flakes of brown dead skin came off little by little revealing perfect, pink, baby skin underneath. It does get a bit itchy, which is a good sign that you are healing but make sure you do not scratch or pick. I took Benadryl, which eased the itch and also helped me sleep.

My pretty in pink new skin!

After about 6 days I went back in to see Dr. Ingleton and took a photo of the new me. The results were fantastic! The dark brown areas are gone and my skin looks radiant. I was still a bit pink in the chest at the time the photo was taken but that has since faded and my skin looks amazing — It was totally worth the week of being uncomfortable. I’ve been crazy about wearing hats and coat myself in SPF 45 sunscreen daily. I think that’s a small price to pay for the great results I got.

So what do you think, would you do the CO2 laser to get rid of sun damage?

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

For the many men and women who suffer from ruddiness or rosacea, every new flare-up can be a mini-nightmare for their skin. Fortunately there are a few quick and easy ways to tone the fire down and keep your skin looking even and neutralized.

To conceal red patches naturally, use yellow tinted powders and concealers — the lemony shade actually counteracts and softens the red. In the past, cosmetic companies have marketed green or lavender primers as a way of hiding the redness, but unless you are a master blender it may look a little funny on the skin. The easiest way to camouflage the red is with yellow.

Start off by applying your regular foundation and then dab on a bit of yellow tinted concealer on top of areas that are still prominently red. Finish off the skin with Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Truly Translucent Loose Powder in Neutralizer. This light yellow powder will keep your skin tone even and ruddy-free all day.

Stay away from blush because you already have it built in to the skin. If a little rosiness shines through on your cheeks, that’s actually ok because that’s now one step you can skip while getting ready in the morning. Bronzers are a no-no as well because they can add too much warmth to already red skin.

Focus instead on defining eyes and play with cool shades like taupe, grey, browns, blues, greens and plums. Opt for cooler shades on the lips as well — berries, pinks, pinky nudes and mauves are all good options. The cool shades on eyes and lips will help balance the face and won’t draw attention to your reddish undertones.

On the skin care front, always wash your face with cold water, stay out of saunas, apply sunscreen daily and stay away from red wine. All of these things can cause your skin to flare up, so keep away from the heat and opt for the cool instead! Remember, makeup can’t heal the redness, it can only help diminish it. If you have a severe case of rosacea, check with your dermatologist to see what medical treatments can be used to get it under control.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Hopefully this summer you are out and about enjoying the nice weather with a healthy, natural looking summer glow — one that is fake, of course. If you are still a bit confused about how to apply self-tanner without looking like a streaky pumpkin here are a few of my favorite tricks and tips.

The first and most important rule when applying self-tanner is to exfoliate before you do anything. Smooth skin will absorb the self-tanner in a nice even way and minimize the streak factor. Get into your shower and shave all the necessary bits. Now exfoliate the skin with a good scrub that contains granules that will help with the sloughing off of dead skin. I like anything with sugar in it like Neutrogena Sugar Scrub Energizing Citrus Body Exfoliator, but you could even use regular old white sugar straight from the box.

After the shower towel dry and skip the moisturizer. If you slather on moisturizer first it will make you a bit streaky, so skip it and go straight for the self-tanner. To avoid having dark tan areas where skin is thick and absorbs more of the tanner — knees, elbows and ankles — keep a wet washcloth handy. After you apply the self-tanner all over, use the washcloth to buff over these rougher areas. Scrub your hands with soap and sugar to get all of the self-tanner off and you won’t get those brown palms.

When applying it to the face, I like to use a non-latex sponge for an even application. Lightly buff the tanner all over the face and also into the hairline and over the ears so it look nice and even. Don’t get dressed for about one hour and try not to brush up against anything that will ruin the application. I would recommend sitting straight in a chair for at least 30 minutes maybe working on your computer so it has time to absorb evenly.

My new favorite self-tanner is the L’Occitane Castanha Self-Tanner Progressive Natural Tan. Made from the Brazilian castanha nut, it is a natural way to get an all over tan without the harsh chemicals and it never gives you that funky smell like other self-tanners.

If it’s a very light and subtle tan you want, try a two in one product. Apply a moisturizing self-tanner like Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. You will get hydration and a very light, streak-free color that you can build day by day.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

During those really hot and sticky summer days the last thing you want on your lips is a heavy coating of makeup. Lipstick can seem thick and heavy, glosses are sticky and tints make your mouth so dry.

That’s why in the summertime I always carry around a good lip balm in my bag — it makes sure my lips stay hydrated and feel soft, supple and totally comfortable, no matter how hot it is outside.

My new favorite lip balm is Nude Lips by Nude Skincare. This silky organic balm contains cupuacu and Tahitian vanilla monoi that melts into your lips when you rub them together. Shea butter, vitamin E and coconut oil keep your lip healthy and satiny smooth while giving them a pretty shine. I apply it at bedtime as well to replenish lost moisture overnight due to air conditioning.

If you’re looking for a balm that contains sunscreen try Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF 15 — it’s packed with 15 restorative oils that keeps your lips smooth and protected. I always have one of these rattling around in my beach bag.

If you demand total protection and want a full block balm try Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lip Balm with SPF 50. It’s as serious as it gets. No UV rays will get near your pucker!

If a hint of tint is what you desire try a tinted balm for a little touch of soft color. Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer has 13 pretty shades to choose from and is 100% natural so you can feel good wearing it while you look good!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

No matter how diligent we are at applying sunscreen, from time to time you may forget a spot or don’t reapply when you should. You won’t know what hit you until later in the day when you discover that you’ve fired yourself silly. OUCH!

If you’re red and crispy, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain and help the healing along. First, take an aspirin to eliminate some of the pain. Take a cold shower and try my home remedy for cooling skin down: mix cold water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz your bod. It may stink a bit but it will help your poor skin feel better. A milk or oatmeal bath can also help sooth the skin and tame the pain, but make sure to rinse off with cool clean water when your done.

Do not rub on moisturizer or any type of petroleum-based salves — slather yourself in aloe vera gel instead. It may be a bit sticky but this is the best way to start the healing process.

If your face is red and you need to go out and face people there are a few tricks to conceal the lobster effect. Begin with a light layer of aloe lotion like Mario Badescu Aloe Lotion, then lightly stipple on a very soothing liquid foundation like Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Your Skin Foundation. Powder the skin with a yellow tinted loose powder that will help counteract the redness.

Stay away from any blush or bronzers and keep makeup minimal. A little dark brown, black or navy eyeliner and black mascara will make your eyes pop. Apply a cool toned lipstick to balance out the raging redness. Now look at yourself in the mirror and SWEAR you will never let this happen again!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from women is “how to I get rid of my under eye bags, darkness, puffiness and dryness?” I have been on a quest to get rid of these myself as I suffer from the dryness and the darkness from time to time.

The most common mistake most women make is they goop on concealer, creating a cakey, creasy mess that winds up making the area look worse! Here are some of my tried and true problem-solvers

If puffiness is your issue I highly recommend Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask. These individual packets of liquid and pads are perfect for brightening, de-puffing and hydrating the delicate skin under the eyes. I like to stick them in the refrigerator first before applying — the cold factor speeds up the de-puffing process.

If darkness is an issue try a cream that contains vitamin K, which helps diminish the darkness. I like Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue.

For fine lines try Remède Wrinkle Therapy Eye Baume. It firms, illuminates and nourishes the delicate eye area all at the same time.

My personal favorite eye cream is SkinMedica TNS Night Eye Repair. My skin gets really dry, especially under my eyes, and this helps bring back the moisture and rejuvenate the skin.

If you want to conceal the area with makeup, try my Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy All Over Brightener. This light pink concealer bounces light off the skin, creating a fresh, light, well-rested look that doesn’t settle into fine lines. It is the ultimate concealer for fair to medium skin tones.

If you’re a bit darker try my Fast Fix Concealer in Medium or Medium/Deep shades. If you have a really dark skin tone, use the Dark shade. Just lightly tap the product under the eyes and you will never look caked up — just smooth, bright and refreshed.

Kiss your eye issues good bye!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

There’s nothing like a little time in the great outdoors to
refresh your mind and body!

This time of year the weather is perfect for a hiking and camping trip. Even if you are being a rough and tumble outdoorsy chick, you can still look good in the woods! You just need a few specific things to throw in your backpack to keep you looking cute and help you stay protected from the elements.

The first thing you should pack is a great sunscreen. You need to apply it to the skin, no matter if the sun is shining or not. Even in overcast conditions you can get burned — the sun’s rays can penetrate through even the thickest, gloomiest clouds. Pack the Kinesys Travel Size SPF 30+ Sunscreen, it’s the perfect tiny size, so you don’t have to worry about lugging big, heavy tubes in your pack.

You’ll also want to bring along a small sheer concealer — it can keep unsightly redness away and is a way better option than a whole face full of foundation. Try Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Fast Fix Concealer. Just dab on around the nose and areas where you may get a little red.

Keep your eyes defined with a smudge-free mascara on the top lashes only. Cheeks will be flushed from your hike and the brisk outdoor weather, so no need for blush. You lips however will need a little help. Throw a tinted lip balm in a zipper pocket in your pack for a bit of shimmering color and moisturization when you need it. I like Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer, which is the perfect pretty balm.

Lastly, don’t forget bug spray to keep those pesky biting insects away. Please choose a DEET-free spray to keep yourself safe. I like Aubrey Organics Gone Safe & Natural Outdoor Spray SPF 10, because it’s safe and it also contains a little extra sunscreen for your protection.

With just these few simple products, you’ll look great without having to wear a ton of products. Have fun out there and look out for bears!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.