Redbook September 2014

Jumping - just jumping - can help decrease your risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life, a new study says. All it takes is 10 jumps twice a day, but you can’t do them in a quickie row: space 30 seconds apart. In between, do an arm move… or take a deep breath and feel virtuous.

3 Rules for Vacation Eating

1. I will stick to my regular mealtimes. That’ll help keep your metabolism humming and stop you from getting so ravenous that you end up inhaling that family size platter of cheesy fries.
2. I will eat one salad a day without extra dressing or cheese. Not every meal has to be virtuous, but a daily bowl of veggies and greens guarantees you’ll get some nutrition - and leaves a little room for fun stuff.
3. I will split dessert. The first few forkfuls taste the best anyways: according to Cornell research, we’re usually satisfied with a smaller portion than we think we’ll need to calm a sugary craving.

Pickle, quickly - You don’t have to be frontier woman or culinary genius to pickle 2 pounds of produce. Combine 3 cups white vinegar, 1.5 cups of water, ¾ cup sugar, 3 tbsp pickling spice, 1 tbsp peppercorn, and 2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1 jalapeno and 4 dill sprigs. Pour over your fave veggies or fruit, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Redbook June 2014

How to Get Ready in 5 Minutes -

1. Start with a creamy concealer stick. Swipe it half an inch under your eyes from corner to corner [if you do it right at the lashes, it can look heavy]; tap with your ring finger to blend. Pat it on any redness or spots, too. This alone will brighten your whole face.

2. Even out your skin tone. Dust a powder foundation all over your face with a big, fluffy brush. It’ll give you flawless coverage that won’t cake or look heavy.

3. Sweep on blush - swish a rosy or soft peach cream blush first on your apples, then back along your cheekbones. You can apply with your fingers, but a blush brush helps the color go on more evenly.

4. Add mascara - smush the brush into the base of your lashes, then bring it in toward your nose as you pull up to the tips, wiggling a bit as you go. That - and filling in any sparse areas on your brows with a pencil - wakes you right up.

5. Swipe on a sheer pink gloss - it makes your lips look lsh - and you don’t even need a mirror to put it  on.

To make any lipstick last hours swipe it on as usual, then finger dab a bit of plain of powder blush on top of it. To add sheen, use a shimmery blush or a highlighter instead.

To do a quickie facial - chop up two cucumbers and toss them in a blender with a handful of ice; whip to a puree texture. Pour out the mix, add a few drops of peppermint oil, and spread it  on your face.

A good body scrub - mix two scoops of coconut oil [microwave it first to soften it] with twice as much sugar and lemon peel. Rub it on and then wash off.

Redbook May 2014

Give Yourself a Facial

Deep Clean Your Skin

Massage a rich cleansing milk into your skin using your fingertips, rubbing upward in circular motions. Cover your face with a warm, damp towel for two minutes just one for sensitive skin and gently press it in. This is a better alternative than steaming, which can dry out skin. To loosen clogged pores use two damp washcloths one in each to gently press  along the sides of blackheads, wiggling the skin to free them. Leave red pimples alone. Rinse off with warm water never hot and a washcloth, which helps remove every trace of cleanser.

Exfoliate Gently

Use a creamy scrub with beads or make your own by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice. Their citric acid dissolves dead skin. Dab on the scrub, then lightly roll your fingertips all around your face. Do this for two minutes, spending at least one minute on your T-zone.  Wash with cool water, which helps constrict capillaries so you won’t look red afterward.

Do a smoothing face mask

Brush on your mask using a makeup fan brush to get a nice even layer. Just avoid the eye area. Let it sit on your skin for at least 20 minutes and up to an hour then take it off with a  facial wipe or a damp washcloth. Rinsing with water can wash away a mask’s benefits. Pat on your regular night cream while your skin is still damp to seal in hydration.

Pack a beauty emergency kit [multi use products]

1. Hand cream - it is surprisingly good on hair: rub a drop on your palms, then graze them over any renegade bits of frizz. Or use a teeny dab to add piecey-ness to smooth dry ends.

2. Stick Sunscreen - use it to soften cuticles

3. Concealer - concealer works just as well as foundation. Plus, pat on a bit before you apply shadow or lipstick - it’ll give them longer staying power.

4. Thermal spring water spray - mist it on limp curls or waves to renew their bounce.

5. Mascara - it can be used as eyeliner in a pinch and cover grays for brunettes.

6. Translucent face powder - use it like dry shampoo, sweeping it on roots to sop up oil and add volume. You can also brush it over lipstick between coats help the color stay put.

7. Visine - the drops constrict blood  vessels, so dot a little on broken capillaries or a pimple to bring down redness fast.

8. Sheer lipstick - it can also be used for blush

9. Vaseline - to touch up crunchy mascara, rub a dab of the balm on fingertips, then glide them over your lashes to make make fresh mascara go on smooth.

Redbook September 2013

Beauty Under $25

Sephora Collection Black Magic Makeup Palette

Earth Therapeutics Rejuvenal C Oranges

Butter London Wink Cream Eyeshadow in Inky Six

Klorane Shampoo with Peony

Clark’s Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint in Carlotta Pink

L’Occitane Verbena Shower Gel

The Honest Company Organic Lip Balm Trio

Here is a DIY treatment to cut down on brassiness. Steep two bags of chamomile tea in warm water. Pour over damp hair, leave for 10 minutes, then shampoo out.

If you go overboard with powder, pat a bit of moisturizer onto your face with your palms. Skin will look fresh again without having to start from scratch.

Smelling the roses helps chill you out. Take a whiff or something rose scented. Rose is a comforting francance  - it’s like  getting a loving hug.

Face cream can reduce stretch marks. A cool fact about retinol, an ingredient we already love in anti-agers. If you rub it on new stretch marks nightly, it may help smooth them and fade their color somewhat.

Sugar will de-frizz your hair. On those days when you’re out and about and you realize your hair is a fuzzy mess, mix a packet of sugar with a cup of water, pour a bit into your palms, then run hands over any areas of frizz.

Be a Print & Color Master

1. If you’re not adventurous, start out small by making an accessory one of the contrasting pieces - like pairing  animal print shoes with a plaid skirt. It’ll add interest, but you’ll still feel confident enough to leave your house.

2. Mixing two big prints is overwhelming. It’s best to go with a large one and something micro. The eye is drawn to the big print, then pleasantly surprised by the smaller one.

3. Stay away from pairing that are holiday or season specific, like green and red, orange and black, or red, white, and blue. Unless looking campy floats your boat - then go for it.