by Alexandra Pauline – January 30, 2012

Cheap Tricks for Healthy Skin

As the dry winter weather wreaks havoc on our delicate skin, there’s no need to overpay for skincare products whose ingredient list you can’t even pronounce.  Check out these Fab & Fru tips to keep your skin happy, healthy and winter ready the au naturel way!

Moisturize Naturally

Homemade Masks

There’s nothing better than a cool face mask to refresh your skin.  No need to spend your cash on expensive lotions or store bought products because everything you need for an amazing face mask can be found right in your own kitchen!  Celebrity stylist Sherri Jessee said, “A great way to keep dry winter skin at bay is by mixing one egg with Greek yogurt.  After your mixture is made apply it straight to your face and leave it on for five minutes and then rinse and pat your face dry.” (And for goodness sake, take the same precautions you would when cooking – don’t eat the raw egg, and make sure you wash your hands well to avoid the remote risk of salmonella!)

Sweet Exfoliation

To help keep your skin soft and glowing, it’s important to exfoliate your skin once a week.  If you’re in the mood for something sweeter, good old sugar is an excellent exfoliant!  The rough texture gently scrubs away dry skin and helps clear pores.  To create this sweet smelling scrub, take an equal amount of olive oil, white sugar and brown sugar, and then add 6 drops of vanilla extract.  Massage the mixture right onto your face in gentle circular motions and soak in the beautiful aromas while you exfoliate!

Recycle Your Coffee Grinds

Looking for another deep cleaning face and body scrub that will leave your skin silky soft plus smooth & lighten rough skin on your elbows?  Concoct your own inexpensive coffee exfoliant!  Just take your morning coffee grinds and mix in a tablespoon of lemon juice.  It’s a little messy when you apply the scrub, but you’ll be shocked at how good your skin looks & feels! (Steph and Brandi SWEAR by this one – one try and you will be hooked…)

By Megan Segura – August 31, 2011

Beauty Trends for Fall 2011

Some people go to fashion shows to see the clothes, while others wait to see what makeup and hair trends will be making an appearance on the catwalk.  Like the clothes, beauty trends are always slightly exaggerated on the models for theatrics, but the statement they make sets the interpretative stage for what’s hot – and what’s not…

The Power of the Understated

The first word that comes to mind when looking at the Fall 2011 shows – save a red lip here and there – is UNDERSTATED. For the most part, hair was kept simple and away from the face (who knew low ponytails were so fashion forward?) and makeup was rarely over-the-top.

Raising An Eyebrow or Two

They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, but this season, the eyebrows are getting all the attention! Anorexic eyebrows got beefed up for the Alexander Wang and Burberry shows. Makeup artist Gucci Westman used Revlon’s Brow Fantasy to make the models’ brows pop for the Oscar de la Renta runway. The pencil end of the wand is used to fill in the hairs, and the colored gel makes sure everything is groomed and stays in place.

If you try this look at home, remember to keep the rest of your makeup pretty neutral. Pairing a strong brow with dark lipstick and blush can result in a look that is more clown than couture!

Metallics Everywhere

Backstage at Roberto Cavalli, models’ eyes were lined with thick black liner before a deep bronze shadow was applied. Makeup artists at Chanel skipped eyeliner and swept a silver metallic shadow over the models’ lids – the result being more ethereal than intense.

To achieve this look, try Lancome Color Design Eye Shadow in Bikini Gold. The sandy color gives eyes a golden shimmer.

By Megan Segura – July 21, 2011

Being Pretty Isn’t Cheap

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good beauty product. From the $2 nail polish at the drug store to the $100 face cream at the Bloomingdale’s makeup counter, I want it all. Each pretty tube and jar seems to hold a promise that this will be the product that changes my life.

Although it’s healthier than, say, crack, my addiction to beauty products is just as intense – and certainly NOT Fab & Fru! Until now, that is… There’s a new company in town that will have you asking, “Where have you been all my life?”

The Beginning of Birchbox

Birchbox is the brainchild of Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp, two Harvard MBA grads. In the simplest of terms: It’s the Netflix for beauty products. Each month, a small box arrives in the mail containing sample sizes of the latest products to hit the market.  A reasonable payment of just $10 each month keeps the boxes coming.

Why It Will Save You Money in the End

How often do you buy something only to be disappointed by it? Maybe a shade of lipstick didn’t look particularly flattering or a brand of body butter wasn’t quite as moisturizing as it advertised. Now you can sample all of those products you’ve been eying in stores for without wasting big bucks on a product you’ll never use.

My Personal Experience

I, myself, am a Birchbox subscriber going on three months, and I haven’t been disappointed yet!  Since you never know what products will be delivered, I was a bit hesitant to sign up for the service.  I have extremely fair skin that is easily irritated, and I was worried I be sent a bunch of samples that I wouldn’t be able to use.   But these ladies know what they’re doing. -Did I mention they went to Harvard?

When you first sign up, you answer a list of questions about your skin and hair type. If you’re fair, you’re not going to be sent makeup made for women with Jersey Shore skin tones, and women with curly hair won’t be sent products made for straight hair ladies.

What’s Inside the Box?

My first box was a mixed bag…  It contained a bottle of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion before it even hit stores.  I also received Herban Essentials Towelettes, Xen-Tan Face Tanner Luxe, Kate Spade’s perfume Twirl and a bronzing powder. While I really loved some of the items in that particular box, I wasn’t thrilled with all of them. But the point of Birchbox isn’t for you to like every product that you’re sent. The entire purpose is for you to test out new products yourself and decide if they’re worth the spend.

It Gets Even Better

Let’s say you do love one of the items in your box so much so that you want to buy the full-size version. Instead of going to a store, you can just go to the Birchbox’s site to order it. You can even use your loyalty points to get money discounted off the item!

by Brandi Savitt – May 19, 2011

How Sun Lovers Should Protect Their Skin

Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer, a rite of passage that includes BBQ’s, swimming and sunburns!  The first two are tons of fun, but the third – not so much.  That’s why it’s super important to learn how to buy the right sunscreen – and how to ensure a high quality product without spending a fortune!

The Cause of Sun Damage

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a single overexposure to sunlight can result in painful sunburned skin.  To make matters worse, a bad burn when you’re young can lead to serious consequences later in life .  (Wish I had thought about this when we were slathering baby oil over ourselves in the 80s!) Long-term overexposure can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, freckles, age spots, dilated blood vessels, and changes in the texture of the skin that makes skin look older - and none of us want that!

What are UVA & UVB Anyway?

The invisible rays, known as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), cause most of these problems, including suntan, sunburn and sun damage.  There is no “safe” ultraviolet (UV) light, and there is no such thing as a safe tan. UVB radiation affects the outer most layer of the skin and can’t penetrate through glass, but UVA rays affect the skin at a much deeper level, penetrate through glass, and can cause damage all year round.

Picking the Right Sunscreen

You want buy a sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.  According to Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields who are co-developers of Rodan + Fields Dermatologists, and the well known Proactive line, there are two kinds of sunscreen blockers that can protect you from UV rays: physical and chemical.

Physical Blockers

Physical blockers include ingredients like zinc oxide, (remember that white paste lifeguards used to wear on their noses?) and do exactly what their name implies.  They block or reflect the UV rays back out into the environment.  The problems with zinc is that it’s white and not a very good look for any of us, it gets everywhere and can ruin your clothes.  But luckily, technology is constantly advancing and there are better, more transparent forms of zinc on the market today.

Chemical Blockers

Chemical blockers are the latest technology and both doctors feel they are the future.  Chemical blockers include ingredients like avobenzone (Parsol® 1789) or Mexoryl®), and when combined with zinc oxide offer the best protection against UVA rays.

by Stephanie Berenbaum – May 4, 2011

Just What The Doctor Ordered

When I was visiting my sister recently, I noticed that she uses Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Magic Soap for everything from bathing the kids to cleaning the counters.  I’ve always passed over this product in the store aisles because of it’s unusual packaging – I wasn’t really sure what to make of it.  But I just had to see what had my sister was so hooked.  So, I lathered up in the shower and became an instant convert!

The ‘Write’ Stuff

You may not know it by name, but I am sure you have seen Dr. Bronner’s distinctive bottles at some point or another and wondered what kind of crazy potion must be inside?  The labels seem nondescript at first glance but are completely covered in tiny writings of a spiritual nature – at first I found the packaging so distracting I wasn’t even sure what the product inside was. Well, the crazy thing is, this little bottle that I have been ignoring all these years is actually a fantastically Fab & Fru Certified Organic and Fair Trade product!

Penny Pinching and Pure

Soap is supposed to be clean, right? But have you ever taken a chance to look at all the synthetic chemicals and additives in many of the body washes and soaps we buy today?  I’ve become more and more concerned with what toxic ingredients might be left behind after we ‘clean’ ourselves. Which is why I was thrilled to learn about how truly all-natural and organic Dr. Bronner’s products are!

Ingredients used: A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin silky-smooth and refreshed.

What Does Castile Soap Mean Anyway?

According to the company, “Our soaps are 100% true pure-castile soaps. The high foaming lather of our soaps is from their high coconut oil content, which makes a more luxurious and rich lather than any detergent can ever create. Pure-Castile is your guarantee that what you are using is a real ecological and simple soap, not a complex blend of detergents with a higher ecological impact due to slower biodegradability and waste created during manufacturing. Unfortunately, many synthetic detergent blends are deceptively labeled as ‘Liquid Soap’ even when they contain absolutely no soap whatsoever.”  Who knew?

Whole Foods Premimum Stamp of Approval

In addition, I checked at my local Whole Foods and the Dr. Bronner’s liquid soaps had actually earned their Premium Body Care label – their highest standard of care.

Contributed by LearnVest

From food to clothing to beauty products, everyone we know is going organic. While the all-natural aspect is admittedly enticing, though, we’re a bit put off by the hefty price tags. There are lots of nuances when it comes to organic food (for instance, buy organic apples but don’t bother for bananas). So we ask: What about the other stuff? Is it worth the extra cost? When it comes to organic makeup, the answer is yes.

A People’s History Of Organic Beauty Products.

To start, make sure that products boasted as organic actually are organic; check for the USDA certified organic seal. There are four different categories:

To read on, go to LearnVest!

Follow LearnVest on Twitter @LearnVest! Follow Fab & Fru on Twitter@FabandFrugal!

by Brandi Savitt – October 14, 2010

How Much Is Your Face Worth?

I must admit, I have always frowned upon (no pun intended) the idea of any plastic surgery related procedure being used to reverse the signs of aging.  Perhaps it’s because until only recently have I looked in the mirror and thought “Wow! That looks different”.  Or maybe I’m still hoping that a good moisturizer, drinking lots of water and eating well will ease me into aging gracefully…?

But let’s face it: for many women, the fear of aging and the desire to reverse the lines of time is a constant personal & societal struggle.  Botox has become the gateway drug for even the youngest seekers of youth (think Kim Kardashian’s You Tube injections).  So, how much does this nonsurgical wrinkle reducer cost?  How often do you have to get treatments?  And most importantly, what are the risks?!

Get a Consultation First!

Before you decide to spend a dime and risk your health getting Botox, you should consult your dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon or an experienced and qualified physician at a cosmetic treatment center to see if you are a candidate — or if there is a better treatment for the results you desire.  Depending on the types of wrinkles you are trying to reduce, your medical history, the medications you take and of course what you can afford, your doctor can help determine if the procedure is right for you!  Keep in mind- there are potentially serious risks when getting Botox or similar injections.  It is of the utmost importance for you to do your homework and consult your doctor first!

Botox® & Dysport™

We’ve all heard of Botox, but Dysport is a similar drug that is also an injection made from the toxin that causes a type of food poisoning called botulism.  Yes, botulism! When either of these drugs are injected into a muscle, the toxin blocks the nerve impulses that would normally cause that muscle to contract. If done successfully, the temporary paralysis or reduction of muscle contractions in the treated area makes the skin appear smoother.

What’s the Difference Between the Two?

Dypsort has less marketing hoopla than the famed Botox, but they are said to produce similar results.  Dysport is made from a different strand of the same toxin and claims that the effects last longer than Botox.  Because it is less well known, it is also cheaper!

Botox is Best for…

The types of facial lines that respond best to Botox or Dysport treatments are those wrinkles that appear most when we make certain facial expressions – especially those activated during frowning or squinting.  Frown lines between the brows, forehead furrows, and ‘crows feet’ (that appear around the eyes) are the areas most often treated.   Although Botox & Dysport  are often injected into the lower half of the face, it is very controversial due to risk of damaging important facial nerves.

The Benefits

If administered by a skilled technician, Botox and Dysport are relatively safe, non-invasive procedures that can help to temporarily erase wrinkles and yield very natural looking results for 3-6 months.   Many women experience a great boost in self confidence after receiving treatment.   If your frown lines give you a tired, sad, or angry appearance, you will most likely be quite pleased with the outcome of your procedure!   –These drugs are also often used to successfully treat non-cosmetic problems including: migraine headaches, chronic muscles spasms, and excessive sweating.

by Kathy Pape – September 27, 2010

Let Your Face Say It All

Spring is considered the season of new beginnings, but if you’ve ever read Vogue’s September issue, you know fall is the time of year that women re-invent themselves!  Maybe it stems from our training at an early age to start the new school year off with a new look, but I find myself struggling to resist the urge to shop every chance I get- even though my budget screams noway sister!

After wearing the same color eye shadow every day for the past 5-years, I got to thinking- what better way to refresh my style than to focus on beauty!  Even Allure magazine just announced their Best of Beauty 2010!

Let’s face it, makeup is one of the most Fab & Fru ways to change your look. Studies show that lipstick sales soar during recessions, and there’s nothing like a new eye shadow to brighten your day.  So, this year I’m skipping the expensive boots (or trying to) and heading to the makeup counter instead!

The 80’s are Back

Lace is everywhere this fall and it reminds me of Madonna.  So, imagine my surprise when I saw that the Material Girl has just launched a clothing line at Macy’s!  Since makeup trends always follow clothing trends, get ready to break out the jelly bracelets and blue eye shadow…

Eyes Shadows– If you can’t bring yourself to buy electric blue eye shadow, don’t worry- the next best and IN thing is purple.  Purple hues are extremely popular because they compliment brown, blue and green eyes!   I switched from brown to purple last spring and couldn’t be happier.

Makeup artists tell us that the brighter the better this season. Vibrant eye shadows in purples, greens and fuchsias can create a dazzling, dramatic effect that reminds us not only of Madonna, but also of the 80’s hair bands we loved!   Go bold or more subtle depending on your personal style.

Your local drugstore brands are a great inexpensive way to test out new make-up colors. Also, check out the higher end brand Urban Decay if you want to have a little fun with unusual bright colors.  And E.I.F is a solid online brand that is fantastically affordable if you want to experiment with the trends!

Eyeliner- is also huge this fall!  And according to makeup artist Courtney Hart, the hot look is the grunge eye- think Madonna’s eyes in the “Like A Virgin” video. It’s meant to look messy and undefined.  This is great news for me because I am horrible at applying eyeliner!

Courtney says to actually line your eyes with a kohl colored pencil and smudge it onto your lid with a small shadow brush. This is a great look with colors like slate grays and medium browns!

Eye Brows –Full, defined bold eyebrows, like Brooke Shields from her Jordache Jeans days, are all the rage this fall.  Just take a look at the brows of Kim Kardashian, Beyonce and Lea Michelle!

I guess this means we can all save money on waxing & threading and just stick to our basic tweezers to keep them groomed? The full brow look is so hip that a new product launched at Saks called Neuveau Brow- which you apply at night to help your brows grow if you’ve plucked, waxed or threaded them so much they won’t grow back.  It’s pricey at $100 so consider investing in an eyebrow pencil or brow gel to get a defined look for a lot less!

by Stephanie Berenbaum – June 28, 2010

Retro Beauty Tips That Will Turn Back Time

Last weekend I went back home to visit my parents, so of course we pulled out the old family photos and took a walk down memory lane.  I had just opened up the first album when a yellowed newspaper clipping fell out and  floated onto the floor.  Wouldn’t you know it was a ‘look like a million for less’ newspaper clipping — from 1979!  My mom must have cut it out – I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  As I read through it, I couldn’t help but laugh at all of the handy tips for using electric rollers…but the article actually also had a bunch of smart & simple beauty suggestions that are still relevant — over thirty years later.  It doesn’t have to be new to be Fab & Fru!

Highlights from Jon Goodman’s column,”Wonderful You”, Chicago Sun-Times, 10/17/1979!

-Yes, a man wrote this popular column for women!

• Use safflower oil to remove eye makeup — has anyone ever tried this? I am willing to give it a go…
• Perk up blond hair by rinsing it with Chamomile Tea!
• A homemade nail strengthener – brush nails with a mix of baking soda and water and leave on over night (seems a bit messy, wouldn’t you think?)
• Condition eyelashes with vegetable oil to make them glossier and prettier (would this be irritating to the eyes? anyone?)
• Look in the refrigerator for beauty treatments — Jon mentions that some models use yogurt to cleanse their faces instead of soap? He also suggests mixing one tablespoon avocado with a little oatmeal for a fresh facial mask.
• Also noted – emery boards are cheaper than metal files, and much more effective!
• Recycle products (Jon was ahead of his time!) he suggests using flat beer as a good ‘setting’ lotion.  Of course I was not sure what setting lotion was until I read the next tip about ….
• Losing the hot rollers! Instead of buying expensive electric rollers, revive your sagging hairdo in the tub! Apparently, you can just roll your dry hair with regular rollers before climbing in the bath (presumably your Calgon bath – this was the late 70s, after all) and let the steam “work your set”.  This Fab & Fru advice actually made me wish I had a set to work!

Have fun trying out these retro beauty ideas.  And let us know ALL of your TIMELESS beauty secrets from the 70s, 8os and beyond.  What comes around ALWAYS goes around!

Is the Clarisonic Facial Brush Worth the Splurge?

Here at Fab & Fru we realize that quality can definitely be worth paying up for!  We just don’t want to spend our hard earned dollars on products that aren’t worth it.  Every time I turn on the TV, open a magazine or one of the ten zillion catalogs that I am sent, I admit it – I am tempted.  Most items I forget about within a few minutes, but sometimes one sticks with me long enough that I think it is probably worth investigating. So, readers, I am asking you to help me do just that!  This new “Worth It…Or A Waste?” feature gives YOU the chance to chime in and give your opinion if you’ve tried – or even heard anything about – the product we are discussing.  It’s a great way we can all help each other know when a purchase is worth it … or not!

So, the product in question today is: The Clarisonic Facial Cleansing Brush.  I am constantly on the hunt for something that will really cleanse and purify my skin….but at the hefty price tag of almost $200 could it really be worth it?

The Clarisonic cleansing brush uses the same technology as sonic toothbrushes.  The sonic wave technology  claims to remove make-up 6 times more effectively than traditional washing!  They claim their ultra-effective cleansing allows your products to penetrate further and work more effectively.  I have to admit, anything that can claim to clean the smog of L.A. from my pores is appealing to me!

I mentioned to Brandi that I had been wondering if an investment in a Clarisonic was worth it.  Much to my surprise, she told me she already owned one!  Brandi’s opinion was that she liked it quite a bit – but wasn’t over the moon.  She had received the Clarisonic as a gift, and while she uses it sometimes, she’s not convinced that she would have spent $200 of her own money on it.  After all, she said washing your face with an old-fashioned washcloth in a circular motion gives her the same results…

What do YOU think? Anyone else out there tried it? Despite Brandi’s lukewarm appraisal, I am still tempted by the thought of the spinning bristles working magic and gently exfoliating my skin — and of course the lure of the “younger and smoother” skin Clarisonic touts on their website. Should I buy it? What do you think  is the Clarisonic worth it … or a waste?