Summer is almost here and the warm weather is already enticing us to leave our homes and head to the beach. This means that many tanning salons are completely booked for the next month or so. For women, and even some men, it’s crucial to have that “base tan” before heading out in barely-there attire to the beach.

However, with the increase in risk of skin cancer, you may want to rethink the tanning bed.For about a year, I was an avid tanner. I went to the tanning salon about three times a week to get a good “base tan” and then cut back to once a week to maintain my new look. Being of medium skin tone made this process a lot easier.

Then I started to hear about all the risks of skin cancer that could be caused by my beloved tanning beds. Like many others, I was not aware of just how harmful these bulbs really are. In fact, the rays emitted from the tanning beds could be more harmful to the skin than the sun’s rays.

Think about this: The light bulbs have to give off enough energy to tan your skin in 20 minutes, yet it takes a couple of hours to get the same effect from the sun. Yikes! More »

(Sarah, Elana, Denice and Leeann at the PlasticSurgery.com booth)

Part of my job at PlasticSurgery.com (and Beauty Chat) is to attend two of our largest convention shows each year. I just recently attended the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) in San Diego, California. My duties, while at the show, entail helping out our sales team and aiding in the promotion of our fabulous company. More »

How many times have you happily traveled to your local beauty salon to get your nails done, only to be disappointed by a poorly applied coat of polish that easily chips away? If you’re like me, plenty of times!

In my quest to find an alternative to paying a manicurist for a less-than satisfactory result, I came across French Tip Dip. Ladies, let me tell you, after trying this product myself I assure you that this polish system works!

Created in 2004 by April Baxter, who also developed Innovative Beauty Inc. (which produces bubblegum scented polish remover) at the same time, French Tip Dip is a reliable way to attain a beautiful set of nails. More »

Congrats to our blogger friend, Beauty Tyrant, who was selected to win our Original Bombshell prize! Just in time for the approaching summer, this lucky lady will receive a “Love at First Light” SPF 30 daily moisturizer — perfect for preserving skin from damaging sunrays.

Want to win fab freebies for yourself? Be sure to enter Beauty Chat’s contests!

Today I am sharing my new obsession: toe rings. I had never tried toe rings before because I could never find one that fit quite right. Well I have now, and I am hooked! Being the resident Beauty Chat pedi snob, I have to share anything that makes my feet cute! I am always looking for new and exciting things that provide a sort of non-invasive “foot facelift.”

I located this company called Barefoot Bling (cute name, huh?), which specialize in custom-fitted toe rings. I immediately added them as a friend on myspace before going to their main Web site. After looking through many cute rings, I contact the company’s owner, Amy.

More »

Keep visiting Beauty Chat for the latest in skincare, plastic surgery, seasonal fashion trends, hair care, and well…beauty!

Lots in store from all of us, so be sure to subscribe for the latest.