Makeup is a huge passion of mine, from clean and simple, to glam and gorgeous. If there’s a new makeup product out there, I’m all over it! Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the Makeup Primer by Reviva Labs. Having oily/combination skin, I have to admit I was a little weary about putting anything on my face that could potentially worsen the oily look. However, this vitamin-enriched product goes on silky smooth and even helps to control oil.

The Makeup Primer can be applied over your facial moisturizer or straight on your skin. I use only one pump’s worth all over my face and neck, over moisturizer. Because I only use concealer and powder foundation,  I let it set in for a few minutes before I start putting on my makeup. This helps my skin become smooth and silky, a perfect palette for me to work on (makeup application is definitely an art!). I also noticed that I don’t have to do a “shine check” half way through the day anymore, the primer has it under control. This product is also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores!

It has been a great addition to my makeup kit and would definitely recommend it to any other makeup lovers out there. Check out the Reviva Labs website to order your bottle of Makeup Primer, and see if their other products could work for you too.

Photo Credit: Reviva Labs

Hello, fabulous Beauty Chat readers! Along with being an editor/contributor to this wonderful site, I am also an editor and writer for iEnhance.com (another website in our network). Many of those who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery often look to personal accounts when researching their procedures, which is why we would love to hear from you. We are constantly looking for inspiring stories from real people just like you who have had an enhancement procedure – cosmetic plastic surgery, skin care treatment, or cosmetic dentistry procedure. Here are a couple of examples of some recent stories: Jana’s Story and Elease’s Story.

If you would like to share your experience with a procedure you underwent, please feel free to contact me!

As some of you may know, Beauty Chat is part of a network of websites dedicated to helping our readers look and feel good – from the inside, out. As we continue to grow and add more informative content for our readers, we are proud to announce the launch of the redesigned iEnhance.com!

Head on over and check out the new look, along with new articles and stories from real patients.

Also, be sure to “Like” the iEnhance.com page on Facebook to be entered to win a gift basket filled with lots of beauty goodies!

Here are some of the products featured in the giveaway:

• Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals – Face Finishing Moisturizer
• blow – Damage Control Restoratice Hair Mask
• ViDerm – Complete Control
• Invicible Scars – Advanced Scar Therapy
• Sejaa Pure Skin Care – Day Cream, Night Cream, Mud Treatment

Good luck!

Most women dream about their wedding day from a very early age… They  plan out every detail of the event, from the dress to the food to the honeymoon location. Not surprisingly,  brides-to-be  head to their local gym before their big day in an  These all sound pretty standard, right? Well, here’s a new trend – plastic surgery to be  for  the “perfect bride.”

From breast augmentation to nose surgery, many of today’s brides are seeking more dramatic enhancements. And now there’s a new show that will be focused on this emerging generation of brides, “Bridalplasty” on E! Starting November 28th, a group of 12 women will be competing to win free cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and other wedding prizes. 

So it goes like this: Before they can start their competition, each bride meets  with Dr. Terry Dubrow – who was also the go-to doctor on “The Swan” – to go over her personalized wish list of procedures.

After their consultation,  they will  have a better idea of what their new body could look like if they win.

In addition to their new look, the lucky bride who wins it all will also get the wedding of her dreams. Here is where the twist comes in – the bride will finally reveal her new look to the groom at the wedding. And don’t worry, the big unveiling will all be caught on camera for our viewing pleasure.

Will you be tuning to watch these brides battle it out for a new appearance and dream wedding?

Photo Credit: She Radiance

Last week, MSN released a list of the “20 Best Celebrity Rumps” with none other than Kim Kardashian coming in at number one. Not long ago, women all over the country were doing all that they could to minimize this particular feature – diet, exercise, and even surgery. Now, with the likes of Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Shakira being so comfortable in their curvy figures, it seems that many women’s views have shifted.

Here are the Top 10:

• Kim Kardashian
• Jennifer Lopez
• Beyonce
• Jessica Biel
• Lady Gaga
• Shakira
• Rihanna
• Sofia Vergara
• Katy Perry
• Jessica Alba

As these shapely ladies continue to gain popularity for their derriere, those who are somewhat lacking in that department are looking for ways to enhance their buttocks. With the advances in techniques and technology, women are now able to undergo butt augmentation with either butt implants or through fat transfer. Although not all plastic surgeons offer this procedure, there are now several who have become specialists in this surgery.

Have you ever considered butt enhancement surgery?

On Monday, August 16^th, well-known Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan died in a car accident. It has been rumored that the famous doctor was tweeting while driving when his automobile turned off the highway. Dr. Ryan was most recently in the spotlight when Heidi Montag emerged with a new face and body – the celebrity plastic surgeon performed 10 procedures in one day.

As Hollywood mourns the death of Dr. Ryan, patients who relied on his expertise, such as Heidi, may need to search for another surgeon. There have been claims that she suffers from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is what led to the multiple procedures she had done in November of last year. Should she wish to undergo further cosmetic enhancements, a surgeon with experience in treating patients with BDD would be the best option. As many celebrities have spoken out on Dr. Ryan’s caring bedside manner and compassion to his patients, he will be greatly missed by many.

Photo Credit: NYDailyNews.com

Most of us do everything we can to keep our faces clear and beautiful…whether it is with a regular skin care routine or with some help from a plastic surgeon and chemical peels. We’re always looking for the best way to maintain our youthful glow – regardless of our age! And those of us who have more of an oily complexion have an especially difficult time finding the right products.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try out a limited edition skin care set: the new Clarisonic Mia ™ Sonic Skin Cleaning System, Arcona Booster Defense Serum, and Arcona Magic White Ice. To be honest, I have seen the Clarisonic brushes in the past and been afraid to try it because I wasn’t sure if it would be too harsh for my skin. However, after just one use, I immediately fell in love with it. It left my skin feeling clean and smooth.

After cleansing, I applied the Magic White Ice all over my face and the Booster Defense Serum on my neck and around the eyes. Both left my skin feeling hydrated without the greasy stickiness.

If you’re looking for something new to help clear up your skin and hydrate without the heavy moisturizers, then I recommend checking out the Clarisonic and Arcona combination.

This partnership between Clarisonic and Arcona is fabulous and will only be around for a limited time! So be sure to order yours today.

Photo Credit: Beauty.com

The most important holiday for our moms is just around the corner! But do you have a gift for yours?

Not to worry, we have two sets of Mother’s Day gifts for our Beauty Chat readers. The anti-aging set specially put together for moms who want to maintain their youthful glow. Our second set is for our “Glam” moms, which includes makeup and a lash enhancing serum.

So what do you have to do? Just leave us a comment below telling us which set you would like and why your mom should get it. Winners announced on Wednesday, May 5th!

Photo Credit: Bohemian Rose Bath & Soap

Thank you to everyone who entered our contest to win Dr. Perricone’s “No Foundation Foundation” and congratulations to Wooster!

Here’s what she had to say:

“I would like to try this because I have acne ridden skin with large pores-most foundations simply peel off my skin after a few hours, sometimes little bits of foundation flake off on to my clothes or the flakes simply sit on my face until I brush them off. I haven’t been able to find a makeup that works and does not have the flaking issue.”

We hope you enjoy your prize!

Photo Credit: Saida Online Magazine

Spring has already arrived, and summer is coming up soon. In Southern California, the sun is usually ablaze 85 percent of the year, and I’ve become much more concerned about how the sun has taken its toll on my face lately. At my young age, there are many wrinkles on my face that are already beginning to set, and I’m not quite sure what to do. These days, there are preventative anti-wrinkle creams at the grocery store and infomercials that boast to completely diminish fine lines and wrinkles. However, I’ve come to find that these creams can cost from just a few bucks to over a couple hundred dollars. With the current state of the economy and a thin wallet, what’s a girl to do?

This weekend, I started to look into what is available to begin my battle with the signs of aging. In the skin care aisle at a local grocery store, there were many name brand creams like Olay® and RoC® that claimed to reduce the signs of aging. Though their prices were attractive, they didn’t seem very effective and I was sure the results would not last very long. Then I thought to go down to Sephora. There, I found a much more refined taste of specialty facial creams, but they were also quite expensive. There were so many to choose from too, and many of the creams came in 1 oz. or 2 oz. jars, small amounts that I’m sure I’d go through quickly.

Given that I like to see results right away, I started looking beyond facial creams and into non-surgical facial treatment. Fortunately, there are many facial treatments that do completely eliminate laugh lines, crow’s feet, and even deep wrinkles for older women. Botox® is by far the most popular choice to treat wrinkles; there are also artificial fillers that are used for wrinkles. From what I’ve read, many professional plastic surgeons assure that no matter what you hear about creams that promise to completely erase fine lines and wrinkles, there are no substitutes quite like Botox and injectables. They cost a few hundred dollars but results last several months. Despite the price, I like that I wouldn’t have to apply a cream every night and the results would be immediate and last five to six months.

To get rid of my dull complexion, I’m considering microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. In a microdermabrasion, the top layer of the skin is removed by a special exfoliate, revealing newer and fresher skin underneath. Microdermabrasion is usually over a hundred dollars and results typically last a few months. Chemical peels are another great way to rejuvenate the skin. For a more youthful look, a special combination solution of skin safe acid is used to remove the outermost, most damaged layer of skin, revealing a more even skin tone. These usually rub between $200 and $300; results for a microdermabrasion, while depending on the type of acid used, chemical peel results can last from a few months to over 20 years.

If I make a few adjustments in my budget now, hopefully sometime before summer I can have at least one facial treatment done. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to follow my favorite budget beauty tips and of course, daily basic skin care. Come summertime, I’ll be sure to wear sunglasses everyday. Not only do sunglasses protect the sensitive area around the eyes, which is often the first place on the face to show signs of aging, but they’re also a great fashion statement.

I am just beginning my battle with the signs of aging. Before I choose a facial treatment, what do you recommend? Have you ever considered any non-surgical facial treatments, or do you know anyone who has?

Photo Credit: Elle Magazine and Modern Mom