Thank you to our readers for participating in our Kiss Down Under sample contest by sharing your hilarious personal grooming stories, we had tons of fun reading them! Although we would love to give out prizes to all of the participants, we had to choose just one winner and there was definitely one story that stood out from the rest!

So congratulations to Alicia!!!

Thanks again to everyone who participated and be on the lookout for another Kiss Down Under giveaway in the near future!

Photo Credit: Kiss Down Under

When we got a delivery from Kiss Down Under, I was pretty excited about it because I have wanted to try this stuff since I first read about it originally sometime last year.

I started out with the Unisex Cleansing Wash, which is meant to be a personal grooming wash for the pubic area (or as I like to call them “Top Secret Lady Parts.”) Kiss Down Under advertises this product as being guaranteed to give you a “wow” sensation, all while providing you with a stern warning as to how much of the product to use. Being that I am a fairly paranoid person when it comes to the care and maintenance of my nether regions, I took this warning seriously and only used a very small amount of the cleansing wash, which I lathered up with water prior to applying it to my body.

Let me just tell you, Kiss Down Under was not kidding about the wow… actually if I’m being honest, I’d say my bodily reaction was something more along the lines of “Owwww.” Let’s just say that it felt like I had covered my lady area with Icy Hot. Although that sensation lasted no longer than the space of time it took me to wash and condition my hair, it was a shocking experience.

When I got out of the shower, I applied the Unisex After Grooming Gel, which is an anti-bacterial “down there” moisturizer that actually helps fight off things like razor burn, chaffing and itching. I really liked this stuff! Its gentle, doesn’t burn when applied right after shaving, and prevented me from getting bumpy in the following couple of days, which ALWAYS happens to me. I was impressed with the results of the After Grooming Gel and definitely recommend checking it out.

Overall, I would say that these products are certainly unique and that they should be tried out. I have a feeling that many women would thoroughly enjoy the tingling sensation that comes along with the Unisex Cleansing Wash, you just have to get past the idea of your lady parts smelling like a pack of Spearmint gum.

We have a really cool little sample pack to give away that contains all of the Kiss Down under products. Do you have a funny or embarrassing story about personal grooming that you’d like to share? The commenter with the funniest story (to be judged by our Beauty Chatters) will win the sample pack! Contest ends on April 15th, 2009.

Photo Credit: Kiss Down Under

And one wee hour of the night, while buried in pages of prep material whose ink reeked of frustration and lengthy moments of “um,” I had a moment of clarity in the form of “Wow, I have really let myself go!” My Benefit compact stared back at me in sheer mockery as I noted the Groucho Marx brows, stress blemishes, and washed-out roots that blended into two-tone hair frenzy. What was a working, budget-dependent woman to do?  

Granted, it’s easy to become lax on the beauty regimen when deadlines are murkily approaching, and getting projects done become minute-by-minute momentous. Not to mention, having a not-so-glamorous economy as the nation’s backdrop can render your wallets even more conscientious.

Because I am a beauty advent, finding a balance between inner and outer beauty was in order!

So here are tricks and tips that me and my bank account live by, which just might do wonders for you too:

√ Let’s face it – your face is the first part of you that people see. Eyebrows are especially poignant. Rather trying to yank out that ingrown hair via tweezers, eyebrow threading is the way to go. I pay 12 big ones for brows and upper lip at my local hole-in-the-wall salon every two weeks.

√  Good skin provides the foundation of a solid beauty routine. The key to keeping my facial canvas fresh is a good exfoliator. St. Ives Apricot Scrub is more than decent and beyond reasonably priced. Once a week is good – twice at max – to give your skin a deep cleaning. For a light, dewy look on the go, I use Benefit “That Gal” Brightening Facial Primer, which I apply prior to my foundation or wear alone.  

√  ChapStick – Need I say more? And it’ll cost you all of $2.

√  I know many of you gals are addicted to the regular “mani and pedi.” However, when times are tough, a $25 to $40 sitting session can add up. If you can stand to lose the acrylics, stick to the one and only pedicure. Typically, a pedicure should run you about $20, not including tip or the “flower.” As for your hands, acrylics damage your cuticles and over time cause a brittle feel to your nails. So have a personal kit with clippers and cuticle oil (Sally Hansen’s Vitamin-E nail and cuticle oil), and take a couple minutes to groom them every so often.

Remember, staying active can provide a productive lifestyle; however, you don’t necessarily have to wear your chaos. You can maintain that busy, yet beauty-conscience broad in you without it costing you too much energy or money.  Don’t worry, though, a slip is totally warranted (ahem, unshaved legs). 

What are some of your thrifty, time-saving tips?

Photo Credit: TV.PopCrunch.com and Sephora

The ladies of Beauty Chat and PlasticSurgery.com have come up with some great budget beauty tips! Check them out below:

*Use antiperspirant on face under foundation to make it last longer on your face, thus saving you re-applying throughout the day.

*Scrape remaining lipsticks out of tube, place inside pill box or small clean paint pallet and then put in microwave for about 10 seconds at a time (can take more than one try to melt properly) until they are all nice and formed to new container. Place in fridge for approx. 4 minutes.

*Nail polish is getting low… add one or two small drops of polish remover to the bottle, shake and there you go! A few more coats!

*Dried out mascara can be heated up to work again. Use hair dryer or soak container in hot water.

*Can’t afford leave-in conditioner for dry hair? Apply a small amount of vegetable oil to your hair, comb it through, let it sit for about 15 minutes and then wash and condition as usual.

*Store lip liner and eyeliner in the refrigerator to keep them from drying out.

*Sharpen the edges of old tweezers with sandpaper.

*Take old perfume bottles and add water to them, shake up, and now you have a light body spray.

*Puffy eyes or skin use Preparation H. 

*If you can’t afford oil-absorbing sheets, use toilet seat covers instead.

*Drop of honey on a blemish, cover with a band-aid and leave overnight.

*Conditioner can be used for shaving legs when you’re out of shaving cream.

*After shaving down below apply solid deodorant (not gel) to the area, helps combat ingrown hairs.

*Use a little bit of Vaseline and then apply eye shadow, it’ll look more vibrant and will look more liquidy instead of powdery.

*To help whiten your teeth, mix a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Use once a week! Also, drink lots of water.

*If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to wash your hair, put a little baby power in greasy areas, it absorbs the grease and your hair looks fresh. =)

*If you are applying makeup during the summertime, but it keeps melting off, stick your face in the freezer a few times to freshen up. It saves time, and you don’t have to get your foundation or compact pads from getting greasy and using them up!

Have some tips to share? Leave a comment below and enter to win a spot as a Guest Blogger for Beauty Chat! A winner will be announced on January 5, 2009. Good luck!

Photo Credit: Capessa.com

Beauty Tyrant! Congrats. You will receive Bikini Zone just in time for the final days of summer. Thanks for entering the contest, as well as your continued Beauty Chat support =)

To all of our other readers- look for more contests and giveaway in the near future!

Photo credit: Buzzillions.com

Not a lot of space in your world? FemTalks introduces reader to the Digital Waterproof Mirror TV – another high tech invention to furnish your home.

Glam Boulevard introduces you to the 24-Karat Gold Spa Therapy. If it was good for Cleopatra it must be good for you!

Want to learn about Au Natural: Mineral Makeup? Then head over to Glam Spirit. Not only is the makeup natural, the packaging is as well.

Anything Hollywood has all the info as Michael Phelps Wins Again and Sets World Record!  In case you missed the Olympic gold medalist’s victory, check out this great post!

 
If you love organic and all-natural skin care products, head over to Viva Woman to find out how you can make your own. Read Keen on Homemade DIY Skin Care? for more info!

Looking for a new shaving cream? Then head over to the Beauty Blabber to read all about a new cream they’ve dubbed the Smooth Operator.

Chic Critique has an awesome Weight Watchers Giveaway! Make sure to stop by to find out how you can get a three-month subscription.

Over at With Love…the latest post, entitled Conservative Freak….lol, showcases how you can look fab during a night out — without the skimpy clothing.

“Bikini Zone absorbs instantly as you apply it. You’ll start to feel relief from irritation, pain and itching immediately. After 24 hours, you’ll see a noticeable difference, as Bikini Zone begins to smooth away the appearance of bumps and redness. Plus, Bikini Zone will not stain lingerie, swimsuits or clothing.”

I attest to all of it! It is translucent, quickly absorbable, and actually has a fresh scent. According to, again, the back of my Bikini Zone box, I could use it up to four times daily. But I haven’t had the need to – nor have I truly thought about it. Reapplying sunscreen is one thing, but busting out my Bikini Zone throughout the day and continuing to apply is just not at the top of my list. However, maybe because of this product, I don’t feel the need to. Hmmmm….

Even though it squeezes out fairly quickly, where I’ve actually gotten some on the floor, I totally recommend it; especially to those who are love to bare it all at spas, the beach, or poolside. And guessssss whaaaaat? We have two Bikini Zone tubes to give away. A random drawing will take place Monday, the 25th.

(Active ingredients: lidocaine 2% and topical analgesic crème)

Photo Credit: http://www.bikinizone.com

Need help getting your brows in top shape? Check out Pierce Mattie Beauty Pro Division’s Beauty Tips: The Perfect Brow for some helpful info on how to get enviable brows.

If you’re looking for a new way to take all that mascara off, be sure to read about a great non-greasy product in I-tried-it-Tuesday: A Mascara Lover’s BFF by Glamour’s The Girls in the Beauty Department.

How Does Britney Get Her Bangin’ Bod? FameCrawler explains just that this week!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic introduces New Sets from Stila. I can not wait to check them out! I hear one of them is already sold out.

Erika over at Makeup Bag is helping those of us who are hair challenged with Hairstyle How-to: Sexy Waves.

The Daily Cookie chronicles the Adventure of Laser Hair Removal: Part 1. Get a quick run down on how to use the system and check out the video!

WMagazine lets us all in on the new line from Donna Karen that’s sure to capture everyone’s attention. Check out Donna For All for more info on the great new line!

In today’s world, men are becoming more conscious of their appearance in all aspects. Not only are they worrying about what to wear, but now they’re taking longer looks in the mirror in order to pick apart every flaw. Perhaps we owe this to our endless fawning over actors like Ryan Reynolds or Matthew McConaughey (my personal favorite). This could be seen as something really great or really annoying.

Some men are taking their appearance a little too seriously and should probably bring it down a couple of notches, while others are doing just enough to take care of themselves. So what are these men doing? Some go in for plastic surgery and others take less drastic measures, such as a facial or Botox. Cosmetic surgery for men includes a wide range of procedures that you may not have even heard of, including pec implants, calf implants, chin augmentation, and male breast reduction. Suddenly a clean shave, neatly combed hair, and a pressed shirt just doesn’t sound so elaborate.

On the less invasive side, men are now booking appointments at the tanning salon and beauty salon. Waxing and threading are two of the most popular forms of hair removal for women and lately, men are also taking part. Laser hair removal is also highly popular amongst men. A trip to your favorite beauty salon for some alone time may soon be a thing of the past if your guy decides he wants to try out waxing.

Personally, I don’t mind my guy primping himself a little. But I also love how he looks au natural — stubble on his face and no hair product. Men should still look like, well, men and not a Ken doll. Just like our guys like us without so much makeup and hairspray, we always appreciate the manly, rugged look. Besides, what woman wants her man to look prettier than her?

Have you seen any over the top primping? Let us know!

Photo credits: Matthew McConaughey and Beyond the Rhetoric

Ladies, you do not have to tweeze those pesky chin hairs one by one with tweezers anymore. I have come across a great devise for facial hair removal, the Epicare So Easy. So petite, this devise will fit in your purse, makeup bag, or even your pocket if you really feel the need to keep it with you. This facial hair remover is a small-coiled spring with a handle on each end. To use it, you simply bend it in the shape of an upside down U and twist away.

(Roll the handles inwards and outwards in a continuous motion between your index finger and thumb.)

The coiled spring will pull the hair out by the root. I am sure that when you think of the coiled spring you think back to a time you just had to have the epilady. To put your mind at ease, Epicare does not cause this type of pain. On a scale from 1-10, the pain is about a two and as time goes on, the pain eases.

(You will feel a slight tingling sensation as the hair is removed from the roots. )

Another great feature of this product is the price of only $16.99. To learn more about Epicare, or to purchase your own (yes, every girl should have one), head over to the company’s Web site.

Photo Credit: Epicare so easy