Thank you for all the wonderful comments! It’s great to see how everyone gives back to their community. However, we are only able to choose one winner to receive Ashanti’s favorite Johnson’s Body Care products…congrats to Rachelle Nucci!

Here’s how she contributes:

“I give back to the community because I participate in a lot of things. One of the programs I participate in at school is JROTC. In this class you learn about giving back to others and being a responsible and dedicated leader and a team player. We go over to the middle school every Wednesday and read to the kids that are struggling in their reading classes. I love reading to them because it makes me feel good that I have helped someone out. I also participate in sports, which include volleyball, softball, and I also did the drill team which was a lot of fun.”

We hope you enjoy your gifts!

Photo Credit: RF Binder

Want to be pampered from top to bottom? Well, if you’re in the New York City area, then we’ve got some exciting news for you! Beauty Chat readers are being given an exclusive 15% discount off any treatment at just calm down spa, including the famous Moroccan Massage.

All you need to do is mention Beauty Chat when you make your appointment. Visit their Web site to see all the great services offered. You can also call just calm down spa at 212-337-0032.

Photo Credit: just calm down spa

I find myself doing it all the time…I get lazy and instead of going home and making something to eat, I opt for the easier choice – drive-thru restaurants. I hate fast food; yet, for some reason, I find myself indulging it – it is cheap and easy.  Even though fast food restaurants are often marked as “unhealthy,” it is still possible to go healthy even when in a hurry.

Health.com recently posted a recommended list of the healthiest fast food restaurants; surprisingly, among that list was McDonald’s! However, keep in mind that just because McDonald’s is on this list, it doesn’t mean that all of the choices available on the menu are healthy; they just offer healthy selections for their consumers. The key is selective ordering when deciding to go with fast food for your meal of choice. More »

Okay, I know I am a bit behind the craze, but Nintendo ® Wii ™ is amazing and I am addicted! I recently tried out the game, Boogie SuperStar and all I can say is, I must be out of shape!  I started to break a sweat after only 20 minutes of playing. It is fun and I actually feel like I am getting a work-out, or am I?

There have been a lot of arguments for and against Wii and the fitness benefits that it entails. This is what I get from the whole phenomenon – it may not be an option for a hardcore cardiovascular work-out (such as running or kick-boxing), but it definitely does get an individual motivated and work off his/her booty! (Which is an improvement for the inactive population). On top of that, Wii challenges its players, as you get better at a particular skill, the game is designed to make the activity more difficult.

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Big thanks to our frugal friends out there who commented on the “Budget Beauty Tips” article Jennifer posted at the beginning of ’09. This piece consisted of ultimate Beauty Chatter budget-saving, beauty secrets. Storing makeup in the refrigerator, using toilet seat covers instead of oil absorbing sheets, and using Vaseline on eyelids before applying eye shadow for a vibrant look; these are just some of the insider tips we couldn’t wait to share with you (including my “stick your face in the freezer to keep your makeup from melting off during the summer” tip).

In return, we asked you for your favorite budget beauty tip! Those that left their own beauty secrets were entered into a contest to win a spot on Beauty Chat as a guest blogger. So a big round of applause to Andrea Galvan of Things That Come to Mind… She shared this with us: “Running out of liquid eyeliner? Dip a pencil eyeliner in water and you get the same affect.” More »

February 14th, some of you may call it Valentine’s Day, but those flying solo may refer to it as “Single’s Awareness Day”- whatever your reference to this day may be, despite your belief in its meaning, don’t let this day discourage you from having a good time-alone or attached.

As an unbeliever of what this day really means, I am not the type of girl to make a big deal about “V” day. There is a lot of history behind it, which I do find interesting, so I try not to be a party pooper and usually take advantage of what some may call the “Hallmark Greeting Card” holiday. More »

Happy Wednesday! We hope you are all having a fabulous day and now bring you this week’s questions.

Hi Elana,

I wanted to add a little spice to my wardrobe. My clothes are mostly black, white, and gray; I think it is just easy and those colors go with everything. Lately, I have been wanting to get experimental with colors, but unfortunately I don’t want to buy an entire new wardrobe. How can I gradually add more colors to my usual black, white, and gray outfits?

~YuckNotYou More »

Bikini Kitchen would like to introduce you to their new tanning lotion, Booty Butter. According to their Web site, this new lotion is “Straight from the Hawaiian Islands, this super-potent, skin-nourishing blend of Aloe, Kukui Nut, Light Mineral Oil and Kona Coffee extract glides on golden brown and goes to work.”

Booty Butter’s ingredients are meant to nourish the skin, all the while providing you with a glowing tan. Aloe sooths and nourishes, the Kukui nut oil is a “Hawaiian secret for glowing skin” and Kona coffee extract may help prevent skin cancer. Sounds like a better tanning lotion than some of the others I’ve tried! More »

I know the poor economy has caused a lot of us to cut back on certain pleasures in our life. Most people are staying home and watching television instead of going out to the movies. Others are carpooling to fight the fluctuating gas prices.

On the other hand, some people are taking a lack of concern in their health and refraining from purchasing prescription medications, which is a necessity for many .

According to the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington, D.C., due to the increase in prescription cost, most of those who have chronic conditions (making it crucial to continue their meds) are not purchasing them because they simply cannot afford to do so. More »

That’s right, everyone, Beauty Chat is happy to announce that we will be starting a new, weekly post featuring your questions!

Want to know how to get your eyebrows perfectly shaped? Or, where to go for the perfect top to wear on a special night? Send in your questions and we’ll help you get through your beauty dilemma.

We have a wide range of specialties within our “Beauty Chatters,” which means we’re sure to have an answer to your questions. So let’s get started!

Question: I’m really into punk rock, and I really want to look cool and edgy BUT still feel feminine and sexy. What do you suggest? More »