Have you often woken up to your husband’s or wife’s loud, yet endearing, snoring? Or perhaps you’re the guilty party being awaken to be told to stop? Well, no matter what side you’re on, you’ll definitely want to try out Silent Snooz.

Silent Snooz comes in three scents, Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Unscented. Each device is intended to be used for 30 days, is easy to apply, and washable. Now you, and your partner, don’t have to go another night with out sleep!

My fellow Beauty Chatter, Audrey, tried out the Lavender scent. Here are her thoughts on Silent Snooz:

“The Silent Snooz product really did work for me! It opened up my nose and made me feel like I could breathe effortlessly through my nose, which is rare for me since I have a deviated septum and have a hard time breathing through my nose while I am laying down. The Lavender Scent was a little odd to get used to since it was fairly strong, but even that started to be appealing to me after a few minutes. My boyfriend said that I didn’t snore at all while wearing this as well!”

For more information or to purchase Silent Snooz, be sure to check out their website.

Photo Credit: Incredible Scents

A contact wearer for over 10 years, I have grown accustomed to inserting the lenses each morning so that I can carry out a basic function that many take for granted — seeing! Okay, I can see without contacts, I just can’t see what I’m seeing. Haha, you with me?

For many years now, I have been a faithful ACUVUE customer. It’s the only brand I’ve trusted my eyes to. I love that their contacts have a little “123” inscribed on each lens. This prevents me from inserting my contacts inside out, a potentially painful action if you haven’t experienced it.

During the last month, I have had the pleasure of trying out the 1∙DAY ACUVUE MOIST contacts. I have always had the two week wear type, so I was thrilled to test the daily lenses. There is no fuss with contact cases and solution, and I don’t have to worry if my eyes become irritated, I can simply take out the pair of contacts and throw them away.
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I have super-sensitive, dry eyes. So sensitive, in fact, that I only recently found a one step solution that I can use. I used to have to go through extensive disinfecting steps each night or my eyes stung too badly when I tried putting in my contacts the next morning.

That being said, I have had some slight difficulties with the 1∙DAY lenses. My eyes become a bit dry and I do require eye drops a few times during wear. However, it is definitely worth the mild trouble. The convenience that these contacts provide is amazing! I really enjoy being able to dispose of them as I please, instead of trying to keep them in good shape for two weeks.

Now, I no longer have to worry about buying solution, lenses that rip, or toughing through a day wearing contacts that sometimes “act up,” because it’s not time to dispose of them — all inevitable with any brand of contacts.

I am without a doubt a fan of 1∙DAY ACUVUE MOIST. I’m sure that if you try them out you’ll be, too.

Photo credits: ACUVUE

If you enjoy sharing the knowledge, or learning about “seriously safe and satisfying nail polish,” self-help tips, and how the right shade of lipstick can truly turn your day around; plastic surgery forums are another place where you can blab about beauty.

Sure, the PlasticSurgery.com community may revolve more around plastic surgeries, such as breast implant surgery and nose jobs, as well as youth-defying procedures like Botox injections and the mini facelift, but doesn’t mean that these topics are stand-alone. One of the reasons why Beauty Chat was created, as you pretty much already know, is to bridge the gap between all that makes us “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak on It!”

A plastic surgery forum is just another one of our stops, where you can relax and kick up your feet. And you’ll notice that some of us Beauty Chatters like to chit-chat from topic to topic in the forums as well…See ya there!

Photo credit: Plastic Sergeant

It’s my favorite time of year again…Halloween! There are so many things I love about October 31st — scary movies, fun costumes, yummy treats, and the start of the holiday season. On this fabulous day, children (and adults) dress up in scary, funny, silly, and just plain weird costumes, and head out for a night of festivities. Kids usually partake in trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, and adults head over to the killer party down the street.

But where did it all start? That’s something that I’ve always been curious about but have never looked into. I just recently found out that Halloween was introduced to North America in the 19th century when the Irish immigrants came over.

Here’s what Wikipedia says: “Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the ‘Celtic New Year.’ Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.”

So that explains where the ghosts and goblins come from, but what about the frisky cop and enticing witch? As time has slowly changed the traditional events of the day, the costumes that women wear have slowly become more scarce, not scarier. I’m not saying I haven’t worn those “sexy” costumes (I’ve been a bunny and “sexy” referee) but I think there comes a time when you realize that it’s not really a costume.

I think that Lindsay Lohan’s character in Mean Girls says it best, “Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” Yet, knowing that we’re all going to talk about each other later, we still choose to be a provocative pirate. Why not go back to the original costumes? It’s Halloween, not a beauty pageant. Ladies, don’t choose a costume on the basis of who you’ll look better than, pick one that you really want. Even if it’s not the sexiest one out there.

Maybe this year I’ll be something extra scary.

What’s everyone else dressing up as?

Photos credits: Photobucket and FrightCatalog.com

Nail polish is a cosmetics item that most women, and some men, can’t get enough of. Many of us paint away, unaware of the repercussions that the polish may have on our health. But, did you know that almost all nail lacquers contain Formaldehyde, Toluene, and Phthalate (DBP) — chemicals that are carcinogenic and can cause serious health effects?

In a time when people are trying to be more “green,” cosmetics companies are beginning to understand that consumers expect more from the brands that they buy from. nubar is a line that was created with the idea that providing healthy alternatives is a must.

Developed in 2000, nubar set their standards high and have abided by those strict commitments for nearly 10 years. The result? Some seriously safe and satisfying products. You will not find Formaldehyde, Toluene, or Phthalate in any of the company’s nail lacquers.

 Not only are the brand’s nail polishes made minus the toxins, they are also beautiful, fast-drying, and long-lasting. The ladies here at the Beauty Chat office have been sporting our favorite shades of nubar polish, and I speak on behalf of all of my fellow Chatters when I say that this stuff is pretty amazing. Jessica Simpson and Mischa Barton are said to also feel the same about nubar.

I am rough on my nails, and I was surprised that my polish was chip-free for about four days. That’s amazing to me because I play softball and my nail polish usually flakes off so badly that I skip painting my nails all together. Some of my co-workers, who don’t expose their nails the way I do, are still showing off a full set of perfectly painted fingernails! That blows me away. The fact that I painted my nails and then dried instantly was also a huge plus for me.

Beauty Chat loves nubar so much that we want our readers to experience the greatness that is their nail lacquers! One lucky reader will receive the Pastel Fever Collection; a package of eight gorgeous polishes (pictured above).

Additionally, that winner will also receive nubar’s Skin Essentials 6 Pack. These hand lotions are Paraben-free and smell delicious!

To enter, simply leave a comment. One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, October 31…otherwise known as Halloween =)

Photo credits: nubar

If someone were to stop you and say, “You look beautiful, that color looks great on you,” what would your reaction be? Most women would probably say something along the lines of, “Oh no, I don’t even like this shirt” or “I think it makes me look fat.” Why is it so hard to simply accept a compliment? I used to be the worst at taking compliments, that is until I figured out that if I never thought anything good about myself, then neither would anyone else. Now, my daily motto is, “I’m amazing!” Seriously, ask my friends.

All kidding aside, it really does take thinking that you’re pretty great in order to be able to simply say, “Thanks!” when receiving a compliment. Being positive about yourself and believing in yourself is the key to getting what and where you want. Whether it’s a job, significant other, or ideal weight, it all starts on the inside. Instead of listing all the reasons why you can’t get to your goals, why not list the reasons why you can reach them?

I recently put a co-worker up to a challenge. I could tell right away that she has a beautiful heart and truly believe she deserves to have nothing but goodness around her. However, it was always difficult to give her a compliment! No matter what I would say, she would always have some argument for why it couldn’t possibly be true. I finally told her to stop and simply say, “Thank you.” Therefore, for the month of October, she is not allowed to argue a compliment, whether it comes from me or anyone else.

My hope is that she realizes just how beautiful she really is, both inside and out. There’s no need for lots of makeup, expensive clothes, fancy perfumes, or designer handbags, all she needs is to surround herself with positive thoughts. The same goes for all of us, too. Once we feel beautiful on the inside, everyone else will be able to see it on the outside.

Photo credits: Ruling Cats and Dogs and MrSikhNet.com

While channel surfing late one night, I came across an infomercial introducing a new hair care line founded by Chaz Dean, WEN. These amazing products were said to help maintain color, shine and volume. It sounded a little crazy to me since they were claiming WEN is not considered a shampoo, but rather a cleansing conditioner that does not lather as other shampoos do. I had to ask myself, are they serious? WEN is healthy for my hair, won’t strip out the natural oils, plus it help to maintain its vibrancy?  This sounds like my type of product, sign me up!

Here are some great tips I found on the WEN Web site from Chaz Dean himself.
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To cleanse your hair with WEN Cleansing Conditioner:
1. Rinse hair thoroughly and completely for 1-2 minutes.
2. Dispense the proper amount of Cleansing Conditioner into your hands & rub together.
Short hair or fine to medium textured hair:
Use a minimum of 8 pumps to the crown section, 8 pumps to the nape section and 8 pumps on the right and left ends of the hair (total 16-24 pumps depending on length).
Medium length hair or medium to thick textured hair:
Use a minimum of 8 pumps to the crown section, 8 pumps to the nape section, 8 pumps on the right ends and 8 pumps on the left ends of the hair (total 24-32 pumps depending on length).
Very long hair or very thick/coarse hair:
Use a minimum of 8 pumps to the crown section, 8 pumps to the nape section, 8 pumps on the right ends, 8 pumps on the left ends, and 8 pumps on the back ends of the hair (total 32-40 pumps depending on length).
3. Work product into the hair starting at the crown and working towards the ends, massaging vigorously. Apply a splash of water to help distribute the product evenly.
4. Really work the Cleansing Conditioner into your hair by pushing it into the hair shaft with your fingers. Remember it won’t lather, but it should feel thick rich and creamy.
5. Comb the product thru your hair with the Wide Tooth Shower Comb.
6. Leave in for a minimum of 3-5 minutes then rinse thoroughly and completely. Your Cleansing Conditioner should be the first thing on and the last thing off in your shower routine.

The first time I used the product, I noticed a difference instantly.  My hair actually had volume, with no frizz; it was soft and felt so healthy. Being skeptic, I only used the WEN Cleansing Conditioner for a few weeks then decided to go back to my old shampoo and conditioner routine.  It only took few days for my hair was start feeling like straw.

So there you have it, WEN will costs around $30, for a 30 day supply. Check out WEN or QVC for more information.

Photo credits: WEN and The Pretty Kitty

There are some of us who love it and some of us who hate it: jogging…or however you would like to refer to it. Many of us just can’t get ourselves to jog, even though it is a great cardiovascular workout.

I used to be an avid soccer play; live, eat, breathe, soccer. However, once I realized I was never going to make it to the World Cup, I decided to just play it for fun, and usually only when I had down time. I used to always be in shape; yet, over the years I have seen my body let go from the effects of exercising “whenever I get the chance.” This means that playing soccer a couple times a week just is not enough to keep my girlish figure.

Since I don’t regularly partake in my favorite sport anymore, my new passion is jogging. I found that doing it on a regular basis can is a challenge for me, and I am a huge fan of challenges. If I don’t have a soccer ball at my feet, running is a chore for me. I have been working on building my endurance, training myself to run further each time at a set amount of time.

If you are like me and see jogging as an unpleasant task, I can tell you baby steps are what has gotten me out there everyday. You cannot expect to become a marathon runner overnight; it takes time, dedication, and progress.

With that said, here is my crash course, which could possibly train you for your first 5K run (roughly three miles).

 Jogging 101, Lesson One: The Run/Walk Method

If you have not heard of it, the run/walk method is an easy way to build yourself up on your distance and time. It is an alternation of segments of running and walking.

1. Start off with a warm-up, which could be a fast-paced five minute walk.
2. After your warm-up, do an alternation of running and walking. For beginners you can start off with one minute running, and seven minutes walking.
3. Keep repeating this method until you have made your goal time, such as 24 minutes, which would be a 1:7 ratio for three cycles.
4. As you continue this routine, add more time to your running and less time on walking.

It may take a couple months, but if you are moderately in shape, you can easily get to running up to 30 minutes a day by training with the run/walk method. As you increase the amount of time you run with the alternation between walking, within a couple months, you should be able to run continuously. To increase your endurance and fitness, run for 30 minutes a day, four days a week. 

If you do not think you have enough motivation to continue on this routine solo, ask a couple friends to join you. I go running with my roommates a couple times a week and we help push each other. Also, I try to change up the scenery a bit; I run somewhere different each time, so it does not get repetitive.

The uniqueness about running is that you can do it anywhere and it is an all-over body work out.

Make running fun by challenging yourself and setting different goals for your time and distance. You may benefit in an overall improved physique and fitness.

Photo credits: MarthaStewart.com and prevention.com

If there were ever a support group for bad hair, my intro would go something like this, “My name is Jennifer and I am super lazy when it comes to my hair.” Then I would ask for an electric shaver to buzz it all off. Too drastic? Possibly, but allow me to explain.

While I have often received many compliments on my hair for it’s length, shine, and occasional volume, I went many years without actually doing anything to emphasis it’s natural beauty. I did dye it once and got it permed many years ago, but other than that, it’s all real. However, my biggest issue has been that it’s super straight. Not even a slight hint of a wave. I’ve tried different curling irons and rollers, yet have never been able to attain a great hairdo without tons of hairspray. And I hate using hair product, I like running my fingers through my hair and not getting stuck half way.

This leads to my intro at the support group; with it being such a hassle to get my hair to cooperate, I just decided to give up and got lazy. I did try different haircuts to see if it would make it a little easier to do – I got nowhere! So for most of my college days and a little over two years after, my hair was just blah. But then one day, my boyfriend, a glamour/fashion photographer with an eye for detail and beauty, flat out said, “Do something with your hair!! Anything, just do something!”

I know you may be thinking, “How dare he!” but he was right. We were going out to a nice dinner and I didn’t even bother to do anything with my hair, I let my laziness get in the way. I immediately ran to the bathroom, took out some bobby pins, poofed the top of my hair a bit, pinned it up, pulled the rest of my hair half way up, and returned to the door. “Much better,” he said.

Since then, I have implemented this quick hairdo whenever I need to look somewhat made-up. Whether it’s work, dinner with my photographer, or a night out with my friends, this simple hairdo works. I no longer look plain and lazy!

I’d love some new ideas; what other simple tricks do you all have for a quick, chic hairdo?

Photo credits: My camera and koalapostersqld.com

Beauty Chat loves fashion — as it is a powerful beauty statement. So I wanted to give a recap of the 60th Emmy Awards, focusing on red carpet attire. Here are a few of my favorite looks:

Christina Applegate looked stunning post-mastectomy. The whole world is cheering this amazing woman on right now.

Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick receive my nomination for “best looking couple.”

Felicity Huffman dazzled in this sparkling gown. She looked absolutely vibrant.

The classic black and white look, but with a twist. Vanessa Williams was glamorous as always!

P.S. One of our friends, prominent Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and YourNewBodyBlog.com weekly contributor, Dr. Stuart Linder, contributed to the swag bags! His book, titled “The Beverly Hills Shape,” was one of the fabulous gifts given to celebrities. And guess what? Beauty Chat blogged about the book last year when it became available. Check it out!

Photo credits: MSN