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

Congrats to Lauren M. who won the “Glam Set” for her mom. Regina Sanders won the “Anti-Aging Set” for her mom. Thank you for reading Beauty Chat and entering!

We hope your moms enjoy the gift sets! And Happy Mother’s Day to all our mom, too!

Photo Credit: Dog Lover Gift Baskets

It was time to take Beauty Chat to a new level – vlogging! So here I am introducing a new opportunity to you, our readers. This is just one video of more to come, featuring several of our Beauty Chatters. Thanks for watching, and (ahem) it’s my first time using a MacBook, so please ignore where my eyes focus. I’m still learning!

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I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day, not at all. February 14th is one of my least favorite days of the year. I even broke up with my very first boyfriend the day before, because I found out he got me a gift when I told him not to. Although, there was so much more to this infamous break-up than the purchasing of hearts and flowers, I just have never agreed with Valentine’s Day. Well, at least how most people celebrate it.

I don’t like the clichéd candy hearts, teddy bears that say “I love you,” cards with over-used poems, and anything else that is just plain corny and associated with V Day. There is one thing I do agree with, spending time with someone special on this day – minus the Hallmark cards. Because, despite being single and bitter about Valentine’s, I still find it sweet to do something slightly romantic on this day.

Last year, I had my very first “real” Valentine, and I absolutely did not want to leave the house – I hate crowds, dressing-up, and over-priced restaurant menus. As an alternative, I made dinner for my “V,” and we hung out, watched movies, and drank wine. And instead of flowers, candy, and/or a card, he bought me flowers and herbs for my garden, which I thought was much more economical than a teddy bear that would sit on my dresser to collect dust. Even though that was my only Valentine’s Day spent attached, it has so far been my favorite!

As I am single this year, I asked my sister to be my Valentine, and she of course, said yes! So, we are going to a movie, and pigging out! Which I think will be just as special as my Valentine’s before.

Single or attached, Valentine’s Day is always something I try to make fun without the clichés it often associates with. I hope you all have a great Valentine’s Day, or to some, “Single’s Awareness Day!”

Photo Credit: Verbumlogos

Thank you for your patience, dear readers. Currently, Beauty Chat is going through various changes – as many blogs do! So we hope that you continue to enjoy our site’s thorough selection of articles.

Missed all of 2008’s skincare discussions? Want to see before and after celebrity plastic surgery photos? Visit our archive and see what’s up. We continue to receive your comments, and appreciate your involvement.

…This is a sincere message from all of us Beauty Chatters! Enjoy your summer, and hope to meet up with us again soon.

*Please refrain from sending products and e-mailing pitches until Beauty Chat is back.

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

Just as the years pass and the seasons change, people make career shifts.

Having personally hired former Beauty Chatters Leeann Morrissey, Brook Flagg, and Sarah Gammill; I was crushed seeing each writer move on from our PlasticSurgery.com, Rancho Cucamonga office during these past few months. And while I literally wanted to grab them by their trendy hairstyles and force them to sit down (and not move ‘til I said so!); I understood each of their unique decisions. And through various social networks, I happily keep in contact with each writer – considering their energy is still part of the Beauty Chat family. Where are they now? Here ya go:

Leeann: Now an online marketing coordinator for a West Hollywood event planning company that works with non-profit organizations dedicated to cancer care, research, and ultimately finding a cure.

Brook: A business freelance writer who contributes to both online and print publications, including “The Business Press” and a supportive mother of two Girl Scout daughters.

Sarah: A project coordinator for a construction and construction management company, doing everything from updating online master calendars to taking a construction blueprint reading class.

But with those goodbyes, come great big hellos! Jennifer Galvan (former copy editor, now managing editor for Beauty Chat) and Sara Folsom (contributor) continue to push our blog to higher ground through innovative ideas and approaches to topics revolved around beauty and health. PlasticSurgery.com project coordinators Stephanie Belleville and Jacquie Fischer are also dedicated Beauty Chatters who are always flying ideas by all of us, and Andrea “Dre” Amaya, who moonlights as a Beauty Chatter in-between her busy schedule as administrative assistant for the PlasticSurgery.com marketing department, are valuable contributors with a sincerity about every blog post they write.

We also say see ya soon to Mellori Velasquez (who is busy in law school) and Denice “Neecy” Castillo (on maternity leave with baby boy number two on his way); current Guest Beauty Chatters, both Mellori and Denice are firm believers in our “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak On It!” philosophy.

We say hello to Audrey Seiberling, our bubbly and edgy new consultant and contributor for Beauty Chat! Her bio is coming soon in our “About” section.

And with all of these changes, from all of us to you, we say thank you for being a reader and Happy New Year!!!

Photo Credit: YouTube.com and Beauty Chat

L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara makes your lashes so glamorous that they look like falsies…seriously! I don’t like the glue or the process of putting on false lashes, but I do love the dramatic look I get from them.

L’Oreal has taken false lashes and put them in a bottle, which requires only two simple steps to apply:

• First, apply the nourishing base coat.  No need to let it dry!
• Second apply the lash extending top coat.  That’s it!

I have received so many compliments on how long and full my lashes look…bonus!

It does not get smudgy or flake off; even tears can’t phase this stuff.  When it comes to remove your makeup, you don’t even have to use soap. The warm shower water takes it off easily, without leaving those black circles under your eyes. 

Go to your local beauty supply store and give it a try.  Let us know what you think.

Photo Credit: Ulta.com

Beauty Chat wants to say Happy Holidays to all of our fabulous readers! We hope you all have a wonderful time with your loved ones as you enjoy the holiday festivities. Be sure to check back for new posts and don’t forget to enter our contest to be a Guest Blogger.

Enjoy the Holidays and be safe!

Photo Credit: Photobucket

I don’t know what it is about the cold, but sometimes it just brings me down. I am not sure if it has to do with the Holiday’s, but I have a hard time having a jolly season. For those of you who are traveling this winter in the same shoes as I am, no worries, you are not alone; winter blues are not uncommon.

The most logical synopsis for this phenomenon has a lot to do with the pressure of the holidays; family get-togethers, increase in routine stress, unsolved family issues that erupt during family celebrations, and economic problems.  There can be so many reasons behind the mystery of winter time blues, yet most of the feelings you have during the winter were always there, just increased by holiday stress.

Even though the holiday season may be coming to a close, it’s not too late to find a spellbinding relief to this overbearing stress.

The best advice to pull off smiles going into 2009 is to make your New Year’s Resolution to fight these blues to have a jollier New Year.

Here are some tips to follow to help turn that frown upside down:

*Change up the scenery: Break your normal routine; add some spice into your life by signing up for a yoga class, start a book club, or visit old friends.

*Resist the temptation to be isolated: Everyone loves alone time, but try not to go completely M.I.A. (I have a tendency to do that). When you are feeling down, don’t just sit around and mope; it will only increase your disheartened feelings. Get out of that house!

*Avoid over-indulgence: I know it may be hard to say no to that second or third serving during this time of year and I don’t know about you, but there is something about the cold that turns me into a glutton; do your best to resist the temptation of food and especially alcohol.

*Do good to feel good: Get out and participate in charity programs. It is proven that doing good for others makes a person feel a whole lot better.

*Pamper yourself: Money may be tight around this time of year, but there are plenty of at-home activities you can do. Plan a pedicure night with your girlfriends.

Winter blues can be easy to battle, just keep yourself busy and eventually those feelings should pass.

Photo Credit: PJ Retreat and I Got Flowers