So I’m a MOT.
A Member of the Tribe.
A celebrator of Hanukkah.
A person who likes deli.

Which means, that along with the typical rites of passage of teenage-dom (such as PMS, acne and that oh-so-awkward stage of braces and Steve Madden loafers), I also had to learn how to manage that fro of mine that at 12 went from straight to curly and never looked back.

Couple that with two perms due to my pre-mature desire for curly hair (yes, they still had perms in 1998), and you’ve got yourself an expert mane-tamer. So thank me later, and de-frizz now.

Here are my top must-have products for curls, waves and fros: Read More »

[Makeup is a wonderful thing. I mean, we all know what we look like when we wake up vs. when we hit the streets. (Let’s not think about it…) That is why every Saturday I am bringing you the best of makeup: tips, tricks and the best products out there. No more guessing at the store; now you can shop armed with the information you need!]

When you think of technological innovation, makeup is not usually the first thing to come to mind. But those clever beauty developers are always coming up with new ways to incorporate new technologies into making us all look fabulous. Here are some of the most amazing technological advances in beauty right now.

Lancome Oscillation Mascara – ($34 sephora.com)

Lancome has always been the leader in mascara innovation, but they really did something truly unique with Oscillation. The brush actually vibrates! 7000 vibrations a minute. So what does that mean for your lashes? I know it might sound like a gimmick but it actually does a killer job of separating each and every lash. So not only does it eliminate clumping, but each lashes get coated with a superfab mascara, giving you extra length, curl and volume. Read More »

We’ve all seen the commercials, heard our mothers’ and doctors’ advice and read the warning articles. But SPF still remains a point of negligence for way too many of us. For a solid 16 years I tried to defy my Irish heritage and insisted on laying out and beaching it with my uber tan girlfriends, sans sunscreen. After several severe sunburns throughout my childhood and early teens (I’m talking blistering, purple skin, too painful to wear clothes or move sun damage), I was only slightly weary about the danger I was exposing myself to.

Finally, halfway through high school, I made peace with being pale and embraced the art of self tanning. Since then I have (tried to) become religious about slathering on sun protection every. single. day. It is a chore sometimes, but when I want to slack on the SPF, I just think of this gadget. Here’s how to work SPF into your lifestyle easily.

SPF Moisturizer: For every day exposure, protection while going to and from work or school, or spending minimal time outdoors. Daily use of a low SPF sunscreen (like 15) can reduce sun damage even more than occasional use of a super high SPF. Sub this for your regular morning face lotion. Aim for at least 30. Most people don’t use the right amount of sun protection (about a teaspoon for your face)–they usually use only half, so double the level of SPF you desire. If you think you’ll miss that sun kissed glow you achieve on your cheeks and nose, try Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily moisturizer. You’ll still get a healthy glow…emphasis on healthy. Read More »