July's Beauty Icon- Lisa Coleman

Lisa Coleman, what can I say? At first I shied away from even making her one of my Beauty & Style Icons because she’s so naturally beautiful. What the hell kind of fun is that? But she did have an enormous influence on me as a kid trying to navigate my way between Siouxsie Siouxs' Geisha gig and Madonna's constant and tiring "reinventions". And for that, I owe big-ups. Thing is, she’s as gifted gorgeously as she is musically (turns out all the coolest Prince trax were actually written by W&L, how's that that for a mind-fuck?). She’s in her 40’s and she looks 23. She’s just so naturally beautiful that it’s hard to hold her up as some kind of Diva. Check out the above pic taken in 2006. I seriously think she musta made a deal with the devil, people. Eternal Youth in exchange for 15 years with Prince? Sounds even...

I don’t like to go on and on about influences but in the case of Wendy and Lisa, sorry, they were totally my training girls. I’m also not going to compare and contrast Wendy to Lisa because although they shared a similar groove they definitely had their own essence. Lisa was always very soft and sex-bomb but not in a 'Charm School' trash sort of way. Even though she did wear lingerie on stage...Maybe I should say she was quietly and glamorously feminine. Her look was magical, sort of mysterious and she just seemed ethereal to me, and it complimented her voice perfectly, her image was so cool and . From her I got my willingness to experiment with a softer palette, I also got my first set of hot rollers thanks to L-Bomb and although at 14 it made me look like an underage porn star, it was an introduction to the world of sexual and personal expression through my "look". Lisa was a perfect inspiration for me, as long as I "didn't leave the house looking that way", as mom would say. So this is defiantly my July pick for Beauty Icon.

My girls, Wendy and Lisa. I ain't gonna lie, I do have bit of a girl-crush on Wendy but Lisa is every bit as freakin' amazing. And to make matters all the more amazing they just released their best effort yet, a collection called White Flags of Winter Chimneys, an especially haunting, profound, spiritual, and experiential piece of work. Sorry if that sounds pretentious but it's not my fault, it's really that good. Buy it here!

Dita Von Teese- May's Beauty Icon (she's so damn hot, she's my june pick, too)

Super Sexy Salon Kitty Dita famously said "I advocate glamour. Every day. Every minute." I'm with you, Dita. That's why I don't leave home without at least 40 minutes in front of the mirror. Ask my man, it drives him mad.
Let's look at the basics:
Her measurements: 32C-21-33 (but her waist can be pulled to 16 inches in a corset.) Dita's height is 5'3", and she weighs 105 pounds. She's 37 years-old and is contracted to MAC, has a lingerie line with Wonderbra, both OCD favorites. Teese wrote a book called, "Burlesque and the Art of the Teese." She was also briefly married to the Antichrist.

I love Dita and have chosen her because she absolutely proves that any woman, starting at any point in their lives, can create what they consider beauty in themselves.

Let’s take myself for instance, since this is my Blog- 15 years ago I found myself Miserable in Seattle. Overweight, I didn’t know what the hell to do with my hair except to bob it, didn’t understand beauty products or skincare, I didn’t know what tools were available to me to actually lose weight, besides diet and exercise (boring). I was a hot nasty mess.
Now here I am all these years later, I am a blond, which I have to pay to keep up every month (can I get an amen, sisters?) I see a dermatologist for all my face products, I go to Sephora for makeup, wouldn’t dream of buying something that didn’t make me look better. Makeup is supposed to do that, did you know? OK, I’ve had some surgery, why not? And I’ll admit I get meds from my doctor and rely on a few other unorthodox to keep my weight down, but it works. I’m a hell of a lot happier than I was 15 years ago in Seattle because I took my own life, i.e. looks, into my own hands. The better you look, the more confidence you will have, the better choices you'll make, the less shit you'll be willing to take.
Now I even have a little fun with inspiration from woman like Dita, I have a piercing, maybe 2. Nothings shocking, as they say.
So here’s to Dita who inspires us to keep moving forward, keep going and getting better...no matter where we are starting from.

Check her out performing with the legendary Crazy Horse below.

Putting The Damage On

Where's Judge Judy when I need her?

I'm filing suit against L'Oreal for their trashy Double Extend Beauty Tubes Lash Extension Effect Mascara cuz it is the worst mascara I have ever purchased in my entire life! You wanna know what makes a beauty product super sick? When it damages the goods, people! This unholy spackle actually broke off the long luscious lashes I did have when I tried to remove it. So now I'm left with uneven fringe that even a prompt return to the good stuff can't remedy.


By the way, the good stuff? That'd be DÉFINICILS - High Definition Mascara by La La La La La La Lancôme. The same peeps that make L'OreHELL. Now how the hell does that work?!?!

Great Moments in Plastic Surgery

Anyone who knows me knows I am a Judge Judy FREAK. Every day at 4:00 and 4:30, she reduces idiotic morons to nothing with her quick wit and stern verbally abusive reprimands, thus making those constant damnable 1-800-Ask-Gary commercials a small price to pay for such irresistible entertainment. This lady takes no prisoners (she can't because it's small claims court) and leaves those she dispenses justice upon looking like total fuck-ups. Oh, yeah, Judy, show 'em whatcha got!
So it makes complete sense that in 2007, when she decided to have a few procedures, that she'd come out looking like a rock star. Her face-lift is indeed one of the finest I have ever seen. Her face looks tighter, brighter and at least 10 years younger. It's impossible to know exactly what she had done because she hasn't come out and discussed it publicly. All I can say is that when my time comes, I'm getting a private audience with Judge Shiendling to find out who created such fine work.

Kudos, JJ, you definitely don't have "stupid" written across your forehead.

April Beauty Icon- Wendy Melvoin

Wendy. My very first Beauty Icon was a serious Bad-Ass, actually. And dang, sista's, she had some ridiculously wicked style. I'm talking about Wendy Melvoin of the brilliant Wendy & Lisa & Girl Bros. Back in the day ('80's) when I was 13 years-old, she was my go-to girl for all things Beauty & Style. She's the original fierce, gorgeous like some 1940's era movie goddess. But yeah, people, she will kick your ass. In fact, I loved Wendy's groove so much, I borrowed it for myself, giddy with satisfaction every time someone said, "You look like that chick from Prince." mmmmm-hmmm.







Heavy purple makeup, the long fitted paisley jacket and, but of course, the asymmetrical haircut Wendy made hot during the Purple Reign, I rocked it all. But like all Ultimate Bad-Ass Beauty Icons, my Wendy moved on from the ultra-cool Prince-inspired get-ups and created for herself a personalized self-actualised style that compliments and defines her solid career. Oh yeah, players, this sista's work includes creating luscious grooves with Lisa Coleman, recording with Seal, doing the music for 'Heroes' and having her stellar guitar work on Madge's latest disc. Oh yes, and Gwen Stefani's remix of 'The Real Thing'. And that's not the half of my personal personal style Guru's resume, I could go on for days. Just days...but this is a blog, not a fan site.


Wendy, All Grown Up

She's cropped her hair and goes a little lighter on the eye-liner but she's still a Beauty Icon for me and countless others who embraced her as our first attempt to look relevant, hip, sexy, if you will. In 1984, there was nothing hotter than Prince's Wendy and today, there's nothing hotter than Wendy's Wendy. To me, she's evolved into such a true representation of who she really is. And, of course, her music is what makes her so special to me. I love her so much, she's my Beauty Icon for April, and probably for always.

Wendy & Lisa's latest release, White Flags of Winter Chimneys is available here.

The Cookbook- Clinique Moisturizers!

Time for The Cookbook!

I’ve said before, you absolutely have to use your brains when picking product. That means ignoring the fancy packaging, outrageous claims about ‘botox-like results’ (urgh!!!) and whatever Allure and In-Style magazine is being paid to tout. Yes, they get paid to feature products.
For the best product at the best price, I’m going with Clinique.
Well, you don’t have time to try out every different moisturizer at Clinique but guess what, I’m ashamed to say I do. I’ve used my books, my forums and communicating with Clinique Corp. to introduce you to your new best friend. As with all Clinique, if you don’t love it, return it. But I’m always right about these things, you’ll see.
Also remember that all Clinique products are not created equal. Buy what I tell you to buy and do not get caught up with a counter person trying to up-sell you, force you to buy extra product or tell you it’s the wrong choice for you. It’s all part of their game to get you to spend more on inferior product that the company is trying to push. Just trust me, I’ll never steer you wrong. Promise.
Luckily, Clinique has excellent choices for every pocketbook and every skin type. Pick one and use it religiously, morning and night. Keep it buy your bed and use it whenever you think about it. Your moisturizer is the best, easiest most crucial thing you can do for your skin but you’ve gotta be disciplined about it.
Here the very best…
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel with Pump ($24)

Yep, the old school DDM but this one's got some extra antioxidants, an elegant serum feel and is perfect for those who run a bit oily. Plus, it's super cheap.
Moisture On-Line ($38)

This product excels in its blend of lightweight slip agents and dry finish ingredients that won’t feel or look greasy. It also contains some exceptional cell-communicators and impressive antioxidants. This is a winner for breakout prone skin!

Repairwear Deep Wrinkle Concentrate For Face and Eye ($55)
One of the most state-of-the-art products available in the department store, this antioxidant abundant, formula boasts skin identical anti-irritants, fatty acids, plant oils, cell-communicators and smoothing film forming agents to brilliantly moisturize and protect any skin type. It will help smooth and improve skin appearance and make sun damage less apparent. Plus the pack akin is perfect for keeping all those powerhouse ingredients fresh long term.
Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer ($37.50)
This “advanced cocktail of antioxidants” features salicylic acid, an exfoliate. It also has acetyl glucusamine. This is a nice well-packaged lightweight moisturiser that contains antioxidants, vitamins, cell-communicators, and anti-irritants. It’s silky in texture and has a light finish.

Index

Antioxidants prevent unstable oxygen molecules (made unstable by loss of one electron) from interacting with other molecules (taking one of their electrons) and consequently causing them to become unstable, a process that starts the free-radical chain reaction. Fortunately, a vast assortment of antioxidants can be found in both the human body and in the plant world. Antioxidants and free-radical damage are considered so vital to our understanding of the origins of aging that they have become a profound area of research. An "antioxidant" isn't a type of ingredient, but the function a specific ingredient can perform on the skin. Free-radical damage is what antioxidants are supposed to take care of, either by stopping new damage, or by reversing earlier damage caused by free radicals. Free-radical damage is bad for the skin. Free-radical damage can cause deterioration of the skin's support structures, decreasing elasticity and resilience. The presence of antioxidants slows down free-radical damage. Antioxidants are ingredients such as vitamins A, C, and E; superoxide dismutase; flavonoids; beta carotene; glutathione; selenium; and zinc.

Anti-Irritant. Any ingredient that reduces certain signs of inflammation, such as swelling, tenderness, pain, itching, or redness.

Cell-communicating ingredients, theoretically, have the ability to tell a skin cell to look, act, and behave better, more like a normal healthy skin cell would, or to stop other substances from telling the cell to behave badly or abnormally. They do this by either direct communication with the skin cell or by blocking damaging cellular pathways or other cell-communicating substances. Cell-communicating ingredients complement antioxidants to improve skin-cell function.

Retinoids, The ONLY Proven Wrinkle Reducer & Age Fighter

There are only 2 FDA-approved skin renewal products. They are called retinoids and you can only get 'em from a derm (the bad news). But they're easy to get and very affordable ($10) that's the good news!

According to The Mind-Beauty Connection by Amy Wechsler, PHD, the only PHD in the nation with a dual Dermatology/Psychiatry doctorate.
"Rx retinoids transform skin, smoothing wrinkles, unclogging pores (acne fighting benefits, too!), lightening sun spots and improving over all texture. They regenerate collagen and nothing you buy from a drugstore or department store is as powerful."

There are 2 types- Trenoin (which I use) and Tazarotene. Here's the lowdown.
Trenoin treats...
*Acne (pimples, whiteheads and blackheads).
*Sun damage (fine lines, rough texture).
How it helps- It's scientifically proven to increase collagen production and decrease collagen breakdown to soften skin and reduce fine wrinkles. Also fights acne.

Tazarotene treats...
*Acne (pimples, whiteheads and blackheads).
*Sun damage (fine lines, rough texture)
How it helps- Product promotes healthy differentiation of cells, treats surface brown spots, helps shed dead skin cells that cause acne and acts as an anti-inflammatory (thus reducing breakouts) and reduces fine wrinkles.

Here's how to get it. Make an appointment with your regular doctor. Tell her you're having skin problems (don't say ageing, say acne). Ageing isn't considered a medical condition!
With the referral in hand, make an appointment with a dermatologist. You can either have your doc recommend someone or get a name from your insurer.
When you see your derm, be honest about your skin issues but always say you have acne, too. That's a slam dunk for getting a retinoid RX. Fill at pharmacy and follow doctors orders for usage. In later posts, I'll be telling you whatelse you should do when you visit your new derm but for now, we'll deal with getting those retinoids!
Now here's where it might get complicated...if the insurance will not cover it, you will have to get a pre-authorization from your derm. This is very easy to do. Believe me, your derm handles insurance companies constantly and will know what to do. Just call her office and tell the nurse you'll need a pre-authorization for the retinoid and -bang- you've got yourself the only FDA-approved, scientifically proven age-fighter, wrinkle reducer and acne destroyer.

The Lancôme Lady is Not Your Friend

Recently I spent time behind the counter at Clinique and what I found completely shocked me. I’d like to share what I discovered lurking behind those overly made-up friendly faces.
1- The vast majority of cosmetic counter sales people don’t know anything about skincare except for what their line tells them. They truly believe in what they’re telling you but their knowledge is not based on fact. Their knowledge is based on what the company wants you believe so that you’ll buy the product. The only reliable information you will get about your personal skincare needs is from your Dermatologist, an All-Star (read on for All-Star info) …oh, and this blog!
2- It’s all about money, money, money. Macy’s never bothered training me on Clinique product knowledge except the very basics of what I needed to know to sell, sell, sell. They taught me about each products supposed miracle benefits and buzzword ingredients to use on customers ('antioxidant' was a big one but ask someone what it actually does for your skin and they'll draw a blank) They never talked about actual skincare. Only how to sell your product.
3- These women do not care about you. One of the first things Macy’s taught me was how to ‘earn a customers trust’. That is, find out your first name and use it frequently. Find out what you’re most concerned about and then play on that flaw and try to convince you that the problem area can only be fixed with their product.
4- This is a cut-throat industry which pits sales people against sales people. Before I started my position at Clinique, I went to a counter girl and introduced myself as the new Clinique employee. She graciously told me to “watch my back, don’t tell anyone anything about yourself “and that working their was like being in high-school again. She couldn't’ have been more accurate in her description!
Sales are checked hourly and Clinique Proper calls every day at 3pm to check your numbers. Counter girls must run a check hourly on what they’ve sold. Oh, God help you if you aren’t selling.
5- It is a myth that counter girls get free product and most do not use the product lines they actually work for. On their meager hourly rates and pitiful 3% commission, they can’t afford to. Each line has a ‘gratis’ program wherein you get maybe $100 every three months to spend on their product after you’ve been employed for 6 months. That’s enough money to buy one skincare product.
6- That brings me to theft. I'm not saying that counter people are thieves but I saw people stealing product at an alarming rate. One girl I worked with would make deals with her friends at different counters and then trade merchandise. I remember she wanted the new Ed Hardy fragrance and traded a huge bag of Clinique stuff. When I reported it, the department manager sold me out and I became a pariah at Clinique. It was one of the worst experiences at a job in my life. Good girls finish last in the Beauty Biz.
7- The women who are most successful are the most evil. I have seen them undercut other sales people right in front of the customers and it happened to me countless times. I’m sure at home with their friends and family they are caring, have integrity and are basically good people. But once they put on their uniforms and punch in the clock, it’s war. And as the saying goes, “all’s fair in love and war.”
8- Every counter has small cups they can fill for you with any product you want to try and can give you samples of the products they carry. They just don’t want to. They do not want you leaving the counter without blowing ching so sending you away with a sample is the last thing they want to do. You’ll try their lackluster moisturizer and never return.
9- If a salesperson spends too much time providing you with customer service, they will receive a warning. I, myself, was brought into the Macy's 'Idea Room" and given a warning for spending too much time with each customer. If you leave a counter after a salesperson has spent time with you, they will track you around the department. If you end up buying from another product line, they'll say mean things about you behind your back.
10- There are exceptions to all these rules! That’s why I’ll be listing the best counter people, my All-Stars, starting with Mary Ogdahl at the Southdale Macy's Dior counter in Edina, MN. In a later post, I’ll share with you what a real sales person should do, say and provide you with as a consumer. Mary is a Dior All-Star and has managed to maintain a clientele with her amazing skincare and product line knowledge, willingness to spend time with her clients and her obvious dedication to Makeup & Skincare! Plus, she is so nice! I wish all the women employed as Cosmetic Sales could be like Mary.


There are other, much better, options and alternatives (Hello, Sephora!) available for purchasing cosmetics and skincare and I will share them with you in a later post.

Revealed! Cyndy Brucatos' Beauty Secret

Twin Cities Iconic TV News Anchor Cyndy Brucato is definitely one of my Style & Beauty Mentors. She maintains her true beauty day in and day out on KSTP as the anchor of the evening news. In a field known for putting beauty over brains, Cyndy’s been able to achieve a stellar career in both broadcasting and politics, while maintaining her personal sense of style. Plus, after 30 years in the public eye, she looks amazing.

I recently asked Cyndy what’s her secret.

"I'll give you secret #1 - I use a skin care product called Nia (it's made by Mentor). It has a high level of niacin which I've learned undoes some of the sun damage my younger and more reckless self incurred. My other "secret" is Kérastase hair care products. They protect my hair from the daily abuse of blow-drying."

Here's what Mentors' website says about the product.
"Repair is never as good as prevention, particularly in skin care. Tap into skin’s own self-protective powers 24 hours a day with patented NIA 24™ – the first inside-out topical Niacin-Powered skin barrier-builder.
Inside, this patented MicroNutrient Delivery system brings a continuous-release form of Niacin to skin. Outside, skin’s barrier is restored and signs of damage dramatically reversed. MicroNutrient Delivery allows ingredients known to be beneficial to go beyond topical application penetrating the epidermis in a slow, continuous-release, allowing time for the molecule to bio-convert to its working form.
Designed like a medical protocol in three courses of action—pre-damage action, pro-active repair, and an antidote to diagnosed problems—this system works together to prevent, repair and fight signs of damage deep in the skin."
The Nia24 Website includes pics that will astound you and clinical findings which prove the products effectiveness in repairing sun damage. It also includes an exhaustive list doctors who carry Nia24.

Kérastase haircare products consistently receive high marks from Beautypedia and Total Beauty so it's obvious why Cyndy chooses this high-end salon product to protect her tresses from those killer lights. Visit this link to discover which salons carry Kérastase in your hometown. Now Target carries this line as well (Thank GOD! You can put it on your grocery list so your husband has to buy it! After all, it's on the list!) To receive free samples, call them at 1-877-254-9949.

Of course, thanks to Cyndy for 411! You're the best in the business!!!

Welcome to My Beauty Blog!

All I ever talk about is Beauty...so why not Blog about it?
Ever since I started using my moms’ beauty products when I was five, I’ve been obsessed with Beauty. I bought my first real makeup (MK’s perennial favorite Kohl eyeliner was my first beauty product buy ever!) from my mom’s Mary Kay lady when I was 11. My very first high-end line, Dior, was purchased with my babysitting money at age 13 (they sold me wrinkle cream and alcohol ladden toner!) I was so enamored with my moms’ makeup that my dad had to build a locked cabinet to keep me out of her pricey Lancôme goodies! Urghhhh! She set the standard for me. My mom has awesome taste and luckily, it rubbed off.
Since then I’ve spent time in Beauty School, sold several lines as an Independent Consultant (Noevir & MK) and worked the counter at Clinique. It was there that I learned the true nature of the Beauty Industry. You thought Darth Vader was a jerk? Well, you should meet some of the ladies working the Lancôme and Clinique counters at Macy’s. I’ll definitely fill you in more about that later.
Makeup is an amazing art form, a way to express yourself and your unique personal style every day. Skincare provides the opportunity to reflect your health and well-being. but there’s so much harmful crap out there that you really need a number of good books, websites, forums and a GOOD DERMATOLOGIST to navigate through what works and what’s pure trickery.
It can be a time-wasting, money-wasting endeavor if you don’t have sources to guide you through the mire of products the cosmetics companies keep putting out.
I'll be using Paula Begouns' 'Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter With Out Me' book, independent forums and websites and my own experiences to guide you and recommend the best stuff I can find. I'm a Beauty Insider at Sephora and an Allure Expert, so I do get to test products before they even come out. Lastly, my friends at Sephora, Colorists and Consultants constantly keep me up to date on their boutique and established lines.
The right product can change your life and save you beaucoup dollars in surgery. I'll give you my first life-saving product at the end of this post and tell you how you can experience it for yourself FREE.
Hopefully, that’ll be where my The Obsessive Compulsive Beauty Blog comes in.

WELCOME!
Jen


Oh, that life-saving stellar eye product? That would be KINERASE Extreme Eye Lift($95). I have sort of heavy lids and I was planning on that being my first order of business with the plastic surgeon. But then I tried this for my sagging eyelids and dark circles (which I got from my mom, thanks mom!)...changed my life. You want in? Just call 1-800-321-4576 and ask for a sample. or, do what I did, visit your local Nordstrom counter and ask for a couple free samples. I even got a free diamond encrusted KINERASE T-Shirt just for the asking (Thanks, Kristin).