The Top 3 Beauty Tips and Tricks

"Don’t sleep with your makeup on." "Don’t go tanning." "Stop popping those zits!" Do these sound familiar? They’re some of the old adages that our moms, sisters, health teachers, doctors and tons of others have tried to impart within us over the years. But do you listen to them -- and, what’s more, do you believe them? Here’s the skinny on how to take care of your skin, hair and body and feel good about it (and a few products to help you do just that).

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Manicures of the Week: Essie, Deborah Lippmann & Zoya

In any given week, I may polish my nails up to five times. This past week, I hit three. Here are the colors that called my name this week.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Sphatika

Admittedly, I do not live a very holistic life. Sure, I try to drink green juice sometimes and focus on positive energy. But then I fall off the wagon and eat potato chips and spend three months barely going to the gym. Well, with the introduction of Sphatika to my life, I can safely say I'll be focusing on a holistic, sensory approach to wellness going forward.

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Shea So Lovely: The Body Shop Shea Body Butter

Ever find a product so amazing you find yourself buying it over ... and over ... and over again? Well, that's how I feel about The Body Shop Shea Body Butter.

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Beauty Giveaway: Lather + The Beauty of Life Bath Gel

By now you know that The Beauty of Life is a big fan of Lather (catch Jamie’s recent body wash post here). Each of their products is thoughtfully made with the highest quality plant or food based ingredients, and nearly all products are paraben and sulfate free. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you must get yourself to their flagship retail store -- it’s what I like to call my happy place.

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The Essie Neons 2013 Collection: My Top Picks

The moment I learned about the new Essie Neons 2013 Collection, my heart was all aflutter. I'm a sucker for bright nail polish come warmer months, and this collection certainly delivers. A few of the colors from the collection stood out for me, and I decided to create a manicure with all of them simultaneously! Check out my top picks.

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The Top 4 Reasons You Should Be Using Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15

I’ve searched high and low, around the world, and for about six months for an eye cream that contains SPF. My search finally led me to Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15. I’m religious about sunscreen and wear it every day, in part because I’m afraid of melanoma but mostly because I’m vain and I want to prevent wrinkles and age spots. The sun’s harmful UV rays cause 90 percent of aging signs, especially around the eyes -- that’s because the skin around the eyes is ten times thinner than the skin on the face.

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Jin Soon Voile and Gossamer Nail Polish Swatches

If you're looking to introduce a little luxury into your life, may you look no further than Jin Soon Nail Polish. I've long been a fan of everything Jin does, from creating gorgeous looks for Fashion Week to owning and operating multiple fabulous nail salons throughout NYC. So when I was given the opportunity to try two of her gorgeous new nail polishes, who was I to say no? Keep reading to see more swatches and my take on the colors.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa at Chelsea Piers

I've lived in New York for almost 11 years, and before visiting the new Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa at Chelsea Piers, I had never visited Chelsea Piers before. Truth be told, it always seemed so far away, especially since I live on the Upper East Side -- and I just didn't see the point of heading all the way to the other side of town just for a gym. But for a spa? I made the effort on a sunny Sunday morning in a heartbeat.

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Glittery Goodness: Deborah Lippmann Cleopatra in New York

You know those nail polish colors that just seem to call to you across time and space? The ones that keep you up at night since you're unable to stop thinking about how gorgeous they must be in person? Well, that's how I felt about Deborah Lippmann Cleopatra in New York. And you know what? It's even MORE amazing in person than I could ever have dreamed.

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Body Wash Week: Lather Body Wash

Here's the thing. I love body wash. At any given time, I have about 16 in my shower! And this week, I'll be bringing you some of my newfound favorites. Up today: Lather Body Wash.

When I want to use a product that not only works, but is designed with simple, beautiful packaging, I turn to Lather. Every product in the line is better than the one before it -- and the body wash is no different. It forms a rich lather, it cleanses incredibly well, and it brightens up any shower experience instantly.

I've recently been using the Cranberry Orange scent, which, sadly, is no longer available. But don't let that get you down, because there are plenty of other delicious scents to choose from:

Bamboo Lemongrass
Mint Thyme
Lavender Lime
Sea Kelp
Unscented (admittedly not a delicious scent, but wonderful for people who are allergic to scented beauty products and still want a little luxury in their shower!)

Lather Body Washes retail for $18 each at lather.com.

First Look Fridays: Blogger Paula Wade of Older Girl Beauty

Want to meet the nicest beauty blogger around? Enter Paula Wade of Older Girl Beauty. Honestly, people just don't get nicer than Paula. I love following her on Twitter, I love reading her site, and I generally just love her! (Plus, she and I share a love of Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, so she's obviously one of my favorite people right there.) Read on to find out how she got her start as a blogger, the cleanser she can't live without and so much more.

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Nail Art Tutorial: Polka Dots with M.A.C Baking Beauties Nail Polishes

I recently received two of the nail polishes from the new M.A.C Baking Beauties collection and was anxious to try them out. What better way to use them simultaneously than with a polka dot manicure? Baking Beauties is inspired by the artistry of cake decoration, and these two nail polishes -- Pistachio Creme and Bleu Velvet are creamy, scrumptious and delicious to behold!

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Body Wash Week: Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser

Here's the thing. I love body wash. At any given time, I have about 16 in my shower! And this week, I'll be bringing you some of my newfound favorites. Up today: Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser.

Remember when I told you yesterday that I really don't like scrub cleansers? Well, there must be something in the water of my shower, because all of a sudden I'm in love with them. This one from Origins is even better than I could have dreamed!

If you want a zesty kick to start your day off right, this is the body wash for you. It smells distinctly of grapefruit, which is no surprise since that's the foundation of the whole Gloomaway collection. It's sweet and citrusy, and it really brings a cheerful aspect to your shower routine. The exfoliating properties don't irritate the skin, but make it look and feel super soft and smooth. And a dime-sized amount is all that's needed for a rich, full lather.

Seriously, what's not to love?

Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser retails for $22.50 at sephora.com.

Night Moves: The 2 Best Nighttime Facial Masks

Sleep in a mask? I never thought it was possible or even good for my skin to let a product sit so long on my skin. Then I came across the Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial and the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask.

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Body Wash Week: Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Body Cleansing Scrub

Here's the thing. I love body wash. At any given time, I have about 16 in my shower! And this week, I'll be bringing you some of my newfound favorites. Up today: Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Body Cleansing Scrub.

If I'm being honest, I normally don't like two things -- lavender and body washes with exfoliating properties. So it's kind of a wonder that I immediately gravitated toward this body wash, which not only smells of lavender but is actually a cleansing scrub. But miracles are bound to happen, and discovering this body wash certainly counts as a miracle to me!

The inclusion of vanilla cuts the lavender, making the scent pleasing and sweet rather than heavy and cloying. And rather than feeling too harsh for my sensitive skin, the scrub is soft and nourishing, thanks to Vitamins C and E. Coconut and sugar add to the overall sweetness but don't take it into confectionary land.

In a nutshell? This scrub is certainly worth a try. It may surprise and delight you!

Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Body Cleansing Scrub retails for $18 at carolsdaughter.com.

Body Wash Week: Tone Ocean Therapy Body Wash

Here's the thing. I love body wash. At any given time, I have about 16 in my shower! And this week, I'll be bringing you some of my newfound favorites. Up today: Tone Ocean Therapy Body Wash.

Want a body wash that smells fresh, clean and, yes, like the ocean? This is the one for you. The huge (18 fl. oz.!!) bottle is filled with a body wash that pours easily onto a pouf, lathers up incredibly well and makes you long for your next beach vacation. Precious pearl, sea kelp and Vitamin E combine to moisturize and nourish your skin, even if it's drier than the Sahara -- which is how mine has been all winter and spring! The scent is crisp with a touch of feminine and just brightens up your shower in an instant.

Tone Ocean Therapy Body Wash retails for $5 at drugstore.com.

Body Wash Week: The Body Shop Chocomania Shower Cream

Here's the thing. I love body wash. At any given time, I have about 16 in my shower! And this week, I'll be bringing you some of my newfound favorites. First up: The Body Shop Chocomania Shower Cream.

If you're a chocolate lover, you're in luck. This body wash smells EXACTLY like chocolate. A dime-sized amount poured on a pouf and you're immediately transported to a bubbly, lather-filled, cocoa-scented heaven. Plus, it's formulated with real cocoa butter, so it nourishes and moisturizes the skin while making your mouth water.

Your only problem? Not drinking it out of the bottle.

The Body Shop Chocomania Shower Cream retails for $5-$8 at thebodyshop-usa.com.

Sponsored Post: Walk the Walk's Moonwalk NYC

At 10pm on July 20, 2013 in New York City, Walk the Walk will bring The Moonwalk marathon from the UK to America for the first time. This event raises awareness and funds toward breast cancer. What is The Moonwalk, you may ask? It's a night where thousands of women and men will power walk through the city, all wearing brightly colored and decorated bras, to inspire and encourage others to get fit, have fun and raise money for breast cancer charities.

Presented by Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Moonwalk NYC will have about 8000 people participating. After an opening ceremony at Randall's Island, walkers will depart on a route up to 26.2 miles (!!), going through Manhattan and seeing all of the most famous landmarks lit up brightly. There will also be a half marathon option, so anyone can participate, regardless of fitness level or ability. They hope to raise 2 million dollars in one evening, most of which will be granted to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to support their Breast Examination Center in Harlem. To date, Walk the Walk worldwide has raised over $126 million for vital breast cancer causes.

Want to get involved? Simply visit Moonwalk's website to sign up and walk either 13.1 miles (a half moon) or 26.2 miles (a full moon).

This is a great cause and a wonderful way to get involved in breast cancer awareness. I strongly encourage everyone to participate in Moonwalk NYC.

This is a sponsored post from One2One Network and Walk The Walk. All opinions stated are my own.

The New Drybar Product Line: My 3 Favorites

If you know me, you may know that I'm completely obsessed with blowouts. I really hate doing my own hair -- it's just so time consuming, and I can always think of things I'd rather be doing. (Honestly, laundry and grocery shopping seem more exciting.) So I tend to frequent Drybar, the blowout bar with locations around the country (and a handy dandy five right in NYC).

Drybar recently released a line of its very own products, though, which definitely entice me to stay home and actually wash and dry my own hair once in awhile. I went to the product launch and learned a couple fun facts -- like, did you know that Drybar performs over 50,000 blowouts per month at its nationwide locations? That's a LOT of hair! Keep reading to check out my 3 favorites from the Drybar product line.

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