Give Me More!

When it comes to dessert, helping yourself to seconds might be perceived as greedy. However, beautywise it’s the ultimate compliment.

Here are a few stellar performers that keep me reaching for seconds:

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($19.99 at Target) - I initially balked at the price, but mes amis (← picking up French from Amina’s très chic bilingual blog) this is department store moisturizer in a drug store bottle. It’s creamy and hydrating without leaving an oily sheen on your face. To top it all off, it offers major sun protection. Keep in mind, my skin is dry. This moisturizer may be a bit much for oily or breakout prone complexions. And I’m not the only one loving this moisturizer; Fitness magazine gave it kudos in their October 2008 issue.

Kera Care Humecto Creme Conditioner – Forget the 8 oz bottle, I buy this deep conditioner by the 5lb tub! It infuses my relaxed, color-treated mane with much needed moisture. I apply it after shampooing; sit under a heated dryer for 15-20 minutes, rinse and style. Or just hand it over to my stylist and let her do the work. Either way, I get the same soft, silky, manageable results. If I can’t find this conditioner at my local Walmart beauty salon, I order it from Amazon. Prices vary.

bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation ($25 at Sephora) – I was sucked into the cult of Bare Escentuals while watching QVC at 3 o’clock in the morning, and I’ve been a loyal member ever since. Fresh, natural and pretty, this make-up truly gives a “your skin only better” look. My skin on the dry side and initially I was hesitant to try a power foundation, but I haven’t experienced any flaking. One caveat, it travels messy. Bare Escentuals makes a travel case for on-the-go application. I’ve tried it, but don’t recommend it.


MAC Lipstick in “O” ($14.00) – A MAC make-up artist introduced me to this shade in 1995 and my love affair with it is still going strong. MAC calls it an intense purplish-red with metallic golden shimmer, but don’t let that scare you. I call it a great shade for everyone - from Heidi Klum to Alex Wek.



Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lipgloss in Ruby Sugar ($20.00) – I can see your eye rolls through the computer screen. “Again, with the Ruby Sugar,” you’re saying. But I can’t help it. The stuff always looks great on! Again, Bobbi calls it soft red, but on me it’s a pinky mauve with a subtle shimmer. I keep a tube in my make-up bag, another in my purse and an extra in my laptop case. (Oh, and three new tubes in a drawer in case of emergency!)



Well, that’s my list. What’s yours? What super products do you buy over and over again?

Christmas in September

It’s 80-degrees today, but it feels like Christmas!

No, Santa didn’t drop by early with a box of goodies from Sephora. My author copies of THE HOLIDAY INN arrived!!!!

Just like I am with my beauty reviews, I’ll be totally honest with ya’ll - it’s the best book ever! All three stories ROCK!

Okay, I may be a tiny bit biased, so here’s what reviewers are saying:

5-stars - Holiday Inn is excellent. Each story was refreshing, funny, romantic, and realistic. Each couple was faced with dilemmas that are constantly being asked. I found myself rooting for each couple as they struggled emotionally to hold on to each other. This is the perfect holiday story for anyone who loves and believes in happily ever after. -- Priscilla C. Johnson, APOOO BookClub

5-stars - With a nod to It’s A Wonderful Life, these three whimsical second chances uses the magic of the HOLIDAY INN to rekindle lost dreams and mend broken relationships. The three couples are developed enough so that their differences seem real, which in turn makes each pair’s scenario plausible. Well written, fans will enjoy spending time at the enchanting Holiday Inn (even without Bing). -- Harriet Klausner

4-stars (HOT) - In these three holiday stories relationships are examined, repaired and enhanced with the magical backdrop of a winter retreat. The situations feel real, the characters are well developed and the stories will draw you in. – Romantic Times Bookclub

Huge thanks to Dorchester Publishing for allowing me to write about New Years, which is my absolute favorite holiday. For more on my novella in THE HOLIDAY INN – “By New Year’s Day”, check out the bookshelf page on my author website. More info on Farrah and Stefanie’s novellas can be found at www.farrahrochon.com and www.stefanieworth.com.

Amazon.com is shipping copies now. (Hint, click on the book covers on the right!) Look for it in bookstores nationwide September 30th.

Come Visit Me!

No post today, but I'm a guest on fellow blogger and writer Kwana's blog - Kwana Writes.

So please come visit and leave a comment. It's not like you're not going to be over there anyway getting your Project Runway scoop.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I look different in the photo. I paid a lot of $$$ for those retouched, erase my crows feet and wrinkles photos, and I going to use 'em until I'm 90!

Hit It And Forget It

You knew the rules up front. It was just a one night stand.

Still, you got a taste of some good stuff and stupidly allowed yourself to fall in love.

Now you’re devastated.

“There are plenty of fish in the sea.” Mom tries comforting you with the same tired cliché she used back when you were dumped by a high school boyfriend.

Your best friend is fed-up with your constant whining. “Girl, just move on,” she huffs.

But how can you? It was sooooo wonderful while it lasted.

True make-up junkies already know what I’m talking about, and it’s not a night of hot sex with a gorgeous stranger.

This is a lot tougher to get over.

It’s those @#%! limited edition make-up colors.

Bobbi Brown loved me and left me with both her violet and chocolate face palettes.



MAC did it to me with Happening Gal lipglass and Fab blush from the Barbie Loves MAC collection. Then did it again with Adventuresome, a pretty mauve with pearl frost from the Raquel Welch Icon collection.


Another wham-bam-thank-you-mam was Mauritius, a limited edition shade of Chanel’s Aqualumiere Sheer Lipshine.


I can’t take it anymore, I vow as I slick on a coat of the lovely Liqueur from the Cult of Cherry collection. No more limited editions for me!

Then again, doesn’t MAC’s Manish Arora collection debut next month? And I wonder what Nars is up too????

Hmmm, maybe Mom was right. There are always more fish in the sea.

The Real Fountain of Youth

Every girl is crazy about her daddy. So why does mine warrant a post on an anti-aging beauty blog?

Because he also a hero in the battle against Father Time.

In his 50s, an age when most father’s are welcoming grandchildren, Dad was sandwiched between helping his ailing parents and taking care of his younger wife and two small kids.

Then to top it off, he started to feel the first symptoms of arthritis creep into his hands.

As a WWII combat veteran, he’s seen some awful things. However, I don’t think anything compared to watching his parent’s health deteriorate.

So at 50-something, he quit smoking and shunned fast food. He also donned running shoes. And he stuck to it, completing two marathons in his 70s.


“I’m not doing this for me,” he’s always said. “I’m doing it for you.”

I didn’t get it then, but I do now.

Today he turned 86-years-old.

And we aren’t hauling him to doctors every week or to the pharmacy (he’s not on ANY medication). Nor are we buying him Depends.

Right now he’s at work. When he gets off his plan is to run or hit the golf course. Then he and my mom are going out for dinner.

So as much as I’d love to believe the secret to looking great is in a jar of pricey wrinkle cream, my dad has taught me better. Hopefully, I can follow his example - so he won't have to buy me Depends when I'm 86!

Can You Pick Just One?

Here’s the scenario: After a series of interviews you’re a finalist for the beauty director job at Vogue magazine. YAY! Congratulations on making it this far!

However, today is your final interview, and it’s with the magazine’s editor-in-chief (think Meryl Streep in The Devil Wear’s Prada).

She has only one question for you:

What is the best product in your make-up and beauty arsenal?

That’s right. She wants you to narrow your goodies down to one super product and tell her all about it.

I’ll go first, because I have no qualms about swiping this plum position away from you!

My pick is MAC Cosmetics Slimshine lipstick. These sleek lipsticks are the complete package – creamy, shiny, long-lasting and packed with color. This lippie is the perfect cross between a lipstick and lipgloss. All for $14.50.

My shades? Most Wanted and Pleasing.

Every time I apply Slimshine lipstick I look at the tube and ask, “Where have you been all my life?”

Well, the editor-in-chief says she’ll take my comments into consideration, but she has other beauty lovers to ask the very same question.

Sooooo, don’t keep her waiting. What product is your number one?