barista bath and body offers the first full line of natural products for your hair and skin utilizing the “PERKS” of coffee, and proudly declares, ” Our “coffee in the raw” products-designed for both women and men – are performance -driven to bring the delight and bliss of coffee to the bath.”

These are an exceptional array of products that are not only unique because of the coffee benefits, but the dedication of an Executive Team of three extremely successful business women… a mother, daughter, and niece with over 50 years of combined experience in engineering, business development, and consulting !

What are the advantages of coffee in topically applied products such as these?
1. Shine and deep cleansing with a pH balance similar to our bodies
2. Documented benefits of coffee and its major component, caffeine
3. A mild exfoliant and beneficial astringent value, as well as a smooth appearance to your skin and reduction of cellulite.

I really enjoyed my “Java” adventure and you can too by going to :
http://www.baristabathandbody.com

It’s a great way to start your day 🙂

www.doctoroz.com

Can you imagine my total excitement when I found out that I’d have the opportunity to speak personally with Dr. Mehmet Oz !  His syndicated award winning television program, The Dr. Oz Show, is extremely well received, and the daily “buzz” in many households across the country.

A few other correspondents, including me, had a full hour to spend with  Dr. Oz via a conference call. The questions were diverse and he spoke individually with each of us.  Always referring to us by name , and in a relaxed conversational yet informative manner,  made  it easy to understand how this charismatic cardiac surgeon is so popular.

Thinking of how busy we all are, I asked Dr. Oz about multitasking, daily obligations, no downtime, and preventing ulcers.

His response was very interesting ~ I’m including his answer directly from the transcript of the interview so you don’t miss one word!

Dr. Oz’s reply :

Well you know stress is part of the human condition and it’s not the stress that bothers us it’s our response to stress. A thousand years ago chronic stress was primarily defined by famine, so you would biochemically respond to stress by eating more ,and eating things you don’t even like, which is what we do today when we feel chronic stress! So it’s not the ulcers that worry me it’s the fat that we put around our bodies.

When I see someone whose waist size is large, well let’s say more than twice the general rule of thumb for  their waist size, I usually interpret that as someone who is not able to cope with stress as well as they should, and that becomes one of the metrics that we use. ( Measure at the bellybutton, and it should be less than half your height.)

So then the question becomes how do you cope with the stress?The number one coping tool that has been used for most of human history is deep breathing and deep breathing which is part of a foundation of yoga, it’s part of Christian, mystic elements, it’s part of Islam, it’s part of Judaism.

Deep breathing exercises which came in the form of prayers or meditation are common in the human condition and it’s for a good reason. You take deep breaths with your belly, your diaphragm, so you’re using that big thick muscle to inhale with, so that you are actually pushing your belly button out as you breath in and then pull your belly button towards your spine, tucking in your belly to push your diaphragm up to exhale. You’re moving a lot of nitric oxide in your sinuses. Nitric oxide is a very short-lived gas.

There was a noble prize awarded, actually for the identification of the role of nitric oxide in the body. That’s a tool that most people can use!!

You could be in a crowded room with people you don’t know and take a deep breath in and out and then go on with depiction that you’re having a good time, but at least the stress is not affecting you.

I don’t know about you, but I often have a number of places to put this great advice to use.

I had a couple of other questions that I’ll post in the upcoming weeks.

For now , you can visit : www.doctoroz.com for tons of great information, and The Dr. Oz Show weekly programming schedule.

Now take a deep breath, ahhhh!!!!  Exhale, SMILE , and have a GLAM DAY!!

The first time I interviewed Today Show Style Editor, Bobbie Thomas, the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge  was just getting underway.

It was June, and Bobbie  explained how LATISSE^® was the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment available to grow eyelashes longer, fuller and darker, and how Make-A-Wish Foundation®, a well know organization  that  grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses, partnered with LATISSE® along  with three Challenge Team Ambassadors Kathy Ireland, Bobbie Thomas, and Chelsie Hightower to not only raise money for Make-A-Wish, but create a great opportunity for consumers  to try LATISSE®

As we concluded that interview, the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge was off and running. From the start, it was a win-win situation.

To participate all you had to do was choose your team, (Kathy, Bobbie, or Chelsie), and make a minimum donation of $20.00. Allergan, the makers of LATISSE®, would double your donation (with a maximum donation of $250.00) and send you a LATISSE^® free trial certificate valued at $120.00.

On Monday, September 27, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bobbie, once again, while in Chicago doing a LATISSE® educational seminar. There was such a great energy in her voice I knew she had some good news to share with me.

To date, the LATISE® Wishes Challenge had not only raised $377,998, but extended the campaign through November 30, 2010.

Not only do you still have time to get involved , but there are 3 addional seminar events coming up where you’ll have an opportunity to meet Bobbie Thomas  in person and get the scoop on the latest fashion trends!!  You’ll also “Get in the know” about LATISSE®  from a nationally known oculoplastic surgeon with expertise in facial aesthetics.

Check the list below, and come on “GLAM GALS”…. There is NO cost for this educational seminar, but seating is limited, so RSVP today!!  At the event, you’ll receive a free LATISSE^® trial certificate, and opportunity to schedule a complimentary appointment with a local doctor to find out if Latisse® is right for you.

This is one event you won’t want to miss!

I believe lips are the focal point of our face. They are always in view when you interact with people throughout your day. When I am doing makeup I will often create a clients mouth first, and they will instantly feel more confident, as I make up the rest of their face.

Lip color truly does pull your look together and really makes a difference in your finished appearance. In most cases, though, you need multiple products to achieve that look.

Well look no more!

Korres, with their advanced technology, has created a long lasting liquid lipstick that gives you the ability to not only fill your lips with color, coverage , and shine , but offers ongoing hydration with natural antioxidant ingredients from Raspberry and Pomegranate extracts… Did I mention that raspberry oil helps with UVA and UVB protection.

Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick is available in very wearable shades for all, including

• Soft Pink
• Nude Beige
• Natural
• Fuchsia
• Red
• Berry

Find out more about  Korres and their other natural products at : www.korresusa.com & www.sephora.com

Celebrity Makeup Artist, Mally Roncal has created a product you will love.

Poreless Face Defender is a new technology that imparts a beautiful poreless look to your skin. It  feels wonderful and looks completely natural. It also comes with a sponge that is very user friendly.

This is a product sold exclusively at  www.qvc.com. Search: Mally Beauty. The product is called Poreless Defender with Sponge.

I personally use this product, and as an HD-TV makeup artist I’m so delighted with the soft natural look my clients have on tv.  Bye Bye powder !  If you’re looking for that soft poreless look, you might want to give this a try.  It’s colorless, and great for men as well.

Apply your makeup, as usual, and  lightly sponge over your face with Poreless Defender as your final step. Whether inside ,outside, day ,or night you will have a flawless, enviable look from season to season….all year long.

Everyone is so busy these days, and often forgets or ignores a very important element of their skin care regime.

No more excuses! If you have 15 minutes, this unique user friendly mask created by myfaceworks, has a solution for you.

These individually packaged fabric masks with various blends of just the right ingredients, and proper fabric, will address your individual skincare needs providing either maintenance, prevention, or repair.

I personally chose to try the “I Need To Bring Out My Youth” facial mask with antioxidants, and anti-aging ingredients, and the “I Need To Be Firm” facial mask that lifts, smoothes, and helps with puffiness. My skin looked and felt great after each mask, and the fresh glow, lift, and tone of my skin was really impressive!

myfaceworks masks are fun to use with no mess and individually packaged, making them perfect for travel. Most important, their ingredients go right to work.

Which mask does “your” skin need? Find out more by visiting:www.myfaceworks.com to purchase and get more information about these state-of-the-art-masks.

Makeup artistry is an interesting topic since it’s very subjective. Of course, there are some rules to follow, but most often you have to adapt those rules to create a look on each individual’s face that you are applying makeup on. That’s where the creativity, and the artist’s individual style, comes into play.

There are also different venues, like theater, where makeup is not only utilized to create the various characters the actors portray, but to be seen in a defined manor from a well lit stage.

On television, and in film, makeup is used to achieve a finished look under different types of lighting that is being used for any given scene.

HDTV has now entered the arena, and though the techniques may remain the same ,there are a few new rules regarding product and application that have makeup artists experimenting with new textures and how the are applied .

My brother, Robb Fischer, is a national cinematographer and  has always said, “With HDTV, what you see is what you get.”   So now there is another issue for the makeup artist to contend with. Think about it! The reality of the large screen and high definition format is not very forgiving. As a result, a more natural approach to makeup application is more important than ever.

I believe we are in the right place at the right time! Most of us don’t have the stress of worrying about our  “on camera” close up shots, but with the new technoogy that is available, we are not only able to look better than ever, but allow “our” natural beauty to take center stage. That has always been my approach to makeup application and goal as a “camera ready” makeup artist.

I look forward to sharing with you what I’ve learned over the years.  I’ve been trying many wonderful new products that are great for your skin , with the newest ingredients, that are not only healthy but actually bring out that youthful beauty that is so desirable. Can’t wait to share them with you!

I hope to bring a confidence to your approach to makeup, and fads that come and go, by teaching you how to adapt them to your individual needs.

Oh yes…. I even have a few tried and true tricks that are easy, fun, quick and effective to look good and feel great about yourself when you “check” yourself in the mirror.

If you have a question you may contact me at :beauty@itsaglamthing.com , and  please be patient…I will answer questions as quickly as I am able. In fact, let me know what you’re interested in.  It may just be the topic of my next post 🙂  Remember, this is all about empowering  you!   After all!! It’s a GLAM thing!