I wanted to direct your attention to an extremely talented and beautiful woman who is the spokesperson and VP of Brands and Social Media for Total Beauty, Kristen Nelson Thibeault (picture of her taken recently on a trip to Paris). Because of Kristen’s recent cancer diagnosis, the beauty blogging community has been even more diligent in working together as a team to form The Total Beauty - Total Cure Campaign this month.  The main objectives were to build awareness with the public by sharing valuable facts about Breast Cancer, and to raise money to donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).  

For the rest of October I will be asking you to contribute to a ChipIn badge at Mythbuster Beauty.  All money donated will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  For every $5 donation, you will be entered into two drawings for “thank you beauty packages.” Both of these gift packages will contain several beauty items donated from DERMAdoctor skincare and Jan Marini Skin Research.

Whether you can contribute money or not, there are two significant messages that have been reinforced from this month’s BCA campaign:

• Early detection is crucial. Don’t procrastinate your yearly mammograms and do regular self- exams and DO NOT wait if you find something. Early detection equals a 98% survival rate!
• In the words of Kristen Nelson Thibeault, “Find a way to feel beautiful and sexy everyday.”  And, “Laugh until your gut aches and cry when you need to.”

You can read more about Kristen Nelson Thibeault’s experience with cancer at this interview post: A Breast Cancer Survival Story at “A Girl’s Gotta Spa.”

Yes, live to the fullest extent every day!  Bless you dear Kristen, may you have continued strength to endure. You are indeed an inspiration and I am proud to be in association with you.

Cancer, your days are numbered!

It has been a year since I launched Mythbuster Beauty! And what a year it has been!  One year ago, after the frustration of searching for honest beauty reviews, I decided to take on the challenge of creating a place where individuals could openly vent their issues and share with others their pearls of wisdom.  One year ago, Mythbuster Beauty was born.

When you have a dream, you can either take the risk and jump in and try something new, or decide to let the dream pass.  Fear and self-doubt is something we all struggle with, but by facing our fears and taking risks we can grow.  Mistakes are embarrassing and humbling, but they are part of the learning process. 

Some of my most memorable fumbles this year include: referring to myself as a “Beauty Booger,” mixing up emails to beauty companies, grammatical errors and tyypos, computer programming challenges, changing my logo at least a dozen times, and learning blogging protocol and manners.  I continue to learn something new everyday and I am so grateful for the experience.

Success in my opinion is learning from your mistakes (hopefully), and getting back up after getting knocked down and trying again.  Persistence is the key.     

And without the friendship and love from many amazing and persistent women, I would have dropped this beauty blogging gig a long time ago. 

My most heartfelt thanks to:  Jami at Bionic Beauty, Mo, Tracy, Amanda, HSF, Jen at Raging Rouge, Nenette, Cecily, Jen, Debbie, Alyson at Authentic Beauty, Jamie at The Beauty of Life, Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen, Sherry at LooseLipsNY, Marilyn, DecoDiva, IFW, Kate the “Rock,” Meg from Megsmakeup, Jess McGuinty at Jessicurl, Suki Kramer at sukiface/sukicolor, Marissa Shipman from theBalm, Ken at Herbaria Soap, Everyday Minerals, Urban Decay/Hard Candy, tarte Cosmetics, Asma, Alison Raffaele, Benefit, Lancome, Clinique, Posh Mama and this list could go on and on.  So many people and organizations believed in and supported me, even when they had very little evidence to go on.  One amazing contributor is my behind-the-scenes editor, my best friend and husband, Evan.  Thank you so much for supporting my work Evan. I love you! (Editor’s comment: I love you too, Jen!)

And most importantly, many thanks to YOU!  This year we will continue to bust beauty myths, discuss hot topics, and hold monthly giveaways. 

Here’s to another year!

Tuesday I wrote about using a sheer red lip gloss instead of a full color red lipstick called, “This ain’t your Momma’s Lipstick: Going Red.” I go for the sheer red lip look because of feeling intimidated by a true lipstick in red. With many lipstick shades I feel like a kid that sneaked into my mother’s pocketbook and tried on her lipstick.

So my friend Marilyn asked, “Wait a minute! Where’s the photo of YOU in that lipgloss?” My response, “Isn’t the one I posted of Christina Aguilera so much better!? I am a beauty blogger, not a beauty model.” It is always difficult for me to pose and demonstrate a product or shade in a picture. To please Marilyn here is my attempt at taking a picture of myself wearing Becca’s Glossy Lip Tint in Cherrybomb. To intensify the color and keep “in bounds” I first lined my lips with the newly released and fabulous 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil by Urban Decay in a shade called “Wicked.” It’s wicked pretty together with Cherrybomb don’t you think?

My little Becca even joined me during the photo shoot! I think that is another reason why I love the Becca Cosmetic line so much; it has a beautiful name.

Hope this inspires you Marilyn!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/TdnzKgq-B6Y&hl=en]

One of my guilty confessions is that I am a huge fan of American Idol. Not the “Gong Show” element from the first part of the season, but finding those people with potential, and watching them develop and become stars.

This song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” sung by Jason Castro, just blew me away! Isn’t he dreamy?! He actually purchased and learned to play the ukulele that very same week.

I would like to dedicate this song to all of you. You are beautiful people and I pray all your dreams are realized!

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1108747&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] from www.youtube.com posted with vodpod

Aly is a good friend and makeup artist that took on the enormous task of providing free makeovers and services at the recent V-Day Superlove event in New Orleans.

You are a true authentic beauty Aly! 

If you get a chance, listen to this radio broadcast link from Studio 360. Elna Baker is a comedienne living in NYC, and tells the story of her dramatic weight loss, self esteem, and a unique dating culture. It is absolutely a must listen to for all women.

Studio 360: Girls, Blume, and Mulatu Astatke: My Grandmother’s Dress, Elna Baker

Way back when, I experienced a very similar date scenario like Elna’s. Only subsitiute Doug with John, and being intolerant of people who are overweight with being intolerant of people who are gay.

The one thing I cannot tolerate is intolerance.

Today is Sunday, and my mind has been cluttered all morning with distress for two of my sisters.  One is my biological sister, and one is my blogging sister.  While making a massive amount of pancakes for breakfast (Krusteaz mix with milk instead of water and 2 eggs), I kept drifting back to worrying about my two sisters.  

Yesterday, my 8 year old daughter Sarah and I went on a “Mommy-Daughter Date.”  Because I have five daughters, they are usually very eager and excited for an opportunity to spend some on-on-one time with me, and I love it as well.  Sarah is a tender hearted girl, she always has been, but at times she can be particularly critical with her younger 5 year old sister Naomi.  While eating our lunch from Arctic Circle (Sarah’s pick), I mentioned a disturbing comment that Naomi had mentioned earlier to me that week.  Naomi said, “If I die, Sarah and Lorinda won’t miss me.”  I was stunned and responded, “No, that is not true, your sisters love you and would miss you terribly.”  “No,” she corrected me, “they hate me and they would not miss me if I died.”

While talking to Sarah about this, I stressed the importance of expressing her love to Naomi and not being so hard on her.  I think Sarah took this to heart because this morning, while making pancakes, she suggested, “I think I will make two chocolate milks this morning, because I know that Naomi will want one.”  When Naomi came downstairs to join us, Sarah offered her an already prepared chocolate milk sippy cup, and Naomi smiled brightly and said, “Thank you Sarah.”  Sister Love at its best.

I know that worrying is not productive, and there is only so much I can do to help my sisters.  But one thing I can do is tell them I love them, and I know that God loves them.  Love is the most powerful force in our universe. 

Our oldest daughter Amanda is 13 and in the 8th grade, and is fortunate enough to be in a honors English class.  Thankfully, Mrs. Larsen, Amanda’s teacher forces all her students to submit an entry into the Reflections Contest at their school.

This year Amanda wrote and submitted her entry called: “Memories of a Big Sister.” I knew she had submitted this as her entry, and I loved it so much, I thumb-tacked it to the wall in my “office,” aka laundry room. This week I was informed that Amanda’s entry was to be honored, and will be sent to the next level in the school district this year. Here is a picture of the two of them at the ceremony. Congrats Amanda, you are amazing!

Memories of a Big Sister

Do you remember when I painted your toenails bright red? Mom got mad at me because you rubbed it off on your new blanket.
You were so little you couldn’t even talk.

Do you remember when you fell asleep in the car on the way to the bowling alley and I had to stay with you when everyone went inside? I had a lot of fun giving you a makeover with purple eye shadow, pink blush and some shiny hello kitty lip-gloss.
We were listening to the oldies.

Do you remember when I had to babysit you? You were playing in the basement, and I heard you cry I ran over and found you on the floor. Then I sat rocking you ‘till you fell asleep.
I wondered if you would remember.

Did you know that when you were too little to swim I would hold you and cuddle you if someone splashed in your eyes?
You didn’t stay in the pool for twenty minutes tops.

Did you know when I read you a book you’d want me to read it over and over again?
I never got tired of it.

Did you know that if I hugged mom and said “Mine!” you would cry, hit me, then say “Mine!” right back to me.
You were my source of entertainment.

Don’t ever forget that even if you were being a stinker I could make you laugh by saying “Hold on little monkey” and almost letting you slip off me onto the floor.
I always caught you, just in time.

Don’t ever forget that when I was on the computer you always insisted that I hold you even if I wasn’t playing a game or watching a movie, or anything that would interest you.
You inspired my emails.

Don’t ever forget that your tickle spot is right in your armpit and you could never ever help giggling hysterically when I tickled you there.
Once I recorded you because you had the cutest voice.

I remember.
I know.
I won’t let you forget how much I love you.

3 weeks ago Tracy M took a “leap of faith” into the naturally curly hair care method. This poignant hair “Lock-umentary” can be read at both her website, Dandelion Mama and here, and the progress that her hair made is absolutely gorgeous!

The Three Week Naturally Curly Challenge Saga:

Tracy takes a before picture and starts her 3 week journey.

Sorry, no brushing allowed.

Significant progress and some curl improvements made.

Co-pooing and rules for taking care of your hair and scalp.

One hair care line that I introduced to Tracy, and she fell in love with, was the Jessicurl line. Not only are Jessicurl’s products incredible, they are reasonably priced and all natural. Jess just informed me about their $5.00 flat-rate shipping fee offer. This would be an excellent time to try her hair care line, and if you have any questions, just email them; they are the friendliest, coolest group of people on the planet!

“You might think of this as spring cleaning here at Jessicurl headquarters - I invite you to clean out my inventory, from Aloeba to Too Shea! and everything in between. No matter what you buy, it will only cost $5 to ship. This offer is good through Sunday, April 13 at 6pm PT and applies only to orders with US shipping addresses.”

Yesterday I received my very first blog award from Jami at Bionic Beauty, the Blog Star Award!   A few months ago Jami introduced me to Shai Coggins’  blog and her 52 Weeks of Blog Community Project.   I am so grateful for people like Shai and Jami who understand the positive influence that blogging can make in people’s lives.  In their honor, I am going to nominate three very special bloggers that have made a positive difference in my life.

Jami from Bionic Beauty.  Jami and I must have gotten bit by the same beauty bug last summer.  She created Bionic Beauty around the same time I created MBB, and dropped me a friendly note of support.  I admire Jami’s honest approach to beauty reviewing and her makeup savvy.   In three words she is:  fabulous, freebie-finding, and frugal!  Jami has not only been a wonderful beauty blogging friend, she has been a valuable resource for blogging know-how.  Everything from computer IT advice, to “twittering,” she has been generous with her time and knowledge.  She has become my head cheerleader when I have felt in doubt of my own abilities.  In the last year, Jami has been through hell in her personal life with some serious health issues, but you wouldn’t know this from her optimism and jubilant spirit on Bionic Beauty.  Isn’t it great to know that you have a super hero friend looking out for you?  I consider Jami a guardian beauty blogging angel!

Mo from Fried Green Madness.  I don’t exactly remember how I came across Mo’s website, but I remember I just kept coming back to it.  This woman absolutely fascinates me!  I admire her free spirit and ability to express herself.   In a very short time, I knew that with her gift for writing and her passion for all things bright and beautiful, she would be a wonderful addition to this beauty blog.   Three words:  outrageous, colorful, and compassionate.   Mo, my world will never be the same and I am blessed to have you in my life!

There are so many women that I want to mention here, but I reserve this coveted last blog star for one of my newest and most delightful blogging friends:

Marilyn from Grammah Hansen.    On my birthday, Evan and I “crashed” his co-worker Gary’s dinner party at a local Thai restaurant.  I had casually met Gary’s wife Marilyn before, but was given the opportunity to get to “really talk” to her for the first time that evening.  After telling her probably more than she would ever hope to know about Mythbuster Beauty, she mentioned that she also had her own blog site.   That evening we also made a vow to someday take a trip to Italy to experience some fine Italian cuisine!   My first impression of Marilyn’s site was, holy crap, this woman has talent!  She created a beautiful place to share her ideas, stories, and pictures with her family.  Three words to describe Marilyn?  How about artistic, hilarious, and devoted.  Marilyn continues to amaze and inspire me.  Thank you so much for your comments and contributions here as well.  They mean the world to me. 

What a wonderful time I have had writing this post.  I sense an incredible positive energy that links us all together, and I thank you all for your continued support.

Tracy M just started her second week using the Curly Girl Method.  Take a moment to watch her progress; she just received some new hair products from Jessicurl, and her hair is really making waves!   The first commandment was to stop using a hairbrush on your curly hair.  This post is addressing another important hair topic:

Commandment No. 2:  Thou shalt treat your scalp and hair separately.

Recognizing this concept is essential for taking care of naturally curly hair.  Your scalp and your hair have different care requirements.    

If you use a special scalp treatment (like one with salicylic acid), or medicine for your scalp, you can continue to use it.  First apply conditioner to the ends of your hair to protect it from the harshness of your shampoo or scalp treatment.   My favorite product to use on my scalp is DevaCare’s No Poo, which gives my scalp just the right amount of tingly cleaning while still being gentle on my hair.  I also love using Jessicurl’s Gentle Cleansing Cream, which cleans and leaves my hair feeling soft and conditioned, not stripped.  Oh and that Island Fantasy scent is yummy!

1. After rinsing your hair, apply your favorite conditioner onto the ends of your hair.
2. Apply a small amount of shampoo or scalp treatment to your scalp area only.
3. Massage shampoo into your scalp gently using the pads of your fingertips.
4. Rinse out thoroughly with warm water.
5. Either re-apply more conditioner to your entire head, comb through and let sit for 3+ minutes, or for finer-haired curlies skip to step #7.
6. Rinse hair with warm water.
7. Finish with a cold as you can stand rinse to seal the hair shaft.

After your cold water rinse, do not aggressively squeeze or dry rub your hair with a terry cloth towel.  Gently blot hair wet hair with a microfiber towel, and Jess would recommend leaving your hair dripping wet until you have applied all of your styling products.  By keeping your hair dripping wet, your styling products will distribute themselves better and help seal in more moisture. 

Jessicurl has also created a Stimulating Scalp Massage Oil, which is to be used on the scalp to soothe and stimulate hair growth.  Jess reports it gives “quite a tingle” and can be used either on dry or wet hair. 

“This stuff is seriously potent! A scalp massage with this will leave your scalp tingly all over, and your hair much softer. It’s even better when someone else does the massage for you! Spray it directly onto your scalp and massage it in. After a few minutes you’ll start to feel the tingle. You can leave it in for an hour and then wash it out, or wait until the next morning to wash it out. A warning to those leaving it in overnight, I’ve found that if I use it too close to bedtime, the peppermint smell keeps me awake at night. For this reason, it’s better to use it far in advance of bedtime if you’re going to leave it in overnight. It can be used on either wet or dry hair, but I find that using it on wet hair allows for better absorption into my hair.” 

There is nothing I enjoy more than a good scalp massage.  This scalp treatment sounds like a great way to soothe your nerves as well as stimulate your scalp. 

Here’s to another week Tracy!