Here’s a tip: simply do your pedicure yourself, as a yucky bacteria infection is just NOT glam! Granted, I may be a bit of a hypocrite since I do enjoy a good mani/pedi session, but I must admit I’ve always been weary of nail salons, as you never really know how well they’re cleaning their tools and footbath. I’ve spied the nail technicians placing nail kits in the infrared incubator that’s “supposed” to disinfect and ward off bacteria, but who really knows just how clean their tools are?

According to The Beauty Brains (which has a fabulous in-depth article on how to avoid pesky pedicure infections), pedicure chairs with an attached footbath are most likely more contaminated than you’d think… That’s a HUGE problem for me, especially since 99.9% of Manhattan nail salons have fancy hi-tech pedicure chairs (with the footbath attached obviously).

From now on, I pledge to do my own pedicures. Well, a modified pledge, meaning if I have the time and the patience, as I’ve never mastered the art of polishing my own toenails. Nevertheless, I’ve assembled my own pedicure kit:

1. I clip and file my toenails, then place my feet into my footbath full of warm water and a few drops of tea tree oil.

2. This may sound a little unorthodox, but I wear flats and flip-flops on a daily basis, and I walk ALL THE TIME, so my heels are a bit rougher than I’d like to admit. After I’ve soaked my feet in warm water, I just glide a brand-new razor over my heels ever-so-gently to remove the top layer of dry, rough skin.

3. Bliss Hot Salt Scrub is an excellent follow-up exfoliator – perfect for smoothing my entire foot.

4. After I’ve allowed my feet to air-dry, I follow up with Curel® Targeted Therapy™ Deep-Penetrating Foot Cream. It’s a super intense moisturizer that’s incredibly nourishing (it contains vitamin E and shea butter), and better yet, it has anti-bacterial agents! (P.S. Here’s a tip from Curel expert Dr. Berson: “Apply it at night and then put on a pair of socks to lock in moisture. This should be done EVERY night during the summer, not just when feet look rough and dry. And make sure to use 100% cotton socks as they trap moisture better while still allowing your skin to breathe.”

BONUS: Lastly, I grab the vampiest bottle of polish I can find (Voodoo by Creative Nail Design is my favorite), and I try my very best not to paint my skin! Oh, and I can’t forget Stickey by Creative Nail Design (base coat) and Super Shiney by Creative Nail Design (top coat).

Voila! A salon-worthy pedicure in the comfort of my own home.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Glam Blush, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, beauty tips, pedicure, at-home pedicure

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In terms of eyeshadow, what do you get when you pair groovy graphics with a bold color palette? Urban Decay Deluxe Mineral Eye Shadows of course, a.k.a, the pick of the pack. (Seriously, they conjure the nostalgia of myself in 1st grade with my Crayola Crayons ‘big box’.) I have only recently found the drive to experiment with funky colors, and although not always a success, when I rock it correctly it’s so much fun! My favorite Urban Decay shadows of choice are Peace and Shag (my 60’s-friendly fashion sense now comes full-circle in my makeup bag), and my collection is still growing! It’s always fun to snatch up a new Urban Decay color. One problem: because these fab shadows are mineral-based it only takes one “oops” on the bathroom floor to wreck these beyond repair. But with that in mind, a refreshing burst of color (able to wear everyday) is within reach! Now, I jazz-up my classic little black dresses with my must-have essential accessory: loud eye makeup. One of my most idolized artists, Matisse, once famously said, “Seek the strongest color effect possible…the content is of no importance”. I am sure he would be in support of Urban Decay’s flashy collection!

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Glam Blush, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, beauty tips, eyeshadow, Urban Decay

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New York City in the summer: brimming with cultural vibrancy and vivid scope for the imagination. Though we can slice through the humidity with a butter knife, our cares melt away with concerts in the park and al fresco late-night dinners. While summer in the city might do wonders for our disposition, unfortunately it is murderous on our hair. I found myself totally unprepared for the rough shape my hair would be in after my summer of urban gallivanting. I am forever in gratitude to the makers of Joico K-Pak Sun Therapy Treatment Masque for their wonderful, restorative hair cream. Not only does this product smell delicious, it has worked astonishingly well for me (when many other brands fell short). Available at salons across the country, this product is worth a try for any person interested in engaging in ‘damage control’ for their locks. After all, returning to my college campus with sun-kissed skin and stories of summer adventures is one thing, but a dry, frazzled do is NOT on the ‘to pack’ list.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Glam Blush, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, hair tips, Joico, haircare

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GlamBlush: See why India-Jewel is DYING to go to Tokyo…

GlamChic: See Susan’s pick for the most STYLISH celeb sibling set of the week.

GlamLive: See Connie’s round-up of celebs with the HOTTEST It bags…

GlamNest: See Erika’s scoop on the quickest way to JAZZ up your walls…

GlamScene: See Lauren’s photo gallery of celebrities in EVERYDAY life…

GlamSpirit: Meet Samir Arora, Glam’s CEO…

GlamSpree: See Nicole’s write-up on t-shirt line ZOOEY, and what they’re doing for the environment…

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam

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Hi GLAMonistas!

TGIF! For all of you who love a ‘toasty, tawny’ look, Physician’s Formula is giving away bronzers today, just because it’s Friday. Again, TGIF! What better way to start your weekend by winning a free bronzer? 

Click HERE to enter, and make sure to let me know if you win!

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, bronzer, Physician’s Formula

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July 10th through 14th was Miami Fashion Week, hosting legions of celebs and models with their blazing, bikini-ready bods.  Who would have thought they would flock to NIVEA’s Good-Bye Cellulite Cabana to snatch up free samples of this often sold-out product? (Seriously - a little birdie told me it’s been FLYING off the shelves like CRAZY). These patches and crèmes were all the rage backstage during fashion week, as models lathered themselves in preparation for their runway strides.  Good-Bye Cellulite uses L-Carnatine to reduce the appearance of cellulite better than any of the product’s predecessors.  Hallelujah!  Chudney Ross (Diana Ross’ daughter) and Dennis Rodman were among the stars vying for their own NIVEA grab bags.  Even Tyson Beckford was in pursuit of goodies from his “favorite brand” as he asked a NIVEA executive for samples of sunscreen and lotion.  Could Good-Bye Cellulite be the miracle product we’ve all been searching for?  If it is the secret to Ana Cristina and Kim Kardashian’s belle jambes then who is to dispute it? 

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Nivea, lotion, skincare, Miami Fashion Week, Tyson Beckford, Kim Kardashian, Chudney Ross, Ana Cristina, Dennis Rodman

*Photos Courtesy of Getty Images*

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Smack in the middle stifling summer days of July and August, Victoria’s Secret PINK label has released their new line of tantalizing body products. Light and delicious the collection includes fun body lotions and body mists offering fresh and sweet scents in the funky PINK packaging we’ve all grown to love.  July 13th was the fab launch party in Chicago, hosted by the ever-fashionable Fergie.  Special guest Kristin Cavallari was among the pajama-clad cuties taste testing all of the new PINK goodies. “It is so hot in LA, I need a fragrance that is light, refreshing and that I can spray all over,” says Kristin referring to PINK With a Splash, the new savory scent.   The collection includes Fruity & Bright; of blackberry and vanilla, Fresh & Clean; made with Apple and Lilly and Sweet & Tart; with sugar and grapefruit.  These mouth-watering products make showering so much sweeter.

Oh yeah - the PINK Body collection is available NOW in participating Victoria’s Secret stores and VictoriasSecret.com.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Victoria’s Secret, Fergie, Kristin Cavallari

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Ever inspired by the iconic style of Parisian fashionistas, my latest trip across the pond hailed an interesting discovery; French girls don’t live and die by the mantra of lather/rinse/repeat. French women have forever been accustomed to the practice of salvaging water, and while very hygienic, it is quite normal to wait a few days between shampoos. Unfortunately, although I am très into this custom in theory, Americans still haven’t gotten hip to the look of ‘4 day hair’. Thankfully for me, Fekkai’s line of Summer Hair products has created a Dry Shampoo good enough for me to kick shampooing to the curb altogether. Light and refreshing, this bathtub in a bottle is a beach bag (gym bag, suitcase, or purse) essential. I am always looking for travel-savvy beauty products and dry shampoo is the score of a lifetime; I can finally say au revoir to those 2-in-1 travel sizes provided by hotels across the world.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Frederic Fekkai, dry shampoo

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Happy Tuesday GLAMonistas!

What’s new with Ellen, Glamblush’s guest editor, you ask? Well, today I am all about the eyes and specifically MASCARA.

I am so jealous of my husband - he has the most beautifully thick, black lashes and they seem to go on for miles and miles. How is it that a guy can be born with such lashes?
There are so many mascaras on the market today and I find it very confusing. I wanted to share with all of the lovely Glamblush readers five brands that I have personally tested recently. I would love to hear what you think about these products and if you agree or disagree with my thoughts. Head over the Lipstick, Powder, ‘n Paint to read my reviews…

I will be back at the end of the month with more beautiful information!

Ellen

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Spotted at Bella Sugar -> How to spot fake cosmetics. (Black market makeup - I had no idea there was such a thing!)

Spotted at Beauty Bento Box -> 10 tips to sleeker hair.

Spotted at Bit By the Beauty Bug -> Is there tar in drugstore mascara? Ick.

Spotted at The Budget Fashionista -> How to wear falsies (lashes that is!)

Spotted at Off the Rack -> Avril Lavigne’s super smoky eyes - would you wear your eyeliner that thick?

Spotted at Face Candy -> London Asian Eyes by Napoleon Perdis.

Spotted at Talking Makeup -> Gloves in a bottle? Whoa.

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