This Was Already a Great Deal, But...

In case you haven't heard, there is a make-up line (featured
in InStyle and many other magazines) called e.l.f. - stands for eyeslipsface (www.eyeslipsface.com).

The thing that makes e.l.f. special is that everything is only $1.00! BUT even better, a friend just emailed us a great coupon code - on orders UP TO $20.00 you can enter the promo code Carolina and it will take 50% off your order - making everything only 50 cents. We tested the code and it works. It's a steal!

They also have brushes and other makeup accessories for
only a dollar!

Take a look: e.l.f. cosmetics.

Boost Your Body Image

By Dinsa Sachan
Body image is the little sistah of self-image. It's how you perceive your physical appearance and what you think others make of your looks. A 2006 worldwide survey conducted by Dove found that 90% of women want to change at least one aspect of their body (body weight being number one). How do you think you perceive your own body? How good is your body image?

Here's a quick check:

1. Do you continuously fret about your body?
2. Do you look into the mirror again and again?
3. Do you avoid social gatherings because you think people will find you unattractive?
4. Do you get upset when people make negative remarks about your body?
5. Do you feel a tinge of envy while flipping through magazines that display beautiful fashion models?

If you answered yes to most of them, you probably do suffer from a poor body image. But don't worry. Have patience. This is a psychological condition you can get rid of. Read on.

Two Cautions to Start With:

1. Don't be mislead by the media: If you are one of those who feel miserable looking at the beautiful, toned bodies of models on the ramp, sit up. Point number one: most of these girls don't look half as good in reality. Their faces are heavy on make-up, and the actual images you see splashed across the magazines have been altered digitally. Don't believe us? Watch this Dove documentary.

2. Close your ears on the critters: Family members and friends have a strong impact on our body image. We are continuously receiving feedback from them about our bodies. When this feedback is negative in nature, it is bound to worsen our body image. Most of the people who crab about your body have poor self esteem themselves, and their demeaning comments are only reflections of their own poor body image.

Tips to Boost Your Body Image

1. Challenge Yourself: If you find yourself hiding behind the closet and avoiding social life because you think you are unattractive, challenge yourself by going out and meeting people. It's easier said than done, but the only way you are going to conquer this is by breaking out of your shell.

2. Focus on the positive aspects: We are conditioned to focus on our flaws all the time. Make it a point to praise your noteworthy aspects when you look into the mirror. Think of ways you can highlight a good feature and add to its beauty.

3. Look for good points in others: Whenever you meet new people, look for their good qualities, other than physical traits. When you begin to focus on others' positive qualities, you begin to look for those qualities in yourself too.

4. Develop other interests: If you find yourself fretting about your body too much, try developing other interests. If you have something constructive to occupy your mind, you won't be tempted to think about your body again and again.

5. Focus on complementing your beauty: Looking good isn't just about having a pretty face and toned body. If you look around, you will find that the people who really are attractive to others are the ones who have great personalities. They may not necessarily have Hollywood faces, but lure others with their communication skills. Develop a good dress sense, too.

Why it isn't worth bothering about:

Your facial features are genetically predetermined and so is your body type and how thin you can get. There's no use fretting about things which you have little control over. And there's always going to a more beautiful, smarter person than you. Look the best you can. That's the best thing you can do.

Dinsa Sachan is a champion for healthy body image. Reach her at dinsasachan [at] gmail [dot] com.

Winter Skin Survival Guide

By Carly Warburton
It's that time of year again and the worst of the winter months is about to wreak havoc on your skin- So, how do you "save your face"? Follow this survival guide to avoid a dull winter complexion and say hello to happy, healthy, glowing skin!

Clean Up

Throw out the 'ol soap and water routine to wash your face- Your skin will thank you! Soap is too harsh and strips your skin of its own natural, protective oils. Instead, use a cleanser appropriate for your skin type that is a creamy, milky formula.
Before bed, cleanse your skin and blot dry with a clean towel. Do not rub your face with a towel as this is very irritating to skin. To prevent stripping away those oils, just splash your face with cool water in the morning instead of washing your face. This will not only be beneficial for your skin, but will also give you that wakeup call you need to get to class on time!

Bring on the Mositure

During the winter months, skin can become flaky and itchy. The harsh elements and freezing temperatures can definitely take its toll. To combat those drying effects, simply use a good moisturizer (and yes, even if you have oily skin, you still need to apply a moisturizer). Applying a moisturizer balances the skin and creates a protective barrier that fights against cold, dry and windy conditions. It will give skin a young and fresh appearance. It will also help to create a longer-lasting base for makeup.
There are many different types of moisturizer ranging in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Price does not matter, just be sure to choose a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you will not want to buy a product intended for severely dry skin. You will want to find a moisturizer that is oil-free but still hydrating to the skin.
Avoid any products that list alcohol as an ingredient. Alcohol is very drying to the skin. For the best protection, use a moisturizer with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) built into it of at least 15. Remember that snow, ice, and altitude intensify the power of UV rays. Protect your skin just as much as you would in the summer months.
Don't forget your lips! Lips chap easily when exposed to dry or windy conditions. Use a lip balm or chapstick frequently. Find one with a SPF of 15 or higher in it.

Buff Away the Winter Blues

Exfoliation is a must, especially during the winter months- skin tends to look dull and dry. Exfoliating the skin will help to reveal a glowing and soft complexion. The top layer of skin consists of layers of dead skin cells that gradually slough away. By exfoliating regularly, you can speed this natural process exposing fresher skin underneath.
Use products intended for the face but avoid products with fragments of nuts and seeds to exfoliate. These are simply too aggressive and will cause more damage to the skin than good. Instead, use a product with jojoba beads or ground oats. Do not exfoliate the skin more than twice a week. Doing so will break down the natural barrier of the skin that protects from environmental elements, chemicals and harmful bacteria. An inexpensive option is to cut squares of muslin (available at local fabric stores) to wipe off makeup and cleanser. This gently removes excess dead skin cells and because the muslin is so gentle, it can be done daily. You can make your own body scrub by mixing equal parts of olive oil and sugar. Then add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil for a nice, relaxing fragrance.

Beat the Heat- Indoor That Is

Indoor or artificial heat plays a big role in drying out skin. Central heating and furnaces tend to dry out moisture in the air and even draws out moisture from the skin. Keep the heat at a lower temperature and use a humidifier in your home to add moisture back to the air. Your bedroom is the best place to put a humidifier since you spend most time there. At least 8 hours anyway-while you sleep!
Another hot spot in the home is the shower. As appealling as a hot shower sounds, it is very drying and irritating to the skin. It will strip the skin of natural oils. Instead, take a luke-warm shower or bath and put a body oil or lotion immediately after getting out.

H²O is the Way to Go

Often, women will spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on that "miracle" skin cream, but the best thing you can do for your skin during the winter months and all year long is free! Water used internally and topically is a skin saver. Put a small bottle (with a spray pump) of water in your purse or schoolbag. Throughout the day, mist your face. This adds moisture to the skin and will refresh and invigorate your face and your mind. You can add one or two drops of your favorite essential oil for a customized spritz. Finally, drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. This will hydrate your body and skin from the inside-out leaving you with a flawless, youthful complexion.

Now that you know a few tricks of the trade- you can "face" this year's Winter Wonderland with confidence!


Carly Warburton is a Licensed Master Esthetician and Professional Makeup Artist. She resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and 2-year old son.

How do I Start?

A reader sent in an email that said:

"I honestly am not into the whole fashion and make up thing, but I wish I were. I feel like I'm not playing on what strengths I do have. I love dressing up, but I don't know all the tricks to get my hair to behave and how to apply make up to accentuate my good features. Actually, I've always been a bit more focused on academics than social skills. How do I start to branch out more? I wish I knew about make up so I could use it wisely and have fun, but still look natural. I wish I knew which clothes were cute. I live in a rural town, 3 hours away from the mall. I don't mess with fashion magazines, because I think I want a less worldly view. I also wonder about all the "make up consultants", because they really are just trying to sell products, right? I wish I had a best friend fashion guru to help me out and give me makeovers and stuff, but my friends are about as lost as I am in the popular world."

Brandy, a new *Jen* Magazine writer and advice columnist answers this email:

One of the most memorable and most beneficial things my mom ever did for me was driving me to the mall on my birthday one year to have a professional make up consultation. I learned more from that hour that was spent with me than I have in any beauty magazine I've ever read. To this day I visit the make up counters at the mall for the occasional update in techniques or new ideas.

I think the most important thing to remember is that you need to find a look that YOU are comfortable with. Don't be afraid to tell them that you want to look natural, or that you don't think the purple eye shadow compliments your big blue eyes! Be sure to speak up if they use a particular product or color that you don't necessarily like. Or if they use a certain technique, ask them to show you how you can repeat it yourself. They are there to help and give you the "how to," but you are the only one who knows what YOU like.

Don't ever think that you have to wear make up to be "pretty" or "prettier."
While make up is fun and can accentuate your best features, it in no way makes you who you are. I rarely wore make up in high school, but no one ever said, "I don't want to be friends with Brandy. She doesn't wear make up!" I didn't want to wear what everyone else was wearing, or do my hair the same way, or even my make up for that matter. I was my own person and I know that I was admired because of that.

Have you ever heard the expression, "Clothes don't make the man?" How true I have found this to be! There are so many cute styles and new trends that you see everyday. As Latter Day Saint women, we do have a challenge in this department. I'm always up for a good challenge, though! When I am looking for new items to add to my wardrobe, I look for things that I am comfortable wearing. Good fabrics, complimentary colors, good lengths, etc. There are so many different body types, heights, skin tones, hair colors, eye colors, etc. that it can seem overwhelming trying to adapt to today's fashions.
That is where my idea came from to have the fashions adapt to you instead!
Find pieces that compliment you well. Jeans that are flattering, tops that are cute on you. We all need a shopping buddy, someone who will be honest with you when critiquing new outfits. Try incorporating new pieces occasionally rather than trying to keep up with the new styles each season.

Most importantly, focus on you. Know that you are a daughter of our Heavenly Father and that your name brand jeans aren't going to make a difference in the eternal aspect of things. Have fun with your style. And that advice that your parents gave you about just being yourself? I can't stress enough that you should definitely listen to them, they know what they are talking about!   -Brandy

You can learn more about Brandy and ask her questions in her new advice column "Spare Change".