Perk Up Your Morning, Perk Up Your Skin

Coffee has always been touted as an energy pick me up. Whether for energy or for routine, most people cannot get their day started until they have their morning cup of coffee. With this in mind, caffeine has enter the beauty market on several different fronts. From facials where brewed coffee is incorporated with the skincare to products such as eye creams that reduce puffiness, coffee is more than just an energy pick me up.

Coffeeberry is a very important antioxidant that helps to benefit the skin. Research has found that some of the benefits of products infused with coffeeberry range from depuffing the eyes, fighting the war against cellulite, to reducing some UV-exposure damage with the help of sunscreen. Caffeine is also great for sensitive skin and those suffering from rosacea by reducing swelling and calming down redness. With all these benefits, why not add caffeine to your daily skincare regime? Check out Sephora for some great products that take advantage of this revolutionary breakthrough.

Until next time Beauties, you've been marked!

Little Red Riding Hood

Today is National Wear Red Day in support of the Go Red movement. Heart disease is the number one killer among women and the month of February is dedicated to bringing awarness to this cause. From fashion shows to limited edition products, the involvement and support for this movement is hugh.

Bobbi Brown created this limited edition Lip Palette that features a universally flattering range of medium to deep hues: Mauve Lip Shimmer, Kir Lip Shimmer, Cranberry Lip Sheer and Slopes Lip Color-and a mini Lip Brush

This February, Bobbi is teaming up with The Heart Truth and will be doing the makeup for the Red Dress Collection 2008 Fashion Show. This is the third year in a row Bobbi has been a sponsor of the show. Palette $40

The Go Red For Women website is a great source of information and you have the ability to shop or donate to the cause. You can also find out what activities are going on around the country and in your town.

Even if you don't have a red dress to sport today, pull out your favorite red shoes, red purse or red lipstick and join the fight against Heart Diease.

Until next time Beauties, you've been marked!

Bridal Beauty

"On your wedding day you should look like yourself at your most beautiful." -Bobbi Brown

Bridal season is upon us and Bobbi Brown has once again delivered with her 2008 Bridal Kit.

This sleek white case with interior pockets and mirror includes Ivory eyeshadow, Black Ink Long-Wear gel eyeliner, a Short-Handle Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush, Black No Smudge Mascara, and Pink Sugar Shimmer lip gloss (all shown on model). Plus, there's room in the kit to add your favorite blush, lip color, and more eye shadows. For darker skin tones, I would recommend Navajo or Banana eye shadow in lieu of Ivory with Peony blush on the cheeks for a pop of color.

Every year Bobbi graces us with an easy to follow, bridal look that will enhance any skin tone and this year is no different. Limited Edition at $75, order yours today at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Say NO! NO! to Unwanted Hair

With summer fast approaching, it is time to get our bodies hair free, soft and smooth. Enter NO! NO! the newest hair removal gadget to hit the market. NO! NO! is a revolutionary new tool that removes hair by thermal transference- basically it zaps the hair with a gentle pulse of heat. It is safe for all hair types and skin tones. This is important for those with olive to dark skin because traditional techniques such as laser and electrolysis have been known to scar the skin. One of the advantages of NO!NO! is that you don't have to wait until your hair grows back like a sasquatch to do your next treatment. Like with any hair removal procedure, consistancy is key. The more you use it, the softer and slower the hair will grow back. The disadvantage of NO! NO! is that it cannot be used on the face, which for someone who is not a candidate for electrolysis or laser, this is a disappointment. NO!NO! can be purchased at Sephora.com and HSN.com for $250. So ladies, say NO!NO! to hairy legs, underarms and bikini area, and say YES! YES! to soft, smooth, glowing skin.

Grab Your Magic Carpet and Ride!

With names like Charmed by a Snake, Keys to my Karma and Moon Over Mumbai, it's time to grab your passport and get ready to go! India Collection by OPI, is a true reflection of the color forecast for Spring/Summer 2008. Runway looks showed us bright, neon colors and with shades of yellow, pink, orange and blue, this collection of 12 stand-out colors mirror the vibrancey of a beautiful Sari. On the OPI website, you have the unique ability to choose your skintone from a photograph of a hand, pick the nail polish of your choice and it will show you how that color will look with your skintone. As of today, the India collection has not been added to the OPI Studio, but with the collection debuting Feburary 6, I would hope that it will be added soon.

Until next time Beauties, you've been marked!

Did You See What _______ Was Wearing?

Blank is right. With the Golden Globes cancelled last night and reduced to a press conference, there are no pictures to post and no comments to be made. Now admittedly I am not an award show watcher, however I do like to see the coverage the next day on who was wearing what, who should have stayed at home and who just lost their mind. So with no designer shout outs to be made and no new talent to discover, the winner for best dressed last night was....YOU! That's right, whatever you were wearing last night, whether you were dressed to the nines for a Sunday night soiree or if you were in your most comfortable pajamas (like me), know that you beat out all of Hollywood for the best dressed star on the Red Carpet! Now let me think, what am I going to wear to the Oscars?.......

Bra-tastic Beauty: Part 2

Front Closure Bras are great when you need something that is easy to wear and isn’t difficult to adjust. The single front closure makes it a snap to put on or take off.

Full Coverage Bras are bras that entirely cover your breasts and zero exposure. This bra style is great for full-busted women because they are smooth and work well under form fitting tops, tanks, or tees. They are great for preventing breast spillage from the tops of their bras.

Lace Bras are completely made out of lace and add some sexiness to your bra wardrobe. This bra style is always feminine and is great to wear under heavier knits, jackets or vests.

Liquid and Gel Filled Bras have cups that are designed to add two cup sizes to your existing cup size. They make your breasts look and feel naturally larger without surgery.

Minimizer Bras will shrink the appearance of your breasts, making them appear up to two sizes smaller while giving you great support and lift. The cups on this bra style are made to evenly distribute your breast tissue inside of the cups without flattening them. This bra style is great for full-busted women whose bra size is 38C or above.

Plunge Bras are designed to sit very low between your cleavage. These bras are great for low plunging outfits without the peek-a-boo affect of your traditional bra. If you’ve never had a plunge bra and you wear sexy low cut tops, you will surely want one of these bras to add to your bra wardrobe.

Push Up Bras give you Beauties the opportunity to lift your breasts and enhance your cleavage. Unlike most balcony bras, most push up bras are padded or come with removable pads.

A Racer Back Bra is a bra where the back of the bra has a wide cut in back. The bra straps run along the top of your shoulders closer to the neck than traditional bra straps. Thay make it easy to wear certain types of tank tops, tees, or shirts when you don’t want your bra straps to be visible.

A Shelf Bra covers only the lower part of the breasts, leaving the rest of the breasts exposed. It is not supportive and is worn in extreme heated situations with our hunny.

Soft Cup Bras have no underwire. to dig into your ribs or breast tissue. Soft cup bras are extremely comfortable to wear. This bra style is also easy to wash and store and are great for working out.

Sports Bras are constructed for increased levels of physical activity and offer you maximum support no matter what excersise your in to. With the right sports bra, will feel supported while you work out. It is important to understand that your regular bra is not designed for workouts and will not give you proper support. Instead, you should invest in a great sports bra.

T-Shirt Bras are lined bras with cups that smooths breasts and give you a natural round shape. This type of bra is great underneath fitting tank tops, of course T-Shirts, polo’s, and other semi plain fitted shirts. T-Shirt bras give great lift and support.

Well that concludes our bra education course. Print this list out and take it with you the next time you go shopping.

Until tommorrow Beauties, stay beautiful! Miss Tish your Chicago Beauty

Bra-tastic Beauty: Part 1

Beauties, this posting is dedicated to the girls, so read carefully and take notes so when you do your courses de bustier (that’s French for bra shopping), you’ll know what’s best to wear with that sleek strapless dress for that company holiday soiree, the fitted T-shirt when your out rummaging through those after holiday sales and while your taking your second lap on that treadmill, as you stay true to your 2008 resolution.

Backless Bras are adhesive bras with no back that is specifically designed for those often attempted backless dresses. Rather then plunging to go bra-less, opt for one of these. There are different types of backless bras and the best way to determine which kind of B.B. you’ll need, would be to try on your outfit and see where you need coverage and how low the back of your top or dress goes. Remember that different types of B.B’s give different coverage, and if you are beautiful and busty, these adhesive bras are not visible but may offer you less support.

Balcony Bras or a balconette is a bra that lifts, accentuates and provides less cup coverage and more cleavage appeal than your basic bra. These are almost like a push up bra, but quite different in some aspects, read on to push up bras to see the difference.

Bralettes (say YES to sexy comfort), bras that have no underwire, no padding and are great when you want to give those girls a break from the wires. Bralettes can be an alternative to wearing no bra at all, yet it offers some coverage, they are best for sleeping and on those nights you feel extra sexy and want to give yourself or your hunny a treat. This bra style generally pulls over your head or can be hooked in the back.

Bridal and Formal Gown Bras are more commonly known as longline bras. It is designed to be worn underneath wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, other formal gowns. They feature soft pliable boning along the bodice to create a flawless hour glass shape. It also may feature detachable bra straps that can be worn either with or without the straps.

A Built-in bra is one that comes with the clothing, eliminating the need for a separate bra. This style can be found attached to the insides of swimsuits and tube tops. Some built-in bras are just horizontal, elastic fabric, but others have padding and underwired cups as well.

Convertible Bras (definitely a MUST HAVE) are bras that straps can be switched around to accommodate various types of outfits. A typical convertible bra has bra straps that can be worn traditionally, halter style, criss-cross or cut-in off of the shoulders. Some convertible bras even come with an additional band that can lower the back of your bra to create a low back bra or a backless bra.

A Demi Cup Bra is a bra whose cups provide half of the traditional cup coverage, are lightly padded yet provides maximum exposure of the breasts. This bra style also works well for women who are flatter at the top of their breasts and want to eliminate gapping in the cups.

Well this is just the beginning ladies! Come back tommorrow for our bra education class. Your homework tonight, go through your bra collection and see what you need. Comb through your wardrobe and see what dresses or tops you have not been able to wear because you did not have the proper bra.

Until tommorrow Beauties, stay beautiful! Miss Tish your Chicago Beauty

Sisterlocks...The Movement!

The story of Sisterlocks is a simple one. Created in 1993 by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell, this revolutionary technique promotes healthy hair. Many women are finding this hairstyle is more than that- it's a lifestyle...even a "movement" The locks offer women the ease and flexibility to style their hair without feeling like they cannot have an active lifestyle, which is the worry most women with relaxers have.

See, I have short hair that I wear in a modified mohawk. I also have a relaxer. My biggest challenge - having my hair stay straight or at least look straight while sticking to my self imposed bootcamp workout plan. Any woman who has a relaxer can attest to the challege of trying to keep their hair looking fresh after sweating for 45 minutes 5 times a week. A hairstyle that is suppose to last 2-3 weeks, quickly loses its luster in about 7 days. So as I contemplate the idea of going this route, I prepare to leave for my 9AM hair appointment to get my relaxer touched up. Let's see how long my style stays this month. To find out more information about Sisterlocks, visit www.sisterlocks.com. Until next time Beauties, you've been marked!

Atlanta Gets Bitten

Beauty #1: Oh Dear! I think I've been Bitten!

Beauty #2: Well you better put your Starbury's on, run to 7-Eleven and get something for that!

BittenSJP, Dear by Amanda Bynes, Starbury and Eleven by Venus Williams are the stars of clothing retailer phenomenon Steve & Barry's. If you are not familar Steve & Barry's, let me give you the lowdown. As described on their website, "Steve & Barry's is about change. It's about changing the way that consumers shop for their clothes." Their philosophy is "Great clothing doesn't really have to cost that much." From their breakout collaboration with NBA star Stephon Marbury whose innovative idea of quality footwear at $14.98 to the exciting and invigorating collection BITTEN Sarah Jessica Parker, this retailer proves that its goal is to cater to their customers. Carrying everything from clothing to accessories, items in the store are sold for $20 or less.

Well Atlanta, get ready to have your socks blown off! Steve & Barry's is hitting Discover Mills Mall January 16th. My advice, wear comfortable shoes, get your shopping tracksuit on and get ready to shop til you drop . A little birdy told us that for their grand opening, everything in the store will be under $10.00.....WHAT?!?!....you heard me, under $10.00! So visit www.steveandbarrys.com, get your shopping strategy together and get ready to rumble!

I love Sarah Jessica Parkers manifesto "It is every woman's inalienable right to have a pulled-together stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to live. GET BITTEN." Spoken like a true fashion icon.

Pretty In Pink 2008

Bobbi's Inspiration "Raspberry is a brillant way to wear color and there's a shade of raspberry for every complexion-from pink to deep raspberry."

I cannot wait for Spring to get here. Not just because the temperature has dropped drastically here in Atlanta, but Bobbi Brown's new Pink Raspberry pallet is absolutely gorgeous! I have always been a fan of Bobbi's face pallets because they include your shadows, eyeliner, blush and lipcolors.

This season's must-have pallet features cool, neutral shadows Navajo and Fog , Pink Raspberry and Raspberry shades for lips and Blue Raspberry blush for cheeks. These colors will truely compliment any skin tone. Price $55

Compliment this pallet with four of Bobbi's most popular mini brushes-Blush, Eye Shadow, Eye Liner and Lip (with protective cap)-in a soft zip-around case with pink raspberry interior. Price $55

So Beauties, get ready for Spring early and pick up your pallet today. For a limited time, online orders over $75 receive free shipping.

The Perfect Red Lip

"I love red lipstick, but I just can't wear it!" This is a statement I hear over and over again from my clients. Au Contraire! Anybody can wear red lipstick, it just depends on the shade that is right for you. Reds com in so many combinations, it is almost impossible not to find on to fit you. Orangey reds, brown reds, pink reds and blue, all reds have an undertone. The trick is to find the one that is right for your skintone. You must take into consideration you hair color and pay attention to the amount of color you have in your lips. Be sure to use a lipliner so that your lipstick does not bleed. Make sure it is a perfect match or slightly deeper (not darker) so that it blends easily. Most of all, have fun! Go to your favorite beauty hang out and seek the help of a professionall artist. If you have to try on a hundred lipsticks to find the perfect one, then so be it! That is what they are there for.

Until next time Beauties, You've Been Marked!

Now Lashes! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!

With the holidays quickly approaching and party invitations pouring in, it is time to start pulling together your holiday look. This is the time to wear false lashes and really add some drama to your already stunning eyes. Whether your a novice or pro, glamming up your holiday with lashes is a sure way to stand out in a crowd. There is a variety of lashes from natural to long, rhinestones to feathers. Makeup Forever has a great selection that will surely stir up the diva within you. Have fun this holiday season and bat those bedroom eyes...you never know what Santa might bring!

Until next time Beauties, You've Been Marked!

Winterize Your Skin: The Body

Okay Beauties! Last week we covered winterizing your face. This week let's cover the body. There are three things you can do to keep that body soft and supple during the chilly weather.

Every night after you bathe, it is a must that you apply body lotion. A few months back I wrote about my new obsession Vasiline Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil. This gel oil will leave your body soft and silky. Dare someone to touch you and then try to leave! Once a week, it is a great idea to exfoliate the body. You can go old school and use a loofah sponge, but my recommendation is a great body scrub. Take the time to relax and apply all over body to remove the dead skin and lack luster that comes along with the harsh weather. To give your body some extra care, a detoxifying mask for the body will give you a true spa treatment at home. Last but not least, protect your skin when you leave the house. From coats, to gloves and hats, not only is it imperative to cover up to protect you from catching a cold, but the elements can reak havoc on your skin. Daily care from head to toe will keep your skin beautiful, fight the signs of aging and create a natural glow that you can find in any bottle! Until next time Beauties! You've been marked!

Jackline has been marked!

Jackline has been marked she is the recipient of my recommended Hair Care Regimen, complete with Sap Moss Nourishing Concentrate, Sap Moss Shampoo & Conditioner, Brilliant Damage Control, Phomollient, Brilliant Anti- Humectant, Brilliant Emollient Gloss, & Brilliant Medium Hold Hair Spray.

Jackline asked.....

Q. What products (exactly) can I use to keep my hair hydrated for this winter?

A. I recommend Sap Moss Nourishing Concentrate it is a pre-shampoo treatment, Sap Moss Shampoo & Conditioner, which will nourish and restore health to your hair. The active ingredient is Iceland Moss which heals, protects and provides moisture, as well as the Sap will supply additional nutrients for the hair. What makes this collection unique is the Sap Moss Moisture Concentrate. It is used as a healing treatment prior to shampooing and helps to repair dry, damages hair, which will restore its smoothness and shine. The Sap Moss Shampoo is unique because not only does it cleanse the hair you find most of the nourishment and it is recommended to leave in a few minutes setting it apart from traditional shampoo. Sap Moss Conditioning Detangler eliminates frizz and retains moisture.

Q: I need something cheap for my tight budget. I want to be able to walk into target, Sally’s, or any hair care beauty supply and find that product.

A: Their are many products available just like most things, you get what you pay for. I want to empower you with the necessary information to shop responsibly. When shopping you’re looking for ingredients that support the benefits you need from the product. The first ingredient to the last is listed in order of concentration, so the ingredients should support the benefit. Because you said you need hydration the product Ingredient that supports moisture: http://www.sunsethair.com/ingredients.htm Product Ingredients to avoid: http://www.aubrey-organics.com/about/treat_10synth.cfm

Q . How often should I clip my ends?

A. Ends should be trimmed every 4 to six weeks!

Q. My hair grows to a certain length and then it seems like it stays there. What should I do to ensure that it continues to grow, while still being healthy? Do you have any tips?

A. Because you said your hair reaches a certain length then stops, I recommend drinking plenty of water and the required amounts of vitamins from animal sources, red, yellow, and orange fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, eggs, seafood, nuts and yeast. These nutrients will provide the protein, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and biotin of the daily requirements of a healthy diet. Which will give you beautiful healthy, vibrant hair.

If this article was helpful to you, please be sure to leave a comment. If you don't have a google/gmail account, please use gbmbeauty@getbeautymarked.com/password:beautiful, to sign in. You've Been Marked!

Until next time beauties, Vonetta your DC Metro Beauty

Winterize Your Skin: The Face

Winter is fast approaching and it is time to change our skin care routine to reflect the change in the weather. It is important to treat you skin according to what it is doing now. I have oily skin, however when the weather changes to cooler tempatures, I become dehydrated. So I still need to take care of the oily factor, as well as the lack of hydration. Putting together a daily regime is easy. Once you determined your skin type, be sure to use the following products: cleanser, treatment, moisturizer, eye cream and what I call a "binder". You must also remember to take care of the neck and décolletage as...read more>>

We're Thankful!

Thank you to everyone who visits our blog daily, thank you for spreading the word, sharing your thoughts and sending emails, we hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday.

5 tips to help you stay Fab during Holiday Festivities:

1. Wear cloths that are slightly tight on you. This should help you feel full faster, and keep you from eating too much food.

2.Keep your portions small. Try to load up on salad and vegetables, and take just tiny amounts of anything else.

3. Don't let yourself get too hungry. If you go to a party and you're starving, everything will look even more tasty than normal.

4. Walking around the shopping mall and stores is great exercise, and so is cleaning the house. In addition to those activities, decorating can be quite intensive workout as well.

5. Allow yourself one small serving of a cookie or piece of candy at holiday events during the holiday season. Just remember to kick your workout up a notch later.

Happy Thanksgiving Beauties!

Speak Up and Leave Your Mark!

GBM! now has a forum! Get Beautymarked! Speaks is a place to discuss fashion, beauty, motherhood, business, life! Join a community or start one of your own. Don't be shy if your the first on to speak up! GBM encourages stepping out the box! Start a thread, ask a question, drop some knowledge or tell us what's going on in your world. We are excited to meet and interact with all the Beauties around the world. So don't be shy Beauty...SPEAK! Visit Get Beautymarked! Speaks or click on the link in the sidebar.

Calling All Commentators!

Good Morning Beauties! There are some exciting new things happening in the GBM! world. We invite all readers to leave a comment on any or all of our wonderful post. For those of you who do not have a Google/Gmail account, we have created any email to allow you to sign in and leave a comment. The email is gbmbeauty@getbeautymarked.com and the password is beautiful. When leaving your comment, please include your name, city and state. This email is for sign in purposes ONLY! Please do not send emails to this address. We look forward to hearing from you!

Fine Beauty Blog

Acclaimed makeup artist, Sam Fine has joined the blogoshphere. His new blog features a behind-the-scenes look into his life with celebrity clients such as, Vanessa Williams, Tyra Banks, Mo'Nique and many others. “And of course, no beauty blog would be complete without tons of product favorites used to create each stunning look.” (Sam Fine) If you would like professional tips for your holiday look, this is a great place to get some inspiration. Until next time, beauty is what you make it, so embrace it. Chimere your Atlanta Beauty. Visit Sam Fine's Blog