New Beginnings...

Credit: AlxCreatives

When I started this blog, I was 26, living in a small apartment in Murray Hill with my brother and had a full time job in beauty PR.  I sat down to write my first post on Blogger about my addiction to dying my hair jet black as Garnier's 100% Color in Blue Black sunk into my strands.  Six years later, I'm grateful for my curiosity of social media, first job at Cosmopolitan and passion for writing, because they're the initial reason BeautySweetSpot has been successful thus far.  Had I known that while I was typing those words, I was beginning a new career, I would have done some things differently from the get go (the title for example), but who could have predicted that?  Since 2006, I've had remarkable career and personal growth and am ready for the next chapter...

at my launch party in 2006

People change, brands evolve and throughout the past six years so much has happened with digital journalism and in my professional and personal life.  To say that I'm not the same person I was six years ago when I launched BeautySweetSpot wouldn't be true, but just like you, my life has evolved and in this moment, I couldn't be happier and more content.  So I'm launching anew sitethat better reflects who I am today and I can't wait to share all of my passions with you!While beauty is still a focus (obvi), I'm expanding into wellness and will be writing about living a beautifully balanced life.

Throughout the past two years, I've been on a spiritual path that has allowed me to see the world with a different perspective.  As a New Yorker, this isn't an easy task as I now try see through a lens of love instead of a lens of fear and it's liberating.  I fell in love and got married, religiously practice transcendental meditation, attempt to cook, added Bikram Yoga to my workout regimen and I care now more than ever about my health and am so grateful to be able to take you along for the ride.

My new found passions led me to study at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and by the end of the year, I'll be a certified Health Coach.  I'm sure you noticed, that my passion for journalism has shifted from freelance writing to contributing on-air, which is a career path I'm now actively pursuing.  I feel alive in front of the camera and am grateful that I'm able to bring my content to life on TV.  No matter what medium you've been following my content on, I'm proud of the fact that I've always been ethical and will promise to remain that way in all of my work moving forward as well.

So, welcome to the next chapter!

BB Cushion: The New BB

Beauty balms are a beauty staple these days and while so many versions have developed over the past few years (CC creams, DD creams...), the perfect hybrid of makeup and skincare has definitely been perfected.  I love using BB creams simply because they streamline my morning regimen.  Here's the scoop on the latest and greatest - BB cushion.

"The average woman in Asia goes through seven different steps taking care of her skin," says Jessica Wu, MD, a Santa Monica, Calif., dermatologist.  That may sound crazy to you, but it's certainly not out-of-this-world to me.  Personally, after I wash, I like to use a toner, lightening serum, eye cream, day cream with SPF, primer and tinted moisturizer.  That's six steps in skincare alone.

Now, my morning beauty routine is cut down. Thanks to a new innovation in BB, the first of it's kind LANEIGE BB Cushion, $34, is available at Target stores and Target.com.  I like that it's lightweight and does more than just moisturize, protect (with SPF 50) and tint. It's a 5-in-1 that brightens, protects and hydrates skin, while preventing shine and perfecting long-lasting coverage.  The applicator puff it comes with delivers just the right amount of product onto my skin for a very natural look.

We could all use a simple skincare regimen that leaves our skin looking fresh and beautiful. Could you use something like the Laneige BB Cushion, too?  I'm giving one of these away!  Comment on my Facebook telling me the steps in your morning routine for a chance to win.  (Winner must be located in the USA and will be selected at random).

*This is a sponsored post by Laneige, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

This year, we broke up our Mother's Day gift guide for all different types of women – the active, romantic, tea lover – you get the deal.  Here are some ways to show appreciation for your mom.

For the Romantic Ralph Lauren Fragrances Romance Atomizer, $90 A beautiful gift for every mother who believes in true love, warmth and togetherness, Ralph Lauren’s iconic Romance fragrance is now available in a romantic 100ML atomizer bottle. Notes include: •         TOP NOTES: Chamomile, Ginger, Sun Goddess Rose, Lychee •         MID NOTES: Marigold, Night-blooming Daylilly, White Violet, Paradisone •         BASE NOTES: Skin musk, Patchouli Coeur, Exotic Wood

For the Skincare Obsessed Clarisonic Limited-Edition Mother’s Day Value Set, $149 Let your mom know she’s such a peach this Mother’s Day with the Clarisonic Mia 2 in Sunwashed Peach. The Mia 2, which is clinically proven to cleanse skin six times better than using your hands alone, will help to transform your mom’s skin texture by reducing the appearance of pore size and creating a smoother, more radiant complexion. Set Includes:Clarisonic Mia 2, Two Sensitive Brush Heads, 6 oz. Refreshing Gel Cleanser, protective travel case and charger

For the Active Athleta Totes Dorbs, $79 at Athleta.com We really love this tote, for everyone, but specifically the mom-on-the-go. The sleek style is chic and radiant color makes it the perfect tie-in to any look, whether running errands, going to the gym, or even grabbing those after-work cocktails. The inside features a mesh pocket that’s perfect for phone, change, or keys. A removable shoulder strap allows for use as a tote or a shoulder bag.

For the Tea Lover Steepster Subscription, $149.95 (for 6 months) Subscriptions are always a good gift to give; they’re really the gift that keeps on giving. (And who doesn’t love that?) Steepster searches for the best teas around the world and delivers them to your door monthly. It’s more than just tea; it’s a cultural learning experience any mom would love to enjoy. Each order includes five teas with tasting notes and brewing instructions along with a nice muslim bag for storage.

For the Fancy Pandora Essence Collection in Always There For Me, $410 (complete set) Pandora bracelets just exude elegance and personalization, especially their newest Essence Collection. Pandora just launched 12 charms to help showcase inner beauty, a pure representation of the qualities every mom possesses. We like caring, affection and appreciation.

Post Workout Skincare

Shower.  That was the only thing I could think about as I left Barry's Bootcamp a sweaty mess with a beat red face.  Feel me?  But did you know that there's actually a skincare regimen you should follow after an intense workout?  Neither did I until I spoke with NYC Dermatologist, Dr. Dennis Gross, who gave me the scoop.

"When you exercise you sweat and lose a lot of fluids. Your first reaction after your workout is to wash it all away, but you have to make sure to take care of your skin properly when it's so stressed," he commented.

Step one: Skip harsh cleansers and toners that will strip away your natural oils.

Step two: Add moisture back into your skin.

Application is key though, as when you increase your metabolism, your oil glands naturally secrete, so you need to make sure your skin has time to equilibrate before applying products so they don't end up blocking the pores.  Therefore, you should wait a while after your workout to add moisturizer and makeup.

The Pro Secret to Better Brows

Typically, when filling in our brows, we choose a product – shadow or liner – and get the job done. However, we’re missing a huge step that makes all the difference. LA makeup artist, Gabbi Pascua, gave us a reason for using more than one formula.

In order to make your brows look natural, refined and shaped, you need to use a two products – a liquid filler and a pencil. Start by using a liquid formula, (which is a consistency I’ve never used on my brows before) like Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in a shade lighter than your brows, to fill in the front only where it needs to be filled by “feathering” with short brush strokes.

Then, take a pencil like NARS Brow Perfector in a darker shade and fill in from your mid brow to the ends for a “fuller, defined brow that’s not too harsh.”

Who knew? Next time you fill in your brows, remember, don’t force a shape, just fill in what’s missing and blend the two formulas with your brow brush for the most natural looking brows.

Nexxus Opens 1st High-Tech Salon

nexxus-hair-salon

Earlier this week I paid a visit to the new and first ever Nexxus hair salon in Tribeca for a blowout and cocktail party with Cosmopolitan.  The salon is gorgeous.  With 12 foot ceilings, the pristine white space has seven styling stations and perhaps the most comfortable wash chairs I ever sat in (they're made by the same company as dentist office chairs – smart), Creative Director, Kevin Mancuso's vision is brought to life.  The most impressive part, however, is the touch screen interactive mirror, which offers personal hair diagnoses.

Nexxus

The interactive mirror allows you to upload your photos before you get your hair cut, colored and styled and walks you through a texture matrix based on the type and diameter of your hair.  Based on your answers, it helps you choose a color, style and product regimen.  I've seen this type of technology used online to help people shop for products, but never actually in a salon.  The best part is that it saves your photos and data so next time you come, you can get exactly what you're looking for or have a better understanding of what you want to tweak.

Nexxus

Nexxus

jeannine-morris

While the salon officially opens in June, they're doing a soft launch now so you can schedule an appointment privately by emailing nexxusnycsalon@nexxus.com or calling 212-219-8635.

The Nexxus Hair Salon is located at 39 N. Moore in NYC.

*This is a sponsored post, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Beauty Best Sellers

I can tell you which products are my favorite, but sales determine the real best sellers. Want to know what the hottest beauty products of the moment are?  Check out these fun facts and start shopping!

H20 Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment - 1 is sold globally every 1.4 minutes.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum - 1 is sold every 9 seconds throughout the world.

Bio-Oil - a bottle is sold every 17 seconds in the US.

LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask- 1 is sold every 15 seconds.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream - 1 is sold every 30 seconds globally.

Laura Geller Baked products - 1 is sold every 48 seconds.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime - 2 bottles are sold every minute worldwide.

Urban Decay Naked Palette - 1 is sold every 5 seconds.

DIY Beauty Refresh: No Salon Needed

Why spend hundreds of dollars at the salon or spa on your beauty regimen when you can do it yourself and save?  Well, DIY to a certain extent.  Here are some of our favorite beauty buys that'll keep you looking fresh this spring.

Hair: Refreshing your color at a hair salon with a gloss can run you about $80. At home, try John Frieda Color Refreshing Gloss for only $11.99 at drugstore.com. Available in six shades, the glosses refresh and liven up your hair color even matching the tone. Just apply it in the shower after you shampoo and let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing.

Nails: Fan of gel manicures? They can run you upwards of $40 a pop at the salon. Instead, try Sensationail at home. The starter kit is $59.99 and then you’re set. It includes the LED lamp and everything you need to get a chip free manicure for up to 2 weeks over and over again.

Smile: Professional teeth whitening can cost about $500! At home, try the new GoSmile Sonic Blue Whitening System for a professional whitening each time you brush thanks to the LED light paired with vibrations that polish your teeth.

Now, how's that for a spring beauty refresh?

Our Favorite New SPFs

We all know sunscreen is important. The issue now? There are so many sunscreens out there, who knows what to use? That's where we come in. Check out our favorite SPF's for your upcoming summer of fun in honor of World Health Day!

 L'Oréal Invisible Protect Clear Cool Lotion SPF 30

First off, spray SPF's just make life so much easier (fact). This is a truly great spray sunscreen that even smells delicious! It's provides great protection from the sun without leaving your skin feeling greasy, because that is literally the worst.

Shiseido Wet Force Ultimate Protection Lotion SPF 50 

This is one of those products you'll wonder how you lived without. It's a super light-weight SPF that nourishes skin as it protects you from harmful UV rays. It's also waterproof, so your summer of fun is uninterrupted! (Just the way we like it.)

Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Lotion SPF 30

You know we had to throw a sporty SPF in here. This Neutrogena product is guaranteed to stay strong even through your toughest workout. It's a thicker sunscreen but it really gets the job done because it doesn't clog your pores and lets your skin breathe.

Palmer's Eventone Sun Balm SPF 15

It may not seem like it from the outside, but this is a really amazing SPF! It protects your skin from the sun all while moisturizing to baby-soft perfection. Do we really need to say more?

 Coppertone Sport Accuspray Sunscreen SPF 50

This is another awesome spray SPF. It sprays on evenly and dries in seconds. It's the perfect SPF for anyone who's active. It's very light and odorless, so it's great not only for your morning jog, but your picnic in the park!

Have some other summertime favorites? Let us know your favorite SPF in the comments section!

Spring Break Ready Skin Tips

The weather is finally getting warmer! If you’re following me on Instagram, you’ll see that I just took my spring break trip to Jamaica. Yes, I did the whole Cancun thing in college. Don’t judge! Whether you’re taking a vacation or just in the mood to get ready to lose the tights, here are some tips on how to prep your skin for spring break.

Exfoliate Sure, you know you should exfoliate, but do you? Exfoliating gets rid of any dry, dead skin to reveal a fresh, soft layer. On your face, it helps to rid gunk like makeup and SPF. Think about that build up, people! Try exfoliating your body and face twice a week.

Rid Pimples Obviously, nobody likes to get breakouts on the beach but let’s face it, breakouts happen. Try using NEW AcneFree Drying Lotion (available for $5.99 at drugstores), and apply it directly onto your breakout. This new lotion from AcneFree starts to clear your acne overnight! All you have to do is, before bed (after cleansing, toning, and moisturizing), dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Apply a dab of this lotion directly on the whitehead and do not rub it in. AcneFree Drying Lotion treats a pimple using Salicylic Acid to unclog the pores, Calamine and Niacinamide to soothe the inflamed skin, and zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to dry excess oil in the affected area – all while you sleep. Perfect for travel, this great new product will help you look and feel your best.

Remove Unwanted Hair Of course I need to state the obvious, but here’s a tip. If you shave, wait until the end of your shower, because wet hair is easier to cut, and the warm water and steam soften the hair and open the pores which will makes shaving easier. Shaving down there? Here are more tips.

Self Tan Everyone looks better with a little bit of color. Don’t you agree? Want a flawless, long lasting self tan? Of course you do. If you’re traveling, I recommend bringing self tan towelettes along for the ride.

*This post is sponsored by the makers of AcneFree. Although my thoughts and actions are true, individual results may vary.

Cream to Matte Formulas to Covet

Products that go on creamy and transform into a matte powdery finish are impressive. Here are some of our favorites.

Face: Revlon Photoready Insta-Fix

This is one of those products we never leave the house without and recommend to friends as we touch up on the subway.  The creamy texture goes on light for easy buildability. Once it hits your skin though, it feels like a powder covering up any redness in it's path.

Cheeks: MAC Cream Colour Base 

While actually a multi-purpose product, we love to use it in the color Luna along our cheekbones for a little highlighting action. This rich pigment, creamy texture and dry powder finish is a miracle in of itself.

Eyes: Giorgio Armani Eye Tint

When you first pull this brush out of the tube, you would not think this dries into a solid formula. Just wait until you apply it's smooth texture onto your lid and let it dry. You'll be in awe.

Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

This lipstick allows you to achieve the impossible. You can wear a matte solid lip in the winter without the flakiness that seems impossible to avoid. Since you can apply a soft liquid, your dry solid lip doesn't have the flaky effect that seem unavoidable with chapped winter lips.

Behind the Look: Ted Gibson

We're excited to introduce Ted Gibson, celebrity hairstylist, salon owner, and beauty guru! Ted is known for working with celebrities such as Jessica Chastain, Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong’o, and Idina Menzel (or shall we say Adele Nazeem).  Honored to have him do my hair several times, I'm excited to introduce you!  Warning: You might think twice about washing your hair after you read.

What’s your beauty philosophy?

My tagline is “Beauty Is Individual” and I always say #HairChangesEverything. I believe in both of these philosophies so much that I’ve built my business around them.

What's a must-have in your kit?

I MUST have my Mason Pearson boar bristle brush, curling irons in multiple sizes, baby powder, French hair pins and extensions in different colors and lengths for my Gibson girls.

Have you discovered any new products lately that you find impressive?

I’m loving Nutrify Skin Type 1-6 Universal Tonic. It makes my skin feel AMAZING!

Spill your best beauty advice.

Beauty is THE best pick-me-up. If you’re feeling a little down, you’ll be surprised at how much a new hairstyle and a little lip color can make you feel so much better!

What’s the one tip or trick that you think all women should know?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – do not wash your everyday! This season’s hair is all about texture – which is hard to achieve with freshly shampooed hair! Plus, over shampooing your hair can also cause your scalp to produce more oil. You should shampoo your hair no more than 3x per week.

Want more Ted? Be sure to follow him on Instagram for updates of his latest beauty adventures!

Best in Show: Bronzers

It's finally beginning to look like spring in fact will come this year. How else would we celebrate, but by taking a peak into the best bronzers of the season. Thanks J. Lo for setting the bar so high.  Here are the ones you want to get your hands on in order to achieve that gorgeous glow.

Jouer Mattifying Bronzing Powder, $30  This powder gives you a gorgeous bronzy shade while hydrating the skin with Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract and Aloe Vera. And that's not even all it does. The mattifying effect diminishes unwanted shine to give you a clean bronzy glow.

Physicians Formula City Glow, $14.95  While the gorgeous design on the surface is what first catches your attention, the formula keeps it. It protects against environmental aggressors, therefore not only giving you the superficial look of healthy skin, but actively working to maintain skin health.

Mary Kay Bronzing Powder, $18 We've all been there when with one sweep of the brush, our bronzer goes on way too dark. Making it clear poorly applied bronzer is how you achieved your "natural-looking" tan. This powder has the perfect finish allowing for gradual buildability and keeps a smooth application over the surface of the skin.

Sonia Kashuk Chic Luminosity Highlight Bronzer Duo, $12.99 This two-in-one bronzer/ blush duo gives you a beautiful natural sun-kissed look. With the perfect mix between the pinky blush and the luminous bronzer, you'll look like you absorbed the perfect amount of Vitamin D.

Diorskin Nude Air Tan Powder, $54  We're fans of this Diorskin line in general, so of course their bronzer had to make the cut for this round up. It's true to its name and such a light texture that it doesn't cake, allowing your skin to breathe.

Retro Beauty: Classic Products We Still Love

What's more essential than reliable beauty products?  Nothing.  Despite the fact that we all love trying new products, sometimes reverting back to the classics are the best thing to do. Here are some of our favorite retro beauty products that have stood the test of time.

Dove Beauty Bar

Dove has managed to keep up with changing times by creating a product that really just gets the job done. The Beauty Bar is exactly that, a moisturizing soap bar that gets the job done without irritating your skin.  It leaves your skin feeling refreshed and silky smooth.  Plus, we just love Dove campaigns!

Lip Smackers

You probably had about 20 tubes of these colorful lip balms, right? What was better than pulling out one these babies during 4th period? With favorites like Strawberry Glaze, Watermelon, and Birthday Cake, it's no wonder this product has been around since 1973 and is still going strong!

Maybelline Great Lash

While this just screams retro, it's still a makeup artist staple and we love it, too! The formula is flake-free and super black, and the wand is built to really get into each and every lash.

Noxzema Cream

There's something about the scent that brings us back to childhood.  It's always cool to use a product that your mother used when she was your age. The tingle in Noxzema's Original Cleansing Cream is irreplaceable.

Wet N' Wild nail polish

This is another one of those products every girl had to have when we were younger! The bright colors dressed up any good 90's girl look. It's always nice to see another generation take interest in a great brand! (Though it does make us feel really old...)

What retro products do you love? Let us know in the comment section below!

Is Your Skin Dehydrated? Take This Test...

Your skin is probably dehydrated... really dehydrated, actually. Your skin needs water, vitamins, and nutrients to retain that healthy, young, and glowing look, but how can you tell if it's dehydrated and if it is dehydrated, how do you fix it? Don't worry, we got you!

The snap, pinch, and pout test, created by Dr. Terry Loong, is a great way to check the hydration levels and elasticity of your skin, which decrease as we age. It's also a great way to tell if the products you're using are working as well as you would like them to.

Snap Test: Using you your thumb and forefinger, gently pinch the skin underneath your eyes.  Depending on how quickly it "snaps" back will indicate how hydrated and how much elasticity your skin has.

Pinch Test: "Pinch" the apples of your cheeks to feel how much collagen your skin has by seeing if there are fine lines on the surface of the skin when you pinch it.  If there are fine lines, your skin may be dehydrated or have reduced elasticity, which needs to be addressed through internal and external care to maintain youthful skin.   

Pout Test: "Pout" to check area around your mouth.  As you release the pout, you'll want to see if fine lines remain.  It is so important to apply an extra layer of skincare around your mouth, as we often wipe it off as we continue our skincare routines, after we brush our teeth or drink and eat food.

So you tested your skin and it's dehydrated. How do you fix it?

According to Dr. Terry Loong, "it is so important to keep skin properly hydrated to regulate oily and dry skin.  I recommend drinking at least 8 glasses per day to quench the thirst of your skin cells from the inside out. Topical hydration is also key to avoid transepidermal water loss from the inside out." She recommends the Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate and The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask to help keep skin healthy and flawless!

She also recommends a good amount of beauty sleep every night! "In terms of skin, sleep time is the golden time for skin renewal because the body is at rest and skin has more energy to regenerate itself and repair daytime damage."

Behind the Look: Matthew Ray

I'm excited to introduce you to my friend and Lancome Resident Artist, Matthew Ray.  He's worked with A-Listers like Cameron Diaz and Deborah Messing and gives great makeup advice that'll guarantee you run out to buy a taupe brow pencil.

Describe the most exciting project you’ve worked on lately.

I did makeup for friends and clients going to the Glam Awards, which is a unique awards show for NY nightlife; celebrating the best in DJs, bartenders, and drag queens. The overall theme was the more eccentric the better, and it was an amusing departure from my comfort zone. It was fun to take tangerine blush where it’s never gone before.

What’s your beauty philosophy?

As your artist, we are a team, and I need you to communicate, let down your guard, and trust me. I am a proud department store makeup artist. My client might not be prepping for the cover of Vogue, but after a session with me she will leave with the confidence that she could rock the runway; or at least Park Ave.

Confidence is my philosophy. I am most inspired by a woman’s smile. The glow that comes from happiness is the best look a woman can wear. Makeup conjures confidence. Confidence allows you to be comfortable in being yourself, and there is nothing more beautiful than being happy with who you are.

What are the top five must-haves in your kit and why?

a. If I was going to be stranded on a desert island and could only grab one thing, it’d be my bottle of Lancome Genifique! I am obsessed with how it makes my skin look and feel, and as someone that enjoys a cocktail or glass of wine, Genifique keeps me glowing, despite the dehydrating effects of such libations. It’s the first step in all my client’s daily regimen, men and women. We’ve heard it before, great makeup starts with great skin, and for me there is nothing better in the game than Genifique.

b. L’Oreal’s Revitalift Miracle Blur is FLAWLESS! It is like having an Instagram filter for real life. If you are like me, you will not let anyone post a photo of you without approval; and only after using a good filter— or two. These blur products make my crow’s feet less visible, my large pores look so tight, and my oily complexion and texture much softer and smoother.

c. It’s not one product in particular, but I am crazy for Birchbox! Getting a box of samples tailored to your personal beauty preferences once a month is like having an unexpected Christmas in your mailbox. I subscribe to the men’s box. The day my Birchbox comes I take a moment and luxuriate in trying out all these awesome new additions to my arsenal.

d. A taupe brow pencil! Ladies. You NEED this! From the fairest to the deepest tones, you can use the taupe pencil to fill in your brows, trust me it’ll work; and then taupe is also a universal shade for contouring. Most brow pencils are in the condensed powder form, which makes it easy to blend. Depending on your face shape, draw a line with the pencil underneath your cheekbone and blend downwards. This will cause the illusion of a shadow that will help to chisel those cheekbones. Great for nose contouring too! Taupe brow pencils— get into it!

e. Black liquid liner… I repeat… black liquid liner. It’s the fiercest, classiest, most feminine product you can own. When applied properly, which is so easy to do- just use your lash-line as a guide, it looks like you spent all morning on your eye makeup, probably only took you thirty seconds, and is sure to get you noticed. Master the liquid liner and you’ll own every room you enter!

Have you discovered any new products lately that you find impressive?

I’m a Lancome guy, and we have the mascara game locked down! We are the number one company in the world for mascara, and recently we launched Grandiose. In it’s design you can see Lancome used an artist inspired approach. They reinvented everything. The brush has different bristle lengths that find even the smallest of lashes, the wand is shorter with a swan-neck shape, and the formula is much more supple preventing those hard, dry, crispy lashes. Bad mascara can go very wrong and make the wearer look downright crazy. You owe it to yourself and your eyes to have the best quality mascara.

Spill your best beauty advice.

Fake it till you make it! Own your uniqueness and live your truth. If you have a blemish that nothing will cover, then tell yourself you have the fiercest blemish anyone has ever seen. Next thing you know your coworkers will WISH they had a blemish. Having a bad hair day? Put on some gorgeous lipgloss, smile, and have a sense of humor on things we cannot change.

What’s the one tip or trick that you think all women should know?

In general I see women applying their blush far too low on the face. By placing it so low, you are dragging the eye downward, and who wants a droopy looking face?? Apply your blush directly on your cheekbone, maybe even cheat it up a little, and sweep it up into your hairline. You will achieve a lifted appearance. Just make sure your blush has the same undertone as your lipstick. They should compliment each other and be from the same color family; do not match a warm lip with a cool blush. This makes me cry. But regardless of anything— what you ultimately do should make YOU happy before anyone else.

Pretty Spring Nail Polish Collections

We're completely in love with Jin Soon's Spring nail polish collection (above), but that's not all!   Ready to rid winter from your mani and embrace brights?  Here are some new collections that promise happy nails.

We're excited about Orly, who recently partnered with Target to create a great gel-like polish at an affordable price. Our favorite shade for Spring is Celebrity Gossip, but it's available in 36 shades.

Sally Hansen's new line includes 14 Insta-Dri polishes that give off high shine and dry in just 60 seconds. Perfect for the girl on the go!  Our favorite Shade? Quick Fire

JINsoon partnered with Tila March and focused her Spring collection on sophisticated brights.  No, not neonas opposed to neon.  Tila, this fun green, is our favorite new neutral.

In partnership with Rebecca Minkoff, Essie, came out with their "Hide & Chic" collection that simply speaks to us!  Style Hunter is our award winner of the bunch.

Skincare That Works From the Inside Out

We're sure that when you think of treating your skin, slathering on serums, oils and lotions comes to mind. For us, too!  But there's more... complimenting these topicals with nutricosmetics may be the best move you can make for your skin. We talked to New York City Dermatologist, Doris Day, to get the scoop.

Use as a compliment, not a substitution  Supplements don'tt take place of your topical skincare. While topicals address external needs of your skin, supplements and nutricosmetics optimize internal needs like aging and inflammation. This creates what Day refers to as, " a synergistic skin care program."

Nutricosmetics People sometimes describe nutricosmetics as “supplements,” but unlike supplements, they are designed to have highly targeted benefits to the skin. So while there are nutricosmetic products to help treat acne and even out the skin tone, there are others to help hydrate the skin, target fine lines and wrinkles. "They can also be formulated to complement aesthetic treatments," Day explains.

The benefits "By treating the skin from the inside out, you are supporting the structure and function of the skin," Day explains. Therefore, the overall health of your skin (remember: the largest organ of you body) will improve due to supplements. Plus, any underlying skin issues you may not even be able to see yet, are best treated when using oral skincare.

What to look for Of course, like any other skincare, we recommend you speak to your dermatologist to find products that are clinically proven and formulated to target your specific issues.  Day suggests looking for omega-3’s, berry extracts, hyaluronic acid.  Also, as we are big SPF advocates at BeautySweetSpot, ingredients that help protect the skin from UV damage such as Heliocare, Lycopene, CoQ10 are also available in this supplement form.

Black is the New Black

Trends come and go. The same goes for all the different colors have been referred to as "the new black." But honestly, nothing will ever become the new black. So to honor our love (obsession?) with black here at BeautySweetSpot, we're showing you the best new beauty products that come in none other than our staple color, black.

Maybelline Color Show Back to Black, $3.99 There's nothing like a nice clean black nail to get you through a tough, glamorous work week. And now with Maybelline's new Back to Black collection, there's more than one option for that perfect black shade. Varying textures like Black Matte and Patent Black to the different effects of Black Dust and Smokey Black, you're sure to find your new favorite black nail.

Smashbox + Donald Robertson: Photo Angle Pure Pigment Gel Liner, $24 When you think of a rich pigment product, you typically think a bright color pigment like red or blue. Just imagine what a rich pigmented black looks like. We know, it's exciting. This flexible felt tip pen will provide with a deep dark clean black line in any shape or size your true heart desires.

Marc Jacobs Blacquer is Better Eye Defining Essentials, $32 This exclusive limited edition set of cult classics are a must. If the name isn't enough to convince you, maybe the price tag will. Containing a full size Magic Marc'er Precision Pen and smaller sized Highlighter Eye Crayon and O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara, you're set to create a gorgeous dark smoky eye.

Ciaté Double Lines eyeliner, $20 This ultra-black double sided liner gives you options in just one product. You can get a refined graphic liquid line with the Perfect Precision Tip, or you can go for a creamy smoky look with the soft Khol liner. Either choice you make, they're both bold, black and beautiful.

BareMinerals Lash Domination in Intense Black, $18 Of course a black product line up wouldn't be complete without an intense black mascara. So we chose BareMinerals new mascara in none other than Intense Black. You know how you're always told to twirl the wand as you go up the lashes to evenly coat them all? Well this twisted wand does that for you. Giving each and every angle of all your lashes a solid deep black coding.

Lipstick Shades We're Loving for Spring

A look just doesn't feel complete without the touch of the perfect lipstick. And while the whole natural look, with simple balms and nude glosses, was seen all over the Spring/Summer 2015 runways, there's just too many amazing lipsticks this season to miss out on. Check out some of our favorites to try this spring.

Burberry Kisses Hydrating Lip Color, $33 These lipstick colors allow you to build to the perfect pigment for you. With a satin finish, your lips will project a stunning luminous color that should be seen in the spring.

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick, $22 If you're going for a gorgeous sheer lip with a hint of color, this line is for you. It has the same original Revolution formula with a creamy texture, and shiny finish. This line gives your lips a gorgeous hydrated healthy look.

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Créme, $24 Any new Marc Jacobs lip product immediately becomes a must-have for us. And this seasons creamy, velvety lipsticks are no different. With 50 available shades, a high-pigment and long wear formula, this lipstick is a no brainer necessity.

Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour, $28 Every girl needs at least one liquid lipstick in their arsenal. And this should be yours for the spring. If you want to stick with the nude, natural makeup look, this collection has gorgeous nude options. Nude Rose is our favorite, giving you the perfect tint of red without overpowering.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick, $21 Another great liquid lipstick option for this season. Although it is not a completely new product, it has eight new shades we are seriously loving. From the deep burgundy of Velvet to the bright pinky-red of Strawberry, you're bound to find the best shade for you to rock this season.