Easter Basket Nail Colors: Transform Your Tips with A Mani Makeover

Shades of spring: Celebrate the season with SpaRitual Love Is In the Air Creme (thumb), Delight Creme (index finger), Lucid Creme (middle finger), Idyllic (ring finger) and Eye of the Beholder Creme (pinky).

Are you in the mood for a makeover? Spring is a great time of the year to do it--whether it's in your personal or professional life. People seem more open to renewal due to the change in weather, blossoming flowers, and the celebrations of Easter and Passover.

Many of you will be attending sunrise services this Sunday for Easter. You'll also be spending more time with your families and friends. So, in honor of this special season, we'd like to present several transformative nail colors that will revitalize your look and soul. They're ideal for a mani makeover. 

May your Easter basket overflow with these lively lacquers.

 SHINE: Butter London Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Teddy Girl (pink), Bossy Boots (pale green), Cheeky Chops (yellow), Cream Tea (white) and Squatter (bright green). BEACON: Formulated without formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate or parabens.

 SHINE: Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer. BEAUTY: Dawning Desire (purple), Pea Pod (green), Citrus Streak (orange), Girlishy Giddy (soft pink) and Morning Sky (blue). BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

SHINE: Essie Nail Polish. BEAUTY: Flawless (mauve), Mint Candy Apple (creamy green), Lilacism (pastel purple), Better Together (soft pink) and Borrowed & Blue (baby blue). BEACON: Free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: LCN USA Nail Polish. BEAUTY: I Love Mint (soft green), Vintage Rose (pinky orange), Soft Daisy (light yellow) and Lilac Blossom (pastel purple). BEACON: Contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene.

SHINE: SpaRitual Lacquer. BEAUTY: Eye of the Beholder Creme (pear green), Idyllic (sheer pink), Delight Creme (creamy aqua), Love Is In the Air Creme (soft bubble gum pink) and Lucid Creme (lilac blue). BEACON: Vegan, and free of synthetic dyes, dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish. BEAUTY: GeiGei (pink metallic), Piaf (yellow metallic), Blu (baby blue), Neely (creamy green) and Julie (soft purple metallic). BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.

Kim Kardashian Pregnancy Woes: Will Her Child Inherit Psoriasis?

Photo by Eva Rinaldi

Kim Kardashian has a lot on her plate these days. The reality TV sensation is currently embroiled in a messy divorce from second husband Kris Humphries, expecting her first child with baby daddy/rapper Kanye West and costarring in "Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor," which debuts this Friday.

The 32-year-old mom-to-be also suffers from psoriasis, which causes irritated, itchy skin and red scaly patches. The chronic condition, considered the most common autoimmune disorder, generally follows a pattern of flare-ups and periods of remission. In addition, it appears to be aggravated by sunburns, stress and anxiety, skin injuries or medications. 

Will baby "Kimye" inherit the disorder? It's impossible to predict, but psoriasis tends to run in families. So it's likely Kardashian got it from her mom, Kris Jenner, who also suffers from the condition. However, a child doesn't necessarily develop psoriasis just because the parent has it. 

No known cure exists, but sufferers can control symptoms with skin care containing hydrating and healing properties. Take a look at the latest sprays, bath and body products, and oils that soothe psoriasis. Here's hoping that Kardashian's baby will be born with beautiful, healthy skin. 

SHINE: MoonEssence Point Reyes Whey Soap and Mojito Bath & Body Oil. BEAUTY: The soap utilizes coconut, olive and palm oils, and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company whey to help moisturize and mend dry, flaky skin. The bath and body oil also soothes and smoothes skin with grapeseed oil and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan, gluten free and certified organic. Free of parabens, mineral oils, synthetic petroleum and sodium lauryl sulphate. Supports the Carousel Fund.

SHINE: Swedish Skin Care Prosanol Instant Soothing Spray. BEAUTY: Designed to relieve and repair chronic skin conditions such as itchiness, irritation, dryness, flaking and cracking. BEACON: Free of parabens, fragrances, synthetic dyes and steroids. Supports the National Psoriasis Foundation.

SHINE: Sumbody Bathsalt. BEAUTY: Nourish your skin and speed the healing process with dead sea salt, jojoba and avocado oils, colloidal oats, and licorice and bupleurum roots, which are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. BEACON: Free of parabens, animal oils, sulfates, artificial preservatives and synthetic chemicals.

SHINE: VMV Hypoallergenics Know-It-Oil. BEAUTY: Reduce inflammation and address severe dry skin issues with 100% pure virgin coconut oil. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of fragrances, phthalates, dyes and parabens. Supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

March Birthday Manes: Celebrity Long Hair Trends

Photo by Georges Biard

Jessica Chastain: March 24

Pop the champagne! Beautynista birthday wishes go out to Jessica Chastain this weekend. The vegan actress turns 36 years old on Sunday. She currently lives in Manhattan with her three-legged rescue dog named Chaplin.

Next week, birthday buddies Mariah Carey and Fergie share celebrations on March 27. Carey turns 43 years old, while Fergie lights 38 candles. Both singers have recently embraced motherhood. Carey raises fraternal twins Monroe and Moroccan, who were born in 2011, with hubby/actor Nick Cannon. Fergie and her hubby/actor Josh Duhamel expect their first child this summer. 

Besides star-studded careers, these women also share a trending beauty trait--long flowing locks. This versatile look can be braided, highlighted, curled, straightened, or placed in a pretty ponytail or bun. Long hair can also be parted in the middle or on the side, depending on the shape of your face.

Hair down to there needs lots of care and maintenance. Therefore, we've assembled the latest styling tools and products below for standout strands. Let us know which long hair look you're currently crushing on. We'd love to hear about it.

Mariah Carey: March 27

Fergie: March 27

SHINE: A.S.P. Kitoko Volume Enhance Active Treatment (For Fine Hair). BEAUTY: Boost body and step up the smoothness of your strands with shea butter, vitamins A and E, and green tea leaf and date fruit extracts. BEACON: Contains no waxes, mineral oils, parabens or sulfates. 

SHINE: Belson Products Gold 'N Hot Titanium Professional 1875 Watt Dryer. BEAUTY: Ionic generator emits negative ions to dry hair faster and with less damage. BEACON: The parent company, Helen of Troy, supports the American Cancer Society, Cookies for Kids' Cancer and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

SHINE: Belson Products Brazilian Heat After Dark 1" Professional Titanium Conical Iron. BEAUTY: Titanium-infused barrel and ceramic heater help give hair a glossy texture. BEACON: The parent company, Helen of Troy, supports the American Cancer Society, Cookies for Kids' Cancer and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

SHINE: Conair Carbon Smooth Round and Square Blow Dry Brushes, and Scunci Non-Permanent Hair Chalk. BEAUTY: Brushes help dry hair quickly, boost shine and reduce static, while the chalk allows you to glide color highlights onto your strands. BEACON: Supports the American Red Cross and National Dance Institute.

SHINE: John Frieda Smooth & Shine Sleek Finish 1" Straightening Plates. BEAUTY: Advanced ionic conditioning and titanium ceramic coated plates help straighten strands and keep moisture locked in. BEACON: Kao Brands, the parent company, supports United Way and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières.

SHINE: Natu Beauty Silkening Mist (For Thick Hair). BEAUTY: Transform coarse hair into smoother strands with oat peptides. BEACON: Vegan. Free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, artificial fragrances and colors, resins, phthalates, petrolatum and ethoxylates.

SHINE: Number 4 Hair Fleurs de Temps Volumizing Shampoo and Volumizing Condition. BEAUTY: Black currant leaf and green tea extracts serve to repair and revitalize your hair. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of sulfates, gluten and parabens.

SHINE: Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow Dry Lotion. BEAUTY: Protect your hair from thermal damage, and maximize manageability with castor oil, cranberry seed oil and vitamin E. BEACON: The parent company, L’Oréal, partners with UNESCO to support For Women In Science.  

SHINE: Shielo Leave In Protectant For Styling. BEAUTY: Peptides, shea butter, and white tea leaf and sunflower seed extracts strengthen and shield strands from the elements. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Free of parabens. Supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

SHINE: Twisted Sista Hot Curls Perfector. BEAUTY: Enhance your waves while protecting them from heat damage caused by blow dryers, curling/flat irons and diffusers with green tea leaf extract and vitamin E. BEACON: Contains no sulfates, phthalates, parabens or mineral oils.

Pot of Gold Nail & Eye Looks for St. Patrick's Day

 Lucky lacquers: Create two-tone tips using OPI Nail Lacquer 
Mermaid's Tears and Bring on the Bling. Start with a top coat. Next, apply two layers of green polish over two-thirds of your nail. Fill in the bottom portion (near your cuticle) with the tip of the glitter gold lacquer brush, and then finish with a top coat. 

Calling all lovely lasses. St. Patrick's Day arrives on Sunday, which means it's time to release your inner green goddess.

You may need to share the spotlight with a few leprechauns during this national observance. Irish lore says these mischievous mythical creatures possess magical powers. For instance, if they get captured by a human, they have the ability to grant three wishes in exchange for their release.

Many believe that they also store coins in a hidden pot of gold. So, in honor of St. Patrick's Day lore, leprechauns and loot, we've compiled lots of luxurious green and gold nail lacquers, eye shadows, liners and pencils. Some of the shadows contain lighter pigmentation with gold undertones. 

Lucky you! You've just hit the jackpot. 

SHINE: VB Cosmetics Dazzle Dry Polar Jade and Jazzy Gold. BEAUTY: Shamrockin' style for your tips. BEACON: Vegan, and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor or nitrocellulose. 

SHINE: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Mineral Botanicals Eye Colors in Suspence 640 and Status 646. BEAUTY: Go from demure to daring depending on your mood with these sassy shades. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, talc and fragrances. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Milani Nail Lacquer Mint Candy and Jewel FX Gold. BEAUTY: Irish-sistible shades. BEACON: Free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: Milani Infinite Liquid Eye Liners in Eternal and Forever. BEAUTY: Glam up your glance with these long-lasting liners. BEACON: Cruelty free.

SHINE: OPI Nail Lacquer Mermaid's Tears and Bring on the Bling. BEAUTY: Create your own clover couture. BEACON: Contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene. 

SHINE: Beauty Without Cruelty Mineral Duo Pressed Eyeshadow in Everglade and Ultimate Natural Soft Kohl Pencil in Cedar Green. BEAUTY: Eye-popping pigmentation for your peepers. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. 

SHINE: SpaRitual Earth Matters Glitter and Aurum Shimmer. BEAUTY: Start your own green and gold party. BEACON: Vegan, and free of synthetic dyes, dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

SHINE: Emani Mineral Color Dusts in Tree Hugger and Gold Digger. BEAUTY: Apply dry for a sheer look or wet with a brush for an intense finish. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, nano-particles, glutens or talc.

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish Apple and Goldie. BEAUTY: Change your luck with these lively lacquers. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin or dibutyl phthalate.


SHINE: Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio Develop (Oyster, Zoom and Royal). BEAUTY: Playful pigments in one palette. BEACON: Cruelty free. Recyclable packaging made using Sustainable Forestry Initiative certified paper and soy ink.

Sleeping Beauty: Nourishing Night Creams Take the Sting Out of Daylight Savings

We've all heard the fairy tale about Sleeping Beauty. She's the princess who falls into a deep slumber from which she can only be awakened by a kiss from her true love--the kingdom's dashing young prince. 

This fanciful tale comes to mind as Daylight Savings arrives on Sunday, March 10. Since we need to set our clocks forward, our beauty sleep will end one hour earlier than usual. In other words: You snooze, you lose. 

We wish we could offer you a dashing young prince to take the sting out of losing sleep this weekend. Instead, we've assembled a selection of top night creams. These products moisturize more deeply than their daytime counterparts, so it's lights out for fine lines and wrinkles, and dry or dull skin concerns.

May you live happily ever after with radiant skin!

 SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face & Neck. BEAUTY: Tone and tighten the face, neck and décolletage while you sleep with monoi and argan oils, shea butter and argan sprout cell extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and SLS. The company's newest eco-friendly initiative allows for a tree to be planted for each product sold.

SHINE: L'Occitane Immortelle Biologique Precious Night Cream. BEAUTY: Grape and sunflower seed oils, vitamin E and coconut oil help repair and regenerate your skin, so you look more refreshed in the morning. BEACON: The L'Occitane Foundation supports fields of action for visual impairment and women's entrepreneurship.

SHINE: Murad Age-Balancing Night Cream. BEAUTY: Hydrate and heal the skin with shea butter, avocado oil and clover flower extract to maximize elasticity and minimize the effects of hormonal aging. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Age Defying Hippophae Night Cream. BEAUTY: Avocado and jojoba oils, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract help transform skin from lifeless to luminous. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, artificial colors or fragrances. 

SHINE: Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream. BEAUTY: Detoxify and revitalize your skin each night for a younger looking appearance with brown algae extract, vitamin E, and jojoba and sunflower seed oils. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: VB Cosmetics Abrioné Night Time Recovery Cream. BEAUTY: Aloe vera gel, and pineapple and grape seed extracts lift away dead skin cells and signs of aging. BEACON: No animal testing.

Call in the Marines: Sea-Based Ingredients Help Combat Lifeless Skin & Signs of Aging

I think I may have been a fish in a previous life. I learned to swim as soon as I was old enough to walk. Plus, I often favor vacation spots that involve a lake or ocean setting.

One of my fondest memories of marine life came from a scuba diving trip to the Cayman Islands. I couldn't believe my eyes as I explored the depths of the Caribbean Sea. The colors, creatures and corals took my breath away. I was truly awestruck by the endless beauty of this below-the-surface setting.

Photo courtesy Twilight Zone Expedition Team 2007, NOAA-OE

Underwater treasures rock our world above sea level as well. Algae, marine muds and clays, and seaweed contain vital nutrients from vitamins and minerals, which give them the ability to hydrate and heal the skin. These marine extracts also help increase the production of collagen, which leaves your complexion feeling and looking smoother, softer and younger. 

So let's call in the marines. The following face and body products feature the latest sea-based ingredients. They arm you with the ability to combat dull or dry skin, and keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Don't hesitate to dive in!

SHINE: 100% Pure Lavender Seafoam Facial Cleanser. BEAUTY: Remove impurities and restore radiant skin with kelp and green tea leaf extracts, green sea clay, lavender essential oil, and vitamins C and E. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Also contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: Babor Algae Active Fluid. BEAUTY: Algae plankton, amino acids and hydrogenated castor oil seal in moisture to step up suppleness and softness. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Dolphin Aid.

SHINE: Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System with Anti-Aging Sea Serum. BEAUTY: This palm-sized sonic device uses gentle pulsating massage technology to deliver an Anti-Aging Sea Serum that contains algae, plankton, ginger root and red seaweed extracts, and hyaluronic acid to help reduce the severity and depth of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area. BEACON: The Anti-Aging Sea Serum contains no parabens.

SHINE: Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster. BEAUTY: Perk up parched skin and maintain a younger looking appearance with algae extract, lavender oil and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Contains no artificial fragrances or colors. Championed joinFITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), and the Dermalogica Foundation supports S.K.I.N. (Skincare for Kids in Need).

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Ultimate Moisture Facial Cleanser (for Dry/Sensitive Skin Types). BEAUTY: Marine clay, sea kelp, cucumber fruit extract, aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E detoxify and deeply hydrate the skin's surface. BEACON: Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, and synthetic colors and fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Azulene Seaweed Masque. BEAUTY: Balance skin's moisture and boost cell renewal with hyaluronic acid, vitamins A and E, and sea algae. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, or artificial colors or fragrances.

SHINE: Phytocéane AQUASAPHIR Essential Renewal Cream. BEAUTY: Marine vegetal coral, blue microalgae extract, marine samphire oil, shea butter and vitamin E smooth signs of aging and shield the skin from free radical damage. BEACON: No animal testing. Preserves marine resources used in products with a program focused on seasonal algae harvesting and farming.

SHINE: Refineé Firming Mineral Moisture Cream. BEAUTY: Maximize moisture retention while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles with red algae, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C and E. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Ren Clean Bio Actie Skincare Seaweed and Sage Body Wash. BEAUTY: Fucus seaweed extract, and geranium, cypress, rosemary and sage oils help remove impurities and rejuvenate the skin during bath or shower time. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no synthetic colors or fragrances, petrochemicals, sulfate detergents or parabens. 

SHINE: Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydrating Balm. BEAUTY: Repair skin, and restore its radiance and natural balance with hyaluronic acid, red algae, and strawberry and cranberry seed oils. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Contains no parabens, petroleum, phthalates, mineral oil, sulfates or dye. Supports Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

SHINE: Swedish Skin Care Razor Burn Freedom for Women. BEAUTY: Gorgonian extract, a natural marine algae known to reduce irritation and redness, vitamin C and chamomile extract serve to calm and comfort tender skin after hair removal, including waxing, shaving and electrolysis. BEACON: Free of parabens, fragrances and synthetic dyes.

SHINE: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. BEAUTY: Replenish lost luminosity with olive extract, liquid silk, green tea leaf extract and red algae. BEACON: Contains no parabens, mineral oil, synthetic colors or fragrances, sulfate detergents, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.

SHINE: Thalgo Micronized Marine Algae. BEAUTY: Use this fine powder of micronized algae in the bath to detox and remineralize the skin, and relax muscles and joints. BEACON: Vegan, and free of parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol and GMOs.