Beauty Blvd.

Because I'm a nurse, every now and then I feel like I have to have some health information mixed in here with the beauty info. So when I found out about Cystex.com's new online initiative called “Cystex Know Your Bladder Better,” I had to share. The initiative is hoping to directly connect women with a board-certified urologist to learn more about UTIs (urinary tract infections). To achieve this goal, Cystex.com just launched a new educational video series and an interactive “Ask the Urologist” feature to help clear up myths about Urinary Tract Infection causes, symptoms and treatment. Visit the site to learn more.

Washing dishes sucks, point blank bottom line. It's just one of those things, it sucks but somebody has to do it and that somebody is you. Thankfully, big brands are taking into consideration our hands and nails making dish detergents that are gentler and less drying to the skin.

Tis' the time to bare more skin. Baring more skin means removing more hair. One brand that I always turn to is Parissa. I first discovered the brand while browsing through the aisles of Harmon's on a lunch break and ever since I keep a pack of Parissa Wax Strips handy just in case. It doesn't even really matter what size strips because I prefer using a small scissor to cut the strip to size anyway, but the Parissa Wax Strips do come in all different sizes.

I've tried tons of different brands of wax strips and nothing has come close to these yet, so when Parissa launched a new product, the 2 in 1 Roll-On Body Sugar Kit I was all over it. 1. because I've been dying to try sugaring and 2. it's made by Parissa. I can't even tell you how disappointed I am right now. I could not get this product to work for me. The only thing I was able to successfully wax were my big toes, I'm laughing as I'm typing because I'm actually sharing this with you guys, but seriously don't you hate toe hair? Anyway, I tried to wax my legs using the Parissa 2 in 1 Roll-On Body Sugar Kit and it was a mess. It hurt (obviously) but when I looked at the strip there were barely any hairs there. The packaging and easy of application were so promising. The beach-ball like dispenser fits comfortably in your hand and the washable formula exfoliates as it rolls on, but still I was unable to get all the hair off. It even has two rollers, a large roller and a small one so you can easily remove hair, anywhere.... like your big toes. I shared my frustrations with a good friend that I actually put onto the wax strips and tell me WHY was she able to remove her leg hair with absolutely no problems?!? She highly recommends this product, while I on the other hand will stick to the wax strips. Parissa products are available at Parissa.com, Ricky’s NYC (one of my favorite beauty stops), ULTA & Whole Foods.

So the word on the beauty street is that Max Factor's newest mascara, Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara is basically CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara. Since I never tried CoverGirl LashBlast I was none the wiser, but from what I hear and can see the new Max Factor 2000 Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara has the same brush and container just in different colors, also the Max Factor Mascara is more expensive.

Now that the air has been cleared about that, on to Max Factor 2000 Calorie Lash Plumper. The brush is pretty cool, near the tip the bristles are shorter and then towards the back they get longer. I actually think the brush is pretty cool. It's very easy to use.

I'm not really impressed with the lengthening or thickening abilites. You can see for yourself in the picture. Plus, if you look at the bottom picture my natural lashes are much shinier without the mascara. The mascara seems to make my lashes pretty dull. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it, there are better mascara's on the market.

Face:
IMAN Second to None Cream To Powder Foundation, Earth 2

IMAN Second to None Semi-Loose Powder, Earth Medium

Sheer Bronzing Powder in Clay
Luxury Blushing Duo Powder in Allure

Eyes:
Luxury Eye Shadow Duo in Bejeweled
Luxury Eye Defining Powder in Black Magic
Perfect Eye Brow Pencil Black/Brown
IMAN Perfect Eye Pencil, Jet Black
Perfect Mascara Black

Lips:
Perfect Lip Pencil in Cocoa
Luxury Lip Stain in Strip Tease
Luxury Lip Shine Gloss in Expose

Thank you to everyone who entered to win the Anti-bacterial handgel giveaway! You are all winners!!!!

If you posted a comment you win! Just email your mailing address and name to thebeautyblvd(at)gmail(dot)com

The skin on your feet can get harden and form calluses if they are not taken care of the prevent it. Getting regular pedicures and applying lotions to feet all help with maintaining soft skin on your feet. Once your feet get to a point where the skin is hard and callused you need a little something extra to get it soft. There are tons of tools out there to get rid of dry, hard, dead skin.

1. Exfoliation - scrubs work great for mildly rough skin and it's easy to buff it off with a scrub like Soft & Beautiful's Body Scrub

2. Pumice stones - pumice stones work great on feet that exfoliation just can't soften. Sephora makes a great no fuss no muss pumice stone.

3. Metal Files like Revlon's New Pedi-Expert

Brighten those nails

My favorite toes in the summer months are not French Pedicured toes, instead they are toes with bright beautiful colors. Save the French for another time, say... a wedding. Some of my favorite summer colors are OPI Nail Lacquer, Pompeii Purple, OPI Nail Lacquer, Strawberry Margarita, OPI Nail Lacquer, You Rock - Apulco Red.

Moisture!

Once you get the skin soft, moisture is the single best thing you can do to keep feet soft. FarmHouse Fresh Honey Heel Glaze is such a great product! It says it's for heels but I use it for my entire foot. It comes with a brush that you can use to smooth the glaze all over your feet and it sinks it fast. Or if you prefer lotion or cream, The Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector works amazing for super dry skin.

Mother's Day is right around the corner so I thought I would share some great gift ideas for those of you how still haven't picked something up for the mom's in your life.  

1. Felix Doolittle Play Dates Cards

I am not a mom, but I couldn't stop telling all the mom's I know about these cute little cards!  Imagine how simple arranging play dates would be if all the mom's on the playground had their own play date card?  Even better... Imagine how cool that mom in your life would be if she had some for herself.  

2. Create a Custom Gift Basket

I'm all about making my own baskets.  Marshalls is one of my favorites places to go and gather all the supplies on the cheap and then put it all together myself with the shrink wrap and big bow.  Here are a few custom gift basket ideas: 

• Gardening Gift Basket - be sure to include sunblock, a nice hat with a brim, gardening tools, and flower seeds
• BBQ basket - last year I made my mom a basket full of backyard BBQ essentials, including various sauces, BBQ tools, and I use a checked table cloth to line the basket, she really loved it a lot and I made my Gram a basket full of baking essentials cause that's her thing. 
• Mom 2 Be - Include all types of pampering products, but nothing for the baby.  Mother's Day for the expecting mom should be all about her.  I would include different products from Bella B an all-natural product line perfectly formulated for expecting and new mothers.   

3. Trusty Safe Bet - Jewelry 

What woman doesn't love jewelry?  Whether it's costume jewelry or the real deal, any mom would love a new piece to add to her collection.  Emily Amey creates very unusual pieces that will definitely elicit more than just a few oohs and ahhs and will continue to command complements on a daily basis.  

Is it possible to have strong natural nails as a nurse? I don't even know how many times I wash my hands a day, it's probably way more than you (unless you're OCD or a nurse like me) and with frequent hand washing comes weak brittle nails. Luckily, I do not like to wear my nails very long but I had been noticing that the tiny bits on nails that I did have were breaking left and right. I know it has to be from the hand washing because I eat pretty decent and I really don't think it's a vitamin deficiency issue. So I was (and still am) on a bit of a mission to find products that worked well to strength and protect my nails.

Barielle Nail Care products are top of the line for keeping hands, cuticles, and nails in tip top shape. I'm beginning to notice a difference. At night I try to remember to put a little bit of the Barielle Intensive Nail Renewal Oil before going to sleep to really give my fingers a treat. Plus, I've been carry around the Professional Protective Hand Cream and applying it whenever my hands feel tight and dry at work.

If you like to wear polish and have a hard time keeping it chipfree try Nailene Acrylic Strong, a topcoat with some strength behind it.