Beauty Blvd.

Why is Ashley Judd hiding her face? Because underneath that book it looks like someone slapped her across her face with a big puff of white powder! Don't believe me? See for yourself!

This summer I plan on doing tons of Poolside Primping! That's when I spotted Too Faced Summer Collection, Poolside Primping I knew I had to share that and what I actually keep by my poolside lounge chair.

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I had the pleasure of visiting Beaura Spa for their Heat Infused Tranquility Massage. First, let me say this was my first massage ever. I always shied away from massages opting for facials and body scrubs because I thought I was too sensitive to massages. What a huge mistake, I've been missing out big time! The Heat Infused Tranquility Massage is just $50.00 as a part of Spa Week! It was amazing, for 50 minutes I relaxed and enjoyed a full body rub down while heat stone packs warmed up my back. My massage therapist, Patty was very gentle and thorough. I was totally relaxed and for me that's a big deal. The massage room was decorated simply, with candles, a mirror, beautiful curtains, and of course a nice massage table. The music was great, I relaxed to a combination of Sade, New Age Spa Music, and I could have sworn I heard a little John Legend in there too.

Jennifer Hudson is looking amazing these days! So much so, I've joined Weight Watchers to get right for the summer! She looks amazing on the April 2011 cover of Essence, dressed in bright pinks, the fabulous Jennifer Hudson shows off her hard-earned new figure and bold manicure. The Oscar and Grammy winner rocks China Glaze Nail Lacquer® in Grape Pop from the Spring 2010 Up & Away Collection on her tips.

By now, you've probably seen buzzwords like "all natural," "hypoallergenic" and "patented" hundreds of times. But have you ever stopped to ask what they mean?
Beauty companies love terms like these because they suggest concrete benefits that don't have to be backed up by science. In fact, as long as they don't claim to change the body's structure or function, companies don't need FDA approval to market new products to the public and are not required to provide any research to prove their claims. These days, one would almost need a degree in chemistry to understand some of the catch phrases on skin care products. Dr. Channing Barnett is a board certified Manhattan dermatologist who wants to help consumers understand what this frequently used language means.

Gone are the days when simple statements such as "oil free" would suffice. Perhaps the most common phrase is clinical formula. As Dr. Barnett explains, "this has no real meaning. It does not necessarily indicate that the formula was produced in a medical clinic as the manufacturers would have people believe. Clinically tested could very well indicate that the product was tested, but what was it tested for? What were the results? Essentially, this marketing claim is meaningless."

Here are six more commonly misunderstood terms to watch for:

1. "Patented" or "pantent pending"

Patents can be granted to companies that manufacture or combine materials in new ways. But just because something is patented doesn't mean it works.

2. "All natural"

This one really bugs me! It doesn't mean the product is organic or chemical-free. After all, chemicals are "natural," too.

3. "Organic"

The US Department of Agriculture certifies organic food ingredients found in cosmetics, but not essential oils or plants used for cosmetic purposes. To carry the USDA Organic seal, a product must contain at least 95% organic food ingredients (read What Does Organic Really Mean in Skin Products?). Other countries have their own organic certification labels, such as COSMOS and NaTrue in the European Union and NASAA in Australia. Read COSMOS Standardizes Organic Product Labels to learn more.

4. "Hypoallergenic"

Think this guarantees you won't have a reaction? Think again. These products can still contain ingredients some people are allergic to, including preservatives and fragrance.

5. "Fragrance-free"

These products may not have a noticeable smell, but can still contain "masking" scents to cover up ingredients with unpleasant odors. Look for the words "no fragrance added" instead.

6. "Non-comedogenic"

While non-comedogenic products are usually oil-free and therefore less likely to cause breakouts, there's no guarantee they won't. In fact, many contain dimethicone, a known acne aggravator.

7. Helps pre-mature aging."
Perhaps the most appealing of all claims from a consumer standpoint is this statement. If a product truly prevented premature aging by affecting the structure of the skin, it would be classified as a drug and therefore would require FDA approval. Manufactures circumvent this by utilizing the fact that sunscreens prevent premature aging by decreasing the damaging effects of ultraviolet light on the skin. Therefore, if a product contains sunscreen, it may state "prevents premature aging' on the label."

The most luxurious spa deals of the season have arrived… it's almost Spa Week! The 14th installation of Spa Week is taking place April 11-17 in more cities than ever before. Nearly a thousand spas nationwide are participating--each offering 2-3 of their most coveted spa services for just $50 a piece. These treatments normally range from $75 - $500, so book appointments as soon as possible to get the best stuff. Escape for an hour, or make a week of it and try as many different treatments and spas as possible! Browse the $50 Spa Week Directory at www.spaweek.com

While most believe that wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses protect eyes from UV rays, it’s not always true. Not all sunglasses block 100 percent of UV rays1 and direct and reflected light can enter from the sides, top and bottom of the glasses. For those who need vision correction, a significant measure of UV protection can be achieved with the addition of UV-blocking contact lenses.

Today, the American Optometric Association Commission on Ophthalmic Standards awarded ACUVUE® ADVANCE® Plus Brand Contact Lenses the Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses.

Many contact lens lines do not offer UV protection, and of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels. Among lens brands, only ACUVUE® brand contact lenses contain UV-blocking agents in every lens, offering the highest level of UV-blocking available - blocking more than 90 percent of UVA rays and 99 percent of UVB rays that reach the lens.

It's Spring, even though it might not feel like it. You know what that means, Spring Cleaning time! As part of my Spring cleaning I always like to go through my hair care and beauty items and get rid of whatever needs to be discarded.

Setting powders, blush, bronzer, and eye shadows - 2 years
Cream shadows, blushes, and all over cream colors - 12 to 18 months
Liquid Foundation, Cheek stains - 1 year
Lipstick, lipliner, lip gloss - 1 year
Mascara & eyeliners - 3 months