The bizarro weather we’ve been having in the North East is giving way to the October chill this weekend. Those of us in the cold parts of the world are gearing up for a few months of Jack Frost, which means that we need a daily moisturizer with a little more oomph to combat cold, dry air. But, even in winter, you still need the SPF.

So, here’s a budget-friendly beauty tip. Since summer is officially over, drugstores have mad deals on sunblock. And that thick, “heavy,” “greasy” sunblock you complained about all summer? It is now your best friend! Nothing blocks the sun, and dry air, better than a good heavy sunblock!

If you tend toward winter-dry skin, try out the sunblock tip. It’s a great cost-saver, not to mention skin saver. My favorite sunblock for my face is Blue Lizard (affiliate link), which unfortunately has gotten harder to find. But Amazon does carry it!

I honestly don’t remember when I started obsessing over my eye brows. I vividly remember a horrible wax incident while I was in college, and I recall knowing enough about the process to realize where and how it went awry. So I am guessing the brow grooming started in high school.

When I went to esthetics school, I emersed myself in every tips and tricks on shaping brows. Some experts suggested a simplified process–measure the start and end of the brows, arch is in the middle. One book used a method that included several rulers and mathematical equations that would stoke NASA.

When the famous Anastasia (guru behinds famous brows like Madonna and JLo) offered brow kits at Sephora,building the perfect brow seemed a little too easy. Hollywood style brows in a kit?

So this video of Anastasia demo-ing her brow kit is an eye opener. First, I love that she uses what I call “the power of three” (using three areas rather than the typical two to find the arch). And the stencils seem to eliminate the goof factor. Finally, the inclusion of a brow powder means that I will actually use it. In case you have never tried it, filling in brows makes a huge difference!

I am officially growing out my brows so I can put Anastasia’s Beauty Express Brow Kit to the test. I’ll report my findings!

“Beauty Express” brow-kit instructional video from Anastasia Beverly Hills on Vimeo.

Emma Watson at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiere in London

When Emma Watson chopped her locks after she wrapped filming on the Harry Potter franchise, I applauded her bravery. When I was young and impulsive, long hair would be chopped off at a whim. But, of course, several months later came the “what the hell did I do that for” sobs when the arduous grow in period began.

Of course, starlets have armies of people who keep growing out hair looking gorgeous for stuff like, oh, the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 international premiere, where the actress showed off a beautiful new bob, courtesy of Rodney Cutler, founder of Cutler Salon (with locations in NYC and Miami).

The deceptively simple style is a decidedly modern take on the famous bob of the celebrated silent film actress Louise Brooks. The retro style is modernized with interior layers and soft, sweepy bangs (a look for my own bangs that I am constantly striving for, but my soft and sweepy is decidedly not).

Hoping to steal some ideas for my own not sweepy bangs, I asked how this look was achieved. Here’s the skinny from the the hair  guru himself, Rodney Cutler!

• To achieve Emma’s look, I applied Redken Sheer Straight and Redken Root Lifter and then wrap blow dried the hair so that strands would appear naturally straight.
• I then gently flat ironed hair pieces from mid to the ends of the hair shaft, lightly flipping out the ends, and sprayed Redken Fashion Work 12 Hair Spray to ensure the style would hold up on the Red Carpet.
• Finally, I wanted to make sure her hair balanced the beautiful dress, so I backcombed the crown to give it just a touch of height, and finished off with Cutler Shine Tattoo.

The result is absolutely magical.

Sweatpants go urban chic at iVillage. We love this look!

After keeping one very sleepy eye on Fashion Week here in New York (and deciding that jeans were still a better alternative to what the models paraded down the runway), some excellent news comes to us that is not Famous Expensive Designer Endorsed (yet).

According to iVillage, sweat pants are a fashion “do!”

And there was much rejoicing at BeautyOlogy HQ!

In fact, I am super stylish as I type this!

Of course, saggy butt sweats are still not acceptable outside of movie night (that would be movie night with Netflix). But a nice pair of fitted sweats, preferably with an elastic ankle, can look casual but pulled together when paired with the right top and cute booties (see picture). I am digging the look in black–gray sweats still scream gym class to me.

Check out iVillage’s very cool slide show on how to make this new “do” work for you.

Here at BeautyOlogy, we love questions! So submit yours for our new feature Burning Beauty Question!

Oh make up brushes! How we adore you. Until you get dirty and funky and gross and we don’t know what to do with you anymore!

When you use a makeup brush, you are not only transmitting makeup onto your skin. The dead skin, dirt and bacteria from your skin also gets transmitted on the brush. So you definitely need to give it a good cleaning.

(PS, this dirt and bacteria then gets in your makeup if you dip the dirty brush into your new compact. So please stop sharing makeup. And stop using those nasty Sephora displays. I say this because I love you. xoxo)

If you aren’t experiencing major break outs, many experts agree that once a month is fine. I actually prefer twice a month, but I am kind of obsessive about sanitation.

Some makeup pros swear up and down that shampoo or soap will ruin the brush bristles, and recommend you wash brushes with a specific brush solution. My go-to method is baby shampoo, but I also have a kid at home and easy access. I wet the brush in warm water, add a dab of shampoo into my palm and gentle wash the brush, then rinse clean. I blot with a paper towel and reset the bristles. Then I lay the handle on the counter, with the brush head hanging off, to dry.

Ok, so that last part is awkward. But if you leave it upright to dry, water can get under the seam of the brush and ruin it. Laying it flat give you flat bristles on one side! Some actually blow dry their brushes, but I don’t have the patience to blow dry my hair, never mind my makeup brushes!

I soak my professional brushes in alcohol. Again, experts warn that this will damage the bristles, but I am more concerned about bacteria and contamination than the life expectancy of my tools. If you have bad acne, I do recommend using alcohol to be certain that the bacteria is not re-transmitted to your skin.

When I was working in the spa and talked to clients post-facial about home care, a number would inevitably say “you’re just trying to sell me something.”

Unfortunately, the “upsell” in the salon and spa setting has pretty much eclipsed the fact that I really, honestly don’t believe that Oil of Olay is good for your skin.

Of course, there will always be technicians trying to make an extra buck and pushing useless product on unsuspecting clients. So I get why people are wary.

But if you are on my facial table getting a treatment from me, I am going to suggest alternatives. And sometimes those alternatives are at the drug store, sometimes they are on my shelves.

In fact, the company that supplies my peels, PCA Skin, recommends that, for best results, their products are used pre-and-post peel. “Is that really necessary,” you groan, firing up your mental calculator to add up product costs.

Over the past five months, I conducted an experiment to see if using their product really was necessary. Over the course of three peels, I alternated between using their products prior to the peel and using non-PCA products prior.

Peel One
I used PCA’s products for 10 days prior to the peel. By the 2nd day post-peel, I was peeling. A lot. The peeling lasted almost two weeks. My the time it was done, my skin looked spectacular. I was impressed.

Peel Two
I did not use PCA’s products prior to applying the peel and just went for it. By the 2nd day, I could barely make out flaking. By the third, there was minimal peeling. It was all over in five days. And then I broke out. Interesting…

Peel Three
Once again, PCA products were used 10 days prior to the peel. Day two saw very light peeling, and by day three, my skin began to shed. And while it didn’t go for a full two weeks like the first peel, it did peel for about 10 days.

On the day the peeling started to wane, Manly Man Husband asked me if I was wearing makeup, because my skin looked particularly radiant (or maybe he was just kissing my ass).

The Verdict
In the case of PCA and their peels, using their home care products prior to peeling made a significant difference in the peel result. The mix of active ingredients does prep the skin significantly so that the skin achieves fantastic results, without over-doing it.

I should also note that I used their recommended post-peel products each and every time. You should always follow the home care product advice you receive after a peel treatment; that’s imperative.

The home care product kits (pre and post) are automatically given out to my clients who book a PCA peel.  I don’t want clients worried that I am only trying to upsell them product. To ensure the best result, compliance is key.

How can gyms feel less “flabby?”

Offer a new “ice shoveling” workout. 627 calories burned in one hour, per the heart rate monitor.

And I haven’t yet touched the driveway!

I don’t know about you guys, but I am SO not into the whole Black Friday shopping thing. The idea of lining up in the middle of a late November frigid night just to drop kick anyone in my way of a $3o DVD player just doesn’t appeal.

So Black Friday warriors may want to add in a Black Friday spa deal to work out the sore shopping muscles and release a little stress.

In NYC, Chelsea’s charming Just Calm Down Spa is offering 25% off a bunch of services, including their The Morocckin’ On The Marrakech Express Waterbed Massage or the Movie Star Massage. For those looking for something a bit more practical, they are also offering 15% off waxing services. The Black Friday specials actually kicked off today, so you can treat yourself pre-Holiday.

Oasis Day Spa (locations throughout the NY area) is offering 15% off all gift cards using code BF2010, and 20% off all product purchases using code SHOPOASIS (and, both codes can be used at the same time!). Plus they are offering free shipping with any purchase over $50. Offer is good online or in store, so even those without an Oasis near by can still grab some goodies.

Finally, bluemercury, the civilized answer to Sephora, is hosting Pre-Sale and Holiday store parties starting on Friday. Their events promise champagne and treats, free samples and up to 20% off your purchases.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Regular readers know about my hair issues.

Like how I love to experiment then have my stylist fix my major screw ups! And ya’ll know that I am uber lazy about blowing out my hair.

Hayleigh Hatcher, a stylist at blow, the new york blow dry bar, was kind (brave) enough to answer some hair questions and share some inspiring tips to help get hair gorgeous for the holiday season.

1. Let’s say I actually DID blow out my hair on a regular basis, what products am I not using but should be!

When blow drying your hair at home, the most important products to have are heat protectors.  Besides protecting your hair these products have styling capabilities as well.

For finely textured hair use Heat Is On.  For medium to coarse textures use Weather Girl.  Both add shine, and lock in styles. A new product that I’m loving is Ready Set Blow – it is an express blow dry lotion that cuts down blow dry time (so it minimizes the heat damage to your hair) and also helps set the look.

2. Do you have a natural, out of your cupboard solution that should be used by people who blow dry regularly?

The health of you’re hair begins with good nutrition!  When at home, reach into your cupboard and go for foods rich in vitamins especially Vitamin B complex.  Foods such as peanut butter, whole grains, and eggs are rich in biotin and promote a healthy scalp and hair.  This also prevents hair loss. Being conscious of getting the right nutrients will certainly show in your hair.

Oh, that’s just like skin care! And, another aside, I have been really digging some all natural, no sugar added peanut butter these days. Try it on apples!

3. Now my big burning question: I hate blowing out my own hair because after about 2 minutes, my arm feels like it is going to fall off. How should I hold the drier to counter this?

When blowing out you’re own hair there are a couple tricks to prevent tired muscles:

1. Get comfortable, I find sitting is more relaxing.

2. Get ambidextrous. It may be hard at first but try switching off arms.  If you are right handed, pre-dry holding the dryer in your left hand.  That way, when you start with the brush you have more energy.  If you are too strained take a break, it only takes about 30 seconds for muscles to recover.

3. Always use the brush with your writing hand.  You will have more control and that arm tends to be stronger anyway!

A big thanks to Hayleigh and blow for sharing some brilliant advice! I am looking forward to trying Ready Set Blow–I’ve been hearing raves about it–as well as Heat Is On. Stay tuned for reviews!

Hayleigh is going to share even MORE hair tips with my Product Junkies! Wait, what are Product Junkies? Why the readers who are loving BeautyOlogy’s weekly email newsletter, Product Junkie! Sign up here! It’s totally free.

Sometimes you just want to bury your head under a pillow.

Have you ever been rushing through the grocery store to purchase that one item you need to finish making dinner, only to be confronted by a person in front of you with a basket piled high with stuff? You’re running late and need to get going. You can feel your stress levels starting to rise, as you think about the dinner in the oven that’s about to burn if you can’t get home on time.

Then something amazing happens. The person in front of you looks at the item in your hand and says, “you go first, you only have one item.” All that stress you were experiencing just seconds before just melts away.

That, my friends, is the lost art of empathy.

Over the past decade or two, the prevailing pop psych wisdom has told us that we need to be much more selfish to achieve personal happiness.

Particularly in the lady mags, and as preached by Oprah (the Messiah of the X chromosome set), happiness is simply one “no” away.

And I agree. To a point. But there also comes a point when we need to behave with compassion, even if it means a little inconvenience. In other words, perhaps saying yes.

I think we have been bogged down by this “just say no” mindset, and to our detriment. Often I feel that something as simple and human as empathy is as old fashioned a notion as a rotary phone. The old cliché “walk a mile in another person’s shoes” has been replaced by the other cliché  “look out for number one.”

Lack of empathy may be good for the military or for police work, where analytical thinking trumps emotions, but for the rest of us, a drop of empathy during a rough time is often very welcome. Sometimes it can be the one thing that stops a full-blown meltdown.

I don’t like to get all political on this blog, but you know what? If the bankers had more empathy, perhaps they would stop blaming foreclosed upon homeowners for getting mortgages they couldn’t afford. After all, those very banks were the ones who decided the homeowners could indeed afford them in the boom.

Which is why this lack of empathy is situation critical. And apparently it is only going to get worse. According to a study presented at the Association for Psychological Science’s annual conference, college students today are 40% less empathetic than students 20 years ago. We could very well be headed for empathetic Armageddon.

Oh, and for those that believe there’s no room empathy is business? Chris Brogan makes some big bucks teaching large corporations essentially how to empathize with their customers.

Perhaps this makes me a push over. But when I am dead, I would rather be remembered for my kindness than for being an asshole.