Our Top 10 Self-Tanners

self-tanner

We recently posted our top 10 myths about sunscreen and stressed the importance of wearing SPF.  Just because you need to be cautious about lying out in the sun doesn’t mean your skin has to remain pale all summer long!  To help you along, we’ve put together a list of our best selling and favorite self-tanners.

You can also check out our post with tips on how to apply self-tanner.

The Lotions

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer Self-Tanning Lotion

L’Oreal’s formula contains light-reflecting micro-particles that help to extenuate its bronzing effect on your skin.

Fake Bake Self-Tanning Lotion

Unlike many other self-tanners, you can actually see Fake Bake Self-Tanner when it’s applied.  The color is al natural and organic, so it will not stain your clothes or sheets.

SUN Laboratories Dark Sunsation Self-Tanner

SUN Labs provides the darkest fake tan out there – but doesn’t look fake!

Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube

This non-streaky formula not only gives your skin a natural looking glow, but its also formulated with grape seed extracts and safflower oil – both of which contain natural skin antioxidants and moisturizers.

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Self-Tanner

Ideal for sensitive skin, Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Self-Tanner is made with all natural ingredients that won’t clog pore or irritation sensitive skin. 

The Sprays

Body Drench Quick Tan Sunless Tanning Mist

This fast-drying, cocoa vanilla scented formula was named “Best Tan in a Can” by StyleBakery.com in 2007, and again as one of their top five self tanners in 2008.  

Tan Towel Tanning Mist

This easy to apply spray contains aloe vera, and vitamins E and B5 to help moisturize the skin and heal it from any irritations.

Fake Bake Instant Self-Tan Spray

The affordable airbrush tan that you can do on your own!  

For the Face

Bella Bronze Olive and Grape Seed Extract Instant Face Self-Tanner

This product is actually a self-tanner and instant bronzer all in one!  The olive and grape seed extract contain natural anti-oxidants and anti-aging properties.

Tan Towel Classic Half Body Self Tanning Towelettes

You don’t know what you’re missing out on until you try Tan Towel’s self-tanning towels.  They’re so easy to use and provide quick, even application with just one towel!  

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Our best-selling mascaras!

mascara

Mascara can make or break a flawless makeup look just like a pair of shoes can make or break a flawless outfit.  But when was the last time you treated yourself to a new tube?

Given the economic situation, we have all been scaling back on buying things for ourselves.  This has translated into many of us holding on to a favorite tube of mascara much longer than normal.  The recommended expiration date for mascara is only about three months.  Mascara tends to “goes bad” significantly faster than most other makeup products because it’s made with ingredients that dry out faster.  Plus, mascara wands come in close contact with your eyes, which can contaminate the wand with bacteria. 

We’ve compiled a list of six of our best selling mascaras.  And the best part is – they’re all under twenty dollars!  Go ahead, treat yourself.

Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara

We mentioned this new product a few weeks ago when we introduced the new Spring 2009 collection from Too Faced.  This product already is a favorite for customers!  Described as “lash extensions in a tube,” this unique mascara formula actually coats your lashes to extend them further than the natural lash.   Too Faced Lash Injection comes in Pitch Black and Hot Chocolate

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

For voluminous lashes that appear five times thicker than your normal eyelashes, try L’Oreal’s Voluminous Mascara.  Their mascara wand is designed to thicken your lashes evenly, smoothly, and clump free!  The best part about this mascara, is that it gives you choices.  The original formula and wand come in four shades: black, soft black, blackest black, and black/brown.  There is also a waterproof formula, (perfect if you want to double ensure that your eyelashes stay full throughout the day) and a curved wand version, which adds even more curl and volume.  Daneen, the blogger from the acclaimed beauty website, Spoiled pretty, recently re-fell in love with this mascara.  She says, “L’Oreal Voluminous not only pumped up the volume of my sparse lashes, the mascara took my fringe to new heights…all without clumps. And unlike so many mascaras on the market nowadays, the Voluminous brush doesn’t grab too much product – which is great because I hate having to wipe off excess product.” 

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

You’ve seen the pink tube with the green cap for years at drugstores!  Did you know that not only is Maybelline Great Lash Mascara America’s number one mascara, but it also was the first mascara that was ever officially marketed to the public! (This was back in 1915 when T.L. Williams created a product for his sister Maybelthe rest is history).  It has since then received dozens awards, like Allure Magazine’s 2008 Reader’s Choice award for best drugstore mascara (they claim that every 1.6 seconds, a tube of this mascara is sold); it is also a favorite of celebrity/socialite Kim Kardashian.  The famous mascara is also available in several different shades of black, in a curved applicator, plus comes in a waterproof version.

Urban Decay Big Fatty

True to its name, Urban Decay’s Big Fatty mascara seriously does create the fattest eyelashes possible.  The formula was created with hemp oil to help keep lashes soft and moisturized.  The line is known for having a great selection of colored mascara, for a day or night when you’re feeling a little on the adventurous side.  Urban Decay Big Fatty mascara comes in cool shades like Black Cherry, Electric Blue, and Purple Haze.

 L’Oreal Paris Lash Double Extend Beauty Tubes

L’oreal’s double sided mascara brush in its Double Extend Beauty Tubes are actually two products in one!  The first side is used as a primer or base coat, which contains Ceramide R and D-Panthenol, two ingredients that both protect and strengthen your lashes.  The other side contains a top coat that lengthens the lashes, to create a fuller, smudge free look.  The A-list blogger from A Mom in Red High Heels gives a great review of the product, saying, “after doing the ultimate skin care no no and not washing my face before bed I woke up with great looking and smudge free lashes.”

Borghese Superiore State of the Art Mascara

Borghese products are well-known for having intricate formula details that really are geared toward the goal of the product.  Their Superiore State of the Art mascara is no exception.  The mascara contains a hydrolyzed silk-powder foundation that conditions delicate lashes.  It also contains Borghese’s signature Acqua di Vita complex which adds additional moisture and nutrients to the lashes.  Celebrities like Renee Zellweger have all taken a love for this product.  It comes in both black  and brown.

Now that you have six great mascara choices!  Here are 10 quick tips for applying mascara.  Enjoy!

InStyle’s 2009 Best Beauty Buys

Every year, InStyle Magazine compiles a huge list of their top beauty buys.  The April Issue (in stores now) features opinions from some of the leading experts in the beauty industry.  The editors of the magazine also sampled thousands of products to complete their list, which contains products in all beauty categories including makeup, skincare, and haircare.  Lucky for you, Discount Beauty Center carries a ton of the products InStyle recommends!  Here are some highlights from the issue

Makeup: Lips

  • 657061Best inexpensive lipstick (with best color range): L’Oreal Paris Lip Colour RicheInStyle says,”No skin tone is short-changed by this massive collection of 54 vivid hues.”
  • Best inexpensive lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.  Makeup artist Rachel Goodwin says the lipstick is, “easy, wearable…very current, [and] very on  target of what women want.”
  • Editor’s Pick for Lips: Cover Girl Wetslicks Amaze MintInStyle says it’s a, “lightweight gloss [that] delivers breath-freshening peppermint oil.”
  • Best inexpensive lip gloss (with best color range): Maybelline Shine Seduction.  Makeup artist Fiona Stiles said of the gloss, “it doesn’t smell like brownies or have glitter in it like a lot of other drugstore glosses.”

Makeup: Eyes

  • 126231Best inexpensive mascara: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous MascaraInStyle says it’s, “a staple in virtually every makeup kit in Hollywood.”
  • Best inexpensive eye shadow:  L’Oreal Paris HIP Powder.  Makeup artist Margot Boccia says, “they’re so easy to blend, you can apply them with your fingers.”

Makeup: Face

Makeup: Nails

  • Best neutral:  Essie Mademoiselle Nail Polish37071.  Charlize Theron’s nail polish pro said, “I have 300 polish shades in my kit, but this is the one I use 60% of the time.”
  • Best red: OPI Big Red AppleInStyle says it’s, “not too blue and not too orange.”
  • Best top coat/base coat: Seche Vite Top Coat / Seche Clear Base CoatInStyle says, “these gel-like formulas go on as smooth as glass to anchor color and keep nails flossy for up to a week.”
  • Best dark:  OPI Lincoln Park After DarkInStyle says, “a hint of plum prevents this deep hue from going totally goth.”
  • Best nail strengthener:  Duri Rejuvacote Nail Growth System.  InStyle says, “the keratin rich formula thickens nails; vitamin B5 nourishes them to prevent splitting or peeling.”

Makeup: Tools

  • Best tweezers: Tweezerman SlantInStyle says, “they pluck exactly where you aim them”39389

Skin

Hair

  • Best anti-frizz product: John Frieda Frizz-Ease.  “This one will battle the worst humidity and frizz and still hold a curl,” says hair stylist Carla Gentry Osorio.51058
  • Best at-home color kit for red, blond, or black hair: L’Oreal Paris FeriaInStyle says, “the easy-to-use applicator and low levels of ammonia earn praise from Paris colorist Yiotis Panayiotou, who works with Kate Beckinsale and Victoria Beckham.”
  • Best Blow-Dryer: T3 Bespoke Tourmaline Featherweight Hair DryerInStyle says, “this lightweight machine dries hair more quickly – and with less damaging heat – than conventional dryers.”
  • Best paddle brush: Mason Pearson Popular Brush.  According to hairstylist Ken Paves, “this is the only brush in the world.”
  • Best curling iron: Hot Tools Marcel 1″ Curling Iron.  LA Hairstylist Robert Ramos says, “this iron has a gauge, so you can make it as hot as you want…it’s gentle on hair and lasts forever.”
  • Editor’s Pick: Conair Mini Pro Ceramic Flat IronInStyle says its, “Ideal for travel or stashing in your desk at work.”

For all this year’s picks, pick up a copy of the April issue of InStyle featuring Salma Hayek on the cover.