Learning how to apply makeup in a flattering way can be difficult. One of the best ways to get started with makeup is to use a makeup kit. Beauty reviews rave about the many beauty kits on the market that teach women how exactly to apply make up products. I like them because these kits make applying makeup simple and stress free.

A really great makeup kit for learning all you need to know about applying makeup is the Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit - Fairly Light/Light ($181 Value) . These kits come in many varieties for different skin tones. The kit teaches you how to create the best foundation, which is important in applying makeup correctly. It comes with brushes and all the supplies you need to create a flawless foundation. You get step by step instructions on how to apply the makeup, as well.

There are other types of makeup kits on the market, too. You can buy kits that teach you how to:

•shape your eyebrows
•apply lipstick and
•apply blush and more…

Almost any makeup skill you want to learn has a makeup kit to teach you how. Kits truly make application as easy as 1-2-3!

You simply:

1.Buy the kit you want
2.Familiarize yourself with the tools and then
3.Apply the makeup step by step according to the instructions

It is a simple and easy way to learn or relearn how to apply make up for a professional finished look. These kits are great for everyone, from the beginner to someone who just wants to learn a new application method.

Sincerely,
Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

P.S. FREE sample of Bare Escentuals’ RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment. Enter code BESAMPLE at checkout. *While supplies last.

Hi all

As many of you know, next weekend is Mother’s Day. I am writing to remind you of this and that you have less than a week to get her mothers day gift. This year is a bit tough for my family. My sister’s three year memorial is on the same day as Mother’s Day and it has been a struggle to figure out what exactly to get my mom.

After querying all of my relatives and friends they all recommend flowers. And they are right. You can’t go wrong with flowers and fortunately with the internet and 1 800 Flowers there is a huge selection to choose from. We will probably go with some kind of sunflower and look for an arrangement with butterflies. Both were a favorite of my sister’s and seeing them always seems to lift mom’s spirits.

I would love to know what type of Flowers that you intend to get your mom. With mother’s day coming up 1-800 flowers is running some really nice specials. They even offer a mother’s day gift guide to help you choose the right arrangement for your mom.

Mother’s day is a celebration of all the love your mom has given you and all the sacrifices she has made. It’s the perfect time to say thank you for everything. Flowers just seem like the perfect gift to me because she gets to enjoy them for a few days after the big event.

Write in with your gift ideas and what you are doing to celebrate you mom.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

Heading out to Texas for your summer vacation or planning on trying your hand at horseback riding? Well then it is time to do a little western wear shopping. Now if you are serious about spending some time outdoors don’t just go for what is trendy. Especially if you are planning on hiking or riding, you need clothes that are both comfortable and durable, while still making you look fabulous.

For cowboy hat and boot combinations you can’t go wrong with Cavenders. They specialize in western outfits that look good and feel great. If you buy from their site, check out their fit chart. They tell you exactly how to measure for an optimum fit, when buying cowboy hats, boots, etc…

If you end up at one of their retail stores, their staff is extremely nice, knowledgeable and helpful. They have that southern charm down pat.

Check them out for yourself at:  http://cavenders.com/

Sincerely,

Caterina - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

P.S. They are now holding a contest where you could win a George Straight signed guitar! Go to their site and register now for your chance to win.

Hi all

Here are some beauty product reviews and more to the point shopping savings tips. Here is my review of Bath and Body Works products and pricing in comparison to some of their competitors.

Now remember my number one tip on money - if you save money that you normally would have spend due to a sale immediately take that money and put it into a savings account. Separate it from your other money, in your wallet, until you can get to your bank so that you will not be tempted to use it or, if you absolutely must spend it, spend it on a product that you need to buy anyway and take that unused money and put it into your savings account .

That is all for now.
Happy shopping and savings!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

Normally the name penny pincher makes me cringe but in the case of the Penny Pincher Gazette, I will make an exception. Let’s face it, with this economy, being being frugal just makes sense. Plus as a general rule , the more you save on your day to day items the more that you have for both savings and those little luxuries that we can’t do without.

Use some of Penny Pincher Gazette’s Grocery Coupons where you can combine their online store coupons with in store coupons for even bigger savings. They have online grocery saving coupons available even before they hit your local paper.

They also have cooking articles and recipes so you know how to whip up mouth watering meals that are even more satisfying for all the money you saved.

Here is what I do:

For every dollar that I save, through coupons and discounts on items I would normally buy ( not impulse items that caused me to spend extra), I put 50% in a jar toward my savings account, and 50% towards something special like gourmet chocolates, a special brand of skin cream or a short vacation.  When either amount hits $100 I put it in either my savings account or an extra account that I have open just for these little treats.

You can do the same.  Let Penny Pincher Gazette help you on the way to savings and those little luxuries that we simply can not do without.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

As usual, I am always looking for ways to improve our lives both on the outside and the in. Getting an advanced education can make a huge difference in the quality of your life. The problem is that most schools give you theory without experience.

I have recently stumbled upon a school that not only teaches you but places you in on the job training from your very first year. They have tons of programs from Biochemistry, and Industrial Engineering to engineering co-op programs.

Here is how it works:

In your first year you are placed in co-op training programs with real companies. Then throughout your studies you are rotated to different companies every three months. You not only learn the “theories” but the actual day to day practices of working in that profession. How cool is that?

In fact, US News and World Report has ranked Kettering University as “the #1 University in the nation for Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering” in its annual “America’s Best Colleges Guide for 2008″.

I wish that they had had a program like this when I was getting my degree. It would have saved me a lot of time and confusion and given me the contacts I needed to get a job immediately with a company I had already worked for.

It seems like a win win situation to me. Check it out for yourself.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

Love baby phat clothing but hate shipping charges? Well as a treat for Easter they are offering free shipping on orders of $125 or more. Just enter BABYPHATEASTER08 when you check out.

Now for all you fashion divas, you know that $125 for designer fashion or bit of this season’s must have fashion is nothing. And the money you save on shipping can just go toward some of their other fashion musts like an adorable baby phat handbag.

I love the fashions that they have for kids, as well. I swear I spend more money on my niece in this store than I do for myself.

Anyway, if you are looking to update your closet and love this line, go online now and cash in on the savings!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

I know you come here for makeup and beauty tips and I appreciate all of you for being so loyal. When I find additional resources for you though my conscience insists that I pass on the info.

Here is another site that you can go to for even more makeup tips and advice:www.makeuptip.com

This site gives really great additional tips on how to apply makeup. I really love their all about eyes section. They give specific techniques on how to apply eye makeup. And their explanations are very straight forward.

Definitely check out this site. I like to give you all a well rounded education in beauty and feeling better about yourself. This site gives you specific techniques to do so.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

My family and I are always looking for the best spas in Florida. Today my mother, sister and I revisited the Canyon Ranch spa at the Gaylord Palm hotel. As usual the experience was above par.

Their Canyon Ranch facial was amazing and came with a foot massage and paraffin hand wrap. The facial lasts almost an hour and the technician Lina used products developed by a plastic surgeon from Africa. My skin was glowing and I felt so relaxed that I could hardly move.

My sister had the Mango Sugar Glo and she was raving about it. It takes a miracle for my sister to relax and she actually seemed refreshed. Her skin looked fantastic but I was even more impressed to see her smiling and enjoying herself.

This Florida spa definitely gets a thumbs up.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all,
I must admit that reading beauty reviews was an obsession of mine long before I started writing them. As a little girl I loved to browse through the beauty magazines to discover the most recent  fads and trends in makeup and skin care. I guess it’s no surprise that I write my own beauty reviews now. They say do what you love, right?
These days, I tend to spend most of my time browsing online reviews instead of flipping through the pages of beauty magazines. But I have to admit, snuggling up in that corner of my sofa with my laptop just isn’t as rewarding as curling up with a glossy magazine. Oh well, we all need our guilty pleasures don’t we?
So yes, when I look for topics and products to bring you in my beauty reviews you can rest assured that I’ve scoured the pages of Glamour as well as cyberspace. Both venues have net us some really fun and effective products haven’t they? So let me get straight to it. My latest discovery is a body buff product that is unique in its ingredients, but oh-so effective. It’s the Carrot and Sesame Body Buff by Bliss. And yes, I know that it sounds more like ingredients for a stir-fry that a body buff.
It’s actually a two product system. The buff itself is from carrots and sea salt. You follow that with an extremely creamy moisturizing foam which includes both the sesame oil and a bit o’ honey. The scrub adds vitamin A from all those carrots, and the foam leaves you feeling soft as feathers. Ok, feathers and honey may seem like a precarious combination, but not here.
Try it. For a spa date with girlfriends, to pamper yourself, or as a special holiday gift, I really think you’ll be singing the praises of carrots when you’re done.

And that is the beauty recommendation of the day.

Enjoy!

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls