Real Simple July issue

Real Simple's July issue is jam packed with lots of good information.

The beauty section has two can't miss articles; stubble trouble and summer hair help. Stubble trouble (pgs 91-97) lists the pros and cons of four hair removal methods then provides six product recommendations. Summer hair help (pgs 99-103) provides the quick-fix and preventive measure for four common summer hair dilemas.

My favorite section, road tests (pgs 155-174), tackles bras, teeth whiteners, ice cream makers and pickles. Such an interesting, and odd, combination that I found myself carefully reading each category. While all four categories were very informative, I was most impressed by the 10 "winner" bras and the fitting tips.

All my fellow laundry fanatics will be drawn to the hints on how to keep white clothes white (p. 189). But y'all probably do that stuff already. ;)

The July Real Simple issue is available now wherever magazines are sold.

PINK Magazine

I've written a few posts recently about magazine articles and just wanted to give a "shout out" to a magazine I have really enjoyed since it hit the scene almost two years ago, PINK magazine.

PINK magazine was brought to my attention one Saturday afternoon in Spring 2005. I happen to be watching CNN and the founding editor, Cynthia Good, was discussing the newly launched magazine. I was intrigued and immediately went to their website and got myself a subscription.

PINK magazine salutes and honors working women. Last year they featured top women execs in the advertising world, and this years February/March issue named 15 women PINK believe symbolize the new generation of business influencers. Household names Suze Orman, Kate Spade, Hilary Rodham-Clinton and Iman have graced previous PINK covers.

Past issues have also featured articles on sex slavery, domestic violence in the workplace and women at war. PINK has also addressed politics, cancer research and ethics. They still manage to talk about finance and fashion too. You get the idea; they discuss real life and issues that affect many of us (directly or indirectly).

The magazine is geared towards corporate professional women. Which I'm not, at least not right now. But that's where I see myself headed and this magazine continually provides great articles that make me see I can get there and how to get there.

Go to pinkmagazine.com to find out more.

up next: Clinique's Cream Shaper pencil

InStyle April Issue

I couldn't wait to dig into my April issue of InStyle because it's the annual issue of their 148 Best Beauty Buys. But this issue has so many goodies it took me a few days to get through it. Where do I start?

I'll be boring and begin at the beginning.

Halle Berry looks stunning on the cover. The interview and fashion layout (pgs 144-151) is really spectacular. I found myself thinking, "She's smart, beautiful and talented, I want to be friends with her". The Halle Style inset has some great insights into why she always looks so great.

I loved the InStyle compilation of all the amazing gowns from the Academy Awards in "the Look of the Oscars" (pgs 176-188). My absolute favorite pictures in this section are the ones of Helen Mirren, Diane Keaton and Jodie Foster in "Nobody Does It Better". That title definitely sums up the grace, beauty and class those three women continue to display.

Four Faces of Spring (pgs 419-425) has the beautiful Maggie Q showing off bronze shadow, pink lips, black eyeliner and nude lip looks you'll want to replicate. Thank goodness Dior makeup artist Shane Paish tells us what he did and what products he used.

Organic Beauty (pgs 429-433) breaks down what the terms organic and natural in beauty products really mean. There's also a "how to" on reading an organic label.

saved the best for last: 148 Best Beauty Buys (pgs 455-486) speaks for itself. InStyle takes four different categories (makeup, skin, hair and body) and asks almost 50 experts in each category to name their favorites. Whether you are looking for foundation, sunscreen or nail color, InStyle tells you who's got the best. There's also a shopping list that provides internet addresses and phone numbers of where you can find mentioned products.

If you don't already have a copy, go get one. This one is worth re-reading many times. You can also go to instyle.com for a peek inside.

Real Simple April issue

I mentioned the Real Simple April issue in yesterday's post. After further review, there are a couple more articles I've got to bring to your attention.

The "broken promises" article (pgs 145-151) is definitely worth reading at least a few times. Packaging pros and makeup artists discuss why beauty-product malfunctions occur, whether they can be prevented and how to remedy problems. Lots of us figured out how to unclog our hair-spray but I didn't know you could repair shattered eye shadow.

And this month they "road tested" mascara (pgs 219-222). They picked out winners and runner-ups in eight categories from lengthing to won't smudge. The side note about what color mascara will enhance your eyes is very informative.

Gotta run, I just realized my InStyle is waiting for me to rifle through it. (I'll let you know what goodies I find in there)

Must Reads in Lucky Magazine April issue

The April issue of Lucky Magazine is filled with so many wonderful pretty pictures I wanted to mention a few articles that deserve your full attention too.

The Beauty Spy section always catches my eye because there's so many new fun beauty products to discuss. Don't miss the "surprise bestseller!" on page 186. I was so intrigued by the cute packaging I couldn't wait to look through the rest of the magazine before checking out the Crazylibellule and the Poppies solid perfume on amazon.com. (I just ordered three of the seven scents and will let you know what I think when I've gotten a chance to try them)

The "Do It Yourself" article that starts on page 212 has four women getting advice from a dermatologist and a makeup artist on choosing sunscreen. All four women have very different lifestyles and there's great advice on how to tackle specific sunscreen issues.

I know you would find the Lucky Spring Bag Guide on your own, but it's so wonderful, I just had to gush a little. The 10 different categories offer such variety, in style and price, that you'll find yourself wanting more than one new handbag this season. Be sure to check out the model (and bag) pictured with each category to see how a specific style would work in real life.

Lucky Breaks (p.281-286) has one big and three smaller giveaways and 15 discount offers worth reviewing. Beautyhabit.com, Tocca and Rafe are just a few of the participants this month. There are also eight exclusive luckybreaksonline.com deals on page 54.

If you don't already have a copy, the April issue of Lucky magazine is in stores now. Visit their website at luckymag.com.

Interesting Articles

I was reading my October issue of Real Simple Magazine last night and ran across a couple articles worth checking out.

The "anatomy of a handbag" article inspired this posting. They present some great options at 3 different price points and tell you what you're getting for your money. You will definitely want to read their guide to spotting quality in specific construction details.

In the beauty section they discuss hairbrushes. What's great about this article is that they just don't show a few and tell you what's right for you; they actually deconstruct a hairbrush and describe the different parts and what to look for. Then they pick the best brushes in six different categories.