Hot Nail Color Giveaway

Have fun with this Nail Color Giveaway: with polishes and fun effects by Zoya, Essie, Milani and Sally Hansen.

With the holidays abound, I figured it was a great time to do a bunch of giveaways. I haven't been doing enough and the NuyBeauty closet is chock full of pampering products to gift to all of of you -- my thoughtful, deserving, loyal viewers and readers! Here's one for all your manicures and pedicures. Just comment on the post below, and I'll announce the winner next week!

-N.C.

*And the winner is Katy! - thanks for the wonderful comment! Yay!

Halloween Beauty Giveaway

NuyBeauty.com Halloween Beauty Giveaway: Comment on this post to have a chance at the fun, products that could be yours!

Halloween is a time when our kids get to go buck wild in pure sugar-highs and smile in their cool costumes while we admire, gush, and snap away with our cameras and smartphones. And, I thought on this day, when we mothers pour our energies and hearts into our children, their festivities and costuming -- that I should give away a special treat bag full of beauty and pampering items just for us Mamas.

Because we deserve it! Just comment on this post to have a chance at winning the surprise giveaway bag. The winner will be announced next week. Have a great Halloween!

THE LUCKY WINNER IS MARY! YAY! xxxxxx - NUY


-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Glamour on the Go 1-2-3, with Alicia Quarles

Who doesn't want to look fabulous quickly? The clock is usually never on my side when I'm running to an event or an evening out and have to switch from mom-work mode and get into high-glam mode. But, I get it done, and you can too with a few simple tips. And I'm talking about getting your entire look done, from hair and make-up to wardrobe in all of fifteen minutes. Yes, I'm serious!

I decided to bring in a very special guest and expert to help me break down the best way to get glamour done on the fly -- Alicia Quarles, global entertainment editor for the Associated Press.

Alicia Quarles gives us her stellar tips for looking good on the run.

As someone who always needs to be camera-ready at the drop of a hat for on-air reporting when she interviews the likes of say Madonna or Oprah Winfrey, I knew that Alicia was just the one for this piece.

So, sit back, watch, and let the glamming begin:

A ton of thanks to Alicia for her dazzling advice! You can find out how multi-faceted she is here!
 
Your 15 min. Glamour 1-2-3:

1) Hair: Work with a hairstyle that's always been your trustiest and most rock solid. Don't rock the boat. Then just use a little bit of product, and the necessary tool whether it's a comb or blow dryer when you're in a rush, to add some polish.

2) Make-up: Focus on a feature that you like and emphasize it, and keep all the others minimal. For example, I like my lips, so many times I'll just throw on a bold lip color (like a nice hot pink or orange-red) and some bronzer and head out the door.

3) Wardrobe: One-piece outfits like dresses and jumpsuits make quick glamour stress-free. You don't have to think about matching a top and bottom and furthermore they're feminine, sophisticated and comfortable too. Alicia mentioned Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses as a favorite, and here's a silk one I found that is fantastic. Take a look:

DVF Nove Wrap Dress ($425)

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Skincare: How to Treat a Facial Breakout

You wake up and look in the mirror and groan -- staring back at you are those awful, ornery red lumps that still cause you grief, despite the fact that you're all grown up! Yes.... PIMPLES!

And yes, they suck. They're annoying. But, like anything else in life, like traffic, bills, spilled milk and cereal, they happen. But there are some easy enough steps you can take to help take care of them well.

Here's my simple guide for treating the Evil Pimple. So here's to speedy healing, and to ever beautiful skin! Enjoy!

Treating a Facial Breakout Products 1-2-3:

1) Medicated Wash: St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser ($6)

2) Toner: NarsSkin Hydrating Freshening Lotion ($36)

3) Topical Treatments:

Clearasil Daily Acne Control Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream ($6)

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense ($78)

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Homemade Disposable Face Masks

Here finally is a post inspired by reader Melissa, who back in April asked me to make a video on a homemade beauty product when I ran my video ideas contest. Being a busy mom, I wanted to make something using only what I had in my kitchen, and *it* finally came to me: a disposable face mask made with only a paper towel, rice milk (great for sensitive skin) -- and if you wanted to, a dollop of honey.

Thank You Melissa :-)!

Check out how to make the mask in this quick video:

Homemade Face Mask Recipe 1-2-3:

1) 1/8 cup rice milk. Cold milk feels fantastic and restorative on the face.

2) One thick paper towel cut out into a face shape (cut holes for eyes, nose and mouth).

3) Option to add 1/4 teaspoon honey. Remember to microwave the mixture for 20 seconds so it can fully blend, and stir well with a spoon. Let the honey milk cool off for a refreshing effect. Or keep it warm if you need it to soothe.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Beauty is Simple, Sophisticated Dressing

This post is dedicated to my deep love of fashion. And because beauty encompasses not only how we carry ourselves in our skin, our smiles, our teeth -- but I think, simply put, that it has just as much to do with how we wear ourselves too.

I hope you enjoy.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Smart Beauty Packing for Air Travel

It's taken me awhile to conquer the plum amount of products, in skincare and make-up, to bring along with me for my travels. There were the days in my 20s where I lugged the Samsonite travel case or Shu Uemura Box with me, and every new-fangled fashion and beauty accoutrement I had accompanied me. Now, with my busy mom i.d., it's all about being as weightless (therefore swift for being on the go) as possible. But of course, still having all the goods for prettying up and taking care.

Helpful Tips & Goods for Smart Beauty Packing (Air Travel) :

1) Travel Rules: A simple guideline from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for carry-on packing. Also, it's helpful to put your zip top bag with the liquids, gels and aerosols at the top of your bag, or wherever you can easily access it as TSA rules dictate you are supposed to take the bag out when you remove your shoes, for x-ray screening.

2) Beauty Minis: Drugstores always have travel aisles where you can pick up travel size containers of toiletries, if you don't already have them. Also, here are two great travel sets by Caudalie (Beauty on Board, $15) and Bliss (Sinkside Six-Pack, $22), which you absolutely can't go wrong with -- complete with bags.

3) Makeup Bag Chic: I love this sleek travel case by Marc by Marc Jacobs (Pretty Nylon Small Cosmetic Bag, $78), in the three lovely colors of black, plum and gray. The rectangular shape is optimal for both elegant aesthetics and functionality.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.