Dear Bets:
What the heck is BB Cream? I’m confused and intrigued!
-Katie H.

I wondered the same thing a few months ago when a tube came across my desk. What is this BB Cream and why do I need if I already have a tinted moisturizer? Then I tried some. And I loved it. And now I can’t imagine life without it . . . . But back to your question. BB Cream stands for “blemish balm.” It’s been popular throughout Asia for years, but—to clear up the confusion—not just for blemishes. In Asia the word “blemish” translates as any type of skin imperfection: wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sun damage, acne, rosacea, etc. BB Cream is designed to prevent and diminish ALL of these issues. See what all the fuss is about?

For my maiden voyage I tried Boscia’s BB Cream ($38). It’s mostly natural, has a mineral SPF 27, and coincidentally was the first BB to land stateside after huge acclaim in overseas. The cream is incredibly lightweight, like a fluffy, tinted primer. It comes in one shade, which magically blended  into my fair skin (and presumably most others), creating this shockingly flawless, yet sheer canvas. You may need to lay down a moisturizer first if you’re dry, but you most certainly won’t need foundation!

Although BB creams usually contain some powerful hydrator, like Sodium Hyaluronate, they are more matte than a tinted moisturizer—one big reason that those of you with will oily skin, larger pores, and /or acne-prone skin will love this concept. I still used a tinted, but opt for BB Cream if I want something even lighter-weight OR only have time for one product OR am dashing to the grocery store and don’t want to look like I just rolled out of bed but don’t want to wear any makeup.

Does that help?  There are now loads of BB Creams on the market, including from Clinique, Smashbox, and Dr. Jart, a brand I’d never heard of but keeps getting raved about. Should you brave this new BB world, please report back on your discoveries!

I nearly fell out of my chair.

Darling readers, I feel it is my duty to inform you: Despite what 9 out of 10 dermatologists say, Cetaphil is the devil. It may look harmless and smell harmless but by golly it’s craptastic. One plastic jug contains just eight ingredients: water, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben. Everything but the water is chemically manufactured, and propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and three (three!) parabens are potentially cancer-causing. Which means, there is not a single beneficial ingredients in this cleanser. So what’s a girl to do? Step one: Put your  Cetaphil in the trash. Step two: Pick up a natural, inexpensive alternative. Two of my favorites: Suki Sensitive Skin Cleansing Bar ($11.95 ) and Yes to Cucumbers Towelettes ($5.99). What are some of yours?

For more depressing data on Cetaphil, check out this fantastic reporting from Well + Good NYC.

xoxo
Bets

I’m going to just come right out and say it: Without makeup, Glenn Close would look a man. Hell, I probably would too. But while I have a profound reverence for her acting abilities—Damages gave me more nightmares than Fatal Attraction—the woman wasn’t blessed with soft features or a come-hither voice. Now Glenn is finally being recognized for her other qualities. Meet Albert Nobbs. In theaters this Friday, Glenn plays a woman passing as a man in order to work and survive in 19th century Ireland. She not only makes Mrs. Doubtfire look like child’s play, but earned an Oscar nomination in the process. If I had a vote to cast it would go to her, simply for having the, erm, balls to lay it all out there, short hair, no mascara and all. Hard to look away, isn’t it?

Recession be damned, there’s never a dull moment in Beauty. 2011 was the best of times (stricter sunscreen regulations) and the worst of times (feather hair extensions). We cheered when Kate Middleton did her own wedding makeup, and gaped at Lady Gaga’s wigs and moles. But that was then, and this is now. With the help of a few industry insiders, I recently shared my beauty predictions for the year ahead with the Star Tribune.

Anything else you’d like to add? Please don’t say kool-aid highlights.

Happy Friday! It’s a big, chilly, cray-cray day here in BB land, as I head to Seattle on my next big hail life adventure. It’s true what they say: When one door closes, another one opens (cue angels singing). I’ll be working for Nordstrom, writing about two of my favorite topics, beauty and fashion. I’m a lucky girl. I’m also super sad to leave so many amazing people and the city I’ve called home for more than a decade. Minneapolis is the BEST. The good news is that this is not goodbye! I’ll be commuting home most weekends until we can fully relocated, and I’ll still be blogging away right here, as will my girls. Beauty Bets has become quite the cross-country initiative. That said, if you live in Seattle or know someone lovely who does, please introduce us! I can always be reached at elizabeth {at} beautybets {dot} com

xoxo
Bets

Even though Boots has been around for over 160 years, I’ve only recently given this popular British brand a deep-dive. My overall impression? There are some fantastic values—if you know what to look for. Lest you get paralyzed in the Target aisle, I’ve rounded up the best of the best.  –Meghan
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Best cleanser: Boots Expert Anti-Blemish Cleansing Foam ($5) – Light as a feather, this foam clears blackheads and blemishes without leeching moisture from my dry skin. I rotate this cleanser in weekly, alternating with my favorite cold cream and CVS scrub.
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Best toner: Boots Botanics Rosewater Toner ($8) – Proof that skin care doesn’t have to be complicated (or expensive) to be delightfully luxurious—and organic, as certified by the Kew Royal Botanics Garden. I transferred mine to a spray bottle and use it often to refresh my moisturizer.
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Best day cream: Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream ($19) – I’m a Goldilocks when it comes to my day cream—they’re either too light, too heavy, too greasy, too smelly. This one is just right, providing rich, long-lasting moisture while absorbing quickly and completely. Now that chilly temps have arrived, this creams makes for a great foundation prep.
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Best night cream: Boots No7 Advanced Hydration Night Cream ($16) – I love products that work while you sleep, and this rich, shea-infused night cream does just that. It’s likely I’ll retire it come summer time, but right now I’m slathering it on every evening to keep flakes and parched-ness at bay.
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Best serum: Boots Botanics Intensive Wrinkle Reduction Serum ($15) – If you’re mourning the loss of By Elizabeth Dehn’s serum (RIP), I encourage you to give this product a try. While nothing will ever compare to BED’s juicy, nourishing facial oil, Boots Botanic’s version delivers a hearty dose of vitamin A and wrinkle-fighting plant extracts without being greasy. I’ve been using it under my night cream and have noticed significant softening of my skin and the fine lines I’m fighting on my forehead.
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Best masque: Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask ($9) – There’s something so cathartic about doing a clay mask. Boots’ version boasts oceanic clay, which attaches to buried impurities and toxins and then sucks ‘em right out, tightening the skin as it cleanses. To avoid over-drying, apply to your T-zone only (unless you have extremely oily skin) and moisturize immediately after removing.
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Best bath product: Boots Botanics Luxurious Bath Elixir ($10) – I’m sort of a snoot when it comes to bath products. Overly perfumed salts make me swoon, but their price tags do not. This thick gel smells—in a word—expensive. Think fancy spa up in the north woods. Just a little dollop and the dub will be brimming with bubbles.

Pantone recently announced Tangerine Tango as its color pick for Spring 2012. Dare I say that Beauty Bets enthusiasts were well ahead of the curve on this one (see also: citrus pouts)?  Not that we’re complaining about putting our orange lipsticks to good use again come spring. Personally, I’m a fan of this crisp, juicy hue. It will bring a welcome diversity to my makeup collection as well as my wardrobe. Here are a few pops of tangerine that I am looking forward to:  Amarita Singh East Lake Earrings ($100) // See by Chloe Bangles in Stabilo ($60) // Missoni for ORPHANAID Beauty Case ($80) // H&M Dress in Papaya ($50) // “Creative Minds” print by Amanda Catherine Designs ($15) // Siren “Deco” Platform Peeps in Orange ($140) // Proenza Schouler PS1 leather pouch Tangerine ($1889) // Essie Nail Polish in Oranges ($8) –Danielle

I’m not the betting kind (in Vegas you’ll find me at the nickel slots), but if I had to put money on the red carpet, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet would be my aces in the hole every time. Reese, too, when her bubbies aren’t being held in place by tape. There’s not a stylist in hollywood who can take full credit for their confidence, understated beauty, and fresh interpretations of classic looks. They didn’t disappoint at last night’s Golden Globes, either. I also loved Kristen Wiig’s big, shiny brunette waves (rather Julia Roberts, no?) and Paula Patton’s canary-yellow dress. Then there are the unfortunates. Michelle was only upstaged by that black headband, Meryl and Jessica rode in on the same covered wagon (though the latter looked like she was headed for a brothel), and even Angelina’s famous face and matching lipstick couldn’t save her dress, which just stressed me out. Something about the vampy color combo and how it appears to be cutting into her arm pits . . .

What looks did you love/loathe?