The word is out!

Beauty Tipsy is no longer active, but you can find many other, frequently updated, blogs at the Opportunity Zone.

 Beauty tipsy is going to be leaving the Opportunity Zone, but I'll never leave beauty. It's been an amazing four years that I've spent as the Quixtar Beauty Editor, but it's time to explore what else life holds for me. As many of you know, the past six months have been quite difficult and have given me a new prespective. While it was a very, very difficult decision to resign my position, I've always believed that great risk + hard work = great rewards. That said, I'm not much of a mathematician, so this is one equation I hope I've calculated correctly! ;) Like many of you, I have an entrepreneural spirit, and after awhile that can't be ingnored. It's been my greatest honor to share my tipsy with all of you! I've enjoyed your questions, comments, and obvious passion for beauty. And as beauty tipsy moves to a new home, I hope you'll continue the conversation. In the meantime, here's to being tipsy every day!

 Cheers,

t

A beauty boost

I cannot believe it's already October! So much has happened in such a short period of time. The great news, the fabulous fall season has arrived with so many things to give your beauty biz a major boost!

• Artistry essentials are making a scene! Sorry for not being able to provide the full 411 earlier. The essentials line is really exciting with two totally new skin care systems, three supplemental skin care products, and the most amazing makeup kits. I'm seriously crazy about the makeup kits. So smart, a serious value, and finally the mineral foundation some of you have been asking for. The most exciting thing ... essentials mineral foundation already has a few fans because it was used on the set of Major Movie Star! I need to back up and give you the behind-the-scenes info about being on set for the movie, but it's going to have to wait for right now.
• You've been asking how to introduce Artistry products to others and the Artistry Skin Care Sales Kit has the answers. Check it out for three easy sales techniques that will make sharing all the amazing Artistry products as easy as 1-2-3.
• Go ahead and give your skin a lift! New 3D Lifting Serum uses the lasted technology to give your skin a virtual lift with instant and longterm results. While I haven't tested this product out much on myself I'm already a firm believer. Why? Because the first to truly covet this product was my mom! She offered to test out the product and was absolutely in awe of the results. Hey, my dad even commented and that's proof positive for me that if you're looking for a lift this new Time Defiance product will deliver.

Check out the latest and greatest and let me know what you think. As for me, I'm totally tipsy about everything that has been accomplished and the fact that fall seems to be promising such a beautiful future.

Cheers,

t   

beauty tipsy is back

Just a quick post to let everyone know that beauty tipsy was experiencing some technical troubles. While you were able to view and post comments, I wasn't able to really post anything. My apologies to those who submitted comments weeks ago. The fab IT team added some software to my computer yesterday (thanks David!) and I believe all of your comments have been published. I'll do my best to answer any questions that came in and I'll share the exciting news about Artistry essentials making a major movie debut ... beauty tipsy is back in business! 

 TGIF,

t

Almost famous?

Nah, not even close, but now I can add a movie credit to my work experience! Yep, it was seriously a last minute decision, but I was placed as an extra in the red carpet scene of Major Movie Star. The footage may not make it to the big screen, but I think there's a good chance that it just might.

On Thursday night we were shooting a mock premiere event and Rose Librizzi, the key makeup artist and my emmy-nominated makeup instructor, told me to head back to wardrobe to see if I had a dress that would check out for the big red carpet scene - SCANDAL! I really thought there wasn't a chance because every extra in sight was dressed in head-to-toe black and I didn't have anything that fit that bill. But after a quick meeting with Alix Hester, the costume designer behind Wedding Crashers, Bewitched, and The Terminal to name a few, she decided it might be fine for me to slip into a trendy leopard-print frock, but she'd have to see it one me. When I mentioned the obvious, that the dress wasn't solid black, I absolutely loved her response, "Well, it wouldn't hurt if you stood out just a little bit." This was huge, because the only other person not in solid black was Ms. Jessica Simpson. Not like I would have taken any attention away from her even if I was wearing bright white. She's absolutely gorgeous! Anyway, dressed in leopard I headed to set where Alix quickly placed me on the red carpet! I thought I was going to be on the side maybe but never actually on the carpet. Then all of a sudden I freaked out - of all the things I was on the red carpet and there hadn't been any time for hair or makeup and I had my stupid cell phone and camera in my hand!

So, I quickly dialed Rose who said, "Where in the world are you? You're going to miss the big scene." When I said I was standing on the red carpet it was a little unexpected for both of us. So as quickly as she could she rushed out and tried to touch up my makeup and Jacqueline Hunter rushed in to tame my frizz before they called - action. Keep in mind it was 103 every day that I was there so as much as I tried to will my hair into behaving, it really just had a mind of its own. Rose, Jacqueline, and others swore that my hair didn't look that bad, but I felt like maybe I was sporting a semi-mullet-looking-do. Then again, they are the professionals, so I should take their word for it. All I could think was that I sat in the makeup trailer with Adruitha Lee (Drew), the hair maven who styled Angelina Jolie's locks for The Good Shephard and the Golden Globes, and we hadn't done my hair because I wasn't sure if I was going to be in the shot or not. I'll promise y'all one thing - I'll never miss out on an opportunity like that again. And Drew if you happen to read this, I'll come to any set, anywhere if you'll do my hair! ;)

Okay, so I have a complex about the hair, but c'est la vie. The funniest part was watching the other extras try and figure out who in the world I was - some girl rushed onto the red carpet then given the attention of hair and makeup, not to mention many photographs. It was acutally pretty entertaining when someone came around to take continuity shots and the gorgeous models in front of me said, "Are they taking your picture again?" Little did they know that the entire experience was one big blur to me. Anyway, Kimberly Amacker vamped up my makeup a bit at our first reprieve in the auditorium and the next thing you know I ended up in a feature shot. I guess it just goes to show that you can never tell what will happen when beauty tipsy is sent on location! I'm just thankfull I got to grace the red carpet and didn't have to try and sport Army Fatigues!

 Cheers,

t

Major misconception!

K, many of you don't know that I'm away on a military mission of the makeup fashion. That's right, I just returned to my room from the set of Major Movie Star, starring Jessica Simpson. Since it's 3:30 AM I'm going to keep this brief. Anything you've read until now about Jessica being less than ladylike on the set of this film is complete tabloid trash, and there's nothing tipsy about that!

I spent the evening with all the Major Ladies. The only thing anyone should be saying is that they're genuinely nice and seriously funny. If anything, from behind the scenes, it's evident that this bootcamp comedy transformed a group of talented actresses into a group of friends. Friends who look fab in camo I might add! More to come...  

I have to ask...

Has anyone heard that the hot new pet to own is a chicken??? Honestly! My friend Jeannie said she's been worry about me after losing Big Papa last month and she thought I should get a chicken?!? I thought she was kidding until I looked at her face - totally serious. So, what in the world, I guess I'm behind on the hottest trend for Fall? Apparently there was some radio show talking about how chickens are all the rage amongst the trendiest of trendy. Anyone else on board with that? Just checking cuz she asks me everyday if I've gotten a chicken yet. Today I new she was being legit about the whole thing when she sent me to mypetchicken.com. Please tell me I'm not that far out of the loop..

cheers,

t

The tipsy truth about August

With tech troubles behind me, I'm thrilled to get back to writing about really important things like the latest in fashion and beauty! While August is still dishing out hot, humid weather, my mind has totally turned to the crisp days of Fall! Luckily I'm not alone. As soon as the calendar flips, every retail and media outlet is buzzing with non-stop info on the hottest up-and-coming trends of the seaon.

As if that's not enough to turn me tipsy, here's the real scandal - August is one of the absolute best times to shop for spring and summer styles! Since it's, "Out with the old and in with the new," all of the fab summer frocks are now clearanced. I'm a little light-headed by all the amazing buys out there right now. But don't just buy something because it's on sale, this is the time to channel your inner fashionista and invest in the classics that suit your style. See, while 80s retro might be of-the-moment style, chances are good that next summer that clearance item will turn to a fashion faux-pas. But getting a killer deal on classically cut designer pieces, like the perfect pair of slacks, a crisp white blouse, or amazingly stylish shoes will nearly guarantee that next Spring you'll be tipsy all over again! This same shopping rule applies to January/February for Fall and Winter fashion deals! 

The other thing that's got me tipsy about August - all the amazing new beauty products that are launching! There's so much to talk about, but here are a few of my latest faves:

• The new Artistry Lip Care Kit is pout perfection! First off, in my book, everyone should want soft and smooth lips to pucker up with. Second, the lip conditioner is just yum alone or under any lip product. I think it's got a bit of a citrus flavor to it and it makes my lips feel lush and smooth every time I apply it. The lip polish is actually the one doing the dirty work. Just be sure to wipe your lips completely clean with a washcloth or tissue when you use it. Otherwise it can feel reminiscent of hitting the beach with perfectly glossed lips...
• I love the vol 5 rock revolution products from NAO! What can I say, I've always had a soft-spot for rocker-chic style ... So picking this theme and naming the products was as much fun as jamming with Guitar Hero. Of course the glosses always have my following. But the real standout product for me is the idol eyes eye color stick. Ummmmm - fabulous! The shimmery gold may look a little intimidating, but just blend it and you'll be left with a perfect sheen. And it's in a great applicator that you can tote with you everywhere! If you need a quick pick-me-up at the end of the day, use idol eyes on the inside corner of the eyes. Lightening this area automatically makes you look more awake.

Speaking of being awake, I'm barely there! There's plenty more fabulousness to share but right now this tipsy girl needs to catch-up on some much needed beauty sleep!

Sweet dreams!

t

Tipsy travels and technical troubles

It's been a little over a week since I started my cross-country travels, and I'm happy to be back home safe and sound. Here's the quick list of cities and activities along the way:

• 7/20 Detroit for my niece Katie's solo in Kid's on Broadway.
• 7/21-23 San Diego, boating and visiting with family in the most perfect city ever!
• 7/23-26 Minneapolis to plan an upcoming Artistry Video shoot and finish up with a No-Tox Video.
• 7/27 Detroit for my other niece, Keely, who had a showing at Cranbrook for her Fashion Accessory Course.

While there's plenty to share about all of my stops, I need to post an immediate apology or perhaps correction is more appropriate. In my post titled When the going gets tough... I commented that I didn't understand why hotels try to charge for wireless connections in guest rooms. Now I know!

On my stop in Minneapolis I was so excited to find that my room was ready to go with "free" wireless connectivity. I followed the instructions and was connected in no time, but I was a bit weary that the wireless network was classified as "unsecure." I figured it had to be okay since it was the network that the hotel was telling guests to connect to but I probably should have trusted my gut. You'd think after the past few months I'd know that!

Anyway, after logging on the first time, I wasn't able to send any email out ... odd. The second time I logged on, I wasn't going to be doing anything. I started getting error messages about strange files and websites, etc. Then my computer was trying to add new software!!! I was freaking out and shutting things down as quickly as I could. Needless to say I didn't use the free wireless hook up for the remainder of the trip and was quite certain that I probably lost everything on my laptop. I'm glad I was wrong about that. Back at home with my "secure" wireless, things seem to be okay on the surface, but I'll certainly be checking in with IT tomorrow. The moral of the story, I would have been happy to pay the extra $10 a day to know that I was signing in with a password to a network that was actually secure... Live and learn I suppose.   

Wouldn't it be nice if we all could "know for sure"

Every month in O Magazine Oprah writes a feature titled - what I know for sure. And today, what my co-worker knew for sure was that I needed to read Oprah's August musings. She brought me one page torn from the magazine and told me to, "Read it later." I did. And if her main message is true, then it seems that the timing of this article is anything but accidental. In this piece Oprah's writing about the loss of Gracie, one of her golden retrievers, and says, "I don't believe in accidents. I know for sure that everything in life happens to help us live." It's not exactly the Oprah moment I've been hoping for, but ... it certainly hit home.

I know there's been quite a lapse in my blogging and to be perfectly honest, I didn't feel like I had anything very positive to say, so I wasn't saying anything at all. Since the launch of beauty tipsy only a few months ago, you've read about my basement being flooded by the sewer; my declining health and skin issues resulting from the "natural disaster"; and now I'll share with you that I've also lost a co-worker and friend and my beloved pooch Darby a.k.a. Big Papa. All-in-all, not the best spring/summer season I've ever had and certainly not anything I expected to be sharing through my blog. But I think Oprah is right, everything happens to help us live. While my heart is broken and I'm sure my dark circles even darker, I know my life is better because I had an opportunity to know an amazing woman who was head-to-toe beauty tipsy - stylish, confident, caring, maybe a little outspoken ;) ...  and most of all authentic. A true role model for all of us. And Big Papa, well, if I'm a good mom someday, it will be from the seven years I spent raising all 130 lbs.of him. I'm still not exactly sure what I learned from the sewer situation but it'll come to me eventually. Bottom line, things are always going to change whether we like it or not. Some changes are welcome, some devastating. But if we can know for sure that, "life happens to help us live," then we'll always keep learning.  

Good things come to those who wait!

K guys, I'm so sorry to just leave ya hangin on the skin care scene. Hopefully you've all had plenty of time to purchase some man-sturizer and are lathering on the sun protection! Baby steps, right? ;) Since some time has passed I'll just jump straight to the mack-daddy of all my "men's must-have products":

Must-Have #2 - Time Defiance Intensive Repair Serum. Why do I covet this product as much as my growing shoe collection? Because it's going to keep you looking fab even on the worst of days. And since I'm guessing that many of you haven't made skin care a top priority - until now - this product actually helps to reverse the signs of aging!

It's honestly the most amazing product I think I've ever tried. I remember being a skeptic until I had an opportunity to smooth it on my skin. WOW! I had only used a few of the product vials when a co-worker and I went out to some of the cosmetic counters at a mall in Vegas. I was stopped by people at five different counters who asked what I was using on my skin. I swear it's the glow that your skin gets. And of course I loved that Achievers attendees guessed my age to be somewhere between 23 and 25! But enough about me ... You'll have to try it for yourself and tell me what you think. And if you're looking for the claims to back this product up:

• 261% improvement in clarity (that's the glow I was talking about).  
• 99% reduction in fine lines.
• 83% improvement in skin smoothness. You'll just have to trust me that we like your skin smooth.;)

I'm almost 100% certain that this will be the most expensive skin care product you've ever purchased, but it's well worth every last cent, especially if you've avoided giving your skin the TLC it deserves. And this is a product that you only use four times a year - not daily. It packs such a punch that you don't need it every day. You just use it for 14 nights in a row and then sit back and enjoy the results. Maybe timing your use around major sporting events would make it easier to remember. Here's one possible plan of attack:

• Round One - March Madness: You're three months into the new year and should definitely want to look good whether you're catching the game courtside or other.
• Round Two - U.S. Open Golf Championship and Wimbledon: By this time I'm sure you will have spent plenty of time in the sun. Your skin will appreciate the extra care to reverse the damage you've done while teeing or serving up your best game.
• Round Three - Monday Night Football: It's time to retreat to the telly and take in some major football (my favorite sport next to hockey). When the games begin it's a signal to get your skin ready for chillier temps that are just around the corner.
• Round Four - NCAA Soccer Championships, the "Bowl" Games, and the International AcapulcoCliff Diving Competition (just in case you're a fan): While all of these events are important, perhaps the most important sport of this season is shopping and holiday merriment! And I'm sure by now you know that having fabulous skin is one of the best gifts you could ever receive.  

Men just have thicker skin

It's not fair, but it's true. Men really do have thicker skin than women, four times thicker in fact. That's all well and good, but it's part of what leads you guys to believe that your skin doesn't need any "maintenance" because it doesn't seem to be aging. The truth - it needs maintenance just like your car, your gadgets, and your sports gear.

Why? Because while you're sporting young-looking skin well into your 30s and possibly 40s, when the effects of your no-maintenance skin care routine start to show, the change happens quickly. With just a few products you can start to create a gameplan to keep your aging under wraps. And based on the Today Show Father's Day Episode, many men are electing to do just that! In fact, they reported that the men's grooming/personal care category brought in somewhere around $70 million last year. You lucky fellas are gonna be looking more dapper with each year that passes. Here's the first product that I think every man should have on hand: 

Must-Have #1 - Moisturizer, man-sturizer call it whatever makes you feel most comfortable, just start using this product today! Your skin is going to benefit from the hydration alone, and you'll be able to see the difference. Sporting a moisturizer with UV protection will earn you some serious extra credit. Because while your skin may be thicker, the stat still stands true that more that 80% of the aging you'll see on your face is from sun exposure and other environmental factors. The perfect product to start with - Tolsom Skin Protective Lotion. 

This was one of my favorite brands to launch since starting at Quixtar, and I seriously love this lotion. It takes the guess work out of finding the perfect product. It's formulated just for men's skin, the T-10 complex is designed to moiturize and control oil, it feels light when you put it on your skin, provides SPF 15 protection, and has a citrus scent that's just delish! Plus, the packaging is so great. It's ultra-masculine and simple, so you can carry it with you anywhere and not have to feel like your friends are going to tease you about being a metro. Plus, in my book, making it to metro status should be considered a huge compliment! More must-haves to come.

 Cheers,

t

Happy dad's day!

I hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing Father's Day and took some time to truly enjoy family and friends. After spending a long week in Minneapolis shooting an Artistry video, I couldn't wait to retreat to the lake for some time with my favorite guys - my dad, bro, bro-in-law, and two nephews. And what a weekend it was - filled with boating, bonfires, and too much fun in the sun! 

It finally felt like summer had arrived. And today the dads reigned, dubbing themselves as "king for a day." My brother-in-law perched in the middle of the lake on the portable Cabana he bought. My dad was happy manning the boat and watching over his entire family. And my brother was actually giddy giving everyone rides in his new orange Lotus Elise. It was pure dad's day bliss!

And since I think all the men out there (dads or not) deserve to be treated like kings, I'm dedicating this week to men's grooming. From man-sturizers to manis and pedis, I'll try to give you some tipsy on looking dapper from head-to-toe.

cheers,

t   

Tell me something good!

Okay, I've shared a lot of my personal views, tips, and expertise and now it's your turn to share. I'm a Beauty Editor but I'm not necessarily a salesperson. In fact, even when my jewelry line was being sold in boutiques throughout Michigan, I hated the selling part of it. It wasn't comfortable for me and I don't like to be the center of attention - so my sales happened in spite of me, not because of my selling skills. So when I find myself faced with writing about selling, I figure it makes great sense to consult the experts - that would be you! There's a lot of learning that can come from sharing "war stories" (sorry, that's what we called them in consulting). So, I'd love to hear your stories and share what I can with others who are striving to be sales experts too. Tell me something good about:

• What do you wish someone had told you before you ever started talking to a customer? Always be prepared. Don't forget a mint. Anything that you've gone, "Man, I wish someone had told me that..." 
• How you talk to your customers and get them to listen?
• What you say to close a sale? And what don't you say?
• How have you been innovative in introducing products to your customers? Love the comment/suggestion given in When the going gets tough ...
• What do you do to keep track of your customers and make sure they're happy? How do you earn their trust?
• What do you consider your greatest sales success?
• What's your biggest sales slip? Maybe you missed out on an opportunity or weren't prepared for a meeting. Hey, it happens to all of us. And many times that's when I've learned the most.

 I'm all ears! And I know you've got some great stuff to share.

Thanks for offering your expertise!

t

When the going gets tough...

...The tough go shopping! I think that's the saying but I may be exercising my editorial rights a bit. Regardless, it was the toughest of weeks and I felt a "little" indulgence was in order. It was also a week of shopping firsts - VINYL, Colorfill, and an attorney.

I'll start with the good stuff! I can't say that I was ever a huge fan of Bath & Body Works until I stumbled across The Tahitian Vanilla Candle in the Vanilla Sandalwood scent. It's so mmmmmmmmm! I was thrilled to find that they just came out with the Wallflower version of this scent and I stumbled across a few other items of intrigue. I've been a fan of Deborah Lippman nail color for awhile. In fact, Diamonds & Pearls is on my fave list and Lippman Hit Me With Your Best Shot is a second only to Chanel Black Satin. It seems that Ms. Lippman expanded her brand with a new collection of nail color called VINYL. So, I decided it was time to let my Black Satin take a rest and try a few new shades. I'm in love, love, love with Satisfaction - a perfect peachy, pink creamy matte color. And I had to try Money, a lacquer that resembles my other fave Essie Mademoiselle. She always names her shades after songs but I thought that somehow if I stretched my imagination maybe Money was made for me (t$). ;) 

I also found a few items by Colorfill that were too tempting to leave behind - Super Brightening Undereye Concealer and Extreme Plump Tinted Lip Gloss. Here's my review:

• Super Brightening Undereye Concealer says it's a special formulation designed to hide and treat chronic dark circles. I know it's necessary to give cosmetics and skin care some time to work but I'm just not seeing it. Chronic or just temporarily stress-enhanced, my dark circles are standing their ground. I was truly hoping for a quick fix but I guess it's back to the makeup kit.
• On the other hand, Extreme Plump Tinted Lip Gloss is crazy! And I'm not sure how I mean that. I'm not really a girl in need of "lip plumping" but I think it's my duty to try these products out. Most plumpers use cinnamon to swell the lips temporarily and I truly can't say that I've seen much of a difference when I've used them. This Extreme Plump is serious stuff! It says that it packs hyaluronic acid and collagen "Superfill 10x Swelling Spheres" for fuller-looking lips. While I wasn't really buying the collagen bit, I know that hyaluronic acid is a magnet for moisture so I thought it might be legit. K, it took a few minutes for the "filling sensation" to set in, but when it did it was wild and my lips were truly plumped. It was a strange feeling somewhere between the tingling you get when your foot, hand, etc. falls asleep and almost like a fizzing. Strange or not, I'm temporarily addicted.

Now for the not so good. I was hoping to be free of inhalers, antibiotics, and all other assisted-living type items by now, but my doctor disagreed. Rather, I left with what felt like a full Rx Pad of meds, a referral to a Pulmonologist, and instructions to move out of my home until the "natural disaster" situation has been completely resolved. Throw in the suggestion that I may want to pack up any items of personal value on the off chance that they uncover something seriously bad in my basement walls and "short of breath" suddenly sounds like a dream vacation. Enter my attorney - who deserves to be on the "good stuff" list. While he works to expedite the resolution process, I find myself in the most unreal situation - trying to decide which items I think are worth saving and which items I have to be okay leaving behind. Best case scenario - I'll be bunking in a hotel for a few nights while they take my basement down to the bare bones. Assuming nothing unliveable is discovered, Big Papa and I will be back in the villa next weekend. Worst case - they uncover the "X Factor" and I get a call that I can't come home until who knows when. Taking all of that into consideration, I'm praying for the best and planning for the worst. With my toes glossed in Satisfaction, two coats of Money on my nails, and the new Maroon 5 album rocking my iPod, I'm embarking on the daunting job of taking inventory of each and every item I own and packing those that I couldn't possibly part with.      

Always in fashion - IT

Kind of like the LBD (little black dress), where would we be without IT? Certainly not blogging! No iPods, laptops, or (gasp!) online shopping! Simply a terrible thought. Think about it, calling your favorite techie for IT support is as automatic as reaching into your wardrobe for your favorite "go to" pieces. They're always there for you and always offer up a solution, even if it's as simple as rebooting your computer. Now we can all learn from the wizards of Quixtar IT with the latest blog to hit the OZone, Code Review. Welcome! And in case there was ever a question, IT is always in fashion. ;)

 cheers,

t