Review: Bodyography Cosmetics

Bodyography Face Bronzer
$27.00
Available at: bodyography.com

I'm a sucker for new products and have a permanent soft spot in my heart for San Diego, where I went to grad school and lived for almost seven years. The two come together in Bodyography, a San Diego-based cosmetics company that specializes in cosmetics for makeup professionals and salons, so I was excited to turn the spotlight on the label. To celebrate Bodyography's latest collection-- Coast to Coast by Bodyography-- our friends at Bodyography offered to let us try out a couple of their recently released products (plus an old favorite).

Natural Finish Face Bronzer and Catalina Eye Pencil are both part of the new Coast to Coast Collection. The Eye Pencil is designed to be long-wearing and water resistant, yet safe for sensitive eyes. Natural Finish Face Bronzer is mineral-based, designed to work with virtually all skin tones, and contains anti-aging ingredients. Bodyography Lipgloss is aloe vera based and comes in a lightweight formula.

It all sounds great, but do the products live up to the pitch perfect ad copy? We turned the products loose with the Stiletto Jungle team. Here's what they had to say:

Ladies, prepare to be a bronze goddess coming soon. Bodyography's Coast to Coast Natural Finish Face Bronzer comes in a nice-sized tube and is a creamy type texture. This product can be used to build a base tan over a few days rather than create a smeared tan that looks too fake. The bronzing formula was made with minerals to match every face as well as some anti-aging components. All this for just $27!!
--Jules Newmark, San Diego, CA

I was excited to try an eye pencil, I have not used one in years. I am a big fan of powder for my eyeliner because I can get a thin line around my eyes. So, when the Bodyography Coast to Coast Eye Pencil in Catalina arrived I tried it immediately. It took a few tries to get the results I wanted and even then I wasn't completely happy. I found that I used the pencil when I wanted a thicker more smudged look. It is a great pencil and actually goes on without poking your eye out, but it isn't very precise. You have to want a thicker line and a little less perfect. It is a great look, just not one I would wear every day.
--Tina B., San Diego, CA

I just tried the new Bodygraphy Lipgloss in Clear-- no glitter-- and it was awesome! I loved it. I just spent three days in the sun and just used the Bodyography Lipgloss. My lips came home feeling great... the rest of of me a different story. I felt a little over exposed, but my lips were still feeling great and kissable. Really, you have got to try it.
--Michelle S., Huntington Beach, CA

Summer Beauty: Sun Kissed Skin & A Bright Smile

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Lorac TANtalizer Award Show Glow
$32.00
Available at: sephora.com

Looking tanned is always attractive; It gives a healthy appearance. I’m not talking that streaky, too dark fake tan look that some people seem to show off, but more of a subtle sexy summery glow that gives the illusion of flawless skin and all around beauty. Besides actually being healthy by eating right and working out, there are a few items that can help create a stunning sexy bronzed look.

Bronzers are a great help, but getting the right kind is key. I have always been loyal to Lorac bronzing products, but I love the new TANtalizer Award Show Glow body firming bronzing mousse even more than their previous bronzers! This anti-cellulite bronzer is awesome; it gives the appearance of flawless, non-bruised, perfect looking legs. You can use this bronzer anywhere, but I usually tend to use it mostly on my legs. My girlfriend Stacy uses it all over her body-- not face-- and it’s gorgeous. She wears it to the pool, and this stuff is water resistant which so cool-- why hesitate when it comes to jumping in the pool? It’s got a lot of shimmer but it doesn’t look tacky. The bronzing mousse is a gold-ish shimmer that is perfect on any skin color and helps create a smooth healthy looking glow.

Crest Advanced Seal Whitestrips
$22.95 (was $37.99-- save 40%!)
Available at: amazon.com

When it comes to the face, I’m very hesitant with bronzers because I’m scared I’m going to look like a tomato or pumpkin face, or that I’m going to break out and get all blotchy. Lorac has that down too! Lorac Bronzer face bronzing powder is a miracle. I use it all over, sometimes without any foundation, or I use it on just my cheekbones for a slight sun kissed look. I think you can play with this product. Use it after you already caught some sun or just use a thick brush and put it all over your face, neck and chest!

This may seem like an off the topic product to some of you, but really its not! I think Crest Advanced Seal Whitestrips are a must have! They add a knock-out smile to go along with beautiful sun kissed skin. Crest strips help a lot when it comes to getting that killer smile. Just remember to stay away from coffee and red sauces while you’re going through the 2 week whitening process. And when you’re feeling vampy and wearing that bright red or pink lipstick, try putting a little Vaseline on your top front teeth to give your pearly whites an extra flash.
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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.

How-To: Get Sexy Legs for Spring

-- By Kim Moshtaghi

Lorac Tantalizer Body Bronzer
$30.00
Available at: beauty.com

There is no magic trick when it comes to sexy spring legs... not without a little work! In order to get defined legs you must start doing squats and lunges. 3 times a week is enough to show some definition in your thighs. I recommend doing about 200 each time, or start at 100 and work your way up. I also started walking to places that are close to my house in order to enjoy the beautiful day and get a little exercise in on the weekends. If I'm going to the grocery store to pick up batteries, I walk instead of drive. All these minor, non-time consuming changes have really changed my legs and my body for the better. The great thing about walking is that it helps mental clarity as well.

Besides exercise, there are other ways to increase your leg sex appeal. Bronzers and self-tanners do an amazing job of creating leg definition. There is a process to applying bronzer to ensure streak free legs, which is very important. The worst mistake many make when applying self-tanning products is being in a rush. The point is to make your skin look healthy and glowing, not orange and fake. The best way to get glowing, sexy legs is to scrub your legs in the shower after shaving and then apply a mix of your daily body lotion with L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Lotion
$8.59
Available at: drugstore.com

First, make sure your legs are dry when applying the self-tanner. Another thing to watch out for is choosing the right L'Oreal Sublime Bronze color. I suggest using Light if you don't have a base tan, because Medium-Deep will streak. Once the self-tanner dries, I recommend applying Lorac Tantalizer Body Bronzer to your legs over the L'Oreal self-tanner. Once again, make sure the L'Oreal self-tanner has settled into your skin and dried thoroughly. The Lorac Tantalizer Bronzer is an absolutely genius invention. It's like powder for your legs with a stunning glow. It covers every blemish on your legs, from childhood scars to fresh bruises. I have never been so impressed by a bronzer. It almost looks like you have spray painted Gisele's legs on.

I have received so many compliments from both men and women when using these self-tanners together that I would feel selfish not sharing the secret. I don't suggest using self-tanners anywhere besides your legs and maybe arms, even though they are intended for the body. If you are thinking about applying self-tanner all over, I would try it on a small area first and see how your skin reacts. Many self-tanners have a tendency to cause acne, but when applied to legs they don't do any harm.

With a little sweat and some help from L'Oreal and Lorac you will have increased leg sex appeal, and a healthier lifestyle-- now that's worth it! Click on any photo or linked text to link directly to where you can purchase that product for creating sexy legs for spring online. Don't miss any hot how-to articles. Subscribe to Stiletto Jungle and get free updates by e-mail or RSS. Take Stiletto Jungle with you wherever you surf with the Stiletto Jungle Connect Toolbar featuring Google search.
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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.

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