Like you, we’re absurdly obsessed with beauty products and probably just as overwhelmed by the growing number crowding shelves of every department store, drugstore, grocery store specialty store, spa and doctor’s office we eagerly stumble into. But unlike most of you, we’ve actually committed our livelihood (yes, think mortgages, wedding dresses and the kids’ college tuition) to seek out and test just about every new beauty product under the sun in hopes of uncovering a few rare, truly groundbreaking beauty innovations women simply should not live without. In short, the Breakthrough in Beauty team is here to do the dirty work for you. Each month, this dedicated group of industry experts personally search for, test, and validate hundreds of new products - from skincare to teeth whitening to hair color for up here and down there - we’ve tested them all. Now, you’re probably asking yourself… who is this team? What exactly makes them such “experts”? And why the heck do they do what do?

Well I finally took the plunge—into the world of microdermabrasion.  With a self-admitted obsession for all things anti-aging, I’ve tried pretty much everything under the sun to stop the hands of time.  A real microdermabrasion facial had to be the next logical step in my search for eternal youth.  And after 70 minutes of buffing, moisturizing, and some oh-so-heavenly face massaging, my skin did look amazing.  I can officially say I’m hooked. Do I look 10 years younger? No. But my face does appear to be fresh, soft and a bit, can I say it—dewy. My hubby even said I don’t look a day over 35—I can’t pay enough for that one gals.

Ok, I admit it, I am obsessed with beauty products in all shapes and sizes. Wear it, spray it, lick it, scrub it—count me in for round one anyway.  Foundation, blush, lipgloss, eyeshadow, creams, potions and serums – I can’t get enough!  And as a self-proclaimed color junkie, I have gathered quite a collection of products – and makeup knowledge – over the years.  But my true weakness?  Anything eyes.  From eye brighteners to mascaras to lash extensions of all shapes and sizes, I’ve made it my mission to try every eye-glamorizing invention on the market! Soon to have baby #2, like all of you I’m more swamped than ever, but I still want up-to-the-minute makeup news. I admit to carrying a fairly large makeup bag (yes, too big to fit in a purse), pretty much everywhere I go!

Let’s face it, our 40’s can be pretty tough to “face!”  Though we’ve probably never felt more confident (we’re SO over our insecure twenty-something years), we’ve been through a lot and our skin can show it.  As a proud 40-something, and an even prouder mother of 3 (yes, all 10 & under!), I’ve made it my mission to find out how we can be ‘over the hill’ and have nothing but beautiful skin to show for it. (Oh yeah, and the kids, the husband, the mortgage, the dogs . . .)

I want to leave your FACE a more beautiful place! It’s my job and passion to find the newest, got-to-have it, miracle-working, hot-off-the-press, skin-loving ingredients and technologies that really work. Younger? Smoother? Brighter? Want to look like you got 10 hours of sleep when you actually got 4? How about thicker, come-hither eyelashes that will send him spinning?! Ask me, I’m the beauty detective! From homemade, anti-aging facial yogurt masks to super-intense wrinkle-erasing laser treatments, I’m not afraid to try anything (and I mean anything).  Consider me your personal beauty martyr, I’ll do whatever it takes to find out what REALLY WORKS!  I’m always on the prowl for the next best thing, and if it doesn’t give true, transformational results—you can be sure that it won’t find its way into any beauty product that I formulate!

Two of my favorite things in life are (1) all things beauty related and (2) a glass of wine to take the edge off (hey, red wine has toooons of age-fighting antioxidants!)  At the heart, I am a 30-something beauty fanatic! I live in LA, the land of the beautiful where if it’s crooked, you can straighten it. If it’s wrinkled, you can smooth it. If it’s too small, you can make it as big as you want.  Personally, I’m obsessed with mineral makeup . . .I just think it’s the beauty bomb, the way it looks, the way it wears. And I’m always on the hunt for anything (anything!) that will breathe life into my thin (ok, limp) hair.

I’m here to back up all the young 30-somethings when they say at our age we’re too young for wrinkles, too old for acne . . ..poo poo! It’s just not true. Those of us with young-ish 30 something skin have got just as many issues—we’re on the “stop this,” “hold-this-in-place,” “prevent-this-from-sagging,” “smooth this,” “soften that,” “zap that,” stage too. We’ve lost the glowing radiance of youth (sigh!) but don’t yet have the deeper wrinkles of maturity (ok, hurray!) But I’ll tell you—an oversized pore, a dark spot, a fine line that’s gone too deep—I’m always on the prowl for that perfect product that will keep me looking 30-something long into my 40-somethings.

Feeding my addiction to all things beauty, being a freelance makeup artist definitely has its perks. Liquids, powders, crèmes, gels—my bathroom drawers and numerous makeup cases show no bias.  Lotions, scrubs, hair products - try one of the many in my clutches at any given time.  Need a lipgloss?  One of my handbags will definitely yield you quite a collection!