I have tried and tested hundreds of beauty tools and rarely do I find one that comes close to meeting its claims. Over two years ago, I was introduced to the Clarisonic skincare brush and I fell in love immediately. From day one, I have been a dedicated user. Believe me, on the days (and, shame on me, sometimes weeks) that I skip, my skin lets me know. The notably visible difference in the look and feel of my skin has made the Clarisonic a necessity in my routine.

When I heard whispers of Clarisonic releasing a tool targeted for the eye area, I was excited and nervous. All too often companies ruin a good thing by following up with mediocre products to cash in on a previous success. With the Opal, Clarisonic did no such thing.

Following in the footsteps of their hero product, the inventors of the Opal capitalized on the benefits of sonic vibrations. To take it a step further, they equipped the product with its own built in, sonically optimized Anti-age serum. When used together around the delicate eye area, the micro-massage infuses the serum into the outer most layers of the skin. The immediate result is a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The long-term result is a complete eye area transformation.

With its sexy curves and sleek design, the Opal itself is an amazing piece of technology but the anti-aging sea serum that comes pre-loaded in the dispenser cap deserves a hats off of its own. Robb Akridge, PhD, created this serum to be most beneficial through sonic infusion. With a background in immunology, he used his knowledge to create a skin transforming serum that works on several different levels within the skin. When applied with the Opal, this serum will effectively….

Hydrate: increases moisture content to restore natural tissue fullness by using Natural Moisturizing Factors and Trehalose from desert plants.

Firm and Tighten: delivers noticeably firmer, tighter skin with marine-derived Glocosaminoglycans and Kigellia Africana extract.

Protect: defends the delicate skin near the eye and on the face with multiple ingredients, including Canadian Willowherb and the marine peptide Acetyl Citrull Amino Arginine.

The product and the serum are gentle but powerful and both can easily be used twice a day. By marrying two brilliant products, the Opal has hit a home run. I recommend the Opal, with all my conviction. They give you thirty days to make up your mind but I’m telling you right now, you will want to keep it after the first use.

The only negative I can think of is that I now have to invest in a Clarisonic Mia because traveling as much as I do I will need a bigger suitcase just for my Clarisonic and the Opal. I guess there are worse things that one could complain about. Well-done Clarisonic.

To learn more about the Opal ($245) visit www.clarisonic.com.

It was awesome to be a part of such an amazing shoot with Teen.com/tv. I was very impressed with the skill of the team and more-so with their desire to make sure that everything was truly simple and easy to follow. Thanks allowing me to be a part of this!

If you have questions or comments for me, please leave them after any of the articles. It may take a little time, but I will answer each and every question that comes in.

For those of you interested in learning more about or purchasing the products used in the demo, please read on.

Beauty Society

Keep It Lite. This lightweight, creme-gel moisturizer plumps, soothes and hydrates the skin while long lasting moisture to the skins deepest layers. Starting a skincare routine while you are young will help to ensure that you will always look young. ($28.50)

Making Shade. This gentle broad-spectrum SPF is the best skin protection available on the market. Not only will it protect you skin, but the addition of vitamins and botanicals will moisturize and soften. Your skin will feel baby soft after wearing this. ($28.50)

Lip Glisten. This revolutionary lipgloss lasts longer than traditional glosses and has an amazingly rich pigment load. You will enjoy long wearing color with fewer touch-ups and none of the sticky or waxy side effects associated with most other glosses! It is AWESOME! ($14)

Eye Shadow. These silicone based shadows have a remarkably high pigment load to ensure extended wearability and minimize creasing. Whether used on the eyes or over a lip glisten, these beautiful colors are sure to delight and at $11 each, there is no better deal on the market.

Visit Beauty Society to learn more about (or purchase) their amazing line of make-up and skincare products.

Cover FX

Skin Tint. This amazing tinted moisturizer combines color, bronzer and shimmer to provide the perfect amount of sheer coverage. With an SPF of 30 and array of vitamins and peptides this is a one stop wonder for skin care and light coverage. ($42)

Bronzed FX. This beautiful blush (Golden Peach) is the perfect shade for giving a flirty kiss to the cheeks without laying on the heavy appearance of blush. Dust it on the apples and then pull it back toward the cheek bones. ($28)

Visit Cover FX for more info or Sephora to purchase. They are also available at select Sephora and Nordstroms locations.

Thanks for visiting the site. I put up a new make-up or skincare article every week, so please check back.

Andrea asks:

Nathan answers: Lush, thick brows are back in fashion, but there is a fine line between full and frightening. As your brows grow in, use your natural arch as a guide and pluck the messy strays that fall too far out from the line. A thicker brow should still maintain an arch (which frames the face and gives lift to the eye area), it should only be fuller than you might be accustomed to. Here’s the problem, often times when a woman lets her brows grow in after years of over waxing or plucking, they come back sparse and uneven. Sometimes none of the old grow in at all and the ones that are there just grow long and wild, like a fairy tale wizard (those are the frightening ones I spoke of). To solve that, comb your brows upward with a spoolie brush and use a small pair of scissors to trim the tips (be sure to get all the of the ones that rival the length of the hair on your head). Then brush your brows up into a fuller shape using Beauty Society Brow Doctor. The gel is strong enough to help you train the hairs to hold the new shape and its proven conditioning ingredients (peptides, amino acids, and a few other scientifically driven natural ingredients) stimulate dormant follicles and guarantee the growth of hairs that you thought were gone forever. The best way to get the look of beautiful, full brows is to grow them. Visit www.beautysociety.com to learn more about the product.

Pamela asks: Everyone is always talking about bring a spring or a summer, a warm or a cool. What does all that mean and is it really important to me?

Nathan answers: All of those descriptions refer to one thing, your undertone. Every person, regardless of their ethnicity has a certain underlying hue to their skin, pink or yellow mainly. Knowing which one you are will make choosing make-up very simple for you. The best advice I can give you is to skip the seasonal descriptions. Things will be much easier if you stick to three things, warm, cool and neutral.

My pals at Three Custom Color really break it down best.

You are most likely cool if …

1) you have a pink or bluish cast to your skin (especially in cold weather).

2) You have more blue than green veins on your inner wrist.

3) You burn easily or turn pink/red in the sun.

You are most likely warm if…

1) You have a yellow or greenish cast or chocolate toned skin.

2) You have more green veins than blue on your inner wrist.

3) You tan easily in the sun.

For the few of you out there that happen to be neutral, an equal blend of the pink and yellow…the world is your oyster.

Tip 1: Your foundation should always match your undertone. If you are warm, for goodness sake find a warm foundation. When you choose the wrong undertone, you will look terrible, trust me. Often women think they cannot wear foundation but the fact is, they just choose the wrong shade. Pick the color you are, not the one you want to be. I’d advise you to rely on a professional if you can not discern your undertone on your own.

Tip 2: If you are warm toned, warm shadows, blushes and lipsticks will look most natural on you, whereas Cool shades will really pop. If you are cool, the reverse is true.

Tip 3: Visit www.threecustom.com to find shades made for your undertone. Ask for Trae or Chad, you’ll love them and their product.

Keep your questions coming….I Love them.

I could be wrong about this theory, but I believe that no one likes lines and wrinkles. For years, I have heard about a product called Frownies. The name has made me chuckle for years, but now that I have tried them, I see that the results leave nothing to laugh at. The technology was developed in the late 1800’s and it clearly works just as well now as it did then. After sleeping two nights with the product, I saw a dramatic reduction in the lines on my face. Having put a great effort into my skin, my wrinkles are minimal, and these little leave-on strips and their antioxidant hydrating complex made short work of them. Visit www.frownies.com and check out my full article on them in the next few weeks.

After a few terrible experiences, I swore off facials. I have been quite happy with my at home results and they certainly beat spending hundreds of dollars and leaving with irritated skin and broken capillaries. Michelle Chatham, a talented esthetician, talked me into trying a facial with the AccelaFuze System and I was truly impressed. This system is the most amazing ala carte facial system I have ever seen. With the switch of a dial and the change of a head, this multi-tasker takes goes from cleanser to microdermabrasion then peptide infuser to LED light treatment. After 20 minutes and a full ride through all of the treatments, my skin felt remarkable. Call your local spa and see if they have the AccelaFuze System if not…make them place an order for one. For more details and product specifications visit www.genesisbiosystems.com.

A few weeks back, I wrote about lash enhancers. This show had booth after booth with serums promising longer lashes. Enormous Lash by Beauty Society had the best (and healthiest) product as well as the brightest and most fun booth. Using only peptides, amino acids, lipids and a super growth complex (think nioxin shampoo on steroids), this little tube delivers superior results. Lash booth after lash booth denied their use of prostaglandins (despite my pointing it out to them on the label), so Beauty Society was a welcome relief. The product works, I myself swear by it and the crowd surrounding the booth clearly knew it as well. If you want your lashes to grow (without the use of glaucoma medication) you can trust Enormous Lash. Visit www.enormouslash.com for more details.

There were a few others that caught my eye, including a favorite of mine, SuperSmile. They released a new sonic brush and in no time, I will be writing you a full feature on the product in the very near future. If you haven’t started on SuperSmile yet, what are you waiting for? www.supersmile.com.

The IBS show is known for showcasing some of the best in the beauty industry every year and these are my top picks. Hope you’ll try them.

Step 1: Forehead

Using a fluffy powder brush, dust the bronzer over the center of the forehead. Be sure to start in the hairline. Nothing looks worse than a line of white ringing the face. Think of making an upside down triangle, tapering the color as you move down toward the nose.

Step 2: Nose

Sweep the bronzer down the bridge of the nose, connecting it to the inverted triangle on the forehead.

Step 3: Chin

To complete the center of the face, apply a small triangle of bronzer on the chin.

Step 4: The lazy C

Doing this step adds amazing definition to the face while really putting focus on the center of the face. Start the brush in the hairline above the temple, pull it past the hairline and then sweep it right underneath the cheekbone. This will heighten the glow while adding spectacular contour to your face.

Step 5: Blush

Nothing gives freshness and youth to the face faster than a little blush. Starting at the ear tab, sweep a pinky-peach blush along the cheekbone, stopping at the apple. Use a light touch of a slightly deeper or brighter shade to really add dimension to the face. The right touch of blush will really show off the amazing glow the bronzer gives the face.

The best tip I can give you is to apply your bronzer to the places on your face the sun would hit first. When you buff it everywhere, you only cheat yourself out of your features. Since darker colors recess the face, you will shrink your cheekbones and sink in your cheeks and under eyes…I think we can agree that that is not flattering.

When used correctly, bronzer can transform your face. Try my tricks and enjoy the healthy, summer glow year round.

NARS just released the spectacular So Famous Set ($44). By combining three of my favorites, Deep Throat Blush (peach with shimmer), Bettina Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (natural rose beige sheen) and Mini Orgasm Multiple (peachy pink shimmer) you can easily achieve radiant, shimmering effects on the eyes, cheeks and lips. This is the perfect kit for a quick and easy glow.

You could actually say I am obsessed with Aqua Eyes by Make Up For Ever ($17). These waterproof eyeliner pencils are Gods gift to women. When you apply them, you have a bout thirty seconds to manipulate them and then they are set for the day. They even stay put, for the whole day, on line the waterline. They glide on as smooth as melted chocolate but have the staying power of a sharpie. With a little practice, they can even be used as eyeshadows. There are few things that I insist that people buy but if you are an eyeliner wearer, take my word for it and buy all your favorite shades today. You can (and will) thank me later.

Tarte makes me very happy and their newest collection, the Flower Child Natural Eyeshadow Palette ($44), is no exception. The case is beautiful and eye-catching, as always, and the colors inside are really spectacular. 9 of the 10 colors are kissed with shimmer and they mix perfectly allowing for a broad range of color combinations. All of the shadows are professionally pigmented so they are supremely blendable and very longwearing. These palettes bring out the make-up artist in everyone.

I had the privilege of trying the Photo Finish Targeted Pore and Line Primer ($32), by Smashbox, before it was released to the market. Having not been a big fan of Photo Finish itself, I was not expecting any major result. Boy, was I wrong. This primer was specifically developed to target the problem areas of the face (nose, forehead, crow’s feet, etc), and that is exactly what it does. The precision point tip allows for flawless application so even the most stubborn pores or wrinkles just fade away. If that wasn’t good enough, it is loaded with peptides to treat the wrinkles while it hides them. I was not expecting to…but I love it.

With all it has to offer, I could write my column every week just based on the findings of this one store. I refer to Sephora a lot because of their great business belief. If a customer is not satisfied, they are free to return the product for a complete refund. As a corporation, they do not allow anything in the store that has not been rigorously tested and proven to deliver the results that it promises. They have to be sure it works because with a return policy like theirs, a bad product could mean lots of money lost. With a team of talented and knowledgeable employees, this is a ‘best bet’ for finding exactly what you need when it comes to beauty products. There is a reason they are called ‘the beauty authority’.

With a name like SuperSmile, I can honestly say, I was not expecting great results. Not drinking red wine and being a nonsmoker make me an ideal candidate for fast results, but this two-part wonder made me do a double take. After my first few days of application, my teeth were noticeably whiter. In fact, they have become so white that people are asking me if my teeth are really my teeth. I have been using it for several weeks now and the results just keep getting better. I have had no sensitivity and I love how clean my mouth feels and how fresh my breath is.

The magic behind the system comes from the use of their break through technology, Calprox. This proprietary form of Calcium Peroxide dissolves the build up on the tooth surface (protein pellicle) that all of the plaque, bacteria and stains stick to. When this protein is removed, the teeth glow.

Most whitening lines include silica in their formulation. They use this harsh abrasive to sluff off the proteins. It may make the teeth look brighter, but it comes at a mighty cost. The grainy silica scrubs off the stains but it damages the enamel in the process. The dissolving properties of the Calprox in SuperSmile is so gentle and effective, it works equally well on natural teeth, bonds, veneers and dentures. Thanks to SuperSmile, whiter teeth does not have to mean weaker teeth. What impresses me most about this product is that it provides the user with total oral care. All of the products are also formulated with baking soda, calcium and phosphates to freshen breath, improve gum health and strengthen and re-mineralize enamel.

The man behind the brand is Dr. Irwin Smigel, president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics. In his celebrated career, he has been at the forefront of several huge dental breakthroughs including bonding, laminates, whitening and more. His resume is a laundry list of tremendous accomplishments and celebrity clients. Do a little research on him and you will agree, there is no better man to trust your teeth to.

The product family includes an oral rinse, whitening toothpaste and whitening accelerator (when combined, they provide an unbelievable whitening boost), whitening pre-rinse and a handful of other specialty products. I am a bit lazy and most days I only use the toothpaste and accelerator. My results are amazing. In fact, reading what I just wrote re-inspired me to try using more of the system. If my teeth look this good with the minimum, I can only imagine how they will glow if I put in more of an effort.

Teeth can make or break a smile. I dare you to try SuperSmile and see what all the fuss is about.

Check out your local drugstore or visit www.supersmile.com.

You can stay beautiful, no matter how warm it gets by making a few simple choices.

Conquer the shine.

In the cooler months, a richer cream cleanser is the better bet. It adds more emolliency and makes up for the moisture that is stripped away with the cold. In summer, a foaming, gel cleanser will be a much better alternative. When it comes to your lotions, choosing a lighter option will be the better choice. We have a lot more oil in the warmer months, so we do not need to layer as much on the skin. In many cases, it will just clog pores and weigh down the skin. I recommend that every woman carry a mattifying powder in the summer. Most women layer powder foundation over their faces when it comes time for a touch up. Truth is; if you are using a quality foundation to begin with, all you need is a blotting powder. This will absorb your excess oil and reset your face. I like the cheeks to glow, so I recommend that you just use the powder to freshen up the center of your face.

Switch to a more appropriate foundation.

When the weather turns warmer, I tell many of my clients to switch to tinted moisturizer. It lasts longer, feels lighter and wears better in the warmer weather. The same is true for blush, bronzers and lipsticks. If you want a fresher looking appearance, switch to cheek stains, bronzing creams and lip-glosses. The lighter you go in the warmer weather, the better.

Prime

Not only will a top-notch primer fill lines and pores, it keeps make-up on your face and in place for considerably longer periods of time. In this day and age, there are primers for every purpose. If anti-aging, acne or dull skin are a concern, choose the appropriate one. This step is small but very important. What good is wearing make-up in the heat if you cannot keep it on?

Safeguards

Nothing looks worse in the heat than running make-up. The quickest fix is to choose waterproof versions. If you are a fan of your favorite products (or just don’t like waterproof), here are a few things you can do to save your face. After using your favorite mascara, do one final coat with a waterproof version. This will set the whole lash and give you waterproof lashes without the painful removal. Want to keep shadow on your lids and not in the creases, around your eyes and on the upper cheeks? Use some primer on the lids first. To keep your concealer in place, brush some translucent powder on the entire area. This will set the concealer and keep it from sliding on your face.

DO not forget your sunscreen

Beauty is simple year round…you just need to keep it seasonally appropriate if you want to shine your brightest.

Macadamia Natural Oil may be the hair care discovery of the century. By combining natural botanicals with high concentrations of two rare oils, Macadamia Nut Oil from the South Pacific and Argan Seed Oil from North Africa’s Berber region, this company produced a product that delivers unprecedented results to every hair type.

The Macadamia Nut itself has been revered for thousands of years because of it’s high nutritional value and health promoting benefits but its major benefits to hair and skin are what make it truly incredible. Its rich concentration of essential fatty acids, natural antioxidants and vitamins revitalize, hydrate and protect the hair and scalp. Argan Seed oil is referred to as ‘liquid gold’ because its high concentrations of Omega 9, Linoleic and unsaturated fatty acids restore hair strength and over all health.

When the two oils are combined, the results are incredible. Upon application, these healing oils will mimics the scalps own natural oils allowing immediate deep absorption and rapid penetration into the hair and skin. This product has so many benefits to the hair and scalp that I could never even begin to list them all. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Improves hair strength and quality
• Improves manageability
• Radiant shine
• Deeply nourishes both the hair and scalp
• Softens course hair
• Eliminates frizz and tangles
• Revives hair damaged by heat, wind, oxidation and over processing
• Repairs follicles and improves elasticity
• Extends the life of color treatments
• Provides UV protection
• Reduces hair drying time by 50%

The line itself consists of a handful of powerful products.

The Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment ($36 for 4.2oz and $6 for .35oz) is the super concentrated jewel of the collection. A single pump can be used alone or mixed with any other items from the line (or your favorite conditioners and masques) to deliver nourishment and protection, along with a smooth, long-lasting, tangle and frizz-free finish.

The Macadamia Rejuvenating Shampoo ($18 for 10oz) gently cleanses while restoring essential moisture and all day protection for the hair.

They can be wardrobed together or used independently. Personally, I am using the entire collection and I am astounded by both the immediate and cumulative results.

The Macadamia Nourishing Leave-In Cream ($26) is off the hook. Infused with the oils and botanicals, this powerhouse delivers amazing silky softness, improves shine, and adds texture all while giving the hair all the protection it needs to face the elements.

The Macadamia Deep repair Masque ($28 for 8.5oz and $46 for 16.9oz) blends the two powerful oils with tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts to rebuild and rejuvenate the hair while providing long lasting deep-conditioning benefits.

I can say with great resolution that I am in love with this product. My current hair may feel better that the hair I was born with.

To learn more about the line and purchase your own set of products visit www.macadamiahair.com.

**As a side note, for those of you afraid that an oil rich product will make your oily hair even oilier, have no fear. Because of it’s incredible ability to absorb, it will actually better help to manage and control your own buildup.**

Keep Your Brushes Out

Quality make-up brushes are actually very beautiful, so why not display them. Depending on your style, choose a short vase, a small fish bowl, a leather pencil holder, a scientific beaker, a mug or even a recycled jar to place your brushes in. Then you can easily display them on your counter or transition them quickly into the medicine cabinet or under the sink. This is much better for your brushes that jamming them haphazardly into some bag or drawer.

Make-up Drawer Organization

Want to kiss the disorganized make-up drawer problem goodbye? Try one of these two simple tricks…

1. Buy a silverware tray with the open rectangle compartment. And, yes, they do sell them in sized that fit those smaller drawers. One will hold your eyeshadows, one your foundation and concealer, the other your blushes and bronzers, the one at the top of the unit can hold all your lipsticks and glosses…It is a simple way to keep things where you want them when you open and close those drawers.
2. Buy small individual open storage boxes (even office supply stores carry these) and line your drawers with them. Separate your product in the same fashion as above.

Extra Tip…you know those items that you only use once in a blue moon? Well, buy a cute little zip pouch fill it up and stash those under your counter. If you suddenly need it, its right there waiting. If you have seasonal make-up, buy a plastic box and put all those items in there and stow it under the counter or in the closet until the season comes again.

Most women tend to wear the same few things everyday. If you are one of those, keep those few things right in your medicine cabinet or the very front of the top drawer (or in one of the small sectional dividers that I described above). This will save the search and make your beauty routine faster.

Remember, your make-up will last longer if you organize it…Think of all the powders that have smashed in your cosmetic bag because you just keep tossing them in.

Cleaning Brushes

When it comes to cleaning brushes, there are two very simple options.

1. This is the easiest….Buy a commercial spray brush cleaner, the Sephora brand is just fine. Spray a few pumps onto a tissue or paper towel and pull your brush back and forth over it until all the color has been removed from the bristles. These commercial cleaners quickly clean the brushes and eliminate all of the bacteria. This is the method that I use most often.

2. Give your brushes a bath with luke warm water and a gentle shampoo (one like Johnson’s baby shampoo will be best). With this option, be sure that you do not get water in the ferrule (the metal cuff that holds the bristles to the brush handle). If you get water in it, it will mildew, break down the glue and eventually lead to the demise of your brushes. To keep water out of the ferrule, just pinch your thumb and forefinger around the base of the bristles, right where they enter the cuff. This will keep the water out. Once you have rinsed all the color and shampoo out, let it rest so the bristles hang over the edge of the sink. If you let it dry pressed up against something, it will hold that shape forever.