Best Nude Lipstick for south asian / indian skin tones! Nars Blonde Venus

If you are in the market for the perfect nude lipstick with a little bit of pop - Nars Blonde Venus is the HG / MLBB shade for you. My lips have a good amount of pigmentation, and this satin lipstick by Nars adds just the right amount of coverage. It's shiny finish makes your lips look fuller, hydrated, and natural. I would describe Blonde Venus as the perfect mix of brown, pink, and peach. It is great for the day time for work as well as night time with a smokey eye. I never need to add a gloss on top, or wear a concealer / lip erase underneath. I tried Honolulu Honey - but it just does not give me enough coverage. 

Pros: 
- Wear time is long - 4-5 hrs
 - It does not settle into the lines of your lips
- Does not bleed
- It is not drying

Cons:

- $24 / tube.. .but definitely worth it!

Ciment Thermique Heat-Activated Reconstructor Milk

Winter, like all extremes, can be a tough time on your hair. Luckly Kerastase Ciment Thermique is one great product that that protect your hair from the drying effects of winter weather and heat styling. If it is in your budget - this product works better than the Suave heat protectant. I've noticed that Suave tends to cause some build up and loose its efficacy if used too frequently. All you need is a dime size of this product- and work it through your damp hair. Hair is left soft, silky, smelling great, and with no signs of heat damage. I recommend this product 100%!


Merry Christmas to all my readers! Here is a picture from this years Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Gala!

Even the Grinch was smiling :-)

Must have Hair Dye: Garnier Nutrisse

I have dark hair - so dark it looks black. Growing up, I was always into experimenting with my hair color. I had caramel highlights, reddish brown highlights, super black, and brown hair. I went to expensive salons, cheap salons, and  tried at home coloring boxes. Finally, for the past 4 years I have found something that works for me - gives me a little bit of a fun lighter color, is very cheap, and doesn't damage my hair! Having had highlights, this is something I will never do again. The bleach did nothing but ruin my hair. On top of that, the maintenance involved in going that light is just too extreme and expensive. Now all I use is Garnier Nutrisse in Truffle. This can be bought for around $8, but there is always a coupon or sale around! Nutrisse is fail proof. Since the color I choose is only a couple shades lighter than my own hair, the end result is very close to the box. Believe it or not, I only dye my hair 2-3 times a year! This, along with deep conditioning, not using flat irons, and using a heat protectant has allowed me to have healthy, shiny, long hair.

One tip for those of you that dye at home is to not wash your hair for 2-3 days before dying- this will allow the color to penetrate better. I would also wait a day or two after dying your hair to wash it again with shampoo. Protect your hair from the sun and deep condition frequently!

Here is a picture of my freshly done color:

Get cash back for shopping online!

Credit cards like Bank of America offer cards that give you cash back for everyday purchases. 3% on gas, 2% on groceries, and 1% on everything else. Gas and groceries are both costs that cannot be avoided, so why not get some cash back for this? Although Ebates.com has been around for quite some time, I recently found out about this company. Bascially, you get cash back - significantly more than what credit card companies give you - to shop! I am a huge fan of online shopping because I hate dealing with the crowds at the mall and can also compare prices better. If you are looking into buying gifts for Christmas or booking flights for travel - I suggest you look into signing up for an account!

Here is a link:

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=igNARzZL7tr95m7S%2BDMZlg%3D%3D

My Makeup Must Haves Part 1

I thought today I would do a post on makeup products that I can't live without. These are all purchases that I did a good amount of research before investing in. I wanted things that delivered - and I don't have the time or money to "try out" products. While some of these products may be considered higher end- they are investments to me. I don't buy impulsively! So here we go....

1. Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Early Tan

- works just as great as an expensive foundation

- great coverage

- lasts all day

- great as a concealer as well 

2. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

- tried and true mascara

- pumps up lashes and elongates

- great price

- works just as well as a $25 mascara from a department store!

3. Mac Eyeliner Pencil - Kohl in Smoulder

- reasonable price

- great color payoff

- works well for a more casual look, to line upper lid

- stays put!

- easy to control when putting on

- lasts a long time

4. Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack

- excellent color payoff

- reasonable price

- lasts a long time

- good for more formal, dressy occasions as the line is darker and sharper

- must have the appropriate brush when applying 

Part 2 to come soon!

Happy Halloween and Thank you readers!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween. Above is my costume - which was not much! I wanted to thank all my readers - who come from all over the world (the US, Europe, Russia, India, Mid- east etc.)! I never thought I would be able to reach out to so many. Please let me know if there is a certain topic you would like to know or learn more about. I am applying for residency right now, but hope to continue blogging as much as possible!

Suze Orman Financial Tips....

For those in their 20's:

Suze's Tip # 3: Only Losers Eat Out Every Meal!
I fly private and I bring my lunch! No one works harder than me, and I never eat out! Working hard is not an excuse! Make your food and bring it to work with you. If you want to be a loser forever and continue to waste money, then fine by me. Stop giving yourself excuses. You'll never enjoy life if you continue to waste money. When I first became a stock broker, all the other stock brokers would go out to fancy lunches everyday. On the other hand, I went to taco bell, had two tacos and a diet coke and it cost me $2 a day. That's how I got to go out and still be OK.

Suze's Tip # 4 : You don't need to spend a fortune on designer clothes.
Honest to God, the amount of money they [young people] waste on designer clothes is the worst habit I've seen! Having to have the Jimmy Choos or $700 purse is ridiculous. Do you think anyone even cares?

Suze's Tip # 5: Clubbing is a huge waste of money.
The amount of money spent on clubbing is absolutely amazing! Go to each other's houses and have a great time in your home. You can buy a bottle of vodka for what it costs for one drink at a club. I mean $90 in one night? That's the amount of money needed to fund your Roth IRA every month.

Suze's Tip # 6: It's not about being so specific with how you divide up your salary.
It's hard to divide your salary into set percentages these days - salaries are just so low right now. If all you're making is $1000 per month, it's almost impossible to divide up, but all of you know when you're spending too much! It's not about being so specific, but if your rent is taking up 80% of your spending, then you're in big trouble.
The first thing you should do with your money is spend every extra dollar you have to get out of credit card debt, saving an 8-month emergency fund.

Suze's Tip # 7 : It's not about cutting everything out; it's about cutting a little bit off of everything.
Don't try to give up all your favorite things at once. If you go cold turkey, you will explode. Just cut down! You can indulge, but indulging doesn't mean every day. I mean come on! Do you really have to have Starbucks every day? Can you go clubbing twice a month instead of every weekend? Pick the things you really love to do and just do them twice a month.

Suze's Tip # 8: Start saving now!
The best thing you could do is to have a Roth IRA. You can withdraw any money you put into it at any time, without any taxes or penalties. That's where you should get money from, not your 401K or pension plans. You should be investing in individual stocks that pay a high dividend yield.

Suze's Tip # 9: Credit Card Debt isn't necessarily bad.
The thing is that credit card debt isn't bad,but if your interest rate is at 30% that's bad - actually horrific! A 1% to 2% interest rate is ok. If the debt is because you're trying to make your mark and make your way in the world, then I don't have a problem with that. If you have debt because of clubbing, excessive shopping and weekend trips to Tahoe, then you're an idiot - that's the debt that will do you in.

Everyone else:

Idea No. 1: You can't wait for the market to save you.
"The real estate market isn't going to come back until at least 2023," Orman predicted. "If you can't afford your home, you need to figure out what to do. You have to make a plan and that plan can't be that the market will save you." Similarly, if you see a house on the market that looks like a good deal, don't buy it. "Don't you dare," said Orman. Unless, of course, you can easily put 20% of the money down and pay the property taxes, mortgage and insurance comfortably with your current salary—and your job is secure. Then, as long as the house will be your primary residence, go right ahead.

Idea No. 2: Pay in cash
If you pay for something in cash, you won't have debt. It's as simple as that. If you have credit card debt, pay that off as fast as you can. (See Suze Orman in the 2010 TIME 100.)

Idea No. 3: Men need to stop pretending they know more about financial planning than they do. "Men are financial fakers," said Orman. When she worked as a financial planner, she said, married couples would come in for advice and "when the wife got up to go to the bathroom, I'd lay out this very complicated, totally made up plan for the husband. I'd say, 'You do this, and this, and this—are you following me?' and the husband would nod and say, 'Yes, Suze. To the letter.'" Then when the wife came back, she'd ask the husband to explain it to her and he couldn't. "Of course he couldn't! It wasn't a real plan!" Orman says that even today, men feel pressure to pretend like they know what they're doing. "That's how Bernie Madoff happened," she said. "One guy told another guy, who told another guy, who told another guy, and not one of them knew what they were doing." Women, on the other hand, have no problem asking someone to explain an idea to them again.

Idea No. 4: Save money.
Having eight months of savings in the bank so that if you find yourself without a job, you can still pay your bills.

And finally: LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS!!!!

Financial Freedom....

Thoughts???

How to be skinny and stay skinny!

I've always been small and skinny. Indian culture sometimes sees this "slimness" as a negative, but times are changing. My father used to make me buy size large in clothing, with the rational that one day I would fit into it. I am 26 now, and those larges are still WAY too big. The goal is to never fit into a size large- So anyway, here are some lifestyle tips for staying skinny!

1. Diet matters more than exercise. I have mentioned this in a previous post. Don't get me wrong, I love to work out - but I don't do it religiously! As physicians we recommend 30 min of continuous exercise 3-5 times a week. Exercise is great for our bone healthy - especially if you are a thin woman of asian decent - as you are more likely to get osteoporosis. Exercise is also great for your mood.

2. Eat breakfast everyday. I tend to be more meal heavy in the morning. That way, I have all day to burn and use up those calories. Dinner tends to be my lightest meal - which is not what you see promoted in mainstream media.

3. This may sound weird - but has worked for me-- When you eat food, think about what that food can do for you. A carrot? Loaded with vitamin A - great for my vision. Spinach - ton's of folate - great for women of child bearing age. A cup of tea with honey? (See long post done before) You get the picture. Now let's talk about, a can of soda? Ton's of sugar, makes you burp!, makes you feel bloated, no nutrition, but the first couple sips taste great with a pizza! Here is my motto, in the world we live in there is nothing wrong with indulging here and there. If I am going to eat 4 bites of a chocolate brownie - it better be the most chocolatey and tasty brownie - or else it is not worth it to me. I'm the type of person that does not crave sweets, but I'd rather have a few bites of the real thing, than a whole serving of a watered down version. Having a slice of pizza or a coldstone Like It ice cream here and there will not kill you, but make these meals rare and your portions very small. 

4. Avoid buying beef, pork, lamb etc. Stick to lean meats like chicken and turkey. Indulge in fish and seafood! If you don't buy it, you won't cook it!

5. Use a lot of lemon and olive oil! Both add great favor and provide heath benefits. When a recipe calls for adding salt for taste- I never do it! Also, I never add sugar to any of my tea beverages.

6. Don't make desert at home! I know this is asking a lot - but think about it. If you don't make it - you won't eat it! Then, when you go out to dinner with the family - split a small dessert. Your craving will be fulfilled without the guilt.

Shhh!!! It's a beauty secret! - Castor Oil

I'm going to let you all in on a new found secret- Castor Oil! I was doing some research to look into a product that makes hair shiny, healthy, and have better growth. I think I may have found it. If it works anything like Jojoba Oil, then it is bound to be a success. The first time I heard about castor oil was on a TV show saying that castor oil can be used as a heat protector when styling your hair. However, after doing more research on this- I found that this oil has other amazing benefits.

I love visiting makeupalley.com - as they have never failed me in choosing the right products and discovered that castor oil has gotten INCREDIBLE reviews.
Some of the claims include - increasing rate of hair growth, producing thicker and darker hair strands, growing eyelashes further than ever before, and thicker eyebrows. Other things that it is good for is sealing the ends of your hair to prevent split ends.

Castor Oil is very cheap and comes in many forms - as an oil in the laxative section, Jamaican Black Oil, and as a cold compress that melts easily in your hands. It does not seem to matter which form you use.

I have started to use this product this week and will keep you all updated on how it is working!

Has anyone else tried this?

Cheap find! Suave Keratin Infusion Leave-In Conditioner

Suave has recently come out with a new line of products which are infused with Keratin - aka protein. The keratin is supposed to leave hair sleeker and easier to style.

After looking at various reviews online the Heat Defense Leave- In conditioner seems to be a hit! At only 2.74 for a 5 oz bottle at Walmart- seems like there would be no lose in trying it...

Here is what else the product claims:

Infuses keratin & seals cuticles for:

• Advanced protection from heat damage
• Frizz control for up to 48 hours
• Smooth & manageable hair, easy styling

The product seems to compare to It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Product which is 10X the price!

I will see if it lives up to its promises!

Update #1: This product is completely sold out at Walmart, where it is the cheapest... must be a good sign!
Update #2: I am completely sold! This product lives up to its statements. It is cheap enough to use multiple times a week and increases the health of your hair. I highly recommend!

All about Vitamin D!

Vitamin D has gained a lot of popularity over the years. Patients are frequently tested for their Vitamin D levels, and given supplements if they are deficient.

I recently saw a face lotion advertisement that stated the best way to get Vitamin D is by putting an expensive cream on your skin that contains the vitamin... BOGUS!!

Here is what I can tell you. Vitamin D is needed for calcium to be absorbed in your gut. It also helps normalize another mineral called phosphate in your body. Without vitamin D, or calcium for that matter, you are at risk of developing weak bones.

What are great food sources of Vitamin D? Fish, fish oil (specifically cod liver oil), milk fortified with D.

Sunscreens with a SPF of 8 or more appear to block vitamin D-producing UV rays. Approximately 5–30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM at least twice a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen usually lead to sufficient vitamin D synthesis. People with dark skin and those who are obese are more likely to be deficient.

Although we don't know everything about this vitamin, more research is being done daily. Some research shows that Vitamin D may be protective in the development of  certain types of cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Remember... just like with everything in life to much of something or too little of something can lead to problems. There are receptors for Vitamin D on all our cells- so it is no surprise that the effects of this vitamin can be seen throughout the whole body.

Great buy: It's a 10 Leave-In Product

Here's a product that has been a great buy: It's a 10 miracle leave- in product. It's an all in one leave in treatment that does the following:

1. Repairs dry damaged hair

2. Adds shine

3. Smoothes & controls frizz

4. Seals & Protects Hair color

5. Flat iron spray & thermal protector

6. Detangles

7. Stops hair breakage

8. Creates silkiness

9. Enhances natural body

10. Prevents split ends

This type of product makes sense - why buy 10 different items, when it can be put all in one bottle? I have been trying to grow my hair out for the past two years. I usually trim it once it gets past a certain point due to split or rough ends, or because of lack of volume. However, with the add of this product rotated with a few others- I have been able to grow it out to pretty long lengths- even while coloring and blow drying. I notice that the It's a 10 brand can be found in grocery stores now also. The one negative I have found is with the packaging. I don't like the idea of spraying a heavy product directly onto my hair. Instead, I stray it 3-4 times on my hands, rub them together, and then glide it through damp hair before blow drying. 

Always check on Ebay for these higher end salon products - as you can find them for a deep discount!

Forks Over Knives

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease."
                                                                        -Thomas Edison

My husband, who is a GI doc, is big into watching documentaries. Our latest Netflix delivery was a film titled Forks Over Knives. I may be out of touch, but I have never heard of it before. Surprisingly, the film was very good and brought up some important topics. We all remember the food pyramid from when we were growing up. The food pyramid has now been updated to what is seen below:


But the movie brings up a good idea: maybe this pyramid is full of biases- created by those who have ties with the various food industries. The film is not the most glamorous- which could be why it has mixed reviews, but that is not the point. The point is to inform the public on an important topic. Yes, it is full of stats and studies- but that is how medical decisions are made as well.

The film basically says this: "most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods." It is trying to say that we are in control of our own destiny. Just because our parents developed hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol - does not mean we have to be on the same track. What medical school fails to teach future physicians is about nutrition. We are taught hundreds of medications and side effects along with hundreds of more procedures. Prescribing drugs is profitable- and so is doing a procedure. Helping patients re-evaluate their food choices seems to cumbersome, which may be why it is not taught or done.

Forks over Knives features Caldwell, Esselstyn., M.D, who treated president Bill Clinton after his cardiac surgery. It also features T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D an American biochemist, and Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University. The film has been hailed by medical celebrities like Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN as well as Dr. Oz.

The film suggests making drastic food changes - no meat, no fish, no dairy, no eggs etc. Being realistic, most of us probably won't follow this diet. However I am now encouraged to continue or work on good habits. Some of these include minimizing red meat intake, minimizing sugary foods, maximizing fruit and vegetable intake, avoiding soda, avoiding over eating etc. 

If you are further interested in this topic, you should take a look at this film... 

DIY Egg face peel/mask

Eggs are a great and simple solution to create your own face peel. This is a wonderful treatment for those who have blackheads and clogged pores.

What you will need: 1 egg, 2 bowls, toilet paper, makeup/ foundation brush, and JoJoba Oil 

Step 1:  Rip the toilet paper into halves and even divide double sheets into single ones.You may want to pull your hair back or put it under a shower cap.
Step 2: Crack open an egg - but separate the yellow from the white and place in separate bowls.
Step 3: Stir up the white of the egg. Do the same with the yellow.
Step 4: With a brush- can be a small painting brush as well-  brush on some egg onto your face. With the toilet paper - place 1 thin layer so that it sticks to your face. Continue to do this until your whole face is covered in the mask.
Step 5: Let this mask dry on your face for some time. I would say 30 min - 1 hr.
Step 6: Gently peel off the mask.
Step 7: Wash your face.
Step 8: Use the yellow of the egg as a mosturizer. Rub on and leave there for 5 mintues.
Step 9: Wash face one last time, and put on some JoJoba Oil.

Voila! Your face should feel clean, smooth, and hydrated. No need for expensive salon treatments!

A cup a day, keeps the doctor away!

I am a huge fan of tea--- green, black, and chai just to name a few. This guilt free drink is a great way to start your morning, pick you up in the afternoon, or relax your body at night. Drinking tea is a staple in Indian and British culture, and it is easy to see why. Although the risks and benefits of coffee seem to be debated, tea continuously appears to have new benefits seen in research. Here are a few that I found below searching medically published articles.

* Benefits body composition and improves bone quality
* Reduces blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress and improves parameters   associated with insulin resistance (aka developing diabetes)
* Significant factor in primary cancer prevention
* Preventive effect on recurrence of colorectal adenomas (colon cancer)
* boost the immune system and suppress autoimmune disorders
* potential hepatoprotective activity (good for the liver) which is mainly attributed to the antioxidant potential
* possible link between consumption and reduced risk of cardiovascular events ( heart attacks, strokes etc.)

Remember that just like coffee, tea does contain caffeine. Although, Green tea does usually contains a smaller amount than black. Another suggestion is to skip the sugar and use honey instead. May it is time you consider switching over from coffee to tea!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep

This product may hands down be the best value when it comes to hair repair. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep works so well and can be purchased for around $3.

What is it? A deep conditioning treatment used after shampoo. It works better the longer you leave it in. 3 minutes should be the minimum - but leaving it for around 10 min will leave better results. Ingredients include
Dimethicone, Australian sea kelp, jojoba oil; and Australian aloe. It has won countless awards and has great reviews all over the internet.

As a general tip... We all love taking a warm shower- but when trying to lock in shine and softness into our hair after conditioning, you should run your hair under the coldest water possible. Doing so will close the cuticle and lock in the benefits of this product.

At home solutions: Aspirin Scrub

Looking for a product that has the effects of an anti-acne product and microdermabrasion? Look no further than your medicine cabinet. Aspirin works by inhibiting inflammation, and the same effect can be seen by rubbing it on your face. 

Creating an aspirin mask is simple. Buy some aspirin that is un-coated and  let it break up in water- how much you use depends on how big the tablets are, but 4-5 should be sufficient. Add honey or lemon juice as desired. Rub the product on to your face and gently scrub away- using caution in sensitive areas such as right under the eyes. The scrub can even be used on your lips and neck. 


What you will be left with is softer, less inflamed skin. Use of an aspirin mask will depend on the condition of your skin. I try to do this about once a month. Always put some type of moisturizer (like Jojoba Oil) on after using this mask/ scrub.

Has anyone else tried this? 

Shampoo dilemma!

How do you decide which shampoo to buy? Add volume, remove frizz, accentuate blonde hair, downplay curly hair, add shine, remove oil, strengthen, soften, elongate, stop breakage.... the list never ends. Whichever shampoo works for you, there is one thing that is unavoidable: buildup. We all love the feeling of trying a new shampoo and the way our hair feels after the first wash, or the way our hair feels after a trip to the salon where they use a shampoo that is out of our budget. When using a new shampoo, the buildup from our old one is cleansed, making the new shampoo seem great. I have tried a number of shampoo brands over the years, and this product below has been a life changer.....

Neutrogena Shampoo, anti-residue formula, is a shampoo that you use once a week or less often, to make your old shampoo start working like new. 1 bottle should last you around a year. We all know that washing your hair everyday is bad for it's health, but the answer to how often we should wash it defers for everyone. I try to wash my hair only every other day, allowing my natural oils to build up, but not get too oily. On weeks where I have not been sweating a lot, I space it out so I am washing my hair every 3rd day. This will be different for everyone depending on your lifestyle, but it is something to keep in mind especially if you are trying to grow out your hair. 


Another myth that I have heard a lot is that you should trim your hair every 6 weeks to make it grow longer. If you want long hair - don't cut it. However, you must take extra steps to take care of your longer locks, or else as the ends age, they will be more prone to split ends and breakage. If you start to notice split ends... the only solution is a trim. Otherwise, just continue to grow your hair out and take good care of it! 

Comments on Six Weeks to OMG: the diet book

A new book out called "Six weeks to OMG" by British actor Paul Khanna (under the pseudonym Venice Fulton) is causing quite a stir. He gives tips such as skipping breakfast, taking cold showers, and making little distinction between a soda and a serving of broccoli as far as carb intake. He states that by following his tips- you can loose a significant amount of weight in six weeks and amaze your friends. 

Will it work? Sure...

Is it healthy? No

This diet sounds a lot like the mentality of a 15 year old girl trying to lose a couple pounds. As someone who attending an all girls private school - I witnessed all to many a times young girls skipping meals, yet drinking a soda or small bag of Cheese-It's as a meal replacement. Will they lose a couple pounds? Sure... but it is not a healthy way of life. Along the way they will be fatigued, their growth and development may suffer,  and mood affected. 


We all have different health goals. Some of us want to lose 5 pounds, some 40, some want to just be healthy overall, and others want to be physically fit and be able to eat anything they want. 


By skipping meals, you will lose weight. However just as a diabetic needs to strictly watch their blood sugars with meals and insulin, the result of skipping meals will directly impact our glucose levels. It has been presented that perhaps when we wake up feeling tired in the morning, it could be the quality of our sleep, or it could be from our blood sugar being out of wack. For those of us trying to lose a quick 5 pounds in a couple days- the best option is probably to reduce food intake significantly and not even bother exercising. Exercising requires calorie intake for the energy to do work. During exercise it is probably unlikely that you will burn off all the calories that you will intake in order to maintain your energy levels. A Time Magazine Health article explains this well:  "Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin."
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914974-4,00.html


Don't get me wrong - exercise has it's benefits. For those wanting to be physically fit, have a healthy heart, have strong bones, reduce stress levels, prevent future ailments- exercise is a must. Eating healthy has the same effect. So while Khanna states that for your outward appearance a soda vs some broccoli make no difference, on the inside it makes a HUGE difference. 


Fad diets are just that- Fads. We all want to learn ways to loose a couple extra pounds quick. However, to have a better health lifestyle, we need to look beyond these quick fixes.

Say NO to flat irons!!!

The two worst things that someone can do to their hair are flat iron straightening it and bleaching it. Sure, we love the way the CHI makes our strands long, shinny, and pretty darn straight - but the long term consequences are not worth it. 

What's a good alternative? Invest in a decent large round brush and an ionic hair dryer. ALWAYS spray some type of hair protectant before blow drying out your hair. TRESemme Heat Tamer is one product that can do so, and is affordable as well. For straighter, less frizzy hair, you want to start blow drying your hair while it is still pretty damp. Try to reserve this only for special occasions. Otherwise, to minimize breakage and the effects of heat, wait until your hair is around 60- 80% dry. The result may not be as straight and sleek- but you will have more volume. 

The same holds true for curling irons. Put them away! Although it takes more effort - loose curls can be created with round brushes of various sizes. The impact of high heat - sometimes reaching 300-400 degrees is torture for your locks! Ceramic, metal, or whatever else is coated on the iron makes minimal difference! Remember the ends of your hair do not repair themselves. The only way to treat split ends it to get a trim - contrary to what drug store products may try to sell you. 

Must have: JoJoba Oil

Makeup companies spend tons of money marketing anti-aging lotions and creams. If you walk into a drugstore you see an endless assortment of face lotion products. JoJoba Oil is one product that I would recommend to everyone I know. In fact, this may be the only thing you need to put on your face at night after a wash. 


What is it? An oil that is both colorless and odorless. 


What do the studies say? Habashy et al. (2005) and Meier et al. (2012) concluded that Jojoba is effective in combating inflammation. This means that contrary to what you may think, Jojoba can prevent and help with acne. 


You can see numerous praises of this product all over the internet. The oil can be used for dry skin, dry hair, removal of eye makeup, acne treatment, fungal treatment, and burns. Trader Joe's carries the Desert Essence brand seen above. A little bit goes a LONG way.  As this product does not contain SPF, I would not recommend it for day time wear.

Why Doctor Beauty MD?

I decided to make this blog for a number of reasons. First off, I am a huge fan of blogs myself - from petite fashion, to makeup, and celebrity gossip. Blogging is a new way to gain valuable information and to become an informed consumer. Why continue to spend big $$$ on products that fail to do as they claim when instead you can learn from others mistakes. It does not take much to become an "expect" these days as we can see from a new crop of young youtube stars with many followers- young and old. I am here to offer a different perspective - that of a young medical doctor with an interest in not only health but in beauty and fashion as well. Enjoy!