Solutions To Common Beauty Woes (As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”)

As the saying goes, every problem has a solution — you just have to be creative enough to find it. On that note, I stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” today to chat about some common beauty gripes — from yellow-looking teeth to under-eye puffiness — and discuss different products, devices, and apps that will help to address and ultimately solve these problems.

Check out the segment above (or click here to view on CBSAustin.com) and keep reading for more details on all the solutions offered and the products showcased on air!

PROBLEM: Teeth Whitening Products Cause Too Much Sensitivity

SOLUTION: Get A Brighter Smile — Without The Pain— With The Lumineux Teeth Whitening Kit 

We’ve all been there: you reach for some teeth whitening strips, expecting that, in 20 minutes or less, your teeth will be gleaming; instead, by minute 2, you’re wincing in pain, ready to resign yourself to living with yellow teeth if it means putting an end to the torturous teeth whitening session. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The truth is a lot of teeth whitening products are known to cause sensitivity, and that’s because they include ingredients like hydrogen peroxide that, while effective, can irritate gums and teeth.

But don’t give up on your dreams of achieving a pearly smile! All you need to do is to reach for the Lumineux Whitening Kit ($45 at OralEssentials.com), which includes an assortment of oral care products that remove surface stains in a gentle and safe manner. Lumineux, the first-ever certified non-toxic oral care brand, specializes in dentist-formulated oral hygiene products formulated with safe natural ingredients and without any of the harsh chemicals that are so ubiquitous in dental care products. The Whitening Kit, for instance, includes a one-month supply of products formulated using detoxifying and mineral-rich Dead Sea salt, soothing aloe juice, brightening lemon peel oil, and coconut oil, which has antibacterial and teeth whitening benefits. In the kit, then, you’ll find a  Whitening Toothpaste, an alcohol-free Whitening Mouthwash, and a box of Whitening Strips, as well as an eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush. Now that’s something to smile about!

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PROBLEM: Can’t Figure Out Which Skincare Products To Use

SOLUTION: Let The Neutrogena Skin360 App Guide You! 

If you’ve ever stood in the skincare section of a department store (or a drugstore, for that matter) and stared at shelves lined with products, feeling positively overwhelmed by all the choices before you, just take a deep breath. Even if you don’t know your skin type or you’re just beginning your skincare journey, modern technology can help to set you on the right path. Instead of spending a ton of money on a random assortment of products that may or may not deliver results, you can use the Neutrogena Skin360 app to learn more about what your skin needs and which products will address those particular concerns. Neutrogena Skin360 is an iPhone app that uses Bluetooth to connect with the accompanying Skin Scanner, a tool that slips over the back of your phone and has 8 LED lights and a 30x lens that accurately captures pores and fine lines, allowing you to take a hyper-magnified and super-illuminated selfie. The tool also has a sensor that gauges moisture levels above and below the skin’s surface.

To use the Skin Scanner, you simply hold the lens to your skin until it’s been properly scanned, following the steps on your phone’s screen and moving from the forehead to the cheeks and so on. After snapping a series of photos and assessing your moisture levels in different areas of your face, all of these images and this data will be analyzed to offer you a personalized diagnosis. You’ll receive an overall skin score, learn all about what’s happening with your skin, and you’ll receive advice on how to improve your skin’s health, as well as product recommendations so you can develop a skincare routine that’s truly tailored to your individual needs. You can also use the app to track your skin’s health over time and, in the process, learn exactly what results different products are yielding.

You can purchase the Skin Scanner for $59.99 at Neutrogena.com, and the Skin360 app is available for free in the App store. Visit Skin360app.com for more info.

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PROBLEM: Under-Eye Puffiness That Won’t Quit!

SOLUTION: Send Those Eye Bags Packing With The Bliss Eye Got This Holographic Foil Eye Masks

No one wants excess baggage — especially if it’s on our faces! If you’re waking up every morning and sighing at the sight of your swollen eyes, it’s time to get those pesky bags a one-way ticket out of here! My advice is to reach for the Bliss Eye Got This Holographic Foil Eye Masks ($4 at Target).

These star-print, foil-backed, holographic eye masks refresh and awaken eyes while reducing puffiness and brightening the under-eye area. Because of their unique shape, they perfectly hug the facial contours, allowing the skin to absorb the potent serum in which the masks are soaked. In addition to moisture-binding sodium hyaluronate, the vegan, sulfate-free, and paraben-free serum features vegetable-derived moisturizers that will make your eyes look revitalized once again.

And between the holographic effect and that groovy star print, you won’t be able to resist the urge to snap a selfie rocking these Glam Rock-flavored eye masks!

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PROBLEM: Hair Looks Thin And Lifeless

SOLUTION: Give Your Mane More Body And Bounce With Live Clean’s Biotin Extra Body Shampoo and Conditioner

Our hair starts to lose density as we age. Why? Well, according to research, while individual hair strands have a 2- to 7-year life cycle, by age 40, our hair follicles begin to shrink and the growth of new hair slows down tremendously so that, not only will our mane look less full, but strands themselves will appear to be much finer. Other factors can also contribute to thinning hair — from sudden and extreme temperature changes to nutritional deficiencies. So, in addition to incorporating a great supplement that will boost hair growth, I suggest giving your mane a volume boost with the Live Clean Biotin Extra Body Shampoo and Conditioner (5.99 each at HEB stores). These sulfate-, paraben- and phtalate-free hair care products are designed to thicken strands and add volume, and hence they contain Biotin to increase the hair’s elasticity and thickness as well as ginseng and lavender extracts to strengthen brittle strands. Not only will these products help you achieve va-va-va-voom volume, but they smell fantastic!

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PROBLEM: Stretch Marks Are Making Me Feel Self-Conscious

SOLUTION: Fade Those Marks With The Live Clean Dry Body Oil

While many people are embarrassed to admit that they have stretch marks — be it on their stomachs, thighs, hips, buttocks, or arms — as many as 80% of people bear these streaks on their bodies. If you’re feeling self-conscious about your own tiger stripes, regain your confidence by slathering on the Live Clean Dry Body Oil ($11.29 at Amazon.com). This non-greasy, multi-purpose body oil features a 98% plant-derived formula, and it contains ingredients like organic argan oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil, as well as vitamins C and E — all of which minimize the appearance of stretch marks and scars while nourishing the skin and helping to even out skin tone.

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PROBLEM: I Can’t Find A Natural Deodorant That Works 

SOLUTION: Stay Fresh As A Daisy With A Nubian Heritage 24 Hour Deodorant

A lot of people want to switch to a natural deodorant, but they can’t find one that truly works. Well, after trying countless options, I can attest to the effectiveness of the Nubian Heritage 24 Hour Deodorant ($7.99 at Sprouts). This deodorant is aluminum-free, but it goes well beyond that — in fact, it contains no synthetic chemicals such as parabens, petroleum, phtalates, silicones and propylene glycol, as well as no baking soda, which can cause irritation. One feature that distinguishes the Nubian Heritage 24 Hour Deodorant from other aluminum-free options is that it doesn’t contain propylene glycol, an ingredient commonly found in stick deodorants that has been shown to cause allergic reactions in some users. In its stead, Nubian Heritage uses Propaniedol, a non-GMO glycol derived from corn.

Available in 7 scents — Coconut & Papaya, Patchouli & Buruti, Abyssinian & Chia Seed, African Black Soap, Indian Hemp & Haitian Vetiver, Raw Shea Butter with Frankincense & Myrrh, and Honey & Black Seed — the deodorant goes on completely clear, so you don’t have to worry about white marks on your clothes. Aside from the plant extracts that lend each deodorant its unique scent, each one contains  cornstarch to absorb any wetness and keep you dry and comfortable, as well as shea butter to hydrate that delicate under-arm skin. Moreover, each deodorant’s plant oils help to address a specific skin concern — for instance, the Honey & Black Seed deodorant contains honey and black seed oil to calm any shaving-induced irritation and prevent ingrown hairs while the Coconut & Papaya deodorant softens and strengthens the thin under-arm skin.

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PROBLEM: My Blonde Hair Looks Damaged And/Or Brassy

SOLUTION: Give Your Hair Some TLC With The Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME Collection

Your Insta photos may be captioned “blonde hair don’t care,” but the truth is going blonde requires a lot of care— especially if you want to avoid any damage, dullness, and brassiness. The Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME range is designed to address the needs of natural and dyed blondes, repairing weakened strands, protecting hair from future damage, refreshing and reviving hair color, and preventing dullness and brassiness.

Both cool-tones blondes and warm-toned blondes can give their strands some TLC with the BLONDME Keratin Restore Bonding products: the To transform  BLONDME Keratin Restore Bonding Shampoo ($20 at PlanetBeauty.com), BLONDME Keratin Restore Bonding Conditioner ($23 at PlanetBeauty.com), and BLONDMEKeratin Restore Bonding Mask ($25 at PlanetBeauty.com). These products feature an Integrated Bonding Technology that helps to create new bonds within the hair fibers, reinforcing weakened areas in the hair structure while smoothing strands.

The collection also includes solutions for specific blonde tones. For instance, the BLONDME Tone Enhancing Bonding Shampoo for Warm Blondes ($20 at PlanetBeauty.com) and BLONDME Tone Enhancing Bonding Masque for Warm Blondes ($25 at PlanetBeauty.com) will revive caramel tones while the Tone Enhancing Bonding Shampoo for Cool Blondes and accompanying mask feature violet tones to neutralize any brassiness. I personally love the Tone Enhancing Bonding Spray Conditioner ($21 at PlanetBeauty.com) which is a pigmented leave-in spray conditioner that hydrates and softens while refreshing your cool blond color, along with the BLONDME Shine Elixir ($21 at PlanetBeauty.com), which leaves strands silky soft and irresistibly lustrous.

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PROBLEM: I Can’t Seem To Organize My Beauty Products 

SOLUTION: Keep Everything Neat With The Joy Mangano Better Beauty Case

Confession: I am the world’s worst packer. Remember all the Louis Vuitton luggage Shelley Long’s character intended to bring to a camping trip in Troop Beverly Hills? That’s me pretty much in any travel-related scenario — well, in terms of the volume of luggage, not the designer labels! One of my biggest challenges is whittling down the number of beauty products I pack and finding a proper way to organize them. In the past, I’ve resorted to using different makeup bags for each category of product — one for hair care and hair styling goodies, another for makeup, another for face washes and anti-aging creams, and so on. But alas, that system was inherently flawed since it inevitably resulted in me stuffing 10 different makeup bags into one suitcase and later whining about being unable to find anything.

That’s why the Joy Mangano Large Better Beauty Case ($19.99 at Amazon.com) has been such a game-changer for me. The exterior of this foldable case is water-resistant and leak-proof, while the interior contains four roomy, easy-view, zippered, and removable compartments so everything can be within reach. When traveling, you can fold up your case and place it right inside your suitcase and, when you arrive at your destination, you can lay it flat so that all of its contents are easily visible and accessible.

Not only is it great for frequent travelers, but it will help anyone who needs a bit of help organizing her bathroom or vanity table!

There are a number of different Better Beauty Case sizes, and they come in different materials and prints, so check out all the options at JoyMangano.com

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PROBLEM: False Lashes Look Way Too, Well, Fake

SOLUTION: Get Fluttery And Natural-Looking Lashes With Lashify 

To date, I’ve yet to meet a woman who doesn’t desire longer, bolder, fuller, more Betty Boop-worthy lashes — and we all know that, in most cases, even the best mascara can’t yield the desired effect. And while false lashes can certainly help you reach new lengths, they’re rarely ever subtle or believable. And doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose? After all, isn’t the idea to have people think we were born with come-hither lashes?

Well, now we can all bat our faux eyelashes with confidence thanks to Lashify. This buzz-worthy brand has created the most natural-looking false lash system ever: not only are Lashify’s Gossamer lashes made of luxurious 100% Korean silk, but they’re designed so that you  can apply them below your natural lashes, allowing them to blend in seamlessly.  And get this: unlike ordinary falsies, you can wear these for 5-7 days straight!

The Lashify Control Kit ($145 at Lashify.com), which is your standard starter kit, incorporates 2 Gossamer Lash Sets, 1 Whisper Light Flexible Bond, 1 Seal and Finish Clear Coat, and Lashify’s patented Fuse Control Wand. Each Gossamer set includes between 28 and 32 lashes, and you can choose between three different lash types: Amplified, the most natural-looking lash style; Bold, the most dramatic style; and Curl, the lashes with the most pronounced curl.

To apply your lashes, you start by applying the Whisper Light Flexible Bond to the lash root, making sure to go under the lashes. Next, you carefully place a small lash strip in the desired place, using the Fuse Control Wand to attach the lash strip to your natural lashes for a more natural and seamless effect. Once you’ve positioned all the lash strips as desired, you’ll want to apply the Seal and Finish Clear Coat to eliminate any stickiness and set your lash look.

And, of course, once you become a pro, you can buy different Gossamer lashes of different lengths (lashes range from 10mm to 18mm in length) so you can stack them, play with different eyelash looks, and create as much or as little drama as you desire!

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PROBLEM: Lips Are Always Dry And Cracked In Winter 

SOLUTION: Keep Lips Hydrated With Moroccan Magic Lip Balms

If you think dry and flaky lips are inevitable during the cold winter months, think again. You can, in fact, keep that pout hydrated and supple year-round — and it doesn’t have to cost you a ton either! Just look to Moroccan Magic, the only woman- and minority-owned brand of cruelty-free, USDA certified organic lip balms in drugstores. Each Moroccan Magic Lip Balm ($3.99 at CVS stores) is made with 9 clean organic ingredients or less, so that there are no unnecessary fillers or suspicious additives — instead, you’ll find soothing and replenishing ingredients like argan oil, sunflower seed oil, and coconut oil.

These lip balms are available in a variety of flavors including Lemon Thyme, Peppermint Eucalyptus, Coconut Almond, and Rose. And trust: there’s a reason why the word “magic” is in their name!