Meg here! I have just been looking at the weather channel and good Lord, is this spring? I thought this post was going to be timely. Everyone was going to be so eager to learn about my new fantastic faux tan! Then I saw that the country was blanketed under weather misery, let's hope you can use this advice sooner than later!

The weather here is starting to get warmer and the limbs are beginning to come out. It's L.A., it's not like we've had a difficult winter. I hesitate to even call it "cold" since there may be some of you that are actually in weather less than 48 degrees (brrr!) 

I went to the dermatologist 2 weeks ago and I asked him "What's this brown freckly type spot on my cheek?" I then pointed to my lower face. I don't know how the next sound wasn't "thud" as I wanted to drop down and faint on the floor as he casually replied "oh, that's from the sun. Just an age spot." AN AGE SPOT? On my face. I immediately thought of my friend Emilie, her 85 yr. old Grandmother called her 88 yr. old boyfriend "M&M Head" because of all of the sun spots on his face. I really am not ready to become "M&M Head." Speaking of age spots, there also seem to be a few getting ready to make their way on my hands. Yup, you can tuck and lift and inject your face. You can laser it and bleach it and peel it. What can you do with spotted, ugly hands? You can buy fancy gloves. You better sunscreen those hands now, unless you're into telling people that you like to work part time as a chauffeur, and you're just in uniform.. 

No one that knows me would believe either! With my amazing, pasty Irish skin, the only choice I have is to sunless tan. Sure, I could sit in the sun but the fear of age spots has me paralyzed and I can't actually move.

All of the Oompa Loompa fear has been taken away by the beautiful Sinead Norenius and her fantastic tanning line, Beautisol! I've always been rocking the faux tan. With more success some times than others. Since I have been introduced to the Beautisol line, I am streak-free and have a super gorgeous glow. It's so easy, dries fast and they even have a product made just for your face! Not only is Beautisol's "Need I Glow More?" specifically targeted for your face, it targets for your skin type! How awesome is that? I used it yesterday and not only do I look "glowy" it also camouflages skin imperfections (Ahem, like the above mentioned "age spot.")

How about Beautisol Summer Glow Self Tanning Lotion? I used DARK TAN (but don't be afraid, the color is buildable. On first application, even my Casper butt looked sun-kissed, not unnatural.) 

I look healthier, I look sexier, I look thinner! It did not make me humble. But who needs humble? When was the last time you put on a pair of short shorts and thought "do these make me look humble?" Never, that's when. 

How did I achieve limbs that I am proud of? Ones that make my body smooth and fake something people call "toned?" How am I streak free and fabulous? The boobs to the left? Those are mine. Well, I mean, they were paid for, so yes... Anyhow, look at the tan color? That's after one application! Pretty darn great right?

3 EASY STEPS AND 15 MINUTES!

SHOWER: The first step to a gorgeous tan is to exfoliate.

#1 Michael Todd True Organics Walnut Grapefruit Scrub: I applied this to my body in the shower, I let the shower steam up and I grabbed ths tube. 

 Michael Todd True Organics Walnut Grapefruit Scrub $19.00 You have to exfoliate or else you're going to have a splotchy tan. Dead skin cells don't soak up the pigment of a self tanner. I love how this scrub isn't so grainy, it doesn't hurt but it exfoliates. You have baby soft skin, skin that is ready to drink up pigment. You're smooth and your stems glow. It doesn't leave any residue and the bottle is HUGE.

After the shower, I towel COMPLETELY OFF (water can streak!)

#2 Kiss Streaks Buh Bye! No more messy palms!

 Beautisol Applicator Mitt Want to have as super smooth application, no need to wash your hands?

This applicator mitt cuts self-tan time in half. It also takes out the annoying step where you have to scrub your palms! It is easy peasy and I have enlisted Nick Stern into Self Tan back applicator. He's not exactly happy with this new job, but he still manages to breeze through it in 2 minutes and it looks like a professional did it. I swear, I am really building his resume of "special skills." 

Meg here! I have the most super fantastic find, it saved me $115 today. Really.

I am a nail biter. I am a disgusting nail biter, nothing could stop it. Not acrylic nails not silk wraps. I would seriously bite plastic nails in moments of boredom and anxiety. Sexy.

What makes me behave? Gel nails. Gel nails (I know most of you have tried them, if you have not had them done at your salon-well, now you don't need to.) Read on, this is EASY and inexpensive and looks really amazing. My roommate has already dragged this into her room. Her mother is in town and after watching me use this, ordered one for herself off HSN (I'll include the link.) I only go absolutely crazy if something blows my mind and I am very excited to tell you about Gel Haute Nail Polish Kit with an LED Smart Light and nail polish.

I am a regular at my nail salon, since the introduction of gel nails I'm less of a regular. With a gel manicure I can get a solid 2.5 to 3 weeks of staying power. No chips, just some grow out on the botton. The only downfall of a gel manicure? The cost. I'm sure there are cheaper places to go, I am a creature of laziness and my salon is walking distance (a rare LA luxury.)

When I walk into my nail salon it's like a casino slot machine going off, all the nail techs hear is cha-ching!

Manicure? Yes. Extra Hand Massage? Yes. Back Massage? Yes. Pedicure? Yes. Extra Scrub and Leg Rub? Yes. Eyebrows? Of course. 

Before I know it, I'm out $115.00 and two hours of my life. I really shouldn't spend either. I decided that I wouldn't be so militant about the nail salon. I mean, the earth wouldn't stop spinning if I didn't have my nails done. Right? Wrong. Murphy's Law they call it.

I had exactly 2 hours notice that I would be filmed for TV. TWO HOURS. Not only did I decide to be more laid back about my nails but my hairdresser had the flu last week and I wasn't able to get my hair done for 3 weeks. I have serious roots issues. I can't go 10 days without getting my roots done, nevermind 21. 

There I was, getting a call to be filmed on National TV, as a beauty expert no less. A beauty expert with long grey roots and mangled, chewed up nails. Don't you love when life laughs at you?

There was no time to get either professionally done. I drove to Rite Aid and grabbed a box of hair dye (It actually came out great-review to follow.) The nails? Unfortunately, all I could do was run a quick file over them and try to remember to not talk with them too much.

I film again tomorrow. My nails look amazing. They're Gels and they're going to last for weeks. THEY TOOK 10 MINUTES TO DO. TOTAL.

Meg here! There is some Beyonce concert going on and the streets are empty, if you've ever driven in LA traffic you realize I am indebted to Beyonce. Traveling anywhere, whether on the 405 or across the Atlantic, is a chore. Trying to pick which cosetics go with you can be as traumatic as Sophie's Choice. There's always limited space and the fear of the TSA. When I am forced to scale back I go into panic mode. I am back on a cross country flight in two weeks and I'm already trying to figure out what cosmetics are going to make the cut.

Imagine my relief when the most gorgeous designer travel, cosmetics bag showed up to my door! The intricate, colorful stitching screamed expensive "Missoni!" But wait, it was not from a Haute Couture high fashion house? What could it be? upon further inspection I noticed a gold plated "tarte" label! Ooh! Tarte's such a favorite at Megsmakeup.com we've have some many favorites from the line! It was so nice of tarte to include their hottest selling (and some of holy grails) in an exclusive Journey To Natural Beauty 6-Piece Collection for $59.94! That's it, so for about the price of 3 tarte items you get 6? A fabulous travel bag and the cutest/chicest matching powder brush? Has tarte lost their marbles? This is a $165 value!! 

Want one? (You do, trust me) then mark your calenders for Tuesday, Feb 5th! Or you can PRE ORDER HERE!

Meg here! How do you build a better mousetrap? That's been an age old question. The more popular question? How do you build a better mascara?

When I first opened up the cult fave "Mesmer Eyes Mascara" from the genius that is Napoleon Perdis I was more than a little nervous. I was perplexed by the brush, it wasn't the usual bristle application that I was used to. I was a stiff wand, with one end completely flat. Hmm, it says its a "trip threat mascara that lengthens, adds volume and curl."

Ok, I'm game. The trick is to to keep applying the color while your lashes are still wet and to curl with the flat end of the wand.

I'm hooked and I know I've gotten this out to more than a few Megheads in their makeup packages. The wand does take a little bit of effort to get used to and you do have to spend a minute longer while applying compared to the usual types of wands but it is so worth it. If you get too much on the wand a little blot with a kleenex with bring you back to business. Once you learn the flat end handle trick you can cut out curling your lashes all together.

Its another Napoleon win but what else can you expect from this perfectionist? How about a fantastic beauty event February 20th? Napoleon and W Magazine's Beauty Director Jane Larkworthy are coming together for what is sure to be the beauty event of a lifetime. A master class, tips and trends from Jane Larkworthy herself and each attendee will get a gift from Napoleon himself!

How could this be even better? THe $75 enrollment fee can be used to spend on Napoleon Perdis products! What even better? WINNING 2 VIP Tickets to attend for FREE

SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY HERE FOR THE MASTER CLASS! 

Wednesday, February 20th 2013 6-9pm Napoleon Perdis Make Up Academy 6615 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood CA 90028

Meg here! 13 days and smoke free!! Woohoo! It's definitely getting easier everyday and I'm getting more and more compliments on how great my skin has been looking.

Stopping smoling has made my face look clearer and brighter within just a couple weeks but there is one thing it hasn't stopped...My hormones. With PMS kicked into high gear and both my mood and my skin out of balance, my monthly pimple emerged.

I could feel my frightful visitor about to arrive at my doorstep (If the doorstep was on my forehead, right between my eyes.) Luckily, it was the same day as Relogy arrived at my door!

Relogy was touting itself as a "Natural Acne Treatment." I quickly opened up the box, broken down into an easy 3 step process labeled Step 1 and Step 2 and then topped off with an easy spot targeted pen-I couldn't wait to get started and nip this third eye in the bud.

That night, I hopped in the shower and started my Relogy journey. Step 1 is a face wash. With a few pumps from the dispenser, a foamy mousse was dispensed. It spread light and evenly across my face and washed off clean. No tight or sticky feeling, no residue left. What exactly is in this? Step 1: Relogy's Rinse-Free Foam penetrates deep into the skin's surface to start clearing acne immediately, while soothing naturals promote a healing, redness reducing, anti-inflammatory effects. Tough on acne bacteria, this product is still gentle, smells great, and feels silky on your skin.  And, it's 100% benzoyl-peroxide free!" 

OK, that was easy enough, now how about Step 2? The bottle says to use a pea size amount and that it's "Natural Skin Balancing Lotion is the ultimate side-effect preventer, keeping your skin soft, with just the right level of hydration for smooth, healthy, glowing skin."  I used a pea sized amount but I did add another pea to the soup. This lotion went on very light and spreadable. It wasn't a heavy moisturizer but felt more like a serum on application. I really liked it.

The third step? The stainless steel roller ball spot control is for specific care targeting (that third eye I speak about.) I have been using this routine for the past 6 days and I am happy to report that there was nothing to have to conceal or (Yes, I admit it. Squeeze and pop.) Period due tomorrow and I have no zingers!

I love that Relogy is animal cruelty free and vegan (you know how I'm a stickler on animal friendly products.) Its gentle formula is safe for skin that usually is prone to irritation or redness since so many acne fighting products use such harsh chemicals.

So now, with my Relogy Acne Fighting Routine, my nightly Apple Cider Vinegar shots and my kicking cigarettes, I'm going to be like Benjamin Buttons. Everyday I may not be getting younger but I am definitely looking better and healthier.

I'm really loving how easy it is to have such great skin. I have this amazing app on my Iphone. It's called "Period Tracker" and it tracks when your ovulating, when you're the most fertile and WHEN YOUR PERIOD IS ON IT'S WAY! It gives you the exact date. This makes my planning business trips a God send! Nothing worse than flying on Day 1 of dear friend Flo. Now, one week before I am due (and my most oily) I will be breaking out my Relogy, by doing this, I'm guaranteeing these will be the only "break outs" that I see!

Meg  here! Sometimes I can call 'em! I think it was back in 2006 when I proclaimed Liptini my most favortie lip stains ever! Back then they were a little boutique company right here in LA. The last time I was in NYC I was walking down the street and saw, much to my delight a big display of Liptini right in the drugstores window! It was a big drugstore too, like a Duane Reade or a Walgreens. It's a nice feeling when I am validated that "yes! that was a pulse my finger was feeling!"

I know I'm not alone in my obsession with these gorgeous colors, amazing staying power and conveniently packaged tubes of greatness. Over the years, I told all of my friends to go pick them up if they wanted a great item whose color you can layer for an even bolder effect. I know I know my stuff but it is great when I "google" the Liptini and see thousands of A+ reviews with lots of women agreeing with me! So you go Liptini! This Momma is so proud!

I recently tried Liptini's shade "Pink Squirell." It looks a lot redder in the tube but once it goes on, it's really a perfectly innocent, youthful and realistic pink. The type of pink lips you'd get if you were 5 years old and playing in the snow. It's that healthy natural pink that no one seems to ever have naturally. I know. Go figure. I like to layer so I apply it, let it dry and repeat 3x. Sometimes, I'll add a clear gloss or a complimentary shade in a pink.

Meg here! OK, I'm going to try to do this again. I just wrote this all up and it was great! You would have laughed, you would have cried! This post would have changed your life. Then I accidentally closed the damn window before hitting "save" and I just finished calling myself every curse word I've ever learned. Yet, I trudge forward...

Maybe "change your life" is a bit strong, but you know what isn't? Change your skin. No B.S.

First off, Apple Cider Vinegar? You know it. I know it. I've heard the virtues of it for years. It's pretty vile. I mean, shots of apple cider vinegar? Ugh, and you know me, I'm not the type to shy away from a shot (or 3.) I mean, I dance so much better after a few and my date is so much better loooking after the third. But Apple Cider Vinegar? Come on. There are a lot of things in life that are unpleasant that I already have to do. I pay my parking tickets and the IRS, I get bikini waxed. Do I really need shots of this gag inducing liquid to make my skin better? In short, YES. You do too. I've done the research with Nick and here's the deal.

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, it will make your skin look a TON better. A TON. It's not "yummy" but you wont want to hurl after taking a shot. We've found it to go down the smoothest. Yes, it's a ritual that we started three weeks ago and I swear on all that is holy, my skin has NEVER LOOKED BETTER. EVER. After dinner we fill a shot glass, cheer and clink, then shoot it back. My cystic stuff has all but disappeared. Not only that but I'm getting the best gift in the world. The gift that makes my life worth living. The gift that fits every size, every gender, every age range and income bracket-I'M GETTING COMPLIMENTS!!

My friend Heather, my dermatologist, the butcher at Whole Foods "Your skin is looking really nice." 

My skin? In my younger years, I never had a problem with acne. I did have extrememly thick eyeglasses, braces for three years and a spiral poodle perm though. So yeah, I was super hot.

Since becoming an adult, my teeth are straight, I have flowing, gorgeous long (Indian extension hair sewn into my head) and contact lenses. Since the Lord Giveth and Taketh Away (that's in The Bible-right?) I also started to get adult cystic acne. You know God, what a jokester sometimes.

I really stand by the Apple Cider Vinegar trick, that's helping me on the inside and showing through to the exterior. I'm also trying a new face wash and I'm loving it. These two bad boys together are really making my need for all over foundation a thing of the past. Seriously, that is quite a statement, I know, I'm just feeling really good about my current dermis situation right now. "Current dermis situation?" I know, spoken like a true beauty blogger and complete skin nerd.

The new face wash? Clarks Botanicals Skin Clearing Face and Body Wash. I am really loving this. My friend Heather that I mentioned above? Well, I recommended it to her. Let's see if I can get her to comment on it. As she said to me yesterday "You've never done me wrong with product suggestions." I went with her to buy some.

I'm loving that this "skin clearing wash" also includes "body" since my neck had also decided to turn against me. Oh neck, I count on you to keep my head held high in times like these! I see there is no loyalty, none. Damn you neck!

Hi! My name is Meg and I decided that I wanted to show as much love to my readers as they show to me. I wanted to use my "power and influence" (take that stuff with a grain of salt...Or 5) 

I am a bit at the mercy of the makeup companies and I don't want you to think I'm over here cashing in my Paypal and then eating bon bons. The hard truth is, makeup blogging doesn't pay all that well (shocker.) So I have other jobs I have to do to, you know, survive.

I really love my life. I'm totally not bitching. It's a great existence. However, shit piles up (I'm so not calling or referring to you as shit-by the way.) Then it gets over-whelming and I wait for boxes of lipgloss and when they don't show up have melt downs. Which is beyond ridiculous when I could replace FEMA with "Lip Gloss" and I'm still freaking out.

Times are a' changing. You don't know, between "flash sales" and "membership samples" (hi Birchbox) It's harder for me to get great full size product to you. But I will. Because I am Meg and I will weild my "power and influence" (try not to giggle when you read that.) To my faithful readers and I will reward you. I will reward you as you are fit to be rewarded! I WILL NEVER SEND YOU A STUPID PACKET YOU HAVE TO CUT WITH SCISSORS. I would hate that. I imagine, you would as well.

I spent the last two days cleaning my cabinets and alternating between reading member profiles, writing and packing. I did both with love and here is where I get emotional and stupid (maybe from all the manual labor, maybe from packing envelopes. Maybe from 4 glasses of wine.)

Ladies, Seriously. THANK YOU, I mean it so much! Some of you have been reading me since 2009! THANK YOU! You're comments are hysterical. I appreciate them so much. Sometimes, we can feel very "alone" in this crazy world but I have never felt judged or negative from you. Thank you for that. You know how rare that is when you open yourself up on the internet? I have the most fantastic women supporter's that exist.

But this is not A ONE WAY STREET! You all know how to reach me and if I can help YOU in any way...Send a message!

Breaking up is hard to do. Let’s face it, only the rarest among us, handle ourselves well in the midst of a breakup. For the majority of us the days and weeks post-split become a haze of vodka-sponsored trips to the shores of Blackout Island, social media stalking and staged encounters in Trader Joes.

 That’s why we deserve a pick me up.

Meghead and longtime friend of Meg’s Makeup Jo Piazza has penned her very first novel, “Love Rehab: A Novel in 12 Steps.” It will be released at the end of January just in time for every single gal’s favorite holiday—President’s Day.

But before the novel comes out, Jo wants to hear from you. She wants us to free ourselves from the bad feelings about our breakups by admitting some of the nutty things things they have done in the heartbreak haze of a breakup (drunken serenades, elaborate cyber stalking schemes that could rival Carrie Mathison, hand-stitching his name over and over again on a giant quilt that you send to his mom......that may have just been me). 

The winner will have her story included in the final version of Love Rehab (all names changed of course). Except for mine, I begged Jo to make a "Megan O'Brien" charater (duh.)

There are some pretty great prizes too ($250 Juicy Couture Gift card, Rent the Runway Gift Card, Leonor Greyl hair products, Koret handbags, a bottle of Courvosier Gold and practically a year's supply of makeup from yours truly).

 Meg here! I've been shouting it from the roof tops so I'm glad there's even more U.S. validation for our favorite luxury shampoo Leonor Greyl's Shampooing Reviviscence. The holy book of beauty, Allure Magazine has picked it as it's top luxury shampoo touting "a riot of oils that absolutely spoi hair!" 

The Parisians have known the benefits of Leonor Greyl for over 40 years. When I was in Paris it was a no brainer that I would take a trip to see where it all happens. I took myself off to Leonor Greyl's Institute. If you're going to do Paris you might as well go where the tres chic get tres coiffed. The treatments offered go way beyond the standard cut and color. There's an actual treatment room where oils and hair recipes are painstakingly applied. Think a spa for your scalp. 

I went back into the treatment room where my follicles were fully examined. This was no casual affair. There were mixing bowls and a meticulous diagnosis designed to heal exactly what was ailing my lackluster tresses.

It was both intense yet relaxing as I literally "handed my head over." Between the thick moistrizers being applied and the serene music being pumped, it was a complete spa experience. For your scalp.

The periodic head massages during my application made me so relaxed I started to nod off at a few points. At the end of my treatment, my hair was shiny and full of bounce. I was thoroughly relaxed and just left wondering "why the heck don't salons in America offer these treatments?" Really, it's like scalp shiatsu and the deep conditioning treatment left my hair gorgeous.

Things that make you go hmmmm. This wouldn't be a weekly jaunt but it would be a fabulous monthly splurge. If you don't have a trip to Paris coming up in your near future, no worries, you can bring the splurge stateside. Right in your shower, I'm not advising you to use Leonor Greyl's Shampooing Reviviscence EVERYDAY, because it is a splurge. Plus, I always like to shake it up a little bit with the shampoos. I'm not the only that notices if you use the same product day in and day out on your hair, it seems to stop working.

Shampooing Reviviscence is the answer to kick start some vitality into lifeless hair.

A little goes a long way, it is so emoliient and is packed with so many essential oils you only need a dab. Also, don't apply it below your ears! Just keep it really saturated on the top of your scalp and the conditioning oils will run through to your ends.

There's a reason celebrities from Jenifer Aniston to Madonna, all keep Leonor Greyl in their beauty arsenals. It works, it's natural and it's definite luxury.

Beauty editors of every major magazine  have been touting the Leonor Greyl line as a "Must Have." I'm really glad the word is getting out to those beyond the gilded gates. 

It's Sunday, I still have a ton of work left and a dinner meeting. Last week was nonstop from the second I got off the plane and while this week isn't as quite insane, it' s far from quiet. I know I'm not alone here. Especially when I hear you mother's talk, it seems like a shower or tub is the only break we are getting where the phone isn't ringing (LA is more of a text town) or dinging.