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!

Meg here! Usually it takes me at least 2 months to break down a man. Much like the military, I believe you have to "break them down to rebuild them better." I mean, duh. So when my new roommate Nick moved in I thought I would have to coerce him into his next "product man whore" role. It's probably because of his cross country move and he already feels slightly weary. I have never had such success in transforming a man into a product genius. I also must confess, I have taken the liberty to try this product myself. You know, for journalistic reasons, in the case Nick didn't accept his mission. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact this smells divine no matter what your gender. As with all things, Nick delivered! So here is his review on Arcona Exfoliating Facial Scrub Productivity. Because ladies, the holidays are almost here so here's a tip for a gift for your guy!

Nick here! To be honest I've always considered myself too much of a manly man to concern myself with exfoliating my face. However, the last time I was getting my eyebrows waxed, Soleil, my charming beautician, suggested that I begin exfoliating 2-3 times a week to help with my clogged pores and oily complexion. I stubbornly retorted that I didn't think it was necessary to exfoliate since I used a daily face cleanser. Now Soleil (Soleil? I guess Nick visits New Age facialists) could of let me waltz out of there a naive fool but instead she patiently explained the differences and necessity of using gentle exfoliation to rejuvenate the skin...that day I left behind not only my ignorance but also my boyish complexion. Fast forward 10 years later and here I am reviewing Arcona's Exfoliating Facial Scrub appropriately named "Productivity."

The first thing that I noticed was the fruity berry aroma (I do like smelling every thing first) coming from the cranberry and raspberry enzymes, which according to the bottle unclog and minimize pores...Soleil would definitely approve.  The purplish grayish tint comes from the volcanic minerals that gently exfoliate your face, and to top it off Arcona has added salicylic acid--an acne fighting staple-- to cleanse and purify the skin.

Now Ive tried different exfoliation cleanses and the reason I've never been a fan is because most of them use harsh exfoliaters (see apricot scrub) leaving my face raw and irritated (please remember me as a manly man)(We're trying). However, the fine minerals in Arcona's facial scrub have a gentle sandy quality (think Hawaiian beach) that leave the skin feeling smooth. Not even the manliest man wants sandpaper on his face! 

After using the scrub three times a week for the last couple of weeks my complexion seems to be improved but better than that my face feels good....and really at the end of the day guys just like feeling good.(Guys just want to "feel good?" You don't say.) So I definitely recommend this as a gift for the holidays because as Soleil says "only a real man exfoliates."

Meg here, holidays are coming up and if you need to fill a stocking but don't want to go with Old Spice, I've got a treat for you! I have a new roomie. His name is Nick and he is from NYC. Never one to miss an opportunity, I decided he would rate "man products" for the holidays. He didn't have much of a choice, I know where he lives. So let's welcome Nick on his first megsmakeup.com review!

Hi everyone! I just moved in with Meg and apparently along with the 12x15 bedroom and garden view, I also inherited a basketful of male products and an editorial position with Meg's Makeup. Meg claims that I'm the first man she's asked to contribute to "Manly Mondays" championing the under represented voice of the male hygienic perspective; however, knowing Meg, I'm hardly her first. (ha ha Nick, I never said you were the first. Keep it up though and you may be the last.) Nevertheless, I'm still honored to take on such a huge responsibility of sharing my male viewpoint on expensive sounding products with the Meg Heads...so without further ado... 

Nick here! The first product I tried and will review on this post is Jack Black's Beard Lube.  

Finally! I've been waiting anxiously for Jack Black to get into this space and was so excited to try these products since I'm such a huge fan of his movies. 

To be honest, I've personally never ventured out of my shaving cave where I was born and bred on the Gillette brand. So I was very nervous to stray away from my roots especially when I found myself staring at something called beard lube. I'm sorry Jack, I loved you in Nacho Libre, but "beard" and "lube" are two words that organically don't go well together. I mean most guys are worried about being judged for purchasing weird sounding condoms ( see ultra ribbed ecstasy)...you throw beard lube in the mix and all bets are off with the store clerk. Nevertheless, after getting over my initial reaction to the name, I noticed that this is in fact a 3-in-1 shaving product acting as a pre-shave oil, shave cream, and skin conditioner which is wonderful for someone like me who loves pre and post shaving products but is honestly too lazy to use them rushing in the morning. Also, I like that this product states on the front label that it contains Jojoba and Eucalyptus, which though I have no idea their actual skin benefits, it sounds expensive and salubrious (boom thank you word of the day calendar). I mean heck the most I can expect from Gillette is maybe touting aloe vera which I feel was so five years ago.

Now after using the lube for over a week, I have to say that I really like it a lot. It has a masculine aroma with hints of what I assume is eucalyptus and it goes on clear without feeling too heavy or greasy. The most addicting quality, however,is the cooling sensation from the menthol which actually seems to be infusing my face with healing oils and nutrients instead of drying my skin. And I have to say because the product goes on clear, I have missed fewer spots being able to aim the razor more precisely. Now as I sit here writing this post, with probably the softest and healthiest skin I have had since starting to shave, I can't help but wish I could go back in the cave ignorantly shaving with thick, pore-clogging gels because it would be an easier existence....ignorance is certainly bliss. However, I have entered the light of Meg's Makeup and there is no going back. So here I am pining away enthusiastically over more beard lube from Jack Black.

<CORRECTION> It has been brought to my attention that Jack Black is not affiliated with the actor of the same name. 

So Nick, is this something women should consider for their man's holiday stocking?

No, if a guy likes this than his boyfriend will buy it for him!

Nick!!!

Ha, ha. For sure. It's a great a gift!

Stacy B here! Everyone talks about how much they love fall, the pumpkin flavored everything, the leaves, crisp, cool temperatures, hot chocolate, sweathers and boots...but no one cares to mention the colds and flues that are lurking just around the corner. With all that cool air comes recycled heat in offices, airplanes, schools, banks, grocery stores, and they will get you. Flu shot or not, you are going to get a cold in the next few months no matter how hard you try to avoid it. Hopefully you're healthy and careful and your cold is just a minor 3-day annoyance, not a full blown, week-long attack on your immune system.

Either way, nothing ruins your make up like a stuffy, red, sore nose, watery eyes with bags the size of carry-ons under them. And who wants to put on make up and go out when you feel like your head is going to explode and you have an economy sized box of tissues in your bag?

Luckily, pro-active prevention and precaution can keep you looking your best. My review this week is not exactly a make up item, but it will help you avoid those things that make your make up null and void. I think I've talked about before, I believe that the best way to get your skin to look its best isn't a ton of product to cover it up, but a few select products on skin that's hydrated by drinking lots of water, glowing by eating the right foods, and fresh from a good night's sleep. Granted, we can't always eat and sleep as well as we should and that's where those extra products come in. But, if you take care of yourself from the inside out as best you can, your make up will only enhance your natural beauty. Which I know you all have!!

So, there's my highly qualified medical lesson. (disclaimer...I'm a training specialist for a software company, please take my 'medical' advice with a grain of salt! But not too much salt...it bloats you.) Drink water, eat your veggies, get some sleep and when you feel a cold coming on. Try this product. It's amazing.

I have been using, along with my husband, 3-year-old and 6-month-old, Ocean Premium Saline Nasal Spray. Any time we feel a little stuffiness, or some congestion, we get two squirts up the nose. It's really gross and creeps me out, but I do it because it WORKS. It tastes a little like you swallowed some salt water, but it clears you out.

It's late October and aside from some mild sniffles last week when the weather really turned, we are all cold free. Which is amazing considering between the four of us in the last month, we've been on 4 airplanes, in 3 hotels, in a doctor's office, in a new preschool with 15 other germ-y kids, at day care with 4 new germ-y babies, at an outdoor wedding in 48 degree weather, to 3 kid-birthday parties, in 2 offices that have switched from AC to heat and to one very wild and crazy bachelorette party. Not to mention the contact with people in every day situations like the grocery store, the mall, Dunkin' Donuts, etc.

Meg here! I have had a close call with fruit lately. First off, I am allergic to latex. Secondly, as a kid I absolutely hated banana's. My grandmother would not believe me. She would say "No one is allergic to banana's." She would then say that I needed potassium and make me eat the damn things. I never got outwardly ill, I just felt sick insde when I ate them.

Cut to 15 years later at my gyno exam. He asked me "do you have any allergies?" I answered "latex." He then said "Oh, you must hate banana's. They're full of latex." Bingo! I told you Gram!!

Allergies can get worse as you get older. I was just finishing up my brunch at the posh Sunset Marquis Hotel. There was a kiwi on my plate. A teeny little slice that was there for a decorative touch. I ate it. The rest of my party went to the powder room. Ironically enough, they were from New Zealand. I then felt my throat itch and swell and start to close. Great! Death by kiwi while brunching with Kiwi's, how ironic. I'm still here so no, I didn't drop dead but it was a scary experience. Apparently, those little suckers are full of latex. So I'm being more careful of the latex fruit list. I'm going to be really depressed when I can't eat tomatoes. Gosh, I love tomatoes.

However, since the "kiwi incident" I have been avoiding strawberries, mango's, avacado and yes, the dreaded banana. When I look back at sex ed, where the teacher puts a latex condom on a banana I have an anxiety attack. Thank God I never volunteered. That's just a lethal combo!

Raspberries are now (until I feel a throat tightening) my new go to! Why just this past Friday night LAFred and I went for margarita's and I ordered the purple raspberry one. Yum. Megsroomie was having a Halloween party at the house and I was too tired to be home for it. Friday's kill me. I can't keep my eyes open past 11pm.

I asked LAFred is I could stay at his house and if I could bring Prudence and have a movie night? All I wanted was to put on my sweats. LAFred agreed, yay! We were off. A night of sweats, a movie and to top it off Arcona's Raspberry Resurfacing Peel.  My skin was looking dull and tired and LAFred said he'd try this new peel out with me. People rave over it! Google the ARCONA RASPBERRY RESURFACING PEEL REVIEWS!

I am a huge fan of Arcona! I am always really impressed with their products and I usually enlist a friend to try them with me. I'm all about the sharing the great results. Megsroomie and I were so thrilled a while back when we tried Arcona's Wine Hydrating Mask, I couldn't wait to get to LAFred's and try the peel!

After thoroughly washing my makeup off and patting my face dry, I squeezed out the Raspberry Peel and applied it all over my face avoiding the eye area. Initially it really stung. I got a little paranoid and said a silent prayer I wasn't having some new fruit reaction. I wasn't, fruit sugar is powerful stuff and it was eating away at the dead cell layer of skin off my face. After 2 minutes it the sting went away but I definitely felt a tingle for a good 5 minutes after.

LAFred felt only a slight tingle. My skin must be more sensitive and he is not aware of having any latex issues himself. 

I left the peel on for the full 15 minutes and then rinsed it off with warm water. My skin felt like I had just had a facial! Really! My skin felt tighter but really clean and soft. If also brought a pesky whitehead to surface. Another organic win for Arcona!

Fiche here! Meg asked me to check out this product when I asked her for a foundation recommendation.  It’s called Rx For Brown Skin.  And it’s not a foundation.  But as I am more pigmentally endowed than Ms Megs, I knew where she was coming from and if it can polish the ‘ole mug, maybe I won’t need the daily spackle to fill in the cracks, anyway.

So here’s the run down: It’s a three step process.  Not my bag. I try to avoid turning my bathroom into a chem lab. But at least I understand what each thing does.  

1.    

Gentle cleanser – no hocus pocus here. A non-foaming, greaseless cleanser that doesn’t sting my eyes or over dry my skin. The website says it has “bright skin complex” and “Green tea.” That’s nice. I’m sure those things are very effective in RXing my brown skin but I don’t know if the 20 seconds on my face before I rinse it down the drain does all that much. Still, as a cleanser it does good.  If you use a heavier/ long wear foundation, you might need to wash twice.

2.    

Absolute Radiance Intensive Exfoliating Serum – now we’re cracking open some eye of newt. MFA Complex (that means it’s highly educated, ya know), Hyaluronic Acid, and that neat-o Bright Skin Complex (soy and pomegranate- tasty snacks and good for your skin).  Now, when I slap on something that claims to exfoliate intensively, I expect to be flaking off epidermis like a bad sunburn with a taste for revenge.  Thankfully, I didn’t get so much as a tingle. I got a little liberal on the application and the result was a little shine on my cheekbones but otherwise, I didn’t really feel “intense” – and that’s a good thing.

3.    

Naturally Flawless Botanical Brightener – is it a moisturizer? I’m not sure. It says to use after the serum and before an SPF. Sounds like a moisturizer to me. It doesn’t list ingredients I recognize as moisturizers. Let’s see what the witches brewed into this potion: Melanostatine 5, Tyrostat, Beta-White. This divine trinity is supposed to reduce dark spots.  And I can only hope they’ve been moisturizing me, too.

But you want to know the result. Well, first of all, ANY time I switch face products – cleanser, moisturizer, foundation – I break out for a few days. Except this time. No break out. It was super gentle and super effective. My skin tone did even out noticeably and the texture did get smoother. I’m not so sure one has to be that far on the brown spectrum to benefit.  I think it might work for diminishing freckles on fair skin. But I can’t tell you that from experience, since I have neither freckles nor fair skin. 

Meg here! I'm OK. I've gotten just really busy with a few projects that I'm working on. They're exciting but vey time consuming and I'm trying to keep up but hang in there with me.

Make-up points have been finished up to July 19th. If you have send turned in your points BEFORE July 19th and have not recieved a package than please let me know. I was waiting for some new items from some of the cosmetic brands that got delayed. I will get out any point packages after July 19th when I get back to Los Angeles the week of October 15th.

Revlon winners. I just forward your information to Revlon and they do the mailing from there so if you have not recieved your Revlon prizes than email me what you won along with your address and I will forward it to Revlon again.

This contest is being done by Clearasil. They are shipping to the winner so if you are chosen please just email me and I will get your info off to Clearasil.

OK, I hope that answers some of your questions. The good news is, things are slowing down and I am getting the ducks in a row over here! Phew.

Last week, my wonderful friend Jamie (who reps Clearasil) asked if I would like to go to the new movie "Pitch Perfect" premiere. She said that I could grab a friend, "Hi Martin!" and we could attend the screening and after party.

The movie was super cute. If you're a gleek you'll be in heaven. The women looked gorgeous and we have and easy "get the look" below.

Anna Kendrick hit a high note with her dewy skin and dramatic eyes. Get this radiant look by cleansing with a daily exfoliator like Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Scrub to keep skin looking clear and refreshed. For any pre-event breakouts, treat them quickly with Clearasil Ultra® Rapid Action™ Treatment Gel. This spot treatment visibly reduces redness and spot size in just 4 hours! Then, just complete the look with dramatic smoky lids by using a blendable liner, like Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eye Powder Pencil in Midnight Black.

Meg here, I have to remind myself sometimes. THIS IS MY PERSONAL BLOG. I'm so glad a lot of you like it but somestime's I'm all "Ooh, I shouldn't write that" Partially because a lot of corporations read this but more so, my 85 yr. old grandmother got all "tech." I wrote the word "shitty" in a post and my Gram sent me an email over it. Talk about stupid "Catholic Guilt." So Gram, get the shit off my blog! Just kidding. I love you. 

A few posts back I wrote about living with an astrology reader. Here it is. It's a great read on how good she is. 

I went to New York City, I went to do business and visit my bestfriend Amy Z. I was ready to find out why my life is the way it is. I asked Lexie to please give me a reading. I was ready for the good, the bad and the ugly.

Lexie (very pregnant) arrived. She asked for some water and to put her feet up and then she started. If you want something sugar-coated, go to a bakery. If you want to know why you're behaving the way you are-go to Lexie.

Lexie: You're never having children. You had a bunch in your last life and while you're maternal to all those around you. It's not happening here. You're done. Also, when I was reading your planetary chart I had to take off my own wedding ring because it was cutting the blood off. YOU can't be in a marriage. You have to be "free" or you freak out. It's the way your Venus is. Let me show you...

I just nod and look at charts? Why am I going to Paris? What does that mean?

Lexie: It says so cleary a man from your past is meeting you in Paris. This is it. He's the one. I think Dave will be meeting you in Paris (Dave is my ex. He is not "meeting me in Paris." He is watching my dog while I am there.) We are friends and not romantic-evenly slightly-even after copious amounts of booze. We're friends. That's it.

Lexie leaves and I have a good read on why I am doing a lot of stuff in my life. She's so "off the mark" on my upcoming trip to Paris. I mean really. who is she talking about? So weird.

We all have our shit (sorry Gram) and part of mine was that I was a very odd kid. I was so underweight and funny looking and I had no friends and I just enjoyed reading. I would go to my 3rd grade reccess and bring my book and read. I loved to read "The Classics" (wonder why I was a nerd. I loved to read Pride And Prejudice, Robin Hood, Oliver Twist.) I was eight years old and had no friends so I would read these books. I was teased terribly.

It's funny and if you have children you better teach them NEVER MAKE FUN OF ANYONE! NEVER. I do believe that is the best lesson you can teach your child. Teach them empathy abd kindness. The "nerds" they make fun of today will be the "bosses" they work for tomorrow.

I had a hard day of "teasing" on the playground and a boy that didn't need to, he came up to me. He said "Don't feel bad. Those girls only are mean to you because they're jealous of how smart you are."-N.M.

I never forgot that. Ever. Those are simple words but they made such an impact on me. From one eight year old to another.

With the great invention of Facebook, N.M and I became friends, I saw (on the surface what he was up to) he saw (on the surface, what I was doing.) He lives in New York. I'm in New York A LOT.

After 2 years of missed lunches and drinks we decided to meet up for a cocktail. I was in the neighborhood that he was going to be in. My plans had changed for the night. He was free, I was open. O.K. I felt I owed him at least the conversation to "thank you" for giving me some child playground self confidence.

I got to the place before NM and I was brought back to the playground. I was qualifying myself in my head. "I'm on TV." Breathe. Stupid. I know, but it's funny how we revert to our old roles. Like he would give a shit I was "on TV." Like anyone would. 

NM walked in and I recognized him right away. I tried to play it cool but (you now I have verbal diarrhea) so I thanked him so much for standing up for me and being so cool.

He only sort of remembered. He then was so gracious "Thanking me" for telling him about the story. We spent the rest of the night catching up, over the last 30 YEARS. It was really nice.

Then I told him that I didn't know why, but I had always wanted to go to Paris, so I just booked the ticked to go.

Imagine my surprise when he laughed, he said "I know, me too!" 

He booked the same dates, he booked them months before. Thanks Lexie! I'm officially "weirded out" YOU FREAK!

Meg Here! It is so hot my makeup would slide right off my face if it weren't for my Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer. As I explain to my Main Gay Denny. Primer is like "spackle for your face." When I was doing my morning TV rounds I brought a primer on. This was LIVE TV. I was explaining how primer fills in lines and creases, it minimizes pores and will keep your foundation lasting all day. I looked into the camera and said "Ladies, you have to caulk your face!" Well, you can't see spelling in the spoken word and I think the news anchor next to me was about to faint.

Isn't that a lovely story? 

Honestly, I love this primer. It works just as well as its pricey counterparts and in this heat I have been reaching for it daily. I love doing these videos with Denny. I just ramble on and he says "that's some good information." I don't know why that cracks me up so much. He's a sport.

Revlon Nail Enamel lasted really long on my nails and they have a great nail color selection. My most favorite classic Revlon shade was the old school "Cherries In The Snow." Anyone out there remember that one? This new shade in the video reminded me of that classic. Just with a stronger and newer formulation!

Want to try one? You're in luck! Revlon Nail Enamel is our give away! Be the first ten commenters and Revlon will send a full size Revlon Nail Enamel right to your door.

Meg here! I'm 36, I smoke (been trying to quit for 10 years.) I love a cocktail (or 5) my diet is complete crap. I never get a good night's sleep and I don't exercise. I AM THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF HEALTH. I'm not. But I don't worry too much about it, because you know what? I'm a pretty happy person.

I never thought I needed a YouTube channel because we all love each other through the written word. I'm Old School New England Irish Catholic. I wrote once that I loved you. Now you want me to express it? What kind of Hedon are you? We don't do that we're I'm from. You should get a pat on the back and know I'd take a bullet for you. In this age of touchy-feely emotions it seems I'm not delivering to my audience. 

So I'm trying to learn and I hope you'll help me be better.

I don't want a damn Make Up Channel. Everyone I see with one is 22 years old and flawless. I also see really awful and mean comments under them.

Why would I want to hurt my self-esteem? Why would anyone want that?

Well, there has to be someone to bite the bullet and say, yes, I'm older. No, I'm not an Asian Tween. Maybe my advice can be helpful for those of you that are not as well. Also, my dad has been in jail and I will find your IP Address and give it to him if you leave disgusting comments (Just kidding-not really-It's just mean, don't do it.) *My lawyer said not to write that* I sometimes ignore my lawyer.

My channel will have advice for those over 25. My channel will be irreverant and entertaining and we will give great give aways. My channel is here

I am a nice person that has some great beauty inside. I work with a lot of celebrities, I will do great give aways, I have a rescue dog.