Every week I get hundreds of e-mails from women with the same question,”Carmindy what colors do I use to make my eyes stand out?” There are so many conflicting articles in all the fashion and beauty magazines there is no wonder women are still confused. Playing up your eyes is the best way to update your look and draw attention to those flirty peepers. I believe that using the opposite eye shadow color than your eyes makes all the difference. No matter what shade of blue, green, brown or hazel your eyes are, opposite colors will always make them “pop”. If your eyes are blue try smudging on shades of brown, taupe or bronze. This will make the blue really come alive. If you use blue shadow with blue eyes you will actually be competing with your natural eye color so people will notice the eye shadow instead of how beautiful your eye color is. If your eyes are green try eye liners or eye shadows in eggplant, purple, burgundy, lavender or amethyst. The conflicting colors will give you the sexiest emerald stare. For brown eyed girls I love playing with deep shades of navy and sapphire smudged into the lash line for a subtle edge that is alluring but not over the top. Blue colors are to be used in just the right place so you don’t wind up looking like a street walker. When using the blue eyeliners follow with neutral colors like soft shimmery browns on the lid for a modern look. Hazel eyes look incredible when paired with green shadow. My personal favorite is a sparkling forest green applied across the lid and under the lash line. Hazel will come alive with this color. Brown eyes can also play with the greens if you want to have more options. Remember there are no hard fast rules just suggestions for a new approach. Play with these tips and I promise you will be hearing,”your eyes look amazing” very soon.

1. Nars eye shadow duo in Surbaya. A gorgeous duo of brown sugar and chestnut shades to make blue eyes insanely blue. Available at www.victoriassecret.com
2. Tart eye shadow in West Egg. A sexy shimmery deep purple for alluring green eyes. Available at www.victoriassecret.com
3. Bourjois eye shadow in Blue Mysterieux #23. This is my favorite blue shadow for brown eyes. Just smudge it along lashes with an angle brush. Available at www.sephora.com
4. Cargo eye shadow in Costa Rica. A perfect green for hazel eyes to make them electric. Available at www.sephora.com
5. Benefit Pocketpal. This is Benefit’s famous Benetint designed in a handy wand with a shiny clear gloss on the other end for perfectly kiss-proof,smudge-proof lips on the go. Available January 2006 at www.benefitcosmetics.com
6. Victoria’s Secret Shining Kisses Shimmering Lip Gloss in Ashley. A gorgeous nude lip gloss that is a universally flattering shade. Perfect to pair with a jewel toned eye. Available at www.victoriassecret.com
7. Vincent Longo La Dolce Vita Lashes. These easy to apply falsies are a small strip of natural looking lashes to be applied at the outer corners for extra glamour. Available at www.victoriassecret.com
8. Body and Soul Brush #1. The ultimate blush brush for applying soft powder blush to the apples of your cheeks with an ultra cool retro design. Available at www.bodyandsoul.com
9. Tocca Soap Collection Soap in Florence. A cabbage rose soap that is so fragrant you will want to stay in the bath all day. Available at www.sephora.com
10. Freeze 24/7 IceCrystals Anti-Ageing Prep and Polish. This amazing facial scrub gives you the most smooth and glowing skin. Studies show a 55% reduction in wrinkles and age spots when used over time. A must have for any woman who wants a truly radiant complexion. Available at www.freeze247.com

When it comes to beauty and health there are a lot of myths out there and women find themselves reluctant to change because of what they have heard or read. Well I have interviewed some top experts to find out what is true and what is false.

1. You should always trim your hair at the ends if you want it to grow faster. False! Hairstylist superstar Nick Arrojo says, “ Not true at all. Your roots have no idea what your ends are thinking. Hair grows about 1/2 an inch per month and you can’t trick it into growing any faster”. Keep hair healthy and just be patient.
2. Long 45-60 minute bouts of aerobic training is the most efficient way to get lean and burn fat. False! Peak Performance Gym owner and celebrity trainer Joe Dowdell says, “ High intensity interval training provides a better return on your investment. Not only will you burn more calories during a session but you will have greater caloric expenditure after you have finished”. So think 30 minutes of intense high and low running.
3. You should never pluck your eyebrows from above. False! If your brows are overgrown from above as well as below pluck first from underneath to create the arch you want then grooming them from above. This will give you gorgeous perfect brows that frame for your eyes.
4. Shampoo your hair every day to keep it clean. False! Nick Arrojo says, “over washing your hair can dry it out and cause breaking”. Washing your hair a couple of times each week is a better way to keep hair healthy and shiny.
5. Weight training for women will only bulk you up. False! Joe Dowdell says, “ Women lack the hormone necessary to achieve major gain in muscle mass. Resistance training will lean out those muscles which will burn calories throughout the day and decrease body fat.
6. You should match your makeup to your outfit. False! Choose the right colors for your face and coloring not your cloths. This way you will always amazing with whatever you wear. It looks cheap and forced when you have on a red dress with red nails and red lips or a blue dress with blue eye shadow.