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Dear Tara: Beauty 101

Have a question for Tara? Send your question to tara@bebeautifully.com

Q: "Dear Tara: I am a smart, talented, engaged woman who can accomplish anything she puts her mind to—but beauty. If I have the time, I wash with soap in the shower, and maybe remember to put on Chapstick in the car on the way to work—but after my coffee of course. I want to have gorgeous skin and look amazing on my wedding day. Where do I start?"
~Beauty deprived

A: "Dear Deprived: Sounds like you are traveling through life at the speed of light. This is not the case, however, for us onlookers who may commend your talents but question your commitment to yourself. That being said, finding the balance is a challenge we all have... Learn more

You are in luck, as I am the duchess of beauty regimens. This answer could be my next book, so I will keep it short. First: find a good esthetician who is also talented at makeup. Dump the soap and Chapstick and have your skin analyzed by a pro. You can even go for a few consultations to find the expert who knows her stuff and whom you click with most. Get on a basic regimen (i.e., cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate and protect), and stick to it. Schedule professional skin treatments and invest in a high quality makeup. Please do not set yourself up for failure by purchasing 10 products to do day and night, followed by 10 more products to create the perfect makeup application. Start out small and create good habits. Once you get the hang of it, write me again and we can get into more detail."

Fake or Au Naturel?

Q: "Dear Tara: With so many options these days for fake nails, tan, hair extensions and even lashes, what is best for the big day? Fake or au naturel?" ~On the fence

A: "Dear Fence Walker: Well darling, au naturel could mean a lot of things to even more people... Learn more

I went to school in Santa Cruz, which was coincidentally where I first saw American women with underarm hair long enough to braid. And yes, the image in your mind is just as repulsive as the memory in my head. Asking an Esthetician, fake tan is the way to go, if you are being airbrushed (the method turns out much more even and less 'Umpa lumpa' around the ankles). Lashes can enhance your eyes beautifully and bring out your inner vixen. There are 'permanent lash extensions' that last a few weeks and can be customized in size, density and length. Or you can add a lash strip or individual lashes for the day of, and they will remove with water. Hair extensions can give you quick length and can be 'permanent' or clip in for the day of. As for the nails, doll—that is a personal choice completely. Finding a good, natural nail salon will help you learn how to take care of the health and look of your nails. There is a huge movement for natural nails that are short and full of color (i.e., French polish is on the way out, if not already there). But alas, it is your day, and you must do what makes you feel best. "

Makeup Diva

Q: "Dear Tara: I am a makeup diva. My favorite weekend activity is heading to Sephora or Mac to enhance my looks. For my wedding, I want to have dramatic makeup without being too over the top. How should I create my look?" ~Cosmetic queen

A: "Dear Queen: Sounds like fun, can I come with you next time? As for the wedding makeup....You brought up great points... Learn more

On your wedding day, it is totally up to you, as your inner diva can be on stage, but you don't want to get out of control adorning yourself either. A good rule is similar to jewelry. If you are wearing earrings that make a statement, you probably do not need a necklace and bracelet, too. Same concept with makeup. If you are creating a gorgeous smoky eye that is very eye-catching and dramatic, you want to have soft cheek color and very soft lip color. Too many bold colors can clash and look overdone. So, choose your drama girl. Is it the eyebrows and lips? Eyes and lashes? Lips? Enhance one focal point and the rest will fall into place. And make sure you schedule a trial makeup application with your makeup artist. You really don't want to hash out the details on your look when trying to adhere to a timeline that is broken down by the minute on your wedding day."

Teenager Again?

Have a question for Tara? Post your question in the comments section and Tara will offer her beauty advice.

Have a question for Tara? Post your question in the comments section and Tara will offer her beauty advice.

Q: "Dear Tara: Have I reverted back to teenage hell? I had break outs during my junior and high school years, clear skin in college and beginning of my professional life, and now I am in my late 20s and getting breakouts again. Aaaghh!!!! What do I do?" ~27 going on 13  

A: "Dear 27: Please hear me—YOU ARE NOT ALONE... Learn more

You are one of the many women in their adult life re-experiencing an overproducing oily skin indicative of overly conscientious youth. What you must look at is where these breakouts are occurring and why they could be popping up. If they are concentrated around the chin and jaw line, they are most likely due to hormones and/or stress. If these close 'friends' are on your forehead, it could be your digestion or, even simpler, your hair products. Cheek breakouts can be due to respiratory congestion or larger pore size that is easier to fill up. It is difficult to say exactly without looking at your skin. This situation can also be the result of diet—remember the skin is our largest organ that purges toxins. Breakouts can also be caused from using the wrong skincare products. When in doubt, get a few opinions and try a few different strategies: eliminate stress, eat healthy, drink water, don't smoke, use good skincare products (and this means using professional products with a regimen put in place by a professional—not yourself at the drug store) and exercise. If these elements are in place and you are still having issues, write me again and we can discuss your next steps."
 

To Wax or Not to Wax

Q: "Dear Tara: I am a clean freak. In more ways than one. I like my bikini area to be hair-free, so I am an obsessive shaver. A wine night get together with girlfriends brought up the waxing vs. shaving argument. Is waxing better? Does it really matter?" ~Hairless and curious

A: "Dear Curious: Well, let's begin at the beginning. Obviously shaving is the easier, less painful route. However, the more you shave, the coarser your hair may become over time, and the more obsessive you may become, with total respect. Waxing has multiple benefits...... Learn more

...those being: less hair growth over time, the hair grows back finer and thinner, which also helps for the decrease in pain as you become more consistent with waxing. Another detail that you will have to become comfortable with is the hair growth. Now trust me on this one—you are just going to have to EMBRACE YOUR INNER HIPPIE and allow that hair to be 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long. You can do it and—believe me—he won't mind. Waxing is great to do once every four weeks because hair grows on 30 day cycles. However, to keep your clean-freak persona happy, you may want to consider waxing every two weeks. Another disclaimer: the first time is the worst. Yes, it is painful—we are ripping hair out of the body for Pete's sake! That being said, your experience can be better if you prepare your psyche to be calm and fixate on how quick it will be and the end result: smooth, hairless skin without stubble. Hands down, it is worth it. But find someone good who uses high-quality products.
 

 Destination Glowing Skin

Q: "Dear Tara: I am planning a destination wedding in which I have to take a long flight to get there. How can I keep my skin looking great for the wedding after being eight hours on a plane and in a totally different climate?" ~Destined for beauty

A: "Dear Destined: Ah yes, the oh-so-well-known iron bird that sucks every drop of moisture out of our skin while we sit like lethargic sardines traveling the friendly skies. Unless, of course, you are on a plane that pumps humidity into the cabin (those flights are fabulous)! Here is your plan: Learn more

Every hour you are on the plane, either spritz yourself with a hydrating toner and/or apply a good layer of hydrating moisturizer to your skin. When you get off the plane (squealing is allowed), be sure to exfoliate with a chemical (i.e., lactic, glycolic or any acid-based product) or manual (i.e., a scrub) exfoliant to remove that top layer of dehydrated dead skin. Apply a thick, creamy hydrating mask and find yourself in silent meditation while it penetrates for 10-15 minutes—or run around and get organized—you are getting married. Remember all of those details! Use gentle exfoliants as the wedding date draws near and continue lightly exfoliating and rehydrating. Do this and you will have glowing skin."
 

Tara Manna, co-founder of Be Beauty, is well known for her playful spirit, endless passion and enthusiasm for knowledge that loves life and tries to embrace every moment.  Tara is a graduate of the San Diego Beauty and Spa Academy and a California Licensed Esthetician. She is highly trained in skincare and waxing services among other holistic health accompaniments. She is a frequent freelance writer for magazines and has been a featured speaker at various spas and spa trade shows across the country.

Tara, with her business partner Juju own Be Beauty, a beauty boutique in Little Italy. Their intention to support all women by embracing their beauty from inside and out.

"Beauty is within all of us. When a person feels their best they exude a glow that is priceless - this is my goal for every client at the end of every Be Beauty service."

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