Barbara Gerbasi

Stories by Barbara

From alabaster to golden

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Last year I found that I was spending too much time and money applying cream lotions and sprays in an effort to achieve that bronze glow. More often than not the results were streaky or artificial looking. Not to mention that tan itself was receiving a lot of bad press.

The worst beauty bargain

Saturday, May 31, 2008

I was checking out the Boot's 07 display. I've never used their products but had heard good things about them. What caught my attention was a a full size eyeliner and mascara packaged together for $6.99. It was a no-brainer.

Orgasm ... again

Saturday, April 19, 2008

A few years back NARS saw their sales sky rocket when they came out with a blush that some marketing genius named Orgasm. It immediately drew women's attention to a nice peachy shade that many of us may have been apt to overlook. In addition this new shade was billed as one that looked good on every skin tone.

Found! The product I've been searching for

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Only pink — not coral, bronze or red — gives that color that at a young age appears naturally. It lights up the face and brings it alive like nothing else, save vigorous exercise or sex can. In her later years my mother achieved it by combining three products together (don't ask). I wanted the same result from one powder.

Quickest way to protect skin from UV rays

Friday, March 28, 2008

No, I'm not suggesting you sequester yourself indoors for the summer, but I have found that getting myself equipped to face the morning sun on my daily power walk takes a lot longer than it used to.

Shrink wrap that sagging skin

Friday, March 21, 2008

I know that headline reads like an ad for a product in the back of a cheap magazine, but there actually is a proven way to restore youthful firmness to sagging skin on the arms, legs and abdomen.

Beauty product rebellion

Friday, March 7, 2008

I've made up my mind and I won't be swayed. From this point on I will never purchase any two-step beauty product be it mascara or anything else.

What are they wearing for the Oscars?

Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008

If the expressions on the stars sashaying down the red carpet look just a little more frozen than usual it could be because they're wearing Freeze 24- 7.

Lip color with staying power

Friday, Feb. 22, 2008

Any color I put on my lips has a tendency to do a quick disappearing act so I've long been on the lookout for lip color that lasts. Yes, I know there are some out with staying power, but they leave my lips feeling parched.

The easiest way not to look old

Friday, Feb. 8, 2008

Clothes, hair and makeup visually define who we are and hint at our age. But there's another important factor in the equation; one that shouts old no matter how well you've nailed the perfect skirt length or lip color and that's posture and bearing.

Fastest manicure ever!

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

Sally Hansen (if such a person actually exists) is a woman after my own heart. As much as I like to look good, life is too filled with other more compelling possibilities than sitting for upwards of 20 minutes to have my nails done.

I'm returning this product!

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008

I love the look of lip gloss. I admire it on others, but in spite of many trys I've not used it on a regular basis myself. True, it looks great when I put it on, especially if I take the time to line my lips first.

Treat your skin to health for the New Year

Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008

I know all the products I'm addicted to using on my skin and especially on my eyes enhance my looks, but every once in a while I wonder what havoc all those chemicals may be causing. My eyes in particular tend to sting and tear.

Glitter without the Glitz

Friday, Dec. 21, 2007

All year long I've ignored the lure of of glitter and shine that beckons from cosmetic counters. Not for me, I say. But come the holidays, what seemed garish just a few months ago now looks well, just festive.

The best proven wrinkle treatment

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007

I eagerly devour the countless beauty catalogues lugged to the door by my hard-working mailman. Their delivery causes me to stop mid-task, propelled by my search for that magical skin care treatment that may just be lurking inside those glossy pages.

Barb's pre- & post-surgery pictures and wrap up

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007

BoomerGirl beauty contributor Barbara Gerbasi follows up on her adventures in plastic surgery, with photos and all. A word of caution — the pictures at the bottom of the story might be a bit much for sensitive readers.

Post-face lift recovery

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007

Day two after surgery I awoke tired and swollen. The post-surgery euphoria of the previous day had disappeared and my energy level was low. However, while there was some discomfort, there was little pain.

Barb gets a facelift

Friday, Nov. 9, 2007

She did it! Our Beauty contributor Barb Gerbasi had plastic surgery yesterday, and she's sharing the details with BoomerGirl readers. Read her first-hand, post-op account of how it went and what happens next.

Ready, set, surgery!

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007

Well, my big day dawns this morning when a car will whisk me into NYC to the office of Scott B. Wells M.D. shortly after the sun rises. I didn't expect to be nervous, excited yes, but nervous. No, except that I am.

The best face treatment

Monday, Oct. 22, 2007

Oil for my face? My face has had a dewy glow ever since.

Is there a nip and tuck in my future?

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

A few years back after seriously researching the pros and cons of plastic surgery, I decided that the face I had was the one I would keep. Let others go under the knife; I would just admire the results and try not to harbor any jealousy.

My husband the metrosexual?

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007

My husband blew in from a windy round of golf looking ruddy cheeked as Santa. "Would you have any moisturizer?" he asked. Does Poland Springs have water?

Sure cure for dry skin

Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007

I know you're skeptical. I was too when I first heard this solution to alleviate dry and scaly skin.

Beauty on the cheap

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007

No I haven't sworn off Sephora or left Saks in the lurch. It's just that I have been enjoying this glorious summer in a place far from any mall or upscale store.

Nails to go

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007

A confession: until very recently I'd never had a summer when my nails were up to being noticed. Blame it on gardening or extensive time in salt water, but without fail two days after a manicure I was reaching for the remover to erase the remnants of chipped polish.

An absolute have-to-have

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

There we were in the dressing room after ballet class, repairing our makeup and egos and enthusing about the cute new male teacher. I for one was so enthused that I drew my eyeliner out of bounds ending with an unsightly smudge that stopped the conversation. Not to worry.

Beach cheats

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

There was a time when I never thought about makeup for the beach. Just a comb and some lipstick tucked into the pocket of my beach bag did the trick.

Rimmel rocks

Thursday, June 14, 2007

I first stumbled upon Rimmel cosmetics in a drugstore while amusing myself during an over long wait for a prescription.

Glowing with GlowFusion

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

At ballet class my friend Marrieta, whom I hadn't seen in awhile, commented on how well I looked. "It's bronzer," I told her.

Won't you make my brown eyes blue?

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Benefit, queen of the quick fix, has a new product with yet another catchy name. This one is a mascara, Bad Gal Blue. OK, so it won't change your eye color, but it will enhance it.

Does Smashbox have another hit?

Thursday, March 29, 2007

I heard about Smashbox's latest product, O-Glow, a blush that goes on over bare skin and adjusts to your complexion. It's said to give a natural, fresh-from-a-run flush. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.