Maybe Ebay Isn't The Best Place To Buy Perfume

We got taken. Snowed. Fooled. Ripped off. You name it.

Plain and simple.

That got us to thinking.....Maybe Ebay isn't the best place to buy perfume.

And this is our beauty tip today: When it comes to a special and costly beauty product like fragrance, it might be best to purchase it in a real department store.

Another little lesson here: If it sounds too good to be true, well, it probably is.

Let's examine what happened. Don't get us wrong----we love Ebay! We have been both a satified buyer and seller. A few weeks before Christmas, we set out to buy some fragrance, namely, Estee Lauder's Beautiful. It's a favorite of ours. We have included the appealing scent in our perfume repertoire for about 10 years now. Believe us. We know the scent of Beautiful like the back of our hand.

We were so excited to find Beautiful all over the Ebay website. We were especially beside ourselves when we found one seller who was peddling the fragrance in a big 2 1/2 oz. bottle for only the auction starting price of $24.99. Plus $5.99 shipping. A total of $30.98. A 'real' bottle of Beautiful in a 2 1/2 oz. bottle would run us about $70 or more.

We were lucky to get our hands on two big bottles of Beautiful for only $61.96. Sealed and wrapped in the original box.

The seller had a high positive feedback rating, about 285. But there was one buyer who was really upset with what he called, 'a fake, bogus bottle of Acqua di Gio Pour Homme fragrance' he had purchased on Ebay from this seller. Other buyers had simply given the thumbs up to the seller, because they had not opened the nicely shrink-wrapped bottles of fragrance they had bought from this alleged phoney seller. Most were going to give their fragrance to friends and loved ones for Christmas and Hanukkah.

Well, we got curious when the two bottles arrived. We removed the packaging, just to settle our nerves. When we opened the first box, the scent coming from the bottle was not that of Estee Lauder's Beautiful. We spritzed some on us. Yuck!!! This was certainly not our beloved scent! We were stunned. We had been swindled.

We got back on to Ebay immediately, and saw that our dear seller was no longer a registered Ebay seller. Poof----he was gone!

Now we are working with PayPal to try and retrieve our losses.

Look, fragrance is expensive. It never goes on sale, at least not that low. Wearing perfume is a luxury. And we have learned our lesson. It pays to shop in a real department store for real fragrance.

We should have heeded the angry warnings from the ripped off soul who had purchased the sexy Armani Acqua di Gio fragrance. He was right---fake, bogus, all the way.

Benetint Lip Balm Instead Of Lip Gloss Lipstick

Think of the shade as a very sheer cherry red. Lots of women have described the color as the stain left behind from enjoying a cherry popsicle.

When you're running out the door and you don't want to be caught alive with a plain, bare face, take a quick dip into this little pot of Benefit Cosmetics' Benetint Lip Balm. Your lips will thank you.

Okay, maybe the price is a wee steep---$20 for a small pot of rosy tinted lip balm, www.sephora.com.

We saw an acquaintance of ours, dipping into a small pot to refresh her lips. We asked her what she was dabbing on, and she showed us. Benetint Lip Balm. Yes, almost like the legendary Benefit Cosmetics' Benetint formula they put out, that is applied to both cheeks and lips. But this little cutie lip balm is just for your smacker.

It's a soft, rosy pink shade that can be layered and layered for a deeper cherry hue. It's hydrating with Vitamin E and an SPF of 15. And it comes with a tiny lip brush for applying, but most women we know, just dip their finger into the pot and apply.

When you want just a hint of color, this Benetint Lip Balm comes to the rescue. Soft and pretty.

Cosmetic Surgery Bigger Than Ever In 2009

You can look up the statistics anywhere.

Cosmetic surgery is performed around the globe, and popular procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and nose re-shaping, are taking place in record numbers.

The art of making people more attractive is not a fad. In fact, cosmetic surgery will be bigger than ever in 2009.

And these procedures are not just common in the United States. Canada is building its own solid reputation for beautiful work and highly skilled surgeons, namely, plastic surgery Toronto.

Take a look at Brampton Cosmetic. The cosmetic and laser surgery clinic is located only 30 minutes from Toronto and Oakville, and just 90 minutes from Niagara Falls.

There you will find the skilled artistry of Director of Surgery, Robert Sleightholm.

Dedication and experience define Dr. Sleightholm. And with more than 18 years of running his practice, and some 200 cosmetic procedures performed annually, the patient can be assured, that he or she, is in very good hands.

If you desire a more attractive you in 2009, Brampton Cosmetic can take you there with:

Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Female Breast Reduction
Male Breast Reduction
Fat Transplant
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck
Face Lift
Eyebrows & Eyelids
Nose Re-Shaping
Ear Re-Shaping

This fully accredited cosmetic surgery clinic also offers a sophisticated line of skin health non-invasive procedures:

Botox
Photo Rejuvenation
Microdermabrasion
Cellulite Treatments

To better understand how good a cosmetic surgeon is, and how organized his or her practice is, you would be smart to do your homework. In other words, check out their website. Look at 'before & after photos.' And read some testimonials, like this one, to Dr. Sleightholm:

To Dr. Sleightholm,
Words cannot express the gratitude and the wonderful feeling of utter beauty, self confidence and poise that I feel after the magnificent surgery you have performed. Truly, your work and you are “MAGIC”.
God Bless, C.K.

Cosmetic surgeons like Dr. Sleightholm of Brampton Cosmetic are not super-human, but they are gifted with a special eye towards beauty, and understand how unique we all are as individuals. Whether it's liposuction or any other desire, highly skilled artists like them, can help us achieve our personal beauty best in 2009.

Walnuts Wonderful For Plump And Soft Lips

Our beauty tip today-----

Munch on some walnuts. Your body will thank you.

This delicious nut encased in a big, hard shell,
packs a lot of punch. Walnuts are a super food. For five years now, the FDA, or Food & Drug Administration, has approved a qualified health claim for walnuts---the first ever for a whole food.

The magic ingredients in walnuts are omega-3 fatty acids, and in large amounts.

That means extra protection for your heart. Healthier arteries. Balanced cholesterol levels. And high anti-oxidant levels to care for your skin.

And strangely enough, our research shows that eating walnuts gives you plumper and softer lips!!

The omega-3 fats do many good things, as we mentioned above. And what we like about them, is their ability to shed old skin cells and bring in new ones. Omega-3 fats are able to regulate this cell turnover, so that it happens all the time. And that results in softer, moister, plump lips. Say good-bye to chapped lips.

To get in on the cell turnover action, doctors advise that you eat an ounce of walnuts every day. That's about 14 shelled halves.

The good news---walnuts are quite tasty. It's a delightful way to do something good for your heart and your kissable lips.

FDA Warns Diet Coke Plus To Stop Nutritional Claims

Many of us are hooked on, addicted to, and can't-live-without diet sodas.

And apparently one giant company is over-exaggerating the so-called good stuff for you, found in its pop. And the FDA is warning them to back off. If it ain't in there, than you can't brag about it.

The diet exaggerations are coming from Diet Coke Plus.

And now Coke has to go back and make new labels, because the former ones are not as full of all the vitamins and minerals they describe on the bottle.

Coke has not commented so far on the Food & Drug Administration's warning to them. And the soda company can choose to ignore the scolding, but could also end up in court for not following manufacturing and marketing regulations.

Regulators say that Diet Coke Plus does not have enough nutrients to justify using the word "plus" in its name.

What's the big deal?? According to the agency, foods that wear the label "plus" must have at least 10 percent more nutrients than comparable products. The FDA also states that it is inappropriate to add extra nutrients to "snack foods such as carbonated beverages."

What's the lesson here? Just enjoy your diet sodas, and don't expect any ground-breaking nutritional value to come out of a soda drink. It is what it is----a carbonated beverage. The good news with diet sodas---they have tiny amounts of calories in them.

Meantime, we told you last month about that natural sweetener called stevia. The FDA has just given the thumbs up to the herbal sugar substitute. Zero calories, baby!

How To Get Celeb Style With Big Glam Sunglasses

Actress Kate Beckinsale can often be seen wearing round, oversized sunglasses, as you can see from the photo. She's got glamour down to a science. Of course, many beautiful celebrities put on huge, dark frames to hide from the paparazzi. And yeah, they go out with huge sunglasses when they don't feel like putting on makeup, or even to hide a late, busy night of fun.

Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie, Lauren Conrad, Kim Kardashian. Just a few of the famous faces donning big, glam sunglasses as important accessories to their Hollywood style.

Of course, these wealthy women are wearing brands like Chanel, where dropping a few thousand dollars for a pair means nothing.



But, you, too, can get the same fabulous look. All you have to do is a little accessory hunting. And the internet can be your best shopping pal, when you want to save a few bucks, but still get celeb style for peanuts.

Check out the sexy, round, oversized sunglasses in the photo. Very Nicole Richie, we might add. And cheap, too. Fantas-Eyes. Just $18.00.

Where? At http://www.fantas-eyes.com/. Get designer shades in all kinds of styles and colors for about $20, or less. Pretty copy-cat frames with the latest Hollywood celebrity style.

Another shopping site for glam sunglasses, this one offering a huge selection, is the 15 dollar store. Everything at this site is just $15. Sunglasses from designers Steve Madden, Chinese Laundry, Rocawear, and XOXO. Retail prices range from $32 to $50 and higher. All you pay is $15 a pair. http://www.15dollarstore.com/.

Can't beat it.

NeoStrata's Exuviance Line Re-Inventing Skin Care Beautifully

We research and write article after article about skin care. We are intrigued by the advances in the war on wrinkles.

And a true skin care pioneer in this effort is The NeoStrata Company. The fine people there have a deep appreciation for beauty. And we mean layer under layer under layer of skin.

The NeoStrata Company is nestled in the ivy league town of Princeton, New Jersey. And it is there that all kinds of important skin care research goes on. For instance, The NeoStrata founders were the first to discover AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids more than 30 years ago. And these ingredients have revolutionized the treatment of aging skin.

Beauty Tip Today was lucky to score an interview with The NeoStrata Company's Vice President Clinical Affairs, Barbara Green. And you will learn how important the next generation of AHA technology is to your face and body with their Exuviance Skin Care line.

According to Barbara Green, you need to include AHAs in your beauty routine. And the Exuviance arsenal of treatments has gone one step further with PHAs and Bionic Acids.

"The polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) and Bionic Acids are next generation AHA technology that reinvent skin care. Not only do they provide all of the anti-aging benefits of AHAs, but they provide their benefits without stinging and discomfort while also imparting more moisturization due to the polyhydroxy structure, anti-oxidant and chelating effects to protect against free radical damage and protection against skin degrading MMP enzymes. They attack and correct the primary signs of aging – reduced cell turnover, dark spots, lines, wrinkles and laxity."

That's the beauty of the Exuviance line---highly effective and non-irritating. As many of you have experienced, Retin-A and other topical retinoids work very nicely on the skin but also bring about redness, swelling, dryness, and scaling. The same with the AHAs--stinging and just darn uncomfortable, until now.

We are all impatient when it comes to repairing wrinkles and other signs of aging and sun-damaged skin. We want the lines and laxity to disappear immediately. Is the Exuviance skin care line a facelift in a jar?

"A facelift in a jar might be a stretch, but our clinical studies show significant benefits to skin," Barbara Green explains. "It’s amazing what good skin care can do, and especially when it’s started early and when combined with sunscreen use. Add in some glycolic acid peels and there are some very impressive results!

In clinical studies of the Exuviance Vespera Bionic Serum, for example, skin clarity and radiance increased by 260% and there was a significant measurable increase in skin thickness, which is due to building the biomatrix, making the skin plumper and firmer (think babies skin). As a result, lines were reduced by 35% - a significant effect in only 3 months (remember how long it takes to make a wrinkle!)."

The Exuviance Skin Care line offers a full range of products and clinically proven formulas for the face and body. Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons from around the globe adore this highly evolved skin care line. And the Exuviance collection promises "superior results."

Exuviance products have also been proven safe for all skin types, including Asian, African-American, and Hispanic skin. And gentle on acne and rosacea-prone skin. You can even use Exuviance treatments following peels, exfoliation, and microdermabrasion.

Exuviance ski care treatments include: products that even out skin tone and brighten complexion, creams and serums that return moisture and suppleness, products that soften and smoothe skin, and formulas that diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

We asked Barbara Green for her favorite anti-aging beauty treatments.

"I have only used NeoStrata products in the 14 years I’ve been with the company. My favorites are Exuviance Purifying Cleansing Gel, Daily Defense Fluid, Evening Restorative Complex, Ultra Restorative Crème, Home Resurfacing Peel and I love the new anti-aging products for oily skin: Matte Perfection, Sheer Refining Fluid and Night Renewal Hydragel."

For more information about this powerful, yet gentle skin care line, visit:

http://www.exuviance.com/

LeeAnn Rimes Shares Struggle With Psoriasis In New Ad Campaign

When you look at 26-year-old LeeAnn Rimes, you see a lovely and vibrant woman with the amazing voice.

But what you hadn't seen, until now, is the singer's lifelong struggle with a skin condition that affects some 7 million Americans.

And now, LeeAnn Rimes, is bravely putting her face on this chronic, autoimmune disease known as psoriasis.

Our beauty tip today, shows us that hope and science are incredible, when the two come together.

We are happy to report that LeeAnn Rimes hasn't had a flare-up from the condition in 5 years. She has controlled her psoriasis through diet, medication, a wonderful doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. And her skin is clear and glowing.

But it was quite a nightmare for a young girl growing up with the disease. She told her story to http://www.health.com/.

By the time she was 6-years-old, 80% of her body was covered with psoriasis. Kids were cruel, and LeeAnn felt a heavy isolation.

"Kids didn't want to hang out with me or touch me," LeeAnn says. "I remember being called 'Scaly Girl,' and never ever wanting to go out in a bathing suit."

Psoriasis can cover its victims in red, scaly patches that crack and bleed.

Today, there are a number of treatments for the autoimmune disease. Some products really work well, and others do not. It is not an easy problem to conquer.

Meantime, LeeAnn Rimes has now put her face on the disease, and proudly. She appears in a new PSA, or public service announcement that brings attention to psoriasis. It's called the Stop Hiding campaign.

We appalud you LeeAnn Rimes, for being such a special and gracious young woman.

Paint On Perfect Tummy With Abs In A Box Kit

I suppose we are very naive.

Yes. We are aware of how the magic of makeup can transform a pretty Hollywood face into a spectacular beauty, but we did not know about this:

Abs In A Box Kit by IT Cosmetics ($69, www.itcosmetics.com).

Oh yeah. Now you can paint on the perfect tummy, ladies and gentlemen.

We had no clue, that perfect abs could be painted on. Did you? What got us thinking during an episode of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, was the perfectly sculpted stomach of DWTS's Karina Smirnoff. On one episode, she wore a beautiful, belly-baring costume, and her tummy was incredible, with a sexy 6-pack. But we had not seen such sculpting on Karina previously. How did she tone up so quickly, we thought.

We were stunned at what incredible shape Karina Smirnoff was in!!

Well, yes, indeed. Karina is in super shape, but she got a little help with those perfect abs. Her abs were the work of Abs In A Box Kit. And she admits it:

"The difference it makes to your body is insane," Karina explains. "It's so easy to apply, it's literally done in two miuntes, and it doesn't come off on the outfits."

Can anyone paint on a perfect tummy? Or do you have to be a brilliant artist or makeup professional?

According to the Abs In A Box Kit, the stuff is 100% sweat-proof and water-proof. And the shades enclosed in each kit, match every skin tone. Plus you get a step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to paint on perfect abs.

Now we can all get slim and fit in no time!

It makes you wonder if models and actresses use the kit during photo shoots.

What is real, and what is not? These days, it all looks like a perfect illusion. And the perfect abs to go with it.

Nicole Richie's Affordable House Of Harlow Jewelry Line

We have to say---we like what we see on you, Nicole Richie.

And if you are looking for some really pretty Christmas jewelry ideas: head over immediately to:
www.shopkitson.com. You still have time!!!

It's called--House of Harlow 1960.

That's the name of fashionista Nicole Richie's affordable and very stylish new jewelry line.

And if you've been sleeping under a rock, well, Harlow is the name of Nicole's darling baby girl.

"It's a name I'll never get sick of," she says, of naming her new jewlery line after her favorite girl.

Nicole Richie admits to having an extensive jewlery collection. And she loves bracelets. She collaborated with major designer Pascal Mouawad. The jewelry is inspired by the 1960s and 1970s decades.

"I pulled a lot from African and Indian cultures," Nicole explains.

According to the House of Harlow line, “The collection is targeted at girls in their teens to women in their 30s who admire her, and the prices range from $30 to $150.”

We love Nicole Richie's fashion style. She is looking better and better. Reminds us of a young Sharon Tate with her large, rimmed doe eyes and long blonde hair.

Nicole is big on accessories and says that jewelry flatters a woman's appearance. "I love having jewelry around the face," she says.

Take a look at House of Harlow 1960. You won't be disappointed.

Should Plastic Surgeons Perform Risky Face Transplant Surgery?

There's been a lot of talk about the first, near-total face transplant performed here in the United States. The operation was actually done about two weeks ago.

The woman, whose age and name have not been released yet, had been horribly disfigured. All those details will emerge in a news conference scheduled for next Wednesday. At the moment, she is holding her own. And we pray she survives this huge challenge, and goes on to live a normal life.

What we can tell you, is that 80% of the woman's face was replaced with that of a dead female donor. Yes, a cadaver. That's according to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where the risky surgery was performed by 58-year-old Dr. Maria Siemionow, a well-respected reconstructive plastic surgeon.

Our question: Is this ethical? Should plastic surgeons even perform such a dangerous procedure, in order to improve one's condition, or quality of life, rather than save one's life?

We say, yes, indeed.

The woman was so badly disfigured, that she would risk her life, just to try and improve the face she stared at in a mirror, day after day.

Many complications can develop from such rare surgery. There is always the fear of the body rejecting the new skin, which is an organ. And the patients must take immune-suppressing drugs for the rest of their lives.

By the way, this is the 4th facial transplant worldwide. Two were performed in France, and one in China.

We believe plastic surgeons do many wonderful things for people, especially those who have been living with ugly scars and deformities, along with emotional scars, and low self-esteem.

But doctors are not perfect. They are human. And this risk of failure is an enormous ethical problem.

Then again, it is truly mind-blowing to see how far science has come and the humanity behind it all.

Hollywood Hairstyles Gone Bang Crazy In 2008

We just could not ignore the trend. Or the Big Bang Theory, as we like to call it.

Is it us, or have Hollywood hairstyles gone bang crazy in 2008??!!

Everywhere you turn, there's another beautiful celebrity rocking the bangs.




We thought the trend might end, but apparently not for 2008. Big bangs are still in style and going strong. Some celebs look super in them, and some, not so hot, perhaps.



Kim Kardashian, Ashlee Simpson, Tyra Banks, Jessica Alba, Camilla Belle, and Keira Knightly, are just a few of the Hollywood hotties sporting big bangs.




Hairstylists will tell you, that all women can wear some style of bangs, even with curly hair, or fine or thick texture. There are a lot of bang types, as you can see from the photos. A lot of women love wearing bangs for a few weeks, and then quickly tire of the trend. And then it's a pain, growing them out.

We can tell you, that in the new year 2009, yes, bangs are still in, but so is wavy hair, and big hair. The sleeker, too straight looks are going out. So volume will be major hair news. That and red hair. Ginger-haired ladies will take center stage. Raven-haired beauties will not be sharing the spotlight. Chocolate hair color will be strong. And blond, yes, that's always a crowd pleaser.

We will be watching Hollywood's finest in 2009, to see if the Big Bang Theory has left the building, so to speak.

Jennifer Aniston Takes Simple Tie To New GQ Level

Okay, we've been trying to avoid that hot new GQ cover of an almost naked Jennifer Aniston, but, alas, we couldn't.

It's been the buzz everywhere these days. Sexy Jennifer and a simple, red, white, and blue tie.

Look--girlfriend turns 40 on February 11th. She looks darn incredible!

So what's our beauty tip today?

That 40 and beyond, and even over 30, do not have to mean the end of a woman's beauty statement.

Women like Jennifer Aniston, show the rest of the world that if you diet, exercise, take care of your skin, maintain glossy, beautiful hair, and yeah, have a young, hot dude on your arm, life can be pretty good.

Okay, Jen does have one teeny bad habit---she smokes like a fiend. At least that's what the tabloids say.

Putting that aside, Jen is a yoga freak(3 private weekly sessions) and loves to eat by the Zone diet. You know the diet---40-30-30 ratio of carbs to fat to protein.

We also learned that Jen Aniston believes in cardio, and her favorite machines of choice include the elliptical and treadmill.

We find it funny, that while 33-year-old Angeline Jolie is constantly filling up her belly with more and more babies, Jen is sporting one, flat tummy these days. Maybe she sees the advantage, and just wants to show it off, that, and a simple tie.

We admit, we are on 'Team Aniston.' Let the haters hate, but we applaud Jen.

How To Get The Best For Your Skin In Hope In A Jar

Ever wonder why so many women are in love with this little, plain jar made by the folks at philosophy?

First, just look at the title: hope in a jar

What a wonderful name and philosophy: "where there is hope there can be truth, where there is faith miracles can occur."

We admire the honesty this giant skin care, makeup, and fragrance company is all about.

Hope in a jar has it legions of loyal customers. Women stock up on jars and jars of this moisturizer...the one with the souffle texture.

It's a world-famous beauty treatment. And famous plastic surgeons like it, along with the Hollywood A-listers, and top dermatologists. The formula is said to be chock full of anti-oxidants.

And as the philosophy website says:

Originally created for the medical market to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, skin discoloration, rough texture and dehydration. hope in a jar dramatically improves skin radiance and gently exfoliates, revealing smoother, healthier looking skin and texture.

We thought we'd open up hope in a jar, and look inside.

The price is reasonable---1 ounce= $28. 2 ounces= $38. 4 ounces= $60. 8 ounces=$105.

The product features 2 important reasons for 'hope' in a complexion:

rosy glow: with beta gluton. a stimulator that gives skin that healthy glow and protects it from all the bad stuff in the environment.

mini-face peel: with lactic acid, which is a member of the alpha hydroxy acid family. for gentle exfoliation. won't strip face of natural oils. gives back soft, smooth skin.

Remember this ladies: It is essential that we all find skin care treatments that offer some sort of exfoliation. And the family of AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids, certainly provide this important skin care element.

The beauty of hope in a jar, is its universal appeal for all skin types.

Sephora has awarded hope in a jar as one of its 2008 best of Sephora winners.

10 Second Beauty Tip For Great Brow Bone Structure

Jennifer Lopez does it. And so does Hillary Duff (hint: look at the eye and cheekbone area).

And so do many Hollywood celebrities and models.

And if you're short on time, all you really need is about 10 seconds--apply, blend in, and go!!

If you want to draw attention to your eyes and bone structure, buy this one, small beauty product----Billion Dollar Brows Duo Highlighter ($14.95, www.billiondollarbrows.com.)

It's a very simple beauty tip, and it works!! What you are doing, is applying a soft, champagne shade right along the lower edge of your eyebrows. Light is drawn up to your brows and cheekbones, giving you defined and warm bone structure.

The steps are easy, and the Billion Dollar Brow website explains them:

1. Glide the highlighter end of the pencil over your brow bone -- directly under your eyebrow.

2.Using your fingertip, gently blend into the skin to frame and define your eyebrows.

There. You're done. And trust us........this little highlighter pencil does make a difference.


What we like about the Billion Dollar Brow Duo Highlighter is its universal appeal. The pencil looks perfect on any skin tone.

Now, you might ask us----what's on the other end of this duo highlighter?

A universal undereye concealer, for those on-the-go touchups.

This little pencil would make a wonderful holiday stocking stuffer!

Makeup Legend Sandy Linter Shares Tips for 20s + 30s

We have had the pleasure of interviewing legendary makeup artist Sandy Linter a few times now (check our beautytiptoday.com archives). She is an extremely talented artist who has 'painted on' some of the most beautiful faces in the world.

And what we really adore about Sandy Linter is her accessibility. She never has any airs about her, and she loves to share her gazillion beauty tips.

Sandy Linter has been very busy these days as Lancome's Beauty at Every Age Ambassador, criss-crossing around, making personal appearances at Lancome boutiques and counters. She shares her makeup tips, consults on Lancome beauty products, and trains their makeup artists. In addition, she is a much sought-after makeup pro, creating the gorgeous faces of Eva Longoria, Elizabeth Hurley, and many more.

Sandy owes us a few more articles. We haven't been able to connect as of late, but we recently caught up with her in the pages of People Magazine's Dec. 2008 Special "Sexy Forever--How To Look & Feel Great At Any Age!"

Sandy Linter has some great makeup tips for women in their 20's and 30's.

In your 20's:
1. Do experiment with color
"Crazy yellow eyeshadow? You can pull it off!" at this age, Sandy told People mag. "Break all the rules."

2. Play up your lips
Sandy advises to go with the dark lipstick and super shiny glosses now, because when you get older, lips lose volume, and a deeper tone can be aging.

3. Don't skip foundation
"Even beautiful skin can benefit from it," Sandy say. "It's corrective."

In your 30's
1. Do commit to a color palette
"You should be certain about what shades flatter you at this point," Sandy explains. "You'll know whether or not purple eyeshadow works!"

2. Brighten your lipstick
Again, you can still lay on a red mouth, but stick to the sheerer shades, because the too strong color "can be aging."

3. Don't over-tweeze your eyebrows
"As you age, the hair gets thinner and finer," Sandy says. "If you over-tweeze or wax it all the time, it will never grow back."

Always, sensible and smart advice from one of makeup's very best in the biz.

Thank you, Sandy Linter.

Country Singer Taylor Swift's New Beauty Secret

Country's hot, young superstar Taylor Swift is proud of her #1 hit Love Story. In the refrain, Taylor keeps talking about "just say yes to romance."

So what does this all have to do with beauty secrets and makeup???

Someone recently asked the teen-aged singing star what she has "just said yes to recently."

And it had something to do with her lips.

"I bought red lipstick the other day," she recalls. "I'm the kind of person who's really modest with lip color. I think people are gonna throw something at me if I wear red lipstick! But I bought this red lipstick and started wearing it out, and it changed my life, I swear ... I wore it out of the store and felt like I was making this daring change!"

Taylor Swift didn't indicate what brand of red lipstick she wears, but she was eager to try something new in the makeup department, and we say, "Amen" to that.

By the way, red lipstick is not an easy shade to pull off, no matter what age you are. But there is a shade of red for almost all of us out there. So don't be shy, 'just say yes!'

Eyebrow Sealer Helps Keep Brows Neat And Pretty

Before we discuss eyebrow sealer and how it can maintain a perfect arch, let's first deal with these little 'frames' for our eyes.

Eyebrows. You either loves yours, or you don't. And there are several schools of thought on brows. Some makeup artists believe in the L.A. brow. That's the thin brow you see in the Los Angeles area. In other words, the Hollywood brow. Just look at today's actresses. Most are sporting highly arched and thin brows.

But some makeup legends like Sandy Linter, whose portfolio reads like a 'Who's Who' of famous and beautiful women, will always advise you, to keep your eyebrows natural. Sandy Linter says, that when you want to know what kind of brow to 'wear,' look at the photos of models in a magazine, for instance.

And Sandy Linter is on to something. Models are sporting thicker and more natural brows these days. She also warns women not to over-pluck, and not to have brows waxed. Instead, carefully remove the hairs you don't need, and don't fool around with trying to create a very high arch. Just trim the longer brow hairs with a scissor. Try to remove as little brow hair as necessary.

Sandy says, "Overly thin brows are aging on a woman."

Okay, we get the message, Sandy. Fuller brows are better.

Working with a little eyebrow makeup is okay, and some women who just don't have thick eyebrows, can work some colored eyebrow powder into their sparse hairs, to create a fuller and more natural brow.

Another neat little trick that gives fullness to the brows, is an eyebrow sealer. It's a little bottle of beauty magic that comes in a liquid or gel form that you brush on to your brows to 'set them.'

Eyebrow sealer accomplishes all this:

Holds natural brow and/or brow make up all day long
Will not dust, flake or shine
Easily removed with water and any cleanser

Here's a brand you can try that lots of women adore:

Model in a Bottle Long Lasting Eyebrow Sealer ($12, at beautyencounter.com).

And you could always try a little 'moustache wax' to keep those brow hairs in place. We had a girlfriend who used to steal her boyfriend's colorless moustache wax. It came with a little brush, and she would apply to her thick, gorgeous eyebrows, and they stayed in place all day.

Nah. He never found out she was stealing his wax.

Gossip Girls Dish About Their Favorite Makeup

Everyone loves television's Gossip Girls.

Their style. Their hair. Their makeup......

The girls always look so pretty and polished, especially blonde-haired beauty Taylor Momsen and raven-haired lovely Jessica Szohr.

Ever wish you could learn at least one makeup brand the Gossip Girls love to wear?

We did a little digging and came across 2 makeup items Taylor and Jessica can't live without. Thanks to In Touch magazine, we can now share them with you.

Any time you see Taylor Momsen, whether she's on the set, or rocking the red carpet, you will notice that she loves dark eyeliner, and isn't afraid to use it.

For that 70's rocker-chick look, Gossip Girl Taylor plays with smoky eye shadows. "I love MAC makeup for the eyes," she told In Touch.

We suggest trying: MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in Word-of-Mouth ($18, maccosmetics.com).

For Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr, it's all about smooth, even skin. Her complexion looks flawless, and she relies on this famous line of makeup. "I use Laura Mercier," Jessica explained to In Touch. "I have her foundation, and it's like OMG!!"

We suggest checking out: Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic ($38, sephora.com).

You Must Firm Up Your Bust With Avon Solutions

What can we say?!

We get several emails from time to time asking for a good cream to firm up the bust.

We are certainly no expert in this area, but we recently saw an ad for Avon, bragging about their wonderful contouring cream to lift a sagging bosom. We thought we'd take a closer look.

It's called, Bust Sculpt Contouring Cream by Avon Solutions ($17, 5 fl. oz.) And right now, buy one, and get the other for only $1.99. Now that's a great deal.

Does it really work, you ask, with a snarl in your tone?

According to the testimonials at the Avon website- http://shop.avon.com/shop/search.asp?find_spec=bust+sculpt+contouring+cream&department=search,

the bust-firming cream gets a 4.4 star rating out of a possible 5 stars. Or 91% of those who commented, would recommend this product to a friend.

Avon says their Bust Sculpt Contouring Cream is based on a unique formula they call--Virtual Bra Technology. This concept blends special ingredients that form a network of support around the bosom. And the longer you use the cream, the better the results.

Here's how Avon broke it down:

After one application, skin looks and feels softer, smoother and more supple.

• After one week, skin in the bust area feels tighter.

• After two weeks, breasts feel firmer.

• After four weeks, breasts look firmer

83% of women who tried it saw an overall improvement of the appearance in the bust area.

75% saw and felt their breasts were more toned.

77% felt tighter skin in the breast area75% saw a visible reduction in stretch marksHOW TO

USE: Use daily, applying to bust area in an upward motion.

This is the newest comment we saw at the Avon website about their Bust Sculpt Contouring Cream:

I've been made a believer!
Date: October 4, 2008
"This is a great product! My mom told me about this product, and after reading the reviews I had to try it. After losing a lot of weight plus breastfeeding my skin felt very loose and saggy. I've been using this for 2 months and I've gotten so firm it's unreal! I try to stock up when I see it on sale. Thank God for AVON!"

There you have it. For less than $20, you can try this bust-firming cream. And you can get 2 for under $20, one to give a friend. Okay, a close friend.

Jumping Rope A Super Fat Burner For Diet Plan

Maybe you jumped rope as a child. Our mother loved double dutch. And yes, we have fond memories of double dutch jump roping in the playground.

Jumping rope isn't just for kids. It's actually an excellent cardio movement for adults, for 3 reasons:

1. A super fat burner
2. Firms your legs nicely
3. An overall body exercise

We also love jumping rope because it's not that hard to do. You don't need much equipment. You can also do the exercise privately. Or you can jump rope with the family. Everyone can have fun and participate. You can jump rope indoors and outdoors.

Sure. You can spend lots of money for a fancy jump rope. Some have beautiful colors. Others have small weights in the handles. A few are Olympic style. And some moms use their daughters' simple jumping ropes. A rope doesn't have to break your budget.

According to the stats, "jumping rope at a moderate speed (between 70-85 turns a minute) for 15 minutes, burns almost 200 calories. That is about the same amount as running a 10-minute mile."

No. You will probably not be able to jump rope for a 15-minute period, at the beginning. Trust us, we could barely do a minute of straight jumping, before almost collapsing when we first started. But the more you jump rope, the easier it gets, and the quicker you will improve. And the exercise is great for your heart and lungs, the entire body.

Here are 4 important tips we found from Keith Byard in an old magazine. Keith taught 'sport-roping' at his gym in New York City:

1. Use proper form. In other words, jump low---just high enough to clear the rope--and move your wrists, not your arms or shoulders, as you jump. (Not as easy as it sounds)

2. Interval jump. Alternate 50 jumps with a 30-second rest period. Build up to 10 jump-rest intervals. (Yikes. You might want to try a few less as a beginner)

3. Side jacks. By changing jumps, you target different muscle groups. Assume a jumping jack position. Jump with your feet together, and then with them shoulder-length apart, as if you were indeed, doing a jumping jack. (Great for outer thighs.)

4. Crisscross. Jump and land with your feet apart. Then jump again, bringing your legs together and crisscrossing your ankles. Repeat the jump sequence by alternating your feet.

Whew. Out of breath yet? You don't have to jump like boxer Mike Tyson used to. Any little amount of jump roping is excellent for your health. As we said, it is a super fat burner for your diet plan. And you will get better as your jumping routine continues.

Are You A Winter, Summer, Spring, Or Autumn When It Comes To Makeup?

Have you ever heard someone tell you, "You're definitely a winter." Or, "That makeup shade is good for autumns."

That is a beauty science, if you will, called seasonal color analysis. It was a very popular makeup theory that was developed in the early 1980's. That's where hair color, skin tone, and eye color all play a big role in determining what colors go perfectly for you.

As archaic as seasonal color analysis might appear to many these days, we believe the color profiles for each and every woman, do hold merit. And at this moment, there are still many seasonal color analysts out there who can help you find the best colors for you. There are also several how-to books on the subject. The book we are looking at today, is by Carol Thompson. "Secrets to a Beautiful You."

If you think about it, don't certain shades look better on you? For instance, maybe you like how you appear better in white, rather than a creamy, yellow ivory? Or maybe fuchsia lipstick looks almost garish on you. Or pastels just 'don't do' anything for you, and so on.

According to the color experts, we are all born with either a yellow undertone (warm) or a blue undertone (cool).

And the color wheel is divided into the 4 seasons:

Either you are a spring - winter - summer - autumn

Here, Carol Thompson explains the 4 palettes:

The SPRING palette consists of clear, warm colors all with yellow undertones.
The palette includes: Neutrals: ivory, light to medium beiges, light to medium browns, warm gray and navy
Violet, periwinkle, true blue, aqua and turquoise
Apricot,peach, salmon, corals warm pink, clear bright red, light orange and orange-red
Pastel to bright yellow green, golden yellow and clear gold

The Winter palette contains the following colors:
Neutrals: White, light grays to charcoal gray, black, taupe, navy
True blue, royal blue, turquoise, royal purple
True green, emerald green, pine green
Hot pink, magenta, fuchsia, burgundy, blue-red & true-red
Icy green, icy yellow, icy aqua, icy violet, icy pink, icy blue
Jewelry: Silver

The Summer palette contains the following colors:
Neutrals: soft white, rose-beiges, rose-browns, blue-gray, navy
Powder blue from light to medium, periwinkle, aqua, blue-greens from light to deep
Blue pinks from light to medium, watermelon red, blue-red, burgundy
Lavender, raspberry, soft fuchsia, plum and lemon yellow
Jewelry: silver

The Autumn Palette contains the following colors;
Neutrals: Off whites, warm beiges from light to dark, warm browns from light to dark, camel, gold
Mustard, pumpkin, terra cotta, rust, peach & Salmon
Orange, orange-red, tomato red
Lime green, yellow-green, moss green, grayed green, olive green, jade green, forest green
Turquoise, teal blue, dark periwinkle blue
Jewelry: Gold

Chocolate Beauty Products Too Good To Eat

Yummy. Just the aroma, alone, of a fine piece of chocolate is so attractive to the senses.

Chocolate is so sinfully delicious. But did you know it also has strong anti-oxidant properties, and can actually be good for you, including your face and body?!

There are real beauty treatments that include chocolate---either in scent, cocoa powder, or cocoa butter, etc. Chocolate beauty products make elegant Christmas gifts, and the best part, each one is calorie-free!!

We have found 3 chocolate beauty products we would like to share with you:

First we have Fresh Orange Chocolate Petite Soap ($12, 5 oz. box). Just the scent alone, is enough to want you begging for more. Smells like an orange chocolate truffle. This soap is actually a nice lathering cleanser. Rich in shea butter and vegetable glycerin. Find it at http://www.fresh.com/.


And for your face, you must try Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask (under $10 at a Macy's counter near you). How about this one---a delightful minty chocolate face mask. This will brighten up and soften winter-dry skin. Formulated with wonderful and creamy cocoa butter and peppermint and spearmint oils. It even looks like a cupcake. A nice, refreshing consistency. Must be kept in the fridge--really fresh ingredients. Good for sensitive skin. Too bad we can't eat it.

And lastly, Garden Botanika ChocoLatte Body Souffle (now on sale $6.00, 4.4 fl. oz.- http://www.gardenbotanika.com/.) What a decadent way to go----one of the nicest chocolate aromas in a jar. Simply nourishing for your entire body. Takes away the winter-whipped dry skin. In a light and fluffy base--really does the job, with cocoa extract and arabica coffee bean extract.

3 More Super Holiday Gift Ideas Each Under $35

Let's go shopping!!!

20 more days 'til Christmas. And only 17 until the start of Hanukkah. And if you got a late start this season to begin all your holiday shopping, don't despair---we've got a few ideas up our sleeve.

We know....many of you are on a budget. Seriously. But we do share this in common---we all want to buy our favorite people some really unique and lovely presents.

We took a look at Nordstrom's, the fine department store. And we came up with 3 super holiday gift ideas. And all 3 are under $35 each.


For the sweet gal in your life, why not pick up the Philosophy Gingerbread House Set ($30, 4 oz. each). How cute is this? Philosophy packed this adorable, little gingerbread house with 4 of their high-foaming bath products---shampoo, bubble baths, and shower gel. And take a beautiful sniff of these scents---cinnamon hot dots, sweet creamy frosting, spicy gumdrop, and gingerbread, of course!

Next we have a gorgeous way to hold back someone's long and luxurious hair. This is a stunning piece---the France Luxe Cut-out Jaw Clip ($34). Tortoise shell tone with rectangular cut-outs. About 2 1/4" wide. And made of strong resin. We like this clip because it can handle thick tresses and makes a pretty hair statement.


And lastly, for the woman expecting in your life, why not treat her to a wonderfully nourishing belly cream. It's called---Honeydew Skin Care Maternity 'Bun in the Oven' Super Rich Belly Butter ($32, 4 oz.) This stuff is amazing and protects against stretch marks. Made with 4 nourishing butters in a balm scented with citrus oils. A truly moisturizing and soothing experience.

For more information, visit: http://www.nordstrom.com/.

Conair Has Beauty Tips For Your Best Garments

We stumbled across the Conair website recently, and were amazed at the 'tips & techniques' the giant company has assembled for its readers. Not the beauty tips for face, hair, or body, because Conair has those, too. This time, we turned an eye toward fabrics. What you wear on your body, be it silk, wool, cotton, and so on.

Conair doesn't just make lots of hair dryers. They also market irons, fabric steamers, and many more useful things.

We were trying to find out how to care for a black cashmere sweater that was gifted to us last year. Conair had the answer and so many more ways to keep your best garments looking beautiful.

So here are some really unique tips & techniques by the Conair Company on how to keep your fine washables looking like you just bought them:

1. Did you know your shampoo and conditioner could multitask? Use them dissolved in lukewarm water to wash your cashmere sweaters. (Note: Tried it. This does work! Cashmere is goat hair.)

2. Remove oil-soluble grease and grass marks, and spots and stains from fabric with a cloth moistened with eucalyptus oil. It's a natural wonder!

3. To eliminate static, just crumple up a sheet of aluminum foil and throw it in the dryer! Save money on dryer sheets and be kind to the earth as well!

4. Make your own laundry detergent by mixing 1 cup Ivory soap, 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use only 1 tablespoon for light loads or 2 tablespoons for heavy loads.

5. To store woolen items, make a cedar sachet by cutting a foot off of a pair of pantyhose and filling it with cedar chips. Toss it into an airtight plastic container with your woolen items!

6. Sensitive skin? Substitute a half-cup of baking powder for laundry detergent or bleach. Clothes come out cleaner and the baking powder neutralizes harsh chemicals that may irritate delicate skin.

7. Never place an iron directly on delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon – protect them with a t-shirt or towel. Or play it even safer, and use a Conair® fabric steamer!

8. When using your iron, always use tap or bottled water. Distilled water can strip away the silicone coating inside the water chamber.

9. Remove grass stains from washable fabric by sponging with water, then with rubbing alcohol. Let dry, then sponge with cool water and work liquid detergent into the stain. Rinse with water and let dry. (Do not use alcohol on silk or wool.)

10. Clothes last longer if you occasionally skip a trip to the dry cleaners and refresh them with a garment steamer!

For more super beauty tips & technqiues, visit: http://www.conair.com/.

Cargo Makes Beautiful Eyes With Goof-Proof Palette

Remember 'paint by number?' Stop laughing. Well, the clever makeup folks at Cargo, have come up with a truly genius way to make you a couple of gorgeous eyes guaranteed!!!

It is almost like 'paint by number.' Just a bit easier. All you are dealing with are 4 pretty eye shadows in one small kit.

It's called Cargo Essential Palette ($32 at Sephora.com). It features 4 graduated neutral shades designed to give your eyes instant definition. The palette pictured above, is Warm/ Neutral. Cargo also offers the palette in Cool/Neutral and Dark/Neutral.

Yeah. The kit is almost goof-proof. If you love sexy, defined eyes, then you should try this Cargo Essential Palette without fear.

The eye shadow palette spells it out for us, duh!! In other words, follow the directions embossed on each pan of colored, velvety powder. Grab a shadow brush, even a Q-tip, and 'paint on.' And blend. Then add your own mascara. The 4-way shadows give the eye a soft, professional look with depth and beauty. A perfectly sculpted eye!

Browbone
Lid
Crease
Outer corner

Women seem to love this color-co-ordinated eye shadow kit. Just read some of the makeup reviews at www.sephora.com.

The only error we could find in the Cargo Essential Palette is its missing eyeshadow brush or applicator. It would be nice to find a little brush in the kit, to help you 'paint on' your 4 shadows. Otherwise, BYOB...or bring your own brushes, ha ha. Like we said above, a simple Q-tip can do the job, when you can't find anything else around.

Zero Calorie Sweetener Stevia To Get FDA Okay

Stevia.

We hadn't heard of it until this morning. The news programs were chatting about this unique, zero-calorie sweetener made from an herb. It's said to be all natural. And the FDA, or food and drug administration, is ready, maybe even today, to give the green light to stevia's approval.

Maybe many of you have already been enjoying stevia as your sugar substitute for years. It has been available in our country, but always wore the label of 'not FDA-approved.'

Why the concern about stevia?

Like its fake sugar friends.....saccharin, aspartame, and others, bad press has dogged these sweeteners because of lab studies done on rats which concluded these zero calorie foods are cancer-causing agents.

However, these studies indicate that consumers are safe with 'fake sugars,' because normal consumption would never exceed the huge amounts needed to possibly cause cancer to develop in humans.

Stevia has been safely eaten in Japan, China, and South America for years. Australia just gave the zero-calorie sweetener the thumbs up recently.

Stevia is actually a shrub plant from the chrysanthemum endemic family. It grows quite nicely in regions where tobacco thrives. Stevia is an herbal extract from the shrub, the way we understand it.

We have never tasted stevia that we know of. We used to be a TAB fanatic. But that was until 1984, when the makers started mixing a little aspartame in with the saccharin. The flavor was forever ruined for us.

Meantime, Coke-a-Cola and PepsiCo are anxiously hoping for the big FDA okay, so they won't have to pull out new light drinks if the ruling disapproves stevia.

Bottoms up, everyone!!!