Nail It By Going Gray Grey Greige For Winter 2008

In this tight economy, a small bottle of trendy nail polish, won't break your wallet. In fact, staring down at some pretty polished nails might do all of us some good. It might just put a tiny smile on your face.

Going gray, grey, er....greige???!!!

Alright, not the brightest, most upbeat color on the planet, but think of gray nail polish as Parisian chic.

The new face of manicured nails is gray---all shades. From muddy, taupey greige to shimmering dove grey to bold gunmetal gray.

The trend is so hot at the moment, that even the Los Angeles Times bothered to research the story, and did an entire piece on the new color for autumn and winter 2008!

Here's what we have learned:

Ladies, keep your nails short, neat, and trimmed, when trying these trendy shades.

And gray doesn't like every skin tone. So experiment and buy a few bottles to see what looks lovely with your hands. The wrong grey can look, well, almost corpse-like. Then again, the perfect grey can look very 'rock 'n roll.' And actress Gwyneth Paltrow recently donned gray polish to the premiere of her latest film.

OPI, one of the world's most famous nail polish makers, has given us a big winner. Even Cosmopolitan magazine has rated You Don't Know Jacques! as their Ultimate Nail Polish for 2008. (see photo of large bottle with lace background).

You Don't Know Jacques! is from OPI's La Collection de France, autumn/winter 2008. This is an elegant, very Parisian look. (about $5, at hair and nail salons everywhere, also online, and Ebay).

A gentler shade of OPI grey, called Run With It! is a lighter, more brown/grey tone (see small photo). This shade is hot all over New York City. You can pick up a bottle ($9) at Sephora.com.

OPI has another gray, not for the faint-of-heart. It's called My Private Jet. Sounds sexy and chic. It's a strong gunmetal shade with some noticable silvery sparkles.

To get your gray on, visit http://www.opi.com/.

Sexy Eva Mendes Loves This Famous Facial Scrub!

Actress Eva Mendes is a sexy woman.

No wonder the great Calvin Klein has made her the star of his Secret Obsession perfume ads. You know, the racy, controversial commercials that were banned from being aired here until after hours,because of Eva rolling around almost naked between the sheets.

The 33-year-old Latin beauty recently shared a longtime beauty tip today. And maybe many of you have used this wonderful beauty treatment, too.

It's been around for a number of years in many bathroom cabinets------St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub. Eva Mendes says the scrub is a favorite of hers. We also love this stuff, because it's available at your local drugstore and for about $5, depending on the scrub type you choose.

We know a number of women who love St. Ives Apricot Scrub for its wonderful exfoliating agents. And yes, lots of men use it, too. Your face feels so smooth and clean after a few moments of cleansing. And acne stays away when you're washing with this beauty routine.

This #1 selling scrub* contains 100% natural exfoliants to deep clean pores. Apricot Extract deep cleans pores while gently removing dull, dead skin cells to reveal smoother skin.

And yes, St. Ives sells an Apricot Body Wash Lotion. But we know girlfriends who use the facial scrub as a body scrub instead, because of the grainier formula that can tackle rough elbows, feet, and legs.

Every face is unique...whether your complexion is dry, aging, pimply, St. Ives has a scrub, cleanser, or mask, just for you. You can pick a scrub from these categories:

Invigorating
Blemish Control
Aging Skin
Sensitive Skin
Beautiful Skin
and Elements

Check out their website at http://www.stives.com/.

Jan Marini Says This Is the BEST Hand Cream Around

If you travel in beauty/skin care circles, then you know the name Jan Marini.

She is the gorgeous woman in the photo.

Jan Marini is a well-respected product researcher.

We explored her skin care website, http://www.janmarini.com/, and found this nugget in her "About Me' page:

"Well before the technology was available to the mass market, Jan Marini pioneered the use of Glycolic Acid to improve the skin's appearance and texture. She was also the first to market a stable topical Vitamin C technology to promote healthier skin."

Here we go again, with these two special words: glycolic acid.

So, how does that relate to hand cream? According to Jan Marini, the two go hand in hand, so to speak.

Let's be honest, when fall and winter arrive and everything is cold and dry, our exposed skin takes a beating. No one wants rough, red, chapped hands.

Here's Jan's beauty tip today---her favorite: Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion Anti Wrinkle Treatment($11.99, 6 fl. oz., at drugstores).

"I've tried every hand cream on the market," she says. And she loves this brand because of it's 10% Glycolic AHA content.

"Its molecules are so small that they penetrate more deeply, dislodging dead cells and lifting the skin, giving it a smoother appearance. And glycolic acid also helps get rid of age spots!"

What's also wonderful about this product, you can use it on your face, neck and entire body. Alpha Hydrox has a huge following. People seem to love it, and swear that their wrinkling is kept to a minimum.

Hey, if Jan Marini says this hand cream is the best, well, then we believe her.

Roast Turkey Still A Great Holiday Diet Choice

Okay, here are the bare facts:

Turkey is actually an excellent dietary choice----good protein with very little fat. And if roasted, low in sodium.

And by the way, turkey contains more protein than the same size serving of chicken or beefsteak.

So, you want the breakdown, here we go. We got this information from dietbites.com:

Roasted Turkey - 6 Ounces Dark + White Meat, Untrimmed
450 Calories

Roasted Turkey - 3 Ounces White Meat - Trimmed (no skin, no fat). White meat contains a little less calories than dark. Add 30 more calories if you prefer dark meat.
130 Calories

1 Cup of homemade stuffing
400 Calories

1/2 Cup of boxed stuffing prepared with no calorie refrigerated butter spray.
110 Calories

1 Cup of Giblet Gravy
300 Calories

1/3 Cup of Giblet Gravy
100 Calories

1 Cup of Mashed Potatoes
350 Calories

1/2 Cup of Mashed Potatoes prepared with skimmed milk, no calorie refrigerated butter spray
100 Calories

Stuffed Celery - 1 stick
100 Calories

1 Stick of stuffed celery prepared with reduced fat cream cheese.
40 Calories

2 Sweet Pickles, 10 Black/Green Olives
125 Calories

2 Black Olives, 2 Green Olives
25 Calories

1 Cup of Candied Sweet Potatoes
400 Calories

1/2 Baked Sweet Potato w/ small pat of butter, dash of cinnamon, a couple of packs of no calorie sweetener.
100 Calories

1/2 Cup of Cranberry Sauce
200 Calories

1/6 Can of Cranberry Sauce - Jelled or Whole Cranberries
100 Calories

2 Rolls With Butter
300 Calories

1 Roll With 1/2 Pat of Butter
125 Calories

1 Cup of English Peas with Butter
150 Calories

2 Glasses Sweetened Tea, Wine, Punch or Cider
300 Calories

1 Slice of Pumpkin Pie With Topping
450 Calories

1 Slice of Pecan Pie
650 Calories

1 Cup of Fruit Salad
100 Calories

1 Cup of Egg Nog
400 Calories

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Oral B Pulsonic Makes Teeth Whiter And Cleaner

Your smile is extremely important. People really notice your teeth. That's why today's beauty tip focuses on your mouth.

We are taking a closer look at the newest electric toothbrush out there---this is a slim one-------the Oral B Pulsonic toothbrush ($69.99, at stores like Best Buy, Walgreens). This baby is slender, almost like a regular, non-electric toothbrush, with maybe a couple of inches longer. Or as the Oral B makers like to joke, "so slim, it makes your bathroom feel bigger."

Let's be honest. Electric toothbrushes have come a long way. They were once bulky, and difficult to maneuver inside the mouth. Some had very abrasive bristles. Others were annoyingly loud.

But not anymore. The Pulsonic features 2 speeds, rechargeable battery power, a 2-minute professional timer, custom precision tip brush head, thin precision bristles, and a quiet sound.

What we adore about the new, slim toothbrush is its 2Week White. This new gadget claims to whiten teeth by reducing up to 94% of surface stains in just 2 weeks."

This is a great dental gadget for the entire family. Young kids will enjoy brushing teeth this way, and adults can get a more thorough cleaning.

And if you head to the oralb.com website, there's a $15 rebate waiting for you.

Also, if you're always searching for the best and cheapest whitening toothpaste, we have it for you!

Back in June, we wrote an article about Ultra brite All In One Advanced Whitening. We had just caught a report by the well-respected and well-researched http://www.consumerreports.org/. And they claim, the best whitening toothpaste is:
Ultra brite All In One Advanced Whitening.

Consumer Reports tested 41 toothpastes, toothpastes that all boast about whitening your teeth. And they found that most brands do not live up to the hype or expensive price tags. But only one was really superior at stain removal. And this one wasn't too abrasive, meaning, the toothpaste would not harm teeth and gums. And that is---Ultra brite. And what a bargain at just $2.19 a tube, 6 oz. But it's not available on all store shelves. You can get it at http://www.drugstore.com/ and drugstores like CVS.

You can also pick up the toothpaste for $1 at those one dollar stores, if you're lucky.

Are Toners Really Necessary For Your Skin's Health?

Maybe you've heard this before. We know we have:

Most dermatologists will tell you that toner is not necessary for the health of your skin. Yes, you can skip that step in your beauty cleansing routine. Or can you???

Toners or astringents often contain alcohol. And that can make your skin very dry, very uncomfortable. Your face can feel as taut as a drum. In other words, you can barely move it. Remember SeaBreeze? That one would almost knock your socks off. The sting was there to zap any extra oil sitting on your complexion's surface.

But there are some new facial toners on the block. These ain't your mama's toners! Instead of stripping your skin of oil, these new formulas offer some good things-----like anti-aging ingredients and nourishing agents. Wrinkle fighters like----hyaluronic acid, peptides, and or glycerin.

And the new toners aren't just for you ladies with the greasy and pimply 'T-zones.' The new toners have been developed with all skin types in mind. And dermatologists are saying yes, to these new face savers.

Here are 3 toners we like:

1. Dermalogica Age Smart Anti-oxidant Hydramist ($65.50, mist spray, http://www.adorebeauty.com/, and other online skin care stores). Full of peptides to encourage collagen formation. Gives back elasticity and hydration to the skin. Mist spray contains agents that fight damaging free radicals.


2. Exuviance by NeoStrata SkinRise Bionic Tonic ($37, 36 single-use pads, at http://www.exuviance.com/ and other fine skin care stores). SkinRise contains a triple blend of Polyhydroxy Acids and a marine botanical to nourish and condition the skin. Ingredients also include green tea extract to protect the complexion from the elements. Brings about firmness and smoothness to the skin.


3. Care by Stella McCartney Toning Floral Water ($35, 4.2 oz, http://www.sephora.com/). Tones and soothes skin with anti-oxidants such as green tea and linden blossom extracts, with Vitamins A and C. Also hydrates skin and boosts radiance.

Milk Of Magnesia Zaps Acne And Delivers Clear Skin

We have to admit, this little beauty tip blew us away. And it involved MoM, er.....Milk of Magensia.

But let us first explain how we stumbled upon the Mom treatment.

We were doing research on acne-fighter Retin-A. We have been using the retinoic acid cream for a year now. It has certainly cleaned up our break-outs, so that acne is a rare thing for us these days. And hopefully, Retin-A will start softening up our fine lines and wrinkles with continued usage.

But what we have noticed, are the vivid dreams that occur each night we apply Retin-A, and retire for the night. Lucid dream after lucid dream. Interrupted sleep because of constant dreaming.

Anyone else on Retin-A know what we're talking about?

We cannot find any research that claims its usage causes vivid dreams to occur. But we are still on the hunt.

Meantime, if you don't want a Retin-A prescription to stop acne, or nothing else seems to remove all your pimples, you might want to try dabbing on a little Milk of Magnesia, as a topical acne treatment.

MoM has always been used to treat occasional constipation. You drink the chalky-white liquid. We don't know what made curious folks apply MoM to their zits, but apparently, it works like a dream, getting rid of break-outs and softening or calming red skin.

We found that out in the PalmBeachPost.com. Joe & Terry Graedon of the People's Pharmacy brought forth that little skin care nugget:

"A letter in the Archives of Dermatology (January 1975) suggested that topical application of milk of magnesia nightly could help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne. Other readers also have shared their success with this remedy."

Others have found that MoM is also good for treating rosacea, seborrhea, and other tough-to-tackle skin conditions.

Sometimes, home remedies can really make a difference.

How Jessica Alba Dropped Baby Weight So Quickly

There she stands.....actress Jessica Alba, just a few days ago at a red carpet charity event.

Jessica gave birth to a baby girl, Honor Marie, on June 7th. Within 2 months, she had shed 25 lbs. Jessica had gone from a pregnancy size 12 to an 8, and now down to a size 4, so we hear.

How the heck did she melt that baby fat away so very quickly???

Hmmm. That's what actress Tori Spelling wants to know, since she and Jessica had their babies just 2 days apart. It's been difficult for 35-year-old Tori to drop the baby bulge, that's what she confided to InTouch magazine:

"I'd see photos of her two months after and go, 'Look at her!'"

What is Jessica Alba's weight loss secret?!

Actually, who is Jessica's secret?

Her name is Ramona Braganza, fitness trainer-to-the-stars. And she has helped Hollywood A-listers drop their baby weight fast and with a sensible diet and fitness regimen. Halley Berry also followed Ramona's smart 321 Baby Bulge Be Gone plan.

We checked out Ramona's website at: http://www.ramonabraganza.com/:

RAMONA'S DIET TIPS
The 3-2-1 of Daily Nutrition: three meals, two snacks, 1 liter of water (minimum)
Eat only half the portion of food on your plate if eating out
Combine protein and fiber in a snack and you will feel full longer
Drink minimum of 1 liter of water a day, but preferably 2
Don't skip breakfast!
Eat clean; learn to love foods without sauces and butter; enjoy steamed veggies, crunchy salads with little or no dressing- just lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
Eat meats grilled, baked, steamed, or poached
Eat brown instead of white rice or pasta
Enjoy legumes, beans, and nuts
Fruits for dessert!
Occasionally, when your body really craves it, have whatever you want for a meal (this should be done in moderation). By living life this way, there is no need to feel guilty about eating what you want if for the most part you eat clean and healthy.

Working out also plays a key role in dropping the post pregnancy weight. Jessica Alba worked very hard at exercising the pounds away. And Ramona shows you how it can be done with several compound exercises. Those are muti-joint movements that use several muscles at once. You burn more calories at a quicker rate.

Take a look at Ramona Braganza's website. You will see that re-gaining your figure after having a baby, can be done. Her plan is smart and healthy.

How To Get Hair Pretty With The Long Bob

Ladies, let our flat irons unite! The long bob hairstyle is here to stay. At least through the winter.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Longoria, and Victoria Beckham (before Ms. Posh chopped her hair off) have all been rockin' the long bob. And these lovely celebrities look polished, classic, and modern. Sarah Michelle Gellar also just got a long bob cut. And model Kate Moss is walking around with a shorter, platinum blonde bob.

It's an easy hairstyle to manage, unless you have very curly or wavy hair. But the long bob is basically one length, and there are several variations to it. You can wear bangs with the long bob. Most women simply part their hair in the middle, a la Ms. Gwyneth. Or they side part it, a la Ms. Longoria. And it can be cut at a longer angle in front, than at the back.

And it's a 'do' that never really goes out of style. Although hair trends come and go with the fast snip of a scissors.

And if you love fringe, and big bangs, then you're in. New mom Jessica Alba has been spotted sporting some big, Nelly Furtado bangs. And stylists say that fringe is back in a big way for 2008.

For 2009, we're not sure which direction hair will be growing. Stay tuned.

Faith Hill's Favorite Makeup And Beauty List

Mississippi-born Faith Hill is looking stunning, especially since she is now 40- something.

The country singing superstar took some heat about a year ago, when a Redbook magazine cover was overly re-touched. The photo we are showing is the 'un-re-touched' image. And we think she looks pretty amazing without any help there.

Faith Hill just posed for Shape magazine's December 2008 issue in a bikini. And yeah, she looks incredible. Any photo-shopping going on? Who knows. Faith swears she exercised really faithfully and dieted sensibly to get bikini-ready. Rumors are surfacing that of course, the photos were re-touched. Meow, meow!! Aren't every celebrity's faces and figures magically perfected?!

We are not here to judge. And Faith Hill was generous to name some brands of her favorite makeup and beauty things to Shape, so we took careful notes:

1. Jo Malone (London) Red Roses Body Lotion ($65, saksfifthavenue.com). A silky, nourishing body lotion deveoped from 7 different roses. Faith adores this stuff:

"When I wear it, my girls tell me I smell just like a rose."

2. Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black ($24, sephora.com). Celebrities know the Dior mascara secret---gorgeous, big lashes. And Faith is er, faithful to the brand:

"This adds huge volume to my lashes."

3. Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow in Metallic Black 990 + Purple 750 ($20 each, shuuemura-usa.com). Faith always looks healthy and glamorous with sexy eyes:

"These are so gorgeous."

4. Narciso Rodriguez Musc For Her ($155 for 1.6 oz; nordstrom.com). Not a heavy fragrance that overpowers the room. Faith says her perfume pleases more than just herself:

"It's a clean, sensuous scent. Tim really likes it."

It's always a pleasure to see what celebrities like to wear for perfume, makeup, and other beauty items. Maybe you already own all of Faith Hill's favorite makeup and beauty things.

Why We Love Boston Proper Style Online

We all have a favorite style or line of clothing. And maybe you have an online place you like to shop for beautiful things--- like earrings, belts, boots, jeans, sweater coats, and more.

We love, love, love Boston Proper!

No, the online clothing catalogue is not based in Boston. The operation is actually based out of Boca Raton, Florida. Go figure. And the company sends out clothing catalogues in the mail and also features clothing to buy at http://www.bostonproper.com/.


What is so special about Boston Proper? Take a look at their stuff. It's modern and sexy, and casual, too. The company features fashion for travel, sport, urban style, and so much more.

And if Boston Proper is a bit high in the price tag department for you these days, take note:

The fine folks there really put on sales. They actually reduce prices. You can pick up some gorgeous garments for only $9.99. Yes. Really pretty jackets that originally sold for more than $100. Be smart and check out Boston Proper's Final Clearance department.

We don't wish to force our style on anyone here at BeautyTipToday.com. We just want to share the knowledge. And we happen to love Boston Proper. Maybe you could understand why.

ck Calvin Klein Sees Purple Plum in Fall 2008 Makeup

We've seen it everywhere, purple reigns supreme! From the clothing on the runways to the makeup on the models, this is the shade to be seen in. And classic designer Calvin Klein wasted no time in putting out his Fall 2008 makeup collection. And everyone's still talking about it.

The beauty palette is quite sensuous, bold, and modern---featuring deep purple shades for eyes and rich, juicy plums for lips.

The makeup was re-created from the runway looks and the luscious purple and plum fabric colors at all the Calvin Klein fashion shows. A rich set of jewel tones.

Check out ck's Purple Variation Eyeshadow Quad ($35, now at http://www.sephora.com/) Gorgeous purple hues to create a soft, but smoky look.

And for lips, try ck's Delicious Luxury Creme Lipstick in Plum Berry ($18, now at http://www.sephora.com/).

You can learn more about ck Calvin Klein's makeup collections at Sephora.com.

Elnett Finally Arrives Here In The U.S. And Target Has It!!

Okay, are you a hairspray freak like us?

There are hairsprays, and then, well, there are hairsprays. You know what we mean. Some spray a gentle mist. Others blast you with a frozen lacquer. And some don't even keep your bangs still.

We've all heard of L'Oreal's Elnett. But we just couldn't get our desperate hands on this phenomenal hairspray. Only the hair gods like Garren could get their fingers on the uber gold can, and just in meager quantities.

But now, it's 2008, and Elnett has finally arrived here. And Target dept. stores are selling the 11 oz. cans for $14.99. Available in Elnett Stronghold Hairspray or Elnett Extra Stronghold Hairspray.

We saw our friend Nina a couple of weeks ago. Not only did her hair look great, but she smelled nice, too. "What cologne are you wearing," we asked her.

Nina laughed. "It must be the Elnett hairspray I just bought. I love it. And it's now available at Target."

We love the smell of Elnett hairspray. And yet, some women have been complaining about the odor. That it's 'old lady,' or 'too strong.' And others are begging the good folks at L'Oreal, to develop an unscented Elnett.

What's so amazing about Elnett???

It's always been big in Europe, and many British women adore it. Garren, the famous New York City hairstylist claims the hairspray offers "the finest mist." And that Elnett isn't sticky or dull. It gives hair memory and great hold, and you can brush through it, and it always bounces back with volume.

Garren used to hoard the few small cans of Elnett he would get from his European pals, and he would use them on photo shoots.

The only minor thing that has arrived along with this so called phenomenal hairspray to the American market, is a slight altering of the original Elnett formula. See, our U.S. Elnett has a more eco-friendly hydrofluorocarbon propellant. European Elnett is allowed to have higher levels of VOCs or volatile organic compounds.

Too scientific for our minds. All we know, is that L'Oreal's Elnett has finally reached our shores so women everywhere can have big, glossy, movable hair. And we can now find it in department stores like Target.

How To Wash Away Wrinkles With The Right Cleanser

You've been told to remove all dirt and grime when you wash your face.

You've tried the soaps, the scrubs, the creams, and the list goes on.

But are you really effectively cleaning your face? Are you getting rid of the clogging layers that can build up over time? Are you cleansing but stripping your natural oil content?

Dermatologists say that if you use the right cleanser, you will not only wash away all the dirt and grime, but you will be washing away wrinkles and brown spots, too. Alright, maybe we are exaggerating a bit, but honestly, the perfect cleanser can minimize the lines and spots we have developed over the years.

So before you take another wash and splash to your face, let's look at 2 powerful ingredients that work to rejuvenate your skin:

1. Glycolic acid
2. Lactic Acid

Glycolic acid is a wonderful anti-aging product to add to a cleanser. Dermatologists will tell you that it helps to zap dead skin cells. And glycolic acid also binds with water to help exfoliate skin. That in turn, minimizes pigmentation and softens wrinkles. Perfect for oily, acne-prone complexions.

But be careful about the strength of the glycolic acid cleanser you are using. Anywhere between 5% and 10% is good. And leave it on the face for at least a minute before rinsing off with water, according to our derm.

If the cleanser is too high in concentration, it can sting your face and irritate. So go slowly and use just a small amount, about the size of a dime, to cleanse face and neck.

Lactic acid is the other excellent choice. It, too, is an exfoliater, but does so in a gentler manner. Lactic acid deep cleans, but also adds nice soothing, moisturizing properties for dry, aging skin. Whatever you apply after a super clean, exfoliated face, will have a much better chance at penetrating. So if copper peptides are your next step, for instance, they will work more effectively.

A concentration of 5% lactic acid is excellent for removing dead skin cells, and also nourishing the skin. The added moisture helps create a 'plumper' skin and protect the outer layer.

Here are 2 great anti-aging cleansers we like from http://www.platinumskincare.com/:

10% Glycolic Acid Cleanser ($15.95, 4.5 oz.)
5% Lactic Acid-Anti-aging Dry Skin Cleanser ($15.95, 4.5 oz.)

Both cleansers last a long time. 'Just a little dab will do ya,' as the saying goes.

We all want beautiful, smooth skin. The right daily cleansers can help us get there.

Can A Universal Shade of Makeup Work For Everyone

We all hate trying to guess which shade of blush works with our complexion, or which color of lipstick really looks nice, or if this eyeshadow complements our hazel eyes, etc.

Makeup companies realize the frustration and guesswork that goes in trying to select cosmetics. So some experts try to offer us a simple solution---universal shades of makeup. In other words, one product fits all.

It sounds almost too good to be true, and yet, we easily fall into the trap and buy the makeup, because we are tired of trying to pick the perfect match. And many times, we are disappointed.

Can a universal shade of makeup really work for everyone?

How about a success rate of 97% for all skin tones?!

That's how Cover Girl rates their TruShine Lipcolor collection. The makeup giants at CG, using a special device called a spectrophotometer, measure the visible wavelengths of the skin. And this instrument claims to be able to determine the exact skin color and undertone of hundreds of women. Based on those stats, CG offers a collection of 24 sheer lipstick shades for every 97 out of 100 women.

Oh, really? Hmmm. Let's put Cover Girl's TruShine Lipcolor to the test.

We first saw Bahamian beauty Rihanna wearing TruShine Lipcolor in Powderpink Shine ($6, drugstores). Rihanna claimed it was one of her favorite shades---a soft, pale pink. And it looked so natural on her.

So with CG's 97% match to all skin tones, we thought we'd give it a try.

We ended up looking like a pair of frozen, icy lips--- almost a deathly shade for our Mediterranean light olive skin tone. Nope. The universal shade did not complement our skin tone. We were quite frustrated. We were out 6 bucks. But there is a money back guarantee with Cover Girl's TruShine Lipcolor collection.

Our advice: Take your time and try different shades of makeup. That is really the only method that works by trial and error. Sometimes, you're blowing a few dollars here and there, but when you find the right shades, your face will know it. Don't always trust the makeup companies to do all the work for you, because they are not always right. There is no 'one size fits all' in the beauty world. And thank goodness for that.

How To Keep Jewelry Shiny And New On A Budget

Today, we're talking about jewelry. And if you've been watching the fashion/beauty headlines, then you know that necklaces are in---bold pieces, cascading gems, big stones, etc.

Why wear any jewelry? Simply, because it's pretty. It can make an outfit. And jewelry illuminates your face. A nice pair of pearls can make your skin glow.

But if your jewelry doesn't shine like it used to, try these easy, on a budget recipes to bring back their brilliance. Most households already have these products in their cupboards. And the Jeweler's Association recommends these steps.

Professional jewelers use sonic cleaners to remove dirt and grease from fine jewelry. Sonic cleaners feature vibrations, in combination with water and a jewelry cleanser to nicely battle grime. But not all types of gems and baubles are appropriate for this machine.
Remember this: Jewelry and Chlorine Bleach Spell Disaster!!

Diamonds, especially, do not fare well when coming into contact with bleach. Remove diamond rings and pendants, pearls and platinum, gold and emeralds, and silver, too, before getting into a chlorinated pool or hot tub. Even hand washing clothes with a little bleach can ruin your diamond ring. The chlorine-based products may damage and discolor the mounting. And bleach also can eat away at gold and platinum, as well as erode the finish and polish on many gems.

Cleaning and Storing Diamonds
You have two simple options here. Place your diamonds into rubbing alcohol or a mixture of equal parts ammonia and cold water. Let them soak for a few minutes. Then take a brush with soft bristles, like a baby toothbrush, and gently clean your diamonds. Rinse off. And lay them on a tissue to dry.

You should store your diamonds individually to prevent scratching other diamonds or gold, or softer gems. Don't just throw your gems into a jewelry box and pile them on top of each other. You must take care in keeping fine jewelry sparkling and blemish-free.

Cleaning and Storing Cultured Pearls
Pearls are delicate and precious, and the more you wear them, the better it is for their luster because your natural skin oils are absorbed each time you put them on. Within 24 hours of wearing pearls, take a soft cloth and moisten in a mild soap and water solution and clean each pearl, one by one. Wipe off with a damp, cloth and allow the pearls to air-dry overnight.
Pearls do not belong in plastic bags for storing. Pearls need air to retain their glow. Place them into a chamois bag, wrap in tissue, or even better, a satin-lined box. And remember-perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray before you don your pearls

Cleaning and Storing Gold/Platinum
Gold and platinum are strong and lovely, but can dent while doing housework. And soap can make such metals look dull, so best to remove while showering. A nice way to restore the brilliance of gold or platinum is a quick dunk into some rubbing alcohol. Rinse off and then dry. If you have a little more time, mix a solution of dish-washing liquid in a small bowl of warm water. Soak gold/platinum for about 15 minutes, then gently clean with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse with lukewarm water. Then dry and buff your gold or platinum with a soft cloth.

Once again, you want to avoid scratching, so wrap your gold/platinum individually or apart from other pieces

Cleaning and Storing Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is the kind of jewelry that benefits by frequent wearing because it helps prevent tarnishing. If your pieces are tarnished slightly, rinse them in very hot water and pat them dry. Otherwise, a mild soap and warm water solution soaking works nicely to restore shine.

Wrap or store your sterling silver items individually in a closed box or tarnish preventive bag. Silver does not do well in dampness or air.

Cleaning and Storing Colored Gems
For colored beauties like rubies, sapphires, amethysts, and quartz, make a solution of a few drops of mild dish-washing liquid into a warm bowl of water. Soak each piece and clean with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse off and pat dry with a soft cloth. Treat your emeralds the same way. But have emeralds oiled by a jeweler every few years in order to maintain their special luster. And keep colored stones away from saltwater, too, which over time, slowly erodes the finish and polish.

Stored colored gems separately to prevent the chipping of softer items nearby, like gold and pearls.

Ladies: Wearing Red Equals Sexual Attraction

We know you caught wind of a recent study that focused on the power of red. Now, let's figure it out.

The immediate advice was this: If you want to be sexy, try red.

Apparently, many women in Hollywood and those in politics, already understand the effect this hot hue has on the male libido. Helen Mirren knows. As does Kate Beckinsale. Anne Hathaway. And even Alaska Governor Sarah Palin often wore a red jacket to campaign stops for Republican Presidential nominee John McCain. And whenever Barbara Walters hits a Broadway show, she dons a bright red jacket.

So, ladies: Code Red!!!!

What's so powerful about the color red for women??!!

According to a number of experiments on college students, psychologists learned that red has a strong influence on sexual attraction. In other words, the shade acts a 'primal mating signal.' Oh my!

When men were shown photos of women wearing red shirts or photos of women with red backgrounds, men went gaga! And they were even more than happy to spend more $$$$ on the women.

The study shows that the men were not aware of the effect that red had on them, and they did not rate these women as more kind, intelligent, or likable. But somehow or another, the men just knew they were hot for the ladies in hot, sizzling red.

The authors of this experiment also noted "preliminary evidence that a display of red on a man indeed increases his attractiveness to women." However, women did not score other women in red as more attractive.

So, the science here, is that the color signals a man/woman mating thing.

Red is always appropriate for the holidays. Why not add a little, and conduct your own sexy experiment.

Watch Your Weight WithTanita's Body Composition Scale

Hey, now! This is what we call a scale!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, if you're frustrated with your health plans because the diet seems to be on track, but the weight isn't slipping off, then you need a scale with some smart science attached to it.

We've been searching for some super new beauty and health products, and this one looks like the cadillac of all scales:

Tanita (Ironman) BC549 Body Composition Montior ($149.99, http://www.thecompetitiveedge.com/).

You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to use a scale like this beauty.

What we find fascinating about this health/weight gadget, is its intelligent readings.

All you do is step on the scale, and find out how many pounds are actually bone and muscle. Plus, you get readings on other cool things:

Weight
Body Fat %
Body Water %
Muscle Mass
Physique Rating
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Metabolic Age
Bone Mass
Visceral Fat Rating

Exclusive Ironman™ Features:
New transparent electrodes
Automatic scrolling of results
Backlit icons

How technologically advanced is this weighing machine??!! Wow!

You learn where those extra pounds are located and exactly where those calories are being burned.

And here are some other important stats for the Tanita (Ironman) BC549 Body Composition Monitor:

Capacity: 330 lb (150 kg) Weight Increments: 0.2 lb (0.1 kg) Body Fat Increments: 0.1 % Power: 4 x AA batteries (included) 8 mm square glass platform 4 person memory Easy-to-read 2.25" LCD display Recall function: weight, body fat %, body water %, and muscle mass

Let's be honest, this isn't a cheap scale. But it could become a very important motivating tool in your health, weight, and diet plans. This scale truly lets you see what's really going on inside your body.

How Nicole Kidman Tames Her Long Curly Hair

There are lots of pretty girls with curls in Hollywood. Debra Messing. Keri Russell. Andie McDowell. Minnie Driver. And of course, the elegant Aussie, Nicole Kidman.

We think curls are beautiful, but there are women who will tell you, that trying to tame a big mass of curls, and sometimes frizz, is a major undertaking. And don't even mention the humidity. Don't go there.

We did a little digging, and found 2 brands Nicole Kidman uses when she wants to create a sleek hairstyle. But do take note, this major movie star also embraces her curls. She switches up the hairdos often, and even goes from her natural light red hair to a blonde mass of locks.

1. Phyto Hair Care line. "PHYTO is a complete and comprehensive line of hair care products that employs the synergy of plants to treat a variety of hair types and conditions. PHYTO uses the most effective active ingredients available in the botanical world to maintain healthy-looking hair and reveal its natural beauty."

Try the Phytodéfrisant Relaxing Botanical Balm Professional, Size 5.9oz, $32.
You can check out the Phyto hair care line at http://www.beautysak.com/.























2. Bio Ionic Hair Care Products. Kerry Warn, Australia's own celebrity hair stylist (takes care of Nicole Kidman's locks), uses and recommends the Bio Ionic products to his clients.

"These products use the Trinity FX charge to shatter water molecule clusters by up to 10 times their size and keep them apart, allowing the properties to penetrate deep into the hair shaft." You end up with straight, silky, smooth hair.

Visit http://www.kabuki.com/, to see the line of Bio Ionic hair styling items.

Victoria's Bras Have A Nasty Little Secret? Formaldehyde?!

Pictured above is a Victoria's Secret model wearing an Angels Secret Embrace bra.

You can see why the underwear label is extremely popular. Their bras make extremely sexy cleavage.

But VS is in some hot water these days. A possible class action lawsuit could be on their doorstep for the holidays. It seems like their bras are being called 'dangerous.' Is Victoria's hiding a nasty little secret tucked away in the material of their bras?

Remember biology lab class dissecting frogs? Remember the horrible odor of formaldehyde?

That's the chemical that's alleged to have been found in two of their popular bra collections:

Angels Secret Embrace

Very Sexy Extreme Push-Up

And apparently, a number of women have stepped forward to say the bras are causing health problems. Itching. Swelling. Hives. And even rashes that 'lead to scarring.'

A 37-year-old woman, Roberta Ritter, is leading the charge after purchasing two of the bras last January----- a black satin Angels Secret Embrace and a pink satin Very Sexy push-up model -- for $42 apiece from the Victoria's Secret store at the Parmatown Mall in Ohio. Roberta made the talk show circuit with an appearance today on ABC's 'Good Morning America.'

Roberta claims it all began with an itch in her bosom. It continued for several days. The itch turned into a rash. And the rash turned into ugly, red hot welts. Very painful.

"I flipped out," Ritter said. "I knew it had to be the bra. I had perfectly shaped burns where the cups were."

A dermatologist told her the cause was likely formaldehyde. The chemical is often used as a preservative in fabrics to help retain their shapes. Hmmm. We never knew that. Did you?

Victoria's Secret is standing by their sexy cleavage-raising bras and issued this statement:

"We are sorry that a handful of people have had an issue and we want to help them determine the cause. While some people claim that formaldehyde is involved, we want to be clear that we do not use formaldehyde in these products."

Victoria's Secret says it will continue to sell the bras while the lawsuit is pending.

Ladies, until we settle this problem, wear your VS bra at your own risk.

Easy To Use Yoga Toes Develop Fabulous Feet

We know. You're walking around in 4-inch stilettos from sun-up to sun-down. Yes. You look sexy. Your legs are a mile long. Those shoes are so %$!!!**^## beautiful!!! Wow.......until.....you go and take them off.

Your feet are killing you!!!!!!

Maybe your fabulous feet need YogaToes. We have an acquaintance who just told us she wears them after a long day at work, and the little pair of foot things really works.

If you haven't heard by now, YogaToes by YogaPro.com is a patented exercise and therapeutic device that soothes your tired feet ($49.95 a pair, in lots of cute colors to choose from, and engineered to last a lifetime).

You slip your toes through these gel-like pads and walk around in them, after a long day in shoes. The design of YogaToes is a unique one, in that it stretches and separates the toes. In just minutes, your feet feel so relaxed and refreshed.

If you have painful toe conditions like bunions and hammer toe, YogaToes can help bring relief and improve your situation. Just check out the testimonials at www.yogapro.com. Teachers believe in them, runners, stiletto-wearing goddesses, and so on.

YogaToes Can Help:
Exercise your feet to stay healthy & in shape.
Improve & prevent foot problems by stretching & aligning your toes.
Ease the discomfort of Hammertoes, Bunions & Plantar Fasciitis.
Recover from stress, strain & overuse.
Improve foot strength, flexibility & appearance.
Increase circulation, straighten bent toes, & realign joints.
Improve & reduce the aches & pains associated with poor posture.

Just don't wash the YogaToes in the dishwasher. Ew-wwww! That was clearly pointed out at their website.

3 Lab WW Cream Just Launched For Firmest Youngest Skin

This is the king of all skin creams at the moment! $400 a jar.

And yes, to some, the cost of this wonderful skin rejuvenator is a car payment, ha! Who cares! 3 Lab WW Cream has been designed to do a lot of wonderful things for you, something a car, no matter how luxurious, could never compete with.

The 3 Lab anti-aging beauty product, just launched into high-end stores this month, has been inspired by HGH, or human growth hormone therapy. The controversial treatment that is said to give you back thicker and younger-looking skin.

The 3 Lab WW Cream promises to do the same, and to do it safely, and with wonderful results.

We really like the smart people over at 3 Lab, because they introduce scientific breakthrough formulas over and over again. They are truly changing the face of beauty.

The 3 Lab WW Cream has been developed with 'exclusive Promatryx and Hydranox complexes' that are bio-engineered to mimic the hormone produced by the pituitary gland during our youth. This in turn, repairs the skin:

Reduces facial wrinkles
Accelerates rhythmic skin cell turnover
Brightens skin tone for a youthful complexion
Leaves skin nicely hydrated, even-toned, and luminous

You can purchase this king of all skin creams at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys fine department stores, as well as their online stores.

You can also check out their excellent website: http://www.3LAB.com/.

Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! We know that 3 Lab WW Cream would make a super nice gift for that special woman in your life.

New Holiday Gift-Giving Ideas For Him And Her

We know. No one wants to be rushed, but look----it's already November 8th. The holidays are upon us, and yes, times are tough and tight.

But we all, hopefully, embody the spirit of giving and celebration. So here are just a couple of ideas for your favorite hims and hers.

Fragrance. We each have our own distinct favorite cologne or perfume. And when the holidays roll upon us, well, we often think of beautiful, yummy-smelling fragrances.

You can't give a perfume to just anybody. Scent is individual. It's best to know that person when you want to give them the gift of scent. Some women, for example, are adventurous, in the fact that they love trying new fragrances. Others are almost 'married' to the same cologne, year after year. And some, wouldn't want you to even copy their scent within walking distance. In other words, "Girlfriend, don't wear my scent. That's my perfume."

Nordstorm's fine department stores are already showing off what's new in the fragrance aisle.

And here are two we think make some nice holiday gift-giving ideas for him and her:

Ralph Lauren. Timeless and classic. Ralph Lauren Men Holiday Coffret (49.50, 0.05 oz. each). Check out these handsome mini bottles of Double Black, Explorer, Polo, Polo Sport, and Polo Blue.

Valentino. Elegance and style. Valentino 'Rock 'n Rose' Holiday Gift Set ($68, 2 items). Eau de Parfum Spray 1.6 oz. and Body Lotion 3.4 oz. The 'Rock 'n Rose' fragrance is created as 'a perfect balance between edgy modernity and Valentino's elegance and tradition.'

Platinum Skin Care Leading The War On Wrinkles

Platinum. A very precious metal.

Platinum Skin Care. A very precious skin care website.

Maybe that's why the name 'platinum' was chosen. The company delivers high quality cosmeceuticals.

This is not an advertisement for www.platinumskincare.com. The beauty folks there, certainly don't need our good words, but we thought we would spread the name, because we love their skin care products. From Emu oil to copper peptide serums to lactic acid cleansers, this site really understands skin, and how to keep yours looking smooth and youthful.

We stumbled onto the website about a year ago, and we keep coming back. We like the website---full of intelligent science in the war on wrinkles. Each product is listed with much detail. What the treatment does for skin. How to use the treatment. A great 'frequently asked questions' section. A huge list of testimonials---people who have used the products, including photos, and detailed diaries of their individual experiences with Platinum Skin Care products. Thorough, step-by-step instructions on how to use the stronger cosmeceuticals.

For instance, let's say you want to give yourself an at-home chemical peel. You will be directed to a page that explains exactly what a peel is, and the variety of peels available, and how each one is tailored for a specific skin condition.

You receive an excellent skin care and beauty primer with Platinum Skin Care, and by that, we mean education. You will learn plenty at their website. If you have questions, they are wonderful communicators. They will return your emails. And you can also call them toll free: 1-800-917-3155.

Cleansers. Masks & scrubs. Weight loss control. Chemical peels. Anti-aging treatments. Face creams & serums. Acne products. Copper peptides. Platinum Labs collection. Toners. Eye creams. Baby care. Professional products for office and spa.

Platinum Skin Care is proud of the label they wear, because the customer won't get a cheap beauty treatment, one that skimps on all the beauty ingredients needed to fight wrinkles, lines, and other aging concerns.

This is how the website explains their mission:

"You will find our products to be more potent and reliable than most of the products found on the market today. Our product line is not filled with empty promises - just outstanding scientific ingeneuity and common sense! We use only proven ingredients - not fillers.

We take great pride in creating only products that aid in correcting damages, promoting the healthy growth of new tissues, and improving the overall texture of the skin. You will enjoy what our professional products can do for you. Most products are available in sample sizes (found on the corresponding product page) so you can try before investing!"

Dr. 90210's Will Kirby Introduces Retinol NX Serum

My, my, my. Look at Dr. Will Kirby. What a difference a few years make. And look how good reality television has been to the handsome, dark-haired past winner of Big Brother.

In case you aren't up-to-date, Will Kirby has since completed medical school and become a doctor in the world of beautiful people. He has a starring role on another popular reality show, Dr. 90210. And he's busy making women appear even more attractive with some injections here, and a scalpel there.

Dr. Will Kirby is certainly no fool. He's a smart, young man, who has just teamed up with skin care giant Neutrogena. And together, they have developed an anti-aging serum---Retinol NX Serum. The $65 wrinkle reducer debuted on QVC.com just a couple of weeks ago. And that is where you can buy the beauty treatment. At the moment, QVC has dropped the price to an introductory cost of $59.16 and $4.47 shipping. And if you check out the product testimonials, well, they are quite flattering to Dr. Will Kirby and Neutrogena.


We have written a few articles here at BeautyTipToday about the value of using a retinol-based product. So we are quite interested in Dr. Kirby's cutting edge, anti-aging formula.

According to the Neutrogena press release:

"Neutrogena Dermatologics Retinol NX Concentrated Retinol Serumcontains a patented Stabilized Retinol technology, which helps keep Retinol in its purest and most effective form. Neutrogena's Stabilized Retinol works to continuously renew skin's appearance while visibly reducing the signs of wrinkles and fine lines. Clinical tests demonstrated that 94.5% of subjects showed improvement in overall skin appearance and radiance, in just 8 weeks. In addition, significant improvement in appearance was seen in specific areas including crow's feet and fine lines, forehead wrinkles and stubborn under-eye wrinkles."

Retinol is wonderful stuff. Why? It's a form of Vitamin A, also known as retinoic acid, Retin-A. With retinol, you don't need a prescription. Retinol's cousin is Retin-A. It works faster than retinol, but you can't get it over the counter. What both products do beautifully, is help with cell turnover and encouragement of collagen synthesis. Your skin regains it buoyancy, and fine lines and wrinkles soften over time.

Retinol is kinder and gentler to your skin, unlike Retin-A, which can cause skin redness and swelling. But both can cause sun sensitivity, so a good sunscreen is advised in conjunction with these beauty treatments.

Courtney Cox Swears By This Eye Cream To Soften Wrinkles

We've talked about this time and time again. Our eyes show age very quickly, because the skin surrounding them is thin, delicate, and drier.

Yes, we can repair the damage done, but the process is slow, and some beauty products irritate the sensitive eye area.

Botox can work miracles, in that the cosmetic injectable is quick with fast results. Crow's feet are softened and eyes look more refreshed.

Today, we are looking at lovely actress Courtney Cox Arquette. No, she doesn't look like she needs much help in the beauty department, but the 44-year-old mother of one, is a loyal spokesperson for Kinerase skin care products. And she really trusts the brand.

And the Kinerase skin care item she adores, is their Intensive Eye Cream ($55, .7 oz, http://www.sephora.com/, and other fine beauty stores).

As Courtney says: "The results are undeniable. Kinerase works."

And this popular eye cream has been voted "Best of Sephora (2008) winner" for a second year now. Not bad.

Kinerase Intensive Eye Cream is fine for all skin types. It's a rich cream designed to soften aging in the eye area. The product contains, "the highest concentration of Kinetin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."

Visit the Sephora website, and read the positive testimonials for this anti-aging eye cream. Women love it, and swear that it really works and nourishes the skin.

By the way, to be fair in the world of beauty and Hollywood, Courtney Cox Arquette has admitted to using Botox before. She loved and hated the instant wrinkle eraser because although it smooths away lines for a few months, Botox also makes for strange expressions in the eyebrow area, and as an actress, she wants to be able to show a range of emotions.

Pink Grapefruit And Neutrogena To Zap Zits

Do you really care if your facial cleanser smells nice? Maybe it doesn't matter to you, as long as the formula works and thoroughly cleans your pores and stops breakouts.

But what if we were to tell you, that Neutrogena has introduced a 3-product line to powerfully zap zits, and has done so with an amazing pink grapefruit scent?!

Hey, we're hooked! The pink grapefruit smells yummy!!!

Neutrogena is always at the forefront, developing new methods to wipe out acne, fade fine lines and wrinkles, and keep you safe from the sun. We just had to try this new pink grapefruit trio:

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser ($5.99, 6 0z., drugstores). If you love their oil-free acne wash, try this one. With microclear technology. Clears breakouts. 100% naturally derived grapefruit extract. Eliminates oil and dirt, and rinses clean without drying out your skin.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub ($5.99, 4.2 oz., drugstores). Another wonderful acne fighting wash in a heavier concentration. Loaded with salicylic acid microclear technology. A very effective acne cleanser with the punch of pink grapefruit.

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit($6.99. 8.5 oz., drugstores). Refreshing, deep lathering scrub with salicylic acid. Gets rid of back, shoulder, and chest acne. And you smell really clean and pretty with all these foaming bubbles.

Three Red Carpet Looks You Can Steal Step By Step

Angelina Jolie. Nicole Richie. Selena Gomez.

Three gorgeous women. Three unique faces. Three different ages.

Want the Hollywood glamour you can style at home? Okay, we all won't end up looking exactly like Angelina. Nicole. Or Selena. But that's alright, too. You can steal their glamour and make it your own. Whether it's pale lips and a smokey eye. Or a glamorous teased ponytail. We have the step-by-step how-to's. And we can thank People.com for their wonderful section called----Get the Look: Star Beauty.

It seems like Angelina Jolie gets the right look every time she steps onto the red carpet. Check out this sexy, wavy hairstyle on Ms. Jolie. Hairstylist David Babaii created these luscious Veronica Lake locks with his signature WildAid hair products:

1. Wash with Amplifying Shampoo and Conditioner. 2. Dry with round brush and divide into top, sides, and crown, leaving nape free. 3. Curl 1-in. sections using a 1.5-in. FHI Heat iron then clip into pincurls to cool. 4. Brush with Mason Pearson paddle and finish with Mise en Plis Extra Hold Hairspray.

And now on to petite and delicate Nicole Richie and her big doe-eyes and Brigitt Bardot glamour. Celeb hairstylist Ken Paves took just 20 minutes using his own line of hair products to achieve Miss Richie's 'effortlessly chic glamour.'

1. Use a 1-in. Curling iron to wave the mid-shaft of hair, keeping the roots and the ends smooth. 2. Spray Healthy Hair Volumizing spray on roots and tousle. 3. Brush, then tease at crown and pull into a pony, affixing with hooked elastic band. 4. Finish with Healthy Hair Strong Hold Shaping Hairspray.


And lastly, fresh-faced and pretty teen Selena Gomez. She's wearing makeup, but not too much. Nothing over-powering here. Celeb makeup artist Nick Barose shows you just what products to use.

1. Prep skin with Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. 2. Dust on Lancome Color Design Blush in Chic Cassis. 3. Dot black Shiseido Eyeliner Pencil Duo in D1 along upper lash line. 4. Curl lashes. Then brush on one coat Phenomen'Eyes in Black.

Fun Size Chocolates Have More Calories Than You Think

It's post Halloween. And you've somehow managed to inherit, hide, rip off, find, buy, or be given lots of candy. Oh, come on.....They're just small fun size chocolates. Really now....how bad could these little delights be?!

After you read this, you might want to limit your chocolate desires to 2 fun size pieces a day.

Laura Dolson at About.com gave out a huge list of popular Halloween candy and chocolates. She went the extra mile by researching the calories and carbhohydrates. She did all the work for us, as we sat back and ate 2 Twix Fun Size chocolate treats. (Oops! That's a total of 100 calories and 14 g. carbs)

Let's put it this way. We were mortified to find that a simple, small Snickers Fun Size chocolate had 80 calories and 10 g. of carbs.

Here's the list, ladies. Well, someone had to spread the news:

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars - Fun size (14 g) - 67 calories and 8 g carb
M&Ms, plain, Fun size (18 g) - 88 calories and 12 g carb
M&Ms, peanut, Fun size (18 g) - 93 calories and 11 g carb
Mr. Goodbar Snack size (17 g) - 90 calories and 9 grams carb
Nestle's Crunch Bars Fun size (10 g) 50 calories and 7 grams carb
Nestle's Crunch Caramel Bars - Fun size - 70 calories and 9 g carb
Three Muskateers bar, Fun size (15 g) - 64 calories and 11 g carb
Tootsie Rolls - Small bar - 50 calories and 10 g carb
Pay Day - Snack size (19 g) - 90 calories and 10 g carb
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Snack size (17 g) - 88 calories and 10 g carb
Almond Joy Snack size (15 g) - 80 calories and 10g carb
Baby Ruth Bar, Fun size (18 g each) - 85 calories and 13 g carb
Butterfinger Bar, Fun size (18 g each) - 85 calories 14 g carb
Heath Bar, Snack size (13 g) - 74 calories and 9 g carb
Kit Kat, Fun size (14 g) - 73 calories and 9 g carb
Milky Way bar, Fun size (17 g) - 75 calories and 12 g carb
Mounds bars, Snack size (17 g) - 83 calories and 9 g carb
Snickers Bars, Fun size (17 g) - 80 calories and 10 g carb
Take Five bar, Fun size (15 g) - 10 g carb
Twix, Snack size (10 g) - 50 calories and 7 g carb
Charleston Chew bar, Fun size (10 g) - 45 calories and 8 g carb
Milk Duds Snack size (12 g) - 54 calories and 9 g carb
Jujyfruits - 9 pieces - 60 calories and 16 g carb
Lifesavers Gummies (2 rolls per ounce) - 52 calories and 13 g carb per roll
Starburst, Fun size (2 pieces per stick) - 40 calories and 10 g carb
Blow Pop, Junior - 50 calories and 14 g carb
Tootsie Pops - 60 calories and 15 g carb
Hot Tamales - small pkg (14 g) - 50 calories and 12 g carb
Jr. Mints, Fun size (10 g) - 50 calories and 12 g carb
Raisinettes, Fun size (16 g - about 16 pieces) - 56 calories and 11 g carb

Latest research does indicate that chocolate can be good for you, namely your heart, skin, and brain. According to a CNN.com article in 2006, a little chocolate never hurt anyone.

"Studies have shown heart benefits from increased blood flow, less platelet stickiness and clotting, and improved bad cholesterol," says Mary B. Engler, Ph.D., a chocolate researcher and director of the Cardiovascular and Genomics Graduate Program at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing.

If your blood pressure is high, chocolate may help. Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University, recently found that hypertensive people who ate 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate per day for two weeks saw their blood pressure drop significantly, according to an article in the journal Hypertension. Their bad cholesterol dropped, too.

And we love this little research item: German researchers gave 24 women a half-cup of special extra-flavonoid-enriched cocoa every day. After three months, the women's skin was moister, smoother, and less scaly and red when exposed to ultraviolet light. The researchers think the flavonoids, which absorb UV light, help protect and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance.

And lastly, preliminary research at West Virginia's Wheeling Jesuit University suggests chocolate may boost your memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. Chocolate companies found comparable gains in similar research on healthy young women and on elderly people.

There, now that should make us all feel a little better.