Smashbox O-Glow Blush Warms Up Cheeks For Spring 2010

Want to look soft and pretty?

Think pink this spring. And do it in the most flattering way we know---through a simple swipe of blush. And Smashbox cosmetics puts the O in glow!

As makeup artist Trish McEvoy once said, "Certain shades of pink are universally flattering. They tend to be pinks with a hint of brown--which are very natural and will blend with most skin tones. And any transparent pink is also easy to wear."

There you have it. A super beauty tip from Trish McEvoy. A touch of pink can do wonders for your complexion, giving you a lovely glow. Pink is also a color of playfulness, youthfulness, and passion. Pink can range in bright candy shades to light dusty, barely pinks. There are so many choices, and there is a pink for everyone.

Today, we are looking at one of our go-to favorites and beauty editors' pick included in the Smashbox Heartbreaker Spring 2010 makeup collection: O-Glow Intuitive Cheek Color ($26). Get a feminine, flirty flush with this universal cheek color. The texture features a pinky gel which glides onto your cheeks. And the best part of this Smashbox blush, is its ability to react with each individual skin tone, to impart a natural and pretty customized glow to cheeks.

To take a further look at O-Glow and the rest of the Heartbreaker Spring makeup collection, visit Smashbox.

Weirder Mascara Wand Brushes Like Clinique Pop Up In 2010

This beauty science is getting weirder and weirder, especially when it comes to developing the perfect mascara wand brush. The brush that can coat even the tiniest and skimpiest of lashes and the mascara that can make average lashes look their longest and thickest, are the details that make any women want to buy the product.

Last year, we 'spiraled' our way in the mirror, as we saw an explosion of vibrating brush mascaras introduced to give us all an unbelievable makeup experience. These moving mascara wands were designed to boost the method of coating each lash. Some women loved the new wands, and others hated the mascara gizmo, knocking them as mere gimmicks.

And now in 2010, make way for the, well, newest in wands: Clinique's High Lengths Mascara ($14) with the unique and green 'willow wand.' You can actually bend this wand brush. Yes, it's a curved brush, as we can all see, and Clinique says the top side contains three rows of tines. Apparently the brush is scientifcally designed to pick up just the right amount of mascara each time you dip it into the tube. And the brush coats the lashes all the way to the very tip, giving you a beautiful wider-eyed look.

The new Clinique High Lengths Mascara comes in your choice of black or brown, and the mascara quality is said to be very good.

It's out right now at a Clinique makeup counter near you, or at beauty stores like Sephora.

No, we haven't tried this new fangled and weird-looking mascara wand brush yet. We do like that it's curved because we think that makes a difference, but we're not sure about the tiny rows of tines. Hopefully someone out there reading this, has given the Clinique product a go, and will leave us a review.

Lauren Luke Lucks Out As YouTube Sensation And Visits Today Show

If you know makeup, then you probably know Lauren Luke. And if you don't know, let us tell the story, because it's a great one.

The lonely, young British woman who swears she had no friends, shot to super stardom last year on YouTube. Lauren Luke made makeup tutorials, using her own pretty face as a guide, and instantly gained more than 56 million views by 2009. And now she has her own official site and a line of makeup kits sold exclusively at Sephora stores here in the United States. You can also purchase her line here.

And this morning, Lauren Luke's popularity went up another ton of digits with an appearance on the 'Today Show.' She showed host Meredith Viera, how to create the look every woman asks her for----the smoky eye. This time, Lauren demonstrated her marvelous makeup skills on a model. Her beauty tips today: Use a primer before applying eye shadow, so it glides on smoother and stays put. A smokey eye is sexy, Lauren adds. You can go lighter with the smokey eye for daytime and then build it up with stronger color for evening.

You can try Lauren Luke's My Smokey Classics kit ($32.50). This is what you get inside:
Shadow Primer / Nude Slip DarkShadow Primer / Nude Slip LightEye Shadow / Antique PewterBlush / Peach GlowEye Liner / Raven BlackEye Shadow / Twilight AshEye Shadow / Cashmere CreamLip Color / PlumberryLip Color / Cranberry Stain.

Lauren Luke is a 27-year-old single mom who started 'vlogging' while her son was at school. And the rest is history, as they say. To check out Lauren Luke in makeup action, just visit her YouTube site. She's got a friendly, sincere manner with a charming British accent.

Here are Lauren's reasons for showing the world her makeup tutorials:

"I am very proud of myself considering my average size for a women it is very hard to get this much notice. I want to make a huge change to the beauty industry and with all of your help through YouTube I hopefully will be able to do so.
Lets show the world together that everyone is just as beautiful if not more with just the confidence we hold.I dont know about you but I know I have had enough of being made to feel inadequate by today's beauty standards.
"I just think there is a standard that is set by the beauty industry that is unobtainable by the vast majority of us normal people who pay for it. We are all entitled to have products that work and bring out the best in us and create looks that we can actually wear"Please Subscribe to show your support, it really does make a difference.Zoom Zoom!"

Delicious Mac iPhone Apps For Beauty, Shopping, Style

Okay, ladies, start your Mac engines!!

Macworld.com's App Guide reviews more than 73,000 iPhone apps that are now available to you. Just download on to iTunes.

Let's look at some cool beauty, shopping, and style apps (applications) for you. And if you're on a tight budget, don't worry, there's a special app for that:

Budget ($2). You can watch how much you're spending and stay within your limit. Set a pre-set budget and your app will remember the $$ amount. So before going crazy on a very expensive set of earrings, you will be able to track your purchases and avoid the embarrassing debit overdraft.

BNB (Be Nice to Bunnies) ($2). This app helps you shop for cruelty-free cosmetics and other products not tested on animals. You can also check whether an item is vegan.


CardStar (Free). This one consolidates all your store cards-- like membership, discount, club and rewards. A cashier can scan the bar code right off your iPhone.

My Style Fashion Assistant ($5). Gotta love this app. Your very own style consultant. Keep track of what you wear, what clothing you have, and even how to mix and match. And if you're planning a trip, no problem, this little application can give you valuable fashion tips, all in the name of 'organization.'

Coupon Sherpa (Free). No need to hunt for savings. This app finds scannable coupons for you---like boots, sunglasses, and much more, including deals in your area.

Ebay Mobile (Free). You really want to buy that set of beautiful makeup brushes, but you can't sit by the computer all day. Get and up and go, and keep track of your online bidding with this Ebay app, and let the bidding war begin!

Amazon Mobile (Free). Same kind of idea here---step away from your computer. You see an item you want, snap a photo, and Amazon will do the work--sending you listings for the same product or similar products.

ColorSutra ($2). Have superb style? But not the best with which color goes with that?! The Color Sutra app can help. Just take a picture of your turquoise blouse, for instance. And this clever app will automatically offer you shades that match.

Makeup Tips & Tricks ($1). This detailed guide has been compiled by professional makeup artists, and covers a wide range of topics on eyes, lips, skin, nails and much more. Lots of 'how-to's.' How to use makeup brushes. How to fix a makeup mistake. How to highlight your natural beauty.

These are just a few of the hundreds and hundreds of apps designed to make your world a more beautiful and stylish place. For more info, just click on MAC.

Watch Out! Counterfeit Fragrances Contain Anti-Freeze And Urine

Anti-freeze? Urine? We don't want anyone to lose their lunch here, but this is really disturbing information Harper's Bazaar magazine is reporting today, about the huge business of counterfeit fragrances and the unbelievable ingredients found in them.

And faux fragrances are different from fake handbags or apparel, simply because, you are applying a fake perfume to the skin. And sometimes, though not always, you can develop an ugly reaction, says Jeannette Graf, a dermatologist in Great Neck, New York. "Knockoffs are poorly made, cheap, and reactive. You don't have accountability with a knockoff. It could be made in someone's bathtub for all you know." Bad reactions, she says, range from a runny nose to redness and eczema.

The Bazaar magazine article goes on to explain that, counterfeit fragrances have not been subjected to the quality-control tests and research and development on which legitimate makers spend money and time. "When you wear a fake, the experience is a lot different," Patrick Bamburak, a Dior Perfumes executive says. "It's either more concentrated and will be more strong or will have an alcoholy smell that won't last." And fakes have been found to contain contaminated alcohol, antifreeze, urine, and harmful bacteria.

Yuck. Enough to turn your stomach. And yet, these knock-off perfumes are sold everywhere, and not just on the streets of New York City. You can find counterfeit fragrances at flea markets, discount drugstores, and even supermarkets. And the most common place of all.....on some online sites, especially on Ebay.

Don't get us started with Ebay. We got taken, snowed, conned, and whatever other word you want to call it, when we innocently purchased what we thought were two bottles of Estee Lauder's Beautiful fragrance two Decembers ago, before Christmas.

The seller, with an almost stellar Ebay feedback rating, 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.

Well, the Beautifuls were big fakes. Two counterfeit fragrances.

Our beauty tip today: Buy right, like Harper's Bazaar is warning you:

"Top-quality perfumes are sold at department stores, beauty specialty stores such as Sephora, and sometimes high-end boutique pharmacies and apothecaries.

How To Get Rid Of White Deodorant Marks On Clothing

We've all been there, ladies. And if you own an lbd, or little black dress, then you've probably run into this problem at least once in your life.

We're talking about white deodorant marks on clothing. Those nasty white marks left behind after a simple swipe of deodorant. The marks end up under the arms of your favorite fashions. And then, try to get rid of those white deodorant marks. It's virtually impossible. And if the fabric is colored black or in a bright shade like red, good luck!

You try washing the white marks out with water, and sometimes you can ruin the fabric. You keep rubbing and rubbing away. The material dries, and still......the white deodorant marks re-surface. Why won't they disappear!

This morning, we got a bit of good news on how to get rid of those nasty white marks. Consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen of CBS's 'The Early Show,' came up with a unique idea. And it actually works, because we saw her rub out the deodorant marks, live, on television. See the proof here! TheEarlyShow.

All you need is a favorite piece of clothing with some ugly white marks ruined by deodorant and an old pair of panty hose. Yes, panty hose. Roll up the panty hose in a ball, and start rubbing away the white deodorant marks. You will be using the nylon hose like a cloth. Just keep rubing over the marks. And like magic, the nasty whiteness disappears!

You can also try a deodorant that is specifically formulated to not only battle perspiration and odor, but one that also claims to never leave behind white marks. Here's an invisible solid that works:

New Degree Ultra Clean Red Satin Deodorant. This one is 'unbeatable on white marks.' And the feminine red satin scent is lovely, made with a unique blend of floral, citrus and fruity notes for a sparkling clean, fresh scent. Top and middle notes include pineapple, watermelon, apple, pear, aqueous, bergamot, tangerine and zest, and middle and base notes include muguet, rose, peony and marigold. Yummy scent!

Degree Women Ultra Clear anti-perspirants/deodorants are available nationally at drugstores beginning January 2010 with a suggested retail price of $3.99 (2.6 oz). The product should be on most store shelves by now.

Visit DegreeDeodorant.com for some money saving coupons.

Madonna Looking Youthful And Defying Gravity In Mysterious Ways

Lots of people have been talking about Madonna these days, and not only for her recent appearance at the Hope for Haiti Now telethon/concert. She not only performed beautifully, but she was looking darn good. And at age 51, not an easy feat.

So, yeah, Madonna is looking youthful and defying gravity in mysterious ways. How exactly are her skin and face able to achieve such a tautness and healthy glow?! There are tons of rumors out there about the singer. We all know she does work out like a fiend and eat very properly. She took some nasty jabs last year about her very muscular arms and bony hands. Photographers were snapping her physique whenever they could. Lately, we have noticed her covering her arms and even wearing fingerless gloves, like she did in her performance for the Hope for Haiti Now telethon/concert.

Last year, there was talk about sizeable cheek implants put into her face. There was also buzz about Sculptra, a cosmetic filler, that when injected, adds wonderful volume to the face, filling in the hollows and restoring a youthful buoyancy to the features. Sculptra can last for several years.

There was even gossip about Madonna getting a ribbon lift less than a year ago. We hadn't even heard of this Beverly Hills technique. The $6,000 and 30-minute treatment, uses a dissolvable ribbon implant to lift neck tissues through a short incision around the earlobe.It takes around two months for the ribbon to be absorbed and the results can last a few years.

And then there is the Madonna lift. Hmm. We're not sure if that cosmetic procedure were named after the singer herself, but, what other Madonna could famous NYC plastic surgeon Bruce Katz be talking about?!

Dr. Katz is the pioneer behind the Madonna lift. This procedure is designed to tighten the skin around the eyes and bring a subtle lift to the eyebrows. It involves the fractional CO2 laser. It's a gentler enhancement, because it is not invasive, and is a safe and effective alternative to traditional eyelid surgery.

Dr. Katz explains the procedure this way:
"The Madonna fractional eyelift dramatically reduces the appearance of dark circles and eye wrinkles, tightens upper and lower eyelid skin, and helps to elevate drooping eyebrows,” said Dr. Katz. “It has a number of the benefits of a surgical eyelift without the risks and downtime. The only problem it doesn’t address is bulging fat pads.
Metal eye shields are used during treatment to protect a patient’s eyes from injury. The only anesthesia needed for the procedure is a numbing cream that is applied to the eyelids; as a result, downtime is minimal."

We can only guess at how the 'material girl' is fighting aging and gravity. But she's doing something right. And of course, like the smart gal she is, Madge isn't saying much. Madonna has remained rather mysterious on the subject of surgery, remarking previously: 'I am certainly not against plastic surgery; however, I am absolutely against having to discuss it.'

To take a look at Madonna's youthful appearance, check out her talented performance on YouTube.

Dr. Oz Says Seeds Simply Excellent For Health And Diet

When television's Dr. Oz speaks, people listen. And why not? Dr. Oz has quite the medical pedigree as Vice Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. And he has a good bedside manner, we think.

We recently heard Dr. Oz mention the value of seeds for excellent health and dietary benefits.

Could something as small and inconspicuous-looking as a poppy seed, chia seed, or sunflower seed have any real nutritional value?

Apparently so, and even the basic sprinkling of these little seeds on salads, vegetables, and other foods on a daily basis, can reap rewards for you in the long run.

Let's take a look at 3 good seeds. We found some wonderful facts from Buzzle.com:

Poppy seeds. Yeah, we all have heard about the failed urine tests because of opium that would turn up in the results. Remember the Seinfeld episode and the poppy seed muffin? It's true...you can flunk a urine test after eating an innocent poppy seed bagel or poppy seed roll.

"Poppy seeds are considered to be an excellent source of vital minerals like magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc. that are needed for the smooth functioning of all human organs. As they provide the body with a good source of carbohydrates, they add loads of energy in the body. Their fatty acids aid in digestion as well as supplying other important acids required to break down food in the stomach. Poppy seeds contain linoleic acid and oleic acid. Linoleic acid protects the heart from many heart diseases and conditions, while oleic acid is known to help in prevention of breast cancer."

There are 45 Calories in 1 Tablespoon of poppy seeds.

Chia seeds. We wrote an article about this valuable little seed last year, in the form of FitFlax, a popular and crunchy food. FitFlax is ready to eat and consists of whole seeds made of roasted golden flax with chia. Together, the chia and flax seeds can do wonders:

Lower blood pressure + cholesterol

Increase metabolic rate

Promote lean muscle mass
Reduce Body Fat
Promote healthy skin

Reduce cravings for sweets + junk foods

Promote regularity + colon health

Stabilize blood sugarHigh in soluble + insoluble fiber

Improve cardiovascular health

Reduce risk of cancer.

It tastes like sesame seeds, and it is gluten-free. Yummy on peanut butter and crackers. 76 Calories in 1 1/2 Tablespoons.

Sunflower Seeds. Think of these as 'good for your heart' seeds. "The most important health benefit of sunflower seeds is imparted by the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that it contains. These components protect the heart against various heart diseases like blockage of arteries, by lowering cholesterol and eliminating bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein. More than 90% of the fat, that sunflower seeds contain is unsaturated fat which help maintain high density lipoprotein."

Sunflower seeds contain: Vitamin E, proteins, selenium, magnesium, folates, fibers, and other important nutrients. These tasty seeds can be baked in pancakes, breads, sprinkled on salads and vegetables. And they can be stored for a long time.

We think Dr. Oz is right about the health and dietary benefits of seeds. Just a sprinkle a day can keep you slim and fit.

How To Put Pretty Focus On Nails During Cold Dull Winter Days

Let's kick things up a notch! We can't believe we are even saying that, but you will understand in a moment.If you've got several inches of snow on the ground, then you might be tired of the cold winter days. And if you're enjoying 80 degree temperatures and hot sun, well, lucky you.

We want to bring the focus back to your nails, ladies. And the easiest and cheapest way to do that, is through a simple bottle of nail polish. Let's be frank here, the economy is still putting a struggle on most folks these days. So, we would like to find a bit of beauty in the most inexpensive way. And that my dears, is through the wonderful world of color. And when it comes to our nails, that's an area where we can all go crazy!

And as long as you keep your nails short and groomed, preferably square-shaped, you can paint on a bold and bright beautiful nail shade. Today, we are looking at turquoise. Why turquoise, you ask. Simple. It's one of the hot go-to shades for 2010.

Stylist Anya Sarre of The Insider show, recently mentioned turquoise and berry as being the 'it' colors of the new year. And Lara Spencer, host of The Insider, has been wearing the colors often. Sometimes in a piece of jewelry, or a pretty blouse, etc. Already, we are seeing more celebrities and non-celebrities brightening up their wardrobes with a splash of turquoise or berry.

Let's look at China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Custom Kicks. This strong, sexy shade came out last summer, and it's still going strong, and looks great during these cold winter days. And it won't break your budget. Only $6 at sallybeauty.com. And every skin tone would look lovely with a set of turquoise nails like these.

Where we are typing this, the outdoor temperature reads 17 degrees. Now you know why we need to 'kick it up.'

So, if the cold, dull winter days have you down, spice up your life with a little color. And this time, let's put the pretty focus on your nails.

Jennifer Lopez At Scott Barnes' Book Party Says It's All About The Bronzer

Jennifer Lopez has amazing bone structure. Period. And maybe that's why she is the cover girl for her makeup artist Scott Barnes' new book, About Face. The book is available at bookstores now, and retails for $24.99

J.Lo was at the book party recently. She is very proud of Scott Barnes, as she should be. The A-list makeup artist does fine beauty work on Jennifer Lopez, as well as Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Mariska Hargitay, Gwyneth Paltrow, and many other Hollywood celebrities and models.

InStyle magazine asked J.Lo at the About Face book party, to share the most important beauty lesson Scott Barnes has taught the sexy Latin celebrity. And apparently, it's all about the bronzer:

“Stay out of the sun! He really nailed into my head. Bronzer and self-tanners are so worth it. Stay out of the booth, girls! And boys!” she said. “He’s taught me so much about contouring… what should be highlighted and what should be left alone.”

Scott Barnes loves to use bronzer and highlighter. And he, of course, adores his own liquid bronzers called Body Bling, which he refers to as, 'the bronzer to the stars.'

In a past article we did on Scott Barnes' makeup tips, he explains the gentle approach to using bronzer:

"Make sure that you don’t use a bronzer like you would be using a loose powder. You shouldn’t be applying bronzer all over your face. You should actually use bronzer on parts of your face that the sun would kiss naturally and you should make sure that the centre of your face is lighter than the outer parts of your face."

To get that healthy, sun-kissed glow like Jennifer Lopez, start out softly:

"In general, I try to abide by a less-is-more mentality: You can always layer more on but it’s harder to take it off. It’s really all in the approach, though. I always see women applying powders and bronzers starting next to their nose. But the trick is to work from the outside of the face inward, rather than the other way around. This creates a halo effect and leaves a diamond shape of light in the center so your face appears a little more open. This will hide double chins and give you a visible bone structure so you don’t wind up looking old. Also, use a bronzing brush to blend allover rather than applying product directly to problem areas like crow’s feet and laugh lines. And don’t forget to do your neck and décolletage."

By the way, About Face, a how-to makeup book, is full of valuable techniques for every area of makeup application. There are lots of step-by-step photos, makeup items you need, dramatic makeovers, celebrities he has worked with, etc.

You can check out About Face by Scott Barnes at Amazon.

Taking Care Of The Skin Below The Chin: Decollete Sun Spots

The hot sun feels so good on our skin. And when most of us tan, our decollete is right there, propped up like the bikini-clad woman in the photo. The decollete receives all the good blessings from the sun, but also some nasty skin agers, like sun spots, wrinkles, and dry dullness. Now that it's winter, it's time to examine the damage we've done.

What is the decollete? The decollete is actually the upper part of a woman's chest, below the neck. And that brings us to the point of our article today:

Skin Care should not end at the chin. Let's look below. The decollete area on a woman's body is one of the first places to show age. The decollete needs tender loving care. According to liv.com, a website dedicated to helping raise awareness about early detection of breast cancer, the skin of the decollete, is quite delicate:

"The skin on the décolleté area is more sensitive than skin on other parts of our body; it is thinner, less moisturized, has less elasticity and there is no fat tissue below. Consequently, this skin is more likely to show signs of aging with dryness, hyper-pigmentation and age spots."

And yet, most of us follow a strict face cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing routine, often stopping at the chin.

Get over age 50, and dermatologists say those cute, faint, little sun spots, fine lines, and freckles, start getting bigger and darker in pigmentation. The good news? We can always improve our skin.

First, cleanse your decollete area with the same cleanser you would use on your face. And then apply a moisturizer. NY dermatologist Judith Hellman advises follwing that step with " a combination of Vitamin A derivative creams such as Retin-A, Glycolic Acid creams and bleaching creams containing Hydroquinone". This regimen will start minimizing brown pigmentation and fine lines, she says.

There are also cosmetic procedures like the LimeLight PhotoFacial. And what it does, is use a light laser to zero in on a problem area of skin. The laser delivers a gentle pulse of light and, within one to three weeks, the zapped spot will flake off or fade. One visit costs around $500, but this procedure has proven to be quite successful.

And then there is do-it-at-home decollete care. Melanie Vasseur, a well-known skincare specialist, cosmetic chemist, aesthetician and founder of Vasseur Skincare, says you could try this:

"Vitamin C is very effective in removing sunspots as well. Try lemon or limejuice, they act as natural alpha hydroxy acids and are very effective. Squeeze fresh lemon juice or lime juice into a bowl and apply with a cotton swab to your chest every other night for 2-3 weeks. Take a break for the fourth week and continue again for the fifth week. The following remedies can take up to 6 months, be patient you’ll be glad you were."

These skin care steps for the decollete sound smart and sensible. And as all dermatologists remind us: Please put on the sunscreen, even when it's a cloudy day.

Get Some New Year Bling By Michelle Trachtenberg For Coach

Hey Michelle Trachtenberg. It must be nice to be a Gossip Girl and have a new jewelry line, and be only 24-years-old.

The engaging actress is excited about bringing in some new year bling for Coach's younger set in their Poppy jewelry collection. And it's some budget-saving bling. The spring 2010 pieces sell for $78 to $128.

Michelle Trachtenberg tells Us magazine, "It's Marie Antoinette meets Blondie. The perfect mix of girlie and edgy."


If you adore a little buzz close to your heart, you will love Michelle's debut jewelry line for Coach's Poppy collection. The bee is everywhere and it's a striking Swarovski crystal bee. The spring 2010 bling line is on sale right now. So far, we have noticed a 4-piece collection. Earrings. Bracelet. Necklace. And big bee cocktail ring. All pieces include a light hematite finish for a gunmetal cast along with faceted glass stones.

We like the jewelry pieces, because we are partial to blue. And we recently saw Michelle, herself, sporting the bee earrings at an event. Her fans will probably love the collection.

Let's face it. It's quite common these days, to have a celebrity collaborate with a jewelry or fashion house. Nicole Richie has done it quite admirably and successfully with her House of Harlow jewelry and new Winter Kate clothing line. And the Kardashians have a brand new jewelry line among other clever ventures.

We know....the bee theme has been done over and over again in jewelry collections, but this one does mix some hard edges into the design. So we think those who adore the Poppy jewelry will welcome Michelle Trachtenberg's collaboration with Coach.

You can view Michelle's debut line at Coach.

Golden Globes Bring Out Sophisticated Silver Eyeshadow Trend In 2010

The big beauty trend at Sunday's Golden Globes awards show, was in the eyes of several lovely ladies, like Leona Lewis, Heidi Klum, and Kate Hudson.

You could say, it was a 'Grey Gardens Night' when it came to makeup. We're talking about sophisticated silver eyeshadow. Take a look at British songstress Leona Lewis. She's rockin' the sexy and softer smoky eye with a lighter pink lip. The beauty trend will be big this year and it's not hard to copy.

The 2010 Golden Globes also featured a sea of purple fabric flowing along the red carpet. Purple shades like violets, plums, and eggplants were delicately hugging the bodies of Sandra Bullock, Jane Krakowski, Rose Byrne, and Leona Lewis.

That purple fashion trend also blends in beautifully with the silver eye shades celebrities were wearing to the formal event. Any eyeshadow that takes a silver base and mixes in a wash of muted purple will be important this spring.

And do take note. If you are not crazy about a harsher or bolder smoky eye, the kind that is generally done in black or brown shadows and liners, silver shadow is very sophisticated and just as pretty. You can go deep with gunmetal grey or much gentler with a delicate dove grey. From shimmer to sheen. From metallic to matte, silver can go the beauty distance.

By the way, if you're still all thumbs when it comes to creating smoky eyes, have no fear. Stila has a wonderful Smoky Eye Talking Palette eyeshadow set (on sale $40, at Sephora stores). And it comes in 2 gray choices:

The Grays (the original Smoky Eye Talking Palette): icy champagne (base), silvery gray (lid), dark gray (crease/ contour), and smoky black brown (liner).

The Platinums: white pearl (base), silver (lid), silvery gray (crease/ contour), and black with micro glitter (liner).

And the set is goof-proof!! "With the press of a button, a Stila artist's recording will teach you how to create the perfect smoky eye, complete with artistry tips, what brushes to use, and product suggestions, all in under a minute."

How cool is that!

Women Lose Weight Slower Than Men But Menstrual Cycle Can Tell Women When Body Burns Most Fat

It's already 2010. And lots of people are trying to lose weight in the new year.

The ugly fact: Women do lose weight slow-wwwwer than men. How frustrating is that, especially partners that take the weight loss journey together, only to see their male counterparts losing lbs. so quickly.

But women do have a little weight loss weapon they don't even know about. It's called your menstrual cycle. And learning how your monthly cycle works, can give you clues to when your body burns the most fat.

Here at Beauty Tip Today, we have tackled this issue before, and we recently received an email from a reader who wanted us to re-explain how a woman's menstrual cycle can help one lose weight. So let us begin.

First, let's look at some basics:

1. Men tend to lose weight faster than women for a few reasons.

2. Women tend to store and retain fat, because we have higher levels of estrogen, which keeps fat on a woman's body.

3. Men have more muscle on their frames which equals a faster metabolism. So, they can burn more calories, even when lying on the couch, doing zero.

4. Women have more fat on hips and thighs, which are tougher fat zones to remove, whereas men have more belly fat, which is a fat zone that melts away quicker.

Now, lets' look at women's menstrual cycles, and see how your period, and the days in between that, offer you the best shot for burning fat. Exercise plays a big role here:

Muscle & Fitness magazine did an article on the female fat cycle. And according to researchers from Australia, all women are equal and alike during certain times of their menstrual cycle.

For instance, one study found that, "the female body burns much more fat, especially during high-intensity aerobic exercise, during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle than it does during the follicular phase." In other words, you will lose more weight during days 14-28 of your cycle than during days 1-13 of your cycle.(Remember: Day 1 of your cycle always equals the first day of your period). It has to do with the estrogen and progesterone levels during a woman's cycle.

Now to take advantage of your own fat burning machine, do lower-intensity exercise when you get your period. Use about 60%-70% of your maximum heart rate for about 40-60 minutes per session for days 1-13. Do cardio on the treadmill or elliptical climber. Then around day 14, switch over to high-intensity exercise, where you use 80%-90% maximum heart rate for about 30 minutes per session. Do that tougher exercise regimen for days 14-28.(These days are generally your ovulation time). Push your cardio on the stationary bike or stair-stepper.

This plan will help you really strip the fat and lose weight.

New NARS Orgasm Illuminator Explodes In Luscious Luminosity

It's called the NARS Orgasm Illuminator, ladies. A fancy word for highlighter. And it's the newest seductive makeup product in the already legendary NARS Orgasm makeup line-up. The Illuminator has been set for introduction in Spring 2010, but it's being sold right now at Sephora. That's the only beauty store, so far, where we could hunt down a tube of it.

The price may be $29, but this Orgasm Illuminator explodes into luscious luminosity in that familiar peachy-pink shade that makes every gal blush in a beautiful way. It performs in a big-gggg way......It can be used as a highlighter on cheeks or anywhere else you want to bring gentle shine and attention....like the decolletage. You can also mix a little Orgasm Illuminator in your foundation or tinted moisturizer.

The consistency of this new NARS Orgasm product is that of a sheer fluid. It's got a subtle shimmer along with the tiniest of microscopic flecks in shiny peaches, pinks, and golds. The Illimunator gives warmth and vibrancy to the complexion and shows off bone structure.

The NARS Orgasm Illuminator joins hands with popular NARS Orgasm Blush, Orgasm Lipgloss, Orgasm Nail Polish, and NARS The Multiple(multi-purpose color stick).

Tonight is the night for the Golden Globes Awards show. We wonder how many beautiful celebrities will be walking the red carpet wearing their own Orgasm Illuminator. If you want to glow, this new product delivers for all of us.

Yogurt Is So Good For You And Heidi Klum Proves It In New Dannon Ad

Heidi Klum is everywhere these days, and most recently in a new ad for Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt. We were wondering who that sexy woman was in the clever ad. It looked like Heidi, but we weren't so sure, until now.

At 36, and a proud momma of 4, Heidi Klum is on the go with Project Runway's new 7th season. She just gave birth to her daughter Lou in October. She has since modeled in the annual televised Victoria's Secret fashion show, designed a line of maternity clothes, has a popular skin care line going, and a bunch of other things with her lovely face and name behind them.

And now yogurt. Perfect for a mom who is fast on the track to drop her post-pregnancy days and keep her slender figure. And Heidi knows that yogurt is so good for you. And in this case, only 80 calories in a cup(6oz. serving) of new Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt. And zero fat. Available in 17 delicious flavors like Pineapple Coconut and Apple Pie. Yummy!!

Yogurt is a wonderful natural beauty treatment. And it's delicious! Yogurt delivers lots of vitamins and minerals to the body. It is an excellent source of protein and calcium and as most of you already know, yogurt maintains good gastro-intestinal health.

And yogurt is also beneficial for healthy gums. According to a recent study at Japan's Kyushu University, researchers found that those who ate fermented milk products such as yogurt (at least 2 oz. a day), had significantly improved gum health. The key 'magic' ingredient being calcium.

What we admire about Heidi Klum is her devotion to family, her accessibility, and wholesome public image. Heidi is often see with family in tow, trying to live a very normal life, amidst the fame of her modeling career and that of her husband Seal's singing career. Heidi isn't afraid to show off a face without makeup and one with a few lines and wrinkles, as she did last summer while heading to a Broadway show. She isn't playing model 24/7.

The public embraces Heidi Klum, and not only for her beauty.

To take a look at Heidi's new ad for Dannon yogurt, just click on to YouTube.

And visit LightnFit for coupons.

Powder? Aging Or Does It Really 'Set' A Beauty Purpose?

We are in the beauty belief that powder does matter and does 'set' makeup. It is the final step in a beauty routine.

There are professional makeup artists out there, however, who warn about the overuse and misuse of powder. When it's not applied properly, it can look ghost-like, mask-like, and can make you look older, because it can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, and unfortunately, turn the spotlight on our imperfections.

But there are so many makeup powders available these days, that we can all find at least a couple that can help us achieve the look of smaller pores, a balanced complexion, a matte finish, hiding an oily face, longer-lasting makeup, and an even brighter and firmer face.

Why do we believe in powder as the last step in a daily beauty ritual? If you look at beauty history, you will come across the name of Way Bandy. He was probably one of the most influential makeup artists around. And most artists today, have been inspired by his techniques and understanding of a woman's bone structure. It's a sad shame, Way Bandy as since passed away. He was such a brilliant artist in the 1970's. His book, Designing Your Face, was a big seller and a wonderful beauty primer on makeup. You could probably still find the how-to book on Amazon.com.

In Designing Your Face, Way Bandy talks about the power of powder to set makeup. His trick----plain, old, baby powder. Way would dip a big, makeup brush into a jar of baby powder, shake off the excess, and powder his models with it at shoots. Even the great model, Iman, talked about Way Bandy in her own book, The Beauty of Color:

"My first photo shoot, two days after I arrived in Manhattan, was with one of the first celebrity makeup artists, Way Bandy, and legendary fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo. Bandy had the smallest makeup kit — a brown pencil, a black pencil, black mascara, an eyelash curler, baby powder, and an orangey blush...."

Yes, you can still use baby powder to set your makeup. But you can also try some of the new powders out that do more than just 'set makeup,' or keep it looking fresh or just applied.

We're looking at 2 excellent makeup powders that seal the deal in your beauty routine, and give you that healthy, perfect complexion we strive for each day:

1. Redpoint HydraBoost Firming Powder ($36). A silky, translucent powder that actually firms and moisturizes while keeping oily shine away. HydraBoost Firming Powder is formulated with DermaFiber, a micronized powder that instantly helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores. It 's a translucent shade that fits all skin tones.

2. Bye Bye Pores Powder by It cosmetics ($24). You can minimize pores, airbrush fine lines and wrinkles away. And keep your oily skin in check. Bye Bye Pores is infused with collagen, anti-oxidants and real silk. It instantly smoothes away signs of aging. Superfine translucent powder works on all skin tones and types.

So, if you are hesitant about powder, we say, don't be shy. Use a light touch and powder away!

Winter Months Cruel To Rosacea? Try Obagi Rosaclear System

We have written about rosacea a couple of times before here at Beauty Tip Today.

And now, we are writing again, because the cold, dry winter months can be cruel to those with rosacea. We've been looking at the well-respected Obagi skin care company, and their RosaClear System, a multi-product, all-in-one weapon that battles redness and gives you back a healthy, more balanced complexion.

The RosaClear System has been out for a year now, and seems to show measurable promise.

No one knows what truly causes rosacea. But it is a common skin disease that affects more than 14 million Americans today. More women than men have it, and it usually strikes those with fair skin and blue eyes, namely of Irish and Scottish descent. Sadly, most Americans don't know how to treat it.

What does rosacea resemble? There are four subtypes, but simply speaking, it can appear as a redness or persistent flushing of the face. Sometimes it includes the distinct redness, but with a bumpy texture. Other rosacea examples feature a thickening of the skin with an irregular epidermal texture. And lastly, ocular rosacea, which shows red, swollen, iritated eyelids.

The RosaClear System by Obagi is prescription-based, although you can buy the products individually or as a set through many online shopping sites and on Ebay. The kit costs about $135.

According to the stats, clinical studies revealed that, "90 percent of subjects showed at least a one grade reduction in the severity of rosacea after just two weeks. Investigators also reported an overall reduction in redness and continued improvement over the four-week study."

The Obagi RosaClear System includes these products:
Gentle Cleanser---Gently cleanses sensitive skin.
Metronidazole Topical Gel USP, 0.75% (Rx Only)--Treats the inflammatory papules and pustules associated with rosacea.
Hydrating Complexion Corrector--Anti-inflammatory agents help reduce redness while soothing and calming the skin; light-reflective minerals lead to a more balanced-looking complexion.
Skin Balancing Sun Protection SPF 30 (sold separately)--Provides sun protection through a specially formulated, chemical-free, tinted UVA/UVB sunscreen which easily blends with the skin.

OMG! Heidi Montag Undergoes Extreme Plastic Surgery Makeover

Heidi Montag. You have to admit, the girl is gutsy. And apparently addicted to plastic surgery as the headline of People magazine's newest issue on sale now, reveals.

Yes, both photos are of Heidi Montag. Before, left, and the new Heidi, right, in 2010. Heidi seems almost unrecognizable after an admitted 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day! OMG!

So, what's different about the celebrity? Bigger breasts, bigger lips, smaller chin, smaller nose, and apparently some other things like---mini brow lift, Botox in the forehead, fat injections in the cheeks, neck liposuction, ears pinned back, liposuction on her waist and thighs and a buttocks augmentation.

The Hills star is only 23, and yet has been slowly putting together a more beautiful beauty strategy for quite some time now. "For the past three years, I've thought about what to have done," the reality star tells PEOPLE. "I'm beyond obsessed."

We always thought Heidi Montag was pretty, and even prettier after her first nose job, done around 2007. Then she went for too ample a breast enhancement, and it's never stopped. But, we have to imagine, it's tough out there for any young woman growing up in such a beauty and youth-obsessed society. There is so much pressure on girls to be super skinny and look 'perfect.' And Heidi told People, that she was teased as a young girl about her looks, and the teasing didn't stop, even when she moved to L.A. and got a lucky television break:

"People said I had a] Jay Leno chin," she tells the mag. "And when I watched myself on 'The Hills,' my ears would be sticking out like Dumbo! I just wanted to feel confident and look in the mirror and be like, 'Whoa! That's me!' I was an ugly duckling before."

There's a lot of competition in Hollywood, especially in the pop star world, where Heidi so wants to be at the moment:

"I'm competing against the Britney Spearses of the world - and when she was in her prime, it was her sex appeal that sold. Obviously, looks matter, it's a superficial industry," Heidi explains.

So, how does Heidi Montag like the 10-round plastic surgery results? Well, we could only share the cover photo of People, for now, but Heidi is definitely pleased:

"I look way better and I'm way happier...my eyebrow lift just took my face to another level, made it a little bit more European-exotic," Heidi says. "And for the first time, I have sexy ears!"

By the way....Heidi's debut CD Superficial, drops tomorrow, and the lead single is called, Fanatic.

Hmmm. Words to chew on for a while.

Elegant Sexy Black And Sheer Trend Back In Big Way

We've been waiting for quite some time now, for the black and sheer trend to make its way back on the runway and on the street. And finally, we're starting to see it everywhere.

We adore this black and sheer style. And every woman can wear it. It spells out elegant and sexy. And it can also look like 'naughty meets nice.' Top designers like Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, and Stella McCartney were showing these timeless pieces on their models. And young celebrities like Leighton Meester have been seen wearing these sophisticated styles.

You can obviously shop high end for the black and sheer trend. But you can also pick up some pretty pieces at the inexpensive level, too. And when the color is black, the fabric looks rich at any price; at least we like to think so.


The Black and sheer combo isn't just for dresses. We have found them in tops, tunics, and skirts. And often times, lovely lace is incorporated into the look, so you are raising the elegance level even higher.

When you are wearing a black and sheer item, don't forget about the peek-a-boo element to the piece. In other words, be oh so careful, what part of your body is wearing the sheer fabric. For instance, if the belly is in the sheer fabric, that area will get noticed. If your belly is in taut, trim shape, then good for you. But if your belly isn't totally flat, then highlight or 'frame' another area of your figure in the sheer fabric, like your sexy decolletage, or your strong, fit arms.



The black and sheer trend can highlight the sexy body parts, and hide the less-than-perfect parts. The opaque, black fabric takes care of that problem. So it's a win-win style for all of us, and because this look is done in black and sometimes, navy, you will enjoy an overall slimmer silhouette.

Our top photo features the Black Raquel Lace Dress by Ralph Lauren Rugby.

Our 2nd photo comes from Forever21....the Mesh Yoke Rosette Tunic ($19.80).

Our 3rd photo shows a Frederick's of Hollywood Illusion Mesh Panel Dress ($54).

And our last photo features the Taryn Lace Skirt by Ralph Lauren Rugby ($298). It comes in navy(pictured here) or black.

Foot Petals Perfect Polish Pen Gives TLC On The Go To Shoes And Boots

You sure get around in your many pairs of shoes and boots. Look at Nicky Hilton rockin' the glam look in her leopard coat and black Christian Louboutin Babel platform boots in L.A. a few weeks ago. Nicky loves her Louboutins! As does Jennifer Lopez, ha!

And even if you don't own a pair of sexy Louboutins at $1,487. and change, you do own several pairs of shoes and boots. And every woman wants her shoes to be scuff-free. But this isn't a perfect world. Even celebrities get scratches and scuffs.

If you think people never look down at your feet, well, you're dreaming. We just had a friend of ours tell us a story about rushing out the door with little time to clean up. She forgot all about her boots. And there she stood in a group of put-together women at a special event. Our friend looked down at her feet and cringed! Her boots were a mess---noticable scuffs across the toes. No place to hide. She was embarrassed to say the least.

We, er, 'stumbled' on to this great website recently. Foot Petals. And we fell in love, head over heels, so to speak, with Foot Petals Perfect Polish Pen ($13). The dynamo, little pen comes in black and brown.

And the Perfect Polish Pen is worth it for these simple reasons:

Touch up that scuff or that annoying scratch before it drives you crazy.
Great for the office. For the jet-setter. For the gal on-the-go. And small enough to fit in your purse.
No mess.
Convenient hands-free pen applicator.
Provides an instant high gloss shine.
Quick dry formula.
Requires no extra buffing. (Love that....we are too lazy to buff.)
Excellent for gift giving.
Available in a 2-pair combo, too.

That's not all. FootPetals.com is full of wonderful TLC accessories, like several styles of foot cushions to keep your darling feet from working up an odor, to stop feet from sliding forward, arches to give your shoes the perfect fit, and so on.

There are Sole Stopperz, for only $6.95 a pair. Just place these pretty petal-shaped traction adhesives on the backs of your shoes or boots, to prevent slipping on wet or icy surfaces. Brilliant idea!

Foot Petals also sells some cute and comfy socks and slippers. If you can't find a Foot Petals store near you, shop online. Zappos.com and shubilove.com also sell Foot Petals accessories.

C.O. Bigelow Lip Balms Perfect In Winter And Yummy With Zero Calories

The cold, dry winter air is cruel to our lips. And if you spend time outdoors skiing, skating, sledding, or even just taking a leisurely stroll, your lips will pay the price if you leave them naked. All lips need lip balm. You wear gloves to shield your hands from the winter elements, so why would you not cover your lips with protection?

Lips are also thinner in skin structure, very sensitive, and lack protective oil glands.

Today, we are looking at some yummy and worthy lip balms from C.O. Bigelow, a 168-year-old apothecary in New York City. It's an amazing place, and if you're a drugstore junkie, you could spend weeks in there with tons of high quality beauty products at decent prices.


C.O. Bigelow's features some of the yummiest lip balms and lipshines around. Check out this one: Bigelow Mentha Lip Cordial in Triple Hot Chocolate ($7.50). Smells heavenly, of course, and glides on in a smooth, velvet way. You get high shine with breath-freshening benefits. Zero calories, too!

We love spearmint, and yet, it's not always easy to find in gum, let alone, a moisturizing shiny lip balm. But C.O. Bigelow's has got you covered with their Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Spearmint ($7.50). Very exhilirating to the breath and lips.

And C.O. Bigelow's also sells tinted lip balms, so you get a soft, sheer hint of color every time you apply. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint in Magenta Mint ($7.50). This mint-infused balm is so pretty! Lips stay moist and protected while Peppermint Oil gives breath long-lasting freshness.

Exfoliation is key when trying to maintain healthy, soft lips. So before you 'balm,' you can try these easy steps:

You will need a toothbrush as one of your go-to instruments for lip maintenance. No. We're not kidding. You must exfoliate as part of your daily and nightly routine. For instance, after brushing your teeth, take your wet toothbrush and gently brush your lips in a circular motion for several seconds. This brushing will loosen dead, chapped skin and give you smoother, softer lips.

Or you can go one step further. Buy an extra toothbrush. Take a dry toothbrush and dip the bristles into a little Vaseline. And brush your lips. This really works, and it's a beauty tip that's been around for a long time.

By the way, C.O. Bigelow's also sells a lip exfoliator. It's called Bigelow Soothing Lip Buffer ($7.50). It's a mint-infused lip exfoliator formulated with sugar crystals. And Bigelow's says it's the perfect remedy for flaky, peeling, chapped lips.

All these lip balms, lip shines, and lip buffer cost only $7.50 a piece. We love that price. For more information, visit C.O. Bigelow.

How To Get Sexy Joan Jett Eyes Like Kristen Stewart

Twilight's Kristen Stewart and rocker Joan Jett have something in common these days. And it has to do with a movie and a lot of black liquid eyeliner.

Fans of Kristen Stewart and Joan Jett have been anxiously awaiting for the release of The Runaways. The movie is set for release in March of this year, and the Twilight star will play the legendary Jett herself. The Runaways was the all-female band Jett founded when she was just 15.

Of course, Joan Jett has always had a signature look of shag-cut black hair with tons of sexy, black eyeliner. And yeah, Joan is still sporting the style, because she can and it's a timeless look. And young Kristen Stewart likes to play with makeup, too, and loves creating a heavily lined winged eye these days. The photo(top) we have of her, actually is a tamer version of the heavy black liner she's been sporting as of late. But you get the idea.

We talk often, here at Beauty Tip Today, about drawing on the sexy, winged eye, or cat eye, doe eye. Rocker chicks like to take it all a step further and amp up the wattage with a heavier line. It's up to you. To get Joan Jett eyes like Kristen Stewart, you need a couple of beauty essentials:

1. Liquid eyeliner. This is a must! It creates a neater, sharper look than a pencil. But it's not easy lining eyes and then flicking the liner up at the outside edge of your eyes. It takes some practice. Too make the drawing on a little easier, look for a liquid liner that comes in felt tip form, like Wet n Wild's H2O Proof Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Ultra Black ($3.99, at drugstores). This one stays put and glides along your eyelid smoothly.

2. Mascara. In black, of course. Any brand will do.

Quick winged eye tips:

1. Always begin drawing your line at the inner corner of your eye, like makeup artists do. Draw a thin line that gradually gets thicker as you move across your eyelid.

2. Once you reach the outer edge of your eye, flick the liner up and away. But don't go too far beyond....stop before the end of your brow.

3. Another little trick....before you begin to draw your liner on, force the eyelid skin to lie flat, by very gently pulling the outer corner of your eye. Hope that makes sense. A little clumsy at first.

We look forward to The Runaways flick. We think Kristen Stewart makes a super Joan Jett,and will pull off the role quite nicely. That and all the sexy, black eyeliner, too.