Dry Spray Shampoo Comes In Handy During Real Crisis

We briefly mentioned yesterday, about New England getting socked hard in the weather department, following a rare and historic October Nor'easter.

About 70% of our city, alone, remains without power.

When a weather-related crisis hits, and you're left with no electricity and in some cases, no water, well, you've got to be extra clever in your beauty routine.

Today, we are looking at one rescue me hair product by John Frieda, one of our all-time favorite hair geniuses.

This blue spray can should be in every gal's beauty cabinet:

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher ($5.59, at drugstore.com ). It's a super dry spray shampoo. You don't need to wash your hair. You don't need a blow dryer, either. Simply spray onto roots, let dry, and fluff up with fingers. You get instant volume for your flat, oily, lackluster locks. And your hair smells delightful.

There are tons of dry shampoos out there. And most come with a white powdery base that seems to never fully disappear, even when you try brushing it out. With the Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher, all you need are about 4 quick blasts at the roots, and you're good to go.

You will get back the volume and your mane will look fresh and full, plus, you didn't have to go through the lengthy process of shampooing and blow-drying.

Dry shampoos are no secret to the professional stylists out there. Many use these spray shampoos to give their model/actress clients a lot of body and grip. You get instant, buildable texture with a great dry shampoo.

There are days, you just can't get the time to shampoo and blow-dry. And whether it's because of a weather-related crisis and your power has been lost, or you're just to busy to do your hair, give this latest John Frieda product a try.

You can even carry a can of it in your handbag. And you can apply it on the go, in a rush, anywhere.

Big Bad Storm: No Beauty Tip Today

We hope everyone is safe, following one of the nastiest, and for New England, an historic Nor'easter in the month of October.

Too much snow, too many broken tree limbs, and too many downed wires ate up most of our time today.

We hope to bring you more Beauty Tip Today tomorrow.

Thank you.

Cold Dry Days Ahead Make Skin Thirsty For New Anti-Aging Cream

The new skin care kid-on-the-block is red-hot, because it claims, like every anti-aging product out there, that its formula REALLY does work.

Say hello to SkinCubed and its high-performance 3-product line.

SkinCubed is a peptide-based anti-wrinkle cream that swears its clinical trials showed it was more effective than prescription skin care treatments.

Okay, now you have our interest piqued. We get wary of companies that boast about beating strong, Retin-A prescription creams and the like. Why? Because prescription skin care formulas are the BEST thing out there at the moment. These treatment are powerful, that is why they cannot be bought over-the-counter.

SkinCubed has become the little darling of many beauty and high fashion magazines with their one-page glossy advertisements, similar to the carefully controlled image of the StriVectin skin care line.

Is SkinCubed REALLY effective?

According to the clinical trials conducted in England at Manchester University, SkinCubed cream was effective at erasing sun damage and decreasing wrinkle depth.

Well, we haven't studied the research, but if that is true, then that's terrific.

SkinCubed says its products provide very good hydration for the skin. Hmmm....hydration. That to us, means that SkinCubed is a very good moisturizer, something everyone's complexion needs during the harsh, cold, dry fall and winter days ahead. But how does SkinCubed restore damaged skin and spur on collagen production?

We're not sure.

The 3-line collection includes:
Clinical Age-Defying Creme ($110)
Instant-Eye Repair Formula ($150)
Instant-Lift Peptide Formula ($150).

SkinCubed cannot be purchased in a store. But you can buy it at SkinCubed.com.

We will be waiting to hear more information on SkinCubed.

Are You A Boob To Want Botox Injected Into Breasts For Firmer Smoother Cleavage?

Botox.

What can we say? It's the most popular, cosmetic injectable around. And most of us know about Botox's brilliance at keeping crow's feet and those nasty 'eleven lines' between the brows at bay.

But hold on, ladies! Botox is also on the rise for zapping that crinkly cleavage and lifting a sagging bosom!

Have we gone too far? Are several shots in the boobs worth a temporary decollete lift? Is it safe?

Yes, it is safe, just like the injectable is for the face and neck. And some women just hate the damage the sun and general aging have done to their cleavage. Remember--the skin there is dry, thin with less elasticity.

Why should we worry about the skin of the decollete region and the bosom? By the way, the decollete is actually the upper part of a woman's chest, below the neck.

Just look at what model Cindy Crawford says:

...."In L.A., there are 65-year-old women walking around in Juicy sweatpants, and from the back, you'd think they were 20. But when you see their hands or their neck, you know. When I put moisturizer on my face, I use a little extra so that I have enough to cover my hands. Most people don't start caring about the décolleté until it's too late, but I'm religious about it."

Botox injected into the breast will react like Botox injected into the face. It takes a few days for the cosmetic injectable to take effect, and the results of smoother, firmer skin will last between 3 and 4 months.

Botoxed breasts have been popular in the U.K. for several years now, but here in the U.S., the procedure seems to be picking up steam.

We found this little nugget in the British DailyMail.com.

..."The patient is given around 12 injections of Botox into the pectoralis minor chest muscle.
The freezing of this muscle causes other muscles in the back to strengthen, and the bust to lift.
Wrinkles, caused by ageing, or just too much sun, are also smoothed. But the technique has its limits - breasts are not made fuller."

We're sure we will be seeing much more about Bosom Botox in the coming months.

Braun Hair Brush Battery Operated To Smooth Frizzies Split Ends

Would you pay $65 for a hair brush? How about one that is battery-operated and gives you back smooth, frizz-free, split-end-free hair?!

Braun has launched an ad campaign called, Free Your Head!. And the company is hoping you do just that, by buying the new Satin Hair Active Ion Brush (now at QVC and Ulta, too). Also here at Braun.com.

With the touch of a button you can instantly zap away static and boost mega-watt-shine. You've heard of Active Ion Technology, well, this little hair brush gadget contains this advanced healthy hair feature. And the Braun Satin Brush with its seamless bristles won't tug on delicate hair strands. In fact, the brush is gentle, so when you slide on the switch,the Active Ion light shines and the ion jet releases a rich stream of ions that bathe your locks in moisture-filled halo.

Say bye-bye to your flat-iron, ladies. This high-tech hair brush delivers frizz-free, smooth hair. And it's portable, and not very bulky, measuring about 8" long and 2" wide.

Who needs a bad hair day? No one, frankly. We're just happy that there is great science behind something as simple as a hair brush. How far we've come.

Nicki Minaj Brings Barbie Glam To Own OPI Nail Polish Line

Nicki Minaj.

Who doesn't adore the musical superstar?!

Nicki loves to push the beauty envelope, putting her Barbie glitter-glam stamp on everything near and dear to her.

And now, we're happy to see the rap genius hooking up with OPI Nail Polish to launch her own limited edition OPI nail lacquer collection for 2010!

Nicki Minaj isn't afraid to blast some color into her life, and for just $8.50 a bottle, you, too, can paint on some outrageousness Nicky-style.

The lovely lacquers inspired by the hip-hop star include Pink Friday (a creamy bubblegum shade), Metallic 4 Life (a cool charcoal sparkle), Super Bass Shatter (a graffiti art-inspired topcoat effect in purple), Save Me (a silver-rainbow glitter), Fly (an electric aqua) and Did It On 'Em (a bold, fluorescent lime).

You'll be able to buy Nicky's OPI Nail Polish this January 2012 at JC Penney stores and everywhere you find OPI nail lacquers.

We think this is a wonderful opportunity for Nicki Minaj to bring a little Nicki style to her many fans. And we believe this limited edition OPI line will do very well. Sounds like a great Christmas gift idea.

How To Get Playful Soft Mermaid Waves

Iman, Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and lots of long-locked beauties are letting their hair down in a cascading new way.

It's called , 'Mermaid Waves', and as you can see by the photos, everything is soft, loose and playful.

This is a hair trend that's been hot for the past spring and summer, and the style is gaining even more momentum for Fall 2011.

To get the look, you need below-the-shoulder hair or some extensions, and the longer, the better, for this hair trend.

1. Take a wide-barreled curling iron, and instead of clamping down on the hair, simply wrap thick strands around and around the iron. This will creat the soft, cascading mermaid waves. Brush out gently with a natural bristle brush.

2. Or do it heat-free. Fishtail braid your hair overnight, and wake up to a mass of playful, mermaid waves. Learn here on YouTube by Hayley 7363

Good luck! And let the waves roll.

Celebrities Sporting Classic Riding Boots for Fall 2011

You can't go wrong with a Fall classic, like the riding boot. And this is another stylish look for autumn and winter. Lots of celebrities are already putting their riding boots on.

Check out Taylor Swift in hers, and Zoe Saldana sporting some Yves St. Laurent boots.

Our favorite pair at the moment----the Marlena leather riding boot by Coach ($398, at Coach.com). These are gorgeous in caramel. Yummy!

If you're looking for some height, forget the riding boot. The heels are quite flat or low. Nothing stiletto about these. But riding boots are comfortable, rugged, and yes, elegant-looking. And the simple, long line of the riding boot makes your legs appear longer. Just tuck a pair of skinny jeans into these boots, and you will look taller and leaner.

Maybe you don't have $400 to shell out for a super pair of riding boots. But don't despair, we have a website that offers lots of options, so that everyone can find some beautiful, budget-worthy riding boots. Take a look at Endless.com.

We found a pair, the Heath Riding Boot by Annie Shoes ($84.95). Very nice riding boots in synthetic leather with strap and ring buckle details at the ankle and calf on a 1.5 inch heel. The Heath boot also comes in 6 shades. We show it here in black.

The riding boot is classic fall footwear that never goes out of style. Now, if we only had a horse.

Want A Hair Dryer That Lasts? Try This One...

Let's be honest.....We go through at least one hair dryer a year. And we are not alone.

How is that possible?

We have a lot of hair that's below the shoulders, and it takes us about 20 minutes to blow it dry. And because we have a lot of shapeless, fine strand volume, we add substantial hair styling product to give it better definition and staying power.

And yeah, we blast the dickens out of the hair dryer.

Usually we purchase a cheap, no-name blower, because we know it will break within the year. And at the moment, our inexpensive hair dryer for the last 5 mos. is getting ready to bust apart. It sounds a bit slower, as if the gear is going.

This time around, we want to go for the quality, and hope our styling investment won't do us wrong. We need a blow dryer that can REALLY stand the heat. Maybe, we've found a very good one.

We did a little research and stumbled upon this brand---Elchim. Some hair pros give this powerful hair gadget high marks. So, let's look further.

The Elchim 2001 Professional Hair Dryer (Elchim Classic), regularly $100, at a low price on Amazon for $70.70.

And here are the Elchim 2001's special features:
7 switch combination's for a variety of speed and temperature settings
1800 watts of power
Light weight
Air flow of 40 liters per second
Concentrator nozzle
Removable lint filter
Safety plug
Backed by Elchim's 60 years of experience of building hair dryers
Made in Italy
1 year limited warranty

Plus, this little hair styling cutie cuts your drying time in half and boasts about having a quiet blowing level.

Sounds like the Elchim 2011 blows away the competition>.

Do you own an Elchim?

Catwalk By Tigi Helps Create Big Hair Trend For Fall 2011

Ladies, when it comes to hair for Fall 2011, 'Go BIG or go home!'

Seriously, it's all about the volume, and making the most of what you've got, and of course, adding on some faux pieces if you need to.

We told you earlier this week about the HOT headband trend, and that of course, looks great with all that massive hair. But you can also take that big volume and wrap it into a sexy updo, a la 'Mad Men', like the model here at the Bottega Veneta runway show.

And you don't have to copy a runway look strand for strand. If it's TOO HUGE, then lower your bouffant and keep it a bit messy and un-done for reality here on the streets.

To get the big hair look, you need to create some major volume. This time, we are looking at Catwalk by Tigi hair products. We like their attitude, because the products are ,"inspired by fashion/designed by hairdressers," as the Tigi company likes to say.

Check out Tigi's Catwalk hairstyling line in the purple bottles. We are suggesting Tigi Catwalk Thickening Gel, 7.27 oz. This stuff delivers big hair, thanks to a super blend of Jasmin, Violet and UV filters that help protect hair while making it feel thicker and healthier.

We found a special price on a 6-bottle case of Catwalk Thickening Gel Creme at Amazon.com. This should last you through the cold season of the Big Hair Trend for Fall/Winter.

Rachel Zoe's QVC Faux Fur Vests Are 'Bananas!'

As celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe likes to say, "This is bananas!"
And these days, everything seems to be coming up bananas for the fashion forward stylist with her Rachel Zoe clothing lines and her successful Bravo reality TV show.

Today, we're looking at fab faux fur vests. In particular, we adore the Luxe Rachel Zoe for QVC 'Faux Shearling Vest with Nailhead Detail' ($134.50, at QVC)

Rachel Zoe has several great faux fur vests available at QVC.com. We like this one because it has a cool belt with it and looks rich.

We also think that actress Garcelle Beauvais can really rock this Zoe vest. See how sexy Garcelle looks wearing the Zoe/QVC vest! And if you don't think that wealthy celebs wear items from an inexpensive QVC line, well, think again.

The Luxe Rachel Zoe for QVC faux fur vest comes in black and caramel. We are eyeing the caramel at the moment. And the vest comes in sizes XS through 3x.

Stylist/designer Rachel Zoe has her finger on the fashion pulse, and if she is putting her name on an article of clothing, you can be sure it's HOT at the moment, well-styled and well-crafted.

We give this Luxe Rachel Zoe faux fur vest two thumbs up!

Black Headband: Simple Chic Hot Hair Accessory For Fall 2011

Headbands are HOT at the moment, especially black headbands. And no, you don't have to be a 12-year-old to rock one. And you don't have to have super long, straight hair to slip one on.

Headbands look chic and polished on any hair color, texture, length and style.

Plus, a headband won't break your wallet, and can also disguise a bad hair day.

We've seen a number of famous heads rockin' the black headband, including---Paris Hilton, Lily Collins, Hilary Duff, Sandra Bullock, Kourtney Kardashian, Emma Watson, and Heidi Klum with a cool double-band style like this one:

Double Black Snakeskin Headband-$11.99.

Look around for the perfect black headband in leather, satin, velvet, stretch cotton, lace, metal, feathers, and more.

Traction Alopecia: Even Hair Extension Celebs Get Bald Spots

Hair extensions.

Most of your favorite celebrities have them. But did you know that some of these beautiful Hollywood heads are also suffering from traction alopecia?!

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by pulling on the hair, and can occur when someone wears fake hair or hair extensions. The weight of these added hair strands are much too heavy for the follicle, and it in turn, dies, or stops growing normal hairs. Even wearing simple clip-on extensions for several hours a day, can rip out one's natural hair.

And that's when a hair extension wearer will freak out. Hair breakage can occur, and one is left with severely damaged, thin locks, and at worst, bald spots, which sometimes remain permanent. And that is a frightening experience we would never wish on any woman.

Take a look at the photo snapped about a year ago. That's supermodel Naomi Campbell at a NYC fashion shoot. You can clearly see the bald spot she has developed for wearing straight hair extensions for a number of years now.

And we aren't trying to make Naomi Campbell the poster girl for traction alopecia. We are merely emphasizing a point here---that getting instant, long, full hair can come with its consequences.

We happen to think that Naomi has a stunningly beautiful face, and she is gorgeous, even with a hair weakness.

Celebrities like Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell, Paris Hilton, the Kardashian sisters, and many others, are slaves to their Rapunzel-like extensions. They cannot seem to let them go. You might remember when Kim K had her hair 'cut' a few months ago. Then about a week or two later, had the extensions put back in. We're really not sure how long her real hair is. We thought her shorter hair looked healthy and prettier on her petite frame.

Sure, celebrities go to the best hair professionals around, and probably shell out $5,000 or more for some instant,long, shiny tresses. But bald spots can happen, even to beautiful, wealthy women, as the photo of Naomi Campbell clearly reveals.

Hair extension experts advise extension wearers to head to the salon every 6-12 weeks for maintenance. And some stylists believe in the power of coconut oil to condition the hair shaft and make it stronger. The oil is rich in fatty acids and very nourishing, and the hair shaft is able to absorb all its goodness.

How to Condition Hair with Coconut Oil.

Need Some Root Rescue? A Must-Have For Makeup Bags

When Jennifer Lopez was crowned People magazine's 'Most Beautiful' person earlier this year, she admitted in an interview, that she started going gray at age 23, and has since then, been touching up her roots every 2 weeks!

Don't laugh. We know how she feels. We, too, began going gray around the same age, and it's been a beauty battle that NEVER ends. We think it's especially tough for dark hair, because roots against a brown or black mass of hair stick out quite prominently.

That's why we LOVE those quick-fix root pens! No bigger than a tube of lipgloss. Easy to carry around and rapid to the rescue. You use them just like you would a tube of mascara. Comb on, let dry, and you're back in business!

Today, we're looking at QuickTint ($14.95, at QuickTint.net. We like the simplicity of this QuickTint pen and the staying power it delivers. Plus, it comes in 10 glossy shades:

Pale Ash Blonde, Honey Blonde, Medium Reddish Brown, Strawberry Blonde, Auburn, Copper, Medium Ash Brown, Medium Golden Brown, Dark Brown and Rich Black.

We like this stuff because it is water-proof, and can even stay on through a couple shampoos. To remove it, take an eye makeup remover pad and swipe over the QuickTint color, and then shampoo, and it's gone.

Yes, QuickTint is a makeup bag must-have for us, because you never know when a lone gray hair or pesky root will pop up, and that's usually at the wrong time.

We give QuickTint a thumbs up!

Freaked Out About Foundation? Then Try Tinted Moisturizer

Not a fan of foundation, no matter how you put it on....liquid, cream, spray-on, powder?

That's okay, but don't think you can walk around bare-face, and look so amazing.

Foundation serves a key beauty purpose:

It balances your skintone and can cover up less than perfect skin issues.

But we get it. Some women don't like the feel of foundation on their face. It's 'too heavy.'

Fine. Then let's put on a great tinted moisturizer, and you're good to go!

And we have a wonderful product by Hourglass, called 'Illusion Tinted Moisturizer' ($55, at Sephora.

A bit pricey at $55? Maybe, but this tinted moisturizer delivers the goods in a big way. You get superb coverage with a barely there formula, plus---it's oil-free. Doesn't grease up.

And Illusion Tinted Moisturizer also performs a little magic, according to the Hourglass company:

"Added Instalift® at 3% lifts and visibly tightens the skin within one hour of application. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres™ at 3% help minimize the appearance of wrinkles while increasing skin's hydration levels to deliver a healthy, dewy radiance."

It's available in 6 shades to perfectly match your complexion.

Let's face it---we all need a little coverage, and if foundation is just too fake, hard to match, or feels wrong, then choose a tinted moisturizer. You will love the natural-looking results and polished finish to your complexion.

Off The Shoulder Top: Hot Fashion Budget Tip Of The Day

Is it just us, or do off-the-shoulder tops seem to be a hot trend for Fall 2011?!

Flip through some of your favorite catalogues or pop into some of your preferred boutiques, and you will notice off-the-shoulder tees, sweaters and more, in some yummy autumn shades, like eggplant, rust, and olive.

Do we dare to compare?

Yes. We're all in the hunt for a great bargain these days. Let's take a look at our Hot Fashion Budget Tip of the Day:

Two gorgeous off-the-shoulder tops by Victoria's Secret and Body Central, with two different price tags. The VS top will run you $39.50. The Body Central Top will cost you $19.80. According to our math, the cheaper off-the-shoulder top saves you $19.70. So, you could practically buy 2 for the price of 1, at Body Central.

Don't get us wrong----We adore Victoria's Secret. But sometimes, it's more fun to save $$$ and get a pretty duplicate for less.

You be the judge. Take a look at both off-the-shoulder tops, and decide if there's a huge difference in style and quality. We think both are beautiful in a stretchy, flattering fabric.

BodyCentral
VictoriasSecret

Lindsay Lohan's 'Lost' Porcelain Veneers: Where Did Celebrity Smile Go?

Porcelain veneers. Many beautiful celebrities in Hollywood have them. And these perfect fake teeth can cost up to $2,000 and more, for just one veneer.

Now, let's take a look at actress Lindsay Lohan in the top, double-shot photo. The pic was snapped a couple of nights ago, as the troubled 25-year-old walked a red carpet event in L.A..

Ever since a much less-than-perfect smile emerged from Lindsay Lohan's mouth Tuesday evening, the ugly chatter has not ceased. And this poor young woman cannot get a break.

Lots of cruel internet gossip is calling LiLo's smile a 'rotting mouth,' 'meth mouth,', and worse.

But we see it more like this: Lindsay's perfect porcelain veneers are missing, and what you see are her real teeth---stained, a bit yellow, and not perfect like her smile was in the photo below of the younger actress in 2005. She was 19 in that pic. And study her smile there---Lindsay's super white teeth appear to be those of porcelain veneers.

So, where have LiLo's porcelain veneers gone? Who knows. She's probably having them re-done. But in the meantime, maybe she should have skipped the unforgiving flash bulbs of the red carpet until she got back her beautiful smile.

We believe the top photo shows Lindsay Lohan with teeth that have been prepared previously for veneers, because the cosmetic dentist removes only about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the surface of each tooth before placing the veneer over the natural tooth.

We did a little research on porcelain veneers, and can see why Hollywood is hot for this perfect, dazzling smile:

Natural-looking results
Made from extremely durable material
Minimally-invasive procedure
Resistant to staining
Correct multiple flaws
Long-lasting solution - 10 to 15 years
Restore strength and functionality to the teeth
Customized for your individual smile
Relatively quick process - one to two appointments
Restore your confidence, smile proudly.

We found our veneer information here.

Palladium Instead Of Platinum? Celebrities Are Wearing It

Palladium is as beautiful as platinum, and almost half the price of gold!

That's what the Palladium Alliance International industry is saying, in a new, mega-million ad campaign featuring celebrities like Kelly Osbourne, Pam Anderson, and Rose McGowan in a clever tagline, I'm So Over Heavy Metal."

Would you wear the newest thing in bling? Palladium instead of pricier platinum?

Palladium is a member of the platinum family, but lighter in weight, very durable, and a naturally white precious metal. And metal experts say you can't tell the difference between the two. Plus, if you have sensitive skin, palladium is hypo-allergenic.

In this up & down economy, it might be wise to take a closer look at palladium, and make your dream of owning some elegant jewelry pieces a reality, by not blowing your budget.

We found some Wall Street stats for yesterday, October 12th:

Platinum closed up $36.00 at $1552.00 an ounce.
Palladium closed up $6.00 at $610.00 an ounce.

To learn more about the new thing in bling, visit:

ImSoOverHeavyMetal.com
PalladiumJewelry.org

Makeup Artist Mario Uses Inexpensive Liquid Eyeliner For Kim's Wedding Day Glamour

Although Kim Kardashian's wedding took place 6 weeks ago, people are still raving about her 3 gorgeous gowns and the stunning makeup applied by her personal cosmetics pro, Mario Dedivanovic.

And we all got to witness the extravagant nuptials of Kim and Kris in a special E-channel broadcast on Monday night. Lots of people were complaining that the 2-night, 4-hour wedding reality show only gave fans about a 30-minute glimpse into the gala celebrity event itself. That was disappointing, but looking at Kim K's makeup up close, was worth the long wait.

Her makeup man, Mario, did an incredible job transforming the dark-haired beauty into a Cleopatra-esque bride. And her artist generously gave out all the makeup details at his website. Most of the cosmetics he used were high end, like Lancome, Dior, and La Mer. But Mario Dedivanovic did go 'cheap' on Kim's eyeliner, and you can try this beauty tip, too:

"I lined her eyes (top lid only) using Cover Girl Line Exact Liquid Liner in Very Black," Mario says. "Start out with a thin line at the inner corner and gradually thicken the line as you go towards the outer corners. Wing the liner up and out."

Amazing! Kim K's cat-eye signature look always comes out perfect and polished, and we can't believe that one could get the same, high glam effect, using a $5.59 drugstore find, but there's the proof.

We like the concept of the CG Line Exact Liquid Liner because it is similar to a sharp-pointed felt pen and glides over the eyelid smoothly. The only downside to the CG liner pen, was its stingy amount. We ran out of liner within a week or so.

We were baffled. Where did the product go?

To see more of Kim Kardashian's step-by-step glam wedding makeup, check out Mario Dedivanovic's website here.

How To Get Soft Kissable Lips And Support Breast Cancer

If you tend to ignore your lips in your daily beauty routine, and just slap some lip balm on, well, you're NOT doing enough.

Lips need TLC, and here is why:

Lips are thinner in skin structure, very sensitive, and lack protective oil glands.
Lips also don't have enough melanin to protect us from the searing heat. Melanin is the natural skin pigment that filters out the strong and damaging UV rays.

Yes, lip balm is necessary and a good start. But there is more you can do to keep your lips soft and kissable. And we have found you a super lip scrub treatment with 20% of its proceeds going to the V Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness through the month of October.

But first, let's get to some Soft, Kissable Lips basics:

1. A toothbrush. You need one one of these as your key instrument 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..

2. Lip Treatment. And here is where our special lip scrub exfoliator takes the TLC one step further. We adore Sara Happ's Limited Edition Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Lip Scrub ($24, at b.glowing.com). And as we mentioned above, whenever you buy this yummy pink grapefruit lip scrub, you are helping fight the war on breast cancer.

You can find Sara Happ beauty products online and at many beauty stores and boutiques.

And this lip scrub is simple to use. Massage a generous amount over your lips with a firm, circular motion. You can even use the toothbrush to massage rather than your fingers. Then wipe away with a tissue. Say bye-bye dry, flaky skin and hello to the softest, most kissable lips around.

And now, go ahead and put your lip balm on.

How To Deal With Large Pores And Conceal Them

We have oily skin and unfortunately, large pores. And the two, usually go hand-in-hand.

What can you do about large pores?

You can effectively 'shrink' them through several beauty routines, but you CANNOT reduce large pores PERMANENTLY.

Genetics and the aging process have plenty to do with the size of your pores.

It's frustrating, indeed. We have seen some women with great skin who seemingly have NO pores. We want those tiny pores. But since our DNA didn't bless us in that department, we will show you how to fake smaller-looking pores.

1. Cleansing routine. When pores get clogged with oil and debris, pores are more noticable. You need to wash your face with a cleanser that goes deep. Try a glycolic acid or salicylic acid cleanser.

2. Skin care nightly routine. Try a retinol serum or its stronger prescription cousin Retin-A, before going to bed. The Vitamin A derivative tones down the greasiness and lifts the dirt from pores, while boosting collagen and elastin production. You get back healthier skin with less prominent pores.

3. Exfoliation routine. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion facials are excellent at shrinking the appearance of pore size. Your skin takes on a rosy glow as layers and layers of dead skin cells are removed through these treatments.

4. Primer/Corrector routine. Put a primer on BEFORE you apply foundation, and watch pores disappear. A primer evens out your complexion by providing a smooth layer for foundation to sit upon.

We also like Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector ($18, at beauty stores like Nordstrom's. This is a super corrector because it shrinks pores all day long and makes your complexion look flawless. You can wear it alone or even OVER your foundation as a finish.

Don't give up on makeup because you have large pores. Cosmetics like primer, corrector and foundation can conceal them effectively.

Mother And Grandmother Know Best: 3 Celebrity Natural Beauty Treatments That Work

"Mother knows best."

You've heard that one before, and most of the time, Mother IS right. And how about Grandmother?

When it comes to beauty, some of the best anti-aging secrets are passed down from generation to generation.

Today, we are looking at 3 celebrities with favorite natural beauty recipes they swear by. Let's take a look:


1. Padma Lakshmi, the India-born beauty and host of Bravo TV's 'Top Chef,' shares a great hair treatment she's passing along from her family.

To get glossy, healthy hair like Padma, pick up a bottle of this:

Jojoba Oil (Desert Essence JoJoba Oil, $14.99, at Desert Essence). This is the organic brand Padma uses.

"To fight flakes, I microwave a cup of this and massage it into my scalp. My grandmother used to do it on the stove," Padma explains.

2. Queen Latifah, the actress and Cover Girl model, maintains smooth, glowing skin with a familiar yellow box:

Baking Soda. It's a cheap, radiance booster. "Mix baking soda with water and use it on your face as an exfoliater. My grandmother gave me that tip," she says.

Queen Latifah is right. Baking soda is super at sloughing off dead skin cells and taming blackheads. Just make a gooey paste of it and apply to face in circular motion, and rinse off. Protects against pimples.

3. Liv Tyler, actress and new U.K. Pantene model, heads right to an old family favorite to keep her complexion clear and taut. The 34-year-old beauty sets her makeup with a quick spritz of rose water. Smart girl, because the mist has a firming effect on skin.

We spoke with a rose water expert and learned that Liv Tyler knows what she's doing:

"Rose water is very rich in flavonoids and vitamins, including A, C, D, E andB3," Dana Vasileva explains. "Rose water has anti-viral, antiseptic and disinfectant properties. It maintains the pH balance, and stimulates regeneration processes of the skin. It helps reduce wrinkles, fine lines and skin inflammation. It also has a calming effect on acne and sunburns. One bottle, all skin types, all ages."

3 wonderful natural beauty treatments. Thank you, Padma, Queen Latifah, and Liv!

Creamy Shiny New Colour Riche Le Gloss: J.Lo Wears It!

Do you actually care what J.Lo wears on her lips?!

Well, yes. She IS the most beautiful person in the world, according to People Magazine. So, sure, all eyes are on Jennifer Lopez these days. And because the sexy American Idol judge is one of the faces for L'Oreal cosmetics, we like to see the new makeup she puts on.

L'Oreal has recently launched their new Colour Riche Le Gloss. We are a fan of the Colour Riche lipstick, because it's creamy and has staying power and comes in a gazillion lipstick shades.

Le Gloss is available in 16 shades. And Jennifer Lopez wears Le Gloss in Golden Splash #159. We adore this lip color on her.

We like Colour Riche Le Gloss in Baby Blossom and Raspberry Splash. It's a high wattage gloss and sheer without the thick, sticky texture of some lip glosses. Plus, Le Gloss is creamy and rich in Vitamin E, argan oil, and omega 3. And at $7.99, it's a great buy. We found some at Ulta. And you can find L'Oreal beauty products at your favorite drugstore, too.

Apple Cider Or White: Vinegar Rinses Are Good For Healthy Hair

Maybe your grandmother or great-grandmother used to do vinegar rinses after shampooing the hair.

With so many hair conditioning treatments out there today, you probably haven't tried a cold blast of vinegar in the shower. And if you have, then you might know what it's like when the sting of vinegar hits your eyes accidentally.

Oh....the burn!

And yes, vinegar STINKS, but when you rinse the hair, the strong odor leaves the building, and you are left with a super clean scalp, no itchiness, and healthy, shiny strands of hair, free of the gunk and build-up from tons of styling product usage.

Apple cider vinegar appears to be most popular for rinsing hair following a shampoo. Users says it gives locks lots of body and bounce. And some swear, that a vinegar rinse helps hair GROW faster!

We prefer a white vinegar rinse, because we have learned that it also helps keep hair dye in longer. Yes, it DOES work, not perfectly, but better than not doing the rinse.

And it's so easy to do:

1.One-to-one ratio. That's the perfect vinegar cocktail to use after shampooing hair. Blend water and apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle. Apply to wet hair and rinse. The vinegar de-tangles hair nicely, too and closes the hair cuticle for bigger shine.

Do a vinegar rinse about once or twice a week.

Vinegar will balance the pH level in your scalp and effectively unclog the hair follicles.

To lock in hair color a little longer, do this:

1. AFTER coloring---Rinse out your newly-colored hair with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Then mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a cup (about half a cup of each) and pour over your hair. Rinse thoroughly with cool-ish water.

This raises the pH level of the hair color and gives it more staying power.

Either way, give your tired hair a invigorating vinegar rinse. If that doesn't wake you up, we don't know what will.

Liv Tyler Tapped To Be New UK Pro-V Pantene Ambassador

Pantene. It's a brand that's been around for quite a long time, and with good reason---it's a wonderful hair care line. And we are so happy for actress Liv Tyler , who will begin appearing in television and print ads for Pantene in the U.K. come November 1st.

The brand is a launching a brand new ‘Repair and Protect’ collection for normal to thick hair.

Liv Tyler has gorgeous brunette locks, just like her daddy, rock icon and American Idol judge, Steven Tyler.

"I'm really excited about working with Pantene on this new project, especially as I did a Pantene ad back in 1996 when I was 19. I've tried lots of different hair care brands over the years, but Pantene is my favorite as it always leaves my hair looking and feeling really healthy."- Liv

Our Pantene favorites on this side of the pond include:

1. Pro-V-Fine Hair Solutions Shampoo, Flat to Volume ($6.99, at drugstores). Amazing body-building shampoo. Beefs up skinny strands. Smells so good!

2. Pro-V Fine Hair Style Root Lifter Spray Gel ($3.99, at drugstores). We preferred the original formula last year. Pantene changed it, but we still adore this volumizing spray gel. A lightweight spray made with special polymers that create big hair and shine.

Target Budget Buy: Open Cardigan Hot Sweater For Fall 2011

Take a look at your clothing catalogues....Boston Proper, Victoria's Secret, Banana Republic, etc. Inside those pages you will find lots of open cardigan sweaters.

And the prices can vary---from a $50 to several $$hundred more. But we found a super cute Open Cable Cardigan by Merona at your local Target store. And just $25on SALE. Your choice of color in Grey. Black. Tan. Or Cream. All classic neutrals that never go out of style, and match up beautifully with any color in the spectrum.

The Merona Open Cable Cardigan is nice and cozy for those brisk Autumn days and nights.

Sizing: Women Sizing with a Classic Fit
Knit Type: 2 x 2 Rib, Cable
Material: 53 % Cotton, 40 % Rayon, 7 % Nylon
Neckline Style: Open Neckline , Shawl Collar
Sleeve Style: Long Sleeves , Finished Cuffs
Garment Length: Below Waist
Hem Style: Finished Hems
Care and Cleaning: Machine Wash

We think this is a great fashion budget buy from Target, and looks just as stylish as the more expensive open cardigans you see in your favorite catalogues.

BeautyTipToday Crowns Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Winner

We can't help it, we are ADDICTED to cocoa butter!

We love the smell of it, but most importantly, we can't believe how super soft it makes our skin.

Our hands used to look so dry and rough, especially during the very cold winter months. And that's when we started making cocoa butter an important part of our daily beauty routine.

And Beauty Tip Today is excited to crown the Cocoa Butter Winner:

Queen Helene.

This brand of effective moisturizer has been around for a very long time---80 years to be exact. The good news--Queen Helene is cheap, can be bought at your local drugstore, and works as well, if not better, than the very expensive cocoa butters out there.

We are in love with 2 of Queen Helene's cocoa butter products:

1. Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion. Just $3.49 for a 32 oz. bottle at Walgreens.
2. Cocoa Butter Creme. Only $5.79 for a 15 oz. tub at CosmeticSolutions.

So, what's in Queen Helen's cocoa butter products? A blend of cocoa butter and pure lanolin. Maybe that's the beauty magic. You can appply it to your crow's feet, stretch marks, your entire body for instant softness. It absorbs wonderfully.

Both smell divine, especially their hand and body lotion.

We did a little research on the benefits of cocoa butter. And if you having been using it, continue to do so. Cocoa butter is full of great things for your skin. We found that out at the bodyshop.com blog:

"Cocoa butter is, first and foremost, arguably one of the best natural emollients to be found. It’s a traditional moisturizer, as the EGCG blog points out, used for centuries to keep people’s skin in many nations soft and protected. And because it melts at body temperature, it is more easily and readily absorbed by the skin. Its natural, subtle chocolate scent also makes your skin smell like dessert, and who doesn’t want to smell like a cupcake?"

You're right. It's good to smell like a cupcake!

Celebrities Flipping For Fall 2011 Hair Trend: Deep Side Part

It can be edgy or elegant. Either way, the deep side part is the hair look for Fall 2011.

The center-part is easy and very Boho, and many women part their hair down the middle every day. But this time, just a couple of inches to one side can spell S-O-P-H-I-S-T-I-C-A-T-I-O-N!

And beautiful celebrities are flipping for this fab trend. Check out our photos of English model/actress Rosie Huntington-Whitely, actress Blake Lively, and actress Christina Applegate. All three ladies look tres chic with some wave and volume.

So, exactly where do you part the hair to get this style correct?

Ask a pro, like Adir Abergel. The hair expert tells Star magazine how to do the deep side part:

"The deeper, the better when it comes to parting your hair this season," says the Fekkai celebrity stylist. "A quick parting can dress up your look. Follow the highest arch of your brow---that is where your part should begin."

Sounds simple enough. And this is a nice, polished look for any length, texture and color of hair.

We give the deep side part two thumbs up!

Fingertips Take Center Stage This Fall: Hot Color CND In Dark Ruby

Designer Carolina Herrera has always put together sophisticated, elegant, lady-like shows. And from her Fall 2011 runway collection, one beauty accessory really 'nailed' the spotlight:

Striking burgundy fingertips!

And this one is making the super hot trend: CND Colour in Dark Ruby ($9).

Yes, it certainly reminds us of Vamp, the cult fave Chanel nail shade that hit the fall runway back in 1994. The dark red/black Vamp instantly became a huge hit. And we are happy to see the CH models reviving yet another rich, dark shade like CND Dark Ruby #540.

We suggest, that if you can't wait to get your hands on a bottle of Dark Ruby, do make sure you first keep your nails short, neat, and squarely-shaped. And this is key: A glossy top-coat is a must!.

At the Carolina Herrera show, a regal Crown Jewel Manicure was created by using 2 coats of Dark Ruby topped with CND's Super Shiney Top Coat to complete a polished look with fresh-faced makeup and classic chignons.

We found a bottle of CND Dark Ruby #540 on Ebay for just $5.95. Take a look.