3 Pretty Orange Things For Halloween!

 MAC Lipstick (Morange). A super lovely orange shade, $15.

Ornate Chandelier Earrings. Super low price, $6, at BodyCentral.

 Belted Trench Coat. Adorable at $37.80 from Forever21.

Halloween is so much fun! And even if you're not putting on a weird and scary costume this year, you can ALWAYS put on something pretty for the day/night. Check these out!

Camouflage Isn't For Hiding....Hot Trend!

Selena Gomez has great fashion sense and timing. And the adorable singer is hot-on-the-trend in camouflage. Here, she's wearing a Zara studded camo shirt-jacket.

We think she paired it nicely with a colorful blue tee-shirt, to soften and balance the masculine pattern of camo clothing.

You can find the military look on the streets these days. And other celebrities like Rihanna are following the trend.

GAP is selling a camouflage travel tote ($198).

TOPSHOP is featuring an army jacket with zippered pockets ($96).

And we found these two camo tops on the very cheap at wetseal:

Camouflage Sequined Shirt, regularly $16.50, now $11.99 PLUS 60% clearance. Total $4.80!

Camouflage Print Woven Shirt, regularly $19.50, now on sale for $4.87!

Can't beat those rock-bottom prices!

One item of camouflage can add a nice touch to your fall wardrobe. Just don't go Rambo on us. A little camo goes a long way.

Julia Roberts Says Baking Soda + Toothbrush Equals Bright Smile

It's a simple, well-known beauty tip:

Baking soda, toothbrush, and a water rinse,  give you a bright, white smile.

What makes this little beauty tip a big deal, is that it's coming from an actress with one of the most beautiful smiles EVER---Julia Roberts!

"I brush [my teeth] with baking soda. [My grandfather] would put a big heaping mound of it on his toothbrush. He had only one cavity in his entire life," Julia tells InStyle.

The 44-year-old mom of three, says at times she is so busy with family life, that she barely has time to take care of her  teeth.

"Sometimes that`s all I do as far as a regimen goes. Look, I`m happy if I have on moisturizer and ChapStick! When you`re dressing three people besides yourself, something has to fall away. I`ve learned to always have a big pair of dark sunglasses within arm`s reach before going out," she says.

Alright.....so, does any of this ring true?

Does baking soda protect your teeth from cavities?
Is baking soda too harsh for use every day?
Does baking soda whiten your teeth?

First of all, baking soda DOES give you a brighter, whiter smile!!

Our dentist believes it's too abrasive on enamel to use it daily, but other dental experts claim that baking soda is okay and won't harm teeth. As far as protecting your smile from tooth decay, baking soda can't guarantee that.

We found this little nugget from the Arm & Hammer website:

"It may surprise some to learn that baking soda is actually the least abrasive material for polishing and cleaning teeth.* That's why it's always been considered such a healthy choice in oral care. By dissolving into fine particles, baking soda gets into areas deep between teeth and along the gum line that other toothpastes can't reach. It also penetrates into the tiny crevices in tooth enamel to dissolve intrinsic stains...."

We LOVE adding a little baking soda to our toothbrush. How about you?

Want A Flawless Finish? Pick Up A Sea Sponge

We all look for the smoothest, most radiant finish when it comes applying foundation.

Many of us use our fingers to  blend our makeup into the complexion. Others use cosmetic sponges made of latex or other materials. And a number like to apply foundation with cosmetic brushes.

If you're looking for one of the BEST applicators to use, try something from nature: a sea sponge.

Sea sponges are nice and soft when moist with water. And these sponges last quite a while, as long as you rinse them after every application. Using a sea sponge delivers an airbrushed or flawless finish.

Silk sea sponges are wonderful for letting foundation blend seamlessly into the complexion.

Mediterranean Sea Sponge at naturalbathandbodyshop.com. Only $1.97 per sponge!

Heavy Jewelry Adornment Big For Spring 2013

Talk about adornment!

If you like wrapping yourself in big, bold jewelry, then 2013 is your year.

The Gucci, Dries van Noten, and Etro shows were all going huge on the jewels, from metal to Boho costume pieces for next Spring.

A bit over-the-top? A tangled jewelry web we weave?

Maybe, but we think this stunning bib necklace is really amazing by the Tom Binns Spring 2013 collection. Like  pretty, pastel TicTacs!

Check out his intricate pieces at TomBinnsDesign. New bride Jessica Biel wore a gorg necklace of his last August.

We like the bib necklace trend a lot. Do you?

Julia Roberts Gets Amazing Hair From 'Magic Serum'

Have an extra $23 on you? And would you like to have healthy, bouncy Julia Roberts hair?!

Okay, we can't make any guarantees, but the Oscar-winning actress DOES have gorgeous hair, no matter what color she dyes it. And she won't step out in public without spritzing some of this in her mane:

Serge Normant Meta Lush Volumizer ($23, at NeimanMarcus).

This is what Julia tells InStyle:

"This stuff is like a magic serum. I go crazy spraying it on my hair until my fingers get tired. Then I let my hair air-dry."

Sounds simple enough, this 'magic serum.'

Meta Lush Volumizer fights frizz, amps up the shine and creates volume at the roots. We love a multi-tasking beauty product!

We think Julia Roberts has one of the BEST heads of hair in Hollywood, and we're about 99.9% sure that she does NOT have hair extensions, or ever has. Period.

She does have naturally wavy hair, so that gives the actress a lot of options styling those incredible locks.

Banana Republic Going Bananas Over New Launch Of Anna Karenina Style

Stay tuned! Next Tuesday, October 30th, the Anna Karenina-inspired collection by Banana Republic will launch!

It's a very sophisticated, chic line, that is blending 19th Century style with a modern edge. Feeling a little Leo Tolstoy?

If you adore the mystery of  a cape, the ultra-glamour of big fur hats and collars ( don't worry all FAUX fur), and rich-looking black fabrics, then this collection will appeal to you.

The Banana Republic line will start at $29.50 for a piece of jewelry, to $325 for a coat, and higher.

Let's be honest here---this is a very feminine, elegant collection. Some of these pieces could go formal for a number of important events.

And of course, Banana Republic is inspired as well, with the Anna Karenina movie coming out on November 9th, starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law.

Banana Republic's creative director Simon Kneen, told this to  InStyle.com.

"It's really about taking key elements of that time period- sophisticated color, fabrics, and beautiful detailing- and translating that into an updated wardrobe."

Maybe you would like to add just a small piece of 19th Century Russia luxury to your wardobe,  like a pair of earrings or cape. You don't want to deck yourself out in total Anna Karenina. It would look too costume-y.

We really like this look. How about you?

Onsen: Micro Water Complex = Younger-Looking Skin

We love learning and writing about the incredible advances discovered in the science of skin care. And for a few weeks now, we have been very lucky to have experienced the world of Onsen.

Onsen is a skin care company whose effective products center around a simple water molecule. But in this case, not just any water molecule.

The entire Onsen concept sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but it's just a fascinating reality in beauty technology.

The name Onsen takes us on a journey to the Japanese Hot Springs, known as Onsen. Every Onsen skin care product contains the origins of this 'active water'. These molecules are pure, strong, and tiny enough to penetrate through the cell walls, delivering beautiful, plumper, smoother skin.

Onsen anti aging cream rejuvenates the complexion like no other. The secret is in the powder/water technology. Other  skin care products contain mostly water, up to 75% and more. But Onsen  is formulated with 100% active solutions.

Onsen Daily Hydration ($129.95) is an excellent choice for bringing better elasticity to the skin and diminishing the look of fine lines/wrinkles. Feels gorgeous on the face and neck!

The Smoothing Eye Serum ($169.95) is another Onsen winner. Crow's feet melt away and stay hidden for hours. Lovely formula.

Probably the cadillac of the Onsen fleet of skin care is the popular Bio-Cell Lift, Instant Skin Firming Solution ($595.)  Yes, this is indeed a beauty investment, but a superb one.  Who needs La Mer when you've got this stuff?! It's got a wow factor---delivering the effects of a non-surgical facelift for a full 8 hrs! Tight, plump, radiant skin!

To learn more about the Onsen skin care line, visit Onsen. And BeautyTipToday readers get a 20% discount by entering this code, beauty 20, at the website check-out!

Sleek Straight Hair In: That Means Good Blow Dryer

If you're looking for the big blow-out, then you're on the right beauty track, because sleek, straight hair is in, as we talked about back in our Oct. 4th posting.

We're all looking to save a few bucks these days, so let's look at a very good blow dryer for the money.

You don't have to spend hundreds on a super expensive dryer, but if you can, then sure, go with some of the more expensive brands like CHI and Solano. But if you're cash-strapped, then try this inexpensive blower:

Infiniti Pro by Conair 1875 Watt Salon Performance AC Motor Styling Tool ($39.99, but we found it for ONLY $29.99 at Target.com.

And it's a nice one:

Well-balanced and 20% lighter, this Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer delivers comfortably effortless styling and sensational results

Ergonomically designed for ultimate comfort, it also provides high performance for salon-quality results

A quiet but powerful AC motor ensures fast drying time, which means less heat exposure for hair

Celebrity stylist Ted Gibson of NYC told Harper's Bazaar why sleek hair is IN:

"Sleek, long hair is making a comeback because women are not feeling romantic at the moment," says stylist Ted, whose clients include Angelina Jolie. "Designers aren't making frilly clothes, and the hair follows the fashion. There's something about long, straight hair that feels very modern and present."

Long, pin-straight hair means high-wattage shine. That also translates to a good blow-out for your crowning glory.

Do You Bother To Water Line Your Eyes With Makeup?!

The water line.

We'll be honest. We didn't know exactly where that was along the eye until a few years ago, and yet, we were unknowingly water-lining back in our early college years, until a nasty pair of red eyes forced us to discontinue this practice.

Look at the top photo. The way we understand it, the water line is UNDER the -eye, right where the bottom rim of the eye is---where the tears flow from the tear duct.

There is also a water line located at the TOP of the eye, right below the lashes, that top inner rim. Some people call this the tight line or something else I can't remember at the moment.

As you can see by the photo, both water lines have been lined in black.

So, how does that benefit me, you ask?

1.Water-lining beautifully shapes the eye.
2. Adds depth to the eye.
3. Allows lashes to look lush and fuller .

The only 'bad thing' it does, however, is make the eye look smaller.

This morning we water-lined just our top inner rims, and left the bottom water line alone. We water-lined with a Cover Girl black eyeliner pencil. Then we lined our top lashes, and our eyes looked dreamy! It works!

Actress Olivia Wilde is one celebrity who LOVES to waterline her gorgeous eyes. Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian also water-line. And Duchess Kate always water-lines her bottom inner rim.

Be careful what you water-line with. Back in college we were using liquid liner, and we looked high and red-eyed. We finally quit water-lining. All we had to do though, was switch to a eyeliner pencil, but we didn't know too much about makeup back then.

If you haven't tried water-lining, you ought to. Just water-line the bottom or top, and watch your eyes transform! Such a cool makeup trick.

Red Nails And Nude Toes: Winning Beauty Combo For Fall

Red + Nude, ladies!

These are the classic, sophisticated go-to shades for your mani/pedi this Fall.

Manicurist Yuna Park tells Harper's Bazaar this little beauty/style nugget:

Do NOT play matchy-match. In other words, do NOT have BOTH your hands and feet wearing the SAME shade.
The BEST combo for Fall 2012. "Red nails and nude toes."

Here are a couple of lovely shades for your red mani and your nude pedi:

Priti NYC Polish in Red Head Cactus ($12.50, at PritiNYC). A gorgeous true red and a wonderful non-toxic, 100% vegan polish.

Essie Nail Color in Fed Up ($8, at bebeautiful). A pretty, blush-y beige for your deserving toes. An easy way to look chic for Fall.

Ever Try The Cheap But Effective Monistat Trick For Perfect Primer?!

Okay, this is weird, BUT....we like discovering new ideas through the sensibilty of experimentation. Sometimes, these beauty theories work out, and other times, these beauty theories go bust!

If you're game, then head to your neighborhood drugstore and pick up a little box of this, and pretend it's specifically made to be a facial primer. That's right:

Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel (about $7. We found it at CVS for $7.99).

No, this ain't your Mama's vaginal relief cream....giggle-giggle.

No, not the one for yeast infections.

This particular Monistat product has usually been used for relief  of chafing in delicate areas. The Monistat folks explain it like this:

"Chafing relief powder-gel skin protectant provides on-the-go daily prevention and relief from chafing and irritation of skin in intimate, delicate areas like the inner thigh, bikini area, under arms and breasts. Made especially for women, the exclusive powder-gel formula combines the protective benefits of lotion and powder by forming a silky, breathable moisture control barrier to fight friction."

But some smarty-pants chicks decided to try this wonderful, silky formula on the face as a makeup primer. And yeah it works well, really as good as those high-end primers like Smashbox, Nars ,and MAC. And it's a lot CHEAPER.

How did we go from outer private parts up to the face?

Well, we don't know, exactly, but the Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel contains  Dimethicone, which appears to be in every primer
Active Ingredient: Dimethicone (1.2%). Inactive Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisiloxane.

Primer is applied BEFORE the foundation for a flawless finish. It's a bit like spackle, in that it smooths over rough, imperfect edges, imparting a sleek surface that holds ups for hours.

Monistat is a quiet beauty cult fave.

Have you ever tried this stuff-down-there for your pretty face up there?

Best Blow-Out Brush You Can Find At The Drugstore

Rachel Zoe stylist Joey Maalouf claims that this 2-inch round barrel brush is THE one, when you are seeking luscious locks.

And it's available at your neighborhood drugstore for only $10!

The Revlon Perfect Style Ion + Ceramic Brush (we found it for just $6.39, at Amazon.com)! It's all in the materials that make up the accuracy in this blow-out brush---ceramic and iconic technology heats hair evenly to give a healthy shine.

Joey Maalouf  reveals the magic in this powerful hair tool:

"I love this brush," he tells Glamour mag(Oct. 2012 issue).  "The vented barrel lifts the roots so your hair dries faster."

And Joey uses this one on the lovely manes of many-a-celebrity, so we know it makes for a big, long-lasting blow-out.

This brush also helps in retaining moisture and reducing frizz.

Comfortable grip handle.

Rounded bristle tips glide easily through hair

Let us add a tiny post-script here.......We lost a little chunk of hair last Spring with a round brush mishap. It was not the Revlon Perfect Style Ion + Ceramic Brush, but it was a round brush on damp hair.

For what it's worth, please be careful---otherwise, big, round brushes can make for great blow-outs, and this one sounds like a beauty winner.

Make Yours Moto, Ladies! No Motorcycle Necessary

No. You don't actually need to ride a Harley to slip into one of these rarin'-to-go moto jackets this Fall, ladies!

We don't think cool chick Gwen Stefani has a bike.

It's called style, and the classic MOTO jacket is a HOT trend for autumn. Gwen is showing off a bubble gum pink leather Kelly Wearstler Moto Jacket. She's always on-point, as are her adorable spotted jeans.

Anyone can hunt down a chic moto jacket, and you DON'T have to buy real leather. It can be faux and still look glam. And you can get the moto in lots of color and/or fabrics.

Have you bought your moto jacket, yet, ladies? We have!

The MinkPink Melody Cropped Moto Jacket ($119, at Urban Outfitters). This is a gorgeous wool moto:

Australian label MINKPINK.
* Asymmetrical rose gold-toned zip up the front; zippered pockets.
* Notched lapel; snap epaulets at the shoulders.
* Shrunken fit; cropped.
* Fully lined.

The Women's Lace Up Biker Leather Jacket ($574, at TrueReligion). This is HOT! In Brown, and of course REAL, soft, smooth leather!

A crinkled texture lends itself to a well worn look but is expertly treated to carry out the softest touch imaginable.
Peak lapel collar.
Slim fit Zipper side pockets.
Shoulder epaulets.
Self: 100% leather Imported

It Isn't Easy Keeping Up With The Platinum: Just Ask Gwen

Platinum hair and scarlet lips.

That certainly reminds us of the late and great movie star Marilyn Monroe. It also brings to mind another great beauty---Gwen Stefani. And at age 42, and a mom to 2 active little boys, Gwen looks gorg.

But it isn't easy,  'Keeping up with the platinum!'.

The September 2012 Harper's Bazaar cover girl doesn't let her roots show through that mass of blondeness, ever!

We LOVE that look on Gwen Stefani, but the platnium blonde upkeep is crazy-loco.  That's why celebrities invest in super stylists to maintain the image, right down to those dark roots that pop up like tell-tale signs.

If you're blonde and have to work at it,  then it becomes a key part of your beauty routine.

Gwen is blonde-inspired by the original 50's bombshell Marilyn, and tells Harper's Bazaar that she keeps those pesky roots away, by using a beauty trick the movie goddess lived by:

 "Do you think Marilyn Monroe had to talk about this?" she asks, smiling. "Well, I heard she did hers with a Q-tip every 10 days, so I try to follow Marilyn's rule." I mention that she's never been photographed with dark roots, and she points to the houndstooth fedora she is wearing. "And you'll never see me with roots either."

We love what this girly-girl says about discovering the beauty of bleach and those sexy red lips:

Gwen recalls how she felt when, at the age of 25, she spent eight hours in a hair salon in Long Beach getting her coveted white-blonde locks. "It was like I'd unlocked the key. I remember feeling like, 'I have arrived. This is me. Finally.'" The red lip came when her grandmother gave her a crimson lipstick when she was in high school. "I remember sitting in my ghetto, beat-up Honda Prelude and putting on that lipstick in the rearview mirror and being like, 'Uh-huh, I like that. That's the shit right there.' I never stopped after that."

Gotta love Gwen Stefani! Her fave L'Oreal lipstick is Infallible  Le Rouge, Ravishing Red ($9.99, at drugstores).

RHONJ Jacqueline Laurita Uses the Big 'U' For Younger Skin

The New Jersey Housewives were in rare form at the final reunion show last night on the Bravo network. And Jacqueline Laurita sparkled in her shiny, red dress.

This morning, the 42-year-old youthful mom appeared on Good Morning America to reveal her beauty secret for looking gorgeous and wrinkle-free. Was it a facelift, lots of filler, laser re-surfacing, etc.??

We tackled this topic in a BeautyTipToday article back in July. And again, Jacqueline says she owed her younger-looking skin to the big U----Ultherapy.

"I decided to do Ultherapy when I noticed my neck not firming up the way I wanted it to after my weight loss from my 55 lb. weight gain during my pregnancy. I’m 42 years old, so I’m sure my age has something to do with my lack of elasticity … Ultherapy for the face and neck actually improves the skin from the inside out by repairing and strengthening existing collagen while naturally stimulating new collagen development."

In simplest terms, ultherapy lifts, tightens and tones the skin of the face and neck. It's an outpatient treatment.

During ultherapy treatment, ultra-sound energy in the form of gentle heat, is applied to the tissue to lift and tighten loose skin without cutting or injecting, etc. Ultherapy stimulates new collagen production. In a mere 30-60 minutes, your body’s own healing responses will be reminded to gently and gradually restore skin and underlying tissue.

"While it's not a replacement for a surgical face or eye lift, patients appreciate that the process is non-surgical. Once they understand that the results rely on the natural rebuilding of their collagen fiber network within the skin, they also realize that the effects take place naturally and gradually," says Daniel C Mills, MD of the Monarch Bay Laser, Laguna Beach, Calfornia, tells RealSelf.com.

To learn more about this non-surgical procedure, visit RealSelf, and Jacqueline's website here.

Sexy Sofia Deal Of The Day:

Everyone adores Sofia Vergara.

And if you're looking to create a little Vergara Va-Va-Va-Voom in your style for Fall, then we can help you.

Okay, so we won't instantly turn into television's favorite bombshell, but we can all find a piece or two from Sofia's new clothing collection at KMart.

We found the super cute and classic Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Ponte Blazer Jacket on SALE now for $27.99.

This feminine blazer with a slim fit and sateen trim around the collar and faux hip pockets was featured in both the September 2012 issue of Woman’s Day and September 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan.

Sofia's blazer comes in easy care Poly/Rayon Spandex in Jet Black or Camel, both with black sateen trim, in  Sizes XS - XL.

MAC And Marilyn: Match Made In Beauty Heaven

MAC Cosmetics has recently debuted a beautiful Marilyn Monroe-inspired makeup collection! It's a stunning 30-piece limited edition line about the late, sexy movie goddess.

The beauty icon's image is featured on most of the MAC Marilyn beauty collection products.

The makeup ranges in price from $15-27 with lipsticks, shadows, liners, faux lashes, polishes, and the like.

"Marilyn Monroe is an icon, plain and simple. Her look not only defined a generation but also is relevant today," says MAC senior vice president James Gager.
How very true!

The makeup is pure Hollywood glamour with a bit of a retro twist to the palette.

We found 2 interesting MAC Marilyn Monroe pieces:

The Marilyn Monroe Penultimate Brow at $18.50. SOLD OUT online.
"A liquid, pen-style marker for colouring and styling the brows to a well-defined, natural look. Easy to control. Tapered tip provides precision and helps to fill in and perfect the brows. Flow-through, quick-drying formula means no smudges. Long-wearing."

And the Marilyn Monroe Brow Finisher at $15. Also SOLD OUT online.
"A slim-line, wax-style grooming tool specially formulated to shape and hold the brows, providing them with a sheer, slick, polished and conditioned-looking finish. Smooth, non-sticky, easy to use."

Marilyn had nice full brows, and were probably made that way through the magic of a good makeup artist. But wax is an interesting addition here, and something movie screen goddess Sophia Loren also supposedly used to use to keep her amazing brows lifted, and in place.

Sounds like a gorgeous, classic makeup collection!

It's An Oz Thing: Emerald Green Goes Glam For Fall 2012!

Emerald green.

It's so rich and regal. And it happens to be another HOT color-- fashion-beauty- trend for Fall 2012!

Our skin has an olive tone to it, so we get a bit leery around this green shade near our complexion. It's hard for us to pull off, unless we get the right color proportion around us. But there are so many other ways to show off the emerald green trend. From fashion to beauty, it's all good!

We have latched on to this stunning emerald green Legacy Leather Duffle Bag by Coach ($348, at coach). Simply elegant. Need we say more?!
•Inside zip, cell phone and multifunction pockets
•Outside zip pocket
•Zip-top closure, fabric lining
•Strap with 18 3/4" drop for crossbody wear converts to double strap for shoulder wear
•9 3/4" (L) x 13" (H) x 5 1/2" (W)

And nothing beats the refined look of an emerald green manicure. We fell for Vapour. It's such a smooth, sophisticated green shade and it's FREE of harsh nail chemicals. NO formaldehyde. NO toluene.

Looker 527 Vernissage 3-Free Nail Lacquer ($14, at VapourBeauty). This brand delivers a super glossy shine that lasts for days.

Will you be visiting the emerald land of Oz this Fall?

The Chic Flushed Cheek For Fall Says Michael Kors

 

 

Okay, Michael Kors. We get it. The pretty, elegant look at your Fall 2012 shows featured the spotlight on the cheeks. Then, the lips and the bolder brow.

It's a true blush + flush! Gorgeous! Healthy! And as you want to imply:

A "classic, sportif" look with flushed cheeks and bright lips created by Dick Page, Shiseido Artistic Director, for Michael Kors A/W 2012 collection.

"The connotation of sportif in Europe is energetic and the look is all about the woman who’s living this life, who’s very chic and made of money," he says.

Over the years, we have come to understand how essential blush is to the building blocks of makeup.

The only challenge for us and a lot of women is this----Exactly where do you apply blush?

On the apples of the cheeks, as the beauty professional would tell you.

Hmmm. No that easy to always do, and looking at the photos here from the Michael Kors' models---there's a lot of blush going on.

According to Dick Page, he actually used lipstick to achieve this naturally rosy glow:

Dick blended Lacquer Rouge in Drama (RD501), a lipstick with concentrated color, onto the apple of the cheek, along with a dab of foundation using a damp Foundation Sponge Puff.

Absolutely stunning. Not sure we could create quite the same effect, but we can  learn a lot through pictures and practice. By the way, we often use lipstick as blush, because it's creamy, looks natural and can be very buildable. With our oily complexion, however, the lipstick blush melts away faster than a powder blush. But, still, a softer flush.

We love this look for Fall. How about you?
.

Gotta Love Deborah Lippman's Chic New Lip + Nail Combos!

We like simple, especially when it comes to getting complicated beauty products right.
 
And that's exactly what Deborah Lippman has achieved with her brand new lip + nail combos!

We have been trying to get into the neutral lips thing, again. We try for a few days,and then jump ship, and go back to our signature, cool pink lip. It is so hard to find the perfect nude for our light olive skin. But, now there's a quick, effortless solution:

Deborah Lippman My KIss Gift Set ($38, at BarneysNewYork). This is so-oooo lovely! You will NOT appear washed-out, ladies. These nudes, for both lips + nails, give off a healthy, pinky-beige-y flush.

We like the match-y-match idea of a lip + nail combo---very feminine, very classic!

This is how the Deborah Lippman company describes the new lip + nail combos:

"The perfect every day duet is My Touch My Kiss, which contains a sheer, nude-mauve lip color called I'm Every Woman and Naked, a sheer, bare-beige lacquer. This set is perfect for everyone, everyday.

"You can't go wrong with these modern nude tones that flatter all skin types and complement any outfit. Naked is the go-to nail shade, and I'm Every Woman is a must-have color for your everyday wardrobe. Once you try it, you'll always have to have it with you."

Can You Guess Who This Famous Beauty Is Sans Makeup?

Okay, we LOVE photos of famous beauties like this one, snapped of actress Brooke Shields as she walked about New York City on Sunday afternoon.

What's wrong with this picture?

Absolutely nothing! Brooke Shields at age 47, has NO makeup on that we can see. Not even a little BB cream, which is a fancier, more expensive tinted moisturizer. Not even a little tinted lip balm. Nada. Nothing.

So, what's the point in all of this---to pick on a famous mother-of-two?

No, we actually think it's refreshing to see what most women, even the  rich, famous, and very attractive, look like WITHOUT the magic of makeup and the skilled hands of a red carpet pro makeup artist.

We think the talented Brooke Shields has a nice, clear complexion with just a few lines and dark undereye circles that many of us have. At 47, she has those trademark great, full brows and clear, blue eyes.

Could she look better?

Yes. By putting on even minimal makeup, Brooke could look even lovelier walking around NYC.

Should she wear cosmetics in public, because she is super famous and admired for her classic beauty?

YES. But who are we to tell a celebrity how to appear in public.

We thought she would look younger, because she was a famous model, and because MOST female celebrities resort to plastic surgery and/or minimally invasive dermatological procedures to wind back the beauty clock.

Having said all that, it is inspiring to see a strong, talented celebrity not afraid to age naturally in public---not easy to do with a youth-obsessed culture.