Perfect Brows In 2014: Somewhere In Between Thin And Thick?

Perfect brows.

Do they even exist?

Let's look at 2 very different-looking celebrities. One has thinner brows--the other much thicker brows.

Sophia Loren VS. Lily Collins:

We think both stars are gorgeous. And yes, both women look perfect with their individual brows
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We are well aware that full brows are STILL big beauty news in 2014.

You CAN'T force yourself to grow Lily Collins eyebrows. Maybe your DNA will never allow that much brow growth.

You CAN stop plucking, waxing and trimming brows. That's what we have been doing for quite a while now. Our little brow hairs are finally sprouting, but unfortunately, we could never get brows like Lily's. We wish!

These are our brows. Yeah....and that's even with a little pencil. Have to cheat the best way we can.

Some might argue that Sophia's brows were too thin in this photo. We have seen the movie legend with much thicker brows in other photos. For some reason, maybe it is Sophia's stunning bone structure, but she looks splendid with thinner brows.

Here's a beauty pic of where brows should begin + end.

To grow thicker brows in a natural way, check out this YouTube video!

Our beauty message here: Be yourself. Aim for a more natural-looking brow, but don't despair, just because you don't have super thick eyebrows. It's not the end of the world.

Christie Brinkley and Duchess Catherine Wear Panty Hose: Lady-Like Or Old-Lady-Like?

The legendary model herself, Christie Brinkley, has been making the red carpet rounds these days to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

To us, Christie turning 60, is even BIGGER news than a magazine anniversary. She looks super-human.

What we have been noticing during her recent social appearances are her lovely legs--ALWAYS covered in pantyhose.

Aha! Maybe not so uber-perfect?

Or is Christie Brinkley just uber-smart to hide a few blemishes at a more mature age?

Christie admits that she even uses pantyhose to get "a sense of security." And the ageless model is also wearing pantyhose UNDER her bathing suit for a recent photo shoot.

So---is Christie Brinkley just being lady-like? Or old-lady-like?

 And then we have royal etiquette, because when she is out in the public, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge ALWAYS puts on pantyhose.

We have a lot of girlfriends who SCOFF at the mere thought of wearing pantyhose.

Constricting. Uncomfortable. Yuck! Those are some of the comments we've heard.

And yet, pantyhose DOES deliver smoothness, even tone and yes---sheer elegance.

There is also spray-on pantyhose---in the name of Sally Hanson Airbrush Legs ($13.99, at Walgreens). Kim Kardashian swears by Airbush Legs to cover her imperfections: "I’m using Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs spray and it is my lifesaver at the moment," Kim writes on her website. "I love this stuff! It really covers up my psoriasis so well!"

So, What do you think, dear reader?

Happy Anniversary, Gisele! Now Let's Get That Sea Salt Spray Beach Hair!

Yeah, life seems pretty darn incredible for Gisele Bundchen:

Cute kids, handsome NFL husband, world's highest paid model, great body and
GORGEOUS hair!!

Gisele is celebrating her 5th wedding aniversary today CONGRATS.

Meanwhile....Let's get Gisele wavy, beach-y hair with one key product:

Sea Salt Spray.

There are tons of them out there, but we have found a sure winner:

Victoria's Secret Hair:  Beach Hair Wave Spray ($12).

The good news. This stuff REALLY works...Plus, it smells heavenly---like coconut. Yummy. And the sea salt gives your mane beautiful texture that last for hours.

To get the Gisele wavy, beach-y hair look, you could spray it on damp and scrunch your hair into shape.

You could also spritz the spray on dry hair before bed. Pull hair into a top-knot. And in the morning, wake up to pretty wavy, beach-y hair!

Paula Patton's Beautiful Skin Secret: Very Earthy, Indeed!

38-year-old Paula Patton is gorgeous!

And we are sad about recent news that she and Robin Thicke are splitting up.

That one caught us off-guard. We think that maybe Mr. Thicke thinks he is all that + a bag of chips since that summer mega-hit, "Blurred Lines."

Well, today we are paying attention to beautiful Paula Patton and her exquisite skin.

We read somewhere that she swears by clay masks. We can't even see any pores, so she must be doing something right.

She didn't name any clay mask brands but there are plenty of great facial masks out there.

Why put on a clay mask and what kind would be best?

Think, GREEN!

We found this beauty info from wellsphere.com.

Green Clay
The most absorbing of the Clays, Green Clay is generally used as a Face Mask for tissue repair, drawing toxins from the skin and to normalise excessive secretions of oil or sweat. Applied as a Face or Body Mask, facial clay masks cleanse, exfoliate, smoothe and soften the skin. Green clay is especially good at drawing toxins out.

We happen to like Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.  We found a big 1 lb. tub at Vitacost.com for just $4.99.

This powerful green clay is known around the globe for its superior deep pore cleansing. And even more impressive is Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay's extraction location: from Death Valley, California, where it is sun- dried for up to six months in temperatures that sometimes reach 134 degrees.

So, if you're looking to create a more smoother, healthier complexion, reach for a clay mask, and make it GREEN.

Nivea Creme: Oldie But Goody And Kate Winslet Uses It

For many of us, this royal blue tub has been a staple in our beauty cabinets. Even British beauty, actress Kate Winslet is a fan.

Nivea Creme has been around for a very long time. And a lot of grandmothers + great-grandmothers claim it has kept them youthful + wrinkle-free.

We love the rich, hydrating cream of Nivea. We applied some to our feet , hands + elbows just 15 minutes ago. Plus, we adore the citrus/floral scent, too.

Nivea Creme leaves your skin soft, supple and with a lovely sheen. Great during these cruel winter months.

About 5 years ago there was a rumor floating around that the inexpensive tub of Nivea Creme was just as SUPERB, if not BETTER than that expensive gold standard, Creme de la Mer.

Women were also raving about the Nivea Creme from Germany as the preferred Nivea.

And women were actually doing their own testing of both skin care creams on each side of their faces.

Supposedly the Nivea we all find at our drugstores here is from Mexico and contains petrolatum which can cause irritation. We have never noticed that problem.

Both creams DO share similar ingredients, but La Mer does contain the famous, talked-about seaweed extract. Hmmmm. Well, who really knows?

We have used Nivea Creme on our neck, too, and decollete, but we have very oily skin, so we cannot use it on our face. If we had a dry complexion we would DEFINITELY try the Nivea.

We have not tried Creme de la Mer, so we could not comment on the similar or dissimilar aspects of the 2 skin care creams.

We found a 6.8 oz. tub of Nivea Creme for $5.95  at soap.com.

Do you have a tub of Nivea Creme sitting in your beauty cabinet?

Celeb Makeup Artist Troy Surratt: His Best Mascara Beauty Tips For Thick , Perfect Lashes!

Celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt must be very good at what he does. Just ask gorgeous Charlize Theron, Adriana Lima + Kristin Davis about him. Those are the kinds of famous faces he works on.

That's why when the makeup pros dish about their own beauty tips, we become all ears. And today, the subject is mascara, and how to get those thick, perfect lashes!

Troy Surratt recently spoke to beauty magazine Allure and gave out his best mascara beauty tips:

Begin with CLEAN Lashes.
NEVER sleep in old makeup. Remove it pronto!

"Residual oils at the roots can cause makeup breakup," Troy says. "You'll wind up with soot around your eyes."

His choice--Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($4.99, at Target). Good, because these wipes, "don't irritate delicate eye skin."

Curl Lashes to give them a Lift.
A curling wand is key, because it goes above the natural slope of the eye to open the lashes up.

Troy says this: "Just by using an eyelash curler to change that angle(slope) lashes can automatically look 2-3 times longer. Curling them also minimizes the shadows they cast over the eyes, so the eyes look larger and brighter,"

Three or More Coats is Just Over-Kill.
Pros like Troy advise putting on 2 coats of mascara to  frame the eyes beautifully, but applying 3 or more coats is TOO much.

Well, if a pro makeup artist is applying it, then he or she can go for 3 or more coats, but things can get gloppy when you're alone trying to layer it all perfectly.

Thanks, Troy Surratt!

Christie Brinkley Amazes At 60: Push-Ups, Peanut Butter + Fuji Apples

Christie Brinkley can't wipe that huge smile off her face these days.

And who would blame her? When you've turned 60 and defy gravity, and all those nasty things that come with natural aging,  well, then she has a right to show off and grin.

Yeah, she's been playing coy with the camera + striking pose after pose, but wouldn't we all?

So, what is Christie Brinkley's beauty secret?

To top it all, it is merely great DNA. She is just super good-looking with excellent facial symmetry.

The rest of it?

Christie leads a clean, active lifestyle.

Plus....there are the push-ups, peanut butter and Fuji apples.

Those are key.

The beautiful blonde and mom-of-3 keeps fit the old-fashioned way:

"I try to get in 100 push-ups every day," said Christie. "It's really easy. I keep a rolled up yoga mat under my bed. I'll do 30 push-ups before I get in the shower. Then I do another 20 before I dry my hair, and now I've done 50. After I dry my hair, I'll come back and I'll do more."

The vegetarian beauty also LOVES to snack on Fuji apples with peanut butter.

Here's the iconic model about a month ago. Watch it here on YouTube.

Sigh....If only it were that easy.....

Big, Full Brows: Hot Trend Continues For Spring 2014

Got big, beautiful brows like model Cara Delevingne?

If you do, you are a lucky gal, because big, full brows are STILL the hot trend going into Spring 2014.

Don't be too sad if you lack those brows. Most of us cannot grow Cara brows no matter how hard we try.

BUT--- we CAN all stop plucking + waxing like crazy. Let the hairs grow back in naturally. 

Do NOT groom so much!

We like applying cold-pressed CASTOR OIL on our brows at night. It is supposed to keep the hairs healthy, full and supposedly grow quicker.

We think it does help.

Meantime, there are tons of beauty brow helpers on the market. Yes, you can grow your own through artfully done makeup.

Here's one from Benefit Cosmetics--Gimme Brow ($22, at benefitcosmetics.com).  We like this because the formula is a brush-on fiber gel. It's also tinted + water-resistant.  It helps thin brows look naturally fuller by sticking to the hairs and bulking them up.

Gimme Brow comes in 2 shades:
light medium and
medium deep.

Going For The Beauty Gold.....And We're Not Talking About The Olympics!

We are rather intrigued by this beauty trend for Spring 2014.

Think GOLD....gilded gold

How pretty!

Now we all know that EVERYTHING you see on the runway is NOT meant for an every day look. Some creative expressions are just that---for the drama.

Well, we're not sure if this will hit the red carpet, but it would be cool to see a glam Oscar nominee ALREADY wearing the gold.

Take a peek at DIOR backstage. Talk about GOLD fever. We LOVE this look on brows, especially when the rest of the face has on minimal makeup. It's a regal look, something Cleopatra could have pulled off.

So in every day appearances where does gold makeup fit it?

Can we even attempt to put some on?

 Yes...There are some lovely metallic eye makeups out there.

For instance, try this gold gel eye shadow/eyeliner:

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre- Apparence No. 817 ($39).

Jason Wu also showed off the striking gold look  on lids at his spring show.

Ladies....Will you go for the beauty GOLD this Spring?

Yes--Rihanna Likes To Wear Fake Jewelry From Claire's...And Fake Hair!

It's all fake!"

If you believe her and we do, then Rihanna wears CHEAP, FAUX baubles.

Keepin' it real. We love that about the very talented, very wealthy young star.

The beautiful singer revealed all of this in Vogue magazine's March issue, where Rihanna graces the cover. Look for the mag on newsstands Feb.25th! 

Here's an excerpt from Vogue:

"My jewelry’s all fake — from Claire’s. Or I get it from my mom’s boutique in Barbados. Her shop’s called FAB-U-LUS," she tells Plum Sykes while the two go shopping around London. 

And she’s candid about her ever-changing hair. "It’s not my hair, but the girl who donated it, she’s the bomb," she says. "I have two main hair people I work with. They’re always with me. I’m like, ‘I’m bored! I wanna change my hair!’ That’s the good thing about a weave. You can do whatever with it.

If you've never shopped at Claire's for faux baubles, then you're missing out on Rihanna's treasure chest. There's lots to choose from.

Rihanna has also been photographed plenty of times with expensive REAL jewelry on, but maybe that is reserved for those red carpet moments.

Yves St. Laurent  tassel necklaces

Neil Lane diamond, platinum necklace--Grammys

Neil Lane diamond bracelet--Grammys

Hey....It's okay to mix the real + fake stuff together, Rihanna!

It's all good!

Gladiator Sandals Hot for 2014: Kourtney Kardashian First To Step Out In Style!

Gladiator sandals. These are Louboutins -- Spring 2014.

NOT an easy look to wear unless you're 6 foot tall on the fashion runway, but 5 foot tall Kourtney Kardashian pulls it off!

Kourtney is the trendsetter of the Kardashian sisters. She is fearless when it comes to fashion. She takes risks, big ones, and she usually nails them most of the time. Certainly, middle sister Kim is all about the clothes, but we think Kourtney goes farther out on the fashion limb.

So, how does a very petite woman copy the runway look?

With confidence and a good eye.

The eldest Kardashian sister is aware of what is going to be HOT.

Take a look at Kourtney's fab gladiator sandals as she's out + about with cutie-pie Penelope in warm, sunny California.

Dare to copy Kourtney Kardashian's look? We found cheaper versions of the glam gladiator sandals!

Steve Madden Sparta Black Leather Sandal ($99.95)

Check them out here.

Or how about these:
Click here for details. Will you dare to join the 2014 gladiator fashion trend this spring?

Go Jane Fully Strapped Gladiator Sandals ($35.10)

The Stilettos Solution: Spray This On Feet + Go!

Stilettos.

You've got to admit----these shoes make EVERY women's legs look long, lean, sculpted + spectacular.

But we all know the damage that comes with wearing sky-high, needle-thin heels, right ladies!

There's a cool product that will TAKE AWAY the PAIN. The stilettos solution. It's formulated with an inflammation-fighting arnica extract. Just SPRITZ and say Ah-hhhhh, and then slip into your favorite stilettos and go!

It's called Still Standing ($19.99, at stillstandingspray.com). You get a box of 4 mini spray bottles of Still Standing. Great, because these little ones tuck away neatly into your purse or pocket. Perfect for on-the-go!

Celebs aren't the only folks who love wearing stilettos. But they seem to know all about this soothing spray.

By the way, the spray is CLEAR and won't stain. The spray also contains aloe, and menthol which "provides a cooling sensation while the certified organic ilex (which has been used by Indians in the South American Rainforest for centuries) works to intensify the effect."

Smart beauty product. Plus---you can even spritz it on through stockings.

Genius!

Bev Hills Housewife Joyce Giraud Uses This Fruit Mask For Healthy Hair

Joyce Giraud. She's the gorgeous, raven-haired beauty new to the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" reality TV show this season.

The former beauty queen from Puerto Rico seems to be blessed with the longest, most healthy locks we've seen in a long time. Joyce's hair is even longer than Kyle Richards' mane.

There's Joyce fresh from shopping for baubles at Tiffany's in New York City yesterday.

So, is the pageant winner wearing hair extensions or is this stunning 38-year-old just lucky to have healthy roots + all?

Not many women like admitting to using hair extensions, so we will leave it there, but the newest Bev Hills housewife DID spill her beauty tips for having long, lustrous locks.

Here's what she told toofab.com a few months ago:

"My one main secret I did right after my pageants days, is I only wash my hair once a week," she dished. "I tell everyone you have to stop washing your hair so much!"

Joyce also swears by putting on an avocado mask to keep her hair looking camera ready. 

The avocado is REALLY considered a fruit. And when we're not all enjoying guacamole, the soft, green fruit is a very nourishing beauty product for hair + skin.

Here is a classic avocado hair mask that a lot of women put on in the shower:

DEEP CONDITIONING AVOCADO HAIR MASK

This deep conditioning hair mask uses the nourishing goodness from the avocado to repair the damage that chemicals and styling aids do to hair. Combine egg yolk , olive oil and honey to tame your dry, split ends. Bouncy, soft hair returns.

Whisk one egg yolk, 1 tsp. of honey and 1 tsp. of extra-virgin olive oil together in a small bowl. Mash in ½ of an avocado with a fork.

This can get messy, so apply this to dry hair on ends first and then all over hair. Roll into a bun. After 15 minutes, rinse out in shower. Shampoo and then rinse again.

StriVectin's Claim That Day + Night Treatments Better Than Rx Retinol: Not True....

We dislike it when big beauty companies take major liberty with their clever commercial advertisements---claiming this + claiming that. When in reality, that boasting is never really covered by scientific fact.

Let's pick on StriVectin AR:  Advanced Retinol Day Treatment SPF30($99) + Advanced Retinol Night Treatment($109).

These products are formulated with NIA-114 technology, which as we have learned, has to do with niacin.

A paid consultant to StriVectin had told the NY Times this:

"NIA-114 provides many of the benefits of retinoic acid without those tolerability issues," Myron Jacobson said. "You get the gain without the pain."

The NY Times goes on to say that Dr. Jacobson, a biochemist,  "likes to say that NIA-114 is a great alternative to tretinoin(Retin-A), the gold standard routinely prescribed by dermatologists to keep aging skin looking (and acting) younger."

If you look at the current ads, Strivectin claims these 2 AR creams are "Better than Rx strength Retinol."

And that is  simply NOT true.

Chicago dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD recommends using a prescription-strength retinoid if you want REAL results. She told webmd this:

For aging skin, dermatologists like to prescribe tretinoin and retinoic acid (Retin-A, Renova, Refissa) that is "100 times" as potent as the retinol-containing products sold without prescription, Dr. Jacob says. "Tretinoin works better because it has a stronger capability of preventing the breakdown of collagen," she says. "I prescribe it to my patients because, if they're here, they've already tried the over-the-counter varieties."

If your skin is very sensitive, then over-the-counter retinol might be better for you.

Retinol helps repair damaged, aging skin, but just not at the speed or depth of an Rx retinoid like Retin-A.

Okay....hope that helps. In other words, an over-the-counter product containing retinol is excellent for your skin BUT cannot equal the strength  + superiority of an Rx retinoid.

Yum-Yum! Cake Beauty Delectable Hair & Body Mist From Kohl's

We've all been there.....You're at a party. There's a lot of smoke in the air, or maybe you can smell the odor of fried foods all over you. Still, maybe you just put in a full work-out at the gym. And a bad odor is following you. Yuck...Get us out of there!

It would be smart to have a bottle of this around, where you could discreetly spritz on a little sweet mist!

We found these at your neighborhood Kohl's. That's right--Kohl's. And these weren't in the Jennifer Lopez department.

We love hair scenters. Okay, maybe that isn't a word. But we LOVE a quick spritz for the hair to keep it soft + smelling fresh!

This set is by Cake Beauty. It's called Delectable Hair & Body Mist ($14, a set of 4, at Kohl's). In the set, you get 4 yummy scents---Strawberry + Cream. Lemon + Cream. Vanilla + Cream. Coconut + Cream.

These hair + body mists are fun to spritz on. They're formulated with aloe vera and are supposed to last all day.

Taylor Swift + Karlie Kloss: The Beautiful Bob Twins!

Hasn't anyone caught the resemblance?!

Was Victoria's Secret model Karlie Kloss the beauty inspiration behind superstar Taylor Swift's new drastic haircut?

Taylor is REALLY enjoying her brand new bob....and she had a lot of inches lopped off!

Usually when a woman has had 1/2 of her locks chopped off, it's a somewhat frightening experience. But the multi-award-winning singer NEVER missed a beat.

Taylor is LOVIN' her grown-up, sophisticated bob.

 To us, Taylor Swift is a dead ringer for famous model Karlie Kloss.

Karlie was one of the few models to undergo a major hair transformation back in the fall of 2012. She lost 7 inches, but Karlie NEVER looked back:

  "I love it," Karlie told the Web site Fashionologie backstage at a fashion show soon after the new cut was revealed.

"I can’t stop touching it." She added that having short hair "actually takes the focus off your hair and puts the focus on you. I’m starting to realize that it’s all about confidence."

The genius stylist behind Karlie's chop was Garren Defazio.

We don't know who cut Taylor's new modern bob, but she had it done in London while on tour.

"London, I could never thank you enough. See you next time! P.S. short hair, don't care. (!!!)," Taylor wrote on Facebook alongside the reveal pic, a photo of a Polaroid posing with singer Ellie Goulding.

We like the look on Taylor. She wears it well, right down to her polished, signature red lips. But we do think the bob cut makes Taylor look older than her 24 years.
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What do you think, Beauty TipToday readers?

Madonna Launches Skin Care Line Today In Japan: MDNA SKIN

At age 55, Madonna must be doing something right in the world of a healthy complexion.

Someone wants to know her beauty secrets, because today the star has launched a new skin care line in Japan. It's called MDNA SKIN.

We're not sure if and when this skin care line will make it to the U.S. + beyond.

Madonna developed the so-called revolutionary line in collaboration with MTG, Japan's leading beauty company.

So, what's in the material girl's skin care products?

There are 3 components. We found this beauty nugget from the madonnalicious website:

 The clay oil therapy inspired CHROME CLAY MASK, made with a base of clay from Montecatini Terme in Italy, which performs multiple functions that enrich the skin.

The SKIN REJUVENATOR - the specialized Magnetic Force and Deep Derma induction system devised to remove impurities and revitalizes the skin. 

 THE SERUM - based on an original formula that was created exclusively for Madonna, it creates a glowing effect when used alone and is further enhanced when used with the CHROME CLAY MASK and SKIN REJUVENATOR.

Check out the official video for MDNA SKIN here.
By the way, MDNA SKIN has its ownTwitter page.

A Bigger, Better, More Beautiful Butt In 2014 Via Injections?

Big, round butts aren't going away anytime soon.

If you're lucky to already naturally have this attention-getting asset, then good for you, because bigger, better butts appear to be another HOT cosmetic surgery trend that continues in popularity for 2014.

Has television's reality star, Kim Kardashian, influenced pop culture here?

She claims her ample behind is the result of great DNA, and we will take her at her word. Here's a photo snapped yesterday of the celeb in tan, suede skinnies:

And some are whispering that youngest K-sister, Khloe, has also been getting butt injections to have a curvier silhouette like famous Kim.

Check out Khloe leaving an L.A. nightclub last evening!
Khloe will be quick to say she's just been working out very hard and has shed a number of pounds.

Well, whatever these K-sisters are doing, they both are able to melt away fat and still maintain a rounder, fuller, bigger butt than most of us on the planet.

So, what are butt injections all about?

We headed to RealSelf.com for an honest break-down of facts.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon William Bruno, MD, explains how to get a bigger behind:

"Buttock injections using your body's own fat, also known as a Brazilian buttock lift, is a great way to add volume to your buttock. This varies in cost depending on your size and the number of areas treated with liposuction. Most experienced surgeons will charge somewhere in the area of $8,000-$11,000 for this procedure as the outcome has a lot to do with your surgeons' aesthetic judgment. Try not to make your decision based on cost."

Palo Alto plastic surgeon George Commons, MD, also reveals his opinion on butt injections:

"Liposuction harvest and then fat transfer to the buttocks works very nicely and you might consider this. It sounds like you have some donor areas.  Also liposuction of the flank zone results in a nicer appearing buttocks indirectly that at times is amazing.   Flank Liposuction with the Vaser may even result in a tiny buttocks lift effect.  Do not let anyone do injection of anything but your fat into your buttocks. I have seen disasters where foreign substance has been injected into the buttocks....silicone etc. etc. Do not do that. Fat is usually a nice answer. Go to an ABPS surgeon and get an answer."

Good advice!