Crazy For Cranberry Lipstick? Rihanna + Ariana Wear It

Cranberry lipstick is NOT an easy lipstick shade to wear. But as we can see here on Rihanna, the bold, dark red color is a recent fave she's been putting on.

Cranberry lips are a HOT trend at the moment. And the appeal has NOTHING to do with post-Thanksgiving.

Are you game?

We are on the fence about it, and yet when we observe Rihanna in cranberry lips, it looks so good! Plus, we love how the rest of the superstar's makeup is understated.

And Ariana Grande also debuted a cranberry lip shade + darker hair color at the AMA's last Sunday. So pretty.

Cranberry lipstick is both elegant + edgy. And the hue can go purple-ish or more burgundy-ish. But you will have to sample a few to find the perfect cranberry.

Here's a nice one by Rimmel London for LESS than $6:

Lasting Finish Lipstick-Kate Moss Collection

So, ladies....Do you have a cranberry crush you're waiting to try?

'Fraid Of Facial Oil? Even Olay Promotes New Oil Treatment For Radiant Skin

Okay....We have OILY skin, so we've been hesitant to get on the BIG beauty trend---which is facial oil for a clear, balanced complexion.

We STILL find it hard + bizarre to believe that oil on the face + neck doesn't have to be greasy or pore-clogging.

In fact, the beauty science shows us that facial oils like Olay's new Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil Daily Treatment really BALANCE the complexion, clean out pores and regulate oil production, halting excess sebum.

Well, you gotta believe.

We have tried deep cleansing facial oils to take off makeup and wash the face. Er...we DID apply it and remove the cosmetics, but after cleansing with the oil, we then resorted to our regular, facial bar soap and removed the oil remnants....LOL.

We just didn't trust the oil on an ALREADY oily complexion.

But Olay's Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil ($ 25.99, at Olay.com) promises a radiant, healthy, clear complexion, thanks to their unique, 9-blended oil formula, some of which includes---coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, tangerine oil, grape seed oil, etc.

So...how do we use the new Olay facial oil treatment?

"Apply 4-5 drops onto the palm of the hand. Use your finger to dab the facial oil in small dots over freshly cleansed skin. Then use your hands to gently massage Olay Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil smooth across your face or neck. Olay Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil can be used morning or night."

What do you think?

Are you in on the latest beauty, facial oil trend?

Medicated Bar Soaps By Ermis Labs Promise Beautiful Skin From Head To Toe

We happen to LOVE bar soap. We've talked about this before.

For one thing it lasts a long time. Plus, a bar of soap doesn't have to be used just on your body. There are some amazing bar soaps for the face.

The skin care experts at Ermis Labs have recently launched a superb line of medicated bar soaps.

And the great thing, you DON'T need a prescription.

Ermis Labs was generous enough to send their 5-bar collection to us--- to smell it, touch it, and test it. The line includes these medicated bars:

1. 2% Salicylic Acne Treatment Exfoliating Cleansing Bar
2. 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Cleansing Bar
3. 2% Pyrithione Zinc Seborrheic Dermatitis & Dandruff Treatment Bar
4. 1% Tolnaftate / 9% Sulfur Antifungal Medicated Bar
5. 0.5% Coal Tar Psoriasis Medicated Bar.

Ermis Labs has pretty much covered you from head-to-toe here.

We have been using the Salicylic + Benzoyl Peroxide bars. LOVE them! We wash our face 2x daily with the Salicylic and use the Benzoyl Peroxide in the shower for those break-out areas like the back.

Despite what some people believe, soap does NOT dry out your skin. What these medicated bars do is CLEAN extremely well and nourish with "Vitamin A to keep skin cells healthy, vitamin E to protect skin cells from damaging free radicals, coconut oil to hydrate the skin, shea butter to heal the skin and sea whip coral extract to calm the skin."

So, if you are frustrated with common skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis,  then you would be wise to check out the Ermis Labs' collection at MedicatedBars.com.

These medicated bar soaps are nice + dense. You're getting a lot of bang for the buck, as the saying goes. And the American Academy of Dermatology Summer Conference in ­Chicago gave these beauty bars the thumbs up for their unique + effective formulations.

When it comes to cleansing, many reach for the quick, liquid kind in the dispenser. We happen to believe the bar soap makes more sense and takes the cleansing routine to a much deeper, dermal level.

Each medicated bar costs $9.95 and comes neatly boxed with information + directions on how to use it.

Let's be honest, beautiful skin is not a given, but with the right products, we can ALL have clear, healthy + radiant complexions.

Would You Pop Pills For Healthy, Longer Hair? These Celebs Do!

Healthy, long, strong, shiny hair.

Who doesn't desire that?

We've all heard about hair vitamins and what these beauty pills can do for boosting hair growth.

But do they work?

And who's popping pills for enviable locks?

A number of celebrities claim they take hair vitamins. Are we to believe them, since most famous women wear hair extensions secretly?

Well, we will give these ladies the benefit of the doubt and believe they pop beauty pills.

Here they are:

Kim Kardashian.   Yes, she wears tons of hair extensions, but she's also been trying to get back her healthy, long hair. Kim claims to take Hairfinity ($24, one month supply).

Kyle Richards, a real Beverly Hills housewife reality star has said her strong, beautiful tresses were a result of these: Nourage ($59.95, one  month supply). Kyle claims that, ""My Nourage hair-care vitamins are heavy, but I don't care! After I had my kids, my hair was breaking off, but these have made a huge difference."

Nicole Kidman also takes hair pills. Her go-to brand---Swisse ($19.99, 2-month supply).

This is what she said last March: I always..."Take hair, skin and nail Ultiboost vitamins from a company called Swisse, which I am the global ambassador for. I down them religiously, and they've made my hair thicker. After I had my baby, my hair got so thin. I used to have really thick hair; now it has come back."

So, the question begs:

Would you take hair vitamins for healthy, longer hair?

Christie Brinkley Loves Olay + Clarins But Will Also Launch Signature Skin Care Line

Cleanse. Exfoliate. Moisturize.

That's what iconic model Christie Brinkley told Harper's Bazaar magazine she does for sound skin care. And yeah....she sure hit the DNA jackpot, because at age 60, Christie looks stunning, STILL.

 But even though one might look young for their age, good skin is NOT a given.

Christie is launching her own signature skin care line: Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare, and the 8-piece collection will pop up at Kohl's dept. stores in March 2015.

Meantime....how does this ageless beauty + mom of 3 maintain that clear, radiant complexion?

Here it is, in her own words:

"I use Olay's Regenerist line and Clarins neck cream [$86], and I'm religious about wearing sunscreen daily. When I started modeling I was told to tan, but I always protected my face. Right now I use an SPF I'm formulating for my own skin-care line that I hope will be available in six months. I used to be big on fruit acid facials, but my skin is really clear these days. I also drink tons of water to keep my skin hydrated."

We found the neck cream here at Macy's for $86.

Can't wait to see Christie's skin care debut in 2015!

Burt's Bees New Brightening Dark Spot Corrector 99% Natural: But Does It Work?

Sometimes you have to blow a few bucks to test and see if a beauty product REALLY works for you.

We are all unique individuals, and some things improve our skin.......and other things do not. It's that simple. Period.

So, here's a fairly new complexion brightener by the folks at Burt's Bees. We like that this product is 99.0% natural.

Okay...great that it's almost PURE.

But, can we see real results?

Excellent question. And for $20, we could all find out.

We think this dark spot corrector is worth a shot.

Radiant, clear, evenly-toned skin is something we all desire. 

We would like to test this out on our decollete where we have the little, brown sun spots.  We have been applying Vitamin C serum and Retin-A when we have enough to spare.

Is it working?

Too early to tell.

Burt's Bees formula contains Daisy extract, which is supposed to be a skin brightening agent.

If you have tried this dark spot corrector or have a fave that improves skin tone, please tell us here.

How To Apply Powder Eye Shadow Without It Falling Under The Eyes

This is has happened so many times to us, and probably even to you, too.

This photo we found is greatly exaggerated, but you get what we're talking about.

We happen to prefer powder eye shadow, because we have an oily complexion, and powder doesn't fade as quickly. In other words, powder stays put!

Well, powder shadow DOES work nicely, except for the little specks that land under your eyes and come to rest on top of your cheekbones, ruining your foundation + blush.

We have tried the tissue, strategically placed under the eyes...but STILL the shadow sneaks away somehow, and ends up sprinkled onto our face.

We have heard about these nifty, beauty adhesives designed specifically to avoid the dreaded, raccoon  eyes:

Shadow Shields ($9.99, for a pack of 30). We found them at BluesnBerries.com.

This is how to use Shadow Shields:

"The makeup shields are very easy to use. You can apply them gently and securely with the self-adhesive strip. You then apply your eye makeup. The shadow shields remove easily once you have finished applying your eye shadow."

 "The shadow shields can also be used as a guide for applying eyeliner."

Smart beauty invention. And it works well. We are going to invest in a box and see for ourselves.

Get Like Kate Bosworth: Big, Cozy Sweater Coat As Fall Temps Dip Low!

Kate Bosworth is a fashion icon to many people. And we have to admit, the blonde beauty  is always looking super glam!

Kate is said to be busy filming a movie in New York City. The paps snapped photos of the 31-year-old as she strolled around Manhattan last evening, as temps began dipping down into the 30s.

Of course, Kate was prepared, wearing a black + white print , cozy sweater coat + suede booties....and even over-sized shades at night.

You can COPY Kate's look by finding a big sweater coat/cardi in a print.

There are sweater coats everywhere!

We found a cheap one here at WetSeal for $39.99.

This one is navy + white, and pretty, too.

Are you getting bundled up for Fall + Winter?

You better get going! Those temps are falling fast!

Does Kylie Jenner Use Candylipz To Get Super Big Pout?

We just recently we posted about Kylie Jenner's super big lips, because the BUZZ about her continues.

The dermatologists + plastic surgeons that have been interviewed about the subject, believe that Kylie has probably gotten lip injections to add INSTANT volume to her pout.

But now after seeing a new pic of the youngest Jenner sister out in public without makeup, one can clearly see that her lips are average size:

Wow.....we are pretty stunned. So then...how does Kylie get instant BIG lips for red carpet events + selfies?

We cannot prove this....BUT---we think we know HOW Kylie does it. Take a look at this clever, lip pumper suction beauty tool.

It's called Candylipz......And yeah.......it REALLY inflates your lips to the ultimate proportions. It costs $69.99, by the way.

And for all you non-believers, check out this Candylipz demo by Gamergirl.

What do you think.....

Is Kylie Jenner using a lip plumping gadget to get a super big pout?!

New Bride Lauren Conrad Keeps Wavy New Bob Bright + Blonde with This!

Reality TV star + lifestyle blogger Lauren Conrad has always been recognized by her long, blonde hair. But these days the happy, new bride has gotten a happy, new haircut---the wavy bob.

And she keeps slicing a bit more off the bottom.

To look at  Lauren's new, wavy + edgy bob, click here.

A lot of blonde celebrities have been doing just that---going for the bob chop. And as we blogged about this here back in October, the edgy bob seems to look BEST on blonde heads. Not sure why....just our humble opinion .

So, how does Lauren Conrad that pretty, new bob looking so bright + blonde?

With a little help from John. John Frieda, that is.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Everlasting Blonde Shampoo ($4.99, at Target).

This is what Lauren tells Marie Claire magazine about the color preserving shampoo:

"Kristin Ess does my color, and I use the John Frieda Everlasting Blonde shampoo + conditioner to keep it bright so I get more time between appointments."

Great beauty tip!

You can check out Lauren's lifestyle blog here at laurenconrad.com.

The Low Ponytail: Classic, Simple And Chic For Winter 2015

The low ponytail almost seems TOO casual for a red carpet event or even a corporate look, but don't let the simple do fool you, because low is where it's at!

The low ponytail is a BIG trend for Winter 2015. The quick fix hairstyle has been prominent on many a runway. Take a look:

Victoria Beckham and Sally Lapointe models

Alberta Ferretti and Arzuaga models

We happen to LOVE the wrapped, low ponytail. And if your own locks are too thin or full of layers or just plain, unruly, then we have a quick + clever solution.

Say welcome to the Mia Tonytail Ponytail ($8, at Walgreens stores).

Now you can wind your hair around the elastic with a bit of faux hair--the Tonytail.

Gotta LOVE this one!  And so super simple to achieve:

"Place the Tonytail in your hair as you would a rubber band.  Hold the synthetic hair in one hand and gently twist around hair 2 to 3 times until desired tightness is achieved.  Carefully adjust the Tonytail."

Comes in 5 shades...best for brunettes---Blonde. Light Brown. Medium Brown. Dark Brown. Black.

Check out Tonytail here.

The Fab New Push-Up For Your Cat Eyes, Ladies!

Go ahead and try.....But you CANNOT escape the sexy, glam cat eyes that have been heating up the runways all year long and now heading.....into 2015.

We put on cat eyes, EVERY day.....and yes...it is time-consuming, but worth the extra effort + artistry.

It IS difficult to draw on the perfect, er.....purr-fect cat eyes, but lately, the beauty geniuses have developed simpler + more effective tools to achieve this ultra-glam look.

Let's examine the Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner ($24, at MACY'S).

It's a special, gel eyeliner that glides SMOOTHLY across your lids, allowing you to create a pretty line + flick of the pen for that chic cat eye . You get better control. Even Allure magazine has been raving about it.

Here's how Benefit describes their new, push-up liner:

"It's the first ever lash-hugging gel liner in a pen! This matte black gel formula won't smudge, budge or dry out, and the innovative soft AccuFlex Tip hugs your lashline from corner to corner. The closer the line, the bigger the eye!"

Meow!

Kylie Jenner: Okay....Lip Injections Or Lip Implant? Or Neither?

We happen to think that the youngest K sister (Jenner girl), Kylie, is very pretty, even without the enhanced lips that everyone's been buzzing about.

Let us take that one step further....We also believe that Kylie Jenner has MORE of a model's face than her model sister Kendall.  Kylie is striking to look at.

Here she is at her recent hair extensions launch party. Kylie is 17.

And here is Kylie in pink lipstick at age 15, with obviously thinner lips.

Alright.....so how do we get from point A to point B?

The experts will tell you it's either lip injections or a lip implant. And we've been reading on what the derms + plastic surgeons are saying, claiming that Kylie has merely been getting lip injections.

We are NOT sure. We would figure it's a lip implant, but we are only guessing.

Maybe it is neither. And Kylie Jenner isn't talking.  And she does NOT have to. None of our business. But since she displays her ample lips in lots of selfies, well, it's the curiosity factor.

So to educate ourselves....let's look at these 2 quick procedures.

1. Lip injections. Ouch....you WILL feel these. Restylane, Perlane, etc., are just 2 types of dermal fillers that are injected into the lips + around the mouth to add instant plumpness. These fillers eventually wear off and you might have to get injections 3 times a year or more to keep up the volume.

2. A Lip Implant. This 20-minute procedure will increase lip size permanently. A lip implant is made of a soft, solid silicone. It cannot rupture or deflate, and may be removed at any time.

According to RealSelf.com:

"The procedure is performed with small incisions inside the corners of your mouth. The implant is then threaded through your lips. The incisions are hidden inside your mouth and closed with dissolvable sutures."

And there you have it------Bigger Lips 101.

For A Little Nighttime Beauty Fun: Ciate London LashLights

Colored mascara spells F-U-N. And when you're looking to add a little oomph to your look, then put this on:

Ciate London Lashlights ($17, at Sephora).

It's super-easy to pump up your lashes with Lashlight's special pigment-saturated formula known as FullFlutterFOAM™ technology.

Applying Lashlights to your lash tips delivers a brighter, wider eye. The contrast is beautiful.

Plus, Lashlights comes in 6 pretty shades---Green. Navy Blue. Aqua. Pink. Purple. Blue.

We have dark brown eyes, and navy blue looks amazing on ours.

You CAN wear colored mascara without feeling like you're in costume. Just a little over your black mascara, right on the lash tips, and you're good to go!

Watch this quick demo on how Lashlights look in each color.

Suede and Fringed Things Still Boho Chic For Winter 2104-2015!

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave...."

We're talking about ALL the cool, long suede fringe still popping up on handbags, boots + back-packs, etc. If you adore that boho, chic look that long fringe dazzles in, then ACCESSORIZE this winter season!

Cowboy, western appeal remain HOT stuff heading into winter.

Top designers like Michael Kors, Valentino, Saint Laurent and others, are working these tangled fringe tresses into their latest creations. We found tons of suede + fringe just at Nordstrom's alone:

Prada Fringed Bootie ($1,100).

Marni Leather Fringe Clutch ($1,250).

















 But you can find cheaper, fringed accessories. LOVE this one by Soho Girl!

The British Fringe Bag Tan, ($40).

And our FAVE of the moment---The ASOS Suede Foldover Fringe Clutch Bag (On SALE, $32.22).

Can Bar Of Ivory Soap Keep Acne + Break-Outs Away? We Say Yes!

Acne....Break-outs....

Bad skin CAN happen to all of us at ANY age. And when big bumps + pimples appear, it can ruin the entire day.

Trust us.....We've been there, too.

Today, we continue using Retin-A, and that has wiped out a 99.9% return of the break-outs.

But what has also helped us ALL these years, believe it or not......Is a simple bar of Ivory soap....Yes- that plain, so not fancy, white bar of old lady soap that is amazingly 99.44% PURE .

Ivory soap is GREAT for oily skin and those who suffer from acne and/or break-outs.

It's pure + simple. You have ZERO to lose but a couple of bucks or so for a 3-bar package.

Ivory soap has been around a very long time, for 135 years to be exact. We just pray that Procter + Gamble, the makers of Ivory soap bars do NOT discontinue selling the iconic soap. That's the big rumor floating about, so to speak.

The Wall Street Journal recently wrote about the sad possibility in the near future:

...."Ivory's performance puts it on the line. Sales have fallen as Americans have increasingly opted for body washes and liquid hand soap over plain bar soaps. The brand's annual sales amount to around $112 million, according to estimates from Bernstein Research, a small fraction of P&G's $83 billion total." (Read more of the WSJ article here).

We STILL use Ivory bar Soap daily to wash our face + body. Call us old-fashioned, but we SWEAR "Ivory does a face + body good."

What do you think?

Tinted Lip Balms: You Know You Need Them

Gotta LOVE the invention of the tinted lip balm. NOT as shiny/sticky as a gloss. NOT as heavy as a lipstick. BUT---definitely moisturizing, quick + convenient.

If you HATE the thought of putting on lots of makeup and taking the to do it, then please at least buy a tinted lip balm.

Tinted lip balms give you a nice pop of sheer color and look natural, and actually give your face that look of "I am awake."

Tinted lip balms DON'T have to cost a fortune. Here are 2 lines you will want to buy over + over, again:

Sephora Kiss Me Balm ($8).

How wicked cute are these orb-shaped, Sephora lip smackers? Such pretty, popsicle colors, and yet, give off a sheer, hydrating color!

And then we have NYX Color Lip Balm ($3.75, at CherryCulture.com).

Yummy. And available in 12, moisturizing shades! Here are just 6 of the fab, NYX tints:

 

RHONJ Star Caroline Manzo Shaves Face For Great Skin: For Real!

In dermatological circles it's known as dermaplaning.

To Caroline Manzo and others, it's known as shaving your face.

And yeah, the BRAVO reality star REALLY does shave her face daily!

Don't believe us? Listen to Caroline admit to her best beauty secret for achieving gorgeous skin. She has talked about this a couple of times now. And here, we caught her shaving tip, again:

The Lowdown.

Caroline Manzo has nice skin, but as far as her looking very youthful at age 53, we don't think she looks any younger than someone who doesn't shave their face.

So, what is dermaplaning when done by a pro?

It's ALL about exfoliation---removing the dead skin cells along with the  peach fuzz or vellus hairs we all have on our faces.

We found this scientific explanation here at SkinInc.com:

"Because dermaplaning is a quick procedure with few to no adverse effects, it has quickly gained popularity among cosmetic medical providers across the country. Using a scalpel and a delicate touch, the provider simply abrades the surface of the skin using light feathering strokes. 

"Dermaplaning is most often used on patients with rough, dry skin, superficial hyperpigmentation, mild acne scarring, or fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment results in a more refined, smooth, “glowing” appearance."

Watch this YouTube demo by Morganna Lefay. She uses a razor like Caroline Manzo does.

So, ladies.....Are You up for a Daily Shave for Smoother Skin?!