Restylane Can Lift Sagging Earlobes

Ever since plastic surgeon Allan E. Wulc went on ‘Good Morning America’ to show off his new cosmetic invention, women have been buzzing about the results. With a quick needle prick or two, sagging earlobes are plumped up! Earrings hang beautifully once again.

It seems rather simple, and yet, Dr. Wulc, a suburban Philadelphia plastic surgeon, was the only expert to figure it out. If you’re suffering from sagging earlobes, damaged pierced earring holes, or even wrinkled lobes, you’re not alone. And now there’s a cure that will make you smile from ear to ear. Just a quick and painless shot or two, and the lobes plump up. Yes, chandelier earrings hang better. And those brilliant, sparkling diamond studs no longer point south.
It’s called ‘earlobe rejuvenation,’ and Dr. Wulc says women are grateful for his clever idea. His magic weapon? The popular filler or injectable known as Restylane.

Heavy earrings aren’t the only reason. Ladies, I hate to break the news, but our earlobes, and even our nose tips, sag with age. Add heavy earrings, year after year to originally pierced ears, and well, they contribute to the problem. Apparently, our earlobes don’t have the firm tissue found on other parts of the body. So, even creases can form on the earlobes with time.

"The emphasis today, is on lifting, by filling up areas that are sagging, and volumizing, rather than tightening," Dr. Wulc explains. "I use Restylane, or fat, if the patient desires a more permanent solution, to rejuvenate and volumize the face. Restylane lasts for up to a year. I have patients where it has lasted for up to three years. And it is structurally solid enough to actually support and lift. It’s like adding supporting columns, so it can be used to elevate the corners of the lip."

As far as injecting into the earlobe, Dr. Wulc has been performing the quick procedure since June of 2006. And his careful injections do not disrupt the pierced hole. In fact, the vertical elongation of a pierced ear can be improved.

So far, after some 9 mos., none of his patients has requested a secondary injection. "I do think we will get results up to a year, but would hope that it would be longer. In general, I add Restylane everywhere I feel it is needed in the face. The earlobes are injected at the end of the procedure, when most of the other areas have been rejuvenated. In general, we send patients home immediately after the injection with their earrings on. We clean them first and place antibiotic ointment on the earlobe."

Most plastic surgeons charge $600 for Restylane treatment that can cover most areas of the face.

And by the way, yes, you can handle a couple of needle pricks. The pain isn’t enormous. And according to Dr. Wulc, allergies to Restylane are "exceedingly rare."

To watch Dr. Wulc perform earlobe rejuvenation, and to learn more about his practice, visit: www.drwulc.com.

Makeup...Even Celebrities Need Some

Need we say more?

Just a little dab will do some good. Okay, maybe we won't ever look as amazing as these celebrities. But a tiny bit of makeup is a good thing. Maybe it's just gloss on the lips. Or a sweep of brown eyeshadow. Or even a few strokes of black mascara.

Makeup enhances your looks. It even performs magic for these beautiful celebrities. Many actresses and models look almost average with bare skin. It kind of levels the playing field, wouldn't you say?

In case you don't recognize them..... The bottom photos show Sharon Osbourne with makeup and without makeup. The center photos feature Kelly Ripa's Before and After (top). And Eva Longoria Parker's Before and After (bottom). The upper right photos are all of Rebecca Gayheart with and without makeup.

Think Pink And Rihanna For Spring Beauty

Want to look soft and pretty?

Think pink this spring. We'll get to Rihanna's beauty tips in a moment.

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

There you have it. A super beauty tip from Trish McEvoy.

A touch of pink can do wonders for your complexion, giving you a lovely glow. Pink is also a color of playfulness, youthfulness, and passion.

Pink can range in bright candy shades to light dusty, barely pinks. There are so many choices, and there is a pink for everyone.

Bobbie Brown's Pink Popsicle Lip Gloss ($19) is a wonderful daily lip shine. Adds just enough punch of color. And how about Bobbie Brown's Eye compact! Her limited-edition compact has four neutral tones for eyes, including a very soft pink ($55).

Another gorgeous lipstick to try-- Cover Girl's Tru Shine Lipcolor in Powderpink Shine ($6). Sultry singer and Barbadian beauty Rihanna, also a Cover Girl spokesmodel, loves to wear that shade of pale pink.

A bronze blush with a pink shimmer, complements Rihanna's sexy pink lips. Try Hourglass Blush Duo in Brazilian ($58).

When she performs at night, Rihanna loves a vivid pink for lips. She loves Cover Girl's Lipshine in '14 Carat Ruby'.

If your hair is warm in shades of golden-blonde, red, or auburn-brunette, choose a yellow-based pink. For cheeks and lips, for example, try a vibrant coral or pale beigy shade of pink.

If your hair has a cool tone to it, like ash-blonde to dark brown to black, then you need a pink in the bluer tones. Choose a pink cheek or lipcolor in the magenta, mauve, and fuchsia families.

Still not sure? Then select the transparent pink, like Trish McEvoy suggests. Try Rihanna's Powderpink Shine Lipcolor and wear a clear gloss over it. Beautiful!

Beauty Buys For 2008....It's Serendipitous! Oprah Loves This!

Here are five great beauty buys for 2008. A luxurious shampoo. An intelligent blusher. An amazing mascara. A true whitening toothpaste. And a chocolate-laced cologne.

1...Philip B. White Truffle Shampoo...Almost Good Enough To Eat
Some of you have probably tasted a decadent truffle oil on a meal you’ve enjoyed. Well, this time, it’s been bottled for your mane. You want thicker, bouncy, and shinier hair? Then nourish your locks with Philip B. White Truffle Shampoo. No kidding. The shampoo contains 23.2% of pure plant extracts made of ‘the finest Italian white truffle oil.’
Philip B. White Truffle Shampoo is full of good stuff like Vitamin B5. Just one shampoo, and you’ll notice the difference.....8 oz....$54.00

2...Almay Smart Shade Blush.....It’s Elementary!
Finally, a cream blush that matches your skin’s own natural blush. All you do is smooth the cream across your cheeks with your fingertips, and that’s it. Almay Smart Shade Blush has created ‘microscopic shade-sensing color beads,’ that complement your individual skin tone.
For soft, rosy cheeks, give this new Almay beauty product a try. In three tones of warmth: Natural, Pink, and Berry. $9.00 a tube.

3...Kiss Me Mascara.....It Does A Bride Good
Bride Magazine ranks this lash lengthener in its own top 10 beauty list. It’s cleverly called, Kiss Me Mascara. This is a great find, especially for those who wear contact lenses, and for the happy bride on her important day. There is no irritation. It is not an oil-based paint like traditional mascaras. Instead, the formula lengthens your lashes with water resistant ‘tubes.’ It lasts longer and yes, you can even sleep with it on.
Kiss Me Mascara won’t smudge, run, or flake, and comes in 3 luscious shades.....$24.00 tube.

4...Super Smile Whitening System.....Still One Of The Leaders
I once read, that the late Princess Diana loved using Super Smile whitening toothpaste. For what it’s worth, the brand enjoys a fine reputation, and as I recall, Princess Di had a beautiful, white set of teeth.
The Super Smile Whitening System is a simple, foolproof way to a whiter smile. All you do is brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice daily. Forget the goopy trays and mystery ingredients that claim to brighten your teeth. This system is really gentle on enamel, and really works.
The Super Smile set includes 1.2 oz. of accelerator and 1.75 oz. of toothpaste....$33.00

5...Serendipitous.....It’s Cocoa You Can Wear!! Oprah Loves This One!
Not an easy word to spell, but boy oh boy, what a delicious indulgence. Serendipitous by Serendipity 3 is a cologne with a rich, cocoa scent. It’s chocolate you can wear. There are also subtle hints of sweet orange and Tahitian vanilla nicely blended together.
Ever hear of New York City’s famous ice cream parlor, ‘Serendipity?’ This cologne is a sweet addiction with zero calories, and it smells nice on both men and women....1.7 oz.......$38.00.

Cheap Makeup...This Stuff Really Works

Dime store versus expensive makeup counters. Can we look as good wearing cheap? I say, "Yes, we can!"
Here are 3 of my beauty bargains:

It’s been noted that one tube of Maybelline's Great Lash mascara is sold every 1.6 seconds in the United States. Wow! Well, someone’s wearing the stuff because it is the most popular mascara in the country. And it is by far, known as the #1 choice of make-up artists.

For under $5.00, you can build great looking eyelashes with Maybelline's thick, conditioning ingredients. Yes, you could buy upscale. Lancome claims to be the leader in prestige mascara with its exclusive French formula. And at $22 a tube, it’s a lovely product. And Christian Dior also features a lash lengthening mascara at $22 a tube.

But why not stick with Maybelline's Great Lash? It is a superior product that does the job. Thick, dark, long lashes at a tiny price.

Tired of buying expensive lipsticks that disappear so quickly? That is a common problem among women who brighten their lips. "Where did the color go?" And after spending $8.49 on a simple tube of lipstick, well, you kind of feel cheated. Many make-up artists will tell you that lipstick is a girl’s best friend, especially for women over 40. It adds instant color and makes you look alert, even if it’s a simple shade of pink.

Estee Lauder sells many lip colors in every shade imaginable. Some tubes go for $22 a piece. And guess what? They disappear quickly, too, even though they claim to last and last. Clinique also features top lip shades at their cosmetic counters, and unfortunately, they too, might not last through breakfast. But there is a much cheaper way. This one gives you bang for the buck! And the beauty editors of these respected magazines–Marie Claire, Latina, Redbook, Cosmopolitan and OK! all choose N.Y.C. New York Lip Wear.

Who could resist lipsticks in colors like these: Sugarplum, Caramel, English Rose, Flirty, and more. Check out N.Y.C.'s Ultra Last Lipstick for $1.99 a tube. No, it doesn’t last long either, but the shades are pretty and the ingredients are full of moisture. And you can find N.Y.C. Lip Wear at Target, Walmart, ULTA, Eckerd, Rite-Aid, and other popular department stores. N.Y.C. Also makes an entire brand of cosmetics for face and eyes at very reasonable prices—eyeliner, shadows, foundations, blushes, and much more.

A face that’s firm, firmer, and firmest. La Mer has a line of beauty products that many women feel is ‘worth the splurge.’ Sixteen ounces of one of their famous Creme de la Mer moisturizing products will run you $1,200. Their lifting serums will cost you $210 for one ounce. They are made from a rare blue algae.

Closer to home, in the real world, a quick trip to the drugstore and a beeline to the Neutrogena aisle might be just as effective Who really knows? Copper peptides have been found to be crucial to the remodeling of aging skin. Biochemist Dr. Loren Pickart told this writer, that his products work, and that Neutrogena also features a good line that includes his patent in the field of copper peptide research.

The Neutrogena Visibly Firm Face Lotion and Night Cream are two such choices. The price is very reasonable at $17.99 an oz. with active copper.

There you have it. Just because a beauty product has a big price tag on it, doesn’t mean it’s perfect or far superior to the lesser known brands. It just takes a little muscle and research in trying to find the right balance for you.

Makeup Tips For Brows And Eyes By Sandy Linter

New York City makeup artist, Sandy Linter, is a legend when it comes to creating beautiful faces. We love interviewing Sandy because she has so much beauty knowledge she is willing to share. Sandy has been working professionally since 1972, and has put makeup on many famous faces--- like models Heidi Klum and Elizabeth Hurley, actress Eva Longoria, Jacqueline Onassis, and the list goes on and on. Linter has done flawless makeup for magazine covers like Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, New York, Arena, and Shape. And she shares a few simple tips here.

According to Linter, thin brows are the biggest mistake she sees women make, time and time again. And with thicker, more defined eyebrows back in vogue, now is not the time to be plucking.

"I don’t like overly thin, trying to be perfect brows," Linter says. "I like a fuller, more natural looking brow. It is not an L.A. brow, but more like a ‘model’s brow. Look at the models, not the actresses in the magazines for correct brow shapes."

Linter explains that thin brows are more aging on a women. She advises to use brow pencils. "Kevin Aucoin has one that is perfect for any medium to dark brow and Lancome has perfect colors for the lighter blonde brows. Make sure your brow technician does not use any wax. If you think your brows are getting too thick, just use the tweezers. And don’t make the ends too short. It’s tricky, you don’t want the eyebrow to go down at the ends. This is where mistakes happen. Take off as little as possible. I try to get as much mileage from their natural shape that I can."

And if you have an eyebrow disaster, Linter advises to leave them alone. Be patient and allow them to grow back in. She believes it is best to learn to groom your eyebrows yourself, rather than go to an eyebrow technician, where many of them take off too much of the brow to try and make them perfect. Over-tweezing and snipping will leave you very little brows by the time you reach your 40s.

Another interesting tip: Grow bangs to cover thin eyebrows. That really makes them look thicker than they are. And by the way, bangs were everywhere on the runway. So fringe is in.

Lined eyes are fine....Just don’t end up with raccoon eyes. Just a few months ago last fall, most of the runway shows were featuring heavily, kohl-rimmed eyes, a much darker, edgier look. And other shows had models wearing cat eyes, with a very exaggerated liner wing at the outside corners of the eyes. And some models wore vibrant eye shadows in jewel- like greens, and blues, and purples. But for every day appearances, a lighter, more subtle touch goes a long way.

Linter suggests that the average woman should be wearing eyeliner and mascara, for a cool look to the eyes. Not a dark eye, she says, but a defined eye. It takes some practice, but when done right, the eyes pop open wide.

"Pencil. Blend with a brush," Linter suggests. "Or the MAC gel liner is superb. It is a little tricky to apply. You need a stiff brow brush. Once on, it stays on all day. Flick the ends up with a wet, pointed Q-tip."

A defined brow and eye are just two beauty tips that will really enhance your attractiveness.

Smartskincare.com....Don't Go Anywhere Else

Skin care is such a personal thing. Some women have large pores. Others complain about a dry complexion. But there is something we can all share in---www.Smartskincare.com. This is an amazing website. If you have a question about anything regarding skin, you’d be a fool, not to visit there.

Skin care has come a long way, and the advances in anti-aging techniques and the development of new serums and creams, have truly improved how people can look, even after years of sun damage, hard living, and merely natural aging. But do you really know what product or procedure works for your particular skin care need?

Dr. German Todorov can guide you. He is a well-respected medical researcher who specializes in cell biology and anti-aging medicine.

Trust me. His website is impressive. It is an education in skin care and anti-aging. Drop by. You won’t be disappointed.

Dr. Todorov’s website proudly displays this quote at the top:

“Intelligent anti-aging skin care based on independent research. Lose wrinkles and keep your bank account.”

Dr. Todorov does not pressure the reader into buying a certain anti-aging brand product, nor does he favor a particular cosmetic treatment, such as liposuction or a facelift. He doesn’t sell or endorse anything.

“Our goal is to help you work out the smartest possible strategy for your personal skin care and rejuvenation,” Todorov explains. “Our main sources of information are clinical rejuvenation studies conducted by independent research institutions and published in peer reviewed biomedical journals.”

And wouldn’t you love to know, how dozens of women feel about the same product you have just purchased?

For example, let’s say, you are interested in buying Victoria Principal’s line of skin care products. At this moment, there were 14 consumer reviews at Dr. Todorov’s website. Five of the reviews rated Victoria Principal’s beauty treatments as, “Excellent.” Three rated them as, “Good.” Another three as, “Adverse effects.” And the last three as, “No effect.” Then you could click on to each review and read more details, as to how the consumer reached her or his personal conclusions..

There are tons of beauty products with reviews. From a cheap jar of Vaseline to a very expensive cream by La Mer. You might be surprised at some of the ratings. Expensive doesn’t always mean, “excellent.”

There is also a community forum at http://www.smartskincare.com/. You can ask Dr. Todorov a question and receive his professional opinion.

As we’ve all been told, “Knowledge is power.” You have nothing to lose, but great-looking skin to gain.