Help Me Find The Best Lip Balm

When it comes to lip balms, it seems like these little beauty treatments in a tube, are very personal. We all have strong opinions about the best ones. And we all become addicted to our little 'chapsticks.'

Probably the 'most popular lip balm in the country' award goes to Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($3.00). Everyone LOVES Burt's Bees. And why not? It's formulated with ultra-emollient lanolin, coconut oil, and sunflower oil. And you taste that peppermint tingle. M-mmm good. My friends, Paula and Alyssa, can't get enough of this beeswax lip balm. They can't live without it.

Then there is Mary. Mary Kay, that is. Satin Lips Lip Balm by Mary Kay Cosmetics ($9.50). I have acquaintenances who swear up and down, that this is THE best lip balm going. Mary Kay brags that their lip balm lasts for 6 long hours, giving your lips a non-stop moisturizing treatment.

And then, the old stand-by. Chapstick, by Chapstick. Classic Original Chapstick ($1.89). This lip balm has been around for decades, and yet, it keeps on working. With an SPF of 4, Chapstick is great under the sun and for those cold winter days. Actually, this one's my fav. The one in the black tube with the white cap. Very effective, and I love the no-taste. Whatever it is, it tastes good.

Then there are more. Like Aquaphor. Aveeno. Avon. And good old vaseline. Your lips need some kind of protective balm. Don't go outside without it.

This Lip Gloss Helps You Lose Weight?!

There's a lot of buzz about lip gloss these days. Some of it good. And some of it bad, like gloss and its connection or invitation to skin cancer.

It sounds so crazy, but not according to this well-respected New York City dermatologist, Dr. Bruce Robinson. Apparently, it's the moisture in the gloss that attracts the sun's harmful rays. "Take a magifying glass and put it over your lips." When you apply shiny lip gloss and go out into the sun, "that's essentially what you're doing."

http://www.beautytiptoday.com/2008_04_01_archive.html. (My April 30th article).

But today, here's some encouraging news about wearing lip gloss. It can help you lose weight. Or so they say. Too Faced FUZE Slenderize Guilt-Free Lip Gloss($18.50 http://www.sephora.com/)

The lip gloss is formulated with the "appetite-curbing, energy-boosting ingredients" of FUZE, a weight loss drink. Too Faced FUZE Lip Gloss comes in three mouth-watering flavors and high gloss shades:

Blueberry Raspberry (sheer purple)

Dragon Fruit Lime (sheer pink)

Strawberry Melon (sheer peach)

Is this credible? Can lip gloss help you NOT want to eat or over-eat? Who knows. The lip glosses are very sheer and silky and taste delish, though.

What makes these lip glosses such magical diet aides? According to the makers of Too Faced, there are three key ingredients:

Chromium--improves the amount of energy you obtain from food.
L-Carnitine--an amino acid that increases your energy.

Super Citrimax--helps you maintain a normal appetite and support a healthy metabolism.

Meet West Coast Makeup Artist Stephen Moleski

He's only 28, and already he's carving a legendary status as a super makeup artist on the west coast. Stephen Moleski (The Makeup Man INC.) makes women look more beautiful, and Hollywood celebrities all want him for that reason. He was kind enough to give us some wonderful makeup tips and to let us take a peek at the exciting world of beauty.

Some of Stephen's famous clients are the Kardashian sisters-- Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney. You may have seen him on E! Channel's Keeping Up With The Kardashians. He applies makeup to Kim Kardashian and she always looks so sexy, glamorous, and red carpet-ready.

"She is a dream client," Stephen says. "Kim is not afraid of any look, and she wears every look with confidence (and such a sweetheart)."

Other celebrity Stephen Moleski clients include: The Pussycat Dolls, Adrienne Bailon of the 'Cheetah Girls', Hugh Hefner's 'Girls Next Door' playmates, and many others.

Okay, Stephen, so what beauty items should we carry in our makeup bags?

"To get the most out of your makeup, you need to first go into the bathroom and look at your skin care routine. Bad skin leads to bad makeup and vice versa. I recommend using an organic product. I LOVE Sodashi.(http://www.sodashi.com/). It's a high quality product that really hydrates even the most dry skin. I use it on all my clients and they not only love it, but are using it now themselves at home. You also need a great concealer, like Makeupforever, and a great bronzer with a mineral finish. I also suggest ZOOM by MAC. It's a great mascara."

What about eyebrows? The L.A. brow is a thinner, sleeker brow. That's the brow some actresses like to wear. But according to Stephen, put down the tweezers. Don't take away too much hair.

"Brows should look like they have not been over-tweezed or over-groomed. A more natural shape always looks best."

And don't remain forever in a cosmetic rut. In other words, you don't have to put on the same blusher, in the same shade, for 7 years in a row. Be adventurous, Stephen says.

"I see women getting stuck in one look, and never trying anything new. People shouldn't be afraid to change up their look a little or a lot. Makeup goes through trends just like clothing."

And if you absolutley hate wearing makeup or don't have time to put it on, or just don't know what to apply, Stephen has this suggestion. "I would warm up with a neutral bronzer."

A very talented makeup artist knows more than just applying makeup. What sets Stephen Moleski apart from others, is his huge talent as an artist in understanding that each individual set of features presents a unique challenge.

"I have had a keen interest in art since I was a child, " he explains. "That I think, not only led me to this career, but has also secured my success in it. As a makeup artist, it is very important to know balance and proportion. This is why I consider my job similar to that of an actual artist, rather than just someone who knows how to buy and apply makeup. A makeup artist has to know the importance of healthy, glowing skin. A basic knowledge of how to achieve this is very important. Makeup is meant to enhance a person's features, not hide them. I learned the important tools very quickly in the beginning. Makeup is second nature to me. Faces are my muse. I am very proud of my accomplishments and very excited to continue my work."

Two famous faces Stephen would love to make up, but hasn't yet, are Drew Barrymore and Christina Aguilera. At the rate Stephen's rising star is soaring, we believe that dream isn't too far away.

For more information, visit: www.myspace.com/stephenmoleski.

Kim Vo's Beauty Tip For Green Pool Hair

Okay, this sounds crazy, but if celebrity hairstylist and master colorist Kim Vo, tells you to try this, I would. The Vietnam native has one of the most beautiful heads of blonde hair around. He knows color, believe me.

Today, he mentioned ketchup. It's summer now, and that means lots of pool parties, and lots of laps. So if your bottle-blonde hair turns a nasty green, don't fret. Kim has a simple solution. Just apply ketchup to your locks, massage in, and let it sit there for a few minutes. Then jump in the shower and rinse thoroughly. Shampoo, and rinse again. It really works. The green is gone!

According to Anne Marie Helmenstine, a chemistry expert, the culprit is the copper, not the chlorine.

"It isn't the chlorine that turns blonde hair green. Oxidized metals in the water bind to the protein in the hair shaft and deposit their color. The metal that produces the green tint is copper, which is most commonly found in algicides, though it naturally occurs in some water. The bleach that is added to a pool may be responsible for oxidizing the metal, but it's not the cause of the color.

If your hair turns green, you can remove the discoloration by using a shampoo that chelates the metal. To some extent, you can prevent copper from binding to the hair by sealing the hair cuticle with a conditioner before swimming. Rinsing your hair immediately after leaving the pool will help protect it, too."

Hmmm. We kind of like the simple ketchup idea better.

By the way, Kim Vo is one of the hottest hairstylists around. He has tended to the long, lovely tresses of Teri Hatcher, Kate Hudson, and Pamela Anderson. And this evening, Kim will be presented as one of the lead judges in Bravo TV's Shear Genius reality series. The second season is premiering at 10 PM/ET/PT with hostess Jacyln Smith. Twelve contestants head to Los Angeles to compete for $100,000. Get ready to lather. Rinse. Compete.

How Safe Are The Vitamins You're Popping?

Apparently, half of us pop vitamins and supplements on a daily basis. That's what the American Dietetic Association has surveyed. That all sounds fine because beauty really begins from the inside. But do you exceed the dosages? Do you need all these pills? Is there a vitamin overload?

Some medical experts seem to think so, and that's been the buzz in the headlines today. Watch what you are popping for vitamins, because you could mess up the inside of your body.

Vitamin A (retinol) Great for skin, bones, teeth, and vision. Too much Vitamin A, however, can cause birth defects in pregnant women. Too much can also make your hair fall out and skin turn yellow. On the other hand, too little Vitamin A can also cause birth defects. Limit dosage to 5000 IU.

Vitamin B6. Builds a strong nervous system. But high doses can damage arms and legs. Limit dosage to 100 mg.

Vitamin B9. Folic acid is necessary for healthy blood. Too much folic acid, however, can bring about nausea and insomnia. Limit dosage to 1000 mcg.

Vitamin C. Folks around the globe all applaud the good stuff in Vitamin C, especially for keeping colds at bay. But overdosing on it can cause indigestion, diarrhea, and gastro-intestinal problems. Limit dosage to 2000 mg.

Vitamin D. We've all heard about the welcome benefits of Vitamin D, to prevent cancer and other ailments. Dr. Weil raves about it. But too much of a good thing can go badly, like kidney stones and kidney damage. Do not exceed 2000 IU.

Vitamin E. Faithful Vitamin E takers swear buy this golden supplement, calling it one of the great anti-oxidants of all time, a pill that maintains good cardiovascular health. But overdosing on E can cause serious bleeding and even congestive heart failure. Plus, latest medical studies now show that E has 'no proven clinical benefits.' Do not exceed 400 IU.

There you have it. Please keep a record of all the vitamins and supplements you take, so that your primary care physician has a good idea of how you're treating your body.

Pretty Feet Sans Calluses And Cracks

I was just talking to a girlfriend last night about her feet. She has a stubborn callus under her foot, and she wants it gone. Now. She mentioned Ped Egg which is a little device seen on television that targets hyperkeratosis, or thickening of the skin. In other words, your foot calluses.

A few reviews about Ped Egg turned up good news. But most critics say the product works best on lightly callused feet. As one reviewer put it: Using Ped Egg is like "rubbing a fine cheese grater across the bottom of the feet." Ha ha. In other words, it won't do much to wear away a thicker callus.

Nordstorm's has a new beauty treatment out specifically for stubborn foot calluses. It's by Lippman Collection Get Off Callus Softener ($29, 3.38 oz). Lippman's zeroes in on calluses, cracks, corns, and fissures. It smoothes the skin and helps wear away the hyperkeratosis.

You can also soak your feet, and pumice stone the heck out of them. But that method, too, seems to take forever. Pumice stones work better on elbow dry skin. Probably one of the best items to use on thick calluses is the almost dangerous Callus Razor. You can pick one up for about $10. This beauty foot device actually shaves away dead skin. These razors come with replacable double-edged blades.

A note of caution, callus razors take some practice. We're not kidding here. If you push too hard on the razor device, you can slice off a bit too much skin, and end up with bloody feet. But these razors are your best bet for removing thick, dry skin from under your feet.

After all, it' summer. And a gal's gotta have pretty feet sans calluses and cracks.

Dr. Perricone's Cosmeceuticals Battle Inflammation

What does inflammation have to do with aging?

Everything, according to Dr. Nicholas V. Perricone. The Connecticut-based dermatologist claims his research shows that, "controlling inflammation can help delay and even reverse the signs of aging."

Dr. Perricone is no stranger to the world of skin care and cosmeceuticals. He has authored several books and has gotten attention for his unique approach to fighting wrinkles. It's a 3-tiered philosophy he strongly believes in:

Diet. Anti-inflammatory. Foods like avocado, fresh water fish, nuts, lean protein, and olive oil

Supplements. Omega 3. Alpha Lipoic Acid. Vitamin C Ester. Beauty on the inside.

Topicals. Skin treatments that are formulated with patented sciences.

"We no longer have to age the way our parents did." That's what Dr. Perricone says, and his 3-pronged approach to younger, healthier skin revolves around that theory.

Dr. Perricone has introduced new packaging to his skin care line. The boxes, jars and tubes are now flashier and prettier.

Celebrities like movie star Uma Thurman are gaga over Dr. Perricone's skin care treatments.

His top seller:

The Instant Fix Duo--- Ceramic Skin Smoother ($75.) Ceramic Eye Smoother ($50.).

The skin smoother instantly smoothes and fills in lines and wrinkles. Pore size is reduced. Skin brightens, frims and tones.

The eye smoother instantly fills in lines and wrinkles around the delicate eye area. Discoloration improves.

Dr. Perricone has a topical treatment for just about every skin problem out there. From acne to sagging skin to dry complexions, and more.

The new book from Dr. Perricone:

Ageless Face, Ageless Mind:Erase Wrinkles & Rejuvenate the Brain
"From his vitamin line to his superb skin care products, Dr Perricone has not only helped me look better but has improved my overall quality of life."- Uma Thurman

To learn more: http://www.perriconemd.com/.