7 Breakthrough Ingredients For Super Skin In 2009

(photo from lifeskincell website)

We all have issues when it comes to our skin, especially when we get beyond age 30.

Every day, we at BeautyTipToday, try to read and research continuously for the newest and most intelligent scientific advancements in skin care.

And now here are 7 breakthrough ingredients for super skin in 2009:

We dug this beauty information up at the Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/. Reporter Alexandra Drosu did the heavy lifting for us, and surveyed 25 experts in the skin care field. And here are the lucky 7 ingredients to look for in your skin care regimen:

1. Growth factor.
Ingredients like TGF beta (Transforming Growth Factor beta) can potentially encourage cells to produce collagen. As we all know by now, boosting collagen improves wrinkles. Scientists are still trying to figure out which combo of growth factors works most effectively.

"Status: A couple of products, including Topix Citrix Serum with Growth Factor ($104; http://www.skinstore.com/) and Neocutis Bio-restorative Skin Cream with PSP ($150; http://www.amazon.com/ ), are breaking ground."

2. Carnosine
A naturally occuring amino acid found in our muscle tissue. It is able to slow-www down the aging process.

"Status: Increasingly, companies are incorporating carnosine in their skin-care products. One place to find it: Shiseido Benefiance NutriPerfect Night Cream Carnosine DP ($92; http://www.nordstrom.com/)."

3. Sirtuin activators.
Enzymes that can possibly repair DNA. But these sirtuins need to be activated by reservatrol, which can be found in red wine and green tea.

"Status: “Resveratrol still has a long way to go in clinical studies,” says Dr. Vermén Verallo-Rowell. But coupled with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s worth keeping an eye on.

4. Argan oil.
This wonder oil from Morocco is full of one of the richest sources of Vitamin E, keeping skin hydrated and balanced.

"Status: Argan oil is being tapped as a natural alternative to synthetic ingredients. One source: Kaeline Vitality Day Serum ($38; http://www.xandrarenouvelle.com/)

5. Gatuline expression.
An extract from a plant that contains muscle relaxing properties. Someday, maybe the need for Botox will disappear.

"Status: Available. Bieux Skin Power Lift & Repair Serum ($125; http://www.sephora.com/) and Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler ($39.50; http://www.goodskindermcare.com/) are among those incorporating Gatuline Expression in products."

6. Acai berry.
You've heard of this little berry that resembles a grape. Right now we can only drink it. They're working on a serum. This little berry holds big promise---rich in anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids.

"Status: The berry’s blue color has proven challenging topically, but several skin-care companies are working on formulations that don’t stain skin. In the meantime, try drinking an açai juice, such as Sambazon ($3.59; http://www.sambazon.com/)."

7. Astaxanthin.
Found in salmon and algae.This is a retinoid form of vitamin A and has all the typical benefits of retinoids — providing antioxidant protection and stimulating cell renewal.”

"Status: More clinical trials are necessary to prove its effectiveness."

Lose Weight: No Sugar Soda Celsius Burns Up To 100 Calories

We just caught up with this celeb-secret calorie burning soda last evening, when we saw a television commercial.

Celsius. Great name for a 100-Calories burning soda in a can, that speeds up your metabolism!

So, does the stuff actually help you lose weight?

Who knows. Katie Holmes, wife of Tom Cruise, who's been looking ultra-slim these days, supposedly enjoys the drink. Her bodyguard was seen walking with her holding a bottle of Celsius, believed to be Katie's.

The science on Celsius is there, and we will try and explain it in layman's terms. Meantime, at least the soda does not have:
carbs
sugar
chemical preservatives
or all that fructose syrup

According to the celsius.com website:

"One SINGLE SERVING (12 oz can) of Celsius burns up to 100 calories, by increasing metabolism on average by 12% for up to a 3 hour period."

And the clinical studies have beem going on for quite some time, since Celsius has been around since 2004.

"A second clinical research study completed by the University of Oklahoma and published in the Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition in February 2008 reviewed the acute effects drinking a single serving of Celsius and reconfirmed that over a 3-hour period, subjects consuming a single serving of Celsius burned 65% more calories than those consuming the placebo beverage and burned an average of more than 100 calories. The data further showed that women in the study increased their metabolic rate by an average of 14%, while men increased their metabolic rate by an average of 8% during the 3-hour period following consumption of one 12 oz. bottle of Celsius."

At least the drink is healthier for you than a can of cola. And it couldn't hurt. Plus, it comes in lots of yummy flavors:

Cola. Ginger-ale. Lemon-lime, Orange. Wild Berry. Green Tea Raspberry Acai. Green Tea Peach Mango.

Celsius is sold almost nationwide at most Walgreens and Vitamin Shoppe stores, as well as many local supermarkets. It costs about $48 a case.

Think of it, as a work-out in a can. Go for the burn, baby!

First Lady Style Shows Off Beautiful Toned Bare Arms

First Lady Michelle Obama is showing off some beautifully toned, bare arms these days. Just look at her official White House Portrait.

Mrs. Obama knows her arms look great, and she's not afraid to go sleeveless at most W.H. events these days.

Now there are some of you who believe the First Lady should be more modest, and cover up. But let's look back to the days of Camelot, when our other lovely First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, chose to bare her slender, toned arms in the White House and at many presidential events.

Sculpted, bare arms are back in vogue now, thanks in part to the signature style Michelle Obama is presenting to the world. Even clothing catalogue Spiegel is featuring a First Lady Of Style section at its speigel.com website. "Get the look for less at Spiegel."

That also means, it's time to get your arms, and that little jiggle underneath to all firm up, ladies!

Jumping rope is a super fat burner, and a simple way to tone up those arms. You can also add small hand weights, little dumbbells of 3-5 lbs. each, to really sculpt those stubborn triceps muscles. Blast away that 'dingle-dangle' underarm jiggle.

Don't be afraid to bare, ladies!

Sandy Linter's Easy Makeup Tips For Looking Lovely In Your 50s

We have written a number of articles regarding makeup tips from the cool chick legend herself--Sandy Linter. The New York City-based professional makeup artist has seen many gorgeous, famous women and enhanced their beauty to higher levels with her superb talent.

Women like Christie Brinkley (pictured above), Elizabeth Hurley, Eva Longoria, and the celebrity list goes on and on.

Today, Sandy Linter gives us some easy, breezy makeup tips for looking lovely in your 50s:

Sandy gave her tips to People Magazine, and now we want to share them with you.

1. DO Go For The Glow!!!
Sandy says that a deeper foundation color and blush "warm up the skin and make you look younger."

2. DO Wear Natural Eye Makeup
Sandy advises that you keep eyes fresh-looking with brown eyeliner, instead of black, And don't overdose on the mascara. Don't go more than one or two coats.

3. DON'T Stop Wearing Makeup
Sandy says we all could benefit by putting on a little glamour. "A lot of women have it drilled into them, that less is more, but no! You still need makeup, just with a lighter touch."

4. DON'T Powder Your Cheeks
Sandy says you don't need to go there, or it can look weird. "It makes you look like you're wearing a mask."

Here's a beauty item Christie Brinkley likes using in her makeup repertoire:
Cover Girl Outlast All-Day Lipcolor in Always Rosy ($9.50, drugstores). Christie, at a stunning 55-years-young, is a longtime spokesperson for Cover Girl.

How To Tips In Shaving Underarms For Smooth Skin

If you can afford it, waxing is the best way to remove underarm hair. You really get smooth skin instantly. And those bothersome, little hairs, take longer to grow back again.

But most of us shave with a razor. It's the cheapest way to get rid of underarm hair.

There is also more expensive laser hair removal. Or a dependable depilatory like Nair or Veet.

We had been wondering about this for a long time:

Which way do you shave your underarms?

For legs, you simply shave up the leg, because the hair grows down.

But for the underarms, it's a little different, and we are embarrassed to say, we just found this out. Duh!!!

When shaving underarm hair, shave up, down, and side-to-side.

Why? Because the experts says that our hair there, grows in all different directions.

And for a smooth finish, use a shaving gel or cream to allow the blade to glide easily across underarm skin. And keep the arm raised high, so skin is taut there. It's difficult for a razor to shave where there are folds or creases of skin.

Here are 3 chick razors we recommend:

1. Schick Quattro ($9.99)
2. Gillette Venus ($10.99)
3. Daisy disposable razors ($8.29, 12-count)

Sophia Loren Still Dazzling At 2009 Academy Awards

Today, we are paying homage to the legend herself, Sophia Loren.

At Sunday evening's 2009 Academy Awards Show, the still sexy and beguiling beauty graced audiences worldwide at the presentation of the Best Actress award.

At age 74, we must say, Sophia Loren is still quite beautiful and curvaceous in her flowing, frilly gold gown. Her posture, still regal. And her trademark cat eyes and strong mouth continue to dazzle us all.


What's the beauty tip today, you ask?

If you look at our website header above (where you see website title/graphics), you see an earlier photo of the legendary screen actress herself. We chose Academy Award winner Sophia Loren as our permanent 'cover girl' because she epitomizes elegance and beauty, but in such an individual way.

She does not resemble everyone else. And often times, young girls growing up, are forced to look at a limited number of beautiful people. Models selling an image of fair skin, light eyes, light hair, small nose, very skinny, and 5'10". In other words, women are told to look like this or like that. Everything else is wrong, or not considered beautiful.


We like to believe that there are all kinds of beauty in this world. There is not just one type for all people.

In other words:

"There is certainly no absolute standard of beauty. That precisely is what makes its pursuit so interesting." ----John Kenneth Galbraith..."



We are fascinated by Sophia Loren's exquisite bone structure. She is someone you must look at. And yet, her nose is more generous than most. Her eyes are quite stunning. Her eyebrow bone is very high. Her mouth is large. She is a beauty who breaks the mold. And that is precisely why we love the image of Sophia Loren.

We salute you, Sophia Loren. A true legend in all respects.

Kohl's Big Flirt Mascara One Of Our Fav Makeup Products

It's alright. We don't mind if you're laughing. We happen to adore Big Flirt Thickening Mascara. And yeah, it's from Kohl's.

Snicker-snicker. We know what you're thinking.....that if anyone dares to write a beauty, makeup, and skin care blog, you'd think they would be a 'labels snob.'

In some ways, and on some days, yes, we are a snob for certain beauty, makeup, and skin care products. Only the best will do.

And we would agree, that Dior and Lancome offer some of the best mascaras out there at a pricier tag. But then again, Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara is just that----great lash!!! And you can scoop that right up for under $6.00 a tube.

Our new favorite mascara of the moment is by Flirt! in Black Wink. And you can only buy it at Kohl's dept. stores or at kohls.com.

It's even pricier than most drugstore mascaras...Big Flirt Thickening Mascara by Flirt! costs $12 a tube.

Why do we love this stuff?

It's rather simple. Flirt! probably best describes their own product:

"A gentle fiber-enriched formula that fans out lashes, adding length and volume for a false eyelash effect."

We stumbled upon Flirt! Mascara. A friend who was shopping at Kohl's, found the mascara on sale and picked us up one. We have been wearing mascara since we were about 13 years old, so we know what we like.

The Big Flirt Thickening Mascara delivers. But you must be careful. Too much, and your lashes get over-loaded. It really features a thick consistency so you can build lots of volume, layer upon layer. And you can achieve a false eyelash effect if done properly.

We have always admired eyes with long, dark lashes. We love the fringe. Honestly, we would be lost without mascara. How about you?!