A Little Lemon Juice Can Brighten And Smooth Skin

We love any beauty product we can get our hands on. But we also adore natural beauty products, too.

Sometimes, you don't have to spend a lot, to freshen up your skin, for instance. And that's where we turn to Marcia Kilgore, skin expert and founder of Bliss Spa, and her newest beauty venture appearing this May at Target called Soap & Glory Skin Care (an expansion of her current bath & body items).

The 40-ish blonde hair bob beauty with the amazing bone structure, has been talking about lemon juice. And how the citric acid in it, can do some amazing things for your skin.

According to Marcia Kilgore, lemon juice can help exfoliate your winter skin. And she gave this advice to http://www.fashion.elle.com/:

"As for your face, it depends on your skin type but I would recommend exfoliating two to four times a week for oily skin and less often for dry/sensitive types. Remember to pay particular attention to blackheads, blocked pores, flaky foreheads and oily chins. Want to pump up your scrub? Squirt a little lemon juice into your favorite facial scrub to boost its natural brightening power and exfoliating action. (Lemon juice contains citric acid, one of the five alpha hydroxy acids that dissolve the glue that keeps dead cells stuck to your skin.)"

And that's not all this tart, little juice can do. Marcia Kilgore also uses nature's lemons to diminish the appearance of brown spots. She says that "a daily dab of lemon juice will lighten them. Citric acid is magic."

As far as exfoliating the dry, winter skin from your body, stay away from scrubbers like loofahs. We got this advice from famous plastic surgeon Dr. Michelle Copeland, who advised us back in June, to throw away our loofahs and washcloths because these bath items break the normal skin barrier, and bacteria can easily sneak in.

Marcia Kilgore tends to agree with Dr. Copeland.

"Exfoliation should be a regular feature of your body and facial routine all year round. Incorporate a body exfoliator into your shower routine at least three times weekly to slough away dead skin cells quicker. Not only will it simultaneously stimulate circulation, your after-shower moisture lotions will sink in more readily. And by the way, just say no to loofahs. Once used, they are loaded with bacteria build-up.

Try Soap & Glory Sugar Crush, made with smashed brown sugar, sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains."

How To Grow A More Attractive Set Of Healthy Nails

Our nails are not pretty. And don't look as attractive as a set of nails should. Okay, we said it.

At the moment, some of our nails are chipped. A couple with vertical ridges. And barely growing. At least our nails are short and somewhat neat. Well, a few are, at least.

What's going on?!

We've all heard how beneficial olive oil is for growing strong fingernails. We've been enjoying it in our Mediterranean diet for years. Why hasn't it helped us?

Maybe, soaking hands and feet in olive oil, to be exact. This old and simple method softens rough cuticles and nourishes nails.

But why the chipping, vertical ridges, weak/brittleness?

We did a little research and found some great nail tips from the well-respected Mayo Clinic:

Your nails are made up of laminated layers of a protein called keratin, which is also found in your hair and skin.

And it takes a fingernail about 4 to 6 months to fully regenerate. That's a slow-www process.

"Weak or brittle fingernails can be a challenge to toughen up. The following tips can help you protect them, making your nails less likely to split or break.

Keep your nails short, square shaped and slightly rounded on top.
Trim brittle nails after a bath or a 15-minute hand soak in bath oil.
Then apply a moisturizer.
Moisturize your nails and cuticles at bedtime and cover them with cotton gloves.
Apply a nail hardener, but avoid products containing toluene sulfonamide or formaldehyde. These chemicals can cause redness or irritate the skin.
Don't use nail polish remover more than twice a month. Instead, touch up the polish. When you do need a remover, avoid those that use acetone, which dries nails.
Repair splits or tears with nail glue or clear polish."

And we have also spoken to a few nail technicians who highly recommend brushing on Solar Oil by Creative Nail Design ($7.50, http://www.ulta.com/). Nail pros swear by this easy, quick step routine for a more attractive set of healthy nails.

Solar Oil is formulated with an effective blend of jojoba, rice bran and sweet almond oils infused with the power of vitamin E. Solar Oil is said to penetrate deeply into your cuticles and nails to prevent them from becoming brittle and to promote healthy nail growth.

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)