Exuviance Oil-Absorbing Gel Keeps Face Shine-Free

We've found another clever beauty product to take control of shiny, oily, greasy skin. And there are many items out there that promise to 'mattify' your complexion.

Maybe you've tried oil-blotting papers. Oil-free primers. Glycolic acid cleansers. Toners. And the long list goes on.

Now you can try this little number. It's formulated with Mandelic Acid. That is one of the AHAs, or Alpha Hydroxy Acids. And curiously enough, Mandelic Acid is found in almonds.

We adore Exuviance Matte Perfection ($35, http://www.exuviance.com/, or ULTA stores). You can wear it alone, or under your makeup, or even over your makeup. Either way, this oil-free gel glides on easily and gives you a shine-free finish.

Gluconolactone, a Polyhydroxy Acid, or PHA, is another unique property combined in the oil-free gel. This beauty ingredient helps to balance uneven pigmentation, rough patches, and enlarged pores. It also provides special anti-aging benefits.

We like the lightness to this Exuviance product. And it does absorb the greasies, and is gentle to your skin.

Padma Lakshmi Speaks Up For Women With Endometriosis

Padma Lakshmi is probably best known for her popular role as host of Bravo's Top Chef hit reality show.

But the 38-year-old beauty is also a writer, model, actress, and great cook, among her many talents.

And now Padma is speaking out about endometriosis, a condition that affects many women who suffer from painful, heavy periods.

Padma Lakshmi recently underwent surgery for the condition, and she wants to assure women out there, that they are not alone, and that surgery can cure this common problem which a number of women face.

Endometriosis developes when tissues lining the uterus grow outside the uterus, resulting in painful menstrual cycles and uterine scarring. And this could lead to infertility.

Padma says it wasn't easy talking about such an intimate problem.

"It's a very personal issue," Padma told People Magazine. "It has to do with the most private aspect of a woman's life, and when I had to have surgery, I had to miss work and explain why. I just found that in talking to people, not many people knew what it was." "I just thought I had a responsibility to let other young women know so they wouldn't have to go through what I went though," she says. "If you get tested at an early age, it's very simple to be treated for it and it will save you from a lifetime of pain and stress."

Padma Lakshmi has joined ranks with Dr. Tamer Seckin, who treated Padma and with her also co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

Dr. Seckin and Padma will host the "Blossom Ball," their first fundraising event, on April 20 at New York's Prince George Ballroom.

How To Color Beautiful Dark Brown Hair Perfectly

When we think of beautiful dark brown hair, we often think of actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. She wears it so well. Sometimes she lightens up her very dark tresses by a shade. But usually, her color is dark and shiny.

Believe it or not, coloring dark brown hair perfectly is not easy. We should know.

Of course, the coloring process is more damaging when you want to lighten hair, to become blonde, for example. Hair can quickly become damaged.

Then what's the big deal about becoming dark brown?

Celebrity colorist Rita Hazan of New York City, said in an interview recently that, "Brunettes are the most challenging. Their hair can turn red and brassy with added color, but look flat without it."

Rita Hazan suggests asking for gold highlights, instead of red highlights at the salon.

If you've ever tried to go darker, well, it's simple. But getting the right shade of brown is difficult. If you pick too dark a shade, your hair can turn raven, or almost black. Best to select a color one step lighter, otherwise, you will have to live with the super dark shade until your hair grows out.

As any hair colorist would tell you, pick up a box of semi-permanent color if you want to brighten up your brown. You won't be tied down to the darkness forever. A box of Clairol's Natural Instincts will cost you only $6, and the hue will wash out in 6-12 shampoos.

If you desire a much longer lasting hair color, try any of the L'Oreal products, to become a brilliant brunette and cover up gray hair. L'Oreal Paris Excellence-to-Go ($9.49) is a good one to try for shiny hair color that delivers the goods in 10 minutes.

Meantime, we just learned this little hair color tidbit:

You've heard about Waiting 48 hours before shampooing newly dyed hair.

The reason? This allows for the pigment to really soak in. And when you go to wash your hair, by the way, DO NOT use very hot water, because that can open up the hair cuticle and let out the dye.

Karina Smirnoff 's Olive Oil Diet Tip Does Make Beauty Sense

She is certainly petite, toned, and sexy.

And we know that the pros on ABC's huge hit reality show, Dancing With The Stars, dance some 8 hours a day to keep in excellent shape.

But Karina Smirnoff also has a diet tip that works for her, and everyone's been buzzing about it.

Diet is crucial when it comes to maintaining your weight. We all know that. But is there a trick to helping keep off the pounds?

Yes. And it involves olive oil.

We are Mediterranean, and we love eating olive oil, but we didn't do it the way Karina Smirnoff does it. So we were intrigued by her diet tip. We did a little research and discovered that she is one smart lady.

Karina told US Weekly magazine that she avoids red meat, and dines on egg whites, fish, and salad. And has, "a tablespoon of olive oil on an empty stomach to help with digestion."

Go ahead and laugh, but the diet tip is a sound one. And here's why:

"Research suggests that replacing other types of fats with monounsaturated fat, especially olive oil, helps people lose a moderate amount of weight without additional food restriction or physical activity. So just imagine what adding a lower-calorie diet and increased physical activity (which is always a good idea) to the consumption of monounsaturated fats like olive oil could do for your weight-loss efforts."

We found that weight loss nugget here, http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/the-health-benefits-of-olive-oil-ga6.htm.

The article goes on to say:

"What's more, the FDA determined that eating 13.5 grams of monounsaturated fat in a dietary pattern low in saturated fat and cholesterol would reduce total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 5 percent, resulting in a 10 percent decrease in coronary heart disease.However, the FDA did not approve this particular claim for food labels. Instead, the agency approved a stronger claim linking the consumption of 23 grams (about two tablespoons) of olive oil to a decreased risk of coronary heart disease."

So there you have it. Just a spoonful of olive oil daily can help you get skinny in a very healthy way. Doesn't sound so yummy, but the results are quite beautiful!

DDF Offers New Twist On Anti-Aging In Moisturizing Serum

A wrinkle resister and a pore minimizer all rolled into one.

This little 1.7 oz. bottle claims to give you back younger-looking skin with the appearance of smaller pores.

And in this not-so-great economy, if you can put together $85, then you might want to invest in DDF's Wrinkle Resistant Plus Pore Minimizer.

Who doesn't want more perfect-looking, flawless skin?!

DDF, Doctor's Dermatologic Formula, is pushing their most recent product, calling it, a new twist on anti-aging.

It all has to do with DDF's 'dual phase technology.' The unique formula increases the skin's surface renewal rate. You end up with a smoother and balanced complexion.

1. Clear Gel continuously reduces the appearance of wrinkles and pores with vitamin B3 and Promatrixyl pentapeptide.

2. The Colored Optical Swirl Serum instantly minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores with its light-diffusing technology.

And this little bottle has already built quite a fan base. Maybe because DDF's clinical trials came up with some very decent results:

65% saw noticeably smaller pores
70% saw less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles.
Results also showed improvement at 4 weeks and greater improvement at 8 weeks.

You can purchase DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer at beauty stores like Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom.

Learn more at www.ddf.com.

Jessica's Stylist Ken Paves Talks Fav Hair Products

Celebrity hair stylist KenPaves has tended to the beautiful heads of many famous women.....Jessica Simpson. Jennifer Lopez. Britney Spears. Carmen Electra. And the list goes on.

Where would Hollywood be without super talent like L.A. stylist Ken Paves?

Sometimes the perfect hair can make all the difference in a woman's appearance. And without his nimble fingers, well, Jessica Simpson just wouldn't be the same.

And now Ken Paves is talking hair. We love that. He's naming brands. These are a few of his favs when it comes to georgeous locks on a budget. This is what he told InStyle magazine. And these budget-wise hair items can be picked up at beauty stores like ULTA and your local drugstore.

Paves's Picks:

1. VO5 Hot Oil Treatment ($4). "A cheap treatment that has always screamed luxury to me. It guarantees a great hair day."

2. Vidal Sassoon No Crimp elastics ($3). "They give you just enough hold without damaging your hair."

3. DCNL Organics Natural Wood hairbrush ($9). "It gives lift and volume without creating static."

4. Ken Paves Healthy Hair Try Me kit ($34). "The perfect travel sizes for your weekend getaways."

5. Got 2b Defiant Define + Shine pomade ($6). "A little goes a long way to smooth flyaways. One tub will last until you're 115."

6. Bellissima headband ($10). "This gives a chic, classic look that can instantly transform limp hair."

7. ULTA Ultimate Size travel blow-dryer ($25). "Enough abusing your hair with a dryer that's professional grade. This is lightweight and gets the jobe done."

Thanks, Ken Paves. Wonderful hair tips. Wish we could book a session with you.

For more hair tips and products, visit: http://www.kenpaves.com/ and http://www.ulta.com/.

D The Sunshine Vitamin Basking In Good Headlines

We know some people who pop tons of vitamins, and others who don't take a single supplement. But getting your "D" on, could be a very smart thing for both women and men.

There's been plenty of good buzz about the sunshine vitamin, D, in the headlines for several months now. And lots of benefits, so we hear---keeps breast cancer away, boosts bone strength, protects against multiple sclerosis, and even wards off the flu.

The best place to receive your dosage of vitamin D, is to soak up the sun's rays. But the experts say that most of us are still sun-deprived, especially in the fall through winter months. In addition, many of us are afraid of too much sun these days, because of possibly developing skin cancer.

And did you know that just by applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 8, alone, is enough to scare away vitamin D's production. And if you slap on an SPF of 50, the vitamin's production is stopped entirely.


So how do you get your "D" on, then?!

You can try eating D-rich foods, like salmon, tuna, sardines, eggs, cereal, and milk.

But doctors say that still doesn't give you enough of the D. You should also take a supplement.

As of this writing, doctors recommend a safe level---between 1,000 and 2,000 I.U.'s of D3 a day, for adults.