America Ferrera: Ugly Betty's Beauty Favorites

Who doesn't adore Ugly Betty?

The beloved but frumpy fashion assistant character has won America Ferrera an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

At age 25, America Ferrera also has legions of fans, and many of them love her just as she is---not a size zero, or 2, or 4. America has a real body. She's petite and curvy, and naturally pretty.

We found out in the May issue of InStyle magazine, that Ugly Betty's America Ferrera loves to get glam for red carpet events, but when she's not working as an actress, America doesn't wear makeup. And she doesn't like to exercise, either.

"My workout situation is pretty grim at the moment," America tells InStyle. "But I do take my two dogs to the park."

We love her already!

Meantime, here are America Ferrera's beauty favorites:

1. Rodin Olio Lusso moisturizer ($135, http://www.store.nydg.com/, http://www.oliolusso.com/). This is a sinfully elegant liquid moisturizer, blended with 11 essential oils. Makes your skin soft and dewy. America says, "It's so luxurious."

2. YSL Golden gloss No.2 (Golden Prairie) ($29, fine dept. stores). This is a lovely golden neutral shimmering lip gloss. If you're addicted to gloss, YSL is one of the best.

3. Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Cruella ($24, http://www.narscosmetics.com/). This jumbo crayon in the bold Cruella shade is a must for America at her red carpet appearances. Provides a creamy, highly pigmented color that lasts and lasts. This shade allows America's pretty features to pop. And who doesn't love Nars makeup? Duh!!

How To Get Big Plump Angelina Jolie Lips...Well, Sort Of

She has one set of impressive lips. We are, of course, talking about Hollywood's own Angelina Jolie. And many women desire big, plump, sexy lips.

Are Angelina Jolie's lips artfully engineered? Who knows. Most beautiful women on the silver screen these days, have had at least one or two things done to look more stunning.

Well, now we have one, tiny thing you can do, to enhance the beauty of your lips. Okay, this beauty product won't give you a set of Jolie lips, but it will take your smacker to a whole new level.

It's by Physicians Formula. The makeup geniuses there, have developed a cool way to instantly grow some fuller, sexier lips, all in 60 seconds!!

Physicians Formula has recently introduced Plump Potion Needle-Free Plumping Cocktail ($9.75, at drugstores, like http://www.cvs/ and http://www.walgreens.com/).

We like the concept. And no needles, ladies. If you've ever felt the sting of a collagen-filled needle, slowly and deeply piercing the skin of your lips, well, this Physicians Formula lipstick plumper would be a very welcome procedure. Maybe not the perfect substitute, but surely, a natural and instant way to get big, plump Angelina Jolie lips, well, sort of.

This is how Physicians Formula describes their popular, new plumping cocktail:

"Lip plumping lacquer formulated with a high-tech cocktail of non-irritating ingredients to transform lip's appearance, contour, size and color so they look and feel fuller, smoother, sexier. 3x Plumping Effect:
1) Instant Plumping Effect
2) Instant Hydrating & Smoothing Effect
3) Younger, Smoother & Fuller Looking Lips with continued use."

For more information, visit:

http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/productdetail/lips/02702.html

Clairol Adds 24 New Shades For Gorgeous At-Home Color

It's always best to visit a salon when it comes to coloring your hair, especially if you are making drastic changes or trying to maintain a complicated two-tone process.

However, at-home coloring is big business, and we know some women who do it very well, and their hair always looks so darn pretty and shiny.

Since we are all trying to be the best recessionista, that we can---- you know, a very stylish chick who can live within her budget, then at-home coloring can be just the perfect match for you. Whether you home-color in between your salon visits, just to touch up roots, or even to go glam with a new shade, dyeing hair can be a wonderful adventure.

And the folks at Clairol are adding new color to your life! 24 new shades of beautiful!!!!

That's right. Clairol is introducing 24 new shades this season. And you can find these pretty colors at your local drugstore. From permanent to semi-permanent to a quick root fix, there are even more shades to choose from.

Clairol Balsam haircolor has debuted a new Signature Browns Collection.

Clairol Natural Instincts has introduced its new Champagne Indulgence Collection.

And more shades have been added to Clairol's Perfect 10, Nice 'n Easy, and Root Touch-Up collections.

For more hair color information visit: www.clairol.com .

Countess Gives Advice: From Table Manners To Touching His Arm Lightly

We adore the Countess. She's bold, sassy, beautiful, and stands out.

We are talking about LuAnn deLesseps. And yes, she is a real Countess! If you have tuned into Bravo's reality show, The Real Housewives of New York City, then you certainly know the Countess.

And now there's plenty of buzz about her new book, "Class with the Countess": How to Live with Elegance and Flair. The book is now available at bookstores nationwide.

We thought we'd take a little peek into this modern book on manners and etiquette. If you head to her book website, http://www.classwiththecountess.com/, you will find lots of fascinating items, and Countess LuAnn's blog, where she talks about table manners to touching his arm lightly. Yeah, that's right. The Countess has strong opinions on how to act with class, and how to hold a man's interest.

We hope The Countess doesn't mind us quoting from her blog:

....."It is possible to be a strong, accomplished woman in matters of business, yet be soft in affairs of the heart. Men respond positively to women who dress like women (a flirty skirt and high heels might do the trick). Men love when women speak softly, listen intently, and act flirtatiously. A date should not be treated like a business meeting – it is a chance to be engaging, sexy and whimsical. It is by being elegantly provocative that a woman communicates her interest to a man.

Tip: Here a few ways to turn up the heat during your next encounter with a man who intrigues you:
• The gaze – look into his eyes a few beats longer.• Talk in a soft, low, provocative voice – you will both need to lean toward each other, drawing attention to your lips.• Keep up the banter – being light and playful keep the energy high.• Touch his arm lightly – only the briefest of touches and only above the belt unless you’re playing footsy!• Show him you’re interested in him without giving him your business card. If he wants your number he’ll ask for it. • Leave him wanting more."
posted by LuAnn deLesseps

Okay, maybe some of you are snickering, but we think the Countess has a lot of common sense. And there's nothing wrong with wanting to share what you've learned, especially for a woman who has traveled the globe, meeting royalty, and encountering many different social situations. She wants to show you how to be comfortable in the world, and this book is a wonderful guide.

Countess LuAnn deLesseps is the mother of two children, Victoria and Noel. Her 16 year marriage to the Count Alex deLesseps is over. The couple has been separated, and as of this writing, we are told the marriage is no more.

(website photo of The Countess and Count, in happier times)

Get Your Glow On With LiLo's Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist

Lindsay Lohan (we like to call her LiLo) has become a sharp businesswoman these days. She has recently launched a self-tanning mist called Sevin Nyne. It's now available online at www.sephora.com for $35 a can.

Amid all the recent drama involved in LiLo's life, following her break-up with Samantha Ronson, the tanning mist sort of got caught in a cloudy haze. But now she's back, and Lindsay Lohan is proud of her business venture. She appeared on daytime's Ellen DeGeneres Show this morning to pitch her beauty product.

We like this self-tanning concept, because we all know how bad too much sun is to our skin and health.

LiLo developed the unique faux tan styling mist with Lorit, an expert celebrity airbrush tanner. The product is chemical-free and smells delicious!! And its made with natural products like---goji berry, chardonnay extracts, caramel, and a sugar coconut base. And It even comes in an environmentally-friendly aerosol can.

Yes, Lindsay Lohan wears her own Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist. She's got very fair, freckled skin, and this product delivers a natural, golden glow.

"I have tried every tanning product on the market and worked with the best tanners in the business. When Lorit and I met, we thought it would be great to bring a quality product at a reasonable price to the market so everyone could enjoy a professional spray tan," LiLo says.

Sevin Nyne is named after LiLo's two lucky numbers 7 and 9.

ProActiv Derms Develop 3-Step Anti-Age Regimen To Zap Wrinkles

You know these smart derms:

Rodan and Fields.

If you've had pimples, and used ProActiv Solution, then these Stanford-educated women, have made a huge impact on your life.

Clear skin isn't their only mission, however.

Rodan + Fields Dermatologists are now zapping wrinkles and sun damage in a simple, 3-step Anti-Age Regimen ($160):

"ANTI-AGE Regimen refines texture, energizes skin cells, and signals the building of collagen. The ANTI-AGE Regimen features 3 full-size products:
Gentle Exfoliating Wash 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.
Hydrating Toner 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.
and Skin Protectant Cream SPF 15 Sunscreen 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz."

Rodan + Fields Dermatologists also offer 3 more beauty treatments in their Anti-Age collection:

Anti-Age Night Recovery Cream ($107)
Anti-Age Multi-Function Eye Cream ($59)
Anti-Age Night Renewing Serum ($89)

So, do these beauty treatments really work?

According to their website, the peptide technology makes it happen:

"This complete skincare system combines peptide technology, anti-oxidants and UVA/UVB protection to firm and protect, as it replenishes and repairs collagen loss in your skin. Not a temporary plumper, polypeptide technology signals your skin to increase natural collagen production over time. Using Multi-Med Therapy, ANTI-AGE Regimen delivers the right medicines, in the right formulations, in the right order to transform your skin."

To order Rodan + Fields Anti-Age Regimen, visit: http://www.rodanandfields.com/ and http://victoriaskincare.myrandf.com/.

By the way, you are also invited to join the Rodan + Fields Skin Care Team, and become an Independent Consultant. The business opportunities are waiting.

For more information, send an email to Victoria at: victoriaskincareconsultant@yahoo.com

CG Outlast Lip Stain Really Lasts And Lasts On Your Lips

Cover Girl spokesperson, Drew Barrymore, wears "Everbloom Kiss."

There are actually 10 luscious shades to choose from in the newest Cover Girl Outlast Lip Collection. No budge--no smudge lipstains ($7.29, at drugstores).

Take a look at these cute lip pens. Don't they look like magic markers? Sharpies?

These beauty pens work in the same way. Just color your lips in.

And relax.....The shades are highly pigmented. Cover Girl describes them as: "a lightweight flush of color that lasts for hours without the heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick."

Apply some gloss on top to seal in the color, and you're good to go.Cover Girl Outlast Lipstain really stays put. It ain't going anywhere. Kiss somebody. It won't rub off. Eat lunch. You'll still have a stain left.

We're not going to promise you 8 hours plus, but you might be good for at least 4-6 hours of long-lasting lipstain. And hey, that's pretty decent.

The water-based colorants formula is nourishing, too, with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. No alcohol, either.

Yes, a lipstain is matte, and can be quite drying. But gloss on top helps, or a moisturizing lip balm over the stain.

Either way, you get a nice, subtle blast of color. We chose 3 shades we liked:

Plum Pout
Coy Coral
Wild Berry Wink