Beauty For A Buck Deal Of The Day At Walgreens

If you're still searching for loose change under the sofa cushions, in the back seat of your car, at the bottom of your purse, and so on.....we feel your pain.

So, your BeautyTipToday can be found at your local Walgreens drugstore. We call it 'Beauty for a Buck.'

And in this case, actually 99 cents!

Our featured item today:

Walgreens Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Cream.

We did a little research on the benefits of cocoa butter. And if you having been using it, continue to do so. Cocoa butter is full of great things for your skin. We found that out at the bodyshop.com blog:

"Cocoa butter is, first and foremost, arguably one of the best natural emollients to be found. It’s a traditional moisturizer, as the EGCG blog points out, used for centuries to keep people’s skin in many nations soft and protected. And because it melts at body temperature, it is more easily and readily absorbed by the skin. Its natural, subtle chocolate scent also makes your skin smell like dessert, and who doesn’t want to smell like a cupcake?"

We agree, the scent is delicious. But why blow lots of money on fancy cocoa butter creams? There are gazillions out there in expensive spas and salons and fine dept. stores. We recommend Walgreens Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Cream because it delivers what the other costlier ones give you, and that's the same ingredient----cocoa butter---at very similar concentrations.

That's what cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer says. "It's a rich, fatty emollient that helps seal in moisture without leaving the skin feeling greasy. This should hydrate dry skin just as effectively as the most expensive versions."

Okay, thank you, Jim. That's good enough for us, since the information is coming from a reliable and respected cosmetic chemist.

'Beauty for a Buck' deal of the day found right at your neighborhood Walgreens.

Hollywood Stylist Ken Paves Creates Quick Clip-In Bangs

Bangs. Fun to wear, but they grow out so-oooooo quickly. Bangs are great because they do lots of wonderful thing: Make you look younger. Hide too-thin eyebrows. Cover up forehead lines. Show off your eyes.

But bangs can also be a pain-in-the neck: They might not look good on you. You have to have them trimmed about every two weeks. You might tire of them in a month, and you're stuck with them.

But super Hollywood stylist Ken Paves wants you to start your summer with a bang!!! And he has created a limited edition of clip-in bangs. These quick clip-ins were inspired by his blonde client Jessica Simpson. Funny, we've never seen the glam Jess ever wear bangs, except for this photo lay-out. But she's really rockin' them. We think it's a lovely look for her.

Ken Paves explains how you work them in your real tresses:

Made with Tru2Life Heat-Friendly Synthetic Fiber so you can curl, cut and style - just like your own hair. Don't cut it - clip in! Now you can have super chic blunt bangs without the commitment of cutting your own hair. This fabulous fringe looks real, feels real and stays put! Just clip in and go.

1. Brush your hair away from your face.

2. Starting with your center clip, slide into hair about 1/4" from your hairline, then secure side clips.

3. Style, straighten, curl or brow dry - just as you would your own hair. Tru2Life fiber is heat friendly up to 350 degrees.

More hair tips from Ken Paves about his clip-in bangs:

Hair tools are an essential part of making your bangs blend with your own hair. You may wish to use a flat iron or curling iron on your bangs prior to application, depending on your style preference. For optimal results, we recommend shampooing and conditioning before wearing.

Get more than one set. Have them cut into your favorite bang style - long, blunt, wispy, asymmetrical. The choice is yours!

For $28.95, this is a good and cheap hair investment. Bangs are versatile, and you could make several different looks with this 'faux' hair. Ken even includes a how-to video with your bangs. You can buy them in 9 shades. And Ken swears, this is easy for a beginner. So we will trust him there.

For more information, visit http://www.kenpaves.com/.

5 Beach Bag Beauty Items To Toss In And Go

It's summertime and it's hard to completely avoid the strong, harmful rays of the sun. So we are not going to preach about limiting your play time. Beach and summer go hand-in-hand. So we've put together a small list of 5 beach bag beauty items to toss in and go!!!!!

1. Let's protect our precious and delicate lips. We found an unique medicated lip balm called Aloe Gator. It includes an SPF30. Paba-free and flavored in yummy Pina Colada. And only $1.99, http://www.rei.com/. This little balm glides on smoothly and is the 'ultimate defense for lips against sun, wind, and cold.'


2. One of our faves forever: Bazooka Bubble Gum. Classic and fun, delicious to chew. Get a box cheap....only for a dollar at the Dollar Tree store. Chewing gum actually burns calories, and it's better than chomping down on a calorie-laden snack.



3. We discovered this wonderful and smart beachtime must-have last year. It's called Surfer's Secrets. It's quite simply, a sand eliminator. A 6 oz. bottle, just $7, http://www.surferssecrets.com/. Made from natural stuff like grapeseed oil and aloe vera. It removes the sand sticking to your skin. Just squeeze out a dollop, about the size of a quarter and wipe away. Great for the whole family. No more sand in the bikini or all over your feet.

4. John Frieda's very popular Frizz-Ease, $7, drugstores. This tube is full of silky softness. If you've spent a day at the beach, then your dry locks will love you for smoothing on some of this hair TLC. Get rid of the nasty frizzies. This product is tried and true. Not greasy. Light and marvelous. If you have a curly perm, your hair will drink this up.

5. How about a sultry solid perfume by k hall designs. Egyptian Jasmine pictured here. On sale for $19.50. Made with absolute jasmine oil. Beautifully gift boxed and made with a blend of beeswax, jojoba oil, essential and/or fragrance oils, and vitamin E. This compact perfume travels well and is loaded with scent. A super idea after you get off the beach and want to embrace an intoxicating scent. And these solid perfumes come in a lovely variety:
Orange Amber. Fig. Peony. Sandlewood. Etc. Find them here at http://www.khalldesigns.com/.

These 5 beach bag beauty items and a great book are all you need for a day in the sun!

Arden B. Has Amazing Accessories At The Right Price

We love Arden B. stores and their online site, too. http://www.ardenb.com/.

And we especially 'heart' their accessories.

Just take a look at some of the beautiful and stylish items we found for you. Snake clutch. Zebra bustier. Twill fedora. And the prices won't overwhelm you. Arden B. believes in knocking down prices and we like that. So check back often for some really super summer deals.

This elegant Short honeycomb bib necklace caught our eye. Comes in gold or silver ($24). All the celebs are sporting bib necklaces.

We're hooked on this oversized mustard-colored Woven stripe tote. Nice and roomy with lurex and stud detail. 16"w x 11"h x 4.5" d ($58).

We so-ooo want these Enamel fan chandelier earrings ($24). Enamel finish with delicate pearl drops. Makes a lovely statement piece(s).

And don't you just love this Beaded hinge cuff? Quite ornate and pretty bold with striking stone and beaded detail. Final sale on this item ($28).

A beautiful accessory, be it a strong piece of jewelry, or hat, handbag, headband, or belt, can make all the difference. It can update your look instantly!

Heidi Klum Sans Makeup And Not Afraid To Show The World

We've always adored supermodel and Project Runway Host Heidi Klum.

She's a breath of fresh air and seems to have her stuff together---with a great family in husband Seal, three adorable kids, and another on the way.

Heidi Klum is 36-years-old and a beautiful model.

Please forgive us for showing these photos, but Heidi doesn't mind. She was snapped a few days ago at a Broadway show, The Lion King. And she happily smiled for the cameras.

We love these photos of gorgeous women sans makeup. Zippo. A naked face. We even zoomed in closer to Heidi's eyes, so you could see that even she, is only human. Yup. Even a supermodel over 35, can get fine lines and wrinkles.

Heidi Klum has said before, that she has not had work done, and is proud to grow older. Apparently, she is telling the truth.

Look how she explained it to Ocean Drive magazine in their April issue:

“Most people go to the doctor and do Botox, Restylane, and silicone. I’ve never done anything to my body or face. I want to grow old; I don’t want to change my appearance.” Heidi Klum tells the magazine. “Everyone has the right to do what they wish, but personally, I would rather use good products.”

We still think Heidi Klum looks radiant and healthy. And except for a few lines around the eyes, her skin looks bright, clear, pimple-free, and youthful.

Of course, we prefer to see Heidi Klum the supermodel all glammed up, but this was an interesting and honest new supermodel to see. And we respect that she's a confident woman and not ashamed to show the world that even she, gets a few lines and wrinkles.

4 Best Anti-Aging Products You Need Says Harper's Bazaar

We get a little suspicious when major beauty magazines give your their list of the best beauty products to buy. Granted, most of the items being featured are very good, and it's nice to be given a heads-up when the newest and latest beauty treatments arrive. But don't you sometimes wonder if these beauty magazines are talking only about their main advertisers, and hoping you, the reader, will be enticed into purchasing these creams and serums?

For instance, the May 2009 issue of Harper's Bazaar included their tiny list of the best anti-aging buys. Included are huge names in the skin care business: 1. Chanel 2. Oil of Olay 3. Lancome 4. Estee Lauder

We have much respect for Harper's Bazaar. We subscribe to the magazine, and have for years, so let's get that out there.

The 4 beauty products to fight the signs of aging, according to Harper's, includes a sunscreen, an eye cream, a glycolic-based moisturizer, and a wrinkle-reducing cream.

We believe that is excellent advice. As any dermatologist worth his or her skin would say, 'never leave home without putting on a decent sunscreen.'

And yes, an effective eye cream is also key. Since fine lines and wrinkles love to show up around the eye area, you need to protect this special skin because it is thinner, delicate and very dry.

As we age, we need a super moisturizer. Our cellular turnover is slow-wwwing down, and our skin texture is getting duller and rouigher. A good glycolic-acid base would really help improve the complexion.

And lastly, we would agree that an amazing wrinkle-reducing cream or serum couldn't hurt. It's nice when a cream can go in and soften those pesky lines, and help plump up the skin to make it appear more youthful.

Here are Harper's Bazaar magazine's Best Ant-Aging Buys, as pictured:

1. Chanel Precision UV Essential Protective UV Care SPF30 ($48, fine dept. stores)
2. Olay Professional Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex ($45, local drugstores)
3. Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate ($78, fine dept. stores)
4. Estee lauder Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Creme SPF15 ($58, fine dept. stores)


If the beauty products you are using, are not any of the items Harper's Bazaar has listed, you are not alone. You might have 4 very similar beauty treatments that do the same job for your skin.

And if you are looking for another opinion on anti-aging, or merely want newer products to battle the signs of aging, then this list might just be perfect for you. In any case, Harper's makes intelligent beauty sense, with 4 products that target specific skin areas.

Rachel Weisz Hates Botox But Adores Photoshopping?

Yes, we can all see that British actress Rachel Weisz is a stunning woman at age 39.

But does she have to go on and on about the badness of Botox, as she discusses in the August 2009 issue of Harper's Bazaar UK?!

Rachel Weisz is the mysterious, sexy model gracing the cover of Harper's as you can see her here in black velvet. And this is what she was quoted as saying in the magazine interview:

“It should be banned for actors, as steroids are for sportsmen,” the Oscar-winning actress says of Botox. “Acting is all about expression; why would you want to iron out a frown?” As for fashion, Rachel says, “I love the way girls in London dress; it’s so different to the American ‘blow-dry and immaculate grooming’ thing.”

Tongues are wagging that the lovely actress was photoshopped like crazy, here for the magazine cover. Her waist and all-over silhouette appear much tinier. Which brings catty remarks from some women as to, how is Botox bad, but photoshopping is not? Why didn't she demand the editors keep her figure curvier, as we all know Rachel is blessed with?

Good point. It's okay not to use Botox. Actress Jennifer Aniston, who recently turned 40, claims that she, too, will not use the stuff. But to declare that a few needle pricks of Botox should be banned for all actors, is quite silly and bizarre.

Botox is not invasive surgery. It's not a facelift. It is a cosmetic procedure, one that most doctors would consider mild. It is known as an injectable. And Botox temporarily paralyzes muscles so that you can't make frowning expressions. As a result, wrinkles appear softer. Forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines all disappear, more or less, for about 3-4 months.

Sure, some people go overboard, where it seems almost mannequin-like. You can't readily tell if the person is happy, angry, or any emotion in between. But most women and men who receive Botox injections subtley erase deep frowns and look healthier and rested.

Botox has also been used under the arms to stop excessive sweating, and has been used for many years prior to its cosmetic value, as treatment for a number of neurological disorders.

Botox is actually a new kid on the block. It's only been 7 years since the FDA approved the injectable for cosmetic purposes.

What we can say, is that Botox is extremely popular and does plenty of good for women and men who want to temporarily erase some of the sun damage and natural aging process. In fact, Botox was the top non-surgical cosmetic procedure in 2008.

We cannot tell actress Rachel Weisz to be quiet and stick to acting. Er, well, of course we could, but we won't. We would like to check back with Ms. Weisz in 10 years when she turns 49, and see if she has changed her mind about this popular injectable, known as big bad Botox.