Priti Is As Pretty Does: Organic Without Chemicals

We have received personal emails in the past, begging us to do more stories that involve organic beauty. Organic skin care. Organic cosmetics. Etc.

So we began our search, and stumbled onto a pretty website called pritinyc.com.

As you can easily see, the photo depicts a very pretty woman. And Kim D'Amato is priti. This is her New York City company which also includes her organic spa, located on the Lower East Side.

And here is one of her many beautiful organic nail polishes. This one is a really lovely nude. A naked shade that works on every skin tone. If you want subtle and 'priti', try this shade, King Protea ($12.50, http://www.pritinyc.com/).

And we all know what non-organic nail polish can do to our nails, besides ugly yellowing and sometimes, infection, and so forth.

Priti Polish is refreshing and safe and gentle, as suggested at Kim D'Amato's website:

Priti Polish, a private collection of nail polishes that are formulated without toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and formaldehyde -all known carcinogenic ingredients. With over 100 colors to choose from that are all safe for moms, mother's to be, and children as well.

The polishes are housed in a 12.6 ml. bottle that is completely recyclable. They are fast drying, chip resistant, non-yellowing, contains a UV inhibitor, and are super durable and glossy. All Priti Polishes are named after similar colored plants and flowers such as... Magic Man Iris, China Pink Tulip, White Ballet Dahlia, and Shirley Temple Peony, and of course, or new fav.....King Protea..

Priti also has a wonderful stock of Organic mud masks, Organic sugar scrubs, Organic soy polish remover, Organic hands and feet cream, etc.

We like Kim D'Amato's thinking. She's way ahead of her time.

How To Wash Out Brassy Over-Processed Hair Color

We have a number of friends and acquaintances with a similar summer hair problem:

Brassy hair color!!!

We are no hair diva. Trust us. We have had our own share of hair traumas. But always remember, when you color hair darker, you can hide a multitude of mistakes. When you start lightening up strands, problems kick in. Or when you perm, over-color, get too much sun, over-heat or blow-dry, the brassies start showing up.

Even pretty celebrities end up with brassy hair. It happens to the best of them. Like lovely Drew Barrymore. Stylists have been knocking her brassy locks, for a few months now. We still find Drew to be looking glam and sexy.

And how about Eva Longoria? She rarely has a bad hair day. But famous stylist Louis Licari, gave the Latin beauty the big thumbs down in the color department with a brassy look last year.(See photo above)

But we have found a simple, quick, and what appears to be, a great method to say 'bye-bye' to brassy hair color.

We found this beauty on a budget tip in the pages of InStyle magazine's annual Makeover issue, '50 Best Beauty Tips of all Time.'

All you need is one packet of Grape Kool-Aid Powder:

1. Wash hair with a mixture of the Grape Kool-Aid powder (just a pinch) and 4 Tablespoons of your regular shampoo. Rinse. Style as you always do.

2. The purple blue cancels out the brassy gold orange over-processed shades because it is on the opposite side of the color spectrum.

There you have it. Does this Kool-Aid beauty tip really work? Well, according to N.Y.C. stylist Tippi Shorter, it sure does.

You have nothing to lose. Just a pinch of Grape Kool-Aid Powder would be quite gentle on your hair.

Gwyneth's Cleansing: Good Sense Or Dodo Diet Advice?

Apparently, the diet cleansing is working for actress Gwyneth Paltrow. That and a love of working out, since she and Madonna share the same fitness trainer. However, we like the 'softer, rounder curves' Gwyneth is showing, rather than Madge's too sinewy muscular silhouette.

Here is Gwyneth Paltrow at the Children of the City 'Champions of Hope' benefit in New York City Wednesday night.

Paltrow, who recently finished filming "Iron Man 2" wore a black, sparkling mini dress by Preen and black booties, with the familiar red kabbalah string around her wrist.

Gwyneth is fresh from another 3-week-long cleansing. That means 3 weeks of smoothies and salads. Actually, we are attracted to that diet plan. We believe we could pull that off.

But the Academy-award winning actress has been 'pooh-poohed' by critics, claiming that her lifestyle website, Goop.com, is teaching women how to detox and cleanse. And some medical professionals claim that cleansing can cause serious problems with the body.

The cleanse, developed by Gwyneth's doctor and detox diet specialist, Dr. Alejandro Junger, is made up of two liquid meals a day with a solid one (no processed foods, dairy, sugar, etc) in between.

Let's be real here.....Gwyneth Paltrow is already uber slim to begin with, but then again, she is seen by millions on the big screen, and actresses want to be very thin because the camera adds about 15 lbs. Still, it is difficult to read on her website, about having to shed a few extra lbs. she gained at the holidays. Er, where are those lbs. hiding?

So what's wrong with diet or detox cleansing?

We hunted around for information, and found these quotes from FoxNews.com. Interviewed was Peter Pressman, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

According to Dr. Pressman, "the problem is that some groups may suffer severe adverse effects from highly restrictive diets. They include children and teenagers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, seniors, and people with heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. These groups are especially vulnerable to intestinal and even cardiac problems stemming from malnutrition."

Another specialist was quoted, too. Dawn Jackson-Blatner, a dietitian at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wellness Institute and American Dietetic Association spokeswoman, tells WebMD this:

"The problem is most detox diets are so restrictive that they’re ineffective for long-term use. And any weight loss that occurs during the diet is likely to be temporary.

“When people think about losing weight, they think about losing fat,” she says. “But this is water lost and water gained.”

To take a look at Gwyneth Paltrow's website and her detox cleansing, click on http://www.goop.com/.

No Wrinkles And $50 Botox Rebate Good Until October 15

Think of this as a mini Botox stimulus plan.

Get $50 back, in a Botox rebate all across America. Get your Botox cosmetic treatment by September 30, 2009, and postmarked by October 15, 2009, and add a little cash to your beauty stash!

Now you might be thinking, gee, $50, big deal? But you could put the $$$ towards some expensive Chanel makeup or several great Sephora beauty store cosmetics.

Why the Botox rebate? Because the most popular cosmetic injectable, for 7 years in a row now, is celebrating its anniversary!!!

What's the big deal about Botox, or Boulinum Toxin Type A?

Let's look at the numbers. 11 million Botox procedures and counting, thus far. Heck, someone is having the stuff injected. Both women and men alike. And the Botox routine is quick and easy. Minimal pain, and within 7 days or so, wrinkles and frown lines around the eyes and forehead are temporarily smoothed away for 3-4 months. The result is subtle and attractive when done correctly.

People love Botox because the procedure is non-invasive. You are not undergoing surgery. Botox has become a household name. And baby boomers trying to stay youthful, really enjoy having that rested appearance, although many younger women, with barely wrinkles showing, are turning to the sting of the needle to get that 'air-brushed' look.

Botox shouldn't be given to those with neuromuscular disorders like ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.

Botox cosmetic injections should not be given to people who have an infection where the physician proposes to inject. They should also not be given to people who are known to be sensitive to any ingredient in Botox cosmetic.

To get in on the $50 Botox rebate plan, simply save your receipt from your Botox visit, and ask for the rebate form. Have your doctor write the Botox cosmetic vial lot number on the form, and then sign the form to verify your treatment.

Madonna's Bulging Veins And Biceps Gone Too Far?

We have to admit, this photo of Madonna in London returning home from dinner, snapped two evenings ago, freaked us out a bit. And apparently, that is the buzz all over the globe.

Has the 50-year-old superstar over-done it with the strenuous exercise routine she religiously sticks to, 2 hours a day, 6 days a week?!

There is a fine line between fit and toned arms, ladies. Critics says this has gone beyond the look of healthy and feminine. What we see now are bulging veins and too sinewy arms.

And the media is having a ball going after her. Headlines screaming for 'Madge' to quit the gym. Calling her a walking skeleton. Showing off stringy, muscular arms. And so on. Just brutal attention made to this beloved musical performer.

Some women might argue, that at least Madonna, the busy mother of 4, has little fat, and a whole lot of muscle. Who wants bat wings and soft, mushy arms, her supporters have been saying.

Both Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna share the same personal fitness trainer, Tracy Anderson.

And according to an item in the Telegraph.co.uk.com, Tracy Anderson suggests that Madonna is her star pupil and works out like a fiend, and still has maintained her feminine appeal:

"Madonna is an athlete. That's what I try to hammer into people's heads, people who criticise her for training two hours, six days a week. She's just like a baseball player or a soccer player.

"I don't have to scream at her because she's so motivated. She organises her time so she can train – she makes an appointment to do it and she keeps it, but two hours is the most she ever exercises in a day.

"Madonna will never look her age," Tracy Anderson insists. "She doesn't even look half her age – she looks 19."

By the way, Madonna is currently in London on her "Sticky & Sweet" tour.

To get some softer, but still fit, knock-out arms, check out an article we did last year on toning triceps and biceps.

NeoStrata's Exuviance Introduces Sheer Refining Fluid

We've written a few articles about NeoStrata skin care products. We happen to believe the beauty treatments are effective and on the cutting edge of skin care science.

Our NeoStrata friend Michelle, has just sent us a brand new product from the company's Exuviance line, called 'Sheer Refining Fluid.'

And for those of you fighting oily/acne prone skin, this is an ideal item.

Not only do you tame the 'greasies,' but you also give your complexion a healthy boost, in the way of reducing the look of dark spots and discoloration, pimples, and wrinkles.

This pH-balanced fluid contains 2 important ingredients: NeoGlucosamine, to even out skin tone. And Phytotal, a botanical blend that controls oily skin.

We like Exuviance's Sheer Refining Fluid ($32, 1.75 oz.) because it really is a lightweight formula and absorbs immediately. And there is an added plus of an SPF 15. Apply it during the day under your makeup, and you're good to go.

Exuviance's skin care line always develops products that are non-irritating to sensitive skin. There is no animal testing.

To learn more about NeoStrata and Exuviance skin care products, and to purchase, visit:

http://www.neostrata.com/.

Kohl's Vitamin C Brightening Cream Actually Estee Lauder Product Line

We've been hearing encouraging news about a wonderful little orange jar of Vitamin C cream.

And you can find this little anti-aging product at Kohl's department stores. Yes, Kohl's.

What's even more intriguing, is that Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25 ($32.50) is put out under the label, Grassroots Research Labs. And this company is actually owned by cosmetic giant, Estee Lauder. The Grassroots line is sold exclusively at Kohl's.

And we have always associated Estee Lauder with beautiful makeup and skin care.

Get your dose of Vitamin C in this little jar, because your skin will really thank you for it. And if you are a dry-skinned beauty, this product is perfect for you, especially in these searing hot summer days. Trust us, this is a very moisturous cream.

Here is how the Grassroots folks at Kohl's describe their Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25:

This rich hydrating cream brightens skin and helps reduce discolorations and uneven skin tone while protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays, environmental aggressors and damaging pollution, with a triple vitamin cocktail and SPF 25.

Vitamin C, referred to by scientists as a powerful anti-aging vitamin, is known for its remarkable ability to help visibly brighten and even out skin tone while helping skin defend itself against future damage. 1.7-oz.

According to the clinical trials that Grassroots Research Labs conducted on this Vitamin C brightening cream:
62% saw an immediate increase in skin clarity
68% saw an immediate increase in moisturization

And after 4 weeks:
88% of the subjects reported visibly brighter skin

For more information, visit: kohl's