Sunday, August 23, 2009

Glamour Mag Shows World What Real Women Look Like

Glamour magazine would like you to meet 20-year-old Lizzi Miller. And apparently, the fashion mag's readers have been blown away by Lizzi Miller's beauty and real-life-size proportions.

Glamour has featured the plus-size model on page 194 of their September issue. She wears a size 12-14. And the magazine wants women to feel comfortable in their skin.

So, does the photograph bother you? Do her rolls of fat make you uncomfortable? According to Glamour's editor-in-chief Cindi Leive, the emails have been very, very positive.

One reader called the shot "the most amazing photograph I've ever seen in any women's magazine." Another says, "I wanted to shout from the rooftops!"

We think the photo is quite beautiful, and model Lizzi Miller is really touched by the wonderful response:

Lizzi's loving it. "When I read them I got teary-eyed!" she says. "I've been that girl, flipping through magazines trying to find just one person who looked a little bit like me. And when I didn't find it I would start to think there's something wrong with the way that I looked. When J. Lo and Beyoncé came out and were making curves sexy, I started to accept myself more. It's funny, but just seeing them look and feel sexy enabled me to do the same."

No photo-shopping, air-brushing here.

Actually, refreshing, Glamour. Kudos to you.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Siriano Creates Fierce Fall 2009 Makeup Line for VS

Christian Siriano, last year's Project Runway winner, has been working non-stop, designing beautiful clothes and accessories, and now a lovely Fall 2009 makeup line for Victoria's Secret.

The diminutive and stylish designer with some 'fierce' hair, has put together a 'fierce' fall makeup collection.

“This Fall the inspiration is Egypt: the warmth of the desert, the blue of the Nile. It’s about the juxtaposition of soft fabrics and strong shapes.”– Christian Siriano

You can order Christian Siriano's limited edition makeup line right now at the Victoria's Secret website: http://www.victoriassecret.com/.

Let's look at Christian's collection. And the makeup comes stashed in an adorable signature cocoa-colored ruffled cosmetics bag:

SILKY EYE SHADOW
In five runway shades: Sahara (nude), Sandstorm (copper), Oasis (greenish blue), Royalty (deep chocolate) and Gilded Fierce (black with gold sparkle). $14

KAJAL EYE LINER
Inspired by an ancient Egyptian beauty ritual, this liner glides on for the prettiest smudged, smoky effect. In the blackest of blacks, Eclipse. $12

LIP GLOSS
In three glossy neutrals: Embrace (champagne), Sublime (warm coral) and Chic (deep berry). $14

BRONZER, HIGHLIGHTER/TRIO
A triple set of bronzing powders combine to create a warm sun-kissed face. In Sunspell Bronze. $24

FACE BRUSH
Also included, a silky, natural-hair brush offers gentle, even application.
$32

Petite MAKEUP BAG
Adorable cocoa-colored compact, square-shaped, zip-around clutch covered in Christian Siriano’s signature ruffles.
$16

Thursday, August 20, 2009

UVSunSense Wristband Monitors Time In The Sun

What a cool fun in the sun idea! And for just $7, you can protect your entire family from the harmful rays of the sun for a whole day at the beach.

We saw a few sunbathers wearing these UV monitoring wristbands last weekend. And kids seem to think they're okay to wear, too.

The product is called UVSunSense. Look at the photos. The procedure is very simple. You're placing a wristband on with the color side up.

You apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher, all over exposed body parts and over the UVSunSense band.

When exposed to sunlight, the band immediately turns purple to indicate it has been activated.
When the band is no longer purple, it is recommended to reapply sunscreen on your body and on the band.
When the words "APPLY SUNSCREEN TO THIS SIDE" are no longer clearly visible, it is recommended to cover up or get out of the sun.



What a brilliant idea. Duh? Why couldn't we have thought of this product concept!

Let's be honest, some of us hate re-applying sunscreen. Some of us don't remember when we last applied the stuff...was it 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM?

But the UVSunSense wristbands take the guess-work out of your fun in the sun. The bands contain a sun-sensitive gauge to monitor the strong and damaging UVA and UVB rays.

The wristbands are actually made using #5 plastics and can be recycled through many curbside programs at the end of the day.

A package of 6 UvSunSense wristbands can be purchased ($7) at http://www.amazon.com/ and other online sites, and through some retailers).

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

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Vanessa Hudgens Loves All Things Beauty And Shares Tips

Singer/actress Vanessa Hudgens has been playing around with makeup since she was 9-years-old. And today at 20, the young woman who was catapulted into fame in the High School Musical trilogy, now has the confidence to experiment with all things beauty.

And Vanessa Hudgens is sharing her tips with us.

Vanessa graces the cover of InStyle's Makeover annual fall issue:

1. Kerastase Oleo-Curl Mist ($34, http://www.kerastase.com/). Vanessa is hooked on the oil-based curling agent. "This formula amps up my waves. I apply it after towel-drying my hair, then scrunch the waves and go!"



2. Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Vendetta ($23, fine dept. stores, and also at http://www.chanel.com/). Vanessa isn't into the soft pastel nail shades at the moment. "I'm really into Chanel nail polishes. The dark colors are so amazing with all of the different shimmers in them."

3. Aquolina Pink Sugar eau de Toilette Spray ($55, http://www.ulta.com/). Yummy! This is one scent that smells so edible. "Amazing! It's a sweet scent like cotton candy," Vanessa says. And she's right. Soft and sexy.


4. Neutrogena Wave Power-Cleanser and Deep Clean Foaming Pads ($13, local drugstore). Vanessa really enjoys washing her face this way, because the little gadget does all the work. "I'm kind of lazy when it comes to my skin," she explains. "But the Neutrogena Wave is fun! You put it on a cleansing pad, press the button, and it vibrates as you wash your face!"

5. Comptoir Sud Pacifique in Vanille Abricot ($53, http://www.lushoasis.com/). Vanessa is addicted to the food aroma. "I love food smells. This vanilla-apricot fragrance is always in my bag."

Thanks, Vanessa Hudgens, for sharing your favorite beauty things.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Trainer David Kirsch Can Build You A Great Butt

We fell in love with fitness celebrity trainer David Kirsch, ever since we saw model Heidi Klum working out with him after one of her pregnancies. Heidi was trying to get back to supermodel shape. And boy, did she ever. And now we know why.

It's simple. It's because of David Kirsch. He's amazing and a sensible fitness expert.

And we recently caught him on TV, talking about building a great butt. Yeah, he's like a sculptor. David Kirsch claims he can take any butt: flat, big, small, fallen, and design you a perfect rear view.

And we believe him, because he has a great new manual on how to get a nicely shaped rear. It's called, The Butt Book. And it will soon be available at Barnes and Noble bookstores.

What we adore about this butt-how-to-manual, is its simplicity. David Kirsch says you don't need to use costly cardiovascular machines or clumsy strength-training devices.

Take a look at some of the cute illustrations from his new The Butt Book:

For more information, and to get your own round, firm butt, visit http://www.davidkirschwellness.com/.




Monday, August 17, 2009

Kim K And Khloe Melt Fat With GNC's Quick Trim



The Kardashian sisters are doing it on the QT, so to speak. Kim and Khloe are on the new GNC Quick Trim program.

Khloe's proud to announce that she has melted 20 lbs. in 4 weeks! And now the youngest and tallest Kardashian sister has come clean to say, her very fast weight loss came about through the Quick Trim program. And Kim also is a user of QT. Both women are paid sponsors and can be seen here: http://www.qtdiet.com/index.html

Caffeine appears to be the fat melting ingredient in GNC's Quick Trim program.

And Khloe says she used all 4 products in the QT weight loss line:

Celluslim sculpting gel
14-day Burn and Cleanse
48-hour Fast Cleanse
and Extreme Burn, an "8-hour weight loss formula that burns calories 300 percent times faster!"


So, is this a healthy way to melt fat away? Most experts would say no, and that the sound method of shedding pounds should equal only the loss of about 2 lbs. per week. That ensures a longer term weight loss.

We have to admit that both Kim and Khloe Kardashian look beautiful and fit. We aren't sure how hard Khloe works out, but we do know how serious Kim K is about exercise, since she has her own work-out videos.

These QT weight loss products aren't even out yet. You can prer-order at the website. In a few weeks, you will be able to buy them at your neighborhood GNC store.

How expensive is the QT program? We took a look at the 14-day Burn and Cleanse. That sells for $49.99. But there's a back-order at the moment.

It seems like anything the Kardashian sisters sell these days, is instant gold for them.

Friday, August 14, 2009

New DDF Line Adds Turmeric Spice To Skin Care Beauty



















We are very intrigued by this new DDF skin care collection, and for the simple fact, that the spice turmeric is in the formula.

The line is called: DDF Advanced Protocol with Turmeric Complex.

Most of you are probably sitting there and saying, so what--- it's a spice used in Indian and south Asian cooking. Big deal.

However, science is discovering what ancient times have always known about this pungent, bright yellow-orange spice. It contains a lot of power. Turmeric is a strong anti-oxidant.

BeautyTipToday, has written about the beauty of Turmeric powder in a previous article. We learned the value of eating turmeric to protect against breast cancer and to re-vitalize skin.

"Turmeric powder is an anti-oxidant, anti-septic, and anti-inflammatory-acting spice. It also has iron and potassium in it, and belongs to the ginger family.

Ayurvedic healers consider turmeric to be a varnya herb, which means, enhances your complexion. Its strong anti-bacterial properties fight pimples and breakouts. And many women lighten or even out their skintone with a paste containing turmeric powder.

Dr. Andrew Weil talked about the powerful, anti-cancer benefits of turmeric powder in an article at his website back in 2003:

"Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the yellow spice most familiar in Indian cooking and American-prepared mustard. Not only do I think that it is safe to take after breast cancer treatment, I think it would be helpful. The reason is that turmeric affects hormones that promote inflammation and cell proliferation, processes that seem to underlie most cancers."

And now DDF has made turmeric complex an important key to its skin care collection.

Let's look at one of these treatments:
DDF Advanced Protocol Firming Cream ($130, 1.7 oz, fine stores, and online at http://www.drugstore.com/)

Hydrates to measurably improve skin firmness.
The advanced formula contains a breakthrough Turmeric Complex to protect skin's surface from free radical damage and provide superior hydration to strengthen skin's moisture barrier.
DDF Advanced Firming Cream helps reverse the appearance of aging, instantly firming and tightening skin for a radiant, younger-looking complexion.

Neutralizes 82% of free radicals to minimize surface damage
Instantly firms and tightens
Fortifies skin's moisture barrier

It's a bit pricey, but it sounds like a promising advancement in anti-aging skin care.