Look Polished For Fall With The Retro Moon Manicure

Burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese has been ahead of the trend on this one, for quite a while now. Check out her sexy nails. She is queen of the moon manicure. The retro moon mani is big this fall 2009.

Think of it as a reverse French manicure. It's basically a two-tone paint job. Dita Von Teese is sporting scarlet nails and leaving a small white crescent at the nail bed. Very dramatic and clean. And this trend was actually quite popular back in the 1920s when glamorous movie stars began wearing this interesting manicure.

The moon manicure has been featured on some of the fall runways, and the Dior show really catapulted the look onto the mainstream fashion pulse.

The moon manicure can be quite bold in black and white, as pictured here, courtesy of Instyle.com. And their directions follow on how to create your own moon mani.

STEP 1 Apply one coat of opaque white (Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail color in Whirlwind White) over the entire nail and wait for the polish to dry completely.

STEP 2 Using a semicircular French-manicure stencil sticker (Orly French Manicure Tip Guides), block off the bottom third of your nail.

STEP 3 Paint two coats of black ( Essie nail polish in Licorice) from the stencil to the tip of the nail. Once it dries, peel off the sticker and finish with a shine-enhancing top coat over the entire nail.


And here's yet another example of the retro moon manicure. Nails are painted dark red, and the bottom crescent is left naked and a clear top coat is later applied to the whole nail.

We happen to think this is a very sophisticated, lovely look for nails for fall 2009.

Women Here Begging For Pond's Age Miracle Cream Big In The Philippines

Remember Pond's cold cream?

Well, we've heard lots and lots of good beauty gossip about Pond's these days. And this ain't your grandmother's little jar of Pond's.

Women here in the US have been begging parent company, Unilever, to sell to us, what the lovely ladies of the Philippines already know. And that is, there's something special in Pond's Age Miracle Daily Resurfacing Cream.

Deirdre Gonzales, a business entreprenuer from Cebu City Philippines, now based in Florida, wrote an article about the Pond's day cream, which has become one of the most popular skin care treatments in the Philippines:

".......considered today as one of the most popular beauty products in the Philippines as well as in other countries. The brand is the ponds age miracle cream. The ponds age miracle cream uses some of the most technologically advanced formulations that specifically target the 7 signs of skin aging, which are fine lines and wrinkles which are usually seen on the eyes and on the forehead, rough skin texture, uneven skin tone which is usually the result of sun or UV rays, skin dullness, visible pores, blotches or age spots, and dryness of the skin. Through targeting these signs, the ponds age miracle cream is known to stop the aging process."

The Pond's Age Miracle Cream was also featured on the Tyra Banks talk show last February, where it was labeled 'Asia's cult dream,' and, "it's a # 1 seller, the most awarded and it's beaten prestige brands in blind tests. The cream is one of the best kept beauty secrets of the east. "

And women have been going wild trying to track some down, ever since.

Who wouldn't want to rub some onto their skin? Unfortunately, Unilever has not made the Pond's cream available in the United States at this time.

But there is always Ebay.com, folks. And yes, Ebay sells a number of Pond's Age Miracle Daily Resurfacing Creams. Most come in at under $20, with a $10 shipping fee. Look here:http://tiny.cc/hRClU

We have not tried this so-called miracle in a jar, but many Asian women seem to adore the product.

If you have tried this Pond's Age Cream, please leave us a few comments. We are curious to learn how well the cream works.

Cheryl Burke Loves Sexy Hair's Soy Renewal Treatment

Cheryl Burke, 2-time champion of Dancing With The Stars, has some great moves.

And also, beautiful hair that moves.

You really notice Cheryl Burke's hair as she glides and twists and turns on the ballroom dance floor. It bounces, shines, and never loses it healthy shape.

And now, Cheryl has become a fan of Sexy hair's new Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment ($19.95, 4.2 oz, at drugstores).

What we find wonderful about this moisture-rich beauty treatment are its top 2 ingredients:

Argan oil and soy protein.

We learned recently, that shiny-haired Salma Hayek also uses styling products that contain super anti-oxidant argan oil.

Argan oil and soy protein sound like greasy ingredients, but surprisingly, they are not.

Argan Oil is a quick absorber. And you can use it on dry or wet hair. It reduces blow-drying time, while leaving hair looking polished and frizz-free. The Argan Oil not only conditions hair, but also helps to stop damage from heat styling and the outdoor elements. The oil improves elasticity and reduces breakage.

Soy Renewal restores natural luster without adding a heavy feel to the locks or leaving behind oily residue.

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment can be used as a daily treatment or as a deep treatment hair mask.

Trust us, you might not be able to dance as beautifully as Cheryl Burke, but your hair will look great.

Nars and Marc Jacobs Team Up For Autumn 2009 Fashion Week

"Makeup shouldn't always be so serious," Francois Nars once said.

And his makeup collection for Autumn 2009 clearly illustrates the need for fun, sexiness, and innocence.

After a 10 year hiatus, François Nars is back on the fashion runway. And the well-respected makeup artist returned in a big way, by leading the makeup direction for Marc Jacobs’ Autumn/Winter 2009 show. That meant working with 65 models, and creating 65 different makeup looks. Wow!

So what's his look for fall 2009?

Francois Nars explains his vision at his cosmetics website:

"I wanted a collection that reflected the modern woman - very fragile and strong at the same time. The Fall colors can be used in a multitude of ways; to create strong eyes and muted lips, or the opposite, pale eyes and a strong pout. I don’t tell women what to wear; I provide different options for them to choose from."

This is a strong and edgy Nars Autumn 2009 makeup collection, as he so beautifully demonstrates in his portrait of model Heather Marks.

Black shadow laid the foundation for creating the dramatic eye, to which the artists added cobalt blues, deep greens, bright purples, reds, fuchsias, and glitter. “There is a wide variety of color,” said François Nars. “You want to play with makeup. Makeup is a great accessory - that is the message.”

Take a look at just a few of the bold and beautiful shades included in Francois Nars' Autumn 2009 makeup collection.

And check out his video, where you can learn more about the colors in this fall palette:

http://www.narscosmetics.com/marc_jacobs_Fall-09.aspx?s=raf

got2b Makes Some Amazingly Tough Hair Styling Products

If you have more than your fair share of bad hair days, then you deserve to make a change.

got2b from the Schwarzkopf hair company is one incredible hair care line! There are so-ooooo many styling products, you couldn't even scratch the surface. The best thing, the products are reasonably priced and you can find them at your local drugstore. And most importantly, got2b makes some amazingly tough hair products.

Got a spikey do? got2b has a hair product for you. How 'bout a rockin' mohawk? Yep. got2b has some glue stuff that defies all gravity.

We want to try got2b's new Guardian Angel line. The first-ever patented 425 degree heat protection styling sprays. You get shine, healthy hair, and volume.

It comes in 3 choices: 425F Heat Protect 'N Curl, 425F Heat Protect 'N Blow Out, and 425F Heat Protect 'N Flatten ($5.99, each).

Even celebrity hair stylist Ken Paves adores products from the got2b hair care line. One of his faves is pictured above:

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

Whatever your hair care need involves, got2b has the product for you. There are mousses, gels, pomades, volumizers, hairsprays, smooth and shine lotions, spiking glues. You name it, and they've probably got it.

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.

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