Our Favorite Glycolic Acid Night Cream Comes All The Way From London

Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid.

Seems like we just can't get enough! And where we're getting 'it,' is from across the ocean, and then some.

Our favorite: Bravura London Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment ($19.11, small jar).

Yes, we have to send for this little 'hope in a jar' through London's Royal Mail service. But after a couple of weeks and then a quick signature with the postman, everything arrives safely and securely.

Who exactly is behind the Bravura London skin care company?

Bravura is one of the UK’s leading online suppliers of Cosmeceutical skincare products. "At realistic prices," as the Bravura folks like to say.

According to Bravura London, it all began with glycolic acid.

"The company started back in 2003 by supplying glycolic acid peels only, we were the FIRST company in the UK to supply professional chemical peels to the general public, our vision was to allow this amazing treatment to be accessible to everyone rather than just people who could afford to pay £40+ at a beauty salon.

Then after great demand we created our wonderful skin care range which is loved by thousands of people worldwide. We saw the distinct lack of not only AHA and BHA products, but products that actually do what they claim!"

The night cream we like is the Bravura company's best seller----
"Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment is the strongest and most popular AHA product in our skin care range, making it an excellent treatment for wrinkled, sagging and lifeless skin. PH 3.5."

It is strong stuff, and as they always say, 'a little goes a long way.' Get too greedy for perfect skin and put on too much, and you will burn your face and neck. A small jar lasts several months.

We find that the Bravura London Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment brings a healthy glow to the complexion. It improves skin tone. Clears up acne and break-outs. Exfoliates away the dead skin cells. And adds a smoothness to the skin. It also works well with a Retin-A or Renova skin care routine---applying Bravura Night Treament for a couple of nights. Then applying Retin-A on the next two nights, and so on. Never apply both treatments together.

Why do we like Glycolic Acid better than other skin improvement treatments? The Bravura company can better explain it:

"While there were many skin care breakthroughs at the end of the last century, certainly one of the greatest was the discovery and application of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). Alpha-hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids, derived from the sugars of selected plants and fruits such as Sugar Cane, Grapes, Citrus Fruits, Apples and Bitter Almonds. These acids perform at the base of the stratum corneum, dissolving the cement that holds dead skin cells together. Because this increases cell turnover, this results in skin that is more flexible, smoother, and more even in tone."

Bravura London also sells at-home peels, salicylic and lactic acid products, cleansers, body care products, and more. Visit: www.bravuralondon.co.uk for more information.

How To Get Nicole Richie Sexy Doe Eye-Cat Eye Look

We adore Nicole Richie and her beautiful doe eye-cat eye look. The proud mama of newborn baby boy, Sparrow and sister, Harlow, has incredible big, brown eyes. And her makeup always looks polished and glam.

So we thought about those doe eyes of Nicole's and how we could achieve the same sexy eye. How does Nicole create the perfect doe eye, or cat eye, as it's known around makeup fans? Is she really that skilled with some liquid eyeliner?

We found a little beauty nugget from a website called: Nicole Richie Watch. The daughter of singer Lionel Richie gives some honest answers to a Japanese publication called Vivi magazine:

Q: What’s your focal point in make-up? [ViVi model/Chikako Watanabe]
Nicole: EYE!

Q: What’s your favourite eye make-up brand? [ViVi model/Laura]
Nicole: For eyeliner, M.A.C’s liquid type, and Maybelline for mascara! The truth is, I’m not very good at make-up and have no idea what I should do with it! All I’m decent at is eyeliner. Whenever I use a professional make-up artist, I always have them stick false lashes on me, but I could never do it myself [laughs]! So I love mascara! Maybelline is great because it’s inexpensive and easy to use!


If you're all thumbs in the doe eye department, and have trouble with creating the purr-fect cat eye, there is an easier way. And a number of sexy celebs use this wonderful 'cheating' cat eye kit.

It's called the Get in Line Eyeliner and Stencil Kit from Beth Bender Beauty. And it's a unique kit, in that it's, "The only eyeliner stencil that fits any eye shape." Plus, the beauty editors at Allure magazine gave it the big thumbs up in their beauty awards.

You receive 3 eyeshadows in the kit, either light or dark. You get the stencils to create the cat eye with the recognizable 'wing tip', and a brush to perfect the shading. And simple step-by-step instructions. A really effective kit at $36.

For more details, visit: Bettes Boutique.

And we have more doe eye-cat eye advice.

Allure magazine had a great article in their September 2007 issue, on How To Pull Off Dark Eyeliner by Susan Giordano.

"Go beyond basic black. For most women, a rich, chocolate brown eyeliner is a better choice than black; dark plums are also pretty. They both have the depth without the potential harshness. Contrary to what most people think, Marilyn Monroe wore brown.

Keep it solid. Make no mistake—liquid liner is very difficult to apply. It dries as soon as you put it on. Most people should just skip liquid and try a more forgiving gel formula that will give you the bold look. If you want the appearance of liquid, Laura Mercier makes a great cake liner with a rich, velvety texture. You moisten it and then apply with a small, teardrop-shaped paintbrush. (I find those stiff, angled brushes hard to use.) This look is great for evening, when you can really pull off an exaggerated, winged-out line.

Don't overdo it. The biggest mistake women make when putting on liner is to rim their eyes with it completely. Eyeliner is meant to add definition and make your eyes look larger, but circling them completely will make them look small and beady. Lining the inner rims of your eye can also have that effect. Just try to get the liner as close to your lashes as possible. You don't want to have any skin showing between the liner and your eyelashes.

Hopefully, after all this information, you will be able to create Nicole Richie's sexy doe eye-cat eye look. And if you have a makeup artist, well, lucky you!

Get Bollywood Beautiful Hair With Coconut Amla Hair Treatment

Women in India are proud of their shiny, healthy hair. One of their beauty secrets:

Amla and Coconut Oil.

According to exotic beauty Shalini Vadhera, her Coconut Amla Hair Revitalizing Treatment ($45, 6 oz.) is the biggest seller in her Global Goddess beauty line of products. This wonderful hair oil enjoys a cult status around the globe.

And if your hair is dull, damaged, over-processed, straggly, or weak, this is one hair product you should invest in. Okay, not the cheapest beauty treatment on the block, but one which offers super results. Now you, too, can have 'Bollywood beautiful hair."

So let's take a closer look at the blend of main ingredients in Global Goddess' Coconut Amla Hair Revitalizing Treatment:

Coconut oil. Neem oil. Amla extract. Henna. Avocado oil. Grapeseed oil.

The well-traveled Shalini, who is also first generation Indian, knows that women from her homeland are very fond of Amla.

"For shiny, thick locks women in India rub it in!," Shalini Vadhera explains. " Amla & Coconut Oil that is! Amla, the “divine” fruit also known as Indian Gooseberry, is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. Just a touch of this extract on your lifeless locks brings a natural shine, soft texture and rejuvenated health."

According to Shalini's website, these natural and healthy ingredients all serve a purpose:

Coconut Oil: nourishes.

Neem Oil: soothes scalp.

Amla Extract: rejuvenates.

Henna: adds volume and shine.

Grape Seed Oil: protects.

Avocado Oil: moisturizes scalp

.

This hair treatment will instantly bring life back to your tired mane of hair. And it's simple to use:

Massage onto scalp and hair, roots to ends. Leave on for 30 minutes, shampoo and condition.

This must be a very worthy hair treatment, because Lucky Magazine gave Global Goddess' Coconut Amla Hair Revitalizing Treatment a nice compliment, calling it--'Miracle Best-Selling Hair Product' in their June 2009 issue.

For more information and purchasing, visit Global Goddess.

Let's Shop And Save Brand Names At 15DollarStore.com

Ladies.....Let's shop and save!!!

The financial experts tell us that Wall Street will get better before Main Street does, and we believe that. But where does that leave most of us these days?

We're all looking for a good deal. We need to look great and load up on some basics. So here is one online retailer bringing you labels and brand names at just $15 each!!! Yes, $15.

It's easy to remember this website: 15 Dollar Store.

Some super jeans, tops, sweaters, dresses, coats, watches, handbags, wallets, belts, hats, shoes, boots, and more.



And check out these labels: YMI, Dollhouse, Sele, X0X0, JLO, Jessica Simpson Princy, Trixxi, My Michelle, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Union Bay, Rampage, Steve Madden, Silver Jeans, and so on.

We're not promising you that every piece of clothing at the 15Dollar Store is going to be your cup of tea. But if you're looking for good quality and great savings, you should visit this site often, because the merchandise sells out fast. College girls, especially, rate this online retailer very highly.

Let's be real, a pair of YMI Dark Vintage Wash Skinny Jeans for just $15?! Retail=$64!! Look at the photo above.



Or how about this hot pink Cable & Gauge Stretch Twist Front Shirt? Again, a $15 price. Retail=$50.

Do you like Jennifer Lopez's style in shades? JLO Diva Animal Print Sunglasses for just $15. Retail=$45.

Just a couple of important reminders:
1. 15DollarStore.com sells only junior sizes. And junior plus sizes. No misses. So know your measurements accurately. When you're trying on juniors, the clothing tends to run quite a bit smaller. If you already know the label you're buying, then you're better off. If this is a first time brand you're purchasing, go to that particular brand's website, to see their size charts.

2. And most importantly, and the only fly we could find in the ointment:
15DollarStore.com does not accept returns! So that's a big reason to shop carefully here. Other than that, the merchandise is packaged and shipped well, and the items are in excellent shape. No damages we could find.

Dare To Wear Trendy Black Lipstick Again For Fall 2009

Here we go again:

Dare to wear trendy black lipstick for a second fall in a row?

In Fall 2008, the big one was YSL(Yves St. Laurent) Gloss PurBlack, and that one was Sold Out for quite some time. It seemed like everyone wanted to get their lips around it.

Now in Fall 2009, Chanel, M.A.C., and Lipstick Queen are rolling out more black lipsticks. Can you pull off this hard edge trend?

Let's examine the range of blackness in these sexy new black lipsticks:

1. Chanel's Noirs Obscurs with hints of eggplant(Hysteria), scarlet(Maniac), and brown(Obscure). $30 a tube, at fine dept. stores like Bergdorf Goodman's. This is a trio of limited edition shades of Rouge Allure Lipsticks.

2. M.A.C. Midnight Media ($17.50, http://www.maccosmetics.com/). This is a bold. dense matte shade of black. This is a true black lipstick. M.A.C.'s Style Black Range boasts a variety of pure black glosses, creams, and mattes with as they call it, "punk couture."

3. Lipstick Queen by Poppy King in Black Tie Optional ($22, http://www.lipstickqueen.com/). A sheer shade to layer under any red to add some mysterious depth. Poppy King told Vogue magazine, "Think of it like black lace stockings." Ha, ha. Okay, we will try.

Should any of us even dare to wear trendy black lipstick? Especially if you're over the age of 30?

Hmm. Good questions. So we look to the advice of our favorite makeup artist, the legend herself, Sandy Linter. She gives sensible advice on what we should and shouldn't do, and how age comes into play:

In your 30's:

1. Do commit to a color palette. "You should be certain about what shades flatter you at this point," Sandy explains. "You'll know whether or not purple eyeshadow works!"
2. Brighten your lipstick. Again, you can still lay on a red mouth, but stick to the sheerer shades, because the too strong color "can be aging."

And for your 20's, Sandy says this:

1. Do experiment with color. "Crazy yellow eyeshadow? You can pull it off!" at this age, Sandy told People mag. "Break all the rules."
2. Play up your lips. Sandy advises to go with the dark lipstick and super shiny glosses now, because when you get older, lips lose volume, and a deeper tone can be aging.

Great advice from Sandy: Past age 30, too dark a lip can be aging. Maybe best to leave the darkly romantic lips to the 20's crowd.

5 Top Models Dish To Vogue About Their Best Beauty Products

Five gorgeous top models.

Chanel Iman.
Lily Donaldson.

Karlie Kloss.

Isbabeli Fontana.

Catherine McNeil.

You've seen these young women gracing the pages and covers of major magazines.

And now these 5 top models are dishing to Vogue magazine about their best beauty products!

We love when women share. And you'll be surprised that some of their fav go-to-beauty products can be bought at your local drugstore.

Chanel Iman (2nd photo from top). A California girl who does her own eyebrows.

Anastasia Brow Kit ($65, http://www.anastasia.net/).

Revlon ColorStay Foundation ($13, drugstores).

Cover Girl Invisible Concealer ($4, drugstores).

Lily Donaldson. A London-born blonde always removes makeup at bedtime.

Benefit BadGal Mascara (19, http://www.sephora.com/).
Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil ($48, 4.7 oz., http://www.spacenk.com/).

Karlie Kloss. The St. Louis native with the mass of beautiful, wavy auburn hair. Loves pricey products to tame her wild locks.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Shampoo ($40), conditioner ($50), and treatment ($60); (866)914-8750).

Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Nude ($30, at fine dept. stores). Karlie calls this nude lipstick the perfect color.

Isabeli Fontana (bottom photo). The sexy brunette Brazilian model prefers a smoky eye and expensive fragrance.

Maybelline Great Lash Big Mascara ($6, drugstores). "It's the best mascara," Isabeli says.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($21, http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/).

Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb Fragrance ($150, at Nordstrom's).

Catherine McNeil. An Australian classic beauty who does her own manicures. And she also rocks a head of enviable long, auburn waves.

Chanel Nail Color in Blue Satin ($23, http://www.chanel.com/).

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray ($22, http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/).

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo ($14, http://www.maccosmetics.com/).

Great tips! Thanks for sharing, ladies and Vogue magazine.

Even Coke Introducing Mini Cans To Join 100 Calorie Snack World

Have you noticed we've become a 100 Calorie snack world? It seems like more and more food and drinks are pre-portioned or pre-measured to keep us all on the straight and narrow diet path.

And now Coke is introducing 90 Calorie Mini Cans. A regular can of Coca-Cola contains 140 Calories.

These petite 7.5 oz. Coke cans will appear on store shelves by March. First, the cans will be rolled out in New York City and Washington, D.C. this December. Coca-Cola will also offer these mini soda cans for Fanta Orange, Sprite, Cherry Coca-Cola, and Barq's Root Beer.

Critics would argue that dieters are still loading up on sugar, which has little to offer in the way of nutrition. And others would say this does little to battle obesity problems, by putting bad stuff into smaller portions. But we have to disagree. Downsizing a snack can satisfy a craving and not derail your diet plan.

We applaud soda giant Coke, and all the other clever snack makers like Kraft/Nabisco, who stock shelves with petite or mini '100-Calorie Packs' of Oreos, Chips-Ahoy, and Cheese Nips, etc.

When you get a snack attack, you want to satisfy it. And when the snack is pre-portioned or pre-measured, then you eat what's in the bag or drink what's in the can, and that's it. Your limit is set for you, and if you follow it, the 100 Calorie Packs or drinks are great for the diet watcher.We found this excellent advice from Webmd.com:

"If you focus on the calorie count, it can make it much easier to chose a snack and much easier to stick to your diet, and you can't stray too far if you only allow yourself that 100-calorie limit," says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

And for those of you who would like to make your own mini 100 Calorie snacks, we've found a cool kitchen gadget that accurately and swiftly counts up what's in your snack assortment. It's called the EatSmart Digital Nutrtion Scale: Digital Food and Nutrient Calculator ($74.95, http://www.eatsmartproducts.com/). We found one for $69.95 + Free Shipping at Amazon.com.

According to the EatSmart makers:

" The EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale analyzes the nutritional content of ANY food by portion size. The database stores the nutritional values for approximately 1,000 foods, which have been carefully selected to reflect fresh, whole foods Americans eat".

Keeping our waistlines in check, comes down to portion control. And we think the 100 Calorie snacks and the new 90 Calorie Mini Coke cans are a great skinny idea!