How To Tone Down Cellulite And Bring Back Smooth Taut Skin

Cellulite. It's big in the beauty business, because most women have it. At least 80% of us, and we believe the stats are actually higher than that.

So, who develops it? Thin, heavy, young and old, runway models, and the buffest bodies, too. On thighs, belly, and rear. Weight doesn’t determine who gets this lumpy fat and who does not.

Cellulite is a skin condition of swollen fat cells jammed together, that cannot be exercised off or dieted away into nothingness. Of course, a taut and toned body will definitely make a difference in how you look. So it is important to always have some kind of exercise regimen going.

The real skinny on cellulite, and the most important thought to take away from today's article:
There is absolutely NO way to get rid of cellulite permanently. That’s the bad news.
The good news is this: We CAN reduce the appearance of cellulite and STOP further cellulite advancement.

We know these facts, because we once asked Anushka, a cellulite expert, point-blank about getting rid of this lumpy fat, and that is what she told us. So the key words here being....reducing appearance and stopping further advancement.

So what's a smart gal to do?

Anushka who operates world-renown Cosmedical Centre, Spa, Salon & Cellulite Clinics in New York City, has been an authority on cellulite and its prevention for more than 3 decades. And her wonderful website AnushkaOnline features cellulite treatments, target exercises, nutritional recipes, the ABC's of cellulite, and more.

Circulation, diet, and topical treatments can all help tone down cellulite and bring back smooth, taut skin.

1. Keep moving.....She's a firm believer in taking a large natural bristle brush, and using the brush daily to give those areas special attention. “Dry brushing helps eliminate dead skin cells which make the skin look smoother. And it also improves lymph and blood circulation. I recommend a soft, natural bristle brush. Start at your feet and continue upwards in a circular motion towards the heart. Use once a day.”

2. Diet. We are what we eat.....Anushka is an expert in nutrition and her website offers sound dietary advice and healthy recipes from her own kitchen--- like Turkey Spinach Lasagna, Marinated Grilled Tuna Steak, and Anushka’s Signature Salad.

She also can’t stress enough the importance of water and how excellent it is for your body. And Anushka even has a secret drink that promotes beautiful skin.

"Raspberry tea," Anushka says. "It is wonderful for women, in general. In addition to acting as a diuretic which helps reduce bloating (leading to a slimmer silhouette), it also helps alleviate menstrual discomfort and cramps, reduces heavy bleeding, promotes healthy skin, bones, and teeth, and when combined with peppermint, can help with morning sickness. Raspberry tea is absolutely refreshing and delightful to the palate. You can drink it hot or over ice with a leaf of mint."

3. Topical treatments...Creams and serums feel soft and silky, but these cellulite topical treatments can not completely erase the dimples and the ripples. Still, many women find these lotions useful because the appearance of cellulite can be strongly diminished and the appearance of smoother skin can result. But patience is needed and frequent application. What’s nice is you can use these topical treatments at home and they aren’t too expensive.

Any time you see a topical cellulite treatment that includes caffeine, butcher’s broom, or even seaweed, these items are placed in such creams and serums to boost circulation.

Check out Anushka's website. It's the best one we've found on cellulite.

Sexy Sophia Loren Needs Facelift At 74? You're Crazy!

We decided to spend some quality time today with Sophia Loren, the Academy award winning actress. Unfortunately, we have never met her, but we are excited the internationally-acclaimed film icon is still acting at age 74, and still looking sexy.

Sophia Loren has a starring role in the much-anticipated movie musical Nine, set for release on November 25th. Also adding beauty and glamour to the cast are: Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, and Judi Dench.

And check out the beautiful Italian actress in the pages of your November Vogue magazine. Sopia Loren really looks amazing all these years. That is why we are puzzled at the critics, suggesting she needs a facelift.

Are you kidding us? You're crazy!

Our top photo features Sophia at last year's Academy Awards Show, February 2008, outdoors in strong sunlight.
The middle photo shows Sophia at the Rome Film Festival in 2007, being recognized for her lifetime of cinematic work.
And the bottom photo shows the gorgeous Sophia Loren with those trademark cat-eyes at a much younger age, maybe her 30s or even early 40s.

We were stunned to read what the so-called experts have decided, are the new cosmetic procedures the Mediterranean-featured actress supposedly needs at age 74. We found these tidbits at the OCRegister.com.

"Dermatologic surgeon Dr. David Sire of Fullerton proposes a facelift for Loren’s cheeks and jowls. He also suggsts a neck lift, called a corset platysmoplasty, to eliminate slackness there.
Next, he would resurface her face with a fractional CO2 laser. Finally, he would inject dermal fillers. His summary:
Lots of work, but for such a beautiful lady the results would be great.

Plastic surgeon Dr. John Di Saia of San Clemente also proposes a facelift:
At some point she has likely had at least one facelift. She might be ready for another one. At 74, I would probably keep it simple to reduce her risk."

How silly and insulting. And how about these comments:

“When we speak of great beauties of all time, Sophia Loren is at the top of the list. Her stated age is 74, but she now looks older than her stated age,” says plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Persky of Encino.

We certainly don't know what cosmetic procedures Sophia Loren has had during her long, celebrated life and career. We can only assume that she has had work done, as most great beauties in Hollywood have resorted to. There were rumors a number of years ago, that her famous, not-small-and-perky nose was altered ever so slightly.

And if it were, big deal. At age 74, the woman is still a classic beauty. And how dare, people expect or demand an older woman to appear 'forever frozen in time.' If you blow up a photo of any attractive face over age 30, you will see some lines and blemishes, and so on. To do that to a 74-year-old woman and then knock her down for aging gracefully, is quite cruel and disturbing.


We enjoyed what model Cindy Crawford told Allure magazine in an interview last March, where the discussion of aging came up:

"I think I look pretty good for 43. But I don't look the way I did when I was 23. So if Star magazine or whatever wants to print a picture of me on the beach from the back, at the worst possible angle, and say that I have cellulite, I'm like, Guess what? I do, and I never said I didn't. I've had two kids, and I'm 43, so leave me alone," Cindy remarked.

Sophia Loren continues to grace the pages and movies with her superb bone structure, almond-shaped eyes, curvy figure, and earthy allure. That is why we are proud to feature her as our cover girl at Beauty Tip Today.

A facelift at 74? You're crazy!

5 Pretty Orange Things To Buy Because It's Halloween And You're Worth It

Because it's Halloween, we thought we'd take a look at the deliciously orange side of life, and have some fun!!!

We're not going to go deep into the science of beauty today. Instead, we have searched for a couple of hours here, to find you 5 pretty things to buy, because it's Halloween, and darn, you're worth it!!!!

So let's see what pretty orange things there are in life:

1. Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Dazzling ($30, at fine dept. stores). The runways of Alexander McQueen and Yves St. Laurent have been hot for bold orange-red lips. Not easy makeup to pull off, but we like this shade because it's a very warm orange-red. And with such a striking set of lips, you can go e-a-s-y on the rest of your makeup palette.


2. Preston York Contrast-Stitch Leather Gloves ($38, at Dillard's) Buttery-soft to the touch, and we believe it! We want these. Now!



3. Tear Drop Thread Earrings in Orange and Hot Pink ($4.80, Forever21 stores). A very unique pair of chandelier earrings. Measuring: 3.5" L x 2.3" W. Threaded earrings are hot!



4. Cashmere V-neck Cardigan by J.Crew ($168, http://www.jcrew.com/). Can you say, luxurious Italian cashmere? Ultra soft and comfy, and perfect for those breezy fall days.

And last, but certainly, not least, look at the beautiful bag of candy at the top of our post here. One of our favorites:

5. Halloween Candy. At least we can all afford something sweet!

Mallowcreme Pumpkins from Dylan's Candy Bar ($8, http://www.dylanscandybar.com/). Need we say more? Chewy and delicious, and if you don't know by now, famous designer Ralph Lauren has close ties to this delectable shop of goodies. This is his daughter Dylan's candy shop .

Oh, and let's not forget, vampires are really the hottest things going this year, so, let's take a bite out of Halloween with the Twilight Sweethearts 3 Pack ($10, Dylan's Candy shop). In 4 forbidden fruit flavors – Orange Obsession, Tempting Apple, Passion Fruit and Secret Strawberry – and feature Twilight sayings like “Soul Mate”, “Live 4 Ever”, “Bite Me” and “Lamb”.

Happy Halloween!

Consumer Reports Suggests To Blink Twice Before Using Latisse Lash Lengthener

Want longer, lusher eyelashes?

Then do what actress/model Brooke Shields does:

Use prescription Latisse.

We've said time and time again, when an attractive celebrity endorses a beauty product, chances are, the product sells big time!

And Allergan, the makers of Latisse, and the same clever folks who brought you Botox, are expected to rake in more than $500 million a year.

But a little public relations nightmare is brewing on the horizon. The FDA is not amused with Allergan, which has glamorized their ads and website, and skipped over the potential side effects. Some of which include:

Increased iris pigmentation (ie, change in eye color)
Hair growth in areas other than the treatment area
Risk of infection from applicator
Risk of bacterial contamination for contact lens wearers
Eye itching and redness

And now the well-respected Consumer Reports Health Blog is also blasting the Latisse makers for glossing over the expensive prescription drug (about $100 a month) and its misleading promotions with the very recognizable Brooke Shields.

Associate editor Jamie Kopf Hirsh said this:

"Every drug we’ve profiled in our AdWatch project is appropriate for some people, including Latisse, and some are potentially lifesaving. What we take issue with, is taking a legitimate medical condition and broadening its definition to the point where it could apply to almost anyone—often with a clever acronym like ED, PAD, or RLS to make it sound more common than it is. (We’re surprised Allergan, the maker of Latisse, hasn’t given a nickname to eyelash hypotrichosis, like Hy-Tri or something.)".

We didn't know that Brooke Shields actually uses Latisse, but she does. According to CR's Jamie Kopf Hirsh, the popular actress "has suffered from the disease of eyelash inadequacy." But a representative for Brooke did not indicate how long she has had this condition. The rep. did, however, confirm that Brooke started using Latisse in February 2009, “after consulting with a doctor who determined she was an appropriate candidate for treatment with LATISSE,” and that she is still using it.

BeautyTipToday first wrote about Latisse in our February 6th article. The product was just getting ready to launch. You can get further details there.

Meantime, dermatologists say the Latisse prescription drug is quite popular. And there are a number of women who truly suffer from weak lashes or lashes that never grow. And many women are willing to take a chance on growing longer, lusher lashes, because the serum really works wonders.

The Allergan makers are trying to correct problems in how they portray Latisse in ads, at the Latisse website. And Allergan is reportedly working with the FDA on this.

Stay tuned to this beauty news. In the meantime, why not try a non-prescription lash/brow thickener like Osmotics' FNS Nutrilash ($48, 28 applications).

Promotes fuller, thicker, healthier more beautiful lashes and brows
All natural, patented formula strengthens and conditions
Provides essential nutrients for maximum growth
Non-irritating/ocular tested - Hygenic, single dose applicators

The FNS Nutrilash also really works---safely and effectively. For more details, visit: Osmotics.

Nanny's FranBrand Skin Care Line Launches In November

We have to admit, actress Fran Drescher at 51, appears to have really nice skin.

The former star of the beloved TV hit, The Nanny, is embarking on a new role these days---sharp businesswoman.

Fran will be introducing an a 9-piece, organic skin care line on November 10th on HSN. She is teaming up with the HSN network. And Fran will go on without makeup.

We know what you're thinking. Everybody in Hollywood has a skin care line. And now, yet another!

But hold on a minute. What we like about Fran's new FranBrand line, is the way the beauty products have been formulated----with "carcinogen-free natural technology and ingredients designed to yield younger and healthier skin. FranBrand not only consists of all-natural products, but is packaged in glass containers and other eco-friendly recyclable materials."

Fran Drescher is a cancer survivor, and for several years now, has put on a courageous face to go public to try and help women coping with these challenges. “The FranBrand is a natural extension of my mission and my story," Fran explains. "I’m not glad I had cancer, but now my life has a purpose.”

FranBrand consists of these: cleanser, toner, serum, body and facial creams, eye treatments for both day and night and lip balm. In 2010, FranBrand will expand to feature hair care, make-up, sun care and bath and body.

Classic Cleanser ($19.90)
Terrific Toner Gel ($19.90)
Sensual Serum ($32)
Luscious Lip Balm ($16)
Beautiful Body Cream ($24)
Fabulous Face Lotion for the day ($29)
Fabulous Face Lotion for the night ($32)
Excellent Eye Gel ($24)
Excellent Eye Cream ($26)

"Women are schmearing stuff on their décolleté, wondering why we're all getting breast cancer. Once you wake up and smell the coffee, it's hard to go back to sleep. So I'm sounding the alarm," Fran told The Cut.

And more good news: a portion of the proceeds from FranBrand products will benefit Fran Drescher's foundation, Cancer Schmancer.

Join the always funny and charming Fran Drescher live Tuesday, November 10th on hsn.com.

How To Pick The Right Blush For That Rosy Glow

Yes, we could all use a little blush.

You've read about it here, time and time again:
Blush. Cheek color. According to legendary makeup artist Sandy Linter, it's THE most important cosmetic to use every day. "It shows off your bone structure and gives your face depth and warmth."

Blush gives you a healthy glow. Even if you rush out the door without making a bother, Sandy says to run back in just for a couple of quick swipes of blush.

And yet, some of us find blush, cheek color, a bit intimidating. Find the apples of your cheek, and simply apply there, the pros tell us. Hmmm. Not always that easy. Over-do the blush, and you can look clownish, even doll-like.

When it comes to cheek color, well, that's another complexity thrown in. We all have unique skin tones. So where do we go from here?

Let's take a look at one of Smashbox's popular beauty products: Smashbox O-Glow ($26, at makeup stores like Sephora, or http://www.sephora.com/) . This is a clear gel you apply onto your cheeks with your fingertips. And it delivers a naturally-pink hued gel cheek color.

O-Glow is a universally-flattering cheek blush, in a way. The cheek color looks individually pretty on each face across the globe. Really?!

Oh no....here we go again with these so-called 'universally flattering' makeup products. But Smashbox claims this intuitive cheek color reacts with your personal skin chemistry to transform from a silky clear gel into the shade you blush naturally.

We don't want to criticize a super makeup giant like Smashbox, but this natural-looking pink flush of color appears to be the same rosy hue for everyone and everything. Go ahead---apply the O-Glow to a piece of paper. It's the same shade when you apply it to your cheeks.

The good news: The blush is a lovely 'naturally-pink hued gel cheek color.' It is soft and attractive. Not a powder, so it's fresher-looking. And we like that O-Glow is formulated with Smashbox's 'exclusive Goji Berry-C Complex™, ginkgo biloba, pomegranate seed for antioxidant protection, and revitalizing marine botanicals for added healthy-skin benefits.'

O-Glow picked up 4 stars out of 5 stars by women at the Sephora beauty website. Here's a sampling of one recent review:

"...I apply a tiny drop over the apples of my cheeks and quickly blend out; it's bright pink for a moment but then it softens to my natural shade. The texture is nice too; the gel feels almost powdery so you don't have to wait for it to sink in. I apply it first, even before concealer, so that it doesn't brighten any red spots. And, to top it off, it doesn't make my ridiculously sensitive skin break out. I can't even imagine using another blush now that I've tried this."

Don't ask us exactly where to apply our blush. We're still trying to figure that one out. We just smile and assume we're hitting the 'apples.'

Try LimeLight Laser To Gently Zap Sun And Brown Spots

If your skin is just about perfect, then you don't have to read this. You are already in the 'limelight.'

But if you have a few facial spots or actually, spots anywhere on your body that you would like to make disappear or lessen in appearance, then read on.

For instance, we have a maze of small sun freckles dotting our decolette area--- you know, the skin below the neck and above the breasts. Too much sun exposure in our youth.

Or maybe you have one or more of these:

Uneven pigmentation
Brown spots from sun damage
Broken capillaries
Redness
Enlarged pores
Age spots
Acne scarring
Dull complexion
Rosacea

Then you are probably a fine candidate for an effective and non-invasive skin care procedure done by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. It's called the LimeLight PhotoFacial. And what it does, is use a light laser to zero in on a problem area of skin. The laser delivers a gentle pulse of light and, within one to three weeks, the zapped spot will flake off or fade.

The most popular locations targeted include the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and arms.

And dermatologists say that dramatic results are normally achieved after one or two LimeLight PhotoFacial treatments. For very large or dark spots, additional treatments may be required.

There really isn't any pain involved. When the light is applied to the problem area, a mild pinching sensation has been noted by some patients. Other than that, no topical anesthetic is required, and there is no down time.

A date with the LimeLight PhotoFacial generally costs about $500 a visit. We like that, if you can tackle a bad spot in one shot. Especially for those of you tired of applying bleaching agents like expensive prescription hydroquinone, this could be a painless procedure to get your face back in the limelight.