What To Do When You Wanted Bangs But Now Hate Them

Bangs. First, you wanted them badly, because bangs are still hot, and all the Hollywood beauties seem to be sporting them these days.

Then you got your own bangs, but now you hate them. Argh-hhhh!

And now it seems that lovely Padma Lakshmi, the popular host of Bravo's Top Chef' reality show, has become a poster child for bangs gone bad! We have read comment after comment about Padma's recent, big mistake of getting bangs cut. Or maybe the wrong style of bangs. We even saw a couple of polls on Padma's bangs for readers to decide: Love it or Hate it.

We happen to think 39-year-old Padma Lakshmi, who is expecting her first baby this spring, would look stunning even if she had burlap for hair.

The scenario seems to equal out to this: If you love them and wear bangs all the time, like we do, then bangs seem to grow out so quickly. And then you have to have them trimmed just about every two or three weeks. Or, you learn to gently clip them yourself. Not easy, no matter how many instructions you are given.

And if you hate the bangs you were given in your last haircut, then it seems like the bangs take forever and ever to grow out. And when hair is taking so long to grow out, it is a frustrating time. There's just so much gel you can put on or bobby pins to hide bad bangs. Yuck! You still hate them so.

1. Bangs too short. Grow them out a bit. Padma's rocking some thick, blunt bangs. We call those Cleopatra bangs. Just a bit longer over the brows, and the fringe will look great. The good news: Bangs frame the eyes nicely. Bangs make you look younger. Bangs cover up imperfections like wrinkles on a forehead, thin eyebrows, and a high forehead.

2. Part the hair. That's another way to change the look of the bangs you no longer desire. A part right down the middle, changes your total look. Or a side-part can camoflauge bangs.

3. Pin bangs straight back. That's a trendy look, especially with longer bangs. Jennifer Lopez had bangs a few months ago for a movie role. And we saw her constantly pinning them straight back and looking glam.

4. Next time, invest in some faux bangs. When you tire of the look, just un-clip them. Celebrity stylist Ken Paves sells some for $28.95. A great investment because they're quick to put in any time you feel like wearing bangs. And you don't have to worry about bangs maintenance.

Nicole Kidman Goes Back To Red Hair But People Notice Lips Instead

We still think 42-year-old Nicole Kidman is a fine actress and very pretty woman. But there are people talking about her bigger lips and bigger breasts, most recently photographed here at the CMAs or Country Music Awards show.

Look, we are not here to judge. but apparently many celebrity publications are criticizing the Aussie beauty for her allegedly fake lips and breasts. In the past, the Academy Award winner had been teased continuously for her 'frozen look' from too much Botox. Allegedly, we say, again.

For several years now, Nicole Kidman has denied the plastic surgery rumors. "I am completely natural," Nicole has said. "I have nothing in my face or anything."

But the publications keep hitting away. Even The Huffington Post has been taking nasty jabs at the actress, and has a poll up at the site, asking readers to decide if her 'freakish' lips were done. And if that weren't vicious enough, The Huffington Post also includes a series of photos that show how 'plumper' her lips become each passing year.

So what. Big deal. We think she's quite stunning. Nicole Kidman would not be the first actress to undergo cosmetic enhancement or cosmetic surgery, if that were the case.

As for the curvier bosom, Nicole attributes that to the pregnancy of her first child. She has said, "Motherhood has mad my boobs a normal size."

How does someone plump up their lips?

Mostly through fillers, or injectables that plump up the tissue. In the lips, the filler is used to enhance the lip's natural outline. It also enhances the lip's definition, which is lost with general aging. It is also used to give volume to the lips to actually make them bigger and to show more of the lip itself.

How much filler does one need? According to the experts, for most patients, one syringe may be enough to plump both lips. Fillers are injected through small needles. And yes, it stings
like crazy.

1. Collagen. This filler has been around for a long time, and is one of the most popular lip plumping injectables. The substance lasts about 3-4 months in the lips. According to Kimberly J. Butterwick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a dermatologist in La Jolla, Calif., "Collagen products are very forgiving and work well for replacing volume." The only problem...some people are allergic to bovine collagen. A test is given in advance to see how skin reacts.

2. Hyaluronic Acid Gel. Also FDA-approved, this filler lasts longer, 3-6 months, and even more. How does it work? Hyaluronic acid gel binds to water and provides volume to plump up lips. But this gel can be painful, according to Dr. Butterwick, because it does not contain an anesthetic. But, no allergy risk here.

3. Combination Fillers. How about collagen and hyaluronic acid gel together? Yes, says Dr. Butterwick. "A good lip enhancement can be achieved utilizing both collagen and hyaluronic acid gel." Both fillers provide a different structure, so the overall look is natural.

The bottom line here, lip plumpers or lip injections are temporary and cost a few hundred dollars every time you go back for more. So visits become multiple affairs.

Here's some sensible advice:

"Despite their ease of use, filler injections are a medical procedure and should be handled by a board-certified physician in order to achieve aesthetically natural lips and to reduce the risk of side effects," Dr. Butterwick says.

To read more about this subject, take a look at Plump up the Volume of Lips by Armen Hareyan.

Pitt Jolie Jewelry Launch By Asprey To Aid Children's Charity

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been super busy these days. Between running after lots of kids (we can't remember how many they have, but who's counting), making movies, and performing countless humanitarian acts, here's one more big gesture of kindness and thing of beauty.

The gorgeous Hollywood Angie and Brad have become elegant, high-end jewelry designers for Asprey. And their collection of serpent pieces, The Protector, goes on sale today at Asprey stores in London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Dubai.

All the net proceeds will go to Angie's charity---Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. The charity she co-founded in 2006, raises awareness and funds to educate child victims of war, conflict, and natural disasters.

Why the snake or serpent theme? Well, there's a great story to it. When Angie was pregnant with baby Shiloh in 2006, someone had given Angie a special serpent ring. It was taken as a symbol of protection for mother and unborn child. “Since then, she has seen the snake symbol as a protective talisman for her family,” a source at Asprey tells People magazine.


Prices start at $525 for a silver baby spoon with a serpent-shaped handle. The jewelry is gold and the accessories are silver. Pieces range from earrings, bangles, rings, men's cuff links and pendants to an egg cup, a tooth box, and a picture frame. And the Hollywood power couple has been busy designing The Protector collection for the past year for the British Asprey jewelers.

Angie spoke about the children's charity and its mission in an email:

“These are the children who most need a safe place to learn, a place to heal, a place to learn reconciliation, a place to build a better future and a place — to just be children. Yet the education for these children is often forgotten. Tens of millions of children and adolescents in conflict are not in school.”

We appalud Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for their huge generosity and humanitarian endeavors.

You can learn more about the limited edition collection at Asprey Jewlery stores.

Skin Care By Osmotics: 4 Steps And Smart Science

Here at Beauty Tip Today, we know that beautiful skin is much admired, but not easy to come by. The sun and general aging alone, can do a number on our complexions.

And yet, skin care products have come a long way. Beauty science is advancing rapidly. The big business of cosmeceuticals is impressive. There are skin care treatments that really do repair and correct damaged skin. And Osmotics Cosmeceuticals is one of the major players offering women effective and pure products.

But with so many thousands of skin care solutions to choose from, it would be nice to talk to the CEO of a company, to see what their skin care mission is all about. Most CEOs are too busy to sit down and chat. Except for a few of them.

Welcome Francine Porter, the founder and chairwoman of Osmotics Cosmeceuticals. We found Francine to be accessible, friendly, and sincere about the skin care line that remains a small, privately held, family business based in Denver, Colorado.

Like most sophisticated skin care products, the Osmotics treatments come in pretty packaging and jars, and in the company colors of purple and silver. But Francine Porter says it's much more than the marketing and the hype:

"We research and work with biotech companies, medical centers and research departments of universities across the country and across the world to find cosmeceutical technologies that are based on real science supported by independent clinical data," Francine explains. "These technologies are usually patented. We then license the patent rights to these clinically proven technologies and they are the basis or platform for product development.....these proven technologies drive our product development. This is why our products are so effective."

According to the Osmotics philsophy, there are 4 steps to beautiful skin: Cleanse. Correct. Defend. Protect. But Francine believes that women over-stock their beauty shelves.

"Many women tend to over treat and use too many products at one time. We have addressed both of these issues with our 4 Steps," Francine says.

"Proper cleansing is essential as it affects everything that follows. Correct is all about preventing and actively correcting aging issues such as fine lines, hyper pigmentation, sagging skin, skin tone etc. Each product in this category addresses and helps prevent and repair the most common signs of aging skin. Defend is unique to Osmotics in that all products in this category feature our patented BRT technology, clinically proven to reinforce the skin's barrier function; vital to keeping the skin healthy and the first line of defense against aging. Protect refers to daily SPF protection which EVERYONE needs to prevent aging on a daily basis. Consistent use of a comprehensive, synergistic regimen is key to preventing aging and keeping skin healthy. We've tried to keep it simple and easy!"

We asked Francine Porter about the sensitive eye area, and her favorite Osmotics products.

"Gosh this is a tough one because I love them all!!! My favs would include, Blue Copper Firming Elasticity Repair, Renovage, Eye Surgery, and FNS Nutrilash. And YES, you all really need to use an eye cream because the skin around the eyes is quite different from the rest of your face. It is the thinnest skin on your body!!! And because it is so fragile and thin it is the first area to show signs of aging and therefore requires a product specifically formulated for this delicate area."

And we learned that Francine is very careful in the sun, and admires other fair-skinned celebrities.

"There are so many that have great skin. I do love the fact that more and more celebrities are staying out of the sun for obvious reasons and they are proud to show off their creamy, white, beautiful skin. (I, myself am very fair and auburn haired and have never been able to tolerate the sun...I could never tan so this is close to my heart!) I love Deborah Messing, Julianne Moore, Anne Hathaway, ...I think Diane Keaton looks amazing....just to name a few."

As the CEO of Osmotics, Francine Porter is a very busy woman. But the work continues in the world of beautiful skin. New products are never far behind.

"We are launching a new cosmeceutical color line.....treatment with color (as opposed to color with treatment) to NATURALLY ENHANCE NOT COVER a women's features. This has been a labor of love and a response to requests from many of our customers."

To learn more about Osmotics Cosmeceuticals, visit http://www.osmotics.com/.

New Pill On Way To Relieve Bad Period Cramps

It's known as dysmenorrhea. Or severe period pain.

And we all know what that can be like, to varying degrees. From hot water bottles to lying in bed in a fetal position to taking lots of Advil, and stronger medication, the pain of your menstrual cycle can really cripple your lifestyle. Just ask the millions of women around the globe who have experienced severe period pain.

But there is hope on the horizen. Clinical trials have been going on and a new pill has been developed for the treatment and prevention of dysmenorrhea.

At the moment, the pill is known as VA111913. But what sounds promising about VA11913, is its power to zero in on the cause of painful uterine contractions, not just the uncomfortable symptoms.

The experts at Vantia Therapeutics, the British company that is manufacturing the experimental pill, believe that VA111913 is going to speak volumes when the new pill gets the green light. Dr. Jim Phillips of Vantia explains:

"It would be fair to call it a breakthrough--there is certainly no other treatment like it."

When will the VA111913 pill be available?

So far, clinical trials are being conducted on women here in the U.S. and Great Britain. But, it appears that the pill won't be available for another 4 years. Ouch!!

In the meantime, you could try turmeric powder to ease your painful periods. The bright yellow spice, has been used for many, many years in Indian cooking and in Ayurveda, the ancient medical science.

What this bold, little spice can do is amazing. Turmeric powder has a pungent and bitter taste, but it works to ease menstrual cramps, along with many other illnesses and skin conditions.

Drink a glass of warm water with about a half teaspoon of turmeric powder.

Turmeric is anti-spasmodic. The spice relaxes the muscles of the uterus and relieves cramping. And believe it or not, we have learned that turmeric powder also initiates a regular menstrual cycle. In other words, if your period is irregular, drinking turmeric powder in warm water will correct your cycle. Trust us, it works.

Turmeric powder is very safe, but those with gall stones or stomach ulcers should avoid it.

Cindy Crawford's Fave Sonia Kashuk Celebrating 10 Years With Target

10 beautiful years with Target.

That's how long professional makeup artist Sonia Kashuk has been sharing her very good quality and affordable makeup with the giant department store and her large loyal fan base. And even model Cindy Crawford speaks volumes about Sonia Kashuk.

In fact, the two have a working relationship from several years ago. Sonia had co-authored with Cindy Crawford an instructional beauty workbook, called Basic Face, back in 1997.

And Cindy Crawford is also letting her lips do the talking. She says the best lip glosses around are from Sonia Kashuk's Target line. And yes, we find the model to be trustworthy. Cindy's favorites:

"I like Sonia Kashuk's glosses in Whisper and Flawless." And why not? Check out the price----only $9 each, for the Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Glosses."

And Sonia Kashuk has more than just lip gloss. The celebrity makeup artist also features blush, gel eyeliner, foundation, shadows,and some superb makeup brushes in her newest collection. Sonia Kashuk certainly knows her way around a tube of lipstick. And she has the resume to prove it. According to Target, Sonia has worked with some of the best in the business, including designers and celebrities like Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Sharon Stone, and Britney Spears. Kashuk has also appeared as a makeup expert on television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, and The View, and her work is regularly featured in countless fashion and beauty magazines.

To take a look at Sonia Kashuk's makeup line, visit Target.

P.S.....The Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Glosses Cindy Crawford loves, are only available in Target, not at Target's online shopping site. Otherwise, many of Sonia's other makeup is featured online. Why this lip gloss is only available in stores, is unknown.

New Temptu At-Home Airbrushing System: Wave Of The Future?

If you've ever seen makeup up close that has been professionally airbrushed, then you know how flawless and luminous the skin appears. Wrinkles and imperfections are less visible. The foundation 'sitting on' a complexion looks healthy and natural.

And now you can get the same impeccable coverage with a new at-home AIRbrush Makeup System by Temtpu ($225, spehora.com).

Temptu enjoys a great reputation in the beauty business as being a leader in professional airbrushing. And now they are bringing that high-tech glamour to the consumer, so that you can achieve a flawless face on your own. It's a sleek hand-held airbrush system.

And sure, it's a beauty investment at $225, along with their Temptu AIR pod Foundation at $55 for a 2 month supply. But look at it this way, your complexion will benefit from the lightweight makeup technology, pores will be cleaner, and blemishes will disappear. There is no rubbing in of foundation. No brushes. Just a quick, ultra-fine mist with pin-point accuracy, and you're covered beautifully. And the system works on all ages and complexions.

Let's be frank. Finding the right formula in a foundation isn't easy. You don't want something too heavy, that looks like a mask, or anything too powdery that shows up fine lines, shadows, and wrinkles. And you want a foundation that lasts all day, or at least for a good number of hours. And of course, you want the perfect shade.

Temptu's new at-home AIRbrush Makeup System takes out a lot of the guesswork. The AIR pod foundations come in 12 shades. And TEMPTU® AIRbrush and TEMPTU AIR pod™ "provides the equivalent of four brushes in one—foundation, concealer, blush, and highlighter. The adjustable controls also allow you to choose your coverage—light, medium, or full—for impeccable blemish concealing and absolutely no blending".

The beauty gadget does look intimidating, but women who have bought one, say it's easy to use and really delivers a flawless high-definition look. And that the intial investment is worth it, because the results are that good. And the system comes with an instructional DVD.

Take a look at the reviews at Sephora and decide for yourself. Temptu scored 4.3 stars out of 5 stars. Now, that's pretty darn good.