How To Get Eye Candy With All-Around EyeLiner In Two Shades

Who's got eye candy?

Penelope Cruz. Rachel Bilson. Angelina Jolie.

It's not secret. Most women do wear eyeliner on a daily basis. For really big eyes, you need eyeliner. Of course, there are varying degrees of liner. And there are several different ways to wear it----top lid, bottom lid, inside lids, cat eye. You get the picture. Wearing eyeliner frames the eyes beautifully, but there are a few things to consider:

If you line the entire eye all in black, your eyes can actually look smaller.

That little beauty nugget comes from Kela Wong, Rachel Bilson's talented makeup artist.

Here's Kela's advice, and we think it works!

1. Wear black eyeliner pencil along the top lash line only.
2. Then apply a dark brown liner on the bottom.
3. "It keeps the eye open," Kela explains.



Look at the first photo above of actress Penelope Cruz. Her eyes are absolutely gorgeous and you can see the makeup artist lined Penelope's top lids in black liner. And the bottom was enhanced with a dark brown liner and shadow. It's still a strong, sexy eye, but just a bit softer, as the eye rimming is broken up in the two, very subtle colors of black and dark brown.

As you know, there are lots and lots of eyeliners....from pencils to crayons to gels to liquids. Take your pick and the liner you choose doesn't always have to be super expensive to do the job. Kela Wong suggests picking up Wet n Wild Eyeliner Pencil in BlackBlack at your local drugstore. It's only a dollar.

Or how about M.A.C. Fluidline Eyeliner Gel in DipDown(dark brown, $15, at Macy's). Or in BlackTrack(black). Most pros and makeup fanatics love M.A.C. for its superior quality.

Just try the 2-tone eyeliners, and you will see how this simple process makes a big difference in your eyes. It's a clever trick and we've become hooked on it!

Floss Your Teeth For Better Health And Gain 6 Years

We really hope, and like to assume, that you are flossing your teeth, at least once before you go to sleep at night. But the sad facts show that only 5-10% of Americans are regular flossers.

This is our beauty tip today: If your floss your teeth daily, you can add some 6 years to your life. That's what one researcher claims. Michael Roizen, MD, author of RealAge, says you can add 6.4 years, to be exact. In his book, Roizen lists flossing as one of the most important daily activities -- along with exercise and quitting smoking -- that could extend life span.

Don't believe it? Well, even if the stats aren't perfectly etched in stone, flossing teeth does a world of good for your health:

1. Flossing keeps your teeth looking bright and clean. Do you want everyone to see you had spinach lasagna for lunch? It gets rid of plaque buildup.

2. Flossing removes bacteria that can lead to inflamation.

3. Flossing maintains good gum health and avoids gingivitis and periodontis. And we all need great gums because, gum tissues are common sites for inflammation, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

4. Flossing prevents tooth decay.

5. Flossing helps guard against bad breath.

According to Fun Dental Facts, flossing is just not what people want to do.

73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.

In 1994 a prison inmate in West Virginia braided floss into a rope, scaled the wall and escaped. We love that one!

There are so many dental flosses to choose from. Waxed. Unwaxed. Thick. Thin. Minty flavored. Unflavored. Supermarket brand. Expensive brand. There really is no excuse not to regularly floss.

Of course, there is no attractive way to do it....er, floss. But it can be done in private. The little plastic container dental floss comes in, is so convenient and small. You can tuck it away in your purse, car, pocket.

You really have no excuse. It's time to floss. Everyone notices a beautiful, clean smile.

Julia Roberts Becomes Beauty Lancome Cover Girl Early Next Year

America's cinematic sweetheart still has that dazzling mega-watt smile.

And why not? Actress Julia Roberts has just been tapped to become the newest cover girl for French makeup giant Lancome!

We love it, because the mom of three is now in her 40s, and continues to exude a wholesome and healthy appeal.

Let's face it....Julia Roberts has one of the most incredible, big, natural smiles around. Those white teeth and full lips!

And Julia Roberts has always been a big fan of Lancome lipsticks. Here's her beauty tip today:

According to StyleList.com, Julia already adores Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge in Rich Cashmere ($29). This is a creamy and moisturizing lipstick in a nude shade, the subtle kind of makeup Julia is often photographed wearing.

Lancome has often been recognized by A-list beauty editors for its amazing lipsticks. And if you're looking for a lip color that is worth the price, L'Absolu Rouge will not disappoint.

"Lancôme brings Pro-Xylane™; its complete and powerful replenishing molecule, to a lip color for visibly fuller and smoother lips."

We're not sure exactly what kind of role Julia Roberts will assume as Lancome's newest spokesperson. But the actress will promote their beauty products, and follow in the same footsteps as another Lancome cover girl, Kate Winslet.

Lancome Cosmetics told WWD.com yesterday, "By her remarkable personality and career, Julia Roberts is an emblematic woman of her time,” said Youcef Nabi, president of Lancôme International. “Her exceptional talent, her radiance and her strong commitments perfectly echo Lancôme’s values. We are convinced she will embody the brand in the most sublime way possible.”

Julia Roberts has been very busy these days filming Eat, Pray, Love with Javier Bardem. The movie has taken the popular actress all over the world to exotic locales like Bali, Rome, and Delhi. In addition, she has also made time for another movie, currently in post production, Valentine's Day.

Lancome isn't saying how long the 'Pretty Woman's' contract with them will last. But we are excited for Julia Roberts and her new role as cover girl. You can bet she will bring many new Lancome customers with her. If she didn't have staying power and huge appeal, she wouldn't be taking home $20 million per movie. Julia Roberts sells cinema and she can also sell beauty.

How To Clean Makeup Brushes The Right Way

Makeup brushes. From the blush brush to the eyeshadow brush to the mineral powder brushes, we all use some kind of makeup brush every day. It's an important, daily step in building your canvas or beauty portrait.

But if you pause for a moment, take a closer look at your collection of makeup brushes.

Are your brushes clean? We'll be honest, we have often neglected cleaning our makeup brushes on a proper schedule. And if you think about it, makeup brushes can do great things for your complexion and give your face a polished finish. But these brushes can also absorb lots of grease and grime. Yuck. And you wonder sometimes, where these breakouts come from?! And the dirt that builds up also flattens the hairs on these brushes, limiting their ability to give the coverage they were designed for.

We will show you how to clean makeup brushes the right way. You have a few options to choose from:

1. Professional Brush Cleanser. Good ones to try are MAC ($11) and Japonesque. These cleansers clean, disinfect, and condition the brush hairs or fibers, and that means a longer lasting makeup brush. The solution also cuts down drying time.

Fill a small bowl with an inch of Mac Brush Cleanser and submerge brush hairs into the solution. Let brushes soak for 15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. And dry brushes on paper towels.

2. Shampoo. Baby shampoo is even better, because it's very gentle. This is how we clean our makeup brushes. Fill up your sink with water and enough shampoo to build a nice lather and submerge your brushes. Massage brush fibers and watch the grimey buildup wash away. Rinse throughly and dry on paper towels.

3. Liquid dishwashing soap. Some makeup artists swear by this stuff. You can try Dawn. This one is really tough on grease, and it can also get busy lifting away impurities off your makeup brushes. Just fill a small bowl of dishwashing soap. Submerge the brush hairs in and swish around. Rinse with warm water, and again, dry on paper towels.

4. Gentle Facial Cleanser. We have a friend who uses Philosophy's Purity Face Wash. Contains no dyes or perfumes. It's gentle on skin, and therefore, kind to makeup brushes. And just a little dab massaged into brushes and then rinsed, will do the job.

By the way, if you can't find the time to clean makeup brushes once a week, then every other week is fine. Just remember to clean brushes. It's the only way to extend the life of your makeup accessories and important to keep the face bacteria-free.

Are You 'Ready For Jenny?' Sara Rue Is On The Diet

Jenny Craig has a new celebrity on their famous diet plan:

Meet actress Sara Rue from television's Eastwick.

Sara hopes to shed 30 lbs. on the weight loss program, and become another Jenny Craig celebrity success story. Look at 40-something Valerie Bertinelli. She lost 40 lbs. on the 2-phase diet plan, and is proudly maintaining her slender, healthy shape.

The 31-year-old Sara Rue explains why she has become Jenny Craig's newest spokesperson:
"My weight has fluctuated my whole life, and because I've been on TV since I was 11 years old, everyone has seen it. Like so many women in this country I have a problem controlling what I eat based on my emotional health."

Most people are somewhat familiar with the Jenny Craig diet plan. According to their website, dieticians plan the menu which consists of
Jenny's Cuisine™. These pre-portioned meals serve as "the foundation of the menu and a model for balance, variety and moderation in food choices. Clients will supplement these foods with their own fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, reduced fat dairy and heart-healthy fats. When clients are halfway to their goal weight they will be transitioned to a meal plan that includes more of their own foods."

The way we understand it, the Jenny plan breaks down to 6 small meals throughout the day. And the diet includes Phase 1 and Phase 2 (half way to your goal weight), and Maintenance. Exercise is encouraged along with a healthy lifestyle. And clients get a personalized calorie level designed to promote a weekly weight loss of 1-2 lbs or 1% or current weight.

There's a big menu of foods to choose from.....pancakes, french toast, spinach tortellini, macaroni and cheese, and even snacks like Jenny's cheese curls.

Sara Rue looks curvy and pretty. Some are arguing that she doesn't even need to lose any weight. But the auburn-haired actress in already on the Jenny Craig diet plan, and hopes to follow in Valerie Bertinelli's lighter footsteps.

By the way, Sara Rue will start appearing in Jenny Craig's new advertising campaign in January 2010.

"We're very excited to have Sara join the Jenny Craig family," says Patti Larchet, CEO for Jenny Craig. "She has embraced our program wholeheartedly and is very optimistic about this new challenge in her life. Sara will relate to women and men from all walks of life that have struggled with their weight and are now looking to get healthier."

For more information, visit: Jenny Craig. Or call 1-800-JennyCare.

New Maybelline Foundation Claims Color Stay All Day

Foundation is one of those love/hate makeup products. And yet, foundation really is an essential building block to one's makeup routine.

You say you don't need foundation? Think again. Professional makeup artists use it all the time to create beautiful faces for magazine covers and television appearances.

If you can claim perfect skin, which most of us on the planet do not have, then all you need is sunscreen, a little concealer under the eyes, a swipe of blush, and off you go.

But for the rest of the vast population, ladies, you need the coverage. Foundation provides balance to skin tone. Hides imperfections like shadows, redness, and pimples. Gives a little warmth to the complexion. Provides a shield against the harsh elements, especially if it is made with an SPF. And foundation is the smooth canvas on which to layer concealer, blush, shadow, liner, powder, and so on.

Today, we are taking a closer look at a new Maybelline product: Maybelline SuperStay 24 Hour Foundation ($9.99, at drugstores).

Maybelline is trying to rival Revlon's classic and popular favorite, ColorStay Foundation. ColorStay has been around for a number of years now. Many of you might recall model Cindy Crawford doing the television ads for the liquid foundation, wearing a white shirt and bragging how Revlon ColorStay lasts and lasts and never rubs off.

ColorStay is a great liquid foundation, and Maybelline hopes you think the same about their SuperStay Foundation.

We can tell you that Maybelline's SuperStay comes in a similar formula as ColorStay:

Micro-Flex formula provides 24-hour wear and No Transfer.

Withstands heat, sweat and humidity.

Oil-free, dermatogolist tested, fragrance-free.

Suitable for all skin types.

SuperStay also comes in 5 light, 5 medium, and 2 dark shades.

And that's always the big challenge---matching foundation to your face. Not easy and never perfect. Choosing the right shade of foundation seems nearly impossible, but professional makeup artist Sandy Linter says you can get close. “I apply a swipe of color near the neck. On the face under the cheekbone. It has to blend into the skin, not exactly match it. But it should cover. Apply it on broken capillaries or something you need to tone down, like ruddy cheeks. See how the foundation sits on the skin.”

For more super tips on foundation, take a look at an interview we did with the famous celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter.

Bravura London Has Coolest Gel Cleanser For Detoxifying Experience

We've spoken several times here at Beauty Tip Today about Glycolic Acid. And we're not done talking about this popular alpha hydroxy acid. Here we go again.

Last October, we introduced you to the Bravura London skin care company. We had stumbled across their website and found an amazing 15% Glycolic Acid Night Treatment. And sure, it might be a little slower in coming by Royal mail across our shores, but the Bravura London beauty products are worth the extended journey. And here's why:

Glycolic Acid is important for the health of your skin. You've heard of Jan Marini, a well-respected product researcher. She's been a pioneer in the beauty science of Glycolic Acid, as her own website states. "Well before the technology was available to the mass market, Jan Marini pioneered the use of Glycolic Acid to improve the skin's appearance and texture. She was also the first to market a stable topical Vitamin C technology to promote healthier skin."

And the folks at Bravura London feel the same way. Here is how they break down the value of Glycolic Acid:

"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."

Today we are looking at Bravura London's Detoxifying Gel Cleanser(10% Glycolic Acid) ($13.96). We have to say, it's a heady experience using this cleanser. We have seen nothing else like it! First of all, it smells like a delicious sweet/tart lemon lollipop. It's a pale yellow, jello-looking cleanser that has these tiny citrus-y beads that scrub away at dirt and impurities.

You apply the Detoxifying Cleansing Gel on to dry skin. Massage in with fingertips and then add water to fingertips, and work through again, building up a nice, creamy lather. Rinse well with lukewarm water.

This product really makes your skin feel super clean, soft, and cool. It is suitable for oily or problem skin. It effectively helps to fight bacteria and increases the rate of exfoliation.

"The 10% concentration of glycolic acid works to loosen dead skin and unblock your pores, it also contains a mixture of botanicals, essential oils and dead see minerals drawn from the mineral salts and mud of the Dead Sea. The effects are cosmetic and therapeutic, purifying, reviving, toning, and healing. Due to the natural ingredients and essential oils, this product has a very fresh but not overpowering smell, and so it stimulates your senses as well as your skin."

For more information, visit Bravura London.