Even Vogue Celebrating Return Of Curvier Model: Meet Lara Stone.

Lara Stone. She could be the new face of the modeling industry, or rather, the new body to admire and copy.

Lara Stone is a size 4. For most women around the globe, a size 4 is tiny, especially when your height is 5'10'. But in the super skinny world of modeling where the runways feature a long string of very tall size zeros, Lara is certainly a breath of fresh air. She actually has the appearance of breasts and hips.

And Vogue Magazine has taken notice, and we applaud them. We were flipping through the January issue last evening, when we saw the same photo of Lara Stone, with the caption reading: 'The Shape of the Future.'

Well, it's about time. Sure, a size 4 is still rather small, but it sure beats the emaciated look of the zeroes filing down the runways.

The Dutch model is 22, and we love how Vogue has described her striking looks: "a beguiling mixture of tough and naive---imagine Sandra Bernhard crossed with Grace Kelly."

And despite her curves, she's getting a lot of work, like ad campaigns with huge names---Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Givenchy. And Lara, who was named by her mom, a Dr. Zhivago fan, has walked the runway for just about every big designer.

Maybe the fashion heads see her as a curious oddity of sorts. She sticks out on the runway, as the current size zeroes walk along with her. And Lara feels the sting of the bias against heavier models, as she explains to Vogue:

"When you're a model, nobody calls you fat. 'What they say is curvy, but you know they mean fat."

And she recalls a recent incident where a female stylist took out a tight corset dress and told Lara to put it one for a photo shoot. She obviously couldn't fit into the dress and found the situation to be quite rude. "It's not an easy kind of rejection, because it's very personal," Lara says. "It's you, your body. You take it to heart."

It's been a tough year, once again, for the fashion industry, who have been courting the stick skinny models. Designers would argue that long, angular bodies wear clothing better. You remember the Ralph Lauren flap last October, with a print ad heavily photoshopped to create a super-slim silhouette? The model, Filippa Hamilton, eventually lost her job modeling for Lauren. Filippa was upset about the excessive photo re-touching and spoke out. She claims she was reprimanded for being 'fat.' We have learned that Filippa wears a size 4.

We can only hope that the curvier models will become more of a presence on the runways and back in the ad campaigns in the year 2010. Photographers like the famous Mario Testino appreciate the fuller figure. "I have never thought of Lara as fat," Mario explains. "It is just a matter of different shapes. It reminds me of when I started to work with Gisele(Bundchen); everyone used to think that she was too voluptous. Look at where she is now!"

Gisele, pre-baby weight, is also a size 4.

Let's face it, the modeling world will always feature super tall and super slender, young women. And yes, clothing does look its best on that type of silhouette. But when a body is so thin that bones are sticking out and gaunt faces are ruling the runways, then maybe it's time to return to some kind of normalcy. And if that means a small size 4, that's a huge turn around.

VS Model Creates Cleavage With Lots Of Padding And So Can You

According to one Victoria's Secret model, you can create cleavage. It's called padding, and sometimes, several layers of it.

British model, 22-year-old Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, apparently, confides that what you see in the famous Victoria's Secret catalogue layouts, is a little smoke and mirrors. In other words, the VS models are not so stacked as most male admirers would have you believe.

Rosie, one of the models who recently strutted down the runway for the annually televised Victoria's Secret fashion show, started chatting with the British newspaper, The Times UK. And she admitted that there's lots of padding involved, at least for herself, to create the legendary cleavage the VS models are celebrated for. Look at the photo of Rosie in the black bra and panties. She could have fooled us.

Oh, how we love an honest and gorgeous celebrity!

“I do believe in chicken fillets,” Rosie Huntington-Whiteley says. “I’m not saying you have to use them, but if anyone knows me and sees me in a photoshoot, well, there are friends in there. I’m not a fan of that whole push-up look in the day. But, of course, you do need a lift with a sexy dress, so do what you’ve got to do, girls — shove them in there. I’ve been known to have three in at a time for shoots — plus padding."

Two of the best lingerie makers for instant cleavage: Victoria's Secret (of course) and Frederick's of Hollywood. Both companies sell tons and tons of bras, in just about every style, fabric, and color out there. From push-ups to deep plunges to water and gel-filled to padded to seamless to underwires to convertible and strapless, there's a bra with built-in cleavage waiting for you. And the prices are decent. You can get 2 for $40, 2 or more for $19.50 each, some on sale for $14.99 each. Do check both VS' and Frederick's websites.

You can shop by size:
From small sizes, like AA and A. To full figure sizes like DD and DDD.

And at Victoria's Secret, you can even shop by 'swell.' From Level 1: Subtle Lift. Level 2. Moderate Lift. Level 3: Dramatic Lift. Level 4: Extreme Lift. And Level 5: Ultimate Lift.

We're assuming that at Level 5 for the ultimate lift, they're talking dangerous curves. Pass at your own risk, ha!

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley also tells The Times UK that a tanned body makes for a sexier body:
“I won’t do a lingerie shoot unless I’m tanned,” Rosie says. “I think most women will admit that they look better when they’re brown. I fake tan — but I don’t recommend sunbeds — and at work, they’ll put body make-up on.” Indeed, her fellow VS babe Selita Ebanks confessed to wearing “about 20 layers of make-up on my butt alone” for her walk down the runway.

And when she's not modeling for VS, you'd be lucky to even catch her in a bra:
“I don’t wear bras that often. If I do, I don’t like push-up bras — though they’re fun for the bedroom, I think”.

To read the entire article, let's go across the pond here.

The Real Housewives Only Admit To Botox, Breasts, And Juvederm

We think Bravo TV's 'The Real Housewives' of Orange County, New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta, are all pretty darn honest, well, to some degree, at least.

According to what we recently learned, most of the 'housewives' admit to Botox and a couple to Juvederm, and 9 of the shapely stars admit to having breast implants. Jill Zarin says she had a breast reduction.

We think it's pretty refreshing when a celebrity admits to a few nips and tucks, although Botox and Juvederm are hardly considered an invasive procedure. Instead, these are minor cosmetic enhancements. The only housewife who would admit to any real face work, is Lynne Curtin of the Orange County housewives. The 53-year-old brunette recently had a facelift, and it was all captured on the Bravo reality show, and aired last week. We suspect there's been a little more than just one facial plastic surgery procedure within those 4 shows, but no one's talking, and that's okay, too.

We have to laugh, however, at 'The Countess,' LuAnn De Lesseps of the New York Housewives. The 44-year-old 'The Countess' told People magazine, that "yoga handstands--not Botox--keep her skin wrinkle-free." Well, she does have a nice complexion.

Here are 'The Real Housewives' who have admitted to Botox and/or Juvederm:
Bethenny Frankel (39)
Ramona Singer (53)
Jill Zarin (46)
Kelly Bensimon (41)
Jacqueline Laurita (39)
Danielle Staub (47)
Vicki Gunvalson (47)--both procedures
Tamra Barney (42)
Gretchen Rossi (32)
Lynne Curtin (53)--both procedures
Alexis Bellino (32)
Kim Zolciak (31)

Botox is widely accepted as a minor cosmetic enhancement procedure. And Botox is celebrating its anniversary: 7 years in a row, as the most popular cosmetic injectable.

Let's look at the numbers. 11 million Botox procedures and counting, thus far. Heck, someone is having the stuff injected. Both women and men alike. And the Botox routine is quick and easy. Minimal pain, and within 7 days or so, wrinkles and frown lines around the eyes and forehead are temporarily smoothed away for 3-4 months. The result is subtle and attractive when done correctly.

Those numbers indicate, that not only are The Real Housewives of Orange County, New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta, getting the sting of the Botox needle. Many women younger and older, are undergoing the quick, once every 3 months cosmetic procedure.
And by the way, Botox shots cost about $300-$500 a site. In other words, the crow's feet would be one site, or the lines in the middle of your forehead, one site, and so on.

Juvederm is considered a cosmetic filler or dermal filler injection, that can last up to a year. Juvederm is made of hyaluronic acid and is injected into facial wrinkles and folds to smooth skin and plump it up. And Juvederm can also be injected into the lips for a more plump effect. The cost per injection is typically around $300, like Botox.

Well, we suppose that yoga headstands can do a world of good, like The Countess suggests, but for most women looking to quickly erase some wrinkles and smooth out some deeper lines and folds, Botox and Juvederm hit the mark and hit it right.

Washing Face With Virgin Olive Oil Seems Wrong But DHC Works

It does seem rather bizarre to think, that you could effectively wash your face with virgin olive oil, and be left with a healthy, clear complexion. But the folks at DHC company have the rave reviews to prove it.

In fact, the skin care company based in Japan, and popular worldwide, says DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is their number #1 best seller. And it doesn't come cheap. A 6.7 oz. bottle will cost you $25.

So, you ask, how could a facial cleanser containing of all things, virgin olive oil, make your face feel really clean and, er, not oily?

According to DHC, their Deep Cleansing Oil is made of a unique water-soluble formula. The ingredients will never leave behind a greasy residue, but are able to lift and easily dissolve dirt, excess oil, makeup—even waterproof mascara—and other pore-cloggers.

And if you have dry skin, your complexion will fall in love with this golden-colored cleanser. It leaves faces soft and moisture-balanced.

We have tried DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil at least three times, after receiving samples in their mail catalogue.

Yes...this stuff really removes several coats of mascara, liquid eyeliner, foundation, the whole nine yards, as they say. All you do is massage a little of it in, and watch grime dissolve. The only thing you have to be alert about, is not getting the cleanser into your eyes, or you will end up with a filmy glaze, which is uncomfortable.

We also followed up with our regular glycolic acid cleanser, which ultimately gave us a very clean complexion. We felt we actually needed another step in our face washing routine. The DHC cleanser is enough for removing makeup and effectively cleaning your skin. But old habits die hard for us, and because our face is very oily, it didn't feel enough for us. So we took it the extra step with our other cleanser.

But we aren't alone, we've been hunting down lots of users of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, and many women love the product and also there are a number who, like us, add an extra step to their face washing routine. These reviewers, all 1,053 of them, have also given the product high grades---a 4.2 out of 5, and 77% say they would buy the cleanser again. To see those reviews, visit: MakeupAlley.

By the way, DHC does more than just virgin olive oil deep cleansers. There are so many beauty items to explore.....there are rose toners, makeup, mineral mask, milk lotion, mild soap, tocophero E cream, imperial green tea shower gel, after bath hair treatments, etc. And there are FREE samples with every order.

DHC skin care company has been around for quite some time now and has evolved into the #1 direct mail skin care company in Japan.
"With a legacy of over 25 years in Japan creating high-quality products based on the natural benefits of olive oil, DHC is here to help you achieve more radiant skin. We use effective ingredients that are tested and true, without adding unnecessary coloring agents or irritating fragrances. Our line achieves an ideal balance to help bring harmony to any skin type."

Jessica Simpson New SwimWear Line Rolls Into Macy's Sunday

Jessica Simpson is one sharp businesswoman. The haters can hate, but the curvy blonde singer is now hitting the beach with a new line of swimwear launching at Macy's in NYC's Herald Square tomorrow!

Jess is teaming up with swimwear pro Red Carter for an amazing collection of itsy-bitsy bikinis. We all know the Texas beauty loves her big handbags and sexy boots. But Jess also likes relaxing at the beach, and thought a new line of swimwear would be the nice warm touch to a crazy winter on the way(especially with blizzard warnings for the east coast today).

"We are delighted to have found the right partner to continue to position Jessica Simpson Collection as a lifestyle brand,” added Camuto Group president Bob Galvin. “Red Carter is known as a leader in both the design and distribution of quality women’s swimwear and we are looking forward to a long, successful partnership.”

The line will be called the Jessica Simpson Swim Collection, and will be available in Macy's department stores nationwide on December 30th.

The line will include swimwear separates and some cover-ups. There will be traditional triangle tops, cute ruffle bandeaux and tie-side and scoop bottoms, all in animal and floral prints and colorful solids. Even a 'Daisy Duke'-inspired bikini, as you can see from the photo here. Prices will range from $35 to $120. And you will also be able to buy her swimwear collection from her Jessica Simpson Collection Website.

Jessica Simpson is certainly no fool. The young, stylish woman is building a Jessica world of her own, with a vast empire of goodies she sells like travel luggage, handbags, shoes, hair extensions through Ken Paves, lingerie, accessories, clothing and jewelry. And her merchandise is smart, chic, and always affordably priced.

Who needs Tony Romo, ha!

By the way, Jess's new jewelry line will bloom this spring at Macy's, of course. It will be called the Cactus Flower Collection and sources say the jewelry will be dressed in charms and Swarovski crystals.

Many of us might be shoveling some snow tomorrow, and the temperatures sure are nasty cold, but we can look forward to warmer days ahead. And it looks like Jessica Simpson is riding the waves for us. Now, if we only had a pair of her boots!

Lil Kardashian Sis Kendall Jenner Poses For Forever21 New Twist Collection

There are a lot of Kardashian women in the spotlight these days, and now---- another young girl whose name starts with the letter 'K,' is on her way!

L'il Kardashian sis Kendall Jenner is already modeling at age 14. Is she too young? Maybe, but certainly not in the world of fashion and makeup.

The dark-haired, pretty teen is the half-sister to well-known, reality-television stars Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney.

And Kendall Jenner is appearing in a new clothing collection for Forever21's 'Twist.' The limited edition will debut in stores and online at the end of January 2010. The theme is called Rocker Babes with a Twist.

The dark-eyed, wide-eyed teen is modeling a bunch of polka-dots and animal prints in the popular red and black rockabilly style for the junior size collection. And Kendall also had a camera crew in tow when she went to the shoot. Chances are, we will be seeing the Forever21 modeling session on a future Keeping up with the Kardashians television episode.

Forever21 has branched out in many fashionable ways with a recent cosmetics line, swimwear line, clothing for plus sizes, some styles with a more modest fit, and many new items.

And we wish we could find the quote Eva Longoria Parker gave to InStyle magazine a couple of years ago, when she said that shopping at Forever 21 was a guilty pleasure. Every gal loves a bargain, and Miss Eva is no exception.

Of course, Eva Longoria Parker is petite and very tiny and can easily fit into the junior-sized fashions at Forever 21, but there are also lots of no-size, super accessories there on the cheap-cheap. Like trendy scarves and sunglasses, and of course, fun jewelry at rock bottom prices.

For more information, visit: Forever21. And be on the lookout in January for the newest 'K' girl, Kendall, on the block.

Stacy London Says Pencil Skirts Are Sexy And Classic

We adore Stacy London, everyone's favorite stylist from TV's popular What Not to Wear makeover show.

The perky, raven-haired stylist, recently told People magazine this:

"It's funny, though, because in fashion, even though the trend is skirts all the way up to your pupik, I feel sexier when I wear a pencil skirt."

And we happen to agree. Pencil skirts are flattering to all women, if the proper length, cut, and color are chosen wisely. For instance, a black pencil skirt is your best friend. It can hide several flaws and still give you a long, curvy silhouette. Buy a pencil skirt with a high waist, and your legs will look a mile long and your tummy will look flat.

Check out the photo of Marilyn Monroe. If anyone knew how to wear a pencil skirt, it was the blonde bombshell herself. The style remains a classic and it certainly is sexy.

And trust us, you can find pencil skirts just about everywhere. The traditional pencil skirt would fall around the knees or just below. But today, there are pencil skirts riding above the knee and some even several inches below the knee. We believe the most flattering length is the traditonal style, and if it can fall just a smidgen below the knee, you've got yourself a flattering skirt.

Today we are looking at two pencil skirts in two very different fabrics:

1. Newport News Lace Print Leather Pencil Skirt (on sale now for $69, at Newport News). This one comes with a lovely glazed finish with a slit in the back, and fully lined. The pattern features an elegant floral lace.

2. Banana Republic High-Waisted Lightweight Wool Pencil Skirt ($80, at Banana Republic). This beauty hits above the knee and gives you a smooth, sleek shape. It includes a vent and rear welt pocket, all in a wool stretch blend.

Pencil skirts can be paired with many different looks....with a blouse tucked in.....with a sweater set......with a bolero jacket.......or suit jacket. The possibilities are endless. If you want a slender, long look below the waist, the pencil skirt is the perfect silhouette shaper.