Powder? Aging Or Does It Really 'Set' A Beauty Purpose?

We are in the beauty belief that powder does matter and does 'set' makeup. It is the final step in a beauty routine.

There are professional makeup artists out there, however, who warn about the overuse and misuse of powder. When it's not applied properly, it can look ghost-like, mask-like, and can make you look older, because it can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, and unfortunately, turn the spotlight on our imperfections.

But there are so many makeup powders available these days, that we can all find at least a couple that can help us achieve the look of smaller pores, a balanced complexion, a matte finish, hiding an oily face, longer-lasting makeup, and an even brighter and firmer face.

Why do we believe in powder as the last step in a daily beauty ritual? If you look at beauty history, you will come across the name of Way Bandy. He was probably one of the most influential makeup artists around. And most artists today, have been inspired by his techniques and understanding of a woman's bone structure. It's a sad shame, Way Bandy as since passed away. He was such a brilliant artist in the 1970's. His book, Designing Your Face, was a big seller and a wonderful beauty primer on makeup. You could probably still find the how-to book on Amazon.com.

In Designing Your Face, Way Bandy talks about the power of powder to set makeup. His trick----plain, old, baby powder. Way would dip a big, makeup brush into a jar of baby powder, shake off the excess, and powder his models with it at shoots. Even the great model, Iman, talked about Way Bandy in her own book, The Beauty of Color:

"My first photo shoot, two days after I arrived in Manhattan, was with one of the first celebrity makeup artists, Way Bandy, and legendary fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo. Bandy had the smallest makeup kit — a brown pencil, a black pencil, black mascara, an eyelash curler, baby powder, and an orangey blush...."

Yes, you can still use baby powder to set your makeup. But you can also try some of the new powders out that do more than just 'set makeup,' or keep it looking fresh or just applied.

We're looking at 2 excellent makeup powders that seal the deal in your beauty routine, and give you that healthy, perfect complexion we strive for each day:

1. Redpoint HydraBoost Firming Powder ($36). A silky, translucent powder that actually firms and moisturizes while keeping oily shine away. HydraBoost Firming Powder is formulated with DermaFiber, a micronized powder that instantly helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores. It 's a translucent shade that fits all skin tones.

2. Bye Bye Pores Powder by It cosmetics ($24). You can minimize pores, airbrush fine lines and wrinkles away. And keep your oily skin in check. Bye Bye Pores is infused with collagen, anti-oxidants and real silk. It instantly smoothes away signs of aging. Superfine translucent powder works on all skin tones and types.

So, if you are hesitant about powder, we say, don't be shy. Use a light touch and powder away!

Winter Months Cruel To Rosacea? Try Obagi Rosaclear System

We have written about rosacea a couple of times before here at Beauty Tip Today.

And now, we are writing again, because the cold, dry winter months can be cruel to those with rosacea. We've been looking at the well-respected Obagi skin care company, and their RosaClear System, a multi-product, all-in-one weapon that battles redness and gives you back a healthy, more balanced complexion.

The RosaClear System has been out for a year now, and seems to show measurable promise.

No one knows what truly causes rosacea. But it is a common skin disease that affects more than 14 million Americans today. More women than men have it, and it usually strikes those with fair skin and blue eyes, namely of Irish and Scottish descent. Sadly, most Americans don't know how to treat it.

What does rosacea resemble? There are four subtypes, but simply speaking, it can appear as a redness or persistent flushing of the face. Sometimes it includes the distinct redness, but with a bumpy texture. Other rosacea examples feature a thickening of the skin with an irregular epidermal texture. And lastly, ocular rosacea, which shows red, swollen, iritated eyelids.

The RosaClear System by Obagi is prescription-based, although you can buy the products individually or as a set through many online shopping sites and on Ebay. The kit costs about $135.

According to the stats, clinical studies revealed that, "90 percent of subjects showed at least a one grade reduction in the severity of rosacea after just two weeks. Investigators also reported an overall reduction in redness and continued improvement over the four-week study."

The Obagi RosaClear System includes these products:
Gentle Cleanser---Gently cleanses sensitive skin.
Metronidazole Topical Gel USP, 0.75% (Rx Only)--Treats the inflammatory papules and pustules associated with rosacea.
Hydrating Complexion Corrector--Anti-inflammatory agents help reduce redness while soothing and calming the skin; light-reflective minerals lead to a more balanced-looking complexion.
Skin Balancing Sun Protection SPF 30 (sold separately)--Provides sun protection through a specially formulated, chemical-free, tinted UVA/UVB sunscreen which easily blends with the skin.

OMG! Heidi Montag Undergoes Extreme Plastic Surgery Makeover

Heidi Montag. You have to admit, the girl is gutsy. And apparently addicted to plastic surgery as the headline of People magazine's newest issue on sale now, reveals.

Yes, both photos are of Heidi Montag. Before, left, and the new Heidi, right, in 2010. Heidi seems almost unrecognizable after an admitted 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day! OMG!

So, what's different about the celebrity? Bigger breasts, bigger lips, smaller chin, smaller nose, and apparently some other things like---mini brow lift, Botox in the forehead, fat injections in the cheeks, neck liposuction, ears pinned back, liposuction on her waist and thighs and a buttocks augmentation.

The Hills star is only 23, and yet has been slowly putting together a more beautiful beauty strategy for quite some time now. "For the past three years, I've thought about what to have done," the reality star tells PEOPLE. "I'm beyond obsessed."

We always thought Heidi Montag was pretty, and even prettier after her first nose job, done around 2007. Then she went for too ample a breast enhancement, and it's never stopped. But, we have to imagine, it's tough out there for any young woman growing up in such a beauty and youth-obsessed society. There is so much pressure on girls to be super skinny and look 'perfect.' And Heidi told People, that she was teased as a young girl about her looks, and the teasing didn't stop, even when she moved to L.A. and got a lucky television break:

"People said I had a] Jay Leno chin," she tells the mag. "And when I watched myself on 'The Hills,' my ears would be sticking out like Dumbo! I just wanted to feel confident and look in the mirror and be like, 'Whoa! That's me!' I was an ugly duckling before."

There's a lot of competition in Hollywood, especially in the pop star world, where Heidi so wants to be at the moment:

"I'm competing against the Britney Spearses of the world - and when she was in her prime, it was her sex appeal that sold. Obviously, looks matter, it's a superficial industry," Heidi explains.

So, how does Heidi Montag like the 10-round plastic surgery results? Well, we could only share the cover photo of People, for now, but Heidi is definitely pleased:

"I look way better and I'm way happier...my eyebrow lift just took my face to another level, made it a little bit more European-exotic," Heidi says. "And for the first time, I have sexy ears!"

By the way....Heidi's debut CD Superficial, drops tomorrow, and the lead single is called, Fanatic.

Hmmm. Words to chew on for a while.

Elegant Sexy Black And Sheer Trend Back In Big Way

We've been waiting for quite some time now, for the black and sheer trend to make its way back on the runway and on the street. And finally, we're starting to see it everywhere.

We adore this black and sheer style. And every woman can wear it. It spells out elegant and sexy. And it can also look like 'naughty meets nice.' Top designers like Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, and Stella McCartney were showing these timeless pieces on their models. And young celebrities like Leighton Meester have been seen wearing these sophisticated styles.

You can obviously shop high end for the black and sheer trend. But you can also pick up some pretty pieces at the inexpensive level, too. And when the color is black, the fabric looks rich at any price; at least we like to think so.


The Black and sheer combo isn't just for dresses. We have found them in tops, tunics, and skirts. And often times, lovely lace is incorporated into the look, so you are raising the elegance level even higher.

When you are wearing a black and sheer item, don't forget about the peek-a-boo element to the piece. In other words, be oh so careful, what part of your body is wearing the sheer fabric. For instance, if the belly is in the sheer fabric, that area will get noticed. If your belly is in taut, trim shape, then good for you. But if your belly isn't totally flat, then highlight or 'frame' another area of your figure in the sheer fabric, like your sexy decolletage, or your strong, fit arms.



The black and sheer trend can highlight the sexy body parts, and hide the less-than-perfect parts. The opaque, black fabric takes care of that problem. So it's a win-win style for all of us, and because this look is done in black and sometimes, navy, you will enjoy an overall slimmer silhouette.

Our top photo features the Black Raquel Lace Dress by Ralph Lauren Rugby.

Our 2nd photo comes from Forever21....the Mesh Yoke Rosette Tunic ($19.80).

Our 3rd photo shows a Frederick's of Hollywood Illusion Mesh Panel Dress ($54).

And our last photo features the Taryn Lace Skirt by Ralph Lauren Rugby ($298). It comes in navy(pictured here) or black.

Foot Petals Perfect Polish Pen Gives TLC On The Go To Shoes And Boots

You sure get around in your many pairs of shoes and boots. Look at Nicky Hilton rockin' the glam look in her leopard coat and black Christian Louboutin Babel platform boots in L.A. a few weeks ago. Nicky loves her Louboutins! As does Jennifer Lopez, ha!

And even if you don't own a pair of sexy Louboutins at $1,487. and change, you do own several pairs of shoes and boots. And every woman wants her shoes to be scuff-free. But this isn't a perfect world. Even celebrities get scratches and scuffs.

If you think people never look down at your feet, well, you're dreaming. We just had a friend of ours tell us a story about rushing out the door with little time to clean up. She forgot all about her boots. And there she stood in a group of put-together women at a special event. Our friend looked down at her feet and cringed! Her boots were a mess---noticable scuffs across the toes. No place to hide. She was embarrassed to say the least.

We, er, 'stumbled' on to this great website recently. Foot Petals. And we fell in love, head over heels, so to speak, with Foot Petals Perfect Polish Pen ($13). The dynamo, little pen comes in black and brown.

And the Perfect Polish Pen is worth it for these simple reasons:

Touch up that scuff or that annoying scratch before it drives you crazy.
Great for the office. For the jet-setter. For the gal on-the-go. And small enough to fit in your purse.
No mess.
Convenient hands-free pen applicator.
Provides an instant high gloss shine.
Quick dry formula.
Requires no extra buffing. (Love that....we are too lazy to buff.)
Excellent for gift giving.
Available in a 2-pair combo, too.

That's not all. FootPetals.com is full of wonderful TLC accessories, like several styles of foot cushions to keep your darling feet from working up an odor, to stop feet from sliding forward, arches to give your shoes the perfect fit, and so on.

There are Sole Stopperz, for only $6.95 a pair. Just place these pretty petal-shaped traction adhesives on the backs of your shoes or boots, to prevent slipping on wet or icy surfaces. Brilliant idea!

Foot Petals also sells some cute and comfy socks and slippers. If you can't find a Foot Petals store near you, shop online. Zappos.com and shubilove.com also sell Foot Petals accessories.

C.O. Bigelow Lip Balms Perfect In Winter And Yummy With Zero Calories

The cold, dry winter air is cruel to our lips. And if you spend time outdoors skiing, skating, sledding, or even just taking a leisurely stroll, your lips will pay the price if you leave them naked. All lips need lip balm. You wear gloves to shield your hands from the winter elements, so why would you not cover your lips with protection?

Lips are also thinner in skin structure, very sensitive, and lack protective oil glands.

Today, we are looking at some yummy and worthy lip balms from C.O. Bigelow, a 168-year-old apothecary in New York City. It's an amazing place, and if you're a drugstore junkie, you could spend weeks in there with tons of high quality beauty products at decent prices.


C.O. Bigelow's features some of the yummiest lip balms and lipshines around. Check out this one: Bigelow Mentha Lip Cordial in Triple Hot Chocolate ($7.50). Smells heavenly, of course, and glides on in a smooth, velvet way. You get high shine with breath-freshening benefits. Zero calories, too!

We love spearmint, and yet, it's not always easy to find in gum, let alone, a moisturizing shiny lip balm. But C.O. Bigelow's has got you covered with their Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Spearmint ($7.50). Very exhilirating to the breath and lips.

And C.O. Bigelow's also sells tinted lip balms, so you get a soft, sheer hint of color every time you apply. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint in Magenta Mint ($7.50). This mint-infused balm is so pretty! Lips stay moist and protected while Peppermint Oil gives breath long-lasting freshness.

Exfoliation is key when trying to maintain healthy, soft lips. So before you 'balm,' you can try these easy steps:

You will need a toothbrush as one of your go-to instruments for lip maintenance. No. We're not kidding. You must exfoliate as part of your daily and nightly routine. For instance, after brushing your teeth, take your wet toothbrush and gently brush your lips in a circular motion for several seconds. This brushing will loosen dead, chapped skin and give you smoother, softer lips.

Or you can go one step further. Buy an extra toothbrush. Take a dry toothbrush and dip the bristles into a little Vaseline. And brush your lips. This really works, and it's a beauty tip that's been around for a long time.

By the way, C.O. Bigelow's also sells a lip exfoliator. It's called Bigelow Soothing Lip Buffer ($7.50). It's a mint-infused lip exfoliator formulated with sugar crystals. And Bigelow's says it's the perfect remedy for flaky, peeling, chapped lips.

All these lip balms, lip shines, and lip buffer cost only $7.50 a piece. We love that price. For more information, visit C.O. Bigelow.

How To Get Sexy Joan Jett Eyes Like Kristen Stewart

Twilight's Kristen Stewart and rocker Joan Jett have something in common these days. And it has to do with a movie and a lot of black liquid eyeliner.

Fans of Kristen Stewart and Joan Jett have been anxiously awaiting for the release of The Runaways. The movie is set for release in March of this year, and the Twilight star will play the legendary Jett herself. The Runaways was the all-female band Jett founded when she was just 15.

Of course, Joan Jett has always had a signature look of shag-cut black hair with tons of sexy, black eyeliner. And yeah, Joan is still sporting the style, because she can and it's a timeless look. And young Kristen Stewart likes to play with makeup, too, and loves creating a heavily lined winged eye these days. The photo(top) we have of her, actually is a tamer version of the heavy black liner she's been sporting as of late. But you get the idea.

We talk often, here at Beauty Tip Today, about drawing on the sexy, winged eye, or cat eye, doe eye. Rocker chicks like to take it all a step further and amp up the wattage with a heavier line. It's up to you. To get Joan Jett eyes like Kristen Stewart, you need a couple of beauty essentials:

1. Liquid eyeliner. This is a must! It creates a neater, sharper look than a pencil. But it's not easy lining eyes and then flicking the liner up at the outside edge of your eyes. It takes some practice. Too make the drawing on a little easier, look for a liquid liner that comes in felt tip form, like Wet n Wild's H2O Proof Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Ultra Black ($3.99, at drugstores). This one stays put and glides along your eyelid smoothly.

2. Mascara. In black, of course. Any brand will do.

Quick winged eye tips:

1. Always begin drawing your line at the inner corner of your eye, like makeup artists do. Draw a thin line that gradually gets thicker as you move across your eyelid.

2. Once you reach the outer edge of your eye, flick the liner up and away. But don't go too far beyond....stop before the end of your brow.

3. Another little trick....before you begin to draw your liner on, force the eyelid skin to lie flat, by very gently pulling the outer corner of your eye. Hope that makes sense. A little clumsy at first.

We look forward to The Runaways flick. We think Kristen Stewart makes a super Joan Jett,and will pull off the role quite nicely. That and all the sexy, black eyeliner, too.