Taking Care Of The Skin Below The Chin: Decollete Sun Spots

The hot sun feels so good on our skin. And when most of us tan, our decollete is right there, propped up like the bikini-clad woman in the photo. The decollete receives all the good blessings from the sun, but also some nasty skin agers, like sun spots, wrinkles, and dry dullness. Now that it's winter, it's time to examine the damage we've done.

What is the decollete? The decollete is actually the upper part of a woman's chest, below the neck. And that brings us to the point of our article today:

Skin Care should not end at the chin. Let's look below. The decollete area on a woman's body is one of the first places to show age. The decollete needs tender loving care. According to liv.com, a website dedicated to helping raise awareness about early detection of breast cancer, the skin of the decollete, is quite delicate:

"The skin on the décolleté area is more sensitive than skin on other parts of our body; it is thinner, less moisturized, has less elasticity and there is no fat tissue below. Consequently, this skin is more likely to show signs of aging with dryness, hyper-pigmentation and age spots."

And yet, most of us follow a strict face cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing routine, often stopping at the chin.

Get over age 50, and dermatologists say those cute, faint, little sun spots, fine lines, and freckles, start getting bigger and darker in pigmentation. The good news? We can always improve our skin.

First, cleanse your decollete area with the same cleanser you would use on your face. And then apply a moisturizer. NY dermatologist Judith Hellman advises follwing that step with " a combination of Vitamin A derivative creams such as Retin-A, Glycolic Acid creams and bleaching creams containing Hydroquinone". This regimen will start minimizing brown pigmentation and fine lines, she says.

There are also cosmetic procedures like 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. One visit costs around $500, but this procedure has proven to be quite successful.

And then there is do-it-at-home decollete care. Melanie Vasseur, a well-known skincare specialist, cosmetic chemist, aesthetician and founder of Vasseur Skincare, says you could try this:

"Vitamin C is very effective in removing sunspots as well. Try lemon or limejuice, they act as natural alpha hydroxy acids and are very effective. Squeeze fresh lemon juice or lime juice into a bowl and apply with a cotton swab to your chest every other night for 2-3 weeks. Take a break for the fourth week and continue again for the fifth week. The following remedies can take up to 6 months, be patient you’ll be glad you were."

These skin care steps for the decollete sound smart and sensible. And as all dermatologists remind us: Please put on the sunscreen, even when it's a cloudy day.

Get Some New Year Bling By Michelle Trachtenberg For Coach

Hey Michelle Trachtenberg. It must be nice to be a Gossip Girl and have a new jewelry line, and be only 24-years-old.

The engaging actress is excited about bringing in some new year bling for Coach's younger set in their Poppy jewelry collection. And it's some budget-saving bling. The spring 2010 pieces sell for $78 to $128.

Michelle Trachtenberg tells Us magazine, "It's Marie Antoinette meets Blondie. The perfect mix of girlie and edgy."


If you adore a little buzz close to your heart, you will love Michelle's debut jewelry line for Coach's Poppy collection. The bee is everywhere and it's a striking Swarovski crystal bee. The spring 2010 bling line is on sale right now. So far, we have noticed a 4-piece collection. Earrings. Bracelet. Necklace. And big bee cocktail ring. All pieces include a light hematite finish for a gunmetal cast along with faceted glass stones.

We like the jewelry pieces, because we are partial to blue. And we recently saw Michelle, herself, sporting the bee earrings at an event. Her fans will probably love the collection.

Let's face it. It's quite common these days, to have a celebrity collaborate with a jewelry or fashion house. Nicole Richie has done it quite admirably and successfully with her House of Harlow jewelry and new Winter Kate clothing line. And the Kardashians have a brand new jewelry line among other clever ventures.

We know....the bee theme has been done over and over again in jewelry collections, but this one does mix some hard edges into the design. So we think those who adore the Poppy jewelry will welcome Michelle Trachtenberg's collaboration with Coach.

You can view Michelle's debut line at Coach.

Golden Globes Bring Out Sophisticated Silver Eyeshadow Trend In 2010

The big beauty trend at Sunday's Golden Globes awards show, was in the eyes of several lovely ladies, like Leona Lewis, Heidi Klum, and Kate Hudson.

You could say, it was a 'Grey Gardens Night' when it came to makeup. We're talking about sophisticated silver eyeshadow. Take a look at British songstress Leona Lewis. She's rockin' the sexy and softer smoky eye with a lighter pink lip. The beauty trend will be big this year and it's not hard to copy.

The 2010 Golden Globes also featured a sea of purple fabric flowing along the red carpet. Purple shades like violets, plums, and eggplants were delicately hugging the bodies of Sandra Bullock, Jane Krakowski, Rose Byrne, and Leona Lewis.

That purple fashion trend also blends in beautifully with the silver eye shades celebrities were wearing to the formal event. Any eyeshadow that takes a silver base and mixes in a wash of muted purple will be important this spring.

And do take note. If you are not crazy about a harsher or bolder smoky eye, the kind that is generally done in black or brown shadows and liners, silver shadow is very sophisticated and just as pretty. You can go deep with gunmetal grey or much gentler with a delicate dove grey. From shimmer to sheen. From metallic to matte, silver can go the beauty distance.

By the way, if you're still all thumbs when it comes to creating smoky eyes, have no fear. Stila has a wonderful Smoky Eye Talking Palette eyeshadow set (on sale $40, at Sephora stores). And it comes in 2 gray choices:

The Grays (the original Smoky Eye Talking Palette): icy champagne (base), silvery gray (lid), dark gray (crease/ contour), and smoky black brown (liner).

The Platinums: white pearl (base), silver (lid), silvery gray (crease/ contour), and black with micro glitter (liner).

And the set is goof-proof!! "With the press of a button, a Stila artist's recording will teach you how to create the perfect smoky eye, complete with artistry tips, what brushes to use, and product suggestions, all in under a minute."

How cool is that!

Women Lose Weight Slower Than Men But Menstrual Cycle Can Tell Women When Body Burns Most Fat

It's already 2010. And lots of people are trying to lose weight in the new year.

The ugly fact: Women do lose weight slow-wwwwer than men. How frustrating is that, especially partners that take the weight loss journey together, only to see their male counterparts losing lbs. so quickly.

But women do have a little weight loss weapon they don't even know about. It's called your menstrual cycle. And learning how your monthly cycle works, can give you clues to when your body burns the most fat.

Here at Beauty Tip Today, we have tackled this issue before, and we recently received an email from a reader who wanted us to re-explain how a woman's menstrual cycle can help one lose weight. So let us begin.

First, let's look at some basics:

1. Men tend to lose weight faster than women for a few reasons.

2. Women tend to store and retain fat, because we have higher levels of estrogen, which keeps fat on a woman's body.

3. Men have more muscle on their frames which equals a faster metabolism. So, they can burn more calories, even when lying on the couch, doing zero.

4. Women have more fat on hips and thighs, which are tougher fat zones to remove, whereas men have more belly fat, which is a fat zone that melts away quicker.

Now, lets' look at women's menstrual cycles, and see how your period, and the days in between that, offer you the best shot for burning fat. Exercise plays a big role here:

Muscle & Fitness magazine did an article on the female fat cycle. And according to researchers from Australia, all women are equal and alike during certain times of their menstrual cycle.

For instance, one study found that, "the female body burns much more fat, especially during high-intensity aerobic exercise, during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle than it does during the follicular phase." In other words, you will lose more weight during days 14-28 of your cycle than during days 1-13 of your cycle.(Remember: Day 1 of your cycle always equals the first day of your period). It has to do with the estrogen and progesterone levels during a woman's cycle.

Now to take advantage of your own fat burning machine, do lower-intensity exercise when you get your period. Use about 60%-70% of your maximum heart rate for about 40-60 minutes per session for days 1-13. Do cardio on the treadmill or elliptical climber. Then around day 14, switch over to high-intensity exercise, where you use 80%-90% maximum heart rate for about 30 minutes per session. Do that tougher exercise regimen for days 14-28.(These days are generally your ovulation time). Push your cardio on the stationary bike or stair-stepper.

This plan will help you really strip the fat and lose weight.

New NARS Orgasm Illuminator Explodes In Luscious Luminosity

It's called the NARS Orgasm Illuminator, ladies. A fancy word for highlighter. And it's the newest seductive makeup product in the already legendary NARS Orgasm makeup line-up. The Illuminator has been set for introduction in Spring 2010, but it's being sold right now at Sephora. That's the only beauty store, so far, where we could hunt down a tube of it.

The price may be $29, but this Orgasm Illuminator explodes into luscious luminosity in that familiar peachy-pink shade that makes every gal blush in a beautiful way. It performs in a big-gggg way......It can be used as a highlighter on cheeks or anywhere else you want to bring gentle shine and attention....like the decolletage. You can also mix a little Orgasm Illuminator in your foundation or tinted moisturizer.

The consistency of this new NARS Orgasm product is that of a sheer fluid. It's got a subtle shimmer along with the tiniest of microscopic flecks in shiny peaches, pinks, and golds. The Illimunator gives warmth and vibrancy to the complexion and shows off bone structure.

The NARS Orgasm Illuminator joins hands with popular NARS Orgasm Blush, Orgasm Lipgloss, Orgasm Nail Polish, and NARS The Multiple(multi-purpose color stick).

Tonight is the night for the Golden Globes Awards show. We wonder how many beautiful celebrities will be walking the red carpet wearing their own Orgasm Illuminator. If you want to glow, this new product delivers for all of us.

Yogurt Is So Good For You And Heidi Klum Proves It In New Dannon Ad

Heidi Klum is everywhere these days, and most recently in a new ad for Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt. We were wondering who that sexy woman was in the clever ad. It looked like Heidi, but we weren't so sure, until now.

At 36, and a proud momma of 4, Heidi Klum is on the go with Project Runway's new 7th season. She just gave birth to her daughter Lou in October. She has since modeled in the annual televised Victoria's Secret fashion show, designed a line of maternity clothes, has a popular skin care line going, and a bunch of other things with her lovely face and name behind them.

And now yogurt. Perfect for a mom who is fast on the track to drop her post-pregnancy days and keep her slender figure. And Heidi knows that yogurt is so good for you. And in this case, only 80 calories in a cup(6oz. serving) of new Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt. And zero fat. Available in 17 delicious flavors like Pineapple Coconut and Apple Pie. Yummy!!

Yogurt is a wonderful natural beauty treatment. And it's delicious! Yogurt delivers lots of vitamins and minerals to the body. It is an excellent source of protein and calcium and as most of you already know, yogurt maintains good gastro-intestinal health.

And yogurt is also beneficial for healthy gums. According to a recent study at Japan's Kyushu University, researchers found that those who ate fermented milk products such as yogurt (at least 2 oz. a day), had significantly improved gum health. The key 'magic' ingredient being calcium.

What we admire about Heidi Klum is her devotion to family, her accessibility, and wholesome public image. Heidi is often see with family in tow, trying to live a very normal life, amidst the fame of her modeling career and that of her husband Seal's singing career. Heidi isn't afraid to show off a face without makeup and one with a few lines and wrinkles, as she did last summer while heading to a Broadway show. She isn't playing model 24/7.

The public embraces Heidi Klum, and not only for her beauty.

To take a look at Heidi's new ad for Dannon yogurt, just click on to YouTube.

And visit LightnFit for coupons.

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!