Madonna Looking Youthful And Defying Gravity In Mysterious Ways

Lots of people have been talking about Madonna these days, and not only for her recent appearance at the Hope for Haiti Now telethon/concert. She not only performed beautifully, but she was looking darn good. And at age 51, not an easy feat.

So, yeah, Madonna is looking youthful and defying gravity in mysterious ways. How exactly are her skin and face able to achieve such a tautness and healthy glow?! There are tons of rumors out there about the singer. We all know she does work out like a fiend and eat very properly. She took some nasty jabs last year about her very muscular arms and bony hands. Photographers were snapping her physique whenever they could. Lately, we have noticed her covering her arms and even wearing fingerless gloves, like she did in her performance for the Hope for Haiti Now telethon/concert.

Last year, there was talk about sizeable cheek implants put into her face. There was also buzz about Sculptra, a cosmetic filler, that when injected, adds wonderful volume to the face, filling in the hollows and restoring a youthful buoyancy to the features. Sculptra can last for several years.

There was even gossip about Madonna getting a ribbon lift less than a year ago. We hadn't even heard of this Beverly Hills technique. The $6,000 and 30-minute treatment, uses a dissolvable ribbon implant to lift neck tissues through a short incision around the earlobe.It takes around two months for the ribbon to be absorbed and the results can last a few years.

And then there is the Madonna lift. Hmm. We're not sure if that cosmetic procedure were named after the singer herself, but, what other Madonna could famous NYC plastic surgeon Bruce Katz be talking about?!

Dr. Katz is the pioneer behind the Madonna lift. This procedure is designed to tighten the skin around the eyes and bring a subtle lift to the eyebrows. It involves the fractional CO2 laser. It's a gentler enhancement, because it is not invasive, and is a safe and effective alternative to traditional eyelid surgery.

Dr. Katz explains the procedure this way:
"The Madonna fractional eyelift dramatically reduces the appearance of dark circles and eye wrinkles, tightens upper and lower eyelid skin, and helps to elevate drooping eyebrows,” said Dr. Katz. “It has a number of the benefits of a surgical eyelift without the risks and downtime. The only problem it doesn’t address is bulging fat pads.
Metal eye shields are used during treatment to protect a patient’s eyes from injury. The only anesthesia needed for the procedure is a numbing cream that is applied to the eyelids; as a result, downtime is minimal."

We can only guess at how the 'material girl' is fighting aging and gravity. But she's doing something right. And of course, like the smart gal she is, Madge isn't saying much. Madonna has remained rather mysterious on the subject of surgery, remarking previously: 'I am certainly not against plastic surgery; however, I am absolutely against having to discuss it.'

To take a look at Madonna's youthful appearance, check out her talented performance on YouTube.

Dr. Oz Says Seeds Simply Excellent For Health And Diet

When television's Dr. Oz speaks, people listen. And why not? Dr. Oz has quite the medical pedigree as Vice Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. And he has a good bedside manner, we think.

We recently heard Dr. Oz mention the value of seeds for excellent health and dietary benefits.

Could something as small and inconspicuous-looking as a poppy seed, chia seed, or sunflower seed have any real nutritional value?

Apparently so, and even the basic sprinkling of these little seeds on salads, vegetables, and other foods on a daily basis, can reap rewards for you in the long run.

Let's take a look at 3 good seeds. We found some wonderful facts from Buzzle.com:

Poppy seeds. Yeah, we all have heard about the failed urine tests because of opium that would turn up in the results. Remember the Seinfeld episode and the poppy seed muffin? It's true...you can flunk a urine test after eating an innocent poppy seed bagel or poppy seed roll.

"Poppy seeds are considered to be an excellent source of vital minerals like magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc. that are needed for the smooth functioning of all human organs. As they provide the body with a good source of carbohydrates, they add loads of energy in the body. Their fatty acids aid in digestion as well as supplying other important acids required to break down food in the stomach. Poppy seeds contain linoleic acid and oleic acid. Linoleic acid protects the heart from many heart diseases and conditions, while oleic acid is known to help in prevention of breast cancer."

There are 45 Calories in 1 Tablespoon of poppy seeds.

Chia seeds. We wrote an article about this valuable little seed last year, in the form of FitFlax, a popular and crunchy food. FitFlax is ready to eat and consists of whole seeds made of roasted golden flax with chia. Together, the chia and flax seeds can do wonders:

Lower blood pressure + cholesterol

Increase metabolic rate

Promote lean muscle mass
Reduce Body Fat
Promote healthy skin

Reduce cravings for sweets + junk foods

Promote regularity + colon health

Stabilize blood sugarHigh in soluble + insoluble fiber

Improve cardiovascular health

Reduce risk of cancer.

It tastes like sesame seeds, and it is gluten-free. Yummy on peanut butter and crackers. 76 Calories in 1 1/2 Tablespoons.

Sunflower Seeds. Think of these as 'good for your heart' seeds. "The most important health benefit of sunflower seeds is imparted by the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that it contains. These components protect the heart against various heart diseases like blockage of arteries, by lowering cholesterol and eliminating bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein. More than 90% of the fat, that sunflower seeds contain is unsaturated fat which help maintain high density lipoprotein."

Sunflower seeds contain: Vitamin E, proteins, selenium, magnesium, folates, fibers, and other important nutrients. These tasty seeds can be baked in pancakes, breads, sprinkled on salads and vegetables. And they can be stored for a long time.

We think Dr. Oz is right about the health and dietary benefits of seeds. Just a sprinkle a day can keep you slim and fit.

How To Put Pretty Focus On Nails During Cold Dull Winter Days

Let's kick things up a notch! We can't believe we are even saying that, but you will understand in a moment.If you've got several inches of snow on the ground, then you might be tired of the cold winter days. And if you're enjoying 80 degree temperatures and hot sun, well, lucky you.

We want to bring the focus back to your nails, ladies. And the easiest and cheapest way to do that, is through a simple bottle of nail polish. Let's be frank here, the economy is still putting a struggle on most folks these days. So, we would like to find a bit of beauty in the most inexpensive way. And that my dears, is through the wonderful world of color. And when it comes to our nails, that's an area where we can all go crazy!

And as long as you keep your nails short and groomed, preferably square-shaped, you can paint on a bold and bright beautiful nail shade. Today, we are looking at turquoise. Why turquoise, you ask. Simple. It's one of the hot go-to shades for 2010.

Stylist Anya Sarre of The Insider show, recently mentioned turquoise and berry as being the 'it' colors of the new year. And Lara Spencer, host of The Insider, has been wearing the colors often. Sometimes in a piece of jewelry, or a pretty blouse, etc. Already, we are seeing more celebrities and non-celebrities brightening up their wardrobes with a splash of turquoise or berry.

Let's look at China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Custom Kicks. This strong, sexy shade came out last summer, and it's still going strong, and looks great during these cold winter days. And it won't break your budget. Only $6 at sallybeauty.com. And every skin tone would look lovely with a set of turquoise nails like these.

Where we are typing this, the outdoor temperature reads 17 degrees. Now you know why we need to 'kick it up.'

So, if the cold, dull winter days have you down, spice up your life with a little color. And this time, let's put the pretty focus on your nails.

Jennifer Lopez At Scott Barnes' Book Party Says It's All About The Bronzer

Jennifer Lopez has amazing bone structure. Period. And maybe that's why she is the cover girl for her makeup artist Scott Barnes' new book, About Face. The book is available at bookstores now, and retails for $24.99

J.Lo was at the book party recently. She is very proud of Scott Barnes, as she should be. The A-list makeup artist does fine beauty work on Jennifer Lopez, as well as Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Mariska Hargitay, Gwyneth Paltrow, and many other Hollywood celebrities and models.

InStyle magazine asked J.Lo at the About Face book party, to share the most important beauty lesson Scott Barnes has taught the sexy Latin celebrity. And apparently, it's all about the bronzer:

“Stay out of the sun! He really nailed into my head. Bronzer and self-tanners are so worth it. Stay out of the booth, girls! And boys!” she said. “He’s taught me so much about contouring… what should be highlighted and what should be left alone.”

Scott Barnes loves to use bronzer and highlighter. And he, of course, adores his own liquid bronzers called Body Bling, which he refers to as, 'the bronzer to the stars.'

In a past article we did on Scott Barnes' makeup tips, he explains the gentle approach to using bronzer:

"Make sure that you don’t use a bronzer like you would be using a loose powder. You shouldn’t be applying bronzer all over your face. You should actually use bronzer on parts of your face that the sun would kiss naturally and you should make sure that the centre of your face is lighter than the outer parts of your face."

To get that healthy, sun-kissed glow like Jennifer Lopez, start out softly:

"In general, I try to abide by a less-is-more mentality: You can always layer more on but it’s harder to take it off. It’s really all in the approach, though. I always see women applying powders and bronzers starting next to their nose. But the trick is to work from the outside of the face inward, rather than the other way around. This creates a halo effect and leaves a diamond shape of light in the center so your face appears a little more open. This will hide double chins and give you a visible bone structure so you don’t wind up looking old. Also, use a bronzing brush to blend allover rather than applying product directly to problem areas like crow’s feet and laugh lines. And don’t forget to do your neck and décolletage."

By the way, About Face, a how-to makeup book, is full of valuable techniques for every area of makeup application. There are lots of step-by-step photos, makeup items you need, dramatic makeovers, celebrities he has worked with, etc.

You can check out About Face by Scott Barnes at Amazon.

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!