Watch Out! Counterfeit Fragrances Contain Anti-Freeze And Urine

Anti-freeze? Urine? We don't want anyone to lose their lunch here, but this is really disturbing information Harper's Bazaar magazine is reporting today, about the huge business of counterfeit fragrances and the unbelievable ingredients found in them.

And faux fragrances are different from fake handbags or apparel, simply because, you are applying a fake perfume to the skin. And sometimes, though not always, you can develop an ugly reaction, says Jeannette Graf, a dermatologist in Great Neck, New York. "Knockoffs are poorly made, cheap, and reactive. You don't have accountability with a knockoff. It could be made in someone's bathtub for all you know." Bad reactions, she says, range from a runny nose to redness and eczema.

The Bazaar magazine article goes on to explain that, counterfeit fragrances have not been subjected to the quality-control tests and research and development on which legitimate makers spend money and time. "When you wear a fake, the experience is a lot different," Patrick Bamburak, a Dior Perfumes executive says. "It's either more concentrated and will be more strong or will have an alcoholy smell that won't last." And fakes have been found to contain contaminated alcohol, antifreeze, urine, and harmful bacteria.

Yuck. Enough to turn your stomach. And yet, these knock-off perfumes are sold everywhere, and not just on the streets of New York City. You can find counterfeit fragrances at flea markets, discount drugstores, and even supermarkets. And the most common place of all.....on some online sites, especially on Ebay.

Don't get us started with Ebay. We got taken, snowed, conned, and whatever other word you want to call it, when we innocently purchased what we thought were two bottles of Estee Lauder's Beautiful fragrance two Decembers ago, before Christmas.

The seller, with an almost stellar Ebay feedback rating, was peddling the fragrance in a big 2 1/2 oz. bottle for only the auction starting price of $24.99. Plus $5.99 shipping. A total of $30.98. A 'real' bottle of Beautiful in a 2 1/2 oz. bottle would run us about $70 or more.We were lucky to get our hands on two big bottles of Beautiful for only $61.96. Sealed and wrapped in the original box.

Well, the Beautifuls were big fakes. Two counterfeit fragrances.

Our beauty tip today: Buy right, like Harper's Bazaar is warning you:

"Top-quality perfumes are sold at department stores, beauty specialty stores such as Sephora, and sometimes high-end boutique pharmacies and apothecaries.

How To Get Rid Of White Deodorant Marks On Clothing

We've all been there, ladies. And if you own an lbd, or little black dress, then you've probably run into this problem at least once in your life.

We're talking about white deodorant marks on clothing. Those nasty white marks left behind after a simple swipe of deodorant. The marks end up under the arms of your favorite fashions. And then, try to get rid of those white deodorant marks. It's virtually impossible. And if the fabric is colored black or in a bright shade like red, good luck!

You try washing the white marks out with water, and sometimes you can ruin the fabric. You keep rubbing and rubbing away. The material dries, and still......the white deodorant marks re-surface. Why won't they disappear!

This morning, we got a bit of good news on how to get rid of those nasty white marks. Consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen of CBS's 'The Early Show,' came up with a unique idea. And it actually works, because we saw her rub out the deodorant marks, live, on television. See the proof here! TheEarlyShow.

All you need is a favorite piece of clothing with some ugly white marks ruined by deodorant and an old pair of panty hose. Yes, panty hose. Roll up the panty hose in a ball, and start rubbing away the white deodorant marks. You will be using the nylon hose like a cloth. Just keep rubing over the marks. And like magic, the nasty whiteness disappears!

You can also try a deodorant that is specifically formulated to not only battle perspiration and odor, but one that also claims to never leave behind white marks. Here's an invisible solid that works:

New Degree Ultra Clean Red Satin Deodorant. This one is 'unbeatable on white marks.' And the feminine red satin scent is lovely, made with a unique blend of floral, citrus and fruity notes for a sparkling clean, fresh scent. Top and middle notes include pineapple, watermelon, apple, pear, aqueous, bergamot, tangerine and zest, and middle and base notes include muguet, rose, peony and marigold. Yummy scent!

Degree Women Ultra Clear anti-perspirants/deodorants are available nationally at drugstores beginning January 2010 with a suggested retail price of $3.99 (2.6 oz). The product should be on most store shelves by now.

Visit DegreeDeodorant.com for some money saving coupons.

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.