Lauren Luke Lucks Out As YouTube Sensation And Visits Today Show

If you know makeup, then you probably know Lauren Luke. And if you don't know, let us tell the story, because it's a great one.

The lonely, young British woman who swears she had no friends, shot to super stardom last year on YouTube. Lauren Luke made makeup tutorials, using her own pretty face as a guide, and instantly gained more than 56 million views by 2009. And now she has her own official site and a line of makeup kits sold exclusively at Sephora stores here in the United States. You can also purchase her line here.

And this morning, Lauren Luke's popularity went up another ton of digits with an appearance on the 'Today Show.' She showed host Meredith Viera, how to create the look every woman asks her for----the smoky eye. This time, Lauren demonstrated her marvelous makeup skills on a model. Her beauty tips today: Use a primer before applying eye shadow, so it glides on smoother and stays put. A smokey eye is sexy, Lauren adds. You can go lighter with the smokey eye for daytime and then build it up with stronger color for evening.

You can try Lauren Luke's My Smokey Classics kit ($32.50). This is what you get inside:
Shadow Primer / Nude Slip DarkShadow Primer / Nude Slip LightEye Shadow / Antique PewterBlush / Peach GlowEye Liner / Raven BlackEye Shadow / Twilight AshEye Shadow / Cashmere CreamLip Color / PlumberryLip Color / Cranberry Stain.

Lauren Luke is a 27-year-old single mom who started 'vlogging' while her son was at school. And the rest is history, as they say. To check out Lauren Luke in makeup action, just visit her YouTube site. She's got a friendly, sincere manner with a charming British accent.

Here are Lauren's reasons for showing the world her makeup tutorials:

"I am very proud of myself considering my average size for a women it is very hard to get this much notice. I want to make a huge change to the beauty industry and with all of your help through YouTube I hopefully will be able to do so.
Lets show the world together that everyone is just as beautiful if not more with just the confidence we hold.I dont know about you but I know I have had enough of being made to feel inadequate by today's beauty standards.
"I just think there is a standard that is set by the beauty industry that is unobtainable by the vast majority of us normal people who pay for it. We are all entitled to have products that work and bring out the best in us and create looks that we can actually wear"Please Subscribe to show your support, it really does make a difference.Zoom Zoom!"

Delicious Mac iPhone Apps For Beauty, Shopping, Style

Okay, ladies, start your Mac engines!!

Macworld.com's App Guide reviews more than 73,000 iPhone apps that are now available to you. Just download on to iTunes.

Let's look at some cool beauty, shopping, and style apps (applications) for you. And if you're on a tight budget, don't worry, there's a special app for that:

Budget ($2). You can watch how much you're spending and stay within your limit. Set a pre-set budget and your app will remember the $$ amount. So before going crazy on a very expensive set of earrings, you will be able to track your purchases and avoid the embarrassing debit overdraft.

BNB (Be Nice to Bunnies) ($2). This app helps you shop for cruelty-free cosmetics and other products not tested on animals. You can also check whether an item is vegan.


CardStar (Free). This one consolidates all your store cards-- like membership, discount, club and rewards. A cashier can scan the bar code right off your iPhone.

My Style Fashion Assistant ($5). Gotta love this app. Your very own style consultant. Keep track of what you wear, what clothing you have, and even how to mix and match. And if you're planning a trip, no problem, this little application can give you valuable fashion tips, all in the name of 'organization.'

Coupon Sherpa (Free). No need to hunt for savings. This app finds scannable coupons for you---like boots, sunglasses, and much more, including deals in your area.

Ebay Mobile (Free). You really want to buy that set of beautiful makeup brushes, but you can't sit by the computer all day. Get and up and go, and keep track of your online bidding with this Ebay app, and let the bidding war begin!

Amazon Mobile (Free). Same kind of idea here---step away from your computer. You see an item you want, snap a photo, and Amazon will do the work--sending you listings for the same product or similar products.

ColorSutra ($2). Have superb style? But not the best with which color goes with that?! The Color Sutra app can help. Just take a picture of your turquoise blouse, for instance. And this clever app will automatically offer you shades that match.

Makeup Tips & Tricks ($1). This detailed guide has been compiled by professional makeup artists, and covers a wide range of topics on eyes, lips, skin, nails and much more. Lots of 'how-to's.' How to use makeup brushes. How to fix a makeup mistake. How to highlight your natural beauty.

These are just a few of the hundreds and hundreds of apps designed to make your world a more beautiful and stylish place. For more info, just click on MAC.

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.