Can Coenzyme Q10 And Other Supplements Give You Great Skin?

Great skin. It is something to treasure, indeed. Some of us are blessed with what seems like perfect skin. But most of us have to work very hard to keep it looking smooth, firm, and wrinkle-free.

Many of us take supplements and vitamins on a daily basis, to keep our bodies healthy and nourished. But the majority probably do not take supplements and vitamins for their complexion.

So, the question begs.......Can Coenzyme Q10 and other pills give you great skin?

Some experts say, "You betcha!"

One of the skin pioneers big on the power of anti-oxidants is Dr. Nicholas Perricone, an anti-aging expert. He says you can revitalize your skin from the outside and inside. Remember Dr. Perricone's NY Times bestseller, The Wrinkle Cure?

And Miami beach dermatologist Leslie Baumann seems to agree. Both skin experts love Coenzyme Q10. You've seen that special ingredient blended into lots of skin creams. And with good reason.

According to Dr. Baumann, it's her favorite anti-oxidant. "It protects the skin from oxidative stress and helps give cells the energy they need to repair themselves."

And Dr. Perricone writes at length about CoQ10 in The Wrinkle Cure, saying that, "CoQ10 is fat-soluble and therefore concentrates in the skin plasma membrane, providing protection against free-radical damage, which is why it's such a powerful anti-oxidant". He says there are no toxic effects, and advises taking the oral supplement at doses of 30-100 mg. daily under age 40, and 100 mg. daily over 40.

Dr. Perricone. suggests dividing the doses at breakfast and lunch. And do consult your doctor about dosages related to heart disease.

More good beauty supplements for great skin include:

Vitamin C. This super pill helps your body produce collagen.

Evening Primrose oil. This omega-6 fatty acid helps improve firmness in skin.

Fish or Flaxseed oil. Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation in the body. Omega-3s also help strengthen the skin's barrier, which means moisture locks in, and bad stuff like irritants are blocked out.

Do your research. There is a pill for great skin. And you can tailor a plan that suits your specific skin care needs.

Pump Up The Volume: Big Hair Is Back For Spring/Summer 2010

Volume. Big hair. Lots of locks.

Here at Beauty Tip Today, you know by now, that we are obsessed with big hair. And we love talking about hair and more hair.

Yes, we have lots of hair, of fine to medium thickness. And without any product to help us give our locks some structure, we basically have shapeless volume. That's why we love volumizers. Okay, that really isn't a word, but in the hair biz, it has become an accepted part of language. Ask most women, and they know exactly what a hair volumizer is, and what it does.

BIG Hair is, well, BIG in spring/summer 2010! The runways showed off masses of hair on the models, some of it teased sky-high, a lot with huge curly dos, and some with endless big waves. Designers like Rachel Comey and Luca Luca made sure their models had hair had to remember. And look at Canadian model Jessica Stam's big blonde head of hair in a photo from the NY Times, Now that's some sexy, bad girl big hair!

And celebrities like Beyonce have been walking the red carpet with glamorous volume.

So, how do you get there fast? With a great hair volumizer. After showering, just spritz and spritz, and blow-dry your hair, with your head upside down.

And try this little number by the hair folks at AG Hair Cosmetics.....Bigwigg Root Volumizer ($24, 10 oz., at authorized AG Salons across the country, and online at sites like amazon.com.

Bigwigg Root Volumizer does a super job:

1. Has a Volume hold factor 4 of 5 (Volume hold factors are from 1 for softest volume to 5 for most volume)

2. Perfect for hair requiring lift at the roots and additional volume.

3. For incredible volume spray directly at roots and then through clean, damp hair and blow dry as normal.

4. Delivers volume directly to the roots of lifeless hair breathing life back into dull, flat hair.

How To Tips For Applying Sunscreen With Other Beauty Treatments

Sunscreen Hate putting it on? The latest science has shown the heavy damage left behind after years of enjoying the sun. There really is no excuse anymore. Sunscreen is a must do in your daily beauty routine.

But if you are like us, you apply all sorts of beauty products to your face, neck, and body every day. So, how and where does the sunscreen step fall in the order of your beauty routine? First, last, or middle?!

Don't laugh. It's a tricky question. We thought we had the correct order for all our beauty products, but we were wrong in a couple of steps. So, here are some tips on how to correctly apply sunscreen with other beauty treatments. This information is coming from a source that knows a lot---The Skin Cancer Foundation:

Let's say you do obey the rules, and always slap on the sunscreen. But you also are loyal to your topical medications like Retin-A, for instance, or acne prescriptions?. What is the proper order?

Bradford R. Katchen, MD, associate professor of dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City, had this suggestion. "If sunscreen is applied first, it might interfere with the medication’s penetration and might inactivate the active ingredient. For that reason, medication should always be the first product applied to a clean, washed face."

Fine. But what if you layer other beauty products like moisturizers and then foundations and more makeup?

Follow this routine. "If you’re also using a moisturizer, it should go on after the medication and before the sunscreen," adds Rosemarie Ingleton, MD, attending physician, Beth Israel Medical Center and clinical instructor, Mount Sinai Medical Center. "Applying a moisturizer after the medication could actually enhance penetration of the medication,” she notes. “If the moisturizer does not contain an SPF, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher next. Finally, apply foundation, powder, blush and any other colored cosmetics."

Still somewhat confused? Don't be. The Skin Cancer Foundation lays out the layering order like so:

Medication, moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, powder and lastly, blush.

And don't forget that sunscreens wear off while you're sweating or just sitting there doing nothing in the sun. So, re-apply every two hours, experts say.

Dr. Rachel Herschenfeld, a Harvard-educated dermatologist, suggests these excellent sunscreens. "One great brand is LaRoche Posay which makes the Anthelios line of sunscreens. The FDA did approve another stabilized form of avobenzone, called Helioplex, which is found in Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer SPF 55- great product available at many pharmacies.

In our research for this information, we stumbled onto a 2006 Washington Post article featuring Dr. Herschenfeld with more wonderful sunscreen tips. Check it out here.

Serums More Powerful Than Creams For Younger Looking Skin

Serums or creams?

Excellent beauty and skin care question.

Usually, women with oily skin, select the face serum, because it is lighter and won't clog pores. Those with dry skin, pick the face cream because it's heavier and provides moisturizing effects. But not always....

If you want to battle the signs of aging, like wrinkles and sagging skin, always opt for the serum.

Says who? New York City dermatologist, David J. Goldberg. He explains that face serums are more potent. "Creams usually contain less than 10 percent of active ingredients; serums have up to 70 percent," he says. So, in other words, you are getting more bang for your buck, with a serum.

Now, that's good to know. Of course, that is just one dermatologist's view, and we're sure that other professionals might disagree. But for the moment, let's assume that Dr. Goldberg is correct, that serums are more powerful than creams when it comes to beautiful skin.

Okay, now what type of serum do we choose? Another very smart beauty question.

Here are 3 excellent serums for younger-looking skin, with 3 different, but all very high-tech formulas:

1. Skin Biology Super CP Serum( 1 oz, $24.95, at Skin Biology).
Skin Biology's Super CP is a strong skin remodeling face serum made with its patented copper peptides. Just a few tiny drops smoothed over the face in the morning, followed by an hydroxy acid at night. Skin will tighten up and complexion will brighten after a few weeks of usage.

2. Exuviance Vespera Bionic Serum(1 oz, $60, at NeoStrata).

Exuviance's Vespera Bionic Serum is another potent skin treatment formulated with (AHA) Mandelic Acid, and (PHAs) Lactobionic Acid and Gluconolactone
Multi-Antioxidant protection from Pro-Vitamins A, C and E. And also blended with a marine botanical to help smooth stressed skin. Clinical studies indicate that after 6 weeks of use:
212% improvement in clarity
89% of users claimed a significant improvement in skin texture and smoothness.

3. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Serum(1 oz, $19.99, at drugstores).
A highly concentrated formula with a good amount of Retinol combined with anti-oxidant multi vitamins. After four weeks, you should notice a healthier glow with smoother skin, and wrinkles appear less noticeable.

Sold Out Ann Taylor Floral Dress Pops Up On Ebay In Fashion Frenzy

Ann Taylor. We love the style-----classic, modern, and feminine. And now the sleeveless dress everyone wants.

The really lovely Vintage Floral Lace Dress ($198) from Ann Taylor's Spring-Summer 2010 line. The only problem being.....the dress is SOLD OUT at all Ann Taylor stores and online at their website.

But there has been a fashion frenzy brewing for a few days now on Ebay. It's the only place we know, where you can try, and we mean try, to get your hands on this timeless sheath. But you better expect to pay a lot more for the Ann Taylor dress.

At the moment, there is one Vintage Floral Lace Dress up for bid on Ebay going for $316.99, at this writing. And it's in a teeny size 2. There are just a little over 4 hours left in this auction. There are 8 bids so far. Shipping, by the way, will cost you $14.50.

Don't worry, Ebay has more of these impossible-to-find Ann Taylor Vintage Floral Lace Sheathes. We counted a total of 16 SOLD OUT dresses.

Here's the breakdown on Ebay:

two up for auction in size 8
three up for auction in size 0
two up for auction in size 0P
one up for auction in size 00P
three up for auction in size 2
one up for auction in size 4
one up for auction in size 4P
one up for auction in size 2P
one up for auction in size 6
one up for auction in size 10.

Good luck, ladies. We're not sure exactly how this SOLD OUT fashion frenzy began. Some speculate it was all because of model Milla Jovovich, who appears in the new Ann Taylor spring/summer ads, and dang, she's wearing that Vintage Floral Lace Dress.

The photo we display here, however, is not that of Milla Jovovich. But you can easily see, the dress is a knock-out!

Ann Taylor stores

will be stocking another 100 more of these lovely dresses sometime, somewhere next week in a flash sale. We hope to keep you posted.

Would You Stick On Lady-Like Chanel Transfer Tattoos

Transfer tattoos. This is a big trend for 2010 in body art. And Chanel is making it all very lady-like with some elegant, tres chic beads and floral prints.

No....it's not real ink, but you have to admit, these temporary tatts are quite pretty.

It all began with designer Karl Lagerfeld and his runway show. His models' arms and legs were adorned with delicate-looking tattoos at the country-inspired Chanel spring/summer 2010 catwalk showback in September. Hay was strewn along the runway to give a bucolic touch to his designs. But it was the cool tattoos like the sexy chain-link ones, that everyone's been talking about. The Chanel models had each been hand-painted for the show by make-up artist Peter Philips.

And now, these Chanel Transfer Tattoos are available in Chanel Boutiques to non-models, too, in an easy, quick transfer tattoo method. We're told that a set of 55 individual Chanel tatts will cost you about $70.

Would you stick on a few? We especially adore the wrist bracelet tattoos. We think those are sexy.

And for those of you who own real tattoos, some of you might want to take the fake Chanels and have real ink ones designed for you. We think it's a clever trend in body art, and are curious to see how many permanent tatts emerge from the delicate, lady-like Chanel transfers.

Gaia Geddes, executive fashion and jewelry editor of Harper’s Bazaar in the UK, explains the new trend this way. “The tattoo has long lost its tacky associations. Wearing a fashion tattoo is the ultimate fix for label-lovers: they can literally brand themselves in double Cs. It’s a sort of extreme, conspicuous consumption – tongue-in-cheek, of course. Karl Lagerfeld is the master of the quirky must-have and he’s managed to make the tattoo look cool in a way that makes the label accessible. Coco probably wouldn’t approve – but, then, isn’t that the point?”.

So, er, for the stick-on tattoo novice, how do you put the transfers on?

Duh. “Dunk them in water until saturated. Wait a bit. Then press on really hard.”

Kim Kardashian's Best Makeup Pal Is MAC And More MAC

Kim Kardashian and makeup. The two go hand-in-hand. In fact, Kim K loves MAC makeup, and lots of it!

Everyone's been talking about a recent photo of the sexy Hollywood reality TV star, showing the Armenian beauty bare-faced. Kim was snapped in a grocery store. So what? We think she still looks darn good because of excellent bone structure.

Does Kim Kardashian look better with makeup? Well, of course, silly. Every woman looks better with a little foundation, blush, concealer, gloss, and mascara.

So, let's take a long look inside Kim K's makeup bag. These products come straight from her website and fan site.

We interviewed Kim Kardashian about 2 years ago at Beauty Tip Today. Back then, she was gracious to give us her favorite makeup products. And MAC cosmetics made up a large percentage of her beauty repertoire.

And still today, MAC rules in Kim's world:

STEP 1: I always start with a clean face. Then I put on Intuit 'Photo Shoot.' Intuit is a great company and I love the names of their products. Photo Shoot is a make up primer. I put it .. my moisturizer, which basically is like a moisturizer that will fill the pours on your face which will help set the foundation so it will last longer.

STEP 2: I use Cle De Peau concealer stick (it's super expensive, but works for me). It comes in two colors, I use Ocre, which is the darker of the two. I also use M.A.C. concealer (which comes in a little pot) if I run out of Cle de Peau. Everyone's color is different but I use NW25. I put the concealer under my eyes because I absolutely hate dark circles! I also use concealer to cover up blemishes!

STEP 3: After I put the concealer on I put on Make Up Forever liquid foundation. I mix one pump of No. 5 and two pumps of No. 4. I also have No. 3 for the winter time when I am really pale. I mix the foundations to get the perfect color. I blend them with the coolest make up brush. Its the M.A.C. brush No. 180.

STEP 4: Since I hate dark circles, after the foundation, I put on a little more concealer just under my eyes since the foundation makes it darker under my eyes. I use a lighter concealer from M.A.C. NW30 in a little lipstick tube-looking container and I select 'moisture cover.'

STEP 5: To set the foundation I lightly brush on with a big powder brush M.A.C. Select Sheer Pressed Powder NC 30, then to make me a little tanner I lightly brush on M.A.C. Powder NW 45.

STEP 6: Now its blush time! I'm obsessed with blush! I use a color called Gingerly to warm me up and give me a little color and then add a pink color called Cheek to give me rosey cheeks. I just started getting into cream blush and find it works a lot better and lasts a lost longer.

STEP 7: Time for the eyes! My favorite part! I first put down a M.A.C. PaintPainterly. I just use my finder and put enough onto cover the lid. This creamy shadow makes it so that the powder eye shadow does not crease. Like, if you wear make up all day you will see that the eye shadow begins to crease and get oily, but if you put this paint color down first it won't! I love cream shadow and use the color cream pots too! I love colored shadow; so it depends on the color depend of shadow I plan to wear: If it's black smokey I use Carbon by M.A.C.; if its grey smokey I use Knight Divine or Print; if it's brown smokey I use Embark by M.A.C. I love a fresh shimmery look as well and use M.A.C. Pigment called Tan. Its so pretty! I love bright colors for eye make up! I absolutely love Make Up Forever and don't think anyone does pigment colors better than them. So again, depending on what color you feel like wearing, go look at Make Up Forever's colors to choose from.

STEP 8: I always use black pencil eyeliner. My favorite is Stilla black pencil.
STEP 9: Now its mascara time! Putting on mascara completes the look, but I hate it when I mess up and get it on my eye lid and mess up the eye shadow. I used to use Lancome Hypnose, and still do, but I recently started to use M.A.C. Zoom mascara -- which is amazing! I take my time and put coat after coat. I love to layer mascaras so I will probably start with the M.A.C. Zoom and then put Lancome Hypnose on top. I always use a separater brush to separate my lashes. I am completely clueless on how to put false lashes on, so I only wear them for photo shoots sometimes.

STEP 10: The final touch is putting on lipstick! I usually use M.A.C. LiplinerStripdown (I use it very lightly) and a lipstick called Angel and put Nars Turkish Delight lipgloss on top. Or for my very nude matte lip I wear Nars Belle De Jour and I line my lips first with M.A.C. Subculture lipliner.

Wow! We are exhausted. Too much makeup for a 29-year-old woman? Maybe. What do you think?