Better Make Sure Gel Manicure You're Getting Is Safe

Gel manicures.

They sure are ultra shiny and lovely. And one of our BFFs, delights in reminding us that gel manicures last longer than all the others.

No...we haven't had a gel manicure yet, and now, we're not so sure.

Our rule of thumb, so to speak:
You better make sure the gel manicure you are getting is safe.

We caught a segment this morning on Good Morning America about the safety of gel manicures and the possibility of nerve damage when things don't go right.

Gel manicures are hot and everyone seems to be requesting them in nail salons.

This is how a gel manicure is created:
"First, the technician lightly roughens your nails with a file.
Then an all-in-one gel is brushed onto your nails only, not the skin around them.
Next, the gel hardens under a UV lamp.
And the final step is simple. The technician removes any residue with a cleanser."

So, what's the big, harmful deal?

The subject in the GMA piece, Jane Ubell-Meyer, received what she thought was a real gel manicure> And what she ended up with was an excruciating pain that began at her thumb.

"Anything that touched my thumb caused an electric shock, whether it was air or water or just touching very gently. I would get an electric charge that went up my thumb, through my elbow and up to my shoulder," she says.

Jane found a neurologist who was also familiar with getting gel manicures. And Dr. Orly Avitzur figured out the problems that developed. "The two major hazards are the actual filing down process of the nail and then subsequently what the chemicals are we often don't know," she says.

More from the GMA news segment:
"Jane Ubell-Meyer said that during her manicure, the electric file slipped and scuffed up her skin. Then the technician dipped her damaged fingers in to a pot of powdered chemicals.
"And that allows the chemicals to actually seep in -- in a way that wouldn't if the skin served as a protective barrier," the doctor notes.

Avitzur said she believes that the chemicals got into the abrasion and migrated, causing nerve damage. What's worse, she said, she doesn't even know what the chemicals were, because what Ubell-Meyer got wasn't a true gel manicure.

The lesson here: Ask a lot of questions BEFORE getting a gel manicure, because this is scary stuff.

Cool Crochet Celebrity Summer Trend Adds Sexy Touch

Crochet. No...this ain't your grammy's doilies. Far from it!

Crochet is back in a big way, and now you can add some cool crochetpieces for that sexy celebrity summer trend. Check out Kate Bosworth in a TopShop Knitted Crochet Dress ($110, at topshop.com), at the Coachella Music Festival recently.

And there's Alexa Chung, very casual in an ivory crochet top with denim cut-off shorts, and a Chanel bag, which of course, catapults a very low-key ensemble into the stratosphere.

Speaking of Chanel, the design house, along with Issey Miyake showcased lots of pretty crochet fashions in their spring/summer 2010 collections.

You don't have to spend Chanel dollars for a sexy, feminine crochet style. You can add a few smart pieces to your summerwardrobe and still save $$$. Look at this cute, nautical blue/white Striped Crochet Sweater Cardigan by Forever 21 ($17.80, at stores and here.)

If you're hesitant about crochet, just remember, not to wear too much crochet all at once. And beware of big 'holes' in your crochet pieces. It might look too doily. It's best to add a crochet belt or bag as a lovely accessory to your summer style of light linens and cottons.

We think this Button Snapped Crochet Belt by Charlotte Russe is a simple, yet elegant piece, and at only $9.50, it's a steal!

We also adore this beautiful Elizabeth and James Gypsy T-strap Knit Sandal. Okay, it's a splurge, but every gal deserves a new pair of shoes! And these come in black or sand. The crochet cuties feature a fabric and suede upper, leather footbed, and leather sole. Zips up in back. Available at fine stores like Bloomingdales.Orig $225.00. On Sale $157.50.

Even Skinny Supermodels Have To Exercise And Diet After Babies

Adriana Lima. Gisele Bundchen. Even these supermodels and what you might call, genetically-gifted women, have to exercise and diet after having babies.

Sure, they are tall and slender and in their late 20's to begin with, but let's face it......no one can just sit still and watch the baby weight melt away, after giving birth. Not even Adriana and Gisele.

So, how did these two supermodels get back to 'fighting weight?' With a little this and a little that.

Let's get the beauty low-down.

Adriana, a Brazilian beauty like Gisele, says she still has 10 lbs to shed, but the new mom to a baby girl, just 7 months ago, is back modeling covers.

And even Adriana Lima is blown away by Gisele Bundchen's incredible after-baby body. "Amazing! I think she’s amazing," Adrian told People magazine. "I wish my body was in shape right away like her! I’m still not where I want to be right now but I’m working on it."

Meantime, the 28-year-old model is busy watching what she eats, and that includes an 'all-protein diet, followed by a detox diet and salads'.

"I want to lose 4 kg (about 10 lbs.)," she says. "Not because of work or not because of nothing [else] but because I want to. Also, I will continue with my workouts because I like a toned body. I like everything to be hard."

And the lady loves to box That's right. Adriana Lima keeps moving to melt away those post-baby pounds. Three times a week, Adriana got into the ring with Aerospace co-founder and former professional boxer — Michael Olajide, Jr.— to get skinny and tone up. You can check out her video here.

As far as Gisele goes, well, the photo snapped of her back to modeling, just 2 months after delivering a baby boy, tells the story. Look at the supermodel in a tiny bikini in a photo shoot for Calzedonia(above). Incredibly toned and slender! And probably back to her size 4 figure.

But Gisele Bundchen was very active before, during, and now after her first pregnancy.

Her secret? Water resistance. Working out in a pool. It's called the Brazilian Body Surf program, and Gisele was reportedly doing the surf during her pregnancy.

According to the website Equinox, it's a combination of cardiovascular and muscle conditioning drills taught using water resistance.

Gisele's personal trainer is Leandro Carvalho. And he told the Boston Herald, that Gisele was active to begin with, which can only help a woman's body bounce back from pregnancy. She was in "very, very" good shape throughout her pregnancy, in part due to the "very athletic" workouts, which he believes are super for muscle tone.

The supermodel also does yoga and meditation, which served her well during the labor and birthing process.

Poor Kate Plus Eight Criticized For Botox Gone Bad

Kate Gosselin, the mom to 8 adorable children, just can't seem to buy a break.

Take a look at the photos provided by Us magazine. That's old Kate on the left, with her signature, much-hated hair-do. On the right, there's new Kate with pretty blonde hair extensions, much smoother skin, and oh yeah, some alleged Botox gone bad!

Shame on Us magazine for dishing on the reality television star, when so many, many actresses all submit to the stings of a Botox needle to arrest a few lines, crow's feet, and wrinkles.

Us magazine brought in some big guns, or experts, to tattle-tale on the poor woman's alleged Botox results. Believe us, Kate Gosselin wouldn't be the first TV persona to get a make-over with Botox, and certainly won't be the last. There are quite a number of actresses who sometimes don't get the Botox injections perfectly mapped out across their foreheads. Hmmm. Does the name Nicole Kidman ring a Botox bell?! Or The Nightly News' Katie Couric?!

Big deal. Botox doesn't last forever. It irons out lines and wrinkles for about 3-4 months. And it gradually relaxes, so Kate Gosselin doesn't have to worry, and she can always return to a dermatologist to balance out the Dr. Spock raised eyebrows if she wants.

Here's what Us magazine caused such an uproar about:

"Kate Gosselin had oddly spiked eyebrows and a noticeably smoother face as she ran errands in Pennsylvania on Monday.The reason? After comparing before and after photos (left), plastic surgeons tell UsMagazine.com. the reality mom, 35, had botox treatments gone wrong.

"She looked much better in the earlier photo: great hair, nice smile and a normal brow position," says Dr. Michael Olding, the chief of The George Washington University's division of plastic surgery. In the "after" photo, she "has the typical appearance of Dysport or Botox poorly placed in the space between the brows where frown lines occur," adds Olding. But because Gosselin didn't have any injectables put in her forehead, "the lateral part of her brow is elevated in an abnormally high position, which my patients refer to as McDonald's arches!"

Maybe so, but why are the tabloids cutting the woman down every chance they can?! We think Kate Gosselin was a good candidate for a little Botox treatment. She had deep 11 (eleven) marks between her eyebrows. And we think her skin looks smooth and clear now.

Botox cosmetic still remains the number 1 injectable in the country. And celebrity super derm Frederick Brandt, says it's great stuff:
“Botox cosmetic has revolutionized our field,” Dr. Brandt says. “Botox is easy to administer, safe and effective, and not only reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, but also has the effect of preventing the future formation of wrinkles and fine lines if used appropriately.”

Get Skin To Sparkle Again With Microdermabrasion Polishing Cream

Beautiful skin. If you think you can just splash water on your face every day and keep your complexion clear and healthy, well, you are mistaken.

And as you get older, your skin needs to keep moving, so to speak. And that is where exoliation or scrubbing away the old, dead skin cells, becomes a key step in your daily beauty routine.

Today, we are looking at microdermabrasion cream, and how a little scrubbing action gets your skin to sparkle again! Yes, it feels like you are almost washing your face with liquid sandpaper, but in a luxurious way.

Sure, microdermabrasion done in an office by a dermatologist, can cost you hundreds, and you'll walk away with very smooth and radiant skin. But you can also mimic a visit to the derm, by picking up some microdermabrasion creams to use at home to achieve similar flawless results.

We have two great polishing creams for you to try. One is high end, Dr. Brandt's Microdermabrasion at $75 for 1.7 oz. You will love this exfoliating face cream by this celebrity dermatologist, Dr. Brandt.

His microdermabrasion cream is made with,"pharmaceutical grade magnesium oxide crystals and lactic acid polishes away dead skin cells and revives dull skin. It softens and visibly smoothes skin's texture leaving your skin radiant. It also increases the penetration of other treatment products and treats keratosis pilaris (tiny red bumps in back of arms).

On the budget-saving end, we also have a wonderful product by Platinum Skin Care, called Diamond Dermabrasion Polishing Cream at $21.95 for a 2 0z. jar.

This exfoliating cream is also formulated with lactic acid for hydrating the skin. And it contains, "a high % of multiple sized quartz and diamond crystals for exceptional exfoliating. It is excellent for all skin types......This product will keep the skin smooth and radiant. Ideal for the face, neck, hands and body. The results are great and can be seen immediately."

Simply wet your face. Apply a small amount of polishing cream to a clean face. Massage in circular motions for 1-2 minutes. Avoid eye area. Rinse thoroughly and apply moisturizer sunscreen.

Trust us. You face will feel as soft as a baby's behind and give off a pink, healthy glow. The benefits are worth it.

Do Homework Before Choosing Doctor For Laser Hair Removal

A laser can do remarkable things for your skin. The high technology today, can zap wrinkles, acne scars, facial lines, age spots, sun damage, and more.

And since it's now summer, there is also popular laser hair removal. Women get so tired of shaving, waxing, threading, plucking, and using depilatories to get rid of unwanted hair in unwanted places.

Today, we are looking at armpits. Not the most pleasant subject to bring up, but from the research we've been doing for the past couple of days, the Beauty Tip Today is this:

Do your homework BEFORE choosing a doctor for laser hair removal.

Why? Very simple. Take a look at the photo of Monica Jimenez of Miami. She has hired an attorney to handle a case involving second and third degree burns received during a recent laser hair removal procedure.

It's almost painful to see the skin damage done to this woman's armpits.

"Ms. Jimenez says she experienced a burning sensation instantly during the laser hair removal process," says her attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, in a press release. "It's clear Dr. Cabrera didn't ensure protocol was followed and did not provide an acceptable standard level of care -- something all health care providers are required to do."

Attorney Aronfeld goes on to claim that neither Dr. Cabrera nor the person performing the laser procedure recognized the fact that the laser was burning the patient's skin continuously, and that she needed immediate medical attention.

We can't imagine the pain in such a sensitive area like one's armpits. But Monica Jimenez can tell you what it felt like:
"It felt literally like fire was under my armpits," Jimenez declares in a YouTube video. "Somebody got a torch and lit fire."

In her medical negligence lawsuit, Miss Jimenez is seeking personal injury damages totaling more than $15,000. It now appears that the person who performed the laser procedure might not have been licensed.

So here's the lesson: Make sure the dermatologist and the technician are licensed to do so. And if you feel burning during a laser hair removal procedure, stop, and head to an emergency room.

Lasers often feel like someone is snapping your skin with a rubber band. The discomfort should not feel like a burning.

British Blast Megan Fox For Alleged Overdone Plastic Surgery at Jonah Hex Premiere

Megan Fox. She is considered by many, to be one of Hollywood's hottest beauties. But at the young age of 24, has the sexy starlet

OD'ed on plastic surgery?!

Megan Fox appeared in London last Thursday, for the premiere of the new movie, Jonah Hex.

We think she looks amazing, but boy oh boy, the British press had a field day, knocking the dark-haired actress.

BumpShack.com noted that Megan Fox “looked like a complete Botox-ed mess.” It added: What the heck did Megan do to her face?

Megan had a robot expression. She could barely smile and her face was smooth and completely disfigured. Megan is a beautiful girl, so why would she disfigure her face at the tender age of 24?”

Britain’s The Sun said Fox showed cosmetic signs of Botox, fillers and breast implants. She had “utterly smooth, mask-like features. The 24-year-old’s appearance sparked speculation she has had Botox, while a slight trout pout suggested collagen lip jabs. … Fans were also stunned as the once-curvy natural beauty’s plunging neckline showed off a rigid, gravity-defying bust.”

The only thing we see unnatural about Megan Fox are her allegedly, overly-inflated lips. We don't believe that's simply lots of collagen, although we hope it is. We think that is possibly the result of lip implant surgery, where the lips are cut and a synthetic lip implant strip is inserted before the cuts are stitched together.

So, what plastic surgery procedures has young Megan Fox undergone?

The experts have concluded, although they are only guessing, that Megan has had a nose job and lip enlargements, and perhaps cheek and breast implants, too.

If this were true, at age 24, are all these procedures necessary, even for a Hollywood starlet who is constantly pressured to appear perfect?!