Sunday, October 3, 2010

How To Get Leighton Meester's Off-Camera Natural Look



















We all adore her as Blair Waldorf, the rich, spoiled NY girl on TV's Gossip Girl. Everything about her speaks luxury, from her salon perfect hair to her polished high-end cosmetics.

But when 24-year-old Leighton Meester is off-camera, that means only minimal makeup.

Just recently, the star of Gossip Girl told InStyle magazine, that when she's not on television, she prefers a more natural look:

"Ill just use a little cheek stain, curl my lashes, and put on some lip balm and sunscreen."

So, let's take a look at how lovely Leighton Meester is keeping it real. Here are her favorite beauty products for that natural look:

1. Smith's Rosebud Salve ($6, at beauty stores like Sephora). "This is my desert island beauty pick. I use it all the time."
2. Benefit Benetint ($28, Sephora). "The most natural flush."
3. L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Mascara ($10, at drugstores). "One of my favorite buys because I can find it wherever I go."
4. Herbal Essences 'Tousle Me Softly' Spray Gel ($3, at drugstores). "Holds my style but still lets my hair move. Plus, it smells great."
5. Chanel Hydramax Active Gel Cream ($72, fine dept. stores). "Taking care of my skin is important. You've got to have a good base to play with makeup."
5. Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover ($26, at fine dept. stores). "This gets everything off--even stage makeup."
6. Custom-Blended Fragrance ($9, here). "It's my signature scent--white tea, fig, and sandalwood oils."

Great natural beauty tips, Leighton Meester!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Tyra Banks And 'Cheap Fishnet Stockings': Even Supermodels Make Mistakes


Our caption: When bad style happens to good supermodels.

There's Tyra Banks at Thursday evening's French Vogue 90th Anniversary Party in Paris.

The always glamorous television personality and former supermodel made one huge fashion faux pas, and it involved a pair of "cheap fishnet stockings". Oh yeah, Tyra got creative and made a face mask out of the stockings. Granted, she is quite a stunning woman at 36, but, maybe she should leave the avant garde look for the runways.

Everyone's talking about the Tyra Banks face mask, and well, none of it is complimentary. But in Tyra's defense, the invitation did say, 'masked ball', so, in reality, that's how the supermodel RSVP'ed.

Tyra has even been tweeting about her homemade mesh face mask:

"So FRENCH VOGUE mask is sum cheap FISHNET stockings I got n crazy store n Paris! I cut em up n made it y'all. N did my ow hair n makeup." 7:42 PM Sep 30th.
"I thought about keeping my homemade mask but this morn it looked like cut up insane stockings so I threw away.Photos will be the memories." about 19 hours ago Oct 1st.
"Wow! Was rushing 2 get ready 4masquerade party n thought my "fishnet stocking mask" was cheap. Saw credit card receipt. Cost was $100. !!!" less than 10 seconds ago Oct. 2nd.

Popular Tyra Banks has more than 2 million Twitter followers, so she is adored by many, with or without the "cheap fishnet stockings."

Friday, October 1, 2010

Oprah Tries To Make Point About Aging Beauties In Hollywood.


Oprah. When the talk show titan speaks, most women really listen.

But what was the point of Oprah's show yesterday? She had three famous actresses---youngest- Teri Hatcher, middle- Cybil Shepherd, and oldest- Lynda Evans. The attractive trio sat down with Oprah to discuss, aging, beauty, and what society expects when a woman gets older.

Frankly, we learned very little. We did get to see Teri Hatcher, Cybil Shepherd, and Linda Evans without makeup. Okay, that was a bit frightening, but very honest.

And we can only imagine how difficult it is for a Hollywood celebrity over 40 trying to maintain her looks and still play a significant role on television and in movies.

As the trio explained on Oprah yesterday, the fans expect celebrities to keep that perpetual and impossible appearance of beauty and youth. And that society worships young women and tosses the old for the new. Yeah, we get that. We've all known that for years.

The women say they have found that people tend to be disappointed by what they see in real life, because the public has become so used to seeing actresses as glossed-up cover models, which in reality, they are not. There's a lot of re-touching going on.

But Oprah did not go far enough. The only actress who was very honest about what she has done in the past to stay youthful, was Dynasty's Lynda Evans. She spoke about having a facelift at 50 because she wanted one and was seeing a man 12 years her junior, singer Yanni.

But has Oprah had any work done? Or used injectables like Botox or Juvederm? Why couldn't Oprah come clean?? Why didn't she press Cybil Shepherd further and Teri Hatcher, as well? And is it really a sin to use Botox?

We do expect, and probably foolishly, that our favorite celebrities stay gorgeous and young forever, but that's just the business they are all in. We also expect male celebrities to still look hot, and get disappointed when they are not. We think the same rules apply, although not as harshly.

Celebrities have a lot of money and resources to get the very best in anti-aging procedures and products. We don't think it's bad to try and stay healthy and attractive as we get into our 40s and beyond.

Look at Christie Brinkley, Helen Mirren, Sophia Loren, mama Kardashian Kris Jenner, and so many other women in the public eye. They are proof that women can still maintain sensible beauty when society tries to prove that they are beyond the so-called expiration date.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Aviator Jacket Is The Only Way To Fly In Fashion This Fall

Yes, ladies, you can soar to new heights of fashion this fall! And the statement piece is a great classic one----the aviator jacket.

Can't afford an aviator jacket ? Oh, yes, you can. The leather can be faux, and the shearling can be faux. Who's gonna know.

Of course, if you can pony up the cash for an expensive aviator, look no further than Burberry Prorsum. This beauty (top photo) is to die for! It's a cropped, tailored style in rich chocolate brown sheepskin leather with a giant collar and lining in sheepskin shearling ($2,995). Details here.

But you can fake it, and still get away with one of fall's hottest trends. Just look at lovely photo 2. This is a faux shearling aviator jacket from NY & Company's Red Label, and a very good imitation at $129.95 (free shipping) Look. This classic comes in olive. The NY & Company aviator jacket was recently featured on vogue.com as one of their "most wanted" for fall.
And yes, we have found another cropped aviator jacket. We love this one by Forever 21 (photo 3). And it's really a budget-friendly wardrobe piece. Only $39.80 in a crinkled faux leather in chocolate with faux shearling in cream. And like it's more expensive sister jackets, this one also features the classic asymetrical zipper closing. To learn more, click Forever21. Don't be left out in the cold this fall. You can always find beautiful fashion at any price. You might have to search a little harder, but a fake can also be a good thing.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Salma Hayek Does Juice Cleanses To Melt Away Pounds: How About You?


Sexy actress Salma Hayek says she drinks them to shed pounds quickly. In fact, she believes so much in the detox diet, that she's the proud face of Cooler Cleanse.

"I’ve been doing juice cleanses for 15 years," she tells Us Weekly magazine. Now the movie star has teamed up with her friend and professional juicer Eric Helm to create Cooler Cleanse, a three- or five-day juice detox delivery program. ($58 a day). Detoxers consume less than 1,200 calories a day in six drinks, including almond milk and watermelon-lime. "I always lose weight," says Salma, who does light yoga during a detox.

And there are added benefits. More energy and healthier insides, according to Salma and those who believe in a liquid cleansing diet. She isn't alone, either. Slender celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie, and Demi Moore have all admitted to detox diet cleanses. Some have gone on the detox drinks to get in super shape for a movie/tv role or to look slimmer for an upcoming red carpet event.

Most nutritionists and doctors pooh-pooh juice cleanses and any other kind of liquid diet because the calorie count is too low. Consider this--the recommended daily intake of calories hovers around 2,000 for a woman. Dieters will even go down to 1,400 calories. But that's the safe limit. The Cooler Cleanse is allegedly in risky territory at just 1,200 calories a day.

However, detox cleanses like the one Salma Hayek has put her name behind, only has the consumer in the program for 3-5 days, which isn't too long a time.

"My skin glows when I finish day three. And it inspires me to think about what I put in my body," Salma explains.
We think juice cleanses and other detox diets have their place in the world of staying slim, as long as the consumer follows the guidelines and doesn't abuse the program.

For more information, visit CoolerCleanse.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

No One Wears Neutrals Better Than Demi--Hot Colors For Fall

Neutrals like camel, beige, taupe, grey, and charcoal, are not always easy to pull off in the world of fashion. But Hollywood's Demi Moore wears neutrals better than the rest. And for Fall 2010 into Spring 2011, this is the hot trend. Put your engines into neutral, ladies!

The actress has been putting on the neutrals for years now, with femininity and elegance. Stylists call this year's neutral fashions, a return to lady-like glamour.

We chose to feature Demi Moore, not only because she and Ashton Kutcher are making headlines these days, but for her sophisticated style evolution. The dark-haired actress and mom to 3 girls, has come a long way.

Demi Moore adores wearing a muted look on the red carpet, but in no way, are the colors she chooses ever boring or dowdy. She seems to favor nudes, taupes, and pale greys. And trust us, you won't fade into the background wearing neutrals. Instead, the look is a classic one, that never falls out of style.

Let's take a look. In the top center photo, Demi is wearing an Atelier Versace gown in buff. Oscars 2010.

In photo 2, we see Demi in a delicate nude chiffon Christian Dior gown. Golden Globes 2009.

In photo 3, the actress looks striking and sexy in a grey, beaded gown. 1995 event.
And in photo 4, Demi wows her fans in a taupe, one-sleeved Lanvin Spring 2010 dress. 2009 event. Demi was already ahead of the game, wearing it first.

Sometimes, a softer shade of color speaks volumes when it comes to fashion, makeup, and nails. And this season, is the time to try some.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Perricone Says Avocado Makes You Sexy And More Good Foods To Keep You Young

Avocados make you sexy?!

Let's put it this way.......if you believe anti-aging expert Dr. Nicholas Perricone, then you would come to learn that this fleshy, yummy green fruit full of healthy fats, can actually increase libido. Hmmm. We eat one avocado a week. Need we say more?
Dr. Perricone has a new book out--Forever Young:The Science of Nutrigenomics for Glowing, Wrinkle-Free Skin and Radiant Health at Every Age.

Why should we trust him?

Well, he is a best-selling NY Times author. Remember that one? The Wrinkle Cure. Even we have a copy.

And Dr. Nicholas Perricone brings science to the art of beauty. At least, this dermatologist tries really hard to find, through tons of clinical and laboratory research, ways to keep women looking young and healthy, hopefully, forever.

Hence...his newest book, Forever Young. The doctor made an appearance on Good Morning America today, revealing foods that keep you looking and feeling young. And the humble avocado is just one of his picks.

Here are more:
1. Cinnamon. Just an 1/8 of a teaspoon daily, can reap major benefits. Dr. Perricone says that this tasty spice regulates blood sugar, which helps keep skin wrinkle-free. Cinnamon also has strong properties that prevent dangerous melanoma(skin cancer).
2. Watercress. This leafy green veggie is packed with minerals and diuretic properties to help remove toxins from the body. It's believed to prevent against cancer as well as target eye and skin health. Dr. Perricone mentioned on GMA that watercress clears up acne, too.
3. Salmon and other cold water fish. The orange-colored oily fish is full of good protein, which the body needs to maintain and repair itself as we age. Salmon also features omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants that battle inflammation, keep skin looking young.
4. Chia seeds. The nutty, little snack is also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, to keep skin, heart and brain healthy. Chia seeds are also an excellent source for vitamin E and calcium.
5. Coconut oil. This is not a typo. Dr. Perricone prefers organic coconut oil, but claims this fat product contains important saturated fats that help strengthen cell walls. Coconut oil also works well with the thyroid to increase metabolism.

And there are more forever young foods to help you stay that way. Check out Dr. Perricone's new book, Forever Young: The Science of Nutrigenomics for Glowing, Wrinkle-Free Skin and Radiant Health at Every Age.