Winter Nail Pick-Me-Up: Short And Dark In Garnet

Are your nails looking a bit too goth on these cold, December days?

It's time for a winter pick-me-up. Say bye-bye to very harsh nails with black or purple or blue dead undertones. And warm up your mani/pedi with a softer, Old Hollywood set of nails.

We are loving the rich, feminine, dark garnet shades for nails. Like pretty jewels for your fingers and toes.

The key here, is to keep your nails short and well-groomed. Actually, when trying to pull off such a dark shade, oval-shaped nails are best. Please...no long talons for this dark romatic, sophisticated look.

Here are 2 dark garnet nail polishes we like:

1. Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in 'Stop Whining.' ($5, at Target).

2. Givenchy Vernis Please! Nail Lacquer in Vintage Garnet ($15, Sephora stores).

This is a lovely holiday look that creates such instant drama. And if you can paint some bold, red lips on, then you've just completed a timeless vision of beauty. If you can't muster up the courage for red lips, then let your gorgeous dark garnet nails do all the talking.

Botox Maker Allergan Testing New Baldness Remedy With Latisse Formula

We are very excited about a possible new breakthrough baldness remedy!

And if it all works out, then you can thank the makers of Botox and Latisse, because Allergan, is once again, at the beauty forefront.

At this very moment, clinical trials are being conducted in Tempe, Arizona involving a group of 28 women and men —those with moderate female-pattern hair baldness and those with moderate male-pattern baldness.

What's interesting here, is that the clinical trials involve using a special ingredient that is found in Allergan's Latisse eyelash growth stimulating treatment. You've seen actresses Brooke Shields, and now, Claire Danes, both in television commercials about the Latisse lash booster.

Latisse was given the green light by the FDA back in 2008 for those with thin lashes. But do you also remember the warning that stated it can cause hair growth on other parts of the body that come in contact with the drug? A number of doctors have already 'quietly' tried using Latisse as an 'off-label' treatment for hair loss.

If the clinical trials prove to do exactly what Allergan hopes they can do, and that is, grow hair on one's head, then we are surely looking at a huge beauty breakthrough. This is very exciting and encouraging news for the many women and men who suffer from hair loss and baldness and the sometimes embarrassment and low self-esteem that results in not having a full head of hair.

We applaud the Allergan company for always remaining one step ahead in the science of beauty.

For more information about the Allergan baldness remedy clinical trials, read this.

How To Put The Bounce And Body Back Into Dry, Flat Winter Hair

Does your hair look 'sad' these days?

You know....dry, flat, fly-away, 'winter hair?'

The cold, crisp December air has a way of knocking the life out of your crowning glory and you end up with limp locks. And if you wear a hat over your mane, well, that can also result in shapeless hair.

What you need my dears, is an effective volumizer, a hair product that will lift and put the bounce and body back, but also one that nourishes locks, too. We have tried a ton of volumizers that give you fuller strands, but also give you fly-away hair, so you're really back to square one.

Today, we're looking at the 'tried and true.' Khiel's Super Thick Volumizer ($19, 8.4 oz.) This stuff works with key ingredients like Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, and Soy Beans, which further condition and protect hair.

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Khiel's Super Thick Volumizer works well at the roots, where hair needs lifting most. And it's easy to use:

"After shampooing, use on damp hair and direct the root-lifting applicator into hair. Mist spray at roots for maximum lift, or spray into damp hair for additional texture and body where needed. "

By the way, Khiel's has been in business since 1851, so we do trust them and the beauty products the company puts out.

To learn more about Khiel's, click here.

Jessica Simpson Fashion Empire Strikes Again With Great Christmas Gifts

Jessica Simpson is on a roll. And a big one! Not only is the singer celebrity in love and newly engaged, but her merchandising savvy is busting at the seams in terms of growth and expansion. As you've probably already heard.....

Jessica Simpson's fashion empire is closing in one the $1 billion mark.

Yes...we said, $1 billion

Go figure. For all the haters out there, well, Jess is just like, "the little engine that could.".

And by the end of the holiday season, the blonde-haired cutie could be well over that $1 billion figure. Jessica Simpson is offering shoppers tons of her Simpson-brand products. Just check out Macy's.


Jessica Simpson apparently has her finger on the fashion pulse of young America. She sells shoes, bathing suits, fragrance, watches, outerwear, and accessories.

Vince Camuto, main licensee for Simpson-branded merchandise offers this explanation:

People look at her as a style icon."

We have to admit, Jess has some super cute items that would make for excellent Christmas gifts. We like those pretty embellished suede slippers, now just $39.99 at Macy's (see Sunday's circular). We'll take them in Sand, please.

Jessica Simpson has been maligned so often in the media, that it's interesting to see how the public views the famous singer. And according to the stats, her fans absolutely adore her. If her merchandise were lousy, few would be plunking down the cash.

By the way, Jessica Simpson's net worth is estimated at $100 million and climbing quickly.

Not bad for the girl who didn't really know what was inside a can of Chicken of the Sea.

Bold Red Lips And Messy Hair Equal Gritty Glam: Can You Pull It Off?

Gritty Glam means you look cool, but didn't have to spend hours in front of the mirror. And that's what the Chanel Couture and Proenza Schouler shows were introducing when they sent their sexy models down the catwalk during NY Fashion week.

But sometimes what you see on the runway, doesn't translate so easily in real life.

Can you pull off perfect, painted-on bold red lips and messy, falling in your face big hair?! Well, that's the hot look now.

At the Proenza Schouler show, makeup artists were applying crimson lipstick to the brunette models and matte purple lipstick to the blondes.

At the Chanel Couture show, the models' hair was deliberately left care-free and a bit unkempt, with twisted pieces of hair dancing down the catwalk. It's a tousled finish for sure.

Strong lips and messy hair --Gritty glam does not work in everyday life. But you can imitate the trends in a more subtle way. Just tone it all down a few degrees. For instance, a berry shade of lipstick is still noticeable, but much softer than very dark red.

Try Revlon's Just Bitten in Passion. It's a unique 2 in 1 lipstain and balm. You end up with a flush of color and a soft, lasting kissable pout.

And for that bedroom hair, pick up a bottle from Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly line, to get those loose, natural waves...that piece-y beach look, a la Jennifer Aniston. Just mist, scrunch, and go!

Clinique Black Honey Lipstick Still Sweet Sell In Universal Way

Need a super stocking stuffer for Christmas for the beauty junkie in your life?!

Or want a sheer hint of lip color...nothing too heavy?

Want to buy the same gift for every great gal pal in your life?

Then start stocking up on this Clinique classic! Oh yeah, we're talking about Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick at $14 a tube. Maybe, you already own several tubes. Well, you can always use one more Black Honey.

The very dark lipstick looks almost frightening to want to put on, but as we all know, the pigments in Black Honey are so very sheer, and what you end up with, is a lovely, natural set of flushed lips. In fact, every woman who applies it, ends up with her own berry shine.

In other words, Clinique Black Honey is universally flattering. And did you know, that this shade of Almost Lipstick is still a sweet sell for the company? Clinique sells one tube every 2 minutes! No kidding.

So many women own at least one tube of Black Honey. Check out the review and comments page at the Sephora website. The lipstick has received a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating, and has been reviewed by 1,064 women so far. Take a look here.

Simply Vera Vera Wang Expands Kohl's Line Into Makeup/Beauty

Bridal icon Vera Wang creates amazing gowns for women who walk down the aisle. Who didn't fall in love with Chelsea Clinton's stunning, classic Vera Wang wedding dress?!

And now, the very talented designer is expanding her Simply Vera Kohl's clothing and accessories label into a makeup and beauty line. We are guessing her beauty products will bear a very natural and polished stature to them, just like Vera Wang herself. She is always classic and understated.

We have been talking a lot lately, about celebrities bringing their designs to clothing and housewares to the mass market. Sure, you can head to tony Bergdorf Goodman's to buy Vera Wang fashions. But most folks don't walk into Bergdorf's every day. It's more like a guilty pleasure.

By bringing their sense of style to huge retailers like Kohl's, Target, Sears, JC Penney, and others, celebrities such as Vera Wang can offer beautiful select products at a major discount.

You will have to wait just a bit, though. The new beauty expansion won't launch until Spring 2012. The Simply Vera Vera Wang branded line of cosmetics will include make-up and color, skin care, body and bath products, and beauty accessories.

Vera Wang says, "As part of my incredible partnership with Kohl's, I will now be able to offer women all over America my own personal regimen for skincare and make-up. It is an easy, light, modern and effortless approach to beauty and creativity. As a result of my renewal of the Simply Vera Vera Wang contract, Kohl's amazing ability to grow businesses, and their unique understanding and appreciation of my aesthetic, I am proud to announce this whole new business we are about to launch! For sheer allure and enhancement make-up can inspire individuality, creativity and exploration. Like fashion, make-up is also transformational. I love the artistry of make-up to accentuate, enhance, or create a mood for any time of day or occasion."

It sounds lovely. We can't wait.