How To Do Your Own Ombre Hair Like Celebs: Dark Roots And Sun-Kissed Ends

Do you ombre, ladies?

If you're not sure, just look at the lovely locks of celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker----the queen of the ombre effect, as well as Jessica Biel, Ashlee Simpson(before she chopped it all off), Drew Barrymore, Rachel Bilson, Lauren Conrad, and many others.

The ombre hair color trend is still as HOT as it was during the summer.

So, what exactly is the ombre effect?!

The ombre hair color trend features dark roots graduating in color to lighter, and finally, sun-kissed roots. And yes, ladies, you can do your own ombre hair color.

Master colorist to the stars, Kim Vo, says you can do this in the privacy of your own home, and that it's simple to do.

Here are Kim Vo's OMBRE HAIR COLOR STEPS, as explained to Harper's Bazaar:

1. Buy an at-home hair color kit that is 3 shades lighter than your natural color.
2. Apply with a brush to the last few inches of your ends.
3. For lighter ends, wrap the ends in plastic wrap while the color develops.
4. For the strongest intensity, wrap the ends in foil.


You will see more of the ombre hair trend in Spring 2011 with a few more artistic washes of color. We like the trend. And we think it's especially pretty on blonde hair like SJP.

Beauty Budget Buy Of The Day: Ambi Skincare Fade Cream

Today's Beauty Budget Buy of the Day will cost you less than $5, and the stuff really works, if.... you don't overdo the process. And we emphasize the word if.

We're talking about non-prescription Ambi Skincare Fade Cream ($4.99, 2 oz. tube, at drugstores). The company has been around for a number of years now, and a lot of dermatologists recommend it to lighten up dark spots and balance out skin tone on the cheap. In fact, Allure magazine named Ambi to their annual 'Best of Beauty' list for 2010.

The 'magic' ingredient in Ambi Skincare Fade Cream is the 2% hydroquinone. This chemical helps to speed up skin lightening. But the stuff can also be highly irritating to skin, so you must always proceed cautiously when using hydroquinone. And there are some fears about the possible development of cancer after very prolonged usage.

However, hydroquinone is found in prescription-based fade creams which are given the thumbs up by most derms.

So let's take a closer look at Ambi's fade cream. First, we like that the company offers 2 types of fade cream: One for normal skin, and the other, for oily skin.

And Ambi uses a triple action formula to attack dark spots and other unwanted marks:
Hydroquinone, a skin-bleaching agent which safely fades dark spots.
Vitamin E, which helps soften and smooth skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid, to help enhance results.

We say, to use the product sparingly and to play safely--- only use once a day. If you overdo the hydroquinone, you can irritate the heck out of your skin, with possible side effects like redness, swelling, blisters, allergic rash, and so forth.

But when used wisely, fade creams can do a nice job diminishing spots and marks, and evening up one's skin tone. And for less than $5, well, this is a super Beauty Budget Buy of the Day.

To learn more about Ambi Skincare Fade Cream read this.

New Neutrogena Foundation And SPF 55 All In One Genius Compact

Foundation that is creamy, light, non-greasy, and packed with a powerful SPF of 55? Are you kidding us? Could this be true, Neutrogena?!

This is genius, or pretty close to it. And it's all poured into a small convenient compact, too.

It's brand new in 2011....Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact SPF 55 ($13.99, at drugstores). We found this for $11.99 at Target...so, shop around.

We love this----foundation and a great protective SPF of 55. And the makeup includes Neutrogena's trademark helioplex formula. By the way, helioplex is Neutrogena's patented formulation of broad spectrum UVA/UVB skin protection containing Avobenzone and Oxybenzone.

Believe it or not, we all need foundation, a basic beauty building-block. Not only does foundation protect the skin from the elements, but it also evens out complexion, gives the face some warmth, and hides imperfections.

And when you have a strong SPF of 55 already in the foundation, it makes your life easier. You're getting a super 2-for-1 makeup product.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact SPF 55 comes in these shades:
Classic Ivory (10)
Natural Ivory (20)
Buff (30)
Nude (40)
Soft Beige (50)
Natural Beige (60)
Fresh Beige (70)
Warm Beige (90).

This makeup is kind to those with blemishes, sensitive skin, and combination skin, too.

Smooth Move: Jennifer Lopez In New Ads For L'Oreal EverSleek Hair Line

Jennifer Lopez. She sure is sleek and sexy. And that's probably why L'Oreal Paris has named her as the new face for their EverSleek hair care line.

The JLo L'Oreal TV commercials will debut on Sunday, January 16th during the Golden Globes award show. Behind-the-scenes video clips from the shoot will also be streamed online to L’Oréal Paris’ Facebook that evening. And print advertisements will begin appearing in February magazines.

Not bad for the multi-talented entertainer who will make her debut later this month as American Idol's newest judge.

The 41-year-old mom of two, has also recently inked new deals---- one with Kohl's dept. stores to develop a lifestyles fashion concept with husband Marc Anthony, and the other, regarding a new album, "Love," which is scheduled for a 2011 release.

Nothing can stop Jennifer Lopez. Don't forget, she was also one of Barbara Walters’ 10 most fascinating people of 2010.

So, let's look at the L'Oreal EverSleek line. The hair products are all sulfate and silicone-free and come in bright orange containers. And EverSleek is designed to battle frizz and return locks to a healthy, smooth texture.

We say, Amen, to that. Look for them at your favorite drugstore.

Dress Like Jessica Biel With Timberlake's New William Rast Line At Target

Ladies...now you, too, can dress chic and sexy like actress Jessica Biel, and pay a lot less, because JT has brought sexy back.....to Target! But you better hurry.....this gig is up on Saturday, January 22nd.

Justin Timberlake's William Rast clothing line is now a lot easier on your pocketbook, ladies. You can pick up luscious leather jackets wearing the William Rast label for less than half the price. And the quality is very good. Check out the brown leather jacket, now at Target for $199.99. The jacket silhouette is contoured nicely and available in Junior sizes with a 'young contemporary fit.'

JT's girlfriend Jessica Biel (photo3), is wearing a $495 William Rast leather biker jacket from his more expensive line. But the leathers at Target are just as lovely and rich-looking.

And we fell for the sexy and classic, black tuxedo jacket for $49.99. Look at the detailing on the corset-style lace-up sleeves. Very nice.

The limited edition of the William Rast collection for Target features jeans, cargo pants, sportswear, and outerwear, but is only on sale now, until January 22nd, as we mentioned earlier.

JT describes his collection as "sort of country" with a "chic edge."

Take a look at the William Rast line for Target here.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late To Treat Damaged Decollete Skin

Skin care does not stop at the precious face and neck, ladies.

When you're in your 20s and 30s, you're just not thinking about protecting your decollete. But trust us, as you head into your 40s and beyond, those once cute, tiny freckles scattered across your decollete will matter, because those sun damaged spots will become more prominent, and annoying to look at.

What exactly is the decollete?

The decollete is the upper part of a woman's chest, below the neck. And that brings us to the point of our article today:

Skin Care should not end at the chin. Let's look below. The decollete area on a woman's body is one of the first places to show age. The decollete needs tender loving care. According to liv.com, a website dedicated to helping raise awareness about early detection of breast cancer, the skin of the decollete, is quite delicate:

"The skin on the décolleté area is more sensitive than skin on other parts of our body; it is thinner, less moisturized, has less elasticity and there is no fat tissue below. Consequently, this skin is more likely to show signs of aging with dryness, hyper-pigmentation and age spots."

We have found a super new beauty product by a beauty company we trust, that addresses the neck and decollete:

Necollete by Osmotics Cosmeceuticals ($75, Osmotics.com. This is a strong formula that fights back against damaged decollete skin:

Helps firm and support neck contours while reinforcing fragile skin with needle free hyaluronic acid booster .
Strengthens collagen fibers with powerful peptide combination.
Visibly reduces redness/blotchiness for a more even skin tone.
Firms and tightens for more youthful contours.

Allure magazine once asked 40-something model Cindy Crawford about the areas she pays special attention to:

CINDY CRAWFORD: My hands and my décolleté. In L.A., there are 65-year-old women walking around in Juicy sweatpants, and from the back, you'd think they were 20. But when you see their hands or their neck, you know. When I put moisturizer on my face, I use a little extra so that I have enough to cover my hands. Most people don't start caring about the décolleté until it's too late, but I'm religious about it.

Let's all get on decollete damage control in 2011.

Ermis Labs Uses 2-Pronged Attack On Acne With Special Bottom Of The Sea Ingredient

Acne. It's a word that makes most of us cringe. And it's a condition that can instantly crush one's self-esteem. But as we look forward to new beauty possibilities in 2011, we find hope for clear skin with Ermis Labs.

And in this company's new 2-pronged attack on acne, we also discover a special ingredient at the bottom of the sea. It's sea whip coral, and yes, it plays a key role in the acne treatment program of CoralActives.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Billis, co-founder of Ermis Labs, and trying the CoralActives system. And we wanted to know right away, what's up with the coral?

"The ultimate 'stand out' is Sea Whip Extract," Chris says. "It's an extremely expensive ingredient and difficult to harvest but it addresses the redness, irritation and inflammation of acne that every other product chooses to ignore."

Chris Billis and his partner Paul Tuffy, both have extensive backgrounds in the pharmaceutical business, namely in the field of dermatology. Chris is an acne expert and Paul is extremely knowledgable about inflammation. And both gentlemen saw plenty of over-the-counter acne medications that just didn't have the power to stop the break-outs. So, the two developed their own system, and CoralActives was born. And no, you don't need a prescription.

There are 2 simple steps:
1. Wash your face with CoralActives Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser ($22) .
2. Treat your skin with CoralActives Penetrating Acne Gel Serum ($28).

And Chris Billis says his treatment attacks acne differently, than other systems like Proactiv.

"The key differentiator are the ingredients," Chris explains. "I chose 6% benzoyl peroxide (serum gel), Proactiv uses 2.5%. 6% is the highest clinical efficacy, i.e. 7%, 8%, 9%, 10% do no better than 6 - they do however run the risk of irritation at higher doses. Most would consider 6% high, but if you take the time a formulate a vehicle that is extremely moisturizing and has the proper elements to break benzoyl peroxide down to its smallest particle you can avoid irritation. I added ingredients that would attract moisture from the air and keep it on the skin. And bet of all it's light, the serum goes one so easily.".

We fell in love with the Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser, too. It's powerful but kind to skin, and like the acne gel serum, it is formulated with sea whip coral, as well as encapsulated retinol.

"That means it stays absolutely pure until you start to wash your face," Chris explains. "From production, to manufacturing, filling, shipping and in your bathroom nothing touches the retinol. For the 20-30 seconds you wash your face you are getting an incredible rush of retinol, but because of the short contact you can avoid the usual side effects. The cleanser also contains very fine micro beads for exfoliation.".

We believe that the new CoralActives acne treatment system by Ermis Labs is a skin care line and company to watch in 2011. Chris Billis and Paul Tuffy have the beauty and clinical science to back up their 2-step attack on break-outs and pimples.

Take a look at their website. It is very educational about acne and how to treat this problem that affects some 20 million people in the US between the ages of 12-24, every year.

You can order the cleanser and gel serum here.