At-Home Hair Color Just Got Easier With New Clairol Color Foam

Nice 'n Easy. That's how we like our at-home hair color application to go.

And now Clairol has made the entire process quite simple: "Shake it. Foam it. Love it.". Clairol Nice 'n Easy Color Blend Foam permanent hair color ($8.99, at drugstores).

The good news: a drip-free foam. How great is that?! Good-bye messy , staining- everywhere hair color. The other interesting tidbit---this is not exactly new news. We wrote about the supposedly first foam at-home hair color last Oct 30th at BeautyTipToday.

And it was WalMart and Samy in partnership. Look at this:

"Even Walmart has scooped hair genius John Freida by marketing the first fat foam hair color by Samy in their stores right now.
Poor John Freida is introducing his own Precision Foam Color, a similar product from Japan's Kao Brands that's expected to debut in the U.S. in April, 2011.
Who knew Walmart would become such a sophisticated beauty player?! Well, why not? Walmart is a huge, powerful retailer. And Fat Foam at $8.97 a box, sounds ideal to the at-home hair color woman. It's a no-drip hair color product which is based on dye technology Walmart hunted down in Japan and then launched here in the U.S. more than six months ahead.".

Well, it was only a matter of time before the Clairol giants would join the color foam beauty bandwagon. It must be a smart concept, or Clairol wouldn't also debut their own foam hair color.

We think it's a win-win for all beauty companies. And we look forward to John Frieda's own Precision Foam Color launching this April.

And since, we, too, are an at-home hair color consumer, at least much of the time, we will try one of these big, fat balls of color foam and see if it really covers all the grays, like these companies swear it does.

Nicole's House Of Harlow 1960 Debuts Sunglasses For Spring 2011

Nicole Richie is fast becoming a modern style icon. She has had great successes with her House of Harlow 1960 jewelry and shoe lines and beautiful bohemian fashion under her WinterKate line. And now, the newly married Nicole is debuting her House of Harlow 1960 Sunglasses collection.

And we are loving this line of hot shades!! Look, if there's any celebrity who knows how to 'cover up' for the ensuing paparazzi, it's Nicole Richie. And the way she does it, is put on some over-sized sunglasses.

Check out both photos of Nicole wearing her Chelsea sunglasses ($138, pre-order here). She wears these almost all the time.

We adore the Chelsea shades, because they feature an over-exaggerated cat eye shape and a very glam Hollywood style. These cat eyes are selling out so fast online, so you have to reserve them now, just to receive them in May. Meow!

The House of Harlow 1960 sunglasses line also features wonderful over-sized frames in these cool styles:

The Charlotte in Ivory and the Marie in Tortoise. The line includes 6 styles of acetate glasses.

Designer Nicole says she was inspired by old Hollywood movies and costumes, and named each style after family members, friends, and her style icons.

The House of Harlow 1960 sunglasses line ranges from $110 to $195 and is available in stores now.

John Frieda Lets Blondes Go Even Blonder With New Lightening Spray

This Beauty Tip Today is for blondes only. Wish we, ourselves, could try this brand new John Frieda hair product, but we have Kardashian-colored hair.

Ladies, if you are light-haired and wish to go even blonder, then this heat-activated spray is the way to go! Keep your blonde locks looking as golden fabulous as Nancy O'Dell's.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray ($9.99, at drugstores). It's a really awesome product because it lightens blonde hair gradually---in 3-5 days.

Just spritz the Lightening Spray onto roots, highlighted sections, or all over your head, and then blow-dry. Hair will be lighter with just a few uses. The more heat you use, the greater the lightening effects. So flat-iron, curling iron also help 'activate the spray.'

What's in it, besides hydrogen peroxide? The experts at John Frieda explain the heat-activated formula:

"Contains thermo-protectant. Patent-pending technology combines fixative and conditioning polymers that retain hydrogen peroxide, allowing for control of lightening."

Sounds like an amazing new hair product for blondes only.

Rough Skin And No Moisturizer? Reach For Crisco Says Dr. Wu

Crisco. We know it makes a darn good pie crust. But it also makes for softer skin, according to celebrity dermatologist and beauty expert Dr. Jessica Wu.

We're not sure how the CEOs of major skin care companies we have interviewed for BeautyTipToday, would feel about tossing out their expensive creams and serums for a tub of all-vegetable shortening, but let's examine this further.

First of all.....do NOT throw away your skin care products. But let's be honest. The damage we do to our faces and bodies over a span of time, does not just occur because of too much time in the sun. Sure, tanning is responsible for many of the fine lines and wrinkles, but what you consume on a daily basis, plays a large role, too.

Dr. Jessica Wu's new book just hit store shelves. It's called, "Feed Your Face," (just $15.07, now at amazon.com). And the title says it all. If you eat healthier, then your skin will tell the story. And there are some simple facts Dr. Wu outlines in her book that help women deal with face and body challenges.

Dr. Wu was a guest on Good Morning America where she shared her Crisco beauty tip for softer skin:

Rough elbows, feet, knees, or hands? Don't have any moisturizer around? Reach for the familiar blue can of Crisco and rub into the rough areas of your skin.

Dr. Wu says that Crisco is all-natural, and made from soy beans, and does a super job of nourishing dry, rough skin.

Well, we have a lonely, little can of Crisco in our cupboard, and we are going to try this on our sorry feet tonight.

Rose Water: One Of Finest Natural Products For Skin

Rose water. It's one of the best toners we have ever used for our face and body. And we just read that actress Liv Tyler sets her makeup with a quick spritz of rose water. Smart girl, because the mist has a firming effect on skin.

We have received quite an education on the healthy skin benefits of rose water and rose oil, and the rich, exotic history Damask roses share with Bulgaria.

We recently spoke with Dana Vasileva, operations manager of Dama, a newly launched 100% natural and organic line of skincare and aromatherapy products. And she let us try Dama's Organic Rose Water face and body mist ($13.99, 8 oz.). And honestly, we are hooked.

"It is very rich in flavonoids and vitamins, including A, C, D, E andB3," Dana explains. "Rose water has anti-viral, antiseptic and disinfectant properties. It maintains the pH balance, and stimulates regeneration processes of the skin. It helps reduce wrinkles, fine lines and skin inflammation. It also has a calming effect on acne and sunburns. One bottle, all skin types, all ages."

In fact, Dama's Organic Rose Water is the one product that Dana Vasileva cannot live without because of its multi-purpose features:

"1. You can use Rosewater to refresh the skin/face. As our body needs hydration, so does our skin. I call it SKIN WATER as it gives my skin all it needs with just one bottle. 2. Use it on your hair: Spray on dry/damp hair. It will give the hair a healthy and vibrant look. It will also reduce split ends. 3. Air-freshener: Because Rosewater has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, you can also use it as an air-freshener and disinfectant in bathrooms, on animal beds, and for carpets."

It's interesting to note, that the Damask rose comes from far away-----in the Valley of Roses, in Kazanlak, Bulgaria The area is known for its perfect geographical and climatic conditions for growing and harvesting the oil-yielding rose.

And the Dama company is proud that their skin care and aromatherapy products all bear the USDA Certified Organic label.

According to Dana, roses are more than just beautiful, aromatic flowers. For centuries, the rose has been highly valued by many cultures for its super healing properties. Rose water and rose oil were used in the traditional medicines of China, India, Assyria, Egypt, Greece and Rome, to cure a wide range of medical conditions.

Dama also sells Rose Skin Tonic, Rose Oil, Rose Absolute, Hand-picked Rose Buds, and Lavender Oil. And the company also posts beauty tips, facts and creative ways to use their products via Facebook(damaUSA) and Twitter (damaUSA) on daily basis.

You can buy organic Dama Rose products here at dama-usa and at etsy.

Under 30: Treat Wrinkles With Dr. Perricone's Super Skin Care Line

Wrinkles. You never really worried about developing 'those,' until you got into your 40s. But, oh, have times changed. Young women do become anxious about a few fine lines and nasty little things like crow's feet.

Look at just-turned-30 reality TV star Kim Kardashian. She was getting Botox-ed before she turned the big 3-0. And she swore she would never get injected like that again because she allegedly got swollen eyes from the jabbing. We like to think, that the Kardashian sisters are not strangers to skin care quick fixes like Botox and company.

The under 30 age group has become a new target for the skin care experts like Connecticut-based dermatologist Nicholas Perricone. His Super line of botanically based skin care products comes in bright and cheerful packaging with a bull's eye on them, says Daniel Giles, the senior vice president for marketing at Perricone.

"Not a lot of brands talk to a 28-year-old," he tells the NY Times. "That’s where Super is positioned, to 25- to 30-year-olds."

He adds, "It’s a happy, friendly way of approaching skin care."

We like to think.....It's never too late to start protecting yourself against wrinkles. So, we are all for Dr. Perricone's Super skin care line, with lovely topicals like watercress toners, ginger facials, coconut oil infused lip balms, green apple serums, and melon extract eye creams. Sounds yummy.

You can check out the Super line at Sephora, and "Feed your hungry skin."

Singing Superstar Taylor Swift's 3 Makeup Must-Haves

Taylor Swift.

She's such an unassuming singing superstar. And at the young age of 21, she exudes such poise and 'normalcy.'

Taylor Swift has tons of fans, not just crazy about her country hits, but desperate for her hair and makeup tips, too.

Today, we have Taylor Swift's 3 Makeup Must-Haves. And these beauty basics all come from CoverGirl:

The singer recently told People magazine, that when it comes to her makeup routine, it's a simple one.

"Eyeliner, foundation, and some sort of lip color. A lot of times, I forget about everything else!" she says.

1. Lip Perfection lipstick in Hot ($5.99, at drugstores). Taylor began trying red lipstick three years ago, and says it has, 'changed my life.' Her fave red is the new one by CG Lip Perfection.

2. NatureLuxe Silk foundation in Alabaster ($11.99, at drugstores). This base gives the singer flawless skin. And Taylor says she does take all her makeup off at night.

3. LineExact liquid liner pen in Very Black ($6.88, at drugstores). For those gorgeous blue eyes, she uses this liquid liner to get a more precise and lasting line. And when you want to make a cat eye, which has become Taylor's signature look, a liquid liner pen makes the application a lot easier.

By the way, Taylor Swift told People mag that she does her own makeup on tour. We like it.....a no fuss, pretty beauty routine.