Vertical Fingernail Ridges? Don't Worry---Quite Normal

Vertical fingernail ridges. Let's be frank here, the ridges aren't pretty. And no, you can't file them down and make them disappear, unfortunately. We've already tried.

But don't freak out----the condition is quite normal, according to the experts at the famous Mayo Clinic:

"Vertical nail ridges, which extend from your cuticle to the tip of your nail, are fairly common and often become more numerous or prominent as you age. Vertical ridges in your nails are not a health concern. Although the exact cause of such ridging isn't known, heredity likely plays a role."

Hmmm. We don't like these vertical ridges, but then again, it's the horizontal ridges we should be concerned about, says the Mayo Clinic:

"If your fingernails change color or develop horizontal ridges, see your doctor. These changes may indicate underlying health problems, such as respiratory disease, malnutrition or even heart attack."

Our best nail advice: Don't worry about the ridges. But do worry about having strong, healthy nails. There's nothing worse than splits and cracks, and weak nail beds.

There are some super nail strengtheners out there, like this cult favorite:

Mavala Scientifique Nail Hardener ($16.99, follica). This little bottle has a huge following of fans. Hard to find, but we located a stash at folica.com. One woman says she's been using Mavala for some 30 years. Now, that's an opinion we can trust.

Mavala describes their little nail hardener this way:
The tip of nail is the most fragile part which breaks easily. Logic and experience have proven that it is the tip of nail which needs to be strengthened. This Scientifique is a special treatment for the nail tip. It helps prevent splitting or flaking, strengthens soft nails. It features fast result, ease to apply and economical. And one little bottle lasts an entire year.

Exuviance's New Peel Off Mask Gets You Red Carpet Ready

Gotta love the peel-off mask. It wakes up a tired, dull complexion in sheer minutes. And let's be honest-----isn't it kind of fun to peel away the dirt, debris, and dead skin cells with it?

We've just tried a new peel-off mask full of anti-aging ingredients by Exuviance:
Rejuvenating Treatment Masque ($30, neostrata.com. And this refreshing, cool mask gets you red carpet ready in just a few minutes.

First....the mask will give you clearer skin. And secondly, Exuviance's Rejuvenating Peel-Off mask does what great anti-aging products do, and that is---stimulate cell renewal and exfoliate for brighter, healthier skin.

The Rejuvenating Treatment Masque is different from other peel-offs. It's concentrated and very powerful. This is what the folks at NeoStrata say:

"...Alpha and Polyhydroxy acids (AHA/PHA) that offer full-strength anti-aging benefits without irritation. Gluconolactone, a potent Polyhydroxy Acid decreases lines and wrinkles by strengthening the skin and building the dermal matrix so skin appears fuller and plumper. This gentle exfoliant and natural antioxidant also improves the skin's clarity, luminosity and refines pore size, leaving skin truly refreshed and rejuvenated. The addition of Mandelic Acid (AHA) helps to visibly reduce wrinkled areas, while Vitamins A, C, E and a Pro Vitamin B Complex provide superior moisturization.".

It's smart to use a mask once a week or every other week, to wake up a tired, dull complexion. And trust us, this one makes you feel alive and alert. And after you peel away the mask, say hello to a more radiant face and neck.

Are You Willing To Pay $150 For 6 Fl. Oz. Of Conditioner?!

At $150 for a 6 fluid ounce tube of hair conditioner, well, this beauty product better give us Gisele Bundchen locks and Tom Brady as a bonus accessory, ha ha.

So, the question begs----Are you willing to pay $150 for 6 fl. oz. of conditioner?!

Celebrities like Penelope Cruz are willing to pay, but then again, her beauty budget probably has no limits. And girlfriend does have a glossy, gorgeous mane.

Maybe it is the Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Conditioning Creme. The hair expert who developed the expensive conditioner, Philip B., himself, has boasted that Russian Amber Imperial is "10 times more effective than any other formula."

Let's take a look inside this tony tube of hair magic:
Amber Oil, Eleven L-Amino Acids, & Pure Plant Extracts---
Nettle, Chamomile, Rosemary, Sage, Burdock & Grape Seed.

And according to the website, your mane will look and feel pretty darned good after one use:

"Philip B® Russian Amber Imperial Conditioning Crème restores hair's pH balance for superior detangling and shine. It makes fine hair feel thick and lush. It softens coarse, difficult hair, turning it silky and manageable. And on damaged hair, the luxuriant, rejuvenating formula sinks right in, restoring precious moisture and elasticity to dry, parched strands."

By the way, there is a Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo that has won numerous beauty awards, Lucky and Vogue magazines, just to name a couple. And you can get a hefty 12 fl. oz. jar of the shampoo for $140.

As Philip B. says, "Treat your hair like royalty — the Imperial way!"

Now, if only our pocketbook felt the same way.

Look, Ladies: Tinted Eyeliner That Really Helps Lashes Grow

A lash lengthening eyeliner?! For real?!

Then sign us up! We won't leave the house without wearing lined eyes, so we think this is a pretty cool beauty product---eye makeup and a lash treatment two-fer.

It's called Line N Grow Lash Lengthening Tinted Eyeliner ($39.00, online at beauty shops like skinstore.com).

And it's easy to use: Simply apply Line N Grow like your regular eyeliner, remembering to stay close to your lashlines. And in about 1 month, you will see longer, fuller lashes.

Obviously, there's something in the formula that allows lashes to become healthier and fuller. And it's all-natural stuff. No expensive prescription with scary drugs blended in.

Check out these fringe benefits, ladies:

Ophthalmologist tested, safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes.
Prostaglandin-Free.
No toxic side effects such as permanent darkening of the iris.
No need for a prescription.
100% of study participants reported the appearance of fuller lashes.
Tinted formulas to enhance your lashes while wearing eye liner.
All natural, certified Vegan, non-toxic and no animal testing. Does NOT contain Parabens, Urea, Mineral Oil, Phalates, TEA, synthetic fragrances or any animal derived ingredients.
Packaging made of recycled Eco-friendly materials.

Lash N Grow comes in these shades:

Black. Dark brown. Eggplant. Olive. Midnight Blue. And Clear.

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.