Can You Live Without Mascara? We Cannot!

Mascara. If it isn't in your makeup bag, well, girlfriend....you don't have a clue.

So, it begs the question:

Can you live without mascara? We cannot!

In simplest beauty basics, mascara draws attention to your eyes, one of your most important features. And the fuller, thicker, and longer your lashes are, the more amazing your eyes will appear.

It's really a no brainer, you should and must wear mascara. And it's very easy to apply, so there is no excuse.

Today, along with L'Oreal, we are celebrating mascara!

L'Oreal has been bombarding us all with its huge ad blitz for the 20th anniversary of its popular Voluminous Mascara ($8, at drugstores).

Has it really been 20 years?! Apparently so. And it just goes to show, that mascara is indeed, one of the beauty basics we cannot live without, especially, if this one tube has had the staying power of 2 decades, and counting.

Actress Kerry Washington, is just one of the beautiful celebrities featured in L'Oreal's 20th Anniversary for Voluminous Mascara ad campaign. Here's what she says about the brand:

"Voluminous lives in my makeup bag. It was my first mascara and it's what my makeup artists use on-set. The red carpet wouldn't be the same without Voluminous."

And we would have to agree, Kerry Washington.

Beauty Tip Today Picks Camila Alves For Best Dressed At Oscars 2011

Camila Alves looked like a beautiful, Brazilian princess last night in Los Angeles' Kodak Theatre at the Oscars 2011 Awards show. She wins Beauty Tip Today's 'Best Dressed' honors.

Most people know her handsome, long-time love, actor, Matthew McConaughey. But Camila Alves has been a successful model, has a great luxury leather handbag line called Muxo, was the host of Bravo TV's Shear Genius Season 3 reality show last year, and the proud mommy to a little boy and baby girl.

Camila doesn't seem to get the media attention of other Hollywood power couples, but last evening, we thought she stole the show.

Let's take a look. While most starlets strolled the red carpet in a sea of red, nude, and silver, Camila Alves chose a stunning very low-cut black ball gown by Kaufman Franco. Her shoes were by Stuart Weitzman, jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz, and bag by Kotur.

Her look was both elegant and timeless. And Camila's posture was perfect, along with her shiny dark hair fashioned in a simple, parted-in-the-middle style with a low chignon. Makeup featured dark lined eyes, strong brows, and soft, nude lips.

Regal from every angle. And of course, helping complete Camila's best-dressed look---- her other sexy accessory, Matthew McConaughey.

Don't Laugh: Grown-Up Gals Can Still Wear Lip Smacker's Dr. Pepper

Lip Smacker's Dr. Pepper.

Our advice----go out and buy a tube now! It won't cost you more than $2 at the drugstore, and you will thank us later.

Okay, we are wa-aaaaaaay too mature to being wearing this stuff on our lips, but----suddenly...we have become obsessed with Bonne Belle's famous Lip Smacker in Dr. Pepper.

Oh yeah, it's been around for years and years. We used to love wearing the Bubble Gum Lip Smacker.

But there is a reason the Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker is the favorite, and a staple in many grown-up gals' makeup bags. It smells and tastes yummy, and it's that sheer reddish tint it leaves behind.

Actress Rachel Bilson is also obsessed with the juicy balm. This is what InStyle magazine said:

'On the red carpet, Bilson plays up her doe-eyed good looks with dramatic eyeliner and black mascara, but her favorite product is the very down-to-earth Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers: "They give a little hint of color—and flavor," says Rachel.'

In fact, she told the mag on another occasion, that the cult fave Lip Smacker is one of the '4 Beauty Essentials' she can't live without. "Tastes great, and gives lips a subtle reddish tint," the actress raved again.

Even Elle magazine is gaga over Dr. Pepper, and featured the Lip Smacker in a December article about Long-Lasting Party Makeup:

"I’m crazy obsessed with this," says celebrity makeup artist Molly Stern. "If your lipstick has worn off by the end of the night, it’s easy to throw on. It gives the perfect gloss, has the slightest bit of color, and tastes good—which is great if you’re planning on making out with someone."

If you've never tried Lip Smackers in Dr. Pepper or haven't put it on in a long time, revisit your childhood and pick up a tube. You'll be hooked. We can't stop tasting our lips. Yum!

'E's' Oscar Host Giuliana Rancic: Too Skinny Or Just Right?

Giuliana Rancic, the'E' chanel's beloved red carpet personality
and pre-Oscar host this Sunday, is busy getting ready for the most glam awards show of the season.

And yet, we feel sorry for Giuliana. Sure, she's got an amazing job, husband, and lifestyle, but she's also got intense pressure by Hollywood standards to maintain a very slender silhouette. And to many observant eyes, the red carpet expert is looking a little too thin these days.

Ever since she and husband, Bill Rancic, went public about their on-going struggles to have a baby, the media has been critical of the ultra-slim body of Giuliana. And yes, her fans and non-fans have been advising the pretty blonde 'E' host to fatten up.

Even Giuliana herself went on the record last March to say that, "The scrutiny on my weight is driving me 'crazy."

We hear that Giuliana Rancic is about 5'8" or 5'9". We don't want to guess her weight, so we won't go there. We found a recent photo of the tall TV personality at the recent Grammy Awards. She does look thin, but not sickly.

In fact, Giuliana Rancic has just blogged about her fave red carpet snacks, just in time for Sunday's Academy Awards. And we know that Giuliana will look stunning, as usual, as she hits the red carpet, armed and ready to interview some of Hollywood's most elite movie stars.

Here are some of the go-to-snacks that keep her skinny:

1.Greek Yogurt, 0% or 2% Fat: Rich, creamy, and low in fat, this preservative free, protein packed treat is triple strained to remove watery whey, leaving a thick, velvety consistency that is simply delish. I love mixing in a half packet of Stevia and a pinch of cinnamon or a teaspoon of almond butter -- makes it even better!

2.Almonds: These tasty, protein packed nuts are probably my favorite 'go to' snack when I am on the go! The nutritionally dense, fiber packed nuts are awesome plain, but lately I have also been loving the Sally Smart Lemon Roasted Almonds, that have a seriously citrusy punch! And sorry guys, the chocolate covered kind doesn't really count as healthy.

3.Kashi's TLC Bars: Unlike other corn-syrup packed bars, Kashi's are natural and low in sugar. Check out the Cherry Dark Chocolate flavor (I've checked it out several times).

Great Beauty Bargain Under $12: Wrinkle Buster Alpha Hydrox

Beauty bargain. Who doesn't love a great one.

Today, we are looking at a cult fave:
Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle.

This generous 6 oz. bottle is packed full of super exfoliating agents. And at just under $12, $11.99, to be exact, you are getting your money's worth.

But does the beauty bargain really help improve your skin?

Yes, and even skin expert Jan Marini loves this particular Alpha Hydrox product, as it makes a wonderful hand cream, too.

You CAN use Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion on areas other than your face and neck, and here's what the well-respected product researcher says:

"I've tried every hand cream on the market," Jan Marini says. And she loves this Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion because of it's 10% Glycolic AHA content."Its molecules are so small that they penetrate more deeply, dislodging dead cells and lifting the skin, giving it a smoother appearance. And glycolic acid also helps get rid of age spots!"

Try this non-greasy Glycolic AHA lotion on your face and neck and you will see gradual improvement, according to maker Neoteric Cosmetics:

This age-defying lotion contains 10% alpha-hydroxy acid, which removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, allowing the antioxidant vitamins and hydro-emollients to smooth, firm, and nourish the healthy skin that lies beneath.

We found this great beauty bargain on SALE for $9.34, here at Ulta stores

Purple Eye Shadow/Liner Pretty Perfect For Spring

Keep it colorful, ladies!

At the recent Grammy Awards show, sexy celebrities were wearing green across their lids.

And now we have another jeweled gem shade----Purple. Put on purple eye shadow or liner this spring, and you will look pretty perfect.

Keep it simple with a great nude lipstick and subtle blush, and you're good to go!

The purple is happy and brightens you whole look.

And here are how the makeup pros find your perfect purple:

FAIR/Light Skin Tones. You look lovely in soft purple.

OLIVE/Medium Skin Tones. You can rock lavender with shimmer and even pink-purple shades.

DARK Skin Tones. You can go for the vivid, bolder purples.

We found some pretty purple shadows here at Everyday Minerals. The shade in the photo is called Art Girl ($7.00).

Jen Aniston Chops Off Trademark Locks After Babs Streisand Copies Her Long Do?!

OMG!! Jennifer Aniston, what have you done to your gorgeous signature locks??!!

It has taken us a couple of days to mull over this one. First, let's look at the hair facts:

1. Jen has recently turned 42-years-old.

2. The former 'Friends' star has been out promoting her new movie, 'Just Go with it.' And it was there in Spain, that we all caught sight of the new Jennifer Aniston do. The actress appeared on the TV show “El Hormiguero” Feb. 22, 2011 in Madrid for her new movie, with the new blonder, long bob.

This haircut looks similar to the one she got while married to Brad Pitt. And briefly after that shorter do, the golden couple had announced their divorce. Ouch!

Look at Ashlee Simpson. As soon as she rocked that cute, very blonde pixie cut, she and Pete Wentz announced their impending split.

So, what's that have to do with a new hairstyle?

In our humble opinion, plenty. Most women do NOT chop off their hair for little reason. When you're losing at least several inches, there is an explanation for it. Jennifer Love Hewitt had hers cut into a similar long bob, after breaking up with Jason Kennedy.

Then, a new and very different haircut means there is change of some kind on the horizon? Yes, we seem to think so. Maybe turning 42, has given the popular movie actress some new thoughts on where she wants her life to go, and so forth.

We also think that the mere sight of legendary singer Barbara Streisand performing at the recent Grammy Awards 2011, wearing a copy-cat long hair Jennifer Aniston do might have something to do with it.

Jennifer had done a photo lay-out several months ago in Harper's Bazaar, dressed to look like Barbara Streisand, whom she admires greatly. The photos were beautiful, and Jennifer Anistonreally resembled a young Barbara Streisand.

The famous singer was quite impressed with Jennifer and the wonderful photo tribute So much so, that Babs has been trying hard to look exactly like Jennifer Aniston these days. Just look at the photos of Babs trying to rock the golden trademark locks of the former 'Friends' beauty.

Are we on to something?

We're not crazy about Jennifer Aniston's new long, blonder bob. It just doesn't look right. The color is to bright, the style not as attractive for her strong jaw, and pretty-girl-next-door looks.

We're baffled. How about you?