Don't Think Makeup Makes A Face Prettier? Then Check Out Supermodel Iman Before + After

Iman has always been one of our favorite supermodels. And at 55, she proves that age is really just a number.

Or is it?

If you look at these Before + After photos, we think this goes to prove that it isn't all about one's age, but that makeup makes you prettier.

Let's examine this a bit further. Our top photo shows the always glam supermodel without a stitch of makeup on. Iman was out on in the rain yesterday, shopping in an outdoor SoHo market looking for a few veggies.

We were actually quite shocked....Iman has uneven skin tone, dark undereye circles with bags, and barely there eyebrows. We just assumed, that because she's been a supermodel, that she would never have to deal with the mortal sins of aging like most of us do as we hit our 40s and beyond.

But there stood Iman with a truly naked face.......a face that is almost unrecognizable from the famous, exotic cover girl model women have both admired and been envious of for a number of years now.

And then we see that makeup, indeed, makes a major difference for every woman. Check out Iman looking stunning at the BET Honors ceremony a few weeks ago, in Washington, D.C.. Need we say more? Iman has incredible bone structure and that long, beautiful neck everyone talks about, but more importantly, she's wearing makeup-----foundation, a smoky eye, blush, and lipstick. It's tastefully done, and she looks amazing and youthful.

Does she also look better than most women at 55, without makeup? Yes, but then again, she was a top model for a long run, so we expect her to break the age and beauty barrier.

What really surprised us in the Before photo is Iman's natural appearance. We know that most beautiful Hollywood actresses and models go under the knife to retain their great looks as they enter their 30s and 40s. And some women go too far. But there is nothing plastic or artificial-looking to us where Iman is concerned. As we can see from her un-glam shot, she suffers from a few age and skin problems. So, whatever, if anything she has done cosmetically, is both smart and sensible.

We are thrilled this Before photo of supermodel Iman has been shown to the world. We can learn a lot from it. We're not sure the gorgeous wife of David Bowie would be happy to see this photo making the rounds, but we can see that even a woman of her beauty stature looks prettier with makeup. Period.

Love It Or Hated It: JLo's Bright Bold L'Oreal Lipstick

Everyone's been talking about the bright bold lipstick that American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez painted on recently. In fact, we had two women send us a personal email, begging us for the shade.

And although, Jlo's lips looked red, the color was actually a strong fuschia. And now that the Latina star is a new L'Oreal spokesperson, she is wearing the latest makeup and hair products by the giant company.

Now, you either loved it or hated it. We're not sure.....we're on the fence about this bright, bold shade. By the way, it's called--L'Oreal Infallible Rouge Lipstick in Fuschia, no. 138 ($8, at drugstores).

These new lip shades from the L'Oreal Infallible Rouge line are strong and sassy, just like JLo herself. Not for the faint of heart. And this formula is supposed to last up to 10 hours, or at least through 2 hours of judging on American Idol.

Jennifer wore this Fuschia lipstick in contrast with that sexy, emerald green Lanvin dress and soft Veronica Lake-like hair.

Would you wear this bright, bold lipstick, a la Lopez?

Cute Kmart Clothing?! Take 'Route 66' And See

Kmart for cute clothing?

We kid you not. Sometimes, a popular department store can carry a couple of knock-out, trendy pieces you can add to your more expensive wardrobe.

Look at model/actress and Sports Illustrated beauty Brooklyn Decker. She just told one fashion mag that she often shops in cheaper stores like Target, where she can score a great item for much less. Brooklyn was talking about a classic trench coat she found at Target and it was a super buy.

Now, let's examine this really cute top from Kmart's Route 66 line. Only $19.99 in stores.

Lace is so in this season. And this romantic, delicate top by Route 66 features a scoop neck, elbow length, bat wing sleeves with a sexy cinched waist and crochet along the border. The material is made of a polyester blend, and it's machine washable. Color is white and of a semi-sheer fabric and comes in sizes S, M, L, and XL.

The top looks good to us. But then again....maybe it only looks great because the model is seductively holding her arms up in the photo to show the big bat wing sleeves. The lesson here....always try on before buying.

You can check out the Kmart Route 66 line here.

Can't Afford January's And Eva's Big Dior Libertine Bag? Then Buy A Fab Fake

Spring and a brand new handbag. The two go arm-in-arm. And just because we still have big snow mounds around our neighborhood, and the thaw has been put on hold for a while, it's nice to look forward to warmer, sunny days.

Then, let's get in the mood! Both January Jones and Eva Mendes can't get enough of their beautiful soft lambskin leather hobo Dior 'Libertine' bags. The sexy actresses have each been photographed with this plush 'arm candy,' time and time again.

And we can understand why. These Dior 'Libertines' are nice and big at 13"H x 14"W x 4"D. Both actresses are carrying the Libertine in sweet Petal Pink. And there's the key-----such a lovely, fresh shade for spring.

So, you can't afford January's and Eva's big, blush-beauty Dior bag at $2,300?! Well, neither can we these days. But you CAN buy a fab fake. And we hunted one down at Macy's.

This fab fake is designed by Marc Fisher. It's called the Knot Nice bag ($88, at Macy's). We love this soft, glazed faux leather bag at 13"H x 16"W x 2"D. And we adore the price----a steal! It, too, comes in a blush pink color. And should be arriving at Macy's soon. Check out our photo. Not the best pic, but you get the idea and can see the beautiful knotting and folds.

We can't wait for spring to re-awaken our wardrobe, even if we can't get the Dior this time around.

Too Lazy To Work Out Like Gwyneth? Try This Belly Fat Pill

Remember the song Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young?..... "I wanna live with a cinnamon girl I could be happy the rest of my life With a cinnamon girl."

Well, maybe you could be a cinnamon girl and be lazy, and still walk away with a flat tummy like Gwyneth Paltrow, whom we just wrote about in our previous March 2nd article.

Here are the simple and astonishing facts on cinnamon:

1. This common baking spice CAN lower blood pressure AND reduce blood sugar levels.

2. The aromatic spice also creates an automatic appetite control. You will naturally want LESS food.

A new British university study has found that women taking cinnamon supplements lose 500% more weight AND 300% more belly fat! And the most amazing thing about it-------you don't have to change your diet! And you can lose up to 10 lbs. a week!

Let's look at this new cinnamon belly fat pill:

The British study was conducted at Thames Valley University. Those participating, took Four 500-mg. cinnamon supplements a day-----1 with breakfast, 2 with lunch, and 1 with dinner. And for those of you preferring your cinnamon from your kitchen spice rack.....that's the equivalent of four 1/4 tsp. doses of the spice.

The research supervisor, Nicola Robinson, who has a Ph.D., says the study found that participants lost 500% more weight and melted away 300% more belly flab than the people who were getting the placebos. Plus----their blood sugar and blood pressure improved---"even though they reported no change in their diet," Nicola Robinson says. "We were quite surprised and encouraged."

More research is needed, she states, but the good news is this: "If you have excess fat around your middle, cinnamon is certainly worth trying," says Dr. Nicola Robinson.

By the way, cinnamon supplements are safe and drugstore cheap, but experts warn that since these pills can dramatically affect blood sugar, do NOT take more than 1,000 mg. at one time. And the diet plan we have outlined above, follows those guidelines.

People with diabetes or blood sugar problems MUST talk with their doctor before taking cinnamon supplements.

Anyone out there, dying to be a cinnamon girl?!

Gwyneth Paltrow: Perfect Flat Tummy To Achieve in 2011

Okay, Gwyneth Paltrow......We want to hate you after seeing those amazing photos of you sunning in the Caribbean in the tiniest of bikinis, and then strolling the red carpet in that sexy, silver gown by Calvin Klein.

But, we don't hate you. In fact, we really admire you, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Look at that body, especially those tight abs!! Let's face it....the Oscar-winning actress isn't in her 20s anymore. Gwyneth is 38-years-old, and the mom of young Apple and Noah. This means, after two pregnancies, she has had to work even harder to get those abs in serious shape.

And when you've got a sleek stomach like that, well, then you become the poster girl for the perfect, flat tummy to achieve in 2011.

Sure, Gwyneth works out with Madonna's celebrity fitness trainer, Tracy Anderson. But she really has to put the work in, to get these stunning results.

"Many of you may already know of my passion for the Tracy Anderson Method and my investment in it. She has kicked my formerly sagging ass into shape and I will be forever grateful," Gwyneth once mentioned in her GOOP newsletter.

The work-outs are pretty intense. Tracy Anderson features routines that increase strength, elongate muscle definition and improve balance, as well as flexibility.

By blending dance moves with sculpting exercises, Tracy Anderson’s signature method allows you to achieve that dream body or that perfect, flat Gwyneth Paltrow tummy. Check out the Tracy Anderson DVDs here.

And yes, Gwyneth Paltrow has always been a huge supporter of detox diets. She believes in the cleanse to rejuvenate the body from the inside. We're also not sure if she is still on a macro-organic-vegan kick.

So disciplined (sigh).

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.