Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor: Example Of Golden Ratio Beauty Standard




Elizabeth Taylor, long considered one of the most beautiful faces in the world, has left us.

The Academy-award-winning actress, has died at age 79, from congestive heart failure in California.

This poignant statement came from her son, Michael, today:

"My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor and love," Michael Wilding said in a statement. "We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

Many of us have always admired Elizabeth Taylor's classic beauty. But the legend, herself, was beautiful not just because of her oval face and gorgeous eyes, but for something in her DNA, known as the golden ratio.

Some experts believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that beauty is based on key factors like the Phi ratio, or the golden ratio of 1.618:1, which ultimately equals balance and harmony. This golden ratio is found everywhere on the planet----in flowers, music, architecture, birds, etc.

And although, we as individuals, all have different races, nationalities, ages, sexes, and features, according to the MBA or Marquardt Beauty Analysis, a beautiful face, including Elizabeth Taylor's, will still conform to this one Phi ratio.

Dr. Stephen R. Marquardt, a maxillo-facial surgeon from California, has been studying human attractiveness for years. And he developed a beauty mask overlay. The mask, seen above in the photo, uses the pentagon and decagon as its foundation, which embody the Phi ratio in all its dimensions. In other words, beautiful faces will conform most to the measurements in the Marquardt mask.

It's a fascinating study. We can certainly see how the rare beauty of this screen legend would so easily conform to the beauty mask.

And that is why Elizabeth Taylor is an example of the golden ratio beauty standard.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

John Frieda Debuts Own Color Foam At-Home Product With Katie Holmes As New Face


John Frieda has a super hair products company. And this evening, he is debuting a new, at-home foam hair color line.

Okay, so the master is a bit late for the at-home permanent color foam party, that's been going on since Samy introduced their own Fat Foam product in Walmart stores last October. And then Clairol went public with their Nice 'n Easy Color Blend Foam last February.

That's alright. John Frieda has actress Katie Holmes on board with his Precision Foam Colour. And the duo is about to make some major Beauty news tonight at NYC's Lavo nightclub, with the premier of a clever short film introducing his no-drip at-home foam hair color line. This is a red carpet event, and we're wondering if hubby Tom Cruise and daughter Suri will be there to cheer mama Katie on.

Remember when Keira Knightley made a great short film for Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle? Well, these days, it's not unusual for big beauty companies to go Hollywood to promote a brand new product.

Katie Holmes and her healthy hair look gorgeous in the short film for Precision Foam Colour. We would never have coupled Katie with John Frieda. We just didn't think she had the glam....but boy, were we wrong!

The short film is called, 'The Decision.' And the mini-movie tells the story of Joan Hudson (Katie Holmes), a high-profile actress who makes the choice to leave her colorist and color her own hair at-home.

Check out some wonderful clips from 'The Decision,' here.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Will You 'Color-Block' Your New Spring Wardrobe In Notice-Me Bright Hues?!


Bright bursts of color combos. That's what color-block style is. And it's HOT for Spring 2011!

From must-have shoes to dresses and bags, notice-me colors are all the rage.

And all it takes is one smart piece to give your wardrobe a fresh, trendy pop.

We're looking today, at the Nine West Stylin' leather sandal ($89, at ninewest.com). This beauty features a 4 1/2" heel and 1/2" platform and comes in Dark Pink-Orange, Yellow-Green, and Black-Natural.

To wear color-block, you have to be fearless. That is.....you must love and feel comfortable putting some funky shades together. We're talking vibrant jewel tones like magenta/emerald green. Or purple/yellow/sapphire. Anything goes, and if you over-do the color-blocking, well, it can be a bit much, or a bit too loud.

In our humble opinion....we know color-block is big this season, but we aren't wild about the trend, although, we DO like the Nine West sandal here, just give us the black/natural ones.

Hey, we don't even like wearing prints. But if you love accessorizing with beautiful bursts of color, then this is your season!

By the way, you can pre-order the Stylin' sandals now, and these will ship by 4/26
.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

got2b Creates Yet Another Cool Volumizing Product: Powder'ful


We've said this before:

You've got2b crazy, not to fall in love with this edgy hair styling line.

Got2b from the Schwarzkopf hair company is one incredible hair care line! There are so-ooooo many styling products, you couldn't even scratch the surface. The best thing, the products are reasonably priced and you can find them at your local drugstore. And most importantly, got2b makes some amazingly tough hair products.

Just when we thought the hair geniuses at Schwarzkopf might have run out of any new hair product creations, boy---were we wrong!

We just learned about this one for added VOLUME!! got2b Powder'ful Volumizing Styling Powder ($5.99, just arriving at drugstores now). It's made for use on dry hair. Just sprinkle powder in, and you're 10 seconds away from BIG HAIR. NO Blow-drying!

The styling powders contain special micro-particles that directly boost the hair at the base, without blow drying, and give hair immediate extra volume and hold. And it works on really long hair to really cropped pixie dos.

We are so tired of using wet spray volumizers, that this new got2b Powder'ful Volumizing Styling Powder might give even better results. A definite beauty buy on our short shopping list.

Tinsley Mortimer is said to be a big fan of Powder'ful, and she has great hair.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Fergie (Is that Really You?) Gives Amazing American Idol Performance


Fergie, was that really you?

Everyone's been buzzing about the sexy singer and how very different she looks now. Has she had plastic surgery?! Or some cosmetic injections?

The Black Eyed Peas performed their new hit "Just Can’t Get Enough" on American Idol's results show Thursday night, and Fergie didn't look like, well, Fergie.

Five years ago, Fergie was constantly being asked if she had succumbed to the plastic surgery knife, and back then, she released this statement:

"One of those magazines says I’ve had a nose job and an eyebrow job which is completely untrue," Fergie explained. "Personally, I see a therapist. It is hard, it hurts my feelings. I call my hypnotherapist and cry and let it go. That’s what I do. I think they they nitpick these days so much and it’s just got to the point where it’s ridiculous."

It must be tough for famous women, especially, in Hollywood. Beautiful celebrities seem to be fixing up everything....from perfect teeth to perfect noses to perfect hair and so much more. The standard of beauty is impossibly high, and the pressure to look perfect is extreme.

There is chatter that Fergie just got bigger breast implants, and that she just got a new nose and another eyebrow lift.

We're not sure what she has done, but she looks lovely. Her features look softer. Her eyebrows appear lighter and thinner. Maybe that's it. But she did look different to us on Thursday night, so much so, that we thought she had a stand-in. But when she opened her mouth to sing, there was no denying.....that was indeed, Fergie, and her amazing vocals.

Check out the 'Duchess' American Idol performance here on YouTube.

Do you notice anything different about Fergie's appearance? Comment here.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Warm Up Your Complexion: Sonia Kashuk Spring Awakenings Face Palette

This Sunday, March 20th, marks a special moment----the first day of spring!!

It's been a very long-gggg, cold-dddd winter.

Haven't you had enough? We have. So, let's bring on warmer, sunnier days ahead with a beauty budget buy:

Sonia Kashuk's Spring Awakenings Face Palette ($24.99, at Target).

We like this adorable all-in-one face painting kit. And here's why:

1. It's so darn convenient. Everything you need is right in one little container. Easy to throw into your bag. And it's slim and sleek and designed with a cute wicker cover.

2.The colors are chosen for you. You don't have to see what goes with what. It's all there....a natural glow for the eyes, cheeks, and lips. You get 4 eye shadows---matte tan, matte chocolate, metallic bronze and sparkling champagne, a deep brown eye liner, coral blush, and 3 lip glosses---nude, cocoa, and rosewood.

3. Sonia Kashuk is one of model Cindy Crawford's favorite makeup artists. And as we like to say, if Sonia's makeup is good enough for Cindy, then it's good enough for us. We think the Spring Awakenings Face Palette is a great beauty budget buy. You get pretty earthy shades that aren't overdone, and perfect for the girl-on-the-go!

Here's what Cindy Crawford wears for her daily makeup routine. And it's very similar to the Sonia Kashuk makeup palette we talking about:

1. Brown eye shadow. Cindy Crawford says that brown is your best friend. "It's less harsh than black, it goes with everything, and it's impossible to mess up. For day, I do variations of brown shadow, either matte or shimmer."

2. Nude lips. Yes, the look is very polished when you can nail the right tone. "A neutral mouth looks really sophisticated, but you have to pick your color carefully so you don't look washed out. I like beigy pinks that are one shade darker than my natural skin tone. I almost always wear gloss, and save lipstick for special occasions."

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Beautiful Beverly Hills Housewife Kyle Claims It's Really The Pantene


Beverly Hills Housewife reality star Kyle Richards has incredible hair. And as usual, women want to know if that is all her real hair?! Or are those very expensive hair extensions?

The beautiful mom of three daughters has stated before, that those shiny, healthy brunette locks are definitely all her natural hair.

And we will take her at her word.

Kyle Richards walked the red carpet in plum last night at the annual A Night at Sardi’s Alzheimer’s Association benefit in Los Angeles. And once again, her crowning glory stole the spotlight.

This time she told reporters, that it is one drugstore hair care line that delivers enviable locks:

"This is the same look I’ve had my entire life," Kyle said. "The one time I cut my long dark hair and made it blond, people said I looked horrible, so that was enough of that!" Her secret hair tip? "Pantene! I really do just use Pantene."

And we also dug up this little beauty nugget from Kyle's Bravo blog, an entry made last November:

"I use Pantene on my hair. They changed the formula recently throwing me for a loop, but I’ve always used their deep clarifying shampoo and heaviest conditioner. If they don’t come up with one as good as the one I used to use, I may have to make my own!" she wrote.

We think the makers of Pantene should tap her to be their next shampoo spokesperson.

What we like about Kyle Richards IS her super long hair. Most hair pros would caution women over 40 about having locks that long. They say, that women should not have too much hair dragging down their features. Or that too much hair looks juvenile on an adult woman. And that shorter women like Kyle should wear their hair above the shoulders. And blah, blah, blah.

In our humble opinion, this long, goddess hair, really looks amazing on Kyle Richards. The hair is so glossy and healthy, and not stringy. And the reality star is 42 by the way. More power to her.

Meantime.....Kyle is busy working on a handbag line.