Don't You Hate When Your Favorite Beauty Product Is 'Improved' Or Discontinued?!

We know this has happened to you, to us, and to many celebrities:

You're in the drugstore looking to pick up your favorite hairspray, when suddenly----the product is NO LONGER on the shelf?! It's been DISCONTINUED.

Or---scenario #2. You're in the drugstore looking to pick up your favorite cleanser, when suddenly----the product is now NEW and IMPROVED.

And then you bring it home, and suddenly----that beauty product doesn't work like it used to.

Arghhhh! The frustration!

Why oh why, do beauty brands have to go and MESS with the formula?

This seems to happen a lot with hair styling products, at least in our humble experience. For instance, we were in love with Pantene's Root Volumizer Gel Spray. Amazing stuff. A couple of years ago...Pantene re-packaged the product into a smaller bottle with a similar name, but totally re-vamped the formula.

The result?

Yuck. The NEW Root Volumizer Gel Spray creates average volume and gives little oomph to the hair. We know, because we still had some of the original Pantene and put it up against the newer product. And there was really no comparison.

And don't get us started with John Frieda styling products. We love his hair treatments UNTIL, he, too, starts messin' with a good thing, and our locks go limp once again.

We fell in love with John Frieda's original Sheer Blonde Full Blown Blonde Thickening Lotion, which then became a thickening root lifting spray with some white grape complex ingredient thing added to it. It was still a decent volumizer, but the original was the best. And the product 'Jumped the shark' as the saying goes. The thickening spray was eventually DISCONTINUED, but we were able to buy a few bottles on Amazon and Ebay at higher prices.

In fact, the $5.99 original is now selling on Ebay today, for $34.99 + FREE shipping for a set of 3. Any takers? Here's the link.

We have this advice: Don't fall too deeply for any one beauty product, because brands like to change up the formulas, re-package, and sometimes, discontinue altogether. Maybe the product wasn't selling like before. Maybe there were complaints about the scent of the product or one of its ingredients, etc.

Change comes swiftly in the world of beauty, and sometimes, you just have to keep on the hunt for the next best thing.

Ho Ho Ho For The Holidays! Restylane Rebate Is On!

Dear Santa:
Please 'fill us up' with gifts of beautiful skin!

Here is some wonderful beauty news you can take advantage of, ladies.

The Restylane Rebate is on for the holidays! If you've been meaning to fit in a cosmetic filler session or two, or more, then now's the time to act. It's a Season of Savings! Save up to $390 now through December 31, 2011. Every Restylane session can give back to you--- $50 (and $65--every Perlane session)!

And if you've never been poked before with the amazing filler, it's simple to get in on the savings, too. Just ask your healthcare professional to provide an itemized receipt documenting your procedure, and the box end flap(s) showing the hologram from the Restylane family product(s) used in your treatment.

Mail in the completed redemption form with your receipt and box end flap by January 13, 2012, and get in on the Restylane Rebate.

Restylane and its sister, Perlane, are popular cosmetic injectables that can correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, by adding fullness and volume to the skin.

To learn more about the Restylane family of injectable gels, visit Restylane.

Hot House Of Harlow Makes Nicole Richie Style Icon

Nicole Richie has never looked better, and she's definitely on a roll this season. The petite beauty has picked up 2 major citations:

'Influencer of the Year' at the ACE Awards
Elle Magazine 'Style Icon'

Nicole has become a well-respected jewelry designer of House of Harlow 1960 and fashion and accessories designer of Winter Kate. Both lines continue to surge in popularity, and we can see why.

Nicole Richie has great bohemian chic style and a good eye for what's hot and haute. And she's one celebrity who REALLY wears the stuff she designs out and about....her own sunglasses, bracelets, rings, dresses, shoes, handbags, etc. Plus, Nicole has a wonderful website that keeps her fans up-to-date on her collections, projects and fashion/beauty tips. Check it out here.

This is what she told Elle magazine inspires her sense of fashion:
"I'm really inspired by the '60s and the '70s. I really just love the freedom of that time, the idea that clashing didn't really exist, and the mixture of fabrics, bold colors and prints. That whole ease is something that I'm drawn to."

Take a look at Nicole's House of Harlow 1960 Holiday 2011 Collection and get your list ready for Santa.

Ho Ho Ho! Bring us House of Harlow!

Hot Mama Mariah Drops 30 Lbs With Jenny Diet

Good for Mariah! The proud, sexy mama of twins is showing off her hot new figure, thanks in part to the Jenny Craig diet plan and a sound exercise program.

The superstar singer joins other celebrity moms of twins who have bounced back with amazingly flat bellies and toned bodies, like Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, and Celine Dion.

And now 41-year-old Mariah Carey has become the brand ambassador of Jenny Craig and will soon pop up in television commercials and print ads. Mariah will share her post-baby tips tomorrow morning on GMA.

Mariah had gained about 70 lbs during her pregnancy to adorable babies 'Roc & Roe'. "The first week, I lost 40 lbs... of just water," she said on the new Rosie Show yesterday, admitting she suffered from edema. "It was just water, initially. When I started with the program(Jenny diet), I lost at least 30 lbs. of weight that needed to be lost."

At the moment, the 5'9" singer says she is bewteen a size 4 and size 6, but that she doesn't jump on the scale:

"I never weighed myself," Mariah says. "People will think I'm a liar but it's true. This is another cliché phrase, I'm a big boned girl ... I'm tall and so I always weigh more."

So, is there something else Mariah might have done to gain back that flat belly body? And have other celebrity moms done the same?

We're not here to burst ayone's bubble, certainly not Mariah Carey's. She looks gorgeous. But following her c-section births, did she cheat a little. In other words.....a tummy tuck? That's the cosmetic procedure that many celeb and non-celeb moms have and NEVER admit to it.

So, let's take a closer look at the tummy tuck. We found some educational information at the RealSelf website.

And we have learned that there is a mini tuck and a full tuck. And the average cost of a ummy tuck is about $8,300.

A mini tuck zeroes in on skin removal below the belly with a shorter scar. But the belly button itself, may be lowered during the surgery, whereas, a full tuck tends to keep the belly button sitting in a more normal anatomical location.

Boston plastic surgeon Stephen Delia explains the benefits of a full tuck: "A full tummy tuck involves skin/fat removal and usually muscle tightening as well and will help the abdominal contour above the belly button as well.".

Now, we don't know which mama celebrity might have submitted to a tummy tuck here and there, but we thought we would point out the other popular, but not talked about procedure that makes post-baby weight disappear instantly.

Can You Do The Twisted Bun: Or Are You All Thumbs?

There's something romantic about a messy bun---wavy tendrils peeking out of a loose, undone hairstyle.

And this time, there's a 'twist' to the hot hair trend for Fall/Winter 2011/2012. And it is aptly named, the Twisted Bun.

Don't freak out just yet! Maybe you're all thumbs when it comes to doing any kind of updo....like the ballerina bun or the elegant chignon. The twisted bun is a little more forgiving. And it's sexy and was a major runway look at the Behnaz Sarafpour shows.

The twisted bun looks effortless and not-trying-so hard. And you don't have to create one the same way every time. Use your imagination and add a twist to your bun. And you can side-twist it, too.

Here's what you will need:

1. One-inch curling iron.
2. Styling product with grip and beach-y texture. We suggest Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray ($23).
3. Bobby pins. Try the Goody Spin Pins ($6.99). Great cork-screw design feature to handle wavy pieces.

Here's advice from professional stylist Laurent Philippon:

"For 'organic waves,' loosely wrap hair around a 1-inch curling iron, remove it, and twist it around your fingers in the opposite direction."

That part looks easy enough, but the twisting and pinning might take a little practice. But trust us, there is not just one Twisted bun look to copy. We've seen some sky-high messy buns twisted in all directions. So be brave and let the twisting begin!

Dancing With The Stars Secret Skinny Weapon: Freshology Diet

Wanna get skinny really quickly?

It's easy....Dance your butt off and eat the way the DWTS professionals and their celebrity partners do.

It's called the Freshology Diet, and simply put----it's healthy, gourmet meals brought right to your doorstep.

This ain't your mama's cardboard-tasting diet-delivery program. Oh, no!! This organic feast tastes very yummy and promises to melt away those extra unwanted pounds.

So, that's how Nancy Grace and Ricki Lake are getting skinnier and skinnier before our very eyes each passing week. And that's how the body-beautiful DWTS pros Karina Smirnoff, Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, etc. maintain those amazing physiques.

You, too, can lose weight by trying Getslim with the Stars by Freshology. It's a diet of calorie-controled meals inspired by the popular dancing reality show.

And you can choose from the Waltz Diet--fresh food meals at $47.95 per day or the Samba Diet--flash-frozen meals at $35.95 per day. The great thing, you don't have to shop, measure portions, or cook it, it's all done for you.

For more details, visit Getslimdwts.

Gourmet diet meals, 3X a day with dessert? Sounds so delicious. Take a look at that side of beef!

Pregnant Beyonce Keeps Walking By On Platforms And Stilettos

Pregnant Beyonce looks beautiful at her 5-month mark. Very stylish and certainly not wearing the standard plain maternity clothing, all the way down to her pretty feet. Which reminds us----Why oh why, teeter on platforms and stilettos during a most delicate time in your life? Just take a look at our top photo from Us magazine....5 inch heels Price tag $1,180!

Is Beyonce just vain, not thinking, or very skilled at balancing her weight and a baby bump on sky-high heels every day?

There's always been some debate as to how tall the sexy singer really is. Lots of articles have been printed about people obsessing about Beyonce's true height.

For the record, Beyonce is a 'petite 5'3" tall.' That's according to a 2009 magazine interview with the singer in Ebony. And we trust the writers of Ebony magazine. Tons of articles claim that Beyonce ranges in height from 5'3" to 5'7".

We also estimate that she is short and enjoys putting on the super high heels to appear taller and to fool her many admirers

That's all fine and good, but dangerous when you are pregnant. We pray she doesn't take a tumble.

Seriously, Beyonce, we are so happy for your wonderful baby bundle-on-the-way. Please slip into a pair of flats for a few more months. You will still look gorgeous.

What do you think:

Is Beyonce ridiculous to continue wearing sky-high heels at 5 months pregnant?

Is the singing superstar just being a stylish pregnant icon?!