Bothered By Tiny Broken Blood Vessels? There's A Laser For That

Laser.

It's a cosmetic treatment that can do tons of beautiful things for your face and body. A laser can boost one's self-esteem with a zap here and a zap there. And after 3 sessions, POOF! They're gone!

Today, we are looking at the vascular laser and how it can zap away bothersome broken capillaries, red spots, and even port wine stains.

Maybe you have a few tiny, broken blood vessels. In all honesty, we have enough to spare. Most upsetting to us, are a few around our cheeks/nose area. By faithfully applying Retin-A to our skin, we have noticed a 'calming down' and softening of these reddish lines on the left side of our face. But on the right side, the broken vessels are more prominent.

We have not submitted our complexion up to a vascular laser yet, but we are considering the procedure, and here, we can learn together.

A vascular laser is a pulse-dye laser that zeroes in on the redness of the skin, vaporizing the tiny broken blood vessels and the red pigmentation.

Vascular laser treatment is a little investment, but a sound one, we think. The cost will vary with the degree of redness, and the location, and depth of the vessels being treated.

The average price of treatment however, could be summed up as follows:

1. One red spot---$150.
2. Nostrils area---$300.
3. Full face---$600.

So, more importantly, does a vascular laser treatment hurt?

Dermatologists will tell you that most patients feel a stinging sensation, like a rubber band snap,while the pulse of energy is being delivered through the handpiece. But the discomfort isn't anything you couldn't stand. A little Tylenol following the laser treatment, and you're good to go.

How quickly to see results?

About 2-3 weeks AFTER your last treatment.

Lasers are everywhere, when it comes to rejuvenating the skin. The procedures are less invasive than undergoing surgery, and the results can be quite amazing. And even though a few red spots don't sound like the end-of-the-world to most people, it's nice to know that the beauty technology has come a long way.

Lasers are here to stay, and offer a kinder, gentler approach to slow down the aging process.

Women Of Color Take It To Facebook: Where Are All The Brown Bras?

We always think, 'What would we do WITHOUT a nude-colored bra?'

Probably not the most important thought-of-the-day, but when you prefer your intimates not to be showing through a sheer white top, for example, well, you can get the picture.

Now, what if you are a woman of color and want to wear a sheer, white top. You CAN'T put on a nude, buff or flesh-colored bra. That would stick out against your skin tone.

And this brings us to today's interesting subject:

"Where are all the BROWN bras"?!

Hmmm. Where are they? Sure, brown-colored bras certainly DO exist, but perhaps, not in large enough quantities.

31-year-old Tara Raines, a Los Angeles psychologist, points out that there are millions of brown-skinned women who obviously CANNOT match their skin tones to the bras that are offered to all women across the country, bras in nude, buff, beige, blush, etc.

In celebration of Black History month, Tara Raines is asking that today, on February 1st, women click the "like" tab at Facebook.com/morebrownbras, and contact their favorite bra manufacturer or retailer by mail, phone, email or social media (Twitter hashtag #whatsyournude).

We think this is a brilliant idea by Tara. There is certainly strength in number. And frankly, yeah, there should be MORE brown and nude bras for everyone.

"I don't think it's too much to ask that bra makers include darker hues when manufacturing their collections," Tara stated. "Women of color deserve to look and feel sexy, and a big part of that is looking like ourselves."

Amen.

We searched around and found a wonderful online site called, MySkins.com.

The good news----MySkins™ seamless bras and panties come in 20 skin matching "nude" colors. Check out the photo of the model in Walnut plunge bra.

According to the website,..."Each color has been tested extensively on a focus group of nearly 700 women. As a result of this research, our products match 95 percent of the population. Each color, from Honey to Espresso, can transform your body, match your skin and allow you to finally stop worrying about what is being seen and be seen yourself.".

Now, that's what we're talking about, ladies!

Jessica Who? Little Sis Ashlee Simpson Emerges With New Chic Style

These days, it seems like all eyes are on very pregnant Jessica Simpson.

But that might have changed in an instant, following Sunday evening's 2012 SAG Awards Show. Jessica's little sister, Ashlee, walked the red carpet with a new man on her arm, Vincent Piazza, but more importantly, with a brand new, chic style.

We have to say, wow! She's the buzz around Hollywood.

For the Simpson sister who always seems to be in Jessica's shadow, this is a great comeback for Ashlee. The newly divorced singer and mom to toddler, Bronx, has emerged from the ashes and nailed one of the Best Dressed + Best Hair awards in our humble opinion.

Ashlee Simpson has always been labeled the edgy Simpson sister with her rock-n-roll fashion vibe, wilder hairstyles and chameleon color dye-jobs. She's been Goth-haired, golden blonde, bright auburn, medium brown, and just about every shade in between.

But on Sunday's SAG red carpet, Ashlee was the epitome of class with a gorgeous, sleek, almost platinum short do. Gone are the over-the-top hair extensions.

Ashlee Simpson told E's Giuliana Rancic that she loves her current hairstyle because it's easy to maintain and it matches little Bronx's hair.

Her makeup was also flawless, both delicate and classic. And look at Ashlee's black, flowing Jenny Packham gown. It had both an old Hollywood, new modern glamour.

Nice job, Ashlee Simpson! Sophistication looks great on you.

Weekly Hydrating Mask---Good Thing This Time Of Year

Moisture.

We all need it, even the oily-skin gals.

This time of year, when the cold winds blow and the temps drop in a big way, you need to arm yourself with a little hydration. Winter and dry air rob the skin of much-needed moisture.

But there is a smart way to battle back. And all it requires is some 15 minutes a week, when you can sit/lie down and put on a hydrating mask. Yep, just a few minutes, once a week, and your glowing complexion will thank you for it.

Plus, it's a cheap investment. For less than $5 a tube, you can pick up a great mask at the drugstore.

Queen Helene's new Olive Oil Masque.

Okay, so it isn't the super expensive La Mer Hydrating Masque, but this one does a GOOD job. And if your skin is very thirsty for some nourishment, applying this mask is a great way to infuse hydration deep into your pores.

Queen Helene's Olive Oil Masque is so nice and creamy, it just bathes your skin in olive oil, along with soothing chamomile and sage extracts help calm and restore softness, while the mask plumps skin to deliver suppleness and elasticity.

You deserve a beauty break, and your complexion could use a little more TLC on these cold, bitter days ahead. Try a soothing hydrating mask. You will feel and see a difference.

A Perfect Foundation Match? J.Lo Wears L'Oreal W6

We don't believe there is a PERFECT foundation match out there.

We don't care if it's liquid, powder, cream, airbrush, or any kind of other foundation mixture. You can come very close to matching your makeup to your complexion, but absolute perfection? We don't think it exists.

So, why wear foundation?

It's simple. Foundation is the building block to your makeup routine. Blush, concealer, eye shadow, etc., all look more polished with a base underneath it all. Plus, foundation, evens out your skin tone and adds a subtle warmth to your face and hides minor imperfections.

We can't help you match your foundation to your complexion. It's very hard to do. You can test a shade by applying some to your neck first, to see how the color blends in or doesn't blend in next to your face. We can't even get it totally right, so you are on your own. But, the cosmetics industry has come a long way, and foundations are on the forefront for finding your perfect match.

We just noticed Jennifer Lopez in a new, glossy magazine ad for L'Oreal's True Match superblendable foundation. And it states:

The Story Behind My Skin:
100% Puerto Rican
Jennifer Lopez, 100% True Mtach W6Sun Beige.

L'Oreal's True Match foundation claims that after 7 years of research and working with 57 ethnic backgrounds, they've developed 33 foundation shades, including---your perfect match.

Also, L'Oreal says you are 100% guaranteed to FIND your perfect match. We found some at drugstore.com for $11.49 a bottle.

We have not tried True Match, but when it goes on sale, again, we will pick up a bottle, and hopefully find our OWN true match.

In the meantime:

The Story Behind My Skin:
100% Greek
J. Tania Stylianos, Revlon ColorStay Soft Flex, Nude.

Not that anyone should care.

Not a PERFECT match, but the best we have found so far, for our light olive skin.

Brow Gel: A Little Dab Is Necessary Says Eyebrow Expert

Eyebrows.

If you're a faithful reader of BeautyTipToday, then you've seen a number of articles about brows, and the challenges that go with achieving the perfect, full set.

Since we used to pluck like a mad woman when we were younger, we've been frustrated for years trying to grow out our anemic-looking hairs. And these days, we have had better success by leaving them alone and rubbing in a little Retin-A cream over the brows, which appears to make them grow faster.

Meantime, like many women, we apply a little pencil to fill in any open areas. And today, we are examing clear brow gel, and its importance to a beautiful, polished set of eyebrows.

Nicoleta Barbarasa, a brow technician at the Jose Eber Salon in Beverly Hills, tells People magazine, this:

"I can't live without brow gel. Not only does it keep your brows looking perfectly maintained throughout the day, but it also helps direct hair growth in a flattering direction."

Great beauty brow tip!

And you can find clear brow gel in every neighborhood drug and beauty stores around.

We stumbled onto the Sephora store online and found a super deal on a very good beauty brand. Anastasia Beverly Hills, Clear Brow Gel, a set of 2, at a low price! Regularly, a $42 value, ON SALE now for $30.

We all know that Anastasia is the queen of the perfectly groomed and arched brows, so this is a quality brow gel. And this is what the product can do for you:

"This set of two clear gels for all hair colors help you set, define, and shape your brows all day for a lustrous, natural look. Formulated with conditioning botanicals, this gel keeps unruly brows in their place without any flakiness."

Just a dab will do you, and you're set for the day.

Even Iconic Supermodel Says 'Filler Up' To Injections, Allegedly

She will turn 46 in February. She's the mother-of-2-children. And yeah, she still looks darn good.

We're talking about iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford, the girl with the mole who turned the modeling industry upside-down with her killer curves and unique beauty.

Ever since the new year began, there's been lots of buzz about Cindy and her new face. Many people have observed, that she 'looks different.'

Let's observe. The top photo shows the model 20 years ago, in 1992. And the other photos show Cindy and husband Rande Gerber at a Lakers game about 2 weeks ago. Gorgeous couple!

According to the beauty experts, Cindy's been saying, 'Filler-Up' to injections.

We know the supermodel believes in her own skin care line, Meaningful Beauty, but even the best anti-aging serums and lotions can do just so much to stop the fall of gravity. And as genetically-gifted as Cindy Crawford is, everyone gets older. All faces lose volume and flatten out, and a jawline that was once sharp and contoured, squares off.

So, what did she allegedly do to her face?

"Her cheeks are a lot fuller. She definitely had something injected in her cheeks. Most probably Radiesse or the other option would be Sculptra," California dermatologist, Dr. Ben Behnam told Radaronline.

"They're both designed to give people higher cheekbones. It's very popular in the industry and her cheeks are visibly higher and fuller.".

No. We cannot say for sure if Cindy has resorted to fillers to give her striking features a more youthful buoyancy. But, so what if she has. These days, such injections are used for subtle beauty maintenance.

New York City plastic surgeon, Alan Matarasso told More magazine that a little filler goes a long way:

"The whole key is doing subtle, incremental things that keep up with the aging process rather than going for a homerun."

Not easy to get older, especially when you have to do it in the public eye, and even more difficult, when you are heralded as an iconic supermodel.

Cindy Crawford is a very intelligent woman, and we think she knows where the cosmetic enhancement limit lies. So, to her credit, we think she looks fab.