One Of The Most Dangerous Beauty Tools: The Callus Shaver

Got foot calluses?

Sandal season has begun, and for many of you, ourself included, it's frustrating trying to get rid of thick, dry rough skin on the heels and balls of the feet.

Sure, you can try and pumice stone away those nasty Hobbit feet, slather on expensive creams at night with a pair of socks, use prescription serums on the leathery soles, use the 'tame' Ped-Egg shaver, allow a pedicurist or podiatrist to deal with them, or------
Buy the callus shaver. Please don't laugh too hard, but this is one of our FAVORITE beauty tools, however, you CAN hurt yourself and bleed. So, the callus shaver is one of the most dangerous beauty tools out there.

If you have perfectly smooth soles, then good for you---We are envious. But if you seem to develop thick, dry heels, etc., then you need to arm yourself with a tough beauty weapon.

Look at the photo of what a typical callus shaver looks like. It comes with a razor blade. You simply and carefully, glide the shaver across the callus removing thin layers of hard, dead skin. Then snap the rasp onto the head of the shaver and work back and forth over the callused area to smooth the skin.

For us, the callus shaver works like a charm. Yes, we have cut into our feet upon a few clumsy occasions. Make sure, you don't hurry the job, and make sure your replace the razor when it gets dull. Other than that, we LOVE this thing! It really works!

We found a good callus shaver from Tweezerman for only $4.99 at Ulta.

Ulta reviewers gave the Tweezerman Callus Shaver a 3.1 rating out of a possible 5 stars. We beg to differ. Some people don't know how to properly use a callus shaver, and it takes a bit of practice to make it work effectively. Even replacing the blade can be tricky, but you'll get the hang of it.

Be gone, ugly Hobbit feet!See you during sandal season!

The NY Times Has Finally Noticed That Blunt Bangs Are Back...LOL!

The New York Times is a highly regarded publication, and with good reason.

But we had to chuckle when the newspaper printed an article last Thursday, announcing that Bangs are back!....LOL.... The title to the feature story was catchy, we admit--- 'The Forehead Is the New Canvas.

A lot of beauty/style websites are having a good laugh over the months behind article by the NY Times. For anyone that follows trends or writes about beauty/fashion on and on, each day, well, it's old news.

For quite a few months now, we've all been talking about bangs, the bluntness, and how Hollywood beauties are covering their eyebrows these days. There's Jessica Biel sporting her own full, curved fringe. And she's been maintaining this cool look for several months now.

Some people are not wild about the blunt, heavy bangs, but we think Jessica looks gorgeous no matter what hairstyle she wears. Just look at those killer cheekbones! Plus, new fiance Justin Timberlake apparently likes her sexy do.

The Times article does say that full fringe does NOT go with curly hair But if you do have a straight mane, let your face shape be your determining factor, according to Johnny Lavoy, a hair stylist and a consulting hair expert for L’Oréal Paris:

...."Even if your mane has the requisite swing, stylists still recommend using face shape as a guide. An oval face can handle almost any sort of bang. Round faces are said to look better with longer, sideswept bangs. Square faces may also benefit from sideswept bangs, with a slight part instead of a curtain of hair straight across the forehead. On long faces, a softer, lengthy fringe is typically most flattering.

"And those with heart-shaped faces are encouraged to embrace their inner fashion editor with bold, heavy bangs or, as Mr. Lavoy reverentially calls them, “Anna Wintour bangs."

Thank you, New York Times. Better late than never.

At Home Chemical Peelers: Burns Can Happen To Good People

We have talked about chemical peels a number of times here at BeautyTipToday. We are big fans of glycolic acid peels and have become an experienced at-home peeler.

With our oily skin, we find glycolic acid to be quite effective in the exfoliation department to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. Plus, these peels deliver smoother, more even skintone with less visible pores. Skin care experts claim that glycolic acid is the most effective for peels due to its small molecular size, which allows it to penetrate into the skin more easily.

It's always best to have a dermatologist apply a chemical peel. The pro can determine which peel strength to give you, control how your face is reacting under the peel, and exactly how many minutes to keep the glycolic acid on.

And yet, many of us learn the skin care ropes and start chemical peeling at home. Usually, at-home peels are SAFE, but as we like to say, Burns CAN happen to good people.

This happened to us late Wednesday night, June 6th, which would actually be Thursday, June 7th, because the mini accident occurred AFTER midnight, when we strangely enough, like to do our peels.

What went down?

We had been using a new glyolic acid cream and cleanser 24-hours prior to our peel. And we left the glycolic acid peel on for a bit too long, which turned out to be 6 minutes. We were using a 50% strength, which we've been accustomed to for about a year. We noticed our face and neck quickly turning red, and yet, we took no action and decided to let the peel do its thing.

When we attempted to wash off the peel, the burning began and continued. We dried off our face and neck, kept them both bare and went to sleep.

Today is Saturday and we are still a bit swollen, red and peeling. We have a couple of small brown spots on the upper cheeks and one under the chin/neck. Other than that, we feel good--no more pain. We are going to be just fine.

Dermatologists advise putting on emu oil or aloe vera to soothe burned skin following a chemical peel. Other than that, if you are going to be an at-home peeler, well, you are on your own. So, follow directions exactly. And good luck!

Here are some excellent glycolic acid peel directions from PlatinumSkinCare.com.

Walk In Nude Like Duchess Kate For Less Than $20!!

Like the great and stylish Princess Diana before her, all eyes remain upon Duchess Kate. And everything this young woman puts on, from eyeliner to jewelry to hoisery, and of course, to wardrobe, gets looked at through a fine-tooth comb. And then, of course, the item quickly sells out!

The royal buzz around here these days, are those elegant nude pumps by L.K. Bennett, known as the Sledge. Kate has been slipping into these sophisticated shoes upon a a number of occassions. And we notice she was photographed wearing them a few times at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The L.K. Bennett Sledge is a classic pump in the classic neutral nude shade. You can wear them anywhere with any color. And now, you can find them ONLINE at Nordstrom's for $325.

Nordstrom's describes the Duchess' favorite nude shoe:
A perfectly-sized platform lends elegant height to a sleekly versatile, round-toe pump with timeless appeal.
Approx. heel height: 4" with a 1/2" platform.
Leather upper, lining and sole.
Made in Spain.

If $325 is a bit out of your fashionista budget range, well, we've found a super copy-cat pair for UNDER $20!! And these are very chic, too:

Check them out in the bottom photo. These are from Forever 21 for the rock-bottom price of only $19.80. OMG!

Forever 21 has all the details:
A pair of faux leather pumps featuring an exposed platform and high heel. Round toe. Padded insole. Textured outsole.
- 6" approx. back heel height; 3" approx. shaft height from high point heel; 1.3" approx. platform height
- Upper: PU; insole: 100% PU; outsole 1: 100% rubber
- Imported
Sizes: 5.5 through 9.

We realize there is a major difference in the shoe materials and craftsmanship of the L.K. Bennett Sledge, but still, if you want to copy a classic nude pump that you CAN get away with looking polished and chic, try on the Forever 21 Platform Nude Pump. And add a little royal cha-ching to your step and pocketbook.

Dr. Oz Says That Chili Peppers DO Help Burn Away Fat Fast

Just over two years ago, BeautyTipToday posted an article about the dietary benefits of red hot chili peppers, and how this spicy pepper could melt away fat fast!

It didn't seem like a silly fad, but after reading about so many methods that claim to drop pounds and don't really work, we weren't so sure.

But now Dr. Oz, one of the most popular television surgeons, has added his 2-cents about the chili peppers fat-busting engine. And he gives this diet tip the big thumbs up! Here's what he told O magazine recently:

"Capsaicin, the key substance that makes chili peppers hot, stimulates your "fight or flight" stress response and may increase metabolism by 23 percent. Peppers may even improve your muscle-to-fat ratio: Research suggests that capsaicin inhibits the generation of fat cells."

And web.md explains how chili peppers can spike metabolism:

"Spicy foods contain chemical compounds that kick the metabolism into high gear. Eating a tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper can temporarily boost your metabolic rate by 23 percent. Some studies suggest the effect only lasts about half an hour, but if you eat spicy foods often, the benefits may add up. For a quick boost, spice up pasta dishes, chili, and stews with red-pepper flakes."

Let's say you just can't eat that much hotness every day, but you still would love the chili pepper fat-melting benefits, we have a simple solution---Pop a red hot chili pepper capsule!

Capsiplex guarantees to burn up to as many calories as a 25-minute jog. This little diet pill contains extracts from pepper plants that may help to reduce appetite and increase metabolism. And don't worry about the spiciness---there will be no upset stomach while taking Capsiplex. The pill people have put a protective coating on the ingredients. All you need is 1-pill per day.

The cost---$48.18 for a 1-month supply.

For more details, visit Capsiplex.

Nicole Richie's Simple Solution For Big Beach Wave Hair

Nicole Richie once said, that she can't put on makeup well, but she CAN style hair.

"I actually think I am the best hairstylist on the planet," Nicole laughs.

And we believe her, which means, Nicole Richie probably has lots of great hair that does what she wants it to do.

If you haven't caught photos of the super petite fashion and jewelry designer, then take a look at the 30-year-old mom of two looking glam in the pages of the June issue of Glamour magazine.

Wow!

How does Nicole get her style into perfect-messy beach wave hair?

Nicole tells Glamour that she has naturally curly hair, but to get the beach waves, she has to improvise. It's a simple 3-step process:

1. Braid hair at night and then let it out the next day.
2. Curl hair with a flatiron in the morning to create uneven waves.
3. Scrunch with Wella Rugged Fix Matte Molding Creme ($15.99, at wella.com salons,or online at BeautyofNewYork).

Wella is a texturizing cream that keeps hair in its place. It's a sticky white paste you can also use BEFORE pulling locks into an updo. It's definitely a molder--you shape and texturize with it.

Nicole also remarked to Glamour that..."If you have bobby pins, you can always figure out some sort of look.

Oh, really? We wish it were that simple for ourself.

How about you, dear reader---better at makeup or better at doing hair?

Nuxe Dry Oil Golden Shimmer: For That Spa In A Bottle Feeling

Dry oil.

Is there such a thing in the beauty world?

Yes, indeed!

If you're looking for a natural golden sheen, dry oil is the way to go. And we have a super one to get your glow on:

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse or Dry Oil Golden Shimmer ($58, at b-glowing.com). A lot of models, beauty editors, and spa experts adore this dry oil for its wonderful moisturizing properties and lovely golden mother-of-pearl shine it leaves behind. It's fine for all skin types

We like the Nuxe Huile dry oil for its 3-pronged beauty benefits:

Use all year round, winter or summer. Ideal after sunbathing.
- Face: Apply to face or blend a drop of oil with your day cream.
- Body: Spray Huile Prodigieuse® over entire body.
- Hair: Use as a “mask” for dry hair, smooth over hair ends or spray the oil onto your hair brush.

Ideally, you should be fake-tanning, and if you are, this Nuxe dry oil can only enhance the beauty of your glow. For instance, let's say you spray on Sally Hansen Airbrush legs. After letting it dry completely, spray a little Dry Oil Golden Shimmer into the palm of your hands and smooth over your legs. You'll be amazed at the pretty, subtle sheen it leaves behind.