Groundbreaking News: Ralph Lauren Hires First Plus-Size Model-Size 12!

In the worlds of fashion and beauty, this is HUGE news! Legendary designer Raph Lauren has added a new model to his line--and she is Aussie Robin Lawley, a gorgeous, size 12. Yes, ladies, and gentlemen, a plus-size model! Just look at the photos of RL, modeling for RL.

Robin is signed with the Wilhelmina modeling agency. She told GMA viewers today, that she started out as a non plus-size model, but found herself constantly battling weight gain, and decided to stick with what her natural body type was comfortable at.

Robin says she is 'big-boned,', has broad shoulders and curves and very tall at 6 ft, 1 in..

We applaud Ralph Lauren for breaking the ever-strict modeling rules and taking a chance on having a beautiful plus-size beauty represent his famous brand of clothing.

The designer has been scolded in the past for allegedly having one of his models photo-shopped in an ad to make her look super skinny. He was also accused  of allegedly firing one of his models, Filippa Hamilton, because she appeared to have gained a bit too much weight to showcase his clothing.

By the way, Ralph Lauren sells up to a size 22, and Women 3X. So, the fashion and style for the not-so-skinny gal has always been available. But, this is the first time RL has ever used a plus-size model in his ad campaigns. Take a look at the RL website.

We think it is a very intelligent move, Mr. Lauren.

That's So 1970s! Yet Indian Earth Powder Still Cult Fave

Many of you might be too young to remember, but when Indian Earth makeup powder hit store shelves in these adorable, mini clay pots + fluffy applicator puff, it was a BIG beauty deal! And yeah, that happened in the 1970s, but we were so shocked to see that this multi-purpose powder is still quite popular today.

Indian Earth Cosmetics takes pride in being one of the first mineral makeups around. The ingredients are said to be PURE:

"Naturally occurring mixture of minerals containing Iron, Silicon, Aluminium, Calcium, Copper, Vanadium, Molybdenium, Nickel and Strontium, existing in Oxide, Silicate and Carbonate forms as they occur in nature."

If you've never seen the original Indian Powder, we can tell you, that it delivers a natural rosy, radiant glow to the complexion.

The multi-purpose makeup powder can be used as blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, and even on the lips and nails, for that healthy, sun-kissed glow.

And this cute, little pot of beauty powder is tres economical. A little goes a long way. So, this powder lasts almost forever.

We found some at C.O. Bigelow for $15.

Have you ever tried this cult fave mineral makeup?

Ambi Fade Cream DOES Work.....But Not Perfectly Yet

We've written about fade creams before, but this time, we were going to take the test, and really try out the product right away.  Back on August 13th, we wrote a BeautyTipToday post about Ambi Fade Cream. And for about a month now, we have been applying the fade cream every day, as directions state. We chose the Ambi for oily skin.

It's preferred you apply Ambi Fade Cream 2X a day. Within 2 weeks or so, results should be starting to show, according to the Ambi company.

We've been applying the cream to our Mediterranean, DARK undereye circles, our decollete, and knees.   Our results, so far:
Dark circles.....The best improvement. We would say about 30% improvement.
Decollete(neck chest)...About 15% improvement.
Knees....About 10% improvement.

After 3 months, directions say to stop using if improvements are not seen.

Cosmo mag lists Ambi Fade Cream as a good one. Plus, it's easily found at your neighborhood drugstore at a very cheap price ($5.59, at drugstore.com).

The 'magic' ingredient in Ambi Skincare Fade Cream is the 2% hydroquinone. This chemical helps to speed up skin lightening. But the stuff can also be highly irritating to skin, so you must always proceed cautiously when using hydroquinone. And there are some fears about the possible development of cancer after very prolonged usage.

By the way, prescription hydroquinone begins at 4% and will work much faster. We will continue applying the Ambi Fade Cream and hope for even better results. We were surprised that our undereye circles are starting to fade significantly.

Zoe Saldana Makes Looking Beautiful A Breeze

Zoe Saldana always looks stunning and modern at red carpet events. So, how does the 34-year-old movie star make it look so easy?

Well, with great DNA from her parents. And Zoe knows what looks great on her, plus she is model-slender which means clothes in general, appear elegantly on her.

Zoe's beauty style is easy to copy. She loves wearing her dark hair in an easy, loose bun (bottom photo), or in a pulled back ballerina bun, as you can see in photos 1 & 2.

Her signature makeup features a strong, lined cat eye with brown shadow, black liner and soft nude lips. Gorgeous!

And check out her sexy, sophisticated black Prabal Gurung gown at the 2012 CFDA Awards. This little number is up for Best Gown of the Year. And we can see why.

Zoe Saldana doesn't look like she's trying to hard, and it works! No fussy do, no over-load of jewelry, and no drowning in yards of frilly fabric.

Just enough. Done perfectly.

Oh, Boy!! Big Bad Bold Brows Are In For Spring 2013

Okay...BIG, BOLD brows ain't goin' nowhere, ladies!

So, our best beauty advice to you:

Start GROWING your brows from now, to get ready for Spring 2013!

Says who?

NY Fashion Week. Designers like Marc Jacobs were showing off boxy brows on model after model. Take a look at our Top Photo and the drawing by one of the BEST in the biz--Francois Nars. This is what he told Vogue.com:

"Marc showed me images of Amy Winehouse, Patsy Cline, and Sweet Charity," says makeup artist François Nars, who also turned to the photographer Sam Haskins’s 1964 black-and-white narrative book, Cowboy Kate, for inspiration. "It was important to make the girls look like dancers, to treat them like characters, not models.

So, if you are not of the fully-brow-endowed, then learn to sculpt a pair with some powder or pencil. Sheesh! That's a lot of work, darn it!

As Sandy Linter, another legend in the makeup world once told us:

Look at the kinds of brows the models are wearing. Do not look at the actresses who usually like to sport the thin, L.A. brow. The models have the inner track on what's best in beauty.

Here we go again....We use a brow pencil with hopefully, a lighter touch.

Emma Stone Uses A Sprinkle Of This For Mega Volume Hair

It's definitely 'got grip.' And that is a plus for creating BIG hair.

We're talking about Matrix Design Pulse Mega Dust Volume Texturizer. We found some at BeautyBay for $11.90.

Who doesn't want texture, body and hold?!

Celebrities like Emma Stone love it when they're looking to pump up the volume. She wore it at the 2012 Met Ball, and she's still putting some on at red carpet events.

We like beauty products that are quick & easy---NO fuss, NO muss.

And Matrix Design Pulse Mega Dust Volume Texturizer couldn't be simpler. Just sprinkle some onto dry hair, work in with fingers, and watch the BIG hair grow!

The dust is like you would figure it to be---very lightweight, non-greasy. It's a terrific hairstyling product, economical, too, because a few sprinkles go a long way.

If you're always on the hunt for a newer and better volumizer, try a can of this!

Jessica Biel's Go-To Lip Color For Naturally Dazzling Smile

We all know that Jessica Biel LOVES her bangs, and she's been wearing this hot trend for several months now. And we like the look on her. When your facial bone structure is that stunning, you can probably wear just about any hairstyle.

But have you ever noticed her sexy smile?! More often than not, the popular actress puts on lipsticks that are in the neutral, very natural color range.

Her lips are quite full and she has a big, wide smile. Maybe that is why Jessica loves these 'quiet' shades of lip color.

She is a Revlon Cosmetics ambassador, so she DOES wear their wonderful makeups. One of Jessica's go-to lipsticks:

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait. How soft, pretty! We found it for $7.49 at Drugstore.com.

You might like the peach hue, too. It's not a heavy lip color. Very nice and moisturizing.