Forward Skin Care: Where Nature And Science Come Together Beautifully

Anti-aging skin care.

Products that multi-task.

A line that REALLY does something good for your skin.

We have been lucky to sample 2 items from a brand new company:
Forward Skin Care.

Anti-aging formulas are designed to tighten, lift, firm, and brighten. And that is exactly what the Los Angeles-based company has been able to successfully accomplish in each little bottle and jar they sell.

Farida Benderradji, spokesperson for Forward Skin Care, is proud of the methods her beauty company has created to blend nature and science together--without using animal testing or artificial coloring. In fact, the products are ALL fresh. Forward Skin Care is very aware of formulas that sit for months on store shelves; they do it differently. Instead, batches of their skin care line are made fresh, and come with their own date of formulation.

We like that concept. It takes the guesswork out of a beauty product's efficacy standards. This way, you know how long the formula is designed to repair and enhance your complexion.

We enjoyed using Forward's Supreme (serum) and the Lift & Firm (cream),  2 of their best sellers. And we can see why these products are so popular.

These are just a few of the anti-aging 'weapons' used in their skin care line:
Aloe Vera. Kojic acid. Bearberry extracts. Seakelp bio-ferment. Algae extract. Peptides.

Supreme ($86.95 at forwardskincare). A light, clear serum that dries quickly and immediately,  to tighten and sculpt facial contours, and lessen the appearance of wrinkles--all thanks to the added presence of  powerful Argireline combined with Tri-peptide5.

Lift & Firm ($69, at forwardskincare).  This cream feels like velvet sinking into every pore. It can also be layered on top of the Supreme Serum.  The formula begins fast to lift and firm and brighten the skin. It can be applied over the decollete and bust for excellent firming results, too. The winning ingredients feature bearberry leaves extract, Triglyceride, algae extract, and more.

These skin care products not only feel great, but give instant and long-lasting tightening effects. And they smell delicious, too.

We think Forward Skin Care is on the right track developing a truly fresh skin care line that blends nature and science beautifully.

Okay, So It's Cheap....But Do You Wear Wet 'n' Wild?

Do you ever wear cheap makeup?

Heck, we do.

There is nothing wrong with inexpensive drugstore cosmetics. Sometimes a lipstick or eyeliner that costs less than $5.00 is really a good find. That brings us to Wet 'n' Wild. Do you wear Wet 'n' Wild?

We have worn their black liquid liner, lipstick, eye pencil, and lip gloss---although the gloss burned our lips and we tossed it out.

No big deal.

Here's something else to look forward to. Fergie is a beauty ambassador to the cosmetics company.  Women's Wear Daily is reporting that the talented singer will be debuting a color cosmetics line with Wet 'n' Wild in February:

....."Her debut color range, called Fergie by Wet ‘n’ Wild, is designed to offer consumers a lineup products that allude to the songstress’ “Fergalicious” life. “It was important to me that my line is affordable to my fans but I wanted to give it a luxury spin,” Fergie said of her range, which is priced between $3.49 and $5.99. “It’s that extra little limited-edition feel of fashion."

To read more about the Fergalicious makeup, click here.

Hey, we're down with some Wet 'n' Wild by Fergie. Are you?

Cindy Crawford Finally Designs Own Fashion Line

We think it's about time one of the greatest supermodels has launched her OWN clothing line.

Cindy Crawford has always been highly regarded in all aspects of the title, model.

From her successful ventures into the skin care business to her home/lifestyle collections, it would seem natural that this 47-year-old style icon and mother-of-two, would design an affordable line of ready-to-wear fashion for 'regular women.' In other words, not only for tall, slender women with incredible bodies.

Cindy has teamed up with the German retailer C&A to launch the exclusive Cindy Crawford Collection this fall. C &A has some 1,500 branches and 8 online shops throughout Europe. And since today is the FIRST day of autumn, we thought we would share a few pieces from her 31-piece casual collection.

The Cindy Crawford Collection ranges from $14.80 at current exchange rates, for a top; $23.43 for shirts and sweaters; blazers and jeans for $48.09; outerwear for $97.43, and leather jackets for $183.75.

Very chic, we might add.

Will you buy from Cindy's new line?

Beautiful Bride Blake Lively's Makeup Tips

It's a shame that all media outlets can chatter about, is whether new bride Blake Lively is pregnant or not.

Could you imagine?

Tough to be a celebrity these days, even if you're married to handsome Ryan Reynolds. Instead, we would like to focus on the Gossip Girls star, and how she maintains that enviable glow and those healthy blonde good looks.

We looked around and found these Beautiful Bride Blake Lively's Makeup Tips, and want to share them:

1. La Mer Body Creme ($220, at lamer.com). Blake raves about it to InStyle magazine.
"This cream makes my skin so soft--it's my favorite."

2. Kerastase Chroma Captive Masque ($61, at kerastase.com).
"This mask has made my hair so much healthier. I put it in and just let my hair air-dry in a bun" she tells the mag.

3. Mason Pearson Popular Mixture Hairbrush ($170, at bigelowchemists.com).
"Most people use a fine-tooth comb to tease their hair, but not me. Two strokes at my roots with this brush creates just the right amount of body," Blake says.

4. Chanel Inimitable Mascara ($30, at chanel.com).
The spike brush is magic! It really gets in there and gives your lashes an amazing boost."

5. OPI Nail Lacquer ($8, each, at ulta.com).
"My manicurist (Elle) taught me a trick: Put a light polish over a dark one to make nails more vibrant."

6. Giorgio Armani Hi Precision Re-Touch ($36, at giorgiorarmanibeauty.com).
"Even though it offers strong coverage, you don't look like you're wearing any makeup,"Blake tells InStyle.

Super makeup tips--Thanks, Blake.

Younger Women Filling Up: Marshmallow Cheeks And Lips

Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, etc. Those are cosmetic fillers. And according to the latest stats, women younger than 35 are deep into quick, non-surgical treatments.

It's cosmetic dermatological overload. And in Hollywood alone, you will find lots of very young celebrities walking around with a similar appearance of marshmallow cheeks and lips.

The August issue of Vogue took a hard look at the beauty trends causing a buzz, and discovered that:
"Women are now starting their anti-aging regimens younger and younger-well before they even have a wrinkle to speak of. The irony.....is that they often end up looking older."

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) now states that 18% of patients receiving non-invasive treatments, like filler, lasers, and Botox  are aged 19-34.

Back in the day, most teens and young women made a visit to the derm for acne treatment. These days, the  appointment is scheduled to fill up on filler. And sometimes, it goes too far. Lips and cheeks have become super-sized.

As Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Norman Leaf explained to Vogue, this younger sub-set of women are "chasing the dream of never getting old." Even teens are asking for fuller, bigger lips, higher cheekbones, sharper jawlines, and so on.

"It's a world gone mad," says Dr. Leaf.

Since fillers are NOT permanent, the patient must keep returning to the doctor for another round of shots. The trouble starts when you begin adding a little more and more of this and that. One expert tells Vogue:

 "It's socially reinforcing. If you have a procedure done and afterward people say you look good, that positive reinforcement will encourage you to do it again, and to do more."

We cannot prove which younger than 35, celebrities are obsessed with looking perfect and youthful, but Kim Kardashian's name often comes up, because her appearance appears to be ever-changing. And Lindsay Lohan's name has certainly been talked about, when it comes to a facial enhancement.

What do you think:

Fillers are fine. Leave young beauties alone!

Or, "It's a world gone mad!"

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?