Ever Try The Cheap But Effective Monistat Trick For Perfect Primer?!

Okay, this is weird, BUT....we like discovering new ideas through the sensibilty of experimentation. Sometimes, these beauty theories work out, and other times, these beauty theories go bust!

If you're game, then head to your neighborhood drugstore and pick up a little box of this, and pretend it's specifically made to be a facial primer. That's right:

Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel (about $7. We found it at CVS for $7.99).

No, this ain't your Mama's vaginal relief cream....giggle-giggle.

No, not the one for yeast infections.

This particular Monistat product has usually been used for relief  of chafing in delicate areas. The Monistat folks explain it like this:

"Chafing relief powder-gel skin protectant provides on-the-go daily prevention and relief from chafing and irritation of skin in intimate, delicate areas like the inner thigh, bikini area, under arms and breasts. Made especially for women, the exclusive powder-gel formula combines the protective benefits of lotion and powder by forming a silky, breathable moisture control barrier to fight friction."

But some smarty-pants chicks decided to try this wonderful, silky formula on the face as a makeup primer. And yeah it works well, really as good as those high-end primers like Smashbox, Nars ,and MAC. And it's a lot CHEAPER.

How did we go from outer private parts up to the face?

Well, we don't know, exactly, but the Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel contains  Dimethicone, which appears to be in every primer
Active Ingredient: Dimethicone (1.2%). Inactive Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisiloxane.

Primer is applied BEFORE the foundation for a flawless finish. It's a bit like spackle, in that it smooths over rough, imperfect edges, imparting a sleek surface that holds ups for hours.

Monistat is a quiet beauty cult fave.

Have you ever tried this stuff-down-there for your pretty face up there?

Best Blow-Out Brush You Can Find At The Drugstore

Rachel Zoe stylist Joey Maalouf claims that this 2-inch round barrel brush is THE one, when you are seeking luscious locks.

And it's available at your neighborhood drugstore for only $10!

The Revlon Perfect Style Ion + Ceramic Brush (we found it for just $6.39, at Amazon.com)! It's all in the materials that make up the accuracy in this blow-out brush---ceramic and iconic technology heats hair evenly to give a healthy shine.

Joey Maalouf  reveals the magic in this powerful hair tool:

"I love this brush," he tells Glamour mag(Oct. 2012 issue).  "The vented barrel lifts the roots so your hair dries faster."

And Joey uses this one on the lovely manes of many-a-celebrity, so we know it makes for a big, long-lasting blow-out.

This brush also helps in retaining moisture and reducing frizz.

Comfortable grip handle.

Rounded bristle tips glide easily through hair

Let us add a tiny post-script here.......We lost a little chunk of hair last Spring with a round brush mishap. It was not the Revlon Perfect Style Ion + Ceramic Brush, but it was a round brush on damp hair.

For what it's worth, please be careful---otherwise, big, round brushes can make for great blow-outs, and this one sounds like a beauty winner.

Make Yours Moto, Ladies! No Motorcycle Necessary

No. You don't actually need to ride a Harley to slip into one of these rarin'-to-go moto jackets this Fall, ladies!

We don't think cool chick Gwen Stefani has a bike.

It's called style, and the classic MOTO jacket is a HOT trend for autumn. Gwen is showing off a bubble gum pink leather Kelly Wearstler Moto Jacket. She's always on-point, as are her adorable spotted jeans.

Anyone can hunt down a chic moto jacket, and you DON'T have to buy real leather. It can be faux and still look glam. And you can get the moto in lots of color and/or fabrics.

Have you bought your moto jacket, yet, ladies? We have!

The MinkPink Melody Cropped Moto Jacket ($119, at Urban Outfitters). This is a gorgeous wool moto:

Australian label MINKPINK.
* Asymmetrical rose gold-toned zip up the front; zippered pockets.
* Notched lapel; snap epaulets at the shoulders.
* Shrunken fit; cropped.
* Fully lined.

The Women's Lace Up Biker Leather Jacket ($574, at TrueReligion). This is HOT! In Brown, and of course REAL, soft, smooth leather!

A crinkled texture lends itself to a well worn look but is expertly treated to carry out the softest touch imaginable.
Peak lapel collar.
Slim fit Zipper side pockets.
Shoulder epaulets.
Self: 100% leather Imported

It Isn't Easy Keeping Up With The Platinum: Just Ask Gwen

Platinum hair and scarlet lips.

That certainly reminds us of the late and great movie star Marilyn Monroe. It also brings to mind another great beauty---Gwen Stefani. And at age 42, and a mom to 2 active little boys, Gwen looks gorg.

But it isn't easy,  'Keeping up with the platinum!'.

The September 2012 Harper's Bazaar cover girl doesn't let her roots show through that mass of blondeness, ever!

We LOVE that look on Gwen Stefani, but the platnium blonde upkeep is crazy-loco.  That's why celebrities invest in super stylists to maintain the image, right down to those dark roots that pop up like tell-tale signs.

If you're blonde and have to work at it,  then it becomes a key part of your beauty routine.

Gwen is blonde-inspired by the original 50's bombshell Marilyn, and tells Harper's Bazaar that she keeps those pesky roots away, by using a beauty trick the movie goddess lived by:

 "Do you think Marilyn Monroe had to talk about this?" she asks, smiling. "Well, I heard she did hers with a Q-tip every 10 days, so I try to follow Marilyn's rule." I mention that she's never been photographed with dark roots, and she points to the houndstooth fedora she is wearing. "And you'll never see me with roots either."

We love what this girly-girl says about discovering the beauty of bleach and those sexy red lips:

Gwen recalls how she felt when, at the age of 25, she spent eight hours in a hair salon in Long Beach getting her coveted white-blonde locks. "It was like I'd unlocked the key. I remember feeling like, 'I have arrived. This is me. Finally.'" The red lip came when her grandmother gave her a crimson lipstick when she was in high school. "I remember sitting in my ghetto, beat-up Honda Prelude and putting on that lipstick in the rearview mirror and being like, 'Uh-huh, I like that. That's the shit right there.' I never stopped after that."

Gotta love Gwen Stefani! Her fave L'Oreal lipstick is Infallible  Le Rouge, Ravishing Red ($9.99, at drugstores).

RHONJ Jacqueline Laurita Uses the Big 'U' For Younger Skin

The New Jersey Housewives were in rare form at the final reunion show last night on the Bravo network. And Jacqueline Laurita sparkled in her shiny, red dress.

This morning, the 42-year-old youthful mom appeared on Good Morning America to reveal her beauty secret for looking gorgeous and wrinkle-free. Was it a facelift, lots of filler, laser re-surfacing, etc.??

We tackled this topic in a BeautyTipToday article back in July. And again, Jacqueline says she owed her younger-looking skin to the big U----Ultherapy.

"I decided to do Ultherapy when I noticed my neck not firming up the way I wanted it to after my weight loss from my 55 lb. weight gain during my pregnancy. I’m 42 years old, so I’m sure my age has something to do with my lack of elasticity … Ultherapy for the face and neck actually improves the skin from the inside out by repairing and strengthening existing collagen while naturally stimulating new collagen development."

In simplest terms, ultherapy lifts, tightens and tones the skin of the face and neck. It's an outpatient treatment.

During ultherapy treatment, ultra-sound energy in the form of gentle heat, is applied to the tissue to lift and tighten loose skin without cutting or injecting, etc. Ultherapy stimulates new collagen production. In a mere 30-60 minutes, your body’s own healing responses will be reminded to gently and gradually restore skin and underlying tissue.

"While it's not a replacement for a surgical face or eye lift, patients appreciate that the process is non-surgical. Once they understand that the results rely on the natural rebuilding of their collagen fiber network within the skin, they also realize that the effects take place naturally and gradually," says Daniel C Mills, MD of the Monarch Bay Laser, Laguna Beach, Calfornia, tells RealSelf.com.

To learn more about this non-surgical procedure, visit RealSelf, and Jacqueline's website here.

Sexy Sofia Deal Of The Day:

Everyone adores Sofia Vergara.

And if you're looking to create a little Vergara Va-Va-Va-Voom in your style for Fall, then we can help you.

Okay, so we won't instantly turn into television's favorite bombshell, but we can all find a piece or two from Sofia's new clothing collection at KMart.

We found the super cute and classic Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Ponte Blazer Jacket on SALE now for $27.99.

This feminine blazer with a slim fit and sateen trim around the collar and faux hip pockets was featured in both the September 2012 issue of Woman’s Day and September 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan.

Sofia's blazer comes in easy care Poly/Rayon Spandex in Jet Black or Camel, both with black sateen trim, in  Sizes XS - XL.

MAC And Marilyn: Match Made In Beauty Heaven

MAC Cosmetics has recently debuted a beautiful Marilyn Monroe-inspired makeup collection! It's a stunning 30-piece limited edition line about the late, sexy movie goddess.

The beauty icon's image is featured on most of the MAC Marilyn beauty collection products.

The makeup ranges in price from $15-27 with lipsticks, shadows, liners, faux lashes, polishes, and the like.

"Marilyn Monroe is an icon, plain and simple. Her look not only defined a generation but also is relevant today," says MAC senior vice president James Gager.
How very true!

The makeup is pure Hollywood glamour with a bit of a retro twist to the palette.

We found 2 interesting MAC Marilyn Monroe pieces:

The Marilyn Monroe Penultimate Brow at $18.50. SOLD OUT online.
"A liquid, pen-style marker for colouring and styling the brows to a well-defined, natural look. Easy to control. Tapered tip provides precision and helps to fill in and perfect the brows. Flow-through, quick-drying formula means no smudges. Long-wearing."

And the Marilyn Monroe Brow Finisher at $15. Also SOLD OUT online.
"A slim-line, wax-style grooming tool specially formulated to shape and hold the brows, providing them with a sheer, slick, polished and conditioned-looking finish. Smooth, non-sticky, easy to use."

Marilyn had nice full brows, and were probably made that way through the magic of a good makeup artist. But wax is an interesting addition here, and something movie screen goddess Sophia Loren also supposedly used to use to keep her amazing brows lifted, and in place.

Sounds like a gorgeous, classic makeup collection!