Are You Mascara Crazy? Relax---Most Women Are!

We happen to believe that black mascara is truly a girl's best beauty friend.

Don't think so?

Well, InStyle magazine surveyed a bunch of women recently, and asked them this:

WHICH WOULD YOU NEVER, EVER BE CAUGHT DEAD WITHOUT?

42% Mascara
28% Foundation
20% Lip Gloss
10% Blush

There you have it. And we have to agree.

Mascara. It REALLY makes your eyes pop! So, yes, in our humble estimation....mascara is a beauty MUST EVERY DAY.

So, let's try some newer mascara formulas in 2014 for longer, fuller lashes:

1. SMASHBOX Full Exposure Mascara ($19.50, at sephora). "Inspired by Smashbox's on-set technique of layering fiber mascara over volumizing mascara for the biggest, longest lashes on camera, Full Exposure Mascara creates a 104% increase in lash volume for scene-stealing lashes at every angle without smudging, clumping, or flaking."
2. Lights, Camera, Flashes 4-in-1 Statement Mascara From Tarte Cosmetics($23, at tartecosmetics). "Take your lashes to the extreme with this ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly!"

3. Volum' Express® Falsies Big Eyes Washable Mascara ($6.99, at target). "Now get bigger, wide-open eyes with 360 degrees of lash glam volume! The Upper Brush pushes lashes over the top while the lower Micro-Brush grabs every tiny bottom lash for a full circle effect."

Beyonce's Size 2 New Skinny Body: Can You Say Edamame, Cukes, + Beans?

Well, we almost did NOT recognize the superstar, either, at the 2014 Grammy's opening show. But there she stood.....skinny + fit.

Gone were the curvy hips + thighs that made her famous.

Beyonce's designed herself a new shape, and she's looking sexy in a size 2.

Yes...that is tiny by most standards. On a short frame like Beyonce's, that is still quite healthy-looking to us. And yes, she has retained the hourglass shape but down-sized it by half.

The man who designed her peek-a-boo, flirty, lacy number was a former Project Runway show contestant--Michael Costello:

In an interview with E! News, Michael said: "It was incredible! We didn't have any of her sizes or measurements. The dress was just made to fit a sample mannequin.

"It's smaller than a size 4. She is tiny! That dress is at least a 2/4. She looks amazing. I just love the way it all came together."

The glamorous Drunk in Love singer has worked extremely hard to shed some lbs., as she and famous rap star husband Jay-Z both embarked on a 22-day vegan diet.

Oh, yeah.....edamame, cukes + beans became a way of life for the super couple. Those were considered snacks.

The main part of the vegan diet included a 22-day cleanse eating nothing but fruit and plants.

Sounds simple enough?

Well, a vegan plan also bars products from animals such as eggs, dairy, or even honey.

Will Beyonce + Jay-Z remain vegan?

We're not sure.

We've learned it's not always lipo and other cosmetic enhancements that celebs turn to for instant body + facial beauty. Some of them, like Beyonce, REALLY put in the hard work, be it the gym + diet.

Miranda Lambert Brings Class And Beauty To The 2014 Grammys Show

Miranda Lambert was most certainly the lady in red at last night's 2014 Grammys show.

We think she was by far one of the best dressed ladies at the awards event.

Folks tend to let it all hang loose at the Grammys, but Miranda turned eyes in a custom, show-stopping red gown by Pamella Roland. It was sexy + elegant. We don't think country music's star has ever looked better!

LOVE the blonde, Veronica Lake-swept hair. The makeup is just perfect----a bold, red lip with a cool, lined eye. And then those gorgeous, bad-girl earrings! Lovely hoops with a turquoise chunk in the center.

We think Miranda Lambert killed it last night! Plus, she is sleeker now and looking great + healthy.

 The famous singer has been shedding lbs. month by month, and all the hard work has definitely paid off.

 "Like I have always said, it's not about a scale, it's about how you feel and how your jeans fit," Miranda wrote on her blog. 

"And on November 10th when I turned 30, my skinny jeans were finally baggy! Mission accomplished!"

Nicole Scherzinger Proves That Being Too, Too Skinny Isn't A Pretty Thing

Nicole Scherzinger has never been an overweight girl. She's always been slim + curvy and stunning. But lately, she's been looking too skinny, even gaunt if you will. And people are starting to worry.

So what's up?

Is it the on-again, off-again and now possibly on-again love relationship with racer Lewis Hamilton?

Who knows.

We were shocked these were very recent photos of the beautiful star.

Nicole Scherzinger--January 2014

And here is the talented singer in October 2013. One can see a big difference in merely 3 months.  

Now look at the heathy, gorgeous Nicole Scherzinger from 2 years ago, 2012:

Something isn't right for the exotic X-Factor beauty judge.

We hope she is alright and NOT on an extreme diet.

Four months ago, she was revealing her favorite, natural foods that help keep her healthy + fit:

• Oatmeal for breakfast for energy, such as Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Whole Grain, Rolled Oats (click for details)
• Salads
• Wheat Thins Original 100% Whole Grain Crackers (click for details) for snacks
• Turkey or tuna sandwiches
• Fish or chicken with vegetables
• Coconut water to stay hydrated, such as Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water (click for details)
• Cashew nuts and almonds
• Mangoes and bananas

The former Pussycat Doll has plenty of great things to juggle these days, including a rumored, huge new record deal, to the tune of $4.5 million. Sources say that "Nicole is ready to sign with Sony and can’t wait to get back to her music which took a back seat during X Factor."

Plus---Nicole has reportedly signed a deal with fashion brand Missguided, and continues her hair commercials for Herbal Essences shampoo.

We ask you, the reader---"Is Nicole Scherzinger Too, Too Skinny?"

LeAnn Rimes Looks Prettier In Softer Lighter Lipstick----Goth Is Not her Friend..

Singer LeAnn Rimes has been hitting the celebrity music circuit this week for the pre-Grammy events. And she's been gracing the red carpet in some show-stopping numbers.

The only beauty faux pas the talented star made was in her choice of lipstick on Thursday at the Billboard "2014 Power 100" Night.

LeAnn squeezed into a sexy black leather mini.

Of course, dark or goth lips go hand-in-hand with bad-ass rock n roll + black leather.

At the moment, dark burgundy lipstick is super hot! But just because the shade is IN, does NOT mean every gal can pull it off. And for LeAnn, burgundy lips aren't doing her any favors.

We're not trying to pick on LeAnn Rimes. We think she's been upping her fashion/beauty game, and looking great.

We disliked when makeup addict Kim Kardashian sported burgundy lips as a blonde in Paris. Even her deeper olive skin could not make it look pretty.

Now take a peek at the country music darling last night at the MusicCares Person of the Year celebration honoring legend Carole King.

LeAnn changed into 2 very different gowns---one more classic, the other a bit edgy.

And then look at her softer, lighter lipstick in a pinky-nude shade. Gorgeous!

LeAnn appears more natural + attractive with a lighter touch of makeup.  The trendy burgundy lips clash with her creamy, fair complexion.

J'Adore Dior? Maybe Not When Kim Kardashian 'Krops' The 'Krap' Out Of Dior Dress

The classic luxury of Dior fashion does not appear to include a crop top + skirt combo.

But that's exactly what television's most famous reality star decided to do to a pale pink, lacey Dior dress for her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night.

So, ladies---Do you J'Adore Kim's Dior?!

As lovely as Kim Kardashian is, curves + all, we are not sure that crop tops + pencil skirts are well-suited for such a short woman. We DO like the necklace + shoes + sleek hair.

We are NOT saying the new mama isn't in good shape, because she appears to be. It all comes down to proportion for perfect fashion sense. And in this case, we are NOT j'adoring this Dior.

Crop tops + pencil skirt combos look better on taller, skinnier women. And yes, younger women, we might add. Kim's only 33, so that wouldn't apply in her case, in our humble opinion .

In fact, younger, taller K-sister, Khloe, put on a similar, Kim K crop top + skirt combo recently. We think Khloe wore it better, because of her longer body.

Kim has leaned toward a more European fashion style since hooking up with fiance Kanye West. And the reality starlet REALLY adores, or j'adores her crop top + skirt combos Take a look!

Will you rock a sexy crop top + skirt , Kardashian style in 2014?

Want Smoother, Younger-Looking Skin? Then Peel Away, Baby!

We cannot emphasize enough about the beauty routine of exfoliation, and how a peel will do you good.

We don't care how they spin it, but if you want smoother, younger-looking skin, you MUST peel. Plain + simple. And peeling is wonderful at any age.

A Chemical peel at your dermatologist is the BEST way to go. But you CAN peel or exfoliate at home, if you are careful and do your beauty homework, because you can burn your complexion badly.

If serious peels make you uneasy, you could try a gentler method that still gives you the effective benefits without all the fuss.

One of these is becoming a cult fave, and it's from Avon:

ANEW CLINICAL Advanced Retexturizing Peel

Avon has made this quick + uncomplicated. It's a jar of 30 round cotton, unscented discs.

TO USE: Glide over face. Let dry (don't wash off). Use AM or PM after cleansing, 2-3 times a week. And let the peeling, exfoliating action do its thing.

Avon explains it like this:
Peels away dullness and visible age damage so healthier looking skin can surface.

Plus....Avon claims that their Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel ($25) is as "superior to a professional 35% glycolic peel at home."

Now those are pretty excellent results.
 Even if you did lots of sun damage over the years, a peel routine can restore a smoother, younger-looking complexion in time.

We highly recommend this method of attack.