Colgate Optic Whitening: The Big O In Smiles Or Just Another Ineffective Whitener?

"Whitening your teeth is one of the fastest ways to turn back the

clock." — Cosmetic dentist Nancy Rosen, N.Y.C. revealed to Harper's Bazaar magazine.

And something that simple can do wonders for your overall appearance.

Remember, ladies + gentlemen, people DO notice your smile.

Things can get pretty expensive in the teeth whitening department however. For instance, the quickest beauty route is called Zoom! Advance. That's done in the dentist's office.

It's super-fast!  A one-hour in-office treatment that can lighten your teeth by three to 10 shades. The cost varies state-by-state, but in the neighborhood of about $500.

We've done Zoom, but not the newer advance method. But Zoom! REALLY whitens teeth beautifully. But after about 3 years, results start to fade away.

Maybe $500 is a bit out of your beauty budget range for teeth.

That's okay, because at-home treatments can deliver a brighter smile, too. But can these cheaper methods with lower hydrogen peroxide levels really make a difference?

The one we are attracted is Colgate Optic White. The toothpaste(mint flavor) tastes horrendous, but gives back a white, brighter smile, we think. We LOVE that stuff and now intrigued by the Optic White additional weapon---the whitening pen!

The giant brand is pushing their Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Built-In Whitening Pen ($14.99) at your neighborhood drugstore.

We can't find it online (SOLD-OUT) but this popular Colgate product is in stores.

• Whitens teeth in two days.
• Seals out new stains.
• Includes toothbrush with built-in whitening pen.

We are going to try this SOON. Colgate is owned by the HUGE Colgate-Palmolive company. And they are so CHEAP, they never give us free samples to try as a beauty writer. So, we, like you, will buy it on our own

When Bad Clothing Choices Happen To Good People

And just when we thought Khloe was doing fantastic with her diet + fitness routine and moving on after Lamar.....We see this!

Khloe Kardashian....What were you thinking?!

You obviously wanted all eyes on you. So there. Now you received the attention.

We're also pondering here:  When bad clothing choices happen to good people.

Okay, Khloe, you can have your Rihanna moment, too.

Yes, statement thigh-high boots have been on the runway, but sometimes these looks might be better suited for nighttime. That's when Rihanna seems to bring her thigh-highs out.

Still, those boots with a pretty dress or skirt or full length jeans would have killed it.

It looks wrong and yeah, a bit cheap with the cut-offs and extreme decolletage on display.

Your sisters Kim + Kourtney have both worn thigh-high boots look done right. And even Lindsay Lohan worked those thigh-highs the perfect way:

Meantime, want a nice pair of sexy, destructed denim shorts similar to Khloe's?

We found these at Body Central ($29.98).

Playful Purple Hair Catches On....Nicole Richie + Ireland Baldwin Dye For The Trend

We were hoping this purple hair trend would quietly exit stage left with the originator herself, Kelley Osbourne, but apparently the lilac lushness is heating up in 2014!

Now add Nicole Richie and Ireland Baldwin to the playful purple hair list.

We LOVE Nicole's style, but this has disappointed us in a major way, because of her status as a fashion icon.

Yeah...lilac locks are cute and cool for a couple of weeks. Then it's time to move on.....If you're really young, then let it fly, baby!

Well, lovely ladies. Let the FADE begin, because that's what happens to colored hair, and when it comes to a purple(lilac) shade, we can imagine how fast the fading can be.

Maybe that's why we see Nicole out + about wearing a little cover-up over her playful, purple hair. Or maybe that is all hair? Not sure. The sunlight is playing tricks on our eyes. Sun + purple hair = fading, either way.

Can you say, deep conditioning?

The Andy LeCompte salon stylist who created Nicole's intense, wild purple shade a couple of days ago used this stuff to keep every strand super-healthy:

Pravana NEVO 60 Deep Treatment 9.87 oz. ($15.29).

Kelley must be fuming...As E! fashion police host Joan Rivers would say:

"Bitch stole my look!"

Indeed!

5 Best Over-The-Counter Skin Care Ingredients For A Smoother, Younger Complexion

Here at BeautyTipToday, we often rave about the skin care merits of prescription Retin-A.

But is there a way to achieve a smoother, younger complexion with drugstore products?

YES.

And here are the 5 best over-the-counter ingredients to look for on the back of the bottle when skin care shopping.

We clipped this recent article out of a Sunday newspaper magazine. Not sure which publication, but the interviewer asked some dermatologists to name the top, age-fighting ingredients that can help fade wrinkles, minor imperfections and improve tone, texture, and so forth:

RETINOL
The well-known Vitamin A derivative or little cousin to Retin-A. Retinol goes after sun damage spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and even sagging.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream - Night ($12.99).

PEPTIDES
These are synthesized proteins known to boost your collagen production. Increased collagen = skin strength + elasticity.
Olay Regenrist Micro-Sculpting Serum ($24.64).

DMAE
This scientific abbreviation stands for the building block of B Vitamin choline. This one targets sagging and can improve skin's muscle tone. DMAE encourages firmness.
Derma E Firming Serum ($16.99).

HYALURONIC  ACID
We all have this naturally, but as we age, this acid declines rapidly. Skin loses firmness + hydration. Hyaluronic acid restores the suppleness and hydration and gives skin a healthy glow.White Egret Hyaluronic Acid Day Serum ($12.99).

Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Known as AHAs---glycolic acid, lactaid acid. You've heard about these--the great exfoliators. AHAs dissolve all those dead skin cells, making skin brighter, smoother + softer and better toned.
Alpha Hydrox Souffle 12% Glycolic AHA ($14.99).

Achieving a smoother, younger complexion isn't a given. It takes homework, a skin care routine and a healthy lifestyle.

The good news----It's NEVER too late to improve your skin.

Start NOW!

Lupita's Expensive Oscar-Worthy Clarins Lip Balm VS Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips

Lip balm. We all seem to use some. A few of us might even be obsessed with lip balm.

So when Academy award winner Lupita Nyong' cutely tossed her tube of Clarins HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Balm into Ellen's "tip hat" as a donation during the funny, pizza delivery gag at Sunday evening's Oscars ceremony, women around the globe took notice.

Lupita is so pretty and polished for every recent awards event, that we all want what she's having.

It's just a lip balm, right?

Well, NOT a cheap one.

 How about $24 at Macy's!

Clarins is soothing + moisturizing.....

BUT so is this cheap version of a lip balm---Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips for only $2.27 at CVS! 

Plus, Vaseline Lip Therapy comes in a cute, little tub AND offers a subtle pink tint to your lips.

Hey, we're sure that if lovely Lupita tossed a little tub of Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips into Ellen's "tip hat,", well, we would all be rushing out to buy the cheap balm, too.

Margot Robbie Goes Raven-Haired But Not Every Woman Can Be Brunette

Stunning blonde, no doubt!!

We've heard the beauty saying quite often---NOT every woman can be blonde. So true.

But, what we might add: Not every woman can be brunette.

And the proof is right here. Gorgeous actress Margot Robbie, fresh from her sexy role in the Wolf of Wall Street has switched it up in the hair color department for a new movie role.

We didn't know who the heck that was on the Oscars 2014 red carpet Sunday evening.

But there is 23-year-old Margot, the Aussie star with deep brunette, almost black locks.

Wow! Margot is a beauty chameleon.

As great-looking as she is, we much prefer the actress as a blonde.

We do not think the brunette hair color is doing her any favors. A bit too goth?

We believe the dark, bold brows might be the beauty no-no in this case. Too harsh, even though Margot has strong bone structure.

Now, here's a better pic of the star, post-Academy Awards in the airport, freshly scrubbed with a more natural look.

The magic of Hollywood!

We would NEVER guess that all 3 photos were of the same woman. Incredible!

Looking for the ultimate in brow pencils?

Then try one from the brow shaper guru, Anastasia. We found her Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Pencil at ULTA for $23.

Beautiful Dos And Glam Gowns Make Oscars 2014 A Big Wow!

In our humble opinion, we chose these 3 gorgeous, glam gowns as the winners for Best Dressed Oscars 2014:

Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace

Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen

Lupita Nyong'o  in Prada

Kate, Sandra + Lupita all looked drop-dead gorgeous. 3 very different gowns with similar elegance + old Hollywood glamour at its BEST!

As far as beautiful hair, we saw plenty of stunning updos. One of our faves of the Academy Awards evening was Maria Menounos. No, she's NOT an actress, but so what.

Maria showed off this creative updo with lots of intricate plaiting. Like a maze of goddess braids!

We thought the television personality looked modern + chic!

There is NO way that Maria Menounos or any sheer mortal could plait all that on her own. \

But we thought it looked amazing!There were so many HITS this Oscar season.

To take a more detailed look, click here!