What To Do When You Wanted Bangs But Now Hate Them

Bangs. First, you wanted them badly, because bangs are still hot, and all the Hollywood beauties seem to be sporting them these days.

Then you got your own bangs, but now you hate them. Argh-hhhh!

And now it seems that lovely Padma Lakshmi, the popular host of Bravo's Top Chef' reality show, has become a poster child for bangs gone bad! We have read comment after comment about Padma's recent, big mistake of getting bangs cut. Or maybe the wrong style of bangs. We even saw a couple of polls on Padma's bangs for readers to decide: Love it or Hate it.

We happen to think 39-year-old Padma Lakshmi, who is expecting her first baby this spring, would look stunning even if she had burlap for hair.

The scenario seems to equal out to this: If you love them and wear bangs all the time, like we do, then bangs seem to grow out so quickly. And then you have to have them trimmed just about every two or three weeks. Or, you learn to gently clip them yourself. Not easy, no matter how many instructions you are given.

And if you hate the bangs you were given in your last haircut, then it seems like the bangs take forever and ever to grow out. And when hair is taking so long to grow out, it is a frustrating time. There's just so much gel you can put on or bobby pins to hide bad bangs. Yuck! You still hate them so.

1. Bangs too short. Grow them out a bit. Padma's rocking some thick, blunt bangs. We call those Cleopatra bangs. Just a bit longer over the brows, and the fringe will look great. The good news: Bangs frame the eyes nicely. Bangs make you look younger. Bangs cover up imperfections like wrinkles on a forehead, thin eyebrows, and a high forehead.

2. Part the hair. That's another way to change the look of the bangs you no longer desire. A part right down the middle, changes your total look. Or a side-part can camoflauge bangs.

3. Pin bangs straight back. That's a trendy look, especially with longer bangs. Jennifer Lopez had bangs a few months ago for a movie role. And we saw her constantly pinning them straight back and looking glam.

4. Next time, invest in some faux bangs. When you tire of the look, just un-clip them. Celebrity stylist Ken Paves sells some for $28.95. A great investment because they're quick to put in any time you feel like wearing bangs. And you don't have to worry about bangs maintenance.

Nicole Kidman Goes Back To Red Hair But People Notice Lips Instead

We still think 42-year-old Nicole Kidman is a fine actress and very pretty woman. But there are people talking about her bigger lips and bigger breasts, most recently photographed here at the CMAs or Country Music Awards show.

Look, we are not here to judge. but apparently many celebrity publications are criticizing the Aussie beauty for her allegedly fake lips and breasts. In the past, the Academy Award winner had been teased continuously for her 'frozen look' from too much Botox. Allegedly, we say, again.

For several years now, Nicole Kidman has denied the plastic surgery rumors. "I am completely natural," Nicole has said. "I have nothing in my face or anything."

But the publications keep hitting away. Even The Huffington Post has been taking nasty jabs at the actress, and has a poll up at the site, asking readers to decide if her 'freakish' lips were done. And if that weren't vicious enough, The Huffington Post also includes a series of photos that show how 'plumper' her lips become each passing year.

So what. Big deal. We think she's quite stunning. Nicole Kidman would not be the first actress to undergo cosmetic enhancement or cosmetic surgery, if that were the case.

As for the curvier bosom, Nicole attributes that to the pregnancy of her first child. She has said, "Motherhood has mad my boobs a normal size."

How does someone plump up their lips?

Mostly through fillers, or injectables that plump up the tissue. In the lips, the filler is used to enhance the lip's natural outline. It also enhances the lip's definition, which is lost with general aging. It is also used to give volume to the lips to actually make them bigger and to show more of the lip itself.

How much filler does one need? According to the experts, for most patients, one syringe may be enough to plump both lips. Fillers are injected through small needles. And yes, it stings
like crazy.

1. Collagen. This filler has been around for a long time, and is one of the most popular lip plumping injectables. The substance lasts about 3-4 months in the lips. According to Kimberly J. Butterwick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a dermatologist in La Jolla, Calif., "Collagen products are very forgiving and work well for replacing volume." The only problem...some people are allergic to bovine collagen. A test is given in advance to see how skin reacts.

2. Hyaluronic Acid Gel. Also FDA-approved, this filler lasts longer, 3-6 months, and even more. How does it work? Hyaluronic acid gel binds to water and provides volume to plump up lips. But this gel can be painful, according to Dr. Butterwick, because it does not contain an anesthetic. But, no allergy risk here.

3. Combination Fillers. How about collagen and hyaluronic acid gel together? Yes, says Dr. Butterwick. "A good lip enhancement can be achieved utilizing both collagen and hyaluronic acid gel." Both fillers provide a different structure, so the overall look is natural.

The bottom line here, lip plumpers or lip injections are temporary and cost a few hundred dollars every time you go back for more. So visits become multiple affairs.

Here's some sensible advice:

"Despite their ease of use, filler injections are a medical procedure and should be handled by a board-certified physician in order to achieve aesthetically natural lips and to reduce the risk of side effects," Dr. Butterwick says.

To read more about this subject, take a look at Plump up the Volume of Lips by Armen Hareyan.

Pitt Jolie Jewelry Launch By Asprey To Aid Children's Charity

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been super busy these days. Between running after lots of kids (we can't remember how many they have, but who's counting), making movies, and performing countless humanitarian acts, here's one more big gesture of kindness and thing of beauty.

The gorgeous Hollywood Angie and Brad have become elegant, high-end jewelry designers for Asprey. And their collection of serpent pieces, The Protector, goes on sale today at Asprey stores in London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Dubai.

All the net proceeds will go to Angie's charity---Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. The charity she co-founded in 2006, raises awareness and funds to educate child victims of war, conflict, and natural disasters.

Why the snake or serpent theme? Well, there's a great story to it. When Angie was pregnant with baby Shiloh in 2006, someone had given Angie a special serpent ring. It was taken as a symbol of protection for mother and unborn child. “Since then, she has seen the snake symbol as a protective talisman for her family,” a source at Asprey tells People magazine.


Prices start at $525 for a silver baby spoon with a serpent-shaped handle. The jewelry is gold and the accessories are silver. Pieces range from earrings, bangles, rings, men's cuff links and pendants to an egg cup, a tooth box, and a picture frame. And the Hollywood power couple has been busy designing The Protector collection for the past year for the British Asprey jewelers.

Angie spoke about the children's charity and its mission in an email:

“These are the children who most need a safe place to learn, a place to heal, a place to learn reconciliation, a place to build a better future and a place — to just be children. Yet the education for these children is often forgotten. Tens of millions of children and adolescents in conflict are not in school.”

We appalud Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for their huge generosity and humanitarian endeavors.

You can learn more about the limited edition collection at Asprey Jewlery stores.

Skin Care By Osmotics: 4 Steps And Smart Science

Here at Beauty Tip Today, we know that beautiful skin is much admired, but not easy to come by. The sun and general aging alone, can do a number on our complexions.

And yet, skin care products have come a long way. Beauty science is advancing rapidly. The big business of cosmeceuticals is impressive. There are skin care treatments that really do repair and correct damaged skin. And Osmotics Cosmeceuticals is one of the major players offering women effective and pure products.

But with so many thousands of skin care solutions to choose from, it would be nice to talk to the CEO of a company, to see what their skin care mission is all about. Most CEOs are too busy to sit down and chat. Except for a few of them.

Welcome Francine Porter, the founder and chairwoman of Osmotics Cosmeceuticals. We found Francine to be accessible, friendly, and sincere about the skin care line that remains a small, privately held, family business based in Denver, Colorado.

Like most sophisticated skin care products, the Osmotics treatments come in pretty packaging and jars, and in the company colors of purple and silver. But Francine Porter says it's much more than the marketing and the hype:

"We research and work with biotech companies, medical centers and research departments of universities across the country and across the world to find cosmeceutical technologies that are based on real science supported by independent clinical data," Francine explains. "These technologies are usually patented. We then license the patent rights to these clinically proven technologies and they are the basis or platform for product development.....these proven technologies drive our product development. This is why our products are so effective."

According to the Osmotics philsophy, there are 4 steps to beautiful skin: Cleanse. Correct. Defend. Protect. But Francine believes that women over-stock their beauty shelves.

"Many women tend to over treat and use too many products at one time. We have addressed both of these issues with our 4 Steps," Francine says.

"Proper cleansing is essential as it affects everything that follows. Correct is all about preventing and actively correcting aging issues such as fine lines, hyper pigmentation, sagging skin, skin tone etc. Each product in this category addresses and helps prevent and repair the most common signs of aging skin. Defend is unique to Osmotics in that all products in this category feature our patented BRT technology, clinically proven to reinforce the skin's barrier function; vital to keeping the skin healthy and the first line of defense against aging. Protect refers to daily SPF protection which EVERYONE needs to prevent aging on a daily basis. Consistent use of a comprehensive, synergistic regimen is key to preventing aging and keeping skin healthy. We've tried to keep it simple and easy!"

We asked Francine Porter about the sensitive eye area, and her favorite Osmotics products.

"Gosh this is a tough one because I love them all!!! My favs would include, Blue Copper Firming Elasticity Repair, Renovage, Eye Surgery, and FNS Nutrilash. And YES, you all really need to use an eye cream because the skin around the eyes is quite different from the rest of your face. It is the thinnest skin on your body!!! And because it is so fragile and thin it is the first area to show signs of aging and therefore requires a product specifically formulated for this delicate area."

And we learned that Francine is very careful in the sun, and admires other fair-skinned celebrities.

"There are so many that have great skin. I do love the fact that more and more celebrities are staying out of the sun for obvious reasons and they are proud to show off their creamy, white, beautiful skin. (I, myself am very fair and auburn haired and have never been able to tolerate the sun...I could never tan so this is close to my heart!) I love Deborah Messing, Julianne Moore, Anne Hathaway, ...I think Diane Keaton looks amazing....just to name a few."

As the CEO of Osmotics, Francine Porter is a very busy woman. But the work continues in the world of beautiful skin. New products are never far behind.

"We are launching a new cosmeceutical color line.....treatment with color (as opposed to color with treatment) to NATURALLY ENHANCE NOT COVER a women's features. This has been a labor of love and a response to requests from many of our customers."

To learn more about Osmotics Cosmeceuticals, visit http://www.osmotics.com/.

New Pill On Way To Relieve Bad Period Cramps

It's known as dysmenorrhea. Or severe period pain.

And we all know what that can be like, to varying degrees. From hot water bottles to lying in bed in a fetal position to taking lots of Advil, and stronger medication, the pain of your menstrual cycle can really cripple your lifestyle. Just ask the millions of women around the globe who have experienced severe period pain.

But there is hope on the horizen. Clinical trials have been going on and a new pill has been developed for the treatment and prevention of dysmenorrhea.

At the moment, the pill is known as VA111913. But what sounds promising about VA11913, is its power to zero in on the cause of painful uterine contractions, not just the uncomfortable symptoms.

The experts at Vantia Therapeutics, the British company that is manufacturing the experimental pill, believe that VA111913 is going to speak volumes when the new pill gets the green light. Dr. Jim Phillips of Vantia explains:

"It would be fair to call it a breakthrough--there is certainly no other treatment like it."

When will the VA111913 pill be available?

So far, clinical trials are being conducted on women here in the U.S. and Great Britain. But, it appears that the pill won't be available for another 4 years. Ouch!!

In the meantime, you could try turmeric powder to ease your painful periods. The bright yellow spice, has been used for many, many years in Indian cooking and in Ayurveda, the ancient medical science.

What this bold, little spice can do is amazing. Turmeric powder has a pungent and bitter taste, but it works to ease menstrual cramps, along with many other illnesses and skin conditions.

Drink a glass of warm water with about a half teaspoon of turmeric powder.

Turmeric is anti-spasmodic. The spice relaxes the muscles of the uterus and relieves cramping. And believe it or not, we have learned that turmeric powder also initiates a regular menstrual cycle. In other words, if your period is irregular, drinking turmeric powder in warm water will correct your cycle. Trust us, it works.

Turmeric powder is very safe, but those with gall stones or stomach ulcers should avoid it.

Cindy Crawford's Fave Sonia Kashuk Celebrating 10 Years With Target

10 beautiful years with Target.

That's how long professional makeup artist Sonia Kashuk has been sharing her very good quality and affordable makeup with the giant department store and her large loyal fan base. And even model Cindy Crawford speaks volumes about Sonia Kashuk.

In fact, the two have a working relationship from several years ago. Sonia had co-authored with Cindy Crawford an instructional beauty workbook, called Basic Face, back in 1997.

And Cindy Crawford is also letting her lips do the talking. She says the best lip glosses around are from Sonia Kashuk's Target line. And yes, we find the model to be trustworthy. Cindy's favorites:

"I like Sonia Kashuk's glosses in Whisper and Flawless." And why not? Check out the price----only $9 each, for the Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Glosses."

And Sonia Kashuk has more than just lip gloss. The celebrity makeup artist also features blush, gel eyeliner, foundation, shadows,and some superb makeup brushes in her newest collection. Sonia Kashuk certainly knows her way around a tube of lipstick. And she has the resume to prove it. According to Target, Sonia has worked with some of the best in the business, including designers and celebrities like Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Sharon Stone, and Britney Spears. Kashuk has also appeared as a makeup expert on television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, and The View, and her work is regularly featured in countless fashion and beauty magazines.

To take a look at Sonia Kashuk's makeup line, visit Target.

P.S.....The Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Glosses Cindy Crawford loves, are only available in Target, not at Target's online shopping site. Otherwise, many of Sonia's other makeup is featured online. Why this lip gloss is only available in stores, is unknown.

New Temptu At-Home Airbrushing System: Wave Of The Future?

If you've ever seen makeup up close that has been professionally airbrushed, then you know how flawless and luminous the skin appears. Wrinkles and imperfections are less visible. The foundation 'sitting on' a complexion looks healthy and natural.

And now you can get the same impeccable coverage with a new at-home AIRbrush Makeup System by Temtpu ($225, spehora.com).

Temptu enjoys a great reputation in the beauty business as being a leader in professional airbrushing. And now they are bringing that high-tech glamour to the consumer, so that you can achieve a flawless face on your own. It's a sleek hand-held airbrush system.

And sure, it's a beauty investment at $225, along with their Temptu AIR pod Foundation at $55 for a 2 month supply. But look at it this way, your complexion will benefit from the lightweight makeup technology, pores will be cleaner, and blemishes will disappear. There is no rubbing in of foundation. No brushes. Just a quick, ultra-fine mist with pin-point accuracy, and you're covered beautifully. And the system works on all ages and complexions.

Let's be frank. Finding the right formula in a foundation isn't easy. You don't want something too heavy, that looks like a mask, or anything too powdery that shows up fine lines, shadows, and wrinkles. And you want a foundation that lasts all day, or at least for a good number of hours. And of course, you want the perfect shade.

Temptu's new at-home AIRbrush Makeup System takes out a lot of the guesswork. The AIR pod foundations come in 12 shades. And TEMPTU® AIRbrush and TEMPTU AIR pod™ "provides the equivalent of four brushes in one—foundation, concealer, blush, and highlighter. The adjustable controls also allow you to choose your coverage—light, medium, or full—for impeccable blemish concealing and absolutely no blending".

The beauty gadget does look intimidating, but women who have bought one, say it's easy to use and really delivers a flawless high-definition look. And that the intial investment is worth it, because the results are that good. And the system comes with an instructional DVD.

Take a look at the reviews at Sephora and decide for yourself. Temptu scored 4.3 stars out of 5 stars. Now, that's pretty darn good.

New Clip-In Wrap-Around PonyTail Inspired By Jessica Simpson

Ponytails are hot for fall/winter 2009. And if you have short hair, or limp hair that can't form a long, beautiful ponytail, think again.

Celebrity stylist Ken Paves has created the new Clip-In Wrap-Around Ponytail, as past of his new styleables collection. And his source of inspiration? Jessica Simpson.

Jess looks lovely wearing the wrap-around pony in ginger blonde($49, Ken Paves). The beauty of the new styleables collection are the easy and accommodating features:

Style it straight. Flat-iron it. Wave it. Or curl it. Then, just clip it in and go! You get volume and polish.

The Ken Paves Clip-In Wrap Around Pony, synthetic hair, comes in 9 shades. And the color selections are actually made from a blend of seven to 12 shades to get the most believable, natural-looking results:
Chestnut. Buttered Toast. Ginger Blonde. Ginger Brown. Glazed Strawberry. Golden Wheat. Chocolate Copper. Midnight Brown. Ebony.

And the ponytail is long....18 inches.

Several years ago, when clip-in hair came into vogue, this type of extension could not be styled. But thanks to Ken Paves' new Tru2Life™fiber, this trend-setting pony can be easily transformed with thermal styling tools.

Tru2Life is conditioned to take the heat, so to speak. The fibers can withstand temperatures of up to 350 degrees Farenheit/160 Celsius. And more importantly, straight fibers can be curled, and curled fibers can be straightened. And best of all, the hair is really soft, light, and shiny like real hair.

And if you take the time to read customer reviews at some of the online sites that sell the Clip-In Wrap-Around Ponytail, you will see that most women say it's easy to put it in, feels like real, healthy hair, and stays put. We did see a couple of negative reviews. One woman felt the color range wasn't wide enough. She says her light platinum locks could not find an equal match in Ken Paves' shade selection. Another said her hair was too thick and the velcro fastener for the ponytail extension would not stay attached. And some red-haired women hope Ken Paves can add more auburn shades to the collection, because they, too, couldn't get a natural-looking match.

You can also read a bunch of reviews at QVC.com. The ponytail received a 4.3 out of 5 stars, which is a very good rating of 87%.

You can purchase the Wrap-Around Pony at shopkenpaves.com, drugstore.com, QVC.com, and other online stores.

To get an idea, how this clip-in ponytail works, look at the photos below, provided by Ken Paves.

Shanna Moakler Debuts New Mineral Cosmetics Line SMOAK

Former Miss USA 1995, Shanna Moakler, is proud to introduce SMOAK Cosmetics. The glamorous mom of 3 teamed up with her makeup artist Daniel McFadden, and the two gave birth to a wonderful palette of mineral makeup.

Shanna says she has tried just about every kind of makeup on the planet, and wanted her personal makeup line to be clean and healthy, and that meant, mineral makeup. This is how SMOAK Cosmetics is described at her website 'About Me' page:

"Mineral make-up is truly a revolution in cosmetics, taking the fashion and skin health world by storm. Shanna is not only in entertainment but a mother of 3 who has had a love affair with taking care of her skin and making sure she is doing all she can to prevent, maintain and give only the best to her face! She has publicly spoken in campaigns about the importance of educating yourself on not only what you are putting into your body but as well as ON your body. Organics are a passion of hers and being able to find chic, modern, stylish make-up that not only protects your skin but can also help you look years younger."

Shanna's makeup line features Primers. Foundations. Blushes. Eyeshadows. Eyeliners. Eyeliners. LIpsticks. Makeup Brushes. And Creative Color Kits.

Shanna Moakler fell in love with mineral makeup. It takes some getting used to, but she feels it can only benefit your skin in the long run. This is why she says her SMOAK foundations will always look and last better than the rest:

"Non mineral Liquid foundations and heavy concealers only clog the pores and damage your skin, trying to fight your way thru light coverage, medium coverage, heavy coverage, it gets confusing and no matter how amazing it looked on your face in the store, it just never sits right on the face at home! This is where the benefits of minerals comes into play, not only are they lightweight , soft, and organic, but they are filled with vitamins rich in antioxidants, they combat shine and even provide a natural SUNSCREEN! You are actually helping your face! My foundations contain no fragrances, preservatives or any harsh chemicals and even better, none our products are EVER TESTED ON ANIMALS! I am also very proud to offer a liquid MINERAL foundation that is simply the best of both worlds, I have yet to use a foundation as amazing as this".

Being a former Miss USA, and Hollywood-gal-on-the-go, Shanna Moakler must know a thing or two about cosmetics. As you can see by the photo of Shanna at the recent SMOAK makeup launch, the woman has beautiful skin, and her makeup looks flawless.

Shanna gives some super makeup tips at Smoak Cosmetics. She shows you step-by-step, how to create a beautiful smoky eye, Shanna's trademark feature. And the eyes have it:

"Eye liners can change the shape of your eye, they can set a time or "era" to your look or make up," Shanna explains. "You can use eyeliner to go from day to night in one easy sweep! For me, my eyeliner has been my signature and it is one of the main reasons I celebrate mineral make up. I will not lie ladies, conquering a fantastic eye with liner takes practice. My loose eye shadows can be used WET also! There are so many eye liner looks and I will monthly come here and give tips on different ones."

You can purchase Shanna Moakler's new makeup line at SmoakShop.com.

Multiple Strands Of Pearls Best Accessory For Fall Winter 2009

We like what Kimora was showing on her fall winter 2009 Baby Phat runway:

Multiple strands of pearls and gold chains.

It's the best way to accessorize and hit the right trends of the moment. Ultra-feminine and always classy, but expensive, too. Runway pearls and gold chains will cost you $1,000 or more each, but there are ways to imitate the bling and save some real cash.

Baby Phat showed the pearls long and knotted, too. Some featured were chunky sets of pearls, and others were small, all mixed together.And Kimora paired them with skinny jeans and soft leather jackets, lace leggings, jumpsuits, and lattice work shoes. Really elegant and sexy chic!

Celebrities like Rihanna, are rockin' the piles and piles of pearls. It's a modern take on the Coco Chanel look. And did you know that Coco, designer and founder of Chanel, used to mix genuine pearls with rope after rope of fake pearl necklaces in the 1930's?

We like to take a tip from television's, The Insider. Host Lara Spencer always shows us the cheaper way to look glam. Her stylist often suggests jewelry from Forever21. And why not? The jewelry is pretty, very current, comes in a huge variety of styles, and won't break your wallet.

For instance, look at these gold chains from Forever21. Only $12.80. Delicate, cascading gold chains linked together with a lobster style clasp. Accented chains feature cool metal square beads. - Chain: 23" - 34" approx length, 1/4" x 1/8" approx bead dimensions.

The pearls we found that are faux and budget-friendly, are from Alloy. This set of multiple strands includes white pearls of various sizes and strand lengths. It's called the 'Anna necklace' and is 24" long with an adjustable clasp ($19.90). We are including 2 photos.

At least you don't have to worry about caring for multiple strands of faux pearls and gold chains like these from Forever21 and Alloy. No special treatment or storage. Just put on, and be on your elegant way.

Spin A Web Of Beautiful Hair With New Sebastian Microweb Fiber

We want some of this for our hair!!!

It's a new Sebastian Professional hair product that is inspired by the beauty and silky texture of a spider's web. It's called Sebastian Microweb Fiber ($14.99 online, and at specialty salons).

This is amazing high-tech hair styling .....creating flexible texture and touchable movement. Sebastian Microweb Fiber is an 'elastic' texturizer product. especially designed for longer hair.

And oh yeah, it does look like a spider's web when you spray some into the palm of your hand and emulsify the product. No kidding!!

It's better than wax, mousse, gel, sprays, or pomades. Big, soft, 3-dimensional hair instantly. No stickiness or crunchiness.

You've got to see this video, provided by the folks at Sebastian Professional Salon. You will be convinced at what the product can do for hair of any texture.

As Thomas Dunkin, Sebastian Stylist and Editorial Master explains it, "I love to see hair that marries weightless volume with the bold. edginess of 80's pop-punk culture. The Bohemian chaotic hairstyle is also very relevant at the moment."

And if you closely watched the fall runways, you saw plenty of texture woven into the fabrics and patterns and models' hair. From sequins, to playful ruffles, flirty feathers, ruching, and bold, hot colors, texture is everywhere. And Sebastian Professional Microweb Fiber gives every woman a chance to spin a web of big, beautiful hair.

Get Younger Smoother Skin The European Way With Avene

Let's talk about retinol, and how it can give you younger, smoother skin. And let's focus our skin care in France, at the Avene headquarters in the French village of Avene. And let's learn how the Sainte-Odile thermal spring water nearby is formulated into Avene's skin care line.

According to a review by Dr. Craig Kraffert, a dermatologist at derm store, there is quite a unique story:

" People have traveled to this spring for hundreds of years to enjoy the benefits of its healing waters. As early as 1860, the spring welcomed 500 patients a year. In 1871, the water was exported to treat burn victims of the Great Chicago Fire. The Avene Dermatological Hydrotherapy Center was first established in Avene in 1743. Dermatologists at Avene have studied the properties of Avene spring water from the time the Center was opened until today. The water from this spring has the approval of the French National Academy of Medicine which acknowledges the properties of this spring as beneficial for the skin."

The product we are looking at is the Avene Retrinal, in 2 strengths--0.05 and 0.1. It's a non-greasy retinol cream, available in the two concentrations. Build up gradually to the highest strength, to avoid flaking and irritation. We found the 0.1 Avene for $64 at dermstore.com. It is generally sold only through physicians' offices, but there are online skin care stores that have permission to sell this European skin care line.

Many women are raving about Avene Retrinal, having first learned about it through their derms. Retinol, like its cousin, prescription Retin-A, has the power to make skin look younger and smoother. It's a nighttime beauty treatment. All you do is apply a small amount to the face and neck before bedtime, or as directed by your physician. Use a daily sun protection of SPF 15 or higher during use of this product.

Here's how Avene describes Retrinal's skin care benefits:

Patented formula and ingredient work synergistically to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without irritation
Retinaldehyde: One of the most effective and non-irritating forms of Vitamin A to smooth away the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Available in 2 concentrations to address individual skin aging concerns
Rétrinal 0.05 (0.05% Retinaldehyde): Nightly skin rejuvenation
Rétrinal 0.1 (0.1% Retinaldehyde): Intensive skin rejuvenation
Improves skin’s texture and tone and helps prevent future signs of aging
Restores radiance
Neutral pH
Fragrance-free
Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin
Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

To learn more, visit Avene.

Rachel Bilson Super Star Style And InStyle Columnist

At 28, actress Rachel Bilson already exudes, sophistication and star style. The petite, brunette beauty has many fashion followers. And even InStyle magazine can recognize a young fashion icon in the making. The publication has given Rachel Bilson a monthly column called, Ask Rachel. Readers can submit style questions for Rachel at www.instyle.com/askrachel.

What fans adore about Rachel's style is her confidence, her preference for lots of scarves, boots, and blazers, and a boho-vintage edge with casual wear. Like British model Kate Moss, Rachel is unafraid to set a trend.

Rachel Bilson looks at other celebrities for fashion inspiration:

"I love to admire other people," she says. "Ashley Olsen I think is great, Diane Kruger, Sienna Miller - all those people obviously have good style, so it's nice to see that around you. Your peers surround you, and they all look good, so that's great."

Rachel loves being seen in styles by Chanel, Zac Posen, Stella McCartney, and Marc Jacobs.

And when it comes to beauty tips, Rachel favors a smoky, lined eye and soft-colored lips. Here are the 4 Beauty Essentials Rachel Bilson can't live without (as told to InStyle):

1. Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker ($2, drugstores, and lipsmacker.com.) "Tastes great, and gives lips a subtle reddish tint."

2. Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in medium ($33, fine dept. stores, and bobbibrowncosmetics.com). "I dust my cheeks and eyelids for a natural glow."

3. Kerastate Lait Nutri-Sculpt ($29, kerastase-usa.com). "A lifesaver for unruly hair. Work a little through to make it soft and tamable."

4. Tarte Natural Eyeliner in Starry Night ($18, tarte.com). "I line the inside rims of my lower lids; the pencil's creamy texture doesn't smudge."

Thanks for the super style and beauty tips, Rachel!

Finally, New No Handles Eyelash Curler By Laura Mercier!

Eyes wide open, ladies! It has finally happened:

A new, 'no handles' eyelash curler is on the scene by Laura Mercier.

Move over, all-time favorite, Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($19). The new Laura Mercier pinch-free curler is even cheaper, at $16. And look at the shape. Small without the traditonal clumsy, metal-scissor handles. Instead, you get an easel-style lever that flips down to provide the perfect amount of pressure. And lashes rest on a cushiony pad that adds the perfect curl without grabbing or pinching. This curler just feels better in your fingers.

Mini, too, at dimensions of--2.5" X 1.5" X .75".

You say you don't need an eyelash curler? Oh, really? If you want big, beautiful, wide eyes, then, yes, you do! Even if you don't wear mascara, do curl.

And if you're going to wear mascara, then you need to have an eyelash curler in your daily beauty routine. The two go hand in hand. Unless, of course, you were born with curly lashes, then forget our advice.

What does an eyelash curler do? Any professional makeup artist will tell you, that curling your lashes opens up the eyes. Your eyes will look bigger. Stubborn lashes will look more even. And short, wimpy lashes will take on thickness and appear longer.

We love the compact size and shape of the Laura Mercier Eyelash Curler, but it looks like one we first bought a couple of years ago by Wet 'n' Wild cosmetics. That one is very economical at $1.99, and it does the trick. Unfortunately, we have bought three of them from Wet 'n' Wild in the past, and each one has busted after only about a month's use. I guess you could say, we got what we paid for.

Japonesque has also had a mini eyelash curler out for a few years now. We found one at Amazon.com, for $11. And many women love this mini curler, too, because it curls and lifts even the most stubborn lashes.

And here's a neat trick from the folks at Kevin Aucoin cosmetics:
Kevin Aucoin's experts gave this special beauty secret for curling bottom eyelashes:"Turn (curler) upside down and curl bottom lashes downward. Trick of old movie stars from the 30's and 40's."

Caution here. We would advise using a traditional metal-scissor handles curler for this technique. We tried it, but we couldn't even manage it, ha! Be careful you don't poke your eye. It can be done, we are sure.

Maybe you really like using the metal curler. And that's fine, too. They wouldn't be on store shelves if no one used them. There are all kinds of eyelash curlers out there. Some are heated. Metal. Plastic. Big. Mini. And every set of lashes are unique. So you just have to go through a bunch of them, until you reach lash heaven. We are so sick of the metal curlers, we're happy to see Laura Mercier give us a new beauty option.

Ansr: Palm-Sized Wirelss Disc That Zaps Acne With PhotoTherapy

We've talked a lot about acne, pimples, and break-outs here at Beauty Tip Today. And usually, we have featured over-the-counter topical treatments, prescription solutions like Retin-A, and even the supplement zinc.

And yet, here is one more method to zap acne, and bring back smooth, clear skin. It's called Ansr ($185). And it's high-tech in the war on pimples. It also involves sophisticated science, in the name of phototherapy. It's safe, effective, painless, and uses the 'healing power of light,' to zap blemishes and the bacteria that causes them. And you use Ansr in the privacy of your home for just minutes a day.

According to Ansr, you are treating your acne with a 2-step punch: red LED light and blue LED light:

The ANSR: BEAM’s penetrating RED light and anti-aging SERUM work together to rejuvenate the skin, helping to even skin tone, smooth texture, reduce redness and fill in fine lines and wrinkles.

The ANSR: BEAM’s BLUE light treats acne by attacking bacteria beneath the skin. The PREP exfoliating cleanser, and DAY and NIGHT acne lotions work together to treat blemishes by preventing skin’s natural oils from clogging pores that cause acne infections.

Just 5 minute per day using the red light, and another 5 minutes per day using the blue light.

How exactly does one use the Ansr palm-sized device?

Simply move the BEAM light along the skin. Use a slow, back and forth sweeping motion across the affected areas. Don't just hold it on one area of your face. The BEAM is designed to be placed along the skin, touching but not pressing hard. No heavy hand is needed to get the job done.

What we like about the Ansr acne zapping disc, is its compact size. It fits in the palm of your hand. And you can toss it into a travel bag when you want to continue your clear skin routine. It's wireless. You don't have to have it plugged in a wall to use it. And it charges up just like a cell phone. And you will see significant results with a week or two. And those with severe acne, will see big improvement within a month or more.

Want pictures? Well, the proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. Take a look at Ansr's before & afters.

Sure, $185 might seem like a big amount to spend on battling acne, but if you've tried a lot of products and still can't control the break-outs, why not give Ansr a try. The science behind it, is pretty high-tech. And there is a 30-day money back guarantee. Plus Ansr is one of the most wallet-friendly light therapy devices on the market today.

Curious How Kate, Kardashians, And Other Celebs Lose Weight Quickly?

How do these glamorous celebrities lose weight so quickly? We know we're curious.

We're talking about Kate Hudson, Kardashian sisters--Kim and Chloe, and how about Adrianne Curry, just to name a few.

Let's be up front here......None of these lovely ladies has ever had a severe weight problem, while we have seen them in public. The most we would guess any have shed as pounds. might be 25-30. Still, these celebrities look gorgeous, and each of them has used very different diet plans. And yes, these women all have the money to have the best access to great trainers, special diet foods, stylists to advise them on looking their most attractive in clothing, hair and makeup, etc.

But as most of us are aware, it isn't easy pushing away delicious foods and beverages. Just ask our first diet darling Kate Hudson.

The 30-year-old mom, has revealed to British Elle magazine in their December issue, that she has dropped 20 lbs. to play a terminally-ill patient who falls in love with her doctor for her latest film role. And she claims it was giving up alcohol that melted away the extra weight:

“I love my glass of wine. I love tequila. To be in New York for two weeks and not have one beverage, I’m not sure I’ve ever done that!” Kate Hudson explains.

Kate is also working out and adding some curvy muscle to her already petite-frame. And maybe her romance to Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez is keeping the actress toned and trim.

We all enjoy a glass of alcohol, but the calories do add up. A simple glass of white wine has about 120 calories and a shot of tequila will cost you about 100 calories. Have several and you can ruin any diet.

Meanwhile, two of the sexy Kardashian sisters, Kim and Khloe, have both credited their recent weight loss to a diet plan they are proudly endorsing: Quick Trim. There are 4 items in the cleansing program:

Celluslim sculpting gel
14-day Burn and Cleanse
48-hour Fast Cleanse
and Extreme Burn, an "8-hour weight loss formula that burns calories 300 percent times faster!"

Khloe recently shed 20 lbs. in 4 weeks on the QT diet, and booze wasn't a no-no for her. "I eat whatever I want until noon. Then from noon on, I watch what I eat,” says Khloe to Us magazine. “I only drink champagne. 100 calories in a glass, and I’m good.”

And we all know how sister Kim Kardashian is serious about going to the gym on a regular basis. She often sends tweets to her Twitter fans about working out, and how a fitness routine is necessary to keep the body slender.

And you all remember the very first winner of America's Next Top Model, Adrienne Curry. She later went on to marry Brady Bunch's Christopher Knight. We recently caught the tall beauty showing off her beautiful toned back and butt on her Twitter page. She's been working out like a fiend, and she looks amazing.

Was the pretty model Adrienne Curry, ever over-weight to begin with?

According to what she told Tarts, Adrienne was embarrassed to be seen.

“A few weeks ago I went in for my yearly womanly exam and I weighed in at 150.5 pounds and I crapped my pants,” Adrienne Curry says, “I am on a no-carb diet. So I’ve started eating fish, steamed vegetables, no butter, no sugar, no bread, and no fun and now I’m at 136 pounds. “

So there you have it. There are many diet programs out there. And even celebrities fall off the diet and gym routines. Our advice: Keep moving, and one tequila won't hurt you. We said, one.

Eating White Button Mushrooms Daily For Good Breast Health

Everyone knows what cute, little white button mushrooms look like. And they sure taste good. Go into any grocery store, and you will find packages of these little veggies all year round.

And we just stumbled onto a little beauty tidbit, that came out in the news in early October, which is, of course, breast cancer awareness month. And yet, this morsel of helpful advice didn't receive the attention it should have. Did you know about this?

Eating just one white button mushroom daily, can lower your risk of developing breast tumors by a huge 64%. That's according to a new study in the International Journal of Cancer.

We think that's pretty amazing beauty news. We love exploring all facets of beauty, and we believe that healthy breasts are a thing of beauty, so today, we are putting our lip glosses and hairspray away for the moment.

Now let's take a further look at mushrooms and estrogen. Science shows us that too much estrogen encourages the growth of breast cancer cells. And there is a compound found in mushrooms called L-ergothioneine. This L-compound helps the body block excess production of estrogen, and in turn, halts the development of breast tumors.

And white button mushrooms, especially, have lots of this L-ergothioneine in them.

The reasearch was conducted in China, which also revealed that:

Women who combined a mushroom diet with regular consumption of green tea saw an even greater benefit.
The risk of breast cancer among women in this group was reduced by almost 90 per cent.

We think this is incredible science. Of course researchers don't want us to get overly excited, since more and more studies will be conducted. But so far, laboratory tests on animals do show the mushrooms have anti-tumor properties and can stimulate the immune system's defenses.

Some evidence suggests that mushrooms act in a manner that 'mimic' breast cancer drugs called aromatose inhibitors. These inhibitors block the body's production of estrogen. And we think it's wonderful when a simple vegetable can perform the same magic in a natural manner.

In past Beauty Tip Today articles, we have also talked about the breast health benefits of eating an apple a day and adding turmeric powder to foods. Both have shown amazing value to good breast health.

The way we see it, eating white button mushrooms, apples, and the spice Turmeric powder, can not hurt your body. There are lots of excellent nutrients in all three. And when there is the hope of good breast health found in the wholesome naturalness of a fruit or vegetable, or spice, we think it's smart science to bring it your way!

How To Tone Down Cellulite And Bring Back Smooth Taut Skin

Cellulite. It's big in the beauty business, because most women have it. At least 80% of us, and we believe the stats are actually higher than that.

So, who develops it? Thin, heavy, young and old, runway models, and the buffest bodies, too. On thighs, belly, and rear. Weight doesn’t determine who gets this lumpy fat and who does not.

Cellulite is a skin condition of swollen fat cells jammed together, that cannot be exercised off or dieted away into nothingness. Of course, a taut and toned body will definitely make a difference in how you look. So it is important to always have some kind of exercise regimen going.

The real skinny on cellulite, and the most important thought to take away from today's article:
There is absolutely NO way to get rid of cellulite permanently. That’s the bad news.
The good news is this: We CAN reduce the appearance of cellulite and STOP further cellulite advancement.

We know these facts, because we once asked Anushka, a cellulite expert, point-blank about getting rid of this lumpy fat, and that is what she told us. So the key words here being....reducing appearance and stopping further advancement.

So what's a smart gal to do?

Anushka who operates world-renown Cosmedical Centre, Spa, Salon & Cellulite Clinics in New York City, has been an authority on cellulite and its prevention for more than 3 decades. And her wonderful website AnushkaOnline features cellulite treatments, target exercises, nutritional recipes, the ABC's of cellulite, and more.

Circulation, diet, and topical treatments can all help tone down cellulite and bring back smooth, taut skin.

1. Keep moving.....She's a firm believer in taking a large natural bristle brush, and using the brush daily to give those areas special attention. “Dry brushing helps eliminate dead skin cells which make the skin look smoother. And it also improves lymph and blood circulation. I recommend a soft, natural bristle brush. Start at your feet and continue upwards in a circular motion towards the heart. Use once a day.”

2. Diet. We are what we eat.....Anushka is an expert in nutrition and her website offers sound dietary advice and healthy recipes from her own kitchen--- like Turkey Spinach Lasagna, Marinated Grilled Tuna Steak, and Anushka’s Signature Salad.

She also can’t stress enough the importance of water and how excellent it is for your body. And Anushka even has a secret drink that promotes beautiful skin.

"Raspberry tea," Anushka says. "It is wonderful for women, in general. In addition to acting as a diuretic which helps reduce bloating (leading to a slimmer silhouette), it also helps alleviate menstrual discomfort and cramps, reduces heavy bleeding, promotes healthy skin, bones, and teeth, and when combined with peppermint, can help with morning sickness. Raspberry tea is absolutely refreshing and delightful to the palate. You can drink it hot or over ice with a leaf of mint."

3. Topical treatments...Creams and serums feel soft and silky, but these cellulite topical treatments can not completely erase the dimples and the ripples. Still, many women find these lotions useful because the appearance of cellulite can be strongly diminished and the appearance of smoother skin can result. But patience is needed and frequent application. What’s nice is you can use these topical treatments at home and they aren’t too expensive.

Any time you see a topical cellulite treatment that includes caffeine, butcher’s broom, or even seaweed, these items are placed in such creams and serums to boost circulation.

Check out Anushka's website. It's the best one we've found on cellulite.

Sexy Sophia Loren Needs Facelift At 74? You're Crazy!

We decided to spend some quality time today with Sophia Loren, the Academy award winning actress. Unfortunately, we have never met her, but we are excited the internationally-acclaimed film icon is still acting at age 74, and still looking sexy.

Sophia Loren has a starring role in the much-anticipated movie musical Nine, set for release on November 25th. Also adding beauty and glamour to the cast are: Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, and Judi Dench.

And check out the beautiful Italian actress in the pages of your November Vogue magazine. Sopia Loren really looks amazing all these years. That is why we are puzzled at the critics, suggesting she needs a facelift.

Are you kidding us? You're crazy!

Our top photo features Sophia at last year's Academy Awards Show, February 2008, outdoors in strong sunlight.
The middle photo shows Sophia at the Rome Film Festival in 2007, being recognized for her lifetime of cinematic work.
And the bottom photo shows the gorgeous Sophia Loren with those trademark cat-eyes at a much younger age, maybe her 30s or even early 40s.

We were stunned to read what the so-called experts have decided, are the new cosmetic procedures the Mediterranean-featured actress supposedly needs at age 74. We found these tidbits at the OCRegister.com.

"Dermatologic surgeon Dr. David Sire of Fullerton proposes a facelift for Loren’s cheeks and jowls. He also suggsts a neck lift, called a corset platysmoplasty, to eliminate slackness there.
Next, he would resurface her face with a fractional CO2 laser. Finally, he would inject dermal fillers. His summary:
Lots of work, but for such a beautiful lady the results would be great.

Plastic surgeon Dr. John Di Saia of San Clemente also proposes a facelift:
At some point she has likely had at least one facelift. She might be ready for another one. At 74, I would probably keep it simple to reduce her risk."

How silly and insulting. And how about these comments:

“When we speak of great beauties of all time, Sophia Loren is at the top of the list. Her stated age is 74, but she now looks older than her stated age,” says plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Persky of Encino.

We certainly don't know what cosmetic procedures Sophia Loren has had during her long, celebrated life and career. We can only assume that she has had work done, as most great beauties in Hollywood have resorted to. There were rumors a number of years ago, that her famous, not-small-and-perky nose was altered ever so slightly.

And if it were, big deal. At age 74, the woman is still a classic beauty. And how dare, people expect or demand an older woman to appear 'forever frozen in time.' If you blow up a photo of any attractive face over age 30, you will see some lines and blemishes, and so on. To do that to a 74-year-old woman and then knock her down for aging gracefully, is quite cruel and disturbing.


We enjoyed what model Cindy Crawford told Allure magazine in an interview last March, where the discussion of aging came up:

"I think I look pretty good for 43. But I don't look the way I did when I was 23. So if Star magazine or whatever wants to print a picture of me on the beach from the back, at the worst possible angle, and say that I have cellulite, I'm like, Guess what? I do, and I never said I didn't. I've had two kids, and I'm 43, so leave me alone," Cindy remarked.

Sophia Loren continues to grace the pages and movies with her superb bone structure, almond-shaped eyes, curvy figure, and earthy allure. That is why we are proud to feature her as our cover girl at Beauty Tip Today.

A facelift at 74? You're crazy!

5 Pretty Orange Things To Buy Because It's Halloween And You're Worth It

Because it's Halloween, we thought we'd take a look at the deliciously orange side of life, and have some fun!!!

We're not going to go deep into the science of beauty today. Instead, we have searched for a couple of hours here, to find you 5 pretty things to buy, because it's Halloween, and darn, you're worth it!!!!

So let's see what pretty orange things there are in life:

1. Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Dazzling ($30, at fine dept. stores). The runways of Alexander McQueen and Yves St. Laurent have been hot for bold orange-red lips. Not easy makeup to pull off, but we like this shade because it's a very warm orange-red. And with such a striking set of lips, you can go e-a-s-y on the rest of your makeup palette.


2. Preston York Contrast-Stitch Leather Gloves ($38, at Dillard's) Buttery-soft to the touch, and we believe it! We want these. Now!



3. Tear Drop Thread Earrings in Orange and Hot Pink ($4.80, Forever21 stores). A very unique pair of chandelier earrings. Measuring: 3.5" L x 2.3" W. Threaded earrings are hot!



4. Cashmere V-neck Cardigan by J.Crew ($168, http://www.jcrew.com/). Can you say, luxurious Italian cashmere? Ultra soft and comfy, and perfect for those breezy fall days.

And last, but certainly, not least, look at the beautiful bag of candy at the top of our post here. One of our favorites:

5. Halloween Candy. At least we can all afford something sweet!

Mallowcreme Pumpkins from Dylan's Candy Bar ($8, http://www.dylanscandybar.com/). Need we say more? Chewy and delicious, and if you don't know by now, famous designer Ralph Lauren has close ties to this delectable shop of goodies. This is his daughter Dylan's candy shop .

Oh, and let's not forget, vampires are really the hottest things going this year, so, let's take a bite out of Halloween with the Twilight Sweethearts 3 Pack ($10, Dylan's Candy shop). In 4 forbidden fruit flavors – Orange Obsession, Tempting Apple, Passion Fruit and Secret Strawberry – and feature Twilight sayings like “Soul Mate”, “Live 4 Ever”, “Bite Me” and “Lamb”.

Happy Halloween!