Luster: One Hour At-Home Tooth Whitening System

Who doesn't want a whiter, brighter smile?

And who wants to mess with goopy gels and trays, over and over again?

Not us. We have found a new at-home tooth whitening system called Luster. And for $39.99, you can effectively whiten your teeth up to 6 shades lighter. All in just one hour.

We haven't tried this yet, because we happened to get Zoom whitening treatments in the dentist's chair last fall. And we are happy with our current smile.

But if we could go another 6 shades lighter, we would try Luster, because it's developed from the same Zoom concept of a light-activated whitening system.

Here's how the simple 3-step Luster kit works:

1. Use accelerator mouth rinse for 10 seconds.
2. Brush on super whitening gel.
3. Shine super whitening light on teeth.
After 2 minutes the light automatically shuts off. Repeat process until desired whitening results, up to 20 times. Some people are done in 30 minutes, others use the full hour.

Luster 1 Hour White, Tooth Whitening Light System also promises zero sensitivity. And trust us, that is a key factor for many people who want to whiten and brighten their smiles. No one likes extreme pain in their mouths.

This tooth whitening kit works, because it involves light activation technology. Here's what the website says:

Luster's patented whitening light speeds up the process. It’s just like what’s used at dentist offices, but is safe enough for home use.

On average, Luster 1-Hour White gets teeth 5 shades lighter, though many people see their smiles whiten up by 6 shades. That’s like turning the clock back years, even decades.

You can buy Luster at your local drugstore, and at www.LusterWhitenUp.com. And there's a $5 off coupon code to enter at check-out online.

If you really don't want to get professional whitening from the dentist, but would like something stronger than dental whitening strips or whitening gels, why not give this one a try?

Two Fine Facial Sunscreens That Won't Clog Pores

Maybe you didn't know this---but not every sunscreen is meant to be used on both your body and face.

Most of us are guilty of swiping a gob of sunscreen everywhere we're exposing skin. Next thing you know, your face is full of pimples the next day.

Today, we will show you one sunscreen made just for the face. And another sunscreen that is labeled for both the face and body.

Let's be honest here....the skin on your face and the skin on your body have different needs.

The face can pose a range of issues---very oily, occasional breakouts, sensitive eye area, and a tendency to show wrinkles quicker.

And you don't want a very thick cream covering your face, but you do need the strong protection from the sun.

Try this one: Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25 ($18, 1.4 oz, fine dept. stores, and http://www.clinique.com/). We think this is a super facial sunscreen. It's oil-free and combines blockers with anti-oxidants. And it's nice and sheer with high-level broad-spectrum UVA/UVB daily sun protection.

"Lightweight formula helps wick away perspiration, absorb excess oil so makeup looks fresher, longer. Perfect alone, or as an invisible under-makeup primer. No chemical sunscreens. Appropriate for eye-area, sensitive skins."

And Allure magazine gave Clinique City Block Sheer the big thumbs up in their Best of Beauty 2007 award.

If you prefer to use just one sunscreen for the body and face, we've got you covered. La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 ($30, 3.4 0z, http://www.anthelios.com/, or beauty sites like http://www.skincarerx.com/) makes a powerful yet sheer formula that tackles all the problems that come with the fun of lying in the sun. Plus, it won't clog your pores.

This 'high-tech' sunscreen contains an ingredient most others do not-----Mexoryl SX, an organic, photo-stable sun filter.

Mexoryl SX is unique because it does not break down in the sun, so your protection is that much stronger. Also present is Titanium Dioxide that blocks the damaging UVA and UVB rays.

And La-Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 makes the skin on both your face and body feel so soft and healthy, because the formula includes glycerin.

And we give this sunscreen the green light because it is suited for all skin types, especially mature and sensitive, and children, 6 months and older.

Livin' On A Budget With Style And NY&C Straw Clutch

How cute is this clutch?!

We fell in love with it after it appeared in the April 2009 issue of InStyle magazine.

New York & Company puts out this adorable City Style Straw Stone Detail Clutch (http://www.nyandcompany.com/).

And talk about 'livin' on a budget!' Back in April, the straw clutch was selling at the very inexpensive price of $19.95. It was a super bargain then.

And now, this bag is on sale for only $15.96! You can't beat it.

NY&C City Style Straw Stone Detail Clutch is roomy, too, with dimensions of 12-1/2 x 7 x 1-1/4 inches.

And the pretty, multi-colored stones, like turquoise and amber, add a rich touch to this straw clutch. The bag features a flap snap closure and side wrist strap. And an inside zip pocket with polyester lining throughout.

Straw bags are hot for summer 2009. And this one really keeps you 'livin' on a budget.'

Take a closer look at this straw clutch here-- http://tiny.cc/iKjJx

Growing Perfect Eyebrows And The Facts About Plucking

What do perfect eyebrows and the 4th of July have in common?

Nothing really. We were at a beachside gathering when a good friend of ours with excellent brows, asked us this, about her girlfriend's teenage daughter. At least, that is whom we can bet she was inquiring for:

"Is it true, that over-plucking can lead to really thin eyebrows?"

Yes, indeed, we told her. Her friend looked at us suspiciously.

Apparently, they haven't remembered the several articles we have written for BeautyTipToday.com about growing perfect eyebrows and the pitfalls of over-plucking.

The facts are there:
Overplucking or waxing the eyebrows can damage the follicles causing brow hair to thin."

Trust us...we have been there. We began plucking like a mad woman in college, because thinner brows were a big deal. Then we lightened them up a bit, because some makeup artists were saying that too dark a brow does not frame the eye well. It is too heavy. And so on and so on.

After 30, our own eyebrows were beginning to get thinner and sparser. We were frustrated and resorted to wearing bangs, which is a great way to hide less-than-perfect brows. And today, after months of practice, we have learned to fill in our brows with an eyebrow pencil, to achieve a thicker and more natural shape.

First, let's say, it's okay to pluck. But pluck very, very carefully. If your teenage daughter has very thick brows, or a uni-brow that is bothering her, by all means, remove a few stray hairs. Absolutely.

Our makeup legend friend, Sandy Linter, explains that thin brows are more aging on a women. She advises to use brow pencils.

"Kevin Aucoin has one that is perfect for any medium to dark brow and Lancome has perfect colors for the lighter blonde brows. Make sure your brow technician does not use any wax. If you think your brows are getting too thick, just use the tweezers. And don’t make the ends too short. It’s tricky, you don’t want the eyebrow to go down at the ends. This is where mistakes happen. Take off as little as possible. I try to get as much mileage from their natural shape that I can."

And if you have an eyebrow disaster, Linter advises to leave them alone. Be patient and allow them to grow back in. She believes it is best to learn to groom your eyebrows yourself, rather than go to an eyebrow technician, where many of them take off too much of the brow to try and make them perfect. Over-tweezing and snipping will leave you very little brows by the time you reach your 40s.

We would also like to suggest a wonderful beauty product for brows and lashes called FNS Nutrilash by Osmotics.

Last year, Marie Claire magazine called Osmotics' FNS Nutrilash, one of its top 12 beauty breakthroughs. The all-natural formula is scientifically proven to stimulate the growth of healthy, strong eyebrows and eyelashes.

Simply wonderful.A totally safe and effective product, FNS, stands for 'follicle nutrient system.' It's easy to use, too. Just brush or 'paint' on brows and lashes before retiring at night.

FNS Nutrilash is a good investment at $48 for a full month's supply.For more info, visit: http://www.osmotics.com/.

SunMaita Do-It-Yourself Threader For Baby Smooth Skin

Okay, we are definitely intrigued by this beauty DIY, or do-it-yourself threader.

Some of you are scratching your heads and asking, "What does a threader have to do with baby smooth skin?"

Plenty. Threading is actually an ancient practice that women from India, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and other Eastern cultures do to gently remove unwanted facial hair. It might look strange, but it is a smart technique using " a tightly looped piece of thread that gently glides on the surface of the skin while pulling hair of all lengths from the roots."

And now you don't need to visit a salon pro. SunMaita, Inc. has developed the only one-of-its-kind at-home threader kit ($150, http://www.threaderonline.com/).

Anita Sun and Sara Maita, both expert threaders, created this unique beauty product. Because as anyone familiar with threading knows, you cannot thread your own face. Someone has to do it for you. Until now. So, how wonderful is this SunMaita beauty product?!

Anita and Sara explain at their website, just how the SunMaita Threader works:

The Threader was carefully engineered to create the exact angles that master threadists use to ensure the most dramatic results by polishing off surface dead skin cells and removing facial hairs.
Threader is easy to use and gently and effectively rolls out all hairs, including the coarse, deep-rooted ones, as well as all the tiny “peach fuzz” from the follicle.

And here are the benefits for your skin:

Significantly minimizes hair follicle
Safe to use with skin treatments such as peels and retinol
Leaves skin silky smooth and radiant
Avoids harmful tugging of the skin
Helps prevent ingrown hairs
Lasts up to 4 weeks before hair re-growth
Ideal alternative for sensitive and problematic skin

The website also provides a detailed demonstration of the SunMaita Threader. It is a user-friendly beauty device, and not complicated to get the hang of it. You can also use the at-home threader for underarms and bikini area.

For more information, visit: http://www.sunmaita.com/.

Woman Sues Avon Stretch Cream For Alleged Burns On Belly

Ladies, we can't prove that giant beauty company Avon was responsible for the burning and scarring alleged by a 30-year-old New York City woman, after rubbing Anew Clinical Professional Stretch Mark Smoother on her belly.

The fairly new Avon skin product, is one that has received rave reviews by many women for its excellent fading properties. It costs $25 for 5 fl.oz.

The ingredients boast about a 'patented technology.'

"Patented Trilaser technology formulated to help: Stimulate collagen to correct the look of stretch marks. Boost elastin to help prevent new stretch marks from forming. Plus, powered with Butea, a natural plant extract to help lighten & fade stretch marks. Apply AM and PM to stretch mark areas. For use on thighs, hips, arms and buttocks."

But Milka Betances claims she was burned by the cream, which she purchased from an Avon dealer on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

Betances filed a lawsuit against Avon Products Inc. in Bronx Supreme Court on Monday, charging that the product caused "severe damage" to her otherwise toned stomach. When she rubbed it on her belly, she felt immediate pain, and the burns were so strong that she sought hospital treatment, according to her lawsuit.

Some people are wondering if the Avon stretch cream the woman purchased, were a bootleg copy. In other words, not an authentic Avon item.

Meantime, we have done a few past articles about stretch marks, and how you can never erase them completely.

Dr. Amy Derick, a dermatologist in Barrington, Illinois, says you should try and diminish their appearance. And act sooner, than later.“There’s really not any data regarding creams,” she told the NY Times. “But you can do laser treatments or Retin-A after the fact, especially early on when the lines are red and purple.” Studies have found that topical tretinoin can lighten stretch marks as well as reduce their size. And she is certainly not opposed to pregnant women massaging their bellies with moisturizing oils and creams. “It makes them feel like they’re being pro-active, and if it feels good, why not?” she said. “It can’t hurt.”

Check out the reviews at Avon's website, and then decide if you want to try Anew Clinical Professional Stretch Mark Smoother.

http://www.avon.com/1/1/3949-anew-clinical-professional-stretch-mark-smoother.html

Cherry Culture Fun Online Site To Shop For Makeup

It's raining. It's poring. This weather's really boring. We thought it would be a nice time to go shopping for makeup indoors.

We're all trying to save a few bucks here and there these days, especially when it comes to looking pretty.

Remember this name: Cherry Culture.

This is a super site for online makeup at a discount.... http://www.cherryculture.com/.

The site is barely three years old, and what we adore about it, is makeup galore!!. About 40 brands to choose from. Princessa. NYX. Milani. Lucky Chick. Lulu Beauty. Sugar. LA Girl. etc.


Cherry Culture explains it like this:

"Cherry Culture is a "must shop" place for makeup lovers in the world. Cherry Culture is a place where makeup lovers can unleash their inner beauty without sacrificing their budget.
With hundreds of colors to choose from, you are never going to run out of options to create your next look. Our Featured, Top Sellers, New Items and Sale tabs direct you to where you can see the latest products at a glance."

We heart discount cosmetics! Really, who doesn't? And okay, the makeup at CherryCulture.com might not be the snob quality of a Nars or Mac, but who cares? You can find some lovely cosmetics here, and the stuff is quite good.

Have a young daughter ready to explore the fun times of putting on makeup? Don't worry. Cherry Culture has plenty of tween and teen-friendly brands to choose from, like Blah Blah and Wild and Crazy.

There are tons of makeups on sale, too. Many items as low as $1.00. Can't beat it.

Why not head over to CherryCulture.com? The cosmetic pickin' is great.

Neck Slimmer Looks Like Pogo Stick And Probably Won't Make You Look Younger

In the two photos above, please meet Anna. The top photo shows a firmer and tauter neck and jawline. The second, or before photo, shows a sagging, looser neck and jawline.

According to the website, http://www.skinnyneck.com/, Anna is 42-years-old, and the happy customer of the Neckline Slimmer beauty gadget ($19.99, plus $7.95 s&h).

The last photo shows you just what you get for your money---an odd-looking contraption with 3 resistance springs, and a CD to instuct you along the way with this small pogo stick for the neck.

We are certainly not here to judge, but seriously, folks, do you really believe that the Neckline Slimmer can actually "firm your chin and neck to look younger, and reduce facial sagging and re-define your profile, as the website's inventor claims?

The genius behind the new Neck Slimmer is a gentleman by the name of Paul Younane.

No, Paul Younane is not a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or doctor of any kind. He is a former Rugby player and physiotherapist, a fitness trainer.

So how does his beauty gadget work?

"The Neckline Slimmer targets and tones the underlying muscles of your neck, chin and cheek area by applying gentle resistance. Just like every other muscle in your body – whether it be your abs, butt or thighs – your facial muscles need exercise. We all know the benefits of resistance exercises like crunches and curls. Think of the Neckline Slimmer in exactly the same way, only easier."

Any fine plastic surgeon would tell you, that the only way to firm up older, sagging, and loose skin in the face and neck, is through surgery. In other words, cutting. We found this little nugget here-- http://www.docshop.com/.

"Most face lifts can dramatically refresh and invigorate the lower two-thirds of the face. By removing excess fat and reshaping loose muscles and facial tissue, cosmetic surgeons reduce sagging in the cheeks and around the jaw. While this usually makes patients look younger and less tired than before surgery, a face lift will not eliminate all common signs of aging. For patients with wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, BOTOX® injections, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing may be able to help. Blepharoplasty, on the other hand, can resolve drooping eyelids, and brow lifts often minimize a sagging forehead area."

If you have had great success using the Neck Slimmer, please leave us your comments below.

To learn more about this beauty gadget, visit: http://www.necklineslimmer.com/.

New Kiehl's Sunflower Recovery Pak For Keeping Highlights Bright

We could probably all use a jar of Kiehl's newest product for color-treated hair, especially those with sunny, blonde highlights, who want to keep them bright all summer long.

This generous jar of hair nourishment is called Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pak ($25, 8 fl.oz.).

Apricot kernel oil and sunflower oil. These two ingredients make all the difference, and help keep color-treated and highlighted hair from fading in the hot, summer sun. And these anti-oxidant rich oils also help hydrate locks.

Easy to use, too:

Shampoo hair with Kiehl’s Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo ($18, 8.4 fl.oz). Then rinse and towel-dry.

Apply a liberal amount of the pak to damp hair evenly, concentrating on hair ends.

Let the formula remain on hair for at least three minutes. (Allowing hair pak to remain on hair for longer periods of time will increase its efficacy).

Rinse well with lukewarm water until formula is thoroughly removed from hair.

Style as usual.

If you can't find a Kiehl's store near you, visit them online: http://www.kiehls.com/.

Dr. Mao's Beauty Health Tips For Women Over 35

A friend of ours emailed us, to talk about a new book by Dr. Mao.

You might say, now who is Dr. Mao? Dr. Maoshing Ni, to be exact.

Dr. Mao, known to viewers of HBO's Sex and the City as the doctor Charlotte consults on fertility, Ni (Secrets of Longevity) is a 38th-generation doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) who practices acupuncture in Southern California.

The new book, Second Spring by Dr. Mao, focuses on women over 35, and teaches them how to rejuvenate and recapture their youth with healthy, natural approaches

"Women don't need to be victims of their midlife changes, " Dr. Mao says. "Women can actually take control, take charge of their health and begin to rejuvenate and regenerate themselves."

The book is available at bookstores. And at http://www.amazon.com/ in the kindle book edition for only $9.99, including wireless delivery.

Here are some of Dr. Mao's beauty and health tips:

1. "Fuji pears -- or Asian pears -- were used by Chinese courtesans to get rid of dark circles under the eyes," says Dr. Mao. Fuji pears are abundant in vitamin C and copper, which can help protect the oh-so-delicate skin around the eye from free radical damage.

2. Use plain yogurt as a gentle facial peel for nice, smooth skin. Apply a thin layer to the face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. "It's got lactic acid, which is a weak acid that will help peel and renew the skin," says Dr. Mao. "People can do it every other day. It's perfectly safe, and it does not cause the same kind of redness from a chemical peel.".

3. Do-it-yourself Facial massages, morning and night. Dr. Mao's suggestions:

First raise the eyebrows as high as you can and then relax them. Then inflate your cheeks. Finally, open your mouth as wide as you can and stick your tongue out.
To massage the face, stroke the whole face with a circular motion until it's warm. Delicately pinch along your eyebrow line to help stimulate the muscles that keep the eyelids from falling. Finally, gently pat the cheeks with your fingers.

4. Lessen Age Spots with sardines or anchovies. Dr. Mao says these little fish have good value, as long as they are packed in water.

"Dimethyl-aminoethanol (DMAE) found in small fish promotes energy, focus, concentration and has been found to reverse age spots."

5. Get rid of Peri-Menopausal and Menopausal symptoms with this supplement, an herb known as chasteberry.

"500 to 1,000 mg of chasteberry, which can also relieve breast tenderness and prevent irregular menstruation. Chasteberry can actually stimulate your pituitary gland to get your body to produce a little more estrogen. It doesn't contain any estrogen, but it helps to stimulate hormonal function in the body," says Dr. Mao.

Mac A Rose Romance Makeup Petal Soft And Cool

Plums, pinks, and roses.

If these cooler makeup shades look lovely on you, then Mac Cosmetics new Mac A Rose Romance collection is right for you.

23 petal soft shades are in this collection. We especially love the Mac See Thru Lipcolours, like Tender Tryst and Secret Crush ($14, a tube). Just enough oomph of color wash to brighten your lips for summer. Like the stain left behind from a popsicle. In a sleek gel-like texture.

And the Mac eyeshadows ($14.50) in the line are whisper soft in hues of silver pearl, violet and pink golds.

This romantic collection is reminiscent of the pretty, cool tones that Elizabeth Taylor used to wear whenever we saw her in photos or on the red carpet years ago. With her pale skin and raven locks, the great actress had such a luminous glow, in colors that complemented her violet eyes.

Christie Brinkley Debuts New Jewelry Line At Ross-Simons

Christie Brinkley has always worn some knock-out jewelry----elegant chandeliers, turquoise cuff bracelets, and lots of silver. And now she has taken her good taste in jewelry and designed her own new line available through Ross-Simons, the Rhode Island-based retailer.

We have to say, Christie Brinkley's jewelry line is quite stunning. We are showing you a few pieces here, from her Southwestern collection.

Christie talks about her line of necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets:

"I find inspiration all around me," the gorgeous model explains, "in the beauty of the American Southwest, in my own colorful garden, in the promise of peace on earth. And if you think you see my intials hidden within the designs, you do! They're a fun reminder to CeleBrate every day!"

Christie Brinkley is very artistic and we knew her jewelry collection would not disappoint. Included are 4 different lines: the Floral Collection, Signature Collection, Southwestern Collection and the Inspirations Collection.

Prices start as low as $40 for a simple silver chain. Her gold and diamond pieces are over $1,200. Pieces come in a Christie Brinkley gift box with a note from the model.

To check out the Christie Brinkley Jewelry Collection, visit: http://www.christiebrinkleyjewelry.com/.

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush Really Gets Beneath The Dirt

We should all invest time, money, and TLC, when it comes to caring for our skin.

And today, we take a look at a pricy little beauty item, but one we believe is worth its $195 cost. It's called the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush. And many spas and dermatologists recommend this complexion oscillating brush.

Even InStyle magazine raved about it in their April issue of the 2009 Best Beauty Buys.

This little beauty gizmo glides along your skin, giving you a sonic micro-massage, as it gently gets rid of dirt with its deep cleansing, and exfoliating features.

The Clarisonic Skin Care Brush performs these key components to beautiful, healthy, youthful skin:

Leaves skin feeling and looking healthier and smoother
Removes 6 times more makeup than manual cleansing
Cleanses so well that products absorb better
Pores appear smaller
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
Gentle for use twice daily for different skin types

In addition, this super-sonic brush also makes its use ideal for those with seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea and acne.It's all in the gentle, yet effective oscillating motion.

To learn more about Clarisonic, and to see 'before & after' photos, visit: http://www.clarisonic.com/.

How To Get Glam Like Anne Hathaway With 4 Makeup Items

If there's a young Hollywood starlet who always looks glam and polished, and so classy on the red carpet, it's definitely actress Anne Hathaway.



Her hair and makeup are flawless. And a lot of women want her makeup artist.

Julie Harris is her name, and now she is telling you how to get glam like Anne Hathaway with just 4 makeup items.

Julie Harris did Anne's makeup at the recent Tony Awards show, giving the pretty actress "a modern version of Audrey Hepburn."

Sinply translated in makeup talk, that means the emphasis is on those big, brown eyes.

Here are the 4 makeup items to get glam:

1. Nars Eyeshadow in Portobello ($32, at fine dept. stores, and http://www.narscosmetics.com/). Apply in crease.

2. Lancome Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner ($28, http://www.lancome.com/ and fine dept. stores). Apply along top lash line.

3. Lancome Hypnose Custome Volume Mascara ($24, http://www.lancome.com/). 2 coats top lashes. 1 coat bottom lashes

4. Nars Sabrina Lip Balm ($24, http://www.narscosmetics.com/). Light pink shimmer shade with melon scent.

Try On The New UGG Fall 2009 Collection Now

This so UGG-tastic!!!


The new fall 2009 UGG collection!

We just caught this at Nordstrom's trunk show. Beautiful boots, slippers, clogs, and sweater boots.

Ladies, it's time to get your UGG on!

Sure, there are some pretty imitations, but no one makes them quite like UGG Australia.

And now there are 22 gorgeous pairs in the collection to choose from.

And you can pre-order them online right now through July 5th at http://www.nordstroms.com/.

UGGS are so comfortable and everyone we know, has at least one pair.

As the head of UGG Boot put it:

"UGG® Australia is the real deal," says Connie Rishwain, President of UGG® Australia. "Once you wear UGGs, you're hooked. They're original, authentic and the ultimate in luxury and comfort."

But the beautiful boot people, have been kicked in the heels a few times, by foot experts who claim the shoes are not good to wear for extended periods of time. We talked about this in a past article here at BeautyTipToday:

Podiatrists like Edward Chairman of Philadelphia, says these UGGS aren't made for walking all the time. Apparently, the boots are not good for the arches of your feet. That's what the foot doc told nbclosangeles.com.

"After a few hours, they start feeling tired, their feet are tired, they're aching and they don't know why. The reason it's aching is because there is zero support in the arch area," says Dr. Chairman.

UGG Australia finds the report a bit ridiculous and stated, that the company has been in business for some 30 years now, and has never once received a complaint about arch support or comfort.

Right on, UGG!

There Actually Is A Mascara For Your Bottom Lashes

Putting on mascara is a key step in most women's daily beauty routine.

But applying mascara to the bottom lashes, is not always easy. The brush on the wand is a bit too long and clumsy, and many of us end up getting some mascara under the eyes, ugh.

But the folks at Tarte have created a pretty cool mascara to get those smaller bottom lashes. The product is sensibly called Bottoms Up Lower Lash Mascara ($16, at beauty stores like Sephora, and online at www.sephora.com).

So how is the formula and brush different from a regular wand?

Tarte explains that they do it with precision:

Tarte Bottoms Up™ - Lower Lash Mascara has a flake-free, water-resistant formula with a precision tapered brush that allows you to target the tiniest of lashes and wide-set bristles that separate and evenly coat. The ergonomic component ensures easy application for perfectly defined bottom lashes.

Should you even bother to put mascara on your lower lashes?

Yes, of course. You will frame the eyes more beautifully. And your eyes will look larger, always a good thing.

Let's get Twiggy eyes.

All-American Bandana Prints Hot For Summer Fashion

It's a bandana bonanza! Today is the first day of summer, and it's time to look at one of the hottest fashion accessories for 2009.

The all-American bandana print. It's back, in a big way, although it never really went out of style. But now bandana prints are popping up everywhere, and not just in the trademark red color. Check out all these bandanas. Even fashion-conscious Katie Holmes is wearing one as she walks in New York City.

From watches to tops to bathing suit bottoms, the timeless paisley bandana print is hot this summer at a store near you.

Red Bandana Top, ($24 sale, http://www.bostonproper.com/)

Orange Bandana Cuff Watch, ($39.50, http://www.coldwatercreek.com/)
Wild Violet Bandana Print String Bikin Bottom ($11.95 sale, http://www.ae.com/)
Pink Bandana ($2.99, http://www.tillys.com/)

St. Ives Microdermabrasion Scrub Gentle But Tough

We've talked many times before about cleansing and exfoliating the skin you're in.

If you want to uncover the smooth, healthy glow, then you have to work at it.

Especially when it comes to your face and neck, you need to scrub to smooth away the dull, dead skin cells. Don't worry, you have plenty of skin cells to spare.

That's why we were interested in St. Ives' new Elements skin care line.

We took a look at St. Ives Microdermabrasion Scrub ($7.99, drugstores). This gentle but tough scrub is blended with fine mineral crystals and soothing chamomile. The tube is only 4 oz.. We wish it came in a larger size.

The product is strong enough to use every day, but also kind to your skin. It won't leave your complexion all rough and red. It smells heavenly and the formula itself is made up of very fine mineral crystals. The lather isn't heavy, more like a cleanser consistency.

If you're looking for an inexpensive scrub, then try this one by St. Ives. And get your inner glow.

For more infromation, visit http://www.stives.com/.

Fringe Is In! Fab Fringe Sandals For Summer Style

Fringe is in!! And this time we're talking feet. Celebrities are letting their shoes do the walking this summer in fringe sandals.

From Lauren Conrad to Jennifer Love Hewitt to Jessica Alba, and Reese Witherspoon, fancy feet are in. And we love this look!

A pair of sexy fringe sandals by Jimmy Choo will run you about $945, and the adorable tan ones Reese Witherspoon is wearing as she walks through the airport, are from France and wear a price tag of over $300, by Gerard Darel.

But there are cute fringe sandals for much cheaper. All you have to do is dig around. We found these black suede fringe thongs by Candela, the same ones Lauren Conrad is sporting. The sandals retail for $245, but we found them for $147 online, http://www.bluefly.com/.


And if you would like a dressier pair to wear in the evening, take a look at the gorgeous Kenneth Cole 'Know-Veau' sandals we found. A three and a half inch wood stiletto heel. It comes in bark and natural.

But don't pay the full price of $79.99. You can pick up a pair here--- http://www.overstock.com/ for only $42.99.



These fringe sandals spell instant sex appeal, and should become a summer staple, along with your straw fedora hat.

Diminish Spider And Varicose Veins With One Daily Pill?

The pill is called Venacura. You take one pill daily. The bottle costs $49.99 for a month's supply. The result? Hopefully, greatly diminished or elimination of spider veins and/or varicose veins.

We're not sure we believe all the hype, but Venacura has been big throughout Europe for years. Apparently an active ingredient known as Diosmin 95 is the magic bullet here, in giving you back strong, vein-free legs. And Venacura is bragging that their supplement is the only one available here in the U.S. with Diosmin 95.

According to the Venacura website, Diosmin 95 is clinically proven to work:

The strength of your veins are controlled by several nerve endings. These nerve endings play major roles in the contractile and relaxing response of the vein by releasing chemicals called neuromediators. It is important that your neuromediators do not breakdown and that a healthy amount is maintained in your veins. This keeps the vein from becoming too relaxed, which prevents varicose and Spider Veins.

Diosmin 95®, the key ingredient in Venacura has been clinically proven to keep the neuramediators in your veins more active for a longer period of time. Keeping the neuramediators more active will prevent and reverse spider veins. The addition of Diosmin95® is healthy for people with both normal veins and those with varicose or Spider Veins.

More women than men get varicose veins. Often times, the condition develops following pregnancy, the use of birth control pills, excess weight gain, or even genetics, where weak veins are passed down through the generations.

We took a look at the testimonials at the Venacura website. Most customers raved about this one a day pill. And many also agreed that results take a while to see. About a month or more to notice spider veins diminishing in color.

It might not be the perfect solution to the stubborn problem of spider veins and varicose veins. But if this little supplement can lighten these pesky red and purple lines, then it's worth the price, especially now that wearing shorts and bathing suits are just around the corner.

To learn more, visit http://www.venacura.com/.

Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust For Blush Kissed Beauty

We like this cute, little Jane Iredale cosmetic pixie dust in a jar. And for $12, you can't go wrong.

You're really getting blush-kissed beauty with just a sprinkle of powder. It's called Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust Minis, pictured in Rose Gold.

This shade is so pretty and light, and perfect for summer days ahead. What we adore about this Rose Gold dust is its quick convenience and all-in-one purpose.

Just lightly brush or dab on lids, cheeks and lips, as this silky all-over powder leaves a gorgeous hint of color.

Jane Iredale uses real 24-Karat (food grade) gold to gild the skin. You can even mix it with a moisturizer for the decollete or into a gel to work into your hair. A super beauty product to also use in the evenings when you want a little extra shimmer. Especially attractive under candlelight.

Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust Minis come in 9 pretty shades. Available at www.drugstore.com.

"The most beautiful cosmetic you can wear is a healthy skin." -- Jane Iredale

"Jane Iredale's Skin Care Makeup "Beauty with Benefits" combines the most up-to-date colors with skin-care benefits that conventional makeups can only envy."

New Eyelash/Brow Serum Featured on Today Show Really Works

Long. thick eyelashes and natural, fuller brows, are what everyone wants. But many of us have been stuck with limp, sparse lashes and brows. Frustrating, to say the least.

Sure, there are some new beauty products designed to give you longer, thicker hairs, but those are prescription-based and very expensive.

Now there's a new beauty treatment in drugstores developed to grow you length, thickness, and volume on both eyelashes and eyebrows. And we think it's reasonably priced at $49.95 a tube (free shipping at http://www.drugstore.com/). It's called RapidLash Eyelash Renewal Serum.

This easy-to-apply-in-a-tube, resembling eyeliner, has been featured on the Today Show, and with very good results. It is made with advanced polypeptides.

RapidLash becomes part of your beauty routine:

A simple once a day application. Ideal for women and men with brittle, weak, thin or short lashes and eyebrows.

The reviews are quite positive. In fact, some women claim the product works so well, that the lashes grew so long, and they had to trim them back. And most found they grew longer lashes within 3 weeks.

We would be interested in RapidLash for brows, too. Nothing worse than having eyebrows get sparser and thinner as years go by. We've been there. We have learned that a fuller, more natural brow frames your eyes quite effectively. Makeup legend Sandy Linter taught us that one.

We think RapidLash Eyelash Renewal Serum is certainly worth a try.

Brown Sugar Body Polish Scrubs Away Rough Skin

Any beauty treatment that smells just like Nestle's Toll House Cookies, is alright by us.

And when the product can give you back soft, silky skin, then this is worth the high price tag of $65. Remember: a little goes a long way. A big, economical jar of 14.1 oz.

We are talking about Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish (at http://www.fresh.com/, http://www.sephora.com/, and other beauty shops).

Women and men are really getting their scrub on with this delightful-smelling and effective buffering spa quality body polish.

So what's the big-to-do?

Every body should exfoliate. Your skin needs to get rid of dry skin cells and rough patches, especially at elbows, knees, and feet. But you also need to bring the moisture back, And this invigorating body polish does just that with almond oil and other all-natural ingredients like ginger root extract, peppermint, and citrus oils.

Meanwhile, if you would like to make your own brown sugar body polish, it's quite simple to do. And you can pick up organic sugar at places like Whole Foods Market.

We found this recipe at Healthy & Green Living at care2.com. The recipe is adapted from Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles:

Recommended for all skin types except those with acne (use with care on sensitive and environmentally damaged skin).

INGREDIENTS
1 cup organic brown sugar
1 cup white granulated sugar
¾ cup almond, soybeans, hazelnut, or macadamia nut base oil
2 teaspoons cinnamon, powdered
2 teaspoons ginger, powdered
2 teaspoons nutmeg, powdered
40 drops cardamom essential oil

In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredients except the essential oil. Using a whisk, blend ingredients thoroughly, making sure to break up any lumps of brown sugar or spice. Add the essential oil drop by drop, blending after each addition.

Spoon into a storage container with a tight-fitting lid.

Massage approximately ¼ to ½ cup of scrub onto pre-moistened skin using circular motions. Rinse.

Brown sugar body polish is a really addictive addition for the bath/shower. Smooth skin is just a sweet teaspoon away.

Fekkai Brush-On Hair Color For At-Home Convenience

We've never met him, but we've always had a crush on this superstar hairstylist Frederic Fekkai. And his celebrity client list is an impressive one. The beautiful heads of Salma Hayek, Victoria Beckham, Tyra Banks, Debra Messing, and on and on.

The Manhattan-based Frederic Fekkai has a unique at-home haircoloring box you can try. It's been out for almost a year now, and a lot of women like this brush-on permanent hair color. So we thought we would take a look inside the box.

As far as we know, Fekkai Salon Color is the only at-home color kit that comes with a brush and bowl technique, just like one sees in a professional salon. It isn't cheap at $30 a box, but a lot cheaper than heading to the stylist every month.

Fekkai Salon Color comes in 20 delicious shades, and promises long-lasting color with gray coverage and a 40% increase in softness and shine.

Here's what is in the box:

Each Salon Color comes with one application of Frederic Fekkai's signature, three-product coloring regime and the essential tools to achieve a "just stepped out of the salon" look:
- Pre-color Treatment provides targeted repair, guarding ends and dry sections against oversaturation.
- Professional Color delivers a triple-conditioning complex of luxurious butters for moisture and radiance, as well as soothing extracts to help calm the scalp.

You can buy Fekkai Salon Color at beauty stores: http://www.sephora.com/ and http://www.ulta.com/.

Take a look at the customer reviews. The only potential problem we could see, was that a number of blonde women complained that the Fekkai shades were darker than what the stated color should be. So maybe go a shade lighter?

Perricone's No Foundation Foundation: One Shade Fits All

We get a little leery about 'one shade or one size or one color fits all,' when it comes to the world of makeup, skin care, and hair.

But here we go again. And this time, the universal beauty product is coming from the skin care master himself, Nicholas Perricone.

We have used Dr. Perricone's beauty treatments, and we have to say, the products are expensive, but work very nicely and quickly.

His newest creation is the No Foundation Foundation ($50, http://www.perricone.com/ and http://www.sephora.com/).

We have not sampled this featherweight foundation yet. But we caught a recent item in New York magazine.com, and the Perricone product piqued our beauty interest. Here is what they found:

......"the No Foundation Foundation ($50) is a true testament that one foundation can indeed be worn by different complexions. Our panel of testers ranged from pale white to dark-skinned black, with some olive and tan tones thrown in for good measure. Surprisingly, the foundation blended with everyone's skin, and coverage was subtle and natural looking....."

Read the full article here: http://nymag.com/shopping/bestbets/friday/56736/

What we like about Dr. Perricone's new No Foundation Foundation, is its non-chemical SPF of 30. In addition, the product also contains one of our fav Perricone trademark ingredients--Alpha Lipoic Acid, the powerful anti-oxidant that improves skin texture and tone, while it reduces the appearance of pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

If you don't like slapping on foundation, or find that wearing a base feels heavy, give this one a shot. It's supposed to impart a healthy glow and even out your complexion.