Madonna Almost 55: Critics Say Filling Up On Too Much Filler

The musical legend herself, Madonna, turns 55-years-old on August 16th.

Here she is over the weekend at the 'Sound of Change 2013' concert at London's Twickenham Stadium.

There are a ton of critics wondering why Madge's face is so swollen. Yeah...it's probably the filler, but so what. It will slowly settle in, and she will look even better.

We happen to think the 'material girl' is fighting off the signs of aging in one fell swoop. In other words, Madonna looks youthful + healthy.

We find most Hollywood stars filling + filling BEFORE age 40, and some of them looking quite ridiculous. We like to think that AFTER age 40, a woman has the right to start 'messing' with her face + body should she choose to. Hopefully, the best surgeon/dermatologist is found and the patient doesn't go overboard with too many procedures/treatments. Er....like model Janice Dickinson.

Filler is only temporary, each injection lasting only about 4 months. It's safe, mostly pain-free and perfect for women whose faces have begun to hollow out and sag a bit.

Restylane + Perlane are preferred volumizing fillers that can go deeply and plump up aging contours of the face.

These popular cosmetic injectables can correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, by adding fullness and volume to the skin.

(Learn more about the Restylane family of injectable gels here).

Model Christie Brinkley at 59 looks freakin' amazing. Is she a filler girl? We can't prove it, but she looks plumped up in a great way.

Not easy to turn 40, and beyond that......Only a lucky few can maintain and get it right, precisely.

What do you think?

Would you say YES to cosmetic fillers to try and look younger?

Will You Make It Perfectly Plum For Summer? Kissable Lips Go Deep....

Kim Kardashian was one of the first celebrities to try the plum lip trend on for summer. The pregnant reality star showed off her merlot shade during the famous Met Gala last month. Of course, most folks didn't even notice the dark pout, because her almost hideous Givenchy gown unfortunately sucked up all the oxygen in the room.

Still, the deep merlot lips were on parade, and Kim K. isn't the only famous face jumping on the glam trend.

You're either going to LOVE this look or despise it.

We're on the fence about deep lip color, especially in the very hot summer. For some strange reason, deep lipstick shades like wine, merlot--anything in the plum family, appear to be a bit heavy for summer, in our most humble opinion. And yet, we are starting to see the perfectly plum pout on a lot of red carpets in 80-plus temperatures.

Try Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Plum Scene ($19, at Beauty.com).

This is a long-lasting high-pigmented lipstick.

Kerry Washington has also been snapped wearing a plum-licious deep shade on those warm evenings.
.

And Charlize Theron has also put on the dramatic plum-family lip color.

Let's put it this way.....You can't stop looking at a woman with a perfectly plum pout.

Will you try some on this summer?

Celebs Choosing Ripped Boyfriend Jeans But Not Christie Brinkley

 






































Maybe it's the age factor. Lately, we're seeing the celeb circuit heading out in ripped boyfriend jeans. Sexy stars like Jessica Biel, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Lea Michelle are 'all torn up.' So to speak.

Of course, these celebrities are in their 20s + 30s.

Then, there's the legendary model herself--Christie Brinkley in an un-ripped pair at age 59. No--this isn't a typo. The blonde beauty turns 60 next February. Yeah, life is certainly unfair.

Christie's jeans look GAP to us, but we are not 100% sure. We like the entire, polished look. She is of course, the classic UPTOWN GIRL.

Then again, we also like the ripped, baggy destroyed look on Jessica Biel, especially.

She's strolling around in All Saints Patch Casey Jeans ($160 a pair--check 'em out above + below).

 

Poor Kim Kardashian Being Picked On For Possible Botox Shots During Pregnancy

Reality television's most famous star, Kim Kardashian, has been getting picked on quite a lot by tons of people these days. The most recent attack comes from In Touch magazine. The gossip publication is claiming that the pretty pregnant mama-to-be has been receiving cosmetic Botox shots during her entire pregnancy so far.

Kim K. has vigorously denied the charges.

"She's still getting injections even though she’s seven months pregnant," an insider told In Touch magazine.

It's all about the pretty with Kim, if you believe the article:

"She’s become more neurotic than ever about her looks," a family insider tells the magazine.
"She'll do anything to be beautiful."

We're not sure about the Botox allegations. But please take a look at this recent pic of the star. You CAN see the 11 lines right between the eyebrows. If Kim had Botox injected there, those frown lines would NOT be visible. Plus, the 11 lines are exactly where shots of Botox are placed first. It's the most common site to want to make less visible.
It would appear to us as a casual observer, that lovely Kim might have filler injections in her lips, most commonly placed there with Restylane. And believe it or not.....Botox + Restylane are OKAY for a pregnant woman to receive.

We went to the best source---RealSelf.com---a website that provides "visitors everything they need to know to make a confident decision about cosmetic procedures -- from braces to Botox."

One woman had gotten Botox before she found out she was pregnant.  The Real Self experts responded:

"Botox in cosmetic doses is extremely unlikely to have caused any harm to your baby. Restylane is even less likely to have resulted in any problems. Maternal stress, however, can contribute to birth defects so please stop worrying. I hope this forum places you at ease and I wish you an uneventful pregnancy - congratulations."
Bryan K. Chen, MD.

"Hi, as the other practitioners have stated, the Botox should not have any affect on your baby. We were recently asked in a seminar if Botox and Restylane were safe for pregnant women, how come no physician will inject during pregnancy? The answer is that when it comes to pregnant and breastfeeding women, anything that isn't absolutely necessary for proper health (when it comes to pharmaceuticals) is not administered. It's simply a liability issue."
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

We all wish Kim K + Kanye a happy + healthy baby!

Ageless Derma Combines Stem Cells + Peptides For Super Anti-Wrinkle Cream

We always talk about the beauty science when it produces pretty significant results. When we open a new jar of skin care cream or serum, we hope + pray that the ingredients will actually DO something important and effective for our complexions. Sure, most brands make huge promises, but only a few really come through.

 

Today, we are studying the Ageless Derma skin care line. We are intrigued by the company because their experts have been able to include the Swiss apple stem cell extract called PhytoCellTec in their elegant creams that work to delay the aging process.

We have enjoyed trying the Ageless Derma Stem Cell and Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Cream ($65, at AgelessDerma).

This is a luxurious product formulated with 7 key anti-aging properties(including the stem cells):
Argireline®
Matrixyl 3000 Sodium
Hyaluronate Syn®-Coll - Peptides that stimulate
Collagen synthesis
Vialox Powder-PentaPeptide-3
CoenzymeQ 10.

We have found the Stem Cell and Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Cream to be a very fine skin care product. It tightens and lessens the appearance of wrinkles. It leaves skin smooth and with a radiant glow.

We would highly recommend the Ageless Derma line.

Sunscreen For The Face: How To Wear It With Foundation

We know a lot of sun worshippers who use the same sunscreen for their bodies as on their faces.

Maybe you've tried that and broken out in zits. So you skip the sunscreen and just put on foundation, hoping that this makeup layer would be enough to protect you from those harsh summer rays.

Well, the skin experts out there can't stress enough that sunscreen is a MUST, on the face + body.

Neutrogena has a great light facial suncreen that does the job. And it won't cause break-outs:

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 30 ($11.99, at Walgreens). This one has a very good SPF at 30 and is oil-free and NOT greasy. It comes in liquid lotion form. And it's also fine for sun protection on the body.

Nashville star Hayden Panettiere, a Neutrogena spokesperson also LOVES this stuff:

"Always wear a daily moisturizer with built in SPF — even when it is cloudy," she says. "I love the Neutrogena Clear Face sunscreen ($12) because I always break out from sunscreen, but you don’t want to end up with a sunburn and your skin peeling off."

Now, here are some tips to wear sunscreen with makeup:

1.  Apply the sunscreen FIRST. Put on a thin layer, about 1/4 tsp. for the face. Allow it to soak in and dry.

2.  Then put on your foundation as usual. And if your makeup has an SPF, even better. You're good to go!

Celebs In Hot Western Studded Ankle Boots: Get The Look For Less!!

If you can't let go of wearing your sassy cowgirl boots from past cold winter days, try on a pair of  western studded ankle boots. This is a HOT celebrity trend we've been noticing for weeks now.

These sexy, shoe-boots look great with jeans, leggings and shorts.

Famous faces like model Alessandra Ambrosio, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Hilary Duff, Jessica Alba, and many others have led the spring/summer trend.

Their choice of western footwear---the Isabel Marant Caleen Studded Leather-Concealed-Wedge Boots. Not cheap, either at $890, but oh-so-gorgeous!

Have no fear, ladies! We have found a great look for less! Check this out!!! Our copy-cat western studded ankle boot.

We found it on Amazon for just $23.40!!. And it's cute, also (photo below).

We like this trend. We want a pair, too!

Ivanka Trump Keeps These 5 Beauty Products Handy At All Times

We often wonder what beauty + skin care products the very wealthy ladies use. And this time, we're zeroing in on successful businesswoman Ivanka Trump.

 

She has a list of beauty must-haves. And here they are, courtesy of the NYTimes.com:

 

"I don’t leave home without a Tammy Fender moisturizer, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios sunscreen, ChapStick classic lip balm, Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara and Estée Lauder Smoothing Crème Concealer."

 

There you have it. It's a brief beauty list, and not the most expensive collection of products around. But still, an interesting gathering of brands.

The only item we have in common with Miss Ivanka Trump
is ChapStick classic lip balm. We, too, are big fans of the old-time favorite and don't leave home without it!
How about you?

Do you have Ivanka's 5 beauty products in YOUR makeup bag?

Mariah Carey Live On GMA: Kills It With Killer Arms!!

Okay...so there were a few diva moments, but all in all, a GREAT performance by Mariah Carey on GMA's Summer Concert Series Kick-Off this morning!!

Not only was the superstar killin' it with 'We Belong Together' and 'Beautiful' with Miguel, but we also noticed:

Miss Mariah is in fab shape and sang it LIVE with killer arms!

Check it out-----Mimi has terrifically toned arms... NO dingle-dangle. We all know that Mariah is not a gym freak, or at least doesn't strike us a gal who is very athletic, but maybe we are wrong. Her biceps + triceps are beautifully toned, and that's not an easy feat for ANY woman OVER 40.

You can see how amazing her arms look during the 'We Belong Together' performance.

See it here on YouTube.

Check out our BeautyTipToday archive for these killer arms tips:
http://www.beautytiptoday.com/2008/07/tone-triceps-and-biceps-with-this.html.

Ashieda Beauty Nectar: Drinking Your Way To Beautiful Skin

Can you really enjoy a bottle of yummy beauty nectar and maintain a healthy, youthful complexion?

The Ashieda beauty company says, "Yes, you can!"

Think about it.....A 100% natural, anti-aging cocktail that's effective at boosting collagen production, balancing skin tone and diminishing the appearance of fine lines + wrinkles.

Collagen, Kiwi seed extract, Vitamin C and Resveratrol are key beauty players in this collagen cocktail.

 

ASHIEDA BEAUTY NECTAR is available at Ashieda.com. Beauty Nectar Collagen Drink ($39.99, 1 box, 10 days).

The beauty science is there and the clinical studies have been done.

Beauty Nectar helps the skin to:

Retain water in the complexion
Enhance the important moisturizing ratio
Increase skin firmness + elasticity
Form a key screen-protecting barrier

California dermatologist Dr. Heidi Gilchrist, MD , gives Ashieda's Beauty Nectar the green light:

"Ashieda’s Beauty Nectar is a very potent nutricosmeceutical supplement that has shown clinically relevant improvements in skin suppleness, tone, and brightness.

"Much like taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to improve the collagen in joint cartilage, Ashieda’s Beauty Nectar provides the building blocks of collagen for skin."

We think this is a super, yummy way to get your beauty boost of essential vitamins, proteins + anti-oxidants for healthy, youthful, glowing skin.

Drink me, and you will be pretty.

Celeb Makeup Artist Pat McGrath Says Micro-Pedi Best Groomer for Callused Feet

Celeb makeup artist Pat McGrath is in high demand these days. The U.K. cosmetics expert is one of the best in the biz. Just ask famous faces like these:

 

Madonna, Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Aniston.

 

When it comes to personal grooming, Pat comes across lots of products. She is a gadget freak, and one of her faves is the Micro-Pedi, for callused feet.

(We hate to admit this, but we suffer from callused feet and are so tired of using a razor-based metal callus scraper).

 

 "Forget the Ped Egg; this is it for feet," Pat says. We believe her, and we're going to try this one. Let's see how the Micro-Pedi operates: We found one for $27.95 at Amazon:

 

The Micro-Pedi features a unique roller that spins 360 degrees for quick results. It's battery-operated and effectively buffs away rough, dry and callused skin in seconds. It's gentle, too.

It's sandal season and there's nothing pretty about calluses!

Sheryl Crow Says Fountain Of Youth Comes From Estee Lauder Jar

Would you pay just shy of $200 for a jar of skin cream?

Celebrities do. Of course, they can afford any price for a younger-looking complexion.

We all desire beauty products that REALLY work.

And Sheryl Crow has claimed she's found the perfect one from the Estee Lauder brand:

Estee Lauder Re-Intensive Age-Renewal Creme ($190, at Macy's).

I swear by this cream. I've used it for years, and I feel like I see a difference," Sheryl says.

The  talented singing star must be doing something right. Sheryl Crow is 49-years-old!

This is how Estee Lauder describes this Fountain of Youth in a jar:

"Far more than a moisturizer, it combines proven repair serum benefits, RVF-10™ cell boosting technology and advanced hydration into a single skin-renewing breakthrough.

Now, dramatically reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. Reveal firmer, smoother, radiant looking skin.".

What do you think? Is this jar potent enough for you? Estee Lauder is a well-respected name in the beauty biz. So, we say it's a good one to try.

Hitting The Beach? Play Safe And Cover Your Ink!

Dear Readers: We got destroyed by a nasty computer virus recently, and finally are getting all our stuff back together. Thanks for your patience! XOXO, J. Tania

Let's be honest.If you've got some great ink, then you want to keep it that way.

And if you worship the sun, be aware that those powerful rays CAN cause gradually fading of your precious tattoos. Oh yeah. The sun accelerates color loss.

 So, what's a sexy gal with her sexy tats to do?

Cover up! Coppertone has a wonderful product that does just that. It's called Tattoo Guard and it protects your ink from the strong UVA/UVB rays. This stuff will stop tattoo fading + blurring. It's a pretty genius product.

We found the Coppertone Tattoo Guard Stick for $5.99 at drugstore.com.

Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.  Reapply:  After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying or at least every 2 hours.

We think this is a good ink protector!

Liquid Keratin Equals Shiny, Sleek + Manageable Hair

Looking for perfect, red carpet-ready hair?

Maybe your locks lack luster. Maybe your strands are limp + dry. Or damaged by bleaching, dyeing, perming, straightening, flat-ironing, etc.

Your hair NEEDS help. And that's where a great LEAVE-IN treatment makes a huge difference.

You want to LOCK IN HYDRATION. Here's a super product to invest in, and we say 'invest,' because the price isn't cheap: Liquid Keratin Infused Deep Conditioning Oil ($29, at drugstore.com).

Liquid Keratin is a rich, daily leave-in treatment packed with nourishing argan + baobab oils for shiny, healthy locks. If you desire sleek stick-straight hair, this serum delivers!

It's so simple to use, too.  "Apply a few drops to towel dried hair and style as usual."

In independent clinical lab studies of Liquid Keratin, treated hair had 100% less frizz, 70% less curl and was 25% longer with results lasting as long as 6 weeks.

Kourtney Kardashian Showing Off Slim Figure In Chic Shorts Sets

Kourtney, we LOVE your black Prada bag, of course. But we are also heart-ing your super cute shorts sets, if that's the proper fashion verbage.

We think Kourtney Kardashian looks fab, especially being a mom-of-2 recently. Younger sister Kim ALWAYS gets the attention, but we think it's time the eldest K-sister got some compliments. The proportions of her shorts sets are just right and make her petite stature look slim and tall with legs a mile long.

The reality show star just tweeted a picture of bags + bags + bags of clothes she no longer wears. You can scoop them up because Kourtney promises the fashions will soon be up for sale on Ebay.

Will you try on the new chic shorts sets trend?

Is the 7-Minute Workout Really Worth The Time + Effort?

12 exercises--7 minutes.

It doesn't appear to be that difficult, but these are high intensity circuit training movements with only 30-seconds rest in between.

So, what does this brief but rigorous mini workout really do for your body?

It's all the exercise you need. That's if you believe the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal. According to them, all that's required is your own body weight, a chair and a wall, to help you get it done.

"There's  very good evidence" that high-intensity interval training provides many of the fitness benefits of prolonged endurance training but in much less time, said Chris Jordan to the NYTimes.com. He is the director of exercise physiology at the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Fla., and co-author of the new article.

Does this intensive workout help you lose weight?

Yes.

"The incorporated  resistance training contributes significantly to the amount of fat burned during a workout. When resistance training exercises using multiple large muscles are used with very little rest between sets, they can elicit aerobic and metabolic benefits."

Watch GMA's Claire Shipman try the 7-Minute Workout.

Could you complete this very intensive workout?

Long, Lush Lashes: Sometimes The Magic Is In The Wand

We've been using drug store mascara for years now, and frankly, we LOVE it!!

The mascara industry has come a long way to advance the look of long, lush lashes. There are special formulas that promise to deliver gorgeous lashes, and we think for the most part---the ingredients have improved.

What's even more fascinating are the newer mascara wands. And we happen to believe that the beauty magic often comes from the wand's construction. .
Look at Maybelline's Lots of Lashes Mascara ($5.49. Buy 1-Get 1 50% Off, at ULTA. We adore this pink, bendable wand.  "Maybelline's Great Lash Lots Of Lashes exclusive great little grabber brush lets you easily reach all of your lashes to multiply their impact. No clumps; no mess."

Revlon has debuted its new Lash Potion Mascara ($7.99, at Amazon). With this colorful tube of 'spell-binding volume,' you also get a cool, triple-groove fat wand that easily combs through for clump-free length. Try one of these inexpensive masacaras with the tricked-out magic wands.

 

You can really reach each, entire lash!

Ginnifer Goodwin's Perfect Pink Never Fail Go-To-Lipstick

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin is instantly recognized for her signature modern pixie cut. She says she's not afraid to take beauty chances. And we can believe her, because she recently punked up her brows + eyes with heavy black shadow for the recent Met Gala (BeautyTipToday-2013/5), and was the talk-of-the-town!

Ginnifer told the June issue of InStyle mag this:

"I consider my face exceptionally boring, so I experiment with hair and makeup. My philosophy is definitely go big or go home!"

And added...."I don't mind trying something and failing because I love looking different every day."

When it comes to lips and she needs a boost, Ginnifer turns to NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage:

"I could be having an off day, running to the airport or somewhere, but if I slap on this lipstick, all is well in the world."

Carthage ($32).

Great choice, Ginnifer, because Hot pink lipstick is really, well, HOT for 2013!!

Soak This In: The Konjac Sponge Rubs Away Bad Skin + Damage

This is a funny thing. We had never heard of the konjac sponge until yesterday, when we received ours in the mail. Yes, we've heard of the Buf-Puf cleansing sponge and have used one often.

Until now......

The Ashieda beauty company sent us a konjac sponge along with some other products from their line, which we will discuss at another time.

The skin care company prides itself on natural anti-aging, hydration, and skin renewal.

Now, when we first saw the sponge in the package, we laughed. What the heck was that hard, white Styrofoam-looking thing on a tiny string?!

Well, once you wet it in warm water, wring it out, then massage it all over your face + neck, you will know that Ashieda, a U.S.-based company, is on to a good thing.

The sponge is an all natural vegetable fiber from the Konjac  plant native to warm, tropical parts of Asia. The sponge is gentle even for babies and yet strong enough to deep-cleanse + exfoliate, tighten pores, encourage collagen production, naturally moisturize + protect the complexion.

You have to try this konjac sponge. It adds a healthy glow and sheen to your skin.

It's popular, and that's why it's temporarily sold out at Ashieda.

Don't worry. They will get more soon!

Meantime...check out their How To Video on the Konjac Sponge.

We give the konjac sponge 2 thumbs up!!

The White Blazer: Hot Spring 2013 Trend

You don't have to put much thought into it. In fact, it's a no-brainer.

The white blazer is a true fashion classic, and one you should add to your style list if you haven't done so already.

There's actress Naomi Watts looking all cool + crisp in a white cotton blazer with black sewn collar detail by Helmut Lang.

Then there's fashion icon Kate Moss all immaculate + modern in her white blazer by TopShop ($100, at Nordstrom's).

You don't have to spend several hundred $$$ for a decent white blazer like most celebrities often do.

We found an even cheaper white blazer at Forever21 ($32.80). See last photo.

The white blazer NEVER goes out of style. And it looks right with just about every piece you own.

 If you prefer ivory or cream to white, then that's alright, too. Whatever shade looks best on you!

When Good Actresses Wear Bad Girl Makeup

Punk: Chaos to Couture.

That was the theme for last night's annual Met Ball 2013 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.

Just take a look at the uber dramatic, sparkly brows on 'Once Upon A Time' actress Ginnifer Goodwin.

We think it's beautifully done and quite the head-turner. So-ooooo severe!

Is this punk over-kill? Or right-on-target?

Mai Quynh, celebrity makeup artist, performed her edgy magic on the dark-haired star, she revealed.

Ginnifer "loves wearing edgy makeup" and that "Ginny loves to play up her eyes and wear fun makeup. She’s never afraid of color or going too bold, and lets me have fun and be daring with her looks."

The brows look very Elizabeth Taylor to the 9th degree in some respects.

Want the sexy, bad-ass look?

Here are the makeup  details:

Laura Mercier Matte Eye Shadow in Noir ($23) was used to create Ginnifer's bold eye look.

She applied it to her lashline, winged it out then connected it to her eyebrow – filling in the shape completely.

Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colour in Black Ice ($23) over the lid, along the lashline and under the eyebrows, blending all together.

Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour in Seashell Pink ($23) was applied and blended all over  the lid---over the Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colour in Black Ice, creating a gradual light to dark effect.

After applying individual faux eyelashes, Quynh
added a few coats of Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara in Black ($24) to her top lashes.

Lastly, she rimmed her eyes using Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in Black Violet ($20).

Sounds exhausting!

Warm Summer Days Ahead Mean Hair-Free the Kalo Way

We all wish THAT hair would never grow back. You know what we're talking about----the hair that gets shaved, waxed, tweezed, lasered off, etc.

There are products out there that help keep the hair removal effects going. And here's another brand we found that also does the job. It's called Kalo Post Epilating Spray by Nisim ($57.40, 4.oz.).

This is a wonderful post-epilating spray or hair growth inhibitor made of natural ingredients like chamomile and oat protein + lipids. Kalo is sprayed on 3 times the day of hair removal and 3 times the next day.

"Kalo will prevent about 10% of the hair from growing back each time it is used after the hair has been removed by the root. You should notice results after about 2-3 hair removal sessions. Most people will require about 10-15 sessions to completely rid the hair. When used after shaving it will slow the hair growth down but the hair will still grow back. 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed.".

Even if you only shave, Kalo still removes the stubble for several days. So this hair growth inhibitor could come in really handy, especially for those shorts + bikini days.

Rompers: Totally Chic + Fun For Spring/Summer 2013

Okay, not every woman will wear this look, but the romper is HOT for Spring/Summer 2013!

It's a one-piece combo top + shorts. WE found a bunch of inexpensive rompers at Forever21.

We think the romper equals FUN + CHIC when done right.

Here are 3 cute rompers we found:

 

1. Lace Combo Romper w/ Belt ($22.80). Love the class white chiffon top and contrast coral lace shorts.

2. Floral Romper ($22.80).  Adorable black/taupe floral pattern with drawstring waist + zippered slanted pockets.

3. Chiffon Romper ($24.80). Lovely, sleeveless romper with high polish button placket.