It's A pH Thang, Ladies: Baking Soda, Hair Color + Vinegar

Okay...we have written about rinsing newly colored hair with white vinegar in a past BeautyTipToday article.

Why?....To LOCK in the hair dye + allow the color to last longer.

And now we are expanding on this inexpensive, beauty theory with yet another tidbit of beauty science:

It's the 3-step plan for lasting color results:

1. Baking Soda AFTER shampooing.

2. Hair dye and rinse.

3. White vinegar rinse.

 DONE.

 It's a pH thang, ladies. We started going gray in our early 20s ---a few silver strands here + there. So, we've been coloring a long time, and now are finding that the hair color-dye FADES very fast. 

So we have learned new stuff here, and will try it out next time we box-color at home.

Baking soda like permanent hair dyes = alkaline. Alkalinity OPENS up the hair cuticle, allowing the color to penetrate deep into the hair cortex to accept the dye.

An acid has the opposite effect---it shuts down the cuticle, sealing in the color. That's why the white vinegar locks in the dye longer.

Hope you can still follow this. Anyway...here are the How Tos from the HairCrazy.com website. After shampooing HAIR, do this:

..."A small amount of baking soda disolved in warm water will be adequate. You only need about 1 teaspoon in a pint of water. Keep away from your eyes and allow the mixture to rinse through your hair. Now blow dry the hair until it’s damp. Heat will also help open the cuticle. The hair is now ready to dye. Apply the dye to your hair and leave for 30-40 minutes. Rinse in cold water. Rinse again in a mixture of water and a few tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice (again, keep away from eyes). Condition your hair leaving the conditioner on for as long as possible and then rinse in cold water...."
Good luck!

New L'Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler Not Exactly Like Injections At The Derm

L'Oreal Paris is featuring a new TV commercial for its Revitalift Volume Filler, one of the new additions to the Revitalift skin care line.

And the giant company is using 46-year-old actress Naomi Watts as their customer/ambassador for the hyaluronic acid cream. The Aussie beauty looks fab in the ad.

Yes....hyaluronic acid gives the skin that youthful buoyancy, and as we get older, the levels of this fluid present in our connective tissue starts to drop off.

And yes, it's smart to feature the stuff in skin care serums + creams, but to suggest that Revitalift Volume Filler can PLUMP up cheeks, fill in undereye hollows and smooth away wrinkles instantly, er...well, that's a bit of a stretch (check out ad here).

However, the cream CAN provide a temporary lift to the complexion and deliver a dewy glow. Let's just not get too carried away.

We found some at Target for $20.

An over-the-counter cream cannot go toe-to-toe with filler injections at the derm's office.

But...over-the-counter products are not expensive, can provide temporary enhancement, are safe and you don't have to worry about being OVER-filled like a cabbage patch doll, which can happen at the derm's office.

So for 20 bucks, we think Revitalift Volume Filler is a good skin care product to try for very natural results.

Empire's Cookie Lyon Style with Taraji P. Henson: Over The Top Wow!

Leopard print, big Chanel pendant, Gucci pantsuit, bold brows, bold eyes + bold lips, fur jacket, glossy, long, wavy hair, huge hoops, Balenciaga clutch.....and more!

WOW.

Attitude, bad-a** glam.

That's Cookie Lyon from Fox's huge hit Empire.

If you missed the finale, shame on you. You will have to catch up. Meantime, you can try and copy Cookie Lyon, because actress Taraji P. Henson does her so well!

Put Luscious' $$$ money to good use, now Cookie!

Start off your Cookie Lyon style with a classic leopard-print top. We found one on the CHEAP, on SALE now at JonesNewYork.com ($14, S, M, L. XL).

Then begin building her bold style.

Good luck!

Idina Menzel Un-Frozen As A Warm Blonde: New Hair Transformation!

Wow. Look at Idina Menzel!

Like several celebs going LIGHTER....the amazing singer has take her dark brunette hair to a new level.

Idina is now a blonde beauty! Check out her BEFORE at the Academy Awards less than a month ago. And her AFTER photo today.

That's a major, beauty transformation!

The beautiful voice of Elsa is, er, Frozen no more, so to speak.

This is what the award-winning songstress wrote on her Instagram page, 16 hours ago:

..."Look what me and my girl @jtfranchuk did today. Needed a change. Loving it! #brunettetoblonde #blondehairdontcare."

We hope that Idina soon shares more photos of her blonde ambition project .

She looks totally different, for sure. She looks pretty to us, either way, but we prefer Idina as a natural brunette. Same with Kim Kardashian---nice change but so much lovelier
with her dark, natural roots.

Meantime.....Idina needs to give her new blonde locks some extra loving care.

We suggest this popular shampoo for blondes by John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo
($5.99).

By Golly! The Bralette Is Everywhere This Spring

Bralette.

Yes. It IS a bra.....expecially for smaller-busted girls.

The bralette is free of underwire, lightly lined, of thinner fabric and usually looks like a bra + crop top combined.

Bralettes seem to be here, there + everywhere this Spring.

Most women like to show off a pretty, lacy bralette under a blazer or blouse, and some wear them as nightwear tops for clubbing, parties. and more.

Bralettes come in many shapes, styles, patterns, fabrics, etc.

Take a look at one here from NastyGal ($138):

And here's another pretty bralette from WindsorStore ($19.90).

Bralettes can be very expensive or very affordable.

Look around. There is a bralette for you this Spring.

Rihanna Loving The Prim + Proper, Pretty Ponytail At Red Carpet Events

Superstar Rihanna has been doing the prim + proper, red carpet dress-up + press junket thing lately, appearing at fashion shows, morning TV, afternoon entertainment shows, etc.

And it's all pretty in pink and ponytails!

Most of the Rihanna sightings are to promote the new animated film Home,  in which she stars as the leading lady.

The beautiful, 27-year-old has also been recently tapped as the new face of Dior, and this is major for the first Dior woman of color.

The singer is floored by the recognition, telling MTV all about it:

"It feels fantastic. It is such a big deal for me, for my culture, for a lot of young girls of any color. I think to be acknowledged by Dior means a lot, as a woman, to feel beautiful — to feel elegant and timeless."

So, let's take a look at prim, proper + pretty ponytail Rihanna.

To achieve a sleek, smooth ponytail, you need hair WITHOUT the frizz + fly-aways. 

Check out this one by Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment ($13.69).

Perfect Close Leg Shave: Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, $6.

Shaving our legs.

Not the most fun part of the beauty routine, but when you can get a smooth, close shave, that's what makes the process worthwhile.

 So our quick, beauty tip for today:

 Perfecting the close shave with coconut oil

 And not just any coconut oil. We suggest this FAVE--Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, for about $6!

And a generous amount---16 oz.

Hey, Juliette Lewis LOVES coconut oil and uses it for a TON of purposes.

You probably read the NYTimes.com article last week, in which she raves about the oil:

"I’m really into coconut oil for everything. I cook it, eat it, put it in my hair and use it as body lotion. I put it on my face, too — day cream, night cream, whatever. I love the smell. It reminds me of the beach. I’m not particular on what brand as long as it’s organic."

 To get that smooth shave, apply coconut oil AFTER you come out of a hot shower.

Massage the coconut oil all over your damp legs. Then use a sharp razor and go to town, shaving in the same direction your hair grows in.

The coconut oil will allow the blade to SMOOTHLY glide across your legs.

Kim Kardashian Shows Off Bigger Lips + Claims Effective Makeup

Does she or doesn't she?

Kim Kardashian + baby sister Kylie Jenner both get mega attention for their alleged, cosmetically-enhanced BIG lips.

REAL or FAKE, who knows?

And both reality stars don't mind the extra attention either, because they both continue to post lip selfies + more lip selfies.

Here is Kim's latest Twitter pic:

She added this caption:  New Avi Alert #LipLinerOnFleek

If you follow celeb makeup artists, you would know that Avi is a super pro. Check out his portfolio---gorgeous makeup!

Avi Edri does both makeup + hair.

We are still NOT sure if this is cleverly applied lipstick  + lip liner, or just Kim K with new, bigger lip injections.

Same with Kylie.

Whatever it is, she wears it well. But seriously, folks, isn't this big lip madness over-played now?!

Not sure how long Kim will keep up the platinum blonde do, but she reminds many of us of the icon herself, CHER, who's been there + done that.

Want bigger fuller lips like the K + J sisters without the injections?

Try this lip plumper by Dior Addict Lip Maximizer High Volume Lip Plumper, $33.

Sephora customers LOVE this lip plumper---giving it 4 stars **** out of 5 stars***** with 671 reviews.

Demi Lovato's New Skin Care Line: For Years Between Pimples + Wrinkles

Demi Lovato.

The young star is a breath of fresh air. Such a cool, honest chick.Who doesn't LOVE Demi Lovato?!

And the pretty singer has recently launched her own skin care line called---
Devonne by Demi. Full of super botanical ingredients, too!

We like how she is targeting the beauty products:

Created specifically to bridge the gap between the pimple years and the wrinkle years, DEVONNE by Demi™ is deeply nourishing skincare inspired by Demi’s favorite pampering treatments.
Sounds great. There are 3 skin care items in the collection thus far. They include:

1. Devonne by Demi Deep Facial Cleanser (with apple extract + mushroom extract)
2. Devonne by Demi Hydrating Radiance Mist (with licorice extract)
3. Devonne by Demi 3-in-1 Moisturizing primer (with rosemary +sunflower oils + rice extract)

For $39.95 , you can purchase the entire 3-piece kit.

Bye-Bye Double Chin: New Injectable Nearing Final FDA Approval

Double chin.

It can happen at almost any age. A double chin can be caused by genetics, and how your body determines its fat storage + water retention. Age can also cause a double chin as skin sags. And being obese can also definitely give one a double chin.

The wonderful + exciting beauty news is the quick double chin fix! It's almost here!

The Food + Drug Administration is just awaiting final approval of ATX-101 before the public can try this non-invasive, non-surgical, 5-minute treatment.

Instead of costly, serious surgery this anti-double chin drug can swiftly ZAP away excess skin UNDER the chin.

ATX-101 in injected in a grid of tiny dots under the chin, causing the fat cells to BURST, permanently removing a double chin. In about 3 days, the injection site heals, and without a bandage.

The cost of the treatment is not known yet, but insurance will NOT cover the procedure.

This appears to be a major beauty breakthrough for 2015.

Jennifer Lopez Makeup Disaster Last A.I.: Missing Smoky Eyes

Jennifer Lopez could care less what we think, but we're going to say it anyway,  just like many other folks wondering what's up with the makeup, girlfriend?!

You would expect us to make a cosmetics blooper like the one pictured below from American Idol 2 days ago.

Let's face it...we certainly do NOT have a professional makeup artist for any day, evening or red carpet event, so odds are we will mess up our makeup from time-to-time.

But A.I. judge Miss JLo, what gives
???

Is that a light gray or white-ish eye shadow?

Hmmm. We're not sure.

JLo you NEED your smoky eyes back. This current makeup DON'T is not doing you any favors, even though you have divine bone strcture + killer brows.

Below, check out the smoky eye JLo we all know + love:

Jennifer Lopez is a gorgeous, global ambassaador for L'OrealParisUSA.

So '70s Suede For Spring 2015: Let's All Smell Like Patchouli Oil, Giuliana!

We happen to REALLY like suede. We think it is smart, sexy + boho chic. That's why we are thrilled that 70s SUEDE vibe is back for Spring 2015.

Yes, Giuliana Rancic, er, maybe we can ALL smell like patchouli oil now.  LOL

Seriously though, suede this Spring is a nice touch ---in outerwear like jackets, shift dresses, trench coats, leggings, skirts, vests, pants and bags.

Suede isn't just brown. And it doesn't have to be bulky + rugged. Suede is HOT, along with some long, hippie fringe!

Just look at these gem-colored, rich, suede style samples from the Spring runways of Derek Lam, Gucci + Trussardi.

Now, if you SPILL something on suede, well, you're on your OWN.

Can you say dry clean!

Still, suede has an understated beauty about it. And it can be very expensive. Look at this sexy, black fringe skirt from Valentino The cost---$5,890 and almost SOLD OUT here.

By the way, FAUX suede is alright, too. You can fool people wearing it.

Look at these inexpensive pieces from Forever 21:

Forever 21 Faux Suede Vest  $44.90

Faux Suede Jacket $32.90

Jennifer Lopez Master Of The Nude Lip: Can You Wear It + Look Alive?

Let's face it.....Nude lips are gorgeous if you can find the perfect, nude shade that doesn't allow you to look like you're at death's door.

Beautiful beige lips are HOT for Fall 2015.  The color was ALL over the runways....Burberry, Prada and so on.... 

Jennifer Lopez is one celebrity who has mastered the nude lip flawlessly. Found these on her Instagram page. She wears the nude lip so well.

So, how do you wear the nude lip and still look ALIVE?

We found some beauty help at the NYTimes.com. Seriously.

Yes, under Fashion & Style, they gave advice. Really.

Celeb makeup artist Troy Surratt told the NY Times.com this about nude lipstick success:

......There’s the matte nude, “which reads cadaver,” Mr. Surratt said. Go too pasty, where “the nude doesn’t have enough contrast between the skin surrounding your mouth, and you get mannequin mouth.”

Yikes,

Troy says to buy a creamy lipstick with opacity:

.....“You need the pigment to cover your own natural lip color, which is why most glosses don’t work,” he said. (After trying several brands, I’ve found I like the Nars Audacious formula, which is richly pigmented yet doesn’t settle in fine lip lines.)

NARS Audacious Lipstick seen here in shade Raquel. is NOT cheap at $32 a tube, but the quality is exceptional according to many makeup pros. Check them out here.

Troy Surratt will be launching his OWN nude lip-crayon collection later this March.

Meantime, experiment with NUDES, until you nail the right one.

Naomi Campbell Workin' Wavy, Long Hair: Take Note For Fall 2015

Hair. Hair. Hair.

Platinum. Platinum. Platinum.

Okay, we've been talking plenty about Kim Kardashian's new platinum do, and the HOT trend it has become at Paris Fashion Week.

But what about the other looks we saw, namely on the cat-walk queen herself, Naomi Campbell!

We LOVE how she looked when she walked for Zac Posen's Fall 2015 show.

Plus, this hairstyle does NOT require the super-duper, high maintenance of the perfect peroxide blonde.



 Her blunt bangs and softly waved, long hair showed a controled glamour. So take note for Fall 2015.

You will need this styling tool:

A 1.5 inch barrel curling iron.

Begin on dry hair. Keep hair at the top flat. Section 1-inch pieces of hair and mist with heat protection spray. Then wrap the section around the curling iron, and repeat until the entire head is curled..

Brush out waves for movement; for a variation, part hair to side and tuck behind ears.

Need a good curling iron?

Try this one from Marcel ($54). 

The Hot Tools Ceramic Tourmaline 1.5 Inch Marcel Iron makes it easy to create extra-large curls + waves while keeping hair soft, shiny + frizz-free.

We like this refined glamour.

Bleached Blonde Platinum Beauty: Sexy But Super High Maintenance

Platinum blonde.

It's quite sexy. And it definitely turns every head in the room, but if you're a brunette and you're trying to keep it really light, you're in for an expensive, high-maintenance ride.

Kim Kardashian has stolen the spotlight away from everyone with her blinding,  bleached head. And she admits she had to stop by already for some toner at Paris Fashion Week, so she could get that platinum pizazz even lighter + brighter!

Check out this new photo from People magazine.

We LOVE the dark brows and platinum hair combo. Kim looks gorgeous here.

Gwen Stefani does platinum blonde the BEST way we  know, because she NEVER allows one tiny, dark root to show, that's because her bleached blonde beauty requires  extreme maintenance.

We've used these Gwen quotes before, and here we share, again from an interview the mega-star gave to Harper's Bazaar:

 "Do you think Marilyn Monroe had to talk about this?" she asks smiling. "Well, I heard she did hers with a Q-tip every 10 days, so I try to follow Marilyn's rule." I mention that she's never been photographed with dark roots, and she points to the houndstooth fedora she is wearing. "And you'll never see me with roots either."

We love what this girly-girl says about discovering the beauty of bleach and those sexy red lips:

Gwen recalls how she felt when, age of 25, she spent eight hours in a hair salon in Long Beach getting her coveted white-blonde locks. "It was like I'd unlocked the key. I remember feeling like, 'I have arrived. This is me. Finally.'" The red lip came when her grandmother gave her a crimson lipstick when she was in high school. "I remember sitting in my ghetto, beat-up Honda Prelude and putting on that lipstick in the rearview mirror and being like, 'Uh-huh, I like that. That's the shit right there.' I never stopped after that."

More sexy platinum blondes:

Would you go this route (root), so to speak, to turn platinum, and ride the HOT trend?

Happy Spring Thoughts: Fabulous Floral Crowns Like Haylie Duff's

Look...here on the east coast we have been blanketed with mounds + mounds of SNOW for the last 2 months.

Enough already! Plus---we have a snow shower coming down right as we type this beauty post.

Sooooooooo....Time to escape!

We just checked out mama-to-be Haylie Duff's baby shower on Saturday afternoon. Found it here at People mag.

Of course, out in sunny California, the weather looked lovely + warm for the celeb-attended outdoor party.

What caught our eye were the absolutely gorgeous, floral crowns the ladies were all wearing.

LOVE it!

It's so boho chic, care-free, and just darn feminine.

You DON'T have to be experiencing warm, summer temps to put on a beautiful, floral crown. This hot trend is perfect for all kinds of memorable events, and we're not talking about just weddings, baby showers + Coachella music festivals.

A floral crown can celebrate girl-time, bon voyage, reunion, anniversary, birthday, Mom's Day, etc. etc.

You can make your own floral crown, too. In fact, we found this great tutorial by Carolyn Brown, the LA-based crown designer of TheCrownCollective.

Carolyn's company made the lovely crowns for Haylie Duff's baby shower.

Here's the D.I.Y. for fab floral crowns.

We're so tired of winter. Bring on SPRING and let's celebrate some girl time!

Hey, Girlfriend: Time To Rock Some Girlfriend Jeans Just Like Gwen

It's the year of the girlfriend, girlfriend.

We're talking about girlfriend jeans. And they ain't like your boyfriend jeans, either. There is a difference.

We've all hung out in boyfriend jeans. So loose + baggy. So comfortable for sure. But the girlfriend style is a bit more feminine + fitted. Think skinny jeans with a subtle slouch.

And take a look at Gwen Stefani in her girlfriend pair. Gwen ALWAYS works the trends so elegantly. She's wearing Dsquared2 Cool Girl Jeans...about $450.

The girlfriend features more of a mid-rise style. And you can COPY the look for much less!

ASOS sells a sexy pair of girlfriend jeans called the Thea ($69.70). Look below.

Express is also launchng their girlfriend jeans right now. For $88, you can put on the Mid Rise Girlfriend Jean. As Express calls it, "the perfect companion for a day of shopping or checking out some live music."

Available online at Express.com

Hey, Spring is trying to get here fast. It's been a long, hard, nasty winter for most of us, so a new style of jeans is ALWAYS welcome.

Sophisticated Solange Knowles At Paris Fashion Week 2015: Pretty In Matte Pink Lipstick

We are lovin' Solange Knowles' sophisticated style as she attends Paris Fashion Week.

How exciting for the fashionable beauty and her effortless chic, as she sits front row at the Balmain, Carven and H&M shows thus far.

We've been noticing the sister of Beyonce looking glam in pretty pink lipstick. Almost fuchsia, just about Barbie Doll pink. And we love the hair, so very Diana Ross.

The matte, pink lipstick look is nice as we head into Spring, finally.

You can copy Solange's pretty in pink pout by picking up Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart ($9.49, at ULTA).

Yes, Just Bitten has been around for 2 years now, and it's good stuff, because it wears down to a lovely, matte stain.

So pretty, and we think this pink stain looks amazing on all skin tones.

If Solange has it on, then you know it's on-trend.

Kim Kardashian Selects Samoan Sand by OPI + Long Talons: Paris Fashion Weeek

Reality star + fashion-savvy Kim Kardashian is known for her signature nude lips + nude nails. But at the moment, Kim is putting on some trendy talon nails just in time for Paris Fashion Week.

Okay, we are blind-sided by that HUGE, stunning engagement rock she's wearing, but we do LOVE the talon nails! This from Kim's Instagram page, whose manicure is now floating furiously around the internet.

Kim is showing off Samoan Sand by OPI. What a classic, chic nude!

Very nice, soft, neutral shade. We found a bottle here (non-gel) at Walmart ($8.72).

Kim K tells People magazine this:

  “My go-to nail color is always nude. I like gels, so I like this OPI Samoan Sand.”

Check out fashionable Kim headed to LAX Wednesday for a flight out to Paris, where Kanye + Baby North were waiting her arrival in time for the runways at Paris Fashion Week.