Effective At-Home Hair Removal Laser: Is There Such a Thing?

Maybe you didn't get exactly what you wanted for Christmas, but maybe you did score a fat wad of cash. So, let's go shopping for 2012!

Would you like to be permanently 'hair-free' in about 6 months?!

And would you prefer to stay at home, while you're zapping unwanted hair?

The TRIA Hair Removal Laser is the ONLY FDA-cleared laser that is designed to work in the comfort of your own home. Yes, permanent results in the privacy of your own home. And it's advertised as safe and effective as an in-office treatment.

The TRIA laser is a beauty investment at $395, plus FREE shipping.

But when you think about the time, effort, and money it takes to keep your legs stubble-free over a life-time, well, the TRIA Hair Removal Laser sounds like a smart beauty purchase, because the science behind it, is precise.

Let's see how you use the Tria gadget:

Step 1: Prepare
Thoroughly cleanse, shave, and towel-dry your skin. Then, unlock your laser with the skin sensor to make sure the laser is safe for your skin.
Step 2: Customize
Select the highest setting that suits your comfort level.
Step 3: Apply
Hold the hair removal laser tip on the skin and listen for the beep. With every beep, move the laser over the skin in one continuous "overlapping" motion. Repeat until you've treated the entire surface of the desired area.

Smaller areas, like your bikini line and underarms, take 10 to 15 minutes to treat. Upper and lower leg may each take up to 20 minutes. Continue laser treatments once every 2 weeks for up to 6 months, or until the hair stops growing back.

If you've heard anything about laser treatments, getting zapped by a laser feels like a rubber band snapping against your skin, or a warm, prickling sensation. But it isn't anything you can't handle. And we like the advertised results: NO more hair....permanently.

Double Duty Beauty With Goody Ponytailers

If you ever get your hair out of the way, and put it in a ponytail, then you should buy a package of these.

We love Goody's Doublewear 2in1 Ponytailers, just $5.99 for 3.

The cool thing about the Doublewear concept, is this:

The ponytailers also make for a sleek black bangle bracelet. Let's face it, how many times have you made a ponytail during the day, and then wanted to take your hair down, but didn't know where to put the elastic, since it didn't look so stylish around your wrist?

Well, the Goody Doublewear DOES look like pretty arm candy. These are made with trendy metallic charms that look great with any outfit, and are available in both Silver and Gold.

You can find them at Walgreens, Walmart, and Target.

Scarlett Johansson: A Makeup Girlie-Girl

Scarlett Johansson, the star of the new movie, 'We Bought a Zoo,' has been doing the publicity rounds to bring attention to the flick. So, all eyes have been on the 27-year-old beauty.

If you think that Scar-Jo, as she's called by the media, hits the streets without a stitch of makeup on and dresses down, you would be so wrong. She recently told InStyle magazine this:

"I always like to put a little bit of makeup on," Scarlett says. "I’m not the kind of person that just slops around in sweatpants. I like to feel a little more together — you never know who you’re going to see out there!"

Of course, when you've got such stunning bone structure like Scarlett has, then a little makeup makes her beauty pop in a big way. And her favorite, go-to cosmetic is bold lipstick:

"My absolute must-have is a really rich and vibrant red lipstick", she tells InStyle. "I always keep red lipstick in my bag because I never know when I might show up to an event and be completely underdressed. I feel like red lipstick is the cure-all for everything.".

Another beauty tip from the blonde actress has to do with a jar of honey. It's simple, old-school, and a bit messy, but it works:

A good, old-fashioned honey facial. "I use Manuka honey," Scarlett reveals. "You just warm your face so that your pores are open (you can steam your face right after getting out of the shower), and then you just take a spoon and apply the honey directly to your face and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes."

The result? "It really adds an amazing glow and your skin is so soft afterwards. It pulls out the impurities."

We found a jar of Manuka Honey, on sale at drugstore.com.

Thanks for the great beauty tips, Scarlett Johansson!

Need To Bring An Attractive Holiday Dish To The Party? We've Got One

Since Christmas is just around the corner, we thought we would talk about beauty food today. No moisturizers. No lip gloss. No eyeliner.

Let's talk 'orzo'.

Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta that can be found in your neighborhood grocery aisle. It is used in many Mediterranean recipes. It's low in fat with zero cholesterol. It's higher in carbs, but hey, it's not too bad. Plus, it has a wonderful chewy texture and somewhat nutty taste.

And if you're bringing a holiday dish to the party, but don't know what in the world to bring, we are sharing our favorite orzo recipe with you. Bring this dish and you'll be a star!

GREEK ORZO SALAD:

1 cup orzo
6 Tbsp. olive oil
5 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
salt, to taste
ground pepper, to taste
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. dried dill
garlic powder, to taste
1/4 cup minced parsley
1 small red onion, finely diced
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 English cucumber, diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
12 Kalamata olives , halved and pitted
6 oz. feta cheese

Cook orzo to box directions. Drain and rinse under cold water, and place in 2-quart serving dish. Toss with 1 Tbsp. of the oil.

Whisk together remaining olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano and parsley, dill and garlic powder. Pour over orzo. Then toss in the onion, tomatoes, cucumber, celery, green pepper and olives with orzo mixture. Stir well. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top. Cover and chill for at least 2 hrs. Serves 8.

Enjoy! Yumm-o!! Colorful and tasty for a holiday feast.

An Eye Cream That Feels Like Velvet? Exuviance Has One

Eye cream.

Up until several years ago, we rarely used such a product. But, boy oh boy, were we wrong.

Yes, an eye cream should be right front and center in your daily/nightly beauty routine. At least that is what smart dermatologists say. And there are tons of eye creams out there, that claim to do a multitude of wonderful things for your eyes.

As we have stressed here at BeautyTip Today, over and over again, the skin around the eyes is thin and dry, and quite delicate. The eye area shows aging very quickly, unfortunately. But eye creams have come a long way and the beauty science is much stronger. Now there are formulas that lift, tighten, and help to fade or soften existing fine lines and wrinkles, and de-puff tired undereyes.

We have one eye cream that can perform all that and more:

Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour ($72, at NeoStrata.com).

Maybe not the cheapest eye cream on the market, but a wise investment, for sure. This ia a superb eye cream. We have enjoyed using this product, thanks to the folks at NeoStrata. And we must say, the Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour feels like velvet. Your eye area becomes soft and smooth, and those pesky fine lines and wrinkles become less pronounced. And there is a nice definition to the entire eye area.

Bye-bye bags and sags.

So, what's in the Eye Contour cream:

Peptides help replace collagen and firm skin around the eye area, targeting droopiness and sagging.
Maltobionic Acid/ PHA(Polyhydroxy Acids) alleviates appearance of crow's feet.
Fortifies skin's protective barrier.
Caffeine deflates puffiness around the eyes.
Botanicals refresh and soothe.
Optical diffusers brighten and illuminate.

We have very sensitive eyes, but we are happy to state, that the Exuviance Age Reverse line is very gentle. You will not end up with red, itchy eyes.

The NeoStrata company is widely-respected around the globe, so you know that the beauty products you are buying, have the science to back them up.

Every Gal Needs A Pair Of No-Nonsense Rain Boots

If you live in New England, like we do, then you encounter all kinds of nasty weather days ahead come winter. If it isn't the mounds of snow or the mud and slush and brush and yuck left behind, there is something on the ground that can ruin your favorite leathers.

That's why, you NEED a pair of rain boots. We're not talking about a fancy, $400 duo. Just 2 no-nonsense boots. Ones that are lined inside and will keep your feet totally dry once you hit the raw, cold winter elements.

We have ruined many a pair of nice leather shoes and yes, even leather boots walking through all kinds of stormy terrain. You've been through this, too. Big, unsighlty salt stains, leather that has been beaten up and eaten up.

Our advice: Buy a cheap pair of vinyl/rubber rain boots. And carry your favorite leathers with you to change into at your destination. Most rain boots are designed with a 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch heel with good traction, so you don't slip and fall on the winter ground.

We found a great classic pair here, on sale for just $14.70 in sizes 6-10. The Shiny Rain Boot in Red or Black. Check out our photo.

Sometimes, you just have to slip into a pair of no-nonsense footwear until you reach your destination. Not super pretty, but, oh-so practical.

Feet Need Extra TLC? Try These Little Buffers In a Box

We've talked about our feet a few times before. And it's always during the cold, harsh days of autumn/winter, that we find ourselves wishing for softer, smoother soles.

We have stumbled onto a product that's designed to multi-task your pretty feet routine. Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffers can do all this:
Cleanse. Exfoliate. Massage. And moisturize.

Gotta love thse. And the adorable, little buffers in a box make the perfect stocking stuffer. Get it? Foot. Stocking.

Definitely a spa-worthy gift at $14.99, at drugstores and Spongeables.com.

The Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffers are unique, in that they feature 2 different textures---a scrubby side to exfoliate, smooth away the rough spots, and massage the soles. And a soft side to cleanse and moisturize your little tootsies.

These amazing foot buffers are infused with rich ingredients like shea butter and olive oil. And you get your choice of Lavender-Tea Tree Oil Aromatherapy or Citron-Eucalyptus Aromatherapy. We adore the Lavender.

Spongeables also offer a variety of other spa-in-a-sponge products for the bath and body. Plus, these sponges last a long time, and are healthy to use, again and again. Here's what their website says:

A hypoallergenic, anti-microbial sponge is an attractive replacement for bacteria filled loofahs.

A patent pending technology permits many, many pleasurable uses, with products designed to provide 3+ to 30+ showers.

And Spongeables come in lots of pretty colors, too.