Chanel's Blue Satin Is It For Nails

Dark nails are still ruling the runway, the boardroom, the suburbs, and beyond.

And the trendiest nail going at the moment is navy. No, the black polish boom is still here to stay, but Chanel's Blue Satin ($19) is the 'it' shade. And some of the hottest women in Hollywood are sporting the true blue hue. Blue Satin is not always easy to find. It's sold-out in many stores. But Ebay is always a good place to search for those-hard-to-find beauty items.

Dark nail polish has become a rather acceptable fashion accessory. And it isn't just for the 20-something crowd. If you keep nails short, then navy, black, or deep purple polish, looks smart, sophisticated, and sexy, for all ages.

Maybe we should blame it on Chanel's Vamp. It seems to have started about 13 years ago. Remember that one??? With the deep red undertones? It seemed almost ‘witchy’ or ghoulish to be wearing it at the time. A delicious, naughty-girl fashion trend.

Vamp had not really taken off, until designer Karl Lagerfeld sent his models down the catwalk, strutting boldly with the bold Vamp nail color. After folks caught sight of the striking and unusual nail shade, Vamp soared in popularity. And according to Chanel's international director of makeup creation, Dominique Moncourtois, Vamp remains "the 9th or 10th best seller of Chanel’s 30 colors."

You don’t have to spend $19 on a bottle of Chanel's Blue Satin nail polish. OPI has a lovely polish with marine undertones and at a cheaper price tag ($8.50). It's called Yoga-ta-Get This Blue.

And if you prefer to drench your nails in a much lighter but more vibrant shade, pink colors are also hot for the spring/summer season. Just take a peek at OPI's India collection( http://www.opi.com/) , and you will see fuchsias, corals, oranges, and reds. How about ElePhantastic Pink for your toes?

Whichever nail shade you choose, remember to have a little fun expressing yourself.

Fabulous Facials For Practically Free

Tiny pores. Smooth texture. Firm and plump. With a lovely glow. These are just a few words to describe healthy skin. From paraffin masks to stone therapy massage to papaya enzyme peels, facials are not just for the super wealthy these days. Yes, we all can afford some kind of fabulous facial, and it doesn’t have to come from a day spa.

Facials don’t come cheap. An average facial costs about $75. And this is what basically happens. Your skin receives a deep cleansing. Exfoliation, or the removal of dead skin cells, is next. Massage follows. There is extraction of impurities like blackheads. And lastly, an application of products that zero in on your skin type, such as dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. This of course is done by a professional. And it feels heavenly to lie back and let someone else give you the star treatment.

Facial Kits To Try At Home
Here are two different facials that are quite reasonable in price, and can be used in the privacy of your own home:

Kaz–The Steam Facial
This portable little machine is a unique item that works with vaporizer technology. As the Kaz makers explain, "It produces a cloud of gently controlled vapor that deep cleans your pores."
And this little steamer can be found for under $30. And you can use it over and over again. A product that really works. All you need is some water.

Alpha Beta Peel Home Facial
This jar by MD Skincare is just another wonderful way to smooth out your complexion and leave you with a silky glow and texture. It consists of a two-step peel chock full of hydroxy acids and antioxidants.

The Alpha Beta Peel Home Facial in a jar contains 30 applications and costs $72. Still a good deal and goes a long way. You can find it at www.SoftSurroundings.com.

Famous Spa Home Facial Recipes
The following facial recipes are actually 10 years old and still work beautifully. A friend cut out these recipes from a magazine and sent them to me long ago. These home facials are courtesy of the Ole Henriksen of Sweden Salon in Los Angeles. These treatments are simple and will save you the high cost of a Hollywood facial.

"Pick Me Up" For Dry Skin
1. Mix jojoba and/or sesame seed oil together.
2. Add 2 or 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel ( can buy at health food stores).
3. Smooth mixture over damp, freshly washed skin.
Note: Be sure to apply to damp skin. Helps to lock in moisture.

"Pick Me Up" For Oily/Acne Prone Skin
One step.
1. Smooth aloe vera gel on freshly washed skin, twice a day. Facialist Cheryl Pereira, says that aloe vera gel is the best thing for oily skin.
"It mattes oils that accumulate on the skin’s surface, but doesn’t dry out skin, which can cause irritation and blemishes. "

Nourishing Mask" For All Skin Types
1. Combine 2 to 3 heaping Tablespoons of plain yogurt, an equal amount of honey, and I egg yolk.
2. Slather the mixture over dry skin.
3. Lie down on your back and rest for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse off thoroughly with cool water.
This mask not only nourishes the skin, but tightens it. And we all know that means, a more youthful appearance.

Restylane Can Lift Sagging Earlobes

Ever since plastic surgeon Allan E. Wulc went on ‘Good Morning America’ to show off his new cosmetic invention, women have been buzzing about the results. With a quick needle prick or two, sagging earlobes are plumped up! Earrings hang beautifully once again.

It seems rather simple, and yet, Dr. Wulc, a suburban Philadelphia plastic surgeon, was the only expert to figure it out. If you’re suffering from sagging earlobes, damaged pierced earring holes, or even wrinkled lobes, you’re not alone. And now there’s a cure that will make you smile from ear to ear. Just a quick and painless shot or two, and the lobes plump up. Yes, chandelier earrings hang better. And those brilliant, sparkling diamond studs no longer point south.
It’s called ‘earlobe rejuvenation,’ and Dr. Wulc says women are grateful for his clever idea. His magic weapon? The popular filler or injectable known as Restylane.

Heavy earrings aren’t the only reason. Ladies, I hate to break the news, but our earlobes, and even our nose tips, sag with age. Add heavy earrings, year after year to originally pierced ears, and well, they contribute to the problem. Apparently, our earlobes don’t have the firm tissue found on other parts of the body. So, even creases can form on the earlobes with time.

"The emphasis today, is on lifting, by filling up areas that are sagging, and volumizing, rather than tightening," Dr. Wulc explains. "I use Restylane, or fat, if the patient desires a more permanent solution, to rejuvenate and volumize the face. Restylane lasts for up to a year. I have patients where it has lasted for up to three years. And it is structurally solid enough to actually support and lift. It’s like adding supporting columns, so it can be used to elevate the corners of the lip."

As far as injecting into the earlobe, Dr. Wulc has been performing the quick procedure since June of 2006. And his careful injections do not disrupt the pierced hole. In fact, the vertical elongation of a pierced ear can be improved.

So far, after some 9 mos., none of his patients has requested a secondary injection. "I do think we will get results up to a year, but would hope that it would be longer. In general, I add Restylane everywhere I feel it is needed in the face. The earlobes are injected at the end of the procedure, when most of the other areas have been rejuvenated. In general, we send patients home immediately after the injection with their earrings on. We clean them first and place antibiotic ointment on the earlobe."

Most plastic surgeons charge $600 for Restylane treatment that can cover most areas of the face.

And by the way, yes, you can handle a couple of needle pricks. The pain isn’t enormous. And according to Dr. Wulc, allergies to Restylane are "exceedingly rare."

To watch Dr. Wulc perform earlobe rejuvenation, and to learn more about his practice, visit: www.drwulc.com.

Makeup...Even Celebrities Need Some

Need we say more?

Just a little dab will do some good. Okay, maybe we won't ever look as amazing as these celebrities. But a tiny bit of makeup is a good thing. Maybe it's just gloss on the lips. Or a sweep of brown eyeshadow. Or even a few strokes of black mascara.

Makeup enhances your looks. It even performs magic for these beautiful celebrities. Many actresses and models look almost average with bare skin. It kind of levels the playing field, wouldn't you say?

In case you don't recognize them..... The bottom photos show Sharon Osbourne with makeup and without makeup. The center photos feature Kelly Ripa's Before and After (top). And Eva Longoria Parker's Before and After (bottom). The upper right photos are all of Rebecca Gayheart with and without makeup.

Think Pink And Rihanna For Spring Beauty

Want to look soft and pretty?

Think pink this spring. We'll get to Rihanna's beauty tips in a moment.

As makeup artist Trish McEvoy once said, "Certain shades of pink are universally flattering. They tend to be pinks with a hint of brown--which are very natural and will blend with most skin tones. And any transparent pink is also easy to wear."

There you have it. A super beauty tip from Trish McEvoy.

A touch of pink can do wonders for your complexion, giving you a lovely glow. Pink is also a color of playfulness, youthfulness, and passion.

Pink can range in bright candy shades to light dusty, barely pinks. There are so many choices, and there is a pink for everyone.

Bobbie Brown's Pink Popsicle Lip Gloss ($19) is a wonderful daily lip shine. Adds just enough punch of color. And how about Bobbie Brown's Eye compact! Her limited-edition compact has four neutral tones for eyes, including a very soft pink ($55).

Another gorgeous lipstick to try-- Cover Girl's Tru Shine Lipcolor in Powderpink Shine ($6). Sultry singer and Barbadian beauty Rihanna, also a Cover Girl spokesmodel, loves to wear that shade of pale pink.

A bronze blush with a pink shimmer, complements Rihanna's sexy pink lips. Try Hourglass Blush Duo in Brazilian ($58).

When she performs at night, Rihanna loves a vivid pink for lips. She loves Cover Girl's Lipshine in '14 Carat Ruby'.

If your hair is warm in shades of golden-blonde, red, or auburn-brunette, choose a yellow-based pink. For cheeks and lips, for example, try a vibrant coral or pale beigy shade of pink.

If your hair has a cool tone to it, like ash-blonde to dark brown to black, then you need a pink in the bluer tones. Choose a pink cheek or lipcolor in the magenta, mauve, and fuchsia families.

Still not sure? Then select the transparent pink, like Trish McEvoy suggests. Try Rihanna's Powderpink Shine Lipcolor and wear a clear gloss over it. Beautiful!

Beauty Buys For 2008....It's Serendipitous! Oprah Loves This!

Here are five great beauty buys for 2008. A luxurious shampoo. An intelligent blusher. An amazing mascara. A true whitening toothpaste. And a chocolate-laced cologne.

1...Philip B. White Truffle Shampoo...Almost Good Enough To Eat
Some of you have probably tasted a decadent truffle oil on a meal you’ve enjoyed. Well, this time, it’s been bottled for your mane. You want thicker, bouncy, and shinier hair? Then nourish your locks with Philip B. White Truffle Shampoo. No kidding. The shampoo contains 23.2% of pure plant extracts made of ‘the finest Italian white truffle oil.’
Philip B. White Truffle Shampoo is full of good stuff like Vitamin B5. Just one shampoo, and you’ll notice the difference.....8 oz....$54.00

2...Almay Smart Shade Blush.....It’s Elementary!
Finally, a cream blush that matches your skin’s own natural blush. All you do is smooth the cream across your cheeks with your fingertips, and that’s it. Almay Smart Shade Blush has created ‘microscopic shade-sensing color beads,’ that complement your individual skin tone.
For soft, rosy cheeks, give this new Almay beauty product a try. In three tones of warmth: Natural, Pink, and Berry. $9.00 a tube.

3...Kiss Me Mascara.....It Does A Bride Good
Bride Magazine ranks this lash lengthener in its own top 10 beauty list. It’s cleverly called, Kiss Me Mascara. This is a great find, especially for those who wear contact lenses, and for the happy bride on her important day. There is no irritation. It is not an oil-based paint like traditional mascaras. Instead, the formula lengthens your lashes with water resistant ‘tubes.’ It lasts longer and yes, you can even sleep with it on.
Kiss Me Mascara won’t smudge, run, or flake, and comes in 3 luscious shades.....$24.00 tube.

4...Super Smile Whitening System.....Still One Of The Leaders
I once read, that the late Princess Diana loved using Super Smile whitening toothpaste. For what it’s worth, the brand enjoys a fine reputation, and as I recall, Princess Di had a beautiful, white set of teeth.
The Super Smile Whitening System is a simple, foolproof way to a whiter smile. All you do is brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice daily. Forget the goopy trays and mystery ingredients that claim to brighten your teeth. This system is really gentle on enamel, and really works.
The Super Smile set includes 1.2 oz. of accelerator and 1.75 oz. of toothpaste....$33.00

5...Serendipitous.....It’s Cocoa You Can Wear!! Oprah Loves This One!
Not an easy word to spell, but boy oh boy, what a delicious indulgence. Serendipitous by Serendipity 3 is a cologne with a rich, cocoa scent. It’s chocolate you can wear. There are also subtle hints of sweet orange and Tahitian vanilla nicely blended together.
Ever hear of New York City’s famous ice cream parlor, ‘Serendipity?’ This cologne is a sweet addiction with zero calories, and it smells nice on both men and women....1.7 oz.......$38.00.

Cheap Makeup...This Stuff Really Works

Dime store versus expensive makeup counters. Can we look as good wearing cheap? I say, "Yes, we can!"
Here are 3 of my beauty bargains:

It’s been noted that one tube of Maybelline's Great Lash mascara is sold every 1.6 seconds in the United States. Wow! Well, someone’s wearing the stuff because it is the most popular mascara in the country. And it is by far, known as the #1 choice of make-up artists.

For under $5.00, you can build great looking eyelashes with Maybelline's thick, conditioning ingredients. Yes, you could buy upscale. Lancome claims to be the leader in prestige mascara with its exclusive French formula. And at $22 a tube, it’s a lovely product. And Christian Dior also features a lash lengthening mascara at $22 a tube.

But why not stick with Maybelline's Great Lash? It is a superior product that does the job. Thick, dark, long lashes at a tiny price.

Tired of buying expensive lipsticks that disappear so quickly? That is a common problem among women who brighten their lips. "Where did the color go?" And after spending $8.49 on a simple tube of lipstick, well, you kind of feel cheated. Many make-up artists will tell you that lipstick is a girl’s best friend, especially for women over 40. It adds instant color and makes you look alert, even if it’s a simple shade of pink.

Estee Lauder sells many lip colors in every shade imaginable. Some tubes go for $22 a piece. And guess what? They disappear quickly, too, even though they claim to last and last. Clinique also features top lip shades at their cosmetic counters, and unfortunately, they too, might not last through breakfast. But there is a much cheaper way. This one gives you bang for the buck! And the beauty editors of these respected magazines–Marie Claire, Latina, Redbook, Cosmopolitan and OK! all choose N.Y.C. New York Lip Wear.

Who could resist lipsticks in colors like these: Sugarplum, Caramel, English Rose, Flirty, and more. Check out N.Y.C.'s Ultra Last Lipstick for $1.99 a tube. No, it doesn’t last long either, but the shades are pretty and the ingredients are full of moisture. And you can find N.Y.C. Lip Wear at Target, Walmart, ULTA, Eckerd, Rite-Aid, and other popular department stores. N.Y.C. Also makes an entire brand of cosmetics for face and eyes at very reasonable prices—eyeliner, shadows, foundations, blushes, and much more.

A face that’s firm, firmer, and firmest. La Mer has a line of beauty products that many women feel is ‘worth the splurge.’ Sixteen ounces of one of their famous Creme de la Mer moisturizing products will run you $1,200. Their lifting serums will cost you $210 for one ounce. They are made from a rare blue algae.

Closer to home, in the real world, a quick trip to the drugstore and a beeline to the Neutrogena aisle might be just as effective Who really knows? Copper peptides have been found to be crucial to the remodeling of aging skin. Biochemist Dr. Loren Pickart told this writer, that his products work, and that Neutrogena also features a good line that includes his patent in the field of copper peptide research.

The Neutrogena Visibly Firm Face Lotion and Night Cream are two such choices. The price is very reasonable at $17.99 an oz. with active copper.

There you have it. Just because a beauty product has a big price tag on it, doesn’t mean it’s perfect or far superior to the lesser known brands. It just takes a little muscle and research in trying to find the right balance for you.