Red Bull And Booze Can Equal Stroke

Red Bull. It's the drink that 'gives you wings.' And something else, if you're not too careful.

The latest buzz on the high energy drink that has achieved cult status around the world:

Red Bull + Booze = Stroke.

A recent Australian study found that just one can of sugar-free Red Bull alone, can cause the blood to become sticky -- an indicator of cardiovascular problems such as stroke. And when you mix Red Bull with booze, you increase your chances even more.

Lead researcher Scott Willoughby, from Adelaide Hospital, is warning that the drink "could be deadly", for people with heart abnormalities.

While the chance of sudden cardiac death is very low, "it could be more deadly for people who have an unknown cardiovascular abnormality", Dr Willoughby said.

Red Bull is popular among the celebrity set like Britney Spears, Eva Mendes, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Audrina Patridge, Hillary Duff, and Carrie Underwood. It's got a punch of caffeine going for it, at 80 milligrams per 8.4 oz for energy. But the energy drink also racks up the calories if you indulge too often. They pack 110 calories each. Red Bull has a sugar-free version at 10 calories per can.

Maybe you love a Red Bull Cocktail, which is basically mixed with vodka. It's so popular on college campuses, that some 25% of all college students enjoy Red Bull Cocktails, if you believe those statistics.

Why such a huge following? Because when you drink a Red Bull Cocktail, you feel both drunk and wide awake.

We're not trying to be preachy. We have several friends who love the cocktail. We're just trying to make sure you know that latest buzz. Young people are being warned to treat the caffeine drink "with caution," that's all.

How To Get Bright Youthful Eyes With 3 Products

Eyes are so important to the attractiveness of your face. And eyes age quickly, since the skin surrounding them is quite delicate and thin. Wrinkles like to set up house around your eyes, where the loss of collagen and elasticity are common. And when you're tired and over-worked, your eyes will tell the story.

Sure, you should always protect the sensitive eye area by wearing sunglasses and sunscreen and a darn good moisturizer when you are out in the elements. But there are other methods to fool mother nature. And all you need are 3 effective beauty products to create youthful and healthy-looking eyes.

1. Collyre Bleu Eyelights by Verseo ($35, http://www.verseo.com/). This ain't your mama's Visine. These eye drops are used by famous makeup artists to give celebrities and models the brightest and clearest eyes around. Just 2 little drops daily, and instantly, your eyes rebound. Say goodbye to red, tired eyes. Your brown eyes, blue eyes, green eyes, and so on, will look that much brighter.You get 10 reclosable plastic vials of Collyre Bleu in a box (1-month supply).

2. Brenda Christian Prima Firm Eye Makeup Base ($35, http://www.bebeautiful.com/ ). What this beauty treatment does so well, is firm up and hydrate the eyelid area. It also balances out your skin tone, while lifting the eyelid area. You don't even have to wear foundation. In moments, you get a mini eyelift. Eyes look amazing and wrinkles are softened.

3. Talika Eyelash Lipocils ($40, ). This brand is known around the world, for giving you back your long, thick eyelashes. What Talika does so beautifully, is enhance natural lash growth. And the company guarantees it. Simple apply this gentle, transparent gel formula once or twice a day along the upper and/or lower lashes. It comes in a mascara tube with a mascara-type wand for application. Within 30 days, you will see longer, lusher lashes. Clinically proven.

There you have it. Clear and brighter eyes. An eye area that is firm, lifted, and hydrated. And longer lashes to frame your beautiful eyes.

Nail Tek Swarovski Crystal Files Create Beautiful Nails

Many of you reading this, get professional manicures. So you're not worried about what kind of nail file is best for shaping and smoothing a great set of fingertips.

But for those of you who like to file your nails and keep them clean, buff, and pretty, all on your own, consider for a moment, the kind of nail file you keep on hand.

If you're like me, any file would do. For a long time, I was using a plain, old emery board. Don't laugh. Some manicurists would tell you that emery boards are more sanitary than a metal file. You can throw away an emery board when you're finished filing. And emery boards can be quite sharp, too. But you can also harm the nail if you are too sloppy filing.

An emery board is actually a thin strip of cardboard coated with powdered emery. But they do have a toughness to them. Baseball players have been caught trying to "scuff" the ball with emery boards. It gives the ball more grip and movement. That, of course, is illegal in baseball. One pitcher, Joe Niekro, was caught with an emery board in his pocket in 1987. He was suspended for 10 games.

Nail files can be made of steel, ceramic, and even, glass. We adore these:

Nail Tek Swarovski Crystal File ($20 each, at fine nail stores).

It's their Limited Edition: with authentic Swarovski Crystals! Really pretty glass file. And comes in its own convenient carrying case.

"Designed specifically for natural nails. It will not shred the nail like an emery board or ordinary file. Special patented surface seals and protects the free edge as you file and shape the nail. Prevents splitting and peeling of the natural nail.-Double-sided abrasive surface never wears out.-Washable, sanitizable and completely sterilizable.-Lifetime replacement guarantee."

We're not knocking emery boards. But if you enjoy grooming your own nails, try a glass nail file. It seals the free edge of the nail. And you can shape and smooth your nails without worrying about snagging, breaking and peeling. You don't have to be a professional manicurist to create a great set of nails.

Jennifer Esposito Credits Her Flat Belly With Zone Balance Board

Tired of doing endless sit-ups and gut-aching crunches? Why not rock your way to a flatter belly! No more lying on your back and contorting yourself into these difficult abdominal exercises.

Rock you way to a flatter belly? Yes. And sexy, slender actress Jennifer Esposito of Samantha Who? is a perfect example. She swears this little skateboard thing truly works!! The Zone Balance Pro Board($150, http://www.vewdo.com/), is a balance board. But there aren't any wheels. Instead, the platform is perched on top of what can best be described as a rolling pin. (By the way, this popular board is temporarily back-ordered).

You simply stand on the board, and rock back and forth. Sounds like a piece of cake, but it isn't that easy. The object is, to stay on the board and not fall off. Believe it or not, you get a good workout because it is challenging your abs, or stomach muscles.

Jennifer says it's "a great way to switch up your tired old routine."

Fitness expert Gabe Valencia agrees that the benefits are there, as long as you keep up with it faithfully.

"If you're consistent, 10 minutes of balance boarding 3 days a week will give you better ab definition than 10 minutes of straight crunching."

Wow! That beats crunching. And it looks like fun, especially if you have ever tired skateboarding or surfing for the first time. And you can rock back and forth on the Zone Balance Pro Board while watching television, listening to music, gabbing on your cell phone. You get the picture. It doesn't require a lot of exercise space, and it's portable.

Jennifer Esposito is in great shape, having been a gymnast and an ice skater. But even this Zone Balance Pro Board is hard for a woman with excellent balance.

"You can do some serious toning. As you improve, concentrate on different areas--using your stomach more or keeping your weight in your heels to work the legs and butt. But don't try this in Prada wedges like I did the first time. Sure, you look stylish, but no one will be checking out your shoes if you have a broken neck."

High-Definition Makeup Really Makes You Look Flawless

This little beauty tidbit caught our eye. There really is such a thing as high-definition makeup. At least, the cosmetics industry never misses a beat. With such major improvements in TV technology, like HDTV, faces on television need state-of-the-art makeup coverage. Let's face it, as beautiful and sexy as many celebrities are, even their tiny flaws can look, well, quite noticeable.

Nightly news anchor, Katie Couric, once remarked that she was not looking forward to high-def, because that meant her own facial flaws would be examined in more detail. And when you're a woman in your 40s, 50s, and beyond, it's more challenging to look youthful and wrinkle-free with such modern TV technology and the ever-sharp camera lens looking into every pore on your face. (We happen to think that Katie looks polished and very glam in high-def).

What's so harmful about HDTV? Nothing, except that it has five times more detail than standard television, because it contains more information in digital form. So it produces an exceptionally clear and crisp picture. Colors are more vivid. And, yeah, wrinkles, lines, scars, undereye circles, etc., are more highlighted, too.

But now there's high-definition makeup to the rescue! And you don't have to be a celebrity like Kelly Ripa, Anne Curry, or Soledad O'Brien, to appear flawless and pretty. This new and special makeup can improve your skin's texture and even out your complexion.

Here are some excellent high-definition makeup products to try:

1. Borba HD-Illuminating Plasma Crystals Diamond Dermabrasion Peel Treatment ($59, http://www.borba.com/). Use this before you apply makeup, and you will see a flawless glow. An ultra-smooth canvas to build on.

2. Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation SPF15 ($38, http://www.smashbox.com/). You need a foundation to even out your complexion, and this one does the trick. It's a weightless foundation that has the ability to build great coverage. Plus it's packed with vitamins, and a good SPF for sun protection.

3. Make Up For Ever HD, High Definition Powder ($30, http://www.sephora.com/). Yes, an HD powder to set your makeup. It contains micro-particles made of 100% mineral silica powder. These teeny particles do great big things like, reflect natural and artifical light. And soften lines and imperfections on the screen and in person.

4. Cargo Blu-Ray Lip Gloss ($29) and Mascara ($20, http://www.sephora.com/). For a beautiful smile, hyaluronic acid spheres and a peptide chain plump lips and smooth out fine lines, while transparent pearl pigments provide an even color payoff.

And the mascara is HD-fabulous, too. It's formulated with Panthenol and Keratin, which strengthen and improve the structure of lashes. Lashes look full and voluminous yet perfectly natural.

Apply These Nightly Beauty Treatments And Wake Up To A New You

We know you've heard the phrase, "I need my beauty sleep."

Maybe there's ample truth to that. Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, can make a difference to your whole being. When you're fast asleep, your body is busy doing things at the cellular level. That's the time that skin repair and rejuvenation begin to kick in gear.

The National Institutes of Health say that our hormones play an active and key role during deep sleep.

"In children, human growth hormone (HGH) is released during deep sleep. Insufficient sleep can affect hormonal balance in adults as well. Tissue repair also occurs during sleep, including repair to the daily skin damage done by UV light. Getting enough deep sleep will help your skin repair itself."

And we have a 'beauty sleep' list of treatments that are designed to work when you're catching your zzzz's. These products will help you get ready for the next 24 hours.

Get ready to get glamorous overnight!!

1. Molton Brown Relaxing Yuan Zhi Bath & Shower ($28, http://www.moltonbrown.com/). This rich, moisturizing bath formula fights stress and promotes a peaceful sleep.

2. John Freida Frizz-Ease New Creme Serum Overnight Repair Formula ($9, http://www.drugstore.com/, and local drugstores). John Freida makes super salon quality hair care products. Fix damaged hair while you sleep. Envelops each strand. Contains calming chamomile extract.

3. 5th Avenue Bath Co. Pillow and Linen Spray ($8, http://www.5thavenuebathco.com/). A revitalizing, luxurious spray that calms you before you drift off to sleep. You will awaken refreshed and energized. Comes in several delightful scents, like Asian Lemongrass, and Pomegranate Fig. Simply spray onto pillowcases and sheets.

4. Zo Skin Health Ossential Radical Night Repair ($325, http://www.zoskinhealth.com/, and nordstrom stores). Developed by the famous Dr. Obagi, of the well-known skin care system. Full of highly concentrated retinol to repair skin, boost radiance and firmness. The price is high, but Dr. Obagi insists you will see ,"amazing results."

5. Bourjois Night Repair Balm, ($10.50, ULTA stores.) A tinted lip balm that treats dry and weathered lips as you sleep. Smells floral sweet. Very creamy texture nourishes your lips. Lips feel like velvet when you arise in the morning.

Diet And Fitness Tips of Olympic Medal Beauty Dara Torres

Wow!!
Need we say more? We couldn't ignore the inspiring story of Dara Torres. She's 41-years-old, and the mother of 2-year-old Tessa Grace.

And Dara Torres just picked up a silver medal in the swimming relay last night. She's got 10 Olympic medals. That's right. Nine medals from 1984, and now this one! And she competes in the 50M freestyle soon. My money's on Dara. In addition, Dara Torres broke a century-old Olympic record last evening, by becoming the oldest swimmer in the Olympic games.

How are Dara's Olympic accomplishments an important beauty tip?

Just take a look at the photo. The body is rock-solid. She's 41, and had a baby. That just goes to show us all, that a super body can be developed at any age, with the perfect amount of dedication, nutrition, and fitness.

Dara is close to 6 ft. tall and weighing in at 149 lbs. And we have Dara Torres' diet and fitness tips.

Dara doesn't count calories, because she says she had an eating disorder in college (bulimia). She told MSN.com, that for breakfast power, she drinks a Living Fuel Shake (berry-flavored) with milk and fruit.

As we get older, our bodies change, when it comes to diet and fitness.

"The biggest change is recovery. I don’t recover as quickly as I used to, so now I try to eat more foods—lean protein in particular—that help me recover quicker."

Dara's favorite meal?

"A mixed green salad, turkey-spinach lasagna, garlic bread and green beans. My favorite cookbook is one I got in college—Where’s Mom Now That I Need Her?"

Dara also cheats, probably not too often, considering the superior shape she is in.

" It’s OK to have bites of food that probably aren’t the best for you because that way you won’t deprive yourself and then want more of that food. I eat what I want, when I want, but I exercise so I can do that."

This Olympic medal winner trains very hard. Gearing up for the summer games, Dara had a head coach, sprint coach, strength coach, two stretchers, two masseuses, a chiropracter, and a nanny for her daughter, all at a cost of $100,000 a year. And we can see by the results and her big silver victory, that the grueling and challenging work has paid off.

"I spend two hours in the pool, five days a week, and I weight train four days a week—two days of lower-body and core and the other two days upper-body and core. I also do resistive stretching three days a week."

Here are Dara Torres' favorite cheat snacks:

1. Root beer float "It has to be made with IBC root beer and Breyers vanilla ice cream."2. Vanilla cream cookies "They're so good I don't even bother taking bites. I just put the whole cookie in my mouth."3. Blocks of milk chocolate from Fresh Market "This is real, no-BS chocolate." 4. Lime Tostitos "They have a kick to them. I love to munch on them before dinner." 5. Fresh-squeezed lemonade "I keep it in my water bottle."