LeeAnn Rimes Shares Struggle With Psoriasis In New Ad Campaign

When you look at 26-year-old LeeAnn Rimes, you see a lovely and vibrant woman with the amazing voice.

But what you hadn't seen, until now, is the singer's lifelong struggle with a skin condition that affects some 7 million Americans.

And now, LeeAnn Rimes, is bravely putting her face on this chronic, autoimmune disease known as psoriasis.

Our beauty tip today, shows us that hope and science are incredible, when the two come together.

We are happy to report that LeeAnn Rimes hasn't had a flare-up from the condition in 5 years. She has controlled her psoriasis through diet, medication, a wonderful doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. And her skin is clear and glowing.

But it was quite a nightmare for a young girl growing up with the disease. She told her story to http://www.health.com/.

By the time she was 6-years-old, 80% of her body was covered with psoriasis. Kids were cruel, and LeeAnn felt a heavy isolation.

"Kids didn't want to hang out with me or touch me," LeeAnn says. "I remember being called 'Scaly Girl,' and never ever wanting to go out in a bathing suit."

Psoriasis can cover its victims in red, scaly patches that crack and bleed.

Today, there are a number of treatments for the autoimmune disease. Some products really work well, and others do not. It is not an easy problem to conquer.

Meantime, LeeAnn Rimes has now put her face on the disease, and proudly. She appears in a new PSA, or public service announcement that brings attention to psoriasis. It's called the Stop Hiding campaign.

We appalud you LeeAnn Rimes, for being such a special and gracious young woman.

Paint On Perfect Tummy With Abs In A Box Kit

I suppose we are very naive.

Yes. We are aware of how the magic of makeup can transform a pretty Hollywood face into a spectacular beauty, but we did not know about this:

Abs In A Box Kit by IT Cosmetics ($69, www.itcosmetics.com).

Oh yeah. Now you can paint on the perfect tummy, ladies and gentlemen.

We had no clue, that perfect abs could be painted on. Did you? What got us thinking during an episode of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, was the perfectly sculpted stomach of DWTS's Karina Smirnoff. On one episode, she wore a beautiful, belly-baring costume, and her tummy was incredible, with a sexy 6-pack. But we had not seen such sculpting on Karina previously. How did she tone up so quickly, we thought.

We were stunned at what incredible shape Karina Smirnoff was in!!

Well, yes, indeed. Karina is in super shape, but she got a little help with those perfect abs. Her abs were the work of Abs In A Box Kit. And she admits it:

"The difference it makes to your body is insane," Karina explains. "It's so easy to apply, it's literally done in two miuntes, and it doesn't come off on the outfits."

Can anyone paint on a perfect tummy? Or do you have to be a brilliant artist or makeup professional?

According to the Abs In A Box Kit, the stuff is 100% sweat-proof and water-proof. And the shades enclosed in each kit, match every skin tone. Plus you get a step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to paint on perfect abs.

Now we can all get slim and fit in no time!

It makes you wonder if models and actresses use the kit during photo shoots.

What is real, and what is not? These days, it all looks like a perfect illusion. And the perfect abs to go with it.

Nicole Richie's Affordable House Of Harlow Jewelry Line

We have to say---we like what we see on you, Nicole Richie.

And if you are looking for some really pretty Christmas jewelry ideas: head over immediately to:
www.shopkitson.com. You still have time!!!

It's called--House of Harlow 1960.

That's the name of fashionista Nicole Richie's affordable and very stylish new jewelry line.

And if you've been sleeping under a rock, well, Harlow is the name of Nicole's darling baby girl.

"It's a name I'll never get sick of," she says, of naming her new jewlery line after her favorite girl.

Nicole Richie admits to having an extensive jewlery collection. And she loves bracelets. She collaborated with major designer Pascal Mouawad. The jewelry is inspired by the 1960s and 1970s decades.

"I pulled a lot from African and Indian cultures," Nicole explains.

According to the House of Harlow line, “The collection is targeted at girls in their teens to women in their 30s who admire her, and the prices range from $30 to $150.”

We love Nicole Richie's fashion style. She is looking better and better. Reminds us of a young Sharon Tate with her large, rimmed doe eyes and long blonde hair.

Nicole is big on accessories and says that jewelry flatters a woman's appearance. "I love having jewelry around the face," she says.

Take a look at House of Harlow 1960. You won't be disappointed.

Should Plastic Surgeons Perform Risky Face Transplant Surgery?

There's been a lot of talk about the first, near-total face transplant performed here in the United States. The operation was actually done about two weeks ago.

The woman, whose age and name have not been released yet, had been horribly disfigured. All those details will emerge in a news conference scheduled for next Wednesday. At the moment, she is holding her own. And we pray she survives this huge challenge, and goes on to live a normal life.

What we can tell you, is that 80% of the woman's face was replaced with that of a dead female donor. Yes, a cadaver. That's according to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where the risky surgery was performed by 58-year-old Dr. Maria Siemionow, a well-respected reconstructive plastic surgeon.

Our question: Is this ethical? Should plastic surgeons even perform such a dangerous procedure, in order to improve one's condition, or quality of life, rather than save one's life?

We say, yes, indeed.

The woman was so badly disfigured, that she would risk her life, just to try and improve the face she stared at in a mirror, day after day.

Many complications can develop from such rare surgery. There is always the fear of the body rejecting the new skin, which is an organ. And the patients must take immune-suppressing drugs for the rest of their lives.

By the way, this is the 4th facial transplant worldwide. Two were performed in France, and one in China.

We believe plastic surgeons do many wonderful things for people, especially those who have been living with ugly scars and deformities, along with emotional scars, and low self-esteem.

But doctors are not perfect. They are human. And this risk of failure is an enormous ethical problem.

Then again, it is truly mind-blowing to see how far science has come and the humanity behind it all.

Hollywood Hairstyles Gone Bang Crazy In 2008

We just could not ignore the trend. Or the Big Bang Theory, as we like to call it.

Is it us, or have Hollywood hairstyles gone bang crazy in 2008??!!

Everywhere you turn, there's another beautiful celebrity rocking the bangs.




We thought the trend might end, but apparently not for 2008. Big bangs are still in style and going strong. Some celebs look super in them, and some, not so hot, perhaps.



Kim Kardashian, Ashlee Simpson, Tyra Banks, Jessica Alba, Camilla Belle, and Keira Knightly, are just a few of the Hollywood hotties sporting big bangs.




Hairstylists will tell you, that all women can wear some style of bangs, even with curly hair, or fine or thick texture. There are a lot of bang types, as you can see from the photos. A lot of women love wearing bangs for a few weeks, and then quickly tire of the trend. And then it's a pain, growing them out.

We can tell you, that in the new year 2009, yes, bangs are still in, but so is wavy hair, and big hair. The sleeker, too straight looks are going out. So volume will be major hair news. That and red hair. Ginger-haired ladies will take center stage. Raven-haired beauties will not be sharing the spotlight. Chocolate hair color will be strong. And blond, yes, that's always a crowd pleaser.

We will be watching Hollywood's finest in 2009, to see if the Big Bang Theory has left the building, so to speak.

Jennifer Aniston Takes Simple Tie To New GQ Level

Okay, we've been trying to avoid that hot new GQ cover of an almost naked Jennifer Aniston, but, alas, we couldn't.

It's been the buzz everywhere these days. Sexy Jennifer and a simple, red, white, and blue tie.

Look--girlfriend turns 40 on February 11th. She looks darn incredible!

So what's our beauty tip today?

That 40 and beyond, and even over 30, do not have to mean the end of a woman's beauty statement.

Women like Jennifer Aniston, show the rest of the world that if you diet, exercise, take care of your skin, maintain glossy, beautiful hair, and yeah, have a young, hot dude on your arm, life can be pretty good.

Okay, Jen does have one teeny bad habit---she smokes like a fiend. At least that's what the tabloids say.

Putting that aside, Jen is a yoga freak(3 private weekly sessions) and loves to eat by the Zone diet. You know the diet---40-30-30 ratio of carbs to fat to protein.

We also learned that Jen Aniston believes in cardio, and her favorite machines of choice include the elliptical and treadmill.

We find it funny, that while 33-year-old Angeline Jolie is constantly filling up her belly with more and more babies, Jen is sporting one, flat tummy these days. Maybe she sees the advantage, and just wants to show it off, that, and a simple tie.

We admit, we are on 'Team Aniston.' Let the haters hate, but we applaud Jen.

How To Get The Best For Your Skin In Hope In A Jar

Ever wonder why so many women are in love with this little, plain jar made by the folks at philosophy?

First, just look at the title: hope in a jar

What a wonderful name and philosophy: "where there is hope there can be truth, where there is faith miracles can occur."

We admire the honesty this giant skin care, makeup, and fragrance company is all about.

Hope in a jar has it legions of loyal customers. Women stock up on jars and jars of this moisturizer...the one with the souffle texture.

It's a world-famous beauty treatment. And famous plastic surgeons like it, along with the Hollywood A-listers, and top dermatologists. The formula is said to be chock full of anti-oxidants.

And as the philosophy website says:

Originally created for the medical market to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, skin discoloration, rough texture and dehydration. hope in a jar dramatically improves skin radiance and gently exfoliates, revealing smoother, healthier looking skin and texture.

We thought we'd open up hope in a jar, and look inside.

The price is reasonable---1 ounce= $28. 2 ounces= $38. 4 ounces= $60. 8 ounces=$105.

The product features 2 important reasons for 'hope' in a complexion:

rosy glow: with beta gluton. a stimulator that gives skin that healthy glow and protects it from all the bad stuff in the environment.

mini-face peel: with lactic acid, which is a member of the alpha hydroxy acid family. for gentle exfoliation. won't strip face of natural oils. gives back soft, smooth skin.

Remember this ladies: It is essential that we all find skin care treatments that offer some sort of exfoliation. And the family of AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids, certainly provide this important skin care element.

The beauty of hope in a jar, is its universal appeal for all skin types.

Sephora has awarded hope in a jar as one of its 2008 best of Sephora winners.