Gwyneth's Cleansing: Good Sense Or Dodo Diet Advice?

Apparently, the diet cleansing is working for actress Gwyneth Paltrow. That and a love of working out, since she and Madonna share the same fitness trainer. However, we like the 'softer, rounder curves' Gwyneth is showing, rather than Madge's too sinewy muscular silhouette.

Here is Gwyneth Paltrow at the Children of the City 'Champions of Hope' benefit in New York City Wednesday night.

Paltrow, who recently finished filming "Iron Man 2" wore a black, sparkling mini dress by Preen and black booties, with the familiar red kabbalah string around her wrist.

Gwyneth is fresh from another 3-week-long cleansing. That means 3 weeks of smoothies and salads. Actually, we are attracted to that diet plan. We believe we could pull that off.

But the Academy-award winning actress has been 'pooh-poohed' by critics, claiming that her lifestyle website, Goop.com, is teaching women how to detox and cleanse. And some medical professionals claim that cleansing can cause serious problems with the body.

The cleanse, developed by Gwyneth's doctor and detox diet specialist, Dr. Alejandro Junger, is made up of two liquid meals a day with a solid one (no processed foods, dairy, sugar, etc) in between.

Let's be real here.....Gwyneth Paltrow is already uber slim to begin with, but then again, she is seen by millions on the big screen, and actresses want to be very thin because the camera adds about 15 lbs. Still, it is difficult to read on her website, about having to shed a few extra lbs. she gained at the holidays. Er, where are those lbs. hiding?

So what's wrong with diet or detox cleansing?

We hunted around for information, and found these quotes from FoxNews.com. Interviewed was Peter Pressman, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

According to Dr. Pressman, "the problem is that some groups may suffer severe adverse effects from highly restrictive diets. They include children and teenagers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, seniors, and people with heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. These groups are especially vulnerable to intestinal and even cardiac problems stemming from malnutrition."

Another specialist was quoted, too. Dawn Jackson-Blatner, a dietitian at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wellness Institute and American Dietetic Association spokeswoman, tells WebMD this:

"The problem is most detox diets are so restrictive that they’re ineffective for long-term use. And any weight loss that occurs during the diet is likely to be temporary.

“When people think about losing weight, they think about losing fat,” she says. “But this is water lost and water gained.”

To take a look at Gwyneth Paltrow's website and her detox cleansing, click on http://www.goop.com/.

No Wrinkles And $50 Botox Rebate Good Until October 15

Think of this as a mini Botox stimulus plan.

Get $50 back, in a Botox rebate all across America. Get your Botox cosmetic treatment by September 30, 2009, and postmarked by October 15, 2009, and add a little cash to your beauty stash!

Now you might be thinking, gee, $50, big deal? But you could put the $$$ towards some expensive Chanel makeup or several great Sephora beauty store cosmetics.

Why the Botox rebate? Because the most popular cosmetic injectable, for 7 years in a row now, is celebrating its anniversary!!!

What's the big deal about Botox, or Boulinum Toxin Type A?

Let's look at the numbers. 11 million Botox procedures and counting, thus far. Heck, someone is having the stuff injected. Both women and men alike. And the Botox routine is quick and easy. Minimal pain, and within 7 days or so, wrinkles and frown lines around the eyes and forehead are temporarily smoothed away for 3-4 months. The result is subtle and attractive when done correctly.

People love Botox because the procedure is non-invasive. You are not undergoing surgery. Botox has become a household name. And baby boomers trying to stay youthful, really enjoy having that rested appearance, although many younger women, with barely wrinkles showing, are turning to the sting of the needle to get that 'air-brushed' look.

Botox shouldn't be given to those with neuromuscular disorders like ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.

Botox cosmetic injections should not be given to people who have an infection where the physician proposes to inject. They should also not be given to people who are known to be sensitive to any ingredient in Botox cosmetic.

To get in on the $50 Botox rebate plan, simply save your receipt from your Botox visit, and ask for the rebate form. Have your doctor write the Botox cosmetic vial lot number on the form, and then sign the form to verify your treatment.

Madonna's Bulging Veins And Biceps Gone Too Far?

We have to admit, this photo of Madonna in London returning home from dinner, snapped two evenings ago, freaked us out a bit. And apparently, that is the buzz all over the globe.

Has the 50-year-old superstar over-done it with the strenuous exercise routine she religiously sticks to, 2 hours a day, 6 days a week?!

There is a fine line between fit and toned arms, ladies. Critics says this has gone beyond the look of healthy and feminine. What we see now are bulging veins and too sinewy arms.

And the media is having a ball going after her. Headlines screaming for 'Madge' to quit the gym. Calling her a walking skeleton. Showing off stringy, muscular arms. And so on. Just brutal attention made to this beloved musical performer.

Some women might argue, that at least Madonna, the busy mother of 4, has little fat, and a whole lot of muscle. Who wants bat wings and soft, mushy arms, her supporters have been saying.

Both Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna share the same personal fitness trainer, Tracy Anderson.

And according to an item in the Telegraph.co.uk.com, Tracy Anderson suggests that Madonna is her star pupil and works out like a fiend, and still has maintained her feminine appeal:

"Madonna is an athlete. That's what I try to hammer into people's heads, people who criticise her for training two hours, six days a week. She's just like a baseball player or a soccer player.

"I don't have to scream at her because she's so motivated. She organises her time so she can train – she makes an appointment to do it and she keeps it, but two hours is the most she ever exercises in a day.

"Madonna will never look her age," Tracy Anderson insists. "She doesn't even look half her age – she looks 19."

By the way, Madonna is currently in London on her "Sticky & Sweet" tour.

To get some softer, but still fit, knock-out arms, check out an article we did last year on toning triceps and biceps.

NeoStrata's Exuviance Introduces Sheer Refining Fluid

We've written a few articles about NeoStrata skin care products. We happen to believe the beauty treatments are effective and on the cutting edge of skin care science.

Our NeoStrata friend Michelle, has just sent us a brand new product from the company's Exuviance line, called 'Sheer Refining Fluid.'

And for those of you fighting oily/acne prone skin, this is an ideal item.

Not only do you tame the 'greasies,' but you also give your complexion a healthy boost, in the way of reducing the look of dark spots and discoloration, pimples, and wrinkles.

This pH-balanced fluid contains 2 important ingredients: NeoGlucosamine, to even out skin tone. And Phytotal, a botanical blend that controls oily skin.

We like Exuviance's Sheer Refining Fluid ($32, 1.75 oz.) because it really is a lightweight formula and absorbs immediately. And there is an added plus of an SPF 15. Apply it during the day under your makeup, and you're good to go.

Exuviance's skin care line always develops products that are non-irritating to sensitive skin. There is no animal testing.

To learn more about NeoStrata and Exuviance skin care products, and to purchase, visit:

http://www.neostrata.com/.

Kohl's Vitamin C Brightening Cream Actually Estee Lauder Product Line

We've been hearing encouraging news about a wonderful little orange jar of Vitamin C cream.

And you can find this little anti-aging product at Kohl's department stores. Yes, Kohl's.

What's even more intriguing, is that Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25 ($32.50) is put out under the label, Grassroots Research Labs. And this company is actually owned by cosmetic giant, Estee Lauder. The Grassroots line is sold exclusively at Kohl's.

And we have always associated Estee Lauder with beautiful makeup and skin care.

Get your dose of Vitamin C in this little jar, because your skin will really thank you for it. And if you are a dry-skinned beauty, this product is perfect for you, especially in these searing hot summer days. Trust us, this is a very moisturous cream.

Here is how the Grassroots folks at Kohl's describe their Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25:

This rich hydrating cream brightens skin and helps reduce discolorations and uneven skin tone while protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays, environmental aggressors and damaging pollution, with a triple vitamin cocktail and SPF 25.

Vitamin C, referred to by scientists as a powerful anti-aging vitamin, is known for its remarkable ability to help visibly brighten and even out skin tone while helping skin defend itself against future damage. 1.7-oz.

According to the clinical trials that Grassroots Research Labs conducted on this Vitamin C brightening cream:
62% saw an immediate increase in skin clarity
68% saw an immediate increase in moisturization

And after 4 weeks:
88% of the subjects reported visibly brighter skin

For more information, visit: kohl's

Dysport: Longer Lasting Botox Wins FDA Approval

We thought there would be a much bigger beauty buzz over the new Botox alternative known as Dysport (Reloxin).

The Food & Drug Administration recently gave the green light to this newest wrinkle relaxer Botox rival. The thumbs-up was issued in April.

So, why is this botulinum toxin better than Botox?

According to the research we uncovered, Dysport "may last up to 8 months compared to Botox, which typically lasts 4-6 months." Now that's excellent news. And this longer-lasting Botox is said to work faster than regular Botox and be about 25% cheaper in price.

Hmmm. Sounds terrific, and yet why haven't we been hearing more amazing stories about Dysport?

We haven't got the answer to that yet, but it should be noted, that the skill of your dermatologist and/or plastic surgeon could make the difference in how Dysport is even better than Botox. We saw this beauty nugget at WorldHealth.net. And one of the first doctors to try Dysport on his patients was Oculopastic surgeon Joseph Eviatar, M.D., of New York City:

"I am very excited about the introduction of Dysport as it possesses several unique properties that set it apart from Botox Cosmetic," says Dr. Eviatar. "Since Dysport does act quicker and last longer, it is more important than ever to have an experienced aesthetic physician administering the injection. The doctor should be very experienced about facial anatomy and dilution procedures. It is exciting to be able to offer patients an alternative to Botox Cosmetic, especially those patients for whom Botox does not last."

Sure, the sting of the Botox needle is still there. But while Botox needs about 7-10 days to work, Dysport appears to do its magical smoothing stuff in 2-3 days.

Dysport sounds quite amazing. We will be watching for more beauty buzz on this newest wrinkle relaxer. We're surprised it hasn't been a top beauty story as of late, especially since more and more baby boomers are out looking for employment and trying to look youthful against the much younger competition bombarding places with resumes.

Forever 21 To Debut First Ever Makeup Line In Fall

Forever 21 is ready to launch their first ever makeup line this fall! The popular, junior-sized retail clothing store wants to give young women good cosmetics at bargain prices.

So for all you recessionista-makeup or fashion junkies out there, this could be your deal. Some cosmetics snobs are turning their noses up at the concept of a Forever 21 makeup line. But we aren't laughing. Hopefully, the line could be as decent as drugstore brands.

Forever 21 has had recent successes with its new swimwear and plus size clothing lines.

And we wish we could find the quote Eva Longoria Parker gave to InStyle magazine a couple of years ago, when she said that shopping at Forever 21 was a guilty pleasure. Every gal loves a bargain, and Miss Eva is no exception.

Of course, Eva Longoria Parker is petite and very tiny and can easily fit into the junior-sized fashions at Forever 21, but there are also lots of no-size, super accessories there on the cheap-cheap. Like trendy scarves and sunglasses, and of course, fun jewelry at rock bottom prices. Come on.....if you can buy a pretty bangle bracelet or some nice chandelier earrings for $5, and it lasts the season, what's wrong with that?

We look forward to the lip glosses, foundations, eyeshadows, mascaras, and more, to launch this fall at Forever 21.

You can check out the shopping deals here at http://www.forever21.com/.