How To Pick The Right Blush For That Rosy Glow

Yes, we could all use a little blush.

You've read about it here, time and time again:
Blush. Cheek color. According to legendary makeup artist Sandy Linter, it's THE most important cosmetic to use every day. "It shows off your bone structure and gives your face depth and warmth."

Blush gives you a healthy glow. Even if you rush out the door without making a bother, Sandy says to run back in just for a couple of quick swipes of blush.

And yet, some of us find blush, cheek color, a bit intimidating. Find the apples of your cheek, and simply apply there, the pros tell us. Hmmm. Not always that easy. Over-do the blush, and you can look clownish, even doll-like.

When it comes to cheek color, well, that's another complexity thrown in. We all have unique skin tones. So where do we go from here?

Let's take a look at one of Smashbox's popular beauty products: Smashbox O-Glow ($26, at makeup stores like Sephora, or http://www.sephora.com/) . This is a clear gel you apply onto your cheeks with your fingertips. And it delivers a naturally-pink hued gel cheek color.

O-Glow is a universally-flattering cheek blush, in a way. The cheek color looks individually pretty on each face across the globe. Really?!

Oh no....here we go again with these so-called 'universally flattering' makeup products. But Smashbox claims this intuitive cheek color reacts with your personal skin chemistry to transform from a silky clear gel into the shade you blush naturally.

We don't want to criticize a super makeup giant like Smashbox, but this natural-looking pink flush of color appears to be the same rosy hue for everyone and everything. Go ahead---apply the O-Glow to a piece of paper. It's the same shade when you apply it to your cheeks.

The good news: The blush is a lovely 'naturally-pink hued gel cheek color.' It is soft and attractive. Not a powder, so it's fresher-looking. And we like that O-Glow is formulated with Smashbox's 'exclusive Goji Berry-C Complex™, ginkgo biloba, pomegranate seed for antioxidant protection, and revitalizing marine botanicals for added healthy-skin benefits.'

O-Glow picked up 4 stars out of 5 stars by women at the Sephora beauty website. Here's a sampling of one recent review:

"...I apply a tiny drop over the apples of my cheeks and quickly blend out; it's bright pink for a moment but then it softens to my natural shade. The texture is nice too; the gel feels almost powdery so you don't have to wait for it to sink in. I apply it first, even before concealer, so that it doesn't brighten any red spots. And, to top it off, it doesn't make my ridiculously sensitive skin break out. I can't even imagine using another blush now that I've tried this."

Don't ask us exactly where to apply our blush. We're still trying to figure that one out. We just smile and assume we're hitting the 'apples.'

Try LimeLight Laser To Gently Zap Sun And Brown Spots

If your skin is just about perfect, then you don't have to read this. You are already in the 'limelight.'

But if you have a few facial spots or actually, spots anywhere on your body that you would like to make disappear or lessen in appearance, then read on.

For instance, we have a maze of small sun freckles dotting our decolette area--- you know, the skin below the neck and above the breasts. Too much sun exposure in our youth.

Or maybe you have one or more of these:

Uneven pigmentation
Brown spots from sun damage
Broken capillaries
Redness
Enlarged pores
Age spots
Acne scarring
Dull complexion
Rosacea

Then you are probably a fine candidate for an effective and non-invasive skin care procedure done by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. It's called the LimeLight PhotoFacial. And what it does, is use a light laser to zero in on a problem area of skin. The laser delivers a gentle pulse of light and, within one to three weeks, the zapped spot will flake off or fade.

The most popular locations targeted include the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and arms.

And dermatologists say that dramatic results are normally achieved after one or two LimeLight PhotoFacial treatments. For very large or dark spots, additional treatments may be required.

There really isn't any pain involved. When the light is applied to the problem area, a mild pinching sensation has been noted by some patients. Other than that, no topical anesthetic is required, and there is no down time.

A date with the LimeLight PhotoFacial generally costs about $500 a visit. We like that, if you can tackle a bad spot in one shot. Especially for those of you tired of applying bleaching agents like expensive prescription hydroquinone, this could be a painless procedure to get your face back in the limelight.

Beauty Tip Today's Celebrity List Of Favorite Beauty Products

We've got a list that matters, ladies, and we've been carefully collecting our notes over the past year.

Let's look at some simple facts: Celebrity beauty is big business. In other words, if a famous and beautiful celebrity endorses a beauty product, be it makeup, hair, skin, jewelry, clothing, etc., that beauty product sells big time!

Some of us do care what whitening toothpaste Hayden Panettiere brushes her teeth with. Or what hair product Vanessa Hudgens uses. And so on. And we all love when a celebrity gives us her favorite beauty products, especially those she doesn't endorse......the ones she uses in the privacy of her own home.

So. Beauty Tip Today has compiled our own Celebrity List of Favorite Beauty Products. We interviewed a few of these famous lovelies and they dished. And the rest of the tips, well, we did the digging for you. So get out a pad and pencil, and let's get down to beauty business: Hayden Panettiere -actress. Elgydium Whitening Toothpaste. Imported from Paris, France ($7, tube, http://www.drugstore.com/ ).

Vanessa Hudgens-actress-singer, Kerastase Oleo-Curl Mist. An oil-based curling agent. Amps up waves ($34).

Natasha Bedingfield-singer. Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara. Doesn't smudge (at fine dept. stores).

Halle Berry-actress. Her list of go-to-products for women over 40:

1.Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 ($6.50)
2. Revlon Fabulash Mascara ($9.00)
3. New by Revlon Creme Gloss in 'Wine Anytime' ($9.99)
4. Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner ($16.99, great for curly hair)
5. Kinara Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum ($70.00).

Ivanka Trump-newly married-businesswoman-TV personality. Eve Lom TLC Face Cream and classic Chapstick.

Kim Kardashian-television reality star, OK! mag. contributing ed., businesswoman. Kim told us last year, her number#1 lip gloss- Nars-Turkish Delight. Also, enjoys a nude lipstick like Belle de Jour-Nars.

Sharon Stone-actress-loves hairstyling products. Her fav: the Tancho Stick. A styling wax that gives great touseled texture.

Kathy Hilton, businesswoman, and yes, mom to Paris. She told us, she keeps her lovely blonde locks healthy with these products: 1. Kerastase Bain Volumactive Shampoo. 2. Frederic Fekkai's Apple Cider Shampoo for its clarifying properties. 3. Phyto Phytophanere Dietary Supplements. They're great for the hair.".

Gwen Stefani-singer. Pantene Pro-V Restorative Time Renewal Shampoo (at drugstores). "My hairstylist Danilo turned me on to this one."

Mary J. Blige-singer. Carol's Daughter Almond Cookie Body Butter. Use after shower or bath to soothe dry skin.

Nicole Richie-television personality, jewelry designer. Loves the smoky, big cat-eye. For eyeliner, M.A.C’s liquid type, and Maybelline for mascara! "I love mascara! Maybelline is great because it’s inexpensive and easy to use!"

Ayesha Gilani- Miss Pakistan World 2009. Ayesha revealed her favs to us in a recent interview:

1. My favorite foundation in the world is Vincent Longo Water Canvas.

2. I have tried every designer mascara under the sun, and for ten years, I always come back to the same brand: L’Oreal Voluminous in black.

3. Pureology makes the best color-protecting shampoos on the planet. The most effective conditioner I’ve ever used is Bumble and Bumble Deep, a 20-minute treatment that leaves one’s tresses feeling like silk.

Dynasty Joan Collins Brings Good Grooming To UK With New Makeover Show

Dynasty Joan Collins says she wants to make the U.K. a more glamorous place, and that's what the 80's icon is trying to do on her new television show for Brits, 'Joan Does Glamour.'

Yes, another makeover show for women. Well, we say, why not?! Too bad we can't see it here in the states.

At age 76, we think Joan Collins looks pretty darn good. And she wishes women in the United Kingdom would take more care about their appearance. Dynasty Joan hates muffin tops and, "I don't admire the jelly belly oozing over the top of trousers. It should be covered up."

Look at the photos below. Joan believes that the mid-section should not be naked. And we happen to agree there. By the way, skinny chicks can also have muffin tops.


Joan Does Glamour takes an 'ordinary' group of women and makes them over into stylish ladies.

"For too long it has been acceptable to wander around in T-shirts, trainers and low slung sweat pants," says Joan. She believes that she can make the world a better place by boosting one's self-esteem.

What's wrong with that?

As long as Dynasty Joan isn't being snarky and rude, then we think she is on a good mission. If you look at makeover shows like, What Not to Wear here in the U.S. with Stacey London, you see an excellent attempt at re-making a person's image and yes, self-worth. A new wardobe, jewelry, and shoes, plus a new hairstyle and proper makeup, can give any woman a huge boost in life. So we do see the beauty value in respected makeover shows.


And Joan Collins' Joan Does Glamour show is crafting new images for women on sensible budgets. No over-the-top spending.

"I want to show British women that you don't need a designer budget to achieve a glamorous and timeless style," the Dynasty star explains. "If people took a bit more care of their appearance, they might feel a little bit better about themselves."

And if anyone knows glitz and glamour, well it's the former Dynasty celebrity. "Once you get glamour it’s like a drug. Once you get glamorous you never want to stop,” she says.

To see a clip from an episode of Joan Does Glamour from ITV, check it out here, courtesy of New York magazine:
http://videos.nymag.com/video/Highlights-from-Joan-Collins-Do.

Black Hose Black Tights Hot For Fall But Please No Slashing

Black hose. Black tights. Both are really hot for Fall/Winter 2009-2010.

There's just one tiny problem we noticed.....Some well-known, respected designers are taking black hose and black tights to a whole new modern, almost punk level. And we, personally, don't like it.

It's all the, er, slashing and ripping, that's bothering us. Take a look at this elegant, gray suit by Monique Lhuillier. Would you wear black hose like this??!! Sure, it is slashed in a very strategic manner, but really now. Remember how freaked out when you found a run in your nylons? Oh the shame. But apparently, not anymore.
Designer Alexander Wang also sent his models down the runway with short dresses and purposely ripped sheer black hose with tall boots and socks.

But not everyone is shredding their black hose and black tights(thank goodness). Beautiful stars like Gwen Stefani and Charlize Theron wore the hose and tights, respectively, as they attended recent red carpet events. And theirs were not slashed.

What we adore about sheer black hose, is the 'sheer' elegance it gives to complete an outfit. It's polished and sophisticated. Our own mother has always loved wearing this look, and it's timeless.

Then there's young superstar Miley Cyrus rockin' the ripped black tights. Okay, she's very young, so we really can't criticize there. And she's going for an edgy, rock look, so we'll look the other way.

And we've also seen the Olsen sisters in slashed black tights, along with Britney Spears, and others. It sometimes looks trashy, if the slashing and ripping go too far.

There are several online shopping sites featuring ripped black tights. And some women are just slashing their own black hose from the local drugstore to get the look.

Enjoy That Glass Of White Wine But Think About Teeth And Breasts

Most of us enjoy a glass of white wine. And the low calories, too. Only about 90 per glass.

And no, we don't want to be 'tardy for the party,' ha! But we have a couple of serious issues to look at:

We just heard yesterday on the news that, 1. drinking white wine can also stain your teeth.

Apparently, white wine has a good amount of acid in it. This acid 'roughens up' the surface of the teeth. And that in turn, makes enamel more porous. So your pearly whites will absorb color from other foods. Red wine isn't the only wine that makes teeth vulnerable to staining.

In other words, drinking a glass of white wine, and then eating a slice of blueberry pie, is not a good move. Instead, we learned that drinking that glass of wine and eating some cheese with it, will counteract the staining effect. Whew!! That's good to know.

And before you go crazy with the glasses of wine, did you know, that even one glass of wine a day (red or white) can, 2. raise your risk of breast cancer?

According to a study that was done in the UK by Oxford University researchers, the results appear frightening:

A number of cancers was studied and the increased risk from drinking daily, varied with one small glass of wine a day, increases the breast cancer risk by 12 per cent up to the age of 75.

Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, told the Telegraph.co.uk this: "We know that too much alcohol increases the risk of a number of cancers. This latest study shows that even relatively low levels of drinking increase a woman's risk. It is important that women are as well informed as possible so they can take responsible decisions over how much alcohol they drink

And Dr Sarah Cant, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, explained it further:

“We already know that drinking alcohol can increase your risk of breast cancer. This study suggests that for women over 50, even drinking moderate amounts of any type of alcohol can have many health consequences, including a greater chance of developing breast cancer.

"Around 80% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged over 50, so limiting how much you drink is one step you can take to try to reduce your risk of developing the disease.”

We don't mean to take away anyone's pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine, be it white or red. We just wanted to share the research.

Our Favorite Glycolic Acid Night Cream Comes All The Way From London

Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid.

Seems like we just can't get enough! And where we're getting 'it,' is from across the ocean, and then some.

Our favorite: Bravura London Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment ($19.11, small jar).

Yes, we have to send for this little 'hope in a jar' through London's Royal Mail service. But after a couple of weeks and then a quick signature with the postman, everything arrives safely and securely.

Who exactly is behind the Bravura London skin care company?

Bravura is one of the UK’s leading online suppliers of Cosmeceutical skincare products. "At realistic prices," as the Bravura folks like to say.

According to Bravura London, it all began with glycolic acid.

"The company started back in 2003 by supplying glycolic acid peels only, we were the FIRST company in the UK to supply professional chemical peels to the general public, our vision was to allow this amazing treatment to be accessible to everyone rather than just people who could afford to pay £40+ at a beauty salon.

Then after great demand we created our wonderful skin care range which is loved by thousands of people worldwide. We saw the distinct lack of not only AHA and BHA products, but products that actually do what they claim!"

The night cream we like is the Bravura company's best seller----
"Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment is the strongest and most popular AHA product in our skin care range, making it an excellent treatment for wrinkled, sagging and lifeless skin. PH 3.5."

It is strong stuff, and as they always say, 'a little goes a long way.' Get too greedy for perfect skin and put on too much, and you will burn your face and neck. A small jar lasts several months.

We find that the Bravura London Glycolic Acid 15% Night Treatment brings a healthy glow to the complexion. It improves skin tone. Clears up acne and break-outs. Exfoliates away the dead skin cells. And adds a smoothness to the skin. It also works well with a Retin-A or Renova skin care routine---applying Bravura Night Treament for a couple of nights. Then applying Retin-A on the next two nights, and so on. Never apply both treatments together.

Why do we like Glycolic Acid better than other skin improvement treatments? The Bravura company can better explain it:

"While there were many skin care breakthroughs at the end of the last century, certainly one of the greatest was the discovery and application of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). Alpha-hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids, derived from the sugars of selected plants and fruits such as Sugar Cane, Grapes, Citrus Fruits, Apples and Bitter Almonds. These acids perform at the base of the stratum corneum, dissolving the cement that holds dead skin cells together. Because this increases cell turnover, this results in skin that is more flexible, smoother, and more even in tone."

Bravura London also sells at-home peels, salicylic and lactic acid products, cleansers, body care products, and more. Visit: www.bravuralondon.co.uk for more information.