How To Put Pretty Focus On Nails During Cold Dull Winter Days

Let's kick things up a notch! We can't believe we are even saying that, but you will understand in a moment.If you've got several inches of snow on the ground, then you might be tired of the cold winter days. And if you're enjoying 80 degree temperatures and hot sun, well, lucky you.

We want to bring the focus back to your nails, ladies. And the easiest and cheapest way to do that, is through a simple bottle of nail polish. Let's be frank here, the economy is still putting a struggle on most folks these days. So, we would like to find a bit of beauty in the most inexpensive way. And that my dears, is through the wonderful world of color. And when it comes to our nails, that's an area where we can all go crazy!

And as long as you keep your nails short and groomed, preferably square-shaped, you can paint on a bold and bright beautiful nail shade. Today, we are looking at turquoise. Why turquoise, you ask. Simple. It's one of the hot go-to shades for 2010.

Stylist Anya Sarre of The Insider show, recently mentioned turquoise and berry as being the 'it' colors of the new year. And Lara Spencer, host of The Insider, has been wearing the colors often. Sometimes in a piece of jewelry, or a pretty blouse, etc. Already, we are seeing more celebrities and non-celebrities brightening up their wardrobes with a splash of turquoise or berry.

Let's look at China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Custom Kicks. This strong, sexy shade came out last summer, and it's still going strong, and looks great during these cold winter days. And it won't break your budget. Only $6 at sallybeauty.com. And every skin tone would look lovely with a set of turquoise nails like these.

Where we are typing this, the outdoor temperature reads 17 degrees. Now you know why we need to 'kick it up.'

So, if the cold, dull winter days have you down, spice up your life with a little color. And this time, let's put the pretty focus on your nails.

Jennifer Lopez At Scott Barnes' Book Party Says It's All About The Bronzer

Jennifer Lopez has amazing bone structure. Period. And maybe that's why she is the cover girl for her makeup artist Scott Barnes' new book, About Face. The book is available at bookstores now, and retails for $24.99

J.Lo was at the book party recently. She is very proud of Scott Barnes, as she should be. The A-list makeup artist does fine beauty work on Jennifer Lopez, as well as Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Mariska Hargitay, Gwyneth Paltrow, and many other Hollywood celebrities and models.

InStyle magazine asked J.Lo at the About Face book party, to share the most important beauty lesson Scott Barnes has taught the sexy Latin celebrity. And apparently, it's all about the bronzer:

“Stay out of the sun! He really nailed into my head. Bronzer and self-tanners are so worth it. Stay out of the booth, girls! And boys!” she said. “He’s taught me so much about contouring… what should be highlighted and what should be left alone.”

Scott Barnes loves to use bronzer and highlighter. And he, of course, adores his own liquid bronzers called Body Bling, which he refers to as, 'the bronzer to the stars.'

In a past article we did on Scott Barnes' makeup tips, he explains the gentle approach to using bronzer:

"Make sure that you don’t use a bronzer like you would be using a loose powder. You shouldn’t be applying bronzer all over your face. You should actually use bronzer on parts of your face that the sun would kiss naturally and you should make sure that the centre of your face is lighter than the outer parts of your face."

To get that healthy, sun-kissed glow like Jennifer Lopez, start out softly:

"In general, I try to abide by a less-is-more mentality: You can always layer more on but it’s harder to take it off. It’s really all in the approach, though. I always see women applying powders and bronzers starting next to their nose. But the trick is to work from the outside of the face inward, rather than the other way around. This creates a halo effect and leaves a diamond shape of light in the center so your face appears a little more open. This will hide double chins and give you a visible bone structure so you don’t wind up looking old. Also, use a bronzing brush to blend allover rather than applying product directly to problem areas like crow’s feet and laugh lines. And don’t forget to do your neck and décolletage."

By the way, About Face, a how-to makeup book, is full of valuable techniques for every area of makeup application. There are lots of step-by-step photos, makeup items you need, dramatic makeovers, celebrities he has worked with, etc.

You can check out About Face by Scott Barnes at Amazon.

Taking Care Of The Skin Below The Chin: Decollete Sun Spots

The hot sun feels so good on our skin. And when most of us tan, our decollete is right there, propped up like the bikini-clad woman in the photo. The decollete receives all the good blessings from the sun, but also some nasty skin agers, like sun spots, wrinkles, and dry dullness. Now that it's winter, it's time to examine the damage we've done.

What is the decollete? The decollete is actually the upper part of a woman's chest, below the neck. And that brings us to the point of our article today:

Skin Care should not end at the chin. Let's look below. The decollete area on a woman's body is one of the first places to show age. The decollete needs tender loving care. According to liv.com, a website dedicated to helping raise awareness about early detection of breast cancer, the skin of the decollete, is quite delicate:

"The skin on the décolleté area is more sensitive than skin on other parts of our body; it is thinner, less moisturized, has less elasticity and there is no fat tissue below. Consequently, this skin is more likely to show signs of aging with dryness, hyper-pigmentation and age spots."

And yet, most of us follow a strict face cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing routine, often stopping at the chin.

Get over age 50, and dermatologists say those cute, faint, little sun spots, fine lines, and freckles, start getting bigger and darker in pigmentation. The good news? We can always improve our skin.

First, cleanse your decollete area with the same cleanser you would use on your face. And then apply a moisturizer. NY dermatologist Judith Hellman advises follwing that step with " a combination of Vitamin A derivative creams such as Retin-A, Glycolic Acid creams and bleaching creams containing Hydroquinone". This regimen will start minimizing brown pigmentation and fine lines, she says.

There are also cosmetic procedures like 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. One visit costs around $500, but this procedure has proven to be quite successful.

And then there is do-it-at-home decollete care. Melanie Vasseur, a well-known skincare specialist, cosmetic chemist, aesthetician and founder of Vasseur Skincare, says you could try this:

"Vitamin C is very effective in removing sunspots as well. Try lemon or limejuice, they act as natural alpha hydroxy acids and are very effective. Squeeze fresh lemon juice or lime juice into a bowl and apply with a cotton swab to your chest every other night for 2-3 weeks. Take a break for the fourth week and continue again for the fifth week. The following remedies can take up to 6 months, be patient you’ll be glad you were."

These skin care steps for the decollete sound smart and sensible. And as all dermatologists remind us: Please put on the sunscreen, even when it's a cloudy day.

Get Some New Year Bling By Michelle Trachtenberg For Coach

Hey Michelle Trachtenberg. It must be nice to be a Gossip Girl and have a new jewelry line, and be only 24-years-old.

The engaging actress is excited about bringing in some new year bling for Coach's younger set in their Poppy jewelry collection. And it's some budget-saving bling. The spring 2010 pieces sell for $78 to $128.

Michelle Trachtenberg tells Us magazine, "It's Marie Antoinette meets Blondie. The perfect mix of girlie and edgy."


If you adore a little buzz close to your heart, you will love Michelle's debut jewelry line for Coach's Poppy collection. The bee is everywhere and it's a striking Swarovski crystal bee. The spring 2010 bling line is on sale right now. So far, we have noticed a 4-piece collection. Earrings. Bracelet. Necklace. And big bee cocktail ring. All pieces include a light hematite finish for a gunmetal cast along with faceted glass stones.

We like the jewelry pieces, because we are partial to blue. And we recently saw Michelle, herself, sporting the bee earrings at an event. Her fans will probably love the collection.

Let's face it. It's quite common these days, to have a celebrity collaborate with a jewelry or fashion house. Nicole Richie has done it quite admirably and successfully with her House of Harlow jewelry and new Winter Kate clothing line. And the Kardashians have a brand new jewelry line among other clever ventures.

We know....the bee theme has been done over and over again in jewelry collections, but this one does mix some hard edges into the design. So we think those who adore the Poppy jewelry will welcome Michelle Trachtenberg's collaboration with Coach.

You can view Michelle's debut line at Coach.

Golden Globes Bring Out Sophisticated Silver Eyeshadow Trend In 2010

The big beauty trend at Sunday's Golden Globes awards show, was in the eyes of several lovely ladies, like Leona Lewis, Heidi Klum, and Kate Hudson.

You could say, it was a 'Grey Gardens Night' when it came to makeup. We're talking about sophisticated silver eyeshadow. Take a look at British songstress Leona Lewis. She's rockin' the sexy and softer smoky eye with a lighter pink lip. The beauty trend will be big this year and it's not hard to copy.

The 2010 Golden Globes also featured a sea of purple fabric flowing along the red carpet. Purple shades like violets, plums, and eggplants were delicately hugging the bodies of Sandra Bullock, Jane Krakowski, Rose Byrne, and Leona Lewis.

That purple fashion trend also blends in beautifully with the silver eye shades celebrities were wearing to the formal event. Any eyeshadow that takes a silver base and mixes in a wash of muted purple will be important this spring.

And do take note. If you are not crazy about a harsher or bolder smoky eye, the kind that is generally done in black or brown shadows and liners, silver shadow is very sophisticated and just as pretty. You can go deep with gunmetal grey or much gentler with a delicate dove grey. From shimmer to sheen. From metallic to matte, silver can go the beauty distance.

By the way, if you're still all thumbs when it comes to creating smoky eyes, have no fear. Stila has a wonderful Smoky Eye Talking Palette eyeshadow set (on sale $40, at Sephora stores). And it comes in 2 gray choices:

The Grays (the original Smoky Eye Talking Palette): icy champagne (base), silvery gray (lid), dark gray (crease/ contour), and smoky black brown (liner).

The Platinums: white pearl (base), silver (lid), silvery gray (crease/ contour), and black with micro glitter (liner).

And the set is goof-proof!! "With the press of a button, a Stila artist's recording will teach you how to create the perfect smoky eye, complete with artistry tips, what brushes to use, and product suggestions, all in under a minute."

How cool is that!

Women Lose Weight Slower Than Men But Menstrual Cycle Can Tell Women When Body Burns Most Fat

It's already 2010. And lots of people are trying to lose weight in the new year.

The ugly fact: Women do lose weight slow-wwwwer than men. How frustrating is that, especially partners that take the weight loss journey together, only to see their male counterparts losing lbs. so quickly.

But women do have a little weight loss weapon they don't even know about. It's called your menstrual cycle. And learning how your monthly cycle works, can give you clues to when your body burns the most fat.

Here at Beauty Tip Today, we have tackled this issue before, and we recently received an email from a reader who wanted us to re-explain how a woman's menstrual cycle can help one lose weight. So let us begin.

First, let's look at some basics:

1. Men tend to lose weight faster than women for a few reasons.

2. Women tend to store and retain fat, because we have higher levels of estrogen, which keeps fat on a woman's body.

3. Men have more muscle on their frames which equals a faster metabolism. So, they can burn more calories, even when lying on the couch, doing zero.

4. Women have more fat on hips and thighs, which are tougher fat zones to remove, whereas men have more belly fat, which is a fat zone that melts away quicker.

Now, lets' look at women's menstrual cycles, and see how your period, and the days in between that, offer you the best shot for burning fat. Exercise plays a big role here:

Muscle & Fitness magazine did an article on the female fat cycle. And according to researchers from Australia, all women are equal and alike during certain times of their menstrual cycle.

For instance, one study found that, "the female body burns much more fat, especially during high-intensity aerobic exercise, during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle than it does during the follicular phase." In other words, you will lose more weight during days 14-28 of your cycle than during days 1-13 of your cycle.(Remember: Day 1 of your cycle always equals the first day of your period). It has to do with the estrogen and progesterone levels during a woman's cycle.

Now to take advantage of your own fat burning machine, do lower-intensity exercise when you get your period. Use about 60%-70% of your maximum heart rate for about 40-60 minutes per session for days 1-13. Do cardio on the treadmill or elliptical climber. Then around day 14, switch over to high-intensity exercise, where you use 80%-90% maximum heart rate for about 30 minutes per session. Do that tougher exercise regimen for days 14-28.(These days are generally your ovulation time). Push your cardio on the stationary bike or stair-stepper.

This plan will help you really strip the fat and lose weight.

New NARS Orgasm Illuminator Explodes In Luscious Luminosity

It's called the NARS Orgasm Illuminator, ladies. A fancy word for highlighter. And it's the newest seductive makeup product in the already legendary NARS Orgasm makeup line-up. The Illuminator has been set for introduction in Spring 2010, but it's being sold right now at Sephora. That's the only beauty store, so far, where we could hunt down a tube of it.

The price may be $29, but this Orgasm Illuminator explodes into luscious luminosity in that familiar peachy-pink shade that makes every gal blush in a beautiful way. It performs in a big-gggg way......It can be used as a highlighter on cheeks or anywhere else you want to bring gentle shine and attention....like the decolletage. You can also mix a little Orgasm Illuminator in your foundation or tinted moisturizer.

The consistency of this new NARS Orgasm product is that of a sheer fluid. It's got a subtle shimmer along with the tiniest of microscopic flecks in shiny peaches, pinks, and golds. The Illimunator gives warmth and vibrancy to the complexion and shows off bone structure.

The NARS Orgasm Illuminator joins hands with popular NARS Orgasm Blush, Orgasm Lipgloss, Orgasm Nail Polish, and NARS The Multiple(multi-purpose color stick).

Tonight is the night for the Golden Globes Awards show. We wonder how many beautiful celebrities will be walking the red carpet wearing their own Orgasm Illuminator. If you want to glow, this new product delivers for all of us.

Yogurt Is So Good For You And Heidi Klum Proves It In New Dannon Ad

Heidi Klum is everywhere these days, and most recently in a new ad for Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt. We were wondering who that sexy woman was in the clever ad. It looked like Heidi, but we weren't so sure, until now.

At 36, and a proud momma of 4, Heidi Klum is on the go with Project Runway's new 7th season. She just gave birth to her daughter Lou in October. She has since modeled in the annual televised Victoria's Secret fashion show, designed a line of maternity clothes, has a popular skin care line going, and a bunch of other things with her lovely face and name behind them.

And now yogurt. Perfect for a mom who is fast on the track to drop her post-pregnancy days and keep her slender figure. And Heidi knows that yogurt is so good for you. And in this case, only 80 calories in a cup(6oz. serving) of new Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt. And zero fat. Available in 17 delicious flavors like Pineapple Coconut and Apple Pie. Yummy!!

Yogurt is a wonderful natural beauty treatment. And it's delicious! Yogurt delivers lots of vitamins and minerals to the body. It is an excellent source of protein and calcium and as most of you already know, yogurt maintains good gastro-intestinal health.

And yogurt is also beneficial for healthy gums. According to a recent study at Japan's Kyushu University, researchers found that those who ate fermented milk products such as yogurt (at least 2 oz. a day), had significantly improved gum health. The key 'magic' ingredient being calcium.

What we admire about Heidi Klum is her devotion to family, her accessibility, and wholesome public image. Heidi is often see with family in tow, trying to live a very normal life, amidst the fame of her modeling career and that of her husband Seal's singing career. Heidi isn't afraid to show off a face without makeup and one with a few lines and wrinkles, as she did last summer while heading to a Broadway show. She isn't playing model 24/7.

The public embraces Heidi Klum, and not only for her beauty.

To take a look at Heidi's new ad for Dannon yogurt, just click on to YouTube.

And visit LightnFit for coupons.

Powder? Aging Or Does It Really 'Set' A Beauty Purpose?

We are in the beauty belief that powder does matter and does 'set' makeup. It is the final step in a beauty routine.

There are professional makeup artists out there, however, who warn about the overuse and misuse of powder. When it's not applied properly, it can look ghost-like, mask-like, and can make you look older, because it can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, and unfortunately, turn the spotlight on our imperfections.

But there are so many makeup powders available these days, that we can all find at least a couple that can help us achieve the look of smaller pores, a balanced complexion, a matte finish, hiding an oily face, longer-lasting makeup, and an even brighter and firmer face.

Why do we believe in powder as the last step in a daily beauty ritual? If you look at beauty history, you will come across the name of Way Bandy. He was probably one of the most influential makeup artists around. And most artists today, have been inspired by his techniques and understanding of a woman's bone structure. It's a sad shame, Way Bandy as since passed away. He was such a brilliant artist in the 1970's. His book, Designing Your Face, was a big seller and a wonderful beauty primer on makeup. You could probably still find the how-to book on Amazon.com.

In Designing Your Face, Way Bandy talks about the power of powder to set makeup. His trick----plain, old, baby powder. Way would dip a big, makeup brush into a jar of baby powder, shake off the excess, and powder his models with it at shoots. Even the great model, Iman, talked about Way Bandy in her own book, The Beauty of Color:

"My first photo shoot, two days after I arrived in Manhattan, was with one of the first celebrity makeup artists, Way Bandy, and legendary fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo. Bandy had the smallest makeup kit — a brown pencil, a black pencil, black mascara, an eyelash curler, baby powder, and an orangey blush...."

Yes, you can still use baby powder to set your makeup. But you can also try some of the new powders out that do more than just 'set makeup,' or keep it looking fresh or just applied.

We're looking at 2 excellent makeup powders that seal the deal in your beauty routine, and give you that healthy, perfect complexion we strive for each day:

1. Redpoint HydraBoost Firming Powder ($36). A silky, translucent powder that actually firms and moisturizes while keeping oily shine away. HydraBoost Firming Powder is formulated with DermaFiber, a micronized powder that instantly helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores. It 's a translucent shade that fits all skin tones.

2. Bye Bye Pores Powder by It cosmetics ($24). You can minimize pores, airbrush fine lines and wrinkles away. And keep your oily skin in check. Bye Bye Pores is infused with collagen, anti-oxidants and real silk. It instantly smoothes away signs of aging. Superfine translucent powder works on all skin tones and types.

So, if you are hesitant about powder, we say, don't be shy. Use a light touch and powder away!

Winter Months Cruel To Rosacea? Try Obagi Rosaclear System

We have written about rosacea a couple of times before here at Beauty Tip Today.

And now, we are writing again, because the cold, dry winter months can be cruel to those with rosacea. We've been looking at the well-respected Obagi skin care company, and their RosaClear System, a multi-product, all-in-one weapon that battles redness and gives you back a healthy, more balanced complexion.

The RosaClear System has been out for a year now, and seems to show measurable promise.

No one knows what truly causes rosacea. But it is a common skin disease that affects more than 14 million Americans today. More women than men have it, and it usually strikes those with fair skin and blue eyes, namely of Irish and Scottish descent. Sadly, most Americans don't know how to treat it.

What does rosacea resemble? There are four subtypes, but simply speaking, it can appear as a redness or persistent flushing of the face. Sometimes it includes the distinct redness, but with a bumpy texture. Other rosacea examples feature a thickening of the skin with an irregular epidermal texture. And lastly, ocular rosacea, which shows red, swollen, iritated eyelids.

The RosaClear System by Obagi is prescription-based, although you can buy the products individually or as a set through many online shopping sites and on Ebay. The kit costs about $135.

According to the stats, clinical studies revealed that, "90 percent of subjects showed at least a one grade reduction in the severity of rosacea after just two weeks. Investigators also reported an overall reduction in redness and continued improvement over the four-week study."

The Obagi RosaClear System includes these products:
Gentle Cleanser---Gently cleanses sensitive skin.
Metronidazole Topical Gel USP, 0.75% (Rx Only)--Treats the inflammatory papules and pustules associated with rosacea.
Hydrating Complexion Corrector--Anti-inflammatory agents help reduce redness while soothing and calming the skin; light-reflective minerals lead to a more balanced-looking complexion.
Skin Balancing Sun Protection SPF 30 (sold separately)--Provides sun protection through a specially formulated, chemical-free, tinted UVA/UVB sunscreen which easily blends with the skin.

OMG! Heidi Montag Undergoes Extreme Plastic Surgery Makeover

Heidi Montag. You have to admit, the girl is gutsy. And apparently addicted to plastic surgery as the headline of People magazine's newest issue on sale now, reveals.

Yes, both photos are of Heidi Montag. Before, left, and the new Heidi, right, in 2010. Heidi seems almost unrecognizable after an admitted 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day! OMG!

So, what's different about the celebrity? Bigger breasts, bigger lips, smaller chin, smaller nose, and apparently some other things like---mini brow lift, Botox in the forehead, fat injections in the cheeks, neck liposuction, ears pinned back, liposuction on her waist and thighs and a buttocks augmentation.

The Hills star is only 23, and yet has been slowly putting together a more beautiful beauty strategy for quite some time now. "For the past three years, I've thought about what to have done," the reality star tells PEOPLE. "I'm beyond obsessed."

We always thought Heidi Montag was pretty, and even prettier after her first nose job, done around 2007. Then she went for too ample a breast enhancement, and it's never stopped. But, we have to imagine, it's tough out there for any young woman growing up in such a beauty and youth-obsessed society. There is so much pressure on girls to be super skinny and look 'perfect.' And Heidi told People, that she was teased as a young girl about her looks, and the teasing didn't stop, even when she moved to L.A. and got a lucky television break:

"People said I had a] Jay Leno chin," she tells the mag. "And when I watched myself on 'The Hills,' my ears would be sticking out like Dumbo! I just wanted to feel confident and look in the mirror and be like, 'Whoa! That's me!' I was an ugly duckling before."

There's a lot of competition in Hollywood, especially in the pop star world, where Heidi so wants to be at the moment:

"I'm competing against the Britney Spearses of the world - and when she was in her prime, it was her sex appeal that sold. Obviously, looks matter, it's a superficial industry," Heidi explains.

So, how does Heidi Montag like the 10-round plastic surgery results? Well, we could only share the cover photo of People, for now, but Heidi is definitely pleased:

"I look way better and I'm way happier...my eyebrow lift just took my face to another level, made it a little bit more European-exotic," Heidi says. "And for the first time, I have sexy ears!"

By the way....Heidi's debut CD Superficial, drops tomorrow, and the lead single is called, Fanatic.

Hmmm. Words to chew on for a while.

Elegant Sexy Black And Sheer Trend Back In Big Way

We've been waiting for quite some time now, for the black and sheer trend to make its way back on the runway and on the street. And finally, we're starting to see it everywhere.

We adore this black and sheer style. And every woman can wear it. It spells out elegant and sexy. And it can also look like 'naughty meets nice.' Top designers like Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, and Stella McCartney were showing these timeless pieces on their models. And young celebrities like Leighton Meester have been seen wearing these sophisticated styles.

You can obviously shop high end for the black and sheer trend. But you can also pick up some pretty pieces at the inexpensive level, too. And when the color is black, the fabric looks rich at any price; at least we like to think so.


The Black and sheer combo isn't just for dresses. We have found them in tops, tunics, and skirts. And often times, lovely lace is incorporated into the look, so you are raising the elegance level even higher.

When you are wearing a black and sheer item, don't forget about the peek-a-boo element to the piece. In other words, be oh so careful, what part of your body is wearing the sheer fabric. For instance, if the belly is in the sheer fabric, that area will get noticed. If your belly is in taut, trim shape, then good for you. But if your belly isn't totally flat, then highlight or 'frame' another area of your figure in the sheer fabric, like your sexy decolletage, or your strong, fit arms.



The black and sheer trend can highlight the sexy body parts, and hide the less-than-perfect parts. The opaque, black fabric takes care of that problem. So it's a win-win style for all of us, and because this look is done in black and sometimes, navy, you will enjoy an overall slimmer silhouette.

Our top photo features the Black Raquel Lace Dress by Ralph Lauren Rugby.

Our 2nd photo comes from Forever21....the Mesh Yoke Rosette Tunic ($19.80).

Our 3rd photo shows a Frederick's of Hollywood Illusion Mesh Panel Dress ($54).

And our last photo features the Taryn Lace Skirt by Ralph Lauren Rugby ($298). It comes in navy(pictured here) or black.

Foot Petals Perfect Polish Pen Gives TLC On The Go To Shoes And Boots

You sure get around in your many pairs of shoes and boots. Look at Nicky Hilton rockin' the glam look in her leopard coat and black Christian Louboutin Babel platform boots in L.A. a few weeks ago. Nicky loves her Louboutins! As does Jennifer Lopez, ha!

And even if you don't own a pair of sexy Louboutins at $1,487. and change, you do own several pairs of shoes and boots. And every woman wants her shoes to be scuff-free. But this isn't a perfect world. Even celebrities get scratches and scuffs.

If you think people never look down at your feet, well, you're dreaming. We just had a friend of ours tell us a story about rushing out the door with little time to clean up. She forgot all about her boots. And there she stood in a group of put-together women at a special event. Our friend looked down at her feet and cringed! Her boots were a mess---noticable scuffs across the toes. No place to hide. She was embarrassed to say the least.

We, er, 'stumbled' on to this great website recently. Foot Petals. And we fell in love, head over heels, so to speak, with Foot Petals Perfect Polish Pen ($13). The dynamo, little pen comes in black and brown.

And the Perfect Polish Pen is worth it for these simple reasons:

Touch up that scuff or that annoying scratch before it drives you crazy.
Great for the office. For the jet-setter. For the gal on-the-go. And small enough to fit in your purse.
No mess.
Convenient hands-free pen applicator.
Provides an instant high gloss shine.
Quick dry formula.
Requires no extra buffing. (Love that....we are too lazy to buff.)
Excellent for gift giving.
Available in a 2-pair combo, too.

That's not all. FootPetals.com is full of wonderful TLC accessories, like several styles of foot cushions to keep your darling feet from working up an odor, to stop feet from sliding forward, arches to give your shoes the perfect fit, and so on.

There are Sole Stopperz, for only $6.95 a pair. Just place these pretty petal-shaped traction adhesives on the backs of your shoes or boots, to prevent slipping on wet or icy surfaces. Brilliant idea!

Foot Petals also sells some cute and comfy socks and slippers. If you can't find a Foot Petals store near you, shop online. Zappos.com and shubilove.com also sell Foot Petals accessories.

C.O. Bigelow Lip Balms Perfect In Winter And Yummy With Zero Calories

The cold, dry winter air is cruel to our lips. And if you spend time outdoors skiing, skating, sledding, or even just taking a leisurely stroll, your lips will pay the price if you leave them naked. All lips need lip balm. You wear gloves to shield your hands from the winter elements, so why would you not cover your lips with protection?

Lips are also thinner in skin structure, very sensitive, and lack protective oil glands.

Today, we are looking at some yummy and worthy lip balms from C.O. Bigelow, a 168-year-old apothecary in New York City. It's an amazing place, and if you're a drugstore junkie, you could spend weeks in there with tons of high quality beauty products at decent prices.


C.O. Bigelow's features some of the yummiest lip balms and lipshines around. Check out this one: Bigelow Mentha Lip Cordial in Triple Hot Chocolate ($7.50). Smells heavenly, of course, and glides on in a smooth, velvet way. You get high shine with breath-freshening benefits. Zero calories, too!

We love spearmint, and yet, it's not always easy to find in gum, let alone, a moisturizing shiny lip balm. But C.O. Bigelow's has got you covered with their Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Spearmint ($7.50). Very exhilirating to the breath and lips.

And C.O. Bigelow's also sells tinted lip balms, so you get a soft, sheer hint of color every time you apply. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint in Magenta Mint ($7.50). This mint-infused balm is so pretty! Lips stay moist and protected while Peppermint Oil gives breath long-lasting freshness.

Exfoliation is key when trying to maintain healthy, soft lips. So before you 'balm,' you can try these easy steps:

You will need a toothbrush as one of your go-to instruments for lip maintenance. No. We're not kidding. You must exfoliate as part of your daily and nightly routine. For instance, after brushing your teeth, take your wet toothbrush and gently brush your lips in a circular motion for several seconds. This brushing will loosen dead, chapped skin and give you smoother, softer lips.

Or you can go one step further. Buy an extra toothbrush. Take a dry toothbrush and dip the bristles into a little Vaseline. And brush your lips. This really works, and it's a beauty tip that's been around for a long time.

By the way, C.O. Bigelow's also sells a lip exfoliator. It's called Bigelow Soothing Lip Buffer ($7.50). It's a mint-infused lip exfoliator formulated with sugar crystals. And Bigelow's says it's the perfect remedy for flaky, peeling, chapped lips.

All these lip balms, lip shines, and lip buffer cost only $7.50 a piece. We love that price. For more information, visit C.O. Bigelow.

How To Get Sexy Joan Jett Eyes Like Kristen Stewart

Twilight's Kristen Stewart and rocker Joan Jett have something in common these days. And it has to do with a movie and a lot of black liquid eyeliner.

Fans of Kristen Stewart and Joan Jett have been anxiously awaiting for the release of The Runaways. The movie is set for release in March of this year, and the Twilight star will play the legendary Jett herself. The Runaways was the all-female band Jett founded when she was just 15.

Of course, Joan Jett has always had a signature look of shag-cut black hair with tons of sexy, black eyeliner. And yeah, Joan is still sporting the style, because she can and it's a timeless look. And young Kristen Stewart likes to play with makeup, too, and loves creating a heavily lined winged eye these days. The photo(top) we have of her, actually is a tamer version of the heavy black liner she's been sporting as of late. But you get the idea.

We talk often, here at Beauty Tip Today, about drawing on the sexy, winged eye, or cat eye, doe eye. Rocker chicks like to take it all a step further and amp up the wattage with a heavier line. It's up to you. To get Joan Jett eyes like Kristen Stewart, you need a couple of beauty essentials:

1. Liquid eyeliner. This is a must! It creates a neater, sharper look than a pencil. But it's not easy lining eyes and then flicking the liner up at the outside edge of your eyes. It takes some practice. Too make the drawing on a little easier, look for a liquid liner that comes in felt tip form, like Wet n Wild's H2O Proof Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Ultra Black ($3.99, at drugstores). This one stays put and glides along your eyelid smoothly.

2. Mascara. In black, of course. Any brand will do.

Quick winged eye tips:

1. Always begin drawing your line at the inner corner of your eye, like makeup artists do. Draw a thin line that gradually gets thicker as you move across your eyelid.

2. Once you reach the outer edge of your eye, flick the liner up and away. But don't go too far beyond....stop before the end of your brow.

3. Another little trick....before you begin to draw your liner on, force the eyelid skin to lie flat, by very gently pulling the outer corner of your eye. Hope that makes sense. A little clumsy at first.

We look forward to The Runaways flick. We think Kristen Stewart makes a super Joan Jett,and will pull off the role quite nicely. That and all the sexy, black eyeliner, too.

Beauty Products Designed By A Redhead Just For Readheads

Redheads. Such red-hot beauty. And yet, the world seems to forget you exist when it comes to the key components of makeup, hair, and skin.

Maybe it's because you sometimes feel outnumbered, dear auburn-haired lovelies. If you believe the statistics, redheads currently make up 2% of the world's population.

But because of your uniqueness, you also stand out. When a woman with beautiful red hair walks into a room, people notice. Look at actress Nicole Kidman. We are so happy she has returned to her real roots. For a few years, Nicole was coloring her hair blonde, but alas, she is now wearing the natural, red tresses she became famous for. And she has never looked better.

We were blown away by a website dedicated to all redheads looking for beauty. It's called Just for Redheads, and trust us, it makes us want to take the auburn plunge.

The JFR website features 'beauty products designed by a redhead, just for redheads.' And the site was founded by Paula Pennypacker, president of the JFR company. We happen to think it's brilliant marketing with a website packed with beauty items and honesty. The cosmetics industry seems to pay little attention to the special beauty needs of our fair-skinned, red-hot sisters. And Paula Pennypacker goes the distance to make redheads look their prettiest.

One of her most popular products is her mascara. She calls it, "the finest mascara available for redheads." JFR Mascara Ultresse ($24.99, special savings). And the mascara comes in soft, sexy shades like--Ginger Cocoa. Ginger Red. Ginger Henna. And Ginger Brown.

The entire website caters to, and only to, women with red hair. Even JFR's Redheads Shampoo Dream Formula ($21,99, special savings) is designed to restore vibrancy and natural red undertones to locks.

And JustforRedheads.com also features beauty tips and color assistance. From concealers to blushes to liquid eyeliners to sun protection products for the fairest of skin, Paula Pennypicker has got the red haired gal ready to go.

Professional makeup artists adore JFR's beauty products. And the company has been recognized by People magazine. If you haven't taken a look at JustforRedheads.com, then you're really missing out.

L'Oreal Introduces New Lash Boosting Serum With Freida Pinto

We talk on and on here at Beauty Tip Today about long, beautiful lashes. And we've presented several ways to achieve the perfect set of lashes. From prescription enhancer Latisse to an inexpensive duo of fake lashes, to a thick coat of velvety black mascara.

And we're happy to report that L'Oreal has just introduced the world to their new Lash Boosting Serum. And there's a matching Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara, too. Check out the lovely ad campaign with actress Freida Pinto, spokesperson for the new L'Oreal lash treatments. We found the 24 Hour Lash Boosting Power System for $24.95 at Sephora.com. You receive both products in one package. You can also find these at your local drugstore.

Say so-long to skimpy, wimpy lashes. The beauty technology here is something else! Reviews that we have found, are for the most part, very complimentary to L'Oreal's new Lash Boosting Serum. According to the company, you will see impressive results in 4 weeks.

You simply apply the serum with its soft-touch applicator to your lash line and lashes, before you go to bed on bare lashes, and in the morning, before, you apply the Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara.

What's in the serum, you ask? "A complex blend of fortifying amino acids, panthenol and ceramide for visibly fuller natural lashes with less fall-out when removing makeup."

Here are some stats:
After 4 weeks, women say:
71% ..."It seems I have more lashes."
75%..."My lashes seem thicker."
78%..."I have less lash loss during makeup removal."
81%..."My lashes seem to be in better condition."

Your lashes will appear multiplied, and we say, that's a good thing. But it appears, that you have to keep up the twice daily application along with the matching mascara for your beauty routine to take hold.

We found this recent customer review at Walmart.com:

"I love this mascara system. The lash nourishing serum is great - it made my lashes longer and fuller. Then the mascara was perfect - no clumping, no flaking, no running. I've been in search of the PERFECT mascara for years and now I've found it. The cost seems high relative to other drug store mascaras but the price is well worth the results. I highly recommend this mascara."
Product Attributes:
Ease of use:
5 out of 5

Value for price paid:
4 out of 5

Color appeal:
5 out of 5

Value:
5 out of 5

Quality:
5 out of 5

Lastly, does the L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum actually 'grow you lashes?' Probably not like a Latisse prescription product, but, the L'Oreal serum does contain nourishing ingredients that keep the hair safe from damage and encourage thickness. And the customer review above, seems to rate its effectiveness quite highly.

Stylists Say Beautiful Berry Big For Color Everywhere In 2010

Think Berry. If you're spotting trends, then this is one beautiful color to add to your wardrobe in 2010.

Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Garner, and Naomi Watts are all wearing simple, stylish fashions in berry, pictured here at recent events. We love the raspberry shade because it's vibrant and brightens the complexion.

People's StyleWatch just featured the color as one of it's big trends in 2010, and entertainment host Lara Spencer from The Insider, has been featured wearing the beautiful berry shade. Lara's stylist Anya Sarre, mentioned berry and turquoise as being the hot, bold colors of the new year.

Even Clinique is diving into the delicious berry bounty with its Juiced Up Colour Collection for Spring 2010. The whole look is one of vibrancy but with a soft wash of natural color. Nothing too bold here. And the new limited edition collection is already available at beauty counters, like Nordstrom's.

Drawing inspiration from Clinique’s latest lip innovation, Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour, the lineup is fruit-inspired, juicy and packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

The Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour($17.50). There are 8 shades, and most are in the berry family, like Absolute Acai, Goodness Grapecious, Pink Me Up, Fig-A-Licious, and Rhubarbie.

And take a look at the flirty, raspberry top by Victoria's Secret. A silk, twill scoopneck top with pintucked pleating and feminine ruffled hem. Now on sale for $49.

And if you aren't wild about beautiful berry, but still want to be hot for 2010, you could always be in style undercover by wearing berry-colored panties, bras, or cami. Oh yeah! VS sells a pink raspberry Sexy Little Things push-up bra. So, they've got you covered!

We think berry is a nice change and makes your skin glow.

Can Supplements Get Rid Of Annoying Gray Hair Permanently?

Gray hair. Grey hair. On some women and men, it is very striking and sophisticated. Just look at the photo of model Carmen---very sexy. But to others, especially those who have started going gray in their 20's and 30's, it can be an annoying thing.

For us, we started seeing a few gray hairs hiding in between our many, long locks of dark brown hair when we were in college. Our girlfriends teased us, and that's when we began hitting the bottles of Clairol, and have been coloring our hair ever since. What frustrates us, and many women, is the stubborness of some of our gray hair. Hair color doesn't always stick to this type of hair for long.

We have heard of the pills to get rid of gray hair permanently. But do such vitamins and supplements really work?

Let's take a look. We toured the website of Reminex. This company claims, that for $29 a bottle, and three pills a day, your gray hair will start disappearing. Reminiex is so certain that their natural formula REMINEX GH can help you to restore gray hair and premature white hair to their original hair color that they offer a full 3-month (90 days) money back guarantee.

We applaud the guarantee. But we want to know exactly what's in this natural--no side effects pill. The company says, "it is a blend of thousands of years of oriental medicine theory combined with modern western medical breakthrough and technology..."

There are green tea extract, pumpkin seed, dong kuai, ginseng, Vitamins B2, B6, and B12, and other well known healthy ingredients in the Reminex supplements.

And Reminex makes this explanation:

"Preliminary studies indicate that Reminex GH is effective to restore gray hair or premature white hair with an 70% success rate in both men and women......

"The shorter the period of time that you have had gray hair and the less percentage of gray hair you have on your scalp, the faster you will notice a difference. You did not become gray in one or two months, therefore there is no miracle pill to restore your hair color back to the original color in 2 to 6 months. It takes time, just like everything else, but once the desired result is achieved, then you do not need to worry about gray hair any more."

We haven't tried it, but it sounds worth trying. If you consider that your hair color is determined by a pigment called melanin, and this pill is designed to help stimulate melancocytes to increase the body’s ability to produce melanin pigment, then intellectually, it makes sense.

Is there any other natural way to get rid of annoying gray hair permanently? Well, some folks believe that taking 1 Tbsp. of blackstrap molasses every day, can restore your 'real' hair color in time.

Meanwhile, it's back to the salon or at-home boxes of hair color for most women and men trying to deal with the gray hair challenge.

The New 2010 Beauty Procedure : Stem Cell Facelift And Suzanne Somers To Get One In February

Beauty experts are saying that stem-cell facelifts will be the new beauty procedure in 2010. And actress/author Suzanne Somers has been telling folks worldwide, that she will become the poster child for the cutting edge surgery. She has already hinted to talk show titan Larry King, that she wants to promote the beauty project on his show.

And the National Enquirer says that the 63-year-old blonde beauty will undergo a stem-cell facelift and breast lift this February.

So we thought we would take a closer look at this new plastic surgery technique. First, this kind of facelift harnesses the power from your own stem-cells. Science had discovered back in 2002, that liposuctioned fat contains stem-cells.

For example, the fat in your back, is one location where surgeons can harvest the stem cells through liposuction. When this fat is injected into the face, experts can give back volume to the contours, plump up cheeks, make pores less visible, and give the patient a return to youthfulness. And when injected into the breasts, the look is softer and more natural. The stem-cell breast lift encourages natural fat growth, so the plumped-up areas do not feel like an implant.

Some well-respected Hollywood plastic surgeons have already been performing these stem-cell procedures, like Dr. Richard Ellenbogen. But there are some limitations, he says:
"Stem cells cannot accomplish everything in many cases, so it should be noted that the skin must also be tightened if it is too loose, or neck muscles may need to be tightened for the heavier neckline."
Suzanne Somers has taken a lot of heat for her enthusiastic lifestyle philosophy and books. She takes tons of vitamins and uses bio-identical hormones, doesn't care for chemotherapy to fight cancers, and so on. And she's said to be working on a new book about anti-aging. She plans to document her February stem-cell facelift with before and after photos.

Is Suzanne a youth-obsessed dodo? Maybe to some, but we have to admit, the woman at 63, still looks incredible. Sure, there are rumors of several plastic surgery procedures she has had already to stop the aging clock. We don't think she needs any more work. The top photo shows Suzanne at an event this past January. And the photo below, depicts the beauty on the red carpet last September.

Dr. Tony Youn, a Detroit-area plastic surgeon, told the Enquirer, that Suzanne is right on the money about her knowledge of stem-cell facelifts.

"Stem-cell facelifts work by liposuctioning fat from the patient, and separating the stem cells from the fat cells," he says.

"Because stem cells replicate, when they are injected into the cheeks and frown lines, they rejuvenate the older facial tissue. This is often done in combination with a traditional facelift, but it can also be injected without performing surgery."

We look forward to 'fat' February facelift day for Suzanne Somers!

Purell Portable Mini Hand Sanitizers Take Hygiene On The Road

If you've been freaking out about better hygiene because of H1N1, the regular flu, and all those nasty germs in between, then we have a better way to travel in the new year.

A friend just gave us a cute little pink bottle of take-along hand sanitizer.

It's called the Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer Variety Pack,($13.99) in a limited time offer. We found some at Amazon.com. Each Variety Pack contains FOUR .05 oz 4-PURELL Original & 4 Colorful Jelly Wraps.

And we like Purell, because the stuff really works and leaves hands soft and silky. "Kills 99.99% of most common germs in as little as 15 seconds."

We also adore the convenience and smart idea of these Purell Portable Mini Hand Sanitizers. The key feature being the hook-on jelly wrap. Just snap one on to purse, diaper bag, key chain, backpack, suitcase, etc. You can hang these Purell Minis just about anywhere and take your good hygiene on the road. You can even get them through the airports when you fly. These minis Meet TSA airline requirements for carry on, less than 3 oz per bottle.

And the colors come in blue, green, pink, purple, and yellow. The jelly wraps have good stretch to them and are reusable. Kids will love them, too. No soap or water required. And these Purell Portable Mini Hand Sanitizers are dermatologist-tested and dye-free. The jelly wrap fits standard travel size Purell or you can refill the bottle once it empties.

You might be saying, what a crazy way we live these days. And maybe that's so, but we are happy the beauty and skin care industries are coming up with some smart packaging and designs to bring hygiene awareness to a friendly new level.

Nicole Richie Clothing Line Winter Kate Looks Great In Spring 2010

We love Nicole Richie's laid-back Bohemian fashion style. And apparently, we are not alone. The young business woman is now launching a new women's clothing line this spring 2010. It's called 'Winter Kate,' after adorable daughter Harlow's two middle names.

Nicole Richie, a new mama for the second time, is enjoying life with her family and boyfriend, Joel Madden. Even a recent bout with pneumonia hasn't kept the pretty fashionista down. Winter Kate will feature a 40-piece collection of vests, leather jacket, camisoles, blouses, kimono jackets, and slip dresses. Check out photos here from Nicole's Look Book for Winter Kate Spring/Summer 2010. The collection will be available globally in February.

Designing beautiful things, is not new to Nicole Richie. The doe-eyed lovely, who has just dyed her blonde locks to a dark brunette, also has a successful jewelry line, House of Harlow and a maternity collection, Nicole for A Pea in the Pod.

Nicole is excited about her new label Winter Kate. “Fashion should be accessible,” Nicole says. “That was my philosophy when designing House of Harlow 1960 and it remains my philosophy for Winter Kate.”

This clothing line is both vintage and modern. There's quite a romantic, Bohemian feel to the fabrics and cut of the fashions. It's very feminine and very wearable. And from what we've learned, the prices will range from $70 - $250 for tops and dresses, and $1,000 for the leather pieces.

Nicole Richie's Winter Kate collection will be sold at high-end stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ron Herman, Intermix and Kitson.

By the way, Nicole is modeling one of the pieces from the collection in the top photo. The cute jade green bed jacket is called 'The Opy Jacket.' It's also shown here in photo 2.

Winter Kate looks great in spring 2010. Can't wait!

Jennifer Lopez Lets It All Hang Out In Unforgiving SkinTight Catsuit! Meow!!

Jennifer Lopez gave an incredible, high energy performance at Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve program on ABC last night.

We must give the sexy singer her props, especially for the great show she put on in lousy, cold, wet weather for the more than 750,000 New Year's revelers in New York City's Times Square.

JLo wowed the massive crowd in a skintight diamante-studded catsuit! Meow!

"Let's Get Loud!" Hear this: a poor choice in fashion for a 40-year-old mom of two, we dare to say! Yes, we are celebrating Jennifer Lopez' fine shape. And yes, she should be proud......however, that was one unforgiving piece of fabric the Bronx diva painted herself into. We thought she looked pregnant. And if she is, congratulations! That's a good thing. More likely, we just thought her belly was hanging out, and not too attractively. And you couldn't tell this was a woman with one of the sexiest rear ends around. The head-to-toe spandex made her butt look flat and sagging, and we know that isn't the case.

If you're gonna don a skintight, see-through catsuit, and perform on live TV under harsh stage lighting, you better pray your body is in the best shape it can be, because people will be watching and talking, and blogging about it the next day.

This was not Jennifer Lopez' best fashion choice. And we are disappointed. There are many ways to look extremely shapely and fit by not exposing certain soft areas like belly and butt.

It was an odd look and a desperate one at that. Even her 'Rapunzel-like' hair extensions seemed too long, as if trying to cover up an already over-exposed figure. And the muddy brown colored catsuit didn't translate well on TV.

Meow!! If we are being too harsh on the 'Louboutins' JLo, we apologize. We were disappointed, because the talented celebrity has usually hit very high marks when it comes to fashion on the red carpet. Maybe men will see the skintight catsuit in another light, as host Ryan Seacrest purred, 'That outfit has made my year!'

The beauty tip today: Even a woman as attractive and shapely as Jennifer Lopez can choose the wrong outfit. Although no skin was showing, this unforgiving, skintight, catsuit did the sexy singer no favors. Fabric and style are something we all should pay more attention to.

And on that note: Happy New Year! May we all wear it well in 2010!

To watch Jennifer Lopez' New Year's Eve performance, click here: