Saturday, June 25, 2011

Too Much Texting Causes Neck Wrinkles? Need The Blackberry Facial?

We keep scratching our heads, and er, necks about this one. BUT----there actually could be some truth to these neck wrinkle rumors, caused by way too much texting and the repeated action of looking down, again, and again, when using your cell phone or texting device.

Still laughing? Don't......we'll explain in a bit.

Believe it or not---in Manhattan, you can receive The Blackberry Facial for $200. As far as we know, the only place you canfind this unique beauty treatment is at the Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa in midtown Manhattan.

By the way, The Blackberry Facial consists of a 45-minute treatment multi-procedure:
1. A neck cleansing.
2. A peel with sapphire stones.
3. Another peel.
4. A hydrating serum and then lymphatic drainage.
5. Followed by 20 minutes of LED light and microcurrents.
6. And ending with an oxygen mask.


Is this necessary? Can neck wrinkles really occur so quickly, just because you're constantly checking for emails and/or texts, or in the act of sending them?!

Back in 2008, Allure magazine featured in its March issue, an informative article about the neck:

Protect your neck. The neck is actually more prone to aging than the face, which is supported by a cushion of tissue. You can make your neck look much younger with the right creams.
The most crucial treatment is prevention with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. Apply it every day.
You don't need to buy specific creams for the neck: Face creams with the right ingredients work just as well. An antioxidant cream used daily will protect skin from environmental damage that causes wrinkles.


So, what have we learned today?

The neck ages quicker than the face. As far as way too much texting? Well, we cannot prove that causes neck wrinkles, but if it does....then just about everyone in town is going to be walking around with a sagging neck very soon.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Don't Own A Strapless Bra? What Planet Are You On!





We don't want to preach about intimate apparel, BUT----bra experts say that every gal should own at least one strapless bra.

Don't own a strapless bra?! Don't worry, we have a couple of friends who have NEVER even bought a strapless bra. How bizarre is that? Is it even possible?

Summer has just started, and we've been seeing so many strapless and one-shoulder styles. And when you want to wear these fabulous sleek trends, you need some supportive summer shapewear.

Let's look at television's Blake Lively, the hot girl of the moment, and new friend of Leonardo DiCaprio. Lately, Blake's fave kind of style is the strapless or one-shoulder.

And if you want to wear a strapless top or dress, then you NEED a strapless bra, no if ands or buts.....unless you want to go bra-less.

We like Calvin Klein's new Envy Strapless nylon/lycra bra ($46, now on SALE for $34.50 at Macy's. We like it in Bare. It's a seamless, deep-pluge underwire bra with subtle lift.

You don't want seams or padding showing through, and this Calvin Klein bra keeps you looking polished and perfect in all those shoulder-baring styles.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup: Not As Easy As It Looks



Foundation. We wear it daily. We don't like applying it, but-----only the most flawless skin doesn't need foundation, just a bit of concealer. At least that is what professional makeup artists have told us.

And we DON'T have perfect skin. But what foundation does, is provide a balance to skin tone, a bit of warmth to complexion, a nice base on which to layer on blush, concealer, shadows, etc. Plus, foundation provides some coverage from the elements.

We wear Revlon's ColorStay Soft-Flex Foundation in Nude. It's a liquid for oily/combination skin. And it's the best for us, so far. We sample a number of foundations along the way, but this particular product has served us well. And it's not a bad match for our skin tone.

We were quite curious then, to try Revlon's PhotoReady Compact Makeup ($13.99, at drugstores). This ain't your mama's foundation, ladies. This is a high-tech compact makeup. It contains a liquifying screen that actually transforms the cream foundation into a iquid foundation for 'superior blendability.

Heck, we're all for that. But wait a minute-----------It's not as easy as it looks. From the photo we're providing of Revlon's PhotoReady, it would appear to be a simple makeup compact. But there's a certain technique you must use:

The cream makeup visibly liquefies as it filters through a screen (when pressed). Then it transforms into a weightless liquid for smooth, even coverage. A sponge applicator is used in the process.

It gets a bit messy trying to get the product out and onto your face. We're not wild about the screen. Revlon says to "Gently press on screen with sponge. Blend with sponge across face, starting in center of face blending outward." ... It's a very lightweight consistency And it takes some practice.

We give Revlon's PhotoReady high marks for its 20 SPF rating. That is great. Plus the finish to this foundation leaves a soft, airbrushed look. But we think we will stay with our Revlon ColorStay, instead.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

LOL....Anything Wrong With 5-Year-Old Madison Giving Makeup 101 Lessons On YouTube?!



Is the tender age of 5 too young to start playing around with makeup?

Let's go one huge step further-----Is a 5-year-old too young to be giving makeup 101 lessons on YouTube?!

Like it or not, little Madison is a YouTube sensation! And if you haven't seen her telling you how to apply blush and eye shadow, and so much more, then check this out here. In fact, we caught her again, being featured on 'Good Morning America.'

Madison is a pint-sized cutie pie who is very comfortable in front of the camera, playing with makeup. Period. It's harmless and fun.

But there are some out there who have cried, 'foul!' They say we are sexualizing our little girls.

Well, in this case, we don't happen to think so. We think it's okay to explore Mommy's makeup bag, and try on a swipe of lipstick or powder your nose.

Madison's mom loves watching YouTube makeup tutorials, and it's obvious, that her young daughter has become fond of cosmetics and communication via YouTube.

Madison is an internet sensation, and we can see why. She is adorable, engaging, intelligent, and a happy child, who just happens to love playing with her Mom's makeup.

What do you think?

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Kim Kardashian Looks To Hepburn Hollywood Glamour For Wedding Style




With bride-to-be Kim Kardashian showing off a 20.5 karat diamond engagement ring, there is no doubt that her wedding will also be a grand one! And the late, iconic Audrey Hepburn could somehow be involved. Hmmm....more on that in a bit.

We caught the sexy reality star chatting with Ryan Seacrest live on the E! channel last evening.

And we noticed right away, that the raven-haired beauty had several inches chopped from her super long locks. She looks even hotter, if that's possible.

Why did she go shorter?

"I just wanted a change!" Kim told Us Weekly earlier that day. "I always wear my hair the same, and wanted something fresh!" Take a look at her new, layered do from Kim K's website.

Kim Kardashian recently got engaged to her boyfriend of six months, basketballer Kris Humphries. She has been busy promoting the newest season of her family's E! reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. And the 'kute' couple are slated to marry later this summer.

Kim has been very busy trying to hunt down the perfect wedding dress, no easy task for any bride-to-be But the reality star beauty did give away a couple of big hints to Ryan Seacrest:

1. Old Hollywood Glamour. That's the look Kim is eyeing. Nothing overtly sexy. Tradition and sophistication.

2. Audrey Hepburn wedding dress. Possibly. Kim has been looking through the beauty archives for memorable gowns, and revealed that she loved the tea length wedding dress that Audrey Hepburn wore in the 1957 movie, 'Funny Face.'. Take a look at our top photo. Very demure and frou-frou.

And although Kim Kardashian is petite like the late Audrey Hepburn, their body shapes couldn't be more different. Audrey was far from curvy, and was uber-skinny, whereas Kim is very voluptuous.

But if anyone can carry off a beautiful garment, it's certainly Kim K., so we will be very interested to see just what kind of wedding gown the sexy celebrity walks down the aislein. Somehow, we envision Kim in a very white, mermaid style gown.

Stay tuned, fans!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Are You A Cuticle Cutie? How Does Your Mani/Pedi Look?


Cuticle cutie?

No, not yet. In fact, we are usually in hang nail h-ll. We get hang nails at our thumbs, and we are always trying to tear the skin ourselves, and we end up making it a lot worse.

A hang nail is "a small, torn piece of skin near a fingernail or toenail." And that would point to the cuticle.

But our cuticles are improving. That's because we are now conditioning them. In the past, we never bothered applying oil or cream treatments for the cuticles, but at the moment, we are hooked.
Yes, these cuticle conditioners DO work. But you need patience and a little TLC. And since we are mani/pedi-challenged, we are learning quite a few things about healthy nails.

Tennis Star Serena Williams is nail-obsessed, and we can bet her cuticles are perfect:

...."No one likes getting their nails done more than I do," she says. "As a matter of fact I go every four days to get a manicure and every seven days for a pedicure. So, I had a brilliant idea to get certified to be a nail tech."

You don't have to be manicure-crazy to achieve healthy nails, but you DO have to have healthy cuticles to make it all work. And we have 2 cult cuticle conditioning favorites that deliver results:

1. Solar Oil Conditioner by Creative Nail Design ($7.59, at drugstore.com). Made with Vitamin E, sweet almond and jojoba oils. Solar Oil is able to penetrate deeply to soften dry cuticles and promote the growth of strong, flexible nails.

Simply brush on this oil daily. We like to do this at bedtime to let the

oil dry completely, and work through sleeping hours.

2. Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme by Burt's Bees ($5.99, at drugstore.com. This stuff is amazing, too, in a cream base. It, too, includes sweet almond oil, Vitamin E. Toss in some lemon oil and cocoa butter, and your nails will be in heaven.

Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme is easy to apply, too. Just massage in and around nails nightly to heal dry cuticles and cracked fingertips.


With hot, summer days fast approaching, it's a good time to get your nails in shape, and that means a set of healthy cuticles, from your fingertips down to your toenails.

We promise to continue this simple, nightly nail routine, and if you have almost given up on your unattractive cuticles, give one of these conditioning nail treatments a try.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

How To Fake A Fabulous Safe Tan With Bronzer


This Tuesday, June 21, marks the first day of summer. And for many of you, the beginning of your tanning routine.

We are not here to judge. We don't want to scold anyone for heading to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. BUT------

There really is NO safe tan, except in the form of sunless tanning. And that means bronzer for your face, and tanning spray for your body. And yes, you CAN fake a fabulous tan with bronzer.

Your face can glow and look like you spent a day lying by the sand and sea. All you have to do is pick the right bronzer and delicately apply it, so it results in a natural, sun-kissed way.

Choose a bronzerthat is one or two shades darker than your skin. If you have an oily complexion, then stay with a powder bronzer. Dry complexions would be wise to select a cream bronzer. And remember: Don't go bronzer-wild all over your face.

Try Maybelline's DreamMousse Bronzer ($7.29, at drugstores)> It's so light and glides on beautifully!

Celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes, a fave of Jennifer Lopez, is the king of bronzer. Here are his tips, the best we've seen on applying a fake tan for the face:

"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.".

Use bronzer sparingly, says Scott:

"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."

Great tips! And Scott Barnes sells his own popular makeup line of bronzers for face and body.