Monday, July 9, 2012

NJ Housewife Jacqueline Laurita Likes This Cosmetic Treatment To Stay Young


If you're a fan of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, and you know you are....then you've noticed Jacqueline Laurita looking especially lovely this season. Even Bravo's Andy Cohen recently asked the 42-year-old youthful mom about the cosmetic procedures she's had done to keep her looking so wrinkle-free. Fans have been wondering if Jacqueline went under the knife for a facelift.

She told him it was, ultherapy.

Huh?

The next day, she went on her website to explain the treatment:

"I decided to do Ultherapy when I noticed my neck not firming up the way I wanted it to after my weight loss from my 55 lb. weight gain during my pregnancy. I’m 42 years old, so I’m sure my age has something to do with my lack of elasticity … Ultherapy for the face and neck actually improves the skin from the inside out by repairing and strengthening existing collagen while naturally stimulating new collagen development."

In simplest terms, ultherapy lifts, tightens and tones the skin of the face and neck. It's an outpatient treatment.

We did a little more research on the ultherapy procedure, and found on RealSelf.com, that it can be quite painful. However, it can't be that brutal a treatment, because 79% of RealSelf reviewers gave ultherapy a 'worth it rating.'

So, what's it all about?

During ultherapy treatment, ultra-sound energy in the form of gentle heat, is applied to the tissue to lift and tighten loose skin without cutting or injecting, etc. Ultherapy stimulates new collagen production. In a mere 30-60 minutes, your body’s own healing responses will be reminded to gently and gradually restore skin and underlying tissue.

"While it's not a replacement for a surgical face or eye lift, patients appreciate that the process is non-surgical. Once they understand that the results rely on the natural rebuilding of their collagen fiber network within the skin, they also realize that the effects take place naturally and gradually," says Daniel C Mills, MD of the Monarch Bay Laser, Laguna Beach, Calfornia.

According to RealSelf, the average cost of an ultherapy treatment is 2,625.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Wicked Winged Out Liner: How To Get Your Line On!


Let's face it....Cat eyes are once again making their flirty debut on the fall runways.

We like a bold, sexy eye, because it doesn't require such picky touch-ups like those strong red Gwen Stefani lips. How does girlfriend keep her crimson pout so flawless?!

Today, we don't have to worry about the lips. Instead, the cat eyes are all you need to capture that classy, timeless, and yes, modern look.

If you're a bit shy about too wild a look, then you could draw on a more delicate wing. But if you want that edgy line, then you need to go heavy and liquid liner is your best friend. That, and a little primer on the eyelids BEFORE you begin your winged out journey.

We are looking at Estee Lauder's new Violet Underground Makeup collection for Fall 2012. There you will find the Estée Lauder Pure Color Quick-Thick Eyeliner ($22, at fine dept. stores and esteelauder.com.

This is a super precision magic marker-type liquid liner for defining eyes to perfection in shade,Punker Black.

It takes a lot of practice to extend your line and wing it up and out, but the final results are gorgeous! Arm yourself with some Q-Tips for that perfect mop-up until you achieve the ultimate pair of cat eyes. Meow!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Make Mine Chambray: Classic Button-Down Denim Shirt Hot!



You don't have to be a true fashionista like Alexa Chung to know that a chambray shirt is hot stuff for Fall 2012.

Most of us know it as a classic denim shirt. The chambray means it's from washed denim---nice, soft, and very comfortable. And the look is getting a head-start this summer. The tomboy denim work shirt is all over the place---on models, actresses, and on the street.

You can dress the chambray shirt up or down---with leather, skinny jeans, skirts, even over your bikini.

Here are a couple we hunted down:

1. The Long-Sleeve Chambray Shirt by Land's End ($50, at LandsEnd). A great classic in light indigo chambray. Sizes XXS - L. Lightweight. Adjustable cuffs. Pockets.

2. Chambray Western Shirt by American Eagle Outfitters (%39.95, at AmericanEagle). In blue with 2 button-flap chest pockets, in soft chambray cotton. With a traditional shirt-tail hem.

These are good, strong shirts in a lightweight chambray fabric. Worth the cost. And great to slip into Fall.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Kim K Dressing Down And Demure For Kanye: Makeover Or Not?!







Is it us, or has Kim Kardashian removed her super-long hair extensions, heavy eyeliner, false lashes, cleavage, mini dresses, flashy jewelry, and all that, for her reported steady beau, Kanye?

Is this a makeover in more ways than one for the sexy reality star?

Ever since Kim K's ill-fated nuptials to Kris Humphries last August lasted a mere 72 days, the most famous Kardashian of them all, has been trying hard to win back the public's trust and admiration, and what better way to make a comeback, than with a famous new boyfriend, a classy, sophisticated new appearance, and new well-respected Hollywood pals to be seen with like JayZ and Beyonce.

Just look at the photos. The first 3 show the reality star in white, with Kanye in conservative pants ensemble, and another white, tight, but actually polished piece.

The photo with Reggie Bush, a former beau, shows Kim in a glam, low-cut mini, and the bottom photo shows the celebrity with former husband Kris Humphries in a playful, sexy mini dress, along with hair extensions and makeup to the nines.

What do you think? Is this Kanye's influence over Kim? Well, he is a fashion designer in his own right. Or is this Kim's publicist's doing?

Kim Kardashian looks so sad these days in recent photos. Some tabloids have even gone so far to say she looks different, as if the supposed filler in her cheeks has been delated. Her eye makeup is barely there. Her hair is pulled back pompadour-style away from her face.

Do you like Kim K's new makeover?

Or, do you miss, sexy, glam Kim K
?

Thursday, July 5, 2012

InStyler Hair Straightener Gets Thumbs Up On GMA Test

If you have curly hair and you're tired of the frizz and ringlets, and you really want to 'straighten' things out, so to speak, try the InStyler.

On GMA this morning in a segment, 'Battle of the Hair Straighteners,' 2 curly-maned women chose the styling tool over the over-the-counter straightening serums.

We've all seen the InStyler infomercials on TV. The styling aid is described as a rotating hot iron straightener. And indeed, it is....it's like a curling iron, hairbrush, and flat-iron all rolled into one.

And yes, there is some 'rolling' involved.

According to the InStyler website, this unique device uses less heat than a typical flat-iron because "the rotating motion of the polishing cylinder literally polishes your hair strands individually so it doesn't need extreme heat to get amazing results."

Now, you don't have to spend hours straightening your wild, curly locks. This little rolling hair gadget can give you a full style in 8 minutes. And you also get smooth, silky, shiny strands.

Flat-ironing hair can do quite a number of nasty things to the health of your locks. When you think about it---a flat-iron is literally baking your hair between 2 searing plates.

Check out the Good Morning America clip on the InStyler Rotating Hot Iron Straightener. The 2 participants liked the ease of the InStyler and how healthy their hair looked after using it:

'Battle of the Hair Straighteners.

We have almost stick straight hair with a tiny bit of wave, so we wouldn't be a good candidate to determine the best at-home hair straighteners, but this little test showed us plenty.

What do you think?

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Are You Digging The Retro Zooey Deschanel Bangs?



Bangs are HOT, but we all know that.

One of the most popular sets of fringe right now is the Zooey Deschanel. The super cute actress is sporting 'old-school Sassoon bangs'.

Not everyone can wear these full, thick bangs, such a cool 60's look, but if you don't mind a heavy fringe above your brows, this could be fun to wear for summer.

Aaron Light, Zoey's hairstylist , tells InStyle magazine that he cut her long bangs in this manner:

"We angled the edges of the bangs instead of cutting them straight across. This softens the look by framing her face."

If you have a high forehead, then bangs are your friend. If you need to cover your forehead wrinkles, then a little fringe is a great disguiser and cheaper than a few shots of Botox.

The only downside, blunt-cut bangs mean more trims and visits to the salon.Or-----you can try and trim them youself. Check out this wonderful YouTube How-To by stylist Sam Villa:

Twist-Cutting Fringe Technique.

Monday, July 2, 2012

New Colored Hair Protectors For Summer By Bumble & Bumble



"Fight the fade, ladies!"

If you color you hair, then you know what we're talking about. Fading is absolutely one of the worst things that can happen to a head of dyed hair.

And if you are a faux red-head, then you really know how FAST the shade fades.

Bumble & Bumble has introduced a collection of color hair protectors for summer. We, especially, adore the Bumble & Bumble Color Minded UV Protective Styling Balm ($28, 4.2 oz., at Sephora).

Colored hair cries out for moisture, and this cream has it, with a boost of shine. You can use it on damp hair after shampooing as a blow-out aid. The styling balm gives you lots of volume and heat/humidity protection. And you can build a beach-y hair do

We like to read customer reviews and this new Bumble & Bumble scored pretty highly--not perfect, but close enough, picking up 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Most customers says it fights frizz effectively, gives high shine, and stops the brassiness.

The only minor 'bad thing'----the smell. A bit too chemical-ish.