Arm Yourself With A Great Moisturizer Against Winter Dry Skin

The first day of winter begins TOMORROW!

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac....The earliest winter since 1896 arrives with the solstice at 6:12 A.M. on December 21, 2012 (EST).

So, what does that have to do with beauty? Plenty!

The cold, dry air zaps the goodness out of your skin, leaving it dull, parched and looking older than it actually is. For instance, have you ever noticed how darn awful your hands can appear in the middle of winter?! Not only your skin, but the dry, chilly air inside and outside robs moisture from your hair, too, leaving it flat and with static electricity.

Your best defense other than a winter long stay in Aruba:

Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.

A wonderful and effective moisturizer to try is First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream ($28, at Sephora. It's a super-emollient cream. Read what the company says about their Ultra Repair Cream:

"This Ultra Repair Cream is a thick, rich, emollient product that hydrates deep down with exceptional penetration. This cream is for anyone with severely dry, scaly skin due to harsh winter weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments, or any of the following conditions: atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, and keratosis pilaris. With the help of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, soothing eucalyptus oil, and ceramides, Ultra Repair Cream provides immediate relief and visible improvement for distressed skin. The FAB Antioxidant Booster defends skin from free radical damage and the cream deeply hydrates with exceptional penetration, providing immediate relief and visible improvement. The cream is immediately absorbed into the skin and can be used all over the body and on the face."

Plus, this moisturizer gets a 4.7 out of a 5-star* rating from Sephora customers.

Arm yourself now!

Oops! Don't Get Too Excited. Kim K Wearing A Faux Set

Kim Kardashian gets bangs and it's practically front page news. We have bangs, and no one cares....LOL.

Well, the most watched and followed reality star on the planet was strolling through LAX yesterday, and the paps went crazy trailing the petite beauty as she showed off a set of brand new bangs. We thought the fringe was real, but alas.... they were merely a thing of the moment, said KK in her blog:

"I saw a few of you tweeting me about my bangs!! The bangs are fake! Just clip ons! I had a fun Cosmo cover shoot yesterday and Chris McMillan clipped these on!"

We have to admit---the fringe really looks natural. If you've ever had bangs and then tired of them within 48 hours or so, clip-ons are the way to go, because the style is only temporary, and if the look just isn't for you, you can simply remove the faux fringe and not have to worry about the long, boring growing-out phase.

We found some clip-on bangs at misikko.com on SALE for $32.99.

Have you ever worn clip-in bangs, and do you think it's a smart beauty buy?

As far as Kim's lighter hair color.... Do you like this look, or prefer the almost black tresses she was famous for?

How about Kim K in bangs? Good look or take them out, please!?

How To Look Young Like Bev Housewives Star Lisa Vanderpump

We LOVE when good-looking celebrities give out real beauty tips, or at least the appearance of their age-defying secrets. Take Lisa Vanderpump the 52-year-old star of Bravo's 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

In our humble estimation, the lovely restaurateur who adores the color pink, actually looks great at 52. She does not appear to be plastic surgery pulled back or too cuckoo on cosmetic injectables. Sure, she's doing 'something' to stay young and pretty. And the mama to itty-bitty dog Jiggy is dishing how she keeps it together.

This is what she recently spilled to StyleGoesStrong:

"I'm very honest. I always say that I'll tell you the truth about this topic," Lisa explains. "The truth is I haven't done anything major.

"I do a bit of Botox and filler. I use the retinol acid to keep the skin exfoliating,"
she says.

"Otherwise, I'm pretty low maintenance," she says.

In addition, the British beauty claims she styles her own hair on the set of the housewives show.

As far as that signature pretty pink pout goes, here are Lias Vanderpump's tips for looking gorg at 50-something:

"I think the Chanel lip glosses are amazing. You really do get what you pay for," Lisa says.

"I do a mix of Chanel glosses to get that pink," she shares. "My number one is Chanel 11 and I mix it with a pinker one called Chanel 02. Then I use a nude lip liner."

"I mix it up a bit and use one of the glosses more than the other," she says. "I think if you go for a little something on your eyelashes and a little gloss on your mouth then you're good to go."

Thanks for revealing, Lisa Vanderpump!

Super Cute Porcelain Red Toile Print Teapot For Christmas!

Let us be frank here. We don't like tea, BUT---we DO adore super cute teapots. And we have girlfriends who like to collect them, too.

We stumbled on to this real beauty:

Teapot Lovers Red from the DanielBooneTradingPost ($34.50, porcelain red toile-print teapot).

It's so very 'Downtown Abbey! And we like the size of this Madison Bay reproduction teapot, measuring 9 1/2". It breathes British aristocrat.

This makes for a lovely holiday gift, and looks much more expensive than it really is. A party hostess would enjoy receiving a present like this.

If you're scrambling around, frantic for the perfect holiday gift, try a tempting teapot like this one.

Stocking Stuffer Beauty Cream That Promises 8 Skin Miracles

Okay, we get a little uncomfortable when beauty products promise to remove wrinkles, permanently firm up the face, fade irregular skin tone perfectly, and so on. You get the drill.

We're still going to talk about Bremenn Labs' Miracle Cream (for the face) ($49 for 1.3 fl. oz., at bremmenlabs. It comes with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed label, or you get your money back.

So, that is fair.

Bremenn's Miracle Cream performs 8 Beauty Rescues:
1. as a wrinkle cream.
2. as a firming cream.
3. as a moisturizing cream.
4. as a neck cream.
5. as an eye cream.
6 as an anti-aging cream.
7. as an day cream.
8. as a night cream.

Yeah, right, you sneer?

According to Bremenn Labs, their Miracle Cream contains a winning combo of effective ingredients that claim to increase skin elasticity and firmness, fade discoloration, brighten and smooth the complexion, etc. The formula includes: peptides, unicellular algae, red seaweed and a few other intersting things.

There you have it. This skin cream is worth a try, especially if you find it as a Christmas stocking stuffer!

Cute Clutch Deal Of The Day! Under $25!

'Tis the year of the clutch, ladies! And the holiday season spells glamour, parties, and the right, little bag.

The clutch is classic and sophisticated. We found a beauty at mimiboutique. It's a stunner called the Chain Link Swirl Clutch (On SALE now for $24.99!).

This would make for a truly elegant gift for that someone special. Original price was $44.75.

This is a roomy clutch in a versatile, classic tan shade.

  Here are the fashion stats:

-High quality soft faux leather
-Chain Link Swirl Accent
-Magnetic snap closure
-Gun Metal Tone Hardware
-1 inner zip pocket -2 open pockets
-Measures approx. L6.5" x H 2 1/4" x 1"
-Detachable chain shoulder strap
-Designer inspired -Vegan friendly
-Not animal tested -No animal products

Gotta LOVE the clutch and our deal of the day!

Bling In The Holidays With A Cute Collar Necklace

Celebrities like Katy Perry understand the glam power of the collar necklace! This 0h-so-HOT jewelry trend continues to make waves right through the holidays, when a little pop of pretty bling around your collar looks that more special.

If you have an extra $18,000 to splurge on the amazing Amrapali Victorian diamond necklace that cutie Katy is showing off here, then by all means, go grab it! But, if you're like most of us, well, an adorable collar necklace at a much cheaper price will do.

Our gal-pal emailed us a sassy substitute. Check it out below by Lucky Brand ($55, at Macys). How lovely is this?! Ornate open-work in gold-tone mixed metal.

And there's more. We hunted down 2 more collar necklaces. These are so adorable. The collar necklace is a super fashion accessory, because it brings all attention to the face and neck. It's a flattering style!

Look at this stunning piece by Anthropolgie. All eyes will be on you in this Sparked Agate Collar Necklace ($58). So elegant.

And you gotta want the Lacquered Link Collar Necklace by Forever21. It's on SALE for only $10.80/ Can't beat that.  So pretty in peach.
.
We all seem to freak out about the dress or top we're going to wear for the holidays, when sometimes, just a striking piece of jewelry says so much, and makes the outfit pop.

And that's exactly what a collar necklace can do.

E!'s Giuliana Loves Essie For Classic Nail Shades

E!'s Giuliana Rancic sees a lot of hot trends in her business.

 

One day it's in, and the next day it's out. That is why the 'Fashion Police star' sticks to timeless beauty and fashion concepts:

 

One of Giuliana's go-to-nail polishes is from the popular Essie line. When it comes to nail polish, she adores Essie's Ballet Slippers tint.

 

"I think Essie makes the most classic colors,"Giuliana explains.  

 

We must agree, Giuliana. Essie features gorgeous nail color palettes! We found a bottle of Essie's Ballet Slippers polish for $7.79, at Target. It's a pretty, pale pink!

Great choice, G!

Lovin' Red Lipstick The Taylor Swift Way

Taylor Swift is in LOVE with red lipstick! Everytime you see the singing superstar, whether it's on the red carpet or a casual day at the beach, Taylor is wearing crimson lips.

It's a cool, classic look that appears to require frequent touch-ups, precise application, and the right red for the skin tone you have. Since Taylor is a CoverGirl spokeswoman, she's got her red pout perfectly chosen. Her go-to red is CG's LipPerfection Lipcolor in Flame ($6.49, at Walgreens).

So, how do you keep that bold red long lasting on your lips without constant peeks in the mirror and all that maintenance that comes with a glam, scarlet kiss?
?
Follow Taylor Swift's advice, as given to People StyleWatch(Dec. issue):

"I love wearing red lipstick, but I hate reapplying it! I apply one coat, then brush powder over it, then apply another coat. That usually holds the color the whole night."

Thanks for the beauty tip, Taylor!

Just 4 Spritzes and Miracle Makeup Is Born!

If you're busy running around trying to be Miss Perfection during the crazy holidays, you're going to need this:

Model in a Bottle Make Up Setting Spray in Matte Finish ($18, at modelinabottle.com).

Maybe your cosmetics last and last all day long into the wee hours. But probably like most of us, your makeup can look dull, greasy, crease-y, tired, etc.

Celebs like Tyra and Oprah all swear by it, as does Kim Kardashian's main makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic.

Here's Marios beauty advice on how to use Model in a Bottle:

"Give your look staying power by spraying 4 pumps of a setting mist in the shape of a square, 6 inches away from your face."

Model in a Bottle has been used successfully in the hot, humid Texas sun, at many weddings--indoors and out, and through a lot of dance recitals.

Hey...any beauty product that can go the distance during the holiday season is a plus for us!

'Persian Barbie' Lilly Loves This Drugstore Facial Mask

She's the new break-out star of Bravo's hit reality show, 'The Shahs of Sunset.'

Everyone calls Attorney Lilly Ghalichi the 'Persian Barbie.'

People seem to be obsessed with Lilly and her big, black hair and Kim K cat-eyes. And that's what we're afraid of----too much exposure like the K-sisters. At least we hope she keeps it all in check.

Lilly has a few beauty tips when it comes to her flawless complexion. She LOVES a certain green tea facial mask:

Sudden Change Green Tea Facial Mask ($7.29, at walgreens).

"....There is a mask in particular that I love. Again, I've bought them all, super expensive ones, prescription ones etc etc, and this one is my favorite. It's called "Sudden Change Green Tea Facial Mask."

It's inexpensive and  takes just 5 minutes to do it's stuff.

Lilly adds:

"I had bought one as a joke once from Walgreens in Texas, I ended up LOVING IT. The drug stores in my area in LA don't carry it, so every time I go to Houston I stock up. I apply it once a week or whenever I feel my skin is looking dull or clogged. The second I walk out of the shower I put it on as my pores are wide open. It's green and cooling, and dries pretty quickly. Just be sure to avoid the eye area. I snapped a picture of myself doing it last night #nomakeup #greenface #don'tcare!"

For more Lilly clear complexion tips, check out her blog.

BTW, Lilly Ghalichi will be the guest on Andy Cohen's 'Watch What Happens Live!' next Sunday, 11PM.

Are you watching Lilly?

Jessica Biel: Bangs Back to No Bangs

Newlywed Jessica Biel is smiling from ear-to-ear these days--not just because she's married to Justin Timberlake, but because she is a hairstyling genius. We thought she might have clip-on bangs. But we were wrong.

The stunning actress adores her full, blunt bangs, but certainly knows how to hide them, too, when she desires a totally different do !

Earlier this week, Jessica wore her brunette locks in soft waves pulled to one side for a red carpet event.

Hmmm. Where did the bangin' bangs go?

The star simply tucked her bangs behind her ears and then kept the rest in glam waves.

Jessica might be growing out her bangs. Who knows. Or she is merely concealing them and getting beauty mileage out of her long, straight hair. She appears to LOVE those blunt bangs and has been rockin' them for more than a year.

Jessica even walked down the aisle with her full bangs, only this time, the bangs were softly side-swept.

What do you think? Is Jessica Biel HOTTER with BANGS or without? We think she looks lovely either way, but if we could only choose one, we would say....."Ditch the bangs, Jess!"

Jennifer Connelly Uses This Beauty Cream For Flawless Skin

41-year-old Jennifer Connelly is a wonderful, Academy Award-winning actress who happens to have a gorgeous complexion. The beautiful star will turn 42 on December 21st.

So, how does she maintain such a flawless face?

The actress and mom-of-three recently spoke with InStyle magazine and says it's all about saving the skin:

"I try to focus on my skin--your lipstick will wear off, but your skin lasts a lifetime, So I cleanse and moisturize, morning and night. And for extra protection in the summer, because I'm fair, I use a daily suncsreen, even though my moisturizer has SPF. But I draw the line at big, crazy hats and gloves--I don't want to be that lady!"

Jennifer's favorite beauty cream:

Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Regenerating Cream ($260, at shiseido.com).

"This night cream is worth the splurge. It strengthens collagen to keep skin firm and has a nice light feel," she says.

Apparently, the cream is working well.

To coin that phrase from When Harry Met Sally----'I'll have what she's having!'

Tinted Moisturizer Compact: Convenient For Cold Winter Days

Laura Mercier claims the beauty company has the No. 1 selling Tinted Moisturizer.

According to the stats based on US volume sales in prestige retail, the company is correct!

What's even better is the new Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact SPF20. The title says it all. The convenient compact makes it a lot easier to tote around, especially for quick touch-ups during cold, winter days, which are definitely upon us now.

A tinted moisturizer in a compact?

Pretty genius, we say. Who doesn't appreciate a dewy, flawless face?! You don't have to bother with heavy foundations, which can cause creasiness, oiliness, flakiness, a dull complexion, and so on, after several hours of wear. It's quick to apply and delivers a polished finish.

And we LOVE that LM features 12 natural, true-to-skin color choices. Check it out at lauramercier. The website shows a 4.6 out of 5 star rating for LM's tinted moisturizer creme compact.

Strap These On!! Cognac Riding Boots Are Timeless Fashion

Gotta LOVE riding boots! Classic, sophisticated and timeless. And these striking boots look even more stylish in cognac, luggage or brown.

Stylish celebrities like model Claudia Schiffer and Cameron Diaz are rockin' the cognac riding boot everywhere they go. And tall boots are so IN for Fall/Winter 2012-13.

The top 3 photos we have displayed here, are great boots at Bloomingdales:
1.  Frye 'Melissa' Boots-- $328.
2.   Dolce Vita Flat Riding Boots--$299.
3.  Juicy Couture Flat Riding Boots--$398.

Maybe you don't have $300 or $400 to spend on gorgeous cognac riding boots. But you can always pick up the 'el cheapo' pair. We found some cognac cuties at gojane.com. Here's a great pair for just $39.60!!

Raise Your Arms, Ladies! This Dove's For You!

If you're bothered by darkened underarms and would like to brighten them up, you could try this:

Dove Clear Tone Antiperspirant/Deodorant in Sheer Touch ($3.83, Walmart). This is a  2.6 oz. size.

We are a Dove deodorant user, but we just stumbled on to this hyperpigmentation fighter, and would also like to try this one out.

Dove Clear Tone claims to help "restore skin to its natural tone.". Are your underarms darker in tone than the rest of your body? If so, then it wouldn't hurt to try this deodorant/brightner. You're tackling 2 beauty issues with one product.

When you shave, chances are, your skin can become inflammed. This kicks melatonin production into over-drive, thus causing the surface to darken. The skin needs lots of hydration to stop the hyperpigmentation.

Dove Clear Tone is full of soothing, natural moisturizers like calendula and sunflower seed extract. And this new formula can actually help tackle pigmentation problems, so says dermatologist Francesca Fusco to InStyle magazine:

"Keeping skin moisturized AFTER shaving will help prevent it."

She says that the "hot moist area under the arms will help "drive the ingredients deep into skin. I would recommend this to anyone.".

Thumbs up on this deodorant/brightener!

Cheap Super Quality Christmas Stocking Stuffer! $9.95!!

 

If you're like many of us, sometimes you're just stumped as to what to buy for adorable Christmas stocking stuffers or holiday gifts for the special, fun-loving gals in your life.

We were bleary-eyed and yawning, as we sat surfing the web until around 1 AM today.

We stumbled on to the HomeWetBar website. And when we saw this little, pink number, we were hooked! Check out the Pretty in Pink Crystal Bottle Stopper ($9.95). This is a super stocking stuffer that sparkles for the ladies. And you can't beat the cheap price---under $10!!

We also found a Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend Wine Stopper ($12.95). Again, a low price for a quality, elegant gift.

These stoppers are great conversation pieces. And best of all, these rock-hard wine stoppers feature a stainless steel shaft and rubber gasket for a tight seal.

Hey, we're trying to use our imagination and be a creative, little elf here. It's not easy. This is an unique, cool gift, even if you don't drink wine. It could easily act as a stopper in other bottles.

Copy J.Lo's Cool Cat-Eye Makeup. Meow!!

Jennifer Lopez has been walking the red carpet these days wearing a cool cat-eye! Her makeup has been spot-on, and a lot of women are buzzing about her sexy style.

To achieve the classic, glamorous cat-eye, one needs a few cosmetic staples and a steady hand. Lucky for us, J.Lo's main makeup pro, Mary Phillips, shows Glamour mag how it's done with an excellent step-by-step copy-cat guide to your J.Lo cat-eye:

4 Makeup Products:
Neutral pale shadow
Dark brown shadow
Black eyeliner
Black mascara

You can see the entire cat-eye demo photos and brand makeup here at Glamour.com.

We LOVE the cat-eye. It is timeless and if done right, very chic and glam.

You don't have to use the particular cosmetics that Mary Phillips uses. We are just giving you the beauty framework for the J.Lo cat-eye, so you can copy the look with the 4 basic products.

It's such a cool look. Meow!

The Right Accessories Make Quiet, Sophisticated Statements

Gotta LOVE the little, exquisite things in life, right, ladies?

That's where accessories play a major role in pulling together an entire outfit. Today, we are looking at jewelry and the oh-so-pretty statement pieces that say so much in a quiet, sexy way.

Look what we found at Boston Proper, one of our favorite places to shop--gorgeous necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more!

There's a SALE going on, ladies. And since it's the holiday time of year, you can pick up some unique and flattering jewelry for those parties you're going to attend, or for the special ladies in your life.

Medallion Earrings ($24, on SALE, reg. $29). So lovely and delicate. These come in gold or silver. We want a pair of each! Beautiful 3 1/2" drop in a floral motif.

Crystal Necklace ($129, on SALE, reg. $149). Such a stunning necklace! Need we say more?! This beauty has a very vintage-feelgunmetal and antique-like crystal stones
.
You can find a lot of elegant gift ideas this time of year!

La Bedouine: Brand New Botanical Skin Care Line Takes Off

There's an incredible, exotic story as to how Judith Reitman, the founder and president  of La Bedouine, came to launch her new botancial skin care company.

The journalist and author had traveled to France to write about life there. Along the way, she met her husband-to-be in a quaint, little village bakery, got married, and began a wonderful new life in Provence. It's when Judith Reitman received a bottle of Argan oil as a wedding present and journeyed into Morocco to look for more of this ancient, precious, hydrating beauty oil, that she discovered her true calling.

Judith learned all about the closely-knit social culture of the Berber women and the generations-old process of making authentic Argan oil. And she proudly launched La Bedouine earlier this November as an all-women-run enterprise.

We were lucky to try out 3 sophisticated + effective + anti-aging skin care products from the new line!

1. Mousse d'Argan Facial Wash ($42, 2 oz., at La Bedouine). A terrific lathering gel made by pulverized organic Argan nuts. Leaves complexion smooth, clean, and radiant. Won't strip delicate skin.

2. La Bedouine 100% Organic Argan Oil Night Serum ($28, at La Bedouine). Simply pure, organic, and made in small batches by Berber families in far away Morocco. An exquisite formula with superb moisturizing properties and tons of vitamin E. This is the BEST Argan oil around!

3. La Bedouine Berberian Rouge ($36, compact + lip stain, at La Bedouine). A 100% botanical lip stain that comes in an adorable handmade wood compact. Berber brides
use this traditional pretty stain on their wedding day. Made with exotic cedar root, red corn poppies, and ground pomegranate bark.

The La Bedouine skin care line is a real beauty. Any products from this new collection would make for lovely holiday gifts.

For more information, visit La Bedouine. And BeautyTipToday readers can receive 15% off their 1st order, Just enter the coupon code BEAUTY to get in on this great promotion!

Zooey Deschanel's 4 Beauty Must-Haves!

TV's funny gal Zooey Deschanel loves playing with makeup.

And she says there are 4 Beauty Must-Haves she prefers above all the rest.

This is the list Zooey gave to People magazine's Beauty Watch:

1. Nars Lipstick, Funny Face ($24, at Narscosmetics). This is a full-coverage semi-matte lipstick in a rich, velvet-y fuchsia shade.

2. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara ($7.99, at drugstore.com). So that's how Zooey gets such super long, thick lashes. It's all in the formula. No flakes, no clumps, no smudges.

3. Josie Maran Argan Oil ($48, at Sephora). A lightweight oil that is wonderful for better skin elasticity and hydration.

4. Pantene Beautiful Lengths Finishing Cream ($6, at Walmart).

As Zooey said to People:
"What you wear should make you feel comfortable, happy and pretty."

VS Model Mirander Kerr Credits Green Juice For Skinny Body

Miranda Kerr has a beauty secret, and it has nothing to do with Victoria's Secret.

The stunning VS model and mom to son Flynn credits her skinny, perfect frame to,  of all things----green juice.

Miranda tells People mag that she works out doing Pilates, yoga, and boxing before she is 'body- ready' to slip into sexy undies for the annual VS runway show, being televised on Tuesday, Dec. 4th, CBS.

'I also drink healthy green juices everyday, and protein shakes,' the model says.

Okay, green juices. Er.....yumm-o....Not! But, Miranda might be on to something. Drinking a little green can melt away fat. We wrote about chlorophyll in (2010) BeautyTipToday.

According to the dietary experts, chlorophyl acts like a mild laxative and encourages the liver into becoming a better fat-burning machine. The green pigment is also full of magnesium which helps to balance blood sugar and melt away stubborn belly fat.

Chlorophyl is also high in vitamin and mineral content. Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, and an award-winning author of 30 books, tells First for Women magazine that, "the best absorbed form (of chlorophyll) is a liquid extract mixed with water." She suggests a twice daily drink of 1 tsp. of chlorophyll in 8 oz. of water. Dr. Gittleman likes Sunny Green Liquid Chlorophyll ($13, 16 oz., at health-food stores).

You could also make green juices using kale, spinach, and other excellent greens. We hunted down some tasty green juice recipes from wellandgoodnyc.com.