Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams has just released a new album, The Real Thing, which must be why the singer seems committed to keeping it real in promotional interviews. When asked by Essence about her beauty and skincare regimen, Williams was strikingly honest; “Twice a year I receive BOTOX injections from a doctor whom I trust very much. I also have some favorite beauty products that I use on a daily basis – Perfekt’s Skin perfection Gel and Mila Moursi’s moisturizing oil.”
But Williams has been candid about her love of Botox before. She once said, “I did after I turned 40. But I told the doctor, ‘My face has got to move. I am not looking for perfection, I am looking for refreshment.’”
Plenty of other celebrities have been open about their use of Botox, including Jenny McCarthy, Jennie Garth, Linda Evangelista, David Hasselhoff, Janice Dickinson, and Lori Laughlin.
Today, facial laser hair removal is one of the most popular time saving process and the best ways of getting rid of unwanted facial hair. Laser hair removal has all the advantages over other methods like waxing, shaving, plucking and electrolysis. Although it may initially seem to cost more than these traditional techniques, it will ultimately be economical for you in the long run.
In facial laser hair removal a low energy laser beam is directed towards a group of hair follicles. It destroys the root without affecting the surrounding skin. This is perhaps the most interesting aspect about it. It is a relatively pain free procedure. If you are uncomfortable, experts performing the treatment can give a topical anesthetic to give you a feeling of numbness. But there is no need to worry at all. I can assure you of the fact that most people can tolerate the process quite well and do not need any anesthetics. Also side effects are rarely seen.
There are a number of centers offering the best of services in facial laser hair removal. Just check out all of them before you zero in on your choice. Personal attention by the specialists together with advanced technology will help you get the desired result. Talk to your friends who have removed their unwanted facial hair by this technique. They will be the best to guide you. You can also surf the internet to gather relevant information.
The cost of facial laser hair removal varies from person to person. It depends on the size of the area treated and the complexity of each case. You may have to pay multiple visits before you get your desired result. Even men who are tired of shaving can undergo facial laser hair removal as well!
There is a vast array of skin care products available today, and sometimes we may feel overwhelmed by the choices that are before us.
This does not have to be a confusing issue as long as you know what your skin needs in a skin care product. Here are some guidelines to follow that will help you make a better choice.
You must first be able to read and understand product labels. You must know what you are buying and its application to your skin each day. What will appear first on the label is the active ingredient that is used the most and the least active will appear last on the list.
You must be able to recognize any harmful ingredients. Try to avoid products containing astringents, alcohols or such names as laureth sulfate, sorbitol or sodium lauryl. Some of the cheap products will possibly contain cheap fillers in order to keep the price low. Some colorants and perfumes may cause skin irritation, blemishes or breakouts.
If you want to stay away from harmful chemicals and ingredients, perhaps it would be best to use natural products. Fruit, vegetables, milk, honey and oils can be used to make effective and gently products for all skin types and conditions. Aloe vera and lanolin are used in products that help soothe and moisturize the skin in a gentle way. Just make sure to check the label before you buy.
There is a variety of skin care creams and lotions to choose from. These range from acne treatments, daily moisturizers to anti-aging regimens. There are also products that will help prevent wrinkles from appearing and will also slow down fine line appearance. Anti-aging skin care products contain two effective ingredients: BHA or beta-hydroxy acids and AHA or alpha-hydroxy acids. These are found naturally in such fruits as grapes and apples. They encourage new cell growth by getting rid of dead cells on the skin.
You are only able to get skin care products that contain tretinoins from your doctor or dermatologist. Tretinoins not only reverse damage to skin caused by the sun but also reduce the appearance of wrinkles. They are considered a medication because they are able to alter the structure of skin cells. Tretinoins rejuvenate the skin by replacing it with newer and healthier skin. They treat fine lines, dark skin spots, rough patches and wrinkles. If you have a serious skin problem, consult your doctor or dermatologist.
After you acquire knowledge of ingredients, you then have to determine your skin type. If you are unsure, consult a dermatologist. This is a good idea if you suffer from allergic reactions, skin rashes and breakouts. If the wrong skin product is used, you could do more harm than good. For example, if you have oily skin and you moisturize your skin with a greasy cream, you are likely to plug up your pores. If you have dry skin, you do not want to use an alcohol based product as it may leave your skin feeling tight and drawn.
Try to find out whether your skin is dry, oil or if it is a combination of both and if you break out easily or are prone to acne. You may have sensitive skin or you may be allergic to some of the ingredients that are found in skin care preparations. Some women only wish to have natural ingredients while others want to get an anti-aging product so that their skin may look young and healthy again. You may need to try several products before you find the one you desire.
Following are five tips to help you choose the very best skin care products:
1. Skin type. You must know your skin type in order to choose the right products. Most people have dry, sensitive, oily or a combination of oily and dry skin.
2. Read the label. Read the entire label before you buy a skin care product. Since water is necessary to hydrate the skin, choose a product that has water as the first or second ingredient on the label. It may be listed as aqua.
3. What season is it? During the course of the year, your skin type may change. For instance, if you have dry skin during the winter, you should avoid skin care products containing alcohol or astringents as these will dry out you skin even more.
4. Check prices. Some products have a high price tag so you should know how much and how often you will use the product. Price is not everything. What works wonders for one person may not do the job for another. Products that are less expensive may have to be applied more often.
5. Use the product faithfully. If you want the product to work, then use it the way it should be used. This includes anti-aging creams and sunscreens. If a product calls for using it twice daily, then use it in the morning and just before bedtime.
Follow these tips and you will find the best skin care product that will make you look years younger.
It is an eternal search finding the perfect shade of lip color. We try and try and just when we think we’ve got it we tan, we pale, the seasons change or our shade is discontinued. The search goes on. Well, there are secrets, my friend. Secrets known only by those who make them and its these tips that make the greats in the cosmetic industry so amazing. One such woman, Bobbi Brown, decided to share how she finds the perfect lip color and how she uses that shade that look just as great as that one, perfect lipstick.
To find the perfect neutral lipstick, you need to determine the base color of your lips. Are you peachy pink, apricot, peachy brown, rosy pink or eggplant? Finding this shade is the beginning to real versatility and freedom. This shade should be just slightly brighter than the natural color of your lips. This has to be chosen by what looks best on you, not by what’s popular or what looks great on your best friend. Your natural lip color is yours and yours alone. What looks amazing on your friend may look washed out or ashy on you. This neutral shade should even out your lips and add definition the way a light coat of mascara helps to open and define your eyes. This shade should always be brighter than your natural lips. It should never be the color of concealer like you see in fashion shows. Also remember that a matte lipstick that is lighter than the natural color of your lips can wash out your face completely.
When shopping for this perfect shade, try samples on the middle of your bottom lip in the daylight. This will give you the most accurate read of how it looks. Plan to test no more than four shades at a time as your lips will be stained and appear darker than your true color. It’s also a good idea to do this once in the winter and once in the summer since our lips tan just like the rest of our skin.
Our perfect shade, you’ll know where to look for new lipsticks and glosses because you can always find something in your color family even if your favorite shade disappears. You can also begin to layer colors for more formal occasions or nights out at holiday parties. If your neutral color is in the rosy pink family, you can easily use a deep burgundy to dress up your lips. For the best results begin by applying a light coat of your neutral color and then add a thin coat of whatever other color you want to try on top. Your neutral base color will help adjust the bolder color to your lip and skin tone.
Above: Limited Edition Bobbi Brown Bobbi Brights Eye Palette
We could all use a little bright color in our lives right now – just witness the timely revival of the exuberant day-glo clothes and artwork by the late Stephen Sprouse (a new Louis Vuitton handbag collection by Marc Jacobs, a book by Roger and Mauricio Padilha and a retrospective at downtown New York gallery Deitch Projects) – and one of the biggest beauty trends on the spring runways last September was uber-bright eyeshadow in a wide spectrum of shades. Electric blue, fuchsia and canary yellow were just some of the standouts.
“When wearing bright eyeshadow, you’re essentially bidding nature farewell, so in terms of shade selection, the world is your oyster,” said Craig Jessup, a New York-based makeup artist.
Here are his tips on how to get the punchy new look:
Balance is key. “I suppose a ‘natural’ look would involve one bright pop of color on the lid surrounded by neutrals in liner and crease color, and perhaps a nude or natural lip tone.”
Beware of bright eye, bright cheeks, bright lips! “This looks great on runways, drag queens, and new wave revivalists, but who wants to get picked up for street walking on their way to work at 8:30 in the morning?”
If you’re a bright color newbie… “You can test the waters by selecting a bright shadow in a sheer texture with some shimmer, which is more forgiving where blending is concerned, and less dramatic in color saturation.”
And for those not afraid of an all-out glam rock look… “Go for a densely pigmented matte shade that will appear on the lid as it does in its container. This looks best surrounded by a smoky eye, with grays and blacks of equally dense pigmentation.”
For those seeking a wide range of colors to choose from, color yourself happy with Bobbi Brown’s new Bobbi Brights Eye Palette that offers the best bet for those willing to experiment with everything from deep purple to magenta to emerald green and then some. At $70, it’s expensive, but a good value for the sheer volume of shades. For the more budget minded, Jessup recommends H.I.P (High Intensity Pigment) by L’Oreal, while M.A.C’s matte loose pigments have a long-standing tradition of dramatic color selection and long-wearing color.
Here it is! MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with Sanrio Global Consumer Products to create a Hello Kitty color cosmetics collection. The line arrived on Mac’s website Feb. 10, in North American stores on Feb. 12 and will arrive in Mac’s overseas stores in March.
“MAC has been mining pop culture since the brand was founded,” said John Demsey, group president of the Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. “This is a sexy and innocent fashion line, and a true MAC moment. In these times, everyone can use a little fun — and a little Kitty.”
“The partnership was a no-brainer,” said James Gager, senior vice president and creative director of MAC Worldwide. “We cater to people who love to play with makeup.”
While the 34 year old Hello Kitty character is usually assumed to be a cat, she is actually a girl, according to Sanrio. And a girl without a mouth, so she “speaks from the heart,” the company said. “She may not have a mouth, but she’s going to sell a lot of lipstick!
The Hello Kitty offerings fall into two collections: the Hello Kitty Colour Collection and the more high-end Hello Kitty Kouture. The bulk of the items are in the former category: six shades of lipstick with names like Fashion Mews and Strayin’, each $14; six Lipglass shades, each $14; and two tinted lip conditioners, $14.50 each; two eye shadow palettes, which each contain four shades and retail for $38; two shades of pigment are $19.50 each, and two Reflects Glitter stockkeeping units — one blue, one pink — are $17.50 each. Four Glitter Eye Liners, each $16.50, two shades of Beauty Powder, each $22; three shades of nail polish, each $11; a black mascara, $12, and false lashes, $12, round out the color offerings. Shades range from pinks and turquoises to lavenders and greens.
Hello Kitty Kouture is intended to be the high end of the collection. Two shades of Dazzleglass, each $28, each feature a reusable silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black with a pink crystal bow. Sheer Mystery Powder, $90 and available in three shades, is packaged in a silver powder compact with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow on a black background.
The Hello Kitty Colour items, a Petite Makeup Bag, $22, and a medium Makeup Bag, $35, will be in all doors, currently about 581 department and specialty stores in North America including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, as well as MAC’s 138 freestanding stores in North America and at maccosmetics.com. Internationally, the items will be in 1,307 doors in 69 countries, including 296 MAC freestanding stores outside North America. Hello Kitty Kouture will be available at MAC stores and maccosmetics.com only. At the maximum, the collection will be available for eight weeks.
The Hello Kitty Colour Collection includes:
Lipstick: in 6 shades
Lipglass: in 6 shades
Tinted Lip Conditioner: in 2 shades
Eye Shadow quad: in 2 variations (with one features violet blue, brown, gold and pink-coral shades and the other one features mint, blue-silver, pale pink and magenta shades)
Pigment (loose color powder): in 2 shades
Reflects Glitter: in 2 shades
Glitter Eye Liner: in 4 shades
Plush Lash mascara: in 1 shade
false eyelash
Beauty Powder: in 2 shades
Beauty Powder Blush: in 2 shades
Nail Lacquer: in 3 shades
The Hello Kitty Kouture includes:
Dazzleglass: in 2 shades
Sheer Mystery Powder: in 3 shades
There will also be some beauty accessories in this collection, including:
petite Makeup Bag and medium Makeup Bag
plush doll, purse mirror and brush collection (available only at MAC stores, Nordstrom and maccosmetics.com)
mirrored key clip and beaded bracelet (available only at MAC stores and at maccosmetics.com)
tote and a soft vanity kit (exclusive to maccosmetics.com)
If you see the collection up-close you will want it all especially that doll and the brush set!
Above: Limited Edition Bobbi Brown Bobbi Brights Eye Palette
