Saturday, November 11, 2006

Hollywood's Biggest Beauty Secrets

Hollywood's confidential beauty secret: Almost all A-listers cheat a little on their way to goddess status. The newest fake-it beauty tactics are so real-looking, it's virtually impossible to tell if a starlet is sporting hair extensions and false lashes or if she scored her golden glow from a spray gun. Want a little Houdini beauty help too? At-home primping is also improving. Here's an update on the swanky new salon services that stars rely on and the more affordable D-I-Y alternatives.

Supershiny Hair
Hollywood hotties like Reese Witherspoon always seem to have such glossy, light-reflecting locks. "A radiant mane makes you look instantly healthy and attractive," says Kathy Galotti, color director for New York City's Louts Licari salon. To cop that brilliant sheen, Galotti applies a peroxide-free glaze on the coifs of her celeb clients. "I'll use a tinted one if I need to give someone's color a boost or a clear one if I just need to create crazy shine." This 30-minute treatment costs about $160 and lasts for at least three weeks.

D-I-Y version
Try one of the brand-new at-home color glazes, which contain a hint of hue and will infuse your strands with potent polishers like silicone, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. We like John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze, $10, and Clairol Nice 'n Easy Color Boosting Glaze, $8 (coming out in March). "Leave it on for just a minute or two the first time you use it so you can see how it affects your hair before going all the way," suggests Galotti. If you love the results, then apply it for the suggested three to five minutes the next time you use it (check the directions on the packaging). The luster will last for a week or more.

Long, Strong Nails
Fake talons might make you think of tacky Sopranos-style tips, but the latest innovations in nail enhancements are much more chic… and stars love them. "They're paper-thin, not like bulky acrylics, and only need one gel-like coating, which can be made in the color you want," says Jan Arnold, cofounder of Creative Nail Design. Jennifer Lopez, Fergie, and Gwen Stefani have theirs done French manicure — style. These pro pointers cost up to $100 and last for about three weeks; check out http://www.creativenaildesign.com/.

D-I-Y version
To fake a fab French mani: Color under your tips with a white pencil, deeply but without feeling any pinching. Try Sally Hansen Nail White Pencil, $3. The deeper the whites of your nails look, the longer your whole nail will appear Top with sheer pink polish. Voilà!

A Gorgeously Golden Body
The key to pulling off the most fantastic-looking fake tan? "Go light so your results won't look orange, unnatural, or streaky," says Lisa Pantastico of LA's Sunset Tan, where Lindsay Lohan, Denise Richards, and Britney Spears score their sun-kissed glows. "I use a spray gun that spews a fine mist of light self-tanner," explains Pantastico. "I can also contour body parts." Examples of her handiwork include shading the outer thighs to create the illusion of thinner legs or between the breasts to make cleavage look deeper. This 15-minute custom paint job costs about $75.

D-I-Y version
To ensure a light coating during a $25 spray-booth session, apply lotion all over first, especially on your palms, knees, and ankles. Or invest in an at-home spray gun, like the Nurses Home Tanning Salon, $150. To contour, spray a second coat to your outer thighs or between your breasts.

Mile-Long Lashes
Top models like Naomi Campbell and Amber Valletta use lash extensions to make their eye fringe look fuller and longer. A set of them can make even the smallest eyes stand out, says eyelash extension expert Dionne Phillips at West Hollywood's Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts spa. That's why her star clients like Campbell will spend up to two hours in her chair while she meticulously bonds a longer hypoallergenic fake lash to each real one. "They last for up to eight weeks, you don't need to wear mascara, and your eyes will look amazing 24 hours a day," says Phillips. The price tag: $350 (some salons will apply a half set for less).

D-I-Y version
The most genuine-looking sets of falsies have mixed-length lashes that are spread out, so your own lashes can blend in. We like Benefit BADgal Gear, $28, and Revlon Fantasy Lengths 500, $6. Don't want to use a whole strip? Just glue a few individual lashes onto your outer corners.

Lush Locks
The secret to the stars' major manes? Extensions — not just for length but for thickness too, says Ryan Trygstad of NYC's Sally Hershberger salon, Take his client Uma Thurman. Thanks to the newest salon technique, where tiny pinches of extensions are fused to tiny pinches of existing hair, her naturally skimpy strands now look big and bouncy. "I use Great Lengths, which are made of human hair so they can be heat-styled and blend in well," says Trygstad, who also works with Mandy Moore.

D-I-Y version
Stars foot a big bill (up to $4,000) to have a pro put in hair pieces, but you can find human-hair extension kits for $200 (log on to http://www.wigs.com/). The extensions have clips that attach to your roots (teasing will help them stay put). Don't put any above your crown or they'll look obvious.

Source: Cosmopolitan

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Hottest, Newest, Latest

What you need, what you want, and what really works MUST-HAVE MAKEUP

Don't miss out on Chanel's limited-edition Powder Blush in Turbulent ($39.50). Yes, it looks strikingly bright on the page, but it goes on as a wearable, cheek-enhancing pink that suits all skin tones.

Wave Spray
Just a few spritzes of John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Starlit Waves ($5.50) add shape and bounce to even the straightest hair. We were amazed at the instant shine and lack of stickiness. (P.S. Nothing in it deposits color, so it's safe for all shades, including blond.)

Go for the Gold
What's not to love about the Bobbi Brown Gold Shimmer Brick Compact ($38)? The chic and shiny mirrored case is purse-worthy on its own, but you'll adore the five-metallic powders inside, too. Gilding guide: Apply to cheekbones (over blush) as a high-lighter, or blend a few shades onto lids for shadow.

Night Products That Work
Get your beauty sleep! Nighttime is when skin is best able to repair itself. Dry, aging skin? Try Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Intensive Night Reversal and Repair Cream ($42.50), which boosts moisture and increases cell turnover. Stressed, irritated skin? Try Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment ($85), a serum packed with anti-irritants and skin strengtheners.

The Sweetest Scent
A new way to enjoy Lovely, Sarah Jessica Parker's sexy oriental fragrance: Liquid Satin Serum Spray ($65). This alcohol-free, silicone-infused formula is designed to be sprayed all over your body, and it dries to a silky-soft finish.

What you need, what you want, and what really works

MUST-HAVE LISPTICK
You won't be disappointed by the velvety Rouge Dior lipsticks--they paint, your pout the exact color you see in the tube. From left: Paparazzi Pink #277, Red Premiere #752, and Brown Flashback #312 ($24 each).

Get Softer Skin
Try one of the new high-tech damage-repairing skin savers. Chanel Precision Sublimage Essential Regenerating Cream ($350) helps to firm, hydrate, and clarify. Orlane Paris Extreme Line Reducing Re-Plumping Cream ($250) is particularly effective at fighting deep wrinkles.

Look Good…Do Good!
A great excuse to buy more makeup: Sales of Estée Lauder gloss in Evelyn Pink ($20) support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, while L'Oréal Paris blush in Color of Hope ($9.25) helps the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation

Tried & Tested Smokey Eye Kit
By now, you know that the smoky eye is fall's sexiest makeup look. You may also know that it's hard to achieve without inadvertently channeling a goth girl. Which is why you need this kit from Delux Beauty. Included: a perfect dark-gray shadow, a jet pencil, and, most importantly, easy-to-follow directions.

Scents We Love
For day: Layer Stella in Two Peony ($53) and Stella in Two Amber ($42) for a feminine, musky floral For evening: Try Calvin Klein Euphoria Luminous Lustre Spray ($55), a modernized version of the sexy pomegranate-and black orchid fragrance, now infused with silver shimmer.

By: Parnass, Alexandra, Harper's Bazaar, 00177873, Oct2006

Monday, September 18, 2006

The Origami Collection

The Origami Collection (Photo)

Friday, September 01, 2006

Walk in Eminem's Shoes

By http://www.tmz.com/

The first of eight Eminem-designed Nike sneakers has been unveiled.

The sneaker features the Grammy-winning rapper's name alongside the trademark Nike swoosh.

Starting Thursday eight sets of each limited-edition design (64 pairs total) will be auctioned off over the next month in Nike stores and on eBay.

Regarding the design process Eminem says, "My only problem was figuring out how to make the shoes different from stuff they've already done: Nike always has the dopest color combos."

Proceeds from the auctions raises money for the Marshall Mathers Foundation, which helps troubled youth in southeast Michigan, and the ninemillion.org, which benefits the world's refugee youth.

Eminem has his own fashion line called Shady Ltd.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Beautiful Models

Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models
Beautiful Models

Monday, July 03, 2006

Give Yourself An Instant Makeover


Making lasting changes to your personal appearance can take time. However, short-term improvements are possible with a little effort, and chances are you already know about these things, but you just don't always do them.

There are occasions that you want to look your best for. Whether it's for a date or a job interview, here are some tips on how to pull off an instant makeover when you're pressed for time. They're all easy to do and they will help make you feel like a million bucks.

Iron your shirt
Wrinkles say a lot of things about you, none of which are good. Use long, even strokes and be careful not to let the iron burn your shirt. You'll need to wait about five minutes for the iron to heat up, and then the whole process should take another five to seven minutes, tops.

Floss
Experts say that you should floss at least once a day to maintain healthy gums. A good flossing will help keep your teeth looking good (you'll never have something unsightly stuck between them) and your smile looking great.

Do a quick workout
A quick workout won't get you into fighting shape, but it can make a difference. You'll want to focus on strength training, like pushups, sit-ups and maybe a few arm curls. Over time, short workouts can build a little bit more muscle mass, but the real advantages are looking a little more toned and feeling more confident in the short run. In 15 minutes, you can knock out 30 pushups and 30 sit-ups, which will help your abs, arms and back. Give your arms a little extra attention with a few sets of curls.

Polish your shoes
For guys, shoes are often the final detail. If your shoes are sloppy, you present the image of a guy who isn't willing to go all the way. But you don't have to buy new shoes every week to make an impression. By polishing them or using a sponge buffer, you'll remove some of the dirt and work out any small scratches. A once-over on your shoes should take about two minutes.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Dolce & Gabbana 2006
















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