Beauty Blog » Beauty News

I am fair skinned, have allergies, and don’t get as much sleep as I should. The dark circles under my eyes are a huge problem. I have spent hundreds of dollars on various creams with no results. Concealer works to a point, but if you aren’t very careful you can end up with bright white circles around your eyes. If money is no object, you can get Restylane injections under your eyes, but because the skin there is so thin, the chance of weird side effects is great–some women get lumps and bumps around their eyes that can last for a YEAR! Eek! So what can we do? Is there any hope?

For people who aren’t sure why they have dark circles, he recommends topical products that contain a plumping agent or alphahydroxy acids, which can thicken the skin, or vitamins C and K, which can inflame skin and add volume.

But considering the glut of products on the market with a variety of active ingredients, Dr. Persing said, “If there are that many of them available, that usually means they’re not terribly successful.” (read more)

image: bloggerbase

It’s not exactly a fashion statement–it’s something much more commendable than that.

 Miss Virginia of 2008 shaved her head yesterday as part of a fundraiser for pediatric cancer. 

She said in a press release, “As Miss Virginia 2008, I want to use my title to do the most good possible and prove that beauty is as beauty does.”

She’s an ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network.

It’s been three months since she retired as the beauty queen of the 2008 and it’s good to see her really care enough to make a bold statement like that even after her reign is over. In fact, pageant officials did not let her shave her head while she was still Miss Virginia, which is why she had to wait until her reign is over.

According to the official website of St. Baldrick’s Foundation, she danced in a marathon and went 48 hours without sitting or sleeping to help raise over $4.1 million for this cause.

“As an ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network in Virginia and I have befriended many children suffering from cancer who have forever touched my life; little girls who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment, and who are often made fun of at school for being bald. Imagine if those little girls got a visit in the hospital from Miss Virginia who was also bald…I am doing this for them.

I’m also doing this for a young woman who did not win her battle with cancer. I recently spoke at a middle school and, after giving a presentation, a 6th grade girl came up to me and gave me a bracelet that said “Kassidy Our Champion” on it. She told me that Kassidy was her sister who had died last year of cancer when she was 12-years-old. I wear it every day. And every day I work to be worthy of having it.”

The raised over $23,000 in just one month.

 Image source: shaunaleelange.wordpress.com

We’ve all read about proper work attire and etiquette in the office–but who knew that in some countries, appearance counts even if you’re in a profession outside of an indoor office setting–say, for instance, when you’re out fighting crime.

Lesson #1: Before you start the day, make sure you coat at least two or three layers of extra strength Mitchum solid scented deodorant under your arms so that you’re fresh and ready for those common five hour stake outs.

Sounds bizarre.

Police chiefs of Sharda Police Academy in Bangladesh rank personal hygiene right up there next to labor relations and law enforcement. BBC recently reported that officials hired a notable beautician to teach new men and women recruits that in order to be “world class police leaders,” you must be groomed and presentable. It’s the first time ever in history that a beautician gave lessons to a police academy.

It’s amazing that they can take time and money out for top beautician Kaniz Almas Khan to teach them about such relatively trivial matters. What is there, low crime rate in Bangladesh? That can’t be it–Bangladesh is one the most poorest developing countries in the world. Also, what happens if you’re a great police leader, but you’re unkempt–does your credibility really go down? Who knew.

Apparently, they learned everything from how to correctly match their uniforms to just how important odor really is. They learned how to choose the right perfume and aftershave. The overall course included grooming, personal hygiene, physical fitness, skin-care, diet, and dining etiquette.

Khan told BBC, “It’s great that people are becoming more conscious of their looks.”

….Why exactly? I understand that world leaders and politicians are always presentable because it enhances their approachability–but why do police leaders need an extensive course on body odor and matching attire in order to be considered world class leaders?

To be honest, being that conscious of your looks is a sign of weakness. Worrying about armpit stains and breaking a nail when you’re on the job in which people’s lives are a stake is frankly a little prissy . These are not adjectives that I would want to use to describe a nation’s “world class” police leaders. Officials defend the beauty boot camp by saying that the idea is to make them fit to serve in United Nations peacekeeping missions anywhere on the planet. Beautification should not be a priority for these aspiring police leaders because etiquette various from country to country. They should be more focused on peaceful law enforcement and civil communication rather than try to win this unofficial beauty contest.

These people are training to work hard on a job that takes skill and perseverance as they risk their own life for law enforcement on a daily basis. If I were them, I’d want to be proud of the sweat on my shirt.

Info & Image source: BBC.com

For the second time in a row, Miss Venezuela was crowned the 2009 Miss Universe last night. This is the sixth time that a Miss Venezuela has received the title of Miss Universe. What is it about the Venezuelans that’s so charming? This was the first time in history where last year’s Miss Universe (Dayana Mendoza) crowned a new queen from the same country.

It can’t be that Venezuelan grace. There were a couple of awkward moments when Stefania Fernandez was crowned onstage. Both her sash and her crown fell in a clumsy moment as the former Miss Universe passed the reign on to Miss Venezuela.

Probably ever beauty pageant’s nightmare. This just goes to show that even beauty queens aren’t perfect. BUT, with her scholarship, new NY apartment, vacation to the Bahamas, and a new wardrobe as part of her Miss Universe winnings, I think 18-year-old Stefania will get over it.

Image Sources: lifestyles.in.msn.com

…and I thought LA was obsessed with beauty. A new trend has developed in Hungary in an effort to “demonstrate how Hungarian cosmetic techniques have advanced in the past decade,” according to the Plastic Surgery Channel. Pageant officials say that they want to show off their new “affordable” method of improving self-image.

 Now, Hungarian women are peeling away their painful bandages and getting ready to showcase their synthesized beauty to the world. Per this new contest’s rules, each pageant member must have had undergone general or local anesthesia and at least one cosmetic procedure. All contestants are between the ages of 18-30.

Wow. Forget that plastic surgery is an extremely dangerous procedure–what’s more disturbing is that Hungary is flat out saying that if you don’t look like the cookie cutter image of the perfect woman, here’s your chance to make it happen. The cosmetic surgery industry is actually trying to make a huge profit by hosting a beauty contest to show girls: this is what you can look like. Of course the glamor and glitz of a beauty contest will convince European women to fly to Hungary and ask to look like the “perfect” beauty contestants. What women won’t see is the months of grueling pain that comes post-surgery. Not to mention the cosmetic surgery mishaps that can potentially occur during surgery. There’s just so much wrong with plastic surgery that creating a glamorized plastic beauty contest seems like a joke.

But it’s not–cosmetic surgery is, in fact, cheaper in Hungary than other places. For instance, a face and neck lift that might usually cost around $8,000 would cost roughly $3,000 in Hungary. 

Upon researching, I found that Hungary is not the first to idolize fake-ness. China has already crowned a Miss Artificial Beauty a few years ago. Proponents of the new trend say it’s a just a woman’s strong pursuit of beauty.

I’m all for improving self image because let’s face it, looks are a huge factor in your confidence. BUT, going through as drastic measures as surgery will only increase the standard of unattainable beauty. What would this world be like if everyone “fixed” their imperfections? Would women really be satisfied? If I were known as “Miss Artificial Beauty” I would feel like I’m trying to be someone I’m not. Also, think about this: If you win the Miss Plastic Surgery crown and you had to stand next to and face the winner of a natural beauty contest, would you still feel confident?

I know that no matter how much you change yourself, unless you are mentally content with yourself, you’re never going to like the way you look. I think, improvement of self-image starts in your head.

At least Hungary is honest and admitting that their beauty contest is just a simple way to obtain more recognition and pour more money towards their cosmetic surgery industry–nothing more. China’s claim for a “strong pursuit of beauty” is laughable.

Photo source: MSNBC.com,  BBC News

Before and After T!ntalize, courtesy Tintalize.com

I know sometimes no matter how much you scrub away corns, rub in those moisturizers, wish away those veins, they just won’t go away!  What is a girl to do?  We have make-up artist Allyson Carey to the rescue.  Allyson, best known for her work in the CBS show Bold and Beautiful came up with T!ntalize make up for your feet!  That’s right, war paint is not just for the face anymore.  It is a smudge proof, sweat proof and rub proof concealer especially for the feet intended to cover scars, blisters, veins, tan lines, age spots and blemishes.  It is supposed to dry fast and not stain clothes or bed sheets.  The concealer comes in a choice of seven colors ranging from Vanilla Mousse to Chile Chocolate and retails for $15.  If you want your feet to look princess perfect for that all important date or an imminent summer wedding but don’t have enough time to whip them back into shape, T!ntalize might just do the trick!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for tinted sunscreen.

Tell you the truth, I actually somewhat enjoy the AXE body spray commercials. You know the ones, geeky guy spritzes this stuff on and Eureka! gorgeous women start going nuts. They amuse me, absurd as they are.

They should make one for women, I imagine it would smell something like sporting events and beer. Ha! 

Well my little brother’s birthday is coming up and lord knows the dweeb could use all the help he can get with the “ladies”. I love the rascal but he smells like a mix of diaper rash, fear and sweat. Not the sexiest combo, that’s for sure.

I was thinking of getting him a care package, chalk full of this AXE stuff. But first - does anyone know if it actually smells good? 

Please let the rest of us know before I spend my hard earned dough. - Muchas gracias!

To shop for AXE body sprays, click here.

If I were to categorically count the number of makeup items splattered all over my bathroom counter top, lip products would win the race hands down. Lip glosses, lip balms, lip tints, lipsticks…somehow beauty products targeted for other facial parts never seem to give that instant boost of vitality that those for the lips give us. But ever since I’ ve tried to go green with my makeup, I’ve become most paranoid about what I put on my lips.

Can you imagine how much of the product we must be taking in when we eat, drink, lick our lips, kiss …just thinking about it gives me the creeps. So I went on a mission to find an organic lip product, that delivers and is not expensive, after all most of us just cannot stop with just one or two and so affordability is important.

Something that has been catching my eye recently is Yes to Carrots. They feature a set of Paraben free skin and hair products that are made of organic fruits, vegetables and Dead Sea Minerals. They are not tested on animals and are do not contain the dreaded Ps-Phenol, Petroleum, Phthalates and Parabens. In fact their lip balms which are USDA organic sealed were recently featured in the Oprah Magazine. According to dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD, author of “The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful Beautiful Skin”,  many of us develop an unhealthy addiction to lip products containing Phenols which remove our natural protection nudging us to constantly reapply the product. Parabens have long been associated with tumors and reproductive abnormalities, while phthalates have been linked to lung, kidney and liver damage.

Yes to Carrots have a suite of nominally priced lip balms, tints and glosses that can be found at Target, Walgreens, Ulta and Rite Aid. Also check out drugstore.com and amazon.com for some good deals. Depending on the store they retail anywhere from $2 to just under $7.

Not bad at all considering that you are paying for good health.

My friends and I are going to Vegas in a few weeks and we are all going to a spa together. Part bonding, part we don’t gamble and don’t have anything else to do while the guys gamble… 

So we were perusing the features available at the hotel we are staying at and we all decided that we want to get facials, massages and one of my friends suggested we get our eyelashes dyed!

Hmm… interesting. I have never done this and I was wondering if it’s a good idea? I mean not to be silly but if you don’t have much lashes (I’m Asian) to begin with how remarkable will it really be to dye the few strands present? Then again I suppose the sole purpose of mascara is to darken and thicken the eyelashes you have correct? So maybe this whole dyeing eyelashes thing does that for you without the fuss.

What I want to know from anyone who comes across this is:

• Is dyeing your eyelashes worth it?
• Is it safe?
• How long does it last?

That is all. Maybe I’ll do it and keep you guys posted, that way I can expense the process and chalk it up as research for this blog. Ha! 

Source 

What more can we expect from Academy Award-winning, Halle Berry? This down-to-earth, new mother is sleighted to release her new fragrance, Halle by Halle Berry, in March. For over two years, Halle has been working at perfecting a fragrance that all women can benefit from. “For years I have created my own personal scents by mixing and layering fragrances, trying to come up with something unique and different. It’s a wonderful form of self-expression,” Halle says. Halle’s signature fragrance is said to capture “the spirit of a woman who is effortlessly stylish and elegant.” The spicy effect of the olibanum, an African root, and the smooth, woody aroma of sandalwood should make a great combination. You end up with a natural, sexy, smooth fragrance. Doesn’t that just sum up the epitome of Halle Berry? Halle has always won us over with her effortless style.  Can she win us over with her new fragrance? We shall wait and see.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more fragrances.