As the economy continues to look bleak, studies show that U.S. residents are cutting back on cosmetic procedures. A recent poll by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) indicated that 59% of women said the economy influenced their plans for cosmetic procedures – up 9 % from a similar poll in March. Another recent poll of the Society’s members found a 62 % decrease in all cosmetic procedures in the first half of 2008 compared with the same time period last year.
But even though the economic landscape isn’t pretty, you don’t have to sacrifice their looks and …read more

Most people may not realize that SPF is just as important in the winter months as it is in the summer months. Anytime your skin is exposed to the sun (hot or cold) you are at risk for sun damage.
But who wants to slather on tropical scented sunscreen before they put on their snow boots? Not me! So, I put together the following winter SPF fixes for the three areas that are most exposed during the winter months – face, hands and lips.
Here are some winterizing ways to get your SPF during the cold winter …read more

Gone are the trapeze dresses and flowing blouses.
This fall, it’s all about sleek silhouettes, fitted jackets, and tailored shirts. For most women, that means agony for the next twelve weeks. While diet and exercise is always the optimal solution for toned and slimmed bodies, many women today don’t have the time to eat right and exercise regularly. With hectic schedules, career demands and high cost of living, women need an easier solution. FLABuLESS, the first-ever arm shapewear that slims, conceals and re-shapes, is helping women feel confident in their clothes again.
According to a recent study, 63% …read more

Once upon a time, a guy I had a thang for told me I had a great ass. (Am I allowed to type ass here? I guess I’m about to find out…)
Instantly, I started to walk a little differently, and accentuate my bootylicious assets as much as possible.
I am not alone – all of us women spend our entire life trying to propel our best arse forward, and will often spend way too much money on jeans in order to make it closer to a reality.
Now, one may wonder why, in a beauty blog, I am speaking of jeans…but I …read more

I love it when I find natural beauty and bath products that smell fabulous and work great too. A couple months back, I got hooked on this almond milk shower gel.
The 100% Pure Almond Milk Foam Milky Shower Gel ($17) is packed with antioxidants such as vitamin C & E to hydrate, heal and protect your skin. Its anti-aging formula features a rich foamy lather that has a luscious smell. It’s great to use for every day, leaving your skin looking and feeling silky, soft and healthy.
The 100% Pure line offers a variety of other great products that are made …read more

As the summer comes to an end, and we start thinking about dark cherries, plaid and wool, and less about sun damage, its a great time to remind you to continue incorporating sunscreen into your daily routine.  Combination products are the best, and what I use year round – mineral makeup, moisturizers/primers/body lotions with sunscreen. 

I have found the niftiest thing that I can’t wait to try – soap with a sunscreen.  Bethesda Skincare has come up with Sunscreen Soap – a soap that is chock full of good-for-you stuff, plus leaves behind a thin layer of at least …read more

Interesting research out of Scotland lands at the BBC today – “Pregnant women have been told that not using perfumes or scented creams may reduce the risk of unborn boys developing infertility in later life.”  [source]
The point is, that these researchers seem to have found a connection between fragrance and reproductive health in male offspring of rats.  Honestly, that is a little scary to me.  I have always been one of those folks who never worried about that *stuff.*  I continued to color my hair, and certainly never considered not wearing moisturizer, lotion and makeup during my pregnancy.  I …read more

Yeah baby.  My two favorite subjects, neatly rolled up into one.  Brad Pitt and Beauty. 
Kiehl’s has announced today that they are partnering with the one and only Brad Pitt, and not to ensure super level sales (but they will no doubt have those), but to raise money for a common cause.  100% of the sales from Kiehl’s Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser will benefit JPF Eco Systems, a foundation created by both Kiehl’s and Brad Pitt to benefit global environmental initiatives that “minimize impact on the environment through thoughtful design.”  If you are a crazy mad Pitt …read more

This is a guest post by Charu Suri of Butterflydiary.com
Attention, all chocoholics. Please don’t read this article. It may make you break into a sweat, get dizzy, and crave that box of Lindt you’ve shoved under your bed. But if you’re one of those rare individuals whose will power is better than that of Lance Armstrong, then read on.
Well, it may well be Christmas in August. Being a huge fan of all things made by Ojon, I was like a pig in mud when I heard about the Ojon® Rare Harvest™ Tawaka™ "The Ball".
I …read more

This is a guest post from my friend Charu Suri, from ButterflyDiary.com.  Thanks Charu!
There’s little doubt that self-tanners tend to be scrutinized with a particularly powerful magnifying glass.
“Will I end up looking like Charlize Theron when she won her Oscar?”
“How do you know it doesn’t streak?”
“It might have worked for you, but it probably won’t for me.”
We make excuses and send guinea pigs to do the testing before plunking down the coin to buy the product ourselves, and in the end we opt for that monthly tanning booth session.
But fans of Mystic Tan will know that the company …read more