FACE THE FACTS

Make your breasts look bigger. Enhance your cleavage with makeup

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:38:00 +0000

From Flat To Fab With Makeup

We all know how much a push-up bra can do to enhance cleavage. But did you know you can give yourself a breast lift with makeup, too? Think of it as the quick and painless way to get bigger (looking) boobs.

With all the implants in Hollywood these days, this trick is not as widely used as it once was. However, it's still used on occasion (especially for movie premieres and award shows) to make a flat-chested look like she has bigger breasts.

A Buxom Keira Knightley?
A perfect example of this breast enhancement method is actress Keira Knightley. As you can see in the picture below on the left -- though beautiful and completely feminine -- she wasn't blessed with much in the breast department. However in the three Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Keira Knightley played the buxom Elizabeth Swann, shown below at right.

"They painted my t**s on me for the films, which is extraordinary because it's kind of a dying art form -- in the past, they used to have whole sections of the studios devoted to bosom make-up," Keira Knightley recently revealed. "And I loved it, completely loved it. Because it was the first time in my life I had big t**s, and I didn't even need surgery."
Get bigger breasts without surgery
It's not that difficult to create cleavage with makeup. You just need some bronzer or a dark shade of powder and another lighter shade of powder to get started.
1) Put on your bra (a push-up is great for this situation) and, if possible, get dressed. Protect the top edge of your shirt or dress by tucking in a facial tissue or even a little toilet paper.

2) Apply the darker color (bronzer or powder) in the area down the middle of your chest, between your breasts. Blend the color upward and outward, creating a V-shape and along the natural curve of the breast.

3) Take a lighter color of face powder or eye shadow, such as white or light gold, and put on the top half of your breasts. Don't use too much, and avoid powders that are too shimmery. Blend well with a makeup sponge.

4) Check in the mirror and see if your breasts look ample enough. If not, add more dark color in the center to build and deepen the color. However, when in doubt, go with less makeup enhancement rather than more.

You'll be surprised at how easy this is to accomplish. Next time you are going out and wearing a low-cut dress or top, you can give yourself instant cleavage! (This trick is also popular among drag queens. Hey, if it works on a guy...)

Acne Cream? Tax-Sheltered. Breast Pump? No.

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 08:06:00 +0000

Denture wearers will get a tax break on the cost of adhesives to keep their false teeth in place. So will acne sufferers who buy pimple creams.

People whose children have severe allergies might even be allowed the break for replacing grass with artificial turf since it could be considered a medical expense.

But nursing mothers will not be allowed to use their tax-sheltered health care accounts to pay for breast pumps and other supplies.

That is because the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that breast-feeding does not have enough health benefits to quality as a form of medical care.

With all the changes the health care overhaul will bring in the coming years, it nonetheless will leave those regulations intact when new rules for flexible spending accounts go into effect in January. Those allow millions of Americans to set aside part of their pretax earnings to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses.

While breast-feeding supplies weren’t allowed under the old regulations either, one major goal of the health care overhaul was to control medical costs by encouraging preventive procedures like immunizations and screenings.

Despite a growing body of research indicating that the antibodies passed from mother to child in breast milk could reduce disease among infants — including one recent study that found it could prevent the premature death of 900 babies a year — the I.R.S. has denied a request from the American Academy of Pediatrics to reclassify breast-feeding costs as a medical care expense.

In some respects, the biggest roadblock for mothers’ groups and advocates of breast-feeding is one of their central arguments: nursing a child is beneficial because it is natural.

I.R.S. officials say they consider breast milk a food that can promote good health, the same way that eating citrus fruit can prevent scurvy. But because the I.R.S. code considers nutrition a necessity rather than a medical condition, the agency’s analysts view the cost of breast pumps, bottles and pads as no more deserving of a tax break than an orange juicer.

Many mothers’ groups and medical experts say that breast milk provides nutrition and natural supplements that prevent disease, and would like to see its use expanded. Hospital accreditation groups have been prodding maternity wards to encourage parents to feed only breast milk until a child is 6 months old.

The new health law does include one breakthrough for nursing mothers, a mandate that they be permitted unpaid breaks to use breast pumps. Spurned by tax authorities, breast-feeding advocates say they will return to Congress to get a tax break, too.

“There’s been a lot of progress in the past few years making the public, the medical establishment and even Congress recognize the health benefits of breast-feeding,” said Melissa Bonghi, a lactation consultant in Bainbridge Island, Wash. “But I guess the I.R.S. will just take a little longer.”

With the new regulations set to take effect in two months, millions of American workers now in the open enrollment period at their employers have to determine whether, and how much, to set aside for 2011. More than 20 million people have flexible spending or other tax-exempt health care savings accounts, and the programs are projected to cost the federal Treasury about $3.8 billion this year and $68 billion over the next decade.

The most far-reaching change involves over-the-counter medicines. Since 2003, most of them have been eligible expenses, making flexible spending accounts so popular that some plans issued debit cards that allowed users to make purchases without having to file for reimbursement later.

As of Jan. 1, however, over-the-counter medications — including allergy remedies, cough suppressants or even pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen — will be eligible only if they are prescribed by a doctor. That change is so drastic that the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, which represents 37,000 pharmacies, last week asked the I.R.S. for a two-year delay in that regulation, to allow merchants to recalibrate the computer systems that determine which products are eligible for purchase with flexible spending account debit cards.

Many factors, including the length of maternity leave, affect how long a woman breast-feeds.

According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75 percent of the 4.3 million mothers who gave birth in 2007 started breast-feeding. By the time the baby was 6 months old, the portion dropped to 43 percent, and on the child’s first birthday, to 22 percent.

A study released this year by Harvard Medical School concluded that if 90 percent of mothers followed the standard medical advice of feeding infants only breast milk for their first six months, the United States could save $13 billion a year in health care costs and prevent the premature deaths of 900 infants each year from respiratory illness and other infections.

“The old adage that breast-feeding is a child’s first immunization really is true,” said Dr. Robert W. Block, president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “So we need to do everything we can to remove the barriers that make it difficult.”

To continue breast-feeding once they return to work, many mothers need to use pumps to extract milk, which can be chilled and bottle-fed to the child later. The cost of buying or renting a breast pump and the various accessories needed to store milk runs about $500 to $1,000 for most mothers over the course of a year, according to the United States Breastfeeding Committee, a nonprofit advocacy group. Lactation consultants, who can cost several hundred dollars, also would not be an eligible expense.

Roy Ramthun, a former Treasury Department official, said that tax officials’ reluctance to classify those costs as medical expenses stemmed from a fear that the program might be abused.

“They get very uneasy about anything that smacks of food because they fear it will open up all sorts of exceptions,” said Mr. Ramthun, who runs a consulting company that specializes in health savings accounts. “It’s a matter of cost and of protecting the integrity of the tax code.”

Bills introduced last year by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, Democrat of New York, and Senator Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon, would have allowed nursing mothers to claim the tax break. But breast-feeding advocates say that effort, like many before, was undone by economic and cultural factors.

“Everyone says they support breast-feeding, but getting businesses and Congress to act on it has been surprisingly difficult,” said Barbara Emanuel, executive director of the breast-feeding advocacy group La Leche League International. “We get resistance from the formula companies and cultural resistance, so it can be hard to get nursing mothers the support that everyone agrees they deserve.”

Unless the law changes, some mothers may ask their pediatricians for a note that breast-feeding is medically necessary. Jody L. Dietel, who works for a company that processes claims from flexible spending accounts, says that many patients who receive orthodontic procedures have used such a tactic.

“Orthodontia is really so you have nice, straight teeth,” said Ms. Dietel, chief compliance officer for WageWorks. “But the doctors write notes warning that the patient’s jaw might be damaged without treatment or their overbite could cause health problems, and it becomes an eligible expense. For breast-feeding there are two components, too: nutritional and preventative medicine.”

Walk The Line

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:41:00 +0000

72 percent of adults named their eyes as their favorite facial feature. It's for this reason so many women spend more time perfecting their eye makeup than foundation, bronzers and lipstick. Celebrity Beauty Expert Darrell Redleaf offers some new insight on playing up this favorite feature via eyeliner with information on how to choose the right formula, color and application techniques.

"The first step in choosing a liner is finding the right formula," says Darrell Redleaf, celebrity beauty expert. "From basic pencils, to shadows, gels and liquid eyeliners there are a bevy of beauty options depending on the look you are trying to achieve."

Pencils are a classic option and can be used to define or can be blended for a softer look. Shadows, on the other hand, are a new way to utilize your beauty bag. You can use your existing shadows and wet slanted liner brush to apply. Shadows are a great option because often they feature a broader color range than basic pencils.

For long lasting coverage, gel and liquid formulas are the best option. These formulas are more dramatic and great for evening. Another plus for gels and liquids is that they are long lasting and do not smear as pencils can sometimes do. Waterproof and smudge-proof are important words to look for when purchasing one of these formulas.

After finding your perfect formula, the next step is choosing the right color. Darrell recommends bronze and gold shades to enhance green and blue eyes, while darker eyes can opt for taupes and browns. Most importantly, it's all about technique. Darrell recommends blending the liner (either a shadow or pencil) at the root of the lashes and blend up and out in a 45 degree angle for an instant lift. You can use an angle brush for a more defined look or use an eye smudge brush for a smoky look. You can create different looks by using different brushes.

For a dramatic look, you can wing a liquid eyeliner or eye gel up a bit. But avoid winging too much otherwise it can look theatrical.

Define Your Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:40:00 +0000

Eyeliner #1: Tarte EmphasEYES High Definition Eye Pencil

This soothing, soft liner from Tarte glides on your skin effortlessly. The product is formulated without synthetic fragrances or dyes, making Tarte's liner a fabulous way to get a smoking nighttime makeup look naturally. We're particular fans of the Charcoal color, which is a very sophisticated and sultry shade of gray, though all five of the shades offered are stunning. $18 from Sephora.com.

Define Your Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:40:00 +0000

Eyeliner #2: Stila Convertible Eye Color

Stila's creamy eyeliner pencil would be lust-worthy enough on its own, but when coupled with a matching powder eye shadow, it's an absolute beauty product must-have. This wand has a pencil-free liner on one end and an eye shadow with built-in applicator on the other. The shadow and liner colors coordinator flawlessly to make a product that is the ultimate in convenient, on the go beauty. $22 from Sephora.com.

Define Your Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 08:36:00 +0000

Eyeliner #3: Giorgio Armani Liquid Eye Liner

The marker-like tip of this liquid liner makes it incredibly easy to draw lines of varying thickness. The matte black color is all the ease and elegance you would expect from the name Armani. Best of all, when they say smudge-proof, they really mean it. $30 from SaksFifthAvenue.com.

Define Your Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:39:00 +0000

Eyeliner #4: Smashbox Cosmetics Cream Eye Liner

Not all liners are in stick form. In fact, one of our absolute favorites comes in a pot! This cream eyeliner by Smashbox is applied with a brush, giving you total control over the application process so you can customize your makeup look completely. The cream formula also has remarkable staying power. The liner comes in many gorgeous colors however we're particularly smitten with "Picasso," a deep ink blue color. $22 from Sephora.com. Can't decide on a color? Get ten of them in an adorable and convenient palette that also comes with a mini brush. It makes a perfect stocking stuffer come holiday gifting time, though it will certainly be hard to give away. $32 from Sephora.com.

Define Your Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 05:37:00 +0000

For really making your eye makeup pop, eyeliner is a girl's best friend. But with so many on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one. We've searched high and low to create this list of five best eyeliners for you.

Eyeliner #5: Givenchy Magic Kajal Eye Pencil

For a sultry night out on the town, this carbon black liner is the ultimate in nighttime eye makeup. The wax and oil infused formula makes for a fluid and creamy liner, ensuring even application without any effort on your part. Most importantly, however, it stays put: even a test run of an eight hour night out and about in the scorching summer heat hardly budged it. Runny raccoon eyes are a thing of the past! $21.50 from Sephora.com.

Perfect Nails At Home

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:44:00 +0000

Manicures are fun -- and who doesn’t want her fingernails to look fun and stylish? Getting one a week, though, can put a major dent in your pocketbook. So invest in some tools of the esthetics trade and start giving yourself at-home manicures instead. You'll save money, and home-brushed nails can last longer than those painted in the salon.

What you need

Nail polish remover
Cotton balls
Q-tips
Nail clipper/scissors
Emery board
Cuticle oil
Cuticle stick
Nail polish
Topcoat/basecoat

How to give yourself a manicure

Clean your hands & nails thoroughly.

Using soap and water, get underneath the nails to remove any dirt. If you have nail polish on, use nail polish remover and a cotton ball to completely clean the nail surface. Use a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover to clear anything left around the edges.

Trim and shape your nails.

If your nails are long, trim them using a nail clipper or pair of nail scissors. Once complete, file raggedy edges down with an emery board. Round or square off the nail with long, smooth strokes of the emery board against the nail tip (this prevents nail splitting, which can happen if you file using short strokes).

Soak cuticles.

To soften your cuticles so you can push them back with a cuticle or orangewood stick, soak your fingertips in soapy water for a few minutes. Once the cuticles look whiteish, grab your tool of choice and gently push the cuticle into the nail bed. This process shouldn't hurt, so if you feel pain, stop. Also, never cut or tear your cuticle; that could lead to infection.

Pick your polish.

Start with a clear basecoat to protect your nails. Use three stokes of polish on each nail: Middle, then on each side. Let the basecoat dry, then apply colored polish in the same way. Be sure to let the polish dry completely in between coats. Once you've applied all layers, add a topcoat to protect the color. Quick-dry polish helps set the color. Remove any polish that landed on your skin with a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover.

Other hints for home manicures

Practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the better your nails will look in the long run.
If your cuticles are really dry, apply cuticle oil to the beds before soaking your nails.
Light polish is easier to maintain than dark polish.

Anti-Aging Secrets For Your Hands

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:43:00 +0000

Many of us spend a great deal of time and money on anti-aging products and treatments for our faces. However, one of the first places to show our age is our hands because they are constantly exposed to the sun and its photo-aging effects on our skin. The skin on our hands is also thinner than the skin on our faces -- making it more susceptible to the aging process. Here are 5 easy tips to keep your hands looking youthful and smooth -- and keep the world guessing your age!

Exfoliate your hands

Just as you exfoliate the skin on your face, you need to remove the top layer of skin on your hands to reveal the fresh skin underneath. At home, you can use microdermabrasion crystals or even 1 teaspoon of sugar combined with coconut oil. While these treatments will not remove brown spots, they will leave your skin looking smoother and softer. The key is to exfoliate on a regular basis. You can also try a professional chemical peel to exfoliate and remove dark spots, however sometimes these are too harsh for the skin on the backs of our hands. An at-home alternative is to apply fresh lemon juice to your hands for as long as you can tolerate and rinse off. The citric acid in lemon juice is a mild exfoliator.

Use a moisturizer with at least SPF 15 everyday, even in the winter time

If you find a moisturizer with an SPF that you love, use it all the time. This way you are replacing moisture and protecting your hands. Sun exposure damages collagen- which is the building block of our skin. Collagen also gives our skin that "plump" look. Once collagen is broken down, wrinkles and thin skin appear, so the more we can protect the skin on our hands from the destruction of collagen, the more we can prevent wrinkles.

Pamper your hands

Whenever you do the dishes, or expose your hands to a lot of water, be sure to wear gloves. Try using a thick cream like Aquaphor or any oil like olive oil or coconut oil under your gloves for a moisture treatment. Also, if you use anti-oxidant serums on your face, you can use those on your hands as well. Apply these serums at night before moisturizer and during the day before your SPF. You can even use the same hydrating masks on your hands that you use on your face.

Try lasers for brown spots and loose skin

Age spots or brown spots are a tell-tale sign of aging. To remove brown spots, the best treatments are lasers, such as a Fraxel or a YAG laser. Treatments can range between $500-$1,000 per treatment. If you have loose skin on your hands, you can try a tightening treatment with a laser such as the TITAN. Skin-tightening treatments help to stimulate collagen production, resulting in thicker skin.

Banish veins with scelortherapy and fat plumping

As your skin thins, veins in your hands can appear to "bulge" out. In scelortherapy, a mild irritant is injected into your veins and blocks the blood supply. As a result, the vein shuts down and shrinks. Although this treatment does not have a lot of downtime, it can take a few weeks to see the full results. This treatment is best for small, superficial veins.

For larger veins, a better treatment is to plump the skin around the vein by injecting fat into the hand, thereby creating an even illusion. To plump the skin, doctors use either your own fat (extracted from your thigh or buttocks) or Restylane. Both treatments cost about $300-$750 per treatment, with one or two treatments required.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 03:03:00 +0000

Who didn't love back to school shopping? We were huge fans of pre-September sprees with parents or friends in tow, picking out first-day fashions, new shoes and backpacks ready to be filled with brand-new binders, books and pens. We may be well past the back to school shopping age, but that doesn't mean we love the idea any less. That's why we've scoured the shops to find classroom-inspired looks for the grownup set.

V-neck sweater

Often seen paired with trousers and white shirt in our school uniform days, the V-neck is now a staple for comfort and style. We're fans of this simple CeCe truffle cashmere option.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:02:00 +0000

Oxford shoes

No longer a school staple of the past, Oxford shoes are back with a vengeance. Pair with tights and a skirt, or wear with skinny jeans and a pullover. Steve Madden has some adorable options, including these Tuxxedo Oxfords, as seen on Taylor Swift and Sienna Miller.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:01:00 +0000

Trousers

While some girls chose to wear kilts or tunics, some of us went with trousers to complete the school uniform look. Now that we're all grown up, trousers are a fall wardrobe staple for the office. Find a pair that fits well and in which you're comfortable, and use it as a base to build sophisticated outfits. The Gap Perfect Trouser Pants are stylish and flattering on most body shapes.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 03:00:00 +0000

Tunic

Another school uniform-inspired look, the tunic is as easy to wear as it is stylish. Pair with leggings, thick tights or skinny jeans for a casual yet trendy look. We love this Mod Cloth plaid tunic in shades of blue and grey.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:59:00 +0000

Satchel

Though you may no longer be carrying around textbooks, satchels can be a stylish way to lug your stuff from home to the office and back. This Heirloom Satchel by Fossil is just the right size, and we love the creamy cognac hue.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 02:58:00 +0000

Kilt-inspired skirt

To go along with your new wool tights, pick up a kilt-inspired skirt. No need to try and squeeze into your high school uniform -- just try an updated version of this schoolroom staple. This BDG Double Buckle Waistband Skirt works beautifully with a cropped sweater or close-fitting blouse tucked in.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 02:58:00 +0000

Wool tights

Not just for children, wool tights can look chic with A-line dresses, corduroy minis and sweater dresses. Complete the comfy, warm look with knee-high boots or oxford shoes. These Winter Soft Logic Tights have a fine-ribbed knit and come in grey or black.

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 02:56:00 +0000

Crisp white shirt

If you ever had to wear a school uniform, you know the importance of a crisp, white shirt. But it's also something that never goes out of style and can be worn with a variety of items from a pencil skirt to denim to trousers. Gap has an affordable, laid-back version of this classic item with its white western shirt.

Define Your Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:35:00 +0000

Eyeliner #4: Smashbox Cosmetics Cream Eye Liner

10 School-inspired styles for adults

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 02:51:00 +0000

Mary Jane shoes

The rounded toe and signature strap bring back memories of back to school style, but these classroom classics never really went away. Featuring comfort and style all in one, they look great with tights and a skirt for a fashionable foray into fall. We like these Pierre Dumas Mary Jane pumps.

Save money on fall accessories

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 02:50:00 +0000

As we transition from summer to fall, you may be tempted to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe. The reality is, however, that most of us are shopping on a budget. While you may not be able to spend a fortune on new fall fashion, you can still look like a million bucks with a few key pieces and the right accessories. Let's take a look at ways you can save money on fall accessories.

Invest in the classics.

Don't spend a ton on trendy fads. Instead, save your money for the classics. A rich leather saddle bag, a pair of knee-high riding boots and a cashmere wrap will never go out of style -- and are perfect for fall.

Head to the thrift shops.

The good thing about trends is that they come and go -- so yesterday's discards can be today's treasures. At thrift shops and consignment sales, you can find fall favorites like funky fedoras, wool scarves, vintage jewelry and other must-have fall accessories.

Get alerts.

Sign up for newsletters and sales alerts at your favorite stores' websites to get a head start on the bargains. Also, use sites such as Shop It To Me, where you select the brands you like, and receive email alerts when items from your favorite brands go on sale. You can choose daily, weekly or semi-weekly alerts. It's like having a personal shopper!

Use sample sale sites.

You don't have to hit the streets for the best sample sales anymore, thanks to the emergence of online sample sale sites in recent years. These invitation-only sites include Editor's Closet, Gilt Groupe, HauteLook, ideeli, Rue La La and many more. These sites offer apparel, jewelry, handbags and accessories.

Pick affordable must-haves.

This fall, you can't go wrong with the following accessories. And they aren't just trendy -- they can be inexpensive too:

Aviator sunglasses

Who says sunglasses are just for summertime? Aviators are the hot choice for fall in fabulous colors such as purple. Fortunately, you can find aviator sunglasses at most department stores and sunglasses shops for $50 to 100.

Knit caps

If the weather gets cold in your neck of the woods, you'll want a hat to keep your head warm. This fall, knit caps and beanies are very trendy. We saw an array of these types of hats on the runways at Fashion Week, and we'll see even more on the city streets. Pick up at least two: one in a safe neutral and the other in a daring bold hue.

Patent

Glossy patent handbags in deep colors such as cranberry, chocolate and plum are ideal for fall. You don't have to invest in patent leather. Patent PVC, coated canvas and other materials offer all the shine you are looking for without the big price tag.

Colorful tights

You can wear your mini skirts and dresses from summer throughout the fall by adding legwear. Tights are usually under $10 a pair and come in rich colors and textures that are perfect for fall. For fun weekend wear, neon tights are "in," particularly when paired with grey apparel. Thigh-high stockings with heeled oxfords, as well as colorful socks with open-toe booties and sandals, are trendy options this season.

Fall makeup trends

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 02:48:00 +0000

Fall is coming -- and so is the time to update your makeup look.

Makeup tips for fall

Keep that healthy summer glow.

Switch from a mattifying foundation to something with a richer, dewy texture to help your skin prepare for weather change, says Courtney Akai of the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York City.

For a sleek, sexy, smokey-eye look to match the rich colors of fall…

Wear a deeper shade of eyeliner such as a deep violet, cafe brow, or hunter green, says Akai.

Want your eyes to pop without heavy clumps of mascara?

You need more lashes! Try semi-permanent eyelash extensions. Just by adding some length and volume, says Akai, they bring out the color and shape of the eye without your having to add anything to your makeup bag.

Put some shimmer in your shadow.

Switch to deeper shades of bronze, charcoal or plum to add just a hint of sparkle to your sexy, smokey eye.

No more loose lips.

Wear your favorite stand-alone summer gloss over a deeper, more opaque lipstick -- a rich, intense look to really define your lips.

Learn from the runways.

Runway beauty is gorgeous and specifically created to evoke thought and set trends. "They should always be interpreted as conceptual, not literal!" says Mathew Nigara, celebrity makeup artist for NYC cosmetics, of runway styles. Women should take the ideas as direction and try to implement seasonal changes in their daily routines, but only if it works for them, he says.

Want to Win a $100 eye cream.

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:39:00 +0000

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Best eye cream for 2010.

iS CLINICAL Youth Eye Complex

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Steal the look: Taylor Swift

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:28:00 +0000

Singing sweetheart Taylor Swift looks as cute as ever in this free-spirited ensemble. Here's how to steal her spunky look.

Dress

The staple of Taylor's outfit is her casual, breezy, striped dress. Since she accents her outfit with so many colorful accessories, she keeps the colors of her dress neutral so that the outfit as a whole is not too busy. For a dress with a similar style, try ASOS' Kookai Stripe Knit Dress, which has a neutral color palette and dark horizontal stripes like Taylor's dress. $91.78 (on sale from $152.97) from ASOS.com.

Scarf

Taylor gives her outfit a serious burst of color with a golden yellow scarf. ModCloth's Third Rose from the Sun Scarf has a similar yellow hue and sports a red floral pattern like Taylor's. It is a fun, versatile piece that will carry you well into spring and summer. Wear it around your neck or mix it up by tying it to the handle of your bag or wearing it as a headband. $15.99 from ModCloth.com.

Shoes

Taylor keeps it simple with her footwear with the choice of brown oxford flats. These menswear-inspired lace ups are right on trend so it is well worth investing in a pair for your own wardrobe. Our pick? By far our favorite is Jeffrey Campbell's Wingtip Oxford. With rich leather and gorgeous detailing, these are shoes you'll want to keep around, at a price that is not too hard to swallow. $108 from FreePeople.com.

Tights

Taylor gets quirky with the addition of printed purple tights. Tights like these are sure to instantly liven up any outfit! Forever21 has a great selection of tights, including purple patterned ones like Taylor's. Best of all, they come super cheap so you won't regret buying them, even if you can't weave them into many other ensembles. Try their Mesh Burst Tights or Cozy Cable Knit Tights. Both are $6.80 from Forever21.com.

Bag

Further mix up the color palette by adding in a bag in a deep green shade as Taylor does here. Anything in a color from a dark green to dark turquoise should achieve a similar effect and work well with the rest of the outfit. We are loving ModCloth's Club House Bag, which has a rich green color, stylish gold hardware and adorable tassel zipper pulls. $59.99 from ModCloth.com.

Headband

Give your outfit some extra girlish charm with a pretty headband. J. Crew's Pleated Headband is a nude color with a simple texture like Taylor's. It is a cute, preppy must-have. $16.50 from JCrew.com.

Do lash growth products work?

noreply@blogger.com (COUNTESS DE LESSEPS) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 08:45:00 +0000

Lashes To Lashes

Whether you're into extensions, lengthening mascaras or lash growth treatments, lashes are hot right now. But jaded consumers that we are, it's easy to see lash growth products as a whole lot of hogwash. Do they work? Are they worth the often steep investment? Before you go out and spend your hard-earned cash, check out our lineup of the most popular brands out there, and what our research has discovered.

Latisse

Price: $120

What they say: “Latisse does work well to grow the eyelashes in roughly 70 percent of study patients,” says Shevanti Jegasoth, a Miami-based cosmetic dermatologist. “In photographic analysis, the eyelash enhancement was uniform length and thickness, not extreme length, as has been observed in some of the over-the-counter/online brands, such as MDLash and Revitalash. This is the only lash-growth product for which you need a prescription. It originated as a glaucoma medication -- with a stunning side effect!

What users say: “I’m not a doctor/expert, but I did use Latisse,” shares Gina Kremer, co-director of Catalyst Communications. “It works, to the point where I had to stop using it! My eyelashes got so long, I got tired of people asking if they were fake. They literally almost touched my eyebrows. My boyfriend was a little freaked out by them, so I decided to cool off with the Latisse and go back to my normal eyelashes.”