Glam Up Your Grin

Is there anything I can do -- fast -- to brighten my dull tooth color?
Usually, drab tooth color is caused by drinking too many stain-inducing drinks like coffee, tea, red wine and colas, says Jonathan B. Levine, an NYC dentist. You can sexify your smile in a hurry, but the method depends on how serious your stains are.
If you've just started seeing them, try using an OTC whitening toothpaste twice daily that contains baking soda, fluoride and protein-dissolving enzymes that fight discoloration. Your teeth should be several shades lighter after just a few brushings. Try Rembrandt Low Abrasion Whitening Toothpaste with Baking Soda, $6.99.

If you need more dramatic results, get a normal cleaning, including a prophy jet (mini-sandblasting) to remove dinginess. "Results depend on how much staining you've accrued since your last cleaning," says Dr. Levine. The cost is $85 to $140.

If your teeth are no longer white but a definite shade of yellow, take serious (but not painful) measures and request a laser and bleaching combo. Most procedures take about two hours (Dr. Levine keeps patients preoccupied with a flick) and can get your teeth up to 10 to 14 shades lighter (the tooth equivalent of going from brunette to blond). Costs range from $500 to $1,200. Ask your dentist about similar in-office options.

Winter Skin Savers: 5 Don't-Skip Spots

Like a wardrobe, skincare is seasonal. Your skin gets flaky and dry in winter more so than in summer because cold weather destroys the lipid layer that keeps the skin from drying out. Here's how to keep your skin feeling dewy and moist even in the harsh winter weather.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Skipping moisturizer in winter will cause your skin to crack. You need to moisturizer at least one time a day, perhaps 2. And it's not just your arms & legs that need the extra help. Here are the top four areas that need extra attention in winter.

Your Face
The key here is to know what skin type you are. If you have dry skin, you want to use a moisturizing cleanser followed by an emollient or oil-based moisturizer. Ingredients to look for include: glycerin, dimethicone and hyaluronic acid.If you have combination skin, look for a gel formula for your oily areas and a heavier, cream-based moisturizer for the dry areas.
Try: Purpose Bar Soap for a cleanser. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is also great. For very dry skin (& if you have the cash for it), nothing beats Creme de La Mer Moisturizing Cream.

Your Lips
Licking your lips will not moisturize them. Lips retain less moisture than other parts of the body, so they tend to dry out more quickly. A simple lip balm helps, as does my all-time favorite lip trick learned in high school from 'Seventeen' magazine: moisturize your lips with Vaseline. Take a toothbrush and 'brush' your lips in a circular motion. This will remove dead flakes and leave your lips soft and supple.
Try: Eau Thermale Avene Lip balm with cold cream (about $9).


Your Entire Body
The drier your skin, the thicker the moisturizer you'll want. Moisturizer is best used after a shower. Rub it in and let about 90 percent of it soak in immediately. (Added tip: you'll also want to skip the long, hot showers in winter, they're the worst for skin}.
Try: Kiel's moisturizing lotion & Aveeno Moisturizing Foaming Bath.


Your Hands & Feet
For hands, keeping a tube of hand cream on your desk will help keep your skin supple. I like to apply moisturizer to my feet and then wear socks to bed to help my feet from drying out.
Try: An exfoliating acid-based foot cream every few days like Philosophy Soul Owner Exfoliating Foot Cream (about $14).

Fat Free

By: Susan Williamson


Dissolve fat. Reduce cellulite. Take years off your face. Everything you need to know about mesotherapy and Acthyderm.

VITAL VOCAB
Mesotherapy: using very fine needles to inject a substance containing vitamins, antioxidants, Phosphatidylcholine or hyaluronic acid into the dermis to reduce cellulite, dissolve fat, treat fine lines and wrinkles or chronic pain. More...

Chinese men turn to cosmetics to increase allure

An attendant gives a male customer a facial at the French cosmetic brand Lancome concept shop in Shanghai. With their sculpted bodies, moisturised skin and fitted suits Chinese men are taking an increasing interest in their looks and in fashion, urged on by their womenfolk. [AFP]

The Beauty Queens

You can't bottle real style -- but these top cosmetics-company execs have it, in spades. Here, they share their personal secrets for looking great, whatever your age.

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, 46, cofounder, OPI
How she got there: "My brother-in-law sold dental supplies. Since the formula for artificial nail bonding was similar to that for teeth, we developed a product. In '89 we added polishes, went retail, and took off."
Her attitude: "Funny, but I don't feel older. My mother is 81 and looks unbelievable. I have a 7- and 10-year-old, and that keeps me going -- more than my twice-a-week workouts."
Her closet: "I'm very L.A. -- a great jacket, jeans, and heels will take me anywhere. I live in Marc Jacobs and Prada on top, Sevens or Earls below."
Her beauty routine: "If your skin is moist and fresh, your hair well cut, and your hands and feet well cared for, you look glamorously confident, no matter what size you are. I've been using Sisley skincare for years -- love their Cleansing Milk with Hawthorn. Manicures and pedicures in my signature OPI Red are mandatory."
Her passion: "My kids. I'm always making multimillion-dollar decisions on the cell phone from cookouts or horse shows."

3 new ideas for fresh new makeup.

By Sonia Kashuk

The new year calls for a fresh makeup look. A change doesn't require much; one or two new products can completely update your appearance. Here I have outlined three key looks for the new year and into spring. Try them together or incorporate them into your everyday look:

Translucent Blush

More...

Eat Less Tricks

From Apply Now

And they don't hurt at all.

The trick to eating less is to make yourself think that you haven't changed a thing. All of these tricks have worked for me and as you well know, I'm a snacker from way back!
Use a smaller plate
In our house we have collected more than one set of dishes through the years and I noticed that they all varied in size. So, when we are having a family dinner and the table doesn't have to look perfect, I set the table, giving myself the smallest plate I own. It holds a lot less food, but gives the appearance of normal servings.

Drink a bottle of water before you eat
I carry a bottle around with me all day, but if this isn't a habit you have acquired, fill a bottle about an hour before dinner and sip away. You will eat less because you feel full.

It's that simple.

Raw or Cooked
Fill your plate with lots of veggies, cooked or raw. Not only are they good for you, they will fill you up. Sorry, stay away from the sauces, gravies, butter or sour cream. That totally defeats the purpose.

Quick Tip
Just a rule of thumb, if it's healthy, eat lots, if it's not, eat just a tiny bit, if you must at all.

At The Restaurant
While it can be very tempting, ask that the bread basket be removed from the table. You don't want to know how many calories are in one slice slathered with butter.

A Work Sheet That Works
Keep a work sheet on your fridge and use it to write down every item you eat during the day. Most of us have no idea how much we are consuming. We often take a bite here and there without even noticing.

Treat yourself to a fun Valentine's Day - even if you're single

Don't have a date for February 14? Try relaxation instead of romance with this soothing at-home pedicure from Marcia Kilgore, founder of New York City's Bliss Spa.


What you'll need:

Ingredients:
1/2 gallon whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
salt
almond extract

Tools:
saucepan
plastic tub or bowl
towel
nail file
lotion

directions:
1. Combine approximately half a gallon of whole milk and a little warm water in a saucepan and set it on the stove over medium heat.
2. While the milk is heating, in a separate bowl combine half a cup of vegetable oil with enough salt to make a rough paste. This will be used later as an exfoliating scrub.

3. When the milk is heated to a comfortable temperature--not too hot, definitely not boiling--stir in a drop of almond extract, then empty the contents into a plastic tub or bowl that's just large enough to comfortably fit both of your feet. Bring the tub or bowl into the bathroom.

4. Place a towel on the edge of the bathtub to sit on and place the bowl of milk in the bottom of the tub.

5. Carefully file your toenails into a square shape, then place your feet in the big bowl of milk and soak them for about 10 minutes.

6. Set the bowl of milk aside and scrub the lower half of your legs with the vegetable oil and salt mixture you've prepared, then rinse.

7. Coat your feet and toenails heavily with scented lotion.

8. When you're done relaxing, rinse off any excess cream. Your skin should feel silky smooth!

Milky Way Milk Baths

Cleopatra knew well the therapeutic properties of milk and regularly filled her swan-shaped tub with camel milk to insure that her skin remained soft and supple. Two thousand years later, the benefits of milk baths are being rediscovered. Milk-based products for the bath and shower are now used for everything from cleansing to moisturizing to masking.

Milk, which contains natural beta hydroxy acids, not only exfoliates old skin, it also soothes it. "It's a natural way to eliminate old skin," says Ann Robinson, CEO of Caswell-Massey, the nation's oldest apothecary. "Milk conditions skin so it is soft and glowing, not flaky." Caswell-Massey's goat milk and honey bath is a long-time favorite; an old-fashioned milk bath made with real milk, and a milk moisturizer and shampoo, will be introduced this year. And the benefits to hair are many: "Hair has scales on the cuticle that make it look dull. Milk proteins close the cuticle to give it shine," explains Robinson.

Archipelago Botanicals combines milk solids with soy, rice and oat protein in their collection of milk bath products and creams. Their oat milk contains oat grain, which is best for sensitive skin types because of its soothing and moisturizing properties; rice milk is an indulgent base for a tranquil bath, and soy milk is renowned for its strengthening proteins and amino acids, acting as a skin hydrator and promoting healthy new cells.

Milk is also a gentle way to bathe baby's skin. Burt's Bees developed Baby Bee buttermilk bath to cleanse, soothe and soften normal or irritated skin. Gentle enough for use on children of all ages, it's suited for adults with sensitive skin, too. Their buttermilk soap has naturally moisturizing honey in it, so it can be used as a daily cleanser. Kitchen Cupboards Almond Milk Hand Creme by Burt's Bees contains milk, almond oil, aloe vera and vitamin E, providing relief for adults with dry, chapped hands.

While milk-based products can be found in many beauty boutiques and stores, making your own milk bath is easy. Add 2 to 3 cups of slightly warmed milk (or use instant powder) to a tub of warm water and soak for 15 minutes for a beneficial beauty bath. A few drops of almond oil can be added for extra softening. If desired, use a loofah to exfoliate dead skin. Creamy, glowing skin is the result.

Do It Yourself Masks

You know that your skin needs a little TLC, but unfortunately, you have run out of your favorite mask, so what can you do? Wait another week until you can stock up? Actually, you probably have the makings of a good mask right in your kitchen.

Using New Skincare Products -- the Right Way

By Lisa Kovalovich
Give your new products a chance to work.

You see it on the drugstore shelf, your favorite cosmetics counter, or in a TV infomercial: The newest, latest, hottest skincare product, guaranteed to give you a flawless complexion. Your reaction? Snatch it up and try it now! But when it fails to deliver immediate results, you're disappointed, sure that the next new product will give you the fabulous results you desire. Stop! Before you stock up on another potion, think about this: The products you've tried and trashed due to lack of results could really work for you; you just need to try them the right way. Here, everything you need to know to test out a new product -- and get results!


Remember that skin works slowly. Pimples, dark pigmentation spots, and fine lines brew for weeks to years, even if they seem to appear overnight. Logically, they're not going to disappear overnight, either, even with the help of the latest skincare product.

Introduce products one at a time. Many dermatologists recommend introducing products into your existing routine one by one. That way, your skin has time to get used to each new product and its potentially irritating ingredients, and you can see what the product will do for your skin in a controlled way (in other words, with no other new ingredients affecting your skin).

Give new products time to work. For products that work on a superficial level -- cleansers, moisturizer, sunscreens -- that means about two weeks. In that time, you'll see whether the product irritates your skin, breaks you out, makes you greasy, or works like a charm. For medicated products -- those FDA-approved to actually change the structure of the skin -- allow two months to see results.

Allow for break-in time. Even gentle formulations that contain certain ingredients can irritate your skin until you've become used to them. Ingredients like glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin can be very irritating at first, but after your skin becomes accustomed, can work wonders. Begin by applying your new product every other night, stepping up to once a day as your skin tolerates it. If your skin never quite gets used to your new product, however, it's a good idea to dump the offender.

Makeup Expert Bobbi Brown

Makeup expert Bobbi Brown shares her secrets.

Features

The Basics:
• Introducing...Bobbi Brown
• Bobbi's Beauty Commandments
• Your Top Beauty Woes -- Solved!
• Best Makeup for Your Coloring
• You Asked, Bobbi Answered!
• Bad Beauty Day?
• Bobbi Brown on Buying Beauty Products
• What Bobbi Knows

Looks:
• Summer Makeup Forecast
• Spring Fling
• Time for an Update?

Techniques:
• Take Years Off Your Face
• Flawless Foundation
• Bobbi Brown's Guide to Eye Makeup

Slide Show:
• A Makeup Lesson with Bobbi Brown

The Right Red for You

By Lisa Kovalovich

For the best match, choose a red lipstick based on your skin tone.
Contrary to what many women believe, anyone can wear red lipstick. The key: Finding a shade of red with undertones that complement your coloring. Here's an easy guide:

If your skin is fair with rosy undertones...
Go for a cool red with a pink or blue cast to it. Or try a "true" red, which is pure red pigment with no discernable undertone. Steer clear of orange-based reds.

If your skin has yellow undertones...
Try a warm red with a peach or orange tone to it. Avoid very blue-based reds.

If your skin is olive-toned...
Go for a true red, or one with a hint of brown to it. Beware of reds with too much orange or pink in them.

If your skin is dark with rosy undertones...
Try a deep, blue- or pink-based red. Skip reds with orange or peach bases.

If your skin is dark with yellow undertones...
Pick a warm, deep red with an orange cast to it. To avoid: Blue-based reds.

For any skin tone...
For a foolproof result, go for a brown-based red. Since brown is a neutral shade, red with a hint of brown works for most skin tones.

5 Beauty Mistakes Most Women Make

From mismatched foundation to unflattering lip color, 5 beauty mistakes to stop now.By Lisa Kovalovich

You read fashion magazines, check out the latest beauty advice online, and drop lots of money at the cosmetics counter, so you couldn't possibly be guilty of a beauty crime -- or could you? The truth is, many women make at least one major beauty mistake in their lifetime. Read on for the five biggies, plus look-better fixes:

[Detail] from msn.com

Mens Corner

Many products that men use everyday, including deodorant, shampoo, sun tan cremes, and aftershave lotion, contain toxic chemicals linked to health problems in males. Lead acetate, a known carcinogen and reproductive toxin, can be purchased at the local drugstore in Grecian Formula 16. Phthalates, a set of industrial chemicals used in many products, are particularly toxic for males.

Phthalate exposures damage the testes, prostate gland, epididymis, penis and seminal vesicles in laboratory animals. Most of these effects persist throughout the animal’s life, and include, among other health effects:

Testicular atrophy – a defect that leads to reduced capacity to form sperm and male sex hormones

Hypospadias – a defect of the penis in which the opening occurs on the bottom of the penis instead of the tip

Undescended testicles – a condition in which the testes fail to descent into the scrotal sac during pregnancy

Reduced sperm count – leads to reduced fertility
Trends in human male reproductive health include many of the same effects seen in lab animals dosed with phthalates. Although a cause and effect relationship has not been established, the ubiquity of phthalates in the human population validates the concern that phthalates may be contributing to health problems. For more information about health effects and laboratory studies on phthalates, see the report Not Too Pretty.

However, personal care and cosmetics companies have shown that they can can create safe and effective products without using these toxic chemicals. In fact European Union law now requires companies to remove reproductive toxins and carcinogens from personal care products. Cosmetics companies need to make these safer products available for U.S. consumers too.

Holidays push online shopping toward mainstream

As someone who buys merchandise for several Las Vegas boutiques, Adelle Cuaron knows a thing or two about shopping.

And this holiday season, her personal gift buying involves avoiding store lines and sticker shock.

"I can't go in and out of shops this year and spend a lot of money. I'm shopping online to get the best deal," Cuaron said.

Though she plans, for the first time, to devote most of her budget to Web shopping, she says she's slightly nervous about identify theft, given reports of e-commerce related credit card fraud. She says, however, that she's "got to do it."

Cuaron is one of millions of fresh devotees to online shopping this holiday season--new customers expected to drive e-commerce's double-digit percentage growth through November and December. She's also part of a trend among Web surfers to scout for bargains online. Traffic to sites designed to let people compare prices and find the best deal has leaped by more than 100 percent in the last year.

Blogs Big in 2004

Last year saw a big increase in weblog usage, according to information released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. In November, two surveys by Pew revealed 8 million Americans have created blogs, and that blog readership jumped 58% in 2004. However, even though 27% of Internet users read blogs, another 62% still don't know what they are.

8 ways to protect your skin this winter.

"Cold, dry winter air is very damaging to skin because it literally removes all moisture," says Jim Baral, M.D., a board certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. That explains why skin tends to feel itchy and dry and even cracks painfully in the colder months.

To get relief, follow Dr. Baral's Rx for parched skin:


Use a mild facial cleanser. Dove and Basis are both good, non-drying choices, says Dr. Baral.
Switch to a richer facial moisturizer. Drier times call for more intense moisturizers. Dr. Baral recommends BioMedic Extra Rich Moisturizer. Another good choice: Clinique Moisture Surge Extra, an oil-free cream gel designed to relieve dehydrated skin.
Avoid exfoliating. The dry air in many homes actually exfoliates skin, explains Dr. Baral. You want to do the opposite: moisturize.
Apply moisturizer to damp skin after showering. After patting -- not wiping off -- your body with a towel, slather on a rich cream. Dr. Baral's picks: AmLactin, or Biomedic Hydrating Body Emulsion.
Pare down your shower schedule. Long, hot showers can rob your skin of precious moisture. To avoid this, shower as infrequently as possible -- every other day if you feel comfortable. Also, keep showers short and opt for warm water over hot.
Run a humidifier in the bedroom. Letting a humidifier run while you sleep will help by putting moisture back into the air.
Don't skip the sunscreen. You can't protect yourself enough from the sun, so don't be lulled into thinking that the rays aren't reaching you in winter. Continue to apply sunscreen, or a moisturizer with sunscreen, daily.
Give chapped hands and feet some TLC. Dry and cracking hands and feet are common in colder months. To treat hands, reduce the frequency of hand washing (which saps moisture from skin) and apply a cream such as Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. For feet, apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin following a shower, while feet are still damp.

By Kristen Finello

Seasonal Skin-Care Tip

Q.Do I need to change my face products when it gets cold? I am hesitant to use a thicker moisturizer because I break out easily.

A. Only make the switch to a heavier moisturizer if your skin starts to feel dry or tight. And don't worry: If you choose the right one, a thicker lotion won't cause pimples to pop up. The creams that normally cause acne are oil-based and contain high levels of preservatives like paraben, lanolin and triethanolamine, explains Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey. So look for one that is water-based (H2O should be one of the first ingredients listed) and contains a hydrator like hyaluronic acid. Try BeneFit Do It Daily, $28. If you find that a water-based lotion doesn't work well enough, try a formula that contains dimethicone or glycerin, the two safest oils for acne-prone skin. Try BlissLabs Fully Loaded Moisture Lotion, $40. Another soft-skin strategy: Put a humidifier in your bedroom or office.

- From MSN

About Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent reigns as one of the most influential and inspired designers in the world. From his early days in the studio of Christian Dior to his acclaimed haute couture collections of today, YSL's touch remains unmistakable. The YSL style is reflected in the realm of fashion, including accessories, jewelry, ready-to-wear, fragrance, and cosmetics. Yves Saint Laurent is synonymous with excitement, individuality, and a totally fresh and brilliantly inspired point of view.

Introduce Z. Bigatti

Z. Bigatti is one of the most exclusive skin care lines in the world, targeted to reversing visible signs of aging, while leaving skin looking radiant. Z. Bigatti Re-Storation products offer the utmost in elegance and efficacy with the maximum active ingredients needed to repair, nourish and protect your skin.

Z. Bigatti products are formulated to combat lines, wrinkles and signs of aging by using unique combinations of hydroxy acids, antioxidants, vitamins and enzymes. The result is an optimized skin tone and texture much more resistant to nature’s damaging elements. Your skin will positively thrive!

Z. Bigatti products were featured in the 76th annual Academy Awards® gift baskets. The nominees received the ultra-luxurious Re-Storation Skin Treatment, Goodnight, Lip Pout and a certificate to receive the remaining products from the exclusive Z.Bigatti Re-storation skincare line.

Elizabeth Arden's New Fragrance curious BRITNEY SPEARS(TM) is #1 Beauty Product Sold on Amazon.com

Friday December 10, 10:00 am ET
Elizabeth Arden announces that Britney Spears' fragrance is top seller in department stores as well



NEW YORK, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "curious BRITNEY SPEARS(TM), the first fragrance by internationally acclaimed music star Britney Spears was the #1 beauty product sold on Amazon.com, which is linked through Sephora, for the month of November," announced E. Scott Beattie, Chairman and CEO of Elizabeth Arden (Nasdaq: RDEN - News). "Additionally, it is currently the top- selling fragrance in U.S. department stores." The fragrance launched in September 2004. "curious [BRITNEY SPEARS(TM)] will be our number one launch for the fall season and, without a doubt, potentially one of the biggest launches we've had with any fragrance-period," says Debbie Murtha, Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Cosmetics and Fragrances for May Co. Added Thia Breen, Executive Vice President of Cosmetics for the Federated Merchandising Division, "Of course her name is incredibly powerful, but [the fragrance] also has a fantastic presentation-great packaging, a great juice, great modeling and the TV advertising is breakthrough."

About H2O+

H2O PLUS IS THE FIRST COMPANY IN THE WORLD FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE BENEFITS OF WATER-BASED, OIL-FREE SKIN CARE. THEY DESIGN, FORMULATE AND MANUFACTURE ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR UNPARALLELED STANDARDS OF QUALITY. WHITH THEIR EXCLUSIVE LABORATORY AND STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY, THEY REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF PRODUCT INNOVATION.

All our products are fresh and genuine

We never sell anything other than genuine brand items on our website.

Our products are sourced from around the world, so a small number of the products sold on our website may look slightly different from what you have at home, but the products are still 100% genuine and produced by the original manufacturer for that particular brand. For example, a product sold in the US may differ in appearance from the same product sold in France or Japan, but the product is still genuine.
Freshness is also 100% guaranteed as we keep all our stock in a temperature controlled environment prior to shipping and subject to regular quality control checks.

All of which can testify to the quality of the products received by our customers.